Revisiting My Childhood

On a recent visit to an antique shop I saw some old, already painted, paint-by-number pictures for sale for $40...each! It brought back so many childhood memories for me. My happiest school day memories are the days when the teacher handed out sheets of drawing paper and we pulled out our boxes of Crayola crayons. I still remember the smell of that brand-new box of fat crayons that was given to us in the first grade! Yes, given to us, we didn't have to bring our own supplies way back in 1965! These antique shop pics made me wonder, can you still buy paint-by-number sets and wouldn't that be a fun way to ease back into my artwork? So, upon returning home from vacation, I took a trip to Hobby Lobby ...and oh yes! ...they still make them and they are more beautiful than ever! So, I dug into my mad money and bought myself a gift...well, two actually...I couldn't narrow it down to just one. And now I have a new obsession hobby.

Here's the package front of the first one.



And here is the painting chart on the back ....



...looks like tedious work, huh? But, I'm loving it! I started with the smallest, cheapest (only $3.99!) picture first, just to get a little practice before delving into that BIG picture...a 20" X 16"...kind of intimidating! On with the work...

... Day 1


... day 2


...day 3


...day4


...and day 5!!!


It's not finished yet but I just couldn't wait to show what I've got finished already! I'll post a picture when I finish my project. I've already found dozens of places where I can proudly display my new painting... some in the house, some in the camper. I have a feeling I won't stop with these first two projects. Hobby Lobby has many more kits just calling out to me...take me home with you, Sherry, paint me...paint me!

Linked to Show and Tell Friday

Extending My Weekend

I had the kind of weekend I always dream of but rarely comes about...

I got up very early Saturday morning, before my guys got up, and spent some enjoyable time visiting my Pink Saturday friends while sipping my first cup of coffee. Then my sweet Neil got up and made pancakes for the family.

After breakfast I puttered around in my flower garden, pulling weeds and adding mulch, while my guys took care of other yard work. Then we all got showers and freshened up to go to our favorite little home-owned hamburger place for burgers, fries, and lots of sweet iced tea.



Sunday found us up early, ready for church, my favorite place to refresh my spirit. After coming home and lunching on pizza and fresh veggies we all relaxed with our hobbies. One read, one worked puzzles, one had some uninterrupted computer time, one napped a little, then read a little, then did a little artwork. Neil and I took a walk down our little country road in the early evening, after the sun began to sink and the air was cooling.

It was such a wonderful weekend that I wanted it to go on and on and on... So, to prolong the feeling a little, I got up and spent a little more time in my garden on this Monday morning before the heat got too high. I was able to admire the marigolds I grew from seeds this year. They're almost as tall as I am.




A contented bumblebee hummed me a song while I visited my little garden.



Now I'm refreshed and ready to get my chores done. It was such a lovely way to start a day...to start a week.

Pink Saturday

Just the word, homemade, gives me a warm feeling inside. To me, homemade is synonymous with love. Thus, my never-ending quest to find more and more things that I can make myself...at home. Take my soap for instance...



... I have been making it for quite a few years now and use it exclusively for my face and body soap. My children have grown up using it. My oldest son even took some with him when he went off to college. I love using it because it has no dyes, perfumes or artificial additives. I make it from three simple ingredients; lye, lard, and water. And in the process, glycerin is naturally created and remains in my soap. Glycerin is a great healer for skin problems, but it is removed from most store-bought soaps and sold as a separate product.

I did a lot of research and had a few failures before being rewarded with a beautiful batch of homemade soap. But after having pooled info from many books, websites, and talks with my Aunt Edith, I feel like I have my craft down to an art. I have written up the instructions step-by-step so that I won't forget what to do. In fact, the last time soap was made at my home, my sweet Neil took a day off from work and made it using my instructions. He hadn't been around home when we made it and I think he just wanted to see what it was like. So, while homeschooling was going on inside, he was outside stirring up the lye. He was able to follow my five easy handwritten steps and came out with the beautiful soap you see in my picture above.

I know this may seem crazy to some, but maybe interesting to a few? Let me know if you want me to and I'll make a post with my scaled down, tried-and-true directions for Sherry's Homemade Lye Soap. Want to try a bar before making up a batch? If you have a Cracker Barrel restaurant near you, go into their country store and they sell lye soap that looks and smells just like mine. I was amazed that they sell it for $5.99 a bar! I make 42 bars for less than $10.

I am so excited! I have met a new friend and fellow-soap maker this week. She has a brand-new blog called Gerry's Soap N Stuff, and it is just beautiful! Hope you can go by and visit her and tell her that Sherry @ A Happy Valentine sent you, won't you please?

And while you're out visiting, please drop by Beverly's place and tell her how happy she makes us all with her hosting talents for our Pink Saturday.

Pink Saturday

Want to know what I keep in my lovely rose-bedecked porcelain container? Please don't tell anyone, because it's my secret formula, but I will share it with my Pink Saturday friends...



It's my homemade antiperspirant and pink powder puff!

I delight in making everything that I possibly can from "scratch." Not only do I cook mostly from scratch, but I make many of my own personal products including my antiperspirant. I have to admit I have tried many, many different recipes over the years before finding  this very simple, but effective combination:

1 cup baking soda
1 cup cornstarch
a few drops tea tree oil

Combine in a bowl and mix well. Pour into a beautiful container and make yourself a pink fleece powder puff adorned with a silky ribbon handle. I promise you will smile every time you apply your new antiperspirant. The pure ingredients are body-friendly. I even brush the powder on any itchy insect bites I may have for instant relief.

So, how about you? Do you make any of your own personal products? I would love to hear about your homemade experiments... the triumphs and the flops.


Be sure to go by Beverly's blog for more Pink Saturday fun.

A Sweet Pink Saturday

First I choose a freshly washed, air-dried, crisply ironed pink apron...tie it on...



...then crush some sweet, succulent strawberries just enough to release the deep pink juices. Sprinkle lightly with sugar and set aside while I...



...choose a cake recipe from my prettiest cookbook...



...stir up the batter, pop it in the oven, and...



...yummy! The whole house smells wonderful! All that's left to do is...



... add whipped cream and enjoy it out on the front porch with my guys.



Be sure to join Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for this Sweet Pink Saturday.

We're going camping...we're going camping...

Graduation is over...VBS is over...Vacation here we come!

Miss Avion is being prepped and primped for a ten day vacation ~ beginning tomorrow! ~ at a beautiful Alabama State park! Her new frig was installed yesterday...



...her pillows are all plumped and in place...



...my new travel bag and travel mugs are sitting in there just ready and waiting to be filled...



...I have my fishing license and my library bag full of fluffy reading. What more could a girl ask for? Oh yes, my sweet guys to share it with. Yep, they'll be there too. I'm so excited!!!

I will be away from my computer for the entire ten days, but I have my Pink Saturday posts all ready and scheduled to appear...crossing my fingers that I did it right. So, please come back and visit on the next two Saturdays and I'll be sure to return the favor when I am home again...and oh yes, I'll be sure to bring back pictures of the BIG fish I catch or at least bring back some B-I-G fish stories! :)

Looks Like Love to Me

Tonight is the fourth, and last night of VBS for this year. It has been a beautiful week with some very precious children. I was the director. I am a very reluctant leader. I much prefer to be a follower. I don't like having to make executive decisions. I would rather be told what to do and then go do it. I had already decided that I wouldn't be the director ever again, just a helper. I don't handle stress well. But then last night .... here comes little seven year old Caleb...he is looking up at me with those big blue eyes...he is reaching up to me...and in his clenched fist he holds a present for Mrs. Sherry....





....I don't about you, but it looks like love to me.

I Have a Deep, Dark Secret that I Must Confess...

I am the BIGGEST (and possibly the oldest) Mr. Roger's Fan...ever! I would love to grow up to be just like him...



Mr. Rogers taught me that I am special. He taught me that no one else can do the jobs God has given me because there is on one else like me. He taught me to respect others' feelings, even children's...especially children's. His effects are seen throughout my home...

...on my piano...



...on my bookshelf...



...in my carefully saved inspiring magazine articles...





... in my tower of homemade video tapes of Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood...




...in the soft background music drifting through our rooms...



...and in the songs of my dreams.



It is my opinion that road rage would disappear if every car cd was playing the tunes that Mr. Rogers faithfully sung to his daily audience...Won't You Be My Neighbor...Then Your Heart is Full of Love...There Are Many Ways to Say I Love You... I believe life's stresses could be lessened by a daily dose of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood.

My homeschooled children grew up knowing what Mama meant when she said, "It's time for a Mr. Rogers break." Nope, it didn't mean time for TV. It meant they needed to find something quiet to do because Mama was going to pop a Mr. Rogers tape in the VCR and relax...and probably nap...for 30 minutes. And you want to know what? I was a much calmer and relaxed mama after that 30 minutes. Want to try it for yourself? Here's a link where you can watch some episodes. Don't forget to come back and let me know how you feel after watching an episode.

And remember...

There's only one person in this whole world like you and people can like you exactly as you are. ~ Fred Rogers


Note: Magazine articles are saved from Guideposts June 2003 and August 2007

And a disclaimer about my homemade tapes:
In 1983 Mr. Rogers' testimony before the Supreme Court helped sway its decision to allow individuals to record TV programs on home VCRs.

Thank you Mr. Rogers!!!

Pink Saturday

I'm a WINNER!!!! I am so excited to be the winner of Lorena's Mystery Giveaway! I not only won the beautiful painted tin, but it was full of sweet surprises ~ that was the mystery. But, I won't keep it a mystery anymore. Here's what was packed inside...



...a beautifully decorated jar, a blue rose brooch, rose thumb tacks, a rose magnet, a Battenburg lace doily, and last but not least, beautiful pink bead earrings! All packed into the beautiful tin!

And now for some close-up shots.







Poor Lorena, there was a problem with the delivery of the package from the post office to me. It seemes to have gotten stuck in Atlanta. But after I got the package and saw the beautiful contents it makes me think some pink-loving post office worker caught a glimpse of it and wanted to keep it around for eye candy for a while. I don't blame them either. It is all so beautiful, Lorena. Thank you so much!

Go by and visit Lorena at Rose Chic Friends when you get a chance. She is such a sweet lady and has such a lovely blog. And while you're out visiting please remember to drop by Beverly's at How Sweet the Sound, the founder and gracious hostess of Pink Saturday.

Summer Dreams

With Taylor's graduation behind us I have only one more big obligation before I can officially begin my summer....VBS Director at my church! I am trying to get everything lined up and the "To Do's" checked off before VBS begins on Sunday.

Ahh...Summer... It brings back so many childhood memories. No, not of swimming, or camping, or any of the active things most kids enjoy in the summer. For me it meant I had time to read! With summer thoughts in mind today, look where I visited...



...and look what I got! And...



...look at the other place I went...the public library. Yes, I hope the bookmobile and the public library are going to be seeing a lot of me this summer.

Back to Normal

I had a great weekend! I got to spend it with my WHOLE family! My youngest child, Taylor, and 16 other young people graduated from our homeschool covering on Saturday. My daughter, Heather, and her husband, Matt, came home from Indiana to join in on the celebration. I wanted to get a picture of my smiling crew while they were all here:



L-R: Taylor (the graduate), Preston (my oldest son), daughter Heather, and son-in-law Matt. Thank you for humoring mom and smiling for the camera. You didn't know your picture would end up on my blog did you?

And now with life pretty much back to normal it's time to turn the calendar page. I was excited when I turned the page from April to May and saw the reminder to "Enjoy the Simple Things." I tried to do just that last month. Sometimes it's not easy to do. I get too busy and let life get complicated.



But May was a super month with lots of simple activities. Neil and I got outside with our family and planted the garden and caught up on some "home" chores. We even took the time to make a freezer of ice cream. How simple is that? So, I now turn the calendar from May...

...to June.



And the June page reminds me of the blessings of summer-living in the country. I plan to take advantage of country living as much as possible this summer. I hope to have more at-home days. I hope to make it more like the lazy-hazy days of summer I remember as a child. Days when family spent time together. My children may be grown but it's never too late to make new memories.

I hope to find time to work on a few home projects this month too. I like to keep some type of handwork by my chair to work on in the evenings~ my remedy for falling asleep during a good movie. Here's what I've started...




I've never made a granny-square afghan before and these colors are not typical for me, mainly because there is no pink there...yet. I plan to use the afghan in our camper. Right now the camper's interior colors are pretty neutral, so I could go either way with my decorating. I'm still debating about whether I should go with the bright, energizing colors I've started with in my blanket or use the soft, soothing pastels that I have throughout my home. I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions.