Hello, dear friends. . .Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning~

The first two pictures are a couple of little projects I did the past few days. I made a copy of this vintage image of the young lady in her bonnet and then embellished it with some purple flowers on her hat and a heart shaped rhinestone on the ribbon of the hat. Don't you love the sweet expression on her face and that sweet, sweet bonnet? I sometimes think I was born in the wrong era. I put the image in a white frame that I already had. I used the same image to decorate and embellish a vintage like bottle that I had. I had fun doing both of these, and they are both in my bedroom for me to look at and enjoy.

The next pictures are of a wonderful wedding themed giveaway that I won from my friend, Stephanie, of Angelic Accents. As you can see, each present was beautifully wrapped in netting, and tissue and ribbons. I oohed and aahed as I opened each one. Notice the gorgeous Martha Stewart wedding cake topper, the sweet crossed stitched bride pillow, bride and groom mints, gold embossed stickers, tiny wedding gown, beautiful vintage bridal images, one in particular which I especially adore has the bride's dress made from a vintage bridal hanky, champagne glasses, and last but certainly not least, a bridal themed group of charms. Thank you so much, Stephanie, for your generosity. I felt like I was having Christmas in July!! If you have the opportunity, please stop by and see Stephanie and her beautiful home. She sells the most gorgeous mirrors, too. You will find her here: http://angelicaccents.blogspot.com/

Enjoy your weekend!! Sending love and hugs to you!!

True Beauty. . .

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. . .

For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. . .

For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. . .

And for beautiful hair, let a child run their fingers through it once a day.~Sam Levinson

In a society so seemingly obsessed with physical beauty, it is my prayer that we could follow this simple recipe for "true beauty". I am seeing the true beauty in each of you dear friends as you love your homes and families and one another. God bless each and every one of you!

Down the garden paths~

Gardening is about enjoying the smell of things growing in the soil,

Getting dirty without feeling guilty,

And generally taking the time to soak up a little peace and serenity.~Lindley Karsten

You can bury a lot of trouble digging in the soil.

Dear friends, I am wishing for you a week full of peace, beauty and serenity. Your friendship is a true treasure, and I thank you for it.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. . .

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood as to understand;

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen

I think I comprehend this beautiful prayer by Saint Francis of Assisi just a little better now that these sweet ones have come into my life. Thank you, Lord, for the pure love of my grandchildren, Jake, Grace, Luke, Ally, Maggie and Henna Rose. Wishing love and peace to each of you, dear friends. (I have another one of these sweet ones on the way!!)

Welcome to "Vintage Alphabet Party" and "Tea Cups on Tuesday"

"L" is for vintage luggage pocket embellished with sweet laces and ribbons. . .

"L" is for a Limoges charger that hangs on the wall in my bedroom. . .

"L" is for vintage Linens, a sweet Southern Belle that decorates a table in my bedroom. . .

"M" is for a Mosaic heart made from vintage china that hangs in my dining room. . . Love the sentiment on this one. . .

"M" is for Marching Musicians, a Christmas present from my dear sister, Myra. . . She knows what I love, and we love similar things. . .

"L" and "M" for old garden roses: Le Vesuve, Maggie, and Mrs. B. R. Cant, three of my favorites in rosy mugs (good for drinking tea and coffee). . .




A favorite tea cup holding a bunny with her pink tutu. . .

A plate full of pretties. . .


A favorite sign that expresses how I feel about life. . .

Hello, sweet ones! I enjoy life very much and believe that every day we are given on earth is a gift from God. We can determine how we feel about life by our attitude, and I choose to treasure each day.~"Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year."~Ralph Waldo Emerson

To visit all of those participating in the "Vintage Alphabet Party", please go here http://etsycottagestyle.blogspot.com/ To visit all of those participating in "Tea Cups on Tuesday" please visit these dear friends~ Martha at http://marthasfavorites.com/ Sandi at http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/ and Terri at http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/ Thank you so much for stopping by today. . . enjoy each day!!!

Bouquets picked just for you, dear friends~

While strolling through my garden this morning, I cut some of my old garden roses and put them in these pretty bottles for us to enjoy today.

"Where comes this idea that if what we are doing is fun, it can't be God's will? The God who made giraffes, a baby's fingernails, a puppy's tail, a crooknecked squash, the bobwhite's call, and a young girl's giggle, has a sense of humor. Make no mistake about that."~Catherine Marshall

Aren't you glad He has a sense of humor? I hope you share some giggles with someone soon!! Love and blessings always~ Vicki

The teapot parade. . .

I'm a little teapot. . .

Short and stout.

Here is my handle.

Here is my spout.

When I get all steamed up,

Hear me shout,

"Tip me over and pour me out!"

Do you remember singing this song as a child and doing the motions with it? I do. Today, I am showing some of my favorite teapots around my cottage. Please visit our faithful hostesses for "Tea Things on Tuesday": Martha at http://marthasfavorites.com Sandi at http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/ and Terri at http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/

You will enjoy seeing all of the lovely tea things our participants have to share this week.

"A little cup of friendship

With a bag of tea.

When you drink this

Think of love from me."

Wishing you the best of weeks and much happiness, my sweet friends. Thank you so much for your kindness and the friendship you show!!