Helping To Spread The Word....

Hi girls...I was checking my email found one from "Chez Fifi"....her new magazine will be out in two weeks...yep the long awaited "Romantic Prairie Style" is on it's way....I am personally really excited about it...I loved the book (even though it took eons to find it)...it was worth the wait. I don't have a lot to say beyond this tid bit of news this post but I will be back soon to chat...I hope you have a splendid day....thanks for popping in....till next time blessings and big hugs...Karena

Tuesday Morning Tellings....

Good Morning Everyone....we had such a nice Easter Sunday....when we went out to the garden Sunday morning we were greeted by this  Iris....isn't it BEAUTIFUL....I snapped the picture first thing so I could always have the memory of this first bloom...then it was on to the rest of our Easter preparations...there was a table cloth for the table...with the umbrella to create some shade...watering to do and the inside to tend to....I am blessed to say the Lord gave me strength to do all these things (with my sweeties help of course)...almost everything was done when the fam arrived

The weather was stellar...clear..warm...a bit breezy...FABULOUS...my niece came and got a blanket from me to lay on the grass for egg coloring....everyone participated (almost)....these are some of the treasures they created...it made me so happy to see these colorful works of "egg art"...our little M who just turned 5 led the festivities with joy and wonder....

Aren't they pretty....

We all gathered around the table at dinner to eat ham....roasted potatoes....Italian green beans...salad...and rolls...it was delicious...thank you to my daughter and her sweetie for preparing the food...I took it easy....only needed to cook the string beans ....dinner was great...the day was long ...we even had time for a fire in the outdoor fireplace...when all was said and done even the squirrels had a good time...I hope your Easter was equally fabulous ....I have to take on my day...but before I go thank you for stopping by....till next time ....blessings and big hugs...Karena

Easter is Almost Here....

Good Morning everyone...I am up early this morning it's slow going getting my sleep pattern's back to normal...but I am WORKING AT IT....I woke up realizing Easter Sunday is this weekend our family will come here for dinner ...hopefully we will have GREAT WEATHER...

These pictures are of a table top rose bush I have that is blooming it's little heart out...I took my camera out with me yesterday as I was walking my laps in the yard...after finishing I snapped these roses they were so pretty and delicate..as I waited for my camera to focus I realized what a testament to life flowers are...

They push forth from their stems leaf growth...height ...then their crowning glory of petals...color...scent...and structure standing tall ...bending when the breezes blow...they don't shrink back from the occasional honey bee or hide from rain drops that appear to come down from the clouds so furiously it seems as though the tiny drops of water will destroy the petals...but they DON'T....the rain drops come...the rose's reach up ...lean in....and welcome the rain ...almost as if they have some knowing place that the water will do them much more good then harm...

I was encouraged by this passing revelation...like a life lesson I needed ...I have the same quality's of strength and perseverance as our flower friend's...I can stand tall....all 4' 11" inches of me...lean in and wait on my heavenly father to renew my spirit...my body...my future...because he gave them to me...I praise him for that thought...for our Savior...for the special renewing time of year this is...all of nature seems to feel it...waking up all around us...reminding us that all things have a season...and new things will come...the garden's of our life will burst with new growth...fill our ears with bird songs and maybe even gift us with bunny friends...(ours was back at dusk last night...I didn't see her yet but my sweetie did)

I pray you all have a stunning Easter Sunday sweet friends...till next time I thank you so much for visiting today...blessings and BIG hugs...Karena

So Shines A Good Deed...In A Weary World....

The title of this post is one of the last lines from "Willie Wonka & the Chocolate Factory" I am thankful this morning too for "Good Deeds" in the form of help that my sweetie offered me last weekend...Our house was built in 1941..it's a beauty with good bones....architectural detail and lots of warmth in layout and structure...BUT...one of the things it lacks is closet space...our bedroom has one tall skinny closet adequate for 1941 life styles...2012 is a different matter....when we moved in I put an armoire in the room to use as supplemental closet space...however after coming home from the hospital I found myself fighting every morning trying to find something easy to wear since I have a "Hitch in my get along"...I was so frustrated I had to ask my sweet husband to help me...when I opened the armoire door he said ..."this doesn't work so well for you does it"...my reply was "no it doesn't"...

So 2 Saturdays ago he went on a special mission to find something he could build for me that would fix my dilemma...he came home with this "box system"...BRILLIANT....

4 Box's one set of shelves per box gave me 6 cubbies for soft sided bins that work great to hold everything I need up close...this left my Ar moire much less cluttered....the finished product is below...I even received a lamp for good lighting...can you believe it no light in these old closets...how did people see things back then...

So here it is all finished...organized and full of light....I love it...thank you sweetie for all your hard work...the act of organizing....getting rid of clutter...purging ourselves of unnecessary items in our homes has such a freeing effect...like digging out from under a hill that's pressing in on you...I hope you all have a splendid day...I need to take on my day too...till next time blessings and big hugs....Karena

Sunday's ...Slow...Sunny...& Full of Spring Suprises

Happy Sunday Morning girls....how are you all...It is sunny here this morning...no more rain...the birds are singing outside as if to say "hey wake up...it's Sunday"....I love the quiet ...slow...pace of Sunday's....a day perfectly suited for family...nice weather...and a good dose of the outdoors

As I was out in the garden yesterday walking my laps ...I was surprised with lots of spring....things are blooming and bursting all around the yard...petunias from some hanging baskets last year spilled out and presented themselves in the center of a brick below....the giant fern we got from Wal-Mart last season is coming back with a vengeance...it will be planted this year in a perfect spot since I know it will come back every year....

I have dreams of being strong enough to go to Lowe's stroll through the garden section and pick out some geraniums..2 leafy vines to plant in the back yard for height...and an asparagus fern ...I have some seeds too that I'd like to get in the ground today if I can ask my sweetie for help...So how are you girls spending your time today...I hope it's filled with lots of love...till next time blessings and big hugs...Karena

Target Treasures...Tools...& A Thank You

Last Saturday my sweetie went to Target ...since I was at home recuperating he decided to bring me a SURPRISE...always a thrill anytime I see TARGET BAGS COMING THROUGH THE DOOR....he found this Rachel Ashwell book on sale ...it is about her new venture "PRAIRIE"...the Bed & Breakfast she has in Texas...It's stunning with wonderful pictures and lots of thoughts from Rachel about why her new passion is this special place she's creating...I LOVE reading about her journey's in life...how special it is to be reminded that when we least expect it new breezes can begin sweeping across the landscape of our lives....changing our direction...shifting our paths...pointing us toward ...ALL THINGS NEW....stunning...I thought I'd share this you may want to check it out...Target had the book in the home section where Rachel's "SIMPLY SHABBY CHIC" Bedding line is on an end cap...check it out...

The next thing I've been working on is trying to find a tool for editing photos ...I found "Picmonkey" through Diana at "Nana Diana takes a break"....thank you so much Diana...it is simple to work with and easy to save to my computer....your so smart !!!!!

This Rose is in a floral arrangement I received when I got home from the hospital from my daughters beautiful best friend Jessica and her sweet little family...it's so lovely...and has lasted for 2 weeks tomorrow...this particular pink rose has taken upon itself to "dry" in this perfect wrinkly cabbage rose stage of opening....I LOVE IT...it is a double gift....so the bouquet will be preserved for me to enjoy for a long time to come....THANK YOU JESSICA....

I have some walking to do around the back yard....I need to fill my lungs with fresh air...I hope you all have a wonderful day...it's Friday you know...so the weekend is stretched out in front of you...I am looking forward to it....be well beautiful girls....till next time blessings and BIG HUGS...Karena

Trying Something New....

Good Evening girls...I have been on the computer for hours trying to find a way to frame my pictures for Loblolly since Picnik is going away next month....I found a site called "fotoflexer:...not sure if I like it...it's pretty basic but at the same time confusing to save to my computer...that's what I've been working on for so long...do you all have a new tool your using that you like for this ....I'm open to anything you have to share ...in fact I'd appreciate it so much...have a great night I will be back tomorrow morning...blessings till then...Karena