{ THANK-full Thursday }

I'm so grateful for retirement so I can enjoy the early mornings with just me, 

coffee, 

the soft glow of the Christmas tree.....

 and JESUS!

HOPE your Thursday is blessed!

{ Tuesday Tidbits }

A few things going on in my neck of the woods.....

Yesterday was an awesome day!

Wanna know why?

I worked outside!

I'd rather be outside working than indoors any old day. The weather was warm - a little too windy - but there were lots of leaves that needed to be mulched and blown and I took advantage of the warmer day and we got a lot accomplished!

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The porch cover is coming along.

I haven't taken any fotos, but I will soon.

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I came across this little owlie in a box of decorations that I hadn't opened in several years. I've had this owl since I was very young before we were even married. One of his little ear tufts is missing, and I'm pretty sure Jess tore/bit it off when she was little. He's faded and kinda nappy, but he's loved and found a place to perch on our tree.

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We got to see all 4 of our grand kiddos perform in The Christmas Carol this past Saturday night. Y'all, I can't even describe the joy and pride for these precious little souls. 

Be still my ♥ 

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Not a very clear foto, but look who's started sleeping in one of the chairs under the carport.....

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I'm pretty much finished decorating for Christmas, except for the lights we bought on sale last year that I wanted to put around our porch - we'll see if that happens since I'm old and tired.....

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Today is the 24th anniversary of going to heaven of one of the most important and loved people in my life.....

my Daddy.

April 13, 1928 - December 4, 1994

(Daddy and me - 1955)

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And, that's that about that as my Mammie used to say!

HOPE everybody has a Terrific Tuesday!

{ A Handmade CHRISTmas }

Just a few ideas for making handmade items to give as CHRISTmas gifts.

Burlap "wedding wreath".
Burlap purchased 3 sheets in a pack at Wal-Mart.
Handmade rosettes hot glued to bottom of wooden frame.

Burlap stockings with felt appliques.

A crocheted scarf.....

Wood burned ornament.
(wood burning is my latest passion....
I ♥ it because it's so much like coloring!)

This year's ornaments for our grand-kiddos!

A little owlie ornament made by one of our grand-boys out of acorns, bark and twigs and given to his Nannie because he knows how much she loves owls.
Oh, how I love that boy!

What about you?
Do you make any of your gifts?
Do you like to receive handmade items?

HOPE everybody has a great Monday.....
only one more before CHRISTmas!

{ Friday Foto Friends #33 }

I've got LOTS of pics to share today!

Feel free to scroll through at your leisure, 

or REALLY, REALLY fast.....LOL

;-)

Once you get to know me better, you'll discover that I adore all things rusty and old.  
I'm thinking I like it even more the older and rustier I get.....ha! ha!

My precious Mamaw gave me this old wheelbarrow and also the wheels in the next picture.

And, in case you didn't know, I also have quite an obsession with owlies!

The ancient galvanized watering cans came from my father-in-law.  

The old dishpan was a gift from a lady I used to work with.

This planter is made out of an old garden gate.

Pappy and I got it on our 25th wedding anniversary trip to Sullivan's Island, SC.

Yes, it's rusty, too!

Funny little story.....

when we first purchased it, my Momma said, "you're going to paint it, aren't you".

Uh, no.....

that would just ruin it, Mom!

A "garnet" colored lily.

Garnet is my birthstone.

My humongous succulents.

I ♥ the star Pappy put on our carport.

It was an after-Mother's Day, Mother's Day gift....LOL

For the last 2 years our hydrangeas didn't bloom because of a freeze in late spring, but lookie at what we got this year.....

Pappy picked these out of our little garden plot yesterday!

I ♥ homegrown maters!

And, last.....
but definitely not least.....
this is one of the many cats who live where we get our drinking water.  I'm pretty sure this one was about to deliver at any minute!  Wish you could see the actual size of her belly.  She was miserable.

So, that's it for today.

HOPE you were able to stick with me 'till the end!

PLEASE link up your photos below.....

and have an awesome weekend.

{ Friday Foto Friends #5 }

I can't believe that Thanksgiving has already come and gone and Christmas is only 3 weeks away.

How can that even be possible?
Do you have all your shopping done?
How about wrapping?
I haven't wrapped the first thing,
but plan to get started on that this weekend.
I put up our tree earlier this year than I ever have in our 39 Christmases together,
and I'm really enjoying it.
I love to turn it on early in the morning when I'm doing my devotions.

I adore this little tree.  It came from Big Lots and we've had it for many years.  The snowflakes and pine cones came from Dollar Tree.  Many of the owls were gifts, we got some from Big Lots, and some from Dollar General Store.  The burlap "garland" was bought at Hobby Lobby.  I can't remember where I got the twig star on top.  I adore the tree "skirt".  It's actually a bed sheet that my Mamaw made out of grain sacks, so yes, it's very old.  I think I was the only grandchild that wanted it.  I love placing it around the bottom of the tree and remembering my precious Mamaw.

HOPE you all will link up with a picture of your own! 

It can even be an older post from this week, if you want!

Happy Friday, Everybody.

HOPE you have a great weekend!

{ Wednesday's Word - Irritation }

Okay, I know that's kind of an odd word to  choose, but bear with me.  Sometimes on Tuesday's this little kiddo "keeps Nannie" while his siblings attend some classes.....

(he was feeding grass to his lawnmower)

One of our neighbors was sweeping up leaves and bringing them to a vacant lot across from us to dump them out.  We went outside to play and this sweet boy was sitting on my lap looking at Lego horses on my phone (something he HAS to do every time he sees me or Pappy) when he said.....

"That's getting on my nerves."

Now bear in mind that he just turned two in July.

So I asked him what was getting on his nerves......

after I composed myself from busting out laughing!

He said "that lawnmower"!

It gave me such a good laugh and oh how it does my heart wonders for him to stay with me.  But, his statement got me to thinking about how we let things irritate us.  Pappy says he's just like me in some of his actions because I, too, don't tolerate noises very well.  I've decided I have some "sensory issues".

 

(can you even believe I found this little saying with an owlie? That has to be a sign that it applies to me....LOL)

What about you?

Is there something that just grates on your last nerve sometimes?  Or, am I the only crazy lady to admit that I have "issues"?!?!??

Now, this is really funny.....

and can be applied to me!

Happy Wednesday, Everybody!!!

Breathing in Grace,

P.S....

From some of my posts y'all have to think that I'm the most nervous, stressed-out, depressed, SAD person alive!!!  I promise I'm not.  I just try to be really honest about things that bother me.  I truly, honestly have GOOD days and many more of those than bad ones!!!  But....with that being said....y'all will never know how much your precious comments, and especially your PRAYERS mean to me.  Y'all are the BESTEST!!!

P.S.S.....

don't forget about Friday Foto Friends.

Get your photo ready to link-up!!!

{ Parliament on the Porch }

  Did you know that a flock of owls is called a parliament?  I had to look that up.  But, what better theme for me to use in the fall decorations for our front porch?!?!?  A few weeks ago, I got in the mood to spruce up the porch and here's what I came up with......

I made two of these pillows from place mats I found at Dollar General Store.  Just take out a bit of the seam in a bottom corner, stuff with fiberfill, and sew back up!  Easy peasy.

This little owlie said "Happy Fall" when I received him as a gift.   I printed the "Welcome" onto a printable burlap sheet and cut it out and glued it on.

Now, I can use him any time of year!

I haven't taken the time to paint the little table yet,

but that's on my "to do" list.  I got it the last time I went to my Mamaw's house with Mom.

And, speaking of Mamaw.....

the philodendron was in a dish garden that someone sent when she passed away in 2011.

You wouldn't believe how long it is now.

I just keep kind of wrapping it around itself!  I've had the pumpkin for many years and the owlies came from my sweet friend, Dawn.

I found this old frame when I was doing some cleaning in the basement and gave it a coat of chalk paint.  I plan to add some "antiquing wax" to it.  Another thing on my "to do" list!  I attached a wreath I made a few years ago to it and hung it on the storm door.

I found this flag at Dollar General Store last year......

isn't it just the cutest! It's very convenient that there's a DGS right down the hill from our house.

Ecclesiastes 3:1

To every thing there is a season, 

and a time to every purpose under the heaven.....

What season is your favorite time of year?

I'll have to say that fall is mine.

Well, except for all the leaves that we have to rake.

HOPE everybody has a great Tuesday!

Breathing in Grace,

{ Wednesday's Word - Suffering }

 A few weeks ago I shared a little book of scriptures that I compiled for somebody going thru a rough time on their job.  That someone is my husband.  You might recall that he was out of work for exactly a year, almost the entire year of 2012.  The job he is doing now is a type of ministry, something we prayed for, and he truly feels it is where God placed him.  With that being said, though, he is suffering persecution.....terribly.....to the point that it's affecting his health.  This isn't the first time that I've seen him go through a really hard time because of his convictions, and it's heart-breaking to see somebody you love suffer for doing good.....

for standing up for their beliefs, for what is right.....

even if it means standing alone.

I know God has a plan.....

and it's a good one.....

we just have to keep trusting and keeping our HOPE in HIM!!!

May I ask you to add my hubby to your prayer list.  

I know I have so many readers who are true prayer warriors.

Breathing in Grace,

Wednesday's Word - Contentment.....

A few weeks ago Pappy bought me a book at an indoor "yard sale" we attended at a local church.

The book is exactly what the title implies....

about a pair of happy owls.  

There are other birds living in a barnyard nearby that only want to eat and drink and fight with each other.  They can't understand why the owls are so happy, so they send the peacock to ask.  The explanation that the owls give for their happiness lies in being content, no matter what season they were living in.  They explained all the benefits of each of the four different seasons.

 You know how I always look for a moral in every story that I read.....

so this is the verse of scripture that I felt God bring to mind.....

Philippians 4:11

Not that I speak in respect of want: 

for I have learned, 

in whatsoever state I am,

therewith to be content.

This is a sweet little book that I intend to share with our grand-kiddos to help them learn that contentment and enjoyment doesn't lie in the things of this world.....

but in being satisfied in what God provides.

HOPE y'all have a Wonderful Wednesday!

Breathing in Grace,

Friday Fun.....

First of all, I want to thank each and every one of you who commented on my post yesterday, sent me a personal e-mails, or left a message on Instagram.  It took a lot for me to post that picture taken in 2006.  I kinda cringe every time I look at it.

Y'all are the best!

I had every intention of doing a collage of things that happened this week....

but alas, that just didn't happen. (sorry, Ms. Cindy)  I'll try to get back to Friday Fotos next week.  

In the meantime, how about some owlie fun?

You do know how much I love owls, right?!?!?

 

 I've gotta ask.....

did you LOWL.....

or at least smile?

HOPE y'all have a Fun, Fantastic Friday!!

Breathing in Grace,