~MORE THOUGHTS FROM MY FATHER...

HANDWRITTEN WITH LOVE

Several weeks ago I shared with you how in every sense of the word, and amongst other things, my father was a Poet. He loved to write about his passion for the Sea and the deep love he had for his family. Most often though he wrote about his faith.

The ravenous effects of Dementia are quickly stealing away tiny bits of my father's mind. I struggle sometimes to understand why a loving, merciful God could allow such things...but then, God is GOD and I am not God. So, I've concluded I'm not suppose to understand the things that are beyond my understanding.

Willingly (although with obvious struggle), I no longer try.

Today I can only say now how I wish this cup had passed from him...

BEFORE THE ILLNESS

This morning I came across a lovely little poem my Father penned when he was not quite 22 years old. Thirty years after it was first written an old friend returned to him the only copy in existence. Although he was vocal about it's simplicity and questionable meter, I begged him to include it in the handwritten keepsake book he gave to me many years ago.

He obliged.

ORIGINAL POEM FROM MY FATHER

I lovingly share a copy of it with you today.

CREATION OF GOD

I gaze out 'ore the valley
The rolling verdant hills
And tell myself 'what a beautiful dream'
God had to make it real

I look up at the castles
Of the clouds there in the sky
And tell myself no man made thing
Graced so the human eye

Then there is the sunlight
I see through the window pane
Or the darkened clouds evicting
The jewelery of the rain

I also see the flowers
Dressing up the land
With colors that are laughing
At the futile cities of man

God, our Father in Heaven
Show us all the Light
To see such beautiful things as these
That help make life alright.

W.E. Elliott
3/1/52

Blessings to you as you enjoy the unequaled beauty created by the Most High...Rebecca

~EMBRACING THE RAIN~

MY MAILBOX PLANTER

Yesterday morning I stood squarely in front of our large picture frame window and peered out onto the ground that surrounds our beautiful La Chaumiere de Briarwood. I watched as an unexpected rain storm blanketed our tiny patch of land allowing the parched earth to drink in a few sips of refreshing, heaven-sent water.

The colorful Vinca growing in my mailbox planter have suffered greatly this year. Evidence of the scorching heat of yet another blazing hot, Oklahoma Summer. They were obviously welcoming the rain. The window box flowers, grown from the tiniest of Begonia plants, are finally starting to bloom after thirsting from too long a drought.

MY BEAUTIFUL BEGONIA'S

When I was a little girl I did not like the rain. It interrupted my day, maligned my plans for outdoor play and carelessly washed away my sidewalk chalk. These were great concerns for a child such as I. For I was one who lived only to breathe in the sunny California sky and bask in the warmth of her endless rays.

Back then I had no use for the rain...

MY RAIN SOAKED SIDEWALK

But, today I choose to embrace it!

LITTLE FLOWERS
by Danny Lee

"Little Flowers never worry
When the wind begins to blow
And they never, never cry
When the rain begins to fall
Tho it's wet and oh so cold
Soon the sun will shine again
Then they'll smile unto the world
For their beauty to behold

When the clouds begin to gather
And the storm begins to blow
Little Flowers don't complain
Though they're tossing to and fro
Oh, I guess they've learned the secret
They don't fret because they know
If it never, ever rained
Then they'd never, never grow...."

MY PRETTY BASKET FLOWERS

Blessings to you as you seek to live out the truth even the little flowers of the earth know~ "If it never, ever rains, then we'll never, never grow!"~~Rebecca

~BLESSINGS FROM A SWEET BLOGGER FRIEND and Now It's My Turn To PAY IT FORWARD~

SWEET PRETTIES FROM A BLOGGER FRIEND

Even though I created my Blog back in February '08 I didn't actually start Blogging until January of this year. I could never have envisioned just where the journey of an on-line journal would take me or how much it would change my life! I thought I'd tell a handful of people a few stories, share a few creative tips and maybe...JUST MAYBE...find a new friend or two!

NEW AND VINTAGE MILLINERY BLOOMS
RIBBON ROSES, BUTTONS, LACE and FABRIC

Well...I've found more than just ONE or TWO new friends and one in particular has blessed me in such an AWESOME way over the past several weeks. So much so the blessings are hard to even comprehend!

LOVELY FINDS...I'M TOO EXCITED TO SPEAK

Two weeks ago when my hubby was out of town I received two big boxes that were filled to overflowing with over 50 rolls of ribbons, snippets of new and vintage laces, trims, cording, fringes, etc. You name it it was in the box! Thread, beads, straight pins, fabric...it was ALL THERE and so much more!

And all of it came from ONE precious LADY I met here in Blogland...

SIX VINTAGE SEWING MACHINE DRAWERS
(Be Still My Heart)

As I sorted through the menagerie of breathtaking pretties I couldn't help but think this woman was quite possibly the most generous person I'd ever "not met" in my life!

It took me several days to put all the goodies away and I still haven't stopped babbling about being so incredibly blessed by this lovely human being~ "Paying It Forward" doesn't even BEGIN to put into perspective what all she has done...

Just when I thought I'd come to grips with the magnitude of her giving I received two more boxes, again filled to the brim! Inside one of the Boxes I found the SIX vintage sewing machine drawers you see above! She also sent me an amazing wooden box, that along with the drawers will be PERFECT for painting!

GORGEOUS RIBBON ROSES
PINK, CREAM AND WHITE

Also included are bags and bags of sweet ribbon roses in pink, white and cream! Oh...and see those neat decorative balls below? They were in one of the first boxes...

DECORATIVE BALLS - PERFECT FOR MY COTTAGE

Saying "Thank You" doesn't even come CLOSE to sharing how I feel. When I asked if I could write a POST naming her as my benefactor she reluctantly agreed~but, only if I promised I would not use her name...

You know what? That is just 'sooooo her!'

And so I will keep the identity of my benevolent friend a SECRET and trust that it is ENOUGH that God knows who she is...

Dear --,
Thank you dear friend from the bottom of my heart...you've blessed me a thousand fold!

Gosh...now it's my turn to 'Pay It Forward'...

I'm thinkin'! Stay tuned...

Blessings from my unworthy little self...Rebecca

"LOVE IS..." and Other Things That Matter

"LOVE IS....
Sometimes Sharing the Chores"
(WHAT? HOW ABOUT ALL THE TIME!??)

It's Wednesday and time again for my weekly "LOVE IS..." POST. If you are new to following my Blog let me just quickly say that my hubby of many years use to snip out from his local newspaper these now aging cartoons and would then tuck them inside his love letters to me while we were dating. I've saved them all these years and on Wednesdays I bring them out to share with my readers! Trust me...they are as timely as ever!

OK...I'm going to make this short, sweet and to the POINT!

If you live in OUR HOUSE you are expected to HELP KEEP IT TIDY! Period!

Now~with that said let me just clarify a couple of things...

My guy is a worker bee...I've shared that with you a gazillion times. Like me, he is always on the go and with a kitchen remodel in the works he truthfully never stops. Add Spring and Summertime lawn care, normal upkeep of our home and general maintenance into the mix and you can imagine his slate is pretty full.

HOWEVER....

Even though I love to clean (I know! It's SICK) and keep things tidy on the inside, if I need help at any particular time my Mr. AGPMan knows how to pitch in! He certainly doesn't do things like I WOULD DO THEM, but~ he CAN push a mean vacuum and does a bang 'em up job with our SWIFER MOP! :)

(Thank-you, Baber!)

Blessings to you as you remember it's never too late to teach an old dog husband new tricks...Rebecca

HE CARES ABOUT YOU ~ Just LEAVE IT THERE

Ever have one of those days when the time you have at your fingertips spins awkwardly out of control leaving you with a day half wasted? You know the kind of day, don't you? A day where nothing you planned to accomplish gets done and you find yourself left with a pile of empty minutes and chores that still need tending...

Yesterday was like that for me.

One project after another was climbing onto my already crowded back. I began to feel overwhelmed with the fact that my 'Monday' was turning out crummy and I felt powerless to change it. I whined. I lamented. I complained.

And...

I was miserable.

And so...late in the evening I decided to do what I SHOULD have done during my early morning hours~

I sat down.

Got quiet.

And took my stresses and disappointments to God.

I suppose there are times when I don't want to trouble the Most High with my hurts. I mean...He's got BIG things to deal with like waring countries and the terribly afflicted...the poor, the neglected, the broken. After all, He needs to make time to listen to the prayers of important people...

How could my God, who is big and awesome (and sooo demanded upon), ever care about my little struggles? My disappointments? My fears? My failures?

And yet, He does~

And so...

I did exactly the thing I once heard my beautiful mother sing so often about...

I left the load of my daily grind, my usually simple, but sometimes out of control life, and laid it at the feet of my Savior...

And...

I rested.

Leave It There
Charles Albert Tindley

If the world from you withhold of its silver and its gold,
And you have to get along with meager fare,
Just remember, in His Word, how He feeds the little bird;
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

Chorus:

Leave it there, leave it there,
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.
If you trust and never doubt, He will surely bring you out.
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

If your body suffers pain and your health you can't regain,
And your soul is almost sinking in despair,
He knows the pain you feel, He can save and He can heal;
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

When your enemies assail and your heart begins to fail,
Don't forget that God in Heaven answers prayer;
He will make a way for you and will lead you safely through.
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

When your youthful days are gone and old age is stealing on,
And your body bends beneath the weight of care;
He will never leave you then, He'll go with you to the end.
Take your burden to the Lord and leave it there.

Blessings to you as you remember that "HE CARES ABOUT YOU!" (1 Peter 5:7)...Rebecca

HOW TO PRINT ON FABRIC TUTORIAL - Self Printed Images Using A Home Printer

"HOW TO PRINT ON FABRIC"

TUTORIAL
(MIRCROSOFT WORD PROGRAM)

~Self Printing Images Using A Home Printer~

***IF YOU ARE HAVING TROUBLE OPENING THIS TUTORIAL SCROLL DOWN AND READ THE COMMENTS BY "THE MUFFIN MAN". HE CREATED A LINK FOR YOU TO DOWNLOAD THE FREE PROGRAM SO YOU CAN VIEW THE TUTORIAL WITH PICTURES! SORRY I'M NOT MORE COMPUTER SAVVY! REBECCA****

I've promised you all for the longest time I would offer up a TUTORIAL on how to self print images onto fabric. Over the past few years I've used several different methods to achieve the look I've come to love.

In the past I've taped and/or glued fabric to regular paper and run that through my personal printer as a way of printing my collection of vintage Ephemera directly onto cotton material. I've even purchased that EXPENSIVE printer fabric...all with reasonably good results. The store-bought fabric sheets were pretty good, but~very costly! I was a bit dissatisfied with the quality of cotton (the thickness and thread count) on the pre-made sheets as well. The tape and glue method was good...but I did jam my printer a couple of times and that did NOT make my Mr. AGPMan very happy! :(

In the end I've decided on one main thing about Self Printing! It is this...

For you to have GREAT results you must FIRST have a great image to begin with. Also, knowing what your computer program and printer can and cannot do will also help. I've spent a great deal of time learning how to manipulate my images and I'm ALWAYS happy with the results. I use the latest version of PaintShop Pro and I LOVE IT!

Hope you enjoy the Tutorial! Click on the LINK under the picture above and it will take you to several pages of pictures and instructions!

Blessings to you has you print all your heart desires...Rebecca

~COMING THIS SUNDAY - How To Print On Fabric TUTORIAL~

HOW TO SELF-PRINT ON FABRIC
(This Pillow is currently offered on eBay)

OK, Peeps! This is what you've all been waiting for and what I've promised for many moons now! A TUTORIAL on how to SELF PRINT images onto fabric!

I've actually used several different methods to transfer my favorite images onto fabric over the past few years... I plan on showing you the BEST WAY that I'VE FOUND to insure you come away with wonderful results.

That said...

I'm NO EXPERT when it comes to transferring images onto material. I have unlimited access to a 100K copier machine that helps me when my home printer can't meet some of my demands. Still...I believe the things I will be sharing with you will at least point you in the right direction.

Come back TOMORROW (that is Sunday August 23rd) for lots of information and TIPS!

Blessings to you as you gear up to learn something new...Rebecca

~TURN THAT TRASH INTO TREASURE - Sweet Results From Garage Sale Finds~

SWEET TAG SALE TREASURES

Earlier this summer I posted about a exceptionally fabulous tag sale I stumbled upon here in Oklahoma City. I was a bit of a braggart...remember? I went on and on about how I snagged the PREMIER ISSUE of VICTORIA Magazine for only fifty cents along with a bunch of other incredible vintage finds... I snapped a picture of my haul that day so you could see all my new-found pretties!

PERFECT FOR THE COTTAGE LOVIN' HOME

Over the course of June and July I managed to give some of those charming old finds a facelift. I painted up the neat wooden paddle, oil can and the 2die4 vintage powder box lid. I also found a place of honor in my own home for the pink rose hat, vintage Lefton hands and of course, the Magazine (sometimes I have a problem with sharing!!). Still on my list for a makeover was the sweet coffee pot and the vintage wooden purse basket...

NEWLY RESTYLED WITH SHABBY PINK ROSES

I finally finished painting and lining the basket a few days ago and was waiting to photograph it for eBay (listed today) when my granddaughter, Miss K, asked me if she could use it for a SPARE Lunch Box...

WHAT?

I'm tellin' you that kid comes up with the most hysterical things to say...

NOT SO PRACTICAL FOR HOLDING A SANDWICH

Anyway~ the more I thought about it the more I concluded that just MAYBE being a LUNCH BOX was what the basket was originally designed for...or, maybe it was just MEANT to be an UGLY purse...Not sure. I only know for certain that I would NEVER have carried it...

I think it is best served being used as JUST A BASKET!!! I can see it now... 'sitting pretty' on some dainty little shelf! How about you?

Blessings as you await with passion the arrival of fabulous Fall sales and Autumn shopping...Rebecca

ALMOST FORGOT! "LOVE IS..." and Other Things That Matter

"LOVE IS...Having him paint the NEW PANTRY"

OMGOSH! I've been so distracted and OVERJOYED to have my Mr. AGPMan back home I totally forgot today is Wednesday and time for my weekly "LOVE IS..." POST!!!

OK Peeps! This is going to be quick~

My Hubbs has been pretty worn out from the work both he and my brother were doing on my sister's home in Tennessee. He arrived back home early Monday morning and just about slept the entire day. He's also 10lbs lighter (no kidding!). The rewards of hard work, I suppose!

Anyway...being true to form (and a REAL Worker Bee!), my guy is already back to the grind of working on our 'slow going' kitchen remodel. Presently he's already sheet rocked the new pantry and it's now ready for a coat or two of FRESH NEW PAINT. In less than a week I'll have a tidy new space in which to store our food ...

Blessings to you as you wind down your summer projects and turn your heart towards home...Rebecca

MORE OKLAHOMA SECOND HAND SHOPPING...and Miss K's 1st Grade

BIG 1ST GRADER - MISS K

Our Miss K started 1st Grade today! Because her Momma is a 1st Grade Teacher herself and her Daddy is away on business in Southern Cali, I had the privilege of taking her to her first day of school again this year! She is growing so tall! She's going to be a lot taller her Nana! She has those long, thin, gorgeous legs on her... I knew by the time I was 8 years old that I was NEVER going to have legs like that! :(

After saying "good-bye" to my only grandchild, I decided to drive to Bethany, Oklahoma, for a visit to a junky little Antique Mall. This isn't my favorite place to shop...but have to admit that SOMETIMES I find really neat stuff there. Their prices are usually pretty good, too!

Apple Tree Antiques is housed in an aging strip mall. It's a tad-bit pitiful! The building was once the home to a TG&Y (Five and Dime). It was right across the street from the College where I met my Mr. AGPMan. I use to buy cheap dorm Towels and Cover Girl make-up there! :0 It was ALL my Pizza Hut Waitress salary would allow ($2.00 per hour!). Argh...

Now, Apple Tree Antiques is NO ORANGE CIRCLE (in Orange, California - my sweet friend Tea's favorite haunt)! But...it is interesting. And, like I said...sometimes you stumble upon some amazing finds!

You definitely have to SCAN ALL THE BOOTHS. Something wonderful can be hiding and if you're not careful YOU'LL MISS IT! "DIG" is my motto!

There wasn't one thing in this booth I wanted to spend my money on! So...I kept walking...and looking...

On to the next row of booths I found this fabulous old spice rack. Since I sold Tea-Girl my last REALLY GOOD ONE, I decided to get this one for ME! The wood will be painted and so will the lids of those amazing Milk Glass jars!

OK...see this neat old China Hutch? Well...I didn't buy it...but I'm going to! I think! I actually snapped this picture so I could show my hubby what he needed to go back and pick up for me! :) Perfect for a little nook in my formal dining room. Don't gasp...if I do end up getting the pretty little thing IT WILL BE PAINTED...(Cottage White, of course!).

Another darling old find! This delightfully sweet pair of vintage shoe forms and/or supports are 2die4. I'm going to paint them creamy white and then hand paint pink roses on the top... I'm LOVIN' them!!!

I'm always on the hunt for vintage hats. I love to display them in my La Chaumerie de Briarwood! The really good ones are getting terribly difficult to find. Today I snagged THREE! Whoo Hoo! The best of the lot is COVERED with over a dozen vintage off-white roses! Heaven!

Now...this little mirrored piece is a bit strange! But...it was only $10.00 so I just had to bring it home. It is not old old...not sure HOW NEW though! I love the chippy peeling paint. Perfect for my hubby's nightstand. He'll hate it being crowded up I'm sure...but he won't say a word. That's just his way!

OK...the finale! For those of you who don't craft or sew, well...this might APPEAR to be a boring find! They aren't to me!!! After leaving the Antique Mall I stopped on my way back home at a local Thrift Shoppe (neat Second Hand Store). I found Two FULL BOLTS of tassel fringe for $2.99. One is taupe, one is cream. They were tied up together in a plastic bag just waiting for me on a Bric-a-Brac shelf! Be still my heart!

Blessings to you as you find joy and happiness in each beautiful day...Rebecca

~I'VE BEEN AWAY and Sew Busy! Promise...More For You Soon~

~ I'VE BEEN SEW BUSY~

Just a quick note for all you peeps out there!

I've been swamped the past couple of days with welcoming my Mr. AGPMan back home and helping our Miss K get ready for the FIRST GRADE!!!

I've also been SEW Busy working on new pretties for eBay that I've barely taken a moment to even think about my little Bloggie. Just wanted you to know I've been missin' you and my visits to your wonderful Blogland journals. I PROMISE! I'll be BACK in the groove again soon! The past 48 hours have flow by and I've needed to SLOW DOWN, step back and allow myself to breathe in the blessings in my life...

I know you understand!

Later this week I plan on doing a fun tutorial on just HOW I get those neat vintage images of mine (like the one above) fashioned into pillows...stay tuned! This is something I think you're going to love.

Blessings to you as you gear down and enjoy the special times in your life...Rebecca

~WOMAN'S HOME COMPANION COOKBOOK - Apples Muffins At Their Finest~

WOMAN'S HOME COMPANION COOKBOOK

CIRCA 1955

When I was a bitty girl my Mother baked and cooked recipes directly from this wonderful old Woman's Home Companion Cookbook. She married my father in November of 1955 and for as long as I can remember this was the ONLY cooking book she ever used.

Several years ago she found several copies of the Cookbook and purchased one for each of her girls. They fetch a pretty penny now! I've seen them go as high as $80 on eBay! In all my years of junking and slumming (that would include antiquing), I've only seen one and it was being carried around in the arms of SOME OTHER WOMAN...err...

SPICY APPLE MUFFINS

(Do you SIFT? Well, I certainly do!)

Recently I had the JOY of making (for the umpteenth time) one of my favorite TREATS from the Book! The recipe is for the BEST "Spicy Apple Muffins" I have ever, ever had! I promised our Miss K that we would whip up a batch to welcome her beloved Papa when he arrives back home tomorrow... so that is exactly what we did! We baked!

WHISK TOGETHER DRY INGREDIENTS

(Includes cinnamon and nutmeg! Yum!)

Now my entire house has a lingering aroma of Fall and other spicy Autumn scents!

Here's a recap! If you'd like the Full Recipe I've included it below!

FOLD WET INTO DRY
(By hand please...no MIXER!)

ADD ONE CORED & CHOPPED APPLE

(I leave mine in BIG CHUNKS!)

LOOKS YUMMY!
(It is!!!)

APPLE WEDGE ON TOP

(Dipped in Cinnamon & Sugar, of course!)

The recipe calls for these fabulous apple wedges on the top dipped into cinnamon and sugar. This was a step my Momma never missed, sooo~this is the way I do it, too!

MAKES 12 PERFECT MUFFINS

(Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes)

ABSOLUTELY DREAMY!

(Simply fabulous served warm with butter!)

I'm tellin' you peeps...you DON'T need Panara Bread when you have recipes like this!

FABULOUS WITH A CUPPA JOE

(or your FAVORITE Tea...mine is Raspberry!)

I am sorry to say that back in 1955 the calorie and fat/sugar content in recipes was NOT available.

NOTHING LEFT BUT THE CRUMBS

(Maybe I'll have another!)

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Thank you, Mom, for passing down the love of baking to me! Just the smell of the muffins baking today reminded me of living on Sigman Street...back when you were so young and I was sooo little.

Blessings to you as you BAKE MEMORIES with those you love...Rebecca

~RHINESTONES & LACE - DRESS FORMS for the Romantic Cottage Home~

ROMANTIC DRESS FORM
A TJ Maxx DEAL - $24.99

I love to find things for my home that mimic the old without having to pay the sometimes exorbitant vintage prices at estate sales and antique malls! This is why I am a BIG FAN of places like TJ Maxx, Ross, Tuesday Morning, etc. You just never know what you are going to stumble upon... Sometimes they get in the greatest stuff....and then sadly, sometimes they DON'T!

Take this sweet metal Dress Form for instance! I snagged her yesterday for $24.99 and even though I knew I would repaint her, she was WORTH the price I paid! Just perfect for the top of my vintage dresser, she is beautifully graceful and full of charm! Freshly repainted, Emma (Yep! I named her!) looks simply smashing with the shimmery old rhinestone earrings at the top of her bustier (boosty-a) and the old lace ascot is just precious tied around her waist.

~PAINTED WITH KRYLON PAINT~
At "Wal-YOU KNOW WHAT" - $2.89

Newly base painted with Krylon's Ivory Paint, I actually plan on LIGHTLY antiquing her with my favorite GEL STAIN (soon to share this info with you!)! I was just tooo impatient (gee...?) to wait until the spray paint was FULLY cured to snap my pictures...hmmmm! :)

I gently distressed my newest gal-pal, too! Just roughed her up a bit (wow...that doesn't sound nice, does it?)! Now she's stylin'!!!

Boy~ I'm just LOVIN' HER NOW!

~ORIGINAL "BLACK" WAS SWEET~
JUST NOT FOR ME

And...for those of you who want black...well, here you go! I present to you Emma in her original condition. Truly sweet, I just just can't use the black!

Now...after I purchased this little sweetie I also stopped by Hobby Lobby (for those of you in the Mid-West...for those of you who don't, so SAD FOR YOU!) and I saw a few of Emma's sisters and cousins there! Only they were a bit smaller in size and cost about $19.99.

Today I'm off to Estate Sale Shoppe ALONE! It just won't be the same without my Mr. AGPMan. One more day before I see his smiling face and my life returns to normal~

Blessings to you as you turn your thoughts and hearts toward home...Rebecca

~A ROSE IS A ROSE - Sweet Sentiment on a Lonely Day~

GORGEOUS PINK BLOOMS

OK...forgive me! I'm a braggart when it comes to the random display of love and affection. I can't help myself. Save the Valentine Chocolates and the over-ripe red roses (assembly-line style, of course) that men seem to turn to when trying desperately to be romantic...

GIVE ME THIS INSTEAD...

PETITE REMEMBRANCE - JUST PERFECT

The doorbell rang unexpectedly early yesterday morning at my La Chaumière de Briarwood. I was still in my PJ's at 9AM when I opened the door to the friendly face of an older man holding a petite bouquet of gorgeous flowers~

Nothing could have been sweeter for my lonely heart at that very moment! Just knowing my hubby of many, many years had been thinking of me, stopping long enough to place an order for my favorite pink blooms, made a huge difference in what proved to be a long, yet wonderful day.

In a world where relationships crumble faster than the rising of the sun, today I again find thankfulness I've never had to experience the bitter cup of a troubled marriage.

Whatever I was...whatever I am...whatever I shall be...I would give away to him.

Blessings to you as you value all you love and hold dear...Rebecca