~OFF TO TENNESSEE~

I am walking out the door bound for the gorgeous state of Tennessee.  I'll be helping my sister get her new antique and complements shoppe ready for it's Grand Opening!  It's name is PLANTATION WHITE located in Dickson, TN, and we hope to have it open in a couple of weeks!  I'll be sharing lots more about everything soon!  I'm quite sure they'll be lots of tales and stories to tell!  Pictures, too!

I'm driving and my Miss K is traveling with me...just the two of us...a Nana and her only GRAND-girl!  We are excited to say the least!!!  A little road trip with my favorite little girl EVER!  Your prayers are greatly appreciated!

Blessings as you blaze your way through another simmering summer.

Make it count!

Love to you...

~DO NOT WASTE TIME~

~MY SISTER LINDA and I~
(Around 1959-60)

Just after Christmas my big sister, Linda, made the eleven hour drive from her home outside of Nashville to Oklahoma City for a long overdue visit with our aging father and mother and my younger sister, Jenny and I...  We were all sooo excited when we found out she was coming!

 ~MY DADDY, LINDA and I~

(About 1964)

It was truly a JOY for us all to see her and I was so grateful to sit once again and share with her the simple truths I find wrapped up safely within our sisterhood bond.

 ~GOOFING OFF IN TEXAS~
(1977)

With each and every family gathering I realize more and more how quickly time is passing and how truly grateful I am for both healing and redemption.

~DINING OUT FOR CHINESE FOOD - 2010~

(Sisters!  Check out our unplanned attire!)

Linda was a little over two years old when I was born and for as long as I've known her she has been a towering, protective force in our family.  Her faith in the Most High is nothing less than inspiring and if not for her I'm not sure I'd have survived my growing up years.  She has missed our parents terribly and I was so thankful she was able to get away after having such a challenging year herself (you may recall she was involved in a terrible car accident last summer).  Because our father's mind continues to be devoured by the 'monster in his brain',this trip was especially meaningful to Linda...to all of us.

Just before Lin's visit I tracked down the two tattered picture you see at the top.  The second one was taken when I was in kindergarten and she was in second grade and snapped while on a trip to Tijuana, Mexico, via San Diego.   The only thing I remember about the entire getaway was that our father bought us both sombrero's and of course having that picture taken in the tree.  Our daddy was only about 34 years old at the time and I don't mind telling you that we, his two oldest girls, are well past that age today...

 ~HUGGING OUR BEAUTIFUL FATHER~

 I heard it said once that after the master-painter Michelangelo died, a piece of paper was found amongst his belongings on which he had written a message to his young apprentice.  It said "Draw Antonio, draw, and do not waste time."

~MY DADDY AND ME~

Christmas Day -2010

As Linda and I shared precious time with our aging father I couldn't help but reflect upon the meaning behind the simple yet profound words of the revered and renowned artisan...  He was a wise man.

"...do not waste time."

  Our days and years are clicking by at a feverish pace.  Our childhood memories will fade.  Our young adult and middle age years will one day come to an end.  I've decided I need to get on with living my life to it's fullest while I still have time.

I'm one-hundred percent positive my daddy would agree.

Blessings for a beautiful 2011!  I'm so excited to see where it leads!

Love to you...

~FREE GRAPHICS - YOU BLESS ME and HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES~

~THANK YOU SO MUCH~

The past two days I've been face deep in my studio working on restocking my suffering website and finishing up special orders for Fall Harvest Pillows.  I've so wanted to visit you all and have especially wanted to stop by and say a big personal THANK YOU to those of you who left a comment on my last Post.  I haven't made it back to very many of you but I PROMISE I will.  I've just had a super-busy week so far and haven't had much quality blog-time (did I just say that?)...

In the meantime I want you to know that your kind words of encouragement blessed me and my guy in the most profound way.  Thank you, thank you again!  I'll be sure to keep you updated on how things are going as we prepare for his schooling to begin.

~A COUPLE FREE GRAPHICS FOR YOU~

~NOTHING SCARY HERE!~

Today and tomorrow I'll be sharing with you several sweet Fall-time graphics that I hope will work for you in your Autumn decor.  I've altered a few of them which is always so much fun!  The two vintage graphics above have been cleaned up and a border has been added.  Hopefully you can use them for something!  Come back in the morning to see even more.

Something else for today...

~WITH MY SISTERS~

Jenny & Linda 1996-1997

My big sister, Linda (whose given name is actually FAITH...it's a long story!) is celebrating another birthday today!  She is healing up from her accident from a couple months ago and we are still so thankful she wasn't killed.  The three of us girls don't have very many pics of us together as children (even less taken with our Bro!) and the ones of us as young adults I think I've already shared (visit my post from last year to see LOTS of pictures!).  I did however find this one!  I think it was taken around 1996 or 1997!  I can KINDA tell by my BIG HAIR and the furniture in the background (long before romantic cottage decor!). :) :)

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEET SISTER OF MINE!  MAY YOUR DAY BE FILLED WITH ALL THINGS GOOD AS YOU CELEBRATE YOUR LIFE AND ALL YOU MEAN TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

I LOVE YOU~BECK"

Thank you again for your kindness and well wishes for my Mr. AGPMan and for sharing your heart with mine.

Have a wonderful, blessed day!

Love to you~

~FEASTING on His Daily Blessings...Some Food for Thought~

~ THE LITTLEST PILGRIMS~

November 1963

Rebecca, Linda, Cindy, Kathy

and Miss Stibby

I awoke early today to an extra warm November morning. The birds were singing such beautiful little songs and didn't seem to mind at all the leaves around them had turned a deep amber-gold and were quickly falling to the ground. I will miss their sweet music when they fly away for the Winter. The day proved to be extra wonderful with temperatures reaching all the way up to 79 degrees. Odd for Fall, even for Oklahoma! My hubby and I raked leaves (a gazillion!) and worked together all afternoon to ready our home for the cold, frigid months ahead. This work, though necessary, can be truly exhausting! I know our efforts will pay off for the work we did today will make possible the new growth to push it's way up from the earth in the Spring.

Far more than usual I found myself welcoming November with great anticipation and joy. I love the month in which we celebrate Thanksgiving. My best childhood memories surround this time of the year and I will always be grateful to my mother for her creativity and talent for stretching a dollar on a Preacher-Man's salary (which was almost zero!). She was nothing less than magical. I don't recall a childhood Thanksgiving when our table wasn't beautifully set or when we weren't surrounded by family both near and far...

Beautiful days. Lovely memories. Forever preserved inside my heart.

The photo you see above was taken around 1963 when I was about 4 years old ( I'm on the left). It was snapped in the courtyard of Cedarlane Junior High in Hacienda Heights, California, a school I would go on to attend about six or seven years later. My Mother and her sister loved to dress their little girls up in costumes for the Season in hopes of sharing our cultural heritage with anyone who was willing to listen! :) That same year the four of us even landed in the L.A. County Tribune! This was an amazing feat...(I'll share the newspaper clipping with you later this month!).

As we begin counting down the days until Thanksgiving, it is my prayer that you will continue to recognize God's goodness and grace in your life. I've learned over the years that it isn't about the DAY or the wonderful FOOD, instead it's about being grateful and thankful for all we have, the good and the not-so-good, all of the time.

Don't forget~He won't allow what you can't bear!

Blessings to you as we feast upon His daily blessings...Rebecca

~HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER~

~JENNIFER~

MY SISTER - MY FRIEND

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JENNIFER!

TALENTED WRITER.

FABULOUS MOTHER.

LOVING DAUGHTER.

BEAUTIFUL WIFE.

TRUSTED CONFIDANT.

FAITHFUL SISTER.

FOREVER FRIEND.

I love you very, very much!...Beck

~HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER~ Memories to Last a Lifetime

EASTER SUNDAY 1961

Without you, growing up on Sigman Street would not have been the same. Over the years we've shared so much. A teensy, tiny bedroom. Springtime walks to Gramma's house. Riding our little bikes to Cedarlane. We shared "Slippin' Slide" Summers, trips to the beach and endless dreams.

During those days of fragile uncertainty, you were always by my side.

WELCOMING OUR SWEET BABY BROTHER - 1962

You were the BEST "Big Sister" in the world back then...and your still are now!

DRESSING UP AS PILGRIMS - 1963

With you I could laugh and cry. And did. Many times.

WITH DADDY and Grandma Elliott - Knott's 1963

We shared amusement park rides, big family reunions and a sincere desire to know Jesus.

SWIMMING AT LOS ALTOS 1964

You taught me how to swim in the "Deep End" at Los Altos' pool. When I said "I CAN'T! I'm AFRAID" you said "You CAN! I'm HERE...I won't let you drown..."

You've "saved me" so many times. You bouyed me with your strength and helped me believe I could do anything.
Today I believe I can!

HANDMADE JUMPERS BY GRAMMA - 1964

You made me laugh while taking SERIOUS family pictures (our daddy was NOT amused!)...

A REAL BROWNIE GIRL SCOUT and her Sidekick "Pixie" 1965

And you didn't seem to mind too terribly much when our Momma invited me to CRASH your Brownie Troop!

YOUR 9th BIRTHDAY ON SIGMAN STREET 1965

Because you've always been true to who you are, you graciously allowed me to be 'out in front' (even when it was YOUR BIRTHDAY!). Despite your star-shine, you willingly shared with me some of the glitter from your shinning crown.

I remember well our childhood days...so full of laughter and love...and the occasional tear... OK! Sometimes LOTS of TEARS~ :....( :....( :........(

OUR BEAUTIFUL AUNTIE CHERI'S WEDDING Flower Girl & Candle Lighter - 1966

We dreamed early on about the men we would one day marry...

MY BEAUTIFUL MAID OF HONOR 1978

And when I found my Prince Charming you honored me by again standing by my side. It was because of YOU that my Mr. AGPMan came into my life (remember...he thought I was YOU!)

(If I could find my picture of the two of us on your beautiful wedding day it would BE HERE!)... :(

OUR FIRST CRAFT SHOW
Country Temptations OKCITY - 1986

I still laugh when I think about our very FIRST Craft Show! We were just two young mothers trying desperately to "make ends meet"...

God was faithful. He supplied all our needs.

It was YOU who taught me HANDS DOWN all about Garage Sale Hunting and Junking for fabulous old finds (and new ones, too)! All these years later I'm still so sad to think that because of me you missed getting those sweet black chairs at that OKCITY Thrift Shoppe...remember? (I still think the woman who stole them out from under you was WRETCHED!)

OUR BABY SISTER'S WEDDING - 2003

In 1967 I became a big sister, too. But...I would NEVER measure up to the one you've always been to Jenny, Bill and I...

OUR BEAUTIFUL BROTHER'S WEDDING DAY
2006

When I heard you speak at Bill's wedding I was instantly taken back in time. I'd forgotten all about the sweet, soft sound of your voice and how it always calmed me during nights of childhood terror and confusion.

I've missed hearing it so much.

Our relationship has not always been perfect. But, because of you I know myself better. You've listened without judging and given advice without pushing. I hope that all of the blessings you've brought to my life I will one day be able to return to you.

Happy Birthday, Lin. May this year of your life be the best one you've ever lived! I pray you will always feel content with where your life has taken you and, no matter what, know that you are truly and deeply loved. Thank you for always being there for me and our family! You continue to inspire us all.

You are "Forever My Sister and Forever my Friend".

I love you most.

Beck

Blessings to you as you remember that there is nothing that God the Father cannot restore and make new once again...Rebecca