Happy New Year friends...:)

2010 wasn't filled with the wonders I had longed for but alas there were many blessings and I am thankful.

May 2011 be generous to us with many good blessings, joy in our hearts, the continued safety and love of our families...and  peace.

Wishing the company of those you love and a wonderful shared New Year's Day dinner :) ours is a traditional Black Eyed Peas cooked with Christmas Country Ham, collards and yummy baked sticky Sweet Potatoes and butter...of course, hot rolls dripping with butter....and Southern Sweet Tea!!

~Gail

Christmas Tree ....finally:)

This is my tree and picture I took with my dd-s  camera...wasn't comfy with it but she offered to loan it before the season passed and I had no picture of my tree for my blog:)
My son left and I could not find the rest of our old treasured ornis or hubby's and my own old toys....these are a few that were in the tree bag. No strung popcorn or cranberries either...alas,  not my usual sweet tree but, amazingly looking at her in the corner now standing proudly atop two very old suitcases (covered by old quilt) she is twinkling and shinning ever so prettily with no other lights on ...hope someone knows who made the doll...there are no marking or signings at all on her. She was sold at The Wharf a lovely quaint antique shop in local Smithfield, VA.   about 5 years ago.  I did see one just like her on a blog when I visited blogland this season.
When I click on the pic, it enlarges, hope it does for you, too:)

Thank you for your visit to my humble blog sweet friends,
~Gail

Christmas is coming...the goose is getting fat...

LoL, does anyone even cook a goose anymore?

Everyone has such sweet inspiring posts...thank you all for your friendship:)

Wishing all of you the very best and Merriest of Christmases...the company of your beloved family and friends...and a safe and peaceful New Year.

~Gail

Old Christmas Ornaments...

My tree is up and completed except for the old quilt I use for the skirt, I am on my way upstairs soon to complete the look:)
Primitive & Rustic forum on Delphi Forums is my favorite...this morning I was so impressed with this lovely post that a member Kady shared for a great link...I love how the blogger let her lovely words flow about the old ornies...so, hope you enjoy reading it also:)

http://homespunhugsandcalicokisses.blogspot.com/   click on Shiny and Brite to read:)


This is my favorite time of year JUST before the real Christmas rush and the big family dinner gathering...here is the link to the lady's post re: old shiny ornaments.

~Gail

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL...

Isn't this the lovliest time of the year...so much expectation and everyone keeping busy:) this is my first year as a blogger and I love visiting the ones I follow and often get lost there:)

Wishing everyone a wonderful safe Thanksgiving with family and friends...be safe in your travels:)

~Gail

Where Have I Been...

Nowhere, just trying to figure out some things:) trying to come up with ideas for a few Christmas Ornies and a Santa to make for our little shoppe...  www.theenchantedcottageshoppe.com/ My heart just loves old prims BUT our customers just don't seem to get it, so it just frustrates me:(
Also, hubby has a really bad time around Veteran's Day...he suffers greatly from Post Tramatic Shock Syndrom...it is a tough life he is in much mental pain still and physical pain...so getting through these days are sad and not happy at all and who wants to hear of sad on blogs...most of us carry our own pain and want to read inspiring words and see happy inspiring pictures!! I so hope that next week I can get my camera and my mind focused and post some pics here.
It is cold here now and that helps...I even looked at a house for sale near ours but it would be one story and hubby would not have to go up and down stairs. OHHHHH, imagine trying to prepare by giving away or sharing  your no-longer needed treasures, etc. of 35 yrs here ...for one MUST have a clean home in order to list with a Realtor and show.
Wishing all a happy November with good memories and plans for a great Thanksgiving.

~Gail

LIVING by WORDS of DR. PHIL...

Who you are determines what you see.

Who you are determines how you see others.
The way people see others is a reflection of themselves.

If I am trusting, I will see others as trusting.
If I am critical, I will see others as critical.
If I am a caring person, I will see others as compassionate.

"You teach people how to treat you."

--Phil McGraw

Fall is a lovely time to remember beloved family...

I have awakened this day missing my mother:( so many things I still wish to ask her about or just laugh about or just set together and "be"...we each have our loses and must carry the memories I know.

Tasha Tudor was one of my favorite "real" ladies and I mourned her passing last year.  For anyone who loved her and missed this awesome video it will be here on my blog for your viewing. I love listening to the beautiful speaking voice of the Japanese lady who visited Tasha and filmed her.

Usually, I do a morning therapy called 'morning pages' and I haven't been doing that so I know I haven't been releasing my thoughts but holding them in; I think that is missing and today I will do it...usually the three pages are written first thing when those feelings come right out onto the paper. James Cameron visualized his dream of directing TITANIC as he was doing his morning pages therapy. My dreams are not for anything that wonderful to share with the world ....but it is amazing the things that your heart passes through your hand to the written page:)

Hope you find a chance to view this lovely video, Tasha Tudor you tube video/ 
~Gail

Do I Want to TRY this...?

I love Dr. Oz...what a decent down to earth guy...just stretching your hands UP and concentrating on pointing your middle finger as he says...actually feels good:)


DR.Oz video


Off to work on my little prim church doll roll for sweet g'daughters:) and the sun is out...:)

Moving on through sadness...

When we decide to become a mother we make the decision to live forever with our hearts ourside our bodies....later I want to remember who wrote that quote or look it up!

No dinner in this house today...but, trying to move on I found a blog that I am happy I clicked into, maybe tomorrow I will make this online adaptation of  our families delicious Pasta 'e Fajole.


Italian Sausage & White Bean Soup

2 - links sweet Italian sausage, casings removed

1 -tablespoon olive oil

1/2 - cup chopped onion

1 - clove garlic minced

1 - teaspoon fresh rosemary

1/2 - teaspoon basil

1/4 - teaspoon pepper

1 - 15 oz can bushs cannellini beans, drained and rinsed

4 - 5 cup low sodium chicken broth

1 - 14.5 oz can Italian diced tomatoes

1/2 - cup mini penne pasta

1/4 - cup Parmesan or Romano cheese


Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Remove casing and add the sausage. Cook sausage until almost done crumbling as you go. Add the onions and garlic and and cook 5 additional minutes stirring frequently or until the sausage is browned.


Add the chicken stock, tomatoes, cannellini beans and spices. Simmer on low heat for about 15 minutes. Add pasta; cook 7 minutes or until done. Sprinkle each serving with one tablespoon parmesan or romano cheese.

Credit for this recipe: Mommy'skitchen.net

Practical Magic Night

Tonight's the night! After working our shoppe today, we will gather just us girls at my niece's home for our annual fun night. My niece makes a large pot of chicken stew, individual baked corn pudding in pumpkin pots, baked goodies and all the fresh coffee we want..but, no " Lime in the Coconuts" drinks as yet LOL...if you haven't seen this Sandra Bullock movie yet, I hope you do so; it is a great stress reliever, loads of laughs and make you feel good movie.

I am cold...burrr! have my little quartz heater here in my pc area...someone posted of their chimney sweep guy coming and it reminded me to call mine...I so love a cozy fire.

Take care all, Gail

On Being Yourself...

Believe in the impossible, and don't ever forget that you are unique. Be your best self and not an imitation of someone else.


I do not know the author of that quote...but, isn't it wonderful?


Somedays are harder than others to be myself, best or not so, but I try. Today, I am longing to stay in the comfort of my home in my jammies and just  "be me" but alas, I will shower and dress and go to our struggling little shoppe and be a good mom to the daughter who will work this day with me.
Come for a visit, if you have time, I'll be inside  to greet you:)

www.theenchantedcottageshoppe.com/

I made these yummies and thought you might like them...sorry, no pic:(  thanks Mandy:)

If you love pecan pie, but want something quicker and easier, try these.


Pecan Pie Muffins    (there is NO baking powder or soda in these)


1 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

2 eggs

2/3 cup melted butter

1 cup chopped pecans (I toast them a few mins in a hot skillet Before chopping them)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in a bowl with a wooden spoon. Pour into a greased mini-muffin pan, filling each cup 2/3 full. Bake 12 to 15 minutes.
Wishing you dear readers a lovely "be you" day of joy:)

Gail

Saturday's Wedding...

Wedding Date: October 09, 2010
What a joyous few days....Jennifer and Jack are so in love, praying for them:)
Life has a way of tricking us and making us doubt because of silly little things!
I came home feeling so refreshed in some ways and longing to get on with creating for our shop. I did receive my new pattern Hallowe'en Jack Sewing Roll from Stacy Nash, not for the shop, but just to relax and get totally into those placement of tiny X-stitches...what a passion!!
My Hallowe'en Pinkeep Pillow is totally finished and setting in our shop...wish we could open more than three days...but, the main street was switched with the off ramp from the tunnel:(
Also, I made a line of  fall fragrances for our shop that the customers seem to like smelling...it did boost our sale of Cookie Dough Candles  LOL
Going away for a few days to visit my sisters in Virginia Beach...can't believe it is almost Halloween and the beginning of the Holliday season sorta.

What a busy, busy week...

If I don't post something now, it'll be over a week:(   blogging is still so new to me but I do love checking out some of the ones I follow and fully intend to post but getting lost in blog land is something I must learn to time myself on!! 
My Goddaughter's wedding Saturday was so wonderful...so peaceful; Jenny is about to graduate from med school and enter her four years of internship as an emergency room doctor...YIKES, times flies. She was here  in Virginia
at a local hospital learning for a month and left for Greenville, N.C. a few days before the 9th to relax and get beautiful....
I came home exhausted...not sure why...but, anticipating big events and preparing etc. sometimes does that to me.
Today and yesterday I got so tangled up trying to design some cones to fill with my wonderful Sweet Annie for our little shop...frustrated me so put it aside and worked on printing on fabric to do a different holder for Annie...still have NO NEW CAMERA  so still no pics...embarassing, I know how we all love pictures as my good friend Mandy keeps reminding me. Maybe this week I can shop for one and so add them to my words. 
Today was another Happy Anniversary for hubby and me...so much to be thankful for, so many memories;  we had our favorite Italian dinner at our local restaurant  the wine was so good but always makes me sleepy!
Wishing my blogger friends a peaceful night and bright, busy productive days ahead:)

Learning the Drop Spindle....

OMGosh, this arrived two days ago and Pam just makes it look so "easy" as she is a real pro at it.
Just in case some of you wondered about a drop spindle and spinning yarn for a scarf ( in my case at least) here is her http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjkTXUfMLd0&NR=1  video. She is a lovely lady and if you click her name pamsfiber below the video, you can visit her wonderful farm and might even see the chocolate alpaca from which my chocolate wool was taken. I am so excited about this BUT with all that is happening right now I may get a scarf by next spring:)

I will post pics AFTER I buy a new camera and AFTER I learn to use it...grrrrr, my brain just isn't co-operative about learning something techi right now.

It is such a lovely fallish day here in my part of S.E. Virginia
Gail wishing you contentment and joy in your day

Hallowe'en Stitchery Hallows Eve

Finally...met another challenge. Here is my finished Hallows Eve  Pinkeep/Pillow by http://www.stacynashprimitives.com/  ...it was not quite as hard for me as my first Faithful Friends by Wendy of Pineberry Lane but I relaxed and really enjoyed stitching it into completion. I love it.

It has rained here so hard for days but my daughter took these photos for me inside her home...if you haven't tried it yet, please consider trying counted cross stitching...it is honestly so relaxing AFTER your first challenge, I think. The patterns out here in blog land are just unreal; it is a wonderful time to be a stitcher.  Michael's carries DMC threads , needles, lock hoops, and even Belgium Linen....coupons make it sweet, too when beginning. This is stitches on 32 count Belgium Linen, DMC Thread, aged with walnut crystals; the backing is of repo brown print calico. I am going to do the Xstitching around the seams, now:) thank you for visiting...glad I finished something else:)

Knitting a Scarf for cold days ahead...

Amazingly, I awakened feeling energized, clear headed, and ready to order a dream come true for me...my own Drop Spindle and the lovely alpaca yarn to knit myself a nice simple garter stitched long scarf for those cold months ahead. I have already made Pumpkin Goats Milk SOAP, cut out a witch doll pattern to work on after my errands and planned a simple dinner for the guys...me, I lose my desire to eat when I am in this 'spinning like a top' happy mode:)

Hope your day is wonderful...if it's with cozy candles lit as you dream or bright lights that help you do your stitching or knitting, Xstitching or fav craft.

...it's raining again today but I love rainy days...yeah, me and Eddie Rabbitt:)

Happy Sunday...

Today arrived so sweetly...cool and all fallish outside. I want to prepare my Italian Baked Ziti for my family...then I want to work on finishing up my Hallowe'en Pinkeep Pillow so I can start something new. Wishing I had a treat in store like I did last Saturday at the Second Gathering of Primitive Friends at Lori-s...here is a photo that sweet friend Robin of  http://millstonemercantile.blogspot.com/    offered since 'ole hurrying to get away me' forgot her camera!! This is Lori-s Shop...I wish I could send you visuals of these  awesomely talented two great friends/ladies Robin and Lori. I am so grateful to have been able to drive up and spend a few days. Thanks Robin {HUGS}
Gail who appologizes for the two previous  failed attempts at editing/cancelling drafts in blogland

Eat, Pray, Love....

I am working on getting time when my daughters and I can plan to have dinner and see this much talked about movie. It's gotta be  good with such a title and who doesn't like Julia Roberts?

When not taking care of our home or working the shop, I am always stitching with needle or hook...this lovely free pattern from http://atthehoneysuckletree.blogspot.com/search/label/free%20charts  from the Sampler Girl's blog will be my next project.
Counted cross stitching is such a passion of mine....and only just beginning to do it a few months ago, there will never be enough time ::::sighs::::

Gail off to work a busy day at our little shop...I'd rather be stitching

A Psalm for Life

Before September 11, 2001 I read this annually in my daily journal....because of the impact of 9-11-2001 and related issues many things changed for me and I lost the real me that so enjoyed life...especially reading uplifting reads, thoughts, doing my herb gardening , rug hooking etc. Today, I picked up my old journal and re-read these powerful words written over a hundred years ago....still encouraging and emotionally uplifting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Let us, then, be up and doing
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow



"Let us, then, be up and doing..." Dreams are not enough. We must back them up with 'effort'.  Striving and Struggle precede success, even in the dictionary.
"With a heart for any fate..." Opening our hearts to the possibility of failure is easier said than done.
"Still achieving, still pursuing..." Trust in yourself, your dream and Spirit.
"Learn to labor and to wait..." Remember our concept of time and Spirits are not the same...be kind to yourself while waiting.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Sarah Ban Breathnach

Loving your home, loving your shop....hating to leave one for the other...

I awakened before my alarm which is only set these days for my working days at our shop...decided to turn over then I remembered...today I would finish Stacy Nash's Hallowe'ens Eve pinkeep pillow IF I jumped up right away and had my morning coffee stitching in the three pumpkins...oh my word...
It was hard jumping up as I had forgotten that yesterday I did my online one mile walk , twice....no time for a morning shower, thought the soak in the tub last evening would help but....?

Anyway, I did one pumpkin, started another and made it to pick up my youngest and got us to the shop on time...which is always a good thing, as customers from the next door beauty shop often run in before or after their appointments...we had one waiting for us   lol  she only wanted to browse before her app't and promised to return another time.

My dad hated left-overs...luckily my hubby and son think 'anything' is good IF they don't have to fix it:)
Crispy fried buttermilk fresh chicken breasts (found in a new magazine) and my mother-in-law's quick spaghetti sauce for busy days (left over from no meat on Friday days) was last nights fresh offering but should be delicious warmed up and served in my pretty plates.

Tonight, I hope to finish the Hallowe'ens Eve pinkeep pillow cross stitching...maybe t'morrowr ~ I don't work Fridays~ I can hand stitch front to back and do those lovely 2-threads of dark gray X-s  around the seams, brush it with walnut dye, bake in 200 oven...and take it to our shop Saturday:) 

I so love our days leading into fall...the heat nearly killed me this summer....and to think Hurricane Season is not over until November...thank you God Earl changed his mind about coming to visit us....I love miracles:)

Tips From The Blogging Queen

Tips From The Blogging Queen

OH WHAT a Beautiful Morning....

The days are so feeling like fall here...and I was going to take a nice walk but, remembered a lot I must get done this morning SO, I clicked into my lovely online workout with Leslie...I so love her.
She is so informative as she Gets your Heart Rate UP...core muscle chat...work at your own pace...I loved my five minutes with her..hey, later I will do the full mile work-out. Hope you have a chance to check her out...you know IF we don't do something at least 3 times a week, our beloved computer life is gonna kill us!!!
Wishing you the most joyous peaceful Labor Day

Tone Your Bones - Lentil Soup& Walk-a-Mile Video link.

I am ever looking for new ways to help my bones...and eating choice bone builders is easy!

Tone Your Bones - Lentil Soup  I don't add the sherry, but this is the complete delicious soup:)

Here is my fav one mile walk video...she is so easy on you, give it a try; anytime you think of it, it's good!

http://www.realage.com/videos/?bcpid=30402252001&bclid=5030523001&bctid=16661825001


Below is my favorite online WALK video... Easy, Fast, Fun...More indepth
http://www.realage.com/videos/?bcpid=30402252001&bclid=5030523001&bctid=16661820001

My First Counted Stitch Sampler...

Quick View of my Xstitched Sampler

I tackled my fear of counted cross stitching a sampler when I discovered Faithful Friends by Wendy of PineberryLane.com ....it took over a month, counting and stitching and reverse stitching and counting LOL I am so happy to be getting my old frame ready to house this beautiful meaning Sampler...thank you dear Wendy:)