Hello:)

I have been like a spinning top...spring and summer came and went...

JOY...Lucy Lin my little g'grand was born June 23rd ...what a gift of pure love:) she and her older sisters:)
SADNESS...my middle sister was diagnosed with Alzheimers...a brain tumor early in July; she has had 3 operations since then, she came through them, learned to talk again (she only oh-s and ah-s now, no sentences) but cannot sit UP...I visit one week a month and feed her breakfast...it is hopeful when she eats it all because I encourage her to want to go home.  Her home is up for sale, items are being shared with the family...she smiles a lot...I pray she is in a happy, not too questioning place in her own place in her mind...I so miss my sister. My brother refuses to even visit her...her daughter sees her daily as does my baby sister. I see myself when I look into my sweet sister's face...as the oldest it could be me. Thank God I am here to pray for her and visit her more often I hope as I come out of my own overwhelming feelings on this life issue.
READING... somehow I have been able to read two of my beloved Lisa Scottoline books which keep me focused on love, happiness and the craziness of Italian lifestyles:) Everywhere That Mary Went and now Killer Smile...thank you God for each giggle and smile I find there.
GARDENING and CRAFTING...the day before my sister's operation someone went to her front flower bed and dug up her beloved " Night Blooming Series" plant...dark green with lovely long white blooms that stand straight up and open at night...beyond belief. The next day there I found a small plant in a different bed hanging on to life...I pulled it gently and put it into a wet paper towel and baggie...it came home with me and lived to a great size and bloomed for me...it now is holding 4 lovely large seed pods for me to gather next early spring and plant them and share with my sisters...I so pray my struggling sister is alive so I can present her one. I feel many of you will help me with this and I thank you:)

I forced myself to put in the final X-stitches on a sweet Over the River and Through the Wood piece...when I sew it to its calico backing, I will post a photo.

Thank you to my sweet followers who occasionally e-mailed me or checked on me here.
Love to all, Gail

Finally, a wish come true...

        
         ~A Pot Rack that can hold my special Cast Iron Pans~

Green grass, lovely Daffodils and Jonquils, sun is shining I want to play in the dirt...my herb garden wants me to, also:) but, I must plan some meals and pack for a few days away in Richmond for the Virginia Rugfest 2011:)

After 30+ years I finally have a Pot Rack over my sink that holds my special castiron pans...little things bring such JOY:)

Have a wonderful weekend...cya soon:)

~Gail

Happy Saint Patty's Day...

It is a lovely, sunny day here in S.E. VA...My older daughter and I take turns preparing a traditional St. Patty's Day fare for our family...I am working our shoppe today so she is doing the honors:)

Wishing you a great day...lots of love and happiness...

~Gail who got a nice "pinch" at the shoppe for forgetting her greens:)

Bear with me, I've added a 3-song playlist...:)

When I tackle something new in cyberworld, I try to think of my skills as a fiber artist and stitcher, etc. and how many folks can not even sew on a button and how I know nothing in their fields and I know we all contribute and make up the whole; but I am just amazed at how paying attention and applying can work  pure magic here because the designers have done so much before we tackle it...bless them:)

I simply emailed a blogger and she graciously wrote me simple how-to's that seemed to work and I thank you so much ~Pamela~ you are a special lady to even have sent me a reply:) I truly appreciate your help.

It does seem to me that if a song is playing on Playlist that if one chooses to click on a photo to enlarge it or to move to an older post that the PlayList song should continue and NOT stopping and starting each time!  Well, that said, I only have two songs selected....just warning you   lol   most of us are pretty patient here in blogland it seems. There are so many, many wonderful talented ladies who do it all and make it seem so effortless   BUT  when starting out it is ever frightening to a non-techi type person.

Most folks also know, I think, if they don't like a Playlist song or any of it they can scroll to bottom of the page and hit the STOP []  :)

Thanks for visiting and hoping the music doesn't turn you off:(

~Gail forever learning and happy to be a Blogger3

One more day to enter...

AntiqueChase is having a great Give-A-Way on her blog...just click on the lovely old white kitchen scales to the right and good luck:)
I have always wanted such a vintage old set for my kitchen.

~Gail

What a Beautiful Day it is...

It is so pretty here today...I ran home to bake a cake for a homecoming and while browsing blogs I follow found this very generous Offer...I probably have all of them, but maybe one of "you" would be interested Tinkerthroughtime :)



My Butter Poundcake is ready to take out of the oven...

This cake I made from one of my most favorite books...
A Place Called SweetApple  by Celestine Sibley.
I weep when I read this wonderful little book..."Tine" as her family and co-workers at The Atlanta Journal fondly called her, just wrote from her heart...she is gone now...I do have an official letter from her re: Irish Lace Marigolds...
Well, as you can see, I had to have a slice   lol 
Gotta run back to our shoppe for about an hour, we close at 5:00 .
Wish you could share the cake...hope you might look for the book in your library...filled with recipes and nostalgia.

Linking to RAZMATAZ Food Friday ...

Today I am doing a first for me...linking to RAZMATAZ and her wonderful Friday Food Photo Challenge.

I sure hope I can improve on this:)

~Gail

  

A Bad Beginning...

~ From one of my beloved Mary Engelbreit Calendars ~

I have awakened with a "rare" headache...a bump on my forehead and a bit of a black eye. There was so much planned for today, my day away from the shoppe.

Many times I find myself rushing like a spinning top after work when I arrive home to tend to hungry cat and hubby...as I was repeating in a raised voice a message to hubby (losing his hearing) I tried to move into the laundry room and hit the light switch at the same time...that is when I smacked my left forehead into the door frame... I haven't hurt myself in years, and years...but I knew this was serious; as I was sorta crumbling to my knees my tired brain thought grab the door cause IF you fall or pass out you will lie there until hubby either wonders down to see what's for dinner or remembers it is time for his favorite Two and A Half Men show...
I did call him 3 times...finally gave up and  took my time and slowly climbed the stairs ...hubby was still leisurely reading the newspaper totally unaware of my mishap that could have been lots worse. He was sorry that he hadn't heard me  "...not to worry, but Please talk to your doctor about getting a hearing aide."

It is risky getting older ...but, as they say, the alternative is not a good one.

Take care and slow down some, if you need to:)

~Gail

A Sunny Day in Ole Virginny...

Something in the post to me soon, I just "had" to have them...:)

Happy Valentine's Day to all...and

Love to my blogging friends.

~Gail

              

A Light Dusting of Snow for us...

Yep...we got some of the white stuff:) it happened while I was reading and fell asleep...
Now, at 12:16 a.m.  I had to remake my hot dishwater and now must go wash up and dry....yikes, SNOW and  dishwashing ...bet I don't fall asleep like that again any time soon.


Tomorrow, we should have rain and no more snow...meaning NO SNOWCREAM....darn!!


Wishing all a wonderful Thursday.
Enjoy your stitching,
~Gail in cold and snowy S.E. Virginia

Faithful Friends Sampler Framed...

This is my first finished counted cross stitched Sampler. It is a PineberryLane design and worked on 32 count Belgium Linen...I love it:)

It is a follow-up to one of my original posts here as I wanted to show it all framed up AFTER I learned to use my new digital camera...it hangs proudly here in my computer area.

I look at it often and still can't believe I managed to actually finish it...believe me, I had many stitches to "undo" so as to save me "nine" extras later. I encourage anyone to start small and work up...you won't be disappointed. 

HAPPY NEWS ...

"EARLY SPRING"...how exciting as I sit here shivering today...very behind because I kept putting off showering and getting ready to go OUT into the COLD!!

Wishing all a ~happy day~ wherever you are...and lots of inside warmth IF you are in the snowy areas:)
                                                                  
Jillian's Aunt Mary's Chicken-and-Dumplings

The lovely blog that shared her Aunt Mary's recipe....I am shopping my local Food Lion for fresh fryers on sale to hurry home and make this; Thank you Jillian for sharing with your followers:)

Baked sweet potatoes and a salad would compliment the fat in these  lol

Until next time...
Be warm and take care friends,
~Gail

First Photo with new camera...

Well...........,  I always leave my Christmas Tree up until January  6th            Old Christmas       but, a bit longer this year 'cause I was determined to get a photo with Dru Ann Macarty's lovely Paper Face Santa that I   bid on. I was shocked that I won one of the ten she offered, it is so sweet:) I love old soft cotton batting and I will treasure him for a long time, I hope. Maybe, clicking on the photo will enlarge Dru's sweet santa with a candy cane she also made.

I discovered that as I get older I do NOT like having to read and learn a new camera....not sure why, it just made me a little nutz so I put it off...decided last night was the time:) Also, this new comp arrived a day late and had to learn its ways also...I miss the known, familiar old photo set up and ease.

We are moved into our new shoppe area...so, I can relax a bit and read more of your wonderful blogs...take care all.
~Gail

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