Celebrating 150, 250 with a Give-a-Way

Today I'm Celebrating


9/3/09 

Date of my first blog post!

Today marks post number 

250!

It has been 2 1/2 years of joy!

As of today I have

150 followers.

And while that's not a big number...

 it is the people who make up that number

that are special!  

The friends I've made 

have meant the world to me!

Blessings

 true blessings

 each and everyone of you.

So today I'm celebrating

 you,

each person who
 takes a minute to read my ramblings,

look thru way too many photos,

take "walks" with me,

even leave me a precious comment.

A great big 

Thank You!

In honor of you I am offering a small give-a-way...

 The gift of "Solitude"!

It is a tiny 2x2 painting that I painted this winter.

All you have to do is....

Leave a comment...

If you are not a blogger but would

 still like an opportunity to win

please leave a comment using the

anonymous  feature in the comment section.

(Just make sure you add your

name someplace in the comment
and check back next Monday!)

I will hold this give-a-way open till next Monday

March 26th.

And once again....

thank you!

(Wish I had a painting to give away to each one of you!)

All Kinds Of Fun

First...

 I wanted to thank Vanessa and Heather

over At The Picket Fence for

featuring my Blue Print Artwork

last week for Inspiration Friday!

Ladies,

 I am deeply honored!

I also wanted to thank Barbara

over at 21 Rosemary Lane

for passing along to me the

Award!

Once again Barbara....

 a heartfelt thank you!

If you have never visited Barbara

it is well worth the time to pop over to say hello!

She is full of yummy recipes!

Inspiring Tablescapes

Furniture Redos and much, much more!

Last week I finally took a minute to unpack

my silver that had been packed away for

the better part of the year during our move.

Needless to say,

 it needed polished!

And wouldn't you know it...

some where during the move my silver polish went MIA!

I had heard there were homemade alternatives

so Friday afternoon

I conducted a few experiments!

I first tried the Hot Method.

I filled my large pot with water (about 3 inches).

In the bottom I placed a piece of tin foil.

On top of the tin foil I put about

1 1/2 teaspoon of both salt and baking soda.

Warning...

 the next step involves patience...

let your mixture come to a

boil!

Then simply.... dip!

Rinse...

Repeat if needed...

Then buff!

I was shocked....

It worked!

Not only did it work,

 it only took a few minutes per piece!

and I have to admit, my silver has never been shinier!

side by side... after and before!

I have to also confess that the job

of polishing the silver the traditional way 

 always "seems"  like fun. 

 But no sooner than I get started

I am ready to be done! 

This method had me searching the house

for more things to dip!

I did have to apply the second method (good old toothpaste)

on a few stubborn or super sized pieces including...

My monogrammed antique serving spoons

and my large serving tray!

The toothpaste method worked too!

Project #2

Remember my little brown bench?

Thanks to all your support and encouragement....

I stepped out of my comfort zone...

and painted it blue!

I love it! 

Stay tuned because Wayne

 just wrapped up another

project that I can't wait to share with you!

I am linking up to

Metamorphosis Monday

at Between Naps On the Porch!

A Surprise

Mom surprised me for Valentine's Day!

A little something to add on my wreath!

Our Monogram!

DBW

Isn't that the sweetest gift!

The monograms can be left natural, or painted!

Right now I am leaving ours natural.

I love the way the burnt edges,

looks against my burlap wreath!

Mom ordered them at

Southern Proper Monograms!

I think mine is the 8in size!

Thanks Mom!

Im linking to Inspiration Friday

over At the Picket Fence!

A Big Thank You

I arrived to work on the house yesterday,

and I was so surprised to see this sweet

package on my doorstep!

Christine from Vista Woman sent me the

sweetest Birthday surprise!

If you have never had the chance to visit her blog

site, I highly recommend hopping over to say hello!

Knowing how much I love Angels,

(I have a wonderful collection I display at Christmas time),

she sent me this one to add to my collection!

Isn't this Angel just beautiful!

I love the detail of the roses on her dress

 and the tiny bird in her hands.

She will find a permanent home

as soon as my white china shelf emerges from storage.

Until then I've found her a temporary place

on one of my glass front kitchen cabinets!

She will be sure to make me smile!

Thank you so much,

 sweet Christine!

Your thoughtfulness and friendship are a true blessing!

A Huge Thank You

One of the best treasures about blogging has been

YOU!

I have enjoyed getting the opportunity to meet

and get to know so many wonderful and talented people!

Each one of you are richly unique and lovely!

For the past year, my blog friends

names have been spoken around my house

on an almost daily basis! 

I have been blessed to lift so many up in prayer

and likewise have been blessed by many of your prayers.

I love following

 the lives of families,

the births of babies,

the pursuit of dreams,

the yummy recipes,

the creative projects,

and on

and on!

Each of you are a blessing to me!

One such blogger is my friend Christine

over at Vista Women.

Christine is such an example of God's

hands and feet here on earth.

She is always looking for creative ways to lift up others.

Her positive and sweet ways spill over

 to her family, friends, work associates

and the lives of all the high schoolers she

touches daily at work.

Right before Christmas I received a surprise

package in the mail.

It was from Christine!

I opened it and to my delight she had

made me a wonderful new apron!

I love aprons!

She creatively made this from a tea towel!

It even has a handy pocket sewn in around the top!

It not only matches my kitchen, but also Mom's!

(in photo above!)

Close up of the cupcake decal, isn't it adorable!

Thank you Christine for this gift!

I have been blessed!

Thank you to each of you for your gift of friendship!

Stay warm and have a great day!