Favorites' Favorites

We have guest hosts today. The hosts are some of my favorites, and they are showcasing some of our favorites!



"First of all, I love myself." (chanted by 4 small, high pitched voices)




Next, I love my Mommy. I am running to her now.




Curling up with an heirloom quilt is always delightful,




or with another warm body,




or on a soft bed. It's ok if the dog is already laying there, too. He's warm.




Mommy can tell I'm happy now because I am "sending out my friendly feet".




I'm not trying to trip anyone. They might hurt my paw. Just sending out a friendly foot because I love to lay under the vanity.




Mommy got a pretty carpet for us to lay on because we like to lay on the steps. Sometimes people trip over us. Popsie made sure the color combo would show off our hair.




I like to play. Helping Mommy and Popsie tie their shoes every day is my job.




My stool is upside down to thwart me from ripping at the spider plant. It's just as comfy this way. I do love my stool. I make sure to rest in it every day.




A pillow for my head is a good idea.




Whatever is on the island can be a bed. This morning it was Popsie's shirts he was taking to the drycleaners. Earlier, it was a briefcase. Now, some dish towels.

Favorites showing off favorites. Have a wonderful day and be sure to visit Laurie for Saturday Favorites!

Carol

Going Nowhere

It's been snowing most of the day.




Mister took some pictures for YOU.




We're in for the evening. Enjoying the winter wonderland from indoors. Quiet, beautiful, serene.




Our road is covered with snow.




It's still coming down. And we're inside and cozy.

Have a wonderful Thursday, full of Simple Pleasure!

Carol

A New White for the Kitchen!

I visited my parents Tuesday and they took me to a wonderful antiques mall called Graybeard's.
Now, I like to frequent antique shops and malls, but Graybeard's was really special. There was an amazing selection and the prices were really reasonable!




I'd been looking for an apothecary type jar and found this one. I know it's not antique, but I really liked the look...and the price!




I also really liked the lettering and the words. Mmmmm. Chocolate! I want some now!




Set against the white subway tile. Next to some old vintage Tupperware salt and pepper shakers.

Have a wonderful White Wednesday!

Carol

Cats (reprise)

You know, that was a particularly bad idea you had this morning. I know it offers a nice view out the window.....




.....but really!!!! You've never heard of the term "precarious", have you? And while we're at it.....




You know, it really is true.




You aren't really in charge. You aren't really the boss of me.




This house wasn't really built 101 years ago expressly for the purpose of being your home when you would happen along.




What? Why do we have soft warm places and perches through the house?




And toys and games that you enjoy?




And special food? And pets, hugs, kisses and attention?




I see your point.




But still, just because you want to do it, doesn't mean you should.




It's a good thing you are so cute, beautiful and delightful. It really is. But I think I would love you anyway.

Every home should have a few cats.

Carol
Joining Debbiedoos for Pet Party!

So Wonderful

2 Samuel 22:4 NIV
I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.




Psalm 18:3 NIV
I call to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.


Not once, but twice I found this word for word. And elsewhere in the Bible, He is called our Fortress, our Deliverer, our Help in time of trouble. Our Refuge, our Strength, our Joy. Our Saviour, our Redeemer, our Creator. Lover of our souls.

In the message at church tonight, His delight in us was described. You know how you delight in your children? How they think, grow, do things? He delights in us every day, all the time. And as we love our children, He loves us so very much more. He is Love.

He is God.

He is good.

He is Worthy of ALL praise.

And we are His beloved.

(Spiritual Sundays with Ginger and Charlotte. Please join them.)

Looking Forward to a Break!

It's been such a busy week! Working extra hours, snowblowing the block (yes, I did say the block. If you go around our block, my in-laws live on the back side, and a friend who has been out of town lives on the far end from us and has sidewalks front and back which I promised to take care of this week. So if I'm to push the snowblower to these houses which lead me the whole way around the block, I might as well be blowing snow the whole way!), going to the Ball. I've so missed time checking in on the dear blogs I enjoy! (that means YOU!)




So here's where I will be spending a lot of my time this weekend. I will luxuriate in free time, relax on the couch, coffee at hand, fire burning, cats playing or relaxing in the background, while I catch up on blog reading.
Can't. Wait.
It's one of my favorite things to do.




Some other favorite things I'm enjoying today include: cloth napkins displayed to remind me how much I enjoy using them,




A tray that has seen a lot of use - my sister gave it to me years ago for my birthday,




This little old kitchen cabinet with a little door up top.




What do I keep in here? My camera, matches, a little white pumpkin, candy, and snacks, of course!

Have a wonderful day and weekend! I know I will - I'll be spending much of it with you!

Carol
Be sure to visit Debra for Vintage Inspiration Friday and Laurie for Saturday Favorites!

Dressing Up

My favorite clothes to wear are sweats, a zip up hoodie and a tank top. However, once in a while it is exciting to dress up. Is this a simple pleasure?? I'm skipping the prep work and going straight to the stepping out, and I think it is!

We went to the Inaugural Ball this week. For our new governor. Mister works in politics, so we got the chance to go. We were 2 of 4000 attendees.

Mister bought a new vest for his tux.




Oh, my goodness, doesn't he look HOT??!!! I was swept off my feet!





Here's what I wore. My wedding dress. We were married 9 years ago. Please ignore the bras hanging in the background. This is my bathroom mirror. Perhaps I should send this shot to Shelia at Note Songs!




Kind of blurry, but you can see the way the skirt is designed here.




We found new accessories for the dress. A close up of the new necklace. There are earrings to match, as well as a bracelet.
Alas, the bracelet fell off at the ball and was lost.

We had a lovely time, with dinner beforehand. Mister was so wonderful. He was so proud to introduce me to people. I could get used to that! It's fun to dress up and do something special together.

We didn't take any pictures of the ball. There is a link with some pictures here, should you be so inclined to view them.
http://photos.pennlive.com/patriot-news/2011/01/inaugural_ball_1.html

Hope you're having a wonderful week!
Check out Simple Pleasures Thursday at Dayle's with me!
Carol

Blessed Day

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 NIV


I wish for each one of us a joyous, peace-filled, day of trust in the Lord. Even better, a life of it!

Let's join Charlotte and Ginger as they host Spiritual Sundays this week.

Carol

Blue Light Special

A few years ago neighbors behind us started putting blue lights on a small evergreen tree. The lights went on before Christmas and stayed on for weeks after.



Then there were 2 blue lit trees. This year there are 3.




The trees light up in the late afternoon, and stay lit until the next morning.




Mister and I like the blue lights. We look for them each evening, or if we get up at night, or when we get up in the morning. Someday when we see our neighbors we are going to thank them for this simple pleasure.

Join me as I visit Dayle for Simple Pleasures Thursday!

And have a blessed day!

Carol

This and That

There are all kinds of white around to enjoy. A white (actually chippy!) banister.




Again, falling in the white and slightly chippy category is the tub in the original bathroom of our home.




White, soft and cozy. Not chippy. Freshly laundered bathrobe. It's been coming in handy lately on chilly nights!




Here's an old black and white picture of me and my maternal grandfather. Our family lived in a rowhouse when we first moved to Baltimore. It was a nice place, brick, wood floors, the back yards of the row houses had chain link fence and backed onto an alley. I remember the visit. I was 3 when we moved from there.




This picture is very special. It was taken in West Virginia, where my family is from. Look at the house - wow. That looks like West Virginia.
Click on it to enlarge.
In the center of the picture is my maternal great-great-grandmother. My great-grandmother is on the right, my maternal grandmother on the left. My mom is in the front on the left, and my aunt on the right in front.

Join me today as I link to Kathleen's White Wednesday. She hosts this special party every week!

Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Carol