Sunday, May 31, 2009

"Fairy Tales"

I was fortunate to find some Hans Christian Andersen books
at my favorite thrift store, Lulu's this week.


Do children still read Fairy tales and poetry?
I grew up on stories like these and cherish my memories.
My grandmother read poetry to me and one summer she read "Heidi" aloud.
I couldn't wait to run next door to see if she was ready
to take a break from quilting to read.

Here's a quote from the front of the books.......

"Within the fairy tale treasure which has come into the world's possession,
there is no doubt Hans Christian Andersen's stories are of outstanding character.
Their symbolism is rich with Christian values, and some of them are clear
illustrations of the Gospel. From his early childhood in the town of Odense,
Denmark, until his death in Copenhagen, Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875)
had a valid Christian faith that manifested itself in many of the approximately
150 stories and tales he wrote. In one of the, he said "In every human life,
whether poor or great, there is an invisible thread that shows we belong to God."
The thread in Andersen's stories is one of optimism which has given hope
and inspiration to people all over the world."

The illustrations are by Juan Alonso Diaz-Toledo.
They are amazing, aren't they?

These are some of the pages from The Wild Swans,
the first one I read. Quotes and photos from the book.....


Three toads entered the water....
when she got out again, three red poppies floated on the water.


Elisa entered the forest only a short time before nightfall.
Leaving the pathway, she lay down on the soft moss
and said her evening prayer.It was very quiet.
The air was warm, and around about the place where she lay,
hundreds of glowworms shone like green firelight.
When she softly touched one of the branches,
the glowworms fell like shooting stars.


And in the picture book, everything was living.


When the sun was close to setting, Elisa saw
eleven wild swans wearing golden crowns....


When the sun rose and the brothers were changed to wild swans,
they took the net in their beaks and flew high into the clouds
with their sleeping sister.


She asked if that were the country for which they were heading,
but the swans shook their heads.
What she saw was in reality the Morning Princess's
constantly changing castle of clouds.


If I might dream of how I could rescue you!


After sunset Elisa's brothers returned to the cave
and were frightened at finding her unable to speak.

The King led Elisa throught the fragrant gardens and great rooms of the palace.
However, not a smile crossed Elisa's lips, nor shone from her eyes.


"With fear in her heart, as if it were an evil deed she was planning,
she slipped out into the moonlit night, walked throught the long winding alleys,
out onto the empty streets, and towards the churchyard.

Read the book for the beginning AND the happy ending!

Dream...imagine....READ!!!

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Are you inspired? A Giveaway!!!

Could you use a little inspiration?

I love Catherine Holman's art...as most of you know!

And I have this 8 by 10 inch print that I would like to GIVE AWAY!!!


I have surrounded myself with her beautiful art
and I had one more print that I did not get framed.

I thought one of my blogger friends would enjoy it!

These are pics of my room in Florida
with her beautiful art surrounding my work space!



So comment on this post and I will draw a name on June 1st !!!

Have a beautiful day and be inspired!

Friday, May 29, 2009

Giveaway FUN!

Cynthia's cottage is having a FUN giveaway this week, too!


Please visit her to join in her fun and comment on ' my post' to enter mine!

Have a GREAT day!

And thanks Cynthia!

"Whatnot Crazy"

I don't know WHAT has happened to me but all of a sudden I love 'whatnots!

I look for them everywhere I go! lol

And everything keeps changing on my dresser....

(my hubby keeps checking to see if there are 'new' whatnots in the roses! lol)

I look for those that have Made in Japan on the bottom like this little fellow.


But does that stop me from buying 'hand made' whatnots? NO!!!
These little cats were made by someone and ended up in a thrift store.


And this one is probably something cheap from the dollar store
but I thought they were a cute couple!

You can see my beautiful corsage from She's Sew Pretty in the photo!

My friend at Sweet Cottage Dreams even wrote me about my new addiction!

She has the most beautiful whatnots and FUN stuff on her blog!

Isn't it fun to share FUN addictions!
I LOVE IT!

Please sign up for my giveaway in the post below this one! THANKS!
And GOOD LUCK!!!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

"Wednesday Wee Ones" Seeing RED!!!

I love RED and when I found
this little RED rocking chair for my dolls, I was elated!

I took it outside and put Holly Hobby in it .... just for FUN!

Then Wendy wanted her turn to ROCK!

Enjoy your day!

And remember to TAKE TIME TO PLAY!!!

It's GOOD for you!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

A view from the balcony!

We've been having little pop up showers this week
and I took a few photos from the balcony of our condo with views of the mountains.....


Mt. Pisgah and Frying Pan mountain!


I love the somber clouds!


Even when the grassy area was bathed in sunlight,
you could see the showers over the mountains!

The mountains are fun to watch...always changing!

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Happy Memorial day!

I hope you all have a wonderful day!

'Pics of Johnson Farm'

I added a link to Johnson Farm! It is near my home!
Thanks for all the sweet comments!

Enjoy the holiday weekend!

Friday, May 22, 2009

"Fun Stuff"

I wanted to combine some thrift store finds with some other fun stuff!

I was so thrilled to win a giveaway on the blog 'She's Sew Pretty' !

Look at this beautiful corsage and all of the wonderful lace she sent me!


She makes some of the prettiest things and has an ETSY store you will love!

Does anyone remember having a green water container in the refrigerator
when they were growing up? ( if you grew up in the '50s and 60s! lol )


We had one just like this so I was excited to find this one at Goodwill!
I also bought a quart milk bottle


and this sweet dish.

I love Goodwill but their prices have gone up a lot here.
Have they where you live?

I found something else today at a thrift store but I will save that for later.
I need to take more pics! But for a doll lover...it was a great find!

Have a happy Friday!

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Inspiration....

I am inspired by this blog and his wonderful photographs!
So I thought I would share a few of my favs over the next few days!
Visit Nikon Sniper to be inspired! ( and maybe I will learn something! lol )

Our little pet...taken through the screen door!

A dogwood in bloom.

A beautiful area near our home in Florida.

And speaking of wonderful blogs to visit...
The Daisy Cottage is the best place to spend the afternoon
and today she mentioned Old Centennial Farmhouse
and I enjoyed her blog...and I know you will, too!
Check out The Katillac Shack today, too!
You'll be amazed!
I love all my Favorite Blogs!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

"Wednesday Wee Ones"

Twyla and Lindsey have been such an inspiration to me these past few months.
They "re" introduced me to Barbie
and started me on a new collection
with all their photos and info!


I hope they will continue to share their beautiful collection!
Don't worry if you don't have something new to show us!
You could do a post for each of your dolls and we would LOVE it!

When I bought a small collection of Barbies,
I knew that 2 of the dolls would be my favorites
so I saved them for a separate post!


Another beauty....




Enjoy your Wednesday and remember...

TAKE TIME TO PLAY!
Have some FUN!!!

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

A Vacation from your problems....

Do you remember the old movie, What About Bob?
We think it is a classic! lol


In the movie Bob has problems...to say the least...and Dr. Marvin...
Dr. Leo Marvin... gives Bob a prescription,
Take a vacation from your problems!

If you haven't watched this movie lately, FIND IT!
There are lots of laughs and enough truth to make you really think!

So I decided to take a little vacation for a few days.
A vacation from my regular routine.
I have actually had some fun but even though I've cut back on regular 'chores'
and made easy meals or gotten 'take out' from our favorite restaurants,
it did not free up as much time as I thought it would.
I have a long list of things I want to do 'when I have time'
but I didn't have to get my list out! lol
I did spend more time at the library.....and Michael's....
and I did watch a few more movies and read every day,
but I think I need some more 'time off'!
I know everyone understands how hectic life can become
and I have just been overwhelmed lately.
I think my 'plan' will help to relieve stress but so far that part hasn't kicked in!

I hope you have a wonderful day! I have lots to share but I will post pics later!

Here's a really cute idea from 'Life with Sprinkles on Top'...when you have time!
Thanks for mentioning me in your blog and for your visit!
And we do have a party to look forward to at the Fanciful Twist!

"2nd Annual Mad Tea Party"
Happy Tuesday everyone!
Join me.....
Take a little vacation from your problems!

Thursday, May 14, 2009

A Mountain Adventure!

We drove up to the property we have in the mountains ofAlign Center NC near the TN border on Sunday.


It was a fabulous day and I took lots of photos.

We picnicked up there and then
drove to the small town of Hot Springs
to walk around and enjoy the neat shops!


and a bridge painted RED!


The weather was fabulous and the views breathtaking!



Time to drive DOWN the winding mountain!


We stopped and picked up some goodies for dinner
and rented the movie Mamma Mia!

I LOVED IT! I knew I would....and I DID!

What a beautiful season to be in the mountains!

Have a wonderful day!