Why do I blog?

18 years ago I started  'Lavender Dreams blog'.

18 years! When I think of this journey and what it has meant, I feel very sobered and very honored that so many of you started this journey with me and continued on for 18 years. 

And then there are those of you that have just started following my blog this past year. Many of you knew I needed my blog friends these past 12 months, both old and new.

Of course we can go back and look at comments and see how many are not with us any more for one reason or another. But every single person makes an impact. I've shared happy times and sad in the past 18 years. And we have prayed. We've cared and supported each other through it all. And for that I am humbled and very very thankful.

I was encouraged to start my blog by my childhood friend, Lila. And she continues to be an inspiration to me. Thank you Lila! What a difference you've made in my life. I remember telling you I was going to keep my blog private, just share it with a few family and friends. You suggested I open it up to the public. And oh my, what a difference that has made in my life.

Now I have over 1500 followers, over the years I've had close to 100,000 comments and I don't know how many posts I've written or photos I've shared. But it has made my life so much richer. YOU have made my life so much happier! I ended my first post with a promise to Kaila (my friend from the Middleton doll forum who is no longer with us).

"I promise not to post scary BUG pictures, Kaila."

I'll have to admit to breaking that promise. But she would understand and she would love it! 

This is a Robber Fly anyway, so it doesn't count! haha

I had a little drama a few years ago when my blog was shut down HERE and I want to thank my loyal friends who stuck with me during that fiasco. 

I'm going to send a little thank you gift to one of you. Just leave a sweet comment or even a happy face to be entered. I wish I could send you all something special but consider yourself HUGGED and LOVED and so very appreciated.

Thank you for spending time with me on my blog. Thank you for being my blog buddy. Thank you for praying for me.

Thank you for sharing your lives with me for 18 years! 

God bless you all!

Love, Diane 🐝

Money for Books!

I am not a big spender. I tend to use it up and wear it out and sometimes even do without! lol

But I do love books! 

So when I won the giveaway that Brenda had on her blog, It's a Beautiful Life, I spent my giveaway money on books! 

I knew she would approve!

 

I always have books and movies in my wish list and I was going between getting some of the When Calls the Heart DVDs or books. And isn't it funny when you have a gift card, you start looking even more diligently! Like my happiness depends on making the right choice! heehee!

So I've been wanting a journal that I can use for writing AND sketching so I found this one!

And then for inspiration, I bought this book too, Keeping a Nature Journal. I am so excited to have them both and look forward to even more hikes with the nicer weather. 

And adding some art to my hiking journal.

I also splurged on Etsy and got a vintage reader. I already had Busy World and I found To and Fro from Three Bear Vintage.  She was delightful to exchange messages with too.

I might have gone slightly over my gift card winnings but I couldn't resist these wonderful books!

Thanks to Brenda for adding to my joy! Happy blogging to her! The link to It's a Beautiful Life is HERE. Visit her....you'll love her AND her beautiful blog! 

And shop Etsy's handmade and vintage items! 

I am praying for everyone in the path of Hurricane Sally...friends and family! Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. 

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays and

I like Thursdays HERE too!

Being Thankful!

I am VERY thankful for all of the sweet comments on my ‘hiking series’! I’m having such fun sharing the photos with all of you.  But let’s stay home and ‘play’ today!

So what’s new? I won a really cool Giveaway! Do you visit the blog, It’s a Wonderful Movie? Oh my! If you don’t, you’re missing out! She does reviews and interviews featuring some of the BEST movies! Lots of Hallmark movies and classics too! Her banner says “Your Ticket to Family Movies on TV” and it is great. She lets you know when new movies will air and even when they plan a rerun. I entered a giveaway for a movie!

And lo and behold! I received TWO movies and a fun gift pack.

All of it packed away in a big tin that looks like it will have an old timey movie reel inside!

Popcorn, nuts and candy too!

Thanks Net! I am THRILLED!

And a quick update on decorating around the house. I really don’t do a whole lot but every year I find something ‘new’ to add. This year, I have a new Christmas lap quilt that I got at a local craft show. So I ‘dug’ through my fabric stash and found some vintage fabric from the thrift store to make a ‘new’ pillow cover.

Is this not the cutest little print?

I am SO in love with it! And it will be easy to wash and put away after the holidays. (it won’t take up much room either! lol)

Have you watched any holiday movies this week? Done any sewing or crafting?

I’ll be back Saturday with my hiking series!

It’s a 2 hour hike at Blue Run Park so rest up!

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.

*Fall Pretties*

I love decorating for Fall even though it feels more like summer time here in Florida!

It’s my least favorite season so I make an effort to surround myself with things that look pretty!

I won a fun giveaway at Life and Linda and she sent me these beautiful Mackenzie Childs Elizabethan guest towels.

Aren’t they the cutest!

Thanks Linda! (I love this tag too)

I hung them on the baker’s rack for now.

But I’ll probably move them again! I’m bad to do that! lol

And Sam asked me to show my progress with cross stitching.

(The red barn will be stitched in under the sun!)

I had to take a break when we were in NC. I took my little project bag but I was too tired in the evenings to do any stitching. So now I’ve started again since we came back to Florida. I’m anxious to finish these and start working on something for the holidays.

Do you have pretty Fall decorations up?

Anyone want to brag about their nice cool Fall weather?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.

Count Your Blessings!

I’ve been counting my blessings this month and looking for ways to ‘follow my heart’. So I loved finding these little notes in the marked down area of one of my favorite stores.

Of course while you’re being ‘all serious’ and working through challenges, it’s fun to come home to this!

All of you that have followed me for awhile know Wendy. My little Lloyd Middleton doll that was given to me by a friend years and years ago, when I first started collecting dolls. She has always been my favorite and usually sits on the sofa.

So imagine my surprise when I found her on the floor…

with her foot in the jaws of a leopard.

Shocking I know….

just SHOCKING!

But not to worry!

No dollies were harmed in the making of this post or in our happy home! lol (I gave her a hug and she’s back on the sofa)

And thanks to Laura from Decor to Adore for a Giveaway Gift she sent me this week!

It’s always fun to have handmade Christmas pretties!

Thanks Laura!

Oh and thanks hubby for making us all SMILE!

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.

Giveaway FUN and the Winner is….

First I would like to say a BIG thank you to Anne from Anne’s Phamily Blog.

I won her holiday giveaway and she sent me things she selected especially for me!

A beautiful tea cup and all kinds of wonderful teas for me to try!

The package was filled with pretty things, everything I love!

Thanks so much Anne! It actually got cooler here in Florida so I’ll enjoy a ‘hot cuppa’ today!

And the winner of MY Princess Sassy Pants book giveaway is Diane from Quilting is Blissful. She’ll get the new book, Tangled Twinkle in record time…she lives here in Florida!

Thanks to everyone who entered. I cherish all of the friendships I’ve made on my blog.

And I’m wishing you all

Happy Holidays!

Princess Sassy Pants & Co “Giveaway”

I am a fan and follower of Princess Sassy Pants and when she decided to reprint her book, Tangled Twinkle by Jane Lee Logan I ordered on the very first day!

And guess what? I ordered an extra book to GIVEAWAY here on my blog!

I’m going to make this a quick giveaway so that I can get the book in the mail pronto! So I’ll announce the winner on Friday morning!

It’s open to everyone! Just leave a comment (a sweet one would be best) and you will be entered!

You really should go and check her blog HERE!

And the link to order the books is HERE!

She has note cards and journals too but they are going fast so order them as soon as possible. She has special prices if you order a ‘bundle’!

(a sneak peek inside)

I appreciate all of you so much this holiday season. How encouraging to have so many special blog buddies!

Let’s start the holiday season with a

Fun Princess Sassy Pants Giveaway!!!

***Happy Holidays***

I'm Grateful for all of YOU!!!

I feel ALL better! I passed the kidney stones and feel amazing now! Thanks so much for the prayers. What a difference it makes to have good friends that pray! 

I'm working on a Fall book but it hasn't quite 'come together'. I'm struggling to figure out the design and layout. But hubby put a new ink cartridge in the printer yesterday so I printed out some pretty Autumn paper!

A special 'Thank You' to Michelle from The Nest at Finch Rest for the gift she sent me this week. I won her 'Christmas in July' giveaway and she sent me a beautiful antique Christmas cup, Christmas tea, a little spoon and a sweet card. (I'll probably work that card into a book! heehee)

I'm always thankful for the Farmer's Mkt on Thursday so I'm off and running this morning. It will feel GREAT to GET OUT!

What can I pick up for you? Apples? Or bakery bagels? How about some corn on the cob?

I’m joining Thankful Thursdays.

The lost Sandpiper

I'm sharing a few photos from my walks to the pond this week. We had a very unusual visitor! 

 A Sandpiper!

 He was on the golf course! 

We don't live on the beach. We live in North Central Florida so this was the first time I've ever seen a Sandpiper here. We've seen them at Canaveral National Seashore but not this far inland.

The Little Blue Heron flew in while I was there. He fluffed his feathers when he landed.

A pretty duck was in the water....

and a family of Moorhens.

But a Sandpiper? I never!!!!

I'm having a Giveaway! If you would like to enter, click HERE to go to the Giveaway post! 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.