Thrifting Find ~~~ Bell Shaped Cloche~~~ But why does it have a hole on top?

Hi Sweet Friends!

Well after a horrid week of headaches and no

energy...today I awoke to jumping out

of bed and racing around to get things done.

When I get headaches they just about do me in...

allergies are the worst and here in

Michigan the molds are what get me.

So last week was a blaaaaa week for me!

We have been getting cooler temps and some

frost...so hopefully soon this will cease.

Okay,

so...I did get out last week and went to one

of my favorite thrifting places.

I found this unqiue Bell Shaped Cloche.

But am baffled because it has a

whole up the center.

Does anyone out there who just may happen

to read my blog...

have any idea why or what it is

I found?

It was a steal at $2.99

See you can see that the glass is quite thick

on top...

I'd certainly love to hear from anyone who may

have an idea of what I found!

Many thanks!

Be Blessed,

Lorena

*Falling Temps* Amish Friendship Bread...Starter and Recipe

(my only Fall decor out so far)

Hey Bloggy Friends!!!

Oh the temps have fallen drastically here in Michigan.

I guess I must be getting that nesting feeling cause

last week I rounded up my starter recipe

so I could *brew* me some of my

familys favorite *Amish Friendship Bread*

Thought I'd share it with you all...

we do live close to Amish areas in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana

so I know this recipe has been around since

I moved here.

This is sooooo easy to start...

Recipe for STARTER:

1 Cup Flower

1 Cup Milk

1 Cup Sugar

11/4 tsp Yeast (or packet)

Disolved Yeast in 1/4 Warm Water

Combine all the ingredients.

Mix well using a wooden spoon.

************************

AMISH BREAD

Your starter mixture is day 1

Day 1-5 Stir Mixture,

Keep it covered with a paper towel

Day 5 add 1 Cup Milk, Sugar and Flour (mix well)

Day 6-10 Stir

Day 10  add 1 cup flour, sugar and milk to mixture.

then...

Divide into 4 containers with 1 cup of mixture in each.

Give to  3 friends and keep one for yourself.

With left over batter add:

2/3 cup oil

3 eggs

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup sugar

2 cups flour

1-2 tsp cinammon or to your taste

1 1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp baking soda

I also add 1 small package of Vanilla Pudding

Spray two loaf pans with oil and then

sprinkle a Cinammon Sugar mixture to the

bottom and side of pan.

Divide into two loaf pans and then sprinkle

top with cinammon sugar.

BAKE 325 for 45-1 hour

Side NOTES from me...

I usually add more cinammon because we like

a stronger flavor.

I also keep 1-2 cups of mixture and then

double or triple my recipe.

This freezes very well.

This is how mine looked and in less than 10 minutes of this

picture being taking 1/3 of it is gone!

I am telling you this is a  VERY yummy bread and

so good for the cooler weather!

It also makes the house smell YUM!!!

******

Could resist showing you my lil girl....

She must be in the nesting mode to because

she DOES NOT

fit into this basket...but

sure is trying!

BTW...for you Longerberger Basket fans

this is the PIE Taker!

Let me know if you do this I'd

love to hear from you!

Be Blessed

Lorena

***Struggling, Life, Letting Go and a College Child...HELP!!!*** Being Real

Hi Friends

Today I am getting real...again.

I am not perfect parent and I know I did not

bear a perfect child.

This past week has been really hard for me.

Even though my daughter is commuting to college

we rarely see her.  She has connected more

with her peers and enjoys being with them...

sometimes too late in the evenings for this momma.

So this can cause friction and struggles.

Letting go is getting harder and harder for me.

Yet, I know this all a part of life,

becoming an adult and gaining independence.

God has given me a wonderful tool and I

wanted to share with others who, like me,

may be facing those *letting go* feelings

with their adult, college children.

Stormie Omartian has an amazing

 series of books, titles starting with

*The Power of the Praying...*

I began reading the Power of the Praying Parent

many years ago and it helped me

so much during the early teen years!

I then found a newer book she has out

which I am now reading...

*The Power of Praying for your ADULT Children*

A MUST guide to the letting go...

letting GOD and praying, mightily for

your children.

It is an easy read...and something you

can pick up and go to a section that may

pertain to an area you are going through.

Today I read her preface, again and found

some amazing nugets that I needed to

chew on, apply to my life and keep before me. 

Letting go and giving my child back to

GOD is what Hannah did when GOD heard

her prayer for a child.

If he heard her prayers then He surely hears

yours, mine and all who have a

heart to see GOD work in the life of

their children.

Be encouraged, you are not alone in your

struggles...I'd love to pray with you.

And...I hope that some who read this

will check out Stormies books!

Be Blessed,

Lorena



***Awakening*** Post 9/11 Thoughts

Hello Friends!

Like many Americans, yesterday was a day that

many will NEVER forget.

When the confusion of what had happened settled

in my mind, I was overwhelmed with so many emotions

that day.

Thankfully, that fateful Tuesday Morning was

my Women's of the Word, Bible Study.

I could not have been in a better place.

The gravity soon sank in and as we women

sat at our tables...we prayed.

There was such a Peace amidst the

turmoil of what was yet to be a day

of unforgetable reality that

would change our country forever.

The safety of my daugher and hubb were my first thoughts.

I was so glad I was near my daughter,

who was over in the building across the

parking lot.

With the school in *lock down mode*

I left her there, knowing she needed

to continue on with her day.

We'd discuss later what had happened.

Hubby actually was told to go home...

a rarity at Ford Motor Company.

Our eyes were locked to the TV screens with

unbelief of what was going unfolding as

we witnessed

the WORST ever Attack on American soil.

You really begin to FACE that there

is real evil in our world.

Our Country got a WAKE UP call that day.

To see how we rallied with community,

faith and love of country...gave me goose bumps!

We are a resiliant country!

My hope and prayer is that we NEVER

forget

what happened, the lives lost,

the hurt, the horror and

yes, how we as americans began to

more openly connect again...

to LOVE of Country in a way

I have never seen before.

May GOD Bless America!

***My Mornings*** Coffee, Bible, Kitty Love and newest addiction...Word With Friends, YIKES***

WOW is that title does say a mouthful, huh?

lol

Yep, this girl is NOT a morning person.

Oh how I wish I was.

I MUST have at least 1 cup of JavaJo

before the juices begin to run and I can think.

Loving my Starbuck HUGE mug with French Roast

and a loooooot of cream...this gets filled

twice, then I'm done for the day.

*****

Then my Chloe girl loves to come and snuggle with me.

If you look to the right...you can see that her back

foot is wrapped around my arm.  She LOOOOVES

her tummy and chin to be rubbed and will

almost evelope whoever's arm in the process!

And talk about the loudest PUURRRRR!

Does my heart good!

We sit and love and she stays with

me as I read my bible or play my game!

So today,

I am getting back on track after

our wonderful Labor Day/Birthday weekend.

(My B-day fell on Labor Day)

Hubs got me one of the BESTEST

gifts ever last Christmas...an ipad.

Totally blew me away. 

It has since been my constant when I am

at home...you can do so much with it!

It has my Bible on it that I have been reading and

I thought I'd share what I read today as

it really touched my heart deeply

in a practical, living the Christian

life way.

Psalms 15

1 LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary?

Who may live on your holy mountain?

2 Those whose walk is blameless,

who do what is righteous,

who speak the truth from their hearts;

3 who have no slander on their tongues,

who do their neighbors no wrong,

who cast no slur on others;

4 who despise those whose ways are vile

but honor whoever fears the LORD;

who keep their oaths even when it hurts;

5 who lend money to the poor without interest

and do not accept bribes against the innocent.

Whoever does these things will never be shaken.

Good words to chew on as I go through my day.

*****
Okay...last is a bit of a confession.

I LOVE words.

And its all my sister Marci's fault.

She told be about a game she was playing with

my neice...

WORD with Friends!

It has an AP for the iPad.

I was smitten...and now the

rest is history!

If you play this game...wanna

play with me?

Be blessed!

Lorena



Refashioning an Old Crocheted Doilie ***My new obsession ~~~ Making Crocheted Flowers***

Hi Blogging Friends...

Oh my,
I had intended on posting something each

day last week.  But a few of my days got away from me.

I also get discouraged blogging at times...
and in my effort of being true and real...

 I have many lookers

and few leave comments.

Now, I always appreciate my sweet followers

who leave comments...they REALLY

do brighten up my day.
But I wonder if I am just not interesting or
my posting relevant.

I also know, I fall short of always

getting back with each of you and

that's probably why so many don't leave comments.

I am working on this from here on out!

*****

I wanted to share with you how I took and old

doilie...that I loved the delicate crochet and colors...but

not the soiled linen center.

Thinking I was going to use this in another

project I cut the center out.
I

have since decided not to use it so I came up

with a way to pretty it up and use it.

I placed a pretty White Battenberg Lace doilie
over the hole area and then placed a blue and
white doilie that I had crocheted many years ago on top of
the white battenburg lace.
I used my handy dandy GLUE GUN
to glue each one in place!
An easy what to repurpose something
you may have that is stained or beyond repair.

I had just the right spot for this on my

dressing area dresser...

*****

My new obession?

Can you guess by my picture above?

It has to do with crocheting...

found 2 of the ecru rounds and the

thinner yarn, last week thrifting...$1 each!

Well, I was taught by my sweet

grams over 20 years ago how to crochet doilies.

She taught me by visually allowing to make

them with her sitting by my side.

I didn't learn to read a pattern

(being visual, I have a hard time with them)

so I learned by trial and error.

I have a project I am working on and have

seen these adorable flowers everywhere

and I want to add them to it...

knew I could make em...

but

the written patterns that I found

looked like a foreign language to me.

So...

Off to Google U-Tube How To's...

Love those HOW TO's on U-tube

cause I found 2 easy flower patterns...

and my obession began.

Over the holiday weekend, when I have

had time, I picked up my hook..

so pictured is what I have done so far...lol

I can make these large or small and then stack them

or

keep them as they are!

I LOVE options!

Hope I have inspired to you find a

new obsession!

Be Blessed!

Lorena

***1st Day of School*** ~~Mom's Sentimental Journey~~~

Hi Sweet Friends...

I am being a bit sentimental today...

Today was my daughters 1st day back to

College...a sophomore this year! WOW.

She is still commuting from home...

so

at least I get to see her whiz in and out...

and

occasionally now, she will chat and

catch me up with what has gone on in her day.

Knowing today was her first day made me go

back in time.

So....I made it up to my picture closet to see

if I could find M's first day of Kindergarten pictures.

I found them.

I get so choked up remembering those early days.

How simple and easy it all seems now.

But back then I know it sure didn't

seem that way.

I babysat 2 other neighbor girls that were her age

during her early years.

It was a blessing for her, being an only to

have so many others in our neighborhood to

grow up with.  She always fit right in.

And I'd get comments about how she

didn't act like an only.

That's my socially outgoing girl!

Hasn't changed one bit!

I didn't realize that I took a picture of my daughter

and her friend, but not one alone of my daughter.

These two went to kindergarten together, best buds.

Kindergarten was on Tuesdays, Thursdays all day,

 and

1/2 the afternoon on Friday.

Those days kept me hopping.

I remember Michaela being exausted that first week.

They were given time in the afternoon to nap or rest

but I am sure the change tuckered her out.

She came home and ate a snack but could not

keep awake...to precious!

Do you have sweet memories like these?

I am sure you do!

Be Blessed,

Lorena

~~~Coffee Table SlipCover~~~

Hi Friends!

I'm linking up with Savvy Southern Style
For
Wow Us Wednesday...

Well...I meant to get this written yesterday...but life happens. lol

But this is what I was attempting to work on and

finish yesterday. A slip cover for our coffee table.

Before

After...

This is the 2nd slipcover that I have made for

our Fam Room Coffee Table.

Hubs and I are "put your feet up and get comfy"

type peeps in the evening.

We enjoy our relaxing time.

Earlier this year we decided to use

what we had, our coffee table, and make it more comfy

for us to put our feet up on.

We bought a 2 inch batting foam...didn't

want to go to high as this table is already

couch level. 

My first attempt was too light weight of a

material and the seams didn't take to well to

the wear and tear of us constantly putting our

feet up.

So...I found another fabric I had stashed

and threw it over our table until I could

get this pinned and ready to sew.

That was probably 2 months ago that

I did this...procrastinator for sure!

All pinned and ready to sew...

A pretty good fit...the first try.

Yesterday I was determined to

pin and sew this *easy* project.

Easy...YIPES...I broke 3 needles

before I had to go to JoAnns and

purchase heavy duty Jean needles.

(Note to self, there is never an easy

project with a fickle old machine, old

lady doing the work and

a mouth that would need some

soap...yep a few ugly, bad words

were spoken before this was all said

and done).

The view from where I was sitting last evening!

Oh and I brought my only 3 hydrangeas in to

let them dry.  I put water in the pitcher and will

just let it soak up and evaporate...

the hydranges with reatain their color and look

beautiful for months to last.

But I lurve, luv, LOVE how it

FINALLY came together.

Be blessed!

Lorena

~~~How do I LOVE? ~~~

In my quest to keeping it real today

I forgot to stop first thing

 to take time with my

LORD.

But guess what, He was still waiting for me

when I decided to stop and come.

And today I'd like to share just what he

had on HIS mind to share with me.

I am still reading Psalms.

(on my i-pad, luv!!!)

Psalms 7: 9b, 10, 11, 12 (NIV)

For you look deep within the mind and heart,

O righteous God.

God is my shield,

saving those whose hearts are true and right.

God is an honest judge.

He is angry with the wicked every day.

If a person does not repent,

God will sharpen his sword;

Now you might ask,

How do I love...

what does that have to do

with this passage.

Let me share with you...

Do you have those people in your life

that are just plain hard to like or love?

who have messed their lives up?

they don't live as GOD would have them?

or have you been hurt

 or has someone

you love been hurt by another?

God asked me do I LOVE the unlovely in my life?

Hmmm...many times I must admit a

big fat NO.  I'd rather run in the

opposite direction than to have to deal

with an unpleasant person or situation

that *I* don't approve of.

Sound familiar?

If God  looks deep into my heart and sees

this unwillingness to love in me...it is sin.

God loves the unlovely and

HE

wants me to so as well.

Doesnt mean it will be easy...just love.

Leave the rest to Him. 

He always has a better way

of dealing with anyone than we ever would.

Love!

Be Blessed,

Lorena

Decorating with Pink ~ Pink Saturday

I am so happy to join our sweet

Hostess Beverly over at

How Sweet the Sound

for the weekly tour of all things PINK!

I went around my room a while back and

was looking at things I have used in my

Master Bedroom that is pink.

Was I amazed how much I have and

 how well Pink and Blue

go together...and our blue walls

make everything looks so dreamy!

My quilt is sooo beautiful, a Rachel Ashwell Kings Size,

I snagged at Target for $50...all covered in pretty pinks!

( rug color is actually called Cameo Mauve)

I finally got around to embellishing a favorite photo

of hubby and me with my Pink Clay roses!

 

I love the view in the mirror...but also the

pretty pinks I have put around my dresser!

Another one of my to dos..that I got done

in my crazy crafting frenzie I did a month ago!

This is my side of the bed...can you tell?

Love this darling phote of my daughter at 4.

I placed it next to one that my aunt made and then

placed a picture of me in.  I treasure this!

 I am sure I was

3 or 4 at that time as well.

So hard to get a good picture when there is glare! ugh!

I LOVE this Jessica McClintock by Gunne

Sax...and knew it needed to be hung on my wall.

Ready for an afternoon tea, in 1920?

And last...this is my wedding dress and hat I

wore 25 years ago, Aug 2, 1986.  I helped

design this dress and a dear friend made it. 

Its a creamy, lightweight satin covered in

delicate lace.

This flanks my dresser and is on the left

side as my Gunne Sax is on the right.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hope you enjoyed my PINKs

that I have scattered throughout my

Master Bedroom.

Be Blessed!

Lorena