Is there Country In Your County?

There's so much country in our county.

At one time, Deepstep was a buzzing little town.

There was even a school.

This was the country store.  

Don't you just love the benches on the front porch?

I can just see men sitting here shooting the breeze

while waiting on the misses to grab some grub.

One time we were driving down a country road

when our car gave out of gas. 

Daddy knew someone on a farm nearby who had a gas tank. 

 I suppose the tank was for supplying fuel for the farm equipment.

The man wouldn't let Daddy pay him. 

I wonder why some memories stand out like this one?

Green is the tractor color of choice

in this neck of the woods. 

In the town that I grew up in,

there was an International (Red) Tractor Co.

and a John Deere (Green) Tractor Co.

down the road.

The big argument discussion around here was 

who made the best tractor.

There was country store in every town

with a Mom and Pop store on every corner.

When I see these little roads,

I think of the song, "Country Roads Take Me Home."

 This is home to one of my friends.

Is this not beautiful?

So thankful that God's promises are true and sure.

Do you have country in your county?

Hope you enjoy your day of rest tomorrow, 

Bonnie:)

Some Whites After Labor Day

Today was no different 

with no rain and high temps.

It's still summer and will be for awhile 

even after Labor Day.

Does the fashion rule still apply, 

no whites after Labor Day?

I think you'll agree to a few whites.

This Cinderella pumpkin could go in the pink room.

This is one of my favorite vignettes.

It could sit it on my kitchen faux mantle. 

I pinned it a couple of years ago,

enough color to be natural and white to be bright.

I think I will change the bow to be an ivory/natural color.

I will definitely add the cotton to my wreath

to complete the vignette. 

I could do this,

and this.

Simply Shabby Chiccy

I think this will be on my front porch soon!

So, what ya think?

White?

Have a Happy Labor Day Weekend.

I will miss my family so I'll try to just 

get some projects done to put in my booth.

Bonnie:)

Please Turn the Heat Off!

It's still steamy here!

Ughhh!

The beach doesn't even attract me.

I'm so over this heat. 

I tell you what!

Today, I was a substitute for the 8th grade classes.

The baddest bunch I have EVER taught, and I can't say, 

"A mean little girl without a daddy."

They were just B-A-D, BAD!

Yes, sirree!

Talk about being run over!

I'll admit it!

My bad, tough self!

They slap ran all over me and jumped 

and hooped and hollered and high-fived about it too.

I have NEVER, did you hear me????

NEEEEEEEEVER been so humiliated and shown

such disrespect. 

And get this, 

some kid turned the heat on.

Oh yeah, the heat was on, 

and I'm talking 80 degrees.

Seriously???

So I'm dreaming of Fall.

I'll show you some of my favorite pins. 

Last year I used whites. 

This year I may add color. 

The verdict is still out.

These I can do. 

Does anyone remember apple-bobbing?

I think this would look great 

as a centerpiece for a farm table. 

Don't you agree?

Oh how I wish I had a fireplace. 

Do you think "cozy" when you look at this?

This is cute and easy, but think about this with candy corn.

I can just smell the yummy.

Easy peasy!

A box or drawer, 

fall berries and pumpkins

and candles from the Dollar Tree

and less than $10.

I can do something like this with my white jars!

Yes, I can!

No, I didn't scream, 

"Please turn the heat off!"

I'm not ready for 50 degrees either

and they would show me two opposite extremes,

I'm sure. 

I told the teacher next door, 

"These kids are out of control."

She said, "Yes.  Now you know why we can't keep a substitute."

Yeah!!!!

Somebody's got to love them. 

But I think I'd rather love on 

the little ones. 

Can we turn the heat off?

Bonnie:)

When I Was an Activity Director

When I was an activity director,

everyday was filled with activity.

This was the backdrop for one of our Mr. & Mrs. NH pageants.

When I was an activity director, 

I wore more than one hat.

Some days I was a domestic engineer

(a foo foo name for housekeeper).

Some days I was a food service manager.

( a glorified name for being on lunchroom duty)

Some days I was a nurse 

(without the degree)

healing boo boos with kisses.

Some days I was a Certified Nursing Assistant, 

wiping noses and cleaning nails.

Some days I was the social service director,

dealing with problems that went home with me.

Some days I was an accountant, 

trying to squeeze blood out of a turnip 

while balancing the activity fund.

When I was an activity director, 

on a given day, I have been known 

to assist with transfer of a 300 pound resident

just to make sure that the resident

was able to attend the only activity he enjoyed, 

yes BINGO.

When I was an activity director

I cringed at the word BINGO.

I wish I had thought of this then:)

When I was an activity director, 

I was hugged and/or kissed everyday.

I was surrounded by people 

who made me smile.

I got excited 

when a resident yelled "Bingo."

When I was an activity director, 

I tried to make each event an experience

and each experience an event.

I knew that I was making a difference

every day of my life. 

When I was an activity director, 

my motto was 

"Every day is a celebration of life."

Shouldn't that be our motto every day?

So let's blow up some balloons and have a party!

Bonnie:)

Ball Jars and Chalkpaint

A couple of weeks ago, 

I bought a box of 9 Ball jars 

(clear, old, not new)

for $5.

I found this wire basket that I love!

So, you know what I've been doing.

I've been painting jars with chalk paint. 

I distressed them a bit like they do on Pinterest.

I found these dried whatevers for $2.

I photographed them on the vintage tablecloth

that I was told to "take and be blessed."

It's hard for me to receive so I gave her $1.  

I know, I know, I ripped her off. 

I kinda like them in the white room.

I think I'll stack some pretty white linen in the basket.

What do you think?

Keep or sell?

I hope your Sunday has been filled with love, peace and joy.

Mine sure has been. 

Bonnie:)

A Dried Hydrangea Wreath

Nothing inspiring, just playing around
with a few new and old finds.

I found the dried hydrangea wreath in Juliette for $2.
I use the white-washed wooden box often, and
you're more than likely to find a piece or
 two of ironstone in every room.

It's what I like about white.

The bird has been around for awhile.
He kinda flits from room to room.

Tonight he found a home in the work-in-progress room.

I'll be flitting around tomorrow
looking to find new adds for the white room.

Happy Hunting,

Bonnie:)

Teach Your Children Well

WARNING:
LONG POST
NOT ADVISED FOR THE ADD OR ADHD ADULT.


I love the line in Hook when the little girl tells him,

"You're just a mean old man without a mommy."

I think that goes for children too.

When my children were little and they were picked on
by the "bad" kid in class, 

I'd say, 

"She just needs a mommy to love her,"

or

"He just needs a Daddy."

The relationship that a wife has with her husband 

is often a reflection of the relationship she had with her dad.

In the College/Career Class we have been learning 

The Five Love Languages 

by 

Dr. Gary Chapman.

The Love Languages are:

Affirmation

Quality Time

Gifts

Acts of Service 

Physical Touch.

Child psychologists affirm that every child has certain

emotional needs that must be met if he is to be emotionally stable.

Children who feel loved by their parents, whose parents 

have invested time and energy and are involved 

in the activities of their lives are more likely 

to succeed in their adult lives.

I've often heard it said,
"What we expect our children to be, they will become."

When a child hears from his parents,
"You will never amount to anything,"
most often, the child will meet that parent's
expectation and will live with an unhealthy view of himself.

Word are Important!
Words are Important!
Words are Important!

The important thing about a father playing ball
with his three-year-old, is not the activity itself,
but the emotions that were created between
the father and his child.

Some simple ideas for quality time with your child
may cost little or nothing.
But without quality time, it may cost everything!

Ride bicycles together.
Throw the football.
Shoot baskets together.
Walk together.
Have a picnic in the park.
Put a bed sheet over the kitchen table,
add some pillows, a sleeping bag,
grab a flashlight and camp out together.

I was once asked,
"How did you manage to have such well-adjusted children?"
Oh, there were some tough years.
Ask my children.
Our home was far from perfect.
However, doing some things didn't hurt.

First, we kept them involved in an active children
and youth ministry.

Second, we did everything together.
As youth directors,
we sacrificed money and time, but never our children.
The youth were made to feel like they belonged to our family,
not that our children belonged to them.

Last, we sought out their talents, believed in their abilities
to accomplish anything they wanted to accomplish
and were involved in everything they did.

You know, we can do our best and our kids may
walk a different path than we have chosen for them.
They may walk away from the very values that
we built our lives upon.

But when we know that we've done our best,
we can give the results to God and rest.

One Christmas morning we were up
early going to Grandma's, when we noticed
what looked to be a homeless man walking the streets.

In his drunken stupor, he fell on his face.
Tears rolled down my face and
my daughter said,
"Mama, he's just a man without a mommy."

We must teach our children well.

“If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn . . .
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight . . .
If a child lives with fear, he learns to be apprehensive . . .
If a child lives with pity, he learns to feel sorry for himself . . .
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy . . .
If a child lives with jealousy, he learns to feel envy . . .
If a child lives with shame, he learns to feel guilty ... 

BUT

If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient . . .
If a child lives with encouragement, he learns to be confident . . .
If a child lives with praise, he learns to be appreciative . . .
If a child lives with acceptance, he learns to love . .
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves..
If a child lives with honesty, he learns what truth is . . .
If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice . . .
If children live with recognition, they learn to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn to be generous.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith in himself and those about him . . .
If a child lives with friendliness, he learns the world is a nice place in which to live . . .” 
― Dorothy Law Nolte, Children Learn What They Live

Pink, pretty please?

Christy said, 

"We don't do pink."

"WHAT?!!!!!!"

"Well, some pink, I guess

maybe an outfit or two."

You know me, a lover of all things white and PINK!

How can she say, "No Pink?"

She says, "Neutrals."

"With a pop of pink, right?"

I was so excited to find this rare piece of pink milkglass or "shell."
I found it in Juliette, GA last Saturday.
It was $12.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!

She says, "With a pop of coral or aqua."

Okay, okay.

Coral is in the pink family, right???

She showed me some of their ideas from Pinterest.

with a little less aqua and coral 

and more neutrals.

Okay, I can see this,

or this.

Oh, yeah. I'm seeing it.  I'm getting it.

But can I exchange the white bear with a pink one?

I Dream in White and Pink, 

Bonnie:)

Which colors do you prefer?

God Gives The Song

My baby girl is having the baby 

and I'm the one with the hormone rush!

I've been through so many wonderful moments 

with this beautiful being.

I knew that she was destined to be something 

beautiful from the first moment I laid eyes on her. 

A mother's love is like no other
and I adore my children.

The easiest baby in the world, she was a sweetie from the beginning

and had her daddy wrapped around her little finger.

She awoke each morning with a song

and went to sleep singing.

I watched my baby girl grow from an awkward, shy teenager, 

to an incredible young lady, still singing her heart out. 

She traveled the Southeast for two years singing with a group

who became her friends for life. 

After college, she, Troy and her best friend, 

continued to sing together. 

The group dismantled.

She was approached about another group, 

Providence Road and she continued to sing. 

We traveled the Southeast too, of course,

listening to her sing. 

She sang through the incredibly difficult places,

and chose to sing when there was no song.

I've seen her goofy with friends.

I've seen Troy and Christy stand side by side in sickness and in health

 as they sang together through more tears. 

I watched as she through teary eyes celebrated the promise

of new birth among old friends with whom she sang. 

I've seen sadness behind the smile and the song,

as she chose to put aside her pain

to experience the joy of others. 

She loved other's children

and held her sweet nephew when there was no song.

Oh my goodness, I love her so.

We truly enjoy being together.

She loves vintage.

I love vintage.

She loves the beach.

I love the beach.

That's my baby girl on the left. 

She could not believe.

I BELIEVED!

Last night was "The President's Dinner"

for Trevecca Nazarene University.

A presentation to the tune of 

"Celebrate good times, come on."

A photo of her holding 

"It's a girl," quickly flashed across the screen.

We sing

"God Gave The Song,"

You ask me why my heart keeps singing

Why I can sing when things go wrong.
But since I've found the source of music
I just can't help it. God gave the song.

Come walk with me thru fields and forests.
We'll climb the hills and still hear that song.
For even hills resound with music.
They just can't help it. God gave the song.

What's that I hear - I still hear that music
Day after day. that song goes on.
For once you know the source of music
You'll always hear it. God gave the song.

Come on and join - It's the song of Jesus
Day after day that song goes on
For once you know the source of music
You'll always hear it. God gave the song.
For since I've found the source of music
I just can't help it. God gave the song.

--Bill Gaither

Yes, He gives the song!

When there seemed to be no song, 

I sang songs in the night for this baby

and cuddled our dream close to my heart.