A few weeks ago, while visiting around Blogland, I saw a giveaway for free digital scrapbooking software ... but it had just ended. Of course it had. Oh, well. I'm not a scrapbooker, so "easy come, easy go." What's the likelihood that I would have won anyway? But a couple of days later when I was contacted by My Memories (the very same digital scrapbooking company) and they said they wanted to give free software to me ... and to you ... I was ecstatic. For both of us, of course! So what would a non-scrapbooker want with digital scrapbooking software? I'm so glad you asked! Just look at all the things we can do. Cards and invitations for any occasion ... Photo albums or memory books like this ... Keep Reading...
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The Silent Sacrifice
On a warm and windy day last month, I spotted Old Glory waving her colors as I looked out the hospital window. The sight seemed even more poignant than usual because the hospital stood in the middle of an Army Base ... Fort Bragg in North Carolina. Little Sir was less than 24 hours old, safely secure in the care of his parents ... and so I picked up the camera. As I took picture after picture, imagining the snapping and flapping of the flag, my mind was almost overwhelmed by thoughts of beauty ... and sacrifice. Some of us live at a distance; never seeing the sacrifices unless they involve death and make the headlines. Others of us view them from only a few steps away. But military families? On one level or another, ... Keep Reading...
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Cake on the Brain!
Some of you enjoyed the wedding inspiration boards I shared with you in my tablescape post this week ... even specifically mentioning the gorgeous cupcake in one of them (Do cupcakes call your name like they do mine?) ... so I thought I'd show you the cupcake inspiration board, too. Can't you just see these beauties on a tiered stand ... and a navy tablecloth with vintage doilies spread over it like I did in my tablescape? I can. And while I have cake on the brain, I want to offer a quick congratulations to a fellow blogger ... Beverly at How Sweet the Sound. Her popular weekly all-things-pink blog party is celebrating a milestone. Why don't you stop by and tell her Happy Birthday? While you're there visiting, be sure to ... Keep Reading...
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KEY TO MY HEART … Inspired By A Wedding
Hello all! This week, my tablescape inspiration came from some idea boards I did awhile ago for soon-to-be-married young friends. Their wedding colors are ivory, blues, and golds ... Many of the pictures in these inspirations boards are the "actuals" ... the wedding gown, bridesmaid's dress and shoes, ballroom, save-the-date, and invitation. The others are ideas they want to incorporate ... floating flower centerpieces, antique keys, pearls. Now that you hopefully know the "feel" I want to achieve, I'll let you decide if I succeeded ... or not. I started with the only navy tablecloth I have then added a variety of doilies as a nod to the lace wedding gown and antique keys ... Keep Reading...
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Do You Earn A Merit Badge?
While sitting in the beauty shop the other day waiting for a haircut, I picked up this magazine. One short article caused me to chuckle and grab my smartphone so I could share this with you ... and so I wouldn't forget it. I don't even think you'll mind my inferior pics. The writer decided to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Girl Scouts by forming a new association: Boomer Scouts. She even created merit badges to recognize the triumphs of Baby Boomers so often unrecognized by those around them. According to Boomer Scouts spokeswoman, Carolyn Bucior, (the author herself), "These badges aim to affirm and celebrate our everyday wins while we still can." While, according to the U.S. Census ... Keep Reading...
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The Tablescape Challenge: Pink Au Naturale
I cannot believe it's been almost two months since this tablescape... Click HERE to see the tablescape. ... and this exchange: **Who knew ASAP would be "forever"?** When I thought about the Tablescape Challenge, my mind usually saw something like this ... ... but this week when I realized the Tablescape Challenge was actually going to happen, I re-read Debbie's comment. After all, I didn't want to miss any aspect of her challenge or I would **lose** for sure! It's a good thing I did because I'd forgotten about the "accessories." accessories plural of ac·ces·so·ry (Noun) 1. A thing that can be added to something else in order to ... Keep Reading...
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The Notecard Party
If this is your first time to stop by, WELCOME to My Place to Yours! If, however, you've been here a time or two before, I'm so glad you're here again today. I hope you all feel right at home .. and that you'll come back often. Today, for the first time, I'm joining The Notecard Party at A Haven for Vee. This little get-together is still pretty new in Blogland. It takes place on the third Wednesday of each month, and anyone wishing to party is asked to share four pictures they've already used on their blog that they think would make a good set of notecards. Well, since I love notecards, I decided it was time I got my act together so I can party, too! How about you? Do you like notecards? If you know me at all, you ... Keep Reading...
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Pallet Turned Sexy-Leg Coffee Table
He reads this blog ... Not Renaissance Man. Well, yes, he does -- but I already knew that. So does my Daddy on occasion, but not him either. Who then? Well, I'll tell you ... It began one day last December when Daughter the Younger asked us to bring power tools when we came to their house for Christmas. She and our Favorite Fatigue Wearer had a DIY project in mind. That sounded fun to me! When we arrived, we learned the project involved this shipping pallet ... and plans to turn it into a coffee table. I was already thinking to myself what a fun blog post the project would make when Daughter the Younger told me that the top would get a dark stain ... and the legs would be red! Oh, yeah ... LOVE ... Keep Reading...
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MOTHERHOOD: The Mother of All Roller Coaster Rides
It's Mother's Day week, and I'm wishing a very Happy Mother's Day to every woman who brings a maternal love and influence to a child ... whether they're part of the child's family tree or not. Sometimes a child's best mother is not really their mother. Sadly, I see that a lot in Brazil in our work with Hope Unlimited for Children. Many of the children we serve have had their welfare sacrificed by their own mothers. They've been neglected, abandoned, abused, prostituted ... by their mothers. I don't get it. I don't get it at all. I thank God every day that wasn't my experience. Last week I did an early Mother's Day tablescape for my own Mom. She's a good one. No, she's a ... Keep Reading...
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Sunday Morning Reflection
I received an email late last night from a blogging friend whose comment brought a quick response in my mind ... and it was still there first thing this morning. In her email she told me the story of how God had orchestrated her son's life journey, bringing him to this week's trip to Cambodia to build a playground for children who have been rescued from sex trafficking. I hope you'll join me in praying for him. The exciting thing is that she didn't see God's hand until recently when pieces of the last SIXTEEN years of his life came together to make a beautiful picture ... and today she stands amazed at how God works. Her email ended with these words: "I know this is part of your regular life ... but it isn't ours ... ... Keep Reading...
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Suh-weet!
When you hear "SF" in Fort Bragg, NC, home of the 82nd Airborne Division (which includes my Favorite Fatigue Wearer), it usually means "Special Forces." But I've discovered another SF in the area ... Little Man and his family introduced me to it ... and it's yummy! The many flavors of frozen yogurt are delicious ... but the toppings are my favorite part. On my first visit (yes, I've had more than one!), I was intrigued by the name "SweetFrog." On my second visit, I looked around more beyond the tasty treats ... and was pleasantly surprised to see what the Frog in SweetFrog stands for. If you look closely, you can see it on the green t-shirt ... or just keep reading. Look at this cute ... Keep Reading...
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Early Mother’s Day Table
This week's tablescape began with these "Marrakesh" dishes by Baum Bros. Similar sets were made in different colors for Pier 1, but I stumbled upon these at a local overstock store a couple of years ago. Lucky me! I thought their creamy-white color would be pretty with the white roses blooming in the garden. Look at all this pretty texture ... ... and color ... and scalloped edges. I added a little more texture with these unmarked basketweave saucers ... And more shape with this simple glass dessert dish ... A vintage Italian embroidered linen set ... placemats, runner, and napkins. "Italian Countryside" flatware by ... Keep Reading...
