Congratulations To The Saints And The Boy And The Burke Museum....

 

 Hi my sweet girlies!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend!  And, if you're in the "blizzard zone" that you stayed nice and toasty.   :-)

I spent the day with my little grandson yesterday....Bless his little heart. 

Nothing makes this little fella happier than spending the day learning about animals and anything related to same.

So, I picked him up early and we headed to Seattle to the Burke Museum to take in the Fossil Freeway exhibit.

He loved it!

  

 There were quite a few steps to get into the museum so we searched for and found ourselves a nice little elevator.  Sounds simple enough, right?

NOT!

Oh my goodness.  If you have claustrophobia and ever had a scary thought about being stuck in an elevator, yesterday wouldn't have been your day.   It wasn't ours either!

YIKES!

We  hopped in the elevator, pressed the desired button and moved a bit.........then NOTHING!  Nope, doors didn't open, elevator was stopped.......grandson has a look on his little face I've never seen before.........we push another button........still nothing.  Panic begins to set in.  Nope, I'm not good in a crisis.....but I'm trying my best not to scare my little guy......I reach for the phone to call for help............and the elevator miraculously moves and the doors open!

Thank you Jesus!

A big WHEWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!

Years ago I was in a very old elevator and the doors opened between the floors.  I'm realllly afraid of heights......it wasn't pretty.

  

 Is he not adorable?

  

 And, hungry.....He asked me days in advance if we could eat lunch at Blue C Sushi.....that was up next......and then off to City Peoples.....he loves that store for some reason and wanted to go there too.  I'm a sucker for this kid.  I'll do ANYTHING for him.

He is so precious to me.

I adore him.

We had such a great day and I was glad to be out of the house because.....

 

There was WAY too much testosterone at home.

My Hubbs was having a Super Bowl party.

Escaping was good.

I must say I know absolutely NOTHING about football.......but I was so hoping the Saints would win.  

I've only been to New Orleans once, but fell head over heels in love with that city.  It's beautiful, the food is over the top delish and the music is devine!

Besides that............don't you think their outfits are so much cuter than the Colts'?

I do love me a bit of shine and sparkle........gotta love some gold!

Come on..........who could root against a team who has a fleur de lis as their team symbol?

So, here's to you New Orleans!  Hip, hip Hoooooray!

Hope the testosterone's died down at your house and that you have a blessed week.    :-)

Huggies and Lovies!

Spence

Let The Spring Cleaning Begin!

Hi Sweet Girlies and Happy FRIDAY!

I know I've talked about starting the Spring Cleaning FOREVER....but now I'm really getting down to it.  I'm patting myself on the back and if I could jump up and down I really would!

Do you remember the old Bea Arthur show called Maude?  Every time I think about jumping up and down I remember her saying if she did that she'd get two black eyes........that was years ago and it still makes me laugh.

Ok......as long as I'm walking down memory lane....the other hilarious line I'll always remember was from Cheers.  Cliff was sitting on his little barstool when Norm walked in.  Cliff said "What's shakin, Norm"..........Norm's response?  "Four cheeks and two chins"......Yep, still funny!

Oh brother, I should learn not to do my posts when I'm really tired and a bit loopy....NO, I DO NOT drink....just fatigue goofy.

Anyway.........as I've said the cottage is pretty beensie and I LOVE to collect.  I don't think I'll EVER stop.  There still have to be some great thrifty finds out there, right?

I had my overflow of extra things in a cupboard that was too small and disorganized.  I had to be careful every time I opened the doors that nothing would fall out and break.

I wanted more space.....Enter the hall closet.  It was under used.  There just isn't enough room at Bellamere Cottage for any spaces that aren't fully used so I painted it and added some shelving.

Yipppeee!  Now I have a spot to store all of those extra finds until I use them.

I know.....you're thinking...........good gravy, does this girl have enough junk?

Yep, that's exactly what my Hubbs says each time I come home with a bag.

"MORE china"?

 

When my Mum passed away I inherited some of her china too....and some of her other things I can't bear to part with.  That big blue stone?  My Mum's.  She loved it...gotta hang onto that.....Lots of her plates.....her little Creamer and Sugar that she always put on the table when we had tea.    :-)

  

 The little burgandy box on the top shelf was one of the first gifts my hubby gave to me.

I pick up lucky pennies and that little thing is full of them.  It plays music...Isn't that sweet?

  

 I don't know what the things on the left are actually called, but I call them cottage ware....I have spot all planned for them.

  

 Years ago I collected loads of jadeite....and a little bit of depression glass.  At that time the depression glass was a bit more expensive so I decided to keep it when I pared down a bit.  Hard to believe, I know.  Anyway, I sold allllll of my jadeite for a song at my garage sale.  Nuts.  I sure wish I had it now.  And, I'm left with these lousy salt and pepper shakers.    :-)

  

 Hanging the cups on the edge of the shelf saved lots of space.

And there are a few of my pitchers......I couldn't believe how many I have.......There are still lots of them all over the cottage.

  

 Oh how I love plates.........that's why I have to stack them under things all around the house.   :-)

  

  I moved all of my books to the cupboard where the china was originally....That is sooo much better.

Several months ago I blogged about buying one of those little two level grocery carts.....well, let me tell you, that came in realllly handy.  Much easier to cart all my dishes to the sink for the big WASH....   :-)

And, I didn't break anything this time.  Oh, now that's good news for a change.

Ok, my sweet girlie friends.......I'd better go get some sleep.

I hope you're all well...........I'm going to try to post as much as I can, but I'm not going to be able to visit as much as I want to.....gotta get this cleaning thing done!

I miss you!

You're the very best.

Huggies and lovies,

Spencer

We Have A Winner.....Oh YES We Do! :-)

 

  TA DA!

I finally sat down and wrote down all of the sweet chickie's names who entered my little giveaway.......

AND THE WINNER IS............

  

 Yep, Number Eight....

Who could that be?

  

 See it right there?

BECKY!!!

From Holiday In The Sun!

 

If you've never met this wonderful, uplifting doll of a gal, you really must go meet her.

I've met so many fabulous Christian ladies in Blogerville and this is one of them for certain.

You will simply adore her.  I do.    :-)

Now, Sweet little Becky has just had surgery to have her appendix removed.......I think Our Precious Lord knew she'd like a little "pick-me-up" giftie, don't you think?

I'm tickled pink to send this little prize off to this sweet lady.

Thank you so much to all of you who took your time to enter.....I wish I had a pressie to send to each of you........I REALLY do!

Have a wonderful Monday!

Huggies and Lovies,

Spence

xoxoxoxo

I'm so sorry....it seems I forgot to add the link to visit sweet Becky....

So, here it is!

http://holidayinthesun-becky.blogspot.com/

Things have been in a whirl around here......I'm not "all here" so to speak!

Happy Pink Saturday Dear Girlies!!!!

 

 Hi there dearhearts........

I'm telling 'ya........I always have big plans for Pink Saturday and then it just sneaks right up on me and I'm sooooooooo not ready.

We live in the Pacific Northwest where the Pink Elephant Car Wash is such a familiar sight....

I'm thinking I should be driving my little car through one..    :-)

  

 Maybe in the evening?

  

Maybe just go buy myself a nice new car?  My daughter would LOVE this....she's such a Hello Kitty fan....It's a happy little machine, isn't it?

I'd never, ever drive a car that small.  I'm on the freeway all the time and I'd feel like a gnat!

 

Maybe an Uptown car?

Gotta love that, don'tcha?

Please forgive me for this lazy post.  It's nearly 1 am and I'm pooped.  

I've been doing one of those tedious little jobs......We have about 500 CD's....does anyone use them anymore?.....I think most everyone has an IPOD, right?  Well, I can't bear to get rid of the darn things and DON'T have an IPOD......(well, I do have a Shuffle, but it doesn't hold many songs)....so I'll be hangin' onto the darn things.  I'm taking them all out of the cases and putting them in those little white CD envelopes.  What a job.  I'm going to file them in some drawers I already have.  I think it will be much more efficient and it will take up soooo much less room.  

Problem.......I've been working on it for a week!

Yikes!

Can I call that Pre-Spring Cleaning???

Now, I know you'd love to see some really great pink posts, so please go see Sweet Beverly at How Sweet The Sound.........

http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/01/pink-saturday-january-30-2010.html

(Someday I will learn how to link).     :-)

All pix from Flickr.

Have a wonderful weekend sweet chickies!

Be Blessed.

Spencer

xoxoxo

 

PS.....Don't forget to enter the giveaway!  It ends TONITE!

Just click on the link on my right sidebar.

xoxoxoxo

Things That Make Me Smile......

Hey there little Sweeties!

I've told you before about my little grandson......oh how I ADORE this child!.....Well, he stays with us a lot.....his poor Mummy needs a little break since she's doing this little gig by herself....   :-)

I asked him to set the table for dinner and before I knew it he'd been into his art supplies (I have a large selection for him here) and made flowers for the table....

Is that not the cutest thing ever?

I was soooo tickled. 

I'm going to save them to put on my desk when I get the den finished.

He knows what I like, that's for sure.

As you probably know, his daddy died and his Mum has been single for seven years now.  She was thinking it might be time to date again but it's not easy meeting nice people.......  Her friend told her to try eHarmony......she said she didn't have the money for that so her wonderful, dear, sweet friend told her to sign up and she'd pay for it.

Well..........she met a dud.  And then..............she met the nicest guy.

This is still very new and we can't know where it's going to go, but she's soooo happy and that makes her Mama happy.

It's been a long time since someone has told her she's funny and beautiful......well, I tell her, but you know what I mean?

I covet your prayers for her..........and for my little fella...........that if this is God's will that everything will fall perfectly into place.  She soooo deserves it. 

So, that's my story girlies....

I'm going to go to the Sewing Store tomorrow to learn how to use the ruffler for my sewing machine.....finally!

I'll let you know how that works out.  It's been nothing but frustration so far.

Huggies and Lovies!

Spence

xoxoxoxox

Aren'tcha Just Aching For Spring?

Hi my dear little chickies!

And, Happy Thursday!

Oh my goodness.....I buzzed into the store a few days ago and did the happy dance!

Primroses.

Don't you love them?

 

They're the happiest little flowers, aren't they?

They always make me smile.

I have some "in the ground" primroses that aren't even close to looking perky, but these are fabulous!

We live in the rainy and sort of gloomy Pacific Northwest.....It is a WONDERFUL place to live, but winters can be kind of long if you know what I mean.

I can't wait to plant my summer posies.

I hope you're experiencing lots of sunshine today.

God bless each of you!

You're the best.

Hugs,

Spencer


PS......Don't forget to enter my little giveaway.  You'll find it in my last post.    :-)

Oh My Goodness! Has It Really Been A Year Since I Started Blogging? It's A Giveaway! And, Pink Saturday Too!

 Oh my goodness..........My sweet little chickies!

It's actually been a year since my first blog.........I can hardly believe it.

I think that calls for a celebration, right?

Right!

You have been so dear to me.  I can't begin to tell you how much your kindness, support and encouragement has meant to me.

What a wonderful group of women I've met here in Bloglandia!

 

 I think a bright a cheery little giveaway would do, don't you?  We had a BEEE-U-TI-FUL day here in the Pacific Northwest, but we've sure had our share of dark and gloomy days so something cheery is goooood!

So, let's just see what's in this little giveaway package.    :-)

First of all we have a sweet little red plaid tablecloth that I found while I was out and about thrifting.  Gotta love that!

 

  Mmmmmmm..........and a cute little candle holder that looks like eyelet.  It's a lovely little creamy thing, but if you'd like white better just give it a coat of spray paint....it's metal....easy to paint.

See that little vintage potholder underneath?

So sweet, but not useful for getting a hot cookie sheet out of the oven, for sure!  OUCH!

 

   Oh looookie!!!!!!   See there?  There IS a little bit of pink for Pink Saturday.  And, pink is really just pale, washed out red anyway......isn't it?

A little frame with some dandy little red check flowers and pink roses.  Do you have a picture of a special "someone" you could put inside?

Ahhhhhhhh.......some nice THICK handmade potholders.  I made these on one of those little kid's type metal looms.....I have loads of them and use them alllll the time.

  And, a little handmade felt heart to hang on your favorite doorknob or handle.  I've made forty three two twenty gazillion of these little things.  I love to make them......they're quick and easy and keep me entertained.......I am easily entertained.   :-) 

Vintage rayon ribbon bows and a little bit of beading.  You can barely see it, but it's really there.

 

 Can you see it now?

 

And a dandy dishtowel from Crate and Barrel.  Who can't use another dish towel?

So, there you have it......

What do you need to do to enter this little giveaway?

Simply leave a comment on this post.  Yep, that's it.

It's a thank you to you..........to show my appreciation and gratitude.

Because...............I LOVE YOU!

A small and humble giveaway.

Now, if you'd like to follow me, mention my giveaway on your blog or take my button I'd be tickled to bits, it's true..........but NO obligation at all.

And, although I adore all of you international girlies, I'm going to have to limit this giveaway to the lower 48.........My Hubbs is in SALES.........it's been pretty puny lately and shipping is soooo expensive.  Hopefully, by my next giveaway people will have started BUYING and I can open it up to the WHOLE wide world!    :-)

I'll draw the winning name Saturday, January 30th at 6 pm.

And, don't forget to visit Beverly at:

www.howsweetthesound.typepad.com

You'll find lots of wonderful chickies with beautiful blogs there.

Thanks again, Beverly for hosting Pink Saturday.

Ok my sweets.........I'm pooped......I don't know what happened, but I so messed up my first try and had to start all over.  I have never used LiveWriter and did tonite.......SCARY!  I couldn't get things to adjust at all..........I need a tutorial.

Huggies and Lovies Dear Ones...........

Spencer

xoxoxoxoxox


Oh my gooooodness!  Thank you, my sweet friends, for your participation in my little giveaway!

It may take me a couple of days to write down everyone's name, but I'll be working on it.


Winner announcement SOON!

Thanks for your patience...

xoxoxoxo 

Don'tcha Just LOVE Cath Kidston?

Oh YUMMMM!  I LOVE Cath Kidston!

Isn't it just sooo happy?

I searched for the "SEW" book for my daughter for Christmas....yep, she's a big fan too!

I actually ended up ordering it from England.  Whew, that shipping'll kill 'ya!  So, as long as I'm paying that dasterly shipping, I might as well order two, right?

So I ordered one for me too!    :-)

It actually came with a little smidge of fabric to make that little tote on the front cover.

Gotta love that!

My sweet daughter couldn't leave it at that, of course......so she ordered MAKE! too.....

Did she order one for me?  Nah.........none for her Mama!     :-(

That's perfectly OK with me.....I want her to SAVE her money....(hear me honey??)

So many cute ideas AND patterns in both of them.

I have an old upholstered chair.......black tapestry.  I couldn't bear to part with it because it was my Mum's.........it's in my sewing room.  It looks soooooo horrible in there...it doesn't match anything!

But, I've been moving things from the den to start the re-do there and that's the ONLY place it would fit.  Remember, the Cottage is eensie beensie!

I bought fabric in a black and ivory ticking to re-do the curtains and some other things in there, trying to tie the whole thing together........I haven't even cut anything out yet and already I HATE it all.  How can I be tired of something I haven't even made yet?  Crazy.  It's just not happy enough for my taste!

So, I've decided I'm going to slipcover that little chair.  (It's a wing chair and I've never tackled one before).  And then..............it's going to be cheery and Cath Kidston Style!

I can hardly wait.  I think I'd love to be in there if it's all bright and cutsie, right?

Just one more thing on my agenda of things I need to accomplish.  YIKES!

As always, more projects than time.

***********

Now, my sweet and wonderful girlies.......I'm gearing up for my one year anniversary of blogging.

January 23!

I actually signed up for my account months before I blogged.  I had to think about it for a bit, you know.   :-)

A whole year?

Yep, that deserves a little celebration.

So be watching Saturday......I'm thinking a giveaway is in order.

Big hugs to you dear ones!

Huggies and Lovies,

Spencer

The Good, The Thrilling..........And The Downright YUKKY!

Hello my little sweets!

No, I didn't drop off the face of the earth...........I can't believe it's been more than a week since my last post........I've been one horrible blogger, haven't I?

Things have even changed on Blogger since I last posted.  Was there an e-mail with the new instructions that I missed?  YIKES!  I HATE learning new technology.

So, here's my story.........

Get a cup of coffee and kick back........this is one heck of a long story.

Well, first of all I know you little dearhearts know that I started blogging to help ease the pain of losing my sweet Mummy.........and that I wasn't moving forward on ANYTHING for a whole year.

There's a nice little Health Food Store not too far from my house that was offering a lecture for people of "my sort"......I am ALWAYS all over anything like that, so I zipped myself right over to that little class.  WOW!  I learned some great stuff from the sweet little Life Coach....Josie.  And, she offered a free one hour private appointment to anyone, at the class, who would like to partake.......and partake I DID!  She helped me set up a little map to help me make a plan, stick to it and GET A REWARD!  I'm alllll about the reward system.  Oh yes, that's right up my alley.

I actually ended up talking with Josie for about an hour and a half, left our meeting and came home and whipped up the cover for the daybed and bolster pillows for the den!!!!!!  I was so thrilled with myself......

Our agreement was that I would sew the cover for the daybed, measure for the curtains and cut out the bolsters so I was way ahead of my little schedule.  Isn't that great?

Ok, so now I'm on a roll!  And, feeling much more motivated and ready to move along.  I'd like to get the darn spring cleaning done while it's still spring this year!

I always finish all the sewing first so I don't have to stop and make things while I'm cleaning AND it gives me inspiration to continue.    :-)

So, here's the thrilling part...

I've mentioned before that back in the 80's I had a love affair with BLUE.  I did my entire house in blue.  Different blues, mind you, but BLUE, just the same.  EVERY ROOM.  It didn't take long and I sooooooooooooo HATED blue.  I swore I would never use it again.  NEVER.

Well, obviously many years have passed since the 80's and I started loving it again.

I decided that I would do my bedroom in blue this year.  That clean, yummy Scandanavian blue.

My sweet and adorable hubbs is a salesman.  You may have noticed the economy hasn't been so good lately?  Yes, that did effect our little family so I had to figure out how to do this little re-do on a shoestring.  No problem!  There are loads of thrift stores around here and I decided my budget for the whole re-do would be $100.

I can do this.    :-)

See that yummy little stack of blues?  Oh yes.......I was on a roll.  That buffalo check?  Yes, that would be my very favorite.  I was so thrilled I nearly did cartwheels in St. Vinnie's!!!  It's an Ikea duvet.  Four yards of 80" wide fabric for TWO DOLLARS!  Perfect condition.  Ahhhh.....  Isn't God soooo darn good?  One of these days I'll tell you my carpet story but this post is already going to be a book, so I'll hold that thought.

See it there?  OH SO pretty.  It makes me soooo happy.

The blue and white stripe on the bottom is the backside of a Pottery Barn duvet.  It was 4.99.  The front was so beachy-cottage-y....DARLING....but not in my plan.   :-)

The little blue check is a JC Penney sheet........    3.99

The top two fabrics are blue sheets as well........   3.99 each.

I was so hoping for more of that Ikea duvet fabric.  It's by far my fav. 

UNBELIEVABLE.........I walked into the Goodwill........and there was a KING sized duvet.......never used. No kidding?  I nearly cried I was so excited. 

I'll need lots of yardage........curtains, pillows, dust ruffle.....and then the bathroom window, sink and shower curtain.  I was in HEAVEN.  I couldn't sleep I was so excited.......dreaming up my plan.

Remember I said The Good, The Thrilling and the Downright YUKKY?

The first duvet had been used and I'm sure washed many times.  It was slightly lighter than the new one.  No problem.  I'll wash the new one.  Hmmmm....still a bit darker. 

I'll wash it again.

Still a bit darker.

Ok......I'll add a teensie bit of bleach.

Still a bit darker.

Ok.....one more try.......just a touch of bleach.

 How the heck can this happen?

Now, you'd think it could possibly get bleach hot spots.........it could turn out too light.......

But THIS?  What the heck?

I wanted to throw myself on the floor and kick my feet while screaming at the top of my lungs.

And, it HAD to be the bigger duvet too. 

Nuts.

Why didn't I just leave well enough alone?

I could have used the darker one for the bedroom and the lighter one for the bath.

Trust me when I say the difference was so slight no one would have noticed.

I've searched the internet.  I've looked in alllll of the local thrift stores.

My darling hubbs even drove me to the Seattle Ikea in search of replacement.  Yeah........you guessed it........they don't carry that duvet anymore.

Now I'm going to have to be VERY creative to stretch that happy little check.

Have you ever ruined something you were sooooo thrilled to find?

Several years ago I had been out shopping and saw a parking lot sale at an apartment building......Hmmmmmm.........Maybe better stop, right?

OH MY GOSH.......most of it was "why didn't you throw this stuff in the dumpster"???....but when I got to the last little table it was a dear little German older lady.  Her table was LOADED with the most exquisite vintage china I've EVER seen.  It was DIRT CHEAP!

I spent about twenty dollars for two large bags full.

I smiled to myself all the way home.  I couldn't believe my good fortune.

I drove in the driveway, thrilled to share my finds with the hubbs.

While I was standing there squealing with delight I changed my bags to the other hand.....dropped both bags and broke every single piece.

Weeping at the memory.

I hope this little post finds you all well and happy.

I've missed you soooo much.

Thanks for waiting for me!

Huggies and Lovies!

Spencer

xoxoxoxoxox

Button, Button, Who's Got The Button? Well, Thanks To My Sweet Friend, Connie, Bellamere Cottage Has A Button!

I mentioned in my last post that I simply couldn't figure out the button thing for my bloggie and my sweet friend, Connie, came to the rescue. Wasn't that the nicest thing? I appreciate it soooo much.

Thank you Connie!

See it right over there on my sidebar? You can take it to add to YOUR sidebar if you'd like to. :-)

I must say, I'd be so delighted to see it out there in blogland somewhere.


You must go visit that sweet little girlie.....

You'll find her here:

www.connie-livingbeautifully.blogspot.com


You'll love her. Be sure to check out her new little footsie covers. I want about four gazillion pairs of them. They are DELISH!


Sending you all huge hugs, blessings, and wishes for a glorious week ahead.


xoxoxoxo
S

Happy Pink Saturday.....Dollies, A Sweetie And A Question??? :-)

Well Girlies.... Pink Saturday sure sneaked right up on me! I can't believe it's already January 8th! Wow!

Our dear Beverly hosts this wonderful MEME.....You'll find her and all of the other sweet and creative girlies at www.howsweetthesound.typepad.com

I'd like to introduce you to the dearest little peach today. Her name is Gwendolyn at acharminghome.blogspot.com

You really must pop over and meet this sweet gal. You'll love her. Promise! You'll be uplifted and charmed, I'm sure. ;-) She's having a GIVEAWAY too! You know how we love a giveaway, don't we girlies?


Now, for my little pink today. Yep, I know..........I've posted these dollies before. It was so dark and dreary all day here in the Northwest I just couldn't take any decent pictures.

No problem I told myself.......I'll just dig into the archives. :-) I hope you don't mind.

My daughter collects all things Dionne Quintuplet and this is one of her dolls. Several years ago she asked me to make her a new outfit as her Christmas gift........she was nekkid! :-)

I loved making this for her...........I could sit and do handwork all day long if I had time.

And, this is Betty Sue. No, she wasn't marketed as Betty Sue, but that's what my girl named her when she was just a little gal. I think she got her for Christmas when she was about 4 or so.

She got her AGAIN for Christmas when she was about 6 or so......she LOVED her and had played with her so much her cloth body was shot............we didn't have much so I made her a new body and tons of clothes, quilts, blankets, and a little bed. She was just as thrilled the second time around.

The little outfit above was the THIRD time around! She asked for a new outfit for her too....

Mama does love making doll clothes. :-) And, pleasing my girl............she's VERY sentimental!



Ok..........I have a question too!

How would I go about making a little Bellamere Cottage button for my blog? Maybe, just maybe somebody might want one?

And, I've been trying to do another blog for my favorite girlies and can't figure out how do it? I lost nearly all of you when I was dinking around on my blog one day. I can't figure out what happened there......I'm so sorry. And, I want to add you all back.

It just keeps popping up with THIS blog. I'd like Bellamere Cottage Two?

Oh how I'd appreciate your help.



Have a wonderful weekend dearhearts.

Big hugs and lovies!
Spence


xoxoxoxo

My Boy, Cabela's Visit and Back To "Normal".....

Oh my dear girlies! Whew...........I'm hoping you're all settled after enjoying a fabulous holiday season.....I feel like I've been moving at "zoom" since Halloween. Things are returning to "normal", what ever that is, around the cottage.

All of the decorations are down and packed away. I always wonder why I pack everything up so nicely; I always find loads of good junk after Christmas that needs to be added to the packages.

And, this year is no exception! I can't wait to show you what I've found at the 'Ol Thrift Stores.......it's been a bonanza!

I've missed you. Thank you so much for all of your heartwarming messages of encouragement. Gosh you girlies are WONDERFUL! I appreciate your comfort more than I can say.

I love you.

Ahhhhhhhhh..........Cabela's...... :-) Have you ever been to one? They are quite the place to visit. More like a destination visit than just a shopping trip.

My little grandson.........well, not so little, he's nearly as tall as I am now, but he'll always be my "little" fella..........anyway, as I've said.......he is simply the BEST.......I ADORE him and will pretty much do ANYTHING for him.

He LOVES animals. I mean REALLY LOVES them. I swear, he constantly tells me about animals I've never even heard of before. Seriously!

Well, in his little world it's all about zoos and places like Cabela's. They even have a restaurant there. It serves things like venison quiche and bear in a bowl......ok, maybe not those exact dishes, but stuff like that!

Ahhhhhh...........there he is..........I love him sooooo much.

Isn't he cute? Yep, I do see braces in his future. Our family has little mouths (I KNOW, hard to believe, right???).....and lots of teeth.

Animals, animals EVERYWHERE!

I think the "WILD" shirt suits him well. :-)

They're stuffed, but he'd stand there allllllllll day! I'm not kidding.

Checking out EVERY tent.

Several months ago I said that something had knocked my socks off........I wasn't ready to talk to you sweet Girlies about it yet.........

That little boy? We had just learned that he has Asperger's Syndrome. Just in case you're not familiar with it....it's on the Autism Spectrum..........and he is on the low end of the syndrome.

It was both good and bad news getting the report. It explained a lot and is leading us in the right direction to get help for him.

Since he was just a little, bitty guy he's loved animals.......that's how he learned to use the computer when he was about three and a half. If he wanted to learn more about an animal, he'd go find a book with his subject in it so he'd know how to spell it in the search box. I've read with him since he was born, but I think putting all of the letters together with something that was familiar to him pushed him along. He could read long before he started kindergarten.......and read, in first grade, at fifth grade level.

The single minded attention to animals was the first clue. He has never played with cars, trains, trucks or anything else other than art. He LOVES art and is soooo good at it.

The other clue was his wanting to play alone. His mother is VERY outgoing, so it was hard to see him doing solitary things. All we ever wanted for him was to have loving, long lasting relationships. But, we've come to understand that's what WE want. It isn't necessarily what HE wants.

And, he spent many days, in his first two years of school, in the principal's office. I think they had my daughter on speed dial. (That has improved so much in the past two years)....

He refuses to ride a bike. We've discovered that that is common with Asperger's. He has a scooter and took a VERY bad fall in late summer. We bought him a new battery model for Christmas......and naturally he was a bit afraid to get on it......but he did.

When he got back he said "Hemma, I was a little bit afraid to ride it..........but I DID........and I felt such FREEDOM............it was sooooo freeing..............and I felt so confident"............It just cracked me up.....

What a treasure and a gift from God he has been. We adore him. His journey has been tough. He lost his daddy when he was 2 1/2 and has ADD and Asperger's. What a little trooper he is though. His brain functions differently. He doesn't process things like other children do and sometimes just doesn't "get it".....

He is ever entertaining........Hilariously funny, and smarter than a whip. We're constantly amazed by the things he knows and can't figure where he learns all this stuff. He tested in the 95 percentile for intelligence............whew, what a smartie!

He has the kindest heart ever. Ever the optimist, and always cheery.


So, there it is sweet Girlies. Sharing from my heart about the love of my heart.





Whew..........long and wordy today, but it was important to me to share ALL of this little guy.


Praying a fabulously blessed New Year for each and every one of you!


Lovies and Huggies,
Spence

AKA...........Hemma

Happy New Year My Sweet Friends!

Oh sweet Chickies.........doesn't it seem like we were just getting ready to celebrate the new millennium? How can it be nearly 2010?

As we close 2009 I want to thank you for all of your kindness and support. I am in awe of the wonderful women I have met in Bloggerville. It's been amazing to me and I am so grateful to each of you.

I've shed tears as I've read some posts and laughed until I hurt reading others. I've read some amazing writing too. It makes me feel so inept, but I am trudging on, sharing my life with you.....in my simple way. :-)

And, I've seen wonderful how-to's, beautiful homes and fabulous ideas too. Gosh who knew there were 48 gazillion million creative women out there? I've learned so much. It's like having a new issue of your favorite magazine every single day. I had no idea browsing blogs could be so entertaining.

So here we are, ready to embark on the new year. I have so much planned. My little brain is zipping along, full of hope and ideas to accomplish as soon as I muddle through repairing the Christmas messes.

My agenda:

Re-do the Master Bedroom, Den, Sewing Room and Hubby's Bath.

I intend to finish my wool applique quilt. All the blocks are beaded and finished and ready to assemble. I can't wait to see it finished and I already have the perfect spot planned. Yippeee!

I have half of a garage full of things to sell on eBay and this is the year I'm finally going to get to it.........and I have some Home Decor I plan to sell on Etsy toooooo....

Oh yes.........I have loads more plans.....but at the top of the list is to find a new church home and spend more time with my family.

I won't even mention that I plan to take a few pounds off. :-)



I'm not thinking of these plans as resolutions......I always break those, but I do intend to finish the list.

I'll never get it all done if I don't plan!


Have you laid out plans for your year too?


Ok my dears. I'm off to finish the cleaning. I really HAVE to start the new year with a sparkling house......and finish the traditional bean soup for dinner.


Lovies to each of you.

May God bless you abundantly.

HAPPY, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Spencer
xoxoxoxo

PS..........I nearly forgot........... January 23rd will be my one year anniversary.....I'd better be planning a giveaway too, right?

I'm Hanging In There.....

As I've said, many, many times..............You sweet chickies have helped me weather the storm for nearly a year............I'm so grateful.

My Mum passed away a year ago on the 26th.......there have been lots and lots of bumps along the way, but I am still standing. That seems like a miracle to me. At this time last year I thought I was going to die from the pain.

I still miss her every single day and long to call her........to have a cup of tea with her.........to hear her tell me how much she loves me.

As we know growth happens in the valleys. My relationship with Jesus has grown so much......for that I am soooo grateful.

I'm comforted in knowing that my Mum isn't hurting anymore. Or falling. It's heartbreaking to hear your Mum fall. Horrible.

I was told once, many years ago.......if you're in a plane, looking down at the earth the places that are greenest are the valleys........those are the times when you're leaning on God.

Thank you for being there for me. Wonderful ladies I've never met. I'm so blessed to have met all of you. You're treasures to me.


Huggies and Lovies,
Spence

Oh My Sweet Girlies! I Want To Wish You A Very Merry Christmas!

Oh my goodness..........Can you believe it's nearly Christmas and 2009 is nearly over? Doesn't it seem like we were JUST looking forward to the new Millennium?

Good grief!

I couldn't let Christmas pass by without popping in to say how much I love each and every one of you.....you've meant the world to me.

You've helped me survive the most difficult year of my life. My wonderful Mummy passed away the day after Christmas last year.....and I started blogging a bit after that. I miss her so. It's been tough this year. I wanted to buy and wrap gifts for her........I wanted her to give me lots of sympathy because I'm so busy. It seems I was never too old to whine to her about that kind of thing.....and I so want her here to celebrate with us..........just one more time. I so wish I could have a cup of tea with her and put my cheek up against her fluffy little hair......and have her hug me back. If you get to celebrate Christmas with your Mom.......give her the biggest hug and count yourself blessed.

Now, those little kidlets? I've talked before about my favorite cousins.....and my Auntie Frannie who made me the Barbie wedding dress? These are her children.....From left to right......Johnny, JoAnne, Spencer and Jill........See the "J" theme there? Johnny, JoAnne, Jill, Judy and Jay.....I guess they ran out of "J"'s by the time they got to the end of kidlets. If you look to the left you can see my cousin, Judy's little feet......Jay wasn't here yet.......This was taken on Christmas at Auntie Frannie's......I think I'm five in this picture....see how alllllll of the kids are looking where they were told? See the one not paying attention?

I always wonder why my Mum loved short little bangs????? Holy moly.....

For the past two years my little grandson has done the artwork for the fronts of my Christmas cards.....I love the detail he adds.........isn't that cute?


I am CRAZY about this boy.

Whenever my daughter asks what I want for a gift I always tell her she's already given me the very best gift ever. :-)

Truer words have never been uttered.

Remembering Jesus' Birth and why we take this day to celebrate.

And so my dear chickies.........I'm off to finish presents.

I'm wishing you peace and love and the joy that knowing Jesus as your Savior brings to this season and, more importantly, every single day!


Merry, Merry Christmas!

Huggies and Lovies,
Spence


xoxoxoxox

It's The Big Countdown! Four More Days!

Happy, happy Monday Chickies!

A few presents wrapped and under the tree, the cards are finished and I'm frazzled.....

But, today I'm going to make a little bit of progress........I am PROMISING myself!

A bit of sewing and a bit of handwork.....I LOVE handwork.....so I'm looking forward to that.

Yep, more plates under a candle.........I'll use plates under ANYTHING and EVERYTHING.....Don't you think it gives that little candle a bit more presence?

Oh how I'd love to take credit for this little wreath surrounding those adorable little posies......yeah, it was a total accident...........but a happy accident, don't you think?

That pretty little hurricane is actually Waterford crystal. I think it's their basic line and I got this piece after Christmas for a SONG!

I love this beat up old cabinet............I bought it years and years ago for about seven dollars at the Goodwill.............I'm not kidding........I don't know who built the darn thing, but it weighs a ton and is so sturdy you could use it for a house foundation. :-)

It's been many colors over it's life with me, but I'm liking the black the best. Someday I'll be brave and actually show you the inside. It's my china/nic-nac overstock cupboard. It is VERY messy. I try so hard to keep it neat, but I'm always pulling things from it and then replacing things that it loses it's organization in about five minutes.


Alrighty sweet and busy chickies......

I'm off to work!

Wishing you all of the joys of this wonderful Christmas season...

Huggies and Lovies,
S

Hey Girlies! It's Christmastime At Bellamere Cottage. And, Pink Saturday Too!

Hi sweet and wonderful girlies! I'll bet you're zipping around being busy little bees too!

How are you doing? Are you finished and sitting back enjoying the season or are you harried and hurried? I am in the latter category for sure!

Well, I finished the cards and they're ready to mail tomorrow.

And, there are a few wrapped gifts under the tree. Progress, right? Yeah, that's what I'm thinking.

I've shown you this little black chest before. I was looking for a buffet of some type and couldn't find a thing.......finally settled for this ugly maple number I found on Craig's list for 30 or 35 dollars....I painted it up, added the applied carving and fab.u.lous big glass knobs....about a week later I found EXACTLY the piece I wanted for a song at a thrift store. I would have gotten it but I didn't have time to mess with it then. .....wouldn't 'ya just know it?

Mmmmmmmm..........I LOVE those tole trays! I've collected MANY of them....I think they're like little bits of art.

The "cloche-ie" thing is from the Goodwill........about five dollars.......I think it was something that held perfume and lotion....not sure........and the little Christmas thing-y is from Joann several years ago. :)

Martha ornaments on a spray painted super cheap-ie urn....with some greens from my yard.

I used to go crazy with the decorating...........I even did the bathrooms......yeah, I'm old and lazy now, so I'm lucky to get the main part of the cottage finished.

I have gazillions of plates.............I'm CRAZY about them..........I'll use them EVERYWHERE...even in the bathroom............that could be ishy, couldn't it? Plates in the bath? YIKES! But I like to see them....That green square one is Royal Winton. I got it in Bend at the Goodwill for a few dollars.

My daughter has one of these little candle stands she uses under things........I was greeeeeen with envy so I kept my eyeballs peeled until I found one for myself. It had that little pointy thing to hold the candle in the center. I nearly killed myself removing it.

Tole tray peeking out.. :-)

I think the Santa came from Joann's too....they didn't have cute things like that this year. Phooooey!

Good gravy............I think I got this snowman there too!

The casserole/serving dish is from the GW too. What would I do without that place?

My Mum took me there since I was just a tot. I used to worry that somebody would see me there.........she'd always tell me "well then they'll be there too, won't they?"

Now, Miss Beverly..........our sweet hostess from www.howsweetthesound.typepad.com told us to describe our favorite holiday tradition. :-)

I can't wait to hear what all of you sweeties have to say!

Mine is staying overnight at my daughter's house on Christmas Eve so we can be there on Christmas morning when my little grandson opens his gifts. I LOVE it. My hubbs would say the cinnamon rolls............I only bake them at Christmas and he LOVES them.

Now, don't forget to check out all of the other chickies! It's going to be a Pink Saturday to remember, I'm sure.

I love each and every one of you!


Have a wonderful weekend.

Huggies and Lovies,
Spence


xoxoxoxox

Eight Days??? YIKES!

Oh Girlies! Time is zipping by, isn't it? Are you up to your eyeballs too?

I did actually finish the Christmas cards last night.....still have to address them, but at least they're all made.

And, just in the nick of time too! My printer breathed it's last breath yesterday. Pooooof!

Well, first she made this HORRIBLE noise and then NOTHIN'.....NADA......ZIP!

After a little chat with a very polite little fella named David, in India, a new printer is on it's way.

Whew........Good NEWS!

Well, except I just spent over 120 dollars to replace the cartridges!....Actually, only one, the magenta, the others aren't even opened yet.....and one black one out of a two pack.......

You guessed it....new printer? Yep, different cartridges.

DANG.

That little girlie? Yes, that would be me. It must be Christmas 1952, I had polio the next spring....

I LOVED this panda.....and they're actually STILL my favorite animal. Are they not the cutest things ever? Have you ever seen video of them playing together as little cubs?

That's a picture of my sister, Donna on the right side table. I think the big doll was hers....

See how much I loved that panda? I had this little stuffed fella until I was about ten. My Mum had mended it many times. It had straw inside..........whew, that shows 'ya how old I am doesn't it?

I got the spring cleaning tradition from my Mum.

I came home from school in the middle of spring cleaning one day...........and..............my Mum had THROWN IT AWAY!.................Noooooooooooooo!

Now, my sweet Mum just couldn't take it anymore. She hated that pooped out panda.....but she THREW IT AWAY!

My little heart was broken.

My Mum was the "if you're not using it right this second" it's history type. She didn't like extra things around "just in case"......there were empty places in cupboards and closets.

Let's just say I'm NOTHING like my Mum in that department. :-)


I hope your planning and preparations are coming right along and you're enjoying the blessings of the season!


I'm off to do some work on presents today.


Huggies and lovies!
S

PS......I'll be back visiting all of you like crazy as soon as I'm finished!


xoxoxoxoxox

Peeking At The Tree.......No, Not UNDER It! :-)

Oh my gosh........can you believe Christmas is only TEN days away? How in the world will I ever get everything finished?

I haven't made my cards........YIKES!

I don't have a single present wrapped. Double YIKES!

And, I have tons of gifts left to MAKE?

HOLY COW!

At least my tree is up! My little grandson always puts it together for me.....Yeah, nothin' quite says Christmas like a nice, white fake tree!

But...........don't you just love that fluffy stuff? Yep, feather boa! I dreamed about this a few years ago and bought them throughout the year with my Joann's coupons. I absolutely ADORE it!

Do you think it sort of looks like snow?

If you look closely at the top of the tree you'll see a little paper angel my little grandson made shortly after his dad died. It's been on the tree every year since. Poor little guy has a hard time staying standing up there....he keeps falling over! :-) But I love it and it makes my little guy happy....and that's what really matters to this old Hemma!

Or heaven? :-)

See how there is no picture of the bottom of it? Yep, it doesn't look really nice when not a single giftie is underneath.

I made the little felt stockings, mittens and hearts about three years ago......I think I did it over the course of one of the recuperation's after surgery.

I think it has plenty of ornaments on it..........do you think it should have more?

Ok my dear and wonderful girlies........I think I'd better get the paint stuff out and get myself busy. I don't want this little tree to still be empty on Christmas Day!

I hope you're enjoying the season and remembering the birth of our Lord and Savior! What a glorious gift!



I'm going to be a bit neglectful in the visiting department while I try to get some things finished!


Huggies and Lovies to all of you WONDERFUL little Chickies!

Spencer

xoxoxoxox

Is It Already Pink Saturday? Whew....Time's A Flyin'!!! YIKES!

Hi Chickies!

And, Happy Pink Saturday!

Hosted by our sweet Beverly at www.howsweetthesound.typepad.com

Isn't she a dollface to host this fun event every week?

Beverly said we could deviate from the pink theme a little bit for the next few weeks since lots of the girlies decorate for Christmas with red....and after all....pink is just light red, right?

Well, I actually do decorate with pink. My house is soooo pastel that red is really too bright here at the cottage.

Our assignment this week is to reveal our favorite Christmas decoration.

Mine? This nativity. Isn't it beautiful? My sweet and wonderful daughter bought this for me for Christmas a few years ago. I adore it.

As I've said.......I'm not one to shy away from marriage....and the second time (yep, you heard me right).....I had a little stepdaughter who was about ten at that time.....I asked her to help me decorate for Christmas and she was thrilled to be involved.

Years before I had purchased a Precious Moments nativity that was the sweetest little thing ever.....My little stepdaughter was in charge of setting it up.

I was doing other things and when she said to come and look, she was all finished....all I could do was cry. I had had this nativity for years and the faces were so darn sweet I always wanted them to show so I faced them all to the front.........

Not this little gal........she faced every single face where they should be focused...

Toward the Baby Jesus.

Is that not the sweetest and dearest thing ever?

I've NEVER faced them to the front again and I think of her every year when I set my nativity up.

The Precious Moments nativity? Yep......my daughter loved it so it lives at her house now.

I think she knew how much I missed it so she bought me this new one. *wink*!!

Several months ago that dear little Stephanie at Rose Petal and Rust had a giveaway for these delish vintage pink balls and I WON!

Aren't they yummy? I was so excited to get them....in their cute little packaging with a posie on top! Ahhhhhhhhh......... :-)

I actually bought that silly little tree on Maui!.....after Christmas for 50% off. My kind of buy!

More of those delish pink balls.......and a little robin egg blue bird on top....My sweet daughter bought that for me too! Isn't it cute?

I bought the little glittery silver box at Joann's a couple of weeks ago....for next to nothin'...

And that sweet little box? Goodwill! It has ILY on the top. I couldn't figure out what that meant...wellllll.........silly me! I love you! Oh, who cares.....I thought it was so sweet and I neeeeded it! Why, in heaven's name is my lampshade crooked? Well, too late to take another picture.

Yep, those sweet little Goodwill shoes again. I just love 'em. They make me feel like dancin'.....Do you think Dorothy would wear pink instead of red in this Shabby Chic era?

Hello Yellow Brick Road!

Ok..........sweet and wonderful girlies!

You won't want to miss all of the other delish Pink Posts for Pink Saturday!


Have a wonderful weekend.

I'm thrilled you took time to come by.

Huggies and Lovies,
Spence

xoxoxo