Improvisation in a Pinch

                              

Nothing speaks ease to me than taking what is already there and changing it up just a tad....and wallah! Happy Fourth of July!!

           I have enjoyed my Jacobean blue table setting for a            while now 

and we've been so busy I just didnt have it in me to go a big she-bang... so I improvised...

     Just by adding a flag or two.. 

and pairing up a couple of linens.. I am ready if someone drops over for the Fourth.

If I do plan to have a friend or two over the red serving dishes will top off the table!!!

           Tablescape Thursday

         Home Sweet Home

Wednesday Hodge Podge

Welcome to Wednesday Hodge Podge with  Joyce  from This Side of the Pond!

1. It's officially summer (in the northern hemisphere anyway). Which summer month is best and why?

I actually like late June and early July  before the searing;y  humid   dog days of summer take hold...Also, the teacher in me  enjoys  the start of summer vacation even though I  havent entered a classroom in years.. it is just engrained in me...  ...solidarity with my  many  younger teacher friends...

2. Can you swim? How did you learn? June 27th is National Sunglasses Day. How many pair do you own?

I was  always  petrified of water.. some kid knocked me into the deep end at our local pool  when I was 5 and I never got over it.. Mom tried to  get me lessons,  but they never took.. I hated them... My  worst  thing about college was  I had to pass swimming to graduate...   bad girl that I was I waited til last quarter to take the dumb class.  But I  was determined to pass..  I learned a spiritual  song from  a  tv evangelist...  '''Something good is going to happen to you"..  I sang it to class every day.. now everyone in the class  except one friend  could already swim so it was a no brainer for them.. They were  happily  playing around in class every  day, but Brenda and I struggled everyday.. I finally  playfully learned how to jump up in the air and fall back in the water    and  if your lungs were full of air  you would float.. That is how I finally learned to  float..and I tried so hard to help Brenda  but  she was a lost cause and actually didnt graduate  that quarter.. I never  learned how to swim or actually  breathe right  but on the last day for exam I did jump in the deep end,  float for 5 minutes and turn over and swim as far as I could on one breath and then flip over on my back and do the backstroke  the  length of the pool  and back to the deep end and  haul myself out of the pool.  I  beggingly asked my instructor.. "did I pass!?!? " She just looked at me pathetically and said..  "I dont know!"  I could have  knocked her in the pool...  But graciously I didnt and she did pass me!  Praise God!!! I personally think I learned more than anyone in that class but I took my D   happily!  I  do  have sunglasses~ 2 white pair that are exactly alike and 2 others all of which slip on  over my glasses ..  I dont  spend money on   prescription sunglasses anymore...  

3. What characteristic do you judge most harshly in yourself? How about in others?

I  realize and  admit I am not a very dedicated  person when it comes to thinking of others,. ie  brithday cards,  calling the  sick, etc.. I  have good intentions  but  do not  always follow through...  I truly wish I was better,  but I get  absorbed into other things and time passes and  I miss opportunities...  not good! 
 I also do apparently have a problem of  having unrealistic expections of  people in authority...  That is what I've been told...  

4. Robert Frost wrote the now well known poem entitled The Road Not Taken. What's a road (literal or figurative) you've always wanted to travel, and where do you hope it takes you?
  I have that book and want to read it sometime...  I think I need it... but  figuratively...  I  am learning to step into deeper water with the Lord ...  I have lived my life just on the  edge of  excitement but  never dared take that next step.. until  a  couple of years ago...  when I went up  north to visit the kids  alone on the train...  and they  took me to Newport RI...  Of course, you can only see  the mansions  from asea... I dreaded  getting on that smallish boat and going out on the Narrangansett, but I bucked up...  drew up my courage and  took that step and had a ball...  I mean what is the worst thing that could happen..  Die???  well,  I know  where I will wake up so  what's the  problem!!  Live!!!   Take a chance and have fun...  now that I'm all of 65!

5. Popsicles-yay or nay? If you answered yay, what's your favorite flavor? 

I love popsicles....  what's your pleasure  Id love one!

6. Brexit-on a scale of 1-10 how knowledgeable are you on what's involved here? (1=very knowledgeable and 10=what's Brexit) Is this news you'll follow or is it something you think won't impact your life in any way shape or form?

Well.  on a scale of 1-10  I am  a huge 10 in favor of  the  Brexit and would like to see other nations  pull out of the  EU... I am very against one world government and I think  the EU  was  a  horrible  experiment and  England was  really smart.. I think the media is trying to act like it is  a  horrible move..  because they are  for  this very liberal mindset..  But  I believe  time will show it was  a great move for Britain and I am  proud of my British heritage for taking this step!

7. Share a favorite song on your summer play list. 

As a lover of celtic music  one of my favorite songs to listen to in the car with the windows down and my hair blowing is   the following   . THis is definitely our summer travel song....  I can listen to it over and over and over!!!!  HEHHEHEHE!!! BE SURE TO TURN UP THE BASS!!

8. Insert your own random thought here. 
I hope  all who pass through here are  praying daily for our nation.. our leaders,  our    families, and our  churches....  Our nation needs  concerted prayer!

The Simple Woman Day Book

For Today~ June 28, 2016

The Simple Woman Day Book

Looking out my window... 
it is  a coolish  gray,  but humid  morning

I am thinking..

I can not wait for the Budget Blind guy to call and come  to measure my windows....
I  cant wait to get this  project completed.

online source

I am thankful... 
for God's  faithfulness and love... just when I needed it most.. this last week a stranger... actually, the  prayer coordinator for Intercessors for America in DC called me out of  her whole list  of people all over the country to ask me if she could pray for me...God's timing in this is  awesome and so loving... I cry as I remember  it.

I am wearing...
my aqua shirt with  side tie  and brown  Bermuda shorts... 

I am creating... 
a  less cluttered living space throughout the home.. I keep a goodwill  pile going...  took  prob 30 pounds of stuff yesterday!!  yayayaya!

I am watching...

last night I started  a new series on Netflix.. The Chef's Table....  what a great show...

"In this original docu-series, find out what’s inside the kitchens and minds of the international culinary stars who are redefining gourmet food."

I am reading...

Jesus Speaks  by  Steven Scott....  a daily devotional  that is changing my heart and mind's attitude as I  abide in Christ's own words!  It has  encouraged me  to keep  a daily journal which is such a powerful tool for  applying His word to our hearts!

I am listening to... 

Pandora...

                                       Seacht Suailci' Na Maighdine Muire

a very soulful Celtic  songstress  and  musician..  I  am so  inspired my all things Celtic!

I am hoping... 
that all of my family up north  is  finally over the stint of  very  bad colds  they  experienced late last week  for they are moving into their new home tomorrow...

I am anxious to see my  sweet  grand babies out playing  in their  beautiful yard!

I am learning... 
I loved   our host's answer  at  the Simple Woman....  so true...just  what I am learning about faith..  you  can not have true faith  unless  you are  abiding in and obeying the Word of God.. otherwise  you are operating in self and  your own power..  Oh, how I need Jesus in all of my circumstances!

In the kitchen... 
Tonight it will be left overs from last night's  cookout..  yayaya we have  wonderful hamburgers and  corn on the cob left over....  toss up and salad and  wallah.. it is dinner!

In the garden... 

it is  summer..  time of lilies of all kinds in the garden...

Board Room

shared from my pinterest board 

                                                                Saved from

                                                                 jeremiahboehner.com

Shared Quote

A moment from my day...

We don't look too worse for wear  after  an 8 hour drive across New England last week..as we  were  coming home from the kids...  ah.. a nice  relax  in the Poconos!

Closing Notes
We just do not realize how much we  depend on technology....  on our trip my  newish smart phone died...  thankfully under warranty..  but  Ive been without it  now for over a week and I have no idea when I shall get my replacement..  Argh!  Add to that  my only other  small  techno device is a 5 year old android that is on it's last leg...  argh!  
  I think the Lord is teaching me  a very  important  thing about time spent on line!!!!

Phase I of the Master Bedroom Reno

Good morning! Today I am posting on  Metamorphosis Monday  at Between Naps of the Porch. Around our house  it is  always such a  thrill to  see  a major change  take place....  our lives  have been  been consumed with  circumstances  for the past  several years  that  stymied the opportunity to update  the house... last year we were blessed to update our kitchen

This  spring we started work on our Master bedroom.

We  redid  this room  back in the early 90's during the  last  turbulent years of my career as a teacher.. the  dark  green  had a calming effect on my nerves...  HAHAHA...  and  made for a  lovely  sleep in environment on Saturday mornings  because  it was truly room darkening! And  then I was going through my  dark color phase  ...as several rooms downstairs are still  a  deep  red and I love them still!  
But  now in retirement  we needed a  lift...so it was a great  day to see work begin to revitalize this space.  Thankfully, the wallpaper  came off  easily!

I have always   loved  light blue with   silver and    white... I gravitated to it  in every Houzz  photo...  so  that was my inspiration.  I was  loving the blue  immediately...

 I was  so thrilled when I  realized I could  take  the  large  picture I loved so well  and get it rematted to  bring out the  soft blue tones in the sky!  The  silver tone lamps with  the  natural  shades  added just the look I  was  seeking...

I know that bookcase  doesnt do much for the room, but  as an avid reader,  I like having them close to me..

My daughter  had given me a lovely  framed poem that  speaks to my spirit,  but it did nothing  for the room until I reframed  and  matted it...  now it was  made for the room.. I found the sconces  at a consignment shop and  arranged with  soft  white  tones of  flowers  I really like the addition to the  scheme!

I found  decorative boxes at  Tuesday Morning's  to  hide away all of  paraphenalia  on the dresser... meds and  such!

and finally  over the weekend we found  the perfect  chair for  hubs to relax in...

I am thinking I need  a vase of  blue hydrangeas,  but  havent found  just the  thing yet.. I love having a reason to  peruse the shops.  I did see a  gorgeous silver blue woven throw  at Amazon I think would accent the chair.. my birthday is coming up ....:)

 

The room isnt complete...  we  need to paint the woodwork  and  then  change the carpet... then  have  plantation shutters installed...  So I am looking forward to sharing stage II  within the month!

Also,   am sharing on 

Make it Pretty Monday

Amaze Me Monday

Grace at Home

No Place Like Home

The Search Continues

            

It is a grand morning.. I've been to prayer  session...    did my  morning marketing  and am looking forward to a  wonderful afternoon..

I  am   thinking  one reason I am feeling so up today is  that  our master bedroom is  looking so much more  bright and cheerful...The  room has been transformed from  this  foreboding dark green  which I  actually loved  about  20 years ago,,. hahaha 

into this  melodious and happy  light blue!

The woodwork still needs to be painted and I am ordering  plantation shutters for  the windows this week.... but  just  waking up in this   serene room  is  putting a lilt in my step and  a smile on my face...we are still trying to  find the perfect  corner  chair for the room... problem is  we want it to be comfy,  but not huge like so many are... We  want it to be    the perfect color yet we really don't want to spend an arm and a leg for it....  we  obviously havent bought a chair lately...which is true we usually  upholster... but that  cost  is  adding up as  well.... therefore,   we  are perusing every nook and cranny...  today  the search continues...

Sharing on Pink Saturday.

The Simple Woman Daybook

For Today~ May 31, 2016

The Simple Woman Day Book

Outside my window~
it  was wonderful to return home  yesterday  evening  after  a  9 day   trip...   granted...  the  time spent with  our  children was  fabulous.. but the  4 days in route  is rather grueling!  Then this morning  when I stepped out into our garden..  I  was praising  God , He is so good...even if we aren't here to  care of our planting...   He is the master gardener!

 and our neighbor's  day lilies are  a blaze!

I am thinking~
how very blessed we are  in our  precious family...

We  had driven to Boston area  to spend a few days  while we  helped  the kids  pack up their household...  They are moving form the condo to a lovely home in  a  wonderful community near them...we are so excited because closing is this week..  and the move  to come shortly thereafter....  such an exciting time for their  beautiful family...  As busy as we were we took time on Sunday to  drive into  Boston  for church...therein lies  an integral part of God's blessing that  they a re  grounded in  His  Word and   dedicated to His Kingdom!

                          

I am thankful~
our  precious love bug

and beautiful  Birdie!! 

My favorite things~
I love listening to music  as I blog...  I   really  enjoy  Pandora.. I created  a  station of Celtic music  that truly inspires me...  right now I am listening to
Songs of Sanctuary..  Adiemus

I am wearing~
still in my pajamas...  yikes! 

I am creating~
a peaceful atmosphere in our master bedroom...
I need to return the  shears and  curtain rods I ordered from Penney's  and  place a call to the budget blind  rep in our area...  I want to order  Plantation shutters  for   the room  to block out the morning sun!

I am reading (read) /watching (watched) / listening to

{where you can share favorite titles, give a book review or pass along a current movie, podcast, music video, or television series you are enjoying}~
yesterday we stopped at the post office and  received our  mail packet...  and included was the book I ordered from James Robison's Ministries..  Jesus Speaks, by Steven Scott..

a review:

What Happens When You Immerse Your Life in the Words of Jesus?

“Jesus’ words can replace stress with peace, sadness with joy, confusion with guidance, and fear with faith. That’s why Jesus Speaks will not only change your day, but it can also change your life, your relationships, and your eternity!”

—Christine Caine, best-selling author of Undaunted

I am hoping~
to create a daily  journal habit  that will help to redirect my day  through  God's Word and  healthful habits.

I am learning~
to be more faithful

In my kitchen~
Hubs  got back into the groove this morning  and  fixed my  fresh cup of coffee and  yogurt cup.. that  sets  me on the right track!
Tonight for dinner  we will enjoy  crab cakes,  salad and  corn muffins!

In my garden

We returned home to find my day lilies  in bloom!!

Shared Quote~

A moment from my day~
The kids  took  us to a very cool restaurant to celebrate Father's Day, Island Creek Oyster Bar... on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA. 


Hub's favorite seafood is fried oysters...
this was the place!

surely they could fry some up!
and they could into these  lovely sliders!!!

A very happy  Hubs with his  beautiful girls!

Closing Notes:

Well,  it seemed   I had put a lot of things on hold until after we returned from our Boston trip.. and now  we're  home,.   so  time to  prioritize and get  to work!