The Glorious Pile

Whenever I'm with you Something inside starts burning And my hearts filled with fire Something's got me amazed Don't know what to do My head's in a haze It's like a heatwave burning in my heart I can't keep from crying Tearing me apart... ( Martha and the Vandellas 1963) I took this photo during 100 degree weather last summer! WHOA! Do you know how much it cost to keep a 75 year old house cool in a heatwave?! My energy is through the roof! This is not the time to climb into the attic and add extra insulation or start a new exercise routine that will have you sweating in the first 4 minutes! And since I don't want to heat up the kitchen I decided to grill out, but Not in the heat of the day. So after church I stopped by the grocery store to get some fixins for this weeks meals and after dark I fired up the grill with about $25 worth of protein to go with some fresh produce. This will allow me to take my lunch this week and have dinner ready and waiti...

I would love to paint the secretary in my master bedroom but I love the contrast that it provides since it's covering an unwanted window (sounds nuts but without going into a lot of detail, I get crazy amounts of sun in my room from the other window and this one looks right out onto the deck).  I inherited the desk from my grandmother and found the hutch at a flea market on Capitol Hill. I took a wild guess that it would fit and shipped it back (glass doors and all!). It fits like a charm but I can't afford to have a professional restore it to it's original wood finish so painting might be the next best option. It's also missing a finial at the top so I might as well try to pick up one of these while I'm at it: from ClockWorks Unlimited from  bella cottage Source: brabournefarm.blogspot.com via glorious on Pinterest Source: bluecricketdesign.net via glorious on Pinterest one of my favorite blogs posted this recently: Haven and Home She got this pic from Ed...

I think I'm predisposed to late night peach pie baking like my grandma!  When I was a kid she'd make them with peaches she harvested from her fruit trees out back, during the cool of a summer night. She didn't have a recipe, but I watched very carefully! my momma's cake stand and linens Before you think that I wrecked my diet, let me tell you, I've developed the will power of a Roman soldier!  And It's NOT for me!!!! It's for my brand new neighbor who was born early Sunday morning. Well...not for her , I got nothing to feed Her with,  but mommy and daddy will be hungry and will likely host lots of well wishers and family members in the next week. I also made a pasta dish, some fresh crescent rolls, steamed broccoli, sweet iced-tea and some hand churned Blue Bell vanilla ice cream to go with that pie.  Yeah, I'm kind of a nut but doesn't the bible say to love your neighbor as yourself ?!  (Mark 12:30-31). I don't plan on having a baby a...

even when my life is hectic, she has a way of putting it all into perspective... maybe I just need to take a nap in a basket! btw, thank God it's hump day!

I only have a quick moment to say that I wish I was enjoying summer with you all out in blog land but I have an absolutely crazy week that I'm dealing with! Without going into a lengthy explanation, I'm feeling pressure from all sides to make decisions and juggle numerous projects and responsibilities. I have to keep remembering that God sees all and has already laid out a path for me. I don't need to be stressed or burdened, and I don't need to fret, He is trustworthy to see me through the craziness. I'd love to be by the pool with a good book and fresh fruit...but that'll have to wait.  I just have to take one step at a time. ;-)

Okay, so I've never been a fashionista, fashion buff, clothes hag, whatever you wanna call it...  I've always gravitated toward classic separates and splurged on shoes that I wear into the ground! My philosophy is to layer, layer, layer and feel as comfortable as possible, but I usually end up looking like a DORK!  My own sister almost turned me in to the folks at TLC's 'What Not to Wear'!  But now that I've lost so much weight I have to give away the old and start anew... well, I'm also trying re-purpose clothes I haven't been able to wear for years.  Rarely do I go to the big department stores because the discount stores are my playing field.  I'm a regular Ross, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Target scrounger. So during a recent stop through TJ Maxx, I strolled around and picked through a few things then instantly fell in love with this flirty little dress.  It seemed to hide all of my figure flaws and accentuate the positive. It's really comfy and...

(handsome husband not included) Someone that I admire as a designer and artist is moving today! Out of the blue someone made an offer on her house and she found another one to buy within a matter of a few weeks.  Some years ago she painted this red brick house a cream color, added accents, new front doors and shutter dogs! As cute as it looks outside, it doesn't compare to what she's done on the inside  (but unfortunately I don't have any pictures of that!) I'm awaiting some good news too:  My neighbors are expecting their first child in the next two weeks and I'm expecting something quite significant in the next couple of weeks myself! Can't tell you just yet but I'm praying for God's perfect will and patience. So, Hug the House and Here's to New Adventures! ;-)

to reminisce with my old friends A chance to share old memories  and play our songs again When I got to the garden party, they all knew my name No one recognized me, I didn't look the same CHORUS But it's all right now, I learned my lesson well. You see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself... I stepped back in time and visited an older relative who is one of my Heroes. She's 88, retired, plays tennis, hikes, ice-skates and still drives. She owns the home that she's lived in since 1959 and still has a rotary phone. Her garden is absolutely delightful, full of grape arbors and plants she's had for decades! She invited me to a Forth of July garden party of a neighbor and friend, a young retired couple who have traveled all over the world (most recently India). Their front yard is a vegetable and flower garden (pictured above), based on  "The Edible Front Yard: The Mow-Less, Grow-More Plan for a Beautiful, Bountiful Garden"...