I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last,” and, “What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea.”

Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death. Write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.

Revelation 1:10-20

Good morning Ladies,

I don't know about you, but I love the book of Revelation for many different reasons. I love the imagery, the mystery, and the clarity...yes, the clarity! Jesus always explains what He's talking about instead of leaving His beloved children in the dark. After all He is the True Light! The One who keeps the lampstands burning bright.
My prayer is that each one of you would burn brighter still as the darkness closes in.

For more ABC's of the Word stop by and visit Pam @ Grey Like Snuffie and help us stir up God's Word in our (your) hearts. And if you'd like to join us by posting your own scripture and linking up to Mr. Linky that would be wonderful too!

Which way do we Turn?

OK! So I have to tell you this joke that's been rolling around in my head for weeks now since it is so appropriate after our little trip up the mountain...or should I say the backside of the mountain :0!

Here's the joke:
There were three guys out hiking in the woods when all the sudden they happened upon a huge raging river. They all stood there and stared at each other, then the first one said, "Oh Lord, make me big and strong so I can swim across this mighty river," and "POOF" just like that he grew these ginormous muscles, dove into the water and started swimming. It look him two hours to get to the other side. The second guy looked at the third guy then looked up into the heavens and said, "Oh Lord, make me wiser then my friend and give me a boat so I can cross this mighty river in less time then he," and "POOF" a boat appeared so he climbed in and started paddling across. It took him an hour-and-a half to get to the other side. The third guy standing alone on the opposite bank looked up into the heavens and said, "Oh Lord, make me wiser then both my friends so I can get to the opposite side in less time then they," and "POOF" God turned him into a woman. She picked up her map and compass, headed upstream 100 yards and crossed the bridge to the other side in 20 minutes. So what is the moral of the story? I don't know, I don't remember, I was laughing too hard when I heard the joke. Sweet hubby didn't find it as amusing as this little girl did :0.

Anyway, before we left town on Friday we decided to print out a copy of the directions to the hotel we were staying in then headed down the highway. Once we crossed into Arizona I pulled out my trusty AAA map to see what our route looked like only to discover that Yahoo maps had us headed into Phoenix and around the backside of the mountain, but I knew there was a shorter route so I mentioned it to hubby. "Is that what Yahoo maps says to do?" says he. "No, but I did live in this state for 10 years and traveled this road every weekend for a year," says I. "Why don't we just stick to what Yahoo maps says," he replies. "But Honey, there's a quicker way which is more scenic up the front side of the mountain not the back," me again.
So we follow Yahoo maps and we end up in the middle of a huge traffic jam through down town Phoenix. It took us a whole hour longer to get there.
So, on the way home we decided to travel the road that was familiar and scenic as well as therapeutic.
The moral of the story...if the wife suggests another route maybe we should take the other route. After all, she is the one holding the map and the compass :).

Prescott, AZ Est. 1864 ish

Hello there! You're probably wondering where I've been or if I were ever coming back...I wondered that myself, but here I am and I've been here, there, and back home again all in the course of three days. Whew! I am exhausted!

On Friday hubby and I packed our bags, loaded up the truck and hit the road for Prescott Arizona armed with our copy of yahoo maps, but I'll tell you THAT story later.
For now we're going to wander down Montezuma street otherwise known as "Whiskey Row." I love this place and all the history behind it! I'll bet you didn't know that Prescott is home to the world's oldest Rodeo held on the 4th of July weekend every year. It's one of the wildest weekends of the year where cowboys come from all over the USA. I was there several years in a row and even landed in jail a time or two, but then anyone who isn't dressed like a cowboy finds themselves behind bars. Thankfully for a mere two dollars you can buy your way out after 5 minutes that is. Not sure how I managed to leave my bullridin' hat in the car, but there you have it...if you can't dress the part you have to pay the price.

These are the doors that lead to the Palace Saloon and bar. I remember one Friday night after the horse races my mom and I were headed into the saloon and there was a group of Christians standing on the other side of the street yelling "Repent!" I don't think my mom was too impressed, but I listened to every word and buried it deep in my heart. I love how God's word never comes back void.

This is the old historic Hotel St. Michael that's been around for ever.

The old Palace Saloon that has the most amazing bar. It's been rumored that there was a fire in the early 1900's and all the guys in the saloon dismantled the bar and carried it across the street while the building burned. Did I take a picture of it for you? NO, but here's a link so you can see for yourself just how beautiful it is.

Matt's Saloon. You may ask, "why all the saloons?" Well, much of Whiskey Row is made up of old historic saloons, but there are also art galleries, restaurants, coffee houses, and shamefully even a Quizno's sandwich shoppe. Horrifying in my opinion!
There's this one gallery that has the most dreamy bed I wish I could have shown you, but I didn't want to suffer the humiliation of being asked to not take pictures or worse, being asked to leave the premises due to my bad behavior.
The frame of the bed was constructed from tree trunks and a canopy of small branches stretched from the upper section and met in the middle. It looked like something out of a fairy tale. I think it's so funny how men and women see things so differently. Hubby and I are both standing there staring at the same bed while I'm thinking, "wouldn't it be romantic to wake each morning beneath a bower of tree branches with twinkly lights?" while hubby makes the comment, "you'd never be able to dust that thing! Can you imagine the spiders that would weave webs in those twigs? Whoo! I'd never get a good nights sleep if I had to sleep there." Hubby says the funniest things at times!

Oh! I ran out of pictures! Anyway, we had a lovely time. Wandering through the streets, exploring neighborhoods, watching a bit of a bicycle race, eating yummy food and stopping at the sweet little bakery for a treat. Oh! We found Razzles too! Do you remember Razzles? First it's candy, then it's gum! We had so much fun with our bag of Razzles in fact I think there are a few left out in the truck...want some? I could go get them for you!

Prescott is filled with beautiful Victorian architecture and I took lots of pictures so I'll have to show them to you later, but this very second I have hungry puppies begging at my feet so I must tend to their needs.

I hope you all have a wonderful evening!

Did you feel that!?

Did you feel that? You didn't did you? We just had an earthquake that kept rolling and rolling and rolling. I had just logged into blogger when it happened while my trusty sidekick Coco was laying at my feet. I watched her very closely to see what she would do. Her little head perked up then she sat there motionless for a few seconds and calmly laid her head back on the floor. The last time we had a shaker a few things fell from high places and unnerved Miss Coco to the point that when hubby came home she darted out the back door and refused to come in. When I came home she stared up at me from the floor and didn't say a word, which is very strange for she's a wordy little thing. I picked her up and carried her trembling little body around for an entire hour. Once I put her down she wouldn't go near the fridge.

I have an earthquake page on my computer that I'm gonna check out...back in a minute!
OK I'm back! According to my earthquake map it was two miles from Yorba Linda which means it was about 10 miles from my little cottage and registered 3.8 on the ritcher scale (how do you spell that word anyway)? Well, it's a good thing that it happened when it did because I was about to get onto my laptop and type my little frustrations out of my head. Somehow the mild quake (that's what my earthquake map described it as, mild) brightened my attitude...strange I know :).
Anywho, hubby and I are loading up the car tomorrow and heading for Prescott AZ. One of my favorite little slices of heaven this side of heaven. We're going to see what type of businesses are there and what the properties are going for, but if you read this Robin, don't get excited as we are only checking things out. And if you look at it realistically either location is still 5 hours from you. Not much of an improvement there.

Aunt Donna will be spending the weekend with the pups and enjoying our lovely little cottage dwelling. Oops! It just occurred to me that I don't have any food in the fridge....gotta run, or I could do what I always do and wait for her to get here so she can shop with me :). Either way I still gotta run!

I hope you all have lovely weekends!!!

For the mountains shall depart
And the hills be removed,
But My kindness shall not depart from you,
Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,”
Says the LORD, who has mercy on you.

Isaiah 54:10

For more ABC's of the Word stop by and visit Pam at Grey Like Snuffie and help us stir up God's Word in our hearts.

Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

James 5: 7-11

The spiritual life needs opposition to bring out its best development. It flourishes most luxuriantly in adverse circumstances. The very temptations which make our lives one unceasing warfare train us to become true soldiers of Christ. The hardness of our experiences, which seem to us to be more than we can possibly endure, make the very school of life for us in which we learn our best lessons and grow into whatever beauty and Christlikeness of character we attain.

Taken from the book: "Today, Lord, I Will"

My Thoughts:

This is something that's been on my mind lately; the hardships we endure and how we handle them. Do we grow through them gracefully or do we kick against the goads as Paul did? Do we see them as opportunities to grow and develop more into the image of our beloved Savior, or do we think that God is punishing us because the circumstances of our lives do not reflect what "we" think they should be? I can't tell you how many times I've heard fellow Christians utter the words, "why is God doing this to me? Why is He allowing this to happen?" If we could only learn to wrap our minds around the fact that He is allowing it for our benefit. To mold us and shape us into the image of His Son.

Here we are again!

How many weeks has it been since I went to the tea at Heritage Square Park...3 maybe 4, but I said I'd be back to show you more, so here we are again.

This is the Ford House, built in 1887 as a simple tract home. The owner was an amazing wood carver who hand crafted all the beautiful detail work on the exterior as well as the interior. You should be able to click on the photos to enlarge them, but I've added other photos to include more detail.
I'll bet his wife thought she was the luckiest lady on the street to have a home with such detailed embellishments. The carving is just so intricate!

Mr. Ford's carvings include some of those on the California State Capitol as well as the Lolani Palace in Hawaii. He even did the carvings on Leland Stanford's private railroad car. That I would love to see. I have a passion for turn-of-the-century rail cars. Would't that be a fun way to travel across country? I think so too!

This garden is next to the Ford Dwelling and I could swear there used to be another house identical to the Ford house, but without the detailed wood work. Now there's a garden filled with beautiful roses. Maybe it was my imagination...

The house was designed as a Queen Anne with Italianate elements, but looks very much like any typical vernacular style home of the time...but then what do I know? I say that because most Queen Anne's have a wrap around porch with a conical shaped structure at the juncture of the wrap and fish scale siding on the upper portion of the facade. Amongst other lovely qualities.
Ah! Now I see it! If you look at the front porch right beneath the over hang is a series of brackets...very Italianate, plus the bay window was a typical element of the Italianate style.

I love the Lion's head with the ring in it's nose...or is it a griffin? I can't tell at this exact moment, but whatever it is it's amazing work and to think it's still intact after all these years.

Well, that's the end of the Ford House, but I still have to show you my favorite, and no this is not it. Mine's the large Italianate as you enter the park and if I were to ever own a Victorian I would want it to be an Italianate or a Carpenter Gothic.
So until next time....

Oh Ellen B., I know you said that you and your Dear were going to visit the park when you came back. I don't know if the two of you would be interested, but on June 6th from 12 to 4 they're holding a Vintage Automobile and Classic Car Show. It should be fun! And no, I can't make it :(.

A day spent amongst the roses
is a day spent
in scented bliss

A little Fuzziness is Always Welcome!

Hubby came home from work the other day and while tending to his duty's of watering and grazing the livestock he discovered a new friend. Or at least Coco discovered a new friend...this sweet little opossum. Isn't she darling? OK, please do not tell me that you don't think this is a cute little creature? Aside from the giant mouth filled with dagger sharp teeth and the beady black eyes they really are cute little fuzzy things...at least I think so :)!

This is where Coco found her, right next to the back door. Hubby said she was in shock and wouldn't move from this spot so I suggested he toss some blueberries her way to see if she would eat. Nope! She wasn't about to let her guard down and enjoy the sweet peace offering right in front of her little pink nose. Oh, by the way, her name is Shirley...hubby named her that :).

Then I suggested he open the gate so she could escape out to the front yard, but first he had to go back indoors for a few minutes so she wouldn't feel threatened. When he came out she was gone, but we've seen her several times since then and at odd times of the day. She appears about six o'clock each evening all by her little lonesome self. Don't you feel bad for her? I know I do! A sweet little thing wandering alone without her mommy and in the dark no less.
She waddles out from beneath the Cypress trees and hugs the picket fence that encircles the rose garden, then heads over to the vineyard and hides behind the fence there. Then straight through the grass in the open where she scampers to the other side then hides under the cover of the nasturtium's and Hollyhock.
So I've decided to leave some fruit and water out in the evening for her and of course there's the nasty slugs and snails for her to dine on...such delicacy's.

You probably didn't know we had livestock did you? That's what hubby refers to the dogs as...livestock. And here all this time I thought they were furry companions.

The Letter J

Welcome to another Thursday of ABC's of the Word!


Set me as a seal upon your heart,
As a seal upon your arm;
For love is as strong as death,

Jealousy as cruel as the grave;
Its flames are flames of fire,
A most vehement flame.


Many waters cannot quench love,
Nor can the floods drown it.
If a man would give for love
All the wealth of his house,
It would be utterly despised.

Song of Solomon 8: 6 & 7

For more ABC's of the Word stop by and visit our wonderful Hostess Pam at Grey Like Snuffie and help us stir up God's Word in our hearts.

Awesome Cinnamon Rolls

It's Thursday morning and that means it's time for my friend Just A Gals Recipe Exchange.
Today I've chosen one of my favorite Cinnamon Roll Recipes that bakes up in no time and is excellent to when company comes over.
If you right click on the recipe above you should be able to enlarge the card and print it out. I'm still trying to figure out how to insert a PDF so you can print in full size :). If you make the recipe let me know how you like it and THANK YOU JustA hosting this Recipe Exchange!!

1 Lg package of Pillsbury Grands Biscuits
1 sm box vanilla cook & serve pudding (no instant)
2 sm Granny Smith apples (peeled & sliced)
Cinnamon (to taste)
3/4 c. of brown sugar
1 stick melted butter
walnuts (chopped)

1. Tear biscuits into 4ths and place in a
small bowl.

2. Pour half the dry pudding mix over
the biscuits to coat.

3. Place biscuits in a 9" dish.

4. Layer sliced apples over the biscuits
by tucking them between the biscuits.

5. Sprinkle cinnamon over the apples as desired.

6. Sprinkle brown sugar over the cinnamon.

7. Pour melted butter over the brown sugar.

8. Sprinkle chopped walnuts and remainder of pudding mix over the
brown sugar .

A Tangible Love

Lift your eyes and look upon Me. For though you have forgotten Me, I have not forgotten you. While you have busied yourself with your daily occupations, I have still been occupied with you.
When your mind has been captured by the affairs of life, My thoughts have been of you.

My little children, you cannot weary My love. You may grieve My heart, but My love is changeless, infinite. I long for you to return to Me. My hands are full of blessings that I desire to give to you. I long to hear your voice. You speak much with others--oh, speak to Me! I have so much to tell you.

I am not a remote power: I am an intimate person, even as you are. Have you forgotten that I made you in My own image and likeness? It is not that I am as you, but you are like Me. Do not let material and physical elements destroy your comprehension of Me as a person.

"Touch Me and handle Me," I said to Thomas (John 20:27). To you I say: Cast yourself upon Me; pour your love out to Me. You will discover that I am as tangible to you as I was to Thomas. Reach forth your hand, and lay it upon My broken heart. Yes, take hold of My nail-pierced hand. Now, can you still doubt my love?

Taken from the book: "Come Away My Beloved" from Frances J. Roberts

Maybe...Maybe Not!

Monday is always such a difficult day at work and I've found myself in a melancholy mood. This may sound strange, but there are times when I think that's just what the Dr. has ordered. Let me explain. I have one of those brains that never stops thinking, but the majority of the thoughts are nothing more than nonsense. There are running commentaries about anything and nothing at all and sometimes all at the same time. It's exhausting really. So when I find myself in a melancholy mood that usually means there's clarity and a single thought with conclusions instead of just "fluff" floating about between my ears. Hubby says I spend most of my time with my head in the clouds and my feet off the ground...he's so right!
So why the melancholy? Why the clarity? I don't know, but I kind of like the silence in my head. It's unfamiliar and novel and sometimes intimidating to be alone with such thoughts.

Easter Sunday we decided to make a huge change in our lives and left the church we've been at for 3 years. Leaving a church is never a fun thing and you wonder who do you tell, do you tell, and what do you say without hurting any one's feelings or do you just slip out the door unnoticed? The truth is that after 3 years barely anyone knew we were even there. So, we have decided to plant ourselves where we should have been all the time and Easter seemed like a good time to open a new chapter in our lives.
Maybe this is the reason for the melancholy...maybe not!

The greatest Gift the world has known!

Who has believed our report?
And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?
For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant,
And as a root out of dry ground.
He has no form or comeliness;
And when we see Him,
There is no beauty that we should desire Him.
He is despised and rejected by men,
A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.
And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him;
He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
Surely He has borne our griefs
And carried our sorrows;
Yet we esteemed Him stricken,
Smitten by God, and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions,
He was bruised for our iniquities;
The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,
And by His stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
We have turned, every one, to his own way;
And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

ISAIAH 53: 1-6

The reason I celebrate this Resurrection Day!

May you all know His love and experience His gift of Salvation
for there is no greater gift than the gift of forgiveness.
Happy Easter everyone!

Viola! Fini! Fin! Tetelisti!

Do you remember this ugly little corner of my 1950's kitchen and the plans we had to build a cupboard for my dishes? Well, we are finally finished after 2 months of construction, but it seems like it took forever...

Hubby took this lovely pile of wood and transformed it into something so wonderful and functional...
I used to be all about "non-function" or "form over function" but when you live in such a small little cottage as I, function unfortunately wins out. But that doesn't mean it can't be pretty or cute for all that matters, right?
Right!

We shoved all the furniture into the corner of the dining room so we could work in a dust free environment or should I say, "less dust then out in the garage." For about a month we had to walk sideways in order to get around the table or retrieve something from the backside of the island...what fun! Of course I am only being facetious for it was no fun at all :0!

We did all our painting around little piles of messes that were moved from one place to the next. While our little cottage overlooks a beautiful garden it also overlooks storage and many other modern conveniences like a microwave, dishwasher, and sprinkler system, but don't worry we have hot running water and a garbage disposal and best of all...toilets that flush.
We're not completely in the Dark Ages here at Brambleberry :).

I was beginning to think I was trapped inside some sort of bizarre painting time warp. Every time I turned around I was re-painting the upper cabinets or wondering if I had painted them at all. This is what ADD and Dyslexia will do to your poor little unsuspecting brain and as I sit here looking at my lovely cupboard I think it may need one more coat of paint :0!

Throughout the entire process there were always fresh cut roses to bring a little beauty to the chaos. Thank you Lord, for roses that bloom while neglected.

I think hubby has a weird thing about beadboard. He loves to make his own, but then when I tell him I'm painting it white he gets a frown on his darling little face and tells me he doesn't want it white and insists it be a different color. So I painted the inside of the cupboard pink...what other color is there? I think his fear is that his beautiful detail work will get absorbed into the white and you won't be able to see it at all. Silly man!
Oh! Were you wondering about the baker's box with the
Lavender and Vanilla mini scones?
I got the recipe from my Bloggy friend,
Marye Audet of Baking Delights and they are yummy!!

I have one entire shelf dedicated to nothing but Bunnykins dishes...

Oops! Make that two, hee hee! Plus there's room for more :).

This is the upper cupboard (or part of it) with all its treasures and look...
no longer does my mixing bowl have to be stored on the TOP of the island...wee hee!

And this is the entire piece...Viola! Four shelves above and three below with plenty of space to store my things. But you know what the best thing is? There will be no more jars of nuts and vitamins and coffee containers and tea boxes piled high on the cabinets and as my fanciful friend Vanessa says, "Yippeee!" I love that about her...she's always happy!

Oh speaking of "Happy" today is Good Friday! It seems odd that the day our Lord and Savior was crucified should be called "Good", but then without His crucifixion He never could have been resurrected from the dead! So Happy Good Friday to you all out there in the blogisphere!!

xoxo Cori

P.S. Tetelisti, Translation: Greek - It Is Finished! Paid in Full!
The last words Jesus spoke on the Cross.

Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

John 11: 24-26

My beloved is mine and I am His.
Song of Solomon 2:16

For more ABC's of the Word visit Pam @ Grey Like Snuffie and help us stir up God's Word in our (your) hearts and Happy Easter to each one of you!

This morning as I was driving to work I looked over and noticed that the sign had been changed. Further down the road I passed my favorite gardening center "Batavia Gardens." There were gallons of strawberry pink and purple foxglove spires calling to me as I passed by..."take us home, take us home."
Today would be the perfect day to play in my garden...

Sweet Sisterhood!

Do you ever have those days when everything you do makes you want to pull your hair out and scream? Me too! And today was just such a day, but then I opened my web browser and saw an email from my friend Deborah at Midlife Poet who always blows me kisses! I like that! Kisses being blown across the internet from a sweet new friend. I think everyone needs a kiss now and then...don't you? As well as kisses she also blew a cute little award my way which really made my day! So thank you Deborah, you've touched my heart in so many ways!!!

There are of course rules attached to this award and this is how they go:

The Sisterhood Award is an award from bloggers to bloggers in recognition of a blog which shows attitude and/or gratitude.

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate up to 10 blogs which show great attitude and/or gratitude
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog, or sending them an email.
5. Remember to link to the person from whom you received your award.

So, I nominate these lovely women below to receive this award:

Becky @ One Shabby Old House

Moorea @ Homeschooling Sentiments
JustA AKA Natalie @ Just A Gal
Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti
Tara @ Days Missed on a Hammock
Ellen B. @ The Happy Wonderer
and if it's OK with you Deborah I'd like to give it back to you! And can I give it to our Fanciful Friend too?

Thank you ladies for being such wonderful bloggy friends and always encouraging me and causing me to laugh!!!

xoxo Cori

There is a little maid who dwells beneath the eaves at Brambleberry Cottage who goes by the name of Hagitha. Sweet hubby affectionately gave her that name for she resembles the Mistress of the house (that's me), but goes about her humble duties clothed in sweats with disheveled hair and eyes that resemble those of Alice Cooper...I love Alice! Did you know he gave his life to the Lord many many moons ago? He did and refers to himself as "a nice Christian boy."

I've noticed that when my life becomes hectic Hagitha does not tend to her duties of scrubbing floors and stocking drawers or cleaning plates or keeping dates with her washing machine. Our little cottage dwellers have been magically transformed into squirrels and pigs. Squirrels because there are piles of unattended laundry, books, magazines, and Easter chocolate scattered on every surface and chair. Pigs because everywhere I look there is a huge mess.

Needless to say this little cottage dweller needs to get her cottage in order so I'll be gone for a few days from this wonderful kingdom known as Bloglandia. But I'll be back on Monday with more houses to show and a cupboard full and fair maidens from the Belly Dance Festival.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

I've become a very busy little bee and have put up two posts this morning.
You'll find my ABC's of the Word post
below my recipe post
for Just-A-Gals Thursday Recipe Exchange.
Stop by and visit both women's blogs to be fed
spiritually and physically :).

Have a lovely day ladies!!
xoxo Cori

JustA Gals Thursday Recipe Exchange

I have this next door neighbor who is in her eighties and oh so darling and an excellent cook as well. I get many of my favorite recipes from her and this that she gave me just before Christmas
so I created this little tag for her and she packaged them up in jars with ribbons and the recipe card attached. They're super easy to make and taste wonderful in salads or just to nibble on.
You can right click on the image and print a copy out if you'd like...enjoy!

And thank you JustA for hosting the Thursday Recipe Exchange!!!

You have ravished my heart,
My sister, my spouse;
You have ravished my heart
With one look of your eyes,
With one link of your necklace.

How fair is your love,
My sister, my spouse!
How much better than wine is your love,
And the scent of your perfumes
Than all spices!

Your lips, O my spouse,
Drip as the honeycomb;
Honey and milk are under your tongue;
And the fragrance of your garments
Is like the fragrance of Lebanon.
Song of Solomon 4: 9-11

For more ABC's of the Word visit Pam at Grey Like Snuffie and help us stir up God's Word in our hearts.

Tea, Sweets, and other edible Treats

Lets see, where did we leave off? The Fashion Show...
Once the Fashion Show was over we were treated to a delicious tea that included Raisin Scones, Clotted Cream (one of my favorite Tea treats...yum!), mini Cheese Cakes, Cucumber Sandwiches, fresh Fruit, and many other delightful edibles.
The tea was very casual and people just sat where ever they could find a seat. Donna and I found a wonderful spot under a cool shade tree to enjoy our tea while watching the comings and goings of all the other guests. The models from the show mingled with the guests and that's how we met Cookie. She was a darling woman and rekindled my desire to get involved and guess what? When I got home I told hubby that I wanted to attend Costume College and he said, "great! You always let me do the ridiculous things I do, so why not!" I did after all allow him to buy two motorcycles ...LOL!

Tea was served Buffet style and there were plenty of left overs.

This is the Hale House one of eight structures on the property grounds. Don't you just love all the colors and gingerbread? Aren't you glad you don't have to paint it or pay someone else to paint it for you? I can't even begin to imagine how time consuming it must be, but it sure is purdy to look at and to dream...

Hey Becky, I can see us sitting on the porch enjoying a hot cup of tea and sweet conversation...what fun!!


The Queen Anne exterior is painted in four shades of green, three shades of red, with a combination of yellow and Victorian black. Above the front porch is a shield painted to look like the American Flag. During the restoration process the colors were uncovered and then reproduced from paint chips.
Some of the distinguishing qualities of a Queen Anne building are the fish scale shingles, the iron grill work that forms the railing on the second floor balcony, the corner turret, and the dentil work just below the roof line.


Take a closer look at the beautiful detail work and the whimsical finials atop the turret.
They just don't make them like they used to, do they? It's so sad.

You can usually tour the inside of several homes, but on this day they were closed except for my favorite house which I'll show you next time, however there are no interior shots as one of the women had her Vintage Gowns on display and flash photography causes the fabric to deteriorate quicker.

So, that was just a small look at one of the houses and I'm still playing with pictures so there will be more to come.

We're still painting our cupboard and I've had very little time to post so hopefully I'll be able to continue the tour on Friday since tomorrow is Thursday and I'll be having coffee in bloggyland with the girls from "ABC's through the Word" hosted by Pam from Grey like Snuffie...of course you could join us if you'd like!