Deanna's 2 Day Birthday Bash

Today is Deanna, of Timeless Things, 46th Birthday and in honor of her - we her fabulous bloggy friends are posting baby pictures of ourselves.

It's such a sad thing when you can't find baby pictures of yourself, but then if you saw mine you might be frightened to ever visit my blog again...LOL! Let's just say that I looked like a miniature squashed version of the Michelin Man. Do you remember him? Yah! Scary huh!!!
This was the best I could find...actually it was the only one I could find ;-O!


Every year, when I was growing up, my family camped for a week at Lake Casitas. We would spend our days fishing and playing in the lake while the evenings were spent singing songs and roasting marshmallows over the camp fire.
Anyway it was great fun...except for the time when I was attacked by the duck!!!

So, Deanna, in honor of your Birthday I've decided to rent a Summer Cottage for you and Mr. Timeless in the Cotswold's of England. I've sent my personal chef, maid, and driver ahead to prepare the cottage for you. I'll be flying you out in my pesonal jet and I'll even pay all your bills while you're gone...hey! How's that for a Birthday present!!!!

HAPPY 46th BIRTHDAY DEANNA!!!!

DON'T FORGET TO STOP BY AND WISH DEANNA A HAPPY
BIRTHDAY!!!!!!

A Bunny's Tea

This is my story neither mad nor true,
about a little white rabbit with nothing to do.
So early one morning she went out to play, but this was not any ordinary day.
You see, there was a giant wind that whipped her into the air,
tossing and tumbling her here and there.
Twirling and spinning her everywhere...

till the wind gently set her down in a magical land,
but there was one problem...
she was stuck in a vine,
but this upside down world was simply sublime.

For she was like all rabbits that dwell in our land
only able to see a world that's colorless and bland.
Here she saw colors she'd never seen
primaries, secondaries, and those in between.

But then she noticed as she hung by her knees
something on a table stirred in the breeze.
She decided to take a closer look and see
if her eyes had deceived her...
nope...
it was her favorite...
rose tea...
with frosted cupcakes that looked ever so sweet.

Suddenly there was a noise quite near
from a tiny little mouse climbing into her ear.
He was in search of the grapes that you see
while she hung there dangling beneath the tree.

"Please someone help me get me out of this vine
so I can make those cupcakes mine."
But no one came and there she would be still
but she needed those cupcakes
her belly to fill...
plus they were really pretty colors...

with pink roses on top.

Poor little bunny got out of the tree
without a single scratch to her furry white knee,
but the cupcakes were safe beneath a glass jar
and bunny's short arms couldn't reach that far.
So she sat there and cried and cried all day
till a giant green butterfly fluttered her way.
"Why do you cry," he asked.

Bunny had never seen a green butterfly in her entire life.
Come to think of it, she'd never seen a pink table cloth
or a chintz tea pot or pink roses or green grapes.
She had seen no color at all.

Bunny and the butterfly talked for hours
as they nibbled on the pretty pink flowers.
The butterfly you see was wise beyond years
and wiped away little bunny's tears.
For he knew that there was more to this life
then cupcakes with frosting and colors so bright.
Friendship he thought was better then these
especially a friend who hangs from her knees...
even though she didn't like it.

So if in the vineyard you ever see
a little white rabbit hung by the knees
you know she'll be hanging there in delight
with her little green butterfly friend at her side.

So this is where my story ends
but you can continue and make new friends
by clicking on the badge at the top of this post
where you will visit our lovely host (ess)
the ever DELIGHTFUL Vanessa of A Fanciful Twist.

Have fun!!!

Do you know what today is?

Today is the day before Vanessa's Mad Tea Party at a FANCIFUL TWIST in Bloglandia. It's going to be a day filled with lots of fun and Fanciful Mayhem so be sure to stop by and say hi.

The clock is ticking and I haven't begun
to make preparations for all of the fun!!!!
I'm going to be...
LATE!!!!...
LATE!!!!!

LATE!!!!!!!!

God is serious business, take him seriously;
he's put the earth in place and it's not moving.
So let Heaven rejoice, let Earth be jubilant,
and pass the word among the nations, "God reigns!"
Let Ocean, all teeming with life, bellow,
let Field and all its creatures shake the rafters;
Then the trees in the forest will add their applause
to all who are pleased and present before God
—he's on his way to set things right!

1 Chronicles 16:30-33 The Message

Good Morning Ladies,

I was looking for a different scripture all together that had to do with trees until I discovered it was really a forest. So it will have to wait for round 3 and the letter F.

Anyway, I don't usually read the Message, but I thought this translation was rather sweet: Fish bellowing, animals shaking rafters, and trees applauding. I often wonder when the Lord comes back will all the animals and all creation bow in honor of Him? They did in Aslan's world.
Just little thoughts...
Have a wonderful day and I hope that whatever you do or where ever you go nature cries out around you about our Glorious Savior and LORD.

For more ABC's of the Word click over to Pam's blog Grey Like Snuffie and help us stir up God's word in our ( your) hearts.

Vintage Lace and Other Things

Every time I go into an antiques Store I search through the bins of old lace trim and linens. I found this piece awhile back and haven't decided what to do with it, but I don't think it's going to adorn the edge of any pillows... sorry Ladies, but as I've said before, "a girl can have too many pillows" ;-). In fact I sent a half dozen of mine to live somewhere else - my office that way I get to see them everyday. Pillow love has a strong allure, but we were talking about lace weren't we? Don't you just love the delicate needle work and the beautiful shade of ecru that has deepened with time? It looks almost as if its been dyed in tea.

I've always wanted to learn how to quilt, but the measurements have always thrown me off. Have you ever heard the saying, "measure twice, cut once"? Well, that's never worked for me. I can measure the same piece five times and end up with five different measurements...it's so frustrating! So I prefer Crazy Quilting and this lovely piece of lace may just end up on a crazy quilt, which will then be turned into a pillow. A small pillow in the shape of a heart. Like I said, "Pillow love has a strong allure."

Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry? This is mine. It's a mourning brooch from the 1860's-1870's and belonged to my great Aunt Myrtle Hammond. My mother said she was a terrifying woman with a stern look and a loud voice who she met on a few occasions as a little girl. One of those occasions was a family funeral and I've always wondered if she wore this brooch on her lapel that day. I would love to know its history.

Mourning jewelry was popularized by Queen Victoria (who never came out of mourning) after her husband Prince Albert died and I believe it remained popular until her death.
Such a pretty thing isn't it? It's about three inches long, in perfect condition, and stitched to the lapel of one of my coats. I'm not taking any chances of it slipping off ;-0. Not only is it pretty, but it's very heavy.

Okay, so we've gone from vintage lace to vintage jewelry and now on to that room re-do.

I'm a girl who believes every cottage should be embellished with architectural elements and it's just those elements that are holding up progress...

Trim here, molding there, mitered corners everywhere. Hubby is stuck in a mitered nightmare.

One corner takes about two hours to fit perfectly so when you consider all the corners in the room and the windows being installed crookedly it's just taking forever!!!! I'm hoping to move the furniture in on Saturday, but we have a wedding to attend in the early afternoon so we'll see how it goes. Maybe I'll have pictures next week...I'm hoping to have pictures next week...cross my fingers that I'll have pictures next week.

My puppies are banging their dishes about which means it's breakfast time so I must run.
I hope you all have a lovely day!!

Whatever makes us forget ourselves and think of others lifts us upward. This is one reason that God permits suffering. We would never know the best and richest of human love if there were no pain, no distress, no appealing of grief or of need. The deepest and holiest of mother-love would never be brought out if the child never suffered. The same is true of God's love. God would have loved His children unfallen just as much as He loves them fallen, but the world would never have known so much of God's love had not man fallen. Our terrible need called out all that was richest, holiest, and most divine in our Father's heart. If no night ever came, we would never know there are stars. Darkness is a revealer.

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

6 Things about Me

I've been tagged by my little friend Allison (I call her little because she's much younger then me) of A Little Shabby Always Chic for a 6 things about You meme. This is a meme isn't it?
Any way I've been wracking my brain for days about the six things so here we go...

1. I'd rather buy something at least 75 years old then pay for something new.

2. As a little girl I had a basket filled with manicuring tools and went from neighbor lady to neighbor lady doing their nails. When I grew up I worked as a manicurist for 15 years.

3. I have tons of painting projects in my closet that are half finished...surprise!!!

4. I always wanted to be a costume designer, but have never learned to sew properly.

5. Hosting tea parties is one of my favorite things in the world, but I'd rather drink coffee.

6. Speaking of favorite things...my husband is my favorite person in the entire world!!! I would much rather spend the day with him then any of my girlfriends.

OK, so those are my 6 things and now the rules say that I'm to tag 6 other people.

I'm going to tag my Darling friend Deb of Midlife Poet and anyone else who'd like to play along just let me know so I can learn 6 new things about you.

Lady Tennyson
By: John Waterhouse

Oh my child, rest in Me.
Yes, quietly settle down in my care,
as a bird settles in a nest.
For I am watching over you,
and in love will I care for you.

There is no danger with which I am unable to cope.
There is no enemy too formidable for Me to handle.
I am able to carry out all My purposes,
and to keep you at the same time.

Be not afraid;
neither allow terror to strike at your heart.
My power is at your disposal.
My presence stands round about you,
and nothing can harm you
so long as you are in My care,
and that is forever...

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

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1: 8 & 9

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

The Floating City

These are some of the highlights:
the image above is Rachel Brice who is one of the best loved
Tribal Fusion Belly Dancers and we got to see her in person...
She's amazing!!

Well, it wasn't really a floating city, but felt more like a quaint village of colorful characters selling their wares beneath ornate tents. There was my favorite little costumer from last year (who I didn't get a picture of this year) selling what Kathy and I dubbed "Prison Pantaloons." They were SO CUTE! If you like pantaloons that is (which I do) ;-) They were knee length gray and white feather ticking fabric finished at the hem with drippy black lace and of course there were sweet skirts made of layered tulle to wear over them. If you click on the link above, my favorite little costumer is the fourth image down.

Faizeh of Hiplash in Lancaster.

This was the first year that Cairo Caravan was held on board the Queen Mary and it was a perfect location. The weather was overcast and the three levels of the boat remained comfortably cool.
This was my first time on the boat and I wasn't sure what to expect as I'd always imagined it as an empty floating shell of nothingness.
There were three floors of vendors selling anything from Kuchi jewelry, silk scarves, elaborate head pieces, and entire Egyptian costumes. If you could imagine it they had it!

One of my favorite things about attending these events is checking out all the different styles of costume. As you can see by the picture above belly dance has taken on a new or old American favorite...Vaudeville! Many of the Tribal Fusion Troupes have moved in this direction and it's always entertaining to see what choreography they come up with. Some of it is down right silly, but so much fun to watch and the costumes are really outlandish.
Gotta love those socks and granny boots.

This was a lovely troupe made up of 8 ladies who moved like a tightly grouped swarm of fish. I'm not sure how they'd feel being compared to fish, but if you can imagine all these beautiful colors and skirts flowing together while moving as one from one end of the stage to the next, maybe you'd think fish too ;-)! Beautiful fish!!!!

Kathy and I had lunch on the boat and while the food was good the service was s-l-o-w.
I don't think the management considered that there was going to be an extra 2,000 people on the boat which left the restaurants under staffed and the waiters running around like chickens with their heads cut off. But, we were able to eat and that alone made us happy and ready for a few more hours of shopping.
By the end of the day we were exhausted, penniless, and ready for next year.

OK, now I'm looking at the above picture and maybe these ladies are the beautiful fish with all their shimmering golds and taupes while the ladies further up are gorgeous flowers swaying in the breeze... ;-)

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with brotherly affection; outdo one another in showing honor.

Romans 12: 9 & 10

When we lay our lives at Christ's feet in consecration, and tell Him that we want to serve Him with them, He gives them back to us again, and bids us use them in serving His people, our fellow-men. In the humblest and the lowliest of those who bear Christ's image Christ comes to us. We do not know when He stands before us in a lowly one who needs our sympathy or our help. It would be a sad thing if we turned Him away unfed from our doors some day, or neglected to visit Him in His sickness. Let us not say we love Christ if we are not ready to serve those whom He sends us to be served.

J. R. Miller (1840-1912)

My Thoughts:

As I read the words of J. R. Miller I felt a sharp pang of conviction in my heart. "Am I guilty of this very thing?" I had to answer with a resounding "YES! Guilty as charged!"
I work in ministry four days a week 7 hours per day and often times I encounter people that are less then desirable. I had to ask myself, "do I treat them with respect or do I offer them neglect?" For whatever life or experience has molded or warped them it is still my job to serve them for they are created in the image of the Most High God.

A New Thought:

I think that there's a common danger that many of us in ministry fall prey to and that's the belief that once my hours have been completed my work is done. And yet, did not Jesus minister day and night where ever and when ever He happened to be. My ministry does not end when the clock strikes four, but continues until my weary head hits the pillow.

Letting go of the Past

Do you ever stop and think about the things we hold on to? Whether it's a piece of old clothing or past heartaches, in the end it's nothing more then spare baggage, cluttering up our hearts and taking up precious space in our closets.
Over the past 25 years I've been able to let go of much of my emotional baggage (and let me tell you, "There was a LOT"), but I somehow can't let go of the old clothes. Do I really think I'll ever be able to squeeze my fluffy body back into my size 1 jeans? I DON'T THINK SO!!!
Then why can't I just let them go?

What do you hold onto from the past? I'd be curious to know ;-).

Angelino Heights

Los Angeles is home to some of the most beautiful Victorian Architecture, but there's one neighborhood in particular that is filled with cottages and homes that have been perfectly restored to their former glory. That is the neighborhood of Angelino Heights.

Several months back my s-i-l, Donna and I went to a tea at Heritage Park Square and a few days ago my friend Ellen B of The Happy Wonderer posted about her trip to the Park.

It was then that I remembered Donna and I driving around L.A. tired and worn out from a hot day in the sun, but determined to find these architectural gems just so I could take pictures of them for you ; ). Plus she and I really wanted to see them for ourselves.

Construction in the Angelino Heights suburb of L. A. began in the mid 1880's and came to a sudden stop due to the banking recession of 1889. The neighborhood is made up of several different styles including Queen Anne, Eastlake, Mission Revival, and Craftsman.

Many of the homes in the neighborhood are used in Hollywood films and TV shows. Have you ever seen the series, "Charmed"? I can't say that I've ever watched it, but the house used in the series was just down the street from this one.

Donna and I wandered around the neighborhood for awhile and found no one to stop and talk with. Well, there was one old guy who was the caretaker of one of the homes. He kept giving us little facts and tid-bits about the goings on, but that was several months ago and I simply can't remember a thing he said.

Old doors. How I love old doors. You never know what you'll find on the other side. Hopefully a warm hearth and a steaming cup of tea.

Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

2 Corinthians 5:18-21

For more ABC's of the Word click over to Pam's blog Grey Like Snuffie and help us stir up God's Word in our hearts.

My favorite little corner of the antiques world is this serene stall at Country Roads Antiques Mall in the city of Orange. Part of its appeal is watching other women as they turn the corner and gaze about at all the beautiful objects. The cares of life seem to melt from their very faces.

This is where I wish I were at this very moment, but instead I'm still painting bead board, fitting base boards, and cap rails. Our project is taking longer then I had expected due to simple things like jobs, chores, meals, and sleep. Oi! To have a few days off to finish the job would be perfect, but alas, I must continue at my snails pace, but...one day...soon it will be complete! :).

I hope you're all having fun!!!!

Cairo Caravan is floating into Town

These are pictures I took at the last belly dance event I attended, but did I ever get around to posting them? No! I was there by myself and for only a short time, but the costumes I saw were some of the most elaborate...so gorgeous!!!

This weekend is Cairo Caravan being held at the Queen Mary in Long Beach and Kathy and I are going to be off on another belly dance extravaganza. They're so much fun and there's so many beautiful jingly things to feast your eyes on. Not to mention the great dancing. So if you're bored this weekend and have nothing to do you might want to head to the Queen Mary for an afternoon of great shopping and dancing. Who knows, they might even let you up on stage :).

Here's a link: Cairo Caravan

The Joys of re-doing a Room!

We're still working in our guest room and the progress is
v e r y s l o w!!!

By the two pictures above you can see why I often refer to this old cottage as
CRUMBLING COTTAGE
for it is indeed crumbling beneath us.

I had forgotten that this is what has been
lurking behind the wallpaper
and am thankful that it's now covered with wainscot.

A lovely repair job, don't you think? Me too!
In fact we've found some very
strange modifications over the years,
like the old comb someone used to shim up the back of a sink.
Maybe someone thought they were being creative...who knows!

Saturday after belly dance my friend Kathy and I headed to
Down Town Orange
where I found this cute little child's desk for $35.
I took one look at it and decided to bring it home.
It's sturdy and in near perfect condition.

I'm debating as to whether to paint it white or leave it as is.
I rather like the patina on it...what do you think?
Whatever I do, it's going to remain in the closet and become
part of my crafting area.

We're still fitting the moldings around the door and window frames
and then the painting will begin.
Painting on the wainscot that is.
Maybe in two more weeks I'll have all the furniture in
and it'll be ready for guests :).

Life comes in a pretty big package. It doesn't consist simply of getting through with a certain amount of success, a fair amount of creature comforts-enough food to eat, and sufficient clothing to keep ourselves warm. There's much more to life than the mere physical dimension with which we tend to become pretty preoccupied. Real life involves growing into the very image of Christ, into solid spiritual strength and a well rounded character, into spiritual adulthood - and perhaps most important of all, into the blessed peace of God which He alone can bring. The peace into which He guides us involves victory over all our trials, even though we must continue to go through them, experiencing a quietness and confidence in our Savior which no outside circumstance can disturb.

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

A Gentle Balance

Time is like a wheel. Turning and turning - never stopping.
"Natalie Babbitt"

Do you ever wonder about the concept of time? Why does it fly when we're having fun,
but drag on when things aren't going as we'd like?
Lately I've felt as if time has bought me a ticket
on a run-away train
speeding down the tracks without any brakes.
So I've been trying to find a gentle balance
between home and work as well as everything in between.

And I'm learning to slow down
and reflect on what's important in life
and spend time doing things that sing to my heart
while nourishing my soul.

I've been sitting quietly to listen,
with both my ears and my heart,
to the simple joys that only the Lord can provide.

And I've placed my dreams in a delicate box
where I can sift through them at my leisure.