Little Cottage Zipper Pull...and Off on a Break

Two things to mention in the post. First, I've listed this little English Cottage zipper pull/clip in my Lollishops shop. You may see it by clicking on the Lollishop button to the right. I can't resist a little cottage and thought this would be adorable for someone else who enjoyed them as well. Secondly, I will not be posting again until July 21--hopefully with posts that tell of fun adventures during my time away from this computer (complete with pictures). We all need a little break from time to time, and this will be mine for now. Have a super week everyone, and I'll "see" you later. ; )

"Tea Time Tidbits" Special Posting #6

My favorite kind of black tea is, of course, the kind I grew up drinking. This tea is Red Rose tea. Lipton is fine and will definitely work if need be, but I think that Red Rose has a better, richer flavor. It used to be a Canadian tea, and growing up in Maine, Red Rose was always available and not that expensive. I can find it in the grocery store here in Wisconsin, but the boxes are smaller than the 100 count and are more expensive. Thankfully my mother and grandmother keep me well stocked and either bring or mail me some from time to time. As an extra treat, for years each 100 count box has included a little Wade figureine. It is always fun to find an extra treat (think Cracker Jack boxes) when you purchase something, and like a little kid, I look forward to opening a box to see what sweet figurine may be included with all of the yummy-smelling tea bags. And, you know what else? I like the name! ; )

A Visit From New Zealand

My brother (and only sibling) is a preacher and teacher in Blenheim, New Zealand. He has started two churches there and hopes to hand the present one over to a Kiwi soon. He also started a Bible Institute several years back. Having lived there for 17 years, New Zealand is his and his wife's home--where their permanent residency is, and they truly love the people there. His four children (three of which were born there) all have accents (though they think I'm the one with the accent). Well, he and his oldest are here in the states to get things set up for college this fall. The rest of the family will arrive later this week to spend about six months here in the States. So, since Friday night my brother and nephew have been visiting with us (and brought us all matching t-shirts as you see above). How grand it has been! I can't remember the last time I spent July 4th with him...it has been over 20 years at least. We've had a wonderful weekend laughing, talking, remembering, passing stories back and fourth. My nephew is super with my two young kids (who absolutely adore him) and a fine young man. It's so long between visits--years sometimes--and I'm thankful for every moment that we have to be with them. Over the years I have learned it is better to be thankful for what I have when I have it than to complain about what I don't or can't have, so I am truly thankful for our visit and am enjoying every moment to the fullest.

"Tea Time Tidbits" Special Posting #5

I found this little round, bright teapot in a dusty antique store in Maine several years back. It's shiny gold appearance just spoke out to me...and the price was right. It is from England, an Author Wood, and has it's share of crackles and scratches. Also, it is small, I believe a four-cup pot, and I would probably never actually use it to hold tea and/or hot water; however, it is bright and beautiful and adds a delightfully shiny touch to our living room expecially when it reflects the sun in the morning (as you can see here). You just never know when you'll find a diamond in the rough in a shabby antique store, and this is certainly a good example.

Strawberries!

We went strawberry picking yesterday. It has been a very long time since we actually went and picked. Either we missed the picking times, or the children were too young to pick with us, or the weather wasn't right...whatever the case, we really wanted to go this year. The kids did a great job making sure their little boxes were filled with the best strawberries, and we filled three large boxes full of the yummy treats. The car smelled sweet and wonderful and so now does our house. I'm processing them now. Some I will freeze whole for strawberry shortcake and over ice cream. I will make jam perhaps this weekend and enjoy the bubbling strawberry scent filling the kitchen knowing that we will enjoy the jam on biscuits and toast this fall and winter. Of course we will have our bowls of strawberries with milk poured over them for breakfast this morning. And finally, I have a real urge for two-crust strawberry pie which I haven't made for years. What a delicious Fourth of July weekend this will be!

What profit is it?

The recent passing of a certain pop star lately has brought a particular Bible verse to mind. "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"(Mark 8:36) We've read about this man's recent great net worth--what is it? 263 million dollars? I can't begin to imagine that sort of money--and all that he had and all that he did. But how SAD it would be to amass a huge fortune, pass away relatively young (hey, 50 is not really that old), and if he never accepted Christ as his personal Saviour to spend eternity in a place opposite heaven. This pop star gained in his 50 years of life everything and anything he could possibly want--"the whole world" so to speak--but what good was it all if he never got things right before God and lost his soul for eternity?

Check out Lollishops (and a New Charm)!

Have you been to Lollishops lately? There is now a new category section, click here to see>>>Categories>>>for easier shopping if you are looking for a specific item. Searching is pretty easy with this new feature. Also, keep an eye out during the next week or so on my right side bar for a Lollishop widget where you will be able to see a glimpse of some of the items in my Lollishop. Finally, on our trip to Door County I found a little bead shop and some pretty beads that reminded me of Forget-Me-Nots. I came right home and made this Forget-Me-Not charm which is now listed in my Lollishop.

American Homemaker Summertime Swap Box

While away on our camping trip, Angie's (check out her blog!) box arrived. You know someone likes vintage things when they send you a box full of goodies in a vintage box and wraps things in old sewing pattern pieces! You can see from the picture all of the fun things she sent including a clothes pin bag including pretty painted clothes pins, a finger pin cushion, er Jacks (those are all mine--I love carmel popcorn), small beach-themed pictures, two little teacups and saucers with a French lady and gentleman on them, a vintage recipie box with old recipies in it, a July 4th candy stick, a little note pad, and "The Perfect Hostess" (an etiquite, recipe, table setting, and party planning book from 1946). Thanks, Angie.

Camping in Door County

Camping? Yes, camping...in a tent, no less. Since camping is one of the cheapest forms of vacationing, away we went for a few days. We figure it's better to go somewhere and camp for $15 a night and bring all of our food when money is a little tight then not go anywhere at all. Besides kids just LOVE camping! We went to one of our favorite places--Door County, Wisconsin--and stayed at Peninsula State Park (yes, it has hot showers and flush toilets!). It is a beautiful park and the whole area is quaint and pretty with little shops galore and gorgeous views of Lake Michigan. We saw plenty of sailboats and even visited a lighthouse--the Cana Island Light, pictured above. We had fun around the campfire at night where we popped Jiffy Pop popcorn and burned fallen cedar that we found in the surrounding woods (talk about good smells!). It was refreshing and fun...even though we got very little sleep...and a worthwhile trip.

Etsy Treasury--Sunny Attic Treasures

Okay, I'm still technologically challenged when it comes to copying a picture from Etsy, putting it in the right form, and getting the picture on here! Ugh! Anyway, Hiptobesquare has generously included my Victorian brooches in her treasury "Sunny Attic Treasures". It is beautiful and reminds me of my grandmother's old attic--sunny, warm, cozy, lots of wood...and she was a seamstress. Check it out--it is really pretty.

"Tea Time Tidbits" Special Posting #4

Trivets really are nice to use instead of regular pot holders. I have many pretty and practical potholders, but they can render the teapot (especially ones with dainty little legs) tipsy which we certainly don't want for a teapot full of hot water. A trivet can be pretty, colorful, and especially elegant--not to mention a nice level surface to place hot teapots on. I have a trivet collection that I've gathered from gift shops, yard sales, etc. from all over. It is slowly growing (and crooked I see!) because I'm pretty picky about what they look like and the colors. They all must be teapots and not cheap looking. As you can see, there is plenty of room for expansion on my wall, and there is nothing like the thrill of the hunt.

The Button Swap Exchange

You never know quite what you're getting into when you participate in a swap. Someday I think I'll host one, perhaps this fall. Anyway, I participated in the Button Swap hosted by Wondermommy (see below to go to her site). I poured though my huge bag of buttons and found a particularly pretty one and put buttons with it in coordinating colors and interesting shapes. Then I made a button as an extra special gift. (See picture above) Truly if I weren't doing beads I would probably do something with buttons. Buttons have so many characteristics and can be absolutely gorgeous. I particularly like unusual ones, shell ones, ones of unusual shapes, and anything floral and pretty. So, I sent the tiny button package out with a little note about myself (as was required by the swap rules) about loving the Lord and being a homeschooling Mom etc. and so forth. Then I waited...and waited...and figured I wouldn't get the swap back.
Then...a small package came...but in the same exact boxes that I had sent. I thought, "Oh, no, she didn't like the note and/or the buttons I sent and has sent my swap back!" But that was not it at all. I got a lovely set of buttons (really like the strawberry one and the purple jeweled one) and a sweet note from Kess who is 13 and has a hobby of button collecting (over 900 at this point!). Shame on me for not thinking rightly! Though my swap partner is a young girl--not at all what I had expected--I think perhaps we my have some more button swaps between us (Kess asked me if I'd like to!) in the future, and I'm already thinking of the next little box of buttons I'm going to send her...in the same exact boxes of course!