A Porcelain Rose

Valentine's Day Sachets

2012-01-17T10:36:00.001-08:00

These pretty sachets are for sale in my Etsy store for Valentine's Day.
They come in two sizes, 4" and 6". Ribbon colors can be changed to your liking.
They are made to order and you can get them in Lavender or Lavender-Vanilla.
If you'd like to check them out, click on my etsy store link, The Violet Patch on the right.

Christmas Smiles

2011-12-24T12:24:00.000-08:00

2011-12-23T23:25:00.000-08:00

For unto us, a Child is born,
Unto us, a Son is given.

They Gave all They Had

2011-12-13T07:53:00.001-08:00

Merry Christmas Everyone
CHRISTMAS AT ARLINGTON CEMETERY
I wonder why the press hasn't enlightened the public about it??
Arlington National Cemetery

Rest easy, sleep well my brothers.
Know the line has held, your job is done.
Rest easy, sleep well.
Others have taken up where you fell, the line has held.
Peace, peace, and farewell...

Readers may be interested to know that these wreaths -- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington, Maine . The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. Thank you, Mr. Worcester.

Most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one of the poorest parts of the state.
Please share this with everyone. You hear too much about the bad things people do. Everyone should hear about this.

Winter Weird

2011-11-30T19:24:00.000-08:00

I don't know why this cartoon cracks me up; maybe because it's just so darn silly. But look at the bunny. Doesn't he look determined? And mean?

Consider the sparrows...

2011-11-28T09:32:00.001-08:00

That little bird has chosen his shelter.
Above it are the stars and the deep
heaven of the worlds.
Yet he is rocking himself to sleep
without caring for tomorrow's lodging,
calmly clinging to his little twig,
and leaving God to think for him.
-Martin Luther

Cleaning House

2011-11-22T09:41:00.000-08:00

This beautiful rose plate is a cake plate. Presumably, you grasp the holes to keep you from smearing frosting on your fingers! This vintage piece is Austrian.

This lovely plate is Prussian and more for display than use.

This piece is part of a favorite collection. It's called 'portrait art' and I have quite a few of these pieces. I think I need to get my glasses checked, since I can't read the maker's mark! It IS European and vintage.

Recently, I started going through things and decided I have waaaaay too much stuff. Even if it's mostly beautiful. I have been doing this for about the last six months, so it seems more than my average binge.
My Swedish gramma used to say; if you haven't used it or looked at it in six months, get rid of it!
Fortunately, I have a section in a local shop to do just that, as well as my etsy store.
This time, it's decorative art that's going.

Athletic Me

2011-10-29T10:42:00.000-07:00

I borrowed this from my Facebook page. I laughed so hard when I saw it...hope you do, too!

You said it!

2011-10-01T19:32:00.000-07:00

This was on my Facebook page.
It made me laugh out loud.

In My Etsy Store

2011-09-05T07:40:00.000-07:00

This pretty candelabra will be for sale in my Etsy store.
It is cast metal, so it needs no polishing.
The base is a cast resin, but looks like marble.
It comes with the crystals.
The cups that hold the candles have wedges inside, so the candles are held securely.
A very pretty, low maintenance table decoration!

Sunday

2011-09-04T09:01:00.000-07:00

In this is love,
not that we loved God,
but that He loved us and sent His Son
to be the propitiation for our sins.

Another Critter Post?

2011-09-03T11:14:00.000-07:00

IF I DIDN'T HAVE A DOG OR A CAT......
I could walk around the yard barefoot.
My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.
All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of hair.
When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like a kennel.
When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without wading through fuzzy bodies that beat me there..
I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted,
without taking into consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.
I would have money, and no guilt to go on a real vacation.
I would not be on a first-name basis with 6 veterinarians, as I put their yet unborn grandkids through college.
The most used words in my vocabulary would not be:
out, sit, down, come, no, stay, and leave it ALONE.
My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers.
I would not talk 'baby talk'. 'Eat your din din'. 'Yummy yummy for the tummy'...
My house would not look like a day care center, toys everywhere.
My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra leash.
I would no longer have to spell the words
B-A-L-L,, W-A-L-K,, T-R-E-A-T,,, O-U-T,, G-O,, R-I-D-E,, C-O-O-K-I-E
I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.
I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE dog/cat ties them down too much.
I'd look forward to spring and the rainy season instead of dreading 'mud' season. I would not have to answer the question... 'Why do you have so many animals?' from people who will never have the joy in their lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by someone as close to an ANGEL as they will ever get.
How EMPTY my life would be!!!

Not Ever a Replacement....

2011-08-30T10:39:00.000-07:00

This handsome rascal is Franz.
If you have been reading my blog for long, you know that I LOVE German Shepherds. They really are an incredible breed. They love the whole family, but there is always one who is their special beloved.
My first one, Riff came to us in Alaska. He was wonderful, funny and very protective. Not a bad thing, when your husband is gone to his job at Prudhoe Bay two weeks out of the month. He was benevolent with children, cats and human beings. I was sold on the breed.
When I moved to Nevada, I got Olaf, also known as the Oaf. He was just a pup. I had him for seven years. Last year, he was diagnosed with an advanced case of cancer and was tenderly put to sleep. What a hole in my life! I missed him terribly.
A few months later, I was looking on Craig's list. Just browsing. And here was this beautiful mostly black Shepherd. His name was Max. I couldn't get to the phone fast enough!
He became Franz with no problem. He has a Scandinavian name, like Olaf.
Neutered, much smaller than Olaf, he has been the perfect dog for us. He is smart and doesn't bark unless there is a reason. He pesters the cats and Sunny. When we are in the truck, he sits as close behind me as he can get so he can wash my ears for me! And he does his best to kill the rainbird when I'm watering the yard. He keeps me laughing.
I think I'll keep him.

Bird Munch

2011-08-23T07:34:00.001-07:00

This morning when I awoke, I did the usual firsts; let the dawgs out, checked their water and made my coffee.
I went back to my workroom and mentally inventoried some supplies I had set out and organized before retiring last night. They are to be used in the creation of my tussy-mussies. New projects are so much fun. I noticed one of the tiny mushroom birds was missing. No biggie; it's probably under the silk flowers. Or perhaps the kittens have been playing hockey with it.
I returned to the kitchen to empty the dishwasher. Franz came padding in, usual sweet expression, tail wagging and dropped the bird on the floor!
GASP!
The fiend!
The poor little bird was absolutely crunched, not to mention covered in dog slobber!
Reminds me of the days when I had a houseful of toddlers...

I'm back!

2011-08-03T18:03:00.000-07:00

After the untimely death of my computer, replacing it with one that had terminal issues of its own, and using a laptop that belonged to Fred Flintstone, I have a computer that really works! Yeay! So, you will be hearing from me. Pictures soon.
I am redecorating my bedroom, I have a corner in a Thrift Shop. That has been SO much fun! I'll be back.

Mmmmmm...spring!

2011-05-24T07:56:00.001-07:00

Spring has sprung!

2011-04-14T11:47:00.000-07:00

Fingerprints

2011-03-23T12:01:00.000-07:00

When I was in grade school, my dad got a magazine every month from the FBI in Washington.
It was interesting. I read it as soon as he, the resident police officer, had finished. It was full of information about law enforcement methods and snarling mug shots of Most-Wanteds.
One issue had a photo of a huge room. It was filled with cabinets; filing cabinets lined the walls, others stood back to back, filling the center of the room. Curious, I asked my dad why there were so many.
He explained that they were full of fingerprint files.
Why so many, was my next question.
Because no two people, living or dead have the same fingerprints. I was amazed. I still am. DNA only serves to confirm the uniqueness of every human being.
Today, we are a culture of numbers; social security numbers, military ID numbers, account numbers...
Man may have given you more identity numbers than you can count, but isn't it awesome to know that your Creator thinks you are amazing, unique and irreplaceable?

Fuzzy Comfort

2011-03-22T09:01:00.000-07:00

Today, my beautiful daughter, Rachel is having surgery. She has an auto-immune disease that has made many surgeries necessary. I will be going back in a week or so to help with the house, children, etc. once she gets to come home.
This morning, I was sitting on the couch, praying. I have been since I awoke.
I had my hands over my eyes so I could concentrate. (I haven't yet vacuumed, so there is dog hair blowing around the floor.)
I heard one of the dogs get up and walk across the floor. Next thing I knew, there was a paw on my leg, then a LARGE dog on my lap.
And I was being schnuzzled with a wet nose and kissed. By Franz.
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Pinching the Nickel

2011-02-12T09:36:00.000-08:00

Seems that a lot of people are having a tough time these days...
I've never seen so many homeless before.
A lot of us are having to cut back on expenses...
I'm in the fabric store a lot less.
I no longer have a gardner.
I haul my own trash to the dump and recycle.
I clip coupons.
Some of it is kind of fun; just seeing how I can cut back.
I try to limit my traveling; my little truck is a guzzler!
At the back of my mind is Jesus' Sermon on the Mount,
about the sparrows and the lilies.
And knowing that under me are the everlasting arms.
Said the robin to the sparrow ‘I should really like to know
Why these anxious human beings rush about and worry so.’
Said the sparrow to the robin, ‘Friend I think that it must
That they have no heavenly Father, such as cares for you and me.'
Share with me; how are you pinching the nickel?

It's A Small World, After All

2011-02-09T20:43:00.001-08:00

A while back, I got in contact with an old school friend. We found one another on Facebook. We had been in Junior High and High School together in Southern California. We had worked in the library in Junior High for a crabby librarian, but managed to have a lot of fun anyway. She now lives in Oregon.
Not long after we found each other again, she contacted me. Her precious aunt had recently gone to be with the Lord. My friend was looking through the cards and flowers that were sent to the memorial service in Northern California. She noticed the same last name as mine. Not a very common last name. The people lived in a nearby Nevada town and sent flowers to the memorial. She wondered if I knew them.
It was my parents who'd sent the flowers. It turned out my friend's aunt and my mother's sister had been dear friends for years.
Small world, isn't it?

Pretties for Sale

2011-01-23T05:57:00.001-08:00

Franz

2011-01-18T09:48:00.001-08:00

Hoppy New Year to all my blogging buddies!

2011-01-01T09:19:00.000-08:00

2010-12-21T18:43:00.000-08:00

2010-12-20T10:58:00.000-08:00

In the midst of all the flurry and hurry,
don't forget the real meaning of this day...
Love was born on Christmas.
God sent Him to show us what God was really like.
Be sure to thank Him.

2010-11-24T07:16:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to all my wonderful Blogger Buddies!

Official Lab Colors

2010-11-23T09:27:00.000-08:00

A friend sent me this.
With all the gloomy weather, I thought I'd pass it on!

2010-11-06T10:44:00.000-07:00

The election is over, the results are known,
The will of The People is clearly shown.
Let's let bygones be bygones
And bitterness pass;
I'll hug your elephant,
...And you kiss my....donkey.

Beauty from the Past

2010-10-16T08:34:00.000-07:00

This gorgeous dresser set is from Austria.

It has a tray, wall plate, hair receiver and soap dish.

It is made of porcelain.

The manufacturer was Victoria Austria.

In my ongoing quest to get rid of too many things,

(even though they are beautiful)

I listed this for sale on Craigslist.

I hope it finds a good home!

It really is beautiful.

I just thought I would share it with you.

Olaf, Olaf, Pumpkin Eater

2010-10-14T10:08:00.000-07:00

This is a repeat from last year...

I thought it was really funny.

Dogs eat some really weird stuff sometimes...

Last year, I planted pumpkins for my grandkids.

I have never grown pumpkins before,

so I was very excited when they popped up

and began to flourish.

They put out pretty blossoms

that turned into tiny pumpkins after the flower lost its bloom...

This one came from Walmart in Carson City.

This one is the same size as the victim, about 6 inches,

(only mine was still green, not fully grown.)

Before Olaf ATE it!

Dogs eat pumpkins?

Apparently so.

With seemingly no ill effects, thank God.

But he is the reason the garden has a huge fence around it.

And the tomatoes only grow on the side

where he can't put his schnoozle through the fence and grab one.

Doesn't he look innocent?

He chases his kitties, too.

And races joyfully outside when I open the back door,

just to see the covey of quail explode into the air to escape him...

Everyone needs a hobby, I suppose.

When is the federal holiday for dufuses?

2010-10-11T17:08:00.000-07:00

Today, I was surprised not to find any mail in the box.
Oh well. That happens sometimes.
I got cleaned up to go to town.
The Unemployment Office here is very helpful
and I wanted to work on my resume.
Plus, there was a place where I wanted to drop off a resume.
I got about a mile down the road.
That's odd, I mused, where is the crossing guard? She's always here about now.
EXCEPT ON COLUMBUS DAY!
Duh.
Oh well. Flip a U-turn and go home. You can always do yard work...
(chuckle)

This is the best stuff...

2010-10-09T16:31:00.000-07:00

If you're like me,

always changing things,

putting new nail holes in the wall

for pictures or whatever,

you'll like this.

THIS IS NOT AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR DAP!

I was at the hardware store buying spackle

and I found this.

It goes on PINK

so you can see where it is and if it's covered your nail hole.

It's wonderful for we grammas who need glasses for everything!

And it dries white.

Interior or exterior.

I like it.

Just in case you're interested...

2010-10-04T14:02:00.000-07:00

I know it looks as if Olaf took the picture,

but this is from my Etsy store.

These are sachets with fragrant grosso lavender buds

from California.

If you're interested,

you can scroll down to

my Etsy store link and click on it.

Baby Sale

2010-09-14T22:24:00.000-07:00

     I was in the grocery store yesterday. Whenever I see a baby, I always have to stop and have a look.
     A young father was pushing a tiny boy in the grocery cart. He was a really cute little boy, and you could tell how sweet he was, just the expression on his face.
   "That is a really cute little boy," I told his dad.
He didn't miss a beat; "Aisle four, top shelf'" he said.
I cracked up.
After that, there was more silliness with remarks about more of them in stock, if they were returnable, and I left the store chuckling.

Busy, busy Summer!

2010-07-28T10:35:00.000-07:00

Greetings to all of my blog reader friends!
So much going on here...
Family problems (I'll spare you)
Visiting relatives (I'll bore you!)
Job hunting (why can't the census bureau keep it going? LOL)
I got to rescue and hold a humming bird! So cool!
The weather has been crazy here in N. Nevada.
I hope you are all enjoying your Summer!

Miracles

2010-07-09T07:37:00.000-07:00

      I am just an average Christian, certainly not perfect.
I lose my temper, sometimes snap at people and use terrible language when I hit my finger with a hammer.
It doesn't matter. God loves me totally. He loves YOU the same way...
     Both my kids always remember Mother's Day. And they call me, give me something special and they always make me feel loved.
     But THIS Mother's Day, I got a gift from Someone else...
     I have been working for the Census Bureau this year. My first area was rural. It necessitated my getting in and out of my truck a lot. As a result, a varicose vein on my right knee (a momento of having 3 babies in 3 years, which had never gone away) became very painful, inflamed and swollen.
     I did the usual things you do; every time I sat down, I put my foot up.
I used cruise control as much as possible.
Since my area was about 20 miles east of my house, I put my foot up in the truck.
(I wouldn't recommend doing this on the freeway in L.A., but rural Nevada was ok!)
I took aspirin, all the things you know to do. I was getting a little disgusted with my old body and thinking I would have to go to the doc. I prayed about it.
     Sunday morning in church, I started thanking the Lord for the job He had provided for me. I reminded Him that I DID need to be able to walk to do it.
     The worship started. Suddenly, the pain was gone. Just gone. I was dumbfounded. And delighted. And I kept thanking Him.
     No one touched me or prayed for me. He just did it! I had to wait to get home to check my knee out, since I was wearing jeans. When I did, I found the swelling was gone. The vein looked like an old collapsed balloon. And over the next few days, the swelling continued to go down.

The Lord is so good to me!

Happy Birthday, United States of America!

2010-07-04T01:27:00.000-07:00

The flag-raising on Mt. Surabachi, Iwo Jima, WWII

America is more than a country;

it is a dream come true.

Hairy Brown Angels

2010-06-17T11:15:00.000-07:00

When my children were small,

they had a story collection called

The Hairy Brown Angel.

The title story was about a family who had a dog

that absolutely refused to come in the house.

One rainy night to their surprise, he came in.

He planted himself in the kitchen,

in front of the cellar door

and wouldn't budge for anything, not even food.

The family finally gave up trying to coax him outside and went to bed.

The next morning, they found the cellar door open;

someone had been in the house!

And knew there was a dog upstairs.

***

Recently, my mom told me about a friend of theirs in the National Guard.

He and his wife and daughters live in rural Nevada.

When he found he was being deployed to the Middle East,

he was more than a little concerned about 'his girls'.

Until...

Several months before he left,

a huge, stray German Shepherd showed up on their place

and immediately adopted them.

Needless to say,

he went overseas with a great emtional weight gone.

I love stories like that;

God's protection in a fur coat!

Spring Flowers

2010-06-07T13:20:00.000-07:00

Bleeding Hearts...

Iris...

Snow Ball Bush...

Salvia

Dog Tales

2010-06-02T07:34:00.000-07:00

This year was the census year.
And I was a Census Enumerator.

A fancy term for someone who goes around and

knocks on the doors of people who didn't return their completed census forms.

To obtain said information.

We had a few VERY short days of training.

We learned safety measures and were given phone numbers.

We were taught to use our flimsy black census bags

to fend off hostile canines.

(Whoever dreamed that one up is probably still laughing)

My first area was rural-residential.

A lot of driving. Horses, cattle, llamas, sheep.

And a lot of big dogs. Most people will post signs

if their big dogs are man-eating.

(And NO TRESPASSING signs for similar owners.)

My second area was residential.

That's when I started wearing knee boots.

While most people with a big dog will stand in the doorway between you,
little dogs will come barking and snapping through their legs.

It always cracks me up to ring a doorbell and

hear the interior of a quiet house

explode into hysterical, high-pitched yapping.

Or see some dog snout nosing around the window,
trying to find the gap in the drapes so they can SEE what they're barking at.

No close calls for me, I'm happy to report.

My friend, the mail-carrier and I were comparing notes...

One day on her walking route, she had to knock to deliver a letter.
A small dog came snarling and barking out the door at her.

It was on her before she could put the heavy mail bag between them.

The vicious miniature brute untied both her shoe laces.

And ran back in triumph to the house!

Memorial Day

2010-05-31T18:20:00.000-07:00

Today, we remember.

All the soldiers, sailors and Marines.

Because without them,

we would not be free.
If you are a Viet Nam vet,
you are especially appreciated
from us in your generation.

Please pray for our country.

I don't know when I've seen it in worse shape
than it now is...

A Lovely Mother's Day Poem

2010-05-09T22:46:00.000-07:00

When I'm an Old Lady

When I'm an old lady, I'll live with each kid,

And bring so much happiness...just as they did,

I want to pay back all the joy they've provided

Returning each deed! Oh, they'll be so excited!