My little Ballerina. All dressed and ready to go to her first class.

The excitement is written all over her face.

Led by her soon-to-be first grade teacher, Mrs. L, back row in pink.

Warming up with "Butterfly" stretches.

Striking a pose. Love the orange gloves. Mrs. L had a big bag full of boas and gloves. The girls clamored for the pink and purple ones. Not Emma. Always wanting to be different.

None of the girls had any ballet experience. I'm thinking this is not a ballet move.

Timing was a challenge. Mrs. L is a patient soul.

We read this book on our breaks during the week.

"Dance Your Heart Out." She definitely did.

During the dance camp the girls also got to play with different art mediums.

Like decoupaging tissue paper and material. With a touch of bling of course.

Led by the marvelous Mrs. S. Look at the size of that jug o' glue! Mercy, I kept wanting to clean the table and "help" them with the placement of their tissue papers. Mrs. S had to remind me to allow the girls to have self-expression.

They got to layer pastels and water color with sprinkled salt to give it a glittery effect.

Even Daddy got in on the action.

After their recital, there was an art exhibit to show off their creations.

Blessings!

My home has gone through several transformations over the years. Finding my "niche" has been interesting and a slow process. A mix of eclectic and a mish mash of different styles.

Since blogging, I have come to love the vintage look. I have a thing for old, chippy, well-patina'd and well-loved treasures. Things that tell stories of the past. What's exciting to me is old things look fabulous mixed in with new!

First, for those of you who may not know her, let me introduce you to Tara the owner of the sweetest, most yummiest blog called Bondie 'N' SC.

She has been such a huge source of inspiration over this last year in helping me find a direction in decorating. I love her style. A mix of vintage and classic with a little bit of whimsy touches here and there. She has a great sense of humor. She is willing to open up and share her heart with her readers about things that she has gone through. And her little guy that she affectionately calls "Punk" is such a cutie pie. I encourage you to take some time to get to know her.

Oh, and she has a fabulous Etsy shoppe that she and her sweet Mama run filled with lots of vintagey goodies.

Her blog is sprinkled with photos of her home and decor.

My two recent faves:

Meet Lucy. Tara's vintage mannequin. She's all dolled up with a trail of sweet butterflies that Tara cut out of vintage sheet music. Look at those darling rosettes she attached to the skirt!

Get ready to sop up the drool off your keyboard:

Tara pinned feathery angel wings to Lucy's back.

I think she needs a little girl, don't you? Could you even imagine what her dress ups would look like?

I got the chance to meet Tara in real life. She is as sweet in person as she is in the virtual world. Walking in through the front door, the first thing I saw was her Welcome banner (found here) strung across an old window. I love how it looks above her fabulous theater chairs!

Tara's giveaway was so generous. Let me show you what I won:

Vintage train case that I adore. Can you imagine all the places it's been over its sweet little lifetime? I've been wanting one since I saw these.

If the case wasn't enough, she also included some other vintage lovelies:

An old sweep, vintage sheet music, and some pretty lace.

Sweet, tiny salt and pepper shakers from Tara's Shoppe. Love the little tray they sit on!

Some old monogrammed forks to add to my growing collection.

Two vintage grocery price tags. Love how they look sticking up in the flower frog!

And my latest project. The infamous hutch. Poor guy. He went from green to black and now white. I still need to finish the bottom. I really like how the white brings out the wood on the back wall as well as the scalloped edges. I'm going to fill the shelves with cream dishes and ironstone.

I bought this sweet vintage apron from Tara (check out the other ones in her shoppe!). Love the black roses and black polka dot fabric!

I fell in love with the purple ric rac around the edges and on the pocket! Reminds me of something my Gramma Bea would have worn.

What's making you smile this week?

Blessings!

My son works at a sandwich shop. It just so happens that there is an Anthropologie store right across the way. Oh how I love to visit him as often as I can. Okay, who am I foolin'. I have my motives for "needing" a sandwich. After popping in to wish my dear son a great day, I enjoy a visit at Anthro. They always have such lovely goodies to look at.

Most of the time out of my lil ol' budget.

However, there comes a time when you fall in love with something on the shelf that you don't even care what the price tag says. Well, this was one of those times.

I spied theeee sweetest butter dish I ever laid eyes on. There were several lined up on the shelf and of course I had to look at each one. And you know what? There was one lil lady whose mouth was painted slightly "off" like a smirk. The others didn't. Well we all know which one came home with me.

Yep, the one with an attitude. She seems to be sayin' "Sure, I'll share some butter with you, but you best put my dress back on my plate when you're done!" heehee

Look at that profile. Oh my, she makes me giggle.

She greets me ever so sweetly in the morning as I make my toast.

Oh, and I just couldn't pass by her friends hanging next to her...

Love that each measuring spoon handle is different and vintage inspired.

Blessings!

She was born on a Monday morning six years ago. Precious little one fresh from Heaven. What a blessing to our family. The light in our life.

A lover of dancing. One day a ballerina. Her favorite book? Angelina Ballerina of course.

Mama's little helper in the kitchen. Stepping up to the counter on her vintage blue stool. Her favorite recipe? Brownies. And licking the spoon clean.

Avid reader. Learning how to read opened up a whole new world for her. A little sponge. "Mama, can I read to you at bedtime tonight?" *sigh*

Fashionista. No limit to the imagination. Shorts worn over pants? Why not? She has a way of making it look fabulous. Scarves, jewelry, and headbands are a must with every outfit.

For example. Notice below green dress worn over black & white striped sweater and bumble bee red pajama bottoms. That's my girl.

Sweet, sensitive, and funny. That's our Emma.

Her "cooking" party was a success.

All of her favorite girlfriends. And oh yah, one favorite boyfriend too. Can you spot him? The only one without a hat on. The bobby pins wouldn't stay on his buzz cut hair. heehee

No cooking party is complete without a cute chef's hat, right? Made out of white poster board and white tissue paper. The birthday girl got aqua.

We decorated cupcakes. Thank goodness for Gramma. And frosting bags.

And sweet sister Lyssie.

Lots of sprinkles and other yummy decorating treats!

Happy Birthday song!

Marshmallow relay race. Great entertainment for the Moms!

Cheering on their teams.

There was hoola hooping.

And bubble blowing.

And presents to unwrap.

Birthday banner made from scrapbook paper.

And white chocolate dipped marshmallow pops. (I added two drops of red food coloring to the melted chocolate to make them pink)

Goodie bags for each guest. Filled with a wooden spoon, cookie cutters (each had their own initial cutter!), candy, and cool aid packet.

Happy Birthday Little Lady!

Laura from Along For the Ride is hosting a

90 Days of Kindness Challenge.

She says this about Kindness:

Kindness is radical living.
It is going the distance with people
giving hope to someone who is difficult
having manners
not bringing up others wrongs
not keeping score
promoting others
putting others first
being patient when it's really really hard
forgiving others when it's even harder

Kindness is
patient
happy with what it has
humble
slow to anger

Kindness delights in truth

Kindness always trusts
hopes
survives

I am inspired by these words. They touch the depths of my soul.

I read these words over and over a few times. Then I started to "check-off" as I read down the list of what Kindness means. I do pretty well with most of them. But giving hope to someone who is difficult? Oh, that's a tough one. I'm not so good at that. I like happy people. Easy-going people. Do I really need to be kind to difficult people? The answer is yes. God calls me to be.

What about being patient when it's really, really hard?

Or forgiving people when it's even harder?

Well, I stumble at those too. I have some work to do. And I think this Challenge will be good for me. A daily reminder of what's important. Helping me to go the extra mile in my relationships. Seeing others with Jesus' eyes. Not just with my own flesh-covered eyes.

Will this be a difficult challenge? Well, what exactly is a challenge anyway?

Definition: A call or summons to engage in any contest, as of skill, strength, etc.

To engage takes action. It's one thing to know what it means to be kind. But quite another to practice it. To actually do it.

So yes, I would say this will be at times a difficult challenge. Especially on those days when I'm running short on patience. Or I'm being pulled in many directions. It will be on those days when the Lord brings someone difficult across my path. Or when He asks me to be patient in a hard time. I might even be faced with having to forgive someone when it hurts.

My prayer and desire is that I will react with Kindness.

Will you join me on this journey? Who's in? Leave me a comment if you're in so that I can encourage you along! We'll do it together.

Click {here} for the Challenge details.

Linking up to Melissa's Inspired By Friday Party

Blessings!

A cute floral 3-tier stand for $4.99, a pretty brass wall sconce for $2.99, and a silver Ikea chunky candle holder for $1.99.

3-tier stand after:

I loved the red floral design, but I have been looking for something similar in white for our guest bathroom. Out came the Heirloom White spray paint.

Wall sconce after:

You know how I feel about brass. Again, a coat of Heirloom White did the trick. I really love it next to my new Home Goods mirror in the entryway. On the hunt for another sconce similar for the other side of the mirror.

And the silver candle holder. Didn't need to change it. Perfect as is:

Still slowly but surely adding silvery things to my black hutch. Now I'm on the hunt for ironstone dishes to mix in.

What treasures have you found lately?

Blessings!

I'm linking to these friends this week: (their lovely buttons are on my daily link-up sidebar)

Thrifty Treasures

Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays

Met Monday

Power of Paint Party

Show and Share Day

Transformation Thursday

Show and Tell Friday

My beautiful Sister, Lyssie of Life of Lyssie is celebrating her one year blogiversary! Isn't she purdy?

She is offering a very generous $50 gift card to the winner's choice of Home Depot, Home Goods (my personal fave), or Target.

Lyssie has been my inspiration in life. She has persevered through much, overcome much, and grown much. She has touched others with her testimony. Her happy outlook on life is contagious! I love her sense of humor, her compassionate heart, her loyalty, and her love for the Lord.

She's an awesome Mama and wife. She has a beautiful family. I'm sort of smitten by her toddler AJ.

Oh, and did I mention that I also love her style? She has an eye for fashion and can put together a fabulous outfit in a split second. She's transforming her new home with some cool projects. Check out her recent bathroom makeover!

If you don't know Lyssie and her sweet blog, please take a moment to visit. And make sure to enter her giveaway! I know she would love for you to put her button on your sidebar to help spread the word!

Blessings!

One is thirteen.

The other is six.

I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

They are at different ends of the spectrum, but I have the same goal for them both. To equip them with the knowledge, experience, and tools to one day be lovers of their own homes as they fly this nest.

The dictionary definition of homemaker is: a person who manages the household of her own family.

Being a homemaker is not just knowing how to make a bed or scramble some eggs.

It's much, much more than that.

It's knowing how to create a place for their families where they feel warm, safe, and loved. A comfortable haven away from the outside world that can often times be a harsh, cold place.

Knowing how to fill their home with the sense that the Lord is present. Through worship, loving uplifting words spoken, hugs and kisses given, and God's Word read.

How can we as Mamas pass this wisdom on to our girls? First and foremost, by allowing God to be the center of all we teach. By surrounding ourselves with other Mothers who have this common thread. By reading helpful, encouraging books from trusted authors who can lend us a hand.

I'm a supporter of a new site called

Raising Homemakers.com.

They are dedicated to "inspiring, teaching and blessing mothers who have an interest in raising their daughter in godliness and preparing them in the arts of homemaking to the glory of God."

I encourage you to check it out {here}.

Sarah Mae of Like a Warm Cup of Coffee is one of ten contributors of Raising Homemakers. These ladies will share their wisdom - the things they've learned along the way. I look forward to gleaning from them.

Do you have homemakers in training? If so, where do you find inspiration and encouragement?

Joining these friends

Melissa for Inspired By Friday

The Girl Creative for New Friend Friday

You were born on a sunny day in May. Just 5 pounds 13 ounces. Our firstborn. Your father and I were so young, but very ready to become parents. So tiny, you fit in the palm of our hand. Your little legs stretching up the length of our forearm.

Such a sweet boy.

Twenty years later to this day. Now a man. Loving and sensitive. Compassionate spirit. Kind to all. Confident in who you are. You love the Lord. You are a pleasure to spend time with.

Getting ready to spread your wings and fly into the world. To start your own life. Explore. A day I have always thought would be bitter-sweet. Not wanting you to leave the nest, but excited to see what lies ahead for you. Mixed emotions.

My prayer is that we have equipped you with every good thing you need in life to be on your own one day soon. Trusting the Lord to do the rest.

I thank God for bringing you into my life. And I'm very proud to be your Mama.

Happy Birthday my sweet Son!

We enjoyed a nice grilled fish and baked potato family dinner together. The green plate goes to the guest of honor. We used to have a red plate for birthdays, but sadly, it broke so the green is temporary until I replace it! Notice the handmade birthday cards on the table. It's tradition!

Now on to the winners! I'm so excited to announce my following friends who won 3 different prizes.

Prize #1 - Birdie Tea Towel from Tattered Goods

Goes to...

Comment #13 - Summur of Braley Mama

Prize #2 - Pair of Rose Bud Earrings from Our Daily Chocolate

Goes to...

Comment #2 - Lyssie of Life of Lyssie

Prize #3 - French Script Taper Candles from The Shabby Chic Cottage

Goes to...

Comment #75 - Heidi of Dreams Intertwined

And, for EVERYONE...

Ashley, of Our Daily Chocolate so graciously offered all of my lovely readers 15% off a pair of her FAB Rose Bud Earrings! That makes them only $8.50/pr! If you would like to order some, simply leave a comment and let me know. I will give you the details. Offer ends this weekend! Her earrings are so sweet. I bought a cream pair and just got them in the mail. Love them!

I want to thank my sweet friends Sheila, Ashley, and Gina for being a part of this fun giveaway! You girls rock!

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