A Thankful Heart

Wednesday, November 21, 2012




"God has two dwellings;
one in heaven,
and the other in a meek and thankful heart."
~ Izaak Walton





And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, 
to which indeed you were called in one body;
and be thankful.
Colossians 3:15






Two thousand twelve
 has been a tough year for my family and I,
physically, mentally, and financially.

You never know when you read one's blog,
just what lies behind the pretty pictures and words on the screen.

As a blogger, it's not that you are "hiding" things,
but that you want to focus on the good, positive things when you blog.

Many things we've endured,
we just don't understand,
but Kevin, the children, and I know that God's grace and mercy is sufficient.

...and that He does,
 and will always carry us through the dark days!

Oh, how we have learned to truly rely on Him!

But,
 even in those difficult days,
there are still many, many sweet blessings!

So Thankful....

...So Blessed!

Wishing you and your families 
a very Happy Thanksgiving!

~ much love, Rhonda


Cotton, Burlap, Silver, & Baby's Breath

Friday, November 16, 2012



You gotta love a man
that shows up on your front porch in the middle of the day,
rings the doorbell,
has three stalks of cotton in his hand
and a grin from ear to ear.

Even if he lives in the same house,
is your husband,
and has a key to the door! ha!




Beautiful bolls of cotton,
dried, crumbly leaves,
 roots, dirt,
 and all...

A dozen red roses couldn't have meant more!
"smiles"

Especially considering that "said man" {husband}
has been dealing with some health issues for about 13 weeks,
flat on his back for most of that time,
and this was his first day out, ...alone!

And that it was quite a feat,
being that he is still far from well!




And to think,
I thought,
 that he never listens to me...

But he does!

He was taking it all in
as I whined communicated for three weeks
how much I wanted cotton.

...and how David and Wesley (Ash's friend)
refused to ride shotgun 
and help me borrow some from a nearby field!

Where's their adventurous spirit???




I just knew baby's breath would be the perfect combo
for the cotton.

Combined with a little burlap in the silver urn,
it makes quite a statement,
doesn't it?

Paired with a silver Turkey planter,
an auction find,
the vignette is ready for Thanksgiving!



Another recent auction find, below,
a Meriden B. pewter piece,
part of a larger set is filled with greenery.

Simple...







Also for Thanksgiving,
bought the Turkey carving set from a fellow booth seller
at Lou's during the Open House last night.












I'm off to do more cleaning and fluffing
for Thanksgiving.
We are hosting a dinner at our home on Wednesday evening.

But before I go...
a dear blogger friend,
Ceekay, from Thinkin' of Home
has been battling Ovarian Cancer for years.

She recently suffered a terrible reaction to a new Chemo
 and has been in the hospital.

Her wish is to take her family to Disney World.

If you'd like to help make this sweet, sweet lady's wish come true,
go over to Decor To Adore.

Laura, and a few other bloggers have a few options for donating!

Ceekay, our prayers are with you!




____________________________


Linking Post To:

Saturday Show and Tell @ Cheerios and Lattes
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage
Mop It Up Monday @ I Should be Mopping the Floor
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the Porch
Tabletop Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life
Cowgirl Up @ Cedarhill Ranch
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Gettin' Krafty With It @ Krafty Kat
Creatively Tuesday @ The Rustic Pig


Table & Chair - The Gossipy Kind

Tuesday, November 13, 2012





"Now, we're not ones to go 'round spreadin' rumors,
Why, really we're just not the gossipy kind,
No, you'll never hear one of us repeating gossip,
So you'd better be sure and listen close the first time!"


Watching Hee Haw on a Saturday night
was as much a childhood ritual for me,
 as going to church on Sunday morning,
or school the five days following!

Perched in front of the TV in our living room,
{the only one in the house},
I grew up singing the lyrics above,
right along with Misty Rowe, and the other Gossip Girls.




When I found the little gossip table at the auction last weekend
{more politely called a telephone table},
those lyrics came to mind, and I've been singing them ever since!

If that little table could talk,
can you just imagine the tales {gossip & rumors}, it could tell?!?

Especially if it was privy to a party line..
oh my...

Many previous generations would probably be blushing!




The chair was a Habitat for Humanity Restore purchase,
brought home in really rough shape!
{Didn't get a "before" shot}

With many rickety limbs,
it spent a day in traction while wood glue dried, 
before being painted AS Old White, and distressed.

New fabric upholstery and a matching pillow
were made from a pale green botanical printed linen.




The chair and table make a pretty good pair, don't they?

Maybe they knew each other in a previous decade! ;)




These two pieces went to my booth at Lou's,
where we will be having an Open House
celebrating the upcoming Christmas Season
on Thursday evening, November 15th ~ 5-8 p.m.

If you live in the Wilmington area,
Join us for Food, Drinks, and Prizes! 
...and lots of shopping!

Lou's Flower World
5128 Oleander Dr, Wilmington, NC 28403

______________________________


Linking Post To:
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm
Gettin' Krafty With It @ Krafty Kat
Wow Us Wednesdays @ Southern Savvy Style
Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here
Inspiration Friday @ At the Picket Fence
Vintage Inspiration @ Common Ground


Corn Huskin' 2012 - A College Tradition

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Seniors on the Balcony of Johnson Hall


This past weekend,
David, Wesley, and myself joined Ashley, and hundreds others to participate 
in a time-honored tradition at Meredith College,
Corn Huskin'.

Since Meredith is an all-girl's college,
without football or men's basketball
there isn't a traditional Homecoming, per-say,
other than Corn Huskin'.

Following a week of activities on campus,
family and friends of the girls are invited to come on Friday
to celebrate and take part in a string of festivities.

Having graduated from a larger university,
I never experienced the camaraderie as the girls of Meredith .
The sisterhood and sense of community is so rich!

First up,
a parade around campus...

The Crowd awaits the Parade


Dr. Jo Allen,
The President of Meredith College
and First Meredith Alumna to lead Meredith, below (left side)...



Each class was represented in the Parade.
Ashley's Class of 2015, below...



Don't these girls just look super excited!?!
They were! :)

They cheered, hollared, clapped, and sang their hearts out!



Ashley in the procession, below...

Each class had a theme.
The sophomore class's was Freaky Friday 
and most were wearing their "Freaky Friday" Sweats.







The Seniors had different entries in the parade,
as did various companies/stores from the surrounding community...









Remember this cute cow,
I have a little story about her at the end of the post..







Sweet Frog Yogurt Shop


Lilly P. Jeep




Can't possibly have a parade without a slew of Fire Trucks!



After the parade, the Senior Class gathered on the balconies of Johnson Hall
and were serenaded by the underclassmen.

I teared up ...just a little,
how sweet! :)



And there's my Meredith Angel, below,
wearing monogrammed jeans and pearls with her sweatshirt!

Have I trained her well, or not???  ha!



Ashley and her room mate, Ashley...



Ironically, they live across the hall from two Kayla's in a room, (I believe are their names!).






Ashley, Ashley, and best friend, Chelsea...



A special luncheon was held for the attending alumni,
on the grounds by the Chapel.

Wanted to include a few shots...
I thought the tables were so pretty dressed with the burlap cloths. 









The Tradition continued that evening,
as each class had a program, a short skit and dance,
and the classes competed against each other in 
Corn Shuckin',
Apple Bobbin',
and Hog Callin'.

{Disclosure: No live piggies were used in the Hog Callin' Contest! ha!}

Spectators surrounding the Amphitheater 

And boy, 
for such a pretty day, it sure did get frigid in Raleigh
when the sun went down!






The festivities concluded around 10 pm, with a breakfast in the BDH
{Belk Dining Hall}.

The meal was delicious!
Ashley said they were just showing off for the parents,
that usually it wasn't, and everything tasted the same ...all three meals of the day! ha!



On Saturday,
Ashley and I decided to take advantage of the traveling Broadway Production,
Jersey Boys,
live at the Durham Performing Arts Center.

Phenomenal  performance,
and if you live in the Raleigh area and haven't seen it, 
I highly recommend it!
{except for children, language was rough...}

...Playing through November 18th.

The music, singing/acting, and script was amazing!




There was so much we wanted to do over the weekend,
but unfortunately ran out of time.

The remainder of our stay was spent eating, yard'saling,
going to the State Fairgrounds Flea Market,
and combing the malls for THE perfect basketball shoes for David.

Whoever said girls were particular when shopping,
has never been with a 14 year old boy shopping for tennis shoes! ha!

We made a Target run on Saturday morning,
and I stumbled upon the deer head, below. I was ecstatic!

I strapped him in the seat for the ride home,
and threatened all passengers within an inch of their lives if they laid a finger on him! ha!

Can't wait to use him for Christmas!



So, back to the cow...
The Chick-fil-a Cow Mascot was in the Corn huskin' Parade,
and a really cute girl dressed in all pink was walking along with the Cow, 
 passing the little stuffed toys, below.

She singled David out, making a beeline in the crowd and asked if he'd like one.
He'll be 14 at the end of the month, and pretty girls are suddenly on his radar! ha!

I guess you had to be there, but let's just say, he was pretty proud of his cow,
...from the pretty girl! :)

The cow gained a front window seat for the ride home ...per a smitten young guy!




...And is now resting in a bowl of oranges in the kitchen.

I'm thinking of starting a new tradition.

Instead of Elf of the Shelf...
I think we'll search for the Cow everyday
...see where he turns up!

Hey, it'll save me $29.99,
...those little elves are kind of costly! ha!



DESIGNED BY ECLAIR DESIGNS