Beagle Run Way

come back kid

2012-02-16T14:00:00.000-08:00

trying a comeback. my Tab refuses to share my gallery of pics. will see if I can figure out soon. ;s

denisemarie

Guts and all!

2011-05-23T12:24:00.000-07:00

Happy Blue Monday, Bloggers! I sure miss Ya'll!!

I just can't seem to get everything together to blog or swap or anything lately. Just incident after incident these days. Maybe this Summer I'll catch up and have things to show and accomplishments I can be proud of to share??

Got something silly today...

This is the guts of a baseball that we found in our yard. We suppose Jack Beagle got it and ate at the leather and left this mess.

Life is Gut-wrenching at times!!

Deep breathes...xox, DeniseMarie

Let Love bloom

2011-05-20T15:37:00.000-07:00

It was recently Nurse Appreciation Week.
I was in N.C. with my in-laws. I felt like I got to experience a second Spring!! It was beautiful.
I brought this bouquet to the nurses helping Hubby's Dad. It started with a pot & oasis from like 2 or 3 years ago that I had sent MIL flowers in. I used a sharpie marker to embelish it with words like Joy, Love, Peace..all around the rim.

This is their rosemary bush. I have to rub it and smell my hand often while I'm there. I also have to sigh that I cannot grow the amazing herb myself?? Our climates are similar but I must not treat mine right. I probably give it too much attention & water and she just ignores this and look at it!! Our bouquet was stuffed full with this as the base. It smelled divine. She picked it herself!

She got 3 rose bushes from the woods years ago and they all bloomed while I was there. I learned for the 1st time this trip that this is called 7 sisters and it is such a sweet lil rose. The smell is ever so sweet but very faint. It grows in clumps. It went into the pot too. lol

Then, I took a 1 mile hike to the road to collect the daisies and yellow wildflowers. The smell of honey-suckle where I was picking the flowers was heady!! It took me right back to my childhood at my G-parents home that had a huge bush.

She even had a floral pick for us to prop our butterfly card onto. It felt right to put this together and give it. I wrote a scripture inside to thank them for their selfless service to others.

Choose Love & Grace!! It changes the atmosphere!! I really got to see this in a special way...even thru this simple act.

xox, DeniseMarie

Rainbow moments

2011-05-17T14:58:00.000-07:00

I think some moments or seasons that are thrown at us that take our breathe away are meant to grow us, change us and test our Faith and Endurance. I try to pray, sing and smile my way thru them. The Lord usually shows me amazing passages of scripture as I go thru these times. I found 1 in the Psalms this past week that delighted my heart and suited the situation. Maybe we are like this trained jasmine vine I saw in my neighborhood Sunday...and we are weaving a beautiful pattern of life as we go along.

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the Lord, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in truth. ~Psalm 96:11-13

I'm trying to color outside the lines like my youngest. He got into my sharpies and blinged out his clone war trooper batallion. lol He tells me to "Taste the rainbow, Mom!!"

I love to stop, look and listen when seasons come that are different than we expected. There are moments to delight in along this journey that are up-lifting and meant to help us go from strength to strength.

xox, DeniseMarie

Walks to remember

2011-05-10T06:07:00.000-07:00

Hello Bloggers!!
I sure have been enjoying the Spring season in all it's glory!

found this gorgeous tree in the back woods of the property on Papa's farm. It just looks spectacular!

collected on a walk thru the property. lots of fallen eggs, love that robin's egg blue color. There are plenty of species of birds here. We've seen a few we don't even recognize. There is 1 here with brown coloring but glorious red on the head and body. Mama Bear at Love Bears All Things was right...it is a purple finch!! there is a blue bird nest right out on the grape vine too.

Take a walk...breathe deep...enjoy the remnants of the Spring season!!

xox, DeniseMarie

Rosey view

2011-04-20T07:02:00.000-07:00

This is my driveway bed; this rose bush refuses to stand up. It is right where the boys get out of my SUV. It looks exactly like it's buddy right down the aisle but it must be a climber or creeper. Hubby is threatening to rip all of this up and concrete a bigger driveway. We'll need to eventually, but it is so pretty. Pretty is as pretty does, I guess. But, the birds love it too.

This 1 is perfectly standing up and staying back a little like it is suppose to.

Hope you have a rose of a day, with no thorn pricks, of course.

Moo

2011-04-12T04:17:00.000-07:00

Happy Tuesday, Bloggers!

Moooooooo!

I went to NASA Johnson Space Center with the 5th graders and all I'm showing Ya'll today is some of the Longhorn steers on the property. Did you know they are on-site?? It is a neat program where the local high school kids from the school district raise them in FFA. They get to graze the grounds and delight everyone with their calm demeanor and those awesome horns.

I'm joining in at 3 or more Tuesday at

the Gypsy's Corner

Pink Bloomin'

2011-04-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

We've got some amazing PINK bloomin' going on at Beagle Run Way!

..very full and lush, indeed.

And a few more bushes up front.

Happy Blog Hoppin':

Show n Tell Friday(already 265 entries)

Happy Pink Saturday(last week 219 entries)

Use your brain, Tom.

2011-03-25T06:33:00.000-07:00

When my oldest son was about 6 he hollered at the tv screen, "Use your brain, Tom!!" LOL!!
Sometimes, we are having 1 of those days or weeks or seasons, right?

Let's determine to Fake it until we Make it!! To God be the Glory!!

DeniseMarie

Pre-school Worker

2011-03-15T11:51:00.000-07:00

I've started Subbing at my church Preschool. It is a big leap of Faith for me.
I haven't worked for many years. I'm hoping and prayerful for a 3 day a week spot next school year. Nate even had the teacher that I would love to replace. She is gonna go be a G'ma full-time for 2 grandbabies. It would be such a joy and blessing to be able to start working again without going downtown for an Accounting spot. I am willing to work and have been truly blessed to stay home with my boys and volunteer all my hours. But...we moved...we could use more $$ for taxes and fees and gas for the carpool so off to work I go. I am humbled that the Lord would use me again outside the home. And, I'm over~joyed that I may get a spot so close to home, easy for me to accomplish, exactly fits our needs, not interupting my home duties. Esp. because it is my beloved church, all the preschool songs and activities still live in my heart from when the boys went thru it.
Yes, Lord...I am a willing servant...even still.

I have it in me to do all of this again.
I just have to trust the Lord to keep me strong and creative. lol

I can do all things thru Christ who strengthens me. ~Phil 4:13

1st time to join in at {Titus 2}SDAYS
Rednesday at Sue Loves Cherries

DeniseMarie

Moody Gardens Aquarium

2011-03-09T04:25:00.000-08:00

My birthday had a wonderful suprise this year.

Naters had been sick all week and his fever finally broke. He couldn't go to school yet so he and I made a precious memory together...

We went to Moody Gardens Aquarium in Galveston, TX.

This is a HUGE complex of areas to explore and we just did 1 activity. They are about to re-open the Rain Forest pyramid shown here. It was such a beautiful day too.

We had a membership for 1 year about 4 years ago and this was a fun rememberance of those days.

I thought the penguins would be the show stoppers but they napped the whole time we were there.

There was a touch tank and a hands off tank full of sea stars, anemonies and the like.

Every color...who can imagine such beauty under the water??

God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:10

Who was awake and much fun to behold...the seals!!

They had a ball they were throwing around and dive bombing. lol

This gal was a hoot!!

She would swim back and forth between 3 tank view windows for all the kids and cameras. You couldn't see her until she was right up on the window and she loved the drama.

Can you see the White Sea Horse?? Amazing!

They are crazy, glorious creatures!

I could have sat in here for an hour! Sharks, schools of fish. Big and little all around. It reminded me of the mural in the boys playroom for many years. They had an Arctic Adventure theme. Now that we've moved and nearly every single room is painted boring beige...I gotta come up with something cool, right.

I had a camera...how could I resist this inspiration in the girls bathroom??

This would be cool in a kids bath or the floor of a pool,

it got my wheels spinning.

Finding Nemo flashback. lol

See the 2 Blowfish that look like the rocks. lol

That's all Folks!!

Linky:

All Things Inspired

DeniseMarie

Opening Day Little League

2011-03-06T07:06:00.000-08:00

This year I got towards the end of the parade instead of the front. Here comes the lead Fire truck making noise, honking and flashing his lights. lol All the kids and families line the streets to catch the candy as it is thrown off the floats by players. They are always begging for the candy back by the end of the route.

I thought this golf cart pulling the trailer was cool!

How did this team get a San Fran trolley car?? How awesome!

This Liberty bell belongs to a local church and weighed tons.

This is our Phillies team!!

Gotta love this truck..the big Dawgs. lol

Gotta love a John Deere tractor in the middle of all the red with a TeePee for the Braves.

They all end back up on the big field and circle the infield and wait for their team to be announced.

Let's Play Ball!!

Seasonal Sunday post anticipating a terrific Little League season!!

DeniseMarie

Waiting on you, Lord

2011-03-03T11:34:00.000-08:00

Well, this pantry is now stuffed to the hilt!!

this is the room where my craftroom will be set up. (former owner's office)

This kitchen is for sale, but not the beagle. lol

we have been negotiating since Open House with a savvy young couple about to marry. We are so hopeful and prayerful to hear great news this afternoon. Please, Lord..let us have closure to move forward into the plans you gave us!!

EDIT: We got a contract!! It feels great!!

DeniseMarie

For Sale on Feb 25th

2011-02-23T07:40:00.000-08:00

Well, we've been working on our Honeymoon Cottage...aka...Beagle Run Cottage for 6 months solid to get her market ready. 3 of those months were during the Holidays and with us living at Beagle Run Way. Wow, it has been quite the job to join my Hubby in his dream and vision for our family!! Almost more than I could bear up under. We have expanded our Faith...gotten our feathers ruffled but kept smiling...finished all our dream projects for this home. We were there for 17 years so I'm really attached!!

This is the new roof, painted trimwork, new columns, shutters and black landscape mulch my Real Estate Agent asked us to put out. None of it has been any small feat.

We have felt that we need to get our best foot forward. The scripture about doing unto the Lord to give your best comes to mind. It is in God's hands now. We had a box of wood laminate flooring left over so we used it to make the stair landing sing. :) I can't get started about how much it took to do all the trim painting the way we always intended it to be. The entire upstairs got new carpeting.

Our son's dinosaur room is looking so good! That volcano and Triceratops might look un-assuming but we had to call our dear friend back out that painted it all in 2004 to fix that area where the 3 palm trees are. We had a speaker box removed from every bedroom and had to patch and paint to look like nothing ever happened. She did an amazing job!

This was my craft room and it is staged and ready for showings and an open house on Sunday. We have a set of wingback chairs near the front window there and this piece Hubby got me that is staged and looking pretty...not full of all my junk. lol

Blogging Buddy Love to any who will join us in our Faith and prayer for the Lord's blessing on our effort!! My birthday was Friday, February 25th and I've felt we should have her on the market that day and I'm calling for it to blow a young family away and it will be sold by March 15th....20 day turn-around..against all odds. Today is our open house and she is shining like a diamond!!

Well, that is how we have been using our Texas Sunshine.
Happy Seasonal Sunday, let's go see what else is going on in other blog spots.

DeniseMarie

Valentine's Post

2011-02-13T14:36:00.000-08:00

I put all of the nutcrackers up except this 1 that looked like the King of Hearts to me.

It has been fun seeing all my Val stuff corralled into this curio in the entry hall.

I made the boys red velvet cupcakes but they were gone so fast I didn't even get a pic of them. This is technically not a gadget but my huge sponge painted bowl and Pampered Chef spatula make me so happy to use in the kitchen. It means I'm baking and baking fo my guys makes me happy.

This is by our tv, non-conventional Val tree..

on the closet near the front door..

at the front door for all the lil boys that ding dong daily.

Valentine's Day is such a fun holiday and I hope you've been having lots of fun with it..esp. in the kitchen.

I didn't send out any Valentines and that is not like me.

Happier than a Pig in Mud always has the funnest parties!!

Join the gang for the Kitchen Gadget Party.

Happy Rednesday with

Sue Loves Cherries

xox, DeniseMarie

happy hearts

2011-02-10T10:40:00.000-08:00

I got this lil glittery red tree at Hobby Lobby 80% off last month. I used various things from last years clearance sales around town to fill this tree. It is on my bkfst table delighting us each time we sit or walk by.

When I took down the Christmas decor I put up the Valentine festive pieces from my stash at our front door. My boys haven't even noticed the Precious Moment boy getting an X-ray with his bootie showing. lol

More coming soon...Happy Hearts make the Lord react to us and move mountains for us!!

It's Thankful Thursday in bloggie world

Bloggie Love, DeniseMarie

Icicle wonder

2011-02-06T01:47:00.000-08:00

It's Seasonal Sunday in TX.

Gotta show ya'll the way my boys enjoyed our School's Closed on Friday. It did not snow :(..

Yougest guy got up as early as possible to see if it was snowing...what a let down.

So...we did not get a snow day as much as an ice on the car, roads and plants day.
I thought they were just bringing a piece of ice in but it was much more spectacular than that.
We found icicle stamps on our leaves!!

Wow...really cool!!
They figured out we could lift an imprint right off the leaves. I'm not sure how they figured that out before smashing it all up. Boys!! lol

I think we lost a few plants at both houses because we never covered anything up. :/

This is the best cold weather gear we got folks. We are not use to the 20's/30's around these parts.

I kept hollerin' at them out the door...remember to protect your hands and ears. lol

Spring Baseball try-outs in front of the coaches the past 2 Saturdays.
That is Hubby hunkered down in 1 of those chairs. It looks beautiful and sunny but was very chilly and windy. Had to worry a little about him hanging out so much the last 2 weekends in the cold, chilly winds. I think Baseball warms his heart though. :)

Love me some Seasonal Sundays. Helps us remember to look back at the highlights of the week and realize how blessed we are and how much fun we had!!

Bloggie Love, DeniseMarie

Basketballs and a Beagle

2011-02-03T16:22:00.000-08:00

Wow, I really miss blogging when too many chances are missed to blog a blurb. I miss all my Buddies too.

My head is always thinking about scapbook lay-outs. I had to get this picture to remind me that it would be cool to create this in paper form for a double lay-out of my fav player.

Also, last week I caught Jack Beagle in a Coup!!

He moved his pet bed about 6 feet from it's normal position near Dad's chair and captured the opportunity to be warm and cozy. Hysterical! ;)

Bloggie Love, DeniseMarie

Derby Racing

2011-01-09T18:13:00.000-08:00

It is that season once again...

Pine Wood Derby Racing for Royal Ambassadors or Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. I have to share a few shots of our weekend for Seasonal Sunday. :)

saw this at Borders and got it for my Derby Dudes...

they already had this out...

that tiny flat piece of wood in the top left corner is the car for this years race in works...

I loved being there!! I got to go around and talk to all the guys and gals about their cars and how they designed and created their masterpieces. This is my fav Royal Ambassador.

they were all so cute judging each other's works and talking about their own. We had as many GAs as RAs and they rocked the competion.

That car in her lil hands is a slice of pizza and it was smokin' hot. lol

Look how sweet my guy is...he dressed to match his car. His Momma went looking at 3 different stores to get him the flourescent orange paint color he wanted this year. The whole family was looking at google images to help with the design. He chose the Fleur De Lis and blue flame design. I guess the other kids thought it was cool because not only did he win fasted car...he got best in show for boys his age.

Sweet!!

DeniseMarie

Peace, Love & pretzels

2011-01-06T10:02:00.000-08:00

I haven't baked much lately except I did make my boys some blueberry muffins with banana mixed in for good measure...we gobbled them right up. :D and a few tins of biscuits and cinnamon rolls.
Here is what I did for neighbors for Happy New Year hand-outs:

I still had a few rods to use up and had gotten Hubby this tub from World Market for work. He really wants the bigger, fatter ones but I'm not sure they are making them anymore??

Yes, I had another dunking session because I got way too many bags of melting chocolate on sale at JoAnn's fabric right before Christmas. I underestimated the need for some things and over-estimated the chocolate.

These rods make me think of Happy New Year fire-works. I used up my whole supply of sprinkles. It will be fun looking for some for Valentines & Spring varieties.

Yes, I even used up our turtle sprinkle jar.

used up all my food safe cello bags too. Ya'll remember I gotta bless our new neighbors and all our old neighbors who are putting up with our "dust" as we prep for the for Sale sign in our yard.

I'm looking forward to 2011.
No matter what comes, happens, falls...we are fix'n our eyes on Jesus...the Author and finisher of our faith here at Beagle Run Way!!

I'm thankful for blogging!! I'm thankful for our home, job, children, God's grace & mercy upon my household, for the talent and gifting to prepare our previous home for sale, great neighbors there and new neighbors here.

I'm tagging in to Thankful Thursday.

A few of my fav things Friday
Show & Tell Friday

xox, DeniseMarie

British Invasion

2011-01-03T07:41:00.000-08:00

1 of the 1st things I noticed when I started blogging was the Keep Calm & Carry on posters on some side bars. I had never known about them or the backstory. Love at 1st sight because I need to think like this everyday & it reminds me of the Narnia story I've read to the boys and watched the movies with them. Here are a few of my fav new finds with twists:

this is a gorgeous cyan blue poster that I found as an image while googling recently & printed out. Credit for this freebie goes here. I found a purple 1 that I love too, here. Purple makes me think of royalty & my amethyst birthstone. Had to print this 1 too.

so, when I saw this...needed it for my kitchie pantry:

I had to copy this 1 in case I think of a great slogan to put on it:

Meme's I'm joining in:

Blue Monday

3 or more Tuesday

Rednesday

xox, DeniseMarie

Blessings abound

2010-12-28T12:47:00.000-08:00

I'm changing my blog decor& banner a little.

And we've been playing at the new house too. We found a fitting table for the breakfast nook. It was meant to be here. Also, my Mom loved her 3 tiered desert tray (we put it together & used it here) that we gave to her for Christmas. She could not believe such a treasure existed to match her Santa dish set. It was great fun watching her open all 3 special serving pieces. She got the tiered, a gravy boat & utensil pot.

Mom & I used a Paula Deen recipe to spruce up our Christmas spiral ham. It was basically whole cloves and pineapple & cherries all added to make it pretty and sweet tasting. I found the recipe on Food Network site. Of course, we glazed it too.

Jack Beagle had fun playing with my brother's bulldog pup...Moose! My brother spent $1,800 for this dog!! We outfitted our entire man-cave game room for that kind of money..that is another story for another blogging day!

My buddy that gave us the nutcracker giant suprised us and popped in on Christmas night.

It is feeling more and more like home here at Beagle Run Way!!

I wish you all a Happy New Year too!
DeniseMarie

Checking out the last Rednesday of 2010..
Sue Loves Cherries
She is doing a Valentines tag swap...Fun!!
&
Show n Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Christmas is in the air!!

2010-12-23T08:59:00.000-08:00

Can you feel it!! Christmas Spirit...Peace on Earth...Goodwill to fellow man!!

It is palatable this time of year!!, Huh.

You cannot possibly know what you mean to me if you are a blogging buddy of mine!!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!!

Denise Marie

Martha Stewart is everywhere

2010-12-22T13:50:00.000-08:00

Has anyone else noticed that Martha Stewart continuously expands her universe? We all know she can bake and throw a mean party but I have seen her in new frontiers lately. I found drawer pulls at Home Depot for my Master bathroom in the Martha Stewart line.

I also used her huge ornaments for outdoor decor this season. Non-breakables are great.

got them at The Home Depot too.

Need more...hope to find them 1/2 off.

I've been taping her show again lately and she had a giving episode today and I found a great resource blog that was featured: What Gives 365...

http://whatgives365.wordpress.com/ This amazing woman's Dad died and left them their inheritance and she began giving. She spent a year giving $100/day to various charities all over the world.

“To do good, you actually have to DO something.” ~Yvon Chouinard

Martha Stewart and her universe of products, it can be a good thing. :)

I don't feel complete unless I'm giving.
I still owe a blog swap gift and Cindy @ RickRack & Gingham a paper delivery. Fibro has me limited, but I haven't forgotten.

DeniseMarie

Food gifts

2010-12-16T12:12:00.000-08:00

I love to give food gifts. It takes a lot of organization the way I do it and I can't do it all the way I plan it in my head!! :)

This was the 1st time I've done pretzel rods.

It was a blast!!

I found the pretzel bags and candy melts at JoAnn's fabric and the pretzel tub at BigLot.

Jingle all the way, Baby!! DeniseMarie

Happy Dec. 15th

2010-12-15T09:55:00.000-08:00

Physical limitations are hard to respect.

Neurological processing challenges are unexpected when they hit..

But, Thank you, Lord, for Blogging. JOY

At least you can feel like you've gotten out for a moment to share your world.

This is our lil scene in the front yard. The boys are playing football everyday so I am limited on how much yard they'll allow me to use. lol

An angel, a baby Jesus (my cabbage patch kid from when I was 18) and a cow my G'ma sent from Massachusetts a decade ago.

I love to sneak out really early am and early again pm to put the spotlight on as peeps are coming and going to work.

Look what I spied out my son's bedroom window the other day too. Had to share with the Rednesday crowd. Wonder what she bought..maybe a whole bedroom suite...maybe a chaise lounge or buffet for her dining room. I didn't see what happened after they drove up. I just thought it was a cool sighting.

Happy Rednesday!! with Sue Loves Cherries

DeniseMarie

Not even a mouse.

2010-12-13T14:50:00.000-08:00

All I can say is Wowza!!

#10 is amazing.

Fabric and yummy layer after layer on this 1. The fabric is mouses running all over the place!!

Seriously??

This precious mouse was stuffed inside. He's got a gingerbread cookie, a cool sewn tail and a bell on his hat.

Way too cute!!

what a treasured work of art!!

can't give the proper credit?? a few boxes are missing the tag with name and blog??

I'm running late with my posts, I have a swap box to send and my Fibro is thru the roof.

Just trying to breathe in and out and know it is gonna all turn out fine.

Be blessed...be full of JOY!! DeniseMarie

more lil treasures

2010-12-11T06:05:00.000-08:00

Absolutely NO idea who to credit for this awesome Gingerbread Man box???

Love the layers created on this beauty.

Full of fun! Love the ticket glued inside the pretty colored drawer.

Still need to show my son the paper doll minis..He'll think they are cool.

Kelly Baxter...you rocked it!

CherryKingdom

Must load more photos because 10 and 11 are so amazing too.

DeniseMarie

Rednesday Natecrackers

2010-12-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

Can't miss out on Rednesday!!

Anyone remember these?

I've emptied a box (challenged by a friend) into a display case in my new entry hall.

Nate's Nutcrackers! TaDa!

If I had any gumption I would find 1 of my many crystal bowls for the bottom and dump all the lil ornament guys into it to finish the look. We'll see if that happens. lol

Christmas Joy to see it everyday,
especially on Rednesday with Sue Loves Cherries

DeniseMarie

Matchboxes

2010-12-06T07:30:00.000-08:00

Well, the matchboxes have been established on a lil tree in the living room.

Please come over to Christ is the Heart of Christmas to see some of the discoveries.

DeniseMarie

Advent season is here

2010-12-03T08:26:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone is being blessed and having a delightful Advent season!!

Linda at A Swap for All Seasons has us all able to check out the treasures as they get unwrapped and opened up all over the country.

Merry Christmas!! DeniseMarie

Thankful sweat equity

2010-11-26T07:18:00.000-08:00

Missing Ya'll so much!!

Moving and having all kinds of hang ups, set ups, and mess ups...it all goes with the turf of making changes.

Had to have our new fridge repaired??? Whatever.

But a tiny JOY in the middle of it all...Ballard's Design order came to my door.

These are $20 switchplates that they had on clearance for $5 each.

I also got a few other treasures on estate sale prices. :)

this was my 1st package at my new spot.

I ordered 4 of them for the laundry room, this odd hallway to the kitchen, the muddroom and the potty off the kitchie hall.

What was there was fine but the Dental Molded ones are heavy and fit in like they were always there.

Baby steps...a little fun at our new place because lots of work is going on at Beagle Run Cottage..no For Sale sign in the yard yet.

xox, DeniseMarie

A turkey, A beagle and A Happy gerbil

2010-11-13T13:58:00.000-08:00

Here is Tom Turkey at Beagle Run Cottage.

No time to make his Eat More Ham sign yet.

And...Jack Beagle trying to get use to his new digs.

He is getting use to the doggie door.

And..Speedy the Gerbil is doing ok too. lol
When it was time to get more Gerbil fluff I told Hubby to get pink and he got a huge bag of it so ya'll may be saying Hi to Speedy when I can't find other pinks. :0)

Miss ya'll...crazy busy!!
But...certainly, Happy Pink Saturday and thanks Bev for Hostessing.

DeniseMarie

owner of 2 homes

2010-11-02T06:59:00.000-07:00

Well, we have possession of 2 homes now and are working hard to est. the new place yet get the old place straightened up for sale. We are extremely humbled by this move. We wanted a gameroom and pool for the boys and their friends and the youth group of our church. I believe God was pleased that we said we'd open our homes to the youth. He made a way where there seemed NO way. Immediately, the neighbors almost formed a parade of welcome!! Our baseball friends live all around us now. I kept thinking that this is the wrong direction for us to go!! I am NOT high fallootin'!! But, Hubby coaches these boys and I pray for their schools so I guess I'll get out of my comfort zone.

Now, we just have to work fast and smart to get Beagle Run Cottage sold so the neighbors will be blessed with the family that will love our home as much as we did.

This was my favorite nook of the house. Both boys had their nursery in this room and we will stage it as a playroom. Nate confiscated it from me. I use to have my craft room here while he was bunking with brother in another room. lol Jack beagle is glad to come with us.

Like a Gerbil

2010-10-27T05:58:00.000-07:00

I feel like everyone is watching me and I just want to be...but I gotta DO!!

I just want to curl up in a ball in Beagle Run Cottage and hang out. But, Hubby insists on a moving truck Friday like the minute we close. Lots, lots, lots to do.

Moving cages or moving houses is busy, busy, busy. No time to soak in the sun, no time to lunch with a friend, no time to put a great blogging post together.

I'll be back soon and can show some of what has happened with the move.

Cross-stitch finds

2010-10-26T06:05:00.000-07:00

Is anyone else out there in LOVE with stitch work? Some of ya'll are stitching away as we speak. lol I am not doing any pieces lately but can hardly walk away from orphaned pieces. I've been scouting my local antique shops for furniture pieces for our home and have come across some great shots.

Hope today finds you Live'n and Dream'n for tomorrow!!

Happy 3 or more Tuesday at The Gypsy's Corner..it is her 100th!!

Aaaayyy Mateys

2010-10-25T07:46:00.000-07:00

Lil guy got sick this past week and hung out with Momma for a few days watching movies and drinking lots of water. We watched many movies at way too high of a volumn for my taste. lol I was ready on the day he bounded across the field back to school. :D
I wanted to share with ya'll the Dr. office mural that is the most recent addition to their facility.

Grab your snorkel and fins Gals..

great calming and relaxing environment to sit in or play in before going in to the Dr.

Every room has a diff theme and we've never been in this room before..

Treasure Island.

I got this shot of my boys bounding across the elementary school yard that we've lived to the side of for 17 years. My boys have been going there for a total of 10 years. Big Bro walked lil guy over to the book fair/open house to get the books he was dreaming of owning. I must say Good-bye to these days and embrace our new home next week. Closing is this Friday am. The Lord has been so faithful to our family and generous to us as his humble servants.

Have a blessed Happy Blue Monday day!!

Go see the other blue posts too.

DeniseMarie

Updated Doors

2010-10-23T04:42:00.000-07:00

I'm on door and window trim duty at Beagle Run Cottage. All the lil details of stuff that needs to happen when you are trying to get to 100% completeness are tedious, tiresome and can seem over-whelming to a flighty gal like me. We are the best at getting stuff 89% complete and then running off to play and never look back to complete our task. Beagle Run Cottage is full up of not quite done projects!! But, you cannot sell a house like that.

We took all of the doorknobs (Antique Brass..not Oil-Rubbed Bronze) off of the core doors and replaced our brown 70's doors with new 6 panel white doors we always thought we'd have for ourselves. :S These doors are only $25 each now. I think they use to be like $60 each and we never wanted to spend that much. We sure are hoping that making sure all the doors match and are "updated" is gonna help for a quick sale. It's gotta get off our books and onto someone else's.

See my PINK jacket in the middle of all the boy jackets?

So, while the doors are off I gotta paint all the trim and finish transforming the living room over to Compatible Creme by Sherwin Williams. We worked off of that paint chip to do the coloring of this home. We did the Butternut Squash for the kitchen and got the white color off of that same chip for the vent hood cabinet. It all coordinates well. I'll show ya'll more as I finish each project. :) Doesn't this whole corner look just lovely? lol

I find irony in the floors needing to be wood now and the walls and wood has to be neutral. This all instead of wooden walls and neutral carpet that use to be in style. I guess you still have balance of light and dark? Peeps expect and demand perfection!! No one is a do-it-yourself'r any more. No one wants to make it happen along and along with each passing pay check. It has to be move-in-ready!

I'm taking stuff off the walls too and plugging nail holes. I'm trying to let go of 17 years of love poured into this home and off to the next 1. We may try to later flip a house to pay our son's 1st year of college tuition. But, that is a long way off. If we can learn to not leave stuff 89% done we might be on our way towards that dream. lol

It is Pink Saturday at Bev's again.

DeniseMarie

Gate Thankful

2010-10-21T06:24:00.000-07:00

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving,

and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!”
~ Psalm 100:4 (ESV)

Absolutely 1 of my fav verses.
The mantra of Thankful Thursday. Looks like we gotta head here for the latest entries. This is my 1st week here.

Exactly what went thru my mind a few weeks ago as I stood at the other side of this gate with my Hubby and Real Estate agent/friend. This home called out to me more than the other 30 we walked thru. Hubby noticed that I only reacted so much to this home. I felt like I was having a heart attack when we went back out the front door after seeing the whole property, I had to lean over for a minute and Praise the Lord. I also had an "electric charge" feeling go thu me standing at the back of that gate, like a YES and AMEN..I quoted that verse above. The Lord knows how much I love gates and iron and lanterns and brick columns. He sees the desires of our hearts. I believe He longs at the proper time to bless us with good gifts..if we do not become weary in doing good and do not faint from hopes seemingly un-met. I don't NEED this...but what if He wants it for me and I keep my hands clenched and do not receive his good gifts?
That is how I've been my whole life. I struggle to believe about myself what He sees in me. I'm thankful he is so patient and merciful and his love is soooo deep.

I'm so incredibly thankful to show ya'll my soon to be new driveway. I will have to operate this gate to get into the driveway and into the backdoor of our new home.

The previous owners put a ton of stone work into the landscaping. I would never have had that money or ingenuity to do this task in such a fine way. It looks stunning.

This is the lil side gate to get in after walking Jack Beagle around the new hood. :b That lil window is out my laundry room. I think a company came thru 14 years ago when this neighborhood was built and offered a discount for the gates as they were doing other neighbors. Several peeps have this same set-up.

I'm in awe and wonder that we are making a move. We are very frugal, hardly ever go on vaca, never splurge on fine things, never assume we deserve anything. Hubby says this will be our vacaction having a pool. The Lord seems to have directed our path here. We are putting the finishing touches on Beagle Run Cottage so a new family can enjoy it's beauty and I'm having a rough time letting go.

I'm Thankful that the Lord will help me say good-bye to the past, let go and move forward into my destiny here on earth until the trumpet blast sounds.

xox, DeniseMarie

Waste Not Want Not Wed #4

2010-10-20T06:11:00.000-07:00

I guess my Meme may just be a once a month idea kinda thing. Maybe it is the super savy and the super creative that get lots of linkers. Have you ever wondered what seed will grow...you scatter them and don't know if they'll all be blessed and grow or which few will prosper. I think I'm learning why some Bloggers just drop out for no apparent reason and you never see another post from them and miss them?? I go to tie in my link at some fav's and there are 234 peeps already there and I even like when there are 21 already there. I was excited to get like 8 links last month to Christmas Collector's Alley!

This is my meme that is coming up soon on my Christmas bloggie. By then, more peeps will at least be thinking Christmas but maybe not until Dec?? I'll be full up in the middle of moving stuff out of Beagle Run Cottage to our new digs.

Welcome to Waste Not Want Not Wednesday #4

I'm showing something that I shared before because it hit me and always delights my heart to think of how good God is!! I have a dear friend from church that celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary this past Spring. I was gonna make her a name frame but saw this at Goodwill (someone let it go). I blogged originally about it here.

How could anyone throw out a pitcher with their last name on it?? Who knows what happened. But, I rescued her and added fresh flowers and bling and brought it to my friend.
She still can't believe it, it delighted her heart.
It is perfect for her and her cottage and it makes me think of how much the Lord loves us and cares for us and delights for these kinda special moments to capture our hearts.

DeniseMarie

Will you be mine?

2010-10-18T06:18:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share with ya'll a yummy box that I saw out antiquing/junking in Jefferson, TX.

I wanted $10 worth of these!! They were awesome! I totally forgot to take more shots because this guy was the topic of the hour..

He was only $100, Nutcracker Humungo!! That is a lot of $$ but he could fetch like $500 around here. I've never seen anything like him at the door of any neighbors so I wish I could have strapped him on the roof of our car for the 5 hour drive back home. But, alas...I didn't have $100 to spend. I didn't NEED any more Christmas decor either.
(Standing in the store, that Tiki didn't bother me so much. Yikes!)

That Nutcracker was standing right there at the entrance of the antique mall...right there where I was sorting thru Valentines and olden post cards at the desk while my buddy chatted with the owner.

We went back 2 days in a row and I STILL forgot to get my Valentines. I know... how does that happen? But the owner had put back all the postcards and valentines that I had hand selected and put in a pile the 1st day! I thought they'd hold them but they must have gotten upset that I didn't go ahead and purchase the 1st time. lol I remembered some of the post cards but they put the Val's back way in the back of the room and I forgot them. So, I only spent $5 in here.

Big OOPS, forgot my Valentines!

Happy Blue Monday

Happy 2nd Time Around Tuesday

Happy Rednesday

DeniseMarie

a Muslim & a Blondie

2010-10-17T06:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Sunday!

I wanted to show you 2 buddies that melt my heart.

They were instant friends in 3rd grade on the day that our neighbor came into oldest son's classroom. Now, they are 8th graders and are still in-separable.

"Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." 1 John 4:11

I'm bearing my soul today because it is Sunday.

Have you ever wondered WHY stuff happens that is NOT fun, NOT pleasant and NOT easy to keep mustering thru?! I have. I don't always understand stuff, or know what God's plans are but know I'm to obey Him, love others and leave some stuff in his hands.

I had a terrible and very painful break from a friend that lives about 8 houses down the street. I have to drive to the stop sign and can see her home right up the street and sometimes pass her by in the car as she swiftly turns away like I'm horrendous in her sight.

Whatever happened to old-fashioned Love? Kindness? Compassion?

(I found these Valentines in Jefferson, TX junk shop)

Here is the scoop:

Both our blondie sons got in a tiff and we had to make a split and drive to the same school separately. But, thru this pain...I've been happy to reach out to our Muslim neighbor whom my son adores. You can imagine he is stuck in the middle between his beloved neighbors but he NOW gets to ride with us to school and we can show Christian LOVE to him, acceptance, comfort, joy for him. He was riding the bus because the other blondie's momma had told him that there was NO room for him in the carpool. He was riding 2 buses and waiting an hour to catch the bus home with the other intermediate school that we are zoned to. It made for a long and wearisome day for him.

He is soooo happy every day to come to my car with his buddies. To be accepted and fit in.

Maybe this was the Lord's plan all along to make sure our Muslim neighbor got included. Hmmmmmm.

That other mom might not ever speak to me again...but our blondie boys play basketball in my driveway with our Muslim neighbor. I might not be comfortable with how it all laid out in real-time but I'm pleased with the results.

Just contemplating out loud,

DeniseMarie

Wonder what else is going on at Spiritual Sunday.

Pink chairs love

2010-10-15T09:34:00.000-07:00

Isn't this a nice vignette....like it was meant to be??
Ya'll would LOVE everything in my MILs home.

OK...I'm ready to confess and laugh at myself in Blogland for what happened to me this summer.

I ordered something for myself...my house off of Overstock.com.

I'm waiting and waiting...

instead of a pkg at my door I got a thank you call from Mother in Love. lol

I got distracted by several different things while placing the order and missed that the shipping address was still mother-in-loves home address. I had sent her a package for mother's day and it was still altered to that address. OMGoodness!!

Yes..that is it, in-between those 2 velveteen pink Victorian chairs. That cute round barrel table was suppose to go with my brown leather couch so I could get my big bulky tables to the new spot and showcase Beagle Run Cottage For Sale.

Instead, it is in her beloved spare room waiting for guests to admire. lol

Things happen, she liked it...we flew in this summer instead of driving so we couldn't shove it into our car. So, we gifted it to her and all laughed it off. She must like it because she made hubby burn the box it came in. lol

Maybe the Lord wanted to bless her with it?? lol I'm certainly not gonna order myself another one after getting laughed at so much from all the family. :D

Visiting a few memes:

Show n Tell Friday

Pink Saturday

DeniseMarie

Jefferson Express

2010-10-14T06:01:00.000-07:00

Enjoyed a weekend in olden Jefferson, TX. Had to capture these images for Hubby who is an avid train enthusiast.

It was on the wall of the local BBQ place in town where you get your pulled pork sandwich with a side of fried okra or sweet potato fries. :) ..Yes, I did!!

I had my buddy take a pic down this lane in town of all the discarded doors, windows, railing that have been salvaged off of nearby homes or businesses in town. Why do I think this kinda stuff is cool...I don't know but I do. Remember what I did with MIL's olden window for her front entry? That railing could be a window or Master Bedroom pedament and the old doors could make a great teenager's headboard. Awwww, just love Vintage Thingies.

Colorado Lady is hosting Vintage Thingy Thursday, let's go see what has been found by others.

DeniseMarie

Fall get-a-way

2010-10-12T08:50:00.000-07:00

I got away for a girls weekend.

Look at this cute scarecrow.

It is a Renuizit. I should have bought him to change out the bottom every Fall in the boys bathroom. Great free-cycle painting surface, huh.

It was so nice to be in an olden town with a dear friend. This is the porch of her momma's home. Look at the cute scarecrow that they sold at her momma's church country store. Her mom helped do the painting so she bought 1. I got some painted treasures too.

Here is today's share:

I'm showing off my Tom Turkey at 2nd time around Tuesday with Diane.

He's a piece of fallen timber. I loved his patina and the colors of the painted feathers. I'm gonna make him a sign that says...Eat More Ham. lol

Next time you see him...he'll be in place at my front door.

Edit: Wednesday

Here is Mr Linky...look again at my amazing find of Mr. Scarecrow Renuizit for inspriation.

DeniseMarie

Waste NotWNWed #3

2010-10-06T09:45:00.000-07:00

There is PINK, orange, turquoise and purple in this cute post.
For this Meme I like to share my ideas of things that could have been thrown out but were made into something useful or beautiful..

This week I'm posting my Waste Not Want Not Meme for a contribution to

Pretty Packages Party at The Blackberry Vine.

Me and My Bucket..What UR working with Wednesday

Pink Saturday with Beverly and gang.

Ok, I know some of you have heard me talk about my Sonic drink holder trick. But, just in case you hadn't caught on to that trick here is a pretty example of what I love to do with them. I love to get the 2 bay and 4 bay drink holders and use them for gift giving if they don't get soiled or squished in the car by boys feet or baseball bags thrown into your car before you can rescue them. lol

Ya'll know my motto...and it goes along with these drink holders. Sonic pays good money for these holders and they are sturdy enough for 4 Route 44 Cherry Limeades. Are ya just gonna throw it out??? I simply CANNOT do that. Here is 1 story of what I've done with these cast-aways:

This is a 4 bay drink holder from SONIC.

I chose to use it for a gift holder for the dear girl next door.
She just turned 10 this week.

I took scrapbook paper and cut it and double stick taped it to cover the SONIC company logo. I've seen them totally covered in pretty paper but I don't bother. I kinda like the paper sack texture/look.

This is the loot that needs to look pretty when I hand the carrier to her. BTW, I saw her yesterday wearing the flip flops and had to smile...so cute.

I used my tag punch to cut a piece to coordinate to the top of the box. I also put a remnant piece of paper to the side...whatever you want to do. I took a previously cut out scallop that was rescued from a gift catalog cover and used an orange sharpie marker to add her initial, M. I pop dot taped it on for a 3-d effect. Those are x and o's all around the scallop.

I then looked thru my gorgeous ribbon stash to pick 3 pieces for the hand holder.

This is the back of the box. I added tissue into 1 of the bays. This is a pk of 2 colorful head-bands and a terry cloth dress.

Here is the front. I ran out of energy to do any other 3-d effects over the scrapbook paper. I thought it was cute enough and tied into all the colors of the gifts. These 2 items in the front are flip-flops and a pillowcase with scripture for her sleep-overs. I personally love for the gift to be peeking out at ya.

Here she is!! Happy 10 year old.
Yes, she had been sucking on a piece of turquois colored candy so her mouth matched the flipflops I got her. lol
What can you show us that you refused to Waste??

Happy Fall Ya'll

2010-10-03T07:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Seasonal Sunday .

The weather here has been unbelievable!

Cool, Sunny...Fall at it's best.

Has anyone seen cute costume ideas?? This is sooooo cute..look at the colander hats for the shakers. I saw this in a mag. this week. Salt and Pepper shakers, packing peanuts for the salt...too cute. With this same concept I've seen a fish bowl, a jelly bean bowl, a bunch of grapes, gumball machine.

We finally put the pedament top to our kitchie cabinets. I've only waited like 1.5 - 2 years for him to finish this project. It went really well for us. He was scared but we rocked it out! Just like that.

Here you can see the cabinet without it's top hat.

Hubby..aka Coach held a pitcher~catcher practice yesterday out our back gate. There is an elementary baseball backstop. We have enjoyed this feature soooooo much.

I have my eye on this incredible antique table. It is soooo solid and beefy, has history and a marble top table that has a great patina on it. It could be my open house present from Hubby if we really do move. I can snag it 1/2 price. It could go behind our couch (I've never had a piece behind a couch), could go in our entry hall or in the mastersuite.

great fall give-away

What are ya'll up to??

I'm heading over to
The Tablescaper
Metamorphis Monday
Anti-Procrastination Tuesday
to see what else is going on.

DeniseMarie

UT Jack

2010-10-01T06:18:00.000-07:00

Just in case Pink Sat Gals don't know about Bella's Furry First Fridays..

Oldest is such a UT fan!! His daddy got his Masters Degree there and I almost used Austin as his middle name. It sure would have suited him. lol

He's growing up on me. He got his buddy, Jack Beagle, a UT collar this summer at Petco.

Won't they look great for the OU vs. UT match-up this weekend?? I can't believe I didn't realize it was coming up. I'm sure we'll be watching it live or tape and watch when we are done with our own little league games here.

Now they match. :D

Joining Bella for Furry First Fridays

Beverly for Pink Saturday

Have a Pink & Pet filled day!!
DeniseMarie

lil birdie

2010-09-30T06:07:00.000-07:00

I saw a Woodpecker yesterday in our front yard tree. I wonder if it was our sweet Momma from the Spring or 1 of her 2 babies?? My Mom says they'll follow us to our new home but I think they are quite happy here.

It looks like he found a branch or 2 that are dead and trying to SCARE himself up a bug. lol

Oh...and he told me to tell you:

Stop on by next week and add your Christmas Collection.

Christ is the Heart of Christmas

DeniseMarie

WNWNWed #2

2010-09-29T07:09:00.000-07:00

It is Waste Not Want Not Wednesday#2

We are using what is in our hands or doing without today.
I must have learned this phrase growing up because it is ingrained into my fibers. Actually, it drives my family batty that I always have a pile of stuff I'm saving to use for something; the kids and Hubby are baffled???? What? you are gonna do what with that?? lol

Kleenex box..empty and ready for the trash...

They come in such cute, stylish and sometimes seasonal decor.

It is your money on that cardstock quality box.

You already spent that money and if it is not crushed by a basketball-dunking-teenage son who wants to make 3 points on it, then you can FREEcycle a bit of it.

Kleenex brand spent serious $$ conceptualizing those boxes.

I'll have to show ya'll something I've done with the oval 1s that are kinda new.

Are ya just gonna throw it out? Not me..

I was able to get a few scallop circles and some rectangular pieces from this box before disposing of it. I've gotten some awesome pieces from catolog covers in parchment paper; James Avery is a local jewelry store that my boys and Hubby get me charms from for my bracelet. I love cutting that front and back cover up. It comes in a different color about 4 times a year. :) I use them for tags for gifts, 3-D altered art pieces. Sometimes I double stick tape them together so both sides are pretty & sometimes the backside is what I write on.

What ya got??

A few good Memes

2010-09-28T09:22:00.000-07:00

Next week...I'll have my meme up on my Christmas Blog. If you have hopes of a Christmas collection, or a pic of something that you do or want to collect..we'd love to see it.

Also, Jamie at The Blackberry Vine will have her meme going all week too..

Get and share some awesome pretty packaging ideas.

I'll have to show my latest birthday gift packaging with a Sonic drink holder..what else? lol

Next time I'll show my BOO gifts. They aren't ready yet. :D

Tomorrow...

I'll be here...showing my latest salvage trick. We gotta use what is in our hands or do without.

3 or more Tuesday at The Gypsy's Corner..see what's up.

Just me...DeniseMarie

Tuesday

2010-09-28T07:17:00.000-07:00

Trying to post??

Mama Bear told me all about it but...alas, when I go to get a pic for my post I have a big ol X where I'm suppose to be able to chose from my desktop or files???

Can anything just be simple....easy breezy??

DeniseMarie

banner over me is love

2010-09-24T11:20:00.000-07:00

Uh, oh...I can't figure out how to load pics anymore from my computer into a post??

I'm preparing my Pink Sat. post and it ain't gonna happen?? The new options don't offer me access to my computer files or desktop so this is what peeps will see on Sat...going old school. lol

Does anyone remember this was my very 1st Blog banner? My buddy at Texas Preacher Woman helped me with my blog set up and she surfed thru The Cutest Blog on the Block banners until this above banner struck a nerve for both of us for me. I used Bloomin' for a solid year and then morphed. I'm still changing my blog vibe every once in a while. We all should be willing to change a little.

Happy Weekend

Happy Pink Saturday with Beverly at How Sweet the Sound.

DeniseMarie

WNWN Weds

2010-09-21T23:50:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm putting my 1st Waste Not...Want Not Wednesday
out there to see if it catches on. We all have to watch our budgets/monies these days. Every penny counts and the Lord asks us, "What is in your hands?" We have more blessings than we sometimes think. Look at what we DO have and use it or lose it.

I chose this olden image for my meme.
I love how she's repairing her dollie's dress. She either made it out of a scrap of fabric long forgotten or salvaging fabric from a stained/partially ruined piece of clothing. She's not wanting to throw it out. She's maybe making something out of nothing.
Love that!! If you love it too post my meme on your side-bar.

That is the point of my Meme...use what you have in your hands.
Let's fix it...create something with it...re-invent it.
Next week I'll show ya'll what I did with the lightbulb I had to take out of oldest son's lamp. I guess you could say the lightbulb went off as I was taking it out for him. lol spray paint is involved.

I can't wait to share with ya'll my 1st crazy post!!

Well, every Spring we get all excited and abuzz about a garden. We till, we pick seed packets and we plant, water and watch as things come up.
We ALWAYS have to have CORN!!

Hubby grew up on a corn/cotton/peanut/soy bean farm.

Jeremiah 4:3 NIV
"...Break up your unplowed ground
and do not sow among thorns.

look how full of life and promise it looked in May. :)

It was really hot this year and the corn didn't do terrific, but we got some to eat. I was determined to save the stalks for the fall. I have seen others use stalks to decorate their fall front door. You know...pumpkins, hay bales scarecrows and corn stalks. I plucked every bit of the dried up stalks and put them to rest on Oldest son's bounce back baseball net. lol I wanted them all together and dried out and I'd collect them later. I've tried this on other years and it ended up in the mulch pile.

Well...later was last week.

This is what it looks like so far. I took the stalks and wrapped an entire roll of brown ribbon that I had and scallop punched a piece of paper with sunflowers on it to tie onto the ribbon. I used scrapbooking letters to spell Fall. It looks pretty scruffy but I'll spruce it up when I buy some pumpkins and put my hay out. It is resting in a chair form that I got at a garage sale for now. I can enjoy it each time I step out the back door.

Waste Not Want Not..Trash to Treasure??

We'll see when I get the whole vignette together at the front or back door.

If you have a Fall garden going...I'm having fall garden envy. lol

What can you share with us??

Now it is your turn...

xox, DeniseMarie

Let's explore some gardens:

Fall Festival @ This Blessed Nest

Fall Frenzy Linky Party @Craftaholics Anonymous

What ya working with Wednesday

Whatever Goes Wednesday @ Someday Crafts

Fall Linky Party @ CurlyQ Crafts

Thifty Thursday @ Tales from Bloggeritaville

Passion for Papers

2010-09-20T07:27:00.000-07:00

Oh...My Oh, My...I love me some Paper!! It frustrates Hubby because I don't like to sort home papers or clean up the piles of papers/mail around the house. But, get me talking about craft papers...forget about it. lol

I'm posting this for my bloggin' buddy...Cindy at RickRack & Gingham. I'm gonna have to make her a set of cards with this paper and suprise her sometime.

Had to have this stack and I'm really not 1 to freak out and own stacks. This is the 2nd 1 from that 1/2 price sale at JoAnn's.

LOVE!!

Happy Blue Monday with Smiling Sally

3 or More Tuesday with The Gypsy's Corner

xox, DeniseMarie

A Lil Birdie told me

2010-09-19T10:46:00.000-07:00

Is this the Tweetest lil hand-made box you have ever seen??

See the gorgeous paper detailing. The pearls, the cut out bird and branch, the ribbon.

Now...look at the eye candy inside!!

And the gorgeous pink bottom of the box. Love it!!

I got this precious gift from Bella the Owl who I swapped with this past Spring. She lives in Australia and I send blessings to her and her Mom who helped her make this gift. Her Mom works with Stampin'Up.

God schooled me thru Bella's gift!! She is a 13 year old girl with much love of the lord and much gifting and generosity of heart. This is not nearly all she sent me all the way from Australia but this touches me the most.

God made a christian connection that we can call upon thru this swap. Her Daddy was quickly in a terrible motorcycle accident with a bunch of his buddies after we met and I've been praying with her for him to be a great source of ministry to his buddies. You just never know, Peeps..Whooooo God will use or bring you to to bless and be blessed by in turn.

Those pretty scrolls of paper are scriptures that I can open up and agree with the word of God for her family....my family...her country...my country, my children, her. AMEN!!

Spiritual Sunday link

xox, DeniseMarie

Pink it is

2010-09-17T21:38:00.000-07:00

Well, I finally told Ms. Beverly to put me down for a weekly Pink Saturday post. I embarrased myself a few weeks ago and promised a post and did NOT deliver it. Now...I'm gonna know that I know that there will be PINK on Saturdays.

This sits above my head when I blog. Cindy at Rick Rack and Gingham's daughter swapped with me last season and gave me the bunny. I love how she's watering the seedlings so they'll BLOOM.

I'm wanting to hostess a Meme myself this Fall and hope it takes off. So...I'm watering the idea by telling ya'll about my hopes:

Waste Not Want Not Wednesdays

Dumpster Dive'n Diva

this would be on Thursdays

We would show each other stuff that should have gone to the trash, we took out of the trash, we made from something that any other reasonable person would have trashed or did. :S

You can't tell it from the above shot but if you lift the cover of this paper pack that gorgeous scallop is cut out to reveal the 1st sheet of glittery paper. I didn't even notice the 1st time or 2 that I saw it. I'll make it into a Matte by trimming it off the cover and using it to scrapbook or embellish something. I'll also look at all my paper punches and make scallops or squares or circles with that blue coverstock, until I've used it all except the advertising. I make a lot of gift tags like this.

That is how I roll so I hope I'll touch some heartstring and get some fellow bloggers that roll like I do. lol

No badge/poster/button finalized yet...still playin'.

Which of the 2 above posters comes close??

Go See Beverly!!

A Swap & A Hope

2010-09-16T19:32:00.000-07:00

A Swap..

Happy Harvest sign,

Acorn S&P shaker,

there is a gorgeous leaf tray for these that is busted in 1/2. :(

Fall Leaves Kitchie towel

Sorry, it is already in use. lol

Debby LOVES acorns and leaves as much as I do!!

I participated in a Kitchie Swap with Cindy at RickRack & Gingham. She asked us to show our kitchie items on 9/17 so now I've done that. I got to meet Debby from Ohio at

Cozy Blanket

Debby took a great shot of what I sent her. I'm glad she'll love the crochet topped kitchie towel made by Doris Sturm at Crocheting in Georgia. I won it from her blog and didn't have the heart to use it so I know Debby will use it and love it. Doris says no one will use her awesome stuff because it is so cute. Doris, I love you but you may be right....I have NOT used the bumblebee scrubby on any pots yet. :S

Fall is such a magical time of year.

It is a Happy time!!

It is FAITH that the old will pass and new will come. The dead in our lives, in our hearts will blow away and make room for what will come.

Thank you so much, Debby!!

Texas Fall Kitchie Hugs to ya.

And, thanks Cindy for always coming up with these great swap ideas.

A HOPE..

Youngest bought these for me &ft

also had this made for me..

There is hope that these boys will be great young men.

There is hope that my chronic illness is not making me totally fail as a MOM.

Hubby wants to turn Beagle Run Cottage into Beagle Run Court.

We may be moving...boy, what that'll do to my blogging. lol

We are hoping that it is not our imagination that God is about to bless us with a new home.

Hubby wants to have Youth group events and bible study fellowships and team parties and invite his Branch from NASA over at Christmas...

We'll see what happens.

Show n Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Love to ya...DeniseMarie

Red Joy

2010-09-15T11:22:00.000-07:00

Happy Rednesday with

Sue Loves Cherries!

I got this at Big Lots after eldest's baseball double hitter this weekend.

JOY

My favorite word!

Love it!

Psalm 94:19 NIV

When anxiety was great within me,

your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Have a JOY filled afternoon.

DeniseMarie

Halloween month treats

2010-09-14T07:20:00.000-07:00

Cute ideas are coming from all over the place for Halloween treats.

I love Fall!!

There is a magic in the air the 1st time you feel a cool breeze that suprises you. Our temps dropped 20 degrees a few weeks ago with that tropical situation in the Gulf of Mexico.

Now..folks..Zone 4 Southern Texas girls gotta make a stretch in 95 degree weather. lol

Mummy Marshmallows posted previously at Style Sisters

What an inspiring thing she did. She had a bunch of friends over to share ideas and this is just 1.

I'd love to start having fellowships here again...I think I can. lol

We have a block party and then go Trick or Treat'n together on our street.

I'm famous for making Nutter Butter ghost cookies but can't find any pics of past years handy.

So...look what you can purchase here.

Ghost and Mummy Nutter Butter Choc dipped Cookies.

I even made spiders 1 year with chocolate colored coating and pretzels..no sign of a pic on internet??

After the 1st year I made these for the party there was no going back.

Big pre-TorT dinner HIT.

Apparently, Ya'll like these best too from the comments.

New idea this year!!

I've seen it twice now. Look how cute, it is filled with fruit snacks. LOVE this!

This pic is from Family Fun Mag and I saw it last week in my new mag, Gooseberry Patch Halloween.

Wash them out after and put a tealight candle in it and it'll smell nice, huh. That is how GbP used them.

Last...and MOST brilliant idea today..

Black bean dip Cat Crudites

Again..Disney Family Fun idea

Never seen this...never thought of it...DUH!!

My boys will love helping me create something like this for a family dinner even as the appetizer. They both use to be into dinosaur bones.

Get your file going for party and family together ideas for October.

Joining 3 or More Tuesday at The Gypsy's Corner

Her 94th time. I have to say I always love when I get to join in.

Just spotted this Sept. Wed meme..

Looks like you can join in Fall Frenzy thru Sept. 30th..great meme!

She's collection Halloween ideas.

See ya at 1 of the Parties.

DeniseMarie

Fall Decor Cont'd

2010-09-12T09:33:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my Seasonal Sunday Post

Our Dear Tablescaper has continued her Sunday Meme into Fall.

So...ya'll get to see more of the clean up that went on to get ready for my 1st Prayer group session for youngest's Elementary School. The girls knew I'd been struggling with Fibro and Sinus Infection so they were very impressed at how nice things looked. lol

To find out if there is a Moms In Touch group meeting at your child's school click and use the Find a Group feature. It only takes you and 1 other Mom or G'ma to start a group!

I've been leading our Ele school for my 5th year now and I've prayed with Intermediate school for my 3rd.

Cleaned and Decorated for Fall, YES I did!

Ya'll, this beloved quilt is from Cracker Barrell several yrs ago (75% clearance). I just took down everything that was there and put this up right where my Advent quilt will have to go too.

Got out a fall cloth and pumpkin garland for the lamp table. I scored that pillow cover with the W for $5 each from Ballard's Design (got 2 of them) and received free monogramming. Had to move Hoppy Vanderbear "Harecrow" in here too with the happy Jack O Lantern softie.

I burned that Vanilla Bean candle a bunch so the house would smell yummy too.

Ele school mascot is a terrapin (turtle) so I have 1 on the coffee table with my scarcrow box.

This was a Hobby Lobby clearance item 1 year.

There is a cookie jar somewhere in my Fall stash too in this same series.

I used it to put my coasters into once I cleared all the junk off the table.

I took it outside to get a better pic of it for Debby at Cozy Blanket. :)

Now that things are more cleaned up too...Hubby hung these rod-iron pieces for me that I've been waiting to see hung here for probably 1.5 years. I like them..they tie into the curtain rod and the hardware and lights in the kitchen. We still have decorative molding to hang above and below upper cabinets. sigh.

Did anyone spot Jack Beagle in the shot eating bkfst? lol

I scored the stitch work piece behind my eldest at Canton Trade days in '03 for $3 in the back 40 Junking area. :D I love it!...wagon full of Hay that was harvested headed to market.

My reward for the hard work after school Friday was this..

Not the greatest quality pic but what I see in it is my beloved Hubby and eldest laughing with a joke book in Hubby's fav chair that has been cleared of laundry piles and his ottoman has been moved back in place from the entry where it was stacked high with debris. And, Sonic Kitty is curled up at Daddy's leg in Bliss.

I'm a simple woman...Peeps...I just want my home to function and my family to be happy.

And..Hubby took us to the mall and I got buy 1 get 1 free Yankee Candles to burn this fall season. I had gotten a card in the mail last week. Their in store deal is buy 1 get 1 1/2 price.

Click on Sunday Meme above to see what others are posting this Sunday.

Also, I finally get to tag into Show Off Your Cottage Monday with Cielo for the 1st time in a long while. Let's hope I remember to do it. lol

Between Naps on the Porch...Met Monday

Maybe some more as the week progresses.

Blessings!!

DeniseMarie

Pigs, Cows, Roosters & Beagles

2010-09-10T10:23:00.000-07:00

I sure wish I had time to play more with this meme and hope she'll keep it going.

Happier Than A Pig In Mud is Hostessing

Barnyard Bash Linky Party

She is toggling off of the infamous Rooster Parties we all love from Barb at Bella Vista.

Found this in my archives of Hubby and Lil Guy having an awesome breakfast before school and work 1st week of school last Fall. I had set the whole scene with a cow teapot and creamer that Hubby bought me years ago, happy yellow flowers in the creamer...pig and bale of hay and the ticking napkins and placemats.

Oh, and the William Sinoma farm animal napkin rings and Mother in Law's olden milk glasses.

My Piggy is way up in the rafters of the Kitchen cabinet display. Oink Oink!! I love Farm animals~always have and since Hubby's parents have a Pig farm along with their acreage...I'm lovin' them forever.

I wish I could access a pic...if I ever even got 1 of my lil potty room that was off of the laundry room before we tore down the wall between them to make it a muddroom. I had the whole decor cows and pigs!! I've parted (painfully) with most of that decor.

I felt obligated to show ya'll a shot of Mother in Love's Sunflower garden from 2008.

I have never shared with ya'll my extensive Muffy VanderBear collection. Here are some of the barnyard animals that youngest and gal from next door played with last year.

Dear G'ma from Massachusetts sent this to me. She is grazing among the wheat we planted from seeds youngest gathered last year. I think the cow was because they are from a Dairy farm area?

Just a reminder of my beloved rooster edged kitchen window treatment.

And...my funky Rooster that clucks all over the house.

I have GOT to show ya'll my master suite this Fall. It is inspired from this Waverly Toile Farm bedspread my momma gave me. See the Turkeys running around?

Lastly...my identity crisis is OVER..

Bloomin at Beagle Run Cottage it is!!

Unless I can edit the banner to read simply~Beagle Run Cottage.

It is all Jack Beagle's fault.

Thanks to precious Holly at Banner Hause News for not only creating my banner, editing it for me more than once, but giving me sound advice about my bloggie. She has the most awesome olden images anywhere and my prayer is that the Lord would chase my Donkey fren down to bless her for all the blessings she gives by sharing her gifts and talents in blogland.

Hope your weekend is something to CLUCK about. lol

DeniseMarie

Dishes and more dishes

2010-09-09T07:22:00.000-07:00

I got permission to take these photos for ya'll this summer at a junk shop in North Carolina. I have discovered an area I knew nothing about for 15 years of visiting this area. I finally looked in the phone book and got a lead on a resale shop and found 3 others on the same olden strip!! Just 4 blocks further away from the farm than I have ever gone before for shopping and errands.

Jackpot!!

I did not buy any of the fun dishes I found. We flew in for the 1st time in 9 or 10 years so no big junk hauls for me this year. lol I brought my niece and my youngest with me this trip. It was soooooo hot in the shop I thought I'd pass out and so did my son, but kept looking anyways. :) My son kept begging for us to leave...but there were dishes and more dishes to see. My boys have caught the Junkin' bug, esp. the youngest. Niece has it too but her mom is a Neat Nick/Control Freak...she can't act on her impulses or else has to leave stuff at G'mas. ;(

Fun...Happy flowers!!

What is not to LOVE?

Ironstone...no wonder they are still in perfect condition.

70s vibe to love!!

Blue Transferware

Yumminess!

Thought about Nancy, from Nancy's Daily Dish with this pile.

Wedgewood Yummy!

Yes, my heart nearly leaped out of my chest for these beauties! I have an olive green and purple thing going that could be the theme of my dining room and these would be perfect!!

My head was spinning, the kids were begging to leave and I was busy scheming if they'd fit in my suitcase. lol

Garden Licious!!

Johnson Bros..England

Windsor Ware

My gorgeous niece, MacKenzie.

She found a stash of olden hats and tried them on for me. "Aunt Denise...Look here."

"Yes, Honey...Aunt Denise sees ya...but there are dishes and more dishes!!" lol

Joining Tablescape Thursday with Between Naps on the Porch.

DeniseMarie

Fall front entry

2010-09-08T07:44:00.000-07:00

I'm cleaning up my entry way.

Sorry, Uncle Sam Nutcracker will no longer greet you at my home. lol

I'm trying to get ready for my prayer group breakfast this Friday.

Mom's In Touch has been such a blessing to my family.

We kicked off middle school group last week and now I'm kicking off elementary school group.

If you visit the web link above you can find your area group leader to join other moms to pray for your child/children's school once a week. You'll never find a better blessing!!

"They all joined together constantly in prayer..."

Acts 1:14

So....this was the fun and easy part.

Now, today...I gotta clean the living room. EEK!!

My beloved console that I have replacement hardware for and still can't bear to paint but desperately need to. I don't want to lose the burled details on the stain but staining will be lots of work. I got her in pretty dilapidated condition already. I fantasize about buying a piece of marble for the top but look at the cuts that would need to be made for it. I've seen ideas about painting cream below and then staining or painting the top dark. Anyways, took everything (LOTS) off of the top and added my $1 runner that I thrifted this Spring.

Who would believe me? ;)

Got this beloved bunny last year after Easter clearance and have never filled his baskets before. Well, this gorgeous floral bunch was on clearance at Michael's a few weeks ago so here we go. I filled his baskets with floral foam (from the Dollar Tree) and individually clipped and placed the picks.

Ohhhh, My Goodness!!

Now, I love him even more.

He'll have to carry Christmas floral or tiny gifts in his packs in a few months.

got this pretty from Debby at Cozy Blanket

It is hung on the shutters at the front door.

I parted with the Valentine's hearts that were here...Finally! gosh...lol

I could NOT walk away from this bargain at Ross this Summer.

I felt like a ghourd~darn idiot carrying this long...out-of-season piece to check-out. ;S

Yes...that says...49cents!

I never met a scarecrow I didn't like.

I have got to take a photo class!! I can not get decent pics in here. The glare always blings off of a rabbit in the picture. Not perfect yet; however, this is what my prayer partners will see because I gotta clean the living room and kitchen area too and figure out a savory and sweet muffin recipe I want to use for them.

Linking into:

Centerpiece Wednesday at Style Sisters

Fall Nesting Party at The Inspired Room

Works for Me Wednesday at We are That Family

Wednesday Gratitude at Heart and Home

What U R Working With Wednesday at Me and My Bucket

DeniseMarie

Collector's Wanted

2010-08-31T06:06:00.000-07:00

Christmas Collectors Wanted!!

My 1st Meme event is up all week @

Christ is the Heart of Christmas.

I'm having quite the time with the new design features on blogger! We are fighting and it keeps winning.

I lost my Countdown feature. lol

Holly at Banner Haus News saved my Title to the left issue. lol Thanks, Dear Holly.

I hope I can figure out Mr. Linky. My family was laughing at me last night that I am technology challenged.

Not sure if He's linking me in yet but I got it going.

I'll have another gathering of collections after this 1st event week:

October's Christmas Collector's Event

So, if back to school or allergies has you distracted look for the next event and hang my poster on your bloggie. It'll be hard to dream of Christmas while looking at the gorgeous Fall decor in our homes but we'll manage somehow. lol

xox, DeniseMarie

Candy Corn Tussie Mussie

2010-08-24T16:45:00.000-07:00

I saw the cutest thing ever yesterday.

I received my Oriental Trading Handmade Autumn catalog and devoured it up in 15 minutes. On page 4, I feasted my eyes on a delightful sight.

A Candy Corn Tussie Mussie

http://www.orientaltrading.com/ui/browse/processRequest.do?demandPrefix=12&sku=65/80462&mode=Searching&erec=1&D=paper+cone+template&Ntx=mode%2bmatchallpartial&Ntk=all&requestURI=processProductsCatalog&N=0&y=10&Ntt=paper+cone+template&Dx=mode%2bmatchallpartial&x=22&sd=Box+Templates+II

On-line you can see the page if my reference goes thru above. They'll sell that set of templates just based off of the 2 projects they show on the page (there is a coffin too).

Box Template II is a set of 12 templates for $10 and 1 of them is a "Cone Treat Hanger Template" A customer below says this is the only place she's seen them and they are really good, thick quality. I may have to order a set myself.

Cuteness It looks like they used a coffee filter to stuff into the cone to put the candy canes into. They used ribbon and rick-rack yumminess. I love the ruffled affect at the top of the cone.

I may make 2 for my boys and stuff with candy and surprise them closer to Halloween season. I'm certainly gonna keep the tussie mussie idea for all the colored candy corns that come out at Christmas, Valentines, Easter and the Fall season. How sweet to color coordinate the candy to the mussie!!

Also...Crafters be aware that the catalog is chock full of gorgeous beads to do your jewelry. I even saw a John Deere Tractor bead. :0)

I'm playing along today at some memes:

Her 28th party

Show us What Ur Working With Wednesday #25

DeniseMarie

Pink & Blue Goodness

2010-08-20T11:07:00.000-07:00

None of them are 100% complete but here are the countdown matchboxes that will have some pink on them for the swap at A Swap for All Seasons. My favorite came together unexpectedly. Cookies for Santa: I paroosed thru my scrapbook stickers and found the milk and cookie stickers, used a graduation announcement pink sparkle background to cut my heart out and used baby beads to spell To Santa.

Fun!!

Some of my creations are plain ol' snowy fun, some reverent, some childlike. Hey...that is a pile of snowballs with the Get Crazy polar bear and penguin, not polar bear poop. lol

And, I kinda got too many pink tennis balls for the Christmas morning puppy. :0)

You can see the PINK on her gown irl.

But...you can really see lots of BLUE on most of them too.

If I knew how to put music on this post ya'll would have to listen to..."All I want for Christmas is a Hippopotamus!" hahahaha Did ya notice the FLUFFY with the Hippo stuffed animal sticker? My youngest loved Hippos when he was younger.

To see a little more about this project check out my Christmas blog,

Christ is the Heart of Christmas.

Edit Detail: these are plain ol' matchboxes from Dollar Tree. You'd have to buy 3 pks of 10 to have enough for an ADVENT countdown. They were stashed in the kitchen utencil area when I found them.

KIDS LOVE THIS PROJECT. SONS FRIENDS KEEP COMING IN AND WANTING TO DO IT!

Linky fun:

Show n Tell Friday Friday

...with Cindy at My Romantic Home

Happy Pink Saturday

...come enjoy the Pink Parade with Beverly at

How Sweet the Sound.

Happy Blue Monday with Smiling Sally

xox, DeniseMarie

Vent hood cabinet again!

2010-08-19T09:11:00.000-07:00

None of you peeps that get'r done in days will believe that I waited over 1.5 yrs. for hubby to do something about our gaping hole above the stove. Yes, for some reason we have this gorgeous new kitchen and bead board ceiling and stopped at not trimming out the cabinets and building our dream vent hood cabinet as a special piece. I even had a designer (only $60 for the consultation) come in to our home and give us designer paint color decisions. He chose our accent red color and kitchen only Butternut color.

Progress...I got him to put a cleat into the wall for the new cabinet.

We primed and painted our hearts out in the Texas heat...

And, hung it up to cure while we ran to the farm for a week.

What do ya'll think? We havent hung the 3 doors that need to go on because I really want it to cure solid and have no sticky cabinets. I've waited this long why rush it??

I can't believe we conceived of this kitchen together. I tell ya...we may not want a bigger home for the boys with the dated and yucky fixtures we are finding in the kitchens we are seeing out there.

xox, DeniseMarie

Cotton Country

2010-08-12T09:12:00.000-07:00

I've been to Cotton Country with in-laws. We were surprised by brother in law so all 5 cousins got the run of the place.

Their fav spot was under this tin shed with a trailer full of tractor tires. They came out black with markings and the noise of them jumping was like thunder. Boom...boom...boom.

Father in law kept hoping it would rain for the crops so he was thinking thunder but...alas, it was just them grand-young'uns. lol

Here you get a perspective of the soy bean field and cotton field and what it is like to be 1 mile in from the road.

100% Cotton...Made in the U.S.A.

xox, DeniseMarie

Bloggie Break

2010-08-07T17:47:00.000-07:00

Just in case I can't post from hubby's computer at the farm this week I'm leaving ya'll with a pic of the awesome lemonade stand I came across in my neighborhood this week. I've seen at least 3. But, these boys beat out all the girl stands I've come across.

I always make a point to stop for any precious kids learning work ethic and selling skills!!

xox, DeniseMarie

Jack Beagle

2010-08-06T06:48:00.000-07:00

It's Hound Dog Thursday with Cindy at A House with 2Cats

So..

I get to share my newest shot of Jack Beagle. lol

Jake put his dinosaur toy under his paw and he let it sit there while he kept resting.

I spotted a new meme this Friday am too..

Bella is allowing us to show our babies off looks like once a month on the 1st Friday of each month. What a great meme. I gotta show the shots I just took of Sonic kitty this week too.

He has taken over our wing back chair. He'll lay there even if there is a pile of laundry waiting for us to put in a drawer. He just curls up beside whatever is in the chair.

This is Jack Beagle's spot next to me while I'm blogging. This lil patch of wood floor is his cool patch.

It's too hot outside...for sure.

Show your pet love at these 2 memes today.

Have a happy Weekend!

xox, DeniseMarie

Teenager in the house!!

2010-08-05T17:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Lord...I've been good. Jake is now a teenager which means I've allowed him to survive his pre-teen years. I didn't think I'd get thru them with his stubborn tenacity. Please help me be strong and patient and loonnnggg suffering with him now that he is a teen. lol For, I know the plans you have for him...to prosper him and not to harm him...to give him a hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 I know that 1 day all of those character traits that make his momma crazy will be great assets to him and for your good use.

Look how cute and innocent and sweet he looks at 7:30am. He doesn't sleep in like most kids his age. He couldn't wait to open the gift I got him. Girls, he has grown 1 1/2 inches and 8 lbs. since June 7th recordings.

He sure can't use it now but this Winter it'll be cool to have. A Longhorns Letter Jacket style coat.

I always get him lots of different clothing pieces. I'm such a Mom!!

I finally tried something. I was inspired by the pretty package party. I used this Michael's clearance Christmas paper and very wide ribbon I got this past January. I love papers that don't look like Christmas because they can be used for other special occassions.

I used an empty ribbon roll to make his gift tag. I inked the edge and cut the scallop with my large scallop circle puch. I used small star punches to pop dot off the red. I saw 1 time that someone recycled these rolls for ornament making so maybe I'll try that this fall. :)

Thrifty Thursday at Bloggeritaville

Pretty Packages Party at The Blackberry Vine

xox, DeniseMarie

Pretty packages 2

2010-08-04T04:21:00.000-07:00

The incredible hostess of this party is The Blackberry Vine . She has a copy from her awesome Mother-in-Love at Entertaining Women of this book that I would love to own.

It is such a beautiful book that it inspired a Meme!

I believe I've flipped thru it while relaxing at Barnes & Noble that happens to be in the same shopping strip as my Massage Envy. ; } I'm preparing a shower gift so I'm gonna tag in again.

I made this special lil matchbook album for a baby boy coming soon. I've embellished a set of 6 cards to go with it to complete my gift. Now, how to gift it at the shower? I started with a pop-tart box and cut the top flaps off. I've finally run out of baby boy gift bags but never to worry.

This is a scrap of wrapping paper I used for my baseball boys. Ya'll know the pieces you should just throw away because it is so much trouble keeping the lil scraps.

Here are the cards I whipped up for Logan's Mom to use for thank you or progress report cards. lol

This precious ribbon came from Dawn at Cottage State of Mind when she sent me her blog-a-versary gift. It is perfect for securing the set of notecards.

I nestled them nicely down into the box and used white tissue to coddle them.

I used scraps to make the card and taped it onto the front.

Can't wait to see pics of this sweet lil boy coming soon.

Parties to show off my work:

Pretty Packages Party with The Blackberry Vine

Show us what UR working Wednesday with at Me & My Bucket

xox, DeniseMarie

Pretty Packaging

2010-08-02T19:33:00.000-07:00

I want to tag into the 1st ever Pretty Packages Party at The Blackberry Vine so I found a few photos in my archives. I sure hope she does this often. I adore the book she was inspired by to do the meme. I love to package gifts special without buying a $3 gift bag to do it. Call it cheap...frugal...creative. A favorite tactic is cello!

Spring '08 I had a blast putting these together for teachers, prayer partners and coaches. I had found right after Easter some chocolates in clear plastic Easter Egg shaped holders for 50% off. I took the chocolates out to give 3 per package and they stretched pretty far. I used crinkled paper to fill the bottom of the carrot shaped bags (orange crinkle would have been even cuter, maybe even with gold crinkle sprinkled in too). The bags came with green ribbons and a leaf tag that I wrote 24K gold Thanks on from our family.

I love a gift within a gift. I love cello bags!! I love to see the gift and have your heart flutter.

I've been doing Snowman Soup for years...I'm famous for it with NASA engineers. lol

Hubby likes for me to have a little something for every single desk in his branch at work for Christmas so I stock up at the after Christmas sales on Snowman cups if I see them for Snowman Soup. I had gotten these really pretty ones to give for 2009. I didn't find any after 2009 season was over. I've also used burlap snowman sacks from Oriental Traders, Snowman ZipLoc bags if I see them. It makes a terrific family gift if you make a batch and put it into a big container so they can enjoy thru-out the season.

I'm able to get the cup down into a cello bag without toching the lip of the cup. Snowman Soup: In it goes a pkg of cocoa, a candy cane for stirring and 3 chocolate kisses and a lil jewelry bag of marshmallows, so that they don't dry up. In this photo I can see that I also added extra chocolate candies and a personal note from our family. I twist tied them up the best I could. I also love the cups with the sip lips on top too. Maybe this year I can use brown paper sacks so that a few cookies will fit into the bag with the cup with soup fix'ns in it. :0)

A simple idea that hit me this Winter for my Mom's In Touch prayer group that I lead for Nate's Ele school. I wanted to give a simple gift to the school by way of the Teacher's Lounge coffee/tea area.

As soon as I saw this bucket of Peppermint Stir Sticks at World Market, I envisioned this penguin gift tag from my stash suspended with a straw and holding a sweet lil candy cane and writing

'Let's Stick Together' on the tag which you can barely see here. It was a hit. I could see using 1 of these in Snowman soup with a Snowman Peep to change up the recipe.

Also, want to tag into

3 or more Tuesday at The Gypsy's Corner

xox, DeniseMarie

Sneak Peek

2010-07-31T14:02:00.000-07:00

Wanna see what we are doing in this Texas Heat?

I'll show my stove area soon and you'll know where this beast is gonna be hung. It is a vent hood cabinet combo with columns that open for spices and oils.

primed and laying on it's back..

this is the door that goes above the vent hood. It'll open upwards and store paper goods. These corbels will be at the bottom of the colums that flank the cabinet.

Sherwin Williams Dover White is a sweet, soft, creamy white.

It's sooo hot that I have to come in and sit in the air conditioner to cool off every once in a while. :P

Tagging in:

I heart naptime for Sundae Scoop

xox, DeniseMarie

Cloud 9

2010-07-30T06:08:00.000-07:00

Is this not a glorious puffy lil cloud!?

When I got out of the car it was a spectacular grouping of pink, setting sun clouds. By the time I got to my camera, all that was left was this lil guy. lol

Let the Heavens declare the Majesty of his works and Creation cry out, Glory, glory, glory!

xox, DeniseMarie

Magic of Santa

2010-07-28T11:07:00.000-07:00

Girls, my last post got my wheels a turning!
You know how hard it is sometimes to get just the perfect gift for your beloved!!
I got more intrigued about my momma's Christmas dishes. She has proudly become our hostess on Christmas afternoons. Ya'll know the drill...she has to blend the 2 families. She and I got to thinking after this last dinner together that she needed more dishes and they are retired from 1996. I had NO idea there was an aftermarket for them! (even though I'm a dishie) So I got creative searching stuff out. But, check this out...

For Goodness Sakes...there is fabric in her Magic of Christmas Debbie Mumm pattern.

She and I are always buying fabrics to make napkins so she'll love this surprise.

E-bay 50% off sale going on right now...$4.49/yard!! Yippee

She has 70 Debbie Mumm listings alone...WOW!

Gravy boat & Utensil Canister for 50% off

She has been serving gravy out of the saucepan...she'll love this lil $12 sweetie!

I had NO idea that there was this. She can use for flowers or utensils ice bucket or whatever. Wow, for $5 bucks...I can't go wrong.

She really needs more salad/dessert plates to go with the 8 new dinner plates I got to coordinate with this whole set. I got the $1 red with white snowflakes (Dollar Tree) and have a bid in on 8 (exactly what we need to complete her set) of these.

Girls, I'm happy!!

I'm full of Gratitude for 50% off sales!!

She'd never splurge or research this out like I have. I get to give her a truly personal gift that she'll love and treasure and use every single year. She'll be proud that I did this for her.

Should I splurge item...

3 tiered Tid-Bit server for her Dessert bar that she does so well.

$25 plus $15 shipping=$40 she'd be so shocked to see this!

Girls, I'm frugal but you gotta be willing sometimes to splurge for just the right items. I didn't have to leave my bloggie seat to search all these pieces out and for 50% off...that covers shipping just fine.

I think this is all gonna be wrapped up in a gorgeous 3 layer presentation for Grandparents day in September from my boys!

I refuse to pay Replacements.com prices right now. Gotta love E-bay!!

Gonna tag in just in case this post inspires anyone:

Gratitude Wed with Heidi at Heart and Home

Rednesday with Sue at It's a Very Cherry World

Tablescape Thursday with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch

Show n Tell Friday with Cindy at My Romantic Home

My NEW Christmas Bloggie is:

DeniseMarie-Christmas...I'd love a few followers! :)

xox, DeniseMarie

Christmas in July

2010-07-25T17:22:00.000-07:00

I gotta do a Christmas in July post today because it is the 25th and we are more than 1/2 way there peeps. lol I see bloggies all over dreaming of Fall already and thinking of Pumpkins and Scarecrows. I went to my friendly neighborhood Goodwill this week and drug the boys because I had brought them to see Robin Hood they could at least shop with me for 20 minutes while we were out. Summers for me mean I can at least once or twice bring the boys to the Dollar Cinema and escape the heat a little. Also, bargains for school clothes and holiday items that NO ONE else is thinking about.

I got the Precious Moment Angel for $5.40 for my Nativity Cabbage Patch Jesus baby. He'll be watching over the baby this Christmas. I got my mom the red snowman plate with snowflakes to go with her set of dishes. She has a Debbie Mum set of Santa that we haven't seen again out and about so I have gotten her as much of the Dollar Tree red plates with white snowflakes to make up the kids table and it coordinates well. This will be perfect with it all.

I got a brand new set of red napkin rings for my mom too for 50cents. I got 3 Christmas pins. Someone had their entire collection of jewelry and pins donated.

This Angel pin is my fav!

I still enjoy picking out a diff pin each time I step out during the Christmas season...doesn't everyone?

At my fav quilt shoppe I got these for 75% off recently.

Even the backs have great detail. They were like 83 cents each. I always think I'll do the boys a nautical tree up in their bathroom. Or they'd be cute as tassels for fluffy white towels.

Debbie at Debbie Dabbles just started a A Debbie Dabble Christmas and got me stirred up. lol

Edited to add that I may have found Mom's pattern on Replacements.com. I am trying to get her all fixed up so I may have to get some pieces to surprise her. ;o)

I'm linking in at:

Summer Sundays at The Tablescaper

Thrift Share Monday atApron Thrift Girl

Nifty Thrifty Tue at Coastal Charm

3 or More Tues at The Gypsy's Corner

2nd Time around Tues at A Pic is worth 1K words

Rednesday at Sue Loves Cherries

Thrifty Thurs at Tales from Bloggeritaville

xox, DeniseMarie

Shell-o

2010-07-19T10:40:00.000-07:00

I am showing ya'll the making of a potpouri from this past week for my master suite water closet. I had bought the shell potpouri from my girlfriend's shoppe (on clearance). I thought it was gonna go
onto my coffee table in a wooden bowl.

Oceanic Edge.

this is a huge bag of shells. I could use the big scallop for a dessert plate.

It was double bagged and isn't that twine tie cool? I'll use that for something.

Shells galore! And they smell great.

Then, I was in my fav consignment shop (while Nate was at batting cages for All-Star practice) and they had 25% off and I saw this cool container with a shell on it. How could I resist it? lol

I moved a few pics from around the house in here. It is fun to see 2 pieces I have that evoke summer memories be added to the cache of shells.

This watercolor was purchased from Mother-in-laws artistic neighbor because it reminds me of New England summer homes. My Aunt brought me a few times when we would travel up to G'mas.

..picked up at a resale shop. I can't pass up stitch work being thrown out.

I painted the matte board to match my walls and never did the frame.

Hope you have a beach~combing kinda week! I plan to head to Galveston with my boys soon. With the oil rigs turned off (sad) and the storms that have come thru we are getting word that a day at the beach might be pleasant. :-)

Join in the block parties:

Sundae Scoop with I heart naptime

Thrift Share Monday with Apron Thrift Girl

Blue Monday with Smiling Sally

Show off your Cottage Mondays with The house in the roses

3 or more Tuesday with The Gypsy's Corner

2nd time around Tuesday with A Pic is worth K words

We're organized Wed with Organize and Decorate Everything

Show us what ur work'n with with Me and My Bucket

Rednesday with Sue Loves Cherries

Thrifty Thursday with Tales from Blogeritaville

Show n Tell Fri with Cindy at My Romantic Home

xox, DeniseMarie

Newest Fav Verse

2010-07-16T11:16:00.000-07:00

Girls, my fav bible verse changes often.

The Lord showed me a keeper this past month.

It hit close to my heart when I needed encouragment to carry the candle.

I made it my facebook description for now. I wrote it in the inside cover of my bible where I put my best nuggets.

I think it will be the 2010/2011 Mom's In Touch year long mantra for the 2 prayer groups I'll be leading for both boys schools.

1 Thess 5:16

Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

It sums up everything I'm about in a sweet lil precise package. I have to say that I hurt for those who do not know the Lord and his beautiful ways and life-giving words.

Linky party at I owe it all to Him with Cindy

I think it would be cool for 1 of us to collect all the scriptures & make a lil booklet. :0)

xox, DeniseMarie

Blue and brown ahead

2010-07-15T06:29:00.000-07:00

Smiling Sally is the winner of my blog-a-versary celebration door prize!

In honor of her love of blue and her just having her wedding anniversary I'm excited to make her some blue thank you cards.

I also have a gift to put together for Logan. A dear friend's daughter is having a 2nd child which will be a boy and it looks like blue it is.

Here's what I made today with paper, stickers and embellishements. Have ya'll ever seen these little albums? All ya gotta do is add stuff to it and they slap the pics in later.

I probably got it at Hobby Lobby 75-90% off. I've been saving it for something special and finally got it out today. I used cardstock and the computer to get his name and then 1 of my fav punches and pop dotted it on. I used 2 creative memory stickers to embellish and little dots to indicate movement. :0)

2 peeps un-followed me yesterday & I had to accept that I am who I am and can't blog any diff. Also, I'm challenged to figure out why I can't comment on some fav blogs or tag into some parties??

Please join in at:

Show n Tell Friday at My Romantic Home with Cindy

xox, DeniseMarie