Worth Contemplating

"In contemporary society our adversary majors in three things:  noise, hurry, and crowds.  If he can keep us engaged in 'muchness' and 'manyness', he will rest satisfied."
- Richard Foster, as quoted by Max Lucado in Cure for the Common Life

Dinner of Appreciation

A friend hosted a dinner this evening, thanking friends for journeying with her during a difficult season.  These dear little purses were our place cards and serve as a sweet remembrance.  What a special evening!

Spring has Sprung!

What a beautiful day!! I love spring! I normally celebrate the first day of spring by hanging a springy wreath, planting pansies, and making a stop at Rita's for some free Italian Ice. But, since spring came early to South Central PA this year, I did my annual spring routine a few days early!

Spring Fever

Isn't this a cool watering can?! I bought it at the Circa Antiques stand (their shop is located on West Market Street in York) at the Mid-Atlantic Garden Show in York today. It's likely from Germany or Holland. The show was a great way to welcome spring, and a fun way to spend the day with a dear friend!

Rescued

I found these adorable yo-yo blocks at an antique shop in Hershey. I had seen them a few months ago, and was so drawn to them, but just couldn’t justify spending money on them. Yet, they kept haunting me…. I kept thinking of the dear woman who had made them and felt sad that no one in her family wanted them. Then, a friend stopped in at the same shop over the weekend and saw them; she encouraged me to give them a good home. I went back and bought them; they look so happy to be in my house! The colors are perfect in the kitchen and laundry room, and they look wonderful with my Franciscan Dessert Rose dishes (an old pattern from the 40's - a number of my family members have that pattern because we have fond memories of eating off those dishes at my great aunt's). Now, to figure out how to use them...   There are 13 blocks and 2 different color arrangements; I'm not sure what the owner had in mind.  Were there more blocks originally, and did they get split up??  Was she planning on stitching some more?  I’m not sure yet what I want to do with them (create a spread, turn some into pillows?), but for now I’m content to enjoy them just as they are.

Update, 7/10/10 - my nephew spotted the blocks and started playing with them.  In no time he came up with this layout - I would never have thought of it on my own!

Worth Contemplating

"God does uncommon works through common deeds."
- Max Lucado, Cure for the Common Life

Virginia Rose

I love these dishes! Aren't they sweet? They belonged to my Great Aunt Ruth. They are a perfect match for the laundry room walls - totally unplanned. I love it when that happens!

The pattern is "Virginia Rose" by Homer Laughlin. I only have butter plates and saucers (not sure why!). I keep my eye out for them at the antique shops, but so far have only found them on e-bay. I'll keep looking!