Home Away From Home

Traveling Man (my sweet husband) is always off on some new project.

That means finding a place to call home...

Home away from home.

It must 'feel' like home...

It is always exciting to drive off into the sunset on a new adventure,

in this case,

into the northern lights.

Here in Frenchtown

we found this wonderful old home,

empty,

needing a family to love it,

sitting pretty,

right on a golf course...

It called to us,

and so we said, "we'll take her."

Now the fun starts.

We look for treasures to use while living here,

but treasures we will love for years to come.

Treasures to take back to our south.

Treasures to fill the country house when we return home.

Ohhh how I love the painting here in the above photo.

Love at first sight.

And the OLD antique Imari bowl.  GASP!

It is over one hundred years old!  Yes!

And the tall green piece...

Green Scroll Collection from the Philippines.

It is stone, and so heavy I can hardly lift it.

A few Italian pieces, and one decanter from Mexico.

A wonderful sweater throw.

Perfect for those cold snowy nights.

Traveling Man spotted this sturdy little beauty.

He made an offer of $45.00.

They took it,

and so it now lives with us.

Pretty little silk cushion filled with down...

$2.00

OH MY GOSH!!!

Be still, my heart!!!

I LOVE this painting of the grand piano.

It will hang somewhere in the Frenchtown home until it is moved to 

the country house.

It takes my breath away.

This is one of the paintings bought at a local starving artist sale.

I love the lovely iron breakfast table and chairs found in a junk store.

Do not judge a store by its front...

Sometime the 'junkier' the better.
We found the perfect place for the iron table and chairs,
and it is the perfect spot for supper or breakfast,
as it over looks the sun porch.

This wonderful old home has a sun porch,

always full of light,

even on a cold snowy day.

Traveling Man found a beautiful bamboo sofa, and chaise lounge...

Just perfect for this area.

Did we 'need' the white German vase?

No.

Did we 'need' the white Italian candle stick and plate?

No.

Did we 'need' the 40 year old baker man?

No.

But how could we leave them there?

They fit perfectly in the little kitchen niche.

We awoke this morning to a new, fresh snow.

Everything is so white.

I am loving the northland,

but my heart is always in the south.

Blessings

Yaya

I DECLARE...Day Eight

Sharing yet another found treasure while in Frenchtown.

Such glorious bursts of color...

"To hope and dream is not to ignore the practical.

It is to dress it in colors of the rainbows."

Anne Wilson Schaef

Southern Lady

Day Eight of "I DECLARE"

"I DECLARE God's dream for my life 

is coming to pass.

It will not be stopped by people,

disappointments,

or adversities.

God has solutions to every problem I will ever face

already lined up.

The right people and the right breaks are in my future.

I will fulfill my destiny.

This is my declaration."

Joel Osteen

Blessings

Yaya

You Are...

"You are the books you read,

the films you watch,

the music you listen to,

the people you meet,

the dreams you have,

the conversations you engage in.

You are what you take from these.

You are the sound of the ocean,

the breath of fresh air,

the brightest light,

and the darkest corner.

You are a collective of every experience you have had in your life.

You are every single day.

So drown yourself in a sea of knowledge and existence.

Let the words run through your veins

and let the colors fill your mind."

I love this beautiful painting that I found in Frenchtown,

and I love the beautiful words above.

I have no idea who wrote them...

I believe they came from an old soul...a wise one.

I feel certain we "are" what we think,

what we read,

what we take part in...

We "are" a collective of all our experiences.

Seek knowledge, seek wisdom,

seek beauty, seek love,

seek grace, seek God...

Seek inspiration...

Find a way to pass it on.

Blessings

Yaya

Monday Morning Chocolate

It is a cold, but sunny morning in the northern land.

I journeyed with Traveling Man to Lake Erie.

Each trip is a blessed adventure,

and even though it is work,

there is always time for treasure hunting.

Treasure hunting,

good coffee,

and chocolate.

That always makes me feel better.

This morning's breakfast is a blueberry or two, or six,

covered in dark, delicious chocolate,

and a pot of cafe mocha.  

I always make good use of the treasures we find along the way.

Like the fine Bohemian china from Czechoslovakia.

Be still, my heart...

A beautiful 'find',

and one that will hold memories of another fabulous trip.

This quaint northern town, Frenchtown, is blanketed in snow,

and another storm on the way.

I miss my south,

but I love the beauty of the snow,

and the awaiting of more to come.

Blessings

Yaya

I DECLARE...Day Seven

I DECLARE that God has a great plan for my life.

He is directing my steps.

And even though I may not always understand how,

I know my situation is not a surprise to God.

He will work out every detail to my advantage.

In His perfect timing,

everything will turn out right.

This is my declaration.

Joel Osteen

Blessings

Yaya

I DECLARE...Day Six

Day Six of "I DECLARE"

I DECLARE a legacy of faith over my life.

I DECLARE that I will store up blessings for future generations.

My life is marked by excellence and integrity.

Because I'm making right choices

and taking steps of faith,

others will want to follow me.

God's abundance is surrounding my life today.

This is my declaration.

Joel Osteen

Blessings

Yaya

I DECLARE...Day Five

Day Five of "I DECLARE"

I DECLARE I am grateful for who God is in my life

and for what He's done.

I will not take for granted the people,

the opportunities,

and the favor He has blessed me with.

I will look at what is right 

and not at what is wrong.

I will thank him for what I have

and not complain about what I don't have.

I will see each day as a gift from God.

My heart will overflow with praise and gratitude

for all His goodness.

This is my declaration.

Joel Osteen

Blessings

Yaya

I DECLARE...Day Four

Day Four of "I DECLARE".

I DECLARE it is not too late to accomplish everything

God

has placed in my heart.

I have not missed my window of opportunity.

God has moments of favor in my future.

He is preparing me right now

because He is about to release a special

grace

to help me accomplish that dream.

This is my time.

This is my moment.

I receive it today!

This is my declaration.

Joel Osteen

Blessings

Yaya

I DECLARE...Day Three

Day Three of "I DECLARE".

I DECLARE I have the grace I need for today.

I am full of power,

strength, and determination.

Nothing I face will be too much for me.

I will overcome every obstacle,

outlast every challenge,

and come through every difficulty better off than I was before.

This is my declaration.

Joel Osteen

Blessings

Yaya

I DECLARE...Day Two

Day Two of "I DECLARE"

I DECLARE I will experience God's faithfulness.

I will not worry.

I will not doubt.

I will keep my trust in him,

knowing that he will not fail me.

I will give birth to every promise God put in my heart,

and I will become everything God created me to be.

This is my declaration.

Joel Osteen

Blessings

Yaya

I DECLARE...Day One

Day One of "I Declare".

I DECLARE God's incredible blessings over my life.

I will see an explosion of God's goodness,

a sudden widespread increase.

I will experience the surpassing greatness of God's favor.

It will elevate me to a level higher than I ever dreamed of.

Explosive blessings are coming my way.

This is my declaration.

Joel Osteen

Blessings

Yaya

Grandangels and Just Another Day in the Countryside

Two of the six little grandangels came to the country house,

and there was much anticipation of another winter storm.

Maybe a little snow.

Maybe a little ice,

or not.

However, the sled was made ready.

They pulled and tugged and got it to the top of the little hill.

Big sister talked little brother into pulling her...

Even without snow.

He pulled and pulled,

and she returned the favor.

They practiced 'sledding' 

and then off to walk the field road.

Rabbit hunting, actually...

Here bunny, bunny...

Look!  Is that a rabbit track?

He heard a noise,

and thought for sure it was a bunny...

I love walking the old field road.

When I was a child, 

my grandparents had cotton in all the surrounding fields.

So many memories linger,

as new memories are made.

A little boy stands looking out across the field...

I wonder what he is thinking,

and if he will remember walking the field road,

just as I did at his age.

Heading back to the country house,

he stops and takes great interest in Papa's rare 57..

Do all little boys love cars...old cars?

And grow into men who love cars?

Old cars?

And on to the tractor...

Just something about a red tractor.

Especially one with a scoop full of water.

Still looking for rabbits,

but not one rabbit did we see.

The afternoon is turning colder,

and the thoughts of chicken and dumplings cooking on the stove

cause us to think about returning to the house.

One last look for a rabbit...

But still no luck.

And one more look...

They thought for sure there was a rabbit in the field...

It was a nice walk,

and we return with a few rocks and sticks.

The sled is parked on the hill

awaiting the snow or ice

that may or may not come tonight.

There really is nothing better (in my book)

than grandangels spending time in the countryside,

making memories with Yaya and Papa

May your days be filled with blessings.

Yaya

The Kitchen Cupboard

Nothing matches...

Most of it comes from Italy...

Some from Poland...

A few pieces from Tunisia,

France, England, and Germany...

And some by way of T J Maxx...

The stack of plates to the left are all different.

All fine china, but different.

My mother started a collection of mismatched,

fine china dinner plates many years ago.

It was always fun to pick a plate.

I still love looking at her plates 

and choosing one,

depending on my mood...

I have had such fun collecting pieces that spoke to my heart...

It never mattered to me that nothing matched.

Many remind me of trips,

and treasure hunting.

What really matters is coming home to what you love...

There are no decorating rules in this houses.

The only rule is this;

"We must really love it,

or we must really need it."

I must remind Traveling Man to never buy

just because the price is cheap.

Remember our rule, I say to him.

Otherwise, he might bring home a box of snow globes,

and porcelain dolls.

Bless his heart.

He did that once.

Funniest thing....I can't seem to let them go.

I find myself picking up his snow globes,

turning the music box key,

and listening.

Our three little grand daughters 

love the beautiful dolls that Papa bought.

We have another rule.

We only keep it if it is needed, we love it,

or it has special meaning.

I suppose that makes my old kitchen cupboard

a very special treasure chest,

because it is filled with only the things 

that I love,

and many with very special meaning.

Blessings

Yaya

Snow in the Countryside

There is nothing more wonderful

than awakening to a winter wonderland.

Morning coffee in hand,

it's time to take a walk with the dogs.

It's so quiet.

Not a sound.

Everything is blanketed in snow.

It doesn't last long in the south,

but while it is here,

it is ever so magical.

So clean.

So white.

The trees looked like they were made of crystal.

It's time to head back inside,

and enjoy the winter beauty

through the window

 by the fire.

We must enjoy it while it last,

because tomorrow it will melt away,

like magic,

as if it never happened.

Blessings

Yaya

A Rainy Winter Night

The holidays are over,

and all the Christmas decorations have been packed away.

The ballgame of the year

came to an amazing end for Alabama, AGAIN!

National Champions...

The celebrating is winding down,

and I must admit,

I am ready for the quiet.

I'm ready to start new home projects,

and finish those that were put aside.

I am ready to clean and organize...

Maybe even redecorate a few areas of the old country house.

Maybe I'll paint and change rooms altogether.

It's wonderful to have some extended time in the countryside.

Time to ponder the desires of the new year.

On this rainy winter night,

I spend my time looking through beautiful magazines for inspiration,

decorating books,

and oh how I get lost in the magic of decorating blogs.

Tomorrow will be a busy day,

but tonight by the fire,

listening to the rain and dreaming

is just what I needed.

Blessings

Yaya

Everybody is a Leader

If everybody will just do their job,

we're gonna be all right.

Everybody's a leader...

Note to self...

Apply this to life in general.

Blessings

Yaya

A Dose of Motivation

Motivation does the soul good...

It seeps in never to leave.

This great motivator left a legacy for all Alabamians,

but not just in football.

We took his wisdom to heart,

oh so many years ago,

and hung on tight.

He kept a poem in his pocket,

and read it everyday of his life.

I decided to place 'him' here,

in my special place beneath a southern sky,

so that I might listen to his 

voice...

that deep, mellow

warm like good whiskey voice...

Everyday.

He inspires me to live 85%, at least...

Pardon us Alabamians,

as we are still on a 

crystal high!!

National Champions once again!!

Roll Tide!!

Blessings

Yaya

A New Day

This is the beginning of a new day.

God has given me this day to use as I will.

I can waste it or I can use it for good.

What I do today is very important

 because I am exchanging a day of my life for it.

When tomorrow comes

this day will be gone, FOREVER.

Leaving something in its place I have traded for it.

I want it to be gain, not loss,

good, not evil,

success, not failure,

in order that I shall not

forget the price I paid for it.

Blessings

Yaya

ROLL TIDE!!! So Proud of My South!

And the Bear said from Heaven;

"This Saban fellah is pretty good."

Blessings.

Roll Tide, Y'all!!!

Yaya

Jim Brickman - Winter Peace (The Gift)

Winter

I love the feel of a warm fire on a winter's day...

The smell of coffee throughout the old country house.

I love the feeling that I get when I sit at my large, old desk,

next to the fire,

on an early winter morn.

The comfort,

and the safety of home in the countryside.

The winter walks that I take around the field road with the dogs...

Old flannel shirts,

my favorite old soft jeans,

and my very old boots...

The smell of vegetable soup cooking on the stove.

Winter allows us time to come inside and slow down.

Slow down with a book,

a cup of hot tea, coffee, mulled wine,

and the old cashmere wrap.

I love the feel of the old wool rug under my feet,

as I do my yoga.

I don't mind the early night time..

It's the perfect excuse to light scented candles every night.

Winter is a time for thinking...

Dreaming...

Planning...

Organizing...

It is also a time for the new season of Downtown Abbey!

I am truly loving the wintertime at our country house...

This is also the time of year to look through all the seed and plant magazines.

I could stay lost in my thoughts, dreams, and books all winter long...

May you have a cozy and blessed winter...

Yaya

Long Ago

Haunting music that reaches down into my soul of long ago...
I think of those who are gone, but never forgotten.
My grandmother, when I was a child...
Her porch...
Her swing...
Her smile...
Her cornbread...
My dad...
How he was always there for me...
No matter what...
I miss him...
I miss them..
I miss 'long ago'...
I learned so much from 'long ago'...
Thought for the day;
"There is somebody in your life
that needs to see you live a spiritual example."
Your life and the memories you make
will someday, too, be 'long ago'...
Blessings
Yaya

Asleep the Snow Came Flying...

Michael Hoppe - Golden Leaves

Such soul soothing music...The Poet..Romances for the Cello

Enjoy!

Blessings...Yaya

God's Masterpiece

In this new year,

"Let no one ever come to you

without leaving better and happier.

Be the living expression of God's kindness:

Kindness in your face,

kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile."

~Mother Teresa~

You are God's masterpiece.

Know it.

Believe it.

There is a miracle in your mouth 

just waiting to be spoken into existence.

Speak what you desire.

Ask and you shall receive.

Let your requests be made known to God.

Blessings in the new year.

Yaya