Let's Share!!

I am really enjoying reading various blog posts about family traditions, recipes, gift giving ideas and decorating for the holidays. Everyone is so inspiring and really creative. So, what I decided to do is have a link on my sidebar, just below this jolly vintage Santa, of recipes or ideas for homemade and handmade gifts to give. There is something so personal and sweet in receiving a gift that a dear friend took the time to create. Wouldn't you agree?

If you would like to share your favorite recipe or handmade gift giving idea, just leave me a comment on this post with a link to your post - or somebody else's post. If it is ok, I will add the link to my sidebar list. Won't this be fun? It can even be a traditional decorating idea! Personally, my mind is always spinning with ideas and sometimes I just need a nudge to get me going and motivated.

Two years ago I found Sharon's homemade caramel recipe and have made it for gifts - and they were a hit!! They are melt in your mouth good!

My first link is to sweet Maryjane's Chocolate Popcorn recipe in a paint can! Now isn't that just a SWEET idea! She even shared the image of the vintage Santa above, so you can copy and paste it to your file to use.

Can't wait to get this list going!

I know that there is a lot of talent out there in this big world of ours!

xoxoxo

Sending YOU A Wish...

for a SWEET day....

because YOU are SWEET!!!

So Long Sweet, Sweet Bonny Jean....

Sweet little Bonny Lass...

Your strong will, loving heart, boundless energy and loyalty will

be missed by all who had the gift to know you.

My dear and sweet friends, Doug and Wave, said their goodbyes to their beloved little 15 1/2 year old Scottie dog, Miss Bonny Jean. Bonny was the matriarch of the home and big sister to Maudie McPhie and Hank. Bonny enjoyed swimming in the canal (with a life vest), long walks, playing fetch and seeking out rats. Every morning she rose at the crack of dawn and stood by the French doors barking for her maw and paw to wake up and feed her. Bonny loved to give kisses and greet visitors at the back gate. But most of all, Bonny was dignified, graceful and a blessing to have known.

Bonny has crossed over the misty Scottish moors and onto the Rainbow Bridge. Her crossing is bitter-sweet because little Bonny passed away on Jordan's birthday. I prayed that she would not go that day - and even asked her not to, but God had bigger and better plans for her.....as I know that my Jordy was given the gift of lil' Bonnie Lass that day.
left to right: Bonny, Maudie and Hank

This photo was taken in December 2008 of pretty Bonny. I just LOVE her Scottie profile! You may remember reading about Wave when her beautiful Scottish Cottage was featured as

January 2009's Cottage Of The Month on our friend Jennifer's

website, The Old Painted Cottage.

Sweet ...

...sweet..

Bonny Lass.

It has been a true HONOR to know you.

I will remember you for always.

For Doug and Wave, God will bring back your Bonny someday....

life is just a blink of an eye. I love you both....

comforting...

Nothing beats a good baked rice pudding.

It not only warms the belly, but it brings back fond memories

of the wonderful aroma as it baked in my mother's kitchen.

For a good recipe, try Paula Deen's.....just click here.

What is your favorite comfort food? I would love to hear about it!!

~~My family would like to sincerely thank all of you who left heartfelt words for Jordan's birthday post. Your comments are all very comforting to us.....thank you......~~

Happy Birthday, Our Sweet Jordy Boy.....

...today you are 26...

26 years ago God blessed us with you ~ a fuzzy headed little bundle of pure joy. You gave us 25 years of laughter, joy, pride and love. Your life, your hugs, your laugh, your impersonations, your ability to walk in a room and make everybody smile and laugh - all of it is was the biggest birthday gift that you, Jordan, ever gave to all of us. Now you belong to Heaven and the stars spell out your name....Jordy Boy.

Though your candle burned out long before due,

we shall always remember this day and YOU.

Your friends and family miss you so very, very much!!!!!!

Keep doing the butterfly drive-bys...we know you are around us.

We love you, always and forever....

***

They that dwell under his shadow shall return;

they shall revive as the corn and grow as the vine.

Hosea: 14:7

Pssst....There's A New One......

A new one? Yes, a new one - as in a NEW and wonderful shop to discover!!

Vintage Market is now open! This beautiful shop has a big city loft feel with old used brick walls, talls ceilings and wood floors. So come on in.....

Let's browse, shall we?

Care for a snack?

Good idea here for a burlap tablecloth treatment.....

My friends have this space and they specialize in French linens, white painted furniture, vintage textiles, Santos figures and garden adornments.

Recognize the hearts below? Yes, I own a pair just like these and just love them.

They remind me of something you would find at The French General.

The shop is looking a lot like Christmas.

Teresa, the shop's owner, has a sweet vintage kids section. Check out this western pillow with an old license plate tied onto it. Very cute!

I LOVE this lamp! It has a galvanized shade with old crochet lace along the edge.
Wrapped around the lamp base is a piece of an old quilt with an appliqued Sun Bonnet Sue.

Little bits and bobs turned into magnets and attached to a funky old metal piece. This would be a great piece to have hanging low in a child's room with the magnetic ABC's. Decorative and educational.

Little trays with acorns, moss and twigs.

The chicken pillow was handpainted by a local artist. It is just wonderful!

LOVE these vintage ski pictures. They remind me of the times I spent cruising the slopes when I was younger.

....AND....Christmas is just around the corner! Great gifts can be found here...

as well as these pillows that can be custom ordered. They are burlap with stenciled letters done in black paint. I am inspired here....

This wonderful market is full of fun eye candy, like this bowl of vintage rings.

Vintage kids do ROCK and so does Vintage Market! If you live in California, or perhaps are planning a trip to the Central Valley area, be sure to take some time to stop in Turlock, California. There are other wonderful shops tucked along Main Street, too.

Be sure to tell them that I sent you!

Vintage Market

210 Main Street

Turlock, California