Favorite Thing: Mama's Pink Pyrex

Well I was 18 and had just started working in town, making money. Thought I was rich, to have cash in my pocket and more in the bank.

As Mama's birthday approached that December 1971, I found this pink Pyrex bowl at an old Richmond store called Miller & Rhoads. It was the place to shop, back in the day. Feeling all important, I carried it to the register and paid cash.

When Mama opened the package on the 20th, her excitement was much less than mine. In fact, I spent the next 40 years wondering if she even liked it. Not that she never used it, she did a few times for the green peas, which she always served when company came. 

But I loved it. I thought it was beautiful.

Well, sometime in those 40 years, I learned to buy gifts that the recipient would like instead of what I liked. And I inherited the  "Gooseberry pink" bowl when Mama passed in 2005.

It's the kind of thing you would grab (along with your Bible, of course) if the house caught fire, which I pray it never does, nor yours. But it's that special. It's my favorite thing of all, and I'm sharing this at Claudia's new party at Mockingbird Hill Cottage ~

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Hugs ~ Mary

I'm sharing also at My 1929 Charmer.

It's the Doldrums

Well, I've got the summer doldrums. 

The flowers are dying off.

Enough of the heat already.

No motivation to paint, sew, or try a new recipe.

I manage to do laundry and keep everyone fed (barely).

The highlight of my day is greeting the friendly workers at McDonald's as I drive through to get my daily caffeine fix ~ 
"One Mickey D's sweet tea, please!"

Love the kids working there, always ready with a smile, a laugh.
Then I return  home to read.

I've whirled through so many books this summer. Currently reading three - one in the breakfast room, one in the den, and one in the bedroom. The characters and plots are getting intertwined in my mind, but that's okay - it's just the summer doldrums.

Matthew's so bored, he used a silver Sharpie to do this,
it's probably going to be the highlight of his day ~

Where's the FBI when you need someone to
read a perfectly nice fingerprint?

It's the end of summer, and I've got the doldrums.

How do you stay "up" in late August? 
Are you as ready for fall as I am?

Hugs ~ Mary

I'm sharing at:
From My Front Porch to Yours

Tweaking my Kitchen Desk

Our kitchen desk has been the catch-all for everyone's junk,

we all have a spot like that, right?! Mail, flyers, hair ties, odd pieces of Playmobil. It's one of those places you have to "pick up" daily. 

Meanwhile, my upstairs desk stays overwhelmed with papers to file, grocery lists, bills, receipts , coupons ... making me a crazy woman since I'm a little OCD in the neatness department.

This week I had a lightbulb moment ... why not move all the kitchen-related items to the kitchen desk and forever banish anything else being left there. 

Since I spend a good part of my life in the kitchen, it's so convenient to fill out grocery lists there, instead of upstairs wondering what we already have, what we might need. 

Coupons, right there with the list. 

Menu plan and accompanying shopping list, 

all together in one place. 

Amazing organization. I wish I'd thought of this years ago, but better late than never, right?

Sometimes a small tweak can save time and reduce stress - 

I'm loving this little change!

Hugs ~ Mary

I'm sharing at Brenda's Cozy Little House

"Tweak It Tuesday" party

Sunday Morning

For we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 NIV

 

Hugs ~ Mary

Guest Posting at Cozy Home Scenes

Shannon at Cozy Home Scenes is sponsoring "Paws and Claws" pet day on Fridays - and I was excited to guest post our story of how we came to get our much loved (smooch!!!) dog, Casper. 

Hope you can hop over and read all about it, and while there, you'll want to look around at the amazing crafts, decor, and recipes Shannon shares ~

Cozy Home Scenes

I love her blog! Tell her I sent you, and enjoy our Casper story.

 

Hugs ~ Mary

Matthew Goes to Williamsburg

Matthew took a little trip to Williamsburg yesterday, 

he went by ferry ~

                All aboard, he fed the sea gulls a few cheese doodles ~

 

 He landed and made his way to Williamsburg. Word of his sea gull shenanigans preceded him and he was immediately punished ~

Word came that the British were coming ~

 So he was freed and set to chopping wood for the winter fires ~ 

 And readied the cannon (or at least tried) ~ 

Then locked up all the valuables ~

And fed the sheep (but not with cheese doodles) ~ 

However, the Governour said he did not authorize Matthew to feed the sheep so back to the stockades he went ~ 

 As the sun set on another lovely trip.

Hugs ~ Mary

 Photos today courtesy of Matthew using my 

Kodak EasyShare camera (except the stockade shots).

Broken Vans and Life

Saturday night I drove Matthew's friend home - and my van died right in front of his driveway. Mr. Redo came to help but couldn't fix it. So we rolled it away from the driveway and left it parked.

 Sunday was church - what an amazing worship service! We've recently returned to the church where Mr. Redo and I met and were married. The music is amazing, the messages inspiring. Bonus: reconnecting with friends from long ago.

 Then Mr. Redo worked on the van some more but nope, it wasn't going to start. Thankfully he's off today so he's having it towed to a Honda repair shop to get things moving (pardon the pun!). Hopefully it won't cost too much, but you know how that goes.

We were going to Williamsburg today but the forecast calls for showers so we may delay that trip til tomorrow. The kids and I are itching to ride the Jamestown-Surry ferry again ... and eat at The Virginia Diner again.