My intended "FEW WEEKS" of blogging break...

...have turned into a "FEW MONTHS!"

Where does the time go???

I've missed you guys, and must admit, I have been lurking when time allowed.

It has been a busy summer. I'll be sharing some of our summer happenings in the next few days, as well as some new projects I have been working on.

~~~

Today, on 09.09.09, I leave this verse with you from Psalm 9:9...

"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble."

~"Talk" to you soon! Rhonda ;)

{short break}

Taking a short Blogging break!

Our VBS begins Sunday night, on the 12th,

so as it draws near, I am now in full fledge "VBS Director Mode"! :)

"See ya'll in a couple of weeks!" ~Rhonda :)

{Any prayers will be greatly appreciated!}

{4th of July Greetings}

Happy 4th of July!

Below is a poem a friend sent, that I would like to share....

I watched the flag

Pass by one day,

It fluttered in the breeze.

A young Marine saluted it,

And then he stood at ease.

I looked at him in uniform

So young, so tall, so proud,

With hair cut square and eyes alert

He'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought how many men

Like him had fallen through the years.

How many died on foreign soil

How many mothers' tears?

How many pilots' planes shot down?

How many died at sea

How many foxholes were soldiers' graves ?

No, freedom isn't free!

I heard the sound of Taps One night,

When everything was still,

I listened to the bugler play

And felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times

That Taps had meant 'Amen,'

When a flag had draped a coffin

Of a brother or a friend.

I thought of all the children,

the mothers and the wives,

Of fathers, sons and husbands

with interrupted lives.

I Thought about a graveyard

At the bottom of the sea

Of unmarked graves in Arlington.

No, freedom isn't free.

Enjoy Your Freedom

& God Bless Our Troops!

{thrifty 4th tablescape}

A Patriotic Tablescape on a Thrifty Budget???

Sure thing, ...and just in time for the 4th of July!

Thriftiness can be beautifully assembled from items purchased at yard sales, thrift stores, and DOLLAR Stores!

And we can't forget, ...freebies and gifts! Doesn't get any cheaper than that! :)

Come take a look....

Oh, where to start?

White cow and rabbit pitchers, and red and white striped polished cotton remnant (1/2 yard), thrift store purchases. (fabric, 50 cents)

Four small milkglass vases at each placesetting, found at various thrift stores, yard sales, and flea markets for an average of 50 cents each.

Noritake "Sweet Swirl" glasses, wedding gifts.
(Not a thrifty buy, but "free" to me! "smiles!)

Forged aluminum "butler" found at a local antique shop.

Plate setting...
White dinner plate (used as a charger) and salad plate, part of a set purchased at Big Lots exactly four years ago. (Tuscany Classics)

Blue and white dinner plate, (and teapot and sugar and creamer), part of a set passed down from my Grandmother B.

Small blue star shaped dish, perfect for sherbet, found at General Dollar, for $1 each.

Blue placemats, another Big Lots purchase, for $1 each.

Glass stars found at Dollar Tree, as well as the three stems of red and blue flowers used throughout.

Flatware...

Forks, Gorham, passed down from Father-in-law.

Knives, Wallace, Christmas gift from parents.

And last, but certainly not least, the Grand Ole' Flags,

$1.75 from Dollar General.

The cow pitcher is elevated on a beautiful vintage white scalloped cake plate, found on ebay several years ago, which can't be seen for the fabric.Just a few more shots...

Due to my crazy Summer schedule, this will probably be my only post this week. So I will be linking to the following blogs to partipate in their events....

For more Thrifty Treasures, please visit Rhoda at Southern Hospitality!

Link onto Sally, at Smiling Sally, for BLUE Monday....

~~~

(Blog/Event Image disappeared....sorry!!!)

~~~

For more Great DOLLAR STORE Dinner Challenges, be sure to visit Barbara tomorrow, at Grits and Glamour!

And On Thursday, stop by Susan's blog, Between Naps on the Porch, for beautiful Tablescape ideas and viewing.
And most importantly, I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe 4th!
~Rhonda :)

{words of a child}

~Still on a semi-blogging break.~
I'm directing our VBS at church, which will be here in just a few weeks. That combined with work, other summer activities, (and unfortunate computer problems,) has me busy and running ragged at the moment! :)

But I did want to drop in say HI, and share this cute poem that a friend emailed me this morning.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I did! :) ~Rhonda

He was just a little boy, On a week's first day.

Wandering home from Bible school, And dawdling on the way.

He scuffed his shoes into the grass; He even found a caterpillar.

He found a fluffy milkweed pod, And blew out all the 'filler.'

A bird's nest in a tree overhead, So wisely placed up so high.

Was just another wonder, That caught his eager eye.

A neighbor watched his zig zag course, And hailed him from the lawn;

Asked him where he'd been that day And what was going on.

'I've been to Bible School ,' He said and turned a piece of sod..

He picked up a wiggly worm replying, 'I've learned a lot about God.'

'M'm very fine way,' the neighbor said, 'for a boy to spend his time.'

'If you'll tell me where God is, I'll give you a brand new dime.'

Quick as a flash the answer came! Nor were his accents faint.

'I'll give you a dollar, Mister,

If you can tell me where God ain't...?'

{finding the good stuff}

One of the very good things about being an avid thrifty collector,

is that once people know you are, they usually pass along other good deals to you.

Kind of like a network for junking....but I say the word "junk" with the utmost affection! :)

Last week, a friend asked if I would like to ride along to a (very nice) retirement home nearby that was having a rummage sale. It had changed hands and in the process, the entire large facility was being redecorated. All of the "old" artwork and accessories were for sale. The pieces ranged from 8x10 sets to very large pictures.

I vowed not to buy a thing, on the ride there. My spaces are overflowing as is.

Oh, but who can pass up a bargain, such as the ones I got below....

The large classic pottery piece was purchased for $10.00. {14x10 across the top, and 6/7" tall} I envision a beautiful flower arrangement in it very soon!

See the beautiful details, such as the gold accent.

The bird and floral print is about 30x16, and was $15.00

I purchased one other print for $15.00 also, a 36x18 one, below. Both pieces were from the Biltmore Estate Collection.

It was hard to get a good picture of it, much prettier in person.

It is hanging in my bedroom entry, against blue walls.

Another attempt to photograph...

Still not much better, sorry!

I give up....but here is a closeup of the main attraction, the sweet boy and animals.

That was my thrifty finds for the week. The pieces cost more than I would normally spend, but the quality was well worth the price I payed.

For more Thrifty Treasures, visit the Thrifty Queen herself, Rhoda at Southern Hospitality! "smiles"

..........................................................

I will be taking a short blogging break for the rest of the week. I do appreciate your comments very much, and will be sure to visit and respond when I return to blogland! {I'm still behind from last week, in responding to comments, but promise to make my rounds very soon!}

Take Care! ~Rhonda :)

{graduation, question answered, & a new blog}

Tomorrow, Kevin and I will attend a very special event,

Josh's High School Graduation.

{Note: Post was prepared on Wednesday}
It seems like only yesterday, we were at his Eighth Grade Continuation Ceremony.

This past Sunday, he marched in the Senior Recognition Service at our church.

Below, Josh is pictured before the service with his older sister, Kayla.

Josh accepts his recognition gift from the Pastor.

Sorry for the blurriness, he was moving fast!

{and I was crying, hard! ;) }

Each Senior was asked to say a few words. Josh did a great job with his little speech...more tears! :)

David, Josh, and Ashley...

Beautiful Vignette....Graduate Tribute.

Words for the Graduate...
Joshua 1:9 ...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (NIV)

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. You are the guy who'll decide where to go.”
by, Dr. Seuss

Congratulations, Josh!!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A Question Answered...

Thanks for all the nice comments on my last post, the Porch Redo. I had several questions as to how the planters were hung on the doors. The front doors are too thick for the metal hangers that go over the top of the door. For several years, I used the plastic hangers/hooks with the sticky backs. But they didn't last long, even on wreaths that weighed very little. I think the direct sunlight weakened their strength.

I found the very large suction cups at a local hardware store. The planters are made of thin metal, so they aren't heavy, but these suctions cup hangers will hold most anything.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

New Blog...

My daughter, Ashley, decided last week to start her very own blog,

Glitzy Glamour.

She is a dedicated and devoted fashion diva! Loves clothes, bags, shoes, makeup, jewelry....

and has a great eye for it all!

And like her dear old mom....LOVES a bargain! "Getting the good stuff for less!"

We invested in a small salon, in '07, as a side business. Taking her along to the storehouse is pure heaven on earth to this girly-girl!

Here is the "cute part of this story." She posted FOUR entries her first day!

And she now has a dry erase board outlining ideas for future posts!

I think that qualifies her as a true blogger at heart! :)

Here is the "sad part of the story"...

She has only had one from comment, and that was from me, which she says doesn't count! :) So visit her and leave a little bloggy love if you have a moment! You won't be disappointed, it is super cute and interesting. And that is not just me as a Mom talking! :)

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend! ~Rhonda