My wish for you...

Sunny skies and warm Spring days are predicted for the coming week here, at last!...

You will find me in my gardens... soaking up all the beauty Spring has to offer... wishing you a "beary" beautiful, blissful week too!... xoxo...

A Farm~fresh Journal... and Bunnies for Easter...

I wanted to post my beautiful new Farm style journal today I asked my friend Sheila to create for me at Blessed and Distressed... I call her blog Blessed and De~stressed however, because it always makes me so happy to look at all of the beautiful things she creates!... Sheila posted how she created it today on her blog, along with gorgeous photos of it and which elements she used, some new, some vintage... please visit her and take a peek!... you too will feel Blessed and De~stressed!...

I am starting to get some of my Easter things out to decorate with...last year, I bought a cute little bunny at the dollar store... just a plain, simple little bunny, who, when I brought her home, asked to be dressed up in some Easter finery... so, out came my silk ribbons and lace... a few millinery flowers... and, of course a yummy carrot to munch on...

She turned out soo cute, I went back and brought her sister home... sissie bunny was fufu'd up too, and asked if I might go back for her cousin bunny...

I can never say no to any bunny!... so home came cousin bunny...cousin bunny so loved how she looked, and convinced me to bring home some more of the family...

You know me and animals... how quickly we went from one bunny to six... but of course... they are family!... and they are getting excited for Easter this year as well...

Easter is late this year... not until April 24th... did you know that the date Easter is celebrated is always the first Sunday after or on the first full moon after the Spring Equinox in the northern hemisphere?... my goodness... I wonder how many bunnies I will have by then?... you know how quickly they multiply!... xoxo...

Just Exactly What is "My Kind of People"???...

This is ME, plain and simple... a nice lady who treats everyone as she would like to be treated herself... a lady who was raised with manners... and taught that "nice matters"... ME, the lady who always holds the door for whoever is coming into a building or store, even the man who breezes right in and never stops to say "thank you"...this is the ME who lets the lady with only a few items in her cart go ahead of me in the market, even though I am in a hurry myself... this is the ME who says "please" and "thank you"... this is the ME who stops to help a stranger who appears to be lost, the ME who pulls a child out of the road as an oncoming car approaches... this is the ME who goes out in the freezing morning air to place the eighty~something year old neighbor's paper up on her porch so she won't slip and fall on the ice trying to get it... this is the ME who along with Jack takes the neighbors garbage and recycling cans in and out for them each week as they are older so they won't have to... this is the ME who rescues stray animals and finds their home... or gives them a home...

This is the ME who cries with anyone who is sad... the ME who is excited for anyone who is happy...the ME who hugs a lost child until his mama is found... this is the ME who does all she can to make the world a better place... the ME who believes ALL people are created equal... the ME who does not believe one religion is better than another... yet, today, by one of the very people I have befriended in our neighborhood, I am called "your kind of people"... very seldom do I post anything serious... as I try to make everyone that might be having an otherwise bad day feel just a bit happier when they visit my blog... the ME who, as my daddy used to say, tries to "carry the weight of the world on her shoulders"... the ME who wants to make everything right, for everyone... but these things were not what this neighbor was referring to... no, "my kind of people" meant that Jack and I are not members of the dominant religion here in Utah, of which he is... and when asked to give him personal information about us for use in a program carried out by his particular religion, we refused... we do not give anyone our personal information... now, I am the ME who, I am told by him, is not a good person because I do not share his religious beliefs... I am the ME who he knew from the beginning is not "his kind of people"...I am the ME referred to by him as "your kind of people"... but, like I always try to do in a bad situation, I will be the ME who is strong... and the ME who was taught to stand up for myself and my beliefs.... "not his kind of people"???... I shall take that as a compliment... xoxo...

The Sweetest Dream...

Last night, I had the most enchanting dream... I believe it was a dream... perhaps not... I dreamt my beautiful rose "The Fairy" was blooming... even though my garden is covered in snow, and my precious plants are shivering in the cold weather, so anxious, like me, for Spring... it's oh so soft pale pink petals gently opening... it's Heavenly parfum filling the air... it was as though I was awake and a soft breeze really was teasing me, carrying it's beautiful scent through the midnight air... this is a flower~fairies favorite rose of all... oft times only the flower~fairies can smell their parfum... or those who, like me, believe with all their heart in the flower~fairies...

I lay there awake now, still in a dreamy state... yes, there was laughter... I was certain of it... a gentle, lilting sound wafting through the air as well... enticing me to get out of bed and go look out my window... the light from the still almost~full moon shone down upon my gardens... then I saw tiny little silhouettes flitting about... I rubbed my sleepy eyes... could it really be?... I blinked and blinked again until I was wide awake... then I saw two teeny little flower~fairies dancing about... then landing in my flowerpot... earlier in the day, it was empty... but tonight... oooh, tonight it was full of Verbena and Lobelia... and sweet Pink Bacopa...

Then I saw another beautiful little fairy... this one giggled as she landed in a flowerpot of Sweet Alyssum and Purple Nemesia...

And her sweet little flower~fairy sister called out to me from within a pot of Geraniums "come out and play"... I must be dreaming... it is cold out... and I am tired... I don't think the flower~fairies would be out in the cold... yes, my mind is playing tricks on me... or is it the flower~fairies playing tricks on me?...

Often, the flower~fairies will leave a secret little token for those who believe... remember... you must believe in them to see them... I believe... perhaps I shall find a special little token from them today... I believe... I believe... xoxo

Daydreams and Pretty Things.....

Once again, Mother Nature has surprised us by covering the earth in a soft, six inch blanket of snow in the night... it continues as I write... I must admit it does look beautiful gracefully falling to the already white ground... my gardens were just awakening to the warmth of the sun last week... they are confused now... their tiny little shoots of green shivering... wondering if they awoke too soon?... my plans of spending the day in my garden are now waylayed... I am so anxious to get my fingers in the cool, moist soil once more as I clean up winter's debris of broken branches and leaves blown in by our furious east winds of a month or so ago... to me these things are a labor of love... the winter has seemed extra long this year... I am hoping for an early Spring... I thought surely starting my Spring housecleaning would bring warmer, sunnier days... but inside, it DOES look like Spring!...

For each and every room in our home has beautiful flowers... many are silk... they look so real, you can almost smell their Heavenly scent... soon, real blooms from my gardens will fill the vases... I tell myself it will not be too awfully long now until I am carrying in my little garden trug full of fresh~cut lilacs and roses... I let my thoughts drift off like a soft gentle Spring breeze... I glance out once more at the falling snow...

Perhaps a nice hot cup of chamomile tea in my new teacup and a day spent pouring over my garden books will be a perfect way to while away a snowy day... as my thoughts turn to Spring...

What do you think Tess?...

She seems to agree... so we will be daydreaming today... sending happy thoughts and beautiful daydreams your way too... xoxo

"Where flowers bloom so does hope" ~ Lady Bird Johnson

Bloom...

Yesterday I stopped into my friend Jeni's shop and we talked a bit about everything, including attitudes and growing older... Jeni told me about a lady she met that was in her late 80's and was so vibrant and full of life, she made quite an impression on Jeni... it reminded me of a story my friend Shirley told me recently... Shirley is my cute little hairdresser... her salon is in her home, so when I go there, it is one on one, no other appointments waiting as she knows how to schedule perfectly!... so we chat and laugh and solve the cares of the world...


Shirley told me a story about two little "vintage" ladies who are brought up from a local retirement~rest home to get their hair done... they had both gone on a little daytrip out to Antelope Island, which is out in the Great Salt Lake just to the west of where I live... a causeway was built years ago so you can drive out to the island... it is quite large and there is alot of wildlife to see, campgrounds, trails, food, a fun place to visit... anyway, since I don't know the two ladies names, I will call the first one Cloudy Lady... she instantly began to complain to Shirley about the daytrip to the island... "it was a long bus ride, and people were loud and noisy as they sang songs, the road was bumpy, it was hot, we had to sit on wooden picnic tables, and they served us buffalo burgers... I hated it, they wanted us to look at wildlife, who cares about wildlife? The bus ride back was hot, there was no air conditioning, did I tell you I hated it? Why do they make us go these places anyway"... Several hours later, the second lady came in, who had been on the same daytrip... I will call this lady Sunshine Lady... she and Cloudy Lady are close to the same age, approaching ninety... She walked into Shirleys in her jeans and pretty blouse, her heels went "click click click" on the floor in her cute little shoes she had just been given by her daughter... "we went to Antelope Island Shirley!... it was so much fun on the bus going out there, we all sang songs, just like when we were little kids on the school bus... it was so much fun looking out at the lake, and when we got to the island, we had a picnic on picnic tables and I tried a buffalo burger for the very first time in my life!... I took pictures of some of the wildlife out there... I love these daytrips and can't wait 'till the next one!"... Two ladies... same daytrip... different attitudes about life... when I grow up, I want to be just like Sunshine Lady!... how about you???... xoxo...

Spring Housecleaning...

Oooh, I am so excited!... the sun is shining so bright this morning and today is supposed to be in the 50's!... after I sit and sip my morning coffee on the front porch and soak up some of this glorious sunshine, I am going to start on some of my Spring housecleaning... I really love to Spring houseclean!... I know, some of you must think I am nuts, but to me it is very therapeutic!... I love opening the windows and airing things out... getting rid of "winter" air and letting fresh~smelling Springtime air in... there is just a certain satisfaction in getting my house ready for Spring before I begin my Springtime garden cleanup and planting... I can hardly wait for that too!...


Soon our flowering crabapple trees in our backyard will look like the photo above I took a previous Spring... just looking at this pretty picture makes me so anxious to see the beautiful blossoms once again!... we have numerous birdhouses throughout our yard and gardens... they all have "For Rent" signs on them, hoping a nice little birdie couple settles in and makes one their home... did you know the birds like to Spring houseclean too? ... they do!... so, I have already put wood shavings in all of the little birdhouses... then, they like to toss it all out, doing their own version of "Spring housecleaning" and begin "feathering their own nest"... making it theirs alone... here's hoping the sun is shining brightly for you today too with happy thoughts of Spring!... xoxo...

Happy Valentines Day...

Seems this past week this blog has really gone to the dogs!... well, I am a proud new mom you know!...

Wishing you all a beautiful Valentines Day filled with sweetness and love... xoxo...

My Doggie Bloggie Giveaway Winners!...

Hi everyone!... this is me, Tess... I am excited to announce the winners in my first ever doggie bloggie giveaway!... but first, I want to "paws" and tell you about my life this past week since Julie Marie and Jack brought me "home"... I never dreamed life could be so sweet!... my mom told me my birthday will be February 7th, because that is the day I became theirs and my life really began... I am already so spoiled, but they tell me I deserve it so much... I am a very good doggie... I can sit, stay and shake hands... and I never do any business in the house, we go down to the trail... sometimes I see quail and Blue Jays and I point them out to my mom and dad... I would never hurt them though!... as, like my mom and dad, I love all God's creatures!... I got some new toys this week, and my mom is making me a new blanket that has PINK paw prints and doggie bones on it... my dad ordered me a Harley tee shirt!... my dad is like those guys in the movie "Wild Hogs" I think...he loves his Harley, but I think he loves me more!... Okay then, the first winner in my giveaway is from "A Pocket Full of Roses" in New York named "Pebbles"... Pebbles is a pretty little Maltese!...

All right, the second winner in my giveaway is all the way from Argentina!... her name is "Pelusa" and I am not sure what kind of a doggie she is... she is from "elmundodetrapito"...Just found out Pelusa is a little Maltese too...

And the third winner I am announcing is from a wonderful place called "Verde Farm" in West Virginia and her name is "Gracie"... I am not sure what kind of a doggie Gracie is either... if the people they own will email my mom, she will add what kind of doggie they are!... Just found out, Miss Gracie is a little long haired Chihuahua!...

I have had so doggone much fun hosting my doggie bloggie giveaway!... I got soo excited reading all the comments and who knew I would be meeting so many new friends from all over the place!... Wow!... this blog thing can be kinda exhausting!...

Thank you all for introducing yourselves to me, and I just know we will be best of friends!... the winners will need to email my mom at her email on her sidebar (whatever a sidebar is... is it to eat???)... and tell her if you can have treats or toys or what??? ... then she and my dad will shop for you!... I also want to wish all my new friends a Happy Valentines Day tomorrow!...


My mom and dad got me this pretty PINK heart pendant with my name on it for Valentines!... they said I have stolen their hearts... that's a good thing, right?... BIG doggie kisses!... Tess

Tess's Doggie Bloggie Giveaway!...

Words cannot describe how happy this sweet pup has made me since we rescued her from running the streets just a few days ago and she became ours...(see my previous two posts)... one look at her and my cares melt away... We kept her name of "Tess" but I am thinking of naming her "Princess Tess", still calling her Tess, but adding a little special touch to truly make her our own... She is sooo happy here with us!... Jack took her for a walk and she stopped to point out some quail in our backyard to him...

At first, she was a bit shy about meeting some doggie bloggie pals...

But then I told her she could have her very own doggie bloggie giveaway, and she broke into a grin!... she has the cutest little underbite when she smiles!...

She also wanted to show you her new PINK collar... I have a feeling this girl is going to be a bit spoiled... but she sooo deserves it!...she has been through so much...


We have not heard of a doggie hosting a giveaway yet, so this may be a first!... all you need to do to enter is have your pet or pets leave Tess a comment, on this post only, introducing themselves... I will have Jack draw the winning pet from all the names I put in a bowl... since we love ALL of God's precious little creatures, this will be open to ALL pets, ferrets, birds, whatever ... when we draw the name, we will shop for the appropriate prize for the winning pet... You may comment up until midnight Mountain time on February 12th and we will draw the name on Sunday the 13th (my lucky number!) and I will post it that day... Tess hopes you enjoy meeting her and have fun in her little doggie bloggie giveaway!... xoxo and BIG doggie kisses... Julie Marie and Tess...P.S. Tess is having sooo much fun reading all of your comments, she wants to draw three winners!... so, good luck!... xoxo...PPS... even if there is more than one pet in your family, each one will get it's own entry and chance of winning!...

I'm a Mom!....

Hi everyone... if you read my post yesterday, then you know about the little stray Jack and I found... I will try to make a long story short (really hard for me to do sometimes!)... but the bottom line is... this morning I was able to locate the owners through the rabies tag she had on her collar... I was so happy and so excited that I was able to locate them... UNTIL... I talked to the woman on the phone and told her we had saved her dog... her reply... "Do you want her, we don't"... now, if you have followed my blog much (thank you!), then you know I am a very nice lady... BUT, like I said in my previous post, I can become someone's worst nightmare really quick!... Jack and I had said no more pets of our own as we are still mourning the loss of all of our little pets who one by one left for animal Heaven... we have continued to donate to numerous animal causes and rescue any and all of God's creatures as He sends them our way... I wish I was a millionaire so I could buy acres and acres and take in every homeless pet there ever was... but since I am not, I do what I can... with my sweet Jack right by my side... I am blessed to have a man who loves and protects all God's creatures like I do... soooo... as we pondered what to do, this sweet little pup put a paw on Jack's knee and looked up at him with those big brown eyes... she needed a good home...

I think she found one...thank you God for sending this precious little angel to us...

I had called her Giselle yesterday since she needed a pretty name, then found out her name is "Tess"... so, Tess it is!... I won't go into all of the details about her previous owners, other than I wanted to smack them both to pieces!... they have no idea who I am or where I live, and could not care less about Tess...they gave me some paperwork about her and shut the door... she is safe and warm now... complete checkup at our vets, shots, bloodtest, heartworm pills, the works!... she is an English Pointer... so, as the late Paul Harvey used to say "and now you know the rest of the story"... we love her so much... I think she loves us too... what do you think?... xoxo... PS You can bet I will be posting lots of pics of my new baby... just got back from shopping for her... new pink collar, leash, bowls, food, treats... toys... thank you so much all of my animal loving friends for your kind words and encouraging support, I love you all too!...

She May Be Lost, But She is Not Alone...

Faith, family and all of God's creatures... the top three biggies in my life... always have been, always will be... over the years I have rescued hundreds of God's precious little creatures... no brag... just fact... today was no different... I am so passionate about my love of animals and they can sense that... today, as Jack and I took our daily walk, we came across this beautiful little stray... running here and there, in and out of the road, almost getting hit...

I could see she had a tag of some kind, and I talked gently to her, gaining her confidence in me... animals are so much smarter than many people give them credit for (and alot nicer that alot of people too!)...she gingerly approached Jack and I, then would run... then I would run...she looked so scared and was so timid... but those big dark eyes said "please help me"... God sends these little creatures to me, I am certain of that... for He knows I will never, ever turn my back on them... Jack shares my love of animals and always stands by ready to help however I ask him to... finally, I was able to get ahold of her collar, then I took my muffler off for a make~shift leash... then she walked me and Jack to our home...and up the steps... she was cold and shaking, but I know she could sense that I would let no harm come to her...

We took it very slowly... just sitting in my bathroom (her new room for the night) talking and getting to know each other... ever so slowly she started to calm down...

Then we had a heart~to~heart talk, nose to nose... just the way I like it!...

I told her Jack would watch over her while I ran to buy some yummy dogfood and treats... (and a little stuffed toy hopped into my cart as well!)... tomorrow I will be able to call and find out from the tag who she belongs to... I can see she has been very well taken care of... and wants to go back home... wherever her home may be... a few more kisses on the nose for both of us, and she layed down to rest... life on the streets is so hard on an animal...


But I do think she is content to spend the night with us, safe and warm, tummy full of food, new toy close by... what do you think?... I am calling her Giselle for now... I really want her to go back to the people who love her... but I love her already too... before I return her to her home, I will interrogate the owners... how did she get out? ... why weren't they out looking for her?...is she current on her shots?... is she spayed?... sometimes in the past, I have kept an animal whose owner I find out is abusive... I don't think that is the case here... but you know me... I am a nice lady... but if you hurt an animal, I am your worst nightmare!... please think happy thoughts for Giselle!... xoxo

Everything Old is New Again...

You know the saying "everything old is new again"?... it seems it is so true!... I have had this wonderful old, old French water pitcher forever... I have used it for everything from watering plants to filling pets water bowls, filling it with fresh flowers, and everything in between...

It sits on my hall tree just inside my front door now, overflowing with pretty silk flowers for now until my garden offers me the real thing soon as Spring arrives... this is another one of my treasures I got over twenty five years ago at a flea market when we lived at our little farmhouse... have you priced these babies lately?... Yikes!... I think I'll hang onto mine!... today I am linking with my friend Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Fridays... xoxo...

Somewhere in a Dream....

Have you ever had a dream home in your mind... you know, a beautiful, idyllic place where your thoughts just seem to drift away to?... a home where you can imagine every tiny detail... you have no idea where it is... or if it really exists... I have such a place in my thoughts... a simple, country home sitting amongst a field of daisies, with flowers of all kinds clamboring up the walls and spilling over in the gardens...

I took this picture two days ago... it is actually a picture of a picture that hangs in the womens health center at our local hospital where my sister and I went to visit one of our friends who works there... it is the home from my dream... but how do I find this enchanting place?... it was a print, not an original painting and the signature was illegible... I want to live there... wherever "there" is... but for now, I shall visit it in my dreams... perhaps one day I shall happen upon it for real... do you have a dream home your thoughts carry you away to?... xoxo