Simple Sundays

A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. (NLT)

Ecclesiastes 4:11–12

This week I got to spend the day with two of my best friends from childhood.

It was wonderful.

The three of us had not been all together in years.

Those years did not matter, as it was like we had been together every day for years.

We were missing a few friends and hope we can one day ALL be together.

When thinking of the many, many blessings the Lord has given each of us,

friendship ranks near the top.

There are 49 verses in the Bible where friendship is mentioned.

Is there anything better than a true friendship?

Thank you, Lord for all my wonderful friends.

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (NLT)

Proverbs 27:17

All Aboard!

 I have told you about my dog Ike, that likes to stay up on everything that is going on in the neighborhood. He sits at several different windows throughout the house, making sure he gets a good view from each direction.

 Well, several times a day he sees this. A (new) old trolley. Trolley's are the mode of public transportation in this historic town to which I moved. How cute is that?  Not only are they public transporation, but they give tours of the town as well.

Not only is this town known for its historic buildings and houses, but I live smack in the middle of the historic old house distric. So several times a day I see these little trolley tours stopping at the four-way stop in front of our house.  Nothing like a few trolley tours per day to make me get my "A" game on, to get this house looking great!
(Note also I took these pics looking out my windows. I wasn't going to go outside so they trolley people could see me taking a picture of them, taking a picture of my house!)
Gotta get back to the fixin'-uppin'....I've got trolley tours waiting!

Shady Activities Going on Here..............

 In the new house there is a nice-sized den off the big living room. We chose to put the TV in this room. The den has one of those old-house features that I love--a bow window. It has four very large (32 x 78) windows, that bow out.

 We found some bamboo shades at Lowe's that were regularly $40, but we got them for $25 a piece. And a little secret.... they weren't exactly the right length....they were only 72 inches in length....But, as I pointed out to Hubby, I NEVER pull the shades. We needed them for the den, just to keep the glare off the TV.  So I grabbed them up.

 They are really nice and fold up like a Roman shade. You can see them above at the normal length I keep them.

Unless Ike needs me to raise one up a bit so he can get a better look at the squirrels that run through our yard!
Like I told Hubby after he put the shades up for me....four down, forty-one more to go! Ha! He'll be a shady character for sure by the end of all these windows!
Linking this with Metamorphosis Monday's and Wow Us Wednesday's. Check them out!

Simple Sundays..................

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (Jeremiah 29:11).

Me, little 'ole me.  HE knows me. HE knows every hair on my head.

Why do we worry and fret when HE has told us,

HE knows the plans he has for us?

Thank you Lord.

Thank you.

FIVE cheers for the Red, White and Blue!

ONE cheer

 I am a firm believer that nothing screams "SUMMER" more than red, white and blue. Personally, I love those colors all year long, but in the summertime they are classic. After all, Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger find all kinds of things to create in the proud colors.

 When packing my (seemingly) endless supply of dishes for The Big Move, more than one of my children pointed out my inordinate amount of red, white and blue dishes. Of all kinds. In all shapes. All kinds of materials. And accessories.

 So, I thought I would celebrate the summer season and create a tablescape for each of my five children in red, white and blue.

 TWO cheers

There is nothing special about any of these place-settings. They are simply ideas born of a variety of dishes and accessories to work with. 



 All the pieces were collected over time. None of the pieces are expensive. Sources range from JCPenney to the Dollar Tree, with Target, Wal-Mart and Dollar General thrown in as well.

 It's about using what you have in a different way, with different accessories.

 THREE cheers

I have some young (early 20's) readers that write to me and tell me they like my affordable tablescapes!

That makes me SO happy to hear that!

 I like showing that entertaining can be affordable, and still look like a million dollars! Well, maybe not a million but at least a $10.00!

 FOUR cheers

If you look closely, you will notice that some plates are metal, some are glass, and some are melamine. But when you have a common thread, it all works fine.

 One thing I do always try to do, is to buy in sets of four. It isn't always possible, but it helps when I can. Then I know I can always do at least four of something.

 And by the time I mix and match, that is usually eight of something!

 FIVE cheers

The truth of the matter in this case, is that I did about five other mix and match place settings.

 But I will try to spread them out over the next few weeks of summer.

 You may recognize these bowls from my Seuss tables, and the red china (a present from Hubs) from Christmas tablescapes, Seuss, Mad for Plaid, Valentine's ....just to name a few!

So dig out your red, white and blue and set some classic summer tables for your family and friends! Celebrate the freedom of summer.
I am linking this to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch,
and to Sherry at No Minimalist Here. Also, Wow Us Wednesday's With Kim is a great link.