I'm Feeling the Love!!

Hello, Dear Ones! Have I told you how much I love you and the Land of Blog? I am simply amazed at the most wonderful giving hearts in our community! I received a package in the mail, opened it up and saw this most darling card! Isn't it sweet? I must tell you though, I couldn't let Chloe Dawn see it. She is so offended at seeing her Mommy hold anything 'kitty'. If you don't know, Chloe Dawn is my little fuzzy faced dog.


Now on with the show...the package was from my sweet friend Dear Phyllis at Around the House. If you don't know her, please pay her a visit and tell her I sent you. You'll be amazed at her beautiful blog!

Look!! The most precious mug you've ever seen. And Dear Ones, this is a big 'un! I could put flowers in this! Oh, I'll really get my hot tea buzz on with this darling mug.

Do you see why Phyllis said my tiny name was written all over it? Be(e) a Sweetie! I love it!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Phyllis! This is just so perfect and I love it!

Then...

I won a giveaway from our Dear Jan at Rose Haven! Dear Jan was decluttering some of her craftinesses and had a few giveaways and I won this one! Crochet patterns. I love this stuff!

Now look at this one! Do you think she poked this one in just because I'm a very new Grandma? :) Oh, I've got to get out my crochet needles and go to town! Thank you so much Jan for choosing my tiny name. If you don't know Jan, please go by her lovely blog and tell her I sent you!


Then...I'm so thrilled to tell you I won another giveway from our Dear Teresa at Grammy Girlfriend! This darling package arrived at my door step. Isn't it just the cutest thing?

I just love Mickey and friends!


Look at all my loot! I'm loving this stuff!

A wonderful cookbook and I love simple cooking!! I'll be cooking more for Mr. Precious!


Then this beautiful bookmark! It will be put to good use.


Cards, cards, cards! I have already sent a couple of them. There are cards for all and any occasions!

Thank you so much Teresa! I am so appreciative that you drew my tiny name. Pop in to see Teresa and I know you'll love your visit with her.

Again, my heart is so full of love and thankfulness to you sweet bloggers who give so much. Please don't forget...

Be a bunch of sweeties,
Shelia ;)

I'll leave you with a little Note Song~

The Winner Takes It All

I don't wanna talk
About the things we've gone through
Though it's hurting me
Now it's history
I've played all my cards
And that's what you've done too
Nothing more to say
No more ace to play

The winner takes it all
The loser standing small
Beside the victory
That's her destiny

I was in your arms
Thinking I belonged there
I figured it made sense
Building me a fence
Building me a home
Thinking I'd be strong there
But I was a fool
Playing by the rules

The gods may throw a dice
Their minds as cold as ice
And someone way down here
Loses someone dear
The winner takes it all
The loser has to fall
It's simple and it's plain
Why should I complain.

But tell me does she kiss
Like I used to kiss you?
Does it feel the same
When she calls your name?
Somewhere deep inside
You must know I miss you
But what can I say
Rules must be obeyed

The judges will decide
The likes of me abide
Spectators of the show
Always staying low
The game is on again
A lover or a friend
A big thing or a small
The winner takes it all

I don't wanna talk
If it makes you feel sad
And I understand
You've come to shake my hand
I apologize
If it makes you feel bad
Seeing me so tense
No self-confidence
But you see
The winner takes it all
The winner takes it all...
~ sung by Abba

Tabletop Tuesday - Built Ins

Hello, Dear Ones! I'm joining Our Dear Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday today! Pop over to see her and visit all the 'Tops' Ones for such inspiration. Thank you Marty for being the Most Gracious Hostess!

I'm going to bring you into our den today. This is where Mr. Precious and I spend so much of our time. I feel so fortunate to have these great built ins on either side of the fireplace. I'll be showing you the right side today.

My chair is beside this set of built ins. I did clean the top off for you. I put my little handy things there! But you're company and I always pick up and straighten for company! Don't you? :)
As you look at the center of my bookshelves on the very top you'll see an old organ grinder with his little monkey. I've had this for about 30 years or so. He plays music too! The next shelf down holds a lovely tray I bought at a garage sale long ago and two little tiny lamps that have had more shades than Jackie O! As you can see, more little birds have gathered here. Then the colorful picture hanging above the tray was bought in France a few years ago. It shows the different seasons. Love this most tinyness of a painting. Can you love a most tinyness of a painting? You bet your Ooo La Las you can! :)


I'll just show you a few of my favorite things. I love this little pair of darlings. I think they're candlesticks since their little baskets have small openings in them but I don't put candles in their baskets ~ I just love to look at their sweet little faces. Aren't they precious being so busy with their fruit?


Here's a tray and tea pot my Dear Daughter gave me a few years ago. I seem to always have a few birdies somewhere!

As you can see I have quite a few books in these shelves. Mostly decorating books for moi! :) Bookshelves can be a little difficult at times to arrange. I've learned if you do have a lot of books you can place them in a zig zag pattern and it's much more pleasing to your tiny most gorgeous eyes! But then, if you're using all books ~ no problem ~ you can just poke them all up on your shelves.

I found these darling bookends so many many years ago at a garage sale. They're quite olden as you can tell. Aren't they sweet! Look at those little angel faces! And the tiny rabbit eyes! Oh, I love these little olden bookends. Can you love little olden bookends? Well, you bet your dog eared pages you can! Can you tell I like my things? I really do! :)



This lovely framed cross was made and given to me by a very sweet friend. I love this too! I also adore my little doggy sitting here guarding a few mags for me.


Isn't he adorable? Don't ask me how I know he's a he...I just do. Look at his little loving eyes! He's very special and loves to wear this wreath around his tiny neck. Guess what?


Here is his tiny twin who was turned into a lamp that sits on the other set of built ins. I love my doggies too! Can you tell?



Now don't forget to pop on over to Marty's ~ you'll have a ball.

********************************

Dear Ones, I want to remind you I'm having a party on Friday, May 7th! Oh, it's going to be a Daring Darling Bathroom Beauty Snappy Diva Party and it will be so much fun. Would you please come? I'm trying to give you plenty of time to snap for me. If you're not familiar with "Bathroom Snapping" just click here and I will explain it to you.

Now I would be so very sad if you didn't come. So I hope to see you all here on May 7th. I'll have Mr. Linky up and we'll go to town!! :)

Be a bunch of sweeties,
Shelia ;)

I'll leave you with a little Note Song~

I Am Woman

I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back an' pretend
'Cause I've heard it all before
And I've been down there on the floor
No one's ever gonna keep me down again

Oh yes, I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to
I can do anything
I am strong
I am invincible
I am woman

You can bend but never break me
'Cause it only serves to make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back even stronger
Not a novice any longer
'Cause you've deepened the conviction in my soul

Oh, yes, I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to
I can face anything
I am strong
I am invincible
I am woman

I am woman watch me grow
See me standing toe to toe
As I spread my lovin' arms across the land
But I'm still an embryo
With a long, long way to go
Until I make my brother understand

Oh, yes, I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I gained
If I have to
I can face anything
I am strong
I am invincible
I am woman

Oh, I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong

I am woman
I am invincible
I am strong
I am woman
~ sung by Helen Reddy

Bloom Where You're Planted!

Hello, Dear Ones! I love that little saying from Mary Engelbreit ~ Bloom Where You Are Planted! So I thought I'd share a little of my plantedness in the back yard.


Have you ever smelled a blooming lemon tree? The aroma is glorious and intoxicating! But you must be very careful of your most tiny nose - there are bees buzzing round these blooms. So don't plant your nose too closely to a bloom or you'll be in for a big surprise! :)



My Easter lily is still going strong! Now I must confess, it is not planted in the ground but a pot! But hey, this little sweetie is certainly blooming where she's planted! The sweet smell of this most beautiful flower is very strong and sweet. So strong in fact, it burns my most gorgeous baby blues and that's why this little stinker is sitting outside! :)

Hope you have a most blessed day and you will Bloom Where You're Planted! I'm joining our Dear Mary at Little Red House for Mosaic Monday!

Again, I hope to see you at my Daring Darling Bathroom Beauty Snapping Divas Party on May 7th! You can check out what the party is all about on the little pink button on my side bar.

Be a bunch of sweeties,
Shelia ;)

I'll leave you with a little Note Song~

Lemon Tree

When I was just a lad of ten, my father said to me,
"Come here and take a lesson from the lovely lemon tree."
"Don't put your faith in love, my boy", my father said to me,
"I fear you'll find that love is like the lovely lemon tree." Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.
Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.
One day beneath the lemon tree, my love and I did lie
A girl so sweet that when she smiled the stars rose in the sky.
We passed that summer lost in love beneath the lemon tree
The music of her laughter hid my father's words from me:
Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.
Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat. One day she left without a word.
She took away the sun.
And in the dark she left behind, I knew what she had done.
She'd left me for another, it's a common tale but true.
A sadder man but wiser now I sing these words to you:Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.
Lemon tree very pretty and the lemon flower is sweet
But the fruit of the poor lemon is impossible to eat.
~sung by the Kingston Trio

My Heart Is Overflowing

Hello, Dear Ones. That's right...my heart is overflowing with thankfulness. Who would have thought almost two years ago I would have met such wonderful ones as you in The Land of Blog! My heart is overflowing...

I received a package recently and opened it up and look what was inside!

Presents all wrapped up in pretty pink bows!


The sweetest card - this was a package for my new little grand daughter, Carter Ashlan from...

two lovely bloggers - Jeanne at Backyard Neighbor and Sheila at Quintessential Magpie! These darlings went shopping together in Florida for Carter! Again, my heart is overflowing...


Look at this beautiful card Jeanne made. I believe I'll have to frame this!

I must show you what was inside of those pretty little packages.


A precious little bonnet with a pink ribbon and little tiny flower.

A darling little pillow in a case with lovely hand embroidery.

A little olden potpourri sachet with the most dainty baby buttons and trimmed in sweet tiny lace. I wish you could smell it - it's heavenly!

The softest and pinkest little blanket that says 'Bless This Child".


Oh, and the most beautiful little silver fork and spoon. I may have to keep this for myself, think I should? :)

Then...
those darlings thought of me! Yes, they did! Look at the ever so lovely hankerchief with lace and my initial on it! It's beautiful! My heart is overflowing...

How lovely.

Dear Jeanne and Sheila, I thank you from the bottom of my heart! I am overwhelmed with your kindness and will always cherish your sweet gifts to my grand daughter and me and will cherish you both in my heart always! God bless you!

Dear Ones, Blogland is wonderful. You are wonderful and I love you all! My heart is simply overflowing.

You are my sweeties,
Shelia :)

I'll leave you with a little Note Song~

Indescribable

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation's revealing Your majesty
From the colors of fall to the fragrance of spring
Every creature unique in the song that it sings
All exclaiming

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night
None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God

Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
All powerful, untameable,
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing God
Indescribable, uncontainable,
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name.
You are amazing God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing God
You are amazing God
~sung by Chris Tomlin

6th Photo

Hello, Dear Ones. I usually don't do tags or games anymore at my blog, but I played this game because I never have played it before and because my sweet friend, Trish, at Homemade Quilts By Granny asked me to. If you've not met Trish, pop on over to visit with her a bit and tell her I sent you!


This photo was from my second post ever and I was traveling around in the olden district of my town showing your pictures of some of the little Victorian homes. I love this house. Just look at those porches - the archedness of the fist floor railings and the crownedness of the second floor porch railings. I'm sure the iron fence is original.

There you have my 6th photo from my beginnings of blogging. Now the rules are to pass this along to 10 friends. I just don't do that any more. But if you want to play, be my guest. It is fun to see what we come up with and how our photography skills have improved. I hope mine has.

Thanks for popping in to see me today and...
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)

I'll leave you with a little Note Song~

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

It's a beautiful day in this neighborhood,
A beautiful day for a neighbor.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?...

It's a neighborly day in this beauty wood,
A neighborly day for a beauty.
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?...

I've always wanted to have a neighbor just like you.
I've always wanted to live in a neighborhood with you.

So, let's make the most of this beautiful day.
Since we're together we might as well say:
Would you be mine?
Could you be mine?
Won't you be my neighbor?
Won't you please,
Won't you please?
Please won't you be my neighbor?
~ sung by Mr. Rogers

Birding in the Breakfast Room

Hello, Dear Ones! Did you know this time of year is the most wonderful time for Texas birders? So many lovely winged ones pass this way. Well, some of these birds have landed in my breakfast room today. So let's go birding!


The most winged ones have landed upon the top of my olden lawyer bookshelves! Well, chickens and Roosters (you know, with a capital R) are birds. They have wings and maybe they don't fly from state to state, but in my house they fly from room to room. That counts, right? :)



Okay, on with my vignette...here's a little lamp with a sweet little red and golden shade trimmed with glorious gems to attract the chicks and Roos! :) Or do shiny objects attract magpies? Yep, my sweet friend Sheila at the The Quintessential Magpie is always getting sidetracked by the shiny objects.


Sitting under the light of the lamp is my lovely lady chicken! She sometimes flies over to roost on the table but right now she's loving the warmth! She is really a vase and I have poked in some faux hydrangeas. Now you know what I say about my fauxs ~ I love my fauxs and my fauxs love me to death! Yes, they do! :)


Traveling along the top of the cabinet...get your binoculars...I see another yardbird! Now please grab your Sibley Guide to Birds book and tell me ~ is this a chick or a Roo? Only their hairdresser knows for sure! :) You know I'm a silly!


Since I am the most talented creative one, I'll show you my artsy shot of this pitcher. Am I good or what? Again, you know I'm teasing! ;)


Quickly! Look a little south! There's a Rooster tassel just hanging there. Be really quiet so you won't scare him away. If he were to fly away I'd have to contract another one from my sweet friend Susie at Bienvenue. She is so talented and made this! Whew, that was close. I believe he's going to stay here.


Now on the wall is one of my favorite watercolor paintings. Two Roosters staring holes through each other. Something about their face off just makes me smile. I had to prevent any potential threat of a Rooster fight so I asked these two previous yard birds to stand between them.

Well, I certainly do hope you've enjoyed your birding trip with me today. I know I've stretched the 'birding' a bit. But hey, you love me anyway, don't you? :)

I'm joining our Most Wonderful Dear Marty at A Stroll Through Life for Tabletop Tuesday!
Pop on over to see her and you'll be filled with bird feathers, um, I mean inspiration! :)



I know, I'm milking this, but I want to make sure you know about my first linky blogland party on May 7th! Just click on the little button on my side bar for the info. I do hope you'll come!



Be a bunch of sweeties,
Shelia ;)

I'll leave you with a little Note Song~

Feed the Birds
(from Mary Poppins)

Early each day to the steps of Saint Paul's
The little old bird woman comes
In her own special way to the people she call,
"Come, buy my bags full of crumbs;
Come feed the little birds,
Show them you care
And you'll be glad if you do
Their young ones are hungry
Their nests are so bare
All it takes is tuppence from you
Feed the birds, tuppence a bag
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag
Feed the birds," that's what she cries
While overhead, her birds fill the skies

All around the cathedral the saints and apostles
Look down as she sells her wares
Although you can't see it,
You know they are smiling
Each time someone shows that he cares

Though her words are simple and few
Listen, listen, she's calling to you
"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag
Tuppence, tuppence, tuppence a bag"
~sung by my Chicks and Roos