Heaven Gained Another Dear One

Dear Ones! I'm so sorry but I wanted to share with you all that another one of our bloggers has passed away.

Our dear Jan from Just Jan blog has left us. She hasn't blogged in a couple of years or so. Her daughter posted on Jan's Facebook page about her passing.

 Here is Jan's daughter's words:

This is April, Jan's daughter, posting on my mother's Facebook. My beloved mama and best friend passed away last night. Her suffering is over. Her obituary is below, which I wrote.
Funeral services for Mrs. Janet “Jan” Lea Morris Garon will be on Tuesday, February 25, 2020, at Brookhaven Funeral Home (894 Natchez Drive) in Brookhaven, MS, at 11:00 AM with burial to follow in the Easthaven Cemetery. Bro. Wendell Davis will be officiating the services with Brookhaven Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. Visitation will be at Brookhaven Funeral Home on Monday, February 24, 2020, from 5:00 until 8:00 PM and on Tuesday, February 25, from 9:00 AM until the time of the service.
Mrs. Garon, 58, passed away peacefully while surrounded by family on Saturday, Feb. 22, 2020, at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, Miss., after a long battle with cancer. She was born on Feb. 9, 1962, in Brookhaven, to Fred Barry Jr. and Ruthlyn (Case) Morris. She was a 1980 graduate of Brookhaven High School. She married Michael “Mickey” Joseph Garon on May 18, 1985, in Brookhaven. Jan fiercely loved her family, friends and her dogs. She had a lifelong passion for interior design and decorating. Flowers gave her especially great joy, whether arranging them, photographing them or just appreciating them in nature. She poured her efforts into blogging to showcase her passions and talent in photography. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her because she was one of a kind.
Left to cherish her memory are her husband, Mickey; daughter, April; sister, Melinda Morris; sister, Susan Calhoun and her husband, Carey; niece, Summer Calhoun; niece, Maegan (Calhoun) McCabe and husband Tyler and son Thomas Penn.
She is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Fred Barry Morris III.
“There are always flowers for those who want to see them.”- Henri Matisse
https://www.brookhavenfuneralhome.net/obitu…/janet-jan-garon

 Jan had been a long time blogging friend to me and I will always keep her dear to my heart.

If you ever visited her you know she was a big romantic kind of gal in her decorating.  She was a true Southern gal from Mississippi.

 She shared her living room very often with pretty layers of pillows, throws and of course flowers.

Jan loved flowers and she grew roses and many other flowers in her garden. All during the growing season she would always have fresh flowers to share with us.

As you can see, she was a great photographer too. Her blog is still up and I pray her family will leave it there so we can pop in from time to time. I know she was a christian and Heaven is rejoicing with her coming home but I would like to ask you to say a prayer for her family whose hearts are breaking.

We become close to each other in Blogland and I will miss my sweet friend Jan.

I'll leave you with a little Note Song ~

"Friends"

Packing up the dreams God planted
In the fertile soil of you
I can't believe the hopes He's granted
Means a chapter of your life is through
But we'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends
And with the faith and love God's given
Springing from the hope we know
We will pray the joy you live in
Is the strength that now you show
We'll keep you close as always
It won't even seem you've gone
'Cause our hearts in big and small ways
Will keep the love that keeps us strong
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends
And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say never
'Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends
To live as friends
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends
No a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends 

~ sung by Michael W. Smith

From This to This

Hello Dear Ones. Well, I finally decided to grow up and accept the fact - I HAVE NO DOLL HOUSE!!

No room for a doll house nor room for my old dollhouse shelves. Sadness has overcome me for almost a year now. I am strangely getting over this. So...

 I bucked up and started on my little china cabinet that belonged to my little mother. Y'all this little cutie is probably 60 years old! I did paint her a pale pink when we lived in New York and now with two moves, she's a little scratched up but that's okay.

 I didn't want to permanently damage the walls so I got out the foam board and went to work adding wall paper. Later I do want to do the same with the floors. Since this is a china cabinet, it has the little groove toward the back which would hold plates. In time...in time.

 Here you can see inside.

The rooms are small, much smaller than my bookshelf doll house but that's okay. I added shelves to the top of the mantel so Lola could poke more stuff down. I do have wonderful news though!!

Tang was found! Lola was so excited! Well, I was too! Their reunion was sweet and just look at their faces. They really do love each other.

 Here is the dining room. As you can see the 'moving in' is still going on. That mirror will not stay on the floor. Here you can see the plate groove toward the back wall.

 Here is the breakfast room/garden room with a pretty view of the outside! A shelf over the window might be nice. What do you think?

Now Lola really misses her large kitchen but she has had to downsize and it will all work out.

 To help her out I made her a surround for her range. She now has a little more counter space and shelves for displaying things. Now she is very fortunate as she can change her stoves out! She has this cute little vintage looking one but she also has an Aga with is also a creamy color. Wish I could do that! See that red scale on the left hand side? Well, my daughter gave me one just like that! She acquired it when she lived in the UK! I have an old one that I bought when we were there and now I have two!! Woo Hoo!!

 Moving right along...the laundry sewing room! I was able to save the little window with the balloon shade I had used before. So much to do.

Here is the only bedroom. It needs a lot of work but hopefully in time Lola and I will get it all done. Again, Lola has so many options for bedroom furniture. Right now she wants to use the little brass bed. Makes me think of a Bob Dylan song! :)

Well, Dear Ones, I'm moving on. I'm getting back to playing in my 'doll house' again.

Be a bunch of sweeties,

Shelia ;)

I'll leave you with a little Note Song ~

Lay, Lady, Lay

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed
Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed
Whatever colors you have in your mind
I'll show them to you and you'll see them shine.

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed
Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile
Until the break of day, let me see you make him smile
His clothes are dirty but his hands are clean
And you're the best thing that he's ever seen.

Stay, lady, stay, stay with your man awhile
Why wait any longer for the world to begin
You can have your cake and eat it too
Why wait any longer for the one you love
When he's standing in front of you.

Lay, lady, lay, lay across my big brass bed
Stay, lady, stay, stay while the night is still ahead
I long to see you in the morning light
I long to reach for you in the night
Stay, lady, stay, stay while the night is still ahead. 

~ sung by Bob Dylan

Is It Spring Yet?

Hello, Dear Ones. Well, the temperatures outside aren't too cold but I'm still just pretending it's Spring. In the house anyway. So come on into my living room and I'll show you.

Here's the fireplace. We haven't been in our house quite a year yet and I'm still changing things around. I need something, I think, on each side of my mirror. What do you think? I think it looks a bit nekked. Oh, well.

I got a new blue and white urn so I had to put some greens in it. I, like so many of you, love my blue and whites.

Here you can see my blue and whites a little better.

 On to the coffee table. More blue and white, flowers, balls and dogs! Sounds like the back yard, doesn't it?

Blue and white plates on the wall and dogs! I had the dogs here on The Finn for Christmas and I tied little red ribbons around their tiny little necks. After I de-Christmased I decided I liked my dogs right where they were so here they are! Well, minus the red ribbons.

 The last thing I'll show you today is the three sections of my half wall separating the living room from the kitchen. Guess what? More blue and whites!

 Here is the middle part of the half wall. I grabbed a big urn I've used many times and made a spring floral for it! See? It looks like spring! I poked a pair of blue and white candle sticks on each side and I liked it!

Here's the last part of the half wall. I may have too many 'little blues and whites' here. But hey! I just poked these up here and this will probably look different next week. Do you fiddle with your vignettes all of the time? 

Be a bunch of sweeties,

Shelia :)

I'll leave you with a little Note Songs~

Blue on Blue

Blue on blue, heartache on heartache
Blue on blue now that we are through
Blue on blue, heartache on heartache
And I find I can't get over losing you
I walk along the street we used to walk
Two by two, lovers pass
And as they're passing by, I could die
'Cause you're not here with me
Now the trees are bare
There's sadness in the air
And I'm as blue as I can be
Blue on blue, heartache on heartache
Blue on blue now that we are through
Blue on blue, heartache on heartache
And I find I can't get over losing you
Night after lonely night, we meet in dreams
As I run to your side
You wait with open arms, open arms
That now are closed to me
Through a veil of tears
Your vision disappears
And I'm as blue as I can be
Blue on blue, heartache on heartache
Blue on blue now that we are through
Blue on blue, heartache on heartache
And I find I can't get over losing you
Blue on blue, heartache on heartache
Blue on blue now that we are through
Blue on blue

~ sung by Bobby Vinton

Just A Little Vignette

Hello, Dear Ones! I've been a pretty busy gal as of late but wanted to show you a little tiny vignette on the island in my kitchen.

 If you know me, you know I love my Roosters! I've had this Rooster tea set for a long time but I still just love it. From a distance you wouldn't know that was a tea pot would you? The spout is the ruffled feathers on the Roosters chest. Clever!

Well, I grabbed my little wooden green tray, poked down a favorite red napkin and my Roosters just hopped right down onto the tray and made themselves very comfy. Done! Just a little cute vignette to make me smile when I walk into my kitchen!

Hope you're all doing well and I'll see you later allegator.

Be a bunch of sweeties,

 Shelia :)

I'll leave you with a little Note Song ~ 

I Love My Rooster 

I love my little rooster and my rooster loves me.
I'm gonna cherish that chicken 'neath a green bay tree.

Chorus: My little rooster goes cock-a-doodle-doo,
doodle-doo, doodle-doo.

And I love my little hen, and that hen, she loves me.
I'm gonna cherish that chicken 'neath a green bay tree.
My little hen goes cluck cluck
~ sung by me

An Update On Our Friend Susan

Hello, Dear Ones.

Some of you have been asking about an update from our Susan Ash Tree Cottage. I thought the best way to allow you all who don't have Facebook to hear from Susan's own words about her situation. God is so good and He hears and answers our prayers. These are the posts from FB in Susan's own words:
*********************************************************************************

The results from my boost are in. The shadow across my kidney. Is as cancerous mass. No chemo, surgery instead. Bye bye kidney. Hopefully I have a couple more months to live. Thank you for your prayers and words of encouragement 🤗😘

 I have been in the hospital/rehab for 6 weeks.My two favorite things are physical therapy and naps. Love those naps



I am blessed with a very loving and supportive husband. I went to the hospital very close to death. My doctors were not optimistic. I prepared myself to die. I looked over at my hubby and he was overcome with grief. He didn’t want to lose me and I didn’t want to leave him. We decided to fight this together.
Each day became a goal setting one. Of course, I continued to pray . I pushed my appetite, started to get stronger. My doctors came to see me several times per day. Staff would’ve drop off little treats for me. All of you showed your compassion and deep friendship too. Most of of. all, David.

Both David and I had strong marital role models. Our parents stood next to one another. This brings me closer to my lesson that love endures all. It’s not all about romantic new love. It’s two older people, happy and loving their lives together.
I still have a couple more surgeries to face, but I won’t let fear strike me down. I am planning for sunset golf cart rides over the greens, cozy evenings at home, bonding with friends, and giggles. We are united and determined to grab onto life and hang onto it so tightly!
Thank you to all of you who have stood by me. Your love and friendship has lifted me up and I’m not ready to say goodbye to you either.
Much love,
Susan

DROP DOWN and GIVE ME 20!
I’ve had to learn to walk again!!! I work out three hours per day, whether I want to or not. I use a walker, and I shuffle down the halls to the gym. I still have a long way to go.

My release date from rehab is Wednesday, January 29. I will be so excited to see this little scene above my kitchen once again! This will complete one leg of my journey. Next are two surgeries, one to remove the cancerous mass and the other to remove the disease kidney. I am oddly calm about this. I have learned to relax and trust my doctors for the rest. No micro management from me. Instead I will work on garden plans. This year I am skipping winter and looking forward to the kindness of spring.
I get to see Bentley once again, oh happy day ❤️🐶❤️

Looking forward to series 3 of the crown from home. The staff here at the rehab center have been stellar and I have been treated so well, but there is no place like home!!!

 
Let’s play the old movie theme from the movie Rocky! My nurse weighed me tonight and I broke the 89 pound barrier! I now weigh in at 93.4 lbs! I think I need my midnight raisin bran now 😊. Goodnight sweet friends 😘😘😘

 A hot bowl of oatmeal for breakfast is like wrapping your tummy in a cozy quilt. Just saying. Have a happy Sunday y’all ❤️🥰🌺

 For any of you who are still doubtful, here is more proof that God is there loving you and just waiting to help you! The wounds on my legs we terrible, hideous and terrifying to see. Today the dressings were changed and new pink tissue everywhere. Such a relief. Anytime during this process that I was scared, I let myself grab onto His hand and let Him lead. It was a leap of faith that changed the moment and my future. Thank you to all of you who have prayed for me. Please let Him take your hand too ❤️

 I am anxious to see my dolhouse mini rooms once again. imagine fresh biscuits hot from the oven spread with homemade jam. Cynthia Lauren creates such yummy looking goodies. Such a dear and talented friend.
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I know you all will, but let's continue to pray for Susan as she travels on this back to health journey.

Be a bunch of sweeties,
Shelia ;)

Is It Too Early For Spring?

Hello, Dear Ones! Is it too early for Spring??  I'm asking myself. Now don't get me wrong, I'm loving our south Texas weather - not too cold and some days are very spring like - but I'm thinking blooms and warmness all around. Well, I started in my dining room to Spring it up a bit.

 As you can see, I still have no drapes up yet.

 Okay, back to Spring. I always think of birds when I think of Spring so I poked some of my white birds under some cloches and a little bit of greens and it was beginning to look a little like Spring in here!

 The sun is shining in so prettily this morning. Oh, I crocheted that tablecloth many many years ago but I still enjoy bringing it out. I think I'm really a Victorian lady at heart because I like lots of stuff and I love crochet doilies and laciness.

  I poked down some more Springness on the buffet and of course it had to all sit on a lacy runner.

On the left hand side I've placed (notice I didn't say 'poked') some of my silver pieces - a sugar scuttle and salt and pepper. I placed some greens in a pretty vase and added my Dresden covered bowl.

A little cloud like white covers one of my silverware boxes - a tureen, birdie salt and peppers and again sitting on a lacy doily.

The right side has a beautiful plate my sister in law gave me and a hand painted porcelain tea set my little mother gave me many years ago. I know this may be too much for some folks but I love my stuff! Things are beginning to bloom a little in my dining room.

Be a bunch of sweeties,

Shelia :)

I'll leave you with a little Note Song ~

It Might As Well Be Spring

I'm as restless as a willow in a windstorm
I'm as jumpy as puppet on a string
I'd say that I had spring fever
But I know it isn't spring
I am starry eyed and vaguely discontented
Like a nightingale without a song to sing
O why should I have spring fever
When it isn't even spring
I keep wishing I were someone else
Walking down a strange new street
And hearing words that I've never head
From a girl I've yet to meet
I'm as busy as spider spinning daydreams
Spinning spinning daydreams
I'm as giddy as a baby on a swing
I haven't seen a crocus or a rosebud
Or a robin on the wing
But I feel so gay in a melancholy way
That it might as well be spring
It might as
Well be
Spring

 ~ sung by Frank Sinatra

 

Spiffing Up Little Richard

Hello, Dear Ones! Hope you all are doing well. I had a little accident a little while back. I was in the kitchen poodling with my new instant pot trying to figure out all of the bells and whistles. So I thought I'll get my computer and bring it in here and watch some videos about instant pots. Of course I was drinking my Diet Dr. Pepper and accidentally knocked it all over the top of my laptop!! Oh I went to town trying to get the liquid off. I turned it upside down and put a towel between the screen and keyboard to try and get the liquid off. Needless to say, I have been out of a computer for a while but Mr. Precious came to the rescue and bought me a new laptop. I was able to get some of my stuff off the old one before it completely died. Lesson learned! So I've missed you but I'm back again.

Christmas is all down and put away so I started in the entry and spiffed up Little Richard. Kinda simple but it works for me. I decided to put these little lamps on each side of the mirror for a change.

 

I poked down a couple of my Staffies and added some greens in the center and I was done! Simple, easy and kinda cute! 

Oh, Mr. Precious put in one of those Ring doorbells so if you come to see me I'll see you first! :)

Be a bunch of sweeties,

Shelia ;)

I'll leave you with a little Note Song ~ 

Am I Blue?

Am I blue, am I blue
Ain't these tears in my eyes telling you
Am I blue, you'd be too
If each plan with your man done fell through
Was a time I was his only one
But now I'm the sad and lonely one, lonely
Was I gay till today
Now he's gone and we're through, am I blue
Was I gay till today
Now he's gone and we're through, am I blue
Oh he's gone, he left me, am I blue 

~ sung by Billie Holiday

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, Dear Ones! I pray you all had a wonderful Christmas time and a festive New Year.

How nice to be back in Texas and not have to bundle up to go outside. Mr. Precious and I attended more Christmas parties this year than I can ever remember doing in the past. We had so much fun. It was just the two of us for Christmas, well, three with little Willow. But we love each other so and have so much fun together - it was a wonderful time together.

You all know I am pretty crafty so I just had to share with you what I've made.

My little grandson, Camp, loves Star Wars and my daughter asked if I could crochet him some characters. I've made so many things for my little granddaughter but not so much for Camp so she didn't have to ask me twice. I ordered a couple of pattern books from Amazon and went to town.

 These little figures are about 5 to 6 inches high. Here is Luke Skywalker, Princess Lea and Hans Solo. Now I've seen the 1st Star Wars movie but after that - no. So I didn't know half of the characters I was making.

 Obi Wan Kanobi, Yoda and Chewbacca. I used Willow's hair brush and brushed Chewbacca's yarn to make it look like he has fur. I could have sewn on little eyes but I just crocheted and some and a few eyeballs are a little wonky.

Here is a Storm Trooper and Darth Vador. There was no pattern for Darth Vador in either book so I had to make it up! Can you believe it? I don't know who the little green dude is.

 The robots! Again, no pattern for C- 3po or R2D2. I made them up too.

 Without looking at the pattern book, I can't tell you who these boogers are.

I know Camp knows who all of these little figures are but I made little tags and wrote their names on each one just to help him just in case. I did have fun crocheting these and am hoping Campie will like them too. 

It's after Christmas and he doesn't have them yet because we are going to take the Christmas gifts to them. I told you earlier my daughter and her family were moving from upstate New York. Well, they are moving as I type this to California! It will be easier for Mr. Precious and I to drive Kiki west instead of north. So soon my babies will have another Christmas time.

Then I got all smarty pants and decided to make a peg people Nativity! This was so much fun. Little baby Jesus and the lamb are little wooden balls. You can't see it here, but after I finished with these  I painted on a glossy coat of finish and the little Nativity looked much nicer.

 Well, bust my britches, I couldn't just stop there! No, no Nannette! I had to make a Santie and Mrs. Claus. They are pretty cute, don't you think>

 I saw some little winter peg girls on Pinterest and had to make some too. See how much better the little dolls look with a coat of gloss on them?

Then I finished by making these little girls holding stars embellished with flowers. I think I want to make some more peg people because - well, because it's just so much fun. I'm old but I sure do like to play.

Well, that's all for today and I'm so looking forward to 2020 blogging with you all!

Be a bunch of sweeties,

Shelia :)

I'll leave you with a little Note Song ~

  You Make My Dreams

What I want you've got
And it might be hard to handle
Like the flame that burns the candle
The candle feeds the flame, yeah, yeah
What I've got's full stock
Of thoughts and dreams that scatter
Then you pull them all together
And how I can't explain
Oh, yeah
Well, well you
(Ooh-ho, hoo-ooh, ooh-oo)
You make my dreams come true
(You-hoo, you, you-hoo, hoo, you, hoo)
Well, well, well you
(You-hoo, hoo-hoo-ooh)
Oh, yeah
You make my dreams come true
(You make my dreams)
Come true
(You-hoo, you, you-hoo, hoo, you, hoo)
On a night when bad dreams become a screamer
When they're messin' with the dreamer
I can laugh it in the face
Twist and shout my way out
And wrap yourself around me
'Cos I ain't the way you found me
And I'll never be the same
Oh, yeah
Well, 'cos you
(Ooh-ho, hoo-ooh, ooh-oo)
You make my dreams come true
(You-hoo, you, you-hoo, hoo, you, hoo)
Well, well, well you
(You-hoo, hoo-hoo-ooh)
You make my dreams come true
(You make my dreams)
Come true
(You-hoo, you, you-hoo, hoo, you, hoo)
Listen to this
I'm down on my daydream
Oh, that sleepwalk should be over by now
I know
'Bout you
Yeah, yeah
You make my dreams come true
(You-hoo, you, you-hoo, hoo, you, hoo)
Oh, yeah
I've waited, waited for you, girl
(You-hoo, hoo-hoo-ooh)
Oh, yeah
You make my dreams come true
(You make my dreams)
Come true
(You-hoo, you, you-hoo, hoo, you, hoo)
You and me, you and me... 

~ sung by Hall and Oats