** My HERO **

To the most beautiful woman in my life!

My mum,

my friend,

my mentor,

you are my inspiration!

I LOVE YOU

I wasn't always perfect, I wasn't always ideal

I didn't always clean my room, or eat all of my meal

I stayed out too late, I did things that I knew I shouldn't

I wanted to test my wings, and got mad when I couldn't

We are so much alike, my mother and I

We argued sometimes, and didn't always see eye to eye

I couldn't wait to be out on my own

To try out the ropes, to be fully grown

You were never afraid to speak what you thought

You knew what I'd done, well before I got caught

It wasn't until I was out of your home, I realized what I missed,

when I started to roam
A friend, a companion, who would always defend

Giving love unconditionally, a love that didn't end

Even when I wasn't perfect, ideal, or good

When the going got tough, I knew I always could

Turn to my mum, with her good advice

Even then I turned to you, as I became a wife

I thank you so much, for all that you've done

For what you have made me, for what I've become

Now I'm proud of the fact, that I am so much like you

I hope that I continue too, in all the things I do

These words canot express, just what you mean to me

But I will strive every day, to make sure that you see!

I love you mum with all my heart!!!

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

Mothers do things out of love,

Never imagining that what they do

May become unforgettable memories

In the hearts of their children.

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

"A MOTHER'S HUG"
A child sits at her window

Watching storm clouds in the sky

Knowing that she’s frightened

Not really knowing why
Maybe it’s the thunder

Could be it’s the rain
Maybe it’s the lightning

Mirrored on the window pane
But it really doesn’t matter

What fears the day may bring

If you’re safe and snug in a mother’s hug

You can face most anything

So soon the smiles of childhood

Turn Into teenage frowns
It seems so much of growing up

Consists of falling down
And through those painful middle years

I soon would come to know
The pain that seems to hurt the most

Is the kind that doesn’t show
But it really doesn’t matter

What fears the day may bring

If you’re safe and snug in a mother’s hug

You can face most anything

Now children do get older

But a child they still remain
Childish fears of darkness

Give way to worldly pain
Maybe it’s the sadness

When you lose someone you know
Maybe it’s the grief that comes

From reaping what you sow
But it really doesn’t matter

What fears the day may bring

If you’re safe and snug in a mother’s hug

You can face most anything
Now I still look out those windows

At storm clouds in the sky
At hopes and fears, joys and tears

Of many years gone by
And I thank God for the blessing

Of allowing me to be
The one who gives the comfort

When my children come to me
Cause it really doesn’t matter

What fears the day may bring

When you’re safe and snug in a mother’s hug

You can face most anything!!!

Happy mothers day to all the mums all around the world!

Being a mom is not just a job....

it's an adventure! :-)

Enjoy your weekend!

Luv, Dolly

*** I LOOOOOVE THIS ***

I am playing catch-up today!

I should have posted these pictures lastweek!

What an exciting weekI received 3 packages...

Ohh what fun when the mail gal rings the door bell and has a box in her hand for mwa!

~~Whoooooohooooooo~~

The first gift is from my sweet friend Natasha Burns...

All the way over in Australia

I won her give away for this sweet treats trio!

First off look how cute it was wrapped...

I felt like it was my birthday.....

Are'nt they the cutest faux treats???

Natasha sells these on her website....

go order some... you will love them!

Everyone thinks they are real!

And the best part is they are fat free! te-hee!

I Love Love this cute CHERRY tag!!!!
{it's soooo meeeeee!!!!!}
Complete with her signature sweet cupcake with a CHERRY on top!
A girl after my own heart!!!!!

*~ Thank you Natasha ~* {hugz}

This next set of pictures is my gifts from the Pink and Brown swap!

Look how cute everything was wrapped!

My heart skipped a beat when I opened this CHERRY candle holder....

LOOOK LOOOK LOOOKY LOOK

at those sweet yummy cherries dangeling from the sides!

That is just sooooooo perfect!!!!!
Filled with the bestest smellin vanilla votive

I am loving this beautiful book mark too!!!!

I have'nt had a pretty bookmark in a while!!!


Now this lil gold box... made me squeeeeeellll

Oh darlin..... anyone that knows me well, knows that

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOOOOOOOVE Godiva chocolates...

OMG.......
To die for yummy!
Did I mention I LOOOVE Godiva chocolates???
I swear if hubby was'nt here when I opened them I would not have saved him one or shared with anyone!

NOPE....... no shareing these babies!!!!

MINE mine MINE mine MINE!!!!! giggle



Oh yes they were delish........


Here is the rest of the goodies from Kris!

A gardening magazine which I devoured with a cup of chia tea...
Raspberry cookies, a box of maple sugar candies which hubby munched on!
Burts bees lip balm... the best lip balm.. its all natural!
You know I do love all natural!!!!
Did you see the box of rose note cards???
they are beeeutiful!
And the card with lily of the vally on it...deserves to be framed!
Thank you Kris..... you made my day!

This next batch came all the way from Texas
From Jami....
My "I Love cupcakes" swap gal

Lots of wonderful sprinkles.....we can't wait to use them!

And those pastel sugars look so yummy sweet!

My grandson staked claims on the chocolate smelling pencils

and eraser and pencil sharpener!

They really do smell chocolatey!!!

Jami even created for me,

my very own personalized stationary note pads!

How cool is that?????

This girl is goooood!!!!!

We can't wait to try the markers...

you can actually write on frosting with them!

I see lots of cupcakes coming soon!

Thank you for the awesome gifts Jami

that was so sweet of you!

Thank you Natasha, Kris and Jami

for all the wonderful gifts!

You gals really did make my day

and made me shed a tear or two

I'd also like to take this opportunity to

THANK everyone

for the sweet comments yous have been leaving on my blog!

I truely apreciate all your kind words and enthusiasm!

God Bless you all!

Hugz, Dolly

~~To My friend ~~

Today is a very special day....
It's my dear friend Holly Doodles' BIRTHDAY

Won't you join me in a chorus of Happy Birthday

do re me fa so la te doe
fa la la la la laaaaaaa
{sorry just warming up}

Ok in OUR bestest singing voices......

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR HOLLLYYYYYY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUUUU!!!!

Now run over to Hollys' blog and wish her a happy happy birthday!

The birthday cake painting was done for Holly by our sweet friend

Natasha Burns!
If you have'nt seen her blog and web site I recomend you run don't walk

run run run right over and check it out!
She does amazing work!
And has a super personality to boot!
{Luvs ya Natasha}

Hope your special day is as wonderful as you are Holly!

Hugz, Dolly

Tagged AGAIN.....

I have been tagged again......

Here are the rules…. each player starts with 7 random weird facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog! Ok Ele this one is for you kiddo.I put on my thinking cap and came up with 7 more "UNIQUE" weird facts about lil ole me!I don't like the word "WEIRD"... its sounds so intimidating! Let's change this to "Unique facts about me".
1. I do not... I repeat I do not like eatting off plastic plates or drinking out of a plastic cup!It gags me! When we owned our travel trailor I had glasses and glass plates in the cupboards! Everyone thought I was nuts! They'd say you are supposed to use paper plates when camping! Not this girl!2. When shopping I touch everything! It drives hubby nuts! I just have to touch touch touch everything I walk by!Guess I am just a touchy feely kinda girl!3.I have this big fear going up an escalator....I can go down with no problem but going up I get this feeling that there is some super power pulling me backwards!!!! If we have to use an escalator hubby stands right behind me and holds onto me!4. I can't sleep without MY pillows! Wherever we go overnight I have to take MY pillows! I wake up with a headache if I sleep without my pillows!5.Ok now hubby thinks this is just plain weird.... I don't!!!!I have never eatten a hostess chocolate cupcake! You know the chocolate ones with chocolate frosting and the cute lil squiggles ontop!We had them in the house growing up but I have never been interested to try them! Its not that I don't like chocolate cupcakes... Oh I do, give me a chocolate cupcake anyday! Just not a hostess cupcake!6.I do not do not do not like the color BLUE.... ok let me explain where this came from!Growing up our house was blue...blue carpet, blue couch, blue drapes, blue bathroom, blue bedroom, and it seems like every time we got a new car it was...... you guessed it BLUUUUUUUUUUE!!!!!!Do you think blue is mums favorite color????Hmm..... I wonder if my kids will hate the color green?7.Hubby bought a picture home one day.... he found it on the side of the road waiting for the trash man.... it took my breath away when I first saw it!It is an elderly lady.... wrinkely face... tiny round wire rim glasses... tinted sepia print in a vintage bubble glass oval frame!She is very unique.... It breaks my heart that a family member would not cherish this beautiful lady! When our grandson and nephew were little I had to cover her with a towel because they were affraid of her! When anyone asks who she is... I tell them she is our adopted ancestor! My dear friend Kristi calls them dead ancestor pictures!!!Ok now I have confessed not 7 but 14 of my UNIQUE {weird} facts about me.....if they put me in a nut house....you will come visit me right.... RIGHT?????

Now I am tagging these 7 gals...go read about their UNIQUE weird facts about themselves!I appologize if you have already been tagged!

Pink faded rosesCherub kissesTongue in cheekBeachy Cape Cod cupboard
Thank you all who said they'd look for heart shaped rocks for me... I'd love to add heart shaped rocks from around the world to my sweet collection!Do contact me if you find one!!!! ~ Enjoy your weekend ~

Me..... WEIRD???????

This morning I got an email.....

Natasha Burns (my sweet aussie friend) tagged me for some Weird FUN!!!

>>> I've been tagged - 7 WEIRD Facts about ME <<<

Ok I am thinking... does Natasha think I am weird or what???

Hmmmm....

Well I guess some people {and family members} may think I am weird but I think of myself as UNIQUE!

Here are the rules…. each player starts with 7 random weird facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to write on their own blog about their seven things, as well as these rules. At the end of your blog, you need to choose 7 people to get tagged and list their names. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

Oyyy this took some thinking to come up with these...... I really had to look at myself from another persons' perspective...

Come laugh with me...

1. I am obsessed with clean windows... I wash windows more then anyone I know! It drives me bonkers to have dirty windows! When my daughter moved into her first apartment the first thing I did when I walked in the door was get the window cleaner out and shine them windows! After that was done then I could relax and enjoy her cute lil abode! Do you think its weird? I don't!!!! My family and neighbors do though!
2. I like being by the water but not in the water.... Hmmm... weird?? to top it off I am a pisces... a FISH LOVES Water!!!!
3. Like my dear friend Ele I can pick up things with my toes... like toys, pens, pencils, socks, anything but a coin! I never really thought it weird though.. just talented! :-)
4. I talk to my chicken girls like they are humans and can really understand me! I spoil them with treats and sweet baby talk! I even bless them when they sneeze! Hubby keeps reminding me that they are chickens but to me they are my girls!
5.I LOVE anything CHERRY..... My friends and family call it a "way over board obsession"! My daughter says I need to see a shrink! I paint cherries on anything that does'nt move! My kitchen is filled with cherry things, I have cherry jammies, cherry socks, cherry totes, cherry undies, cherry blankets, cherry sheets, cherry pillows, cherry shirts, cherry stickers, cherry stamps, cherry stationary ... you name it.... I even buy my granddaughters cherry outfits and cherry goodies! I am constantly doodeling cherries too! WEIRD ???? NAW!!! UNIQUE YES!!!
6.I have a bottle of hand sanitizer in my truck, purse, bathrooms, kitchen, bedroom and on my desk! I am constantly washing my hands! I won't touch door knobs with my bare hands! OCD or weird????
7.I collect rocks..... oh not just any kind of rocks! These rocks are each hand picked and heart shaped! I am in my glory when I am searching through a pile of rocks, oh you know those landscaping rocks they use... like river rocks.. I LOVE THOSE.... I could spend all day looking at every rock!!!!! I get the biggest thrill searching thru rocks to find the perfect heart shaped rock...... Hubby says I am going to get arrested one day for stealing rocks from business' landscaping! I can't help myself!!!!!!

I hope you enjoyed reading some weird and embarrassing facts about me! Thanks Natasha!!!Did you shake your head or just laugh????

Think about it..... what are some weird facts about you??????

I have tagged 7 friends so now they have to expose their weirdness.... uhhhum I mean uniqueness :-)

Go see what my gal pals have to say about themselves.......
Miss Duffy

Cherry Hill Cottage

Everyday is a Holiday

Julies World

My Romantic Home

Love Boxs

Paint mine Pink

Oh My I have been tagged twice.....

Stay tuned for more weird wacky facts about mwa!

Happy Blogging!

Come play with us.....

Welcome to Munchkin Land....

Last week we had all 4 of our grandbabies at our house!
Oh the FUN we had.....

Playing in the sand.....



Watching the birdies, chipmunks and squirrels at the feeders!

Coloring...well actually Lil Guy was eatting and breaking the crayons!
Sissy was busy making pretty pictures from Gwammas' fridge!
Reading stories ...I think we read every book in the house!
Building big castles with Wegos {Legos}

Reading a bedtime story to Aunt KeeKee and Uncle Cwiss
Ahhhh.... I think we finally wore them out.....

Yep Lil Guy actually fell asleep behind the chair!

Now that they are all gone home.....It's time for this gwamma to enjoy some ME time

Won't you join me for a cup of tea and a strawberry yogurt granola bar?

Cherish every minute you spend with a child!**They are our future**

Hugz, Dolly

~~~~ My Oh My ~~~~

~~~ We had such a wonderful weekend ~~~
It was in the 80s... the sun was shinning, the birds singing!

Ahhhhhhhh.... I think spring is finally here to stay!

We spent all of saturday and all of sunday outside!
I cleaned some of the flower beds, picked up fallen branches, cleaned out my truck,hauled some of the porch wicker out of storage, and managed to spend alil time relaxing in the hammock and catching some rays!
I am not a sun worshipper by any means ... it just felt good to have the sun on my face!

The girls enjoyed their time out and about the yard eatting bugs and fresh green grass!
They are my partners in crime..... When I am in the yard they are both right next to me!





Meet my twins..... I call em "the girls"..... One is Layla and the other is Lola!
They look alike but they have different personalities.....
Layla is voiceturous... she cackels all the time!
bawk bawk bawk bawk bawwwwk ....... Lil Miss Complainer!
Lola is the friendly one... she will let you hold her and pet her!
She's my lil lovebug! They are very spoiled... and think they are human!When I am not outside they are both on the porch, pecking at the door waiting for their treats!If we happen to go outside without a treat for them....Miss Layla will let you know how very unhappy she is! ~~~We have a guard dog too~~~
You will meet Goosey in another post! {that's a whole other story}

Until next time!

~~may the sun shine upon your face and you find joy in all that you do~~

Luv, Dolly

It was LOVE AT FIRST BITE~~~

First off let me say I am not the food shopper in our house!
I do not like grocery shopping....
on the other hand hubby looooves grocery shopping!
He'd go everyday if he could!
If I have to do the shopping, I shop for the whole month
so I don't have to go back anytime soon!
I really think my dread for grocery shopping began
back when our youngest was allergic to dairy products!
I had to read every label before I put anything in the shopping cart!
{it seems like everything has something dairy in it}
It took me hours to do my weekly grocery shopping!
Plus I was the coupon queen, so that took time as well!!!!!

Anyways a few weeks ago my grandson and I had to
go to the grocery store to get french vanilla creamer!
I saw the display for these new chips by Frito Lay...

~~~~Baked Fruit Crisps~~~~







hmmmm sounds interesting!
{hubby only buys the usuals... he does'nt try anything new}
We decided to try the Peach Mango.........
Oh yes it was LOVE AT FIRST BITE!!!!!!!
The taste is phenominal.... yummier then yummy!
Like biteing into a fresh peach with a twist of fresh mango!
ahhhhhhh...... mouth watering!!!!
yummy in my tummy!

The are baked not fried.......thats a good thing right???
made from a blend of potato, rice, apple, peach and mango!
I won't tell you how many bags we have devoured so far! lol

They do come in many different flavors....
we have tried the berry.... not too good!
The apple cinnamon is delish......
taste like a fresh baked apple crisp !!!!!

Run don't walk to the nearest store...
you have got to try these yummy-lishious chips!






I am off to enjoy the sun, a new magazine, peach mango crisps & mountain dew!!!! won't you join me???
Xo, Dolly

OH NOOOO..... I am addicted

I swap with Swap-bot!

~~~~ Ok I am officially addicted to SWAPPING ~~~~ YES I had soooo much fun with my first swap,the shopping and creating for my partner, the cool gifts I received, and the best part was the wonderful friend I made!

If you have never swapped try one! There are alot out there!I am sure you will love it too!

I am really excited to tell you about my next swap!

~~~~"I LOVE CUPCAKES"~~~~

How fun is this!
It's all about cupcakes.... anything and everything that revolves around cupcakes!

YUMMY YUMMY DELISH Mouth WATERING CUPCAKES!

The Swap Coordinator is : pumpkinvine
Last day to signup date is: April 20, 2007

Clink the link below if you'd like more info....
http://www.swap-bot.com/swap/show/2858

How about joining the swap with me?
Come on it will be FUN!!!!!!

Post a comment if you do join...
I'd love to see what you swap and what you receive...
who knows we may end up swap buddies!!

Happy Blogging and Swapping,

xo, Dolly

My very first.......

During my first or second week of blogging I found Jennys blog... http://journals.aol.com/jennyeveryday/everyday-is-a-holiday/
wow was I blown away!
She is so darn cute and super duper creative!
{If you have'nt already you must go see her blog! Its soooooo awesome!}

Lucky me.... Jenny was hosting her first swap, and it sounded really fun!
Vintage Kitchen Goodies.... thats so me!
I signed up.... not quite sure what to expect!
I was matched with my partner... the sweet Miss Duffy... http://missduffys.com/WordPress/

Let the fun begin......
We exchanged emails a few times... she is such a sweet person!
So glad god has bought her into my life!
I made her some goodies and mailing them off as I received the goodies she had sent to me!
How exciteing......
As I opened each package I ohhhed and awwwed......
Kasse knew me so well... even though we just met!


Ohhhhh.... Awwwwwww..... Ohhhhhh... Awwwwww


Take a look at the sweet red and green swanky swigs.... too darn cute!
The vintage red handled masher....
I never told her I collected vintage utensils!
{She read my mind}



Ohhhhh...... Awwwwwwww...... Ohhhhhh.... Awwwwww!!!
I love love loooooove anything Jadite!I have quite the collection but guess what???
I did'nt have this sweeter then sweet butter dish!Ohhhhhhh..... AwwwwwwwwI also have a collection of vintage crochet potholders !AND.... Green is my favorite color!This cute cute super cute chicken towel is perfect!I have 2 chickens as pets... they are my girls!Look at the hand stitching..... too sweet! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now here is a peek at my hoosier cabinet where everything sits until I find
THE PERFECT place for each piece!




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Make new friendsbut keep the oldone is silver and the other gold!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Thank you Kasse & JennyI will think of you everytime I use my vintage kitchen goodies!Hugz, Dolly

Hoppy Easter ... Every Bunny

Easter is in the air at our house!

I thought I'd show you a few easter vignettes that are sprinkled around our home!!
This little setting is on a vintage sewing machine in the foyer. On top an ornate tray, nestled in a bed of crinkled pink grass, scattered about are ceramic eggs that our children painted when they were lil!

I think this one is my favorite this year!
I love this vintage looking paper mache bunny holding a newly hatched chick while brother chick waits patiently to see the new arrival!


This sweet lil bunny candy container looks like he has attitude.... I found him at Michaels....{wish I would have gotten one of each}

I love it, don't you?

Here is a vignette that is in our cherry kitchen....

Don't you love the foiled eggs in the wire chicken basket along with the jadite hen on her nest! Hmmm.. those chocolate eggs keep disappearing!

This lil guy hopped in a few days ago.... I think he has been nibbeling too many cherries at night... look how plump he is!


It's time to kick him out of the kitchen!
Shooo rolly polly bunny!

This pretty shelf hangs in the living room!
I love the contrast of the rose plates and easter bunnys and hand painted eggs!

I did these eggs many many years ago, when I was into country decor!
I still put them out.... they are so intricate and I loved painting them!



I was excited when I unpacked these eggs, I forgot I did these pretties!
I painted these eons ago!
Back in the pen and ink days!
Do you think they are considered shabby chic now! :-)



This precious lil lamb arrived at my door this morning!

She is from my dear friend Miss Duffy. Thank you sweet Kasse... I love her!
Take a look at her hat and pretty bow, this girl is ready to party!

This is precious rabbit is nick named the velvettine rabbit because he is torn and tattered....very much loved after all these years!
This precious lil guy is a family heirloom! He belonged to hubbys' dad when he was a youngin!Yep he is a "real" vintage treasure!

I snuggeled this wonderful foiled egg next to him under the glass cloche!
This lil goody came from Kasse too!

Here is a peek at my precious grandaughters' first easter basket!It's not totally filled yet... I have more goodies to put inside,
But I wanted to give you a peek!

I thought the pretty suitcase would be perfect to hold all her baby treasures!
{hospital bracelet, cards, foot prints etc....}
And we all agree, a girl must have a fluffy "pink" bunny to cuddle with....
this one is ohhh sooo soft!

That cute lil shoe is made of resin.... I thought it was too cute!
Momma will eat the chocolates, and when Miss Emma grows some hair she can keep her lil barrettes and ribbons in the shoe!
Plus gramma got her her first china tea set!Beatrix Potters Peter rabbit of course! {I buy all of our grandchildren a tea set! Yep even the boys}
The pencil bunny is her first easter piece of many more to come!
I also have a sweet lil shirt that has pastel flowers on it and a rubber ducky that blinks different colors!
All nesteled in that crinkled pink paper grass!
I love that stuff!

And lastly I leave you with this picture!
It makes me smile! {loook closely}


I am off to help the easter bunny wrap the baskets
and fill the oh so many plastic eggs for the egg hunt!


Happy Easter
dear friends, old and new!

God Bless you,
Hugz, Dolly

Whammy......

Good ole mother nature sure put a whammy on us!
We got 3.8 inches of snow lastnight, and it's been snowing all day!
We had white out conditions lastnight and this morning!
Mr. Newsman issued a winter advisory with freezing rain and blowing snow!

What happened to spring???????
The trees and flowers and birds are confused!
Heck I am confused!





Will we be hunting easter eggs in the snow????
Will we be wearing long johns under our pretty spring dresses????
Will spring ever come and stay????
Brrrrrrrr.........

This precious angel lady sits on our porch and watches over our home...
she wants to go back in the barn where its warmer!
I think I bought her out too early!





All you southern gals...
I will trade you some snow for some warm weather and sunshine! te-hee!!!!!

I am off to put on my wool socks and flannel shirt and hug a cup of hot tea!

wintery blessings,
Dolly

Where have you been?

I have been traveling.

So far this week I have been to cape cod, new jersey, florida, oklahoma, australia, and other parts unknown!

My most favorite place to visit has been france.... I have always dreamed of going to france...... ahhh the food... the sights.... the shopping... the eiffel tower... the romance!!!!!

Pack your bags and come with me... {no just grab a cup of tea and run over to "tongue in cheek"} http://willows95988.typepad.com/tongue_cheek/living_in_france/index.html
Corey will take you on a tour of wonderful France, that will make you feel like you are in a horse drawn carriage, you can almost hear and taste france! Her pictures, her stories..... Mmmmm... its exactly what I imagined it would be like!

That is where I found this precious picture....

An 1800s postcard.... the lil blonde girl reminds me of my daughters and precious grandbabies! She is my new mascot! I so adore her.

Thank you Corey for shareing her with me! I will treasure her forever!

Also thank you for shareing your beautiful life with all of us!

Hugz, Dolly