Once a Chest...Now A Treasure

Good evening Prim Pals.  Hope you are having a great week so far.  I have been busy working on items for my September show all week.  The way time is flying by, September will be here and I so want to be ready for the 3 day show.  So much work still to be done.

A while back, I got a phone call from my hubby's sister Maudie.  You all know Maudie if you have been visiting me for awhile.  She is a wonderful Sister-in-Law.  Her hubby is a pastor and they were moving out of state for him to pastor a new church and they were cleaning out some things before the move.  She said she had Mr. P's old chest that he had at home when they were younger and wondered if he would want it.  I didn't ask,,,, I said sure.  A few weeks ago, we went to visit and brought the chest home.

Now to anyone else it is just a chest.  And we felt the same way when we were married almost 40 years ago.  Yes, we were young,,,,, he was 18 and I was 17.  When I saw the chest, it brought back memories of those early days of our marriage.  I remember after our wedding the weekend we went to his home and emptied out the chest.  He lived in an older home with few closets and all of his clothing was folded neatly in this chest. And along with clothing were a few hidden treasures.  The contents of this chest  was what he brought to our home when we joined together as husband and wife.  The chest was never given another thought.

I guess it was used by other family members throughout the years.  Maudie was the baby of all his siblings and I guess the last one to use it.  I am so blessed that she thought to ask if we would like to have it.  You all know how I love  treasures especially if it has a story behind it.

Oh if this chest could talk. Love letters written from our high school years, photos of when we were dating, old coins,  and what other treasures were safely snuck away between layers of clothing.  And what did it hold from other family members over the years.  I love the patina  of the wood.  Mr. P. oiled it down and I wanted it left as it was.

 

Deciding where to put it ,,, well that was my next problem.  I had intended to place it at the foot of the bed in the guest room.  However, I wanted it where I could see it and enjoy it for awhile.  So,, I chose to replace the little black bench in front of the settle with the chest.

 

 

For now a once wooden chest, is now come full circle and back to it's original owner.  As a young couple it was just a chest, but as the years have come and gone, it has become a well loved treasure.  Oh, what memories it holds for a couple still madly in love after all these years.

 

 

Thanks for stopping by to visit,.  Hope you have treasures in your life whatever they might be.  Have a blessed Thursday and a wonderful weekend.

 

Until next time.

Ramblings from the Home Place

Good evening friends, and Happy First Day of Summer.  My, how time is swiftly passing.  When we last visited, I shared with you the trip I had taken with my girls.  That was the first of the month, and here it is with the Fourth of July not too far in the future. 

Thought I would just let you all know what I have been up to.  I have been busy making items for my fall show, and so has Mr. P.  Let me tell you a little story.  He came in last week and brought this cabinet he had made in the work shop.  Oh my,,, I was so excited.  I knew I had the perfect spot for it, but he kept on that it was for the sale.  Well, I think I should get to keep it as it fit my spot perfectly.  What do you think??? He can always make another one. {smile}

 

Here is a photo with the flash.  You can tell the color and distressed areas better

 

 

He is such a sweetie,,,, I am going to get to keep it, fingers crossed.  He just laughs and says we will see.

 

On Saturday before Father's  Day, I surprised Mr. P. and took him out to breakfast.  Since we attend church on Sunday, we would have been rushed on Sunday morning. 

 

 

 

Oops!!!  Caught him with his mouth full.  That's okay.  Love ya Mr. P.  On Sunday afternoon Darbee Rae came home with us from church.  We were having family over later in the evening to grill.  So we got busy in the kitchen.

 

 

She was learning how to mix ingredients for home made ice cream.  Yummmy!!

 

A while back everyone was posting about the Ball canning jars that was out in blue.  Replicas of the old blue mason jars.  I could not find them anywhere.  Well last week, I got lucky and found  some.  Needless to say I was so excited.

 

 

We decided it would be a good time to use them.  And that is just what we did. 

 

 

Strawberry shortcake.  Not only was it pretty, it was lip smacking good too.

 

We also went to a birthday party this month.  Zack, Kathy's grandson turned 13.  Oh my, have birthday parties changed since I was a kid.  I remember going to parties and there was cake and if we were lucky ice cream.  Now days parents go all out for parties.  And what happened to gifts???  This young man lucked up... all cards with MONEY!!! Just look at the food.

 

 

And here is the birthday boy with all that loot!!

 

 

And the very special gift that was a total surprise from his parents......

 

 

An IPod mini.  Tried to talk him out of that one, but no way.  Afterward  all the kids wanted to go fishing.  Darbee Rae is NOT a country girl!!!  She wasn't so sure about fishing.

 

 

Think  she got bored really quick.  After all Mama, I have on my cute dress.  Well... Stacy caught 1 tiny fish and he and Holly caught oodles of red bugs.  Funny, but Darbee Rae got none!!  No more fishing for my city girl !!

 

 

I have made a few strawberries to go with my watermelon and fruit for my table centerpiece. 

 

 

And have a pineapple in the making.  Can't wait to share it with you.  Loving it so far. 

 

One Friday night, it was cool, and Darbee called and wanted us to come up and roast marshmallows.  What fun that was.  Brought back memories of doing this as a child.  Our church when I was growing up had them often in the fall for us kids, and a hayride afterward.  Oh what fun that was.  Do you know Mr. P held my hand for the first time on a church hayride???  And in my scrapbook I still have a baggie of hay from that trip.   Oh my.... over 40 years ago. Sweet memories!!

 

 

Well, that just about catches you up with what I have been up to.  The rest of my time has been spent with the girls.  Eating out, shopping, and doing nothing but being a Nana to Darbee Rae.  I will leave you with a few random pictures of Darbee Rae having fun  and doing her most favorite thing in the world..... reading to me.  Oh,,,, And I love that too. 

 

 

Eating at the restaurant and in comes a clown.....    And this is Emily, she goes everywhere with Darbee Rae. 

 

 

 

Sitting on the stool reading to me.   Look at those glasses down on her nose.  Yes, I think I see a school teacher in the making.  

 

Well I hope you have enjoyed visiting with me this evening.  Mr P and I chose to have a quite evening at home instead of going out tonight for date night.  He grilled us some burgers and we are enjoying time together.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend what ever your plans may be.

 

Until Next Time......

 

 

 

 

 

What A Fun Trip....Come Along

Well, who was up bright and early on Sunday morning ready to travel??? Yes Darbee Rae and her babies were so excited.  Just look at that face.

 

Getting to our destination is so much fun.

 

 

Filled to the brim with all kind of munchies.  For a 6 hour trip!!  Really???

 

 

Stopping along the way, shopping and taking a break.  Oh, and here you get free samples that are so yummy.  If you time it right, you can watch them in their kitchen upstairs making pies, etc.  FUN!

 

 

 

Crossing really tall and long bridges.  Yikes!! Darbee Rae thought this was cool.  Unnerving to me!!

 

 

A little something to calm our nerves after crossing the bridge.  Chocolate to the rescue for all of us girls. 

 

 

Finally in the afternoon, our destination.  Biloxi Beach.  Wish I was back already.  A breeze blowing off the water, and a good book in hand,,,,, so peaceful.

 

 

Darbee Rae couldn't wait to dig in the sand.  She was NOT fond of the ocean, but loved playing in the sand. Paid the beach a visit everyday.

 

 

 

Holly tried crab legs for the first time and loved them.  Me???  To much trouble !!

 

We did so much shopping.  There were Outlet Stores close by.  Darbee Rae got a precious  princess outfit to carry to Disney World at the Disney Store and Holly and I found a few bargains.  Found a good many thrift shops and got a few things to repurpose.  We went to Walmart at 11:30 at night in a torrential rain storm. {memories}

 

We stayed up late at night, well, really till early in the morning.  This was taken in the lobby of the  Island View Casino and Hotel at 1:30 in the morning. See the pink behind Darbee Rae?? It is one of her special dolls, Emily.  The security guard came over and thought she was a real baby.  Holly said it was so funny, and he just kept on looking as if to make sure it was not real.

 

 

No sleepy in those eyes.  We gave it up each morning around 3 a.m.  But slept in late everyday.  Wow that was the life!!

 

We were headed down the strip to hit the interstate and head for home, and we saw the signs for a new Casino.  Off we went on a search. On the back bay, we found it!

 

 

We just had to go inside and check it out, so we decided to have lunch at the restaurant. Darbee Rae could go to the restaurant but not stay on the casino floor. 

 

It was such a neat place to eat.  You could sit inside the boats. We chose a table with a view.

 

 

And our food was delicious.

 

 

And then, it was time to say goodbye and make the long trip home

 

 

The last time we visited here Darbee Rae looked like this

 

 

And today she said her goodbye to the ocean a much bigger and smarter little girl. 

 

 

 

 We had so much fun, As I grow older and time swiftly passes,  I hold all these precious memories with my girls so close to my heart.  I am determined that Darbee Rae will have lasting memories of the fun times we have shared together.  Playing with babies, pretending, singing at the top of our lungs in the car, playing question games, dominoes, shopping and snuggling in the bed , just to name a few things we do together. 

 

I feel so blessed on this Wednesday afternoon.  Thank you Holly for loving me, sharing Darbee Rae with your Daddy and me and being the best daughter and Mommy in the world.  Love to you and Darbee Rae.

 

And to all of you.... I hope you have enjoyed following along on our brief little getaway.  Now, laundry is waiting, supper is on and a very thankful wife, mother and grandmother has chores awaiting.

 

Until next time.....

 

 

Going To Be On The Road Again

Happy,happy Saturday to you all.  Sure hope all of you are safe if in areas where the tornadoes have been occurring all week.  Watching on our news is so sad and devastating.  Those of us who have not been affected should be thanking our maker for sparing us, our families, and our homes.  Prayers going up for all those who have lost family, friends and homes and businesses.

Those of you who follow along on the blog, know I go all the time.  Well , this past week I did not leave the house from Sunday afternoon until we went out for supper on Thursday night.  No, I was not sick, just took a break and stayed home.  Got lots done around here and actually started working on some items for my fall show in September. When you walk through my back door, it's hard to tell just what holiday/season I have decorated for. Patriotic items are everywhere, and then you see this.

Yes witch bowl fillers just waiting to get a grungy bath and finishing touches ,and Santa ornaments waiting on another coat of paint, beards, and accessories.  I think customers this year can pick their own pumpkin from my pumpkin batch.   I know I am not the only one working on fall /Christmas already as many of my craft friends have been showing their creations. .

This is one reason I was home all week.  Darbee Rae had cheer leading camp again this year.  So she and her mommy were busy.  They did their performance on Thursday for the Mom's.  Holly and her friend went and she took a video so I could watch later.  Don't ya think she looked so cute?

 

Yikes!!  What's up with that smile Darbee Rae??

While many of you are or have been out and about at shows, yard sales , auctions or shopping, here at the home place I am cooking.  Yes, you read that right.  You know I just HATE to cook, and NEVER cook on the weekend.  Maybe it is because I feel a wee bit guilty,,, or maybe because I just love Mr. P. so much {smile}  or a little bit of both... But  early tomorrow morning,,, Holly , Darbee Rae and I are going on a little girl's trip.  So Mr. P. has to have food to keep his strength up so he can work,,,, so we can keep going on trips. {ha}

Our girl trips started when Holly was in grammar school.  On occasion her Dad would go out of town for his job.  If timing was right and it was in the summer, once he was settled in wherever he was working , we would go up.  A really neat vacation for us girls while poor Mr. P. had to work.

Well now that Holly is married, she no longer can go on those trips with her Daddy and myself.  However once she was married we began going away at least once a year.  Usually in November so we could do some Christmas shopping.

When Darbee Rae came along, we continued the tradition.  She was only  6 weeks old when time for our trip rolled around.  What did we do?  We packed up that tiny little baby and off we went.  Thought you might like to see a photo.  Boy, have I aged in 5 years!!!  I was feeding her before we left the hotel for shopping.

 

Since this time, we have shared many, many trips together.  Lots of memories and fun times to remember.  Some silly, some crazy, and a few scary times.  I will never forget in the middle of the night and all the power goes out in the hotel.  All up and down the strip, no power and we were not on a low level floor.  That was really spooky.  No storms, just no power.  But all ended well.

 

So, today my plans are to pack, and rest and be ready to head out with the girls early in the morning.  Hoping to enjoy the beach and get some serious shopping done, along with good seafood.  All of you have a wonderful weekend and will talk to you soon.

 

Until next time.