FINALLY.... Welcome to the Playhouse

Wow this  has been an exciting day.  One I was beginning to wonder if it would ever come.  We started decorating the playhouse. Is it completely finished?  No! Why, well our carpenter,  Papa said enough is enough.  He began this project thinking he was building a shed for a playhouse, not a tiny little house.  We have a big craft show in a few weeks so all work has come to a halt until after the show. 

Hehe,,, He doesn't know we will have lots of changes and new ideas by that time. There is still some touch up work to do, some trim to paint and the loft to be finished.  But,,,, it is move in ready and we have had so much fun.

So come along and I will show you what is done so far. 

 

The BRIGHT green front door.  Darbee Rae knew what colors she wanted right from the start.  And to have her own mailbox was a have to have.  Holly was lucky to find this one at a sale and again, Darbee had to have it purple.

 

 

After I took the pictures Papa came by and put up her house numbers on the door as well.  She ask would the mailman stop by and really leave her mail,,,, after all she had an address. 

 

 

We hung valances on the two windows.  A third window is to be installed in the loft when Papa has time,.  They have already agreed on that so that she can look out from the loft area.

 

 

While Holly and I were having fun decorating, this is what Darbee Rae was doing.  Reading to her baby.

 

 

Her chalkboard was added to the wall close to her chair.  She plays school often so she will be all ready to teach her babies.

 

 

The wall going up to the loft.  Holly hung some of the canvas paintings she has been doing.

 

 

Looking up from downstairs is the unfinished loft area.  We hung this quilt from there until it is finished and this is the only thing in the playhouse Darbee  Rae does NOT like.  She says it is too primitive.  {smile}

 

 

Love the tiny coat rack.  This will be moved as she has a little table to go there, but the rain won't stop long enough to get it painted.  Love her cowgirl hat and her camouflage cap.

 

 

You see the bench for her adult guest as you walk in the door.  Still have to fill with pillows and something for the wall behind the bench.

 

 

But you know food is important to us Southern girls.  She is collecting play food already to stock her kitchen.  These donuts look real, huh?  The trunk doubles as a coffee table and storage for dress up clothing.

 

 

Her desk area.  Bet we won't see it this neat for long. 

 

 

The sink area.  There was a debate about a stove, so a microwave will go here in the future.

 

 

Shelf to the left of the sink area.  Hot pads and apron ready to be used.

 

 

View of the whole area.  Still have to add trim to the curtain.  Do you wonder what is behind the curtain?   A small refrigerator that has already been stocked with beverages for her little friends, and her table and stools that can be brought out when she has friends over.  And of course a box of goodies to use in the kitchen,

 

Mr. P. told Holly he loved her as good as she loved Darbee Rae, but he would have never worked this hard on a playhouse for her when she was little,.  But,,,,,, he didn't stop until he surprised Darbee Rae with this..

 

 

 

Yep, A swing built on to the playhouse.  Darbee Rae swinging and playing on her ipod.  Don't think he did too bad of a job do you?  We are so proud to have it done as much as it is.  What a fun day I had today with the girls.

 

Hope you enjoyed your visit.  Stop by and say hello.  And don't forget,,,, stay tuned for my giveaway coming up soon, 

 

Until next time ,

An Awesome Weekend

Thanks to all of you who are taking the time out of your busy day to stop by and visit, First let me say this has been a very blessed and thankful weekend for me, and on this Monday morning I am still overwhelmed with those feelings. 

Followers,,,, I love each and every one of you.  Some of you are like me,,, you visit and remain silent.  Comments are few and far between.  I find myself doing the same as I visit with some of you, and I should comment more often.  I usually visit early in the morning with good intentions to stop back and comment when I have more time during the day.  Unfortunately most days that doesn't happen.  And then there are those of you who I can depend on to stop in and visit and always say hello.  You are special as well.  I feel as if I know each of you personally, and look forward to our chats.  I never thought I would have anyone who would want to follow me in my little world when I started blogging.  BUT in the last few days I reached the big 200 plus 1 follower.  I am so excited!! So stay tuned for a giveaway,,, my way of saying thank you to each and everyone who drops by.  Okay... now on to my weekend.

On Saturday,,, Mr. P and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary.  No,,, We are not really THAT old.  We married when I was just 17 and he was 18.  Yes, we were very young but guess we knew what love was.  Against a lot of odds,,, our love has grown even stronger with each passing year, and God has blessed our little family.

Holly and Kathy had planned a big surprise party. Well,,, Mr. P. and I had planned a little getaway.  Oops!!!!!! On Wednesday night when I told Holly we would probably be going out of town on Friday,,, errrrr,,,,,, plans changed.  I think I almost gave my child a HEARTATTACK!!!!  However I can say things turned out wonderful. I am still on cloud nine this Monday morning.  She did a great post on the party, lots of photos so if you would like to jump over and see the photos and read all about it please do.  She would love to have you .  You can find her here....
http://hollyanddarbee.blogspot.com/

After the party, my little family all stayed over at the cabin for a huge slumber party.  Nothing like hearing Darbee Rae singing at the top of her voice at 2 am in the morning.  Yes, she was still going strong.  And after finally getting a few hours sleep, the smell of a big country breakfast being prepared in the kitchen by Kathy.  She is and has always been a wonderful cook.  We all said our good byes around lunch time and headed home with a heart full of love and lots of wonderful  memories.

Our town's fireworks was postponed July 4th because of rain, and it was rescheduled for Saturday evening.  As we have done for years, friends and family meet at Holly and Stacys for food and fun and you can view the fireworks from their lawn.  This year was no different.  After a few hours rest, we headed out for more fun.  We were so proud that Maudie  got to be there from TN.  She missed the anniversary party and it didn't seem right without her and her hubby.  We love them so much and miss them since they have moved away.

 

The fireworks were beautiful and so much fun was had.  Thank you again Holly and Stacy for another fun evening.

 

On Sunday you will find Mr. P. and I in church, however this Sunday he took me on a little road trip.  Nothing we enjoy more than riding down the road and talking as we ride toward our destination.  A wonderful day spent together. 

 

I know one thing.  I am not as young as I use to be.  On this Monday morning, I am one happy, but worn out wife and Nana.  But no rest today either.  Mr. P . has taken a few days off work, so guess where he is right now?  Working for Darbee Rae at her apartment, playhouse.  So many of you have ask about pictures.  Well, Darbee Rae will be a designer one day.  The plain studded walls painted wasn't good enough.  She wanted them finished.  So today he is putting up walls.  She  called last night with a list of changes she wants in there before decorating will begin.  Poor Papa!!! But he is loving it as he loves that little girl so much.  So hopefully I will have photos to share in the next few days.

 

Well friends, that is just about all I have to share today.  Hope you all have a wonderful beginning of the week.  Take a blah Monday and make it a fantastic one,  Thanks again to all the new followers and to all of you who visit each time with me.  You are all special.

 

Until next time...

Where Is The Sun????

. 

Hello friends.  Hope you are all enjoying a great weekend.  I would be having a great time if I was a duck!!  We have had so much rain this past week.  On one day we got over 5 inches.  I am so thankful we do not live in a flood area. Even the "sun"room looks so dark and dreary.

 

This photo was taken  in the middle of the day.  Normally it is so bright and cheery.  Looks like dead of winter , huh?  Well thanks to the rain, Mr. P. brought some sun inside to me this morning to help brighten up the room.

 

 

 

Beautiful sunflowers will brighten a rainy day!

  Thanks to the rain,. Mr. P's garden is growing so good.  We are having squash, tomatoes, onions,and peppers to enjoy.  This is the making of cucumber salad.  Holly and Darbee Rae came out to spend the day on the day before July 4th.  Talked Holly into making some for us to have with crackers while I worked on crafts. Yummy!!!

 

Darbee Rae never comes to visit empty handed.  But on this day, she brought 10 of her favorite babies.

 

 

She loves her babies!! And she can keep up with each of their names.  She was so excited to stay until Papa got home from work.  They went to the workshop and because it was raining and they could not play outside, she turned the shop into a restaurant. She was so excited to show us the pie she made with dirt, and sawdust!!

 

 

 

Love those rain boots!!!

 

Our July 4th celebrations were all canceled because of the weather.  Holly and Stacy always have a party and we all watch the fireworks from their lawn as they live right down the street from the high school where they shoot them off.  We were all disappointed as it has become a tradition, So,,,, no grilling out for us, but we all gathered at Kathy's for homemade apple/peach pies and ice cream.

 

 

 

 

 

Kathy made the ice cream and her hubby's niece made the pies.  So good to see such a young beautiful girl carrying on a tradition.  Her grandmother made these pies and shared with us for years. 

 

 

Thank you Christina and Kathy.  It was delicious!!

 

I have been busy making items for the Sept. show.  These Santas turned out so cute.  They are grunged really good but took picture with my tablet and they show up really light.  They were hard to make, but love the results.

 

 

I try and make 12 or 18 of each ornament and I get so tired of making the same thing over and over.  Those of you who sell wholesale, do you have any tips to keep it from getting so boring ??

 

Well I guess that is all from me on this yet another Rainy Day in Georgia.  Hope you are having a great weekend .  Stay safe.  Until next time.

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.....