The Summons

This is the premise and inspiration for my little Le Shiloh Shabby Château.

A peasant’s home prepared for guest…in hopes of a royal visit.
My vacation rental property and it's story.

In ancient days of old, somewhere in a garden of Shiloh…

Abby had been abandoned by her father before she was born, she was raised by her mother and brothers who owned a vineyard and she was a hard worker and a peasant.

An ancient kingdom was grieved as their beloved King was old and at deaths door. Abby, was chosen and summoned by his son the Prince to lay with the ailing King to keep him warm while he slept.

The Prince escorted her to the Gates at Le Shiloh Shabby Château where...

She was given a place to live on the palace grounds; here she felt peaceful and safe. It was not as grand as the palace, but she was delighted and given all that she needed...

private courtyard

lush colors

Casual - Comfortable - Luxury

For menu see my Le Château Chef (orders 3 days in advance)

Just a sample of our menu... a delicious lunch...

Green Chili-Pimento Cheese, Sherried Chicken-and-Grape Salad and Smoked Turkey Wraps

a passionate love began to grow in her heart …

like a refreshing rain

 he wrote her lovely sonnets on parchment stamped with his seal tied up in  red satin.

Painted furniture by Lee

One evening she arrived at Le Shiloh Château, this charming prince had prepared a banquet for her. He summoned her to his banquet table. It was enchanting, as they began to dine; he sipped his wine and moved the royal chalice in front of her… she took one look into his gentle eyes, and kingly curls that glowed in scented candle light…lost in this moment now, for she understood this custom only too well, she had dreamed of this her whole life. If she drank from his cup they were sealed by law in a covenant of marriage… a peasant girl and king. What would you do…?

She prepared herself like all brides do for that royal wedding day with beauty treatments and was groomed to become a queen. From time to time they would meet in secret and steal kisses in the garden as lovers do…She would keep oil in her lantern as he might come at a midnight hour to claim her as his Queen…

One night he came to her door,  she had already prepared herself for slumber, she would not answer the door for him thus he left after waiting until his hair was drenched in dew.

When she woke, she was sick with love and went out to find him calling him in the streets. She asked the watchmen  if they had seen the one she loved, but they beat her without mercy. Why had she been so foolish  and ignored him? Why would the city watchmen beat her, not helping her to find her true love? They treated her with contempt to have a love so real, they were jealous of a peasant girl.

Custom requires a time spent apart before he comes parading through the Kingdom on royal steed with his attendants and army in there whitest uniforms and summons his bride with a trumpet blast and a tail of lights of flickering flame in darkest hour, to bring her to his palace, she must always be ready and looking for him.

Godiva Chocolate Horse painted by Lee

A ram’s double twisted horn, breaks forth it's clarion call and music is heard in all the land.

Her heartbeat is in sync with his.

Compared to the other maids, she was as common as a field of wildflowers all of them alike, but to him the fairest of ten thousand because,

His sonnet says …“With one glance of your eye you’ve captured my heart”.

Take a look in fairest mirror here to find HIS queenly bride is YOU.

It is recorded in the Book of All Books and  as the psalm “Song of all Songs”

The “Song of Solomon” the wealthiest, wisest man to ever live, fell in love with a common peasant girl.

A beautiful poetic verse describes God's love for His Church, His Bride.

  “ The Summons” is the meaning of this Christmas Holiday of love, with the King of all Kings!
"Oh,Come let us Adore Him"

The Countess of Le Shiloh Shabby Chateau...Lee

To read the whole story it is in the middle of the Bible. It is the story of the Bible as a whole, a love song.
This version was just a version for my Château. vacation rental and Le Chateau Chef.. (mixed with a little tongue and cheek) For more pictures click the link. There are four slideshows. Or for more on "Song of Solomon" click my website Beloved Fine Art.

Grey Or Gray

Beautiful Grey's.

Veranda Magazine

Marie Antoinette

Grey clothing?  Grey hair?

No thanks.

Veranda Magazine via Country French Antiques

Trevi Fountain stone cold grey.

Grey (outside the U.S. and some parts of the U.S.) or gray describes the tints and shades ranging from black to white. These, including white and black, are known as achromatic colors or neutral colors. In recent years, "neutral colors" had been reclassified. These "new" neutrals have low colorfulness and/or chroma on the color wheel.

Common Connotations

boredom, reality, seriousness, neutrality, dullness, mediocrity, undefinedness, pessimism, tragedy and contentment

Gray, at one time, in my mind was gloomy incarceration.

This grey  design is something beautiful, I must admit I am drawn to it, but I just couldn't see myself alive in it.

An old  black and white photo, upon stepping in, colorizes just like on film, instilled over and over in us at the movies.

 I think of Papillon with Steve McQueen or The Count of Monte Cristo's Château D'lf or Morgan Freeman's, Shawshank Redemption.
(dirty yellow teeth) I will spare you this image.

Royal incarceration and death verdict...
Diadem reclaimed.

So, I decided to create a grey world of my own, to see it's effect on me, in my own prison cell space.

1929 O'Keeffe



prison bars

Bring a file.

Prison stripes.

Damp and drafty.

No warm fire.

rusted patina's on heavy iron

No glow in my lantern.

Obscure window.

The chandelier's empty nest of weeds.
No song birds will sing, they have
flown away in grey sky's.

No venison to carve.

Empty tin cup and clay vessel.

cold metals &

cut glass memories, patterns on my mind

Holes in tattered clothes.

An Ivory graveyard.

No square meal today.

Unraveled cords will not ring ladies maids.

Scratchy burlap blanket on more prison stripes.
Dreams of gazelles running away.

The diadem has dropped on prison stripes and soon injustice on a platter.
Off with her head.

In the midnight hour, not even a match for my candles.

What was my crime... I joined the French Grey revolution!

Could you live in my grey room?

Carpeted with only fallen leaves turning grayer everyday?...

This post was definitely inspired by

 Trish at Trouvais.

Thank you for coming to visit me in my gray space and leave me a comment to cheer my day?

I think grey or gray is better than OKAY!

I am loving this. Wishing you a gray Thanksgiving!

Lee

Everything you see came from garage sales or thrift stores, with the exception of the faux ivory flatware from Target and the libby glass ware from Dollar Tree. $1.oo each.

Window $10.00. Everything else was $5.00 or under.

"All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray."

Mama's and the Papa's
Playing in my head.

French Kissed

I have been invited as an honored guest for a delightful French Kissed, "Tuscan Thanksgiving"...

I received my invitation today from  ~Jermaine~  and thought I would take her a little gift.

So I have been reading this...

I have selected this...

because it looks

Tuscan but I am assured it is French.

I heard her say once she liked baskets.

Thank you  for honoring me Jermaine!

If you need me I will be here!

I  am off to get all gussied up now.

Lee

To read about Tuscany in Texas click here!
Please leave me a comment... I love to hear from you.

Mademoiselle ~Jermaine's~ philosophy
French Kissed elevates people, family, traditions and romance. It is a design approach with solid artistic credibility offering budget friendly, Eco-friendly and most importantly people friendly inspiration for living the best life we can in beautiful surroundings.
Pay her a visit you will certainly be delighted...

Country French Antiques

If you came referred by Shawn from
  Country French Antiques...Welcome!

I have decided to do a post as a reaction to Shawn at Country French Antiques

She discovered my blog and posted me on hers... which I am grateful... I'm not a blog about French Antiques however, she seemed to have  fallen in love with my gardens... so to show you what she saw here  in Inspired Comblogulations... the link to my gardens ...

 are on my side bar... I am grateful for her graciousness and I do love French antiques... I just don't blog about those in the fabulous way she does.  Thank you Shawn... If you click on my garden pictures on my side bar you will see what she saw... I hope you enjoy them and leave me a comment and join me and follow along.

Lee

Tapestry Tale

Josephine's
least favorite room,  holding favorite things

There was a young girl, setting out on a journey of life ...

Skipping along a sunny road

guarded by lovely crepe myrtles

landscape painting by Lee

first landscape/not an original

Passing adventurers too … crossing over time worn bridges with distant mountains and castles,

 for them a familiar abode

As it was getting late …She noticed an enticing gate

She came upon a beautiful door wanting to go inside to explore.

Here, constrained from venturing out …endless work mundane…just daydream forlorn…wondering what her life is about

A mirror reflection … fragrant flowers perfume.

around the corner a possible doorway out...

Time ticks by in dim candle light flickering over the worlds ancient tales.

Empty treasure box ... memory pales...

..not one token or tiny sea shells

Recorded legends in ecru embossed books,

a time piece and brush to dust off the garments of warmth, folded velvets and silk in leather bound luggage and trunks now rest from their former owners… dusted and stacked so neat.

Soothing heat encased in shiny copper and brass, to warm the laborious ache in her feet.

Crocheted coverlets with silky brocades…

… Resting her perfumed head

on downy crèmes,

embroidered royal crest pillows...

Crowning her head

Cool and soft billowing greens

Safely tucked beneath a canopy of wrought  iron with craftsman forged curves, this slumbering sail draped over sturdy shoulders tied with knots of cord on towering columns of strength…

Remembering places in the past and present, a Tapestry Tale of the heart, as she now is awakened refreshed, anticipating new adventures, tomorrows fresh start…. Hoping and joyfully waiting her chance to travel abroad and if you close your eyes and dream things aren’t as hard as they sometimes seem. The treasure here lies in your view and what you choose each day to do … If life is a canvas then paint a “master piece” if you will; no cost for the brush and a multitude of colors to see.
 It is true… the best things in life are free!

This was an Inspired Comblogulation.

Thank you Jermaine…from French Kissed.
Your name seems to be popping up a lot.

Thank you to Cathy from The Stylish House, I went to Dubai today…on a grey Monday morning!

Thank you Maria Cecila… I experienced spring in Chili! Casa Dulce Hogar

The color grey is looking better to me Trish! Trouvais… is a fabulous travel experience, rich in history!

I painted my canvas today … I gave it my best...It might not be your cup of tea in design… but that’s okay, it’s not your canvas!
Lee

Did I mention,we remodeled houses?

 First Transformation

First house to be moved... son # 1...  house cost $600, here is the before picture...

Here both my sons on this humble front porch.

My oldest son helped me as a caretaker, after my youngest son had his near fatal accident. Here his baby  brother is recovering and able to walk again (no more wheelchair)... we wanted to start Jeremy out with a house of his own, as they both had begun to start over with their lives... Jonathan was not needing the constant care and becoming  more independent and confident, so Jeremy was able to sprout wings again ( he had moved out but came back to help me care for his brother)  and now he could start his life again too.  We were always close but became even closer after the accident.

Jeremy took care of Jonathan in the evenings after work and I took care of him during the day for about two years... Jeremy my eldest was an example of the scripture " I am my brothers keeper".

He was a rock for me and we stood in faith through this chapter of our lives.

His sacrifice and love for his brother still brings tears to my eyes.

Small Beginnings

Oops, with hand sanitizer spilled on original pictures... sorry I scanned these.

Hey, I didn't catch the flu!

From an old cotton field shack in famous Kilgore, Texas (Oil Boom country) to a country cabin.

Complete with cowhide rugs... antlers... antique double barrel shotguns, beautiful wildlife watercolors painted by my dad. Hardwood floors... antique doors... huge screened porch with large barbecue grill and view to our  lake Shiloh... with a pier to catch those Texas bass and catfish... summer fun.

(poor quality photo's sorry)

current value $150,000

Son # 2 free house to be moved. 75 years old.

The inside is so pretty.

They bought all new furniture and decorated with their photos (mostly New Orleans) taken during their travels.

Family pictures everywhere, very chic artwork, beautiful deck with outdoor dining and fire pitt.

Gourmet kitchen... she is a fabulous cook and my Le Shiloh Shabby Château Chef!

Second house ... Ta DA!

Both sons started out debt free!

They are even more beautiful now since the landscaping has grown in.

They both got off to a great start with their homes.

Both  houses were a labor of love.

 I believe it is good for a young man to prepare in advance a home for a wife and we fulfilled this belief before they were married. 

They both have lots of equity if they decide to sell.
Current value $160,000

Another Chapter in my life completed.

Joyfully! Grateful to God!

Lee

xxoo

My  talented husband did a fabulous job don't you think?

Of course I did lots of pointing and directing!

I Got You Babe

(church hippie party 2008)

Times are tough right now, the economy hit us hard.... But we're okay... cause I've got you Babe.

They say our love won't pay the rent.

but I've Got You Babe.

How to celebrate your anniversary on a tiny budget.

Hamburger meat, Right?

Texas Chili or my version

(Chili for Dummies) it's so easy & it's for (Poor Folks)

So step into this part of Texas!

Vino?

CANNAS' for color, thank God for late bloomers.

oops...I dropped a clay pot covered in ants .
That's okay, Babe.

Sonny and Cher didn't have a pot either.

The kids are watching us, Babe.

I found one little colorful tree to decorate with. Wisteria vines are free too.

I pruned it to the ground for you Babe.

Loaded down the chandelier...

Brought some firewood in for you, Babe.

Checked the lights and now they work, I think I am done, Babe.

Tuscany in Texas for you Babe.

Take off my boots ...

That's better.

Kids are checking it out... Winston don't you dare hike that leg... Babe!

Let's get going, it's time to start cookin "Chili for Dummies"


Come on in!

Don't forget our plates, Babe!

Thirsty?

Let's get to cooking!

Nuke some fresh corn in the husk. 75 cents for two.

Dairy, Babe!

Hear ya go, wet the whistle. Don't forget to add the green jalapeno sauce.

Ranch Beans, Rice, any kind, an onion, and rotel tomatoes.

Chili for Dummies...Babe. You know your mother gave me this recipe do you think she was insinuating something?

Stop flirting with me I nearly burned the onions, Babe.

Add lots of Garlic, oh yeah ... smells good Babe.

Maybe, jalapeno green sauce counter acts the garlic breathe...

Butter the corn and add the taco seasoning and cayenne red pepper.

Scoop in the rice , then cover in "Chili for Dummies" sprinkle with cheese, a dollop of Sour Creme and garnish with Cilantro. Toasted wheat bread with light creme cheese add garlic and cilantro flakes. We are ready to go....Babe!

You're sizzlin tonight, Babe!

are you blushing?

Oh by the way Babe, my birthday is this week... what can we do next?

It's a big one... Fifffff something.

Sonny and Cher
HER: They say we're young and we don't know, We won't find out until we grow HIM: Well I don't know if all that's true', Cause you got me, and baby I got you HIM: Babe BOTH: I got you babe, I got you babe HER: They say our love won't pay the rent, Before it's earned, our money's all been spent HIM: I guess that's so, we don't have a pot, But at least I'm sure of all the things we got HIM: Babe BOTH: I got you babe I got you babe HIM: I got flowers in the spring, I got you to wear my ring HER: And when I'm sad, you're a clown, And if I get scared, you're always around HER: Don't let them say your hair's too long' Cause I don't care, with you I can't go wrong HIM: Then put your little hand in mine, There ain't no hill or mountain we can't climb HIM: Babe BOTH: I got you babe I got you babe HIM: I got you to hold my hand HER: I got you to understand HIM: I got you to walk with me HER: I got you to talk with me, I got you to kiss goodnight, I got you to hold me tight, I got you, I won't let go, I got you to love me so BOTH: I got you babe, I got you babe, I got you babe, I got you babe, I got you babe...

Dallas Cowboys won! The guys are happy!

Who needs a fancy restaurant.

Thanks for enduring this long Texas Tuscan tale, I couldn't resist.

I bet you didn't think this would be a decorating post. Lee

Video of Sonny and Cher singing "I Got you Babe"

"This is my Love"

"This is My Love"

By Leslie Emory

We bought this piece of art at our first auction 21 years ago.
It hangs on our gallery wall in the kitchen.
We knew we wanted to grow old together.

Now if you notice in the painting this little lady appears to have lost most her teeth.I have tiny hands and my husbands are huge in comparison see her dainty little hand on his.

21 years ago... in love ... the eighties look scary now.

Look at the contrast in the size of our thumbs.

October 22

Wedding Anniversary

This is still my Love!

Thank God I kept my teeth! Couldn't hang on to that tiny waist.


Here's to us!

Best Friends

Love, commitment and faith in our God.

Going the distance!

Photography by Richard Lee ( my brother)

Bois d'arc

Horse Apples or Osage Oranges

East Texas Grown

Did you know they will kill bugs? They come from the Bois de 'arc, pronounced "bodark", the wood of the tree is really hard.
The wood is flexible and strong with a maximum crushing strength of 9800 pounds per square inch. The early French traders called the tree "bois d'arc" [bwa dark] or wood of bow, a reference to the self (D-shaped) bows used by woodland tribes. Later settlers bungled the French name calling the trees bodarks. T. M. Hamilton in Native American Bows (1972) reported that in 1810 a bow made of Osage-orange wood cost one horse and one blanket.

How delightful with Spanish moss in an antique clay pot.

Can't stop with just one.

Saturday Night Dinner for Two

Notice the antlers? Thanks Jermaine for this idea from French Kissed.

My husband loved them, so macho.

Salad, Grilled Texas Steak, French crusty bread and a nice Merlot tonight.

Amber glassware with a warm candle glow.

I love the bright green color and it adds that natural element to my table scape.

They are not edible, just a fun Autumn decoration.

Have a wonderful weekend!

bon appétit

Beloved Portrait's

As you know from my last post I have been "discomblogulated".

I have been painting portraits for my website "Beloved Paintings" for my "Song of Solomon" series. These are actually portraits on stretched canvas in acrylic.

11' x 14"

Our Church puts on a drama every year on the "Song of Solomon" and I prepare art for viewing at these performances.

As art is such a huge part of interior design I am thinking of doing a giveaway!

Either a portrait of one person (grandchild, ancestor or pet etc.) Black and white photos too.

I need your feedback to decide if you're interested as I thought it would help me to kick off a new blog I have barely begun to create "Lee Fine Art" I will be painting decorative art for this blog unlike my website which is a spiritual journey.

This painting is entitled

"I Am My Beloved's"

(click and enlarge paintings to appreciate details)

Beautiful Rachel, my model.

Framed and displayed on a decorative easel.

I used pictures of two famous men for this portrait and combined their features for an original.

These are not professional digitals but all I found time for.

I will have them professionally done soon.

Entitled

"He is Mine"

Next is the "Dark but Lovely" painting some of you have seen in an earlier post. She is another interpretation of the "Beloved" in the Song of Solomon. She has many faces as she is made up of many people.

If an original painting of someone beloved to you might be of interest all I would require are pictures of your subject for the winner of the giveaway.. As you may note in most serious portraits... smiling teeth are not normally shown in portrait paintings. Even in children it gives an air of deep thought which adds charm to the portrait. These will need to be head shots no hands etc.

Is there any interest in a giveaway of this type and what kind of questions might you have?

I still have a hectic schedule right now so I thought I would post this for a length of time to see what reactions I would get.

I am looking forward to hearing your comments!

Todaloo for now!

LEE

Discomblogulated!

Experiencing time dilemmas....

I will comblogulate again soon!

xxoo

Lee

Wallpaper and Faux Finishes?

In my younger years

I was caught up in the wallpaper craze. All one has to do is try and remove it and then you become crazed your self. So with this knowledge I wallpapered a half wall and the wall above my tub in a stripe that I can change accessories or wall color and change over and over into something I will like.
I just picked a simple creme and black which I can live with for quite a while.

Beaded board window treatment, with crown molding and leaf border.
Half wall to hide the toytie.

Here is the first example of my faux finish sponge painting as was shown in my last post on building cabinets.

This techniques was dry brushing two colors letting the wood show through.

This is a glaze on a tan wall with raw sienna tint in a clear glaze applied with a damp cloth.

My kitchen cabinets were painted a color I had mixed to match a brown paper lunch sack.

This glaze was sea sponged on with glaze tinted with burnt umber pigment from the craft paints at Hobby Lobby.

This is a marble technique done with a feather.

I learned this technique from Christopher Lowell.

Patterns and texture of these wall coverings...I have painted this paper several times.

Here is a rich leather color. It has a gold transparent glaze for a metallic sheen.

The credenza with my china was done to match some natural stone tiles.

Rather than art we framed out two places with molding and put more embossed paper with a rich raw umber glaze to balance the double doors shown in my previous post.

Here is Mona Lisa on a French sofa table I rescued that badly needed painting. So I marbleized the top and did another paint able wall paper to add texture to the dining room.

On this little end table I left the legs natural and marbleized the top taping off four sections for veining in opposite directs to give it a pieced look.

Yes the picture to the left is me in high heels, mom's hat and bloomers.

This is an old cabinet in my laundry room with a little artwork.

Roses on the front.

Daisies inside the doors.

I have several of these little trunks and all of them are different...My husband built this one...it was left over from my shop so I brought it home and put it in the closet with a full length mirror above it. It has a sponged and brushed green glaze and I spattered it with burnt sienna.

Here is another one filled with craft supplies. It is old and I distressed it with a screwdriver and glazed it again with raw sienna. The embellishment came from Hobby Lobby and is screwed on.

I hadn't realized all the finishes in my home until I did this post...thinking back there were many more makeovers that have found new homes.

Some in my vacation property

Le Shiloh Shabby Chateau.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you will pick up a paint brush and give it a try.

I am hooked on glazing! I only wish I had invented it.

Lee

Light, Shadows and Sparkles

Light reflections.

Bling is good!

I was about to delete this picture when I saw how pretty the silhouettes against the windows looked. It has a sense of tranquility to me.

The bass, the piano and the garden sun dial so grand on it's pedestal announces the passing of time the outline of the comfy chairs. I decided it had a sense of dawn with a new day ahead.

Winston Wiggins hopped up on "his" ottoman in front of the fireplace to watch... cocking his head as the camera flash went off... what a sweet companion.

Arranging a new tray table from a garage sale for $3, with my new painting for my website.

"Dark but Lovely" Song of Solomon

I noticed once again the light filtering through the shutters and the dense green woods in the background.

I removed the painting and placed my son's wedding picture on some old books for a time.

Next... a china I found at Bon Vouloir ( French for Goodwill)
$29.00 the bottom was an old credenza I already had. I faux painted marble on the top in warm peach tones.

I placed a throw on the leather sofa with silk ruching and chocolate velvet trim , and added some faux fur pillows for cooler autumn evenings.

( I don't think I am a pumpkin person.)Though I have seen some spectacular ones lately.

I love old books in my china with an old tarnished trophy proudly announcing a victory in some event.

Lead crystal, silver trays, silver crumb catcher with an engraved lion, caviar bowls, decanters and vases.

Silver and gold candle sticks with dangly crystals casting prisms about.

An engraved beer stein on leather boxes holding treasures.

Royal Bee Tray

Grand salt and pepper shakers with footed crystal bowls to make a romantic dinner for two . The china drawers stuffed with fine linens, monogrammed, lace, cremes or rich wine colors with gold braided crystal napkin holders or tassels or Fleur De Li's brass holders with faux deep green emerald stones for a festive Christmas.

All awaiting a celebration with my best friend, my handsome husband. He is a mans man and yet he loves these little sparkles as much as I do. Tonight, candles, music and a nice Burgundy. No special occasion. Life is as grand as we make it.

It is time to get started! Have a lovely weekend filled with romance and laughter.
Lee

Our Shabby Chic French Bathroom Cabinets

My little Jewel Box

Click pictures for more details
This was a French provincial end table with two tiers, $5.00 garage sale... we dismantled it... built a rectangular box... mounted it to the wall... added the french legs and bottom trim off the end table... used the top french tier (smaller one) for the door... I painted the box Kelly Moore "corn husk" mixed a glaze concoction and sea sponged the box to age it... then painted the tier black... found a flower print I liked from Horchow botanical art and hand painted the design on the tier/door and framed out two places on either side for additional artwork to match. Then we used the bottom tier or larger tier to make the top two stepped french curves and inset a brass bar sink ($3.00) and faucet... hung the little french baroque mirror and faux marbleized the top in black faux marble. I couldn't manage to take a picture without the flash in the mirror... sorry... this was the best I could manage.

We bought this old buffet at an auction in Jacksonville Texas for $5.00. Then we added a marble top for $40.00 a nice faucet for $80.00 and added ball and claw feet from our cabinet man that my husband uses to build houses, $10.00 also carved wood scroll work from Lowes... then we painted it a creme color and used a Ralph Lauren Glaze to age it... after sanding and distressing worn places (I mixed the concoction of color I wanted with the glaze.) Did you know you can take a clear glaze... Walmart or Ralph Lauren and add a little paint or a lot depending on how much color or how transparent the color you want and mix your own glaze! Any color you want to dirty or age your paint... I usually use burnt sienna or raw sienna or a grey tone. I usually put the clear glaze in a coffee can and add the desired color just a little (one paint brush full - two inch brush) at a time until it is the transparent color I want... if I accidentally put in too much paint just add more glaze to dilute it or wipe it with a damp sponge... We found the mirror at Kirklands for $30 and the two sconces at Lowes for $12 each ...then added gold leaf lamp shades from a thrift store. Next we built an amoire to match...filled it full of towels ...

There you have it! Southern Ingenuity!!!

A Blogger's Faux Pas?

"The Future"

For your future Darlin!

A picture says a thousand words.
Tea Party time.

Faux Pas definition...social blunder

Not this time...

Freedom of Speech is honorable and we all have the right to it because it was paid for by our ancestors in battle and paid for in blood on the battle fields.

A very high price to post my opinion on a blog!

It is my right and yours...my convictions won't allow me to be silent today, I will speak out.

Today you may too! A Peaceful Nay or Yea or silence...

It is harder than you may think. Some may regret stopping by...

I hope I comblogulated this post in good taste with honor and dignity that was my intent.

Today I will be at our local Court house.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

WE REMEMBER

The Enticing Door

I love double doors with iron straps. What an art form.

They look like something out of "Lord of the Rings" don't they.

You wonder what's behind them?

Hmmmm...

Got carried away... Oh me, Nacho Figueras....thank you Ralph Lauren!

Okay were was I?

I know you just scrolled up and looked at him again.

My husband built these simple doors for my dressing room/parlor, which open to a large closet, simple straps, ornate handles. I featured them in my painting.

"The Bride At the Door"

My Sister's French toilette!

Shhhh, it thinks it's French!

Lace jabot curtain covers the tank... painted clay pot covers the bolts...clever.

Look at the painted seat and lid...

Silver Serving piece with yes, place mat and French Perfume!

Lid and seat on both sides.

Showing the blog world my sister's toilette...yes! I did ask her first.

She has done something quite unique to her potty which I thought some of you DIY'ers might appreciate. When she first bought her little house with the picket fence she purchased some vinyl lace place mats at the Dollar Store 2 @ $1.oo each and used them to line her drawers and kitchen cabinets and bath cabinets instead of shelf paper. I am sure you have seen the vinyl tablecloths that are imitation lace.

Walla Stencil!

My my, hoytie toytie!

Divine Appointment

STAY WITH ME THIS HAS A HAPPY ENDING

Faceprint in windshield

If you are reading this post it is a DIVINE APPOINTMENT. You are not here by chance.This is my miracle...my son Jonathan recovered from a head on collision. Tramatic Brain Injury. He was on his way to work at 6:00 am and hydroplaned into a one ton truck across 5 lanes of traffic. No seatbelt. Ten years ago when he was eighteen, he woke from a coma, cross eyed, drooling, posturing (curling his arms inward) in a diaper and in a vegetative state. He learned first to swallow, talk, and finally walk. Eight years passed before he could hold a job. You would never know he went through the windshield by looking at his scars. He has a normal IQ, he is a whiz on computers and works as a buffer analyst for Letourneau. The Doctors said he probably would end up in a nursing home.

God had a different plan and he also picked up the hospital tab.

New Beginnings! Last Monday in a little town called Las Vegas.

small pink scar on his forehead

He doesn't require any medications or have any pain.

He is happy and grateful.

God gave him a very smart and lovely wife...and might I add she adores me!!!

GOD IS A GOOD GOD!

WHAT DO YOU NEED FROM HIM?

Re-posting Our Home

We built this little one bedroom house in nine months...Moved in on Labor Day

Budget $10,000- succeeded

with improvements total cost $25,000 of course the land was extra

everyone said it couldn't be done ...God said otherwise

this was our first miracle...my son's was the second, but the BEST!