"Like a Little Candle" and Thrifty Finds

 

I love to go thrift shopping.

Probably too much.

It's the thrill of the hunt.

I think I could open a shop.

We find that funny, but our husbands don't!

 

I have found several (more than several) things recently but today is a simple post.

 

 

I'm sure you are like me, that when you shop, certain things just "jump out at you".

Some things you may have to think about,

but others there is no thinking twice.

That's how it was with this white porcelain candle holder,

and the hand-stitched doily it is sitting on.

 

 

 The colours are pretty and I like how the flowers are out-lined in black.

I have black accents in my main living area.

It makes the white "pop".

 

 

The edging is so pretty too.

 

 

It's been hot here the last few days.

I am not complaining at all.

Soon the cold months will be here and I'll be wishing for summer again.

But even in the summer,

I still like to have a candle or two on in the evening.

It helps to make the evening cozy.

 

 

I picked up the wicker tray at our Salvation Army thrift shop for one dollar.

The low prices are part of the thrill of the hunt.

Actually, everything you see there are thrift shop and flea market finds.

 

 

The insulators were half off at an antique market.

The white roses (fake) were found at thrift shop.

I enjoy making it all work together.

 

 

 

In my last post, I shared about the children's hymn, "Jesus Loves Me."

You can read about that here.

As I was researching it, I found out that the author's sister wrote, "Jesus Bids us Shine."

I've been singing it for the last week.

When I lit this candle, it made me think of the song.

 

It was hard to find a simple video, but I finally did.

This little girl is singing it for her grandparents.

 

 

To read more about Susan Warner, go here.

Susan and her sister Anna lived together on Constitution Island.

Neither ever married.

Together they produced over 106 publications.

They started writing to help with much needed finances.

They both taught the students at West Point about the Bible.

They are the only civilians buried at West Point.

 

It doesn't take much to be a light to someone in your small corner.

A smile, a call, a baked good, a card.

If you are a follower of Jesus, then shining your light will be a natural expression.

That expression is who God made you to be.

Your world needs your light.

"You in your small corner and I in mine."

 

 

 

Blessings to you,

 

Sharing this post at these parties:

Wow Us Wednesdays

Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop

Share Your Cup Thursday

ShareYour Style

Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop

Home Sweet Home

Sundays at Home

Bouquet of Talent
Amaze Me Monday
Roses of Inspiration
Project Inspire (d)

Lilacs in the Bathroom

Finally our lilacs are out here in Southern Ontario.

I've been seeing them on many blogs and was eagerly awaiting their arrival.

We have a large lilac bush in the front yard.

It smells heavenly.

Unfortunately, they don't last long.

So, I got the clippers out and started clipping.

I wanted to fully appreciate this flower while I could.

We recently had Marshall's come to town and this was one of my purchases.

I love the crackly look and that it looked like a coffee cup.

And the price.

$5.99 Cdn.

I had a fake green plant in here but I thought it would look pretty with lilacs in.

The opening of the pot is large so I put water in a smaller container,

which would also give the bouquet a more controlled look.

I decided to put it in the main floor bathroom.

It's a small two piece bathroom so it gets tricky when trying to decorate.

I've had a variety of tables and cabinets here, but when I

saw this corner table at an antique mall I grabbed it.

A perfect fit.

A natural air freshener!

Lilacs in the Bathroom.

I made a few more bouquets.

But, I'll show you those later.

I woke up with this scripture in my head yesterday so I thought I would share it with you.

A good way to start your week.

 

Blessings,

 

Sharing this post at these parties:

Make it Pretty Monday
Project Inspired
Inspire Me Tuesday
Treasure Box Tuesday
Tweak it Tuesday
What's It Wednesday
Wow Us Wednesday
Share Your Cup Thursday

Tulips and the 70th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands

We didn't plant any bulbs last Fall, but we did get a few

tulip stragglers.

I decided to bring them in the house to enjoy.

As I was deciding on where to put them, I remembered that it is

 the 70th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands.

Source

The Dutch celebrate the anniversary every year on May 5.

They are so grateful to the Canadians for coming.

Thousands died the winter before to starvation.

Many died just because they were Jews.

Many died for trying to help the Jews, or trying to save their country.

Source

The children are taught about this in school and join in on the celebration with appreciation.

Source



There are still some veterans who travel to the Netherlands for the annual celebration,

but there may not be any for the next big one.

Every time my father met a veteran he would offer his sincere gratitude.

Children learn by watching and hearing.

The Queen fled to Canada and stayed in Ottawa during the war.

Princess Margriet was born in Ottawa

 and as a show of appreciation to the Canadians for taking them in and looking after them,

they send hundreds of tulip bulbs each year.

You can read the story here.

They come in so many beautiful colours.

I've noticed that since having a more neutral colour in my home,

flowers stand out a whole lot more.

And it doesn't matter what colour your flowers are cause they will always work.

 

Flowers look lovely together or on their own.

I think I mentioned in another post, but I'll say it again.

Flowers make my heart smile.

We had a beautiful day today.

 Warm sunshine.

Smell of cut grass.

Wearing sandals.

Good deal at the thrift shop.

 

Have a beautiful week!

 

Blessings,

 

Sharing this post at:

Amaze Me Monday
The Art of Homemaking
The Scoop
Show and Share
Tweak it Tuesday
Wow us Wednesday
Swing into Spring Party
Work it Wednesday
Share Your Style
Share Your Cup
Treasure Hunt Thursday
Thursday Favourite Things Blog Hop
Your Turn to Shine
Grace at Home at Imparting Grace
The Handmade Hangout
Fridays Unfolded
Feathered Nest Friday
Shabbilicious Friday
Home Sweet Home 

How to Create your own Black and White Print

I have a thing for cows.

I didn't grow up on a farm,

 but I spent a lot of time at my cousin's farm and they had Holstein cattle.

There's a lot of memories here.

Haying in the summer.

Swimming in the lake after haying.

Playing hide and seek in the hay mow.

Feeding the calves.

The barn is run down.

It hasn't been used in many years.

Very sad to see.

This is the far side of the barn where the cows would come and go.

The barnyard.

This was the entrance to the upper part of the barn.

There was a thick rope hanging from a beam that we would swing on.

To the far left is where the milk house was.

I would often help clean the milkers and the tank.

So now you know why seeing a Holstein cow always brings me back to another time and place.

I got this print from Educational Technology Clearinghouse.

They have thousands of free clipart.

On the left side of the website click on Clip Media and then click on ClipArt Etc.

The cow print is found under Mammals and then under mammals starting with the letter "C".

Double click on the picture and you can download the size of picture you want.

Once you have your picture saved, double click on the picture and it will take you to the above.

When you click, "print", it will ask you for the size of picture you want.

  I chose this size because the full page photo was too big for what I needed.

I have a PC and use Windows 7.

Make sure you click on the checkmark in the box so that the picture will fit to frame.

I first printed it on white paper, but I found it too white for my frame.

{Plus I messed up the paper a bit trying to fix it here and there}

I printed it on a beige coloured paper called Passport Granite from Staples.

I wouldn't call it cardstock but it is better quality than regular printer paper.

You'll need to cut the print the same size as the opening of the back of your frame,

as well as a piece of thick cardboard. (I cut mine from a box)

Apply the Mod Podge to the bottom lower half of the cardboard first.

(It dries quickly)

I applied it in thirds.

Try to keep the picture as smooth as you can.

Once the picture is pasted to the cardboard, apply another coat to the top of the picture.

I had no issues with the ink running.

This frame was on clearance because there was no glass on it.

I loved the rustic look it had and the colour.

This is the back of  the frame.

I put my messed up white copy on cardboard behind the good copy.

It made it nice and snug.

I liked that the picture could stand on its own.

I didn't need a glass for this frame because there is a sheen from the Mod Podge.

There is a couple of little wrinkles but I think it adds to the look.

A little touch of the farm.

I have plans to paint this table,

but in the meantime it looks OK here.

 Visible, but not overly.

 My son wanted to know why I wanted a picture of a cow.

So I shared with him the memories of spending time at the farm.

 I downloaded some sheep.

I have plans to frame one and add a scripture verse to it.

But that's for another day.

Like I said earlier, this brings back lots of happy childhood memories.

Do you have something in your home that reminds you of something from your childhood?

No childhood is perfect,

but there is always something that when we look back on,

we can find a fond memory.

There is always a ray of light in the darkness.

Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world".

Ask God to remind you of a happy childhood memory that you may have forgot about.

I pray that you have a blessed day today.

  

 

Sharing this post at:

Finding Silver Pennies 

Sew Many Ways

Thoughts from Alice

Amaze Me Mondays

Project Inspired

The Art of Homemaking

Share Your Cup Thursday

Wow Us Wednesday

Work It Wednesday

Share Your Style

Swing into Spring with DIY by Design

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

Your Turn to Shine

Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Flaunt it Friday

Shabbilicious Friday Link Party

Fridays Unfolded

Saturday Sparks Link Party at Pieced Pastimes

Sundays at Home with Thoughts from Alice

Hit Me with Your Best Shot at Just a girl and her blog