Weekend Wants.

As I sit here thinking about the storm a'brewing on the horizon (meaning, I work for the Elections Office and it's a PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION YEAR!) I decided to take a moment to look at beautiful things that make me happy. Here are a few:

This cloth is BEAUTIFUL and can be found here.  Seriously? Can't you imagine super cute clothing made from this for Macy?!?! I can and it makes me drool!

Just so happens that cute dress pattern above is totally free and can be found here!  So I've already print that bad boy out and have it ready for mom, because let's get real, I'm not sewing. I wish, I bought the machine, but have never even tried it. Maybe after the election.

I want this SO BAD. It's fingerprint jewelry!!! I really want to get Katie a necklace with Macy's fingerprint and I do believe a local lady does something similar.  However, if you don't know of anyone in your area, you can find this particular item here.  My old office had one made for my boss of her granddaughter's fingerprint - tears of joy. Melt down. How could you not? What a thoughtful gift.

Not that I'm getting married, BUT, should I EVER get married, I think this is super neat. Everyone signs a "dot" and then you assemble it to create a neat art display for the home. I'm not crazy about the bike, but I'm sure there are other options. Really neat. Can be found here.

Last but not least... JOY! I love the rustic and handmade quality to this - simple, peaceful and JOYFUL! Awww... *sigh* so restful. You can find it here. *sigh* That's a great one to end on. Simple Joy.

Hope you are having a great weekend. :)

On the subject of Dogs...

Since we were discussing dogs anyway, I thought I'd share this ADORABLE picture of Bentley, my boss' dog.  Oh my gracious, so precious. He has the best disposition, just a sweetheart.  I love it when he visits our office because he's so friendly and sweet it just makes the entire office seem happier. 

Wanda invited us all to her office (oops.. I realize it seems we live there, but we don't. We were invited to her HOUSE!) to check out her new backyard that she and her husband have been working on for over a year now.  It was SO NICE.  I am so envious - would love to have my backyard landscaped to maximize the enjoyment. Not that I'll go outside much...but the thought is nice. 

This is the view as you pull up into the driveway. Love it already! 

The arbor and a welcoming pot of colorful flowers.  Everything is so cheerful! 

This is the main area and it's awesome.  Love the pergola, which was handmade by the owner and a friend. This wasn't a kit, this was custom!

My other favorite part is the fire pit in the arched back wall of the center area.  The gas lanterns make it even more cozy at night.  They really did a great job. 

So, I know it isn't the weekend and I know I haven't shared many "wants" with you, but I will be filing this under Weekend Wants because I WANT THIS! :)   Maybe one day... *sigh*  

For America

Red White and Blue! The Stars & Stripes. Waves of Amber Grain. Old Glory. I love it all. 

I'm a freaky Patriotic person with few outlets to show my love of country.  I *heart* our troops and pray for them and their families.  I *heart* the USO and promote and support them. And I make cards and send them to veterans and current service persons both. It started my sophomore year in high school when we went into Desert Storm.  Our class adopted several soldiers and I sent letters to two. I made friendship bracelets of red white blue and yellow.  One guy actually received special permission to wear his with his uniform, which made my heart swell! I have the matching one I made for myself here somewhere, along with the letters we wrote back and forth.

I was in the dollar store this week and I always check out the books - you never know what you'll find in that random assortment. I found "For America. Simple Things Each of Us Can Do to Make Our Country Better."  I've enjoyed reading it. Not that I believe all of these things - I think there could have been some better options than a few that were chosen - but it's awesome to see someone take the time to think of ways (simple ways) we can improve our country.

I recommend it - by Sacha Zimmerman, although to look at the dust jacket you'd think it was written by Presidents GH Bush and W J Clinton - but nope, they only did a forward.  Regardless, it's a pretty decent book for a buck! 

Stormy Monday Night.

Rough night last night. I live in the Southeast, which was hammered by violent storms last night. I ended up pulling a fold-up chair into my bathroom and talking to a friend that works night shift to keep my nerves calm.  One of my GREATEST fears is torandos. Hate 'em. So I wasn't loving the horizontal rain, wind and hail last night in the wee hours of the morning. My booty is dragging today (as is everyone else's in my office, since we were all a little nervous last night). Caffine please!

So I didn't do a weekend want and I can't add this to Amazon list over there on the side (maybe I can, I'll check later).  Anyway, I discovered this art museum in Atlanta and loved this scarf by Frank Lloyd Wright.  It's call Waterlillies. So pretty, but I'm not sure what I would do with it.   

I really like museum gift shops, because you can find some intresting items that aren't easily available in other places.  Neat jewelry, cools art prints and my favorite - POTTERY.  Love pottery. But in this case, love this scarf. :)

Ok, I'm focusing again. Or trying to on 4 hours of sleep... ZZZZZzzzzzz.....

Weekend Wants

What could I possibly want this weekend?

How about a 2010 Camry Hubcap, since one of mine went missing.  Yes indeed. I was less than thrilled when a co-worker told me I had a missing hubcap. I HATE it. But, I also don't want to spend $85 at my local Toyota dealership to have it replaced. So I'm driving around looking like a dingbat and trying desperately to be ok with it.

Weekend Wants

This weekend, I want to encourage you to consider prayer for those impacted in Japan by the horrible events surrounding the earthquake and tsunami. I do not believe we can begin to comprehend what they are currently facing - hundreds dead, hundreds missing, families displaced across the region, and total devastation.  Suicides are up - people are not seeing a light at the end of this tunnel. Please help them.

Many of us are familiar with ARC - learn more about what they are doing to assist in Japan by clicking here.


I hope you will read this excerpt from missionaries who are serving in Japan. Their words are powerful and help open our eyes to what is going on - on many levels - in Japan. Operation Crash is an organization of Christians helping in Japan right now. Read more. (Christian Relief, Assistance, Support and Hope).

Anyway, HOWEVER YOU CHOOSE TO HELP - through donations, flying there to help yourself, through your prayers - please help. My weekend want: to help those who are suffering. Thank you!

Think Pink! & Weekend Wants

Today has been one heck of a rainy day, making life so grey and blah. However, as soon as it slacked off a little bit, I slipped into my old painted-dotted flip flops and trudged behind the house to this one little Damson tree that is the spot of beauty among the thorns.  Seriously. It was surrounded by thorn trees, which are just evil, but my hero (Dad!) eliminated the thorn trees and saved my Damson tree!

With all this rain, I've decided I want a cute umbrella. Who wants to be running around in the already dreary day with a boring black umbrella? Surely we can do better than that - and we have! Check out these options:

This beautiful Gerber Daisy umbrella can be found here on Amazon. I was lazy and used Amazon for all my umbrellas. But isn't this adorable? It also comes in purple, but that isn't nearly as cute. Trust me.

 

 Then I found this one - which makes everyone else look at the boring black while you look at beautiful blue skies with white puffy clouds. Kinda evil, eh? But I like it. It can be found here.

 

For some reason, this type of umbrella just makes sense. It's more of a dome and seems that it would keep you drier if the wind were blowing. What do you think? Am I crazy? But I love the colorful dots... I think you could still see through it well enough to avoid bumping into other people while walking with it, too. I like it! You can find this (or the clear version) here.

 

And the last picture has nothing to do with my Damson tree or umbrellas. :)  It's a pic of my sister and I at a relative's baby shower. Since I always take my camera, I end up being the family photographer and "documenting" the entire event.  So I figured I needed one pic of my sister and me to show I actually do attend these family functions! Not too bad for holding the camera myself for a quick pic!  



We really don't favor much, do we? I'll have to find one that has my brother in it, too. Because the three of us really don't resemble much. I guess we are just different bits and pieces from our heritage, right?

Anyway - ya'll have a great Sunday afternoon wherever you are and we'll see you on Monday for Muffin Monday! :) 

Signs of Spring & Weekend Wants

I noticed it first earlier this week, peek-a-boo glimpses of yellow among the dried up brown and grey colors in my back yard.  Hints of color just teasing me into believing Spring in on the way.

Today, in the crazy hot weather for February, I tromped around my yard looking for other signs that might verify that, yes indeed - Spring is on the way!  I'm so excited so I'll share them with you.

My Yellow belles (or however you spell it)

Grandma Dover's Daffodils

New Growth on the Pear Tree

           

My Clover!

I'm excited. Soon I'll be getting plants into the ground and making the area around my house look pretty. Granted, I want something low maintenance because I hate working in the yard, so we'll see what I end up with. :)

Now, on to my Weekend Wants.  This weekend, I'm crossing my fingers for success.  I mentioned I had purchased four scrapbooks. I'm going to assemble them into the Shower Registry Books that I create and try selling them to the general public soon.  I will post the link here as soon as I am up and running. It will be a few weeks, because I'm shipping one to my friend, Paulene, of Leen Machine, for her to look and and suggest improvements. SUCCESS is what I want! :)

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Muffin Monday - and belated Weekend Wants! :)

I'm sorry I'm late. I just knocked out last night and didn't have the energy to pull myself out of bed and write to you. Bad Bethie, I know.

My Muffin Monday - It's a Muffin Roll! Kinda like a Tootsie Roll, but not quite as tasty, I wouldn't think.

Doesn't she just look pathetic? It's such a hard life my kitten has... sleeping in one of two beds all day long, munching on her food, snuggling in my Slanket (Slankets beat Snuggies any day!) Poor pitiful Muffin.

So for my Weekend Wants - I adore this line of ceramic goods called Grasslands Road. I ADORE this stuff.  And they have very different designs for all types of personalities.  Two of my favorites are Bloom and Melody.

I really want this - I think the blue would match the blue in my house.  I have no idea why I haven't just bought it... I keep putting it off.  It's it beautiful?  

Anyway, here is a link that will take you to all kinds of Grasslands Road items on Amazon. And there are many other vendors that carry their products.  Maybe you'll fall in love with them, too!

They really do carry a variety of tastes and items - including holiday items for those of you who collect Christmas or Easter or Halloween, etc.  Enjoy discovering them like I have!

Since I'm still at my office, I think it's time for me to GO HOME! Election Day tomorrow!  :) 

Weekend Wants - and Updates

I am excited to finally be able to share with you my Valentines!  I mailed them out this past week and most people have already received them.  I found so much joy in making them, but more joy in seeing how touched some people are to receive a bit of thoughtfulness in the mail. That is what makes it all special to me.

So here are a few examples:

I had all these scraps of paper left over from another project, so I just used them up by gluing them to card stock.  I did have to buy invitation envelopes and they didn't fit right, but who cares? It's the thought that counts.  And I'm too impatient to make my own envelopes. :) I'm so tickled that they brought joy to my friends! I hope this can count in the appreciation lifestyle change - I'm counting it as Appreciating Friends! :)

I greatly appreciate one friend who talked to me tonight until I fell asleep in the bathtub, made me laugh and smile when I needed it without asking any questions.  Thanks friend!! I needed that today! :)

On to my Weekend Wants.  Sometimes I find it hard to think of a Weekend Want because I'm not an overly materialistic person.  But I know one thing I want... LANDSCAPING.  I've been daydreaming of decent landscaping for a while now, waiting for the cold weather to subside and allow me to plant something.  Not saying I enjoy yard word. I. Do. Not. But I do want cuteness.

Here is one thing on my list right now:

 

Variegated Weigela.  I've never heard of it, but I found a picture in the coupons linking you to this website: http://www.springhillnursery.com/.  They have all kinds of stuff I daydream of having in my yard one day. *sigh* But this pretty pink plant just seemed to call my name. I might make a row of them against the road- block out traffic noise and look so pretty when I walk out of my door in the mornings! :)

Ok, because I've been struggling for a week with an out-of-whack-back, I'm taking meds and going to bed. Night night!



Warmth. And Weekend Wants.

I daydreamed today of warmth. It's just so grey and chilly outside. When I left for work it was 34 degrees and when I came home 8 hours later, it was 36 degrees. So it's just been a cold dreary day.

So this is what I daydreamed of earlier today:

Glassy Baby, something I found on Daily Grommet, is hand blown candle holders (or vases or glasses - whatever you want to use them for) and I think they are beautiful and romantic. *sigh* And they have a great charitable side to the organization, too. Check them out and read their story.

 So with this longing for warmth, I came home, hopped into my jammies and surrounded myself with warm light. The best I could do to combat the blah day of today.

First things first - turn on my lighted willows that my friend Melissa gave me for my housewarming! They have the most beautiful glow that immediately makes me happier.

Then on to lighting candles. This is Macintosh by Yankee Candle, given to me by my sister-in-law's parents for my housewarming (I need to do housewarmings more often!!).  It smells so yummy!!! And I love the liquid color as the wax begins to melt.

And then turn on my lamp with the fun glittery crystals. They just sparkle as the light hits them. Ahhh... now everything is lit with a homey glow! I love it!

Now that I've spent several more hours online daydreaming of warm beaches and private pools to be lazy around without worrying how I look in a bathing suit... I may take my candle and the NON-warm part of my evening (the ice cream!)with me to a hot bath before crashing into bed.

Surely I have a trash novel in the house somewhere that involves a warm climate...

Happy weekend ya'll! Hope it's a great one! :)

Weekend Wants - Tweaked a little!

Ok, I know I usually post random cool things that I would love to have during the weekend at some point.

There is no way I can do that this weekend. I got all kinds of great stuff that I really needed for the house. Awesome RED muffin pans, towels, cookbooks, candles, cheese grater, sewing machine case, pans, and all kinds of other stuff. There is just no way I could or would post wants after all this.

So instead, I'll post a few nonprofits that would love to have you share with them. Maybe a few dollars, but also donations of gently used items, your time, or just your support by telling others how great they are!

• United Way - find your local United Way here: www.liveunited.org
• Salvation Army - find your local Salvation Army here: www.salvationarmyusa.org
• American Red Cross - www.redcross.org
• USO - www.uso.org

I know there are a host of non-profits in your community that aren't nationally based like these. They are grass-roots efforts from someone who cared and started an organization to fulfill a need in your community.  Examples?

• Anderson Free Clinic - a free medical clinic in Anderson, SC: http://andersonfreeclinic.org/
• Clover Area Assistance Center - basic needs assistance, financial literacy classes, dental clinic in Clover, SC: http://cloverareaassistance.org/

There are so many more. So consider finding one of these non-profits that speaks to you, pulls on your heart strings or engages your interest and get involved. Become their champion! :)

Weekend Wants 2

This Weedend Wants is coming in a bit late (sorry) but it's still the weekend, so I'm safe.

Something I collect: White House ornaments. We mom, Katie and I visited DC together in 2006, we each bought a few of these ornaments at the White House Visitor's Center, just around the corner from the White House.  Each year, a new ornament is created and sold.  I have about 8 at this point and I adore each one of them.  I've tried to catch up with some of the older ones, but they are becoming harder to find. And I didn't get this year's!! So add to my list of ornaments I need to catch up on, 2010!

I also like the Secret Service ornaments, because they usually feature a Christmas Tree and the White House in some way, shape or form. Again, one design a year is created.  I have very few of them and I know I just counted them in the total up there... oops! 

I didn't do it this year, but last year I had a small tree with nothing but my White House/Secret Service ornaments on it, and loved it! This year, I displayed most of them in my china cabinet, away from Muffin's batting paws.  It's one of those things that make me extremely happy! :)

Websites to learn more:

• http://www.whitehousehistory.org/shop/default.aspx
• http://www.whitehousechristmasornament.com/
• http://achristmasornament.com/Secret_Service.html

My advice: be very careful when you purchase these items, as many people have no idea which is the White House ornament and which is a Secret Service ornament. So do a little research before you start buying to make sure you are getting what you want! :)

Weekend Wants.

Yes, happy campers, the Bethie is a little tired after last night's events.  So instead of wasting my energy thinking, I have used it productively to come up with ideas of things I want. :)  I figure you'd want to see my "Weekend Wants" each weekend. I'm just kicking this one off a little early.

This weekend, I'd like to present... ADDRESS STAMPS! I love these things and I will get one eventually.  I visited ETSY, because Esty ROCKS, and found these examples, all of which will take you to their online store. 

 

Aren't these just COOL! I'm a letter writing freak, so I'd use the hound out of it.  I will own one, just wait and see!  Maybe I'm thinking of stamps so much because my fingers are currently covered in black ink from stamping my co-worker's name on 1.225 million Voter Registration cards as our Authorized Election Official.. :)

Looking forward to a slightly warmer weekend to melt this horrible ice and hopefully return life to normal. Tonight I MUST write in my Thankful Journal because I"m already becoming pretty slack about that, but it's something I believe is important. So I got to get back at it. 

Someone drop me a line and give me suggestions for things to do this weekend. I need some inspiration!