November and Another Darling Porch

Can you believe that it is already November?

Karla at Ramblin' Roads and her family moved into a new home in March. Through the Spring, Summer and Fall, she has enjoyed her cozy little deck just off the kitchen. I am so happy for her to have such a beautiful place to relax for a few seconds, or even linger a bit longer with a hot cup of coffee and chat with her husband or laugh along with her fun lovin' daughters. Karla tries to never miss seeing the sun set each evening. As you can tell, she has the perfect place from which to catch a glimpse as it slips past the horizon and out of view.

Mr. Jack - O - Lantern was happy to visit for a few days. He enjoyed his stay immensely, though I think I heard he was just a tad hot a few times! However, to see who the real porch "DIVA" is, you'll have to hop on over and visit her blog. Once you're there, you will soon see how creative she is. You will enjoy reading about her love of road trips and reading! AND Karla, is directly responsible for the fact I'm in blog land. Before I started "blogging" she emailed me and said she had a blog set up and ready to go. Now how could I resist that! But it took six more months before I jumped in. Karla is one of the first people I knew to have a blog! "A what", I thought?! I think she's had one for 7 years or something cutting edge like that. And you can probably find her on a ton of other social networks. I can tease and joke with Karla. She's my niece!

Karla celebrates both her birthday and her anniversary in November.

To honor her this month, I thought maybe you'd like to get to know her too! She is the oldest child of my third oldest sibling. Remember, there is a whole collection of siblings in my family! Karla is 18 months (I think) younger than me.

Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthday Karla. I'm glad we are family by birth and friends by choice.

Love, Rachel

There, That's Better!

I liked this just the way it was. The print of the tiny couple kissing, hanging below a rescued piece of window trim, brought me joy. I was happy!

UNTIL...a few days ago I spotted this forlorn print, pitched out to the curb. I'm sure I heard it sobbing that its useful days were over. Oh no, not to my eyes! I saw all kinds of potential.

Apparently the print and paper backing were holding the frame together. A few clicks of the staple gun solved that problem.
I popped open a can of paint...that had been notified to be on standby, and pulled the brush from the plastic bag where it was still wet from the last quick project.

There, that IS better. Yep, I like using the frame like this. Until I think of something else to try...such as move the "dangling" spoon! It's all just rescued "stuff" and so I'm happy!

I hope your day is happy too! And remember, just "Do Your Best". That is all!

Love, Rachel

Enjoying The Day

There they were as we rounded the bend, the fluffy pair of geese with not a care. I "think" one quacked to the other, "Just stay outa the road, just stay outa the road and run for cover if necessary. "

Their life appeared tranquil and peaceful until it was interrupted by our blue Yukon slowly going by with a curly haired passenger hanging out the window aiming a silver camera their direction.

They were just enjoying their day. I enjoyed seeing them. I hope you do too.

Breathe deeply. Inhale the joys of Autumn.

Love, Rachel

P.S. I have heard that geese and other fowl mate for life. Have you?

Happy Birthday!

When the coffee spills and things just don't go the way you plan, they love you anyway. That's right, siblings. Everyone needs at least one brother and one sister, I think!
I am very blessed to have a whole collection of brothers and sisters! We come in many shapes and sizes and have a LOT of ideas among us! Today is one of my sister's birthday. This is the last sister to celebrate a birthday this year. I call her "beautiful star", but her name is Esther. You always understand when the coffee spills! Happy Birthday to my sweet sister!
Love, Rachel

Handy Little Gadget

A friend was throwing out her leftover yard sale stuff. Did I want any of it she asked me? Well, I looked and looked and came across this handy little thingy that is pictured above. Is it a planter or a shelf? I decided to use it as a shelf right by the door...it's a perfect place to set a hot cup of coffee when your hands are full.

I thought about painting it white of course, but hhhmmm....maybe I'll just leave it this rusty reddish brown color...I kinda like it's drabbiness. Is drabbiness a word? What do you think? Should the shelf be painted white?

Oh, and another thing that I retrieved from my friend's sale castaways is the beautiful ivory soup tureen that is shown in the post below. Yep, the one right behind the pink porcelain baby shoe. I can't wait to serve a big pot of soup from it. Just think, two items that she was throwing out, I will use and I love them!

Do you recycle?

Love, Rachel

note to self..."no, drabbiness isn't a word...at least I don't think so...spell checker doesn't think so either...oh well, tah tah for now

A New Day

a new day
another step forward...that's it...just keep putting one foot in front of the other

Does anyone else like tiny porcelain baby shoes? I have a few. Aren't they adorable?

Love, Rachel

Land That I Love

~Fasting for mercy~

~So long, for now~

Love, Rachel