So Happy!

...solid oak, dovetailed drawers...
...a rescued treasure with cheery, chippy old blue paint...

...clean, fresh and happy, holding freshly starched vintage linens...

...they're so happy! so am I!...

What have you rescued lately?

Love, Rachel

It's All Clean

No, I'm not airing our "dirty laundry", it's all clean! Funny thing...the twine that I use for a line, stretches as more and more clothes are added, so I just use the pretty rocking chair from A Romantic Porch, to hold the line up and the clothes continue to dry. Until I get a new line, I love this one! When we replace the dryer, I'm heading to the local auction house to get it. They have some really sweet deals. Don'tcha just love "wind blown" clothes, as my second son aptly calls them?

Have a fun "wind blown" day!

Love, Rachel

A Pitcher Full of Lemonade?

OOps! Nope! That's not lemonade, just a candle. But what could make a lazy summer day more special than fried chicken, yummy food, and a candle burning?
Well, yesterday was a fun summer day. After church yesterday morning we had a mid-summer youth event at our home. It was a blast to have our house bursting at the seams with the energy of about 60 fun friends, teenagers and some adults. The fried chicken in the photo above wasn't from yesterday, but Becky sure served "up" some awesome hamburgers and hot dogs!

At one point a thunderstorm clapped and boomed its way over us, and pelted just enough rain to make the grass slick and sticky. Next time we're all hanging out, drop by, I believe love and fun makes a house grow. There is always room for one more! We found out when we all went inside for the thunderstorm!

Have a fun day!
Love, Rachel

What Is This?...a porch picnic

You know I love to play a guessing game on Saturday, don't you? What is this? Instead of coming back later and telling you, I'll just give you the scoop right now. How 'bout that!
This is a "porch picnic" prepared by the petite princess here at "A Romantic Porch". That's right, it was her idea, she found the items and packed it, dragged it to the porch, set it up AND called it a porch picnic.

I was quiet impressed by her selection. Where are the chips? "Come on, Momma! This will be SSOOO fun!" All I had to do was show up. And it was fun. It just took a few minutes to share that joy! A little break in the routine.

The big black picnic ant showed up too. I first saw him inspecting the basket, but he scurried along the edge of the quilt so quickly that I caught him in motion here. How did he know? I don't think she invited HIM!

Have a fun day!

Love, Rachel

The Party

It's not a party without popcorn, hey?

Some of you have been asking to see photos of the party we had for our son's graduation. The night before he graduated we had a small party with the family members who traveled in for his graduation. We don't live near most of our family, so that was a very special time for us. I have already posted those photos here.

However, it is a HUGE custom in our area to throw a party for all of the friends of the graduate, called a Graduation Open House. Many graduates have their party on the same day they graduate, however our son and his friends chose to space theirs out across several weekends so they could all go around to each others party.

We had a guest book to sign as a keepsake and a photo framed with a mat for his friends to write well wishes. It was a lot of fun and we had the honor of entertaining 120+ friends on that special day. We served grilled pork loin, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, assorted yummy cookies, cheese ball and crackers, chips and dip, veggies, lemonade punch, bottled water, soft drinks and of course POPCORN as evidenced by the quaint popcorn popper in the photo at the top of the posting.

It is hard to believe that this memorabilia represents a new right of passage in our family, but time passes and we are grateful for the children we have and the love we share as a family.

Thank you to each person who has made a contribution to his life. He is a fine young man. Best of all...he's my son!

Love, Rachel

My...And So I Did...posting for the day!

Many times in the Fall, I enjoy putting candles in jars and arranging them on the porch steps or in the flower beds. They make such a warm homey glow when lit.
This Summer I've enjoyed lighting candles in this "flower garden". I get candles at yard sales and thrift stores, or after Christmas clearances when they are cents on the dollar, so I enjoy lighting them and using them a lot. There is almost always a candle lit in our home.
They look so pretty casting their glow in the evening.

How could our neighbors do such a thing? They were throwing these fabulous flower pots away. There they were languishing beside the street and trash bins, begging me all the while in a very loud voice, "Rachel, please come rescue us!" There were TWO of them. How could I resist? I asked our neighbors just to make sure they REALLY WERE getting rid of these two prestigious vessels for soil.
"Why sure!" they said. "Take 'em." SO I DID. My heart was pounding with excitement. I think it will take about 50lbs of potting soil to fill them. I don't have that right now, but I'm enjoying them anyway. The ferns look so pretty nestled down inside, but come to think of it, I think I'll go out and set a brick over in the bottom to raise the potted fern up just a bit. What do you think? When I have soil, I would love to have them bursting with color!

Our teenage sons were coming home after dark with one of Daniel's two best friends...the one mentioned in the previous post. I had the light on for them...well the candlelight that is. Yes, when they pulled in the drive, there were these candles casting a rosy glow across the porch and steps. No, I don't know what they thought. Remember they are teenage boys. I may never know. Maybe they realize that's just what Mom does. Or yet again, it may be one of those things I'll hear about years later. Who knows? But I like to light them, the candles that is, and SO I DID.

Have a wonderful day.

Love, Rachel

I'm Proud To Report Another Birthday

You know from reading my blog that I believe we should cherish each moment. Life is a fragile jewel, a gift.

Nine years ago, our second son developed a friendship that has lasted as a close friend across this time. These 2 boys are best friends. Consequently, this boy's mother has become a wonderful friend to me.
June 25, 2008, after a flurry of testing within a few days, she was diagnosed with ampullary carcinoma, stage 4. This is an incredibly rare form of cancer. We were shocked with this news given to such a strong busy lady, and reeled with grief as humanly speaking, Melody was given a devastating diagnosis.

Time is precious and valuable to this couple and their four children. Three of their 4 children are the same age as ours, so this feels so close to home.

I know many of you believe in the miraculous healing power of prayer...this is her need. If you should feel the urgency to pray for Melody and her husband and her 4 young children, I will be grateful. There are simply no words, but hope, faith and trust, take hold.

Today is Melody's birthday.

Happy Birthday Melody!

I am trusting our Heavenly Father to give you many many more wonderful days of celebration.

Love, Rachel