Corners of the Casa

 Many blogs have segments called 'Corners of My Home'.  I really love that peek into a person's habitat.  You can gain a lot of insight by observing where someone resides.
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Ahead of time, I would like to issue an apology to my minimalist friends that might get a rash from looking through these pictures. I am a collector through and through, hence 'mama's collection'.  I like to think it goes beyond material things because I also collect people and opinions and viewpoints. 

 Since I received a dandy new camera for my(our) anniversary this year, I thought that by practicing my shooting and familiarity with the camera on my little abode, I would focus this post on the wondrous things that I have managed to collect with the help of so many of my peeps.

 If you see something that you have graciously given me or created for me, or used to own and I've lifted it, leave a comment telling about it.  Just looking through the photos, I see some of those lovely gifted and lifted things that have become so much a part of me.

 I love sharing my things as well, so if you see something that interests you, leave that comment as well!  I just might be in a sharing mood!

 Start a collection this new year.
Collect memories, good times, friends and good thoughts. 
There is never enough of that....

Adult Children: The Goal

I know I talk about my girls a bit.
They are extraordinary and talented.
And my boys thusly so. Both the birthed ones and the in law variety.
And when you have the little ones running around, especially the boysie type, you expect noise, danger and dirt.
Then one day, they are doing their own laundry, fixing up their own digs and then the ultimate grown up thing; choosing their completer.
Man, did I do great in that area.
Eldest Son has grown up into this highly skilled, extraordinarily patient and compassionate human that has had the astute wisdom to select a Godly, loving, kind, brilliant spouse to complete his life.
She even has become a Cub/Illini Fan to polish off the complete package.
And now the piece de resistance: the two of them have ventured into the wild and woolly world of service/ministry that shall take them out of their comfort zone.
And I am so proud of them.
Boldness in the Lord is always to be commended and encouraged in our children, so to see this in action, has made my heart full....
They have opened up their lives by becoming a host home in an organization called Youth Connections. YC provides housing for those troubled youths in transition in the legal/familial situations. Temporary care for children and teens while foster care is being arranged. A difficult thing; lots of emotion and change for these kids in the midst of huge alteration in their lives.
Their first guest came yesterday and will be with them till foster arrangements can be made.

I shall pray for this young girl as she shares the peaceful spirit that exists in Eldest Son and Lovely Wife's home...
May they all be blessed....

New Furnace Fun

In celebratory style, once again Hubby and I have decided to help our home celebrate it's 90th birthday with a new heat system.
According to our furnace people, our current system is celebrating it's nearly 60+ years as prime heat source in our abode.
Lots of technology has occurred since the old boiler system was installed,probably post coal furnace in the 30's or 40's. Fifteen hundred pounds of iron was hauled out noisily starting on Monday. As you can see from the photo, it was formidable. And the photo was taken after it's surround and shell was removed.
And it's place?
A petite, 95% efficient unit, performing the same responsibilities with hopefully less fuel and higher productivity. We shall see when our January bills come in, historically our highest of the season.
Once again, in keeping with our government's incentives to create a more efficient environment and to keep our economy more fluid, Our Home gets new heat.

All this new furnacing requires me to be at home whilst the technicians are here...for three plus days....
What an opportunity to get some work done!
Two new bags and Baby Girls bread bags for all her homemade bread that comes out of her mix master and local bakery!
But first.
I needed to keep the home warm for the fingers to work in the coolest, wettest week so far...
Stoke up that fireplace!


Here are two that got completed this week...
The first one is terribly cozy, kinda like a pillow, it has so much interlining in it! Quilted pockets, outer pocket, magnetic snap and flap over. Ample and full for whatever you need to haul. A goody.
Then we got a little more tailored.
A nice swirly upholstery fabric with a brocade lining.
Button accents and goodly pockets.
Shaped right with a comfy strap..
These bags get to go to school to be sold to Purse Needy teachers and their friends.

Then there is the twin bread bags made from a previous bag owned by Baby Girl summers ago.
Don't we just love it??

Time to stoke up the fire!!

A Visit with Mr. and Mrs. Young

First time in the official First Apartment of the Newlyweds...Yes, they lived for a few months in another apartment, but this one they got together. Picked it out before NYC then moved in there upon their return. The last time we saw it was while we were helping Baby Girl move in whilst her hubby was still in New York.
Looks a bit different from the hectic move in day.
A peaceful refuge in College City.
A haven.
A home.
And we arrived to Baby Girl's first homemade dinner for her parental units.
And it was delicious and prettiful. Nice placemats, huh?
Yum.

After the bountiful dinner, it was off to walk around downtown Lafayette.
Love to peruse the store fronts.
Oh look! A Landon Birthday Plate! We sing to him.
We end up at a quiet little coffee shop for the best chai ever and a huge, for four, piece of chocolate cake. Yum.

True to their promises, breakfast was served as soon as we woke up at the crack of ten AM.
Landon sang a sweet little wake up song then proceeded to make one of the best breakfasts that I have ever eaten. Truly.
In the tiniest kitchen ever.
The toaster was on the end table. The mix master was in the living room. And his helper had to dance around to work around his busyness..
First apartments; memorable and usually challenging...And fun....


Another first visit with our adult children in their own digs with their better halves and their own distinctive tastes.
Seeing them come into their own and become the people that we only dreamed they would become.
What a wonder and what a blessing...
Precious times; lovely memories..
Thank you God......

And the Weekend...

Ryne's wondering why oh why would I just want a photo of the new patio??

McAlisters -be it Indy or Cincy......

Of course, the Vintage/New apron made on the last visit....~

Always grateful for the lazy weekends.

Usually, they are packed and busy.

Not so, this past weekend.

A rather planned/spontaneous trip to Indy to visit Eldest Son and Lovely Wife.

We absolutely love our time there. There is usually lots of talking, planning, sharing and sometimes projects worked on. With the help of our granddog, Ryne, we have a relaxing, fun time with them.

This weekend, we outdid ourselves on relaxing....

Cooking out on the grand new patio that they recently completed, enjoying the last day of summer vacation for the third grade teacher that is Lovely Wife, and watching a movie when the skeeters sent us packing, completed the Lazy Agenda....

Wrapping up the weekend with worship at their church, fabric shopping, Eldest Son entertaining us at Old Tyme Pottery and lunch at McAlisters, ended the well anticipated Lazy Weekend.....

As we backed out of their driveway, waving to them as they stand together on the back porch of their cozy, window boxed home, we sigh a sigh of contentment..

Thank you God.....

Dixie Saves the Day!

I am the third owner of a rowdy, noisy, incredibly loving and opinionated Jack Russell Terrier. It appears that three other owners had experienced enough of her, ahem, attitude and boisterous comments, to run screaming themselves to the nearest shelter, dislodging themselves of this noisy pest. Good for me.

Dixie has been with me for nearly two years now. I had much to learn on how to be a good dog mommy. It has to be intentional for me. In my post mommying years, I find myself in grandma mode; forgiving bad behaviour so much quicker than I did as a stern mama. The word spoiling comes to mind. I ruined my time with a beagle named Molly due to my cosseting behavior. But I had received word from my long suffering, non dog person, hubby, that I was going to be watched. Any inkling of doggy spoilage, and we were both in big trouble. I read the books, watched the video and entered into Dog Ownership with a strong resolve.

It has worked. Hubby's happy. Dixie is obedient and I have passed the test. Whew.

True to some canine/owner observations, Dixie resembles me. She is non stop, mouthy, has a small head and her colors of black and tan mirror the colors that I prefer to wear. She is fiercely loyal and very protective. She grumbles when justice is administered. She takes on big dogs with no fear. Or sense. Wow. Could we be any more similiar?

That's why when she uncharacteristically flipped out late Saturday night, barking into the dark night when she is usually fast asleep, I did not correct her. I let her have at whatever was disturbing her security. I followed up by turning on outdoor lights and checking the perimeter, my guard dog in tow. Back to bed, having done our duty.

Last night, a neighbor told me that his car had been broken into Saturday night. Same time as Dixie's warning. I was oddly curious that my truck door was slightly ajar when I went to use it yesterday. According to my best guess, Dixie, Protective Warrior, heard the intruder in her slumber and barked loud and long enough to push the invader on. I could see a slurky, dark. ner do well, running through my side yard to the neighbor's field and onto his car and it's contents.

Sometimes it's important to make a little noise....