Camping, Treasures, and Ohio!

Camping - Sorry it's been so long since a post!  Last week was a busy one . . . we decided on Tuesday that since the weekend was supposed to be beautiful, we ought to go camping.  So we did!  We went to the beautiful Richard B. Russell State Park near Elberton - one of our favorite Georgia State Parks.  And we camped in the tent, which is a switch for us!  Due to high gas prices, we are trying to take the camper only on certain trips, and branching out into taking a tent as often as we can.  And it was lots of fun!

Saturday was a beautiful day, and we pretty much just sat in the sun and dozed.  In between bouts of dozing I was crocheting on dish cloths, but other than that we were pretty lazy.  Late afternoon we took the kayaks out into the lake for our only paddle of the weekend, and it was great!  The only meals I cooked were breakfast on both Saturday and Sunday - coffee in the percolator, link sausages and pancakes - and it was delicious!  We were having cold fried chicken for dinner on Saturday night and suddenly the sky started getting dark, and we began to hear rumbles of thunder, so we rushed around and put anything that didn't need to get wet in the back of the truck.  By the time we had everything secured, walked to the bath house for a potty run and got to the tent, the rain began.  And we had quite a summer electrical storm - in March!  You know we have to pay for the beautiful, warm, unseasonable weather some way, right?  But we stayed toasty warm and dry in the tent.  And we had the small TV and cable, so we watched an NCIS marathon while it stormed.  And it really was a great weekend!

Treasures - On Friday morning, before we left for the campground, I walked around the bend to a house in our subdivision that was having a garage sale.  I had ridden by there on Thursday and they were setting up (but not open yet) so I knew things looked promising!  First thing I found was in a box marked FREE - which is always fun!  I got this . . .

It's from 1994, and it's in really good shape except the cover needs a good cleaning.  You know I love learning about my birds!

And next I found these . . .

I'm almost certain the one on left is a snuff glass, and the one on right is a Bama jelly glass.  She had them marked for 10 cents each, but when I checked out I got her to drop that so they were free - yippee!!!  I really love snuff glasses, and have several of them - they are great for juice.

And next I found this . . .

The color doesn't show up very well here, but it is a pretty soft pink with gold veins and trim.  It's about 4 to 5 inches across.  Here is a picture of the makers marks . . .

I've googled and looked for marks, but have not been able to identify the maker of this piece.  I will have this one up for sale soon, so if you are interested, let me know!  It will look wonderful in shabby pink decor!

And I also found this plate . . .

Don't you just love this dinner plate?  Here are the marks . . .

I already have a salad plate that I have turned into a pedestal plate that matches this, so as soon as I can find the right piece, I will be turning this into a cake plate.  They will both be up for sale on Myrtle -n - Me eventually.

And, the real treasure, and I think - for right now - this one is staying with me!!!  It is just beautiful . . .

I think it is considered flow blue, although the colors range more from aqua to teal.

It has a lovely, delicate floral pattern.

This is the largest of the marks, but I haven't been able to find much on this - I'm thinking it may be the store that the plate was manufactured for rather than who made it, because . . .

I was able to identify the marks above and below.  The plate was made by Furnival sometime between 1878 and 1888.  The stamped 26 and 15 on the lower picture have yet to be identified!

Here is a view of all of the marks - and there are 5 of them!

The plate is in excellent condition, and that small crack appears to have been created in the firing, because it is glazed and there is no sign that it has expanded.  And it really is gorgeous!

So that was all of my treasures from Friday.  I can't wait to get out and about this coming Friday and see what kind of treasures I can find!

Ohio - We are seriously considering taking a trip back to one of our favorite vacation spots this summer.  We went to Ohio about 4 to 5 years ago and just loved it!  We have found a state park - Salt Fork State Park - where we think we will be camping.  If we go, it will be some time in July most likely.  And why am I telling you this ???  Well, because if you know the east central part of Ohio (Amish country, Hocking Hills, etc.) I would love to know of places to visit!  Antiques, fabrics, glassware, food (both restaurants and markets), beautiful places, you know - just great places to find treasures or fun things to do!  I truly would appreciate any input you can give!

Oh, and back to the camping trip.  I only took a couple of pictures, and they were Saturday night when I was watching TV and crocheting while I waited for the storm to pass.  Bailey wasn't happy with the storm and stayed as close to me as she could until the thunder stopped.  She is our oldest little girl, but she is still my baby doll!  Take a peek . . .

She really was not a 'happy camper' that night!  And even when the storm ended and I put out the light and laid down in the bed, she stayed right beside me under the covers all night long!

So that is about all for today!  I hope you have a wonderful day, full of blessings and little gifts!  Be Joyful Always, Becky

What's Wrong With These Pictures???

I took a little stroll around the yard today, and I am quite concerned.  Why?  Well, because of this . . .

 . . . the vinca in the side yard is blooming, and . . .

 . . . and the old fashioned spearmint is coming up all over . . .

 . . . the wood poppies, and . . .

 . . . the foxgloves are already way up . . .

 . . . the little flowering quince that I started from little more than a twig . . .

 . . . the sweet rocket . . .

 . . . and the hydrangeas . . .

 . . . the red pixie lilacs . . .

 . . . and the 'old fashioned' lilacs . . .

 . . . the Chinese snowball . . .

 . . . the spirea, or what we always called 'bride's wreath' . . .

 . . . and the shasta daisies . . .

are all coming up and even beginning to bloom!  So, what IS wrong with these pictures???  The date!  It's only mid-March and we are still about 5 weeks away from Easter!  Here in northern Georgia, we can still have a hard, killing freeze until Easter or just beyond.  So, here come all these tender perennials popping up, putting out, and blooming.  Temps this weekend are going to be in the low 80's . . . IN MARCH!  So while I'm loving the warm temps, and everything being so pretty and green,  underneath the enjoyment lies a nice sized chunk of FEAR!  Fear that comes with knowing how things roll around here, and that while it's really nice right now, there are still about 5 weeks or so before we are really out of the woods temperature wise.  But what are you gonna do other than wait and hope and  have all the sheets and blankets and towels ready to take out and throw over the roses and the hydrangeas, etc. should a hard freeze be predicted.

That said, I want to share a couple of special jewels in my garden!  First up is this gorgeous thing . . .

 . . . it's a tulip magnolia, and it's about 6 years old, and this year it has really come into it's own!  It's about 10 feet tall and 7-8 feet across, and just FULL of gorgeous fuscia / purple blooms!  Here are some close-ups . . .

Isn't it beautiful?  And it smells so sweet!  I bought this from my Daddy when he was selling plants, and it was in a 3 gallon pot.  I think he is tending my garden these days, and that gives me a sweet comfort.  I know he is here, I just can't see or touch him.  Sorry, but all of a sudden I'm getting weepy, and I don't do that so often any more.  I still miss him, but I know he is so much better off now, not in pain any longer.  It was a year and a half last Saturday since he died, and I can't believe it's been that long.

Now for the next treasure, and it may not look like much to you, but to me, it is such a treasure!!!

This little thing is a flowering almond.  My parents planted it's parent at least 50 to 55 years ago in their yard.  I have many fond memories of the sweet, soft pink blooms on that small bush.  Over the years it had hung on, but wasn't doing much; a few blooms, but it wasn't healthy or flourishing.  About 3-4 years ago we passed down some furniture to my parents, and when hubby backed the truck up to the front door to unload it he ran over my precious flowering almond!  A piece broke off, with a bit of a root, and I brought it home and stuck it out in the big island.  For the last few years it has just hung on - not growing much and last year it had one tiny bloom.  But this year, although it is still only about 10 inches tall, it is leafing out, full of tiny pink buds, AND it has put out a baby off to the side!  I was so excited when I found it earlier today!  Oh, and the parent plant in my mother's yard?  It is doing better, too!  So maybe getting run over helped in some way, but I wouldn't advise trying it yourself!

You may think I am crazy for 'treasuring' plants, but I grew up in a family of gardeners.  My grandmother had a large yard and it was FULL of all kinds of flowers and shrubs.  Her hydrangeas were famous in the neighborhood, and she had some of the most beautiful lilacs!  She and my grandfather lived about 1/4 mile from us, and back then it was a dirt road.  I would walk down to their house and pick flowers and pretend I was a bride and make bouquets of beautiful flowers.  My dad could grow ANYTHING!  He had ten green fingers and ten green toes!  People would come from all over to ask his advice about how to plant and grow and prune things, and would even bring him cuttings of plants they wanted him to propagate for them.

So having heirloom plants . . . offspring of plants handed down from generations before, well, it is such a special way to remember times gone by!  Now tell me, do YOU have any heirloom plants that came from family members?  I'd love to hear about them!

Blessings friends, and Be Joyful Always!  Becky

Treasure Hunting Season . . . . has officially begun!!!

Yes, finally, after months of down time, the treasure hunting season has once again gotten under way!  (By the way, I call visiting yard sales, estate sales, flea markets, etc. treasure hunts, because that's what they really are!)  On Saturday, on our way to Sue's house for the Sunshine Sisters March gathering, Phyllis and I saw numerous yard sale signs, and while we didn't have time to stop, we knew we would  be stopping at some on the way home!  The gathering was great, by the way, and we now have five (5) members - wahoo!

Anyway, the gathering ran longer than expected, and by the time we headed for home the very large subdivision sale had ended.  But I had a secret!  I had been wanting to visit Mr. Boling's 'Barn Sale' for a long time, and the time was right!  I took Phyllis in the back way, through the winding and hilly narrow road that led to the 'barn', which was really a chicken house.  I had been there a year or so ago, and I wanted to see if he still had a treasure I didn't buy that day.  And he did!  Two of them . . .

I know there is only one in the picture, but I got two of them - for $1 each!  They are very old, heavy glass saucers that were used for watering chickens, primarily baby chicks.  You put it on top of a jar of water and flip it over.  Water runs into the saucer and stops when it gets up to a certain line, but as the chicks drink the water, more goes into the saucer.  I remember these from my childhood - we had a chicken house that burned down only weeks before my sixth birthday, and I remember getting loads of new baby chicks in and putting these out with water for them.  I also got this . . .

It's an old 'Black Draught' syrup bottle.  I loved it for the color and . . . .

 . . . the slim size.  It is narrow and fits perfectly on my window sill in the breakfast room.  And doesn't it display these . . .

beautiful camellias from the bush beside our chimney just beautifully?  Our home is Camellia Cottage, after all!  This variety is from Monrovia Nurseries and is called 'April Remembered'.  I love it - very, very much!  Oh, and I paid 50 cents for the bottle.

And I also got this . . . .

 . . . a very sweet vintage pillow case.  I've been looking for a special one to use to make an apron.  I found THIS tutorial online and want to try it out!  I think this will make a very sweet apron to add to my collection!

And I also got these . . .

 . . . two very sweet feed sacks or flour sacks.  They are kind of faded from washings, but are vrery soft and pretty.  One of them had two pretty bad spots on them, but I've washed them twice, and soaked them in hot water with oxi-clean for about 24 hours, and all that is left is a faint orange marking and you really have to look for it, so I'm really pleased.  Oh, and I got the pillowcase and two feed sacks for 50 cents each.

So I spent a huge $4 at Mr. Boling's Barn Sale!  And my friend Phyllis bought me something there, but I'll save that to share with you another day.

Anyway, once again we headed home and saw a yard sale.  It was pretty pitiful looking, but we got out and looked anyway, and I found a treasure there, too!  Here's what I got . . .

Two pretty china cups; the first one (l) is Royal Devon bone china, is a very pretty shape, and will probably very soon become a pretty pin cushion.  Maybe?  I really think it's cute!  So it's a toss up as to whether I'll make it into a pincushion or keep it!

The one on the right has this mark . . .

 . . .a shamrock, laurel, and the word Japan.  Does anyone know anything about this marking?  If so, I'd love to know whatever you can tell me!  And I got both of these for another 50 cents.  Love that!

So I spent a grand total of $4.50 and got some pretty cool treasures.  But the best treasure I've gotten recently was this . . . . .

Remember a couple of weeks ago when I lost two computers to a virus?  Well, the first died on Thursday, the second died on Friday, and I was having a very bad day - until this came in the mail.  And this is how it was packaged . . .

A little burlap bag tied up with a pack of sweet n sour smarties, a sweet label telling how my goodie was made just for me.  What is it?  Well . . . .

 . . . it's my Mary Jane's Farm Sisterhood necklace!  My birthday is in April, and I told hubby this was what I wanted, and he told me to go ahead and order it (and I did)!  It is beautiful, heavy, and  has my sister # - 1941 - on the front, along with a pink rose with a bit of glitter.

The back side has a very cute farmgirl image and the words Mary Jane's Farm.

I love it, and have worn it almost ever since it came.  To get a sisterhood necklace you must be a member of the Mary Jane's Farm sisterhood, but Elaine makes all kinds of very sweet charms similar to this.  You can check them out at her website.

So, not only did I receive a treasure that was very special to me, I also bought some great treasures in the first official weekend of treasure hunting.  What a fun weekend!  Now it's your turn!  What kind of treasures have YOU found lately!

Blessings friends, and don't forget to Be Joyful Always!  Becky

Great Website and Little Gifts

While visiting one of my 'Little Gifts' bloggers (Cathy at Live Well, Laugh Often, Love Much) today I stumbled upon the cutest little picture in her right hand sidebar . . .

Isn't that just the cutest retro lady???  Anyway, the title above the picture said 'Tipnut', so I clicked on the picture and landed smack dab in the middle of wonderful town!  This website started out as one woman's effort to organize her lists of patterns, homemaking ideas, recipes, etc. into one place.  It's clean, cute, and very well organized!  Am I the only one out there who didn't know about this place???  Here are some of the things I found there . . .

• Easter Craft (and other) Ideas called Easter Goodies
• 20+ Crafty Projects for Pets
• 50 Free Apron Patterns
• Getting Ready for Hummingbirds
• 20 Homemade Salad Dressing Recipes
• Cookbook Lingo:  101 Cookery Terms and Definitions
• 50 Household Uses for Baking Soda

And trust me when I say, there are many more!  This is such a great place, and I can't believe I haven't found it before.  So, thank you, Cathy, for leading me to this neat warehouse of timely tips! (Oh, and by the way, Cathy just shared a delicious looking strawberry cake recipe on her blog, so please check it out!)

Finding this website was a neat 'little gift', and I have a few others I'd like to share today . . .

• My baby gardenia that I rooted from a stem in water, and then potted, is doing well - she spent the day outside in the rain yesterday, and looks all the better for it!  She's inside today because of the high winds, though.
• Our Doxie, Bailey Sue has recently discovered chipmunks and their burrows, and has become a happy camper slash Doxie Possessed.  It is very entertaining to watch her, and neat to have to literally drag her back in the house when she's on the trail of a critter!
• Hubby got his annual review this week, and got a teeny tiny raise.  A little extra money is always a big gift!
• And speaking of Hubby, he is doing so well!  He's more relaxed, feeling better and 'lighter' in spirit.  His weight loss has slowed down a bit, but he's still working at it.  What a blessing!
• Something to look forward to . . . Saturday's Sunshine Sisters Farmgirls gathering at Sue's house, and a ride and picnic in the mountains on Sunday afternoon.

So, what little gifts have you gotten lately?  They can come from anywhere, but you have to be looking for them!  Blessings, friends, and Be Joyful Always!!! Becky

Little Gifts From Every Direction!

Happy Monday!  I know I haven't been around in a while, but I've suffered a terrible blow this last few days!  A terrible virus has destroyed two computers AND my external hard drive for backups, so I lost everything computer related!  I now have a new laptop and am back in business, but it's been quite an emotional weekend.  But!  I refuse to allow that evil, wicked, mean-spirited JOY STEALER steal MY joy!  So I am working hard at remaining positive and joyful.  That's what my favorite scripture says, and what I try to do . . . BE JOYFUL ALWAYS!!!

So, here I am!  And also, here is Genie!

I met Genie through the A Swap For All Seasons fabric collage swap, and she was my partner!  And now she is going to join my 'Litle Gifts' Campaign!  Please join me in welcoming her by visiting her blog and leaving her a comment.  I am sure she would appreciate it!

Now that I've got the virus out of here and a new computer, I hope to be back with regular posts again.  As for today, I've GOT to go clean up the kitchen and straighten up this messy house!  Be back soon, and remember . . . BE JOYFUL ALWAYS!!!     Blessings, Becky

New Little Gifts Blogger!!!

Hi there!  Just a quick post to welcome another new blogger to our Little Gifts Campaign!  Her name is Bev, she lives in Australia, and she found my blog by searching 'brother country machine embroidery threads'!  How amazing that she found my blog by searching such a thing!  But I am most grateful - a wonderful 'Little Gift' after a long night of little sleep and a special way to start a new day!   Please go pay her a visit in Kainga, Western Australia and leave a comment to welcome her!

Welcome, Bev!!!

Have an amazing day everyone!!!  Be Joyful Always, Becky