Showing posts with label My. Show all posts
Showing posts with label My. Show all posts
Thursday, 8 December 2016
My Love of Painting
Besides sewing, my other love in life is painting. When John and I were newly married, he worked long hours and Johnny had started to school. I had always worked and was at a loss as to what to do with my time. John really wanted me to stay home because we had moved to a new state and Johnny was just starting school. So, I said ok - will give it a try.
I have never once wanted to go back to a full time job. I did my arts and crafts, interior design work, etc. when and if I wanted to. I have always loved art and received a full scholarship to college in art and also received an offer to go to work in KC for Hallmark cards. But, I wanted to get married and have a family.
Back to paragraph one. I took up Tole painting as a hobby and was really hooked.
The above painting of violets is Tole painting. You have a distinct pattern and the teacher shows you every step of the way to paint the pattern. I loved it!
We moved to Tulsa and I started taking art lessons and before long, I was teaching beginning Tole classes.
At that point, Tole was done in oils. It slowly progressed into acrylics.
Then, I decided to take up watercolors - which in my opinion, are the hardest to do. There's no mistakes in watercolors. When you put that paint down, it's there to stay.
Watercolors are most generally, so light and airy.
I painted this of Carmine, our red Doberman Pincher for John.
We had two precious granddaughters move in with us and we raised them. What a blessing they were. This was their bedroom door (which I've never repainted). It is the ME Queen of Everything. It is very hard to get a picture of because our hallway is rather tight. I'm standing in the bathroom to take this picture.
This is from the end of the hallway.
I've also painted canvas in oils. But, that is definitely not my cup of tea. I did one painting for John one year at Christmas and that was the end of canvas painting for me.
So, just a little insight into my world of painting.
Enjoy!
Judy
Wednesday, 30 November 2016
Some of My Treasures From Branson Trip
You know that wherever I go, I can find vintage items, don't you? John says I can sniff them out. LOL On our little mini vacation last week to Branson, MO, I found a cute little consignment shop with booths and found quite a few goodies.
I found these two enameled pot lids that can be used for kitchen towel holders like Brenda did in Cozy Little House. These will go on my Etsy shop after my Christmas week.
The cute little spice rack will go in the kitchen someday!
I found three very different egg cups, a doggie figurine, tin molds, s&p shakers in cobalt blue and a stack of little oval plates.
I love this tiny sewing piece. It has a drawer for thread and one for needles. And a pincushion attached at the top.
Isn't this crocheted lace gorgeous? I'm planning on using it on shelving on a vintage piece I'm restoring for the kitchen. Seven and one half yards! WOW!
A pretty plate, a little birdhouse and a cute wooden angel.
Some unique ceramic pieces including a small piece to hang on the wall in the kitchen (leaning up against the s&p shakers) to put your rings in. My Nana had one of these so this is a special piece to me.
The beautiful salt and pepper shaker on the little tray are cut crystal and you cannot believe how heavy they are.
This dainty little floral teapot will be made into a fountain at some point and time. Isn't it sweet?
My bargain of the day. This cute little table for $1.00!! The top is veneer and is all wavy, but I am going to tear it off and adhere a whole new round table top. I loved that it had the little metal feet still on it. A $1.00!!!!
And you can see across the back the pretty linens I found. A table set with cherries embroidered and two beautiful vintage tablecloths. Also, there is a stack of hankerchiefs that you can hardly see. I just can't resist those.
So, enjoy!
Judy
Thursday, 10 November 2016
My 500th Post and a Giveaway Today Only!!
What an exciting ride this has been. I can hardly believe that this is my 500th post. When I started I really did not know what I was getting into but I would not trade it for anything. I have made so many friendships with people I will probably never meet but feel like they are my bestest buddies.
So, go on this journey looking back with me.
I got to share my fantastic trip to Alaska with you,
and meeting one of my real live blogging buddies up there in that beautiful country.
You got to share my Saturday Treasures with me.
We went from season
to season sharing our decor.
You've seen my precious preemie great grandbabies grow into little girls...
And Laynee being the best big sister ever.
She is growing up so fast - will be four in June.
You've helped me remember our precious Landen who I know is showing John all the things to do in Heaven.
You've learned that 20 North Ora was my parent's homeplace and thus the name of my blog and Etsy.
You've learned alot about me - my love of old lace and vintage linens...
of Coca Cola...
my love of wreaths and
and more wreaths.
How I love old tarnished silver....
and clocks of all shapes and sizes.
That I have a constant companion in Bella...
and my precious granddaughter Tiffany, of whom I probably would not have made it thru the last year without. God bless her and her giving heart.
You helped me celebrate my 46th wedding anniversary last August and the last one here on earth with my love.
I could never express to you all what your prayers and love have meant to me the last year and a half. Losing John was probably the hardest day of my life but I do rejoice in the fact that he is healthy and in Heaven with his Heavenly Father and Landen also!
Thank you for what you all mean to me.
"Grief never ends...But it changes. It's a passage, not a place to stay. Grief is not a sign of weakness, nor a lack of faith...it is the price of LOVE."
Author Unknown
Now that we've gone on this sentimental journey, let's get to the giveaway.
I have made a mini Miss Begonia that I am going to giveaway on Saturday. All you have to do is comment. This giveaway is for today only comments - Friday, 4/24/2015.
She stands approximately 18" tall and is covered in vintage trim just like Miss Begonia. Although, she does not have as tiny a waist as Miss B.
Thank you again for being so wonderful!
Enjoy!
Judy
Saturday, 22 October 2016
Did You See The Super Moon and Happy Anniversary to my Sweet Husband!
One night week before last while we were at the hospital, I heard that there was going to be a "Super Moon" for a few nights. This meant that the moon was going to be as close to the earth as it would be this year.
I went home to feed Bella and took these photos while I was outside playing with her.
It really was awesome. So big and round and the whole sky just glowed from it. It was a sight to see. I am so glad that I got to see it. I went back and told John about it, but where he was in the hospital, you couldn't see it.
On another note, August 31 is a bittersweet day for us. Forty-six years ago we were married (and they said it wouldn't last). I am so thankful for my husband and all of the forty-six years we have celebrated together.
But, on a sadder note, it was also on August 31 six years ago that our precious great-grandson Landen passed away. It was almost the exact time of day that we were married.
So, it's a good and hard day at the same time. We have so many good memories that they outweigh the not-so-good ones. We will celebrate quietly as John recuperates.
I need to once again thank you for all of your prayers for John and I. The doctors keep saying that they don't know how these good things keep happening to him and John and I just smile and say that it's all of the prayers being said for him. I am so grateful to have made so many praying and thoughtful dear friends.
Thank you all.
Judy
Tuesday, 11 October 2016
My Hall Gallery Wall
I have a back hall that is very hard to photograph. It has no outside light coming in and a flash reflects off of the glass on the pictures, so bear with me, OK? Also, the wall is a tan color more like the following photo than the top one,
This started the whole wall of collections. This is a photo of my folks' home - 20 North Ora. I had it framed and wanted something to go around it and started collecting these Mother plaques.
These started my collection because they were my Mother's. They actually are hung straight, I had to take this photo from below and it looks like the one on the right is crooked.
This is the only Father plaque I have ever found. There seems to be lots of the Mothers but very few of the Fathers.
This was another unusual one I found with a poem for Mother and Dad.
I added various items to the wall to fill in such as the Memories sign.
I found this at Canton at Trade Days. The doll is made up of a salve tin called Mrs. Clark's, the arms are an old drawer pull turned upside down, the head is a glass knob and the legs are cut from a vintage yardstick. Creative, isn't it?
So, this is my wall of collectible plaques. I have several more but these go from under the top shelf of my McCoy to the baseboards. Sometime I shift them around.
I do love them tho!
Enjoy!
Judy
Monday, 3 October 2016
My 2014 Year
The year of 2014 will always be very unforgettable in my eyes. Good times and some really bad times. Things to be thankful for and things I wish I had never been exposed to.
In January, John and I were looking forward to taking Bella and ourselves to a little yellow cottage on the beach in Galveston, Texas. However, our plans changed rapidly when John had another form of cancer pop up very suddenly and Doctor wanted him in hospital that day for surgery the next day. Thank the good Lord, that surgery went very well and we were home in just three days, however, he wasn't able to travel. Next year we said. Next year.......
We were so blessed to have those precious twin babies at home at last. They had been in the NICU for three months and it was so good to have them home and doing so well.
February was a slow and uneventful month for us. In March John was diagnosed with the latter stages of Alzheimer's. This was a hard pill to swallow.
In April I got to go to Neosha, MO to my sister's for the annual City Wide Garage Sale along with my other sister. We had so much fun.
In April Brenda moved and we helped as much as possible. Then we had an estate sale to help her get rid of a lot of the items she didn't want to move.
The summer months went by fairly fast as we enjoyed a few 2-3 day trips. Branson, MO was one of our more enjoyable trips.
Suddenly, the first week in August John developed the third kind of cancer and another surgery. So many bloggers sent us love and prayers and good wishes. I was overwhelmed by their support.
We seemed to spend several days a week at various physician's and testing labs. John still maintained his good nature and strongly kept his faith. We had quite a few complications arise but spent the majority of our time in the hospital.
On August 31st, we celebrated our 46th Anniversary.
On October 14 , the doctor came in and told us they had done everything they could do and we just needed to go home and enjoy the time we had. So we went home. The following week we started Hospice. I must say they are an amazing group of kind and compassionate people.
Two weeks later on November 5th, John passed away - at home and with me at his side which is what he wanted. I am so grateful it happened that way - at home and together.
I have always said that there was never anyone I knew that was more ready to meet their Lord than John was. He loved his church and was part of several prayer groups - even one that met at four o'clock on Thursday mornings!!!
His funeral was a few days later and was just as he would have wanted. We had discussed it many times and had all of the arrangements pretty well made.
Since that day, I have been busy with all of the legalities that death incurred. Once again, he had things pretty well arranged. But, that was just my John
Thanksgiving and Christmas have come and gone and the pain is unreal. Such an empty space in my heart. John traveled a lot when he worked so I was use to taking care of all of the household chores, bill paying, etc.
But, I always knew he would be home on the weekends.
I really want everyone to know that I am so grateful for the last year I had with John. We had a lot of silly, fun times and I have so many precious memories. I am so thankful for all of the wonderful doctors, nurses and others that we had the pleasure of working with during this last year.
These beautiful wings Su sent me will always remind me that he is near and watching over me and the girls.
Bella and I cry a lot but I try to do it when I'm alone. I miss him so much but am so grateful for the 46+ years we had.
God was so good to give us such a love - a love not easily forgotten.
Here we go 2015.
Judy
Judy
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