delighted heart

Sneak Peak

2009-12-14T09:08:00.003-06:00

Fabulous.
Awesome.
Amazing.
Gorgeous.
da Bomb.
Crazy and dope.
Downright stinkin fun...
outta the park Home run!

Those are only a few of the words that come to mind for what went on this weekend. After 12 months of planning...
WE BLEW IT UP!

Haven't had this much fun since Charlie and Jessica's wedding!
In fact I had so much fun I didn't take any pictures. But I'll put some up as soon as I can get some from my sister-in-law. And the professional ones should be ready soon. But until then....

Here's a sneak peak of the wedding and the bridal photos from the amazing photographer Tara Swain. Click here.
(Take a deep breath...you're fixing to lose it!)

I'll be back when my heart stops dancing long enough to type!

Blessings!

Patti

The Big Day Is Here!

2009-12-11T10:03:00.006-06:00

They're going to the show!

Amanda & Bo

12-12-09

Love wins.

Box score, Stats, and Game Summary

to follow on the

Post Game Show!

Yeah...my heart's delighted today!

Blessings!

Patti

I'm Back! (I Think.)

2009-10-28T00:05:00.002-05:00

When you've been off the blog for over 2 months how do you get started again?

So much has happened....where do I begin?

How about Highlights to start with.......

Well.... starting where I left off around the middle of August.....

1. We had a great party for Mr. Hero's Office Celebrating 30 Years in Dentristry. It was like Christmas in August...all the kids were here (including Kountry), there was great food, fun, friends, presents, and dancing! I'll be sharing photos, recipes, and the story of how we ended up in this town 30 years ago.

2. Another party the end of August...this time a "Honey Do" Shower for some sweet friends of ours from church that got married in September.

3. Labor Day with the future In-Laws...we had a great time relaxing and enjoying all the family.

4. September 25th ....while lots of you were boot-scootin through the antique shows in Texas, Mr. Hero and I were celebrating 33 years of married bliss in Santa Fe, NM. Got a few photos and a few stories to tell you.

5. October rolls around with rain, rain, and more rain. Had a leak and had to pull carpet from 2 rooms. Still have concrete floors .... waiting to see if the leak is fixed.

6. This past weekend was our first Fall Round-Up at the Lake. What do you call it when you add 20 of your kids friends (age 25-30) plus a few others, a perfect fall day, roasting weenies over a bonfire, s'mores, carmel apples, pumpkin squares, hay ride, dancing under the stars, and a much loved grandbaby?
Bliss....Blessed Bliss! We had a ball and I have some awesome photos to share cause one of the girls is a photographer!! She captured the perfect day perfectly! (And 10 of them spent the night!)

7. The Wedding .....is fast approaching and we've been really busy with stuff! Got lots of neat things to share! The kids did their engagement photos with Tara Swain several weeks ago and they are amazing! She had them looking like fashion models! Hope to be able to share a few of those... The Bride has her bridals with Tara this week but we can't show you those until after the wedding! We've been working on the invites...which I hope I can reveal next week...they are just too stinkin cute!

8. P-90X....Yes, Mr. Hero and I have been doing the mother of all work-outs for the past 2 months...6-7 days a week. Starting to see finally some results on me....a few inches...a few pounds. (Mr. Hero's lookin might fine tho!) It has been taking up a lot of our evening time...and we've been staying at the lakehouse which has no internet. Another reason for no blogging.

9. Miss Bella.....has grown up the past 2 months! She has spent the night with us several times. I've got lots of photos. She's now 5 months old and is just a cutie patootie! I just love it when she giggles! She seems to think I'm funny! Imagine that! I will do a whole post of Bella photos.

So, my friends, I'm sorry I have been so absent from the blogging world...I've tried to keep track of what you all were doing but I haven't had much time to comment. I'll do better....I promise. I know how much comments mean. It may be after the wedding before I'm back in the swing of things full time. But I'm back.

Hope you all are having a wonderful fall!

From my delighted heart to yours!

Patti

My Big Surprise!

2009-08-13T00:18:00.003-05:00

Tonight I was headed to Dallas with Mr. Hero.....He had a seminar to go to and I was going to drop him off and do a little shopping. As we get to Rockwall he turned into the shopping center that I wanted to go to and told me I had 5 minutes to get what I needed cause he had a surprise for me. I squealed and said "Does it involve going to the airport?"

He said "Yes."

WooHoo!

Kountry was due to land in 30 minutes!

Kountry is our daughter (real name ...Amanda) who lives in LA. (As in California not New Orleans.) 1526 miles from her mama! The last time she was home was in May for Miss Bella's baby shower.

I had been wanting her to come for a visit and to see the baby. And I really wanted her to come home for this weekend because we are having a celebration in the form of a PARTY ......for Mr. Hero and his office crew. He has been practicing dentistry for 30 years this month and that calls for a PARTY! PARTY at the Lakehouse! The rest of the family was coming and I wanted Kountry here too. Also, Miss Bella is getting "Blessed and Dedicated" this Sunday at Family Life Church and Aunt Kountry needed to be here. Well...She kept telling me she was too busy.

SURPRISE......We picked her up at the airport! No, she didn't get off the plane looking quite like the above photo...(that was taken at her class reunion last fall) but she looked pretty good to me!

So I got a surprise tonight and we've got a great family weekend planned.

It doesn't get any better than this!

Thank You Jesus!

And Thank You Mr. Hero!

You are the best!

"Delight yourself also in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart."

Hoping you have a wonderful weekend also!

From my delighted heart to yours!

Patti

Bella to Bella

2009-07-28T09:55:00.006-05:00

Hey yo Bella....is that your P-A-R-T-Y everyone's talking bout?...
Don't know why they always spell in front of me. Guess they know I will have to be there.

And if I don't get what I want I put this face on right before I open my mouth and make a LOUD noise. That results in me getting picked up and put on the nearest shoulder. The view is so much better from up here. You might want to try it when you get home. I'll guarantee it to work!

But really girlfriend.....I am so ready for that party...in fact I'm already in my car seat. Which I normally make that LOUD sound when they put me in this thing but Kay-Kay is sitting back here entertaining me till we get there.

Yeah she's always good for a laugh! And a few raspberries! I love sticking my tongue out at her. You need to learn this trick also. They think it's so funny now...wonder what they'll think when we're three!

Oh no.... Kay-Kay wore me out....I think I'll just catch me a little nap on the way to the party. Can't wait to see you my fabulous little girlfriend! Heard you got some new heels...I have to show you my heelarious boots. They're pink!

And while you are waiting for the party to begin you might want to look at the photo shoot I did with Miss Tara Swain....yeah I know I was just a little baby then but Kay-Kay has been too busy to post the pics. Miss Tara did an awesome job...she even did a music video slideshow! Turn your speakers on and watch it....It made Kay-Kay cry! You can see it all here.
And then you must come back and see the post Kay-Kay did last night about the wedding and all the fun they had at the after party which I slept through! Yes ...I think I got the party gene too! Been known to pull an all nighter once or twice myself!

I know you are going to have one rockin shower girlfriend! Now don't start that party without me...I'm on my way! I rock too!

Blessings from your new BFF!

Bella

PS You can read more about my fabulous friend Bella who was born at only 23 weeks and has made an awesome recovery here at her grandmother's blog or here at her momma's blog. God is so good!

The Wedding ....Part II

2009-07-27T21:40:00.014-05:00

As the sun went down.....
on our Texas backyard....
we lit the lanterns and the lights....
and a magical kind of glow descended over all.
The party was about to begin.....
(Turn your speakers on for a little Texas dance music!)

My version of garden lights.... citronella candles in a birdcage!A Texas Wedding is not complete without Barbeque!

And it was delicious!
It was really too dark for photos

but here is the head table.

Don't ya just love the string lights on the deck?

Found them on the internet and we used yellow bulbs.

Insects don't gather around yellow like they do the white.

Another shot of tables with lake in the background.

And the new yard lights.

Here's the head table the next morning.

The food was served right behind the drink table.

Table decorations consisted of white cloths and burlap,

galvanized buckets of lirope with pink fuzzy flowers,

assorted cowboy boots,

mason jars with candles,

and slate rocks.

Found the pink fuzzy flowers at W-Mart...

(they are silk but look like wildflowers)

By using the lirope or monkey grass

and silk flowers,

we were able to set up the tables

earlier in the day and

they stood up to the scorching Texas sun and heat.
Cut flowers wouldn't have made it!

I missed getting photos of the cake cutting,

the first dance and the toasts.....

I had misplaced my camera.

Good thing I wasn't the photographer too!

Back to the party...and I do mean PARTY!

NOW turn the music up Mr. DJ....

Let the dancing begin!

Sadly, I don't have a photo of my favorite DJ

who also happens to be my hairdresser!

Yea...he rocks the salon too!

But I've got to give a shout out to Erik....

he did an awesome job and

also took all the dance photos!

Thanks Erik!

Now a Texas Dance just isn't a dance without

"Boot Scootin Boogie"!

(playing now on my playlist)

Charlie and I did a little repeat of the

Mother/Son Dance we did at his wedding!
A little two steppin'.....

and some Texas Swing!
Yes ....I'm wearing boots with my sundress!
Was going to wear my cowboy hat but my hair
looked too good that night to cover it up!
You have to have a good hair night when your hair stylist is coming over!
(Plus it was too hot!)

We had a blast!
And I tell you...that boy can dance!
(He got the rhythm gene from that blond he's dancing with!)

Soon the bride and groom made their
departure through a sea of sparklers....
missed that shot too...
I was rocking Miss Bella to sleep!

Now it's time for the RELIEF party to begin!
Crank up that music Erik...
Let's rock the neighborhood!

Somebody call 9-1-1!!!!
That was the chorus to one of the songs....
And we all jumped up and down!

Both of my boys getting their bounce on!

Charlie, Bo and Amanda and I kicking it up!

Anybody remember the "Sprinkler"?

Charlie persuading his wife to dance....

Miss Bella's Momma

Isn't she pretty!

Charlie breaking it down!

He didn't stop dancing till they pulled the plug on the music!

Mr. Hero ......taking me for a spin around the dance deck!

Cheesing for the camera about midnight!

To say I was double dog tired was putting it mildly....

but boy it had been a day!

We pulled it off!

Hallelujah!

And as I stood there on the deck looking out over the lights I couldn't help but be thankful....

Thankful that the kids did get married (that's another story!) and that they had asked us to be a part of it.

Thankful for our friends and their help over the past 3 months.

Thankful for all my kids and the amazing joy they give me.

They are truely a blessing!

(Kountry we missed you!)

Thankful for my husband who always has and always will be my hero ....

he worked tirelessly doing all those yard projects I thought up,

working 3 days a week sunup to sundown the last 3 months.

He literally worked his rear off...25 lbs!

I love you Mr. Hero!

Thankful that we are blessed.

Blessed so we can be a blessing to others.

God you are so good........

"every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father above."

Thank you.... Jesus!

I couldn't have asked for a more perfect night!

from my delighted heart to yours.....

Patti

PS. Now it's time to get to work on this next wedding.....

Can you say baseball, hot dogs and dancing?

It's going to be an out of the park home run!

And since it is another Texas Wedding you can bet there will be some "Boot Scootin"!

I can't wait....it's going to be awesome!

My Big Hot Texas Country Western Summer Wedding

2009-07-22T22:28:00.010-05:00

I'm back.
The wedding's over.
They're married.

They are not my kids.
This is not my son's wedding.
That wedding happens in December.

This is Miss Bella's Aunt who married Miss Bella's Daddy's Best Friend.
Last winter they were looking for a place to get married. They wanted it outdoors.
We offered them our yard at the lakehouse.
(This is where we will be moving when our house in town sells.)
We thought we'd just spruce up the yard a little.
Well, one thing led to another (kinda like when you paint a room).
It started out with a sprinkler system...yards and yards of dirt....12 pallets of grass....
then outdoor lights....then flowerbeds and flowers....the country garden....
flagstone steps and walkway....lights strung on poles around the deck.....
removing the dogpen and cleaning the concrete pad....flowers in pots....
and finding cool rustic furniture for the deck the day before the wedding!
All this took place on the weekends starting the first of April!
I'd say about 3 years worth of yard projects in 3 months!
And that's not even counting the "wedding projects".....
most of those got done the week of the wedding!
Oh and did I mention the heat?
By June we're working in 100+ degree weather!
But it was worth it.....I love my yard now!
And I can finally type again...
after having some carpel tunnel issues the week after the wedding.
The folowing photos are ones I snapped when I thought of it.

Cody and Cassie

July 11, 2009

Here's the couple right after their "first look" at about 4pm that afternoon.

(Temperature about 103+)

This is something a lot of couples are doing now. They have a "first look" and then take most of their photos before the ceremony. Everything runs so much smoother and there's not such a long time between the ceremony and the reception.

Much better for the guests.

Found this sign the day before the wedding....

Perfect.

Hung it on the "arbor" entrance.
The guests made their way through this opening

between the garage and the guesthouse.

A little Texas hay for a Texas wedding!

Walking into the Country Garden....

they made their way down the flagstone path.

That's the deck in the background.

The sign on the settee reads...

"For I know the plans I have for you...

plans to prosper you and not to harm you."

Another view...
the sunflower came up voluntary from birdseed!

Walking towards the lake the guests left their gifts in a vintage red wheelbarrow

and picked up an icy bottle of water from the old galvanized wash tubs.

All the tables were set on the left.

(There's one of the lightpoles in the background.)

7:30pm

Time for the ceremony to begin.

The Grandparents and Parents

walked down the hill together.
Then the Wedding Party climbed onto a flatbed trailer

loaded with hay for a ride down the hill.

The guys helped the girls in and out of the trailer.
(The girl's dresses were a pretty mocha color.)

Ringbearer and Flowergirl.

Wagon's loaded!

The Groom and the Preacher drove the Rhino.

The photog was trying to get lots of shots.

On the deck and at lakeside.
Here she jumped on the wagon and road down the hill with the wedding party .....

then came back up the hill with Mr. Hero.

Mr. Hero ferried her up and down the hill.

I jumped on the back of the kart the last go round

and held on for dear life in my dress and boots!

(So glad the photog was in the kart and didn't get a shot of that!)
Here's the flowergirl and ringbearer just about to go down the aisle.

Then the doors opened and the bride and her dad stepped onto the deck.

Too bad the photographer and I were the only ones to see this!

They then made their way down the steps.
The flagstone steps we put in a few weeks earlier.

We also made lanterns to line the steps from huge jars

filled with pea gravel and candles.
And planted the yellow black-eyed susans

and white coneflowers.

They made their way down the hill to the tune

"Stealing Cinderella".

Past the guest table.

(Those are pink fans in the basket.)

To about 65 waiting guests.

In front of the arbor the groom made...

they said their vows.

Then poured the sand.

She poured white...he poured brown.

Symbolizing 2 lives now forever intertwined together.

(We used an old barrel as a table.)

With a kiss.....

And a prayer......

They became Mr. and Mrs.!

Then he helped her into the waiting Rhino (sans trailer).

And off up the hill they drove!

Tomorrow..........

The Reception.

The Table Decorations.

The Dance Party.

The Relief Party.

And maybe a little Bella!

It's good to be back on the blog......

Blessings from my delighted heart to yours!

Patti

For Jamie

2009-06-20T07:51:00.004-05:00

My niece Jamie and I ....were messaging on Facebook the other night and she said "Aunt Patti...we need more pictures of Bella!" Jamie's a senior in college and can't wait to come up from Houston to hold Miss Bella! May be next week...In the meantime....Here you go Jamie....These are for you!

This is one of my favorite pics so far....

2 weeks old...2 weeks ago...

her first trip out to the lake.
(I thought I had already posted these.)

She is always doing something cute with her hands.

Here's her pretty momma looking pretty good
for having a 2 week old baby!

This was last night at the lakehouse.
The kids came down for a burger.
We had been doing more yard duty....
I'm still hoping there's enough hours left
to get all the stuff done
before the wedding there July 11!

Ohh I think the flash woke her up!

Not a happy face but a cute one!

I'm thinking about something ....seriously.

Back to sleep....

Joe-Joe thought she looked like an angel

with her wings spread here!

Angel Baby

After about 65 shots....

thank heaven for digital!

I finally got what I was looking for!

That sweet little smile!

You know the one they do when they

are asleep and dreaming!

What do you think babies dream of?

Now we're off to Dallas for the day...

Mr. Hero has his college....

University of Dallas Baseball Reunion!

He hasn't seen most of the guys since 1976!

And since we dated through college

I knew most of the guys too!

This should be a hoot!

They had planned on a softball game this afternoon but with the temps hovering over 100 they decided to cancel that part......it just wouldn't be wise for a bunch of 55+ year old men to be running around the baseball diamond in that kind of heat! Unless we had several ambulances waiting on the sidelines!

Hope you have a great Father's Day Weekend!

Blessings from my delighted heart to yours!

Patti

Behind the Scene at Miss Bella's First Photo Shoot

2009-06-15T00:05:00.005-05:00

Sorry for the lapse in blogging this past week. It's been a busy one and I didn't even get to go all the fun places I wanted to! So sorry I missed everyone at the GRAND OPENING this weekend. Congratulations! Everything looked amazing from all your photos. Speaking of photos......

Miss Bella's very first photo shoot with the very talented Miss Tara Swain took place Friday afternoon. I snapped a few shots of Tara shooting Bella.......

Miss Bella seemed to throughly enjoy herself...she only fussed a little and was awake almost the whole hour while we played with her.....and I was in heaven just watching a pro at work. Picked up a few pointers too! Like ....newborns look best photographed naked. Their clothes always seem to just eat them up! And natural light is best....just look at how the natural lighting is making interesting shadows on Miss Bella's little rolls of pudgy goodness! And thank goodness her navel cord fell off that morning!

We did pictures with clothes and

without clothes....

with a tutu and pink boots...

with all kinds of hair thingys.....

Time out for a breather with mom.

This was right before mom got all wet....

I mean what were we thinking leaving that diaper off so long!

Getting "adjusted" on the fuzzy rug.

Miss Bella in the "frog"position.

Miss Tara in action.

Look...she's focusing on her little toe....

How interesting!

Miss Tara said she should have them all edited within 2 weeks.

I can't wait for the final product....

But she did put one of the family shots on her blog Friday night.

Don't check this out unless you want to chuckle...alot!

Deb...this one's for you!

Click here.

I think I need a BIG one of these

and

I think the shovel company needs it for an ad!

Come back and tell me what YOU think!
Leave me a caption for the photo and I'll pick a winner on Friday.

Best Caption wins our new Chikfest Cookbook.

Speaking of Chikfest...that's what I was doing all last week.

Building a cardboard 12' barn and decorating the stage and church for our women's conference that was held Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Photos to follow later in the week.

In the meantime...check out the photo here.

Make sure you leave Tara some blog love while you're over there!

Hoping you have a wonderfully blessed week!

Patti

Wedding Wednesday

2009-06-03T22:58:00.005-05:00

While running through some of the wedding blogs this morning I came across this on Wedding Bee. The Wedding Bee Blog is a blog that features guest brides-to-bee as they blog about everything happening with their weddings. I've learned a lot about weddings these days by reading this one and I get to see lots of ideas. One of the "new" things to do is for the bride and groom to write their "love story" and then they do a video of photos of their early days and their courtship and it is played at the reception. But after seeing how creative this couple got with their "love story" I just had to show it to you. It is HILARIOUS! GO watch it!

Click on the title below.....

The Fresh Hubby of LA » Weddingbee » The Wedding Blog

The DJ that our wedding venue recommends does an audio "love story" and it is played at the reception before the wedding party enters. Amanda and Bo were loving that idea but after seeing this "story" we might have to step it up a notch! It sure has got my wheels to turning! You know that what ever they come up with I can't show you till December ....after the wedding!

One thing I can show you is something I found a couple of weeks ago......

Remember the "Love Wins" charms that were created by Cherry of Cherry's Creations? After her pastor challenged everyone to multiply the dollar bill he handed out on Sunday morning Cherry made these cute charms and turned her $1 into $66+. Their church turned $125 into $750+! I added the plus because after showing the charms that I bought from Cherry's Etsy Store to the Bride she flipped over them and the "Love Wins" theme. (I told you she would!) We are incorporating both into their wedding and we will be ordering a bunch more from Cherry soon. We are going to sprinkle "Love Wins" through out the wedding and reception....It is the perfect slogan for our vintage baseball themed wedding! We're using the one in the middle that is round...like a baseball!

So........when I found the following on Etsy .....I just had to order it for The Bride.

Is this not the cutest charm to wear on a necklace (one comes with it).

It came from this Etsy artist and she sent me a bookmark too!

She makes these charms as a ministry for the women of Zambia. How Cool!

Here's Julie's Bio ....

I am a SAHM of 2 young girls and I also substitute teach.I love art - I love to create and am trying to turn that passion for all things creative into something good. I also have a heart for Zambia and the GSM Zambia Satellite which empowers Zambian nationals to improve the lives of children and adults through education, nutrition, health care and faith. What drew me to GSM is that we don't dictate to the Zambians. We walk along beside them and THEY tell US what they need.At this time, the money I make from this shop is specifically going to teacher salaries at four different schools. Thank you for visiting my shop.
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
1 Cor 10:31 (NIV)

For more info about Good Samaritan Ministries, please see: http://www.goodsamministries.com/
For more info about the Zambia Satellite, specifically, please see: http://gsmzambia.org/

How awesome is this!? I am so amazed!

Julie...God is going to bless you over and over for your selfless dedication to these women of Zambia. I don't know if you will ever meet any of them but one day in heaven they will line up to give you hugs! You can't outgive God!

So girlfriends .....please take a minute to visit Julie's Etsy shop... jjblackman.etsy.com
She has some really cute charms including a personalized photo charm of your loved one.
(Deb...I think you need to look into this! I'm seeing Bella's photo hanging on your purse! You know the one where she is waving!)

And check out cherryscreations.etsy.com while you are over there!

Love Wins

I'm so lovin it!

blessings from my delighted heart to yours!

Patti

Weekend Projects

2009-06-02T20:43:00.006-05:00

No, he wasn't a project ....but Mr. Hero did say this little guy kept following him around trying to sell him insurance!

Since the first of April ........this has been our weekend project....

A sprinkler system.

Thought we could have it done by May 1st

but we're into June and still working on it.

Mr. Hero and 2 really good friends along with lots of other help have been trying to get the system installed. We had it trenched and in pretty quick then the rains came.

That made it even harder to cover the trenches.We've got about 6 weeks until there is going to be a wedding right down there by the dock.

No, not the wedding I've been telling you about on Wedding Wednesdays but another wedding.

Jessica's sister (Bella's other aunt) and Charlie's best friend are getting married.

They wanted to get married outside.

With about 75 friends.

And a small budget.

Last winter we offered them the lakehouse.

Then we decided to put the sprinkler system in.

So the last 2 Saturdays we called in the big guns...

Francisco and his crew of 4 guys moved and spread about 40 yards of dirt.
Here's Francisco and Mr. Hero putting in a drain and rock and stones for...

My birthday present that Mr. Hero bought me at Canton.
I'm so excited!
I've always wanted a potting station!
Thanks guys!

The drain runs under the flower bed that will

eventually look like a country garden.

See the drain coming out under the stones.

Tootsie I sure could use your help!

(You should see her blog header!)

Anyone else out there with a green thumb and

ideas for a fast garden I'm listening!

Here's the other project we worked on this weekend.

Steps made from railroad ties.

There were only a couple of treacherous stepping stones

coming down the hill from the deck.

Not a good entrance for a bride!

We'll put down the gravel and sod the

hillside this weekend.

Hopefully before it rains again.Sodding and planting...

that's what I'll be doing this coming weekend!

Here's what I was doing this afternoon.

Miss Bella
Day 10

That's not her tutu but a tulle bow from her shower!

It did the trick though!

She wasn't very happy with us

so I didn't get the nekkid baby shot!

I'll try again in a day or two.

My favorite shot of the afternoon!

Blessings from my delighted heart to yours!

Patti

Said I Wouldn't Do It

2009-05-27T21:17:00.003-05:00

Do what? you ask.

Act like a crazy grandmother.

Yeah ...when other friends were having grandbabies...they'd pull out the photos and we'd ohh and ahh. And then they'd say "Just wait. There's nothing like it! You'll go crazy, too!" Yeah...right. I'd think no not me! Not me...I'm not acting like that! No, I'll be the cool grandmother. People will have to beg me to see photos. Hah!

Then it happened. She arrived. AND I went over the edge. I was actually carrying my iPhone around church on Sunday showing the first minute photos! (To whoever would kinda look my way!) My "Brag Book" is already full and it's only Day 4! I took these pics tonight and just had to post them!
I keep telling myself....it's for Kountry and Bo and Amanda and Cindy and Jacklyn and Jamie and Bobby and Elizabeth and Conner and the other relatives to see. But deep down in my heart I want to show her to the world....what crazy grandmother wouldn't! So indulge me a little while longer. After all...she's the first grandchild and you only get to be a new grandmother once!

I love this shot above...something about the light.

I got to feed her yesterday and today.

She burped and went right back to sleep.

I don't know what they're talking about

when they say she's up all night!

They will probably be calling me later

for the night shift!

Here's her daddy and I on Day 4 in 1986.

He weighed 8lbs. 1 oz.

We were still at the hospital.

He was a section baby.

His older sis started that tradition weighing 9lbs.2oz.

I'm not quite the "steel magnolia"

Bella's momma is!

After 12 hours of Lamaze labor...

When the Doctor said C......I said Section!
Here in Texas we like to say...the spittin image!

Her other grammy has already
nicknamed her Charleze!

I'm just calling her
Perfect!

I'm headed to Canton to find a TU-TU tomorrow for her photo shoot in a couple of weeks with the ever talented Ms. Tara Swain. I can't wait for a "professional" to get a hold of her!
And I can guarantee you'll see some of Tara's photos of Miss Bella right here!
Although I may have to play with my camera and a sleeping naked baby this weekend!

I promise we'll be back to Wedding Wednesdays next week.
Got some cute wedding stuff to show
and
I'm working on a really cute and easy
project to hang on the wall.
Think chandelier...black...bling!
You're going to love it!

Blessings from my delighted and crazy grandmother's heart!

Patti

A Little More Bella

2009-05-25T23:00:00.005-05:00

I think I'm in love.

Saturday I think I was in shock.

Sunday I was smitten.

Today ....I'm in love.

(do you see the little smile?)
How cute!
I think I'm ruinent!

That's Texas for "all done in"!

AND.... I have to say thank you for all the

congratulatory comments!

I didn't know any of you 6 months ago.

Before I started this thing called blogging.

And ya'll made me cry with your heartfelt words!

Got out the pink kleenex again!

Ya'll are awesome!

....with her Uncle Bo

Three men and a baby....

Here come's the hand off!
Which hand goes where?

Pass almost completed!

Score!

Amazing!
And she's a sleeper.

She hasn't wanted to nurse.

Just sleep!

I'm sure that will change at some point!

Surprise!

The balloon fairy!
(Kay-Kay)

Her "Aunt-to-Be" Amanda

plans on coming out every weekend

just to hold her!

Charlie telling Bella goodbye.

He's got his photos to show

the guys at work tomorrow.

And he's wearing his

pink hospital wristband, too!

When he left work last Monday his boss, whose name is Terry Bell, was giving him a hard time. He said "Charlie...you are naming this baby Terri or Theresa (after me) aren't you?

Charlie said "No sir, we're naming her Bell-a."

"That'll do!"

True story!

I am so proud of him.

He has stayed by Jessica's side the whole time.

Hung in there through 18 hours of labor plus 8 hours of pre-stuff.

Holding her hand and coaching her through the contractions.

"Come on baby ...you can do it!" he said as she pushed and pushed and pushed.

He changed all the diapers at the hospital.

Learned all about nursing the baby and patiently helped both Mom and baby.

After bringing them home he headed off to his job 2 hours away.

He's one tired but proud daddy.

Reminds me of his daddy...Mr. Hero.

Who took care of me exactly the same way.

He's going to be a great dad!

Did I say I'm proud of him?

Miss Bella....

Stretched out in her cradle

for the first time!

Yes...I'm in love!

It's amazing.

I knew it would be wonderful.

Everyone told me so.

But I had NO IDEA.

It.

Would.

Be.

This _____.

Amazing

Fabulous

Awesome

Great

Fantastic

All of the Above!

And it's only been 3 days!

WooHoo!

I needed those pink kleenex in church yesterday.

It was all I could do not to have a full blown melt-down!

God....You are so good!

And thank you Jesus for the new job that you are creating for Charlie.

Remember...the one where he can be home with his family every night.

Thank you too for the abundance of milk that is coming in tomorrow.

Milk that Mommy is producing for that precious little Bella.

I thank you that You are supplying all their needs

according to your riches in glory.

Amen!

Have a blessed week.....

from my delighted heart to yours!

Patti

Happy Labor Day!

2009-05-23T22:50:00.007-05:00

Miss Bella Nicole!

Making her GRAND entrance at

9:15am

5-23-2009

after 18 hours of labor.

Weighing in at..........

9 lbs. and 7oz.

20" long

It may be Memorial Day Weekend

but her Mama has earned the right

to call it Labor Day!

Too cute!

Kay-Kay and Bella
I think I'm going to like this!
My middle name is Kay.
I didn't think Grammy fit.
My mom was MeMe.
Her other grandmother is Nana.
I'm going to be Kay-Kay!
Mr. Hero's middle name is Joe.
He's going to be Joe-Joe.
Kay-Kay and Joe-Joe.

Bella, Daddy Charlie and Joe-Joe!
I think the guys are beaming!

Mom with Bella.

The happy new family!

I want to say a big thank you for all your prayers and good wishes for the kids. I know a lot of you out there have been pulling for us the past few days and I really appreciate it.
They finally got a room at the hospital Friday morning. Part of the problem was not enough heart monitors for induced patients. They broke her water at 2:30pm and thats when the show got on the road. Doctor asked her if she wanted a c-section at 9pm. She said no. He asked again saying it was a big baby. She still wanted to try and have her. Labored all night and finally had her this morning with not much of an epidural left. Can I say there was a whole lot of pushing going on? For about 30 minutes! Almost a 10 pound baby! She passed out afterwards. But is doing fine tonight. And Bella is healthy! Shoot...she looks like she is two months old!
I did fine...didn't even need my pink kleenex!
Not sure if all of this has sunk in yet.
I don't have to tell you she's the
most beautiful baby in the world.
I just have 3 words to say.
Fab-U-Lous!
That's what being a grandmother feels like!
Now I know why my mom always gushed about her grandkids.
I'm pretty sure I'm following in her footsteps.
I am totally blessed!

blessings from my delighted heart to yours!

Patti

I'll have more photos to show in the next few days
but I promise this won't become a baby blog!
Thanks for indulging me!

ps. Thank you Lord for this precious new life. I know you have wonderful plans for Miss Bella because your Word declares it in Jeremiah 29:11.
And Psalm 139:13 says you formed her inward parts and You covered her in her mother's womb. And she is fearfully and wonderfully made.
And she is perfect.
Thank you Lord.
Now it's time for the pink kleenex!

Still Waiting

2009-05-21T20:03:00.002-05:00

Still waiting.

For a room.

At the hospital.

To induce labor.

TO GET THAT GRANDBABY HERE!

The kids were told this afternoon to check back tomorrow at 4am to see if they have a room.

You'd think if they can schedule an appendectomy they could schedule a labor induction. On second thought.... an appendectomy is usually an emergency surgery! No scheduling there!

Oh well....we're trying to be patient.
Having to call the hospital every 4 hours has kinda taken the wind out of the kid's sails. But I'm sure when she does finally get the labor going they will get back to being excited.
As for me...I'm pretty much excited all the time!
Excited as in "happy" excited ....not "running around like a chicken with it's head cut off" panic excited.

Hopefully by tomorrow night we'll have some pictures.
I'll keep you posted.

NO ROOM AT THE INN!

2009-05-20T09:02:00.004-05:00

The kids are still at home....waiting.

The hospital is full. No birthing rooms are available this morning and there are 2 on the waiting list before her! The inducement ceremony doesn't look like it will happen today....and unless Bella decides to make her own entrance they are saying it could be tomorrow or Friday before they have a room available.

Is it a full moon?

No, I just checked and it's not a full moon....must have just been a very romantic August 2008 here in town!

The nervous dad is not too happy....he only has 4 paid vacation days to get this baby here! I'm thinking he needs to load her up and go for a truck ride or a horseback ride or walk a couple of miles to get the ball rolling! There's a room at the hospital available if she goes into labor but not a room for them to induce labor.

Yes, we live in a small town....we might just have to start looking for a stable!

I'll keep you posted!

Hope your day is a blessed one!

From my delighted heart........

Patti

She's Almost Here!

2009-05-19T23:35:00.005-05:00

Almost time for the BIG reveal!

The grand entrance!

The expected arrival!!!

Yes.....my Miss Bella...

my first grandchild......

will be here tomorrow!

(Or at least by Thursday!)

In the wee hours of the morning....5:30am to be exact! Charlie and Jessica and Miss Bella (still in the bag) will make their way to the hospital for the inducement ceremony!

Jessica said the Dr. won't actually start the Pittosin (?) drip until noon so I'm thinking Miss Bella should be here surely by midnight!

When I was pregnant with Kountry 29 years ago...I had to be induced also. I remember going into hard labor almost immediately, laboring 12 hours, not dialating past 2 and having a C-section! I also had the same Doctor as Jessica...he actually delivered all three of my kids including Charlie!

We're praying and believing for an easy and quick delivery for Jessica and for a healthy baby Bella!

I've got the batteries for my camera and video camera all charged up and ready to shoot! And I've got my pink kleenex in my purse...I'm sure just a few tears of joy wil be shed! I'm ready to roll!

So hopefully by tomorrow night I'll have some of the first photos for you to see!

I'm so excited I don't know if I can sleep!

My youngest child will become a daddy tomorrow.

And I'm going to be a grandmother!

O Happy Day!

from my excited and delighted heart to yours!

Patti

ps.....if you haven't gotten your tickets for the raffle for the other Ms. Bella then click here. There are 50 prizes being raffled off for a great cause...to help with her medical expenses and the tickets are only $10.00 each! That's only about 2 trips for coffee here! Go be a blessing to this sweet family. Her story will warm your heart much better than the coffee!

Baby Bella's Baby Shower

2009-05-13T21:06:00.011-05:00

Last Saturday afternoon....We (Amanda my soon to be daughter-in-law and my daughter Amanda who we call Kountry and I) had a shower to honor our baby to be Miss Bella and her mommy (my daughter-in-law) Jessica. About 40 wonderful friends and family (some drove in from Dallas and Houston) convened at my house for food and fun ......all done up of course in PINK, PINK and more PINK!

Here's the scoop....

the story, food, decorations, gifts and peeps.

The Entry

Here's Jessica and Charlie on their

wedding day August 18, 2007.

Remember the sweater wreath I made at Christmas?

I found the pink sweaters at the same time

and decided to make a baby wreath.

Some of the jewelry belonged to my mother...

Bella's great grandmother.

And don't you just love the "Queen Bee" sign

I found at Hobby Lobby!

I think that may be her nickname!

The vintage baby planters were given to me when I had my babies!

I've been saving them for 23+ years!

Bella's Granddad ...Mr.Hero.....found this artwork at Canton for her bedroom.

I got to use all my vintage milkglass that was given to me recently by Mr. Hero's mother. Mr. Hero as a young boy would give his mom a piece of milk glass from the Western Auto store every year for her birthday and Mother's Day.

The square cake plate he bought me for Mother's Day this year!

I thought that was really special!

The pink carnations were ordered in bulk from Costco.
I had enought for everyone to take them home as party favors.

The table set with goodies......

Using one of my mom's vintage damask tablecloths I gathered up the corners with a rubber band and then covered it with a pink net bow.

The pink mannequin I found at a cute antique mall here in town....

Sentimental Journey.

The pink boa and pearls just added to the girlyness!

Are these not the cutest cupcake flags?

I had the brainstorm to make these a few days before the shower but didn't have a clue how to print them. But I knew someone who did!!! My sweet friend Tracey from Notes from a Cottage Industry makes cupcakes and flags all the time (and she has an amazing blog!)so I emailed her and she fixed me up....All I had to do was print them on some cute paper from HL and then Amanda and Kountry cut, pasted and glued the beads to the top for me. Those two also frosted all the little babycakes for me! We all had so much fun making them the night before the shower!

We made bunches of bite-sized cupcakes.

With them being bite-sized you had to eat more than one!

I'm thinking the 2 Amandas could start a bakery now!

We also hung some of Charlie and Jessica's

baby pictures on a ribbon clothesline.

Cute and funny!

The front yard got pink and white ribbons hung from the trees.

And the back deck got a banner to flutter in the breeze.

(Which I made at 4am Saturday morning!)

Jessica had just started opening gifts when she got a little suprise. Charlie! Jessica hadn't seen him in two weeks and he wasn't supposed to have gotten off work but he did.

So Charlie joined her in the opening of the gifts.

"Hey...what's in that box?" asked Charlie.

Miss Bella's First Bikini!

Given to her by her great aunt and cousin who drove all the way from Houston to come to the shower!

Charlie says "A one piece only for my girl!"

Charlie... being good natured...got in on the act of all the ohhhs and ahhhs from all the ladies!

Yes, son......we will see you carrying that!

And you will look stylish!

Bella's Aunt Kountry brought the "Rock Star" outfit

all the way from LA!

For her first photo shoot no doubt!

The kids were greatly blessed by the outpouring of love and goodies.

They say thank you to all!!!

And Miss Bella is all set to make her grand entrance!

The Doctor says she's ........DONE!

He would have induced labor this week but Jessica wants to make it through Sunday. She is in charge of the Dance Recital for the Boys and Girls Club on Sunday afternoon. So we'll see if Miss Bella shows up to dance with the rest of the girls!

Here I am with all my girls.

Amanda (The Bride), Me, Jessica, and Kountry

Aren't they adorable!
I am soooo blessed!
Thank you Jesus!

And one more blessing will be here before you can blink!

Here's hoping you have a wonderfully blessed weekend!

from my delighted heart to yours!

Patti

ps....after having such a great weekend and Mother's Day...I also had a birthday this week!

Happy Mother's Day!

2009-05-10T20:59:00.004-05:00

Here's hoping you all had a wonderful

Mother's Day!

Hydrangeas always remind me of Mother's Day. I love their big fluffy blooms...so much color! And I'm amazed that you can change the color of the blooms by the minerals you put in the ground. And they are so beautiful when dried. As a kid growing up I remember my dad buying my mother a hydrangea plant for Mother's Day. Every Mother's Day. I can still see a large potted plant with the big showy blooms in pink or blue on the kitchen table with a card. It always showed up late on Saturday afternoon before Mother's Day. It kinda became a ritual....another year, another hydrangea. My mom never had to guess what she was going to get for Mother's Day! She loved hydrangeas! She always had hydrangeas planted in her garden! Her last few years were spent in a garden home that didn't have room for a garden! So no hydrangeas....

Then probably about 5 years ago my brother and sister in law were visiting one spring weekend and they bought my mother 2 hydrangea plants for her front porch. They bloomed in their pots that year and then spent the winter in the garage and rebloomed the next spring. And again the next and then she passed away in the winter. I took her dormant plants home with me and put them in the garage and when they started getting green I placed them on my porch. I still remember the overwhelming joy I felt when they bloomed the year after she went home to heaven. I was really missing her that spring and what a blessing it was when they bloomed again. It seemed like a little bit of my mom was still with me. And they bloomed again last year and they are fixing to (that's Texan for "about to"!) bloom again. And they are still in the same pots! I'm really not wanting to plant them in the ground...they have done so well in the pots! But maybe this summer I'll find them a good spot on the shady side of the house and give them a proper bed to reside in. They just might start multiplying! And that would be a good thing!

I still miss my mom.....but I so thankful for all the wonderful memories she left with me. And I think she left me her love of hydrangeas because I just had to buy me some last week.

The photo above is of some hydrangea plants I bought at Lowe's.

I needed some pink in the yard for the baby shower.......yes....the shower for my Miss Bella was yesterday afternoon at my house. I'll have the whole story with pictures up on the blog this week. But here's a little peak......

.......well I just thought I was going to give you a little peek...blogger won't let me get to my photos. Must be too many people uploading too many pics tonight! You'll just have to take my word...or 3 words.......Pink...Pink....PINK!!!!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

Blessings

from my delighted heart to yours!

Patti

BUCKS FOR BELLA

2009-05-07T09:08:00.005-05:00

By now most you have read the touching story of

Sweet Baby Bella Marie.

(if not...please click on her name above for the full story)

This tiny little baby is the granddaughter of my sweet blogging friend...

The Fabulously Famous Deb of Talking Trash.

Bella Marie was born on March 12 at a mere 24 weeks and weighed in at 15 oz.
Bella continues to grow and amaze her doctors while living in NICU. She now weighs 3 pounds and her mommy and daddy have been able to hold her for the first time this past weekend! Check out the sweet photos at her mommy Jenn's blog The Apiary.

A couple of weeks ago the amazing women at Trailer Trash and Garden Antqs Vintage came up with the brilliant idea to have a raffle for Sweet Bella.

Woman from near and far have banned together and donated items for a fundraiser to help with Ms. Bella's Hospital Bills.
You can now buy raffle tickets for a chance to win fabulous items donated by some of the most talented women from across the land. Almost 50 people have donated more than 50 items! That's a lot of chances to win! And the more tickets you buy.....the more times they throw your name in the hat! Oh...and did I tell you...the tickets are only $10.00 each?

If you haven't already....please go by the blog that was set up just for the raffle. Just click HERE and buy a ticket for Ms. Bella. You will be amazed at all the wonderful items that are going to be given away. Tickets will be on sale till May 30. You better hurry before all the lucky numbers are gone!

The Junk Sista's Blog

I'll leave you this morning with my favorite photo of Ms. Bella...

Blessings from her tiny heart and my delighted heart to yours!

Patti

27 Days and Counting!

2009-04-26T22:48:00.004-05:00

We are entering the home stretch with this baby thing! And that means I've been busy! Bella will be here in less than 4 weeks. The mommy-to-be wanted the nursery painted pink so pink is what she got. Bella Pink! Yes.... Sherwin Williams has a pink named Bella! I painted with their Harmony Brand paint...very green...no fumes!

And since I'm vertically challenged I spent a lot of time on this....

Pushed stuff to the middle of the room ...covered with plastic and proceeded to make a mess!

Almost finished with the first coat....yes it did take 2 coats...Can you say cotton candy? Yes I was craving cotton candy by the end of the day.

Mr. Hero and I hung curtains on Saturday and set up the bedding. We still have stuff to hang on the walls and the carpets are being cleaned this week....so no big reveal yet!

This is what I worked on this afternoon....

Shower Invitations!

Bella's Aunt Kountry and Aunt (to-be) Amanda

and I are hosting a shower in 2 weeks!

Kountry's coming in from California

for the shower on Mother's Day weekend!

So I was working on the invites this afternoon.....

I found the paper at Hobby Lobby last week.

And just printed them on my computer.

Found the cutest stamp to print on the back of the envelope.

You will hear more about the

great big blessing in the days ahead....

But the biggest blessing I got today was when

the kids surprised us by showing up at church!
My son is a welder and has been working 7 days a week

(we haven't seen him for a couple of months)

on a power shutdown and my daughter in law

goes to church at her family's church.

Charlie got the day off today and they surprised

us in church and for lunch.

There is nothing sweeter than to

have your kids sitting with you in church!

Thank you Jesus!

Isn't she the cutest thing!

The doctor told her last week the baby

weighs 6-6.5 pounds already!

Hopefully we'll get the shower in before Bella arrives!

Wouldn't that be cool if she arrived on Mother's Day!

All the family will be here...

Did you hear that Bella...let's make your debut on May 10!

(I still can't believe my baby

is going to be a daddy!)

What a great Sunday we had!

How was yours?

Blessings from my delighted and blessed heart to yours!

Patti

Wedding Wednesday - LOVE WINS!

2009-04-22T22:55:00.009-05:00

All day today I've been trying to decide what to share with you for Wedding Wednesday and then tonight I was alerted to this website by my sweet friend Angela over at Hampton-House. Cherry from Cherry's Creations has this awesome post up today. And I just HAVE to share it with you cause I think it totally ROCKS! I'll let her explain......

LOVE WINS

Cherry says.......

"The theme of our church for awhile now has been "Love Wins" and we are currently in the middle of a year long campaign "Nothing is too difficult for God". We've learned about about how no illness is too difficult for God to heal and we are currently learning about how no financial need is too great for God. This past Sunday's sermon was based around how God takes what we have and multiplies it when we follow through with what he leads us to do. The Sermon was titled "What's in Your House" based on the story of the widow woman who only had just a little bit of oil but began pouring it into other jars and the oil didn't run out until there were no jars left. 2 Kings 4:1-7
So, for the challenge, the pastor handed out a $1 bill to everyone in the congregation, ($150 in all) and challeged us to use our creativity to multiply it. Combining that with "what's in your house" I came up with these cute little Love Wins charms. They can be worn as a pendant on a cord, added to keyring or zipper pull, or worn as a charm on your sneakers, etc. We will be bringing our dollars and the sum of their multiplication back to the church on Sunday May 3rd. I am making these charms availible for a $2 donation, a small portion of that (about .60 to .75 cents) will cover the cost of mailing the charm and the rest will be donated to Christian Center. I can't wait to see what God turns $150 dollars into. I will be sure to share the news here.

www.cherryscreations.blogspot.com

Cherry also makes awesome jewelry...check out her Etsy shop!

Are these not the cutest....

and what a story you could tell to

someone who asks about it!

So...I know what you are thinking....

What does this have to do with Wedding Wednesday?

Well, as I was trying to decide which one and how many of the charms I wanted..... I had a major brainstorm. You know ...the kind where you want to jump up and down and tell someone!!! And Mr. Hero has already retired for the night so he will have to hear about it in the morning. But you my friends are hearing it FIRST! Can you guess what these have to do with a wedding?

Wedding Favors!

A lot of weddings these days give some kind of wedding favor to their guests. There are whole websites devoted to wedding favors. Candied almonds tied up with netting, candles, picture frames, bells, all kinds of little resin thingys that fit into your wedding "theme" which people probably just toss as soon as they get home. (Not showing photos here for a reason!) Then there's the DIY brides who do little boxes with cupcakes or cookies or wedding cake which I think is a little better favor cause it can be eaten.

I made jumbo chocolate chip cookies for Charlie and Jessica's wedding.
(300 on the day of the wedding!)

(And put in individual sacks.)

Yes...I was crazy but they are my signature.

And they will show up at the next wedding but....

we were thinking of a favor along these lines because of our

"Vintage Baseball" Theme Reception.

You know the tune...

Take Me Out To The Ballgame!

Peanuts and Cracker Jacks!

Now look at the little charms.....

See the one round one in the middle...

Doesn't it look like a little BASEBALL?

I can see it attached to the card on the popcorn and peanuts ....

One of the ideas that keeps popping up on the wedding boards ... instead of favors couples are making a donation to their favorite charity in the guests' name and then handing out cards explaining the donation. No more broken teeth on those candied almonds! So how about a little "LOVE WINS" Charm attached to a card with the whole story on it? I'm lovin this! I can see the cutest cards...tented at each placesetting...even letterpressed for those that are blessed enough to afford it! Or Gocco'd or typed or even handwritten! And buying these charms would be a donation to Cherry's church and one of the best lessons I've learned in life is "You can't outgive God!" WooHoo!

I'm just loving the theme of Love Wins!

OMGosh ...

We may just have a title for our

Vintage Baseball Theme!

WooHoo!

I'm calling The Bride in the morning!

I can also see the little charm attached to the

Save-The-Date Card

Which we are working on!

And I can't wait to show you our idea for it!

It's too stinkin cute!

You are gonna love it!

It's Vintage!

And Baseball!

WooHoo!

Now don't forget to go get you a charm or two from Cherry!

(I have a feeling she is going to be one busy lady!)

Cherry you ROCK for this awesome idea!

And what an awesome church and pastor you have!

I can't wait to see what Jesus does with this!

Love Not Only Wins...It Multiplies!

Thank You Jesus!

Blessings from my delighted heart to yours!

Patti

Update: Talked to Cherry this morning and she is making me a charm with stitching to really look like a baseball! How cute will that be! She has had a great response and is thinking of adding the charms to her Etsy shop. (I LOVE Etsy!) Her updated post on Love Wins is here.

Wedding Wednesday Postponed

2009-04-15T23:49:00.006-05:00

Just for today....because I have to share with you an email that was sent to me by a good friend. It's a video. You will probably want to watch it again. And again. I watched it several times....showed it to Mr. Hero. He was spellbound! And then I promptly sent it off to most of my address book! And I hate to forward email!

If you think you will never reach your dream......just watch here on U-Tube. Turn your speakers on and ah you might need to run get you a kleenex....I wish I had.

MSNBC also picked up the story today. You can see it here.

Update.....CBS Early Show had Susan Boyle on this morning.

You can see it hear.

She sings accapella.

Via satalite from Scotland.

Totally amazing!

And her performance on u-tube has had

19 MILLION HITS!

I just watched it again...

Now where are those kleenex!

I am so blown away!

Hope this story delighted your heart

as much as it did mine!

Blessings!

Patti

ps ....been working this week on the baby's room and the baby shower. Hope to have pics soon!

Wedding Wednesday

2009-04-09T00:00:00.007-05:00

OK...OK...I know I've been AOL....errrr...make that AWOL for too long. (It has something to do with a sprinkler system.) And here it is Wedding Wednesday ...again! I want to thank you all for all of your great comments and support. It's great to hear that several of you are doing the wedding thing also this year....and that you are lovin the vintage wedding look just as much as I am! I think you will love this look I've found for today.......
all from that great source Etsy.

Wedding Shrugs

I have not seen shrugs used for a wedding before but then I do live in Texas and most of our weddings take place in the summer months and a shrug just wouldn't do here with our heat. But since our wedding is in December this is something The Bride just might want to take a look at!

Antique Ivory Silk Taffeta Bolero Shrug

English Dept

a designer from Portland, OR

How adorable is this?

Not to mention romantic!!

And it could be used for a spring or fall wedding also.

Now all the vintage lovers are going to fall

head over heels for the next ones!

Holly Stalder

of Portland makes these vintage goodies

from vintage goodies.

There is something

about making something

from something vintage

that just makes my heart swoon!

Maybe that makes me GREEN!

I'd say green with envy!

I am waiting for one of those creative moments!

Look at the vintage jewelry!

These are just gorgous!

Holly custom makes these after seeing a pic of your dress.

Too cool!

These next two are made by

Emily Rohm from Chicago.

Alecon lace is embroidered with pearls and sequins for more sparkle.
This one's a short jacket.

This one's a shrug.
What a beautiful view during the ceremony of your back!

Rohm also make veils and mantillas.

My mother made my veil in 1976 using the same kind of lace.

She beaded the lace with pearls.

We took a family trip from Texas to California that summer before the wedding and I remember her sitting in the backseat sewing on the veil all the way there and back....3000+ miles!

I still have it (along with my dress) and who knows...maybe we will incorporate it into the wedding scenery someway!

Now if it is really chilly in December....

(which here in Texas it could be 17 or 77!)

This little fur shrug would be cute!
From Etsy seller Spazooie.

And I also have my mother's mink stole

from the 1950's

which would look awesome with a

rhinestone pin.
Ohh ...I'm liking that idea!

This one from Vintage Fashion Addict

*Note to self...

look for a dress that will go with the stole!

All photos and shrugs from Etsy dealers.
http://www.etsy.com/

Hope you are having a wonderful week!

Blessings from my delighted heart to yours!

Patti

Wedding Wednesday

2009-03-26T00:06:00.007-05:00

Here it is Wedding Wednesday and I haven't gotten a post in since last WW! Where did the week go? Between wedding and weeding and table designs for a BD party and some baby stuff...it went by fast! So here's the wedding news....

WE HAVE OUR PHOTOGRAPHER!

Tara Swain Photography

When we first started talking weddings... The Bride told me that the wedding photography was pretty high on her list of proirities because she really want great pictures to remember THE DAY by. Sometime in January I ran across Tara's website and fell in love with her amazing work. I remember looking at all of her pictures and her blog till the wee hours of the morning and going crazy...they were so cool! And she lived only 40 miles from us in Paris, Texas! How come I had not heard of her? I emailed The Bride and she fell in love with Tara's pictures too! I wanted to share some of her work with you so here's just a sampling of her work she sent over to me tonight. (These are not our kids.)

Boot Scootin down a Texas Road!

Rockin the Dress!

Beautiful Bride in a Cute Vintage House!
Lovin that pink door!

Wedding Day

Here's one from an e-session!

Here's a Trash the Dress session!

Pretty cute!

For those of you who don't have a clue...the new thing now is sometime after the wedding you do another photo session and do creative things in your dress. It makes for amazing pictures and (unless you are going to sell it) your dress will probably just sit in your closet for 30 years like mine has and turn yellow! So you might as well get another chance to wear it! And have some fun!

Tara also does kids....

Future Rock Star!

And Senior Shoots

She could be a Rock Star, too!

And Newborns!

Definitely a Rock Star!!!

Yes, you will be seeing pictures of my new grandbaby by Miss Tara this summer!

So I asked Tara to tell me how she got in the photography business and she said.....

"I started taking pictures when I was 8 or 9... of our animals on the farm.. tractors, trucks, etc.... but I only started my business about a year and a half ago. Shot my first wedding last March and fell in love with weddings. I went full time the end of Oct 08 because it just got waaaayyy to busy. "

www.taraswainphotography.com

modern.different.fun.

I love her by-line!

So why hadn't I heard of Tara Swain before?

She's only been doing weddings for a YEAR!

And full time for 6 months!

Amazing!

You have to check out her website and blog.

She has some really cute props...like a turquiose couch and a hot pink couch and zebra chairs and she collects old trucks and tractors and vintage stuff.

Too cool!

She captures personality on film.

She will knock your socks off.

She's got amazing God-given talent.

She's 22.

And she's booked every weekend except for a couple through November!

(She was going to take December off until I shamelessly begged her to do our wedding!)

The Bride, her mother, and I met with Tara last Friday and we all left saying we can't wait for Tara to start shooting. She's not only talented but adorable and lots of fun!

She's going to do the engagements and bridals plus the wedding but it looks like she will be taking some baby pictures first!

I'm soooo excited....

from my delighted heart to yours!

Patti

Wedding Wednesday

2009-03-18T21:56:00.008-05:00

During my travels through all the wedding blogs I ran across this photo of bridesmaids in vintage prom dresses over at Once Wed (a great source for ideas and pre-owned wedding dresses). And with the Junk Gypsy Prom right around the corner in Warrington in two weeks I just had to show you. These girls were not at their 1950s prom...no they were in their friend's wedding last summer in California! This has to be one of the cutest ideas I have come across yet. Are they not adorable! What a great idea for a vintage themed spring garden wedding!!!! I'm loving the pastels and I'm not a pastel gal but they so remind me of cotton candy.......
and who doesn't love cotton candy!

And then I saw this dress on Lisa's Retro Style Blog tonight and I thought how perfect it would be for the vintage bride and a spring garden wedding! (With the cute vintage prom dresses for the bridesmaids!) It really looks like pink cotton candy!
I think I'm getting a sugar high!

Lisa has this dress for sale in her Etsy shop and it is 2 die 4! Oh if I only had a 25" waist I'd snap it up in a heartbeat! But sadly I'm afraid my waist will never see 25" again!

Then I found the cutest idea last week for Save-the-Dates that would go right along with the Vintage Prom Dresses and the Spring Garden Wedding Theme.........

Vintage Hankies!!!!

These beauties were screen printed by

Lucky-Luxe Couture Coorespondence

for a wedding this June.

Boy ....if I got one of these cuties in the mail I would surely

"Save-the-Date"

knowing the wedding was going to be a-dor-able!

And check out the Lucky-Luxe post today

for a "vintage" idea for response cards.

Beautiful!

So if our wedding was going to be this spring in the garden

I'd be all set...

(actually I'd be panicked right now

cause not everything is done! LOL)

But we've got till December and all these ideas

are just getting me rolling on some

fabulous projects for the kids.

I can't wait to show them to you

as we get them completed!

On Friday...The Bride and Her Mother and Me (Yipee)

are meeting with the photographer.

An amazingly talented young woman that

just ROCKS the camera!

And she loves all things vintage!

I am so excited!

Can't wait to show you her photos!

But I think I'll just save that for NEXT Wednesday!

Blessings from my Delighted Heart to Yours!

Patti

Ps. Sorry for the delay between blog posts. It's been a busy 2 weeks. I'll try to do better!

Pink Carnations

2009-03-02T22:09:00.017-06:00

Ok...I have to confess....up until a couple of weeks ago....I was a carnation snob. I admit I thought they were only good for fillers in those F*D Floral Bouquets (*rhymes with C). I remember in the past, ordering the bud vases from the florist with the single carnation ...you know ....we always had to order the carnation one cause the one with roses was always more money. And do you remember the one or two carnation corsage? The spicy smell always reminded me of a grandmother or the funeral home or maybe a grandmother at the funeral home! Yes.... in my book.....the lowly carnation was relegated to funeral sprays!

I can even remember telling Mr. Hero..."If you are getting me flowers...don't get me CARNATIONS!"

Well...that was before I saw this one day over at www.eddieross.com
Eddie Ross you are a genious !!!!

photo from Eddie Ross

Oh. My. Gosh. I'm sold!

Mr. Ross has made a believer out of me.

These are absolutely ROCK THE HOUSE gorgous!!!!!

This just screams wedding shower!

Too screaming cute!!!!

Mr. Ross was asked by Creative Candles to do a display showcasing their candles for an exhibit. This is what he came up with. And look what happens when he adds their beautiful candles.......

photo from Eddie Ross

It looks just like a cake! Just one word describes this creation...FABULOUS! How amazing would this be at a bridal shower! He even explains "how" to make it here.......with pictures!

If you have never been to www.eddieross.com you are missing one great blog. (So go check it out as soon as you finish reading this post!) Mr. Ross has worked with some of the best in the design world including a stint as a stylist for Martha Stewart. He's always sharing great ideas. And I'm so impressed....on his favorite blog list is Garden Antqs Vintage! Way to go Theresa! (But then we do know how good you really are!)

photo from Eddie Ross
And here's another one of his carnation masterpieces.

Can't you just see wedding decorations here?

That's a silver candlestick it's sitting on!

Brilliant!

OK..... I know ......you are thinking...

Come on Patti ....

that's more than a one carnation bud vase.

Yes.

Uh-huh.

That's a lot of carnations.

A whole lot!

But I did find several wholesale florists on line that sell carnations for 55 cents apiece. And I've also heard you can order flowers at a great price from Costco. But I just happened to find pink carnations at Walmart this weekend for 5.00 a bunch. Bought 2 bunches to play with....putting them in some vintage milk glass containers......and they were the dyed variety....yes, Eddie I got the dyed ones. And I remember doing that as an experiment when I was younger (alot younger)...put blue ink in the water in the vase with the white carnation and watched it turn blue right in front of your eyes! The red dye made these carnations a little varigated and a turned them a really pretty shade of pink.

That's a whole $10.00 worth of carnations in one vase. (And I didn't even use any oasis!) I think it has a

Martha-esque look to it!

Or should we call it an Eddie-esque look?

What do you think?

And these are definitely screaming baby girl shower!

So Mr. Hero....next time you go out for flowers ....instead of a dozen roses......

I'm thinking 100 carnations would be really pretty....I've got plenty of containers and I love making my own arrangements! AND we could always pin one to your white sportcoat .....

then we'd be ready for the PROM!

Blessings from my delighted heart to yours!

Patti

UPDATE: Don't forget they last FOREVER! At least a good 10 days!
ANOTHER UPDATE: Eddie left me a comment! WooHoo!

Wedding Wednesday Two

2009-02-25T11:55:00.021-06:00

Update......

The Polka Dot Bride Interview!

A Kountry Birthday

2009-02-20T00:14:00.000-06:00

Twenty nine years ago today...our first child was born. Amanda Renee weighing in at 9lbs. 2oz. arrived on the scene via C-section. It was love at first sight! We were smitten with this little pink bundle of joy just like all new parents. She was perfect! We were blessed!

She began dance lessons at the age of two and this was from her first recital. She continued taking lessons and having recitals for the next 16+ years. She was very independant and somewhat bossy. We remember her lining up her stuffed toys and telling them what to do!

This was from her last recital in high school. The solo from "Swan Lake" en point.Between the ages of 2 and 18 she had lots of activities...the arrival of 2 brothers...Brownie Girl Scouts, dance, piano lessons, dance, church choir, dance, church youth activities, dance, Odessey of the Mind, dance, and school, and dance. Here she is as the Cheshire Cat from the Fourth Grade program Alice in Wonderland. (Four days before the program she told me she needed a costume! Yes, we made it.)

I think she holds the record in our high school for being in the Drill Team one year...Mascot Wally the Wildcat one year...and Head Cheerleader. Talk about perserverance! She loved being a cheerleader in the 7th grade but didn't make the cut at tryouts the next year...or the next.... or the next....until she was a senior. After graduating, she did a short stint at Stephen F. Austin University. Spent a semester in Orlando in the Disney College Program working in Studio City on The Backlot Tour Ride. She had promised us she would return to college but one day I got a call and heard..."Mom, I want to move to LA when I'm finished here." She was 19. Her dad said No. We let her go. Or I should say we helped her pack and helped her drive out there, helped her set up the apartment (which included several tips to Target and a screw driver!) and left her there. Did I say she was 19? Did I say I cried at least part of the 1526 mile drive home? Did I say we were and are very proud of her? Going after her dream...a long way from home.

Well ....she got a job...several jobs...worked really hard...made some really good friends and now for the last 7 years has worked as a Personal Assistant to this Choreographer. He's choreographed movies....You Got Served, Stomp the Yard, Step Up Two and TV...So You Think You Can Dance, America's Best Dance Crew and Dancing With The Stars. He also teaches hundreds of kids at dance seminars around the country. Now she doesn't dance but tells the dancers where they need to be. (All that training with the stuffed animals paid off!)

Here we are at the premiere of "Stomp The Yard" two years ago. Yep...I got to walk on the RED CARPET! We had a blast that night! That's her boss Dave...he's one amazing dancer!! Do you recognize my jacket? I wore it (ok..ok...the maniquin wore it) to Deb's party last week! When we get home from the Beach I'll be able to wear it again!

You are probably wondering why I'm calling this post... A Kountry Birthday....Well, having grown up in East Texas, when Amanda got to California she had quite an accent. People started calling her Country and it stuck...she's now known as Kountry to both the coasts(and the screen credits). Not even a last name...just Kountry. And since her brother is going to marry an Amanda .....she might just become known as Kountry here in Texas.

So, Kountry, I'm wishing you a Happy Happy 29th Birthday. You are amazing. You are beautiful. You are a godly woman. You carry the Light. Not only do you carry it but you spread it! You are so much fun. God has an awesome purpose and destiny for you. He has such amazing plans for your life. You are blessed and highly favored! We are so proud of you and all you have done. You will never know how hard it was to leave you in that apartment that day 9 years ago but I wouldn't go back and change a thing. Not. One. Thing. You are perfect. We are blessed! Yes...You are one amazing chik. Yes...I would say you fit the description of Flirty from yesterday to a T... You're a Flirty girl!

Have a Rockin Birthday!

You R the Bomb!

Hugs!
I love you!

You Delight My Heart!

Mom

Wedding Wednesday

2009-02-18T01:09:00.000-06:00

"Wedding Wednesday"

Is a new feature I'm adding to the blog. Every Wednesday I plan on sharing some "Wedding Bliss" that I've discovered on my travels through wedding cyberspace.

Let me first introduce you to.... The Bride and The Groom.

(You can read more about their engagement here.)

As some of you know, we have a wedding coming up in December and we are starting the planning process. December sounds like a long time off but really it isn't in the world of weddings. The Bride is an absolute doll! She is including me in everything even though I'm the Mother of the Groom. I've been designated as "Creative Consultant" (translate...gatherer of information and ideas). I absolutely love this type of thing and I love weddings so this is a perfect match for me. She and I have been brainstorming and coming up with some really fun ideas which I will be sharing with you. I'll also be showcasing different wedding blogs and websites....there's a HUGE amount of information and amazingly beautiful photos out there.

Not only is there lots and lots of information but some of it is soooo stinkin cute I just can't wait to share it with you!!!! So many cute ideas that just send me into major creative frenzy!!! And so many of these ideas can inspire you to do something non-wedding also! Just looking at all the creativeness (is that a word?)gets your mojo flowing! You are going to love all of this!!!!

The Bride loves the Modern Vintage look and The Groom is totally into sports ...having played baseball through college. She wants to honor him by incorporating a "vintage baseball theme" into the reception. How sweet is that?! They are both very fun-loving and they want to make this one rockin

P-A-R-T-Y! I am really excited about working out all the little details with The Bride and her family. (And she comes from an awesome family!)

Let me know if you are a bride, mother of the bride, or mother of the groom (like me) or have a wedding blog...I'd love to hear from you and see what you are doing!

And I'm open to any suggestions or creative ideas you all you creative people can come up with also.

One thing we are looking for is some vintage silverplate baseball trophy loving cups to use at the reception. I know they are VERY collectable but I'd like to borrow or "rent" some if we can't find any to buy. Keep your eyes open for me some all you trash and treasure hunters! I'm believing someone is going to find me some at a VERY reasonable price!

This First Wedding Wednesday is now close to becoming a Wedding Thursday since this post is so late but I promise next week I'll get it posted earlier in the day! Who knows...this may turn into a full blown blog by next week! I'm already thinking Wedding Wednesday is a lame name. You all now know the the players and the theme.....throw me out some names for a mother of the groom wedding blog and if one fits ....I'll give away a prize! Oohhh...another contest!

You know how I love contests...

I've been finding all sorts of contests in the wedding blogs.

In fact I won one this week!

A 50.00 iTunes card !

I happened upon a contest that Stacie Tamaki was having at her website

The Flirty Guide.

Stacie is an awesome wedding planner in the San Francisco area and has put this website together that has fun ideas for weddings and parties. You have to go check it out! Read more about her here.....She also designs these cute little brides and then has a contest to name them.

Introducing Lulu!

Yes ... I named her and won the iTunes card!

(Now I'm motivated to learn how to use my iPod!)

Thanks so much Stacie!

And Stacie has redefined the meaning of "Flirty". In her own words....

Being Flirty: I feel I have redefined the word to mean someone who knows how to embrace the concept of expressing her or himself in a truly carefree and positive manner. Someone unafraid to flirt with all of the wonderful and endless possibilities that life has to offer. To me, being flirty isn't about attracting the opposite sex. It's not an age or income level. It's a state of mind. It's about being daring and enjoying the experience as YOU try new things and dare to be different as you define who you are.

WooHoo!

I think this fits me to a T!

In fact I think it fits a lot of us chiks!

(In fact I think this is a close definition of "Chik")

We're Flirty Chiks!

Go by and check out Stacie's rockin Flirty Guide!

Tell her Lulu's Momma sent ya!

Bless ya'll

from my "Flirty" and Delighted Heart to Yours!

Patti

AND THE WINNER IS......

2009-02-17T08:08:00.000-06:00

OK...I planned on doing this last night at midnight but...........
I fell asleep. (Me who stays up till all hours in the night fell asleep.) Sorry.
Then this morning there have been technical difficulties.
But I perservered.
And I'm here to announce the winner is........................

Cue the drum roll.......

Mr. Hero put his hand in the silver pitcher

at 8am and pulled out this name......

The Cozy Parsonage!

Congratulations Tress!

Tress's husband just had back surgery last Friday

and last week marked the 2nd anniversary of their

baby son going to heaven.

If you have the time I'm sure

she would love an encouraging word!

To see her prayer of encouragement

click here.

And if you are just now joining us and are wondering just what did Tress win......well she won an amazing book. Destined To Reign by Joseph Prince. I just finished this book and wanted share it with you. I so wish I had enough books to send one to everyone who left me a comment. I really encourage you to go out and get this book. But you don't even have to go out!

You can get it here. At www.amazon.com.

This book will change your heart......give you hope .....and give you grace. And through grace comes peace. And isn't that just what we've all been wanting and waiting for.

And to those of you who left a comment and didn't win......

you are all winners in my book!

So please take a rose...

No... on second thought

take two...I have plenty!

One for you and one to share.

Now go out and encourage someone today!

And if you are hurting

And need encouragement....

I'd love to talk to you.

You can email me.

(My address is in the sidebar.)

I'd love to hear from you.

There is always an answer...

There is always hope.

Now...I pray blessings for all of you today!

From the One who is able to do exceedingly,

abundantly more than we can ask or think!

Have a Rockin

Fabulous

Chik-a-lic-ous Day!

from my Delighted Heart to Yours!

Patti

WARNING: Reading this will change your life.

2009-02-16T17:01:00.000-06:00

And just who doesn't need at least a little change in their life right now. Some of you need a lot of change. ( I know...I'm reading your blogs. :-)) There is so much sadness and despair that's being blogged about. Lots of people need change. They are looking for peace. But we all need change. Change for the better. Change = Growth And growth is a good change. (Except when it involves your hips!)

I guarantee this book will change the way you look at grace. And don't we all need a little more grace? And don't those around us need more grace? I believe this book will impact you in a way not many books can. And that's why I'm giving it away.

If you are needing a little change or a big change..... new growth.... more peace or extravagant grace....leave me a comment and your name will go in the hat for the drawing of this book tonight at midnight.

Blessings from my Delighted Heart to Yours!

Patti

Ps...If you are really hurting and desparately need change...email me.

I'd like send you some encouraging words.

Delighted Hearts and Flowers

2009-02-15T21:10:00.000-06:00

Saturday morning I was in my closet finishing up dressing when Mr. Hero walked in with these beautiful red roses and the sweetest card. "Will you be my Valentine?" he asked very sweetly.
"Forever." I answered. Isn't it wonderful when your sweetheart of 32 years still likes to be romantic on Valentine's Day? Actually we've been married 32 years but have been sweetheart for 37! Yeah.... we started dating at a very young age....in Kindergarten!

The roses didn't quite look like this when he handed them to me...no, they were loose in one of those celophane sleeves. But I didn't mind....thats the way I like my flowers ....loose! That way I get to play with them and he gets to save a little change! They found their way into this contemporary rectangle vase ...$3.00 from Goodwill!

Then they found their way to a little white table in our bedroom. I like the look of the old alabaster lamp next to the modern look of the roses in the vase. Just the right touch of romance!

I made these two little hearts last week out of sweater scraps (remember the sweater wreath?). Each little heart looks great by itself but when you put them side by side you can see the thread that comes from above and goes through the hearts and connects them. It's the love coming down from the Lord above that connect us and together we become a 3-fold cord, the strength of which cannot be broken.

So.........Mr. Hero....thank you for the roses....thank you for the card....thank you for the romance....but most of all thank you for the past 37 years of loving me. You are not just Mr. Hero to me but you are My Hero....always have been, always will be. Here's to the next 37 years! I love you!

From my Delighted Heart to yours....

Hoping you had a wonderful Valentine's Day, too!

Patti

Ps.....Don't forget about my little give-a-way on Monday night at midnight! Leave me a comment if you are interesting in winning a copy of this awesome book....Destined To Reign by Joseph Prince. It will change the way you look at life....Really! I blogged about it here. And if you want another chance at winning this book...go over to and leave Crystal at Sparkled*Life a comment...she's giving it away also!

WHERE IS THE LIMO!

2009-02-13T19:39:00.000-06:00

Where is that LIMO!

It was supposed to be here by 5:00!

Where could it be?

I don't want to miss the par-tay!

"What par-tay?" you ask.

Why the Fab-u-lous par-tay Deb is

throwing over at Talking Trash!

Still waiting!

Outside...on my driveway!

Wait ...What was that?

The toot of the limo?

No...just an 18 wheeler honking at me!

WooHoo! Back at ya Babe!

GOOD GOLLY MISS MOLLY...

I've been dressed since noon!
I can't wait to go to this once in a lifetime party!
Got my beads and beads and beads on

Oh a girl can never have too much!

Especially for this kind of party!

Even got my blinging belt left over from the 80s!

(Yeah I really wore that back in the day!)

Got the boots and bag!
And my flip-flop thongs
in case my feet get tired
dancing all night in my boots.
Gotta be prepared!

I'm bringing the bubbly....

And I made you a cake....
(Sorry Cat Daddy...

no cookies tonight!)

The toast is all ready......

Now since the Limo driver

called to say he's lost

somewhere in east Texas......

We're just going ahead and

have that toast

right here right now!

Here's to you my BFF!

Miss Deb-u-lous

Talking Trash-u-lous

U R The most Fab-u-lous

Awesome

Rockin

Blogger Chik-u-lous

out there!!!

Congratulations on your 100th post!

U R the BEST!

Oh there's the driver now....

Cue the lights!

Make room on the Red Carpet

Get out those cameras.....

We're ROCKIN now!
Par-tay on sistas!

Have a great

Valentine's Weekend!

Bless Ya'll!

From my fun loving

delighted heart to yours!

Patti

I'm Back....Again!

2009-02-12T10:08:00.000-06:00

Trying to get back into the swing .... of blogging again after a two week hiatus
(I know, I know...you all have missed me!) I had to refresh myself this morning on
"HOW TO BLOG".... Yep...I had even forgot how to put my photos in files!
So this has taken me pretty much all morning to do this post.
(Shhh...don't tell Mr. Hero. I'm supposed to be cleaning house!)
Reading blogs comes so much easier to me than writing blogs.....I just don't understand it.

Well......that's where I been.

READING BLOGS!

And not just any blogs

but blogs like this amazing one!

Yes, it's sad to say I've become obsessed

with all things wedding!

With the kids' wedding coming up December 12 ( just around the corner) I've been skimming blogs and websites for information and ideas to help The Bride. And you would not believe the amazing information that is out there....The blogs....the pictures...the fantastic creative ideas! I know I'm just going to have to share some of them with you....we just might start having

Wedding Wenesdays

for the style obsessed mother of the groom!

Just go check out Style Me Pretty.

You'll see.

This blog is going to be a little long today....

lots of business to take care of....

but stick with me there's alittle surprise coming!

First things first......

A New Award!

My sweet friend Theresa Cano of Garden Antqs Vintage graced me with this award 2 weeks ago.

(Sorry Theresa it's taken me so long to get to it!)

Theresa is well kown among the

Antique/Vintage/Creative/Rusty/Chippy/Peely Paint/ Crowd.

And has an amazing blog full of photos from her travels to

some of the best shops and shows in this part of the country.

She ROCKS!

The award is for bloggers who show

"great attitude and gratitude"

Thank you so much Theresa for thinking of me...

I am deeply honored and full of gratitude!

The RULES for this award are...

1. Put the logo on your blog.

2. Nominate 8 other bloggers who show great attitude and gratitude.

3. Link them to your post.

4. Let them know by a comment on their blog.

5. Share the love by linking back to this post and the person who gave the award.

Since I have started this blog I have had nothing but amazing comments from each and every one of you. Thank you. Thank you. THANK YOU! Encouraging and loving comments that ROCK my socks everytime I check my blog.

Everyone of you show "great attitude and gratitude".

SOOOOO........

I'm nominating any and all of you who have left me a comment!!!!

Please put this award on your blog and continue encouraging and lifting people up each and every day cause you don't know how your one little comment might just make someone's day!

You go girls.....You all ROCK!

And now for the beach report .......

We're still there!!!!!
We're sticking with the plan!!!!!
It's working!
It's coming off slow but it's coming off!
WooHoo!

But today you HAVE to check out this blog!

TALKING TRASH

Magazine courtesy of The Veranda

Deb is having a P-A-R-T-Y to celebrate her 100th post!
Go by and leave her a comment to get in on the action!
Oh and read her rockin blog...it's guaranteed to put a smile on your face!

And after you've done that....go over to see my
FABULOUS FRIEND
Crystal at Sparkled*Life.

Here we are at the first Chik Nite.
Isn't she cute!

She is ....one ROCKIN girlfriend
....awesome mother to the two cutest kids
....wife to one talented worship leader
....an amazing woman of God
....always the encourager
.....writes the cutest blog
....and can knock your socks off with her preaching!
AMEN!!!

She is having a fantastic give-a way!
You won't want to miss the chance to win this life-changing book.....
She blogged about it here.
But don't just read this post...read them all...she's amazing!
(and she's only 25!)
I been saying when I grow up I want to be like Crystal!
Leave her a comment before Feb. 16 and the book could be yours!

And now for my little surprise..........

I want in on the fun!!!!

So I'm doing a Give-A-Way too!!

I just finished reading Destined To Reign by Joseph Prince

LOVED IT! LOVED IT!

I've ordered several copies...in fact

all my kids are getting one

and I want you to have a chance to read it too.

I believe it will revolutionalize the way you look at GRACE.

IT'S RADICAL GRACE BABY!

And it will change your life!

"The secret to reigning in life lies with receiving

everything that Jesus has accomplished for us on the cross."

Joseph Prince

My people perish for lack of knowledge.

You don't know what you don't know.

And it doesn't matter if you are

Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddest, Hindu, Wicca,

Other or Atheist....

I want you to know what I now know!

So I'm going to give a copy away also!

Here's what you do.......

Leave me a comment and tell me what change you need in your life.

(your name will go into the hat)

Then go to Crystal's and leave her a comment and come back and tell me.

(your name will go into the hat again)

And if you blog about this "give-a-way"...tell me.

(your name will go into the hat again)
Leave me a comment everyday or twice a day or 3 times....
(you name will go into the hat for every comment you leave!)

.....and there will be several other goodies in the box for the winner!

Drawing on Monday night at midnight!

February 16

Let the comments begin!!!!

WooHoo it's good to be back!

Blessings from my Delighted Heart to yours!

Patti

Aruba...Jamaica....

2009-01-29T00:30:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to show.....

you where we've been for almost 2 weeks........

THE BEACH!

Well, I really wish it was that beach......

but we've really been at this beach......

Yeah...

Mr. Hero and I started on this about 2 weeks ago.

Soooo...

We'll look like we belong here

this summer !

Yes.......

We've decided to get healthy!

(Translate: Lose pounds and inches!)

With the grandbaby due in May

and a wedding in December...

we want to be able to keep up with the kids.

(Translate: Look good in wedding pictures!)

So South Beach ....we're living it!

I cook it...He eats it!

Now his suggestion was ......

we eat in our bathing suits.

Now that would keep us focused!

but I told him it

is a little chilly this week here!

(Translate: No Way!)

I think we start the "E" word next week....

(And I guarantee you I will not be in my bathing suit!)

Anyone care to join us on the beach?

Ya'll are invited!

Aruba, Jamaica...ooh I want to take ya...

Bermuda, Bahama, Come on pretty mama...
Key Largo, Montego, baby why don't we go?

Down to Kokomo.......

Hope ya'll are having a great week and keeping warm!

From my soon to be healthy

(translate: Skinny!)

delighted heart to yours!

Patti

A Few More....From The Palace

2009-01-26T16:45:00.000-06:00

Thought I'd post... a few more pictures that I took at the Junk Palace on Saturday. This beautiful lantern was hanging over the table in the middle of the arbor. (See larger photo in previous post.) That's a plate and hanging crystals on the inside of the lantern! Too cute!

Here's a little shot..... of the garden area.

Look closely...There's a live fish in the bowl! Really!

(The bowl was sitting on an iron plant stand!)

Too pretty for words!

Another great display in an old suitcase!

Cool pom-pom fringe!

Vintage paper wedding bells!

(Should have got some of those!)

(OK another road trip!)

And this was one of my favorite pieces used for display!

(And if you know me you will know why!)

It's an old dental cabinet filled with great jewelry!

(New jewelry...great prices!)

Again.....

Congratulations

goes out to

The Amazing Lillie

at the

Junk Palace

Beautiful Job!

Best Wishes!

Hope y'all have a great week!

Blessings from my Delighted Heart to Yours!

Patti

Road Trip!

2009-01-24T16:59:00.001-06:00

I left town this morning ... in my trusty Jetta (gotta love the 45 MPG!) headed for the Grand Opening of THE JUNK PALACE in Malakoff , Texas about an hour and a half drive south. It was COLD (in the 30s) and the wind was blowing Texas hard, so I dressed appropriately by layering my long johns, turtleneck sweater, black velvety velour vest, scarf and jeans with my pearls and cowboy boots...black dress boots as this was a Grand Opening! Boy, was I excited! Not only was I going to get to see amazing junk this morning but rumor had it this was going to be a Grand Meeting of some of the awesome bloggers I follow!

WooHoo! I was ready!

Someone mentioned yesterday that we all need name tags with our blog on it. They will know us by our blog name for sure! So last night after midnight, I hit a little creative streak and made me a nametag..........ok.............all you alter art people I know this is really basic but hey......... what can you do with elmer's glue and a brown envelope?! I did find a heart doily and added a vintage rhinestone pin for glamour. My first altered art project! So I arrived at the Junk Palace with nametag in hand 15 minutes after they had opened and it was packed.

Oh. My. Goodness.

It was amazing! Situated in a really cool OLD, OLD, OLD building with exposed brick and plaster walls, open rafters, unusual electric lighting, and old concrete floors, Lillie has created a wonderful vintage atmosphere remenisent of ole Pariee plus vintage glamour plus garden junk. Awe-inspiring creative displays start as soon as you step foot in the door...........

The first thing your eyes rest on is this wonderful garden arbor made of cast off porch posts...the kind everybody had on their house years ago to hold up the front porch or the back patio awning. Lillie used this arbor to frame a great white table with an amazing vinette on top.
(She says this also fits over a double bed....how cool would that be......she called it "the Little Love Shack!" TMI...TMI! HAHA! Yes, that's Lillie in the vintage garden chair ..the first time she's sat down in weeks...doing the Texas Beauty Queen wave!)

Yes, today Lillie...

You are the Queen of Vintage!

Take a closer look at the table top......lots of my favorite white and would ya look at the roll of paper (elementary school writing paper with the broken lines) billowing around the dishes!
My paper towels...I mean our napkins do that at times when the Texas breeze blows!

Out of the Box!

Love the creamy, white textures!

I think those are disposable florist containers!?!

Garden table with burlap top and scrabble pieces!

Gotta love the southern bell slip on the manaquin!

Display in the forefront includes several vintage cake toppers!

And did you notice the partially exposed brick wall?
LOVE IT!

OK , so I get a C+ for not taking photos of the blogroll! This is the only pic I got of all the wonderful bloggers who were there! Here I am with my fun and fabulously talented friend Renee (A Junk Queen) and Donna (Curious Goods) in Donna's cute shop by the same name. Donna takes junk and makes the neatest "things" out of it. Jewelry and objects d'art...very creative! And Renee can take trash and make it look good! No kidding!

Some of the other talented bloggers and creative people

who I saw this morning include:

Theresa (Garden Antiqs Vintage)

I think she's known by the whole blogosphere cause not only is she very

talented but she is very sweet and remembers everyone!

Maggie (The Veranda) Very talented, too. See her at Canton.

Judy (J. Hill Designs) Very talented .... Canton and Texas Shows

The Girls from (Funky Monkey) Very funky store in Keller, TX

Don't forget Lillie's blog at Junk Palace.

Gee...Hope I didn't leave anyone out.......

You can probably see more fabulous photos of this morning's event

and more of all the who's who on these talented gals' blogs!

Click on them from My Favorites List!

We were all shooting our cameras like paparazzi!

Thanks Lillie for letting us take all the shots!

There is ONE more blogger I saw this morning......(I didn't forget ya girl!)

I had the priviledge of meeting IN PERSON.......Ta Da!!!!!!

Miss Debbie from Talking Trash and her driver and sweetie ...Cat Daddy!

Debbie has such a way with words....a good way!

Not just on her blog ..... she leaves some of the best comments, too!

What a blessing! Can't wait to spend some more fun time with her!

You HAVE to read her post about today...and see her great photos!

She brought me the prize I won in her contest last week....

They were all wrapped up CHIK STYLE in a black sack with hot pink paper!

Too stinkin cute! I didn't want to open it it was so pretty.......

Well I only waited a second ....cause I wanted to see my.......

FLIP-FLOPS!

WOOHOO...They're HOT PINK!

Are these not the cutest sparkley thangs!
Thank You Deb!

You are definitely a Diva!

You Rock!

As soon as I got home I tried them on......awesome!

They are sooooo comfortable!

How did you know PINK is my new favorite color!

(First granddaughter due in May!)

So I had to have a little photo shoot with

my new hot pink thongs!

Now, don't get too excited...

that's what we called flip-flops when I was young

back when yer undies covered yer backside!

Now my undies hang out from under my jeans!
Yup, those are my long johns...

I told you it was cold today!

Ya did good! I love them!

Thanks Deb!

You da bomb!

This has been one Super Saturday!

Hope yours has been just as good!

Wishing you many blessings

from my Delighted Heart to yours!

Patti

2009-01-22T12:18:00.000-06:00

From the photo you are probably thinking I'm talking Valentine's Day....No not yet. I happened upon these photos the other day over at
4 Angels Momma's blog and they really got me thinking. (Along with her beautiful post...)
These works of art were created by .....

Sandman uses what he has in his hand (a broom and a dust pan) to bless others with his sidewalk art. One of 4 Angels Momma's daughters was down at the beach and saw Sandman's artwork. Wanting to bless her Momma she used what she had in her hand (her cell phone) and called to tell her to get down to the beach right away and bring her camera.

Now when 4 Angels Momma saw Sandman's work she wanted to bless others who weren't able to go to the beach and see Sandman's work by using what was in her hand (her camera). She then went home and used her hands to posted the photos on her blog to bless those of us in blogland. (She also did a beautiful commentary to go along with it.)

All of this got me to thinkin......about using my hands...

And about how powerful this blogging can be.

We bloggers using our hands (and computers) can choose to post or not to post.

Or choose to comment or not to comment. We choose to bless or not to bless.

The Lord says in Deuteronomy 30:19..."I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live."

Choosing to bless others with your blog post and comments brings life not only to the reader but to you and your descendants. Wow...that your kids may have life too! I always want my kids in that catagory! It's like reaping and sowing. Sow blessings...reap blessings! Sow cursing...you know exactly what you will reep! (now I know you all are not going to sow cursing but sowing negative comments is like sowing death to the reader.) As to this date I have not received any negative comments...that's not why I'm writing this!

Paul said in his letter to the Ephesians 4:29..."Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."

Corrupt...decayed, rotten ...like meat.

Edification.....to edify; to lift one up.

Grace....unmerited favor.

Let no stinking rotten words proceed from your blog (or mouth), but what is positive to lift one up, that it may give a thrill (unmerited favor) to those reading (or hearing).

I like that! I think I'm just going to print that on a little card and stick it on my monitor for a reminder! (I know, I know.... I'm preaching to myself cause you all leave only thrilling comments!)

Ok....so I'm thinkin back to Mr. Sandman.....He was using what was in his hand to impart a blessing to others. Taking this beyond the blogosphere......what have you got in your hand that you can use to bless someone else today? A cell phone can make a call to someone who needs encouraging. A camera can take photos and print them to share a memory with someone. A spoon in your hand can make dinner or cookies for someone in need. A book in your hand can read to someone who can't see. Flowers in your hand can make someone smile! A smile on your face can light up someone's day. OK....OK....you get the picture? :-))

Check out this post from yesterday. Debbie from Talking Trash is asking everyone to "pay it forward". Go find someone in blogland who needs an encouraging word ...someone going through a hard time.... someone who needs grace and impart that to them. You will be surprised at what happens next.....open your eyes and watch so as not to miss the blessing!

So Mr. Sandman left this to bless us.

How many people saw it that day before the wind

blew the sand off the sidewalk?

I don't know but thanks to 4 Angels Momma Debbie

lots of folks now are getting the thrill!

Debbie left us with these

beautiful words that day....... (read more here)

"Love is what remains.....

love can never be erased."

"Faith, hope and love.

And the greatest of these is love."

1 Corinthians 13:13

I'd say that both the Debbies have got it goin on!

They are definitely using what's in their hands!

from my Delighted Heart to yours....

Be Blessed!

Patti

p.s. I want to thank all who have left comments for me....I am so blessed by all the sweet, kind, and awesome words! You all are amazing! And a big thank you to 4 Angels Momma for the use of her photos and the inspiration! You rock!

I WON!

2009-01-20T14:35:00.000-06:00

WooHoo! I Won!

Look at these awesome flip-flops!

Deb at Talking Trash had a contest going on

over the weekend.

You see...her hero "Cat Daddy" had given

her a canned ham.

No, not the Hormel variety,

not the kind you have for Easter dinner,

or the kind you cook with your beans

to make them taste yummy,

or the green eggs and ham kind

but the vintage kind!

A real, honest-to-goodness vintage

canned ham travel trailer!

(I never knew them by this name...

you know they were before my time!)

HAHA!

Anywho, Deb wanted some comments about how to fix that

Baby up so she had a contest .....the prize...a pair of the cutest

flip flops (that are reported to be really comfy) I think I've ever seen!

Well, she ASKED for comments and BOY did she get them!

But I think the one that took the cake (or maybe I should say ham)

was the WHOLE post that the sistas over at Moonlight Hollow did.

It's a little racy.....

but seeing as how all of you are over 21....

you can handle it!

And if you are under 40.......

well it was before your time!

So, sometime in the near future,

you will be traveling down the highway

and something like this......

will whizz by you...

no, it may not be pink...

it may be red, yellow, turquoise or

my fav...leopard and you'll think

"canned ham"!

Look for Deb and her Cat Daddy

to be cruising by

cause she is one amazing chik and she's

gonna have one amazing ham to

tool around in!

Deb, we can't wait to see what

you are going to do with this

thang!

Thanks, Cat Daddy for pulling

MY name out of the fish bowl!

I think I may just make you some of my

Famous Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Thanks Deb!
You are FABULOUS!

And thank you Jesus...
I'm blessed and highly favored!

From my delighted heart to yours...

Have a blessed and fabulous day!

Patti

And CONGRATULATIONS go out to Deb also!

For being asked to be a part of The Vintge Journal.

She wrote a great post over there today....

about some of her favorite

"junkin spots".
Can't wait to check them out!
You go girl!

Chik Nite Rocked!

2009-01-16T11:53:00.000-06:00

Last Friday night was Chik Nite...
Here's a little recap......It Rocked!

Here's the stage and

the Funky

Flower

Arrangement

I blogged about here.

Here's part of our Chik Team.

Christy, Jennifer and Crystal

These gals work tirelessly to put our Chik Nites together.

Thank You! You are awesome!

Look at all the ladies!
We were playing a game!

Five days before ...Crystal only had 30 ladies signed up....
Total signed up that night.......163! Isn't God good!

This is our fearless leader

Head Chik Crystal.

Our speaker for the night ...

April Simmons (on left) and
Misti from High Point Church
Arlington, Texas
April's message for us was awesome!

"Mile 19"

If you have hit a wall in your life ...

whether it be a death in your family,

a problem marriage, problem kids,

problem finances or just problems with life

and need encouragement.......

leave me a comment

and I will send you a cd of her message...free!

You can now download her message free at

www.familylifechurch.com

under media title: God Chik

Miss Sandy ... our minister's wife holding
one of the youngest chiks!

My sister-in-law Cindy and my daughter-in-law Jessica.

Don't they look cute!

Cindy drove four hours to come to Chik Nite!

And if you look closely you can see "Baby Vee" under that ribbon!

(She's due in May!)

Miss April and Me

Our "goodie" table
The Word was sent out along with other chiky stuff!

Best Comment of the Evening:

"I didn't know church could be this fun!"

"I have come that they may have life

and that they may have it more abundantly"

John 10:10

Next Chik Nite.........March 6
Consider yourself invited!

See here or here for more info!

from my delighted heart...to yours!

Patti

What's On Your Kitchen Countertop?

2009-01-15T21:39:00.001-06:00

Last night... I walked into the kitchen and saw a plastic box sitting on the countertop.
I didn't remember leaving it there.....I thought maybe Mr. Hero had brought leftovers home ...you know...a to-go-box or a doggie bag as we used to call it. .....so I peeked under the lid. Well.....

This is what I saw............

"Honey...did you leave a box on the kitchen counter?" I sweetly hollared at Mr. Hero.
"Ummm...what's in it?" He sweetly hollared back.
"Don't know....looks like bones or something." "Are they for Dodger?"
"Ahhh no...DON'T GIVE THEM TO THE DOG!"

"They're dinosaur bones!"

And there...sitting right next to the Cheerios was a box of real dinosaur bones. Well, they were the fossilized stone that's left after the bone dissenigrates. (Mr. Hero explained..not really the real bones.) Then I remembered seeing Mr. Hero talking to Mr. Dinosaur Hunter at church. It seems they were trying to figure out a way to replicate the bones/fossils. Mr. Dinosaur Hunter actually found the fossils just north of town. He finds lots and lots of fossils and is very well versed on dinosaurs. He gives talks to the school kids and wanted some replicas to hand out.

I was just glad they were't leftovers...
Well technically they were.......
The Fred Flinstone kind!
(Music swells in the background...Meet the Flinstones...the modern stone age family!)

Sorry Dodger....Want some Cheerios?

What's On Your Kitchen Countertop?

Have a Yabba Dabba Do Day!

Patti

Thank You Sarah!

2009-01-14T23:06:00.000-06:00

I'm so honored! So humbled!

So thankful!

WOW... Double WOW!!

This award traveled a long way

to reach me this morning.

All the way from......

AUSTRALIA!

My new Aussie friend...

Sarah of Shabby Roses & Pretty Things

gave me this award. She is from Southern Highlands,

New South Wales, Australia.

She leaves the sweetest comments and has such a beautiful blog!

Ya'll give her a visit and a hollar!

Here are the guidelines for this award:

"This Blog invests and believes in the

PROXIMITY: nearness in space, time and relationship.

These blogs are exceedingly charming.

These kind bloggers aim to find and be friends.

They are not interested in prizes for self-aggrandizement!

Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut,

even more friendships are propagated.

Please give attention to these writers!

These are some very wonderful gals to visit.

They are thoughtful, friendly, and have so many wonderful ideas!

So it's time to pass it on.....

A Junk Queen........Renee

Talking Trash.......Deb

Texas Daisey.....Debbie

The Cozy Parsonage.....Tress

Just Practicing Random Acts of Kindness.....Sue

The English Cottage Collection......Debra

Four Angels Momma.....Debra

Cynthia's Cottage Design.....Cynthia

All of the above women show outstanding friendship qualities and make the blogging world an absolute pleasure to be involved in. (They all have left me the sweetest comments!) Please stop by their blogs for a visit and don't forget to leave them a comment! You'll be glad you did!

And jump on over across the pond to

Shabby Roses & Pretty Things

to see my sweet Aussie pal Sarah!

From my Delighted Heart to yours!

Patti

Broken Heart Ministries

2009-01-13T22:43:00.000-06:00

This is Whiskers... John...

and Jacob.

Jacob is one of John's students. Look at the excitment on Jacob's face! Whiskers is John's horse. John uses Whiskers to teach theraputic riding to students like Jacob. John says these kids come alive when they are around Whiskers. Some of John's students are challenged physically and some are challenged mentally. Some are troubled teens that just need answers. John teaches them about God's unconditional love. And he does that through a sweet horse named Whiskers and through Broken Heart Ministries. "We do not charge the kids or their families for the therapy riding at the ranch." says John. They operate only on sponsorships. John has a BIG, BIG heart. This is not his day job but his ministry. During the day John serves this man of God as a personal assistant. John has pastored churches around the country in the past and at one time was a part of this team. John tells us that he used to break bricks with his bare hands in order to share the love of Jesus. Now John mends broken hearts using those same hands, the love of Jesus, and a horse named Whiskers.

How do we know this awesome man of God?

On December 12, 2009 John will walk his beautiful daughter Amanda down the aisle and give her away to our son Bo.....And as their two hearts are united in marriage...Our two families will become united also. We are so excited to become a part of this awesome family and so excited to see what God has planned for our kids and our families in the years to come!

As we say here in Texas....

"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!"

If you would like to be a part of Broken Heart Ministries and help scholarship someone like Jacob you can contact John at:

Broken Heart Ministries
515 Preston Glen Gunter, Texas 75058

Blessings from my Delighted Heart......to Yours!

Patti

CHIK NITE

2009-01-07T23:00:00.001-06:00

This Friday night at our church we're having one of our Chik Nites.

Crystal, our women's ministry leader asked me to do something funky,

with this large bottle and these Christmas balls for a prop on the stage.

Theme: Rocker Chik

(Oops I don't think I was supposed to tell)

So I grabbed a couple of large silk flowers I had...

sprayed some glitter on them...

headed down to a local store and found the glittery greenery at 50% off...

picked up the pink belt at Walmart (I did pay for it)

threw it together this afternoon.

Is it funky enough?

The Chik Team loved it!

I even pulled my 1980s rocker earrings out of my jewelry drawer

to use as centers on the flowers.

Now what am I going to wear?

If any of you are within driving distance of Sulphur Springs, Texas

(hey if you want to fly in we have a small airport!)

You are invited to attend

CHIK NITE

Friday January 9 @ 7pm

Family Life Church

We always have a rockin time!

Guest Speaker: April Simmons

(Joel Osteen's Sister)

It is going to be fantastic!

Whoop! Whoop!

Check out more about it at Chik Nite blog!
Let me know if you are coming...I'd love to get you a ticket!

from my Delighted Heart to yours!

Patti

Winter Wonderland II

2009-01-03T19:41:00.000-06:00

And now......

for the 2nd half of the

Winter Wonderland Tour!

Thanks for all your sweet comments on the first half!

You've noticed I'm not calling this my Christmas Home Tour...

That's because I didn't get it all together in time to show before Christmas!

I always need December to have one more week in it!!!

It doesn't feel like winter here today at 85 degrees!

But hold on...

Monday we're due for sleet and 30 degrees!

If ya don't like the weather in Texas....

just wait a day!

Let's get this tour done before the ice hits!

So sit back and relax and enjoy!

Simplicity in the stairwell.

Twig wreaths from here and sparkle leaves from here.

Stepping in to my kitchen you'll see our "Chili's Booth".

We spend a lot of time here...

in fact we've crammed 6 people in here

on several occassions.

Everyone always gathers in the kitchen!
More sticks!

Here's a view from above.

There is a landing on the 2nd floor that looks

down into the kitchen.

There's always lots of light in here!

Sign says....

"Common sense is not so common."
Exactly!

Here's the built-in hutch.

Real pine branches mixed with faux pine branches.

Angel statue came from Tony's.

Can you tell what the wreath is made from.....?

SWEATERS!!!!!!

goodwill rides again!

Saw a wreath in Better Homes and Gardens made with

upholstry webbing and then saw what Deb did.

It inspired me to try a little different version.

Strips of sweaters wrapped around straw forms

and secured with straight pins.

Tie was the skirt band from the wool skirt I

used for my tree skirt.

Vintage broach from my jewelry box.

Here's a little better picture.

Window from Tony's Town Square Antique Mall.

Mr. Hero trys to keep me out of there!

Hutch in the breakfast room.

Yes, I like hutches....and dishes!

More sticks!

The ceiling is the same color as the dining room walls.

Some of my mom's blue willow...she loved blue.....

I was never a "blue" person.

But I'm loving her stuff now that she's not here.

Moving into the den.......

that's the sunroom/tv room through the opening.

Top of the tree....

You guessed it....more sticks!

My friend RuthAnn did the same thing!
Great Minds!

Here's a few more of the tree.

More ideas for sweaters!

Pillow koozies!

I pulled them over some pillows I had...

whipped the neck closed.

Tied the arms.

You could whip the bottom closed but I didn't.
Funky, fun and cozy.

The stockings were hung on the lockers with care.

My kids got me the set of lockers for my birthday last year.

I love my kids!

the stockings came from Target on sale at the last minute.

I had plans to make some from......

You guessed it.....

Sweaters!

well, maybe next year.

The Mantel

The Sunroom/TV Room
BIG Sticks!

and four strings of lights!

I love how soft the light is in this room!

I just might have to leave them up all year!

Christmas 1956.

Me on Santa's knee.

Age 19 months.

(Can you dig the satin santa suit!)

Vintage flower globe from my mom's estate.

(You turn it over, fill with water, put a flower on the

frog where the photo is, put the lid on and turn it

rightside up and the flower is submerged in water.)

I had remembered she had one but thought she

had gotten rid of it. I couldn't find it in all her stuff.

Last Christmas Eve I was checking on her house

(she had died the year before)

and saw a box up in the top of her pantry

which I thought had a coffee pot in it.

The last box to go through.

I got it down and there was the flower globe.

What an awesome Christmas present.

Little did she know when she put it up there

(probably several years earlier) that I would find it

a whole year after she died and it would help me

get through the next day...the first Christmas without her.

Thank you Jesus!

I know you orchestrated that!

May the lights of this season remind you that

He is the Light of the world!

from my Delighted Heart to yours....

Patti

Winter Wonderland Tour

2009-01-01T21:34:00.000-06:00

Since the weather here this weekend is going to be 72 degrees...I thought we'd better start the tour before the snow melts!

But first .....I'd like to show you my inspiration for my holiday decorations this year.............

Yup.........STICKS!

Straight from my backyard!

And they were free!!!

Can't beat a deal like that!

Mr. Hero loved the fact that I was cleaning up the yard

at the same time!!!!

I really love the texture and color of the bark

and have used them in many projects this past year.

See how many places you can find them in my house..........

(They go great with the paint colors we've changed to this past year!)

So, get your self a cup of hot chocolate (or if you are in Texas some iced tea)

get comfy, relax and enjoy the tour!

Don't forget to park out front so you can walk over the bridge

to the front door!

Watch your step...it's dark outside!

Take a peek into the dining room window.....

Don't linger too long out there!

Come on in..... I'm expecting you!

Here's the entry ..... that was my mom's Santa and wreath.

I think they've found a new home!

Here's the dining room all set for dinner!

Christmas Dinner Menu

Fresh Green Salad

My Mom's Chicken and Rice Casserole

Seasoned Green Beans

Buttery Crescent Rolls

Sweet Tea or White Wine

Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake

YUM! YUM! YUM!

Candles in crystal holders set

between branches covered with snow.

Love how the lights twinkle and glow!

A few gold sparkle balls...

Vintage silver baby cups....

(in honor of Baby Vee!)

Silver chargers

Gold and white china

Crystal goblets

Vintage silver
Little bird and glass ornaments...

All set on washed cream burlap....

Made a magical dinner happen!

(The kids said they felt like they were

having dinner in a cozy resturant!)

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!

Did you catch the chair "Koozies"?

They made it even more cozy!!

Several trips here scored these sweaters for 2.99 each!

Here's the hutch......

This is the top of the old store sorting table I use for a buffet.

Bottlebrush tree came from here.

Iceskates (found with the sweaters) in the birdcage........
(Birdcage from Town Square Antique Mall)

All my mom's little Christmas houses I put out for the first time this year.

They found a home in a small pine, glass door bookcase that I usually keep china in.

The "Wedding Chapel" sat on a column to the right.
A promise of our wedding to come next December!

Vintage china angel my mom gave me years ago...

She's from the early '60s.

I think she's precious!

Glass dome came from this great shop.

I hope you have enjoyed the first part of our

Winter Wonderland Tour.....

I'll try to post more tomorrow!

After a trip to Canton with the kids that are soon to be parents!

Hope you have a delighted weekend!

Patti

New Year's Greetings!

2009-01-01T00:54:00.000-06:00

May You Have A

Prosperous....

Healthy...Happy...Blessed...

New Year!

And May He Grant You Exceedingly

Abundantly More Than You Could Ask

Or Think In 2009!

Happy New Year From My Family

To You and Yours!

Mr. Hero, Bo , Charlie

Me, Amanda, Jessica

Kountry

Better Late Than Never!

2008-12-29T22:54:00.000-06:00

Well.......

I'm only a week late in getting this card out to you!

Hope you and your families had the best Christmas ever!

We did!

Jesus is the true reason for the season!

Thank you Lord for this wonderful time!

Belated Christmas

Blessings and Hugs!

from my delighted Christmas heart to yours!

Patti

PINK!!!!!!!

2008-12-19T22:45:00.000-06:00

Baby Vee

Girl!

This morning we ( Mr. Hero and I and Jessica's sister and mom) got to go to the baby doctor with Jessica and Charlie to see the sonagram. As we all trooped in behind her to the sonagram room I felt like we were "the network"! After she got settled on the bed, the doctor squirted some gooey stuff on her belly and ran the wand over it.

First we saw the little head..........

then the tinest heart beating.........

then the little stomach.........

then the doctor declared.........

"It's a girl!"

Cheers and tears broke out in the room from all the girls!

Well, after wiping my eyes....I declared.........

"Let the shopping begin!"

I left the office and immediatly headed down to our town square to pick up the most adorable little cowgirl figurine I had seen the day before.

Isn't she the cutest thing!

She's got blond hair and braids
just like Jessica!

Boots and a hat and a horse
just like Charlie!

And she's grinning from ear to ear
just like me!

I put her in a big old glass cannister jar I bought from Tony at this great fishing spot. Along with vintage glass beads that Meme had used on her Christmas tree years ago. I'll give her to the kids for Christmas....if I can part with her....she's just too cute!

And I think my new favorite color might be....pink!!!!

And did I mention.......

I'm going to have a granddaughter!

(Wow, I've wiped my eyes a bunch today!)

I am so blessed!

Talk about a delighted heart!

Blessings from my heart to yours!

Patti

*And the other kids just called to say they've set a wedding date for next December!

I was wanting a Christmas wedding!

God is so awesome!

What a day!

Thank you Jesus!

Woohoo! My First Award!

2008-12-15T22:03:00.000-06:00

My friend Laurie from

Laurieanna's Vintage Home

awarded me with this cool
Kreative Blogger Award.
My first award!
Thanks Laurie!
I'm so honored!

I had the opportunity to meet this talented lady last spring when I
walked into her fantastic booth at First Monday Trade Days in Canton, TX.
I had actually gone to Canton to take something to this gal who was working
for Laurie.

When I walked into her booth......I was blown away!!!!

She had the "look" going on that I had envisioned for my house!
Anyway to make a long story short....We became friends and
I actually got to work in her booth with her and the other talented ladies
for a couple of months.

So I am very honored to receive this award from such a talented gal...

Soooooo now I'm supposed to tell 6 things that make me happy!

Since my blog is called Delighted Heart that should be easy!!!!

6 Things That Make Me Happy

My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ ....The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Alpha and Omega....Beginning and End....Comforter....Redemeer....Deliverer and Friend. My life changed 12 years ago when I really met Him and made Him Lord of my life. John 10:10 says " I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly." I have abundant life and walk in Peace today because of Him.
My Hero, My Husband .....Married for over 32 years to my best friend. He's the most compassionate, caring, sweet, handsome, funny man, amazing father and Godly man I know. He always takes care of me. And that can sometimes be a pretty big job!
My Kids .....I have the most amazing kids! A daughter, a daughter-in-law. a future daughter-in-law and 2 sons. All of them love the Lord and minister His love in their workplace everyday. We always have a hilarious time when we get together. I can't wait for this Christmas with them!
My Sister-In-Law ....Although I've known her for 24 years, it's only been over the past 8 months, I've come to really know her kind heart and sweet spirit. We talk and laugh on the phone every day. I can't wait to see what God has planned for her life. I never had a sister (always wanted one)....until now!
My Pastors and Church Family .....We have learned sooo much from these sweet people. "Teaching people how to win in life." The best teaching can be heard here.
Being Creative .....working in my element makes me happy which usually means I'm doing something for someone else! Giving away the gift God has placed in me makes me happy!
Reading All Your Blogs! Alright, I know this is # 7 but I just had to include it! .....You all have inspired me to blog!

I would like to nominate the following 6 blogs for a

Kreative Blog Award.......

Sparkled Life....my fabulous friend!
ChikNite....girls just wanna have fun!
Notes From A Cottage Industry...inspiring!
Warm Pie, Happy Home.....great pie, great home!
Bakerella.... cute cupcake pops!
Adventures of Elizabeth....beautiful!

Thanks again Laurie for the award!

I am delighted!!!!

From my delighted heart to yours....

Patti