Serendipity!

Ser.en.dip.i.ty - noun: the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for

Well, I had a "serendipity moment " last Friday and I just wanted to share it with my blog buddies. First of all, I am a little embarrassed to tell the story because I just do not run out and buy large pieces of furniture on a whim. But then again, it wasn't a whim...I wasn't even looking..I just ran into Stokes Antiques( http://stokeschicantiques.blogspot.com/) to say "hi" to the the sweet owner, Dalia. As I was looking around in her wonderful shop, I walked in the back room and saw a most amazing piece. A darling distressed hutch with tons of storage. As I measured and pondered, I realized it would provide me with some much needed storage (for dishes) if it would fit in my dining room. I have always wanted a hutch but was never able to find one that would work. What made this one so different was that it was only 22 inches deep on the lower part and the top half was app. 13 inches deep, so it did not seem so bulky. It is a little over 7 feet long and 7 feet tall! Dalia was sweet enough to drop by my house, measure and "make a plan " to bring it over after work to see if it would fit. Is that service or what??? However, we both knew it would be close, but would be fabulous if it worked. After her shop closed, she and her sweet children brought it over and they (along with Mark) unloaded and brought it in the house. Needless to say, it's wonderful and I am so thrilled. Mark bought it for me for my birthday and I can say I have never had a better present. I can now store my mom's, grandmother's, and Christmas dishes (along with other stuff) in a place where I can readily get to them.

The above picture shows what it looks like from my kitchen.
This is the view from the main entrance to my dining room.

So there you have it...my "serendipity moment". A treasure not sought after, but unexpectantly found. One I will use and enjoy for years to come. Thanks Dalia for your wonderful customer service and your willingness to bring this to my home that very evening! And...THANK YOU Mark for such a wonderful birthday present!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Completion!!!

For as long as I can remember, my mother used these Pyrex mixing bowls when she cooked. After my mom passed away in the 90's, these bowls were shoved way back in the cabinet and I did not see them for years. After my dad died a couple of years ago, I once again discovered these bowls when we were cleaning out his house. I brought them home and have loved using them. However, there were originally four in the set and I really wanted to find the missing bowl. Right after Christmas I went on an ebay quest to find the missing green one and sure enough , I found it. It came in the mail today and I was so excited!!
My mom's set is now complete and I love how they look together. These bowls are so great to use and they will continue to spark memories of my mom in the years to come!!

Out With the Old...

In with the new!!!! To tell you the truth, I don't even want any "new"!!! If you have not figured out what I am talking about, I am on a ruthless cleaning spree in my house!! Stuff, clothes, shoes...you name..it is leaving here to go and bless someone else! I often feel this way after Christmas when it's time to pack up the decorations and clean up the house after a long, holiday of celebrating and decorating!! Yesterday I worked in our COLD garage...sorting, packing, loading in the car, and throwing away STUFF!!! I kept thinking to myself, "Self, Rome was not built in a day...and this garage isn't going to get whipped into shape this afternoon". Ok, I feel better!!! I'll tackle the garage again and maybe finish it in a couple of days. Do you ever feel this way or is it my OCD surfacing???? On a different note, I took Mark to the Airport at 5:00am this morning to go to a Xerox Kick Off Meeting in Orlando. Yes, I said 5:00am and I was quite proud of myself. Even drove thru McDonalds on the way home and got coffee. Never knew there were people out and about that time of the "night". Anyway, happened to look in Mark's closet when I got home and now I think it needs a little TLC. NO, it needs a LOT of TLC. So.........here I go. Hope he has some clothes and shoes left when he gets home!!! Have a great day and a blessed 2010

Christmas 2009 - Part 2

After a wonderful Christmas day, the next day was a bit different. Poor Stephanie came down with the Odessa stomach virus...not a pretty sight. Bless her heart, she was in bed for about 24 hours and then began to perk up. Unfortunately, we never got a Christmas picture with all five of us, as planned. We had reservations at Perini's for Sunday lunch and Mark, Josh, Emily and I went ahead and indulged. Stephanie was greatly missed but she was finally resting comfortably at home. By Monday morning, she was good as new and ready to fly back to Denver. If you can believe it, Mark, Josh and I never became ill. Thank you Lord!!After lunch at Perini's
Josh and Emily

Mark and Steph before she boarded the plane in Abilene.

Christmas Day 2009

The last two days have been quite interesting , to say the least. As I mentioned in my earlier post, Steph was stranded in Denver and Emily had the stomach virus at her in-laws house in Odessa. Well, after spending app. 18 hours over a two day period at the Denver Airport, Steph finally made it to Midland Christmas Eve. She spent the night at the Barne's home and they drove into Abilene around 1:00 pm Christmas day. We were ever so anxious for them to arrive....The table was set....

the stockings were full...

and Lucy was ready to see her sissies!!!!


Yeah they're here!!!

After a yummy lunch, we went to the movie to see "The Blind Side". What a great movie!! We then came home and opened Christmas presents....




and opened more presents!!! It was a great day, to say the least. However, tomorrow will be a different story!! Stay tuned for Part 2.

Who Woulda Thunk??????

Well, this is what we woke up to this morning!! Looks like it's going to be a White Christmas in Abilene. What makes it so crazy is that yesterday it was like a beautiful spring day...70 degrees and really nice. Today, Winter Storm Warning and more snow. Just as crazy as the weather, is the "craziness" that is going on with our family. Will post more on that later, but basically no one is here but Mark and me. Steph is stuck in Denver and may or may not get here. EMily and Josh are in Odessa with a stomach virus rumbling thru his family and Emily is the latest victim. Hopefully Josh won't get it. So for now, we are waiting and praying for the best. And for you, my friends, may you have a blessed White Christmas with your family!! Hugs and Kisses from me on this snowy Christmas Eve!

Christmas Favorites

I can hardly believe that Christmas is almost here and I have not posted since before Thanksgiving. Sorry about that, but as I have checked other blogs, it seems as if I am not the only one in a "blogging slump". With so much to do and time racing by, blogging has taken a back seat for a while!! However, the other night while I was turning out lights to go to bed, I just had to pick up my camera and take a few pics of the "magic and memories" that Christmas brings in our home. Above is our tree...no theme or frills..just full of ornaments from friends and family. I hope you enjoy this post, and most of all, I hope you enjoy this special time of year when we stop to focus on and celebrate the birth of our Saviour.
Stephanie's first ornament..1980

Gift from a friend


Glittered cross ornament made by one of my girls...Emily, I think.



Stephanie at age 5

Emily just waking up from a nap at Mother's Day Out when they snapped this pic.

The Santa face is painted on a leaf from the magnolia tree that was in Mark's parents' yard in Kilgore, Texas. His sister gathered some leaves before Mark's mom moved and had a woman paint Santa's face on them. Isn't it darling??

I love glittered pinecones.

Little vintage house by a local artist. So Sweet!

I picked these up at an estate sale and I take very special care of them...They make me smile! Well, I guess that is all for now!! Again, enjoy this time of year and may your holiday be blessed as you spend time with family and friends and experience the magic of Christmas!!!