Light and Blooms

Would I ever consider running back into a burning building to retrieve these things? No. Would I ever put their importance above the family and friends that I love? No. Do I enjoy to the fullest the things I treasure? Yes. How do I decide what objects are treasures? I let my heart decide by the emotions and memories they ignite. Always there is a story of people in my treasures. While my week of favorite things has not included all the things I mark as favorites, I have enjoyed visiting the memories, people and stories that make them treasures. One final practical thought.. When determining the things I surround myself with, I use this simple guideline. I have to … Love it ..memories to display, stories to tell. Use it …incorporate into my everyday use so the memories keep building. Or Lose it …find someone that will get use out of it and love it for what it is, or donate it to a worthy cause where someone unknown to me will purchase it and begin the cycle ag

It has been fun treasure hunting for vintage cookbooks throughout the years. Some of the ones I have found in thrift stores, estate sales, used book stores and library book sales are ones I remembered from being in the kitchen as I grew up. I love finding them with notes in the margins from the previous owners. Oh the stories those notes can tell of a simpler time in the kitchen. My favorite vintage cookbook is the oldest one I have; All About Home Baking. copyright 1933. The pages are filled with notes and you can almost see it sitting on a kitchen counter, center stage for the treats it will inspire. I  also enjoy displaying my favorite handwritten recipes from family and friends in shadowboxes. I love seeing handwriting of those I love and the "locked in time" choice of  paper it is written on. Some on dated recipe cards, some on scraps of paper, wrtten in a moment of request for the recipe, some on simple lined notebook paper. I will never tire of lookin

We received this platter as a housewarming gift. It is a daily reminder of God’s provision of our needs for us each day. I have it displayed on an easel in the family room, easily visible. It is important for me to remember that I only need the things for today. My needs are promised, not my wants. My wants are a separate matter of being granted as extra blessings above my needs. I may want other things, I may be granted them, but always my needs are met. Keith often reminds us both that “we have never missed a meal that we did not intend on missing.” I am learning the value and importance of keeping needs and wants separate and simple. I am learning to enjoy laying my head on the pillow at night and resting in the fact that “my daily bread” has been granted and tomorrow is another day. May you enjoy a contented and peaceful sleep tonight as you remember your “daily bread”.

Why would this common candle holder that anyone can find be one of my treasured objects? Because it is linked to a memory of a fun vacation house and because my husband purchased it to remind me of that fun time and the family memories we made that week. Several summers ago, we spent a week as a family at a house on a lake. The house was decorated in a comfortable and homey style. One of the items that caught my eye on the kitchen eating bar was a candle holder with vanilla pillar candles. All that week, when we were in the house, those candles burned, giving off that wonderful vanilla aroma. The light from the candles shed a glow for our mealtimes, as we played games at night and illuminated the early morning as the sun came up and we enjoyed that first cup of coffee looking out on the lake. When we arrived home, Keith surprised me by hunting down a store that sold this candle holder. He purchased it for me and this one has stood on our kitchen counter, illuminating our

  Its amazing what catches your attention as you walk up a simple path on your way to somewhere else. This brilliant flower caught my eye this morning and was just begging to be put “into the limelight” of the day. A simple morning A simple walkway A simply eye catching flower.

From "across the pond"... I received this English China Tea Set from my in-law's as a birthday gift in the early 1980's. It came by water travel across the ocean in a heavy straw - filled wooden crate. It took nearly 3 months from when they picked it out while in England to arrive on my doorstep. I have always used it for Christmas morning breakfast to serve our traditional breakfast of quiche and cinnamon buns. When Sean, Jackie and Megan were young toddlers, I used the teapot for an afternoon or late evening pot of tea to remind myself that I was still capable of doing adult things, like holding a china cup without spilling! I have always kept this tea set out in full view, either in the china cabinet or the curio cabinet. I do not believe in hiding treasures away to "keep safe" or for a "more special time". Today is always a "special time" to use and enjoy the things we love.

One of My Favorite Things Longaberger Kiddie Purse Basket   1989 The Story... I was introduced to Longaberger handmade baskets in 1989. It was a time of new parenthood, and a time when I was thinking and rethinking what I put my time and resources into for the future. I knew I wanted to begin building memories and a legacy to leave behind. I loved the story of the Longaberger family and the craftsmanship behind it all. The price of the baskets scared me away initially until I realized the quality and details that drove the cost. I made my first purchase of the Kiddie Purse Basket and used it for many years as a basket that held 3x5 cards that I wrote all the fun sayings from the kids. First Sean and then Jackie and Megan to follow. As my Longaberger basket collection grew, I was mindful to use and enjoy each purchase. The baskets have all aged with a beautiful patina and darkened wood stain. I recently read the book of the Longaberger family

Limelight At the centre of attention Limelight is an intense white light which is produced by heating a piece of lime in a flame of burning oxygen and hydrogen.    It was widely used in 19th century theatres to illuminate the stage. Clearly, actors who were the centre of attention on stage being said to be in the limelight . I love to discover the meaning behind phrases and popular sayings. Once I discovered what "in the limelight" meant and its origin, I have been inspired to shed the "limelight" on things of meaning in my life. Some of those things do happen to be objects that I appropriately treasure and find enjoyment from just by having them around me. This week I want to share some of the objects I treasure along with the stories of why they make me smile. Be looking around your home to the objects that make you smile and have become a treasure and a part of who you are. Think about sharing the stories behind the objects and

What a nice surprise yesterday morning when we arrived at the Dept. of Transportation for Megans scheduled drivers license test. We were welcomed by staff. We were offered a seat by others waiting. We were given detailed directions that were correct! We were welcomed to the correct window. We were told where to wait and what would happen next. Megan was greeted by the examiner in an appropriately respectful manner. Megan was told accurately the expectations on her as she tested. Megan was sincerely congratulated as she passed her driving test. Megan's smile and word of thanks were sincere as she left with license in hand, and an experience of being in the presence of people who worked well together, did their best and communicated well.  In other words...TEAMWORK! What an unexpected experience. It proves that it matters what we do, for our actions always affect another. Thank you to these folks for their efforts to make this experience pleasant!

I took an hour out of the day yesterday to roam leisurely around a thrift store that is in the true nature of "treasure hunting for diamonds in the rough". There is a noble effort to categorize the merchandise into like things together, but the reality result is boxes of puzzles all dumped together. The fun part is the treasures one finds in the midst of the chaos. Pictured above is one of those items. A cheery bright yellow flowered deep dish plate made in Portugal. It was down on the bottom shelf, covered with dust, haphazardly sitting on top of a bowl. I picked it up, brushed off the dust and discovered the cheeriness that was uncovered. So for one dollar, I rescued a plate that I am sure has a story beyond its thrift store life. If the plate could talk, I would ask... Were you a part of a set? Did you serve breakfast on a sunny patio? Were you a treat plate for cookies and sweets? Did you live for a time in Portugal or have you always lived he

During prayer meeting at church last night, I concentrated on staying in the moment as folks shared from their lives this past week. I heard much about the power of weather.  the power to change plans  the power to bring damage to property  the power to threaten the safety of lives  the power to test  perseverance and resolve  the power to cause others to be aware of other parts of the country   that would normally not be noted. Raging wild fires fueled by wind, lightening and heat. Storms arriving with little notice, bringing wind, hail, flooding rain and frightening lightening. I also heard of the protective hand of God.  A house and home spared from raging fires approaching from just  two blocks away  A motor home protected from falling trees in a violent rain and    wind storm.  A family relieved when the floods receded, the fire brought under   control and the phone call comes with the message "we are safe" The moments of life come. Some in t

Its always good to reconnect with a friend. Started my day catching up with a good friend. How does 4 hours fly by so quickly? By having true conversation...you know, the kind where one talks and the other listens? Taking turns. Isn't that something we learned in kindergarten? Wonder when some lost that social grace! By being interested enough in the emotions and feelings of another to respond appropriately deep instead of predictably shallow. I will always be grateful for friends that know how to be friends. No matter how long the friendship, the give and take of conversation is a special hallmark of a special friendship. Hello friend!                                                                 

Megan Knowing that Megan has been taught well, practiced much, and is well prepared for her drivers license test on Friday (the 13th!) I allowed her to be the driver and me the passenger yesterday as we traveled through town doing errands. She did well and and she would say I did well.  The life "passage" of having your youngest child take to the road as a licensed driver is not to be taken lightly. It is a privilege to know that you have seen their life begin and now be part of launching them into another stage of life. I trust Megan will be responsible, conscientious and careful. My mothers prayer is that all other drivers will do the same. Taking the time to mark this moment is what putting the simple wonders of our days into the limelight is all about. Safe travels to all, Patti 

Cupcakes! Taking the time to teach my daughters, Jackie and Megan to bake from "scratch" is what simple times are made of. One must take the time to engage the old with the new, and one creates a whole new experience. Look around...what do you see? Listen...what do you hear? Take the time to respond and the things you DO, become memories for the future YOU! Look, Listen, Do and ENJOY the simple times!