Something New on the Home Front

Hi Guys, I'm going to preface this post by saying it probably needs to head up a blog category entitled ..."Say What?". Because some, if not most of you will be wondering if we've lost our ever lovin' marbles, so to speak. Let me explain.

All photos are from the online listing.

(newly renovated kitchen at the soon-to-be new house)
shucks, I gave the secret away!

French Country Styling on the Baker's Rack

As we head towards August the color scheme sees some subtle changes around here. I like to bring in the deeper colors of golds and greens; more neutral tones. Sort of "harvest-y" colors. In the Spring and Summer the kitchen sitting area is all about bright fresh color and a garden feel; now I'm ready for something different.

Small Summer Changes

Hard to imagine that Summer is at it's mid-point. It's been hot, hot, and hot here in the lower Midwest. I think we're all having abnormally warm temperatures. It's been record setting here since the beginning of June. At least we've been fortunate and had a few good rains; more than a lot of people in our area. 

Easy and Instant Patriotic Decor

Today I realized if I didn't make a little effort to put together some decor for the 4th, it would really be too late. I've been enjoying decorating with a Patriotic theme for my whole life, and I didn't want this to be the year to not continue. The 4th of July holiday epitomizes the feel for summer fun... trips to the lake, cookouts, family get-togethers. When I was a kid that meant that there were always family gatherings with fireworks, a grill, and several buckets of homemade ice cream. 

Life can change in an instant...

Sometimes life can change within a matter of minutes... that's what happened to me last Friday at 5:00 in the afternoon. I had just published a post here on the blog about the heart procedure that I had had earlier in the week. Things had gone pretty well and I was home and feeling better. I had a few minutes to reply to a few of you that had left a comment.  If you haven't read that post from Friday afternoon, you can find it here.

Summertime Views

(Sharing some photos from last Summer's Home Tour.)

Low Thyroid: Sharing a post on Hair Loss and Thinning

I'm working on my post about the breadcrumb trail with Autoimmune Disease linking to Heart Disease that I've been following this last few months, and I've been checking back on some web articles and research. Today, I was looking back through the Blog Links List I have in my blog Footer toward the end with links to Autoimmune Illness and Gluten-Free Recipes. You'll see it on the left-hand side after the post.

Still here...

Hi Friends...
still here.
still waiting.

This afternoon I was updating my Series on "Regaining Your Health". I've had a lot of moving parts to rearrange and add, but unbeknownst to me, one part updated on today's date. Sorry for the confusion, BUT that does give me a chance to let you know what I'm doing and where I am in all the latest.

Happy Mother's Day and a note

Just wanted to say Happy Mother's Day to everyone, and I hope you're having a beautiful day. April was a record cold month, but now all of a sudden when May got here it's turned into a heavy muggy 85, seemingly over night. 

a little personal update...

Hi Friends, just wanted to do a quick "hello" and let you know I'm taking a few days or so off, to have some heart tests. My health has been fairly unpredictable for awhile with the Gluten Ataxia and the Autoimmune revelations. 

(photos from 2014)

Birds and Branches

This has been such a cold Spring... very few warm days with a lot of cold and dreary ones. The flowering trees and growing things got a late start. Then just when they thought it was safe, we had nights of temps in the 20's. So the peach tree, plum tree, and cherry tree have had their bloom time disturbed and cut short. 

Spring Market and Vintage Ivy Dishes

Spring Open Houses seem to be a little late this year, but since our weather has been on the cold side, I think we're all running a little behind schedule. We (my sis and I) only made it a couple of places, but we got our fix for all things Spring.

What Everyone Needs to Know about Autoimmune Disease

What I knew about Autoimmune Disease up till about 18 months ago was basically very little. I knew that Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, and what I deal with, Hashimoto's Disease of the Thyroid, (low or hypothyroid) were autoimmune, but that was about it. My information and opinions were ambiguous and uninformed at best. I'm writing this post to share with you my experiences and the information I've gathered in hopes that you or someone you know might be made more aware of the subject of Autoimmune Disease.

www.sjogrens.org

Seed Box Vignette on the China Cupboard

Since Easter, I've been puttering around here bringing in some vintage pieces that are seasonally "Spring". I just removed the "bunnies" on top of the china cupboard, and replaced them with a  vignette using an old wooden box decoupaged with seed graphics. It was a "make-do" attempt, but with that wonderful original green paint, it makes a perfect display piece for Spring.

Easy Repairs to a Vintage Oil Painting

I'm always on the hunt for vintage or antique watercolor and oil paintings when I'm out at the vintage markets or fleas. Pastorals or landscapes are my favorites, but are getting hard to find. Not to mention, the prices can be pretty steep. So when I happened to spot this canvas a few weeks ago, I grabbed it up.

Easter Inspiration with a few of our Friends

Happy Easter, Friends

I hope you're having a wonderful Easter Weekend, full of friends and family. Somehow our weather didn't get the memo for a Beautiful Spring Day. Oh well, we have joy and sunshine on the inside! Have you had a chance to visit and link up your Spring and Easter posts at the Spring and Easter Joy Link Party? well, come on over and share your Spring Inspiration with the rest of us. Here are a few fun links from our friends... take a peek and enjoy!

Easter Table Inspiration at 

Hyacinths For the Soul