Happy Things That Make Me Smile This Weekend

It doesn't take a whole heck of a lot to make me happy. I consider myself quite simple, low maintenance and frugal. Growing up, I didn't have a whole lot of material things. In many ways we were actually pretty poor, we worked with what we had and seemed to be pretty grateful for anything we got. That is fine with me. I think it was actually a pretty good lesson to learn when I was young. From that I can truly appreciate and be contented with what we have now. I am also grateful that my Mr. Darling is the same way. He also didn't have a lot of material possessions when he was growing up. I have also found that material possessions are not all that important...I certainly don't need that $100.00 pair of name brand jeans when I can get a suitable pair at Target...And when I die, what would all that stuff matter in the end. Nothing of course. Our treasures truly lie in Heaven. For now though, I am here on earth...Sure I like to have things, but for me I am so jazzed with the littlest things. Like, this funky big red heart ring I got at Michael's for a few bucks... Oh yeah. I don't need diamonds, pearls and gold. This girl is plenty happy with a little plastic.

Or going to a neighbors garage sale and scoring this Happy Mug. ( couldn't resist ) for 25. cents.... I can even spice up an old drab outfit with a couple colorful polka dotted flowers or some fun little accessories like a simple handmade necklace from a flea market. Little things like that is all it takes.
 

What are some simple things that make you happy?
Here are a few simple gifts that made me smile this weekend:
31. $3.00 Big Red BLING happiness
32. Happy Face .25 cent garage sale find
33. Colorful Polka Dotted flowers to pin on my cardigans
34. My kind of jewels to wear any time
35. Simple ambiance from Mimi's Cafe
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Have a Happy Day

Our Valentines Day Party....

 
It's Valentines Day...I had to do something for my little family even though we are all sick with pneumonia. I mustered up the energy to set the table and baked a chocolate heart cake for our Valentine dessert later tonight after a nice lasagna, salad and garlic bread dinner.
      
I put together a simple table with reds, white and black...a felt heart garland with vintage Valentine cards in the window, hearts in soda bottles, a few messages of love on chalkboards and the key to my heart.

     
Wishing you and yours a Happy Heart Day
 filled with lots of Hugs and Kisses.
XOXOXO
23. For God's Love & Sacrafice to me
24. For the sweetest husband who makes homemade Valentines cards.
25. The fun loving family dinner when everyone is laughing
26. For chocolate cake...It's not supposed to be in the house,
 but Valentines Day was an excuse to make it...and I got away with it too.
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My Heart Is Full....

Yesterday, the sun was softly glimmering through my windows leaving a lovely glow throughout the house. I love those sort of days. Truly breathtaking. Even when your very ill. You heard me right. We are ill again. It all started in the lungs, with a lovely fever, the perfect sore throat and pounding headache topped off by an angelic cough and flattering runny nose. Fun, fun. I was down for three days this week.Not fun when you were just getting into your mojo. just praying that it's not phnemonia. I need to get myself together...I have an order in for my shop and a tea party to plan this weekend...And it's Friday...Oh no, it's Friday already and the week has slipped away.
   
 I also continue to think of the many gifts and blessings my life has, some are right there in front of me and some are hdden, just waiting to be found. I am not about to let the flu get me down, even then I can think of the many blessings I am ever so thankful to God for. My heart is full of them.
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13. The way the sun shines through my window on a beautiful Winter morning.
14. True love.
15. Each step I take is never taken alone.
16. Soothing a sore throat with tea.
17. Seeing myself in my children.
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Have a blessed Friday.

Love One Another...

    

(Photo by Marilee)
 Love one another just as Christ loves you.

A Little Bit Of This & A Little Bit Of That

Every Wednesday this Summer we go up to the Church where Mr. Darling is interning and spend time at the park playing volley ball and having a nice picnic dinner. Last week there on a picnic table was this sweet flower wreath made by someone...I couldn't resit making it into
a heart shape and snapping a shot. It was so pretty....Don't ya think?

Little Miss Freckles has been doing a little baking on her own...She made this yummy pound cake with homemade whipped cream and strawberries on top...It was delish!!! She did an awesome job...So here is the recipe from Gooseberry Patch.
Grandmother's Pound Cake
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1 C. softened butter
1 2/3 C. Sugar
5 eggs
1/2 t. Vanilla
2 C. All-Purpose Flour
***
Beat butter until creamy.Blend in sugar, eggs & vanilla. Gradually mix in flour; pour into a greased and floured 9X5 loaf pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 1/2 hours. Serves 8~10.
 
I went to the Thrift Shop for a little browse since they were having 50% off...And found 8 more children's books to add to my collection..WOO WOO! They were .25 cents each!!!! Total cost $2.00. Now that's what I'm talkin' about!

Also found these little Cuties...Sweet Cupie Dolls still in it's old original packing...for $2.00!!! It reminded me of when I was Freckles age. I went to visit my Aunt & Uncle for a couple weeks one Summer... My Uncle & I went to the store to get a couple things and he bought me one of these babies. I will never forget!
I am also doing a little sewing. Trying to finish things on the work table...Slow moving...maybe it's the heat. Well, two days and my boy is off to Czech for 3 weeks. Can't believe the time is finally here. What's a Mama to do when he won't be able to call me everyday??? He may only have the chance to e-mail a few times here and there..sniffle sniffle. I see it as a preparation of sorts for when he will leave home and be his own man someday too soon! How do you deal with your babies leaving the nest?
Well...Hope this finds you all well...
 Happy Summer!!! 

Mug Shots....

I love mugs!
Every morning I use a different mug for my tea, coffee or cocoa.
Today I am sharing my mug shots....The ones I use during the week and which are my faves of course!

 
Hearts, Cherries, Polka Dots.......

Funky Floral, Strawberries and a Rooster!
And of course my Cookies Mug pictured in the first photo.
A mug for every day...

Linking to:
It's A Very Cherry World!
Ruby Tuesday
Table Top Tuesday
Tuesday Tea For Two

Love Is In The Air....Everywhere I Look Around....

Call me sentimental...I found this sweetie in an antique shop for .75 cents...Poor dear had a broken wing. I didn't care though, for she was still beautiful to me. Her wing may be broken but her heart is still in tact.

We are preparing for some fun Valentine festivities. Freckles will be having her literary tea party this Saturday. She got all her Valentines cards filled out for her friends. We didn't home make the cards this year. It just crept up on us like a cat in the night. We will be making heart shaped brownies and sugar cookies for the tea.... It will be divine. Not sure if my hubby has anything planned...We'll see. ....

No matter...Valentines is everyday...That is the delightful thing about LOVE... I can whisper sweet nothings to his ear any day of the week...I kiss him every time I pass him...well, almost...I leave love notes in his lunch...That's the truth... I left him one yesterday with XOXO's from little ole me and told him to have a fantastic day. Just little things of affection like these fills the air with LOVE all around. I can't tell you how many times we say I love you during the day. No matter what day it is, he is my Valentine.

XOXOXO

Have a LOVELY day!!!