HAPPY 4TH of JULY

May everyone have a safe and happy 4Th of July weekend!!! I'll be working in my flower beds. Later in the evening I will rest and watch all the beautiful fireworks from my porch. Until next time, Brook

" BEING HAPPY "

Being happy

doesn't mean

that everything is perfect:

it means

that you've decided to look beyond

the imperfections.

___ author unknown




I think this quote is worth sharing. Counting my blessings, Brook

A LOOK IN THE MIRROR

Mirrors mirrors mirrors! I have mirrors. Some of my mirrors are old antique finds gathered over time. I like to decorate with mirrors. Framed mirrors are great to unite multiple colors in my home. Mirrors reflect light beautifully and create a feeling of spaciousness.

And, of course, when we look in a mirror we see our self. We may see our self in a mirror with good health and a happy face, or with a tired look if someone with a contentious spirit has tried to provoke us. I feel and look sad when a contentious individual has tried to pick a fight with me or persecute me.

I need mirrors for light in my home. More importantly though, I need God's word for light in my heart. It takes strength, courage, and divine wisdom, to quietly walk away from an individual with a contentious spirit.


PROVERBS 13:10

Only with pride cometh contention:
but with the well advised is wisdom.

HAVE A SUNNY DAY

Dear reader,

Our old house needs a lot of work. I have been working very hard on it and enjoying rest and relaxation every evening. The picture above is an old organ top that I purchased years ago. I've been shopping for a few small things to adorn the shelves. Below I posted some pictures that I took while antique shopping in Fort Worth Texas.

I purchased these precious iced tea glass towels and just love them!

Several of these gorgeous pillows came home with me for my pillow collection.

This beautiful old mirror is to live for and I love the canopy above it too.


What a beautiful crown created by this wonderful artist!




Have a sunny day! Blessings, Brook

A SUMMER TO-ENJOY LIST

Dear reader,

I love easy summer living and wearing cool sandals like the ones I purchased above. The warm temperature is calling me to shop for new clothes, buy new glasses, enjoy pizza and coke, be with family, travel down country roads and to enjoy simple pleasures. I've made a summer to-enjoy list. I plan to enjoy every moment at the beach, lake, and at home during the sunshiny days of summer ahead.

All of my creative projects are on hold until after July 4Th. With that said I'm on my way to enjoy lunch with one of my very best friends. *Suggestions for good summer movies would be appreciated. Happy summer! Brook

My girls love these sunglasses.



* The summer sun

* Sweet summer days

* Snow cones

* Long walks

* Beauty everywhere

* Picnics

* Warm summer nights

* Family gatherings

* Blissful summer breezes

* Reading outdoors

* Front porch swinging

* Summer movies

* A bit of relaxation

* The company of loved ones

* Porch pleasures

* Homemade ice cream

* Flowers in bloom

* Sippin' sweet tea

* Shopping for clothes

* Fresh fruit

* Country Roads

* Rodeos

* Barbecue

* Celebrations

" You must LIVE IN THE PRESENT,
launch yourself on every wave, find your eternity
in each moment.
___Henry David Thoreau

OLD-FASHIONED BANANA PUDDING PIE

Dear reader,

Recapture that wonderful old flavor of a past era with this delicious vintage recipe. Generations of families have been served this delightful treat. It's very old-fashioned and so good.

There's just something extra special about using beautiful old heirloom china for special treats. The piece of china in the picture is from a set called June Bride. Enjoy! Blessings, Brook

Old-Fashioned Banana Pudding Pie

Bananas
Vanilla wafers or crumbled graham crackers
2 egg yolks
1 cup sugar
2 cups sweet milk
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place one layer of vanilla wafers or crumbled graham crackers and one layer of of sliced bananas in a baking dish.
Make a custard of 2 egg yolks, 1 cup sugar, 2 cups sweet milk, 2 tablespoons cornstarch. Cook custard until thick, stirring constantly and remove from heat. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Pour mixture over bananas and cookies.
Bake about 10 minutes and remove from oven. Let cool and refrigerate. Serve with whipped topping after pie has chilled.

HANDY MOSAIC LADDER

Dear Reader,

It's such a pleasure for me to create. This old vintage step ladder is my latest makeover. The top only is adorned with pretty antique china so that it remains functional and yet it looks cheerful with feminine details. I am letting it dry all night in my studio and tomorrow I will clean, seal, and polish the china.



A small step ladder is sure handy to hang pretty vintage plates and art in your home.



I added rhinestones to my shabby pink and white hammer. The guys who work around here at times never want to borrow it! I've had it for approximately 8 years now. A gal needs a few tools available to repair, smash, and create things. Right?!

I hope you all have a wonderful and fun filled weekend! Until next time, Brook

HELLO SUNSHINE!

" However long the night,
the dawn will break."
___African Proverb

KEY LIME TARTS

Dear reader,

Wishing everyone a lovely day as we look forward to summertime fun. I'm going to make some memories with the recipe that Phyllis Norton Hoffman shared for Key lime pie tarts. Garnish the tiny treats with lime zest.

For now, I'm on my way to hug my precious new baby cowboy in his little western outfit at the lake. Enjoy!
Brook

KEY LIME TARTS

3 egg yolks
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup Key lime juice ( 6 small fresh key limes)
1 teaspoon freshly grated lime zest
6 ( 3-inch) graham cracker tart shells

* Preheat oven to 350 degrees
* In medium bowl, beat egg yolks until creamy. Stir in sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, and lime zest.
Pour into graham cracker tart shells.
* Bake 15 minutes. Cool on wire rack.
Store covered in refrigerator.

Who can find a virtuous woman?
for her price is far above rubies.
Proverbs 31:10

"MOTHER - LOVE"

Dear reader,

I'm experiencing my first Mother's Day without my mother. This is a picture of a vintage print that she purchased and gave me because she said it made her think of me. The poem below is from an antique book of poetry with beautiful paintings. It's another heart gift from my mother to treasure. Reading the poem makes me cry and it may make you cry, but thoughts or memories of our mother shouldn't ever be overlooked. Blessings, Brook

Mother Love

There's only one in all the world
Whose " Mother-love" we claim,
And though we've often grieved her heart
That love remains the same.

A mother's love- oh, who would dare
To measure what 'tis worth
To each of us to know the love
Of her who gave us birth.

A love which follows all the way
Our footsteps here or yon;
A love, although rebuffed sometimes,
Persists in loving on.

A sacrificial love which bears
The heartaches and the pain,
Depriving self for those it loves,
Yet never doth complain.

How oft we fail to comprehend
Our mother's love until
That place is vacant here below
Which no one else can fill.

For God hath placed in Mother's heart
A jewel from above
For which there is no substitute,
And called it " mother-love".

__ Author unknown