Icing Cookies

These were a gift! Yum!

Pictures of them are everywhere in blog world, Pinterest, etc.  Those little animal cookies with hard icing that doesn't come off.  They are my favorite.  The older the recipe the better.
We used to have a little bakery here in the town where I live that made them every day, not just for special holidays.  You know, the kind of bakery in a very small town, where the little older lady gets up at the crack of dawn and goes downtown to her little old store and cooks all morning until you can smell it outside.  When she finally opens the doors, you go inside.  The bell hanging on the door jingles so she hears you so she can come up front from the tasks she still working on in the back.   As you gaze into those glass front wooden cases, it's hard to decide 'today' which kind of bread you'll buy and which decorated cookie you'll get and start eating before you get out the door.  This use to be my breakfast of choice way, over the fried fruit pies or cinnamon rolls she had.  Well, ok, some days those cinnamon rolls won over.  On those days I'd say, "I'd like one of those without nuts please, and from the middle."  (I like soft inside edges not crispy outside.  Everyone in my family knows that.  Here's the good thing about that.  My family all love the edges).  So on those days I'd also say "would you heat it up please."  Whatever I chose, I ate it in the car on the way to work.  Just thinking about them I can almost taste them.
That little bakery, with the little older lady baker, Ms Cowey, has been closed for years.  If she were open today, I'd pick 2 of every kind of cookie, rabbit, egg, duck and chick.  One of each for me and one of each for Baby Gray.   I'd probably let him eat two.  I'd probably eat them all.
Mark 16

New International Version (NIV)

Jesus Has Risen

16 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. ² Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb ³ and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”

⁴ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. ⁵ As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
⁶ “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷ But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”

Encourage One Another, continuing the journey on fresh paths.

Peep!

Happy Easter, blessings and love to you, xoxo.

Is It Live or Is It Memorex

Baby Gray's got a sound machine.  He's been listening to it since he was born as he goes to sleep and through the night.  It contains sounds that are recorded (probably not on Memorex which is an old cassette tape maker) on a CD.  It's got sounds of a heart beat, lulaby's, waterfall and rain.  He usually listens to the rain...it's the most consistent.
I've got a sound machine too.  Mine was actually a part of a scented candle set.  I never really used it with the candle because I have it on my nightstand.  It has sounds too.  Birds, waves, birds on the shore, and a running stream.  Sometimes at night I will turn it on to fall asleep or go back to sleep.  I usually listen to the running stream.  It's soothing and smooth.  It's better than counting sheep!
There are no roaring wind sounds on either of our sound machines.  SOOOO I'm pretty sure that the roaring north wind I hear is coming from outside.  It's whipping the trees and ringing every chime around.  Once again it feels like I'm in the throws of west Texas. Thanksfully, however, there is no dust.  Yesterday I saw on FB where the National Weather Service said "Warning.  Within next 15 minute,s 60 mile an hour winds will hit Midland.  With it will be blowing dust that will minimize vision.  Take cover".
I thank God I'm in south central Texas.  I'm glad the sound machines do not have blowing wind.  And I'll take blustery winds in my little house sans the dust anytime over "taking cover".

Matthew 14:31-33

New International Version (NIV)

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said,“why did you doubt?”
³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Encourage One Another, continuing the journey on fresh paths.

Blessings and love to you, xoxo.

Everybody's Blogging It

First day of spring here at the little house had a bite of "brrrrr" to the wind.  I postponed my walk to let the sun rise a little higher in the sky.
Instead of a rooster, a Mockingbird has been waking us up...literally.  He even likes to sing right outside the window on the front porch.

Ikey and I have begun "porching" again.

Welcome Spring, even though cooler days are what I really enjoy.  God if you chose, give us some nice 70 degree days, some breezy not WINDY days, some perfect days for riding, picnics and walks and rain.
Thanks for the flowers we are already seeing and

sightings of migrating birds.

The pecans and the mesquites are blooming.

Spring is here, March 20th, 2013.

Acts 14:17

Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.”

Encourage One Another, continuing the journey on fresh paths.

Blessings and love to you, xoxo.

New Country With a Touch of Classic

I think I have found my style, my current style that is.  Truth is, a little of my style has changed...or how I chose to present it anyway.  See if you think, based on what you've seen so far of my house and my lifestyle, if this describes "my style".

"She understands the value of slowing down, enjoying the sunsets, bringing the outside in, feeling a real sense of relaxation in her space.  She is laid back but her style is still intentional and beautiful in it's rustic elegance.  She has a very natural ease, but her home is not her grandmother's old-fashioned country home.  She enjoys giving things a second chance.  Things are simple, peaceful and inviting.
Her warm, nature inspired hues blend with brighter contemporary elements for an updated look.  She brings what might be normally outside, inside.  She knows there's a place for everything and everything in it's place.   She brings in graceful elegance.  She uses undisturbed calm and irrefutable beauty.  She enjoys cool ivories and warm woods.  She surrounds herself with things she loves. She is home."

Here's the thing.  I believe I can make my house into a home no matter where I am.  I believe now, after several moves and leaving behind so much, so many things I loved, that it's not what you have, it's what you make of it.  It's not what you have or if you have anything at all, it's what's in your heart. My heart is full.  My life is full.  God is good.

If there's one thing still missing, it's my horse in my back yard.  It's looking out my window and seeing him there grazing, or resting with one foot as he takes a nap, or him hanging his head over the fence waiting for me to come feed him.  That's picture perfect.  I haven't given up on that.  It's not impossible.  It's still my dream.  And I am still dreaming.

Joel 2:28

[ The Day of the Lord ] “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.

Encourage One Another, continuing the journey on fresh paths.

Blessings and love to you, xoxo.

Mustard Moon

Oh mustard moon, so old and bright,                                            watch over me this starry night... 

Tell me a story quaint and old 

to lull my spirit and soothe my soul.  

I found this poem in my design journal this morning.  Something I loved and wrote down to remember.  Sweet.

A couple of weeks ago I took these photos of the moon.

And these...

These too...

And another time, these...

 When I was a little girl, I used to sing this song...

"Oh Mr. Moon, moon, bright and shiny moon, won't you please shine down on me.  Oh Mr. Moon, moon, bright and shiny moon, hiding behind that tree.  All us girls are telling you, that Camp Val Verde is the place for you, so Mr. Moon, moon, bright and shiny moon won't you please shine down on, be careful what you shine on, please shine down on me?"

May the light of the moon lull your spirit and soothe your  soul as the newness of spring approaches us. 

Those that be planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of our God.
Ps 92:13

Encourage One Another, continuing the journey on fresh paths.

Blessings and love to you, xo

The Rest of the Story

I was finally successful on Craigslist this week in purchasing a creamy white iron day bed with a trundle.  It's pretty much just what I had been looking for.  I'm sure there are prettier ones, newer ones, older ones, better made ones, etc, however, this one works great and was not a huge divot in my budget.

Here's the room after I moved things around getting ready for the bed I bought.

A little more prep to cover things so BG wouldn't be tempted.

Here it is, made up with a quilt that was made by my grandmother although it may or may not stay.  I piled some pillows on I already had.  I have no idea about "decor" in this room.  I have not even thought about it.  I just wanted to get the studio part finished and everything put up so I could work in here and a place for Baby Gray (my grandson) and or a friend or family to sleep.
Mission accomplished.

Baby Gray still sleeps in a crib at his house and in a pack and play anywhere else.  He has not actually ever slept in a "bed".   It'll be his "big boy" bed.  I've given lots of thought about how to do it, how to get him to stay in the bed once we try it.  He's awake a long time in that pack and play before he ever, if ever, doses off, especially at nap time.  God will have to be in charge of that.

The room, while not finished, and probably will get some major tweaking, is at least what I would call complete.

So diligence and perseverance pays off finally.  From those photos I posted last week,

to now, is a huge change and a huge relief.  Praise God!

Next project is the living area and the chairs to reupholster.  That feels small compared to this.

James 5:11

As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. 

Encourage one another, continuing the journey on fresh paths.

Blessings and love to you, xoxo.

NOW!!!   Here's the REST OF THE STORY!!