Freedom Isn't Free!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

• Proudly fly "Old Glory"!
• Play with your kids
• Visit with your friends and family
• Have a BBQ

Continue to observe those family traditions that welcome the summer season. Whether it is a ball game, a picnic or even a visit to the cemetary, make it a time of drawing loved ones close.

But in the midst of it all, please remember why we celebrate this Holiday!

Remember the sacrifices made by brave military personnel in conflicts past & present! Because some made the ultimate sacrifice, we can enjoy a 3-day weekend, jam-packed with fun! Though far from perfect she may be, the USA is still the best place on earth!

This weekend, I am remembering my dad, who during WWII, was in the Pacific; friends who went to Viet Nam, and those who didn't come home; my brother who served active duty & reserves in "peace time"; the husbands, fathers & children who are now in the middle east or deployed all over the globe. I am thanking each one of them for the freedom I enjoy today!

For me, this video says it all... (It contains music, so you will need to turn off my playlist music)

Chris

©

If I Were a Teapot...

♪♪

“I’m a little teapot,
Short and…don’t go there!♪

If you’ve been visiting this blog for a while, you’ll know I collect teapots. I love all the shapes, sizes and styles. I use several of them frequently; for I am a tea snob…brewed in a pot is the only way to drink tea, in my opinion!

Each has a special place in my heart. Some were won in the heat of an eBay auction, others are reminders of special trips and a special few were gifts. As I was looking them over in preparation to do another post about individuals in my collection, I started to think about which one most represented ME.

I know many of you out there in Blogdom admire teapots, even if you don’t actually collect them. I thought it might be fun to play “If I Were a Teapot!”

Here's how to play:

By May 31st, send me a digital image of the teapot that most represents YOU, and a short couple of sentences as to why you think so! Send to teapot.game@yahoo.com. On Friday, June 6th, I’ll post them all here. We’ll get to know a little more about each other, and enjoy seeing some new teapots!

You can use any picture you like. It can be teapot from your own or a family/friend’s collection, one you have found and photographed in a shop or even from a catalog. Here’s your chance to create an interesting vignette. You might even sketch or paint a picture of your teapot, if you can’t find "the perfect pot"! (If it’s from a catalog or website, please let me know the information so that I can give proper credit.)

Here’s an example I composed hurriedly this morning:

This is my Frankoma "Wagon Wheel" teapot.

It represents me, because I am a Country Girl at heart!

I hope you’ll all join in! Spread the word, please? The more, the merrier!

Enjoy!

Chris
©

Stained Glass

I LOVE stained glass!

In our last house, I had a very large transom window in the Master Bedroom. It was beautiful for lying in bed, watching the moon & stars at night. But it was a killer in the morning! Since it faced east, the full sun would fall right in the middle of the bed, just in time to interrupt a “sleep in” morning.

I wish I had owned a digital camera then! (I may have a paper photo of it somewhere…) I found the basic pattern in a book, changed the design slightly and it was gorgeous! It served its purpose well and adorned the room for 7 years! I hated to leave it when we moved, but it didn’t fit anywhere in my current home. I hope the new owners love it as much as we did!

So started my "affair" with stained glass…

One of my first projects in this house was to have a stained glass window made for our front door sidelight. I wanted something that would obscure the view into the house slightly, but not block the view out completely.

During our driving trip across country in the fall of ’06, I got to visit Williamsburg, VA for the first time. I fell in love with the pineapple motif there. The result was this window. Just what I wanted!

Next, I have 4 big transom windows (over 4 big regular windows) in my kitchen. As with the one in my former MBR, they are great for light. But…they also face east. And in the Sacramento area, by 9 am, the sun beating in these windows has the kitchen/family room area heating up like crazy!

Do YOU see an opportunity here? Me too! I am having stained glass windows made for them! I have received two so far, the second one just yesterday.

They will tell a kind of story. From left to right, the first is a mountain meadow with a river.

The next is a foothills scene, reminding me of the area where we live.

The third and fourth will be valley & coast scenes. Below, you can see the progress.

I was going to wait until all are done to show them off, but I can’t do it! I am so happy with them, I have to share…Enjoy! ©

Chris

Happy Mother's Day!

This is the last photo I have of my Mom, Mary. It was taken on Christmas Day. Although she was very ill, the "Party Girl" was still shining through! I think she looks beautiful in her crown, don't you?

I Love you Mom! I miss you every day!

My Mom...

• Loved her husband passionately for more than half a century!
• Raised 5 children who are all pretty terrific!
• Knew her grandchildren were better than anyone else's!
• Made friends who she cherished for decades!
• Was never afraid to try something new!
• Was an accomplished gardener!
• Was a wonderful and inventive cook!
• Loved to camp...first in a tent finally in her dream 5th wheel!
• She could cut a rug!
• Subscribed fiercely to the "blood is thicker than water" theory!
• Always rooted for the underdog!
• Loved Martinis, Roast Beef & Yorkshire Pud!

Best of all she loved me, and I always knew it! What more could a kid ask for?

I am thankful for all you wonderful moms who weave the fabric of our society & care for it daily!

Chris

P.S. The first song on my playlist is the Anniversary Waltz. It was Mom's favorite!

A "Mommie Tribute"!

Thanks to Mary at "Across the Pond", I have discovered a wonderful new blogger, Theresa at "Take a Sentimental Journey"! Make it a point to visit & meet this sweet new blogging friend. You'll enjoy yourself...I promise!

Theresa is hosting a Mommie Tribute in honor of Mother's Day! It is such a lovely idea! Follow the link above to her blog and see the details. I know you'll want to participate!

I lost my own wonderful mom 3 years ago, and I miss her every day! Her photo is on its way to Theresa. I can't wait to see it there...mom would have gotten such a kick out of seeing her face in cyberspace!

Cheers! Chris

P.S. Don't forget to check out the Giveaway on my Today's Organized Kitchen blog!

A Birthday Giveaway!

Hi Everyone! I just wanted to give y'all a "heads up"...

In honor of Tupperware's 60th Birthday, I am conducting a Giveaway on my Today's Organized Kitchen blog. Surf on over and leave a comment on the April 30th post, and you'll be entered to win!

Thanks & Good Luck!
Chris