Old photo tea lamp tutorial and a wee blessing...

Hello there my dears... 

Can you believe it is the middle of the week already? 

February is passing by much quicker than January did, I think... 

What a beautiful sunny day we had.. The days are getting longer and pretty soon old man Winter's back will be broken as my Gram used to say.. I don't believe he had much of a back bone this year, eh? 

Oh well... 

I have a little how to for you all tonight..

As some of you know we redid our BATHROOM..

Just click on the word bathroom there and you can see our frugal redo.. 

Well, I had made a wreath for the bathroom  that I had seen on Pinterest with some old photos that I had collected..

Then the other day I saw a tea light but done with old papers and I decided to do one with old pics to match our bathroom... 

Here it is..

It is different from the one that I saw 

on the web...

Anyway.. here we go.. 

You need some old pics or copies of some.. 

You could use ones of your family or whatever..

When I had my craft business I had bought boxes of pics from our dear friend, Julia.. 

I can hardly believe that I am still using them..

All I used for this lamp was a cheese whiz bottle that I had saved.. 

You could use a mason jar but I did not want to waste one.. smile..

Using a pair of scalloped scissors for scrap booking cut some of the edges if you like..

You don't have to do that, though..

Make sure that you have enough to overlap all the way around the bottle..

Pick out two pics and cut out a heart or circle and make sure you place them on opposite sides of the bottle..

I then glued the hearts on that I had cut out, too..

Using modge podge or white glue cover the backs and hold on for a minute.. 

Using your finger rub the picture on good and then over lap another one.. 

Begin with a solid pic and then go to one of the cutouts and work your way around to the opposite side and place your next cutout pic.. 

Do you get it?  smile..

There are only 2 cutout pictures..

So that the light can shine through..

Keep going until finished and use a wet cloth the whole time to wipe away excess glue.. 

Let dry but make sure you have it cleaned up well.. OK?

I did not modge podge the outside and there was plenty there when I was trying to anchor the photos.. 

You could give it a nice coat of modge with a sponge brush, though..

Inside you can use old buttons or whatever for a nest for your tea light..

I am quite sure my dear husband will want me to use a battery operated light.. 

Did I tell you I have been restricted as far as REAL candles go?  grin..

Be sure and tie a lovely old piece of lace around the top.. or jute or ribbon.. 

Lace and old photos how great is that?  smile.

Do you know what was written on the back of this old pic??

Sept. 12, 1953 I think it was 53.. 

Korea.. 

I wonder who those lads were?

And now before you all go and try to make your own lamp please come into my sun room with me..

Just for a second.. 

I took these pics earlier today..

Beautiful out there, eh!

I know that I had showed you a pic of the buds but look... 

The lavender has bloomed!!

Spanish Lavender in Eastern Canada in February!!

Inside the house of course but still.... smile..

It smells so wonderful, too.. 

Oh, the dear sweet little blessings that the Lord gives us daily.. 

Little heart pricks that says.. 

I love you, girl...

Right??

So, thanks again for the sweet visit..

Welcome to the new girls who joined the blog.. 

I LOVE your comments.. 

They make me smile or even laugh out loud.. 

I am so glad I posted last night after all.. 

Your comments made it so worth it.. 

Love to you all.. 

A posting for the faithful...

Good Evening to you... 

I thought that I would not post tonight.. I did not think you would be very interested in my day . 

It was not a creative day really but I did get a few things accomplished that I have been wanting to do.. 

But I remembered you faithful readers who will read this even if it is boring and so here I am.. smile..

As you all know... I love books and they kinda cling to me.. grin..

I have been wanting to give our bedroom a good clean .. 

Clearing out the closet and bookshelves are both on my list along with all the drawers in Terry's dresser and mine.. 

I can't seem to finish it all.. sigh.. 

I have either been running the roads or sick or whatever.. 

Today, though I did get quite a bit of it finished.. 

Not quite all but I am getting there.. smile.. 

I have several bags of books and such to give away..

Thank the Lord..

Then there was quite a bit of laundry ... 

One would think when there are only two people that there would not be much but there still is... 

Then... 

We had an old comforter on our bed that we both love.. 

Don't ask me why but it is just so comfy.. 

And torn here and there...but just on one side.. grin..

So...

 I took a cozy flannel sheet and attached it to the torn side.. 

Sewed all the edges and presto!! 

We can use it for a few more years..

I did not take pics because you all would think I was crazy.... grin.

Every time that I took a break I was on a mission..

Going through the Bible, books and notebooks.. 

Trying to get ready for Keepers meeting on Saturday..

Last week I really was ill and I was not happy with all that I had ready... 

Just praying that the Lord will give me something that will encourage and inspire the dear girls who attend.. 

Then I made another soup.. 

Out of the leftover chicken, of course..

I could eat soup every day... eh, Janet?  grin.. 

Anyway... I wondered if you ever do this with your leftover herbs..

Use them all except the stems... Tie them up with some string and throw them into your broth that you are making.. 

They give such a wonderful flavor.. 

Just a tip for you soup junkies.. grin..

And then I need to confess... smile.. 

I have been wanting a lovely cup of tea and a sweet.. 

We hardly have any because my sweet husband is diabetic.. 

But while the cat is away this mouse is making ... 

Raisin Bars... 

I know I should not have them but a treat once in awhile... 

I really am a healthy eater.. 

Ask our daughter.. She is a nurse..

She says I am the healthiest eating big person she ever met.. 

It must be the pasta.. 

Anyway... loveys.... here is the recipe.. 

just in case you have one of those kind of days... grin..

RAISIN BARS.. 

1 1/3cups raisins.

3/4 cup white sugar 

2 tablespoons flour

1 cup boiling water

1 tsp. vanilla

1/4 tsp. salt

Place in a small pot and boil for 5 minutes..

Mix in a bowl.. 

2 cups flour 

1 cup sugar or splenda

1 tsp. b. powder

1 cup margarine

Crumb together and place half of the mixture in a greased 9 inch pan.. 

Spread raisin mixture over the bottom crust and add the rest to the top and pat down.. 

350 degrees F. for 25 minutes.. 

Enjoy... 

Thank you dear ladies for dropping by.. And a big welcome to all of the new followers.. So glad to have you visiting.. 

I love your comments and even though I don't always get back to you, I do read each and every one.. 

Thanks for your support and for making me grin.. 

You are all a bunch of sweeties... grin.. 

I need to get to bed now.. 

I was reading some letters today and realized that they were written in prison...

Imagine...

Paul the Apostle... 

I love his writings.. They are so full of direction and encouragement.. 

Take care.... 

Weekend Tidbits...

Happy Monday my dears.. 

I thought that I would share some weekend tidbits with you all..

I have been home alone for a couple of weeks as Terry has been away working.. I was down with the cold as you know so I did not get out and about.. 

So.. we went for a drive on Saturday as I posted about.. Thank you all for all the lovely comments..I am so glad you enjoyed our little field trip.. smile.. 

On Sunday morning we went to church and then we decided we needed to go to St. Martins and check on our old cottage and the shop... 

It was a beautiful sunny day as you can see by the pics..

The Bay of Fundy was so lovely in the Winter sunshine... 

A nice calm but cold day...

Everything was fine with the old place.. 

We did not stay but headed out to our daughter's house.. 

We had not been there for awhile so it was so nice to visit.. 

We stayed and Dave (our dear son-in-law)  cooked a wonderful supper for us..

 It was lovely to see our grandsons, too.. 

They are growing up so fast.. 

They are looking forward to the Summer when we are living at the cottage and they can come out and help with the shop.. 

 They are quite the salesmen, you know... smile..

Whenever we go I enjoy looking around and seeing Shonda's decor ... 

I admired a lovely snowman on her window sill and guess what was wrapped up and sent home with me.. 

Yes.... 

Here he is ... A gorgeous snowman lamp.. 

He feels right at home on my windowsill now.. grin..

Gorgeous, eh!!

Thank you, dear hearts..I love him.. 

I still have snowmen up and about for another week or so.. Have you girls put your snowmen all away yet?.. 

Oh and I baked a chicken.. 

A Jamie Oliver recipe.. 

It was baked on a bed of carrots, garlic, onion and celery.. 

Drizzled with olive oil and sea salt and pepper and stuffed with a pierced lemon and fresh rosemary... 

Very delicious... Tender and good..

With it I sauteed up some spinach in olive oil and garlic, salt and pepper.. 

Very tasty.. And good for you.. right?  smile.. 

This week I need to start making lists and gathering plans for the shop for the coming Summer.. 

Being down there this weekend kind of reminded me to get at it.. 

I need to get creating... 

More on that later.. smile..

I had a creative urge and dug out some magazines, scissors, glue and a marker..

and a package of Kraft paper book covers... smile..

I wanted a calender for 2012.  

I usually buy one at Chapters after they go on sale for 75 % off.. 

But this year I could not find one that I liked.. 

I love the UK Country Living magazine and would love one of their calenders but they cost way too much for this Canadian.. 

So.... 

I decided to make my own version.. grin..

It sure is not as nice as the one they have... 

But their pics and another free calender taken apart did a nice crafty one.. 

Big enough to write all over the page.. 

Appointments and such.. 

To be honest, it is not quite finished but you get the idea.. 

Right.. 

Well, sweet ladies... thanks for visiting.. 

We had to postpone our Keepers Meeting due to circumstances last Saturday but it is on for this Saturday.. 

Looking forward to it... 

Several new ladies coming so bring your hearts in hand and come along..

If you would like to attend please email me..

keepersofthehome@hotmail.com 

WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU .. 

Take care and I will be looking forward to hearing from you all..

God bless you all..

Country road take me home... .

Good Evening... 

Just sharing some pics that I took today when we went for a little drive  to check up on our old farm.. 

It is a winter's day here in rural Eastern Canada... 

It is not really a cold day and as you can see we do not have a lot of snow... 

Usually. there is much more..

I am not complaining.. smile.. 

Prosser Brook is not even frozen over..

Our old barn looks kind of lonely on this dull winter's day...

The rural roads are snow covered up here in the hills...

An old barn ...

A big old house .. alone and neglected...

An old church which has been empty for many years...

Lumber cut and ready.....

Clearing land for a huge water reservoir for the city.... 

Some of this land used to belong to my family... 

We used to go swimming in this creek ...

Another old barn ...

There are many horse farms here in New Brunswick...

The road was cleared to our friend's camp .. 

The fire was burning but no one was home.. grin..

Some beautiful berries in the snow...

We need to go home now.. 

Hope you enjoyed the little field trip..smile... 

Have a blessed Lord's Day tomorrow, my dears.. 

Love to you all...

Let everything alive give praises to the Lord!

Psalms 150: 4

Using up an old quilt and cheese caraway bread recipe..

Hello everyone.. 

We had a beautiful sunny day .. It was a bit cold but we Canadians expect that.. We have had a strange Winter but the last few days felt a bit more normal.. 

I  feel much better today.. The first one for about 10 days or so..

Thank you, Lord..

Terry has been working away and I had such plans to accomplish so much but that did not happen.. sigh..

I guess he will have to help me..smile..

He is home again tonight for which I am glad.. 

Semi-retired is what he is.. grin.. 

Today, I worked on a couple of  projects..

I was not happy with our mantel after I had taken down the Christmas stuff so today I kind of tweaked it up.. 

Shonda had given me the framed yo-yo embroidery for a gift a while back and I had it in the living room.. I brought it out here as I think it goes well with the pewter collection..

Kind of prim, too.. 

I would dearly love to paint those pine boards but you know men and their wood.. smile.. 

I will keep working on him, though..

Sammi..(our dog) is allowed to be up on our love seat if I am sitting there so I always have to have some kind of a cover on it so that he won't ruin it with his nails.. 

Yesterday, I was tidying up in the spare room and came across an old machine made quilt that I had picked up at the thrift store for five dollars.. 

I thought perhaps I could make some pillows or something with it.. 

To make a long story short (grin)  I ended up with some throws for the couch and love seat and a couple of  cushions.. 

The scalloped edge works great on the back of the couch as Sammi sneaks up there when we are away.. 

I see his nose prints on the window... smile.. 

The brat....

I cut the quilt's long edges for the backs of the couches and the centre made pillows and another throw for the cushions on the love seat..

Just a couple of little cushions to throw here and there.. 

Nothing fancy but serves their purpose for a while.. 

And frugal... right?  

I also found a new no knead bread recipe in Gram's old recipe box and made a loaf today.. 

CHEESE CARAWAY BREAD..

Here is the recipe... 

It is a lovely bread and so easy to make.. 

2 tsp. instant yeast

1 1/4 cups warm water

2 T. sugar

2 T. shortening

2 tsp. salt

1 cup of shredded Parmesan or cheddar cheese

1 tsp. caraway seeds

2 2/3 cups flour

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water..

Add cheese, shortening, sugar, salt, caraway seeds and 2 cups of flour.. Blend 30 seconds on low speed.. Stir in remaining flour and mix well by hand until smooth.. 

Cover and let rise in warm place for an hour or so.. 

Stir down batter and with a bit of olive oil place in a greased 

bread pan.. Let rise until doubled..

Heat oven to 375 degrees F. and bake for 35 - 40 minutes.. 

Brush top with oil or butter.. 

I think that dill seed could be substituted for the caraway seed.. 

I served it to Terry with potato scallop, pork chops and peas..

 I was thinking it would make lovely sandwiches or just served with butter, cheese and pickles.. hm mm...

Anyway here is another no knead bread which is so easy to make for your family... 

I always use unbleached flour.. 

Well, have a good evening my dears.. 

Thanks for dropping by.. eh!

I love hearing from you all.. 

May God bless and keep you all ... 

Storm Day ....

Hello my dears.. 

A very snowy day here  ... 

Just sharing a few snow day pics with you..

What does a girl do when she is down with the cold and hubby is gone and it is snowing and blowing outside??..

1.. Wear pjs all day... smile.. 

2.  Make chicken, barley and wild rice soup... 

3.  Bake some pita crackers to go with it..

(Just toast up a pita... drizzle a bit of olive oil and sprinkle a bit of kosher salt.. break up and use like crackers..)

4.  Drink coffee...

5.  Burn some incense..

6..Write up a few cards...

7..Drink orange juice and take some echinacea ..

8.. Thank the Lord for the dear neighbor who came and used their snow blower to clear out the driveway.. 

9.. Talk on the phone to a couple of dear friends and a son who was worried about his Mom.. smile..

10.  Thank God for all the lovely blessings of the day..

Thanks for dropping by dear ladies.. 

Looking forward to hearing from you.. I love your comments.. They really make writing this blog a joy...

May the Lord bless and keep you all... 

Hugs..

After I finished this post I read a post of a friend of mine.. 

I just had to link up to her so you girls who are not Canadians would understand how it is here on a SNOW DAY.. 

CLICK HERE ....

ENJOY...