Day of Caring

This past Saturday our church hosted a day to recognize and honor the women who are caretakers to disabled family members. There were 60 women from all over the surrounding communities who attended. Refreshments were served during registration, services in the morning, followed by a luncheon. Then the pampering began. The church was turned into a spa.



In between spa sessions, the tea room was open. I have been collecting tea cups and everything to go with a tea. I was delighted when asked to supply items toward this day. It was a lot of work, but I had so much fun. About half of those tea cups are mine. I brought in tea pots, too, which were used for decoration.



I supplied scones and cucumber sandwiches. Many other delicacies were donated by church members and commercial bakeries.

Spa services which were being offered included makeup application, full and chair massage, and manicures.

Hair was cut and styled. Foot soaks, hot paraffin treatment for the hands. Outside volunteers were detailing cars.

I hosted a table during lunch. These women were so deserving of this special day. One young mom at my table has a child with autism. Another woman cared for her elderly husband and another had many foster children with special needs. I was the one who received the blessing of serving.

I will link to Mosaic Monday over at Little Red House. Click on the link to see other mosaics.

I will also have Bedscapes and Beyond meme up tomorrow night for the party on Tuesday.

Bedscapes and Beyond #3

I attended a Women's Retreat earlier this month. It took place in a rustic lodge. I though this log look furniture was perfect for a woodsy lodge. I had the bottom bunk. The rooms were all configured with a queen bed and the bunk beds. Every room had it's own bath. The lodge was just built and opened in January.




To share your bedscapes:
First post your photos.
Then click on the title of that specific post, not the title of your blog.
Click on the http: address at the top. This is your permalink to the bedscape post.
Then go to the link at the bottom and enter your name and link.

Don't forget to comment and visit all the other posts. Enjoy and get inspired.

February Cloche Party

Marty is hosting a cloche party at her blog A Stroll Thru Life. Click on the link to get tons of inspiration.

I only have two new cloches I acquired since the last party. The top is a bell jar. The bottom photo is a bee skep I just found at Salvation Army for $1.99. I have been eyeing these at Hearth & Plow, but didn't want to spend that much. I can't wait to put in my flower bed.

Bedscapes and Beyond #2

My guest room has very pale blue walls. Bedding is chocolate brown and aqua blue.

Sorry I'm late posting. I really do have company tonight. My step sister is staying over in the guest room. She lives out of town and yet another snow storm is here. I gave her a warm throw, turned back the covers for her....

... and put out a pair of slippers.


My bedding came from K-Mart. The oil painting over the bed was my mothers. The colors match perfectly. Lamps from Marshalls at $28 each, including the shades. Decorative pillows from TJ Maxx.

The end table was purchased at a flea market for $15. It was an ugly green with wooden knobs. I painted it a dark brown and put nickle handles on it.

The end table on the other side was a Target item donated to the thrift store. The bottom is a file cabinet.

Drapes from K-Mart on nickel rods.

I love the trim on the pillows.

The large mirror was my aunts. I know the gold finish is out of style now, but it is very old and I didn't want to change it out. DH gave me the vase with the faux pussy willow for my birthday. He did good.

An antique olive wood offering plate holds potpourri.

I purchased this at TJ Maxx. I don't know why my walls look beige in this photo.

This frame was being thrown out at work. I knew I could use it. I purchased a roll of wallpaper at a thrift store. I used some of the wallpaper to cover cardboard magazine holders. I though the brown went well in the room so I framed a section of wallpaper.

Please share your bedscapes, too. Once you post your own bedscape, click on the title of your post, not the title of your main blog to link up.

Back Tab Drapes Tutorial

I'm linking up to Smiling Sally's Blue Monday, and to Susan's Metamorphosis Monday. Thank you ladies for hosting. Click on the link to see other posts.

I have another pair of drapes which have tab on the back. I found these blue drapes at the Thrift Shop. Since I have the sheers on the same pole, I didn't want to use rings in the blue drapes. I have another pair of drapes which have a tab on the back, as opposed to the top. I though that would work for these. This is how I created tabs on the back.

I already had this wide ribbon and I purchased a tube of E-6000 glue.

I cut six pieces of ribbon just a little longer than the top of the drapes.

I glued them on the back over where the pleats were. Leave some space for the pole to go through.

Just slide them on a drapery rod. Voila! No need to buy rings.

Valentines Day Table

I'm linking to two parties. Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie is hosting a Valentine Party. Susan is hosting Tablescape Thursday. Click on the links to take you to see other posts.

I layered my table with a red tablecloth and a white crocheted table cloth. White chargers, white dinner plates, red napkins and white salad plates were used at the place settings, as well as my everyday Oneida flatware and glass water goblets. I also used white candlesticks, with red tapers.

The little Pier 1 love bird salt and pepper shakers look perfect on the table.

I made this heart at the ladies retreat this past weekend.

For my wedding, the theme was calla lilies. A friend gave me this little heart-shaped ceramic box with calla lilies along with her wedding gift to me. It always reminds me of my wedding day.

At Christmas I called this an angel. For Valentines Day, I'll call it a cherub, holding a little heart name tag.

I hope to replace this candle with some flowers on the 14th.

UPDATE: Feb 14th. I got my flowers from DH.

Sugar cookies for dessert. DH rolled them out and baked them. I decorated them. I picked up this server at the thrift shop.

This is a sparkly heart wreath on my front door. I purchased it at CVS.

I also purchased those little conversation hearts, and had them in a little apothecary jar. However, they all disappeared. I guess I need to buy that candy at the last minute. I couldn't even run out to the store and get more since we are snowed in today. Have a happy Valentines Day.

Winter Wonderland at Womens Retreat

I'm linking to Susan's Outdoor Wednesday party. Go on over to her blog, A Southern Daydreamer to check out other outdoor photos. I bet we'll see a lot of winter scenes today.

I have been away a lot these last couple of weeks. One of the events I attended this past weekend was a women's retreat sponsored by our church. On Friday we left at the beginning of a snow storm. By that evening and the next day, we were snowed in at our lovely lodge. We had a wonderful weekend of fun, food and fellowship. These are some photos outside of the lodge.

This is the caretaker's house, taken from the lodge.

The caretaker's dog, Sofie, liked to romp in the snow.