We've lost one of the Great Ones

While on our trip to Arkansas, I learned the news that Paul Newman had passed away. How sad that made my heart ... there will never be another like him.

He was such a fine actor - and more than that, he was a man devoted to his wife and family - and treated others with respect and caring.

He not only gave many millions to charities through his food lines, but he took care of countless sick children in his Hole in the Wall Camps.

He is part of a dying breed and none of the actors of today can hold a candle to him - on or off the screen! He had so many memorable roles and if you polled 50 people, I'm sure you would get 50 different responses to the question "name you top 3 favorite Paul Newman movies".

I loved Butch Cassidy - but I also loved the Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean ... and then, there was the Verdict! Who could forget Hud or Cat on a Hot Tin Roof ... or Cool Hand Luke!

No matter what your favorites, we have lost a legend.

My heart will be sad for a long time. He was 83 when he lost his fight with cancer, and though we had him for more than 50 years on screen, it still seems too soon.

Bikes Blues and BBQ

Just spent a very long weekend in Arkansas - touring the countryside and sampling a bit of the motorcycle rally.

What a fun and relaxing time we had too, heading out last Wednesday morning and coming home Sunday afternoon. The newspapers said that close to 400,000 folk came out for the event - and they could be right, but we went down to Fayetteville three times and each time, the streets were packed with people and there were bikes everywhere.
One day, we went up to War Eagle Mill - they have a huge craft fair each year and I would love to make it sometime but it will definately have to be a car / truck trip and not a motorcycle unless I plan to mail alot of packages back home! ♥ As I crossed the bridge that goes over a wide stream, I couldn't help but notice all of the spider webs. Since my last run in on my deck a few weeks back, I've become entranced with them. In one section of the bridge, I counted 10 webs all together - in all sizes but each one beautifully intricate.






















Below the bridge, a flock of ducks seemed to love playing in the water - and didn't mind that their pictures were taken either :)


After reviewing my photos, I've come to realize that my camera seems to focus on old farmhouses & barns, churches and graveyards more than anything else. I would love to take some time to walk through an old graveyard sometime and pay my respects, but I hesitate to ask the other 10 or 12 folks riding with us for fear that they'd think I went over the edge. These treasures that we ride past on our ventures in the countryside have always captured my attention and curiousity.

One day trip took us to Jasper, Arkansas and both hubs and myself decided that we could retire to this lovely spot on God's good earth quite easily. This is known as the Grand Canyon of Arkansas and I'm here to tell you, the view is breathtaking! This photo does not do justice to what you behold in person.

Keeping the Path Lit

Sweet ole Silas always watches out for the younguns in the patch and keeps the path lit for the lil seedlings who sometimes manage to lose their way as they head for home!

♥ 2 VERY ENTHUSIASTIC THUMBS UP! ♥

We are leaving town tomorrow morning for an extended weekend trip to Arkansas for the Bikes, Blues and BBQ motorcycle rally, so I really didn't have time to sit down and watch a movie with all of the "to do's" on my list.

But I have to say, I'm so very glad I took the time - because I watched the most wonderful movie and whole-heartedly recommend it for anyone of any age!

It's called Young@Heart and is a documentary about a group of folks from Northampton, MA, who perform songs we all know and love. But these aren't just a group of punk roust-abouts trying to earn a living playing grunge in the garage and I assure you, this documentary is FAR from long and boring!

These tenderhearted folk LOVE and ADORE what they are doing - and what makes them so very endearing is the fact that this group that gathers together 3 times a week without fail to learn new songs by the likes of the Clash, Sonic Youth and the Ramones (and YES, even my JIMI!!) are composed of 22 senior citizens whose average age is 80.

I hold a high reverence for my seasoned friends and family - they have so much wisdom and insight, and I can think of nothing I would love more than to be the road manager for this group of lovely folk who are so full of life and love!

I urge you to take 2 hours out of your busy schedule to indulge in the delights of this cinematic endeavor. It will have you laughing, crying and singing along!!

In Remembrance ♥

I grew up on Hendrix music and was captivated by his talent - he was a true phenomenon and I'm here to tell you, the man could make a guitar SING!

So, it's with great affection that I stand here today and tip my hat & touch my heart to one of the most amazing guitar players that ever lived.

Jimi was born Johnny Allen Hendrix and started his career as a backup in bands like the Isley Brothers, Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson. It's no wonder that he soon struck out on his own - not only could the man play but his voice was like buttah to me!

In 1992, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - and rightly so! Although The Jimi Hendrix Experience only put out three projects - Are You Experienced?, Axis: Bold As Love and Electric Ladyland, their music lives on and on.

Jimi was 27 yrs old when he died of a drug overdose 38 yrs ago. They were different times back then, and we lost many incredible artists to drugs. Sad but true, and it could have been me as easily as it was someone so talented and gifted.

Jimi, your legend will always live on in my heart. You will always be the King of the Guitar players to me!

What a bunch of Bullies!!

My friend Sarah has been put through the wringer ever since she accepted the nomination of Vice President and I think there are alot of folks out there who should hang their head in shame at the way they have been treating her and her family.

This morning when I got up and heard that someone had hacked into her private email account - looking for dirt no doubt, my mind went immediately to the underhanded dealings of Watergate. You know, if I didnt know better, I'd say there are a whole bunch of folks are running scared.

Too bad the worse thing they could come up with was pictures of her family and some chitty chat with girlfriends.

Anyway, I felt like the girl could use a warm embrace and a purdy lil flower. I'm offering the same flower that was given to me by my bud, Janet of Beecharmers Cottage! Hope you like it, Sarah ♥

Oh Tannenbaum...

My sweet Rusty is a naturally born Woodsmen at heart (even though he was born a snow Rabbit) - he is a man's man that loves to swing an axe ! ♥

He will be arriving on the TDIPT Mercantile in a couple of days... along with his tannenbaum, perfectly trimmed primly for Christmas!

Seven Years Ago

I hope I never forget 7 years ago today - an act of complete and utter cowardice that was meant to destroy our country but in fact, did the exact opposite. Instead of falling apart, like the cowards had hoped we would, our country came together and locked arms to stand against this foe. ♥

I remember the wonderful surge was so high with American Patriotism that ran for months afterwards! It was reminiscent of the days when I was growing up, when we held a High Reverence for our God, our land and each other.

Let us never forget that horrible day - and how the words of old rang so true:

UNITED WE STAND!

Wheeeeee Doggies! What a Haul ♥

Our TDIPT sisters love to swap and I'm here to tell you, these sisters can really put on the dog!

We usually have 3 or 4 a year and I have only missed one (I thought I was smart to skip the swap since the theme was "share your junk"). Now, I have about as much junk as anyone - so I referred to that old analogy that one man's junk is another man's treasure ... WRONG! - all I saw in that swap was treasure - No Junk!

Anyway, getting back to the here and now, this most recent swap had a Secret Fall / Halloween Swap so 27 of us decided to toss our name in the hat to play... and PLAY WE DID!

TDIPT swaps are unlike any other I have ever been a part of. They turn into gift boxes that could be guilded in gold for all the wonderful keepsakes inside!

My secret swap partner that shipped to me was none other than my bud Starla Myers, of Briar Rabbit Prim fame! Since I happened to be in charge of this swap, I knew who everyone was shipping to, including myself.

So, about 3 weeks ago, Starla emailed me to say that she had mailed my box out but because of the size, she sent it parcel post to avoid giving the post office $30+ to ship it off the Kansas City. (*rubbing hands together* ... did she just say it was TOO BIG? muwahahahaha)

Yup... they estimated it would take 5 - 10 business days to arrive from TN to KC - and boy did they miss the mark on that deadline. Starla's box arrived last Monday and my hubs called to tell me it had arrived. I guess he was tired of me calling and pestering him everyday to see if my package arrived. When I finally got the call from him, he informed me that my box was pretty banged up. *GASP*.... I was on pins and needles all the way home and I know Starla's heart had been in her throat just fretting for 3 weeks if it was even going to make it. I sure didn't want to tell her that everything was in pieces when it finally arrived! On my way home, I calmed myself down and thought that maybe Darrell just overexaggerated a bit. Nope... he underexaggerated it :(

This is what was waiting for me on the kitchen counter:

I took out a knife and carefully opened the top. You cannot image my relief when I saw how Starla packed everything up... she is a woman after my own heart because I got a BOOTY of LOOTY and not ONE things was even twisted, cracked or broken! The girl is my gift packin' hero ♥ Just look at all the wonderfuls that she sent! I was unwrapping for at least 15 minutes and she had everything wrapped in sweet colored tissue and tied with prim twine. It was just adorable and so much fun to receive.

I just love everything so much - from my sweet punkin head beauty to the awesome candles, prim autumn kitchen towel, head scarves and socks, the most yummy chocolate truffles, a totally wicked Harley Davidson picture frame and the most precious bag I have ever seen!

How do you spell

S -C-O-R-E ?!!

Thank you Starla, for everything ... I will always treasure this swap, for the wonderful gifts that you picked out and created especially for me, but more than that - for bringing us close! ♥

What a Wicked Web We Weave

Last Saturday morning, our all-day riding plans were altered just a bit due to the heavy fog in our area. Some of our friends rode up to our house so we could go to an open house at the Harley Davidson plant nearby.

As the girls usually do when they come over, they were ooh'ing and aaaah'ing over all the Halloween decorations that I had put up a couple of days earlier. One of my friends was standing in the kitchen, looking out on the deck and said something to the extent that "...wow! that looks so real"

Half listening, I asked ... WHAT looks real ???

She replied - "Your cobweb, silly!"

MY WHAT ?

MY COBWEB ???

DID SHE JUST SAY C-O-B-W-E-B ???

I didn't put anything up on the deck - and especially not a COBWEB!!!

But someone was sure working hard overnight - look what I saw as I drew near...

Thankfully, I did not see the occupant of this awesome web! As the dew was heavy on it that morning, I must admit it did look absolutely magnificent. It did not, however stay up long!! When we got home from riding, it was down ... maybe they packed up the house and moved to the neighbors ? Fare thee well, Miss Spider!

Sun and Sugars

The charity auction for Miracles for Mallory is in full swing - I hope you will make your way over and check out the awesome offerings generously donated by so many artists.

Now that it has begun, I'll share my lil Sunflower head that wanted very much to be included in the party. Her "Sugars" is right by her side every step of the way, too!

Please take a moment to peruse and bid what's in your heart for this wonderful charity to help other families stricken with Trisomy 18.

♥ Miracles For Mallory ♥

September 7th is just around the corner !!

I hope you know what day that is ....

of course, it's the opening day for the charity auction for

Miracles for Mallory!

I'm following my friend LaDonna's lead by posting a few more details about the auction that will take place:

• Where will bidding take place? Bidding will be at Miracles for Mallory, the official website.


• Click on the bid section of the website to see all the handmade items these talented women have so graciously donated.


• When will bidding start & end? Bidding will start September 7th at 12am and will continue through September 14th midnight.


• How will bidding work? Bidding will be done by email. Click on the "bid" button to email in a bid on that product. All bids will be tracked by item number. Please include the item number in your subject line when emailing. This is a silent auction and bidding will remain anonymous, those whom bid will know if they are the highest bidder with a confirmation of bid email from us.


• How will shipping work? Shipping will be calculated upon the end of auction and then send out an invoice. If you would like a shipping quote, the artist will be contacted to quote shipping. This has been left that up to the artist themselves, as some items might be heavy or require special care, so please ask upon bidding if you have a shipping question.

So that's it folks ... I hope and pray you will check out all of the wonderful offerings come Sunday, the 7th ...

Please, bid often and bid with a gracious heart.

Remember, 100% of all money will go to this

wonderful and worthy charity!

From the Response...

Looks like we might need an 18 passenger van for our trip to the day spa!

Should we stop off for a bit of low impact aerobics before our pampering?





Dont forget to stay hydrated!!

And remember, when you are picking up your medicine balls, never bend at the waist!
We don't need any detours to the Chiropractor!

Ever have one of those days

when nothing seems to fit right?

that's me today!

I need a trip to this spa ... just let me know if you want me to pick you up on the way !

How Can I Say Thank You Enough ?

I'm such a slacker... I have tried to keep all my balls in the air but I'm afraid I've failed miserably!

With commitments and commissions and swaps and charity auctions, I have spent every moment either working on a piece of thinking about what to do next - anyway, I've been given some awesome awards and I need to stop and thank my dear friends for the recognition and the kindness they have extended.

First up is the "Love Your Blog" award and many many thanks go to Trudy of Crows in the Attic Primitives and Kelly of Mystical Entities for the kindness of the heart! You girls are so talented and really touched me during a stressful and harried time - thanks so much!

Next, I was honored with the Primitive Excellence Award from my friends Susan of Prim and Proper Folk, Janelle of Little Sisters Dolls, Sherrie of Symple Tymes, Edna of Plum Thicket, and Ivonne of The Crackling Crows.
Girls, your talent runs so deep - you are all so very gifted and you have blessed me so many times over with your true hearts and boundless friendships. Thanks for honoring me so deeply!

♥ Meet Cinnamon ♥

Where did the weekend go?

It feels like I've either been on the back of a motorcycle or locked away in the dungeon finishing up my commitments and I'm happy to say (knock on wood) that I'm getting VERY close to completion.

I did manage to finish sweet Cinnamon (Cinnie for short) and after working with this sweet young'un, it's going to be a little hard to ship her off to Texas. But, I know she will have a very good home there and so I wave goodbye with tears in my eyes but a smile on my face.

Thanks so much for your suggestions regarding her flower petals ... I was just having a bit of trouble because of the length of the petals, especially after I waxed them. But I really am happy with the finishing touches and present her to you now.

On a totally unrelated side note, I've just got to thank the Lord that Gustov lost his punch before hitting land! What an answer to prayer ♥