HAPPINESS FOR THE SOUL...

"Happiness is

 the settling of the soul

 into its most

 appropriate spot."

Aristotle

On a fine summer morning 

a porch is the quintessential spot 

for soul settling. 

 It is there

 that a comfortable chair,

 a friendly word with a neighbor, 

a cup of coffee...

...or just sitting quietly 

in the dappled sunlight, 

can set things right.

"The power of 

finding beauty 

in the humblest things 

makes a home happy 

and life lovely."

Louisa May Alcott

I would like to

 share with you 

some of the happiness 

I have collected 

this past week:

A burst of sunshine

 freshly picked 

from the market...

...a little Meyer Lemon 

boxed cake mix 

from Trader Joes. 

 Oh, so good...

...two old wood kitchen wares,

 a white pitcher,

 all crazed and perfect,

 two Johnson Bros. blue and white plates,

 a great flag, 

and a coverlet.  

All collected 

from a yard sale 

on our street...

  

I think the coverlet 

may be old, 

but I'm not really sure.

  It is worn and tattered 

but very heavy. 

 I'm hoping to get 

enough out of it for

 a couple of pillows.

It has this inscription 

woven into one corner

 and it reverses to white...

...and the tattered spots 

come off of the backing 

like shown on 

the eagle...

...and on this particular spot.

What do you think? 

 Could it be an old one?

I showed these pillows last week. 

 I was going for a grain sack effect

 with the lines painted 

on the back of my 

"cheap" pillows...

...after perusing Pinterest,

 I felt they were a bit lacking 

so I added some more stripes.

  Now,

 I'm liking them better...

... and it takes nothing more 

than a good karate chop 

to make one 

sit up and take notice.

It seems I've said this

 so many times already but...

the little wrens,

 Romeo and Juliet, (the originals?)

 are back and,

 we believe, 

they are now sitting

 on eggs!

Tami had these

 two sweet little treasures 

waiting for me when we last went down 

for Jake's graduation. 

 She just thought 

I would like them 

and she was so right!

  She is always so thoughtful 

and I love them. 

 Thanks again, Tam.

Speaking of Jake's graduation...

one week 

after all the intense years 

of schooling is over, 

he has accepted a job

 with Kaiser-Permanente.

  He starts mid-July 

and we are so proud and excited for him. 

It is a great opportunity 

for his future.

"Tomorrow morning,

 when the sun shines 

through your window,

 choose to make it

 a happy day."

Lynda Resnick

...Judy...

There are things going on in places 

that are unsavory and devastating,

 to say the least, 

but I would like to tell you about 

a good friend to me 

(and to many of you also).

 Kris of Junk Chic Cottage 

Is the sweetest, kindest and caring person.

She feels that 

 focus needs to be put

 on the good things in life,

 that we need to take 

special care of each other 

and help lift up those of us 

that need a boost from time to time.

 Sometimes those values get lost

 in everyday life and

 we need to shine a light on them 

whenever we can.

 For this reason, 

I am telling you, 

Kris is sharing an important message 

and giving away some wonderful gifts

 on her blog.

 If you don't know Kris, 

you should take the time to visit with her. She not only has 

a beautiful blog,

 a sweet little cottage

 and a gorgeous garden,

 but her way of looking at the world

is truly happiness for the soul.

 Thank you, Kris, 

for being my voice of reason

 on a day when

I most needed one. 

 It is my pleasure 

to count you

 as a good friend. 

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