Tuesday, June 26, 2018

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).

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. 





Sharing today with:









34 comments:

  1. Congratulations to Jake on his job offer. That's really exciting news.
    I love the Louisa May Alcott quote!

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    1. Thank you, Angela. That is so sweet of you. I appreciate your visit..Happy Tuesday...Judy

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  2. How great that your grandson found a job so quickly. He must be thrilled.

    I love your idea of making the pillows out of the vintage wrap - it will be so charming.

    I can't see any nesting birds but I am sure they are out there somewhere in the garden. Every morning I wake up to birdsong and they are eating me out of house and home at the bird-feeder. I put it out to entertain Miss Twiggley and never realized how much I would enjoy it too. This morning my resident big, plump, squirrel was engaged in the most amazing gymnastics trying to get his fill of seed. It was quite a sight.

    Take care.

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    1. Thanks so much, Adrienne. The little birds stick their head out of the house, like they are trying to adjust to the light of day, so that is what makes us think they are sitting on eggs. As much as we can tell they leave the nest twice a day and are not gone very long. The ivy is thick underneath where the house is hanging, so hope the babies don't fall out of the nest as it would be hard to find them I think..Happy Wednesday..xxoJudy

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  3. Congrats to your grandson. That is really good news. I love your little Romeo and Juliet and hope they have some babies coming soon.
    Your post is full of happy finds and pictures that make me smile.
    As you know, I love Kris and we have connected in person a couple of times and she knows my daughter, too.
    I hope you have a great week, Judy. love to you- xo Diana

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    1. Thanks so much, Diana. We are very proud of Jake. Six years of college is a long time but I think it has served him well and he is very excited about the new job. Kris is one of the best and I know that you feel that way too..Happy Wednesday..xxoJudy

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  4. Judy, Your handsome grandson working already...congrats to him. I love all your pillows and the flowers, Your patriotic things too. Blessings, xoxo, Susie
    p.s. We love Kris too.

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    1. Thanks so much, Susie. Sometimes it seems like if it weren't for flowers and pillows, I wouldn't have that much to write about! Of course, I can always brag on my grandson! and all my good friends too..Happy Wednesday..xxoJudy

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  5. I love all of your shares. I agree with your sentiments regarding the porch. I would love to be sitting on mine, but the mosquitoes and biting gnats are out there 24 hours per day since all of our heavy rains. Looks like we will be staying inside!

    Big Texas Hugs,
    Susan and Bentley

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    1. Thank you Susan. We love our porch because mainly it is screened in. It is the best project we have ever done around here. We don't have a lot of big bugs in California but we do have mosquitoes, even if we keep all the water clean so the screen makes for perfect porch sitting..Happy Wednesday..xxoJudy

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  6. Beautiful pictures and that coverlet does look old. I nice one with the date on it. Love my porch, but the mosquitoes chase us off each night. Wish it was a covered one. Janice

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    1. Thanks so much Janice. It seems like it might be old but it is in pretty rough shape, so I won't mind cutting it up for pillows. Our porch is off the master bedroom and started off as just a square of dirt set back in the yard that you could look at through a window. We changed the window for a single french door and built a deck over the ground then after awhile we put a roof over it and then screened it in, which was the best thing we did. Now we enjoy it most all day and into the evenings. Which is the reason we don't get much else done!!.Happy Wednesday..xxoJudy

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  7. Thank you Judy for your kind words. I think we all need to love more and share more kindness in this world. The stories I am getting on the blog comments of what so many are doing to be kind and caring are amazing. It does my heart good to know so many out there still feel sharing kindness matters. I love your little Romeo and Juliet and am excited they are back and will begin a new family right before your eyes. How sweet. I love your patriotic decor. Have a great rest of the week my friend.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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    1. Thank you so much, Kris, and you are so welcome. There certainly still is goodness in the world but sometimes it is hard to accept the negative things that abound, so we just need to push those away and try only to see the bright side, because it is still there. My neighbor is ill and I have been trying to make it a little easier for her. It is those things that make me appreciate my blessings..Happy Wednesday..xxoJudy

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  8. That coverlet is quite a find! And how thrilling about your birds. I am hoping Wrennie delivers. I see her go in and out of the birdhouse now and then but haven't been able to get a photo. And thanks for the hint on the TJ lemon cake. When the baby is born we will stop at TJ's as it's close to KevMo and the hospital. That will now be on my list!

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    1. Hi Jeanie, thank you so much. I hope your Wrennie delivers also. Those little ones are so fast it is hard to get a decent photo. I think you will like that little cake. It has a good lemon taste but not too sour. I showed it with raspberries but had blueberries with it the other night and that was better. Hope that little baby comes soon. I know you are so excited..Happy Wednesday..xxoJudy

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  9. Congratulations to handsome Jake! A bright future ahead indeed. Great happy pictures of all of you! I can see and feel how proud all of you are by just looking at these photos.
    Love your pillows and I need some more. My husband is getting pillowed out but not me. I like all of your pillows especially the flag one. Happy Week Ahead! Betsy

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    1. Thanks so much, Betsy. He is handsome, if I do say so myself. I'm not bashful when it comes to that young man! I love my pillows and have been spending more money than I should for some down filled inserts. They are costing much more than my "cheap" pillows but I might have enough now so I can just take off the covers and store them much more easily than I could before and , yes, I guess a husband thinks it is his place to complain about pillows!! But we know better, right?..Happy Wednesday..xxoJudy

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  10. The little wrens sound precious and its so touching how you have named them! Cute pictures! I am so happy for your grandson, I wish him all the best. It warms my heart to see my children and grands happy.

    If you can sew, go for it! I love vintage fabrics, and pillows sound like a great idea. You can even use Scotchguard on them if you want them for the porch. My porch on the lakehouse needs some spiffing up, but we love to sit out there. Above it is the balcony off our master, and that has a pretty view of the lake. This summer has been one of problems and repairs, but theres no better place to be!

    Oh, I'll pop in to see Kris. She really is a sweet gal and we have met in person. Love her!

    Jane

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  11. Thanks so much, Jane. Even if the coverlet is old it is in pretty sad shape so I wouldn't mind cutting into it to make a couple of pillows. If it was in perfect shape, I wouldn't do that. It must be heaven to sit on your balcony and see the lake. I just see the Secret Garden from my porch which is very green, so it feels cooling, but what I wouldn't give to be by a lake. Go visit Kris, she is doing a giveaway for something that you might could use. I have no sun so it wouldn't work for me but it is a super idea and you already know how sweet she is if you two have met..Happy Wednesday..xxoJudy

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  12. Judy,
    What a charming post filled with so much eye candy!! Loved seeing everything that gave you Happiness this week!! And i am so with Kris..... Love her blog too!!
    Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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    1. Thanks so much, Deb. It is a happy week when there is a yard sale and cake!!..Happy Thursday..xxoJudy

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  13. So much to say, Judy. First, I love your pillows and I now intend to go give every one of mine a good karate chop. Second, I just came from Kris' blog and she is the sweetest and yes, a fabulous reminder that despite what is going on, there is an enormous amount of kindness and care in the world and we need to shine a light on that. Third, I get made fun of a lot for being such a homebody and for the simple fact that I love my daily surroundings. Lately, I have been taking more vacations and you know what, the venues are stellar, oceans and cities with views and five stars, but I am never as happy or as content and at ease as I am at home...toes in the pool, watching the chipmunks and bunnies run around my yard or deadheading my flowers. And your post today reinforced the feeling in my gut that it's ok...in fact it's wonderful. So thank you my friend. Always so glad I have stopped by....xoxo

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    1. Thank you so much, Kim. I'm so glad we are friends! We have our motorhome which we have taken to some really great places, but, maybe it's my age now, but I'm so much happier at home. We talk about planning a trip and get feeling excited about it, but when it comes right down to it, there is no place like home. I have made so many friends in blogging and as I read something about each one I kind of get the feelings that I am there so that is a great vacation. I was just sawing a window sill just yesterday. That was a great escape!..Happy Thursday..xxoJudy

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  14. Love the happy hopefulness of this post, Judy! I love that you are sharing the joy and comfort in your beautiful home and passing along sweet kindness, too. Happy Independence Day! xo Karen

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    1. Thanks so much sweet Karen. We have to have hope, don't we? We can't lose track of that..Happy 4th Weekend..xxoJudy

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  15. Congratulations again to Jake and hope the comment problem on blogger has worked itself out.

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  16. Thanks, Betsy. I think we did it! Testing, 123...xxoJudy

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  17. I need that meyer lemon cake with raspberries right now. Looks so good. I hope this works still with comments.

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  18. Very sweet post! I love the quotes. Your pillows look great and patriotic! I do think your coverlet may be old. It looks like the ones down the street from me in an old coverlet museum.

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  19. Congrats to your grandson on the new chapter in his life. Y'all have definitely got something to be proud of. Love the sign. I need one like that. And the Lemon cake with ice cream and berries has made me hungry. Love your pillows. So how or what did you paint the stripes on with?

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  20. Sweet post. I like the new pillows. I love Kris. Thanks for linking to Keep In Touch.

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  21. Congratulation to your grandson which is such great news. I also love our wildlife and hope Romeo and Juliet have some babies soon! This was a charming post and that coverlet is beautiful.
    Your photos are beautiful and as a quilt lover I love the red and whie quilt with all the pillows

    Hope you had a very nice July 4th!

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Your comments are so special to me...Judy