"To character and success, two things,

contradictory as they may seem, must go together-humble dependence and manly independence; humble dependence on God and manly reliance on self."
~William Wordsworth

♥

I did some shopping...

Nope, not clothes shopping.
I did some home improvement shopping!

Yippee!!

Okay, I think I've got everything I'm going to need to finally get rid of the infamous blue carpeting in the den.
I'm not sure what this sub floor is going to look like once I tear it up. But I have a feeling I'll be doing a lot of prep work to make sure it's in good shape for the vinyl planks to adhere.

Just for sh*ts and giggles I laid some of the planks down to see how they'll look.

Darla is impressed.

The closest Lowes I went to was sold out of the flooring. Before hoofing it to another Lowes, I asked the kid to call to make sure they had some in stock.

Man, at $4.15 a gallon for gas, I wasn't about to travel to another Lowes if they didn't have any. Which brings another question to mind. Why is no one complaining about gas prices now like they did back in 2008? Not a peep. Does everyone have memory loss? (I digress)

Anyhoo,I'm not sure when I'm going to tackle this project.

At the moment we have an issue with our living room picture window and Steve the Chipmunk. He has become our very own furry Dennis the Menace. I should have known something was up when I saw him running around in a striped shirt and overalls.

I'll keep you posted.
:> )

"A pessimist sees...

only the dark side of the clouds, and mopes; a philosopher sees both sides, and shrugs; an optimist doesn't see the clouds at all - he's walking on them." ~Leonard Louis Levinson

I'm a cloud walker.
How about you??
:> )

Am I one of those crazy people...

who wishes their dog a happy birthday and puts a ton of photos of that dog on their blog??

Yes, I most certainly am!!!
((giggle))

Happy 12th Birthday to my beloved Darla!!!
YaY!

Seven years ago, she welcomed her new baby sister with open paws.

We brought Darla home first, then Hannah a week later.

They were like two peas in a pod and were never apart.
Hannah was the brains, Darla the brawn.

She really misses her sister now. When Hannah got sick last year, Darla literally stayed by her side right up until we had to say goodbye to her.

She is so awesome!!
:> )

Two months ago I was worried she wouldn't make it to her 12th birthday. But she has come a long way.
Hopefully the good Lord above will give me a few more years with her. I'll cherish whatever time He gives me.

♥

I did a Lowes and Home Depot run this weekend...

Oh my! I LOVE these stores!
I become completely hypnotized as soon as I pull into the parking lot.

"Oooooh... Look at all the shiny things!"

My mission was to check out the the vinyl floor planks I want to put down in our den. Not only do they sell them by the box, they sell them individually. So I grabbed a few in two of the three colors they offered. But it was slim pickins. Seems everyone is buying this stuff.

Here's "Gunstock."
Nice color, but dark. With the old barn siding on the walls, I feel it will be too dark for the room.
It's hard to see in these photos, but they are textured.

Here's "Golden Oak." It's a similar color to the original old 1800's pine plank flooring in the living and dining room.
It will also lighten up the room and make it appear larger.
A nice braided rug would look terrific.

Not only did my hubs agree with me on the lighter color, (Quick, somebody catch me! I'm going to faint!)
**thud**
George gave a nod to the lighter color too.

I'll be counting down the days until the blue carpeting is gone!!

YaY!!
:> )

He is not here:

for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
Matthew 28:6

Easter blessings to you and your family.
♥

Look Who's Back In The Pink...

♥ YaY! ♥

We still need to have a sonogram done, but we're going to wait a bit. She's been through enough lately.

Unfortunately, with old age Darla has also been dealing with a funky lil' cutaneous skin tag on the side of her nose. She's become quite self conscious since her younger sister has been teasing her about it. Like asking her why she has a tiny pop-up turkey timer on her face. Sigh... Sisters.

But I told her she's still gorgeous and to think of it as a very special beauty mark. Like Cindy Crawford's.
She feels better about it now. She did mention something about wanting my credit card number to order "Meaningful Beauty."

Uh-oh...
:> )

Good Friday Morning...

A beautiful sunrise here at the ol' Countryfolk homestead.

A time to reflect and be so very grateful.

Wishing you a blessed Easter weekend.

♥

I am totally smitten with...

beadboard! I love it anywhere, but I especially love it in the kitchen as a backsplash.

We had it in our previous home and loved it! I think this old farmhouse could use some beadboard. Hmmmm... Wonder if I could do it myself?
You all know how I "measure."
((giggle))

*Click on some of the photos to go directly to their blogs.*

It gives off such a warm, cozy feeling, doesn't it?
I ♥ these curtains!

I feel the need to bake something now.

Who says it has it be white or off white??
Dare to be different!

Oh my!!! Look!!
A gorgeous farmhouse (apron) sink too!

Heck, I'd cram myself in that dog bed and sleep in this kitchen!
♥

:> )

"Anyone's life truly lived consists of ...

work, sunshine, exercise, soap, plenty of fresh air, and a happy contented spirit." ~Lillie Langtry

Depending on how hard your happy, contented spirit worked or exercised in the sunshine and fresh air; you may want soap to be first in order.
P.U.
((giggle))

Happy Wednesday everyone!!
:> )

Another Busy Day Outdoors...

I need to remove more of the horribly invasive Japanese Honeysuckle that has taken over. Ugh.

A good thing Stan the Beaver said he'd lend me a helping hand.

Ummm... Make that helping "teeth."
((giggle))

Happy Monday all! Remember to get outside and enjoy nature!
:> )

Keep Family Traditions Alive...

As a child I looked forward to Easter. Sure the Easter basket filled with candy was awesome! But I really looked forward to the pretty corsage my daddy got for my mama, my sister and I to wear for Easter Sunday mass. Mine would have a pretty flower with ribbon and one of those wee fuzzy chicks.
Remember?

I never went to church without my little white, patent leather purse. In it I carried my gloves, my tiny Bible and Rosary Beads.
On Easter Sunday, I also tucked in a few jelly beans but mama didn't know about that.
;> )

Coming from a strong Polish upbringing a special treat on Easter Sunday was the Baranek Wielkanocny or Butter Lamb. Along with a big Polish feast, the lil' guy was always on the table.

There are so many ways a butter lamb is made. Here are just a few examples.

Want to make your own Butter Lamb?

Click here to go directly to A Taste of Home link for directions.

You don't have to be Polish to make one.
But I'll guarantee you'll dance the polka when you're done. ((giggle))

:> )