Summer flower

I've been inspired by the amazing transformations I've seen on so many talented blogs lately. When my world is busy and spinning I find peace in creating. I've never worked with fabric before so this was my first attempt. I inherited my grandma's sewing machine and with it came a treasure chest of needles, threads and buttons! I found these little pieces of fabric, and sewed them together. Then I added the little button to the center to resemble a flower. I sewed a safety pin to the back and voila!

The beaded necklace I've had for awhile, and I really don't like putting holes in my clothing so I decided to attach it to my necklace for a pop.

I'm pretty happy with my first try.

American Pickers

Have you seen this show? It's on the History Channel. Just stumbled upon it on Monday and have found my favorite summer show! If you haven't seen it you can catch it on Monday night at 9/8C. Two guys, Mike and Frank, travel across the back roads of America in search of antique treasures. The episode I saw had them at an old gentleman's home where they stumbled upon an antique Studebaker! It was in perfect condition!!

It's amazing what people own and may not realize the treasures they have in their possession.

I've been to an antique flea market, my hubby finds dull so I didn't get to stay too long, but I don't know the value of things to know if I'm looking at jewels. I love yard sales but may dabble a bit more in the flea markets. Where are your favorite pick places?

Well Hello Summer....

It has been HOT here on the East coast this past week. Sticky, steamy, hot. Just a run out and run back into the a/c kinda days. The poor pup has just been exhausted. We take her out, hose her off, and bring her back into the a/c.

This is her favorite place to be.

This heat has us all feeling beat, and it has made it almost unbearable to sit in my favorite spot, my little back porch. I did add some more touches to make it feel homey. I added a flag for the 4th of July but will keep it there b/c it's so cute.

I will paint both chairs white....it's just been to hot to continue.

I haven't been on for awhile...It has been a tough June. We had to say goodbye to my sweet baby Roscoe. It's no secret that he had urine problems but what we didn't know was that he had heart disease and circulatory issues. To honor him I put this little angel holding a kitty outside on my porch, where we spent a lot of time together.

Little piece of Heaven

It's no secret.... hubby and I are currently renters. As the old saying goes, where ever you drop your hat is home, and I just love living here. It makes me feels like camping. Walk the dog, wave hello to passer byes, stop to chat with neighbors, let the pup visit with her doggy friends, then return home, only to get to do it again. I love it. Our neighbors have become friends.

My place to get away is my little deck. It's tiny, two chairs deep, two chairs wide (how's that for math? :) but it's my favorite place to have a cup of joe, while I read a good book and the pets lay out in the heat. It's a work in progress but here are pics of it so far.

A view from the patio door.

The ol' pine tree that offers shade and privacy.


My dumpster chairs will be white one day are adorned with comfy floral cushions.



Little decorative touches make it feel cozy.


Its a work in progress and I'll show you more pics as I update my favorite little spot.

~Marcia

A night out on the town with Travis Tritt

We had a double date night with my in laws on Saturday and the four of us went to see Travis Tritt in concert! It was amazing! Not only is the man gorgeous, he is a very talented singer and incredible guitar player. He was smiling and dancing around, and he looked genuinely happy to be playing for us. It was a fantastic show. It was the 4th time my hubby has seen him and my first. I was sooo excited to go. He did not dissapoint!! The first thing I noticed was just how gorgeous of a man he is. He was very gregarious and friendly and has a beautiful southern drawl. His fans ranged from young girls to quite a few elderly couples.

It was a great night! I would most definitely see him again. I hope you had a great weekend too!

~ Marcia

A kitty update and warm wishes

Hi friends!

I have been MIA for awhile now, seems that crate training a kitty is a lot of work! We've set him up in our one bathroom, in a doggy kennel with his litter box and water. Each night, he is let out of the kennel but is confined to the bathroom. He can eat, stretch his legs and play with his toys. Sounds lovely, right? So why he meows for 30 mins before calming down each night is beyond me! LOL. I do have to say that he's taken to it so much easier than I thought he would. I am so impressed with him! Since he's been kenneled, I have steamed the carpet 4 times. Even though I dry vacuum before steam cleaning you'd be amazed at the fur this thing picks up! I am in love! (Despite the steam cleaning, there's still the slight sent of urine. Any ideas? I've used the urine enzyme eliminators, but they are staining the beige carpet yellow, and still the smell lingers..)

So after 3 weeks of antibiotics 2 times a day, crate training him, I really think this may work out! He will visit the area where he use to frequent, sniff around a bit but then head straight to his litter box. I have renowned hope! We have yet to leave him out when we're at work or go to bed, that'll be the real test. But in the 10 years I've had him, he is more calm and seems more sure of himself. I'm surprised this is the only vet to suggest crate training a cat to use his litter....Awe well, just wanted to give you an update :)

I do want to wish all you mother's out there a very loving, spoiled Mother's Day! You are women of strength, abundant love, forgiveness and a foundation for our society. Much happiness to you on your special day!

~ Marcia

One last chance

I was hoping to share a new post of something creative I have been working on, but alas, my life has been stalled by my loving furry babies. If you've read my blog before, you know that my baby Roscoe has had a pee problem since the day I've adopted him. He has a penance for peeing on carpet. I used to take it as, "this was life with Roscoe." But since Cinnamon started to develop serious urinary infections, that sent us to the emergency room at 3am, we finally put two and two together. Is it possible, that Cinnamon is getting these infections while lying on the carpet that Roscoe soiled, and that we doused in cat urine enzyme killer? We thought so, the vet said it could be a possibility. So the debate began, although I adore my baby Roscoe, I have lived 10 years of the competing smells of Lysol and cat pee. 10 years, of vet visits, special foods, behavioral visits, natural anti anxiety medications and closing the door to my bedroom (he prefers the bed if no carpet can be found).

After crying like a kid, (nose running, blubbering, eyes puffing, incoherent speech) we decided that Roscoe needed to be put down. I couldn't do it, so Hubby brought him to the vet. Then called me, and admitted he couldn't do it. The vet suggested a drug called Ketofen, which also helps humans with an overactive bladder. He says this has saved many a cat's life, so my sweet souled Hubby agreed to give it a try. One of the stipulations is that while on the medication we have to keep Roscoe kenneled for a month to break the carpet fascination. He's allowed out on supervised visits but not allowed in the area he previously soiled. It's a tad tough, as we live in a small space but we're dealing. It'll be a long month but you gotta do what you gotta do.

I am a tad leery to be honest, as I've had the "this will work" conversations before, but I am hoping, beyond hope that this truly will work. I don't want to give off the impression that I feel animals are disposable. In truth, it has been difficult to live within the restrictions of a cat who thinks outside his box. What is even most infuriating is there seems no rhythm or reason. Some days he uses his litter constantly, or he'll pee on the carpet, then walk into his room and use his box. :(

During his confinement we borrowed a friends' Bissel 2x Pro Heat carpet steamer. I am in loooove. It works like a charm. The carpet looks better than it did even when we moved in! So hopefully this is the change we all need and then we can live in peaceful harmony!

~ Marcia