Spring Wreath ~ Celebrating the Seasons

Do you take time to celebrate all the seasons in your life?  Do you know what I mean? We celebrate things like Christmas, 4th of July, New Year's Day, Birthdays, 21st, 30th, 40th (over the hill and ready to roll), 50th (half-century) Thanks so much, society, for that little reminder.  Goodness, we even celebrate Groundhog Day! If we go to all that trouble for those holidays, surely we should, in some way, celebrate the 'actual' Seasons in our lives.

Which, I guess, is my way of saying, I like each season to be represented and celebrated at my home, for everyone to see, and all that visit, to know that I am embracing this and every other day of the year. There is no such thing as just a plain old day! Every single moment we are given is a Blessing from God! So let's do it right and celebrate that! 

What to do Weekends #121

Welcome to What to do Weekends!

Happy Thursday Evening and to the first What to do Weekends of May!  Today, was also the National Day of Prayer, if you want to read a little more about my take on that you can find it here.

Thank you all so much for your Participation in our party, we enjoy you all so much!  You are all SO creative!! Invite your friends! Help us spread the word! Now,  we can't wait to see what you have been up to this week!!  Thank you for returning and sharing with us each week!  We always like to let you know what we've been up to on these Thursday nights, as well. We'd love it if you would visit the post we're sharing with you tonight!

So What has Linda been up to? 

Linda just posted 15 Awesome Lighting Ideas for your Deck!

Won't you connect with us?! Let us know so we can connect right back with you!

You can find Linda Blogging here 

@ Crafts a la Mode

Facebook | Google+ | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

National Day of Prayer

Lord, we pray.

Blessed to be celebrating at my church in our little town & providing some beautiful, donated colors of our America the Beautiful. Yet,  Lord, I pray for all countries near and far that you would begin a revolution of healing and Faith.

In Jesus Name, I pray.

Exciting News and So Much Fun!

Do you all know Joy, from her awesome blog she calls "Yesterfood"?? Every week she and Wanda Ann, from Memories by the Mile throw a wonderful party, full of Inspiration, good recipes and fun crafts! It is called Treasure Box Tuesday. Don't you just love that name?!  For quite some time, I have been popping back and forth to Yesterfood and sharing my little creations with Joy and Wanda Ann. so much fun!

Was I ever surprised, this week, to find out that Joy had picked me & Shoestring Elegance to be her Blogger of the Month, for May!!! I cannot tell you how honored I was and am! So, as with most all things, I had to share the news with you!

Joy chose Shoestring Elegance and Wanda Ann chose The Lou Lou Girls! If you have not had the pleasure of meeting all these incredibly talented Ladies, may I suggest you click on some of the links I've put, here, in this post and go take a good look? I guarantee you will enjoy yourself! They have never disappointed me and  I am always Inspired!

Joy even "fancied up" my little Blog button and is displaying it on her sidebar for this month!! Now I ask you, How Blessed am I?  It seems, to me, beyond measure, Not just because I'm Joy's Blogger of the month, but because God has blessed me abundantly with wonderful women in this whole Blogging thing that have encouraged, lifted and supported me, beyond my own imagination!

Happy Tuesday to you all! May you all be Blessed with friends and supported with encouragement that strengthens you to continue with what Inspires you! 

Want to start the day with an awesome & encouraging song? Click on the this video! It makes me smile, every time!!

DIY Chalk Paint Tray With Transfer: MY Failure & Victory!

This post is way overdue. I have, actually, had this tray for almost two years. It has gone through quite a few changes, before I finally got back to business and settled on this as my final tray. And, I have to say I am truly enjoying it now!

What to do Weekends #120

Welcome to What to do Weekends!

Happy Thursday Evening! Thank you all so much for your Participation in our party, we enjoy you all so much!  You are all SO creative!! Invite your friends! Help us spread the word! Now,  we can't wait to see what you have been up to this week!!  Thank you for returning and sharing with us each week!  We always like to let you know what we've been up to on these Thursday nights, as well. We'd love it if you would visit the post we're sharing with you tonight!

So What has Linda been up to? Just take a look at this yummy Summer Blueberry Jello Pie!

Won't you connect with us?! Let us know so we can connect right back with you!

You can find Linda Blogging here 

@ Crafts a la Mode

Facebook | Google+ | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

As for Theresa, well, I finally finished that Chalkpaint tray I've been telling you about! You can read about it, here, tomorrow. Here's a sneak peak!

You can connect with me right here

@ Shoestring Elegance

Facebook | Google+ | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter

Just a Couple of Guidelines 

that we'd truly appreciate you taking into consideration.

We have prided ourselves on being a "no rules" type of party, and that will not change. We would appreciate it if, however, you:

~You wouldn't link up the exact same post 2 weeks in 

a row, our readers will have just seen your entry and we'd 

like to keep it fresh for them.

~We'd love to encourage you to share some of your last 

year's Spring posts, too! Please, do have a look at Linda's & Theresa's blog style (or niche, so-to-speak) and link appropriate and like-minded crafts, recipes, projects and Inspirations! 

Now onto this weeks Features! always so difficult to keep it to our planned number. We'd love to feature you all!

~ What to do Weekends # 119

Happy Thursday Evening &

Welcome back to What to do Weekends Party Party!

We hope you all have been having a wonderful week! We'd like to take a minute

to  thank you all so much for your Participation in our party! We truly enjoy seeing all your creativity and wonderful insights!   Thank you for returning and sharing with us each week!   So, what have we been up to?

Look at what Linda has been up to:

Here is what Theresa's has been up to:

~We can hardly wait to see what you've been up to this week! 
We encourage you to share some of your last 

year's Spring posts, too!

 Let's get on with the FEATURES! YAY!

DIY~Make Your Own Vintage Floral Cone

I have had the most fun working on this pretty project!  I bought the stems (that I have always wanted  but couldn't afford) at Michael's because I had 70% off!!  That's the only reason I could get the ones I always wanted!  I'm telling you, watch the ads, wait and go in when you have a extra percentage off coupon pulled up on your smartphone!  I thought I bought them to make my Spring into Summer Wreath for my front door.  As I was working, separating the stems,  I realized how much sheer volume I had and quickly was aware that I could make more than just the wreath out of them! Woohoo!! So my brain started racing with ideas of what else I could do with this abundance of beauty!

~What to do Weekends #118

Happy Thursday Evening &
Welcome back to What to do Weekends Party Party!
We hope you all have been having a wonderful week! We'd like to take a minute
to  thank you all so much for your Participation in our party! We truly enjoy seeing all your creativity and wonderful insights!   Thank you for returning and sharing with us each week!

As promised last week,  we will be adding a couple EXTRA features this week from last weeks party!
So, what have we been up to?
Well, I don't know if you've had a chance to check our Linda's Yummy Blueberry recipes yet, but if not, her Blueberry Breakfast Bake is one not to be missed! So yummy!

As for me, I have been working very hard on trying to complete my newest chalk paint tray, that has turned into an Epic Fail! But it is is on it's way to becoming a Beautiful Success! I should be able to share that with you tonight or tomorrow. Trays and chalk paint, they are bit of an obsession of mine, but I do use them all the time!  You can check out my first Chalk Painted Tray out HERE!

***Just Couple of Guidelines 

that we'd truly appreciate you taking into consideration.

We have prided ourselves on being a "no rules" type of party, and that will not change. We would appreciate it if, however, you:

~You wouldn't link up the exact same post 2 weeks in 

a row, our readers will have just seen your entry and we'd 

like to keep it fresh for them.

~We'd love to encourage you to share some of your last 

year's Spring posts, too! Please, do have a look at Linda's & Theresa's blog style (or niche, so-to-speak) and link appropriate and like-minded crafts, recipes, projects and Inspirations! 

How Music Speaks To Us

Certain things just ring true.  Does that happen to you?

Sometimes they ring so true,  I have a deep need to share them.  My faith sung out loud is one of those things. Not just any song.  There are some songs, though, whose truth so reflect the feelings in my heart,  that they can bring a smile to my face that can't be wiped away,  or bring tears of utter Joy.

(source)
This is one of those songs.  I hope that it will light up your Friday night or anytime that you choose to hear it.  Not just listen, but hear.  Words have power.  I don't think anyone would question that.  So,  I guess, then,  the question really is...... are we listening to the right words?  I'm trying. I fail. Still, I try.

What to do Weekends #117

Welcome back to What to do Weekends Party Party!

Thank you all so much for your Participation in our party, we enjoy you all so much!  You are all SO creative!!  We can't wait to see what you have been up to this week!! You have no idea how inspiring it is to see all your wonderful projects, recipes and crafts!  Thank you for returning and sharing with us each week!
Unfortunately, this past week has been crazy busy for both Linda and I, therefore, we were unable to get to features for the week. We did, however Pin many of your wonderful projects and/or recipes and tips! Please accept our sincerest apologies for this weeks exception of no features. We will be on spot with Features next Thursday night, with maybe even a few extra from this past week!
We love to share your link ups with our Social Media & would appreciate it if you would do the same.

You can follow Theresa (Shoestring Elegance)

Facebook / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

You can follow Linda here (Crafts a la Mode)

Facebook / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

***Just Couple of Guidelines 

that we'd truly appreciate you taking into consideration.

We have prided ourselves on being a "no rules" type of party, and that will not change. We would appreciate it if, however, you:

~You wouldn't link up the exact same post 2 weeks in 

a row, our readers will have just seen your entry and we'd 

like to keep it fresh for them.

~We'd love to encourage you to share some of your last 

year's Spring posts, too! Please, do have a look at Linda's & Theresa's blog style (or niche, so-to-speak) and link appropriate and like-minded crafts, recipes, projects and Inspirations! 

We sure are enjoying all that you are sharing with us!

What to do Weekends #116

Happy April! Did you get fooled?! If you did I hope you had fun with it!

Welcome back to our first What to do Weekend Party of April!

Thank you all so much for your Participation in our party we enjoy you all so much! We love seeing what you are all up to and How creative you all are. There is simply nothing more Inspiring! Thank you for returning and sharing with us each week! A Huge Thank you for making last weeks Party our Largest Party, yet!! Let's keep spreading the word and growing together, shall we?!

Linda and I have both been in the spring and Easter feel, as well!! So, what have we been up to? Well, Linda did an awesome Round up of great new Amazing DIY Floor Mat Ideas for all that you definitely want to check out!

I, on the other hand, finally got caught up and shared my beautiful little 

plastic eggs turned Chalkpaint Beautiful Eggs with some added bling!

We love to share your link ups with our Social Media & would appreciate it if you would do the same.

You can follow Theresa (Shoestring Elegance)

Facebook / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

You can follow Linda here (Crafts a la Mode)

Facebook / Google+ / Instagram / Pinterest / Twitter

Happy April First & Easter Week

Good Morning! Before the day get's busy with all that we Have to do, I wanted to just take a second and properly welcome the month of April.

My Elegant Little Eggs ~ How to Chalkpaint Plastic Eggs

 Easter will be quickly on us, and to be honest, I'm not a big decorator for this special Holy Day. 
When we had little ones around we would do quite a bit more decorating but as an adult, and a child of God, I really cherish this time with my church and family, being mindful and grateful of what Christ did for us all and celebrate my Salvation, because of it.  He Is Reason, Indeed! Truly, that is the most important thing of all.

 I did, however, have time in the past couple of weeks to fiddle around with something I'm really enjoying.  I have been seeing Easter eggs all over the internet, as I am sure you have made of every possible material and decoration. They truly are extraordinary.  

The one thing I hadn't seen, was any chalk-painted eggs! And, as you may know, I love my chalk paint! Especially, when I can tint it easily for pastels! I also truly wanted to make a frugal option. So, I bought these dollar store plastic eggs to start with!  8 of them for $1.

What to do Weekends #115

WELCOME TO THE PARTY, EVERYONE!!

Thanks to all the partygoers!! There are so many many wonderful ideas. Can I tell you it is excruciatingly hard to pick out features for this party because EVERYONE needs to be featured. I know how much thought (and work) goes into each blog post!  We try to pin several links because every link deserves some love. Do you agree? Let's pin together!! Pin the person ahead of you in the party.

Here's what we've been up to:

Theresa's apple and pear crisp that's also gluten-free. Nice.

Linda made a Bunny Basket out of an old pine drawer salvaged from the side of the road.

Follow our social media.. much appreciated.

What to do Weekends Party #114

Happy Thursday Evening and The LAST NIGHT of winter! Spring arrives tomorrow! That, in itself, is cause for celebration!  But, we want to celebrate even more, by welcoming you back to What to do Weekends! 

 Thank you all so much for  your Participation! We love seeing what you are all up to and How creative you all are. There is simply nothing more Inspiring! Thank you.

With that said let me get the formalities out of the way! So, what have we been up to last, since we met? Well Linda has been busy!  She had a few wonderful posts this week, you really should check her out

She also shared 15 Easy and Fun DIY Bracelets to Make in an Evening! Again, so stinking cute!!

And, quite honestly, I took the week off! (There, I've said it! I did create this week, just not in time to share it with you all today...so, please keep your eyes opened for a new share from me later today or tomorrow)

What to do Weekends #113

Happy Thursday Evening and Welcome Back to What to do Weekends! You know you all brought so much talent, this last week, that Linda and I decided we had to do Four Features each instead of our normal Three!! Thanks you all so much for  your Participation! We love seeing what you are all up to and How creative you all are. There is simply nothing more Inspiring! Thank you.

With that said let me get the formalities out of the way!

So, what have we been up to last, since we met? Well Linda has been busy!  She had a few wonderful posts this week, you really should check out,  but we thought we'd share her Beautiful Yellow Tulip Front Door Decor!

And, Theresa, shared a Beautiful Walk in Her Mum's Secret Garden!

A Walk In My Mother's Secret Garden...Promises of Spring

For the past couple of years I have shared with you, on occasion, walks in either Mine or My Mother's Garden. Depending on the time of year I posted these, would determine what I could share with you.  Today, is no different!

I am abundantly Blessed with a lovely home that happens to have around it a beautiful Rose Garden, that includes;  a large Jasmine vine (that's aroma makes you think you have died and gone to heaven),  Beautiful grapes and all the colors that their beautiful leaves provide through the seasons, a few bulbs here and there that display different and beautiful blooms every year!  What could be better? Right?

What to do Weekends #112

Happy Thursday evening, only 2 more parties before the official start of Spring! Can you believe it? And, mustn't forget to Spring forward this weekend.   Welcome back, all, to What to do Weekends!  What have we been up to last, since we met? Well Linda has been busy!  She shared how she made a Beautiful Paper Flower Wall Art for Under $5!

Theresa shared her recipe for some yummy Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice Muffins!

We have prided ourselves on being a "no rules" type of party, and that will not change. However, we do have a couple of guidelines we would ask that you consider. Please don't link up the exact same post 2 weeks in a row, we'd love it if you would like to share some of your last year's Spring posts, too!  Please, do have a look at Linda's & Theresa's blog style (or niche, so-to-speak) and link appropriate and like-minded crafts, recipes, projects and Inspirations! 
Thank you all for your continued participation!

We sure are enjoying all that you are sharing with us!

Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice Muffins-Springtime in a Muffin!

It seems that as we draw closer to the end of February the pull towards all things Spring is inevitable.  We've bundled up and enjoyed our Autumn breezes,  we've celebrated with our family and loved ones for the holidays, looked, longingly, at our fireplaces, and snuggled with a good book or old movie, now we look to the promise of Spring.

Spring begins in just a few weeks.  Yep, March 20th, by my calendar, here, in the United States. Unfortunately, I do realize that many of you on the East Coast and in other parts of the world are still looking at lots of cold days to come this year.  Whilst others are in the '90s. Goodness!

No matter, I have the perfect, refreshing, welcoming Spring, cheer up your Winter, or refresh your Summer recipe right here!   I have seen versions of this recipe in Allrecipes, Bon Appetit, and other periodicals. The funny thing is, everyone had their own tips, twist and tricks to it, so it never reads exactly the same. I, actually, really love that.

I am no exception.  I made changes to it, as well.