Still Woods Farmhouse

I had planned to share my new front door decor, but alas, like many residents of the MS Gulf Coast, all  loose outside objects have been secured as we await the arrival of Hurricane Isaac. Instead, I thought I would share with you a set of my favorite dinnerware.  I began collecting Memory Lane ironstone many years ago, but my love of the pattern began when I was just a little girl.  My Grandma Mercer had one dinner plate.  I imagine that she picked it up either in a box of laundry soap or as a reward for shopping at the IGA of Chattahoochee, Florida.  I came to love her one plate.  My grandmother would make sure that my food was served on that plate no matter what other dinnerware pattern was set on her table!  When she passed away, I was blessed to receive her dining room set which included a lovely buffet with glass knobs along with the matching table and chairs.  I also received my Memory Lane plate. During my search for more pattern pieces...

Have you ever purchased something just because you liked it, but really didn't have a place for it?  Yep, me too!  I saw this frame awhile back and liked it for several reasons.  One ... it was one sale and two ... I had an additional 25% off coupon!  In the cart it went!  Of course, I could have placed a favorite family picture in it, but I was in the mood to do some tweaking.  I also had an art stand which I had purchased during one of my antique expeditions.  The stand usually holds a family portrait printed on canvas, but I am always moving things around, so the stand stood empty.  Art stand...frame....what could I do? After a giving it a little thought, an idea emerged!  I cut a piece of painters cloth and got out my alphabet stencils, paint, and a stencil brush.  In literally no time, I had stenciled the words, " Faith, Family, Food !"  After allowing for drying time, I popped it into the frame and placed it in our dini...

My husband and I will soon enter the category known as the "Empty Nesters".  However , I must tell you that I refuse to be labeled as an Empty Nester.  The same held true when our children were at that delightful age of two!  I refused to call that age the "Terrible Twos".  In my role as a counselor and working with many families, I would often hear parents refer to their two year old as a "Terrible Two".  I always encouraged my young families to rethink the label and use a more positive phrase.  This is an exciting time in a two year old's life and many milestones will be achieved during this year.  I encouraged parents to think of it as " Terriffic Two's ".  Imagine this conversation.  " Hello Mrs. Smith, I would like to introduce you to my terrific two year old Sam" .  Now, imagine Sam's delight at hearing his mother or father speak about him in such a warm and loving way. (Our precious son when he was a Terrific Two!)...

Recently my guys talked me into converting a guest bedroom into a media room.  Not so sure if that was a great idea, but it's a done deal at this point! There were a few positives!  We ordered comfy, reclining chairs for movie watching.  I headed straight to my favorite store and picked up a few terrific, relaxing chairs. Perfect for movie watching!  Next came the wall art.  The guest bedroom wall decor just didn't fit, so I began hunting for something different to go on the walls.   Hmmm, what would work?  How about vintage movie ads?  A fabulous, inexpensive way to decorate! You may remember from my laundry room post that I used them to decorate the laundry room. I enjoy digging through vintage ads at antique stores.  I have also ordered a few from Ebay.  I am still on the hunt for an ad from my all time favorite John Wayne movie, "The Quiet Man".  So far, none of the ads have cost more than $8.00.  Gotta love that!...

Today my husband and I have been married for 29 years!  For those of you who know us, yes...someone did have a mustache and it wasn't me! It is also my niece and her husband's 1st anniversary.  I love sharing this special day with them.  A year ago today, I was busy making last minute touches on her bridal brunch, which was hosted in our home.  My niece's husband  is an Aerospace Engineer serving in the United States Air Force and she is a fashion designer.  They are currently stationed in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire.  What a great place to be especially with the Olympics being hosted in London.  I love this sweet picture of them taken a few Easters ago. And here they are at their wedding!  It was a beautiful wedding with lots of family and friends present to enjoy in their happiness. They make a beautiful couple. It was also a great occasion to get a picture with my guys.  My husband and I don't look a day older than our wedding ...

Who doesn't like homemade ice cream?  Today I thought I would share with you my dad's yummy recipe.  This is a traditional cooked custard recipe.  It makes the most creamy, deliciousness that you will ever put in your mouth. The Starting Line-Up... Dad's Creamy Ice Cream 2 and 1/4 cups sugar 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons all purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon regular table salt 5 cups whole milk 4 large eggs, beaten 4 cups heavy whipping cream 2 tablespoons vanilla Combine sugar, flour, and salt. Gradually stir in milk and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes or until thickened.  Gradually temper eggs by adding the hot milk mixture by small amount to the eggs, beating as you temper.  Once tempered, add egg mixture into the milk mixture and cook for 1 minute.  Remove from heat and refrigerate for 2 hours. Combine whipping cream and vanilla to the mixture and freeze in an ice cream freezer.  ( Please note that the ice cream salt in the picture is o...