SIMMERING POTPOURRI

STOVETOP POTPOURRI
one whole orange or just the orange peel1/2 cup cranberries1 Tbsp. whole cloves3 sticks of cinnamon or a small handful of small pieces of cinnamona bit of grated nutmeg if desiredQuarter the orange. Put all the ingredients into a saucepan. Fill pan with water. Place on the stove on the smallest burner, on the lowest setting. Refill water as needed.
Winter Citrus PotpourriThings you need:

• Oranges and Lemons (thinner skins are best)
• Sharp kitchen knife
• Baking sheet and silicone cooking mat
• Cinnamon sticks
• Pine cones
• Orris Root
• Whole cloves and nutmegs
• Vanilla beans (you can use one you have removed the seeds from!)

. A better and safer alternative is to do what your grandmother did: simmer a pot of spices on your stove! Ingredients like cinnamon sticks, apple peels, orange rinds, cloves, apple juice, vanilla, anise, and nutmeg will soon make your home smell like you've been baking all day.
Be Prepared: Get into the habit of saving (rather than composting) your orange peels, lemon and lime peels, and apple and pear skins skins.
Instructions: Fill a small saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add the ingredients from your favorite recipe, continue to boil for a few minutes, then turn the heat down to simmer. Add water as needed, usually every 30 minutes or so.
Recipe #1
Cinnamon sticks
Apple peels
Orange rinds
Whole cloves
Recipe #2
Peel from 1 lemon
Peel from 1 orange
2 bay leaves
3 cinnamon sticks
2 Tablespoons whole cloves
Recipe #3
A few drops vanilla
Orange peels
Recipe #4
1 cup dried lavender
1 tsp anise
1 Tablespoon nutmeg
1 Tablespoon whole cloves
1 Cinnamon stick
Recipe #5
5 bay leave
s1 Tablespoon whole cloves
2 sticks cinnamon

Ingredients:1 Fresh Orange {sliced}1 Fresh Lemon {sliced}4 Cinnamon Sticks {broken up}3 Tablespoons of Whole Cloves2 Tablespoon of Whole All Spice1 Tablespoon of Ground Nutmeg1 Tablespoon of Ground Cinnamon4 Cups of Water
Simmering potpourri is a lovely way to make your home smell warm and inviting, especially during the holiday season when you use fragrant spices like cinnamon and cloves.
Cinnamon Sticks, Orange Slices & Spices
How It Works: Just fill a pot with water, add your favorite ingredients and simmer all day. This also helps humidify the home a bit.
The recipes below are just guidelines, you can use different amounts and mix up ingredients as you like. Save: Orange, lemon and lime peels, apple skins (dry them out first before storing in a container) and add assorted spices. Experiment to find your favorite aromas!
Directions:

• Fill a saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Add the ingredients from your favorite recipe, boil for a few minutes, then turn the heat down to simmer all day. Top up water as needed.

Caution: Set your timer for 30 minutes so you remember to top up with water. You don’t want the pot burning dry. Do not leave the house with this left heating on the stove.
Recipe #1
Cinnamon sticks Apple peels Orange rinds Whole cloves
#2
Apple juice Cinnamon sticks Whole cloves
#3
Vanilla (a few drops) Orange peels
#4 – Christmas Potpourri Simmering Pot
3 sprigs evergreen or handful pine needles 2 cinnamon sticks 2 TBS whole cloves 2 bay leaves 2 pieces orange rind 2 pieces lemon rind
#5
2 TBS whole cloves 2 cinnamon sticks 5 star anise 1 orange peel
#6
Whole cloves 1 tsp nutmeg
#7
Peel from a whole orange Whole cloves 2 Cinnamon sticks
#8
5 bay leaves 1 TBS whole cloves 2 sticks cinnamon
#9
Peel from 1 lemon Peel from 1 orange 2 bay leaves 3 cinnamon sticks 2 TBS whole cloves
#10
1/8 cup cloves 1/8 cup allspice 2 cinnamon sticks
#11
6 whole cloves 1 cinnamon stick 1 tsp vanilla
#12
1 cup dried lavender 1 tsp anise 1 TBS nutmeg 1 TBS whole cloves 1 Cinnamon stick
#13
2 sticks cinnamon Peel from one lemon Fresh rosemary Whole cloves
Winter Freshener:
2 cups dried rosemary 2 cups dried lavender 1 cup dried eucalyptus leaves 1/2 cup dried peppermint or spearmint 1/2 cup dried bay leaves

• Directions: Keep stored in an airtight container then add 1 cup of mix per 3 cups boiling water.

Fragrant Slowcooker Version:
1 cup dried lavender leaves 4 cups dried rose petals 1 tsp. anise seed 1 TBS ground nutmeg 1 TBS whole cloves 1 cinnamon stick (broken and crushed into pieces) 1 TBS crushed benzoin fixative 5 drops jasmine oil 5 drops patchouli oil 5 drops rose geranium oil 5 drops rosemary oil

• Directions: Mix all ingredients and store in a glass container for 1 month before using (store in dark location). Fill crockpot halfway with water, add 1 to 2 cups potpourri then turn the heat on low (lid off). Source: Company’s Coming Slow Cooker Recipes (by Jean Pare).

To make Christmas Potpourri

Add 1-2 clementine peels, 4-5 star anise, a small palm full of cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks and a 1/4 inch of vanilla bean snipped into several pieces to a small pot. Fill the pot 2/3 full of fresh water.

Put on the stove and SIMMER. I set a timer on the stove so I don't forget to turn off the flame.

As the water evaporates and the better-than-baking smell wafts through the house refill with fresh water. DO NOT LET ALL THE WATER EVAPORATE.
Spicy Simmering Potpourri

• 1 oz. can cinnamon sticks, broken into small pieces
• 1 (1.12 oz.) can whole cloves
• 1 (1.25 oz.) can whole allspice

Mix all ingredients in Ziploc bag or airtight container. Place 1 heaping teaspoon to 1/2 cup of water in simmer pot and heat.
Fruity-Fresh Simmering Potpourri

• 1 lemon
• 1 orange
• 3-3 inch cinnamon sticks
• 6 bay leaves
• ½ cup whole cloves

Cut lemon and orange into slices or place in pot or slow cooker or saucepan. Cover with water and then top with a few bay leaves, whole cloves and cinnamon sticks. Cook on low heat. You can refrigerate and reuse any leftovers.
Christmas-y Simmering Potpourri

• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 3 bay leaves
• 1/4 cup whole cloves
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 tablespoons dried lemon peel
• 2 tablespoons dried orange peel
• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• YULE MIX

Mix all ingredients and store in Ziploc or airtight container. I’d use 1/3 mixture at a time (making sure I get one cinnamon stick and one bay leaf). Place your potpourri–along with about a quart of water–in a medium saucepan or slow cooker. Simmer on low heat, adding water as needed.
You can bring the scents of the Yule season into your home by blending up your own batch of potpourri. Keep it in a Mason jar so it will stay fresh. To use, simply scoop ½ of mix into a small pot, and cover with a few inches of water. Allow to simmer on low heat on your stovetop, adding water as the potpourri reduces down. You can also use a small potpourri-sized crock pot. If you're feeling really crafty, make a big batch, divide into several jars, and then tie with a decorative ribbon or piece of raffia. Add a note card, and give as gifts for your friends at Yule!
Blend together:

• 3 Cups dried orange peel
• 1 Cup dried lemon zest
• 4 Cinnamon sticks, snapped into thirds
• 1/4 Cup whole cloves
• 1/4 Cup pine needles
• A pinch of allspice
• 10 juniper berries

Mix in a bowl and then keep in a Mason jar until you're ready to use.
Potpourri2 cinnamon sticks5-8 whole cloves1 apple cut upa few shakes of cinnamonwater (or apple juice)Throw everything in a small pot and fill it up with water (or juice). Bring to boil then turn your stove down as low as it goes to a simmer. Watch to make sure your water doesn't all evaporate (it isn't fun cleaning your pan and the burned smell defeats the purpose of the potpourri). This works the great if you have one of those little crock pots that is used for sauces. My mom just bought an old little sauce pan from a thrift store that she doesn't care about. Just keep adding more water throughout the day. You can do lots of variations of this. This is my fall version. At Christmas time, I use orange peel and/cranberries instead of the apple and I always throw in fresh pine. Honestly, this is so much better than any candle I have ever used.
Simmering Citrus Potpourri1 c waterfew slices of citrus (orange, grapefruit, lemon)cinnamon sticksplash of vanillaFill a small saucepan or skillet with above ingredients. Bring to a low boil and then turn heat down to low and let simmer for as long as you wish. You can add water as needed. Be careful not to let the water evaporate and your pan dry out.

fresh Christmas potpourri recipe creativeholidaygi...Simmering Scent Jar Cost: $2 or $3 (depending on what supplies you already have at home) To be written on tag and attached to jar: Pour contents into saucepan on stovetop and simmer on low heat, add water as needed. Refrigerate to keep fresh. Items needed: 1 pint jar, 2 lemon wedges, 1 lime slice, 2 orange slices, 3 cinnamon sticks, 2-3 Tbsp. whole cloves, 3 bay leaves, small fabric scrap, small piece of twine/jute/ribbon. Directions: Place ingredients in pint jar and fill with water. Top with small piece of fabric secured by tying ribbon or twine around lid. Attach tag.

THERE'S A CROOK AROUND EVERY CORNER

Thank you very much for your swift response and for telling me the

(item) is still available.I want to inform you that i am a deaf

man and i am satisfied with the conditions has you have stated 

in the CL.I want to let you know that i have a schedule already,

for i need to attend an important seminar in Germany so i won't 

be able to come and check it at your House, Since i am okay with

the condition, I will like to make an outright purchase in 

issuing a certified check to you and the check will be cover money

 for the (item) and mover funds, the payment will be sent to you

 via Ups / Fed-ex and will be deliver to you within 2-3 working

 days and Upon the confirmation and clearance of the payment,

 My private mover will come for the pick-up at your place. I'll

 need the below information to make out payment.   Full Name to

 be on the check.... Home address..... City...... State...... 

Zip Code..... Cell phone Number..... Total Amount for the...

(item)   Please i want you to consider my offer & i will like 

to be the last user for this.. As for the shipment. When you 

confirm that you received the check and it cleared, We will make

 arrange for the pickup at your location..   GOD BLESS YOu.

All this for a used $200 laptop??????????

PLEASE DO NOT GIVE ANYONE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION. THEY USE IT

TO ACCESS YOUR ACCOUNTS AND YOU WILL HAVE NOTHING LEFT.

This is my latest response from an ad I had on Craigslist.

Here is another one:

Hello, Thanks for the quick response.... I hope it is in good 

condition as stated and I believe you must have buyer's 

interested in the purchase and I thought the best way to outbid

them is by offering additional sum $30 to the asking price 

because I'll like to buy it a.s.a.p.. Being a respectful buyer,

I would like to make an outright purchase and I would have love

to have a look before buying but, I'm out of Town on a business 

trip. I am from Hawaii, I really need to buy this and send to my 

son schooling outside the state, but you can send his picture to 

me. I will be paying through PAYPAL because i have a verified 

account with pay pal.So, kindly get back to me with your pay pal

email address so i can make payment into your pay pal account.

Once payment clears, shipment will be handled by me through my

personal shipping account. Please kindly get back to me with

your pay pal email address if my offer is granted.

He never stated which item he wanted. I had a couple of laptops on

there. Again, used $200 laptops. 

This is not all that is going on in our lives as far as people 

preying on us to take our money from us with fraud. I receive 

letters a couple of times a week for refinancing my home. The 

letters have FHA on the letterhead, but they are not. A friend 

of mine received a similar offer, went to the companies office 

(good sign, right?) refinanced, laid down $1000 but was told she

 did not have to make 2 house payments. Two months later, her

 bank called her asking where the house payment was? Seems they

 were never contacted by the new company. She called the new 

company who told her to read her contract....if she was not

 approved by their company, she forfeited her $1000. This is a 

girl who brought lunch and coffee to work to save money....now 

she's out her money and is two house payments behind.

The law did nothing to help this girl. 

I saw a man on 20/20 that stated he worked for Bank of America, 

discovered mortgage fraud and reported it as high as he could in 

the company, to no avail. He said Citigroup and Countrywide are

fraudulent with mortgages, also. Nothing has been done. The workforce

has been reduced to none and we it is simply too bad for us that 

we are being cheated. 

What gives a person, or company the right to take what is ours? How

do they sleep at night? The sad part is, they sleep better than we do. 

Someone has to be falling for this theft, or these people would

not spend so much time on it. Someone has been severly cheated

and will spend their days trying to survive because nothing is

being done to stop them. They will continue. We depend on our creditors 

to be honest with us and we get settled in, thinking they are. 

Check your statements, keep an eye on your finances. Don't fall for

lines from so called reputable companies until you check them out. 

Above all, don't throw receipts with your account numbers

in the trash. People look for these to enter your accounts. 

Our lives have become harder to live, because of the financial ruin

of our country. Now, it is standing by while we are being cheated

and no one is doing a thing to help. I know a man that took a 

counterfeit check to a bank that he received. Yes, it is couterfeit

That was it. If he had cashed it instead of asking the bank to check

it, he would have been responsible, but nothing was done about

someone trying to pass a bad check!

Did you notice the one offer said "God Bless You?" I say back to him...

"God Help You."

SHE WILL MEET ME AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN. I WILL NOT BE AFRAID AGAIN

I was fortunate to have two wonderful, loving grandmothers. This grandmother, Lizzie, was my father's mother. My father was her oldest son, and my grandmother could not walk past him without patting him on the back, or touching his hair. She loved my father. She loved us too and her way of loving was to hug us until we couldn't breath.
My grandparents lived on the second floor in a house in Cleveland Ohio. Every Saturday, "Mommy Owens" went to the A&P for groceries. My father and I went to visit after they came back from the store. I was 10 or 11 and remember walking up the stairs and smelling coffee being perked in a stove top perculator. I didn't drink coffee, but I enjoyed the aroma. Mommy Owens always bought my father cake of some kind, and the coffee was for him.
She lived a hard life with my grandfather. My father was always putting him in his place. The only solace my grandmother had was going to church. She would pick me up and she'd find a few hours of peace in her short life.
My grandmother got cancer when she was 52. It was hard and quick and then she died.
I was 12 years old. Years ago, you could have a body put into a casket and drive it to where it was going. My grandmother was laid out and then my father used his stationwagon to carry it to Kentucky for her burial. I asked to go. My mother was staying home with my 5 younger sisters.
The same night she died, my father was asleep, the little ones were upstairs and I was on the sofa in the family room, at the foot of the steps to the upstairs. The house was quiet and dark. The bathroom light was on, a room away from me. The light was also on at the top of the stairs. I laid on the couch, in thoughts of my grandmother and heard one of my sisters come downstairs.
I turned my head toward the stairs and saw something tall and very white. It wasn't one of my sisters.
The Bible says angels are men....cherubim and seraphims. My angel was a young woman. She was tall, had long blonde curly hair, a white robe with a gold sash type of belt and sandals on her feel. She was wrapped in a glow and the feathers on her tall, enormous wings were not over 1 ",and there were thousands of them. The thing I couldn't wrap my mind around, was how was she going to get those tall, sculptured wings through the doorway. To this day, 49 years later, I can still see her in my mind.
At that point, I heard her foot slide over the step and realized it was not my imagination. She was real, as real as I was. What did I do? I got up and ran, to bed with my father.
I didn't tell my father, or anyone else, about the angel. I was 12 and I knew they would laugh at me.
My father passed away 14 years later. My five sisters and I were at my house planning his funeral. For some reason, maybe to comfort them, I started to tell them about my angel. When I did , one of my sisters looked at me in amazement, like I had lost my mind...I wasn't sure what the look was. She asked me to stop, took 2 sisters with her to the other room, and asked me to tell the remaining 2 the story.
We came together a few minutes later with the story and pieced it together. The sister that stopped me from telling my story, said she was in bed, heard someone come out of one of the upstairs bedrooms, looked in the hall from her bed and saw my ....now, our granmothers...angel start to walk down the stairs, where I saw her.
She was 7 and afraid. I was 12 and afraid. We never told anyone.
I regret running away from her. I wish I would have stayed to see what her journey to us was about. I think she wanted us to know our grandmother was in Heaven.
I regret not telling my father. It may have eased his grief.
I regret that in all my years on earth, I've never seen her, again. She is my grandmothers angel. I know she's around somewhere.
And I bet that when I do go to Heaven, she'll be the first one I see.

EASY UPDATES FOR YOUR KITCHEN OR BATH

My kitchen has fruit tile. It's just not my style, so rather than rip it out, I covered it with wallpaper border. You can do this, just to change your kitchen.

It was easy. Wet it and simply put it up like you would on a wall. It comes off easily, so you can change the kitchen or bath without a lot of money.
While we're on kitchens:
I installed under cabinet florescent lights that plug into outlets. Mine look harsh, but are not. Now, I have to go finish my border!

FOR THE LOVE OF ONE GOOD MAN

I married Bobby when I was 58 years old and he was 62. By that time, most people have lived their married life, had their children and moved on to retirement, together. We didn't have that chance. He was a widower and I had just lived through a divorce from a 24 year old marriage.
I was living just fine. I had a good job, owned my own nice home, had a car and truck that were paid for. I owed no one. No one told me what to do. I shoveled my own snow, cut my grass and went where I wanted.
Except I didn't.
I saved a lot of money, because I went no where and did nothing. It was the perfect time of my life but I had no joy from it. Except for the comfort of a picture of Jesus Christ on the wall, I was always alone. I wanted to be alone. My daily prayer was....Father, if there is someone out there for me, you'll have to send him. I'm not going out to look.
I suffered from a horrible depression after my divorce, and was still at the end of it. When work was done, I went straight home, and was in my p.j.'s by 5 p.m. I had my quilt on my chair, watched t.v. or listened to my books on tape. I went to bed at 8 o'clock and got up at 5 a.m....for 4 years. I saw my children on weekends and holidays and cherished the time with them. I even put forth an effort to cook dinner, not realizing it was the only time I cooked.
I had a friend who asked me to meet "this nice guy." Too much effort for me. No thanks. My friend said he's perfect for me. I asked how so and she said she didn't know, couldn't explain it. No thanks...and if you don't know, I'll stay like I am...my life is fine. The sad part? I thought it was. I was on top of the world!
During the course of 8 months, this friend asked me to meet "nice guy" 3 times. I turned her down. Why would I want to mess up my routine? I liked living alone.
One day my friend called to ask me to a girls night out. It was like pulling teeth for her. I gave every excuse I had, but she won, and I went. It was fun, dinner and a band, with just girls.
Of course, the conversation got on "nice guy" and I felt trapped. The other girls knew him and went on and on about him. My friend said we were perfect for each other. I told her that statement bugged me, without the whys. She didn't know why.
"Nice guy" had a boat and the girls went out with him in the summer. I was asked to go, and agreed. After all, it was January and I could always bow out.
My so called friend gave "nice guy" my email address. Thanks kid...that's all I needed. After ignoring the emails, she gave him my phone number. It was time for a killing!
"Nice guy" seemed to misunderstand every thing I said and I'd have to explain my comments, which irritated the garbage out of me....but he would not stop calling. I was fed up with him and the intrusion into my life and when he asked to meet me for coffee, I went in full force. Now, I could tell him what I thought of him, and our mutual friend! Bring it on, Bud, you're going to get it!
We lived 83 miles apart, so one Wednesday evening, we drove halfway to meet. I remember being angry that I had to go out of my way, and wanted to be home in my p.j.'s.
I got to the restaurant first. He called stating he'd be a little late. I worked all day and he did not. He was retired, and was going to be late? The more that went on, the worse it got. My anger was white hot.
I ordered 2 coffee's, and waited. And waited. I had my head turned, looking out the window and heard someone clear their throat. I turned around to stare at a belt buckle. Ok, I'll look up to the lowest button on his shirt. I could hear him chuckling, a little. My eyes moved up two more buttons. As I lingered there, he asked "why is my coffee across the table? I didn't drive this far to sit over there." Damn! Now, I had to look up because he spoke. I slowly went up one more button, and then I was at his throat. He made not a sound. I took a deep breath, looked at his face. All of the anger was gone. He sat down and stared at me. He stared so close at me, I could feel my deodorant failing.
We talked for quite awhile. We continued talking on the phone for 10 more days when he asked me to visit him for the weekend. If we had not know mututal people, I would have refused, but I figured if he was a serial killer, someone would find me.
At the start of all of this, I went to his house. I didn't want him involved in my life, so soon. After awhile, I invited him to my home. Here's the scary part...he started coming over in March. My Christmas decorations were not completely down! (Don't forget....I was busy watching t.v.) When I went to work, he took them down, packed them away without saying a word. He cleaned my garage. He changed the oil in my vehicles. He carried out trash....made dinner. What was he thinking? What was he doing?
After a few more months, he proposed. I expect my reaction would have scared off the strongest of men. I laughed. I laughed because I truly thought he was kidding. He expected me to give up on this life I was living?
He proposed to me 5 times and I stopped laughing, but explained why my answer was no.
On the 6th proposal, I turned the tables and asked him why. He gave me the right answers. I said yes.
After we were married, our mutual friend came to our home for a visit. We were on the deck, eating, and all of a sudden, she yelled "I know what it is!"...and was met with complete silence for a few seconds. Then she said "Remember when I told you that you guys were perfect for each other and I couldn't explain it? It was the hurt....you both had the same look of hurt and pain in your eyes, but it's gone. I can't see it anymore."
So, we bought a home 83 miles away from where I worked. His parents are still here and need him, and it was to be our retirement home. Big mistake. I traveled, he traveled....anything for time with each other. I came home Friday nights at 6 p.m. and left Sunday at 4 p.m. for 3 years.
I have since then retired, I am home all of the time and at first, I enjoyed being home so much, he did the grocery shopping. I did not want to go anywhere. It is calming down, now.
So, I gave up my p.j.s and t.v. routine for a life with love, companionship, to be with someone so alike me, it's odd. We were both born in Kentucky and when he uses his country slang around my children, I tell them what he means. We love the same programs, working in the yard, growing gardens and flowers, freezing and canning, traveling to see our families, pick up trucks, computers, country decorating, country music, playing guitars, we refurbish furniture and love to work with our tools, we like the same food and we have the same belief in God. My Mother was ill and spent seven months with us. He never complained. He's interested in my crafts and tells everyone he meets about the book I wrote.
Remember when he was late for our coffee meeting? I found out later, he changed clothes several times, stopped at his Mothers home and paced until she told him to sit down!
When I said my daily prayer to Jesus? Jesus was my companion, my room mate during that time of my life, but He answered my prayer when the time was right. I was asked to meet this man several times over a course of eight months. The Lord let me meet him when His time was right..and my Bobby is, indeed, the answer to my prayers.

CANCER CANNOT HAVE MY SISTER

Recently,our little sister Kathy was diagnosed with cancer. I pray that you never get a phone call like that, and if you have, then you understand the helplessness you feel when it comes. There are no words and you feel like you aren't doing what you should be doing...saying the right words, but you simply are incappable of speech. Your mind is screaming....but you can't scream out loud. I am thankful that it was my sister Sharon that called. She totally understands me and let the silence go for as long as I needed. I'm glad she knew that when my breathing started again that the tears were coming. I'm glad she stiffled her tears until my shock was over and I'm glad she just let me cry with her, without having to talk. I am grateful for this sister that knows me so well.
It seemed with every message the news was worse. Kathy had 3 areas in her body with cancer. She was going to receive chemo. She lost her hair. She was tired and sick all of the time, and you could see it in her face. You could hear it in her voice.
Kathy lives in another state, so we didn't see her daily. She wore pretty scarves and hats and was constantly being asked where she got them. . On one visit, she asked if I minded if she took the scarf off of her head. I'm glad she walked away after I answered her, because that was a rough moment for me. I wanted to say yes, take the damned thing off. I'm your sister. Let me kiss your bald head! All I said was of course, I don't mind.
She fought that cancer like you'd fight an intruder in your home. Right from the start, Kathy was the strong one. She told us not to cry! She cried one time through it all. The rest of the time was spent fighting.
We believe in God and in his grace and mercy. We relied on Him to keep our little sister safe, and Kathy never had a doubt that He would. Never.
The fact that she is cancer free, absolutely no signs of cancer, is not surprising to us. She refused to let it have her. She laid the cancer at the foot of the cross, walked away, did what she had to do with medical tests and came out of it. I have never seen such strength in my life.
Of course, the sister, Sharon, that knows me was the one to call and tell me. I was in Hobby Lobby and she asked if I had talked to Kathy. I waited for the bad news, and Sharon said, go outside. I said please tell me. When she said all cancer is gone, I blindly walked, stumbled out of that store. I walked all the way to my car, not trusting myself to speak, and when I reached the car, she listened to me cry, again, crying with me.
Where do you find a pact like that? Where do you find someone that knows how you will react and walks you through it? Our sister was so sick, but more worried about us. Where do you find strength like that?
Only in a sister.

MY COUNTRY BATHROOM....USE WHAT YOU HAVE

I am a firm believer in use what you have. It's cheaper, imaginitive and fun...not to mention good for the environment. I had towel racks, but the french didn't do it for me. I had a partial roll of country wallpaper border and created new racks.
I wanted to change my bathroom. This is what I did. I started to paint it lavender. I didn't like it, and realized I had nothing lavender for the room and would have had to make or buy all new, so I did this. I painted everything beige.....paneling and all. This is what I ended up with...I even had the red checked fabric for the curtains and I am braiding a throw rug from flannel, so all the room cost me was the lavender paint. In the spring, my husband will make a door to cover the in the wall shelves by the window. My curtain rods were kitchen ones....I painted them red in the center, the part you can see.