* MY COUNTDOWN TO THANKSGIVING - DAYS 3 & 4 *

 

* Countdown to Thanksgiving *

 

 

I forgot all about yesterday's post! I'm so sorry! I worked long hours, (and have the same schedule today) so I thought I better do my post now! J



 

One of my favorite coffee mugs! Harvest Blessings on one side.......



....And a scarecrow on the other!



This is the first cloche I made. (I'd never even heard of them until I saw a post on Marty's blog http://beckypovich.blogspot.com/search?q=Marty

All of these things make me think of autumn, obviously, but especially of Thanksgiving!

Have a beautiful day today/this evening.....wherever you are!

* IT'S TEA CUP TUESDAY *

Hello! Today I'm once again joining in the fun for Tea Cup Tuesday with Martha's Favorites. Two weeks ago, I participated for the first time in a LONG time and it was great to be back again.

Here's that link for those who are interested: http://beckypovich.blogspot.com/2014/07/its-tea-cup-tuesday.html.

 

~~~

Today, I'm once again reposting a Tea Cup Tuesday. This time it's from July 3, 2012.

~~~

My little display is a set of three that I bought at Home Goods about two years ago. (That would be four years ago now!) I loved it the minute I saw it. It's so summery....and I love peaches, too. It was such a ridiculously low price, I just had to buy it! I don't remember exactly, but it was around $5.00 for all three pieces.

The brand is Maxwell Williams, Designer Homewares

The name of it is Orchard Fruits

Fine Bone China

As you can see, it's not the "typical" tea cup usually shown on Tuesdays. It's more of a coffee cup, wouldn't you say? 

Many times in the summer, I use these for my lunch. It just makes a plain ol' lunch seem fancy and festive!

Ahhhhh, my morning coffee! 

Please excuse my "presentation." I threw this all together and didn't do a very good job!

 

~~~

 

I just discovered I have more photos of this set that I didn't use in the 2012 post. They are below:

 

 

I'm fairly sure the reason I didn't post these is because of "my presentation!" Not a good job AT ALL! My apologies. I promise I'm much better at it now than I was then!

~~~
 

Thanks for stopping by and please come back again. I always post a variety of information and photos: tea cups, coffee cups, dogs (MY dog, Vern!) books, writing, authors, reading, vintage, movies, music, holidays, food, ETC!

 

"Come, let us have some tea and continue to talk about happy things." -- Chaim Potok


 

* SIMPLE JOYS - HAPPINESS - LAUGHTER *

Today really felt like Saturday to me and I have no idea why. Maybe because I haven't been keeping my "usual routine!" (and if you believe that, you don't know me very well!)

And now....Sharing some simple joys......

 

 

 

Some of you will remember my small collection of statues with books.

I got this adorable little girl at Dollar Tree!

 

Ahh, yes life is good. (most of the time!)

 I love to take pictures of all kinds of things,
especially when sunlight is part of it.

Isn't it more fun to have homemade iced tea in a pretty,
 hand painted, glass pitcher?
This was a birthday gift many years ago,
 from my friend Kathy Y who shares my birth date!



One of my favorite walking trails from 2009

 

 

 This is a small (approx. 8" square) canvas print from (I think) Hobby Lobby

(the colors are actually more vibrant than this shows)

Mmm, making homemade bread the Old-Fashioned way,

 not in a bread machine, but in the oven!
(I must confess, I haven't done this in YEARS,
but just the thought of it brings wonderful memories
and the aroma of freshly baked bread.)

My beautiful, ceramic, much treasured chicken cookie jar -

I'm so glad I have this photo because a couple of years ago

 it stood proudly on the top shelf of my baker's shelf....until one day

when I was dusting everything....and her head fell off!

Can you envision it?? A chicken who lost her head?

I still have all the pieces because The Ronald said he can put

it back together....but I'm not sure....SO, at least I have this photo!

 

 

 This picture always cracks me up!

That's my son, Mark, and me "driving" some kind of
game at Chuckie Cheese's. I could fill a small photo book with
all the wacky faces I've made that have been captured on film!

 

 

 

(Guess which one of the 3 I am!)



Don't you wish you could do this

 with two of your girlfriends?!



I bought this little lady at Dollar Tree in 2010.

I wrote about her on my blog saying,

"Doesn't it look like she's scratching her butt??"

 

Ahh, I love candles but definitely not

 all of the fifty million scents that are available!



Coffee mugs that are unique, pretty, cute, and/or with sayings on them.

(Oh my gosh! Look at the spots on my table/desk! Or should I say, DON'T look!)

Last but not least, I can't possibly write about joy, happiness,

 and laughter without including a picture of our sweet, beloved Vern!

 

~~~

Welcome to my two newest followers Medeia Sharif and Sia Mckye. I hope you'll both stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you!

~~~

Okay....So, these are just a few of the simple things in life that give me joy and/or make me laugh. What about you? What brings you joy?

* AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT *

I'm sure most of you are really tired of reading anything that has to do with my memoir....and I'm kind of weary of it myself! So, as the title proclaims, this won't be the same old same old.

 

 

Below is my favorite 2013 Christmas gift! 

 

I know all about those Keurig Coffee Makers being such a big hit, but I'm not about to pay that much for any kind of coffee maker. It doesn't matter to me that it can make different flavors of coffee and tea and other drinks.

 

 

BUT, sometimes I don't feel like making an entire pot of coffee, and would love to brew just one cup. My best (non-writer) friend, Sherry and I were out shopping before Christmas and I saw the box of this adorable little maker - Bella Single Serve Brewer. (We always exchange Christmas gifts. Nothing extravagant. Just something we know the other person will love!) It was less than $20.00, so I nonchalantly said something about what a great gift that would make! J And so, you know what I received from (non-writer) Sherry!

 

It will work for a coffee mug, a larger mug, and even a tall Styrofoam cup! I just love it! After the first few weeks of getting out the large coffee container every time for just a teeny scoop, I decided I needed some kind of container(s) that would hold the individual portions. I was hoping to find something inexpensive at one of the discount stores, not really knowing what I wanted. I knew, though, that when I saw it, I would know.

 

So, as I was weaving through the aisles, looking for the small-plastic-containers-similar-to-Rubbermaid-Tupperware-type thingys.....I passed this amazing little thingy in the craft aisle! It is PERFECT! It holds the small amount I need. It snaps shut. It holds enough for six large Styrofoam cups of coffee, and it cost One Dollar! Ta Da!

** Welcome to my newest follower, Neurotic Workaholic. I hope you will stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see!  Thank you so much! ** 


* I forgot to remind everyone that I'm the guest blogger at Carol Kilgore's, Under the Tiki Hut this week. My post will be the top one until next Monday, March 17 at 6:00 AM. Please stop by and leave a comment if you haven't already. And YES, I did mention my memoir again!! *

(I couldn't decide on just one coffee quote....!)

"I have measured out my life with coffee spoons." -- T.S. Eliot

"My dream is to have a house on the beach, even just a little shack somewhere so I can wake up, have coffee, look at dolphins, be quiet and breathe the air." -- Christina Applegate

"To me, the smell of fresh-made coffee is one of the greatest inventions." -- Hugh Jackman

"I put instant coffee in a microwave oven and almost went back in time." -- Steven Wright

* AND THE WINNER IS.......*

Hello Everyone! 

* The winner of my book give-away from Wednesday, May 22nd is.....McGuffy Ann! Congratulations! I also mention it in the comment section of that post: http://beckypovich.blogspot.com/2013/05/books-dogs-give-away.html 

~~~~~

In spite of the yucky, rainy, dark, dismal, cloudy, and almost floody weather at my house.....I will NOT let this weather get me down.....(although I hate it!)....I'm following my sister-in-law's example and reminding myself that compared to the recent horrible destruction and loss of lives in other areas, I have nothing to complain about! 

So.....to begin:

~~~~~

I'll supply my own sunshine!

  

One of my favorite local trails. (2009)

Mmmm....a strawberry dipped in chocolate and chilled. (2011)

A gift from a very good writer-friend! (2012)

Vern snoozing on the deck. What a sweetie!

Lake of the Ozarks...Ahhhhhh (2011)

Beautiful blue sky and huge, puffy, white, cotton candy clouds! (2012)

~~~~~

AND, how can anyone keep from being happy when hearing this??

Birds chirping, music playing, Julie Andrews singing!

Maria: I can't seem to stop singing wherever I am. And what's worse, I can't seem to stop saying things - anything and everything I think and feel. 

Mother Abbess: Some people would call that honesty. 

Maria: Oh, but it's terrible, Reverend Mother. 

* Thanksgiving is More Than Just One Day *

While Vern and I walked yesterday, I marveled at the glorious leaves, some of which still clung to branches, many covered portions of yards, and others skidded and tumbled along the streets and sidewalks. 

I thought again how everything that has previously happened in my life has brought me to where I am right now. How every event that occurred, whether happy or sad, has been part of my life's path. 

When I was a child the route was chosen for me by my parents, and then when I was a young adult, I decided my own course. Sometimes I needed to make a detour and other times the detour was already in place ahead of me. 

Countless people waste so much precious time fretting about "If Onlys." 

If only I'd taken that job I wanted.
If only my parents didn't do this or that.
If only I had more money.
Etc. 

I learned a long time ago to stop thinking that way. When and how did I figure that out? I really can't remember, at least not at this moment. 

All I know is this: I'm very happy. And material things have nothing to do with my happiness. Can I say that I'm glad every "bad" incident happened in order for me to be in this blissful state of mind? I guess that's what I've been trying to say. It's that domino effect.

Although I sincerely thought I knew what my feelings were about everything in my past, I didn't really begin to know until I began to write my memoir. I still have more to think about. More to learn. More to delve into. I'll just have to start on "the sequel," I guess. ☺

~~~~~

This post doesn't really seem like a Thanksgiving one, does it? I may have gotten a bit too reflective, but my point is this: 

I am alive. I am here on this beautiful earth. My life is not perfect and neither am I! But I'm grateful & thankful, every single day of my life for every single thing that happened along the way. It has made me who I am. 

~~~~~

Happy Thanksgiving!

And have a cup of yummy flavored coffee with me, with whipped cream and cinnamon sprinkles on top!

"This life is yours. Take the power to choose what you want to do and do it well. Take the power to love what you want in life and love it honestly. Take the power to walk in the forest and be a part of nature. Take the power to control you own life. No one else can do it for you. Take the power to make your life happy." -- Susan Polis Schutz

* Nostalgic Sundays *

It's time for another Nostalgic Sunday.

Today's post isn't technically about nostalgia,
 but it's about little things that make me happy.

Writerly coffee mugs!
(Saturday Writers is the local writing group I've been the president of this year.)

Chocolate covered strawberries - Yum!

Beautiful fall foliage, even on a rainy day.
I took this picture from inside my laundry room.
I purposely wanted to capture the rain drops on the window.

"Cheapie" earrings from Walmart -- $2.88. (no kidding)

Same as above: $2.88

These photos don't do the earrings justice. They are really beautiful. I've never seen such nice ones for such a small price! I just happened to notice different earring displays as I walked down the aisle and couldn't believe my eyes when I looked at the price. 

I've told girlfriends over the years that whenever I'd feel a little down and needed an inexpensive pick-me-up, I'd head to the earrings in various department stores at the mall. I'd usually find a pretty pair on sale for less than $10.00 and I'd be a happy gal! BUT, to find such gorgeous ones for $2.88!...Well, I just had to go crazy and buy TWO pair!

(All photos taken by me except for the Taylor family in Mayberry. That was found in Google.)

Aunt Bee would be so proud of me and my frugality!

"Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things." ~ Robert Brault

*I'm so proud to say that Robert Brault is a friend of mine. He is a genius, yet kind and humble, and so encouraging to others. Click on his name to go to his blog. Read some of his hundreds of quotes and sayings and maybe purchase his new calendar and/or note cards. I have them both and they are delightful.*

* Are You Kidding Me? *

OMG! Only this minute did I see that in my Profile Photo, I look just like Maxine! (see post below) Hand on face, open mouth, and I guess she's wearing glasses??!!

Only difference is.....I'm happy 99% of the time.....and Maxine is crabby 100% of the time! 
Oh, and I need to be holding a cup of coffee!  ☺

"Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day." -- Unknown

Happy Monday!

I'm feeling happy and productive today! The "happy" part is usually a daily thing for me, although it waned a little with the passing of my sweet dog last month. The "productive" part has been missing for quite some time, due to various reasons. As of this past weekend, though, I began living.....not a "new" me...but a "renewed" me!

The Ronald bought this coffee cup for me as a Christmas gift after I saw it in Borders.

The outside was cute enough with its curved shape, large handle and Christmasy decor.

 

But when I looked inside and saw what it said, I just had to have it!

It is SO ME!

I received other pretty coffee cups this year, too, and a cute tea pot-tea cup gift set. I'll post photos of them some other time. I just wanted to say a quick Hello for today and to wish everyone a joyous, blissful day!

"There is no try. There is do or do not." (I heard Tommy Smothers say this on a PBS special the other night, but when I looked it up just now, to give proper credit to it, it's attributed to Yoda, from Star Wars!)

* It's Turkey Day at Our House *

Today is Thanksgiving....at our house! Over the past few years, as our family grew, we began having holiday get-togethers on the Saturday before the actual holiday. It works out great and none of the sons & daughters-in-law are stressed out about trying to be in multiple places, all at the same time!

As I type this, I can smell the turkey roasting in the oven! Mmmm....have I mentioned that I just love Thanksgiving?! I was up until midnight last night baking 2 pumpkin pies, the green bean casserole, AND a turkey breast! The turkey that's in the oven right now is a 24 lb! We need LOTS of turkey with this bunch!

I stopped to have some coffee just moments ago!

This is my favorite coffee cup to drink from this time of year.

This is what it looks like on the other side.

And this is opposite the handle.

My dining room windows face the west, so there's never good light in it, until around sunset!

Gotta run.....need to check on things in the kitchen!

Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel. ~Author Unknown