Come By and Say "Hi!" ~

 

Happy New Year! I hope your winter holidays were all sorts of wonderful. 

I have been busy posting over on my YouTube channel! I would love to see you over there 😊 While you're there, please take a moment to subscribe and tap on the bell so that you will be notified when I post new videos! 

Thanks for stopping by!

xo, TJ 

2022 ~ Reflections ~ Struggles

2022

~sharing~

*this is a very transparent post 

Reflecting on 2022 and one word continuously pops up in my mind. 

Struggle

...with the direction our lives have been going in (apparently there is no manual on managing the new normal of your life after a loved one's stroke. How could there be? Each situation is unique. We are 10+ years in.)

...with my self image

...with my weight

...with feeling stagnant 

...with my health challenges

...with figuring out what I want in the near and distant future

And so much more. Too much to put into legible words. We all have struggles. Some more than others. I never lose sight of that.

But...I am the eternal optimist and have faith that mine will all be sorted out if I continue to put in the work. Action is a ✨️magical✨️ word when it's very definition is applied to our circumstances. And attitude most definitely can be a tool we can use to work for us, or against us.

It is possible that I am extra reflective (annnd a tad melancholy) at the close of this year since I am facing my 60th birthday soon. I also think I have a touch of PTSD where a new year is concerned, since we have all been put through the wringer these past few years. Nonetheless, I have planned my plans, dreamt new dreams and have gorgeous goals laid out for this new year.

So, in honor of bidding adieu to 2022 with a soft kiss on it's cheek, welcoming the baby new year, and my upcoming 60th, I have decided to post a selfie a day for the duration of 2023. On the good, the bad and the "it is what it is" days. I think it will be interesting to see the changes from day to day. (I have officially reached the point where, as one woman put it, "one morning I woke up, looked at myself in the mirror and said, 'WHAT is THAT? That wasn't there yesterday!'") So...yeah. This should be fun, lol. Would you like to join me? I'll be using the hashtag #dailyselfie2023 on Instagram if you would like to follow along.

cheers to 2023

Wishing a most HAPPY, HEALTHY, SAFE, PEACEFUL, BLESSED and PROSPEROUS year ahead to y'all! See you next year!

💋xo, 

TJ

Christmas Greetings ~

 

Wishing you and yours the merriest of Christmases! 

I will be spending the day with my beloveds and will see you in the next post!

💋xo, 

TJ

Thanksgiving Blessings to You and Yours!

 

Friday Fave #3~ (hint: it may include 🥧)

 

it's NATIONAL DESSERT DAY y'all! 

 This Friday Fave isn't something you or I would necessarily have to spend money on (other than maybe a tip to your server. PLEASE...ALWAYS tip your server. #beentheredonethat) It combines two of my favorite things: Friday and DESSERT! 

Of all the national this & that days, I think I may just love NATIONAL DESSERT DAY best!😍🍰And FREE sweets? Don't mind if I do~

Here's a few places that TODAY.com says may offer free desserts to celebrate this glorious day!

You're welcome😉

Now get on out there & get your dessert on!

Thanks for stopping by!

💋xo,

TJ

*this/these product(s)/businesses/suggestions were/are not sponsored and is not an ad~just a friend sharing with friends!

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

May your heart, home and table be filled to overflowing with many things to give thanks for, today and always! 

It's a New Decade! Hello 2020!

🎆🎉🎉🎉2020🎉🎉🎉🎆

The entry of a new decade had me reminiscing back to Y2k and all the panic that was happening surrounding the decade to come. January 1, 2000 dawned, and the world remained intact. Do you remember Y2k? Hindsight is 2020 as they say!

I have long ago abandoned making resolutions for the new year. In its stead, I  began beginning each new day with goals and aspirations for the 24 hours set before me. Yes, I do make longer term goals, and resolve to meet them within a set time frame, but not "new year's resolutions".

How about you? Do you make New Year resolutions? Care to share what some, or all, of them are?

Another new year trend I have noticed going around is, a "word" for the upcoming year. I haven't really joined in on that bandwagon either, I do good to remember the next word in a sentence I am speaking, let alone try to remember  a word I need to focus on for the next 365 days ahead, lol!

I don't begrudge folks that keep these traditions, I  have my own and wouldn't want to be judged for not following what is trendy. I have always marched to the beat of my own drum, and am a live and let live sort of person. I enjoy, and find fascinating, the variety people that keep this world interesting.

I hope and pray that you all have a wonderful, healthy, prosperous new DECADE!

Welcome 2020!

Thanks for stopping by!~TJ

Weekend Puttering~

This past Father's Day weekend was so pleasant!  The weather was nice, as the humidity wasn't very high.  I did some baking, sewing for my Etsy shop, sowed some seeds in the garden, did a little reading and enjoyed the company of my family.

the studio guard cat

I baked some peanut butter cookies using the only recipe that I have used for years, some of which I made into thumbprint cookies, using some strawberry jam that I had in the pantry.

On Father's Day, I made a quick and easy devils food cake with cream cheese frosting, because that is my husband's favorite type of cake.  I did cheat a bit by using a cake mix, but I added my own twist to it to make it a bit...extra, as the kids say nowadays.😃

I hope your Father's day weekend was enjoyable and spent with those you love!

Thanks for stopping by! ~TJ

Apron Sale~

Hey y'all!

I have a thing for aprons.  I'm not really sure why or where it came from, but I do. I always have a few hanging at the ready in my kitchen to help protect my clothing while I clean, cook, garden or bathe splashing pets. Because of this adoration of mine, I began sewing up a few almost a decade ago and then set up a little etsy shop to sell them in order to supplement our income.

I am listing some of the aprons I've made, and am offering for sale, on my social media accounts. The holidays are coming, and aprons make great heirloom gifts that can be passed down from generation to generation. They are also wonderful to present to the recipient as part of a beautiful gift basket. And each is a little different from the others. Dare I say...one of a kind?

And...let's be honest, also because the holidays are coming, making the extra money couldn't hurt us one bit right now.

I would love it if you would take a gander at them!

Children's Sized Aprons

GrandBaby's Favorite Apron

"Chubby Owl"~Red

$15

GrandBaby's Favorite Apron 

"Chubby Owl"~Yellow

$15

GrandBaby's Favorite Apron~Reversible (Plain)* **
"Holly Jolly"
TWO aprons in one!
$18
*see matching adult apron below to see reverse white material
**child's apron has regular length waist ties

And the reverse side of this apron...

 GrandBaby's Favorite Apron~Reversible (Plaid, no pockets)
"Classic Plaid"
TWO aprons in one!
$18


Adult Sized Aprons 

Mamaw's Favorite Apron 

"Baking Day"

$28

And the reverse side of this apron...

Mamaw's Favorite Apron~Reversible (Plain)

"Holly Jolly"

$30

TWO aprons in one!

{with extra long waist ties to wrap around to the front and tie a pretty bow!}

And the reverse side of this apron...

 

Mamaw's Favorite Apron~Reversible (Print)

"Holly & Candy Canes"

TWO aprons in one!

$32

Vintage Reproduction Half Apron

"Candy Canes in the Snow"

$18

Vintage Reproduction Half Apron 

"Fluttering Leaves"

$18

Vintage Reproduction Half Apron 

"Cherry Pickin' Time"

$18

Vintage Reproduction Half Apron 

"Butterflies in Flight"

(Pale blue & chocolate brown background)

$18

All photos are not filtered in any way and taken in various lighting conditions, in an attempt to capture the true colors. (A few days of clouds and rain haven't helped😉) 

I accept Paypal and Cash App and shipping is included in the price listed. I can also list them in my Etsy shop if you prefer but shipping will NOT be included through that venue.  I do accept returns within 14 days of receipt, as long as the item is in its original condition as when I sent it out and buyer pays shipping to return item.
*free shipping is only to US addresses. Outside of US, buyer must pay shipping.

• Smoke free home.

If you are interested in one and/or would like more details and/or detailed pictures, please ask in the comments below! I've sewn these babies with love in each and every stitch & don't mind sharing their info.

I will be adding more in the upcoming days, so please check back often! Also, if you kindly wouldn’t mind sharing this with your family & friends, I would be ever so grateful!

*first come, first served!

As always, thanks for your continued support AND for stopping by! ~TJ

Earn Cash Back While Shopping and Eating Out This Holiday Season!

Sign up for the DOSH app to start earning cash back!

Have you heard of the Dosh app? I'm so thankful my DD told me about it, and just in time for the holidays so I can earn cash back while I'm doing what I would be doing anyway...shopping for gifts! (Eating out too!) Plus you get $5 just for signing up and linking a card! You can even make extra money when your referrals sign up & link a card.

Go here to find out more or sign up!

Spread the word! We can all use the extra money!
I hope this helps you save some dollars!

Veterans Day 2018~

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. ~John 15:13

To all our beloved veterans, "thank you" is such a very small sentiment to offer you for your service. You are very much appreciated on this day, and every day.

July 4th

my sweet grandson from a 4th past

Wishing you a safe, fun filled Independence Day!
Our weather forecast is for rain, rain and more RAIN! Honestly though, I personally don't mind, as I love rain.  I do feel badly for those who were hoping for a sunshine-y 4th though.  I would never want to rain on other folks' parade (pun intended). We had planned on doing some grilling for the holiday, but that can be done another day.

I will content myself with cozy-ing up with a good book in a favorite reading spot...

and maybe plan an indoor, oven bbq dinner.  Or maybe not.  There are some delicious leftovers in the fridge. 😎

How will you be spending your day?  Sending happy sunshine rays, and sparkly fireworks your way! ~TJ

Memorial Day 2018

Prayers, peace and thanks...

image thanks:  the graphics fairy

today and every day.