Thankful Birthday

I'm so blessed to have a family member with a 'Thanksgiving' birthday! Each year their birthday falls near or even on Thanksgiving. 

This white cake has homemade lemon curd filling and white butter cream frosting with coconut. It's layers are moist- definitely not perfectly frosted but oh my goodness it was melt in your mouth delicious!

 Lemon curd is one of my favorites.  It makes any thing taste gourmet and is so simple to make.

Today I'm thankful for birthdays. I do not take them for granted. Gravity, wrinkles, graying hair, life experiences... all those things are some what more noticeable when it's our own birthday but in the big scheme of things those things don't matter. They are age earned and awarded to us each and every year! Here's to wishing you could sit down and have a piece of cake with me too!  Celebrate, be thankful and most of all love.

~Tanya

Time to smell the Thanksgiving Roses

Giving thanks. Thanksgiving seems to be a rush into the holiday season these days. But this turkey is taking the time to smell the roses. 

Simple abundance. These are the things I'm most thankful for in my life.

Perfect roses, time with those I love most, enjoying the beauty created for us in this world. Exploring my talents and sharing them with others. But most of all... giving thanks for my blessings- of which there is an abundance.

 Simple and beautiful Thanksgiving.

I hope and pray your turkey takes time to smell the roses and give thanks for the simple things in life.

Those turkeys... sure have it all figured out! 

Happy Thanksgiving and happy beginning of the holiday season!  May you and your loved ones be safe and blessed!

~Tanya

Sharing with:
Have a Daily Dose of Mrs. Olson- Share your cup Thursday

Snow Heather

Yesterday morning I woke up early and to my delight we had our first snowfall of the season! I always love the white dusting of winter on a first snow! My garden heather is now Snow Heather!!!  When I saw the hint of lavender in the snowy white it made my heart sing. I planted this little plant last year in my garden and she has brought me joy today! Heather, in the traditional purple color represents admiration, beauty and solitude. I found a bit of all three early yesterday morning when I spent some time with her!

~Tanya

I Believe Find!

A while back I decided to do an overhaul of my sewing studio and fabric stash. This seems to be an ongoing project for me! Do you have any unfinished projects?! Do I even dare ask that question?!!! I love going through some of my unfinished stacks because a once loved project is still loved even though it hasn't been completed, worked on or unearthed for a while!

I believe...   I found!!!

This is an applique quilt project called 'I Believe' designed by Pat Sloan. I didn't forget I had it but I definitely put off working on it for way too long. I've been stitching on it a little every day now and love having all my scraps more organized so I can find exactly the piece I like.

There are many blocks yet to go but this is a fun project to have found again and to be working on during the upcoming holiday evenings! I love hand stitching at night while watching tv. I'm sure it won't be finished this year for the holiday but..

I Believe it will be finished soon! Do you believe?!

Happy stitching, creating and doing the things you love. I definitely Believe!

~Tanya

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Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson ~ Share Your Cup Thursday

My Romantic Home ~ Show & Tell Friday

A Sentimental Thrifty Journey

Early last spring I was exploring a local thrift shop. I had gone on a whim thinking maybe, just maybe I would find something I loved and had to take home. Now anyone who goes to thrift shops knows that if they have something in mind there is a chance they may walk out empty handed or may find an entirely different treasure.

I'm always on the lookout for things I love- antique linens, crystal and china, textiles, unique buttons and things with a romantic style. As I neared the back of the store I hadn't found a thing I just had to have. I glanced over at the pictures and frame section and peeking from behind a few dusty nondescript picture frames I saw a hint of white lace. My heart started to beat a little faster! Could it? Could it be? Lace crochet- the real thing- in a beautiful frame!!! 

As I reached toward the white lace so lovingly peeking out at me I had to move a couple of other photos and as I moved them into sight came two more crochet lace framed pictures. I couldn't believe my eyes! My first thought was how did these end up here?! The hand crocheted pieces had been custom framed and now they sat on a dusty thrift store shelf. I started to think of the many hours someone lovingly stitched the pieces. Who was she? Where had she lived? Who were they made for? What was her life experience while she was making these? and now how could they possibly be right in front of me waiting to be taken to a loving home.

I turned the first frame over and saw a minimal price tag and I thought to myself there is no way I can pass this up and not take all three home with me. A lucky day indeed but more importantly I connected with the stitching and the love someone had put into them. They had meant something to someone, some place and now they were to mean something to me.

I learned a few poignant lessons that day. Enjoy the talents you have been blessed with. Share them freely with others. Enjoy the fruits of your labor and live with things you create. Revere someone else's work when you see it and honor their gift. I felt a closeness to this artist and perhaps more importantly I loved myself and treated myself a little kinder that day.

I've crocheted, sewn and done handwork for most all of my life. I've been blessed with a very few small pieces of handwork from my grandmother.I wish I had more but I treasure the few items I have.  Now I have been blessed with a few more pieces of handwork someone, somewhere made and now are in my home. A treasure far beyond a thrifty find!!!
~Tanya

Sharing with:
Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson  Share your Cup Thursday
Thrifty Things Friday
The Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday

Fall Pumpkin Patch Time!

Headed off to the Fall Pumpkin Patch! Don't you just love the smell of fall?! Pumpkins, apple cider, caramel apples...

Chocolate fudge brownies!!! The gooey'er the better. Who can resist a brownie?! Not me.

Ahh yes. Fall is here! 

~Tanya

Dreaming of Paris

The romance, the freshness, the style. Paris!  La Tour Eiffel. 

Rich chocolate browns, inspiring and tranquil aqua...

 Ruffles inspired by ruffled flowers.

 To dream of Paris is to allow yourself to dream of romance, adventure, style and Love! I'm dreaming... and hope you are too.

~Tanya

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A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson- Share your Cup Thursday