Sadie Mae !

Look who arrived in TN!  It’s our traveling guest Sadie Mae Tejas from the great State of Texas.  Welcome Sadie Mae let’s visit TN  !!

Sadie is a “friendship bag” and began her travels with Cindy of Rick Rack and Gingham (read about how she came to be here) .  So Cindy, with her big Texas heart, offered to share Sadie as a “friendship bag” with blogger friends all over the US.  Along the way Sadie is gathering postcards, recipes, and souvenirs.  Late in the summer Sadie will complete her travels at the home of Cindy’s friend in AL who tragically lost her husband in the terrible tornadoes this past spring. It’s my hope that Cindy’s friend will find comfort in the “friendship” shared, and in knowing there are several folks across our great country who hold her and her family in their thoughts and prayers. 

Sadie appears to be having a grand time visiting everyone!   Sadie Mae arrived in TN after spending a few days in NE with Michaele and her family (Sprout’n Wings ).  Wow looks like Sadie really had a good time out on the great prairie! Visit Michaele to read all about it.

Here in TN Sadie and friends were busy. They arrived in White House, no not that one, the tiny town of White House in TN J  and for an introduction to the local history, our first stop was our cute cute little White House Museum.

Here they learned about our past economy which includes a mill and the moonshine industry (it’s TN). 

Then they sat in a tiny little antique rocking chair, played school on an old school desk

and read Jack and Jill Magazines, but their favorite was the sewing machine. They were so excited they jumped right up on it!  Said they felt connected with their past, and said “if it wasn't for nice folks with sewing machines we’d probably be a heap of folded fabric in someone’s closet” (like at my house). 

On Saturday we headed to Chapel Hill TN for the 34th annual “Super Pull of the South”. http://www.lionssuperpull.com/ .  This event is sanctioned by the National Tractor Pulling Association and draws the top “pullers”. There is over $100,000.00 in prize money.  If you've never been to a “pull” (tractors and trucks) it’s an event to behold !  “Pulls” have been around for years and over time have evolved into a sport with unbelievably powerful equipment.  These tractors “ain’t ‘chur grandpa’s tractor”, some of these things have multiple engines; some even have aircraft engines. The goal is to see who can pull a “weighted sleigh” the longest distance down a dirt track.  I’m not sure I “get it”, but we go with my cousin and her husband every year and oh what fun!!  The population of Chapel Hill TN is 994…there were 15,000 (thousand) fans at Saturday’s event !!

Our first stop was at Henry Horton State Park where we spent the night.  Then off to the”pulls” Sadie and friends really had a good time watching the roaring machines and visiting with the “pullers”. 

The pullers were very excited to meet Sadie and friends and posed with the pups for pics (the guys feared their masculine image would be damaged seemed bashful with Sadie so Sadie took the photos).   Here is Jim Holman, from OH who was thrilled to meet them; his team won their class.

They met the American Thunder team, and driver Bill Vories.  Their machine has 4 engines, and won their class.  Fun to see the big guys with these little pups !  As you might imagine there was a little friendly bantering between “boys” during the “meet and greet” J

They also met Miss Chapel Hill 2011…isn’t she cute in her tiara and cowboy boots?

…and watched really big, really loud, smoke spitt’n tractors, roar’n toward them.  We had great seats at the end of the track with the pullers and their families.

Sadie was content to stay in the bleachers but the pups got sooo excited they hopped on the barrier in front of the stands and sat next to the track officials to watch ! 

 The folks in TN sure gave Sadie and friends a warm southern welcome but it’s  time to send Sadie and friends off to OH to visit with Debby and her family.

So long guys keep in touch … ya’ll are welcome to visit anytime!!       Hugs,  E in TN (pls forgive errors in post took me hrs to get it done with computer issues !!)

We're having a bebe .... what !!

A couple of weeks ago my niece announced the big news, "I'm pregnant".  She and Eric are not married, and this was certainly not planned but the new life is a blessing and while concerned for the young parents, everyone is excited about the blessing of a child.  This baby will be very much loved and spoiled.  

We had barely recovered from the shock when she had her first ultrasound

OH MY GOSH .... we are having TWINS !!!   I am so excited I can't stand it !!  Now even more concerned for her and her situation, but a DOUBLE blessing!    

I see less paper crafting and more sewing in my future :)

E (A Great Aunt) in TN  :)

Going on a Jaunt!

I was so excited about Meri's blogger luncheon in April that I was ready to jump on Southwest and head to AZ.  It looked like they had such fun  :)  (prayers to Meri and her mom).  
But as fate would have it I am so lucky to have happened upon a group of bloggers near my hometown in Indiana who are planning a get together in JUNE !   The ladies coordinating the day are calling it the "Mint Julep Jaunt".  They are planning a day of thrift-ing, antique-ing, and some serious shopping in general.  These ladies are even doing door prizes.   


If you live near southern IN, or Louisville all are welcome.   For more information visit Gail or Megan

And if meeting new friends and fellow bloggers wasn't enough to grab my attention we're having lunch at Lynn's Paradise Cafe ... a "must go to"  in Louisville.   

I can't wait ... looking forward to meeting everyone !    

405 Bluebird Lane

My parents died several years ago; first my mom and my dad 15 yrs later.  My dad gave me most of my mother's treasures, and then my step-mom gave me most of my dad's treasures. My basement is full.  I've been sorting, giving, throwing, selling, burning treasures for about 3 yrs.  Where I get stuck in the process is anything with graphics. It seems I can't part with pictures, magazines, books, canceled checks. etc. etc, ... I'm sure you get the picture.
I found an early 1900ish Sears catalog, falling to pieces, and have an idea where I want it to go but still not sure I'm ready to let it go.  In the process of researching options I happened upon several online resources with Sears catalogs from every imaginable year gone by.  The ones I enjoyed most were the ones from the late 50s early 60s.  The above doll house is from a 1962 Sears Catalog, don't you just love these doll houses !!  My neighbor had one with a pool and I thought it was wonderful. I would have been very content with the $6.44 Colonial.  I think $6 in 1962 translates to to something like $46 in today's economy, and our budget didn't have room for such, but I just might end up with one yet :)  I found the description of the Colonial to be interesting because it boasts a "fall out shelter" what a hoot, even a selling point for a doll house circa '62.


Hope you enjoyed looking back, thanks for stopping by, E  

Sweet Pickins indeed

I am so excited!  The minute I spotted this fabric I knew I had to have a piece ... but oh my the choices, the choices.  I decided to buy the "charm pack" and it arrived today !   Every piece in the collection is simply wonderful !!  I'd love a yard of each, but that's silly because I hoard fabric, I never use it!  But I neeeed just a couple yards ... choices, choices.

Happy Mothers Day to all !!

If we lived closer to each other I would invite you all over for a Mother’s Day tea and serve cupcakes like these  (I really would  :)  !!) …Wishing each of you a wonderful Mother’s Day.  

Hope you all have a wonderful day with your family !!  Blessings, E in TN

Hooah !

God bless our troops and our leaders.  Friday I spent the day working at Ft. Campbell one of the people I work with there is a young mom, former military, has two children, and her husband is also military, special ops.  She was expressing relief in having him home for the next few months and said, "out of the last 10 years he's only been home about 3 months out of each year."  I cant imagine the sacrifice !!  Maybe the news tonight will bring some relief to these families.  Thank you and many blessings to the soldiers and their families   HOOAH!   
(my friends at Ft. Campbell took pride in teaching me how to say hooah ... it's army jargon with many meanings including: You've taken the correct action, and outstanding)