Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Car Ride Clarity and Weekend Snag…


This Sunday,
St. Philip & I took a mind clearing drive out Brenham Way.
The fog and dismal drizzle of this year’s March have been compounded by a bit of a rainy season in our lives. 
So when a little birdy shared a post about the
& the weather began to clear, we decided to hit the road!
 
  The flea was very small and booth displays were a tad underwhelming, but not a total loss…
A sweet elderly vendor was clearing the remnants of a shop he and his wife had owned for years in Smithville, trying to regain some space in his garage. 
Of course my saint immediately felt a kinship! 
He only had a few things on his table but we felt an obligation to help him out.  And these two jewels were just what I had hoped to find!
   


Henry Alcock Parisian porcelain gravy dish from 1891
&
Ironstone gravy tureen with lid and ladle, Unmarked circa 1875
 
 
 A mutually sweet deal!!
 

After that 
Coffee & pie for lunch,
an impromptu stop to visit the grandbugs,
and a slow drive home under clear skies & Venus was
“car ride clarity”. 
  
The rainy season mentioned; well I’ll just say the last couple of months have been a bit trying around the Shaw abode, to say the very least.  It is that time in our lives when our parents’ health becomes a focusing journey and constant reminder of the extraordinary gift they have been to our lives thus far! 
Our fathers are two remarkably strong men, but both in the midst of fighting overwhelming medical battles!
As we walk alongside, support and love them through this time, we pray for God’s strength, provision, guidance and grace!  Your prayers would be graciously welcomed!
 
 
Enjoy the sunshine, take a drive, hug someone close! 
Counting my Father and Father-in-law blessings, B

Sunday, March 15, 2015

ShabbyGirlFlags

[GraceReclaimed Full Blog Here, Promise it's worth the click] 

As most of you know, I’ve lived in Texas all of my life (if you don’t count the “long vacation” St. Philip and I had in beautiful Santa Rosa, California!)
…and I became a bona fide Houstonian at age 11 ½.
But I can probably count on one hand the times I have been to the infamous HLSR.  
 
Oh, I love that the Rodeo is such a Texas tradition, brings abundant revenue to our great city, and benefits so many young people around our state through its scholarship programs.  In fact, many of my friends and family look forward to, volunteer for and enjoy it immensely year after year!
 
~As for me, I'll kindly pass~
  You know the old saying “this ain't my first rodeo”, well I’m guessing my tainted view of this beloved event stems from my own first rodeo and the “Rx cowboy” I chose to saddle up next to for my maiden experience.  
Enough said, Ye haw!!!
Please don't hold it against me.
 
 

 But in salute to my home state and its rodeo season, I’ve been inspired to stitch a few
 ShabbyGirlFlags “Texas style”

 


A mix of vintage and current girly florals in pastel hues, perfect for today's contemporary farmhouse styling. 
Each handmade & one of a kind for wavin', framin', prayin' & nappin'!
 
Just a peek of the work in progress, to be shared at my
GraceReclaimed Sprung Bunny Alfresco Sale! 
Details to come, hope to see ya’ll then.
Gracefully moseying on…b
 

Monday, March 9, 2015

The Weekend Snag is back!!

[GraceReclaimed Full Blog Here, Promise it's worth the click] 
Time on our hands, drizzle in the forecast, St. Philip and I hit the roads across Houston for some Estate Sale`ng, a short cupcake stop and the Tomball Farmer’s Market!
 

We started early, a must to snag the deal; beat the crowds to Missouri City only to find out that this beautiful assortment of Ironstone was a bit overpriced my
self-imposed budget... 
 
 
However, I did manage to get this beautiful platter & bowl.

 
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, still researching this one...a blog post in itself for sure!


On the way home, we stopped by Cupcakes Etc. in Katy,
the sweet little shop I helped design awhile back. 
 
 

Thankful to say we found them doing well in their 2nd year.  Keep it up Sandy & Vickie, the cupcakes were beyond delicious!  
Do stop by if you find yourselves in the Cinco Ranch area; you will not be disappointed.  Plus you’ll be supporting small business which we all need to do more!
 

Last but not least, we made it by Tomball Farmer’s Market just in time to grab these beautiful cabbages, well worth their price!  For now they are on display in the dining room…St. Philip’s idea, Tortilla Cabbage Soup, really??
 Was that what he thought I bought them for??
 
Speaking of veggies, I love this~
"There is no happier place than the intersection of God's will and your giftedness."
Phil Vischer, the voice of Bob the Tomato & creator of the very charming VeggieTales
 
May you find yourself at that graceful crossroad today, b

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Breaking Bad News....Not! Street Dance Worthy!



Epps Fitness and Grill is no longer!!!!
For those of you, who didn’t get a chance to stop by the all-inclusive outdoor spot;
try out the open air antiquated fitness center or 4 multiple choices of rusty grill possibilities …You snoozed and lost! 





 
With no regret at all,
I happily inform you that as of a couple of weekends ago
(They Worked On Saturday?!?!?!?),
The questionable establishment has been swept away~
I couldn’t be more pleasantly surprised and unexpectedly ecstatic!
No longer do I have to wear shades to avoid disgust every time I leave home!
No longer do I have to write annoying emails to city council or anyone who might listen!
No longer do I have to find cleaver ways to avert the eyes of visitors to my GraceReclaimed Trunk shows to the north side of Epps…..
 
It is well with my soul!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you to the Tomball Code Enforcer and all whomever gave you the power to clean up this mess!  Many thanks to the half dozen or more men with 3 plus trucks and trailers, who hauled off mountains of scrap from the back yard, kindly moved the gym equipment to the rear (hope it gets more use there!) along with the collection of barbecue grills (he must be some cook!) and in addition, trimmed trees, raked leaves, cut vines, etccccccc!!!!!  
 
My sincere apologies to the hardworking, responsible taxpayers of our community, as I am sure WE will be affording this for my unemployed irresponsible
Ne'er Do Well neighbor. 
I can only pray that he appreciates it as much as the Shaw family does!   But that is another story and a soap box that I will not step up on via this blog.  Aren’t you glad?
 
My sweet old Charlton Place will be forever grateful. 
 
Doing a graceful street dance, please join me when the weather clears,  B