Pack up all my cares and woes....

I found another suitcase to paint on at one of my favorite resale shops! I couldn't wait to get home! I knew exactly what I was going to do with it. You have probably guessed that Terrye French is one of my favorite artists by now. Her pattern, "Simply Love" was the perfect choice. I painted the background color a gray-blue mix and then distressed and antiqued it to give it that well worn look. I love all the elements of this design, but that wooly sheep has won my heart! And what about Ms. Kitty and her locket? You have got to love a cat that is so well dressed! Wouldn't this be a great place to keep old pictures, music books or vintage linens? Time to look for another suitcase. I already have a plan for it when it comes my way.

What's for Supper????

We love bay scallops! Our "shrimp man" as we call him makes a trip to the Gulf once a week and brings back the loveliest seafood ever .... crab meat, red snapper, the most glorious shrimp you have ever tasted. But of all the treasures of the sea, we love the sweet scallops the best! Here is a recipe we adore... I hope you will try it. We like a nice rice pilaf and a salad to go with the scallops. Yummers!!! Let me know how it works for you!

Scallops Zinfandel

8 scallops

1/2 cup Zinfandel White Wine

2 Tbsp chopped scallions

salt and pepper to taste

2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley

butter crackers

1 clove garlic, minced

Directions:
Rinse scallops briefly and cut large ones in half. Place scallops in a baking dish and pour the Zinfandel wine over them. Sprinkle with chopped onions, garlic, and crumbled crackers. Salt and pepper to taste. Bake for 15 minutes in oven at 350 degrees. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serves 2.

Inchworm, inchworm, measuring the marigolds

You and your arithmetic,

You'll probably go far.

Inchworm, inchworm, measuring the marigolds,

Seems to me you'd stop and see,

How beautiful they are.

Bunny Suitcase Footstool

I love rabbits. I have always thought one would make a sweet pet, but my Suki dog assures me this would not be a good idea. I tend to agree with her I think! So, I make do with my bunny projects. This one is a footstool! I adapted a Terrye French design on a suitcase that I had first painted a soft pink, stamped and antiqued. This was so much fun to do... I have made several suitcase footstools but I do believe this is my favorite. The bonus is all sorts of treasures can be stored inside. How's that for repurposing?

Rosebud Baby Shoe Pin Cushion

I love baby shoes! I search high and low for them in all my favorite thrift stores and antique shops. The older, the better as far as I am concerned... I wonder what story each little pair could tell about the tiny feet that once wore them, about the little toes that wiggled in delight inside.

I found a tiny pair recently and knew exactly what I would paint on each one. Here is the first, a little rosebud nosegay painted on the side and lace painted on the toe. I covered a piece of pink toile with antique dresser scarf lace to give a nice layered look. On the opposite side I hand-lettered "Rosebud".

My Little House of Dreams

by

Louisa Cook Don-Carlos

My little house of dreams!

Who knows how warm, when fall the winter snows,

How bright its fires, how fair its rooms,

How safe and still 'neath starlit glooms,

My cozy little house of dreams,

All seasons are its best--it seems.

My house of dreams!

Where order reigns

Behind its glistening window panes.

Shady its trees, its garden fair

And best of all, my love is there,

With shining eyes and calm, sweet face,

The benediction of the place,

And peace and joy and heaven's light beams

Within my little house of dreams.

Snowing in Dixie

It is a rare miracle to have snow here in the Heart of Dixie. Growing up in the Midwest, we thought nothing of it. Life went on, rubber boots and all. We put chains on the tires, put on our warmest coats and business went on as usual. But here in the land of cotton fields, magnolias and dogwoods, we are simply delighted when we hear that we may get a sprinkling of snow showers. It began here in the early hours. Like a child at Christmas, I was excited and kept peeking out of the windows throughout the night. Finally I saw the flakes begin to fall!!! I threw open the plantation shutters and marveled at the sight. Oh, we won't have much.... maybe 3 or 4 inches or so, but that's o.k. with us. We can have hot cocoa and cinnamon toast and watch it for as long as it lasts. Who knows??? We might even make a big pot of soup for lunch and forget all about that pot roast that was on the menu. It's snowing in Dixie and we are loving it!!!