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I like this one!! And if you do too, feel free to snag it!!

Well, I think I have the flu, but not severe enough symptoms to warrant a trip to the E.R. as defined the CDC.

I ran a fever from Friday until late last night, alternating between the chills and hot flashes which came with bouts of nauseaand severe aches and pains. Thankfully no vomitting, I just felt like I had too. This thing is still lingering and has now turned to hot flashes with nausea, severe head congestion, the aches and pains are easing up, but I still feel like I'm dying!! :)

The hot flashes might be due to my not taking my HRT all weekend, but, oh my...I feel like death warmed over!!

*Freebie*Friday*

...Or should I say freaky friday? I woke up at 4 AM with a 102 degree fever...It came from out of nowhere...

~A simple blog header~


~Vintage Brights~

{Remember, all banners "shrink to fit" your specific dimensions. Just add your name~}

I love using warm colors in my creations. Warm tones, to me, are welcoming, inviting and in a sense, nurturing.

If there is anything in particular you'd like to see, let me know. I'm new at this and still experimenting with elements, colors, and images. I'm open to ideas and suggestions...

Freebie~Collage sheet give-away

I'm going to go lay back down now. I'll catch up with y'all just as soon as I'm feeling better.

P.s. If you make anything with the free images, do tell. I'd love to see what you're making!!

Thrift Store Thursday

Let me share with you a few of my latest finds.

But first, it seems that whenever I move to a new town, I seek out the local thrift stores; for a few reasons; one-to see the "local flavor" and two-to see if I can find a good deal!! :)

Now, the one in the town where I was living at in Atlanta had a lot more "antiquey" kind of stuff...Antiques on the Southern end of Atlanta were less pricey than those on the North side (near Buckhead...The Govenors Mansion is located there). I need to get a hold of a truck and head back up there soon to see what I can find...Maybe I can even start to re-sell some items if I do that? Hmmm.....

Anyway, for right now, here is what I found on my most recent trip to my local thrift shop. Magazines!!

They're older, but I found a lot of good ideas and techniques in them and resources for supplies that I had not heard of prior.

So, if you haven't been to your local thrift store lately, maybe you should, you never know what you'll find.

Planning on entertaining for the holidays?

I'm starting to think about the upcoming holidays, and in doing so, I began skimming through some of my cook books. My collection of cookbooks consists mainly of "Christmas with Southern Living" (a decor, menu and simple (but elegant)-crafts-type of book, if you're not familiar with it.) And "Entertaining with Southern Style." I'm finding some great recipes that I forgot about.

Now, around here, my husband does most of the cooking/BBQ-ing, but I handle the baked goods, the sweets, the fun stuff!! :)

{Blondies}

1 1/2 c. firmly packed brown sugar

3/4 c. butter

2 Large eggs

2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour

2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

*Optional: 3 c. coarsely crushed peanut brittle

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Combine brown sugar & butter in a saucepan over medium heat; cook until butter is melted. Remove from heat. Cool slightly; add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl; stir in brown sugar mixture. *Stir in peanut brittle and vanilla. Press dough into a greased and floured 13" X 9" baking dish.

Bake at 350 for 25 minutes or until golden. Cool in pan or on a wire rack. Cut into bars. Yield: 2 Dozen

My dream kitchen....Big, airy, bright, open, and overlooking a beautiful backyard.

{Southern Accents}

What is Southern Style? The attributes that define Southern style are a quiet assuredness...a confidence...a warmth that embodies the phenomenon of "Southern hospitality." -- Charles Gandy

"Minneola Inn", located right here in Lake County.


A welcoming entry way~


{Southern Accents}

I don't know why, but lately I've been developing a hunger for tassles~These one's look delectable~

To see more, click here-Follow the link to her etsy site where she has some for sale.

Til next time....I'll be in my Sepia Studio...

~Blog Award~

I've been selected and presented this award by Anita, of Castles Crowns and Cottages.

Here are the rules:

1. Thank the person who gave this to you

2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog

3. Link back to the person who nominated you

4. Name 7 things about yourself that no one would really know

5. Nominate seven 'Kreativ Bloggers'

6. Post links to the seven blogs you nominate

7. Leave a comment on each blog letting them know you nominated them

Here are seven things that I think you may not know about me:

1. I want a room filled with bookshelves and for all the shelves to be filled with books by literary greats!

2. I think I could be happy living as a hermit.

3. I'd like to live on a real farm, with a horse, and a few ducks, bunnies, chickens, and geese....Kind of like in a Beatrix Potter novel, only in real life.

4. I want to be a professional writer.

5. I've never been to New York and have always wanted to go to the city at Christmas time.

6. I secretly like snow.

7. I'd like to have a room in which my desk overlooks a pond in my backyard, so I can write and create in total peace and solitude.

And now, for the seven creative ladies that I nominate for this award are....

Drum roll, please.....

1. Miranda For writing illuminating and imaginative stories....

2. Darla whose paintings evoke a childlike wonder. Her characters have personalities all their own.

3. Joyce for making every possible attempt to master the art of creativity. (She has a lot more talent than she gives herself credit for!!)

4. Kimberly for creating the most sumptuous clothing I've seen in a long time...

5. Deb because she is proof positive that perseverance pays off!

6. Chrissy for putting together the most interesting vignettes using items she finds in nature and vintage things.

7. Deborah because she is truly creative when it comes to what matters the most-a heart felt life for the special people in her life.

Free Vintage Images for your collection

{Right click on image and "save"}

Edited to say: I just realized all the images have the person looking in the same direction....

Tents and tassles and goblins, oh my!!

The richness of Autumn colors prevails and is the main source of my inspiration these days. I love the warm, muted colors the season rests upon us. It inspires me to create things using Fall colors and makes me feel like nesting, on nights the air is cooler...

{A "human" nest}

Again, the colors of Autumn...this time, warm, decadent purples and golds.

~A Halloween garden party~

Saturday we will be celebrating my sons birthday. He turned 13 yesterday, and we are having a party for him this weekend. I wonder how many goblins will show up?