Now and Then by Nancy Kline: December Here it is December again. Where has the...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: December Here it is December again.  Where has the...: December  Here it is December again.  Where has the year gone?   Ending a year is sometimes sad as we recall relatives, friends, an...

December 

Here it is December again.  Where has the year gone?  

Ending a year is sometimes sad as we recall relatives, friends, and pets that were with us for Christmas last year and are no longer here.  Holidays always bring up memories of past gatherings and fun times spent and still being saddened by the fact that we have lost some important people that made the holidays full of these beautiful memories.   I am thankful that God has given us the ability to remember all these good times.  

As we end the year we are reminded of the resolutions we made for the year and it brings a smile to our hearts as we think about the ones we kept and wondering if the ones we didn't get done will just be pushed into the new year or maybe just marked off our to do list.  

Maud Humphrey's December child calendar picture is a little girl from Canada, a country well aware of cold winters.  She appears to be dressed to keep warm with her coat, hat, and mittens as she plans on a few rides on her sled.  

December is probably the most loved of all the calendar months.  Christmas is the time when we most often get together with family and friends to celebrate the coming of Christ.  It is also a time of more indoor activities for many of us.  A good time to catch up on some of the chores we never got finished and now have the time to get done.  

BLESSINGS AND LOTS OF GOOD TIMES TO ADD TO OUR MEMORY BOOKS

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: NOVEMBER Maud Humphrey must have chosen this bea...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: NOVEMBER

 Maud Humphrey must have chosen this bea...: NOVEMBER  Maud Humphrey must have chosen this beautiful child of Sweden for a November calendar portrait because of the way she is ...

NOVEMBER

 Maud Humphrey must have chosen this beautiful child of Sweden for a November calendar portrait because of the way she is dressed in her warm coat and red bonnet as the winters in parts of Sweden can get pretty cold and snowy.  Sweden is officially the Kingdom of Sweden and is located in Northern Europe.  Also notice the tree branches in the background have lost their leaves which indicates that the Fall season is in session.  She is holding what appears to be a Bible with a cross on the front.  Although church and government are separate in Sweden over half the nation practice religion under the Church of Sweden which is Evangelical Lutheran.  Sweden still has a royal family of which you frequently see information of such in the news media.  

November has come and with it a lot of thoughts on how to celebrate holidays and keep the leaves under control.   With Halloween just behind us we are seeing lots of Fall decor to help us get through  till Thanksgiving.  And with Thanksgiving comes the season of eating which will last until the end of the year.  For the big day called Thanksgiving, turkey and dressing is the main food item on many of our menus although ham is also on a lot of tables.  Cranberry sauce, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, and gravy are always included with an assortment of other sides that are favorites with each family group. 

So once in every year we throng

Upon a day apart,

To praise the Lord with feast and song

In thankfulness of heart.

  by: Arthur Guiterman-The First Thanksgiving

Let us always remember to to be thankful!

Psalms 106:1

O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good:  for his mercy endureth forever.

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: OCTOBER This is the time for falling leaves, cool...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline:  OCTOBER This is the time for falling leaves, cool...:   OCTOBER   This is the time for falling leaves, cooler weather, and getting ready for all the wonderful fall adventures.  This is ...

 

OCTOBER

 

This is the time for falling leaves, cooler weather, and getting ready for all the wonderful fall adventures.  This is harvest time for pears, apples, persimmons and pumpkins. 

Maud Humphrey's October calendar child is a precious picture of an American boy.  He is dressed in a sweet little navy suit with the word VOLUNTEER on his hat.  She has artistically inserted the autumn leaves falling in the background.  It is possible that this painting was done during the time of World War 1.  At any rate it is a beautiful painting with the blue and white clothing and the falling leaves.

As for myself, I am always ready to let go of all the summer chores in the yard and garden.  Funny how we can't wait to get that garden in early and all those flowers planted in the spring and then actually getting tired of taking care of them by fall.  My sewing machine, my drawings, and practicing my music are all calling me as I'm sure they have felt neglected during the spring and summer months. 

We look forward to Columbus Day on the 14th and then finishing the last day of the month with Halloween. 

LET THE LEAVES FALL AND BAKE THAT APPLE PIE!!!





Now and Then by Nancy Kline: SeptemberMaud Humphrey's calendar child for the mo...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: SeptemberMaud Humphrey's calendar child for the mo...: September Maud Humphrey's calendar child for the month of September is a little German girl.  She has a slight smile upon her face ...

September

Maud Humphrey's calendar child for the month of September is a little German girl.  She has a slight smile upon her face with her plump little cheeks and for some reason it reminds me of my own four children when they were toddlers.  Our first son inherited my dark brown hair and blue eyes but the next three children were very much tow heads.  They all four had big blue eyes and chubby cheeks.  My husband's dad was German so my guess is that my offspring would inherit some of the physical features of the German people. 

We are now entering into the BER months.  The days are already growing shorter.  In September there always comes a moment when we find ourselves savoring the last of the summer sun yet noticing how golden its rays are starting to become.  There seems to be a different glow in the sky.  We know that it's too early to put away all our light colored warm weather clothing but not too early to be ready to scurry for a nice warm sweater.  Like a child on the first day of school whose hand lingers in its mothers, we are eager for autumn but reluctant to let go of summer.



WELCOME SEPTEMBER AND THE SLOWING DOWN OF YARD WORK!



Now and Then by Nancy Kline: AUGUSTMaud Humphrey's calendar child for the mon...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline:
AUGUST
Maud Humphrey's calendar child for the mon...: AUGUST Maud Humphrey's calendar child for the month of August was a painting of a little girl from Africa.  Maybe she chose thi...

AUGUST

Maud Humphrey's calendar child for the month of August was a painting of a little girl from Africa.  Maybe she chose this country because of the heat we usually endure at this time of the year and her mind was drawn to Africa.  Whatever the reason, it is a beautiful painting of a darling little black eyed girl. 

August not only brings heat but it also gives us the feeling that summer  is slipping away from us far too soon.  I am enjoying the afternoons and evenings in the yard admiring the late summer flowers, especially the bright yellow black eyed susans. They have been exceptionally pretty this year.  Now the naked ladies are popping up in unexpected places.  I know I didn't plant the bulbs in  every flower bed I have but this year naked ladies seem to be exposing themselves in most unusual places.  Perhaps the squirrels had a hand in this or maybe a foot. 

 

 

                                                                Black Eyed Susans

 



 

                                                                      Naked Ladies

 

A lot of dear ones in my family were born in the month of August.  My mother's birthday was August 16, 1915.  She was born on the front porch of the old farmhouse in the middle of Texas.  Her mother was fearful of a storm brewing and would not go inside.  Perhaps the front porch was closer to the storm cellar! One of the many stories my mother told us was  how the dreaded mad dogs would roam through the country side usually in August.   All the farmers would watch and listen for the packs  of running and howling dogs.  When they did come through they would try to put all the animals inside the barn so they would not be attacked.   

Therefore I always believed that the Dog Days of Summer were when mad dogs were  prevalent.  That may be true but the real reason we call this time of year the Dog Days of Summer is because of a star called Sirius Star better known as the Dog Star.  This star is part of the constellation Canis Major meaning larger dog.  The ancient Romans noticed that the hottest days of the year coincided with Sirius that appeared in the same part of the sky as the Sun in the morning.  Therefore these hot days became known as Dog Days of Summer. 

GO ON OUTSIDE AND ENJOY THE NEXT FEW WEEKS OF THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER ! 



Now and Then by Nancy Kline: GRANDCHILDREN'S ROOMThis bedroom has always been d...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: GRANDCHILDREN'S ROOMThis bedroom has always been d...: GRANDCHILDREN'S ROOM This bedroom has always been designated for the use of grandchildren.  Just about every one of the ten grandch...

GRANDCHILDREN'S ROOM

This bedroom has always been designated for the use of grandchildren.  Just about every one of the ten grandchildren has spent some time in this room.  They have now all outgrown the use of this room but it has an awful lot of lingering memories of good times spent there. 



This old rocking chair has rocked many a baby to sleep.

A few items of baby clothes help to remind me of the wonderful times we had together.  By the way, some of the little clothing pieces were hand me downs from my children who are over 60 years of age. 

Pictures of children and grandchildren sit side by side with pictures of my own parents as babies and a few bonnets I made.

This mannequin is dressed in an outfit I made for one of the granddaughters.  She is wearing a hand smocked dress complete with matching dainty little slip, bloomers, and a beautiful smocked bonnet.

More pictures of babies. 

This is a doll cradle that I received for Christmas when I was five years of age.  In it's 77 years it has held many dolls and a few real babies.  It has even been enjoyed  by some of the great granddaughters.

 

Memories are great !

 

 

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: JULYCan't believe that the year is over half gone....

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: JULYCan't believe that the year is over half gone....: JULY Can't believe that the year is over half gone.  It seems like I have just now adjusted to writing 2019 and in less than six mo...

JULY

Can't believe that the year is over half gone.  It seems like I have just now adjusted to writing 2019 and in less than six months will have to start using 2020. 

The calendar Maud Humphrey used for the month of July is a painting of a little girl from Spain.  She appears to be a black eyed and black haired beauty  daintily holding a small fan probably indicating the hot weather of July.  Maud Humphrey used her son Humphrey Bogart for a model in many of her paintings of children. 

Well, along with hot weather in July, my kitchen takes on the many scents of canning.  When you walk in the front door you realize there has been a lot of fruits and veggies put up for use in the cold winter months that lie ahead. 

So far there is zucchini relish, bread and butter pickles, peach jam, and squash pickles canned for later use. Sometimes all I need for a meal is a pint of pickles and besides that these jars of the summer bounty make wonderful gifts. 

But for the rest of the week the canners and equipment has to be put away as the Kline home will welcome some wonderful guest coming in from Texas to spend the weekend with us.  I am sure we will open up a few of these beautiful jars and enjoy.

Peach Jam

Zucchini relish in the making

Squash Pickles

Canning in the Summer is Just as Much Fun as Eating it in the Winter!!!

 



Now and Then by Nancy Kline: FINDING BARGAINS A recent trip to East Texas to v...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: FINDING BARGAINS  A recent trip to East Texas to v...: FINDING BARGAINS     A recent trip to East Texas to visit relatives found me also visiting garage sales.  My sister in law knows ho...

FINDING BARGAINS

 

 

A recent trip to East Texas to visit relatives found me also visiting garage sales.  My sister in law knows how I love to go to garage sales and she always has a few on schedule for us to go to when I visit. On this particular visit there was a big garage sale going on in her neighborhood and just a short distance from her house.  The sale started the day after we arrived and since it was so close to her house we were about the first to go to it.  

I immediately spotted  this beautiful oak antique dresser.  When I saw the price tag on it I shouted, "I'll take it."  Everything about it was in perfect condition, even the mirror. The price was only $25.00.  The lady put a big "SOLD" sign on it before I knew what happened.  So I was now the proud owner of a huge piece of furniture and a long way from home and traveling in a small crossover.  My sister in law said I could keep it in her garage until I could find a way to get it home.  Some of the neighborhood men took the dresser apart.  It was now in three pieces.  They hauled it to my sister in law's garage where it sat the remainder of our visit. 

After three days of wondering how to get the dresser home I had to think of ways I could get it in our vehicle.  After some deep thinking about why the vehicle was called a crossover I did some investigating.  Well, I found out that the back seats folded down completely.  We measured the base of the dresser and decided it would fit in our car.  One problem though was we had Bella our doggie with us and she had to have a seat for the journey home.  Believe it or not my 88 year old sister in law, my 84 year old husband and myself 81 finally got the thing in the car.  We had to take the drawers out because of the weight but we did get it in the car.  We scooted it to one side so we could put one of the seats back up for Bella and slid the huge mirror on it's side right in there too. 

In addition to the dresser I had bought several other items at garage sales but we did get everything in including a climbing rose bush I had bought and headed home.

After arriving home we now had the problem of getting it out of the car by ourselves.  We took our vitamins and started on the task.  It sat in the garage a few days before our son in law and grandson moved it to the basement for us.  We put the three pieces back together and are enjoying the beauty of this beautiful antique oak dresser. 

JUST WONDERING HOW MANY FACES HAVE BEEN REFLECTED IN THAT OLD MIRROR ?





Now and Then by Nancy Kline: MONTH OF JUNEThe month of June is in real bloom. ...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: MONTH OF JUNEThe month of June is in real bloom.  ...: MONTH OF JUNE The month of June is in real bloom.  Roses, daylilies, and daisies are coloring my flower beds with an assortment of beau...

MONTH OF JUNE

The month of June is in real bloom.  Roses, daylilies, and daisies are coloring my flower beds with an assortment of beautiful flowers.  This month Maud Humphrey's calendar child is a precious little girl representing the country of England as she is plucking herself some yellow roses.  By the way, the rose is the flower for this month and pearl is the birthstone. 

Hello June, here comes the sun.  The first day of June always meant that my mother let her three children go barefooted.  That was so much fun until you got a sticker or tried to walk on the hot oil topped road that would make blisters on your feet.  After about a week of no shoes we all decided it was much more comfortable to put our shoes back on. 

Friday, June 21 will bring us into the summer solstice.  Summer brings back many wonderful memories of getting ready to go to summer church camp.  Every summer my parents would take us way up in Arkansas (we lived in Louisiana) to the camp and leave us there for two solid weeks.  It was pretty hot with no air conditioning but sometime in the middle of the night it would finally cool down enough so that we could get a little sleep.  We played ping pong, horseshoes, and went on long hikes through the woods as well as daily Bible lessons every morning and chapel every evening after dinner.

June brings us Father's Day on the third Sunday of the month.  It is also one of the most popular months for weddings probably because of just graduating from high school or college. 

June is also famous for the undesired June Bugs that can devour a whole bed of plants in just a few hours.  All the boys had so much fun with these horrible creatures.  They would sneak up behind someone and drop a big June Bug down the back of their shirt just to watch that person run in circles screaming and trying to get rid of it.  Those were the good old days when kids stayed outside all day long and played all over the neighborhood.  This was the time before television so we just played and played outside and found many ways to entertain ourselves.  Climbing trees and riding bikes were my favorite things to do. 

 

WELCOME JUNE AND THANK GOODNESS FOR 

AIR  CONDITIONING !!



Now and Then by Nancy Kline: SPIDERWORTSpiderwort is a perennial wild flower th...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: SPIDERWORTSpiderwort is a perennial wild flower th...: SPIDERWORT Spiderwort is a perennial wild flower that some folks grow as a cultured plant.  The real name for spiderwort is Tradescanti...

SPIDERWORT

Spiderwort is a perennial wild flower that some folks grow as a cultured plant.  The real name for spiderwort is Tradescantia and in some places it is called Indian Plant. Mine must have been a volunteer from a bird or maybe attached to something I dug up from the woods because I certainly did not plant it on purpose.  In spite of such a peculiar name the plant is really beautiful, especially the dark blue almost purple color flowers.  I noticed them growing in my yard last spring and then low and behold they multiplied and are quite abundant in one of my many flower beds that is mostly in the shade.  It opens up in the morning and then closes when the sun shines on it.  Its leaves are dark green, long, thin, and bladelike and it grows in clumps.  The flowers have three soft petals.  You might find them in the shady to part shady of nearby wooded areas. 

A Spiderwort By Any Other Name Is Still A Spiderwort

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: MOTHER PICTURE/POEMVintage mother pictures were po...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: MOTHER PICTURE/POEMVintage mother pictures were po...: MOTHER PICTURE/POEM Vintage mother pictures were popular during the early 1900's.  They were framed pictures with a short poem that...

MOTHER PICTURE/POEM

Vintage mother pictures were popular during the early 1900's.  They were framed pictures with a short poem that were well liked as gifts to mothers on Mother's Day.  Mother's Day was nationally recognized in the United States in 1914 by President Woodrow Wilson.  Mother's Day falls on the second Sunday in May each year. 

My most admired mother is my grandmother on my mother's side of the family.  She was the mother of nine children.  They lived in the middle of Texas on a dirt farm and pretty well lived off the products of the farm.  Most of the food was produced on the farm and they bartered with the feed stores in town for things like sugar and flour.  Clothing was mostly made at home but shoes and winter coats were bought with money raised from selling milk, eggs, and other produce.  They all went to church on Sunday in a horse drawn buggy and seldom if ever missed. 

Four of the boys were in World War 11 and I remember visiting the farm in the summers and admiring the beautiful silk "Mother" pillows that the sons sent my grandmother from overseas.  They all had gold fringe around the edges and were properly displayed on her bed.  She was so proud of them.

This may have been the good old days that we talk about but life was not easy.  Many of the hardships endured by the mothers of that time would be nearly impossible for us to cope with now.  But, sometimes I wonder what it would be like if life could go back to being just a little bit more  simple.

Happy Mother's Day to All Mothers!

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: MONTH OF MAYThe month of May has begun with left o...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: MONTH OF MAYThe month of May has begun with left o...: MONTH OF MAY The month of May has begun with left over showers from April and many, many more beautiful flowers opening up their beauti...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: SNOWBALLS IN MAYEvery year this beautiful bush de...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: SNOWBALLS IN MAY
Every year this beautiful bush de...: SNOWBALLS IN MAY Every year this beautiful bush delights us with a bunch of snowballs.  Mine always waits until the last of April or t...

SNOWBALLS IN MAY

Every year this beautiful bush delights us with a bunch of snowballs.  Mine always waits until the last of April or the first of May to bring snow back for a few weeks. 

The snowball bush is a large ornamental plant with large clusters of white flowers resembling large snowballs.  When it blooms you know that spring is finally really here.

Enjoy the Snowballs While They Last !



Now and Then by Nancy Kline: UNCERTAIN ???Yes, there really is a place named...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: UNCERTAIN   ???
Yes, there really is a place named...: UNCERTAIN   ??? Yes, there really is a place named Uncertain and it is in the great state of Texas.  You have to know where you are go...

UNCERTAIN   ???

Yes, there really is a place named Uncertain and it is in the great state of Texas.  You have to know where you are going to find it but I know it is there because I have been there many times as we have relatives that live there.  It is located on the west side of Caddo Lake in east Texas.   Caddo Lake is a swampy lake that is in both Texas and Louisiana. Uncertain got its name when they were applying to be incorporated and nobody knew what the name of the place was so "Uncertain" was put on the map and it is still there.  TRUE OR NOT?

 

In the same area there are some other interesting places to drive past.  The big white house is where Lady Bird Johnson was raised.  She was President Lyndon Johnson's wife.  This is in Karnack, Texas.

There is also the Confederate cemetery, Scottsville/Youree,  located close by in Scottsville, Texas.  There is an old chapel on the grounds and many Civil War veterans and other interesting people are buried there.  It is a beautiful place to take pictures with lost of big trees, shrubs, flowers,  and old tomb stones. 

Another place that is fun to visit in that same area is the T. C. Lindsey & Company General Store located in Jonesville, Texas.  It is probably a hundred years old or more.  They will serve you pops, cheese, cakes and pies.  Also they have a wonderful supply of items of interest to buy such as cook books, toys and too many things to mention, and just about anything you might not expect. 







Many of the houses are built right on the water and yes they do flood quite often but these people just seem to dry out and start over.  

 

 

One of the things I enjoy the most is the Spanish moss that covers all the trees. You have to take a boat ride to see all the beauty of the area. 

Shady Glade is a tasty place to start the day off with a good old fashioned breakfast and then stop in later at the River Bend Restaurant  for the most delicious plate of fried catfish. 

CAUTION!

If you go to Uncertain be Certain you know where you are going!

 

 

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: LEGEND OF THE DOGWOOD TREEIn Jesus time, the dogw...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: LEGEND OF THE DOGWOOD TREE
In Jesus time, the dogw...: LEGEND OF THE DOGWOOD TREE In Jesus time, the dogwood grew To a stately size and a lovely hue. 'Twas strong and firm its bran...

LEGEND OF THE DOGWOOD TREE

In Jesus time, the dogwood grew

To a stately size and a lovely hue.

'Twas strong and firm its branches interwoven. 

 For the cross of Christ its timbers were chosen.

Seeing the distress at this use of their wood

Christ made a promise which still holds good:

"Never again shall the dogwood grow

Large enough to be used so....

Slender and twisted, it shall be

With blossoms like the cross for all to see.

 As blood stains the petals marked in brown

The blossoms center wears a thorny crown. 

All who see it will remember me

Crucified on a cross from the dogwood tree. 

Cherished and protected this tree shall be

A reminder to all of my agony."

 

Author Unknown

 

Of course we all know that this is just a beautiful poem but nevertheless you can't help but see the beauty in the flowers of this tree that always blooms just in time for Easter.  When observing the flowers we can't help but let our imaginations see the  four petals in the shape of a cross with the brown marks on the edges and the center of the flower representing the crown of thorns. 

 

HAVE A BLESSED EASTER  !  

 

 

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: APRIL SHOWERS AND FLOWERS My yard has exploded ...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline:


APRIL SHOWERS AND FLOWERS My yard has exploded ...: APRIL SHOWERS AND FLOWERS   My yard has exploded this spring with so many beautiful flowering trees, vines, and perennials all bl...

APRIL SHOWERS AND FLOWERS

 

My yard has exploded this spring with so many beautiful flowering trees, vines, and perennials all blooming at the same time. 

This jasmine just keeps getting prettier every year.  It is a vine that I dug up in a field in Louisiana and planted it under my deck.  It has a most wonderful aroma and is one of the first to bloom.

The redbud trees have been opening all over the city this month.  Mine is pretty and the only problem I have is that it wants to reproduce too much.  We have little redbuds popping up all over the yard.

Grape hyacinths have outdone themselves this year with their sweet little flowers showing themselves off everywhere.

These pretty little blue periwinkles are such a good ground cover for shady spots.

If you are from the south you know you can't have a yard without azaleas.  This one is the first of mine to bloom every year. 

White phlox

Pink phlox

Candytuft

All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is not full.

Ecclesiastes l:7

And neither is my garden!

 







 

 



Now and Then by Nancy Kline: WOODEN SPOONSNo kitchen is complete without woode...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: WOODEN SPOONS
No kitchen is complete without woode...: WOODEN SPOONS No kitchen is complete without wooden spoons.  I have several and have worn out more than several in my many years of k...

WOODEN SPOONS

No kitchen is complete without wooden spoons.  I have several and have worn out more than several in my many years of kitchen work.  They are wonderful to cook with for many reasons.  They are light in weight, do not get hot when left in the pot, are not hard on coated cookware, and usually are pretty reasonable in price.   They come in all kinds of sets and also sold individually.  Mine have a lot of stains and burn marks which means they have been hard at work in my kitchen.  I can't remember ever not having an ample supply and what new bride didn't get several as shower gifts.  Although not advised to go in the dishwasher I do it anyway just to make sure all germs are killed.

My kids and grandkids have lots of memories of licking the spoon after frosting a cake or making cookies.  They also have memories that are not so pleasant.  Aside from using wooden spoons to cook with they were always handy for a swift swat on the bottom when needed.  Therefore my wooden spoons gained much respect when they came out of the drawer as kids didn't know if it was for cooking something sweet or for just a quick paddling.  Sometimes all you had to do was mention the wooden spoon to get good results. 

SPARE THE SPOON, SPOIL THE CHILD  





Now and Then by Nancy Kline: FROM BED TO BATHYou never know what you will find ...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: FROM BED TO BATHYou never know what you will find ...: FROM BED TO BATH You never know what you will find in my attic.  It has been keeping secrets for the past 25 years.  Every time I open ...

FROM BED TO BATH

You never know what you will find in my attic.  It has been keeping secrets for the past 25 years.  Every time I open another box I get surprised again.  I am here to tell you that I don't believe in getting rid of stuff if you keep it stored, out of sight, and in some sort of order.   That's what attics are for and mine is a walk in attic so it is easy to get in and out of and it really is big. 

While on a frequent visit to the attic I found this Martha Washington bedspread and can't even remember where it came from but I knew I would never put on my bed again. So I made these pretty hand towels for my powder room.  The fringe that is on the edge of the bedspread makes such a nice edge on the towels and you don't even have to sew it on if you just use the edges  for towels, just measure, cut, and hem the other three edges. 

The hand towels are really pretty, soft, absorbent, and hang very nicely. 

SO MANY WAYS TO RECYCLE AND KEEP YOUR STUFF!!



Now and Then by Nancy Kline: APRIL CALENDAROne of Maud Humphrey's April calend...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline:  APRIL CALENDAROne of Maud Humphrey's April calend...:   APRIL CALENDAR One of Maud Humphrey's April calendar children is a beautiful little French girl.  She is holding a lovely bouqu...

 

APRIL CALENDAR

One of Maud Humphrey's April calendar children is a beautiful little French girl.  She is holding a lovely bouquet of blue iris.  

The first day of April is April Fool's Day and I think that Mother Nature fooled us all this year by letting us have another dose of  winter.  There are several important birthdays to remember this month including: Thomas Jefferson on the 13th, First Lady Melania Trump on the 26th, and Ulysses S. Grant on the 27th.  And who can forget Tax Day on the 15th.  Then we have Earth Day on the 22nd.

Easter celebrations come a little late this year with Palm Sunday on the 14th, Good Friday and the beginning of Passover on the 19th through the 27th leaving Easter Sunday to fall on the 21st.  Since Easter is based on the Lunar Calendar rather than the Gregorian Solar Calendar we can blame the Moon on this year's late Easter. 

 

Enjoy April and Bonne Journee !!

 

 





Now and Then by Nancy Kline: FORSYTHIA Like it or not this plant always comes...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: FORSYTHIA

Like it or not this plant always comes...: FORSYTHIA Like it or not this plant always comes back every year.  It is so tough you can cut it to the ground and it will still come...

FORSYTHIA

Like it or not this plant always comes back every year.  It is so tough you can cut it to the ground and it will still come back.  The vibrant, yellow flowers come before the leaves and liven up any garden.  It is a native to eastern Asia and is of the olive family.  The name forsythia comes from a Scottish botanist named William Forsyth and it is also called the Easter tree because of the uplifted limbs that appear to be celebrating in praise the resurrection of Christ. 

My forsythia is planted in the back of my greenhouse.  We let it grow for awhile after it blooms and then give it a good trimming.  It is easy to propagate as there are always little plants spring up from the branches that touch the ground just in case you want more plants. 

It is really a pleasant sight when out on the roads to observe these bright yellow plants.  It is a good assurance that SPRING is really here. 

LOVE ANYTHING THAT BLOOMS !!!!

 

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: MAGNOLIA STELLATAThe Magnolia Stellata is more c...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: MAGNOLIA STELLATA

The Magnolia Stellata is more c...: MAGNOLIA STELLATA The Magnolia Stellata is more commonly known as Royal Star Magnolia.  Its blooming is one of the first signs that ...

MAGNOLIA STELLATA

The Magnolia Stellata is more commonly known as Royal Star Magnolia.  Its blooming is one of the first signs that Spring has finally arrived.  The buds start swelling usually in mid February and by late March it is completely covered with beautiful white flowers which come out before the leaves. 

When I purchased my small tree it was labeled wrong.  It was supposed to have pink flowers.  The first time it bloomed I kept looking for pink and it never happened but I decided to keep the tree anyway and really have enjoyed the purity of the delicate white flowers.   When left to its own, its branches go all the way to the ground but we have to keep the lower limbs cut back as they interfere with our irrigation system. 

This is one of the flowers from the tree.  The petals have a very small tip of brown on the ends which add to the beauty.  The flowers have a very slight aroma very much like the regular magnolia which blooms in late summer but it is so light that you can barely  smell it. 

 

ENJOY THE EARLY SPRING AND ALL ITS BEAUTY!!!



Now and Then by Nancy Kline: DOWNSTAIRS LIVING AND DININGFinally got around t...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: DOWNSTAIRS LIVING AND DINING

Finally got around t...: DOWNSTAIRS LIVING AND DINING Finally got around to getting the new window treatments up (Simple Life Flax Antique White Ruff...

DOWNSTAIRS LIVING AND DINING

Finally got around to getting the new window treatments up (Simple Life Flax Antique White Ruffled Curtains) after waiting weeks for our business containers to be  delivered from the New York docks.  Bad weather caused so many delays.  No new furniture was needed as kids had enough hand-me-downs to overload me plus what I had in storage.  I also found several items in the attic that I had forgotten about.  Some of the furniture is from trips to China made several years ago.  We would shop and have the antique Chinese pieces put on containers along with our merchandise.  The coffee table is actually an old Chinese bed.  The older pieces are unique and none of them have any nails.  Nearly all of the oriental vases are gifts from vendors and friends in China. 



 

After arranging and rearranging we are finally happy with the end results. It is a good mixture of many cultures. Not too busy but busy enough to satisfy my over indulgence in the shabby look and hanging onto old stuff. 

 

WHAT WILL I FIND NEXT IN THE ATTIC  ?



Now and Then by Nancy Kline: DAFFODILSNarcissus more commonly called daffodils ...

Now and Then by Nancy Kline: DAFFODILSNarcissus more commonly called daffodils ...: DAFFODILS Narcissus more commonly called daffodils are one of the first signs of the coming of the long - awaited for SPRING.  Their ...

DAFFODILS

Narcissus more commonly called daffodils are one of the first signs of the coming of the long-awaited for SPRING.  Their bright yellow blooms are always a welcome from the cold winter days. 

This year my daffodils tried showing their glowing faces just a bit too early only get covered by a late two inch snow that caused them to lay their pretty yellow faces on the ground and hope for warmer weather.  I checked on them every day and began to think that maybe they were too scared to stand up again but they finally decided to open up in full bloom and show off in their own precious way. 

Not only are they absolutely beautiful in color but the sweet scent they put out fills any room with sunshine. 

I have a lot of daffodils scattered throughout my yard but mostly in the front which is open to the hungry deer.  They seem to be a plant that the deer do not enjoy, at least the ones in my neighborhood.  There are a few white ones mixed in with the yellows but I really enjoy the bright yellow ones and they do look great with my pink house in the background. 

The daffodils are usually the first flowers that I cut from my yard each spring.  They are especially pretty in cobalt blue glass.  I keep three or four vases filled with them in my house, take some to work,  and love giving them to friends and family.   

This is a picture of how my daffodils looked a few days after the snow melted and they were trying very hard to hold their heads up.

 

MAKE YOUR GARDEN LOOK BEAUTIFUL AND SMELL GOOD TOO!  PLANT SOME DAFFODILS NEXT SPRING!!