Friday, July 29, 2016

Saturday Sparks Link Party 178

Welcome to Saturday Sparks 178!

It's time for this weeks party which means that creativity and inspiration are about to overflow.

"There are no strangers here; Only friends you haven't yet met."
~ William Butler Yeats

Now, onto this weeks party.

First up, the Fabulous Features from Saturday Sparks 177.



Five Inexpensive Kitchen Remodeling Shortcuts at Thistlewood Farms



Summer Living Room Tour at Belle Bleu Interiors



Our Home Story-What Changed During our 4th Year at Sweet Parrish Place



Monthly DIY Challenge: Farmhouse Style Leather Chair at Making it in the Mountains



Me, Myself and Buffet and Delusions of Ingenuity



DIY Nightstand from an old wine crate at Pillar Box Blue



Eleonora's Rocking Chair: Before and Afters at Grandma's House DIY


How to get an Authentic Looking Makeover at Hunt and Host



Fraises & Creme De Menthe at Kingsbury Brook Farm

 

Triple Berry Baked French Toast at Simply Fresh Dinners


Healthy Yogurt Banana Bread at The Organized Dream


Vegan Kung Pao Tofu (GF, Oil-Free) at Sprinkle of Vanilla Sugar

Pieced Pastimes

 Thanks to everyone for linking up to last weeks party.
If you were featured, please grab the featured button (above) to add to your blog.

Now, onto the party!

Link up your latest inspiring posts such as:

Crafts
DIY
Gardening
Home Decor
Photography
Ponderings
Recipes
Repurposing
Sewing

Links are open through Friday morning.

Features will be posted at next weeks party at Pieced Pastimes, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

Pieced Pastimes

 Party Guidelines:
- Post the party button (above) with a link back to this page or just a text link back to the party on your post - Not required, but appreciated!
- Share your own ideas - not a roundup of other peoples ideas.
- Follow Pieced Pastimes via one of the social media links located on the upper right sidebar. 
- No advertising, Etsy shops or giveaways.
- Pin feature photos to Pinterest from the original source and not from this blog.
- Visit other links and leave a kind comment.

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Friday, July 22, 2016

Saturday Sparks Link Party 177

Welcome to Saturday Sparks 177!

Before we begin this weeks party, I wanted to take a moment to thank everyone for the kind comments and private messages I received after my last post.

As we all know, life is full of ups and downs.

The loss of our 'Charlie Boy' has taken its toll, but your comforting words were much appreciated.

"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."
~ Thomas Campbell

Now, onto this weeks party.

First up, the Fabulous Features from Saturday Sparks 176.



A 10 Dollar Goodwill Makeover at Stylish Revamp



A bank for our baby... at Shabby Chic and I



Serendipity and Twelve Fabric Projects at Thistlewood Farms



Crochet Baby Sweater - Free Pattern at Annemarie's Haakblog


Just Another Day At The Cottage at The Red Painted Cottage



DIY Hanging Paper Mobile at The Crafty Blog Stalker



Faux Wayuu Mochila at Howling at the Moon



Vintage Ice Cream Cone Holder at Designs By Miss Mandee



Layered Tropical Smoothie at Hip Mama's Place


25 Best Homemade Popsicle Recipes at One Little Project



Whole Wheat Zucchini Pecan Bread at Cookilicious


Pumpkin Tartlets at Vegan Dollhouse


Strawberry Sorbet at MomOf6


Sofritas Bowl-Vegan or Vegetarian at The Whole Serving


And finally, a recap of my share from the party - Saying Goodbye to our Charlie Boy


Pieced Pastimes

 Thanks to everyone for linking up to last weeks party.
If you were featured, please grab the featured button (above) to add to your blog.

Now, onto the party!

Link up your latest inspiring posts such as:

Crafts
DIY
Gardening
Home Decor
Photography
Ponderings
Recipes
Repurposing
Sewing

Links are open through Friday morning.

Features will be posted at next weeks party at Pieced Pastimes, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

Pieced Pastimes

 Party Guidelines:
- Post the party button (above) with a link back to this page or just a text link back to the party on your post - Not required, but appreciated!
- Share your own ideas - not a roundup of other peoples ideas.
- Follow Pieced Pastimes via one of the social media links located on the upper right sidebar. 
- No advertising, Etsy shops or giveaways.
- Pin feature photos to Pinterest from the original source and not from this blog.
- Visit other links and leave a kind comment.

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Sunday, July 17, 2016

Saying Goodbye to our Charlie Boy

In recent days, we had the sad task of saying goodbye to our little dog Charlie Boy. He has left quite a void in our family and will be dearly missed.


We buried him amongst a gathering of oaks overlooking the back yard.


Whispers from above:
 
The morning after burying him, a single ray of sunlight streamed through the branches illuminating the rock marking Charlie's grave site.

"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God."
~ Luke 12:6 


On another day, a red cardinal flew past. It is said that the sighting of a red cardinal is representative of a loved one who has passed and that they are visiting you.
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit."
~ Psalm 34:18

A Life Well Lived:

I'd like to share a little about our Charlie Boy so that you might understand why he was so special to us and to honor his short, but well lived life.


He came into our lives as a most unexpected gift.

In 2009, we added to our menagerie with our sweet dog Sophie.

Unbeknownst to us Sophie was pregnant at the time and much to our surprise, Charlie was born 2 weeks later.


Our house was suddenly filled with all the wonders that puppies bring.


Yes, his cute factor was through the roof, but there was so much more to him.


Right from the start, he was as independent as they come. By all standards, he was a loner.


He was born with the strut of a champion show dog and it stayed with him till the day he died.


People would naturally gravitate towards his perfect teddy bear face and want to hold him. His shy demeanor would often find him hiding under the bed or tucked in a corner where nobody would bother him.


He grew into a handsome young boy and he tired of the attention his pretty face garnered. He developed a protective attitude that served him well. Anyone invading his personal space was quickly warned to back off with a bark and an occasional snap.


He was a Mama's boy and was always by my side.

He loved to wrestle with Sophie even though she got the better of him most days.

He loved going for walks or in his case, runs. He did everything at hyper-speed.

He could spot a chipmunk, a bird, a squirrel, a rubbish truck or a mailman from a mile away.

He loved playing with his basketball and chasing things in the pool.

He loved his family.


He was loyal and protective of us at all times. A simple knock on the door would send him into full defense mode and we would have to hold him back from going into all out attack mode.  My husband always said he would make a great guard dog, if it weren't for his ten pound frame.


From all of this, I now know:

- We were blessed with the gift of additional time with him.

- Nothing compares to the unconditional love of a dog.

- Prayers (whether answered or not) bring us to a better life.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

- The faithful part of me knows he is in a far better place and that someday, we will be reunited.
 
- The selfish part of me wants him back.

- We are better for having known him.
 
- He taught us about love, loyalty, respect and patience.

- He is watching over us still.
 
Goodbye Little Man ~ Until we meet again.



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Friday, July 15, 2016

Saturday Sparks Link Party 176

Welcome to Saturday Sparks 176!

Weeks end means the start of another party.

Show us your latest and greatest creative projects and be inspired by the imaginative ideas of others.

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow."
~ Helen Keller

Now, lets get this weeks party started.

First up, the Fabulous Features from Saturday Sparks 175.



DIY Tripod Floor Lamp at Savvy Apron



DIY Upholstered Bench with Faux Metal Frame at Sawdust Sisters



Retro meets Glam at UpwithFurniture


Farmhouse Style at Kingsbury Brook Farm


Texas Mantel Decor at Under a Texas Sky



Transferring a Quilt Motif at Joy's Jots, Shots & Whatnots



DIY IPad Stand From Thrift Store Cutting Board at Charm Bracelet Diva


Homemade Chimichurri Sauce at To Simply Inspire


Fresh Strawberry Citrus Juice at Spreading Good Tastes



Currant Berry Pie at From Kayla


Spiced Strawberry Soup at Best of Long Island and Central Florida


Dairy-free Banana Pudding at Ilkas Blog


Grilled Pizza - The Best Recipe for the Grill at Little Miss Dexterous


Garlic Parmesan Corn on the Cob at Lou Lou Girls

Pieced Pastimes

 Thanks to everyone for linking up to last weeks party.
If you were featured, please grab the featured button (above) to add to your blog.

Now, onto the party!

Link up your latest inspiring posts such as:

Crafts
DIY
Gardening
Home Decor
Photography
Ponderings
Recipes
Repurposing
Sewing

Links are open through Friday morning.

Features will be posted at next weeks party at Pieced Pastimes, Facebook, Pinterest and Twitter.

Pieced Pastimes

 Party Guidelines:
- Post the party button (above) with a link back to this page or just a text link back to the party on your post - Not required, but appreciated!
- Share your own ideas - not a roundup of other peoples ideas.
- Follow Pieced Pastimes via one of the social media links located on the upper right sidebar. 
- No advertising, Etsy shops or giveaways.
- Pin feature photos to Pinterest from the original source and not from this blog.
- Visit other links and leave a kind comment.

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