Thursday, July 16, 2015

Rain, wind, hail, flowers, goodies, etc.

 

Hi Folks ~ This will no doubt be another rambling post.  It’s been a week since the last one.

I meant to mention the beautiful full moon a week or so ago, the first morning I saw it when opening bedroom curtains. I aaahed at it’s beauteous bigness, thanked God for it and burst into tears. I’ve never done that before but the beauty of it through the trees touched me deeply.

A couple of days ago, some scary weather blew over, freaking out Miss Tork and I. She disappeared under the bed, I just hunkered on the sofa/love seat and prayed.  We had big strong, gusty wind, heavy rain and even hail. I was glad when it had passed on over.  The rain was good for all growing things, but it did not help with the heat and humidity, in fact I think it’s been worse.

Sunday morning as I was closing the driveway gate, after having been out for awhile, a mail truck pulled up. I reopened the gate and went out there.  I’ve never had a delivery on Sunday before. This was a pkg. from Amazon. Inside were a couple of books, a pkg. of 25 watt and one of 15 watt bulbs for the two Himalayan Salt Lamps I’d ordered. The box was heavy.  I hoped these lamps were whole and not broken, and they were fine. I read about salt lamps in someone’s blog, not sure which one now, and looked them up online. After reading quite a few reviews, I decided to buy two of these for my little cottage.  You can read about them here on Amazon’s site. Himalayan Salt Lamps.  You can read about the health benefits here. The ones I bought from Amazon have a dimmer switch, which is really nice. I have them brighter during the day.  One is in the living room close to my little creative space, which I have on in the daytime, turning it off at night.  The one in the bedroom is on for awhile bright mode before sleep, then I dim it down to use for a night light, which is ‘very comforting’.

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This is the one in the bedroom, pretty bright to get the negative ions doing their thing. Smile Having this dimmed down at night for a night light does something for me. It’s calming. Two of the benefits for these, is sleep and moods.

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The one in the living room.

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Here it is dimmed down with the overhead light turned off. I really love the dimmer switch.

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I am not getting anything from this company for posting about this.

***

My sis-in-law, Sue saw them when she was here yesterday and she loved them. Speaking of Sue, she is my brother-in-law, Todd’s wife. We went on a ‘shopping jaunt’ yesterday to some thrift places looking for a sofa for their son’s new apt.

We didn’t really find anything although there were some possibilities. We went to ‘Faith Farm’ (which is a ministry for addiction recovery), thrift place, huge, been around for years and years. DH and I went to this many years ago. Yesterday was sr. citizen’s day and the place was ‘packed’. Sue took pics of sofas and sent them to her son via her phone. We checked out different bins, etc. for ourselves. She found some really pretty wine glasses at a GREAT price. I bought one little glass piece. It was 45 cents but with my discount, I got it for 34 cents. It looks pretty with this little creamer-sugar set from my friend Nanci.  (It had been her mothers and I knew her mother for quite a few years before she passed away. She and I shared the same birthday.)

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From there we went to Habitat for Humanity’s ‘Restore’ store. It is really close to me, just opened last month.  I’m thrilled. Sue was thrilled too even though they live a little over an hour away from here. She found more glasses, and I found two for 25 cents each, plus I found a couple of books, hardbacks are 50 cents and paperbacks a quarter.

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Then we went on down the road toward home, and stopped at the Salvation Army Thrift store. I bought two books there, and Sue bought me the yarn shown below, (which I use to crochet ‘comforters’, which have gone to widows or someone ill. I enjoy making them, they are lap size.)

One bummer about the crocheted flowers book is that I cannot use any thing I create from her patterns for selling purposes, strictly personal use.

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Sue and Todd were recently in Georgia and brought back some fresh picked corn and blueberries.  Also some Vidalia onions, from Vidalia, GA. They graciously shared with me and she also brought me some homemade spaghetti which I plan to have for supper tonight.  I am thankful for these gifts.

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Sue and I went to Pollo Tropical for lunch.  We both had Mojo pork over rice, with black beans, etc. and she got some boiled yucca, I got fried yucca and a really good and ‘garlicky’ sauce. I’m going to start fixing yucca myself.  The boiled was good. I don’t really do deep fried foods here at home.

Todd and I talked the other morning via phone, and we’re going to be working on my bedroom and the bathroom too, hopefully in August or September. YIPPEE!

I am going to be doing the house-dog-sitting type job for 36 days, going there 2-3 times a day to feed, let the dogs out and visit with them. Vacuum once a week, wash their bedding. It’s close to home, and I am thankful for the job. The have wi-fi so I can take my laptop and be online while there, or I can just sit and read a book in a different space other than here at home.

Ok, here are a few flowers and spider pics, then I’ll close this long-winded post.

Hibiscus and Spotted Horsemint.

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This guy was ‘huge’ maybe 3-4 inches across.  His web is stretched across the driveway, higher up.

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‘Granada’

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‘Rose de Rescht’.

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What I’m creating now on some antique French linen from my friends Nanci & John. John bought it on one of his trips to France, to use to upholster pieces for their antique shop. Nanci hand washed them. and before they closed up shop, she gave me a nice piece of it.

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Ok, that’s truly it for now.

Have a wonderful weekend, wherever you are, whatever you are doing.

Count your blessings.

FlowerLady

************

Edited at 3:30 p.m.

At 1:41 there was a HUGE EXPLOSION at the front corner of our property. Miss Tork leaped off her chair out of sound sleep and I just gasped in the kitchen. Power was shut off immediately. All was quiet except for the wind chimes making music on the porch. It was raining but thunder and lightening were off to the east. I figured it was the transformer across the street as that’s the one that usually goes. Well, it was the one on this side of the street, right at the corner of our driveway. The electric co. got here 2:55, and by 3:15 power was back on.  I went out and told the guy thank you. I wouldn’t want to have to do his job.

I had just turned off the a.c. and the computer before the explosion. Both are ok. Sheesh! All’s well that ends well.

32 comments:

Recycled Cottage & Garden said...

I love the pine needle frames on your pictures. I knew a lady once that made baskets and frames like that, so beautiful.

Terra said...

Sue sounds like a great SIL and friend for you. The dog sitting will be enjoyable.

Janice said...


I enjoy your posts! They're like a good book, I want to see what's gonna happen next.

Your roses are gorgeous, your spider, not so much.

Have a good week.

Nancy J said...

Op shop, Thrift Shop, Salvation Army, Hospice, they all have wonderful finds, and bargains for everyone, what a HUGE spider!!! I heard of your weather down here and hoped all was OK. Hugs for your weekend. p.s. the linen shows up so well with your latest heart.

Ruth Hiebert said...

Ok,I have to be honest.The flowers are gorgeous —— the spiders,not so much. They give me the creeps. :) Have a great rest of the week.

Maryann said...

I really enjoy thrift shopping. Sometimes I have something I am looking for in particular other times I'm just looking to see what they have. I have gotten to the point that the majority of my clothes come from thrifts. Your flowers are beautiful, (not so much your spiders but that's just me lol) It has been a pretty rainy summer here so far, made gardening a little challenging. Hope you have a nice weekend

Janneke said...

Glad you just turned off the computer before the explosion, such a fright. That spider is a scary one, he has even hairs on his legs, this one is unfamiliar to me.
Loved reading this post, and the salt crystal lamp you ordered is really wonderful.
I wish you a wonderful end of the week!

Jane said...

Sounds like a lot of fun. Glad everything turned out ok with the electricity.

susie @ persimmon moon cottage said...

Your new salt lamps are pretty. I like the way they glow from within. They would be comforting as a night light. Do they have any scent?

Your window with the lace and pretty blue glass looks so fresh and airy. Gorgeous flowers! Your roses are looking really great. Mine are looking puny due to the extremely heavy rains during June and in July. What a huge spider! His body is shaped more geometrically than the big garden spiders around here. Ours usually have big round stomach areas, like in a children's book illustration. My kids always used to name the ones that built a web by our porch light every year Charlotte. Every year there was a new Charlotte.

This has certainly been a season of "electrical" (lightning and transformer) things going on around your house.

Take care.

Susie D.

Marti said...

I hate storms with loud thunder and lightning! Glad they got the power back on fast and everything is ok.

That is some spider! Is it a zipper spider or something else?

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

OHGosh Rainey! You really must post more often! It's hard to keep up with you!. We had storms last night that kept one of my dogs pacing all night. Of course, your blooms are beautiful. But nope, don't like those giant spiders. You guys down there grow your bugs BIG! Lovely stitching on the heart. I like the butterfly you are creating in beads. We have a transformer at the end of our driveway. Squirrels used to get up there and blow it up pretty often. Our electric company put a cage around it now to keep them out. Being without electricity is a scary thing during a storm. It can also be unhealthy if the humidity is high, as my husband has COPD and has more trouble breathing in high humidity.

I saw those lights at a flea market booth and had never seen them before. Interesting concept. They are very pretty and give off a nicely soft light too.

Take care and stay cool.
xx, Carol

M.K. said...

Glad none of your electric things got zapped by that explosion! Yikes! God was watching over you. I'm so glad your family visited and look at the wonderful fresh food they brought! What a blessing. And God is providing for you with a job this month too -- that's wonderful! The doggies will be happy to have somebody there with them. Maybe you can enjoy sitting there and reading or blogging.

Those lamps are neat. They look like a beautiful sunset, captured in a clump of rock. If you they help you relax and sleep, that's so good. Stay safe and cool, FL!! I just scrolled right past the pics of the spider -- very fast! Saw enough big spiders yesterday while clearing brush at our new place.

Dixie @ Arranged Words said...

I do like your new lamps.
Lovely flowers. The spotted horsemint is so unique, and it's one that I haven't seen before.
It would be a fun flower to paint.
I also love the new linen heart...so nice!

Helena White said...

Love your Needlepoint! Thank you so much for visiting and commenting on my Craft space. The Where Bloggers Create party is so inspiring.

Deb said...

I recall the horrible rain storm we had, here in Ocala I could swear it sat over my roof for an hour, the thunder was relentless and my walls were vibrating. So glad for the rain for the plants but so glad when it finally passed.

The Salt lamps are a nice addition, I love mine. It sounds as though you and SIL had a great time at the thrift shops and scored some great finds, they are one of my favorite places to shop.

Love the beautiful flowers and the spider in its web is just so pretty. Thanks for sharing.

jerilanders said...

Glad your computer was off before the big Boom, close call. I love those huge garden spiders, kinda creepy but fascinating nevertheless.

Leslie Kimel said...

I love your new salt lamps. They really are cozy and comforting looking. I'd never heard of them before--I always learn about something new and neat from your blog!

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Lorraine, so enjoyed your post and pics. Love the salt lamps. What a pretty glow and look so nice in your home.
Sounds like you had some fun thrifting and found some new books. I have a crocheted flower book and still trying to master some of those. Your blooms are gorgeous and the huge garden spider looks happy in his web.
Thanks for sharing your days. Have a wonderful weekend.
Hugs and Blessings, cm

Debbie Harris said...

Hello Lorraine, my it feels wonderful to visit with you!
I'm trying to get back to my blog but it is taking me awhile.
I enjoyed you sharing your time with us, You certainly had lots to share. :-)
Your lamp is beautiful, and what a wonder that it is so peaceful for you as a night light. Isn't God wonderful?!
Your blooms are always so beautiful, what a garden you have to enjoy, even the spider is beautiful in its own way.
You are having quite the weather with all those electrical booms! Scary!! God certainly had His hand on your computer and air conditioner.

Have s blessed week end, sweet friend.
Joy! Debbie

Kit said...

Wow, that would have been scary. We had something happen like that here, with a transformer going in the alley behind our house. Set the hairs on the back of my neck up. Love your new salt lamps. Hope they help you. :) Kit

Joy Junktion said...

Your needle work is so very detailed and beautiful, Rainey! Of course I love my piece but truly love every piece you create! So glad the transformer could be fixed quickly and you didn't have to be without power over night! Love your flower photos, closed my eyes for the spiders, eekkk... Blessings, Cindy

RockWhisperer said...

Those transformers can be really dramatic when something goes wrong. We had one that was in flames once.

Hey, those patterns being copyright might not have to stop you from using them. Do a search for free patterns on the Internet, maybe look on Pinterest accounts, and you might find similar patterns to those in the book that you like.

I did not know that patterns published in copyrighted books were not usable for making items for sale. From the looks of things, a lot of others don't know that either.

I've been told that, with recipes, if you change one thing, you are not violating any copyright laws because it's no longer the exact recipe. Maybe it's that same way with crochet instructions. Add a row or a couple stitches somewhere, and you're there. Anyone know an attorney who could weigh in on this?

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

I've thought of buying a Himalayan Salt lamp too - I'd be interested to hear how you like it after a few weeks.

Deb J. in Utah said...

Wow those salt lamps look really cool. I think I will check those out! Great thrift store finds. Treasure hunting in thrift stores is such fun! Glad everything was OK when you had that explosion and last power. Enjoy what's left of the weekend.

Unknown said...

Ha - I'm going to be the one commenter that likes your spider! Just a little. But I really love your salt lamp, it's so beautiful and I'd never heard of those before. That explosion must have been scary - of course it would have to be in the middle of the night! I've enjoyed your post, as always - Happy Sunday!

Anonymous said...

I love your "rambling" posts. They are like visiting an old friend for a cup of tea and a nice long chat ~ very comforting.

I really like your salt lamps too! I'm headed over to Amazon to check them
out now. :-)

Have a wonderful week Rainey.

Love and Hugs,

eli

Ronda@islandmother said...

I thought the spiders here were big.... Wow.. I hope you don't find those in your cottage? I'm glad everything is ok after that transformer incident.....I've house sat for dogs and cats and enjoyed the experience and the job while it lasted....blessings

Susan said...

Glad everything was okay from the transformer blowing up and that you weren't without electricity for too long. You had quite a shopping trip and it sounds like you two ladies had a good time and some nice finds, too. Sounds like your temp job will be fun. I hope it will lead to more for you. Your flowers look lovely in our summer heat . . . glad you are getting rain. We are not getting very much here. Take care.

Rue said...

I certainly don't miss those storms out there. Stay stuff!

I forgot to tell you on your last post... congratulations on the dog sitting job!

The flowers are beautiful, but I could have done without the spider pictures LOL

Take care of yourself and be safe!

xo,
rue

Darcie said...

Can I just say, there have been times I have looked at nature and just wanted to cry from the shear beauty of it!

My mom is a firm believer in those salt lamps..she loves hers too!

You have a great rest of your week!

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

I had a transformer blow just a few feet from me last year while I was getting groceries out of my car...I know how loud and scary that can be!

I've never heard of salt lamps...I'll have to read about them! :)

Melanie said...

I will have to read up more on the salt lamps - sounds interesting! They sure look pretty and calming, at least. Thrifting is so much fun, especially with a friend. I love your display in front of your pretty window. I immediately recognized the green glass candle holders...I have the same ones in yellow! Though my mom has "borrowed" them for now. ;-) I hope you have a beautiful day - with no storms!