How are you?

Good morning my friends ~ I have been away from blog land for a little while ~

Unfortunately, our family is going through some trials lately and frankly I have just been too exhausted to blog ~

I am going to warn you now. If you are looking for a funny, pretty post ~ it's not going to happen here ~ sooo, I will share with you now ~

As you may know, Mr. Vintage had his surgery in November and unfortunately, there were complications with the epidural.  He is partially paralyzed on his left side from his chest to his hip.  He is in constant pain and can't do much of anything.  We have gone to doctors, doctors and more doctors.  He has had cat scans and ultrasounds and a myriad of other tests and we are now being told that he has nerve damage and it may not heal ~ now we wait to see if the nerves regenerate.  It is a waiting game.

So, every day, I get up and go to work ~ having my wonderful husband in the back of my mind.  Then I come home and do everything that he used to do and ofcourse what I always do.  He is so wonderful, he tries so hard.  He does make dinner on week nights and he helps with the dishes as much as he can.  Because of the pain, he can't walk very well and can't even bend over.  I usually fall into bed around 8:00 every night as I am exhausted.   I am still sleeping in the spare room, as I would not want to rock the boat when he is in so much pain.  He doesn't sleep well and gets up 5 or 6 times every night.

I am also trying to deal with my daughter's father's estate business ~ he didn't deal with it prior to his passing.  I am blessed in that I work for a law firm and they handle that kind of thing.

We have our house on the market, because without his income, we are struggling to make ends meet.  Sometimes, I just get overwhelmed.  But I have to thank the good Lord that I have a full time job.

We still have sweet Chessie, who likes to curl up next to me (he thinks he's a lap dog) ;-)  Animals do bring our blood pressure down ~ I can attest to that.

So there you have it.  My life, not so pretty right now.  I can only pray that we get through this and that brighter days are ahead.  I am still trying to smile, albeit, sometimes through tears.

I have missed all of you so much. 

Thank you Brenda ;-)

(((Hugs)))

Marianne

Happy Valentine's Day ~

Hello my friends ~ I have missed you soooooo much.  We have been busy getting the house ready to put on the market.  Well, it's all done and now we wait and see ~

I hope all of you are well ~ I just wanted to let you know that I am still here and I especially wanted to wish you a very Happy Valentine's Day ~

What are you doing for Valentine's Day ?  I am now going blog hopping.  I need to catch up ;-)

Can't wait to hear from you

(((Hugs)))

xx

Marianne

Sunday Smiles ~

Happy Sunday ~

I have been busy getting our house ready to put on the market.  Mr. Vintage and I have decided that we really want to downsize ~ so today I am going to share with you some images that just make me smile ;-)

I love plates, single, sets, big or small ~  they make me smile

I hang them and ~

I stack them ~

Don't you just LOVE pretty plates?

My aprons make me smile ~

I love finding vintage aprons.  I always wonder who wore these before me and what stories could these aprons tell ~

And yes, I DO wear them ~

My vintage cook books make me smile ~ These are my favourites.  They hold such yummy recipes ~

What makes you smile?

Hope you have a wonderful Sunday ~

(((Hugs)))

Marianne

xo

New treasures and soda ~ ?

Hello everyone ~ thank you for sharing all of your thoughts on what is a friend.  I read each and every one of them and they all made me smile ;-), friends ~

I went treasure hunting again (sigh) and you all know how much I LOVE my little treasures ~

Here is my latest little treasure ~

Isn't she sweet?   I picked her up at our local thrift shop. I couldn't resist.  Her little polka dotted crown just lifted my spirits.

Then I stopped at Homesense and couldn't resist this laundry soda. I just LOVE this tin ~ I couldn't resist.  I think it's a treasure too ~

Isn't that what Treasure Hunting is all about?

What Treasures have lifted your spirits lately ~

Can't wait for you to share your treasures with me

(((Hugs)))

Marianne

what is a friend ~ ?

What is a friend?

A friend is like a comfy old home that welcomes you every time you see them

Someone to relax with and feel safe when you are around them ~

~ someone you can rely on ~

Someone who makes you smile when you are down ~

Someone you share everything with ~

and MOST of all someone you can trust ~

What is a friend to you?

Please share with me friends ;-)

((((Hugs)))

Marianne

Happy Nappies ~

Happy Saturday everyone ~

This picture is the calendar that Mr. Vintage bought me for Christmas ~ I just love this picture ~ it makes me smile ~

Another thing that makes me smile is when I find vintage napkins.  I LOVE vintage napkins.  Well, the other day I went to our local thrift store and found these ~

And these ~

And these ~

Each set cost $1.00 ~ I was VERY happy.  I also found these vintage tea towels ~

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the crocheted scallop ~

I felt so darned good that I bought myself these ~

It was a very happy nappie day ;-)

What is making you smile today?

Can't wait to hear

(((Hugs)))

Marianne

Pizza ~?

Well my friends 2012 is here ~ and with it comes some changes ~ Mr. Vintage MUST eat sensibly and healthy ~

Soooo ~ I made pizza ~ ?

This is a VintageGal recipe

No sweat girls ~ it's easy as pie (no pun intended)

Take frozen pizza dough
Flatten it out the size you wish (I let it rise for 45 minutes to make a thicker dough)
Put marinara sauce on it (Pizza sauce is very spicy ~ too spicy for Mr. Vintage)
While your dough is rising ~ put olive oil in a pan (2 tbsp.)
saute onions, mushrooms, garlic (MUST have garlic)
sprinkle on top of your pizza and add mozzarella cheese.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 18 to 20 minutes (all ovens are different).
voila  ~
serve with a salad ~

Mr. Vintage was VERY happy and it didn't upset his stomach, which is a very good thing after his surgery ;-)

You can also add whatever you like to it ~ broccoli, aspargus, spinach (Mr. Vintage asked for spinach next time) ~
I know, I know, this is a treat ~ not your average meal, but poor Mr. Vintage has been eating all bran, bran muffins, chicken, chicken and more chicken.  He needed a change.  Thank goodness he did well with it

What are you making for dinner tonight?  PLEASE share some recipes with me ~ I would love it ~ no pork please ~ Mr. Vintage was adamantly advised not to eat it again ~

I can't wait to hear your recipes ~

(((Hugs)))

Marianne

No Chess puppies don't eat pizza ~ I'll give you another treat ~something you should eat! No squirrels