psst, just a lil intro

Just between you and me... here's Cherish, my latest snowgirl -

she will be listed on the Merc come Saturday evening♥

Our Ancestors were on to Something!

The weather has been wonderful the last few weekends, spurring us to take day trips around the area just to enjoy the 70°-ish temps!

This last weekend, we rode to a dear friends for breakfast and then on for a day trip south of the city to a quaint little community I'd driven by a gazillion times but never stopped in.

Welcome to Harrisonville, Missouri.

As we drove down mainstreet with it's brick streets,

our eyes were immediately drawn to the belltower.

But as we approached it, our hearts were overcome with mounting pride.

The courthouse building itself is beautifully maintained ...

but take a moment to read the inscription over the front entry -

Our current politicians would do well to stop and give ponder to these simple words written:

"A PUBLIC OFFICE IS A PUBLIC TRUST"

I think both republicans and democrats alike have forgotten

that it is YOU and ME that put them in the position they are holding

and it is YOU and ME that can remove them just as quickly~

What an awesome display of patriotism and a moving memorial to our veterans.

We walked around the square and were met with many delights

that made my heart skip lightly - but at the same time, I was deeply saddened that the economy has forced so many business to close.

Left to stand and represent themselves without an owner present,

we first ran across a bar & grill called Younger's.

Unfortunately, it's closed up tight now,

but I could see it was still filled with all the furnishings and awesome decor inside.

Even out back held a troop of band members on the rooftop

that could make anyone stop and do a hat dance!

On the opposite side of the square was a wonderful antique shop.

It looked to me like whoever owned this store

filled with jaw dropping finds, bolted the front door and just walked away, leaving window shoppers drooling on the sidewalk for a closer peek inside.

Here are some of the things that caught my attention

and brought my heart to my throat -

WHAT I WOULD GIVE TO HAVE THIS NEXT PIECE IN MY HOME....

What a great day, even if it left me longing for more....

me (l) and Thea, my best friend from High School (r) in her new and gorgeous home!

I love these gnarly trees - once covered in rich foliage and now standing bare.


And with the weather we had all spring and summer,
of course the dark clouds would roll in before the day was over!

I want to take this opportunity to thank our veterans

for making so many sacrifices and fighting for my freedoms!

Without your dedicated service, I could very well not have a blog to post pictures and speak my heart freely!

THANK YOU! ♥

Feeling Good in the Neighborhood!

I love going to Applebee's when we are out biking. Hubs is able to get some rib-sticking goodness and I'm always able to stay on my program and find something delicious - all the while sticking with the 2 for $20 meals!

Fits the wallet and keeps my butt fitting into my pants ♥

But when I heard what they are doing this Wednesday, Nov. 11th, I just felt the need give a hearty standing ovation and spread the word to as many as I can...

Seems our awesome restuarant is determined to give honor and respect to all our military - whether active or veteran ! Check it out for yourself - APPLEBEE'S wants to thank our service men and women by treating them to a free meal!

Now, I dont know about you but with this horrible tragedy at Fort Hood, this news couldn't come at a better time. And if you happen to make your way to Applebee's as a civilian, be sure to say thank you to every soldier you see there. They have paid a dear price for our freedoms!!

Feeling like a Rock Star!

My employer provided a health screening for each associate to see where we line up on our cholesteral, blood pressure, BMI and glucose levels.

I'm feeling like

QUEEN for a DAY!

I'm happy to report the doctor said I was in great shape for my age ♥

Something Big is Coming....

TDIPT Mercantile will be celebrating it's annual Holiday Open House during the month of November!

We hope you'll join us, as we'll have holiday offerings galore from our talented artists, as well as a generous giveway!

See you there in November.

a Missouri Autumn like no other...

We've been taking short day trips around northern Missouri in the last few weekends of October, trying to capture all the beauty that God has blessed us with.

I truly can't remember such vibrant colors in many seasons past, so I can only attibute it to all the rain that we got through the year.

And just like life, there is a lesson to be learned here for me .... no matter how much we complained on every single motorcycle trip we took over the summer, about getting rained on / rained out, our endurance paid off and our reward is evident this fall.

Witness the beauty with me:

HAPPY AUTUMN FROM MY HOME TO YOURS ♥

Suitable for Framing!

Last summer, we took a bike trip out to Tennessee to visit some of hubs kin and had such an awesome time!

Unfortunately I think it was the last day of our stay that Darrell cracked their toilet seat. Their home is so beautiful and hubs felt just terrible about it, but Larry and Patti were more than gracious about the whole thing.
Darrell wanted to make sure and get a replacement, but had a sneaking suspicion it wasn't the last time he'd see that purdy ole ring!

Lo and behold last week, a package arrived from his brother - Larry went and immortalized Darrell - a frame fit for a KING! ♥

I told Pat that I love all forms of art - even when it's circling the tank. I love the lengths that Larry went on his creation - right down to the toilet paper border around the photo.

So dont be surprised when you see this new artframing showing up around the flea markets and craft shows! You can say you saw the original right here, folks! :)

Calling on YOU...

I just went to the Breast Cancer site for my daily "click for a mammogram"

and was alarmed to see that they are PLEADING for MORE CLICKS!

The

7th Annual Pink Ribbon Challenge

is in full swing but there are only 19 days left to participate

and the breast cancer site has reported they are only at 30% of their goal!!

Now, I dont know about you but for me, that is just unacceptable.

It's such an easy thing to do...

visit the

BREAST CANCER SITE

and click the pink ribbon!

It's just that simple ♥

But wait...

do you leave yourself notes and emails and pop-up reminders daily?

I know I have to, and now, the Breast Cancer Site now has an option for you to sign up for a daily reminder to be sent to click for a mammogram - and you get a free pin to seal the deal!

Does it get any better than that??

Giving Thanks

Just a note to share my TDIPT Mercantile offering for October - and this gal is just in time for the Thanksgiving season and the TDIPT upload tonight!

I love creating this simple pilgrim, who always resonates a peaceful heart and humble spirit of prayer.

If you are interested, drop me a note ♥

EXTRA! EXTRA! Read All About It....

Today is the beginning of our Birthday Celebration,

which runs from October 13th - October 20th!!

It's hard to believe that To Dwell In Primitive Times (TDIPT) is celebrating their 3rd Birthday!

This group has been such a blessing to me over the years.

I have formed true bonds and made great friendships with some genuine and wonderfully talented artists that I treasure as much as my "real life" friends.

Anyway, back to the point of my headlines....

We are celebrating in a big way by hosting festivities packed awesome handmade gifts (from some of the best artisans out there) that will be given away from October 13th - 20th!

I have donated one of my Santa masks for the celebration - so I hope you will be sure to get your name in the hat! Dont delay ... make your way over to the TDIPT blog today !

This is one gig you don't want to miss out on ♥

Took a lil ride yesterday

and had a great time - it was a lovely fall afternoon in Missouri!

We met up with my bff from high school, who I am thrilled to reconnect with after 30 years. Had some lunch and took off for a ride in the country. The colors are just starting to pop in my neck of the woods and you have to look quickly, they don't stick around long in northern Missouri.

There was a Fall Apple Festival in a quaint little town not far from me. Weston, Mo. actually holds alot of my family history and there are still quite a few businesses running under the Vaughn name there.

We found a place to park in this normally sleepy little town that was bustling with activity and it just happened to be right in front of a tobacco drying barn. If you have never seen tobacco drying, it's actually quite captivating (at least it is for me). I would love to have a stalk or two hanging in my house. The aroma is so rich and sweet ... I stood inside the door for several minutes just looking at row upon row of the wonderful stuff. There are several drying barns in the area and I'd love to find an owner of one to see if I could buy a stalk or two!

The best part? Always the dogs, don't you think? They seem to always give any celebration the "awwwww" factor!

With that, I'll leave you with a simple emotion to share today:

Project reStart

A group of us from the office volunteered to serve lunch at a community outreach for homeless folks and families with no place to turn.

This program is called reStart and their intent is to provide shelter and food to folks and help them get back on their feet and into a home of their own.

It was such a blessing for us to go down and serve lunch and visit with the good people that work there and live there. I can't think of a better way to spend a few hours on a Sunday afternoon.

Hubs went along and before I knew it, he was washing dishes with the crew, and helping out wherever he could find a need.

He's a keeper!

I met alot of new friends today and one that really touched my heart was named Xavier. He is 5... going to be 6 soon - and I promised to come back and visit him soon.