Celebrating 100 posts

Well, I almost forgot to make a blog post about posting 100 blog posts!  I started blogging in January of 2009.  I actually had another blog that I began on.  I really don't know what happened to those posts.  I know I deleted the actual blog, but I thought I saved the posts.  Oh well, this is post 102 on this blog, Gleanings From Gail.  I guess I have learned some about blogging since I began, but not a tremendous amount.  It is something I enjoy.  I have made new friends, found my "niche" I guess you could say (home decorating), and came across so many great ideas.  All  the projects that people get done in their homes simply amaze me.  I have also saved my husband some money by having a blog.  Before I started blogging, I would pour over home decorating magazines.  I haven't bought but two or three magazines all year.  Sorry magazine companies.  I just get to look at so much more decorating in home decorating blogs! 

I wanted to do a giveaway for my 100th post, but I didn't know what to give away!  I actually did do one give away.  It was for my 30th follower.  I need to learn more about this. 

Anyway, to celebrate my 100th post, I thought I would re post my very first post on this blog.  Hope you enjoy!  Please let me know if you do.  I don't get many comments! 

Speaking of comments, I do want to thank all of you who have visited Gleanings from Gail, and all those who have commented.  I hope to be able to improve my blogging skills and to have grown to some degree in the next 100 posts!

Go to the link below to see my first post.  Thanks!

http://gleaningsfromgail.blogspot.com/2009/02/nu-114-and-mixt-multitude-that-was.html

Decorating With What You've Got .....In Your Backyard!

As I said here, I don't usually do a lot of Fall decorating, but I do enjoy what I do manage to get
done. I like to use as much natural "stuff" as I can when decorating. Where better yo get the "stuff" to do that than right from your own backyard. Can we say cheap? Oh yes, and fresh, and natural, and plentiful, and pretty! (to me, anyway)

This year, it's been nice to have the resource of a goldenrod bush (Kentucky's state flower) to decorate with. Here are some pictures of some "golden" decorating!

It's A Kentucky Thing!

It's A Kentucky Thing

These golden rods (Kentucky's state flower), seem to have been blooming in more abundance this year than I have ever seen. Maybe it's because this one grew up right at our back porch and walkway, and my husband did not cut it down. I'm glad he decided to just let it grow. I have enjoyed looking at it as well as using it to decorate with. I love using real flowers to decorate with. Because of the "green thumb" of my husband, (notice I did not mention my name here!), I can almost have some kind of a bouquet from our yard all year long. The pretty warm, mustard yellow of this golden rod, is perfect for fall decorating.

And.........you will not believe what was in our yard this morning; Kentucky 's state bird, the Cardinal.  Actually not just one, but a half dozen or more!  Amazing!  They are beautiful too!  It's just a "Kentucky thing"!  You just have to be here!!!!!
Gail

WWWV

WILD, WONDERFUL, and may I add, BEAUTIFUL WEST VIRGINIA!

My husband jokes that he is thankful for West Virginia because it takes some of the pressure off of Kentucky! I don't know about all that, but I do know that West Virginia is simply breathtakingly beautiful; especially in the fall.
I'm thankful for the opportunity we've had to enjoy some of God's handiwork here in the magnificent, color - splased, October hills of West Virginia. They say that next week they will be at their peak, but I don't see how they could be much prettier than now. Here are some pics to prove: (well, one pic ; cause I can't figure out how to do more than one with an iPad.  I would welcome some instructions on how to do that from any of my "many tech savvy" friends!  Lol)

Gail

Happy Birthday to our third-born, Sarah B!

A RE(al) TREAT

This past weekend I had the wonderful privilege of attending the Ladies Fall Retreat for the Franklin Rd. Baptist Church, Murfreesboro, Tn. What a wonderful time I had! My daughter, Hannah, got to go with me. Anytime we go on a trip together it's an adventure; usually off the beaten trail! This time was no different, even though we were using two navigation devices! We made it there fine. Coming home was a different story! Oh well, let's just say, we got to spend some quality time together and see some country that we have never seen before!

Back to the Ladies Retreat! Those are some of the sweetest ladies and boy, do they ever know how to do a retreat! I just want to thank Mrs. Mila Norris and all the wonderful ladies for the superb job they did!

Mrs. Mila and me! 

I felt very honored to be asked to speak for this event. The accommodations were soooo nice! Hannah and I were sure we could just live there in the luxurious suite provided us! It was beautiful! (should have gotten some pics).
The meeting was actually held at the Hampton Inn in Mt. Juliet, TN. A delicious dinner in one of the beautifully decorated meeting rooms began the meeting on Friday evening. Then there was games and snacks and fellowship and more of the same! Saturday morning started with a wonderful continental breakfast, and then two more sessions.



Some of the beautiful Fall decorations



The beautiful center pieces were also door prizes.

 The theme of the was the Fruit of the Spirit. It was a blessing to be able to share with those sweet ladies the truths the Lord had shown me in studying on the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22. I praise the Lord for the way He blessed. I pray the ladies all took something home with them that will help them in their walk with the Lord.

It was a special treat to get to see some dear friends. One of them was a friend from all the way in high school, Becky Crabtree. Not too long ago I learned that Becky lives in Murfreesboro. I hadn't really been in much contact with her since high school. I told her about Franklin Rd Baptist Church and she and her husband have been attending there for about a year.



Becky, my friend from high school - all the way in Murfreesboro!

Then I also got to see Angie Barnes, who was in our church here in Nicholasville for a couple years.  Her brother, Bro. Mike Norris is the pastor of the church there in Murfreesboro.  It is alway so nice to see Angie again.

Angie and her twin, Amy.  Double sweet!

I had such a good time, as you can see from the above photo!  I felt like the ladies from Franklin Road Baptist, as well as Hannah and myself really did what we were supposed to do - retreat!  Thanks ladies for such a great time!

SO SIMPLE, NO SEW CURTAINS!

Need some curtains and need them quickly?

You might want to take a look at what I came up with.

These curtains really show my simple style  (once again, it's REALLY simple!) as well as my love of linen.

These curtains are SO SIMPLE!  They actually are NO SEW SIMPLE!

A sewing machine or needle never came near these curtains!  Not that I'm against sewing machines or anything (well I have had my moments with them), but it's just that I like quick......really quick. 

Here's how I did it.  First, look at this before picture of the window without the curtain.  The wooden blinds which had been up for 16 years was nothing but and eye sore.


YUCK!



NOT SO NICE!





















These were nice at one time, I actually love plantation shutters, but something bad happened here. I think maybe water damage in some of the really bad rains we have had may have leaked in. I really don't know. I just know that I had to keep them pulled up at all times so this mess would not show!


So......time for something new!  I have been wanting to make some curtains out of linen for this room for some time.  I thought I would have to special order linen, but was nicely surprised one day a few months ago when I saw it at Joann's Fabrics.  I couldn't believe it.  It was exactly what I was wanting .....and the good part is that it was ON SALE!  So, I brought some home with me!

If you decide to do this, make sure you know the length you want your curtains, and they will cut it for you.  I had them cut it for 8 ft., length.  The above fabric is actually doubled so I just put it in the floor and cut it in half.  (You could also have them do this at the fabric store). 

This is where the fun part comes in.  Simply (love that word), fold the edges of the fabric over along the sides at the top and then fold the top over this.  I folded mine over about 2 1/2 to 3 inches.  I didn't even pin it or anything I just folded it over and then clipped it to the rod which my husband had hung for me.  (I have never had much success at hanging curtain rods, so I don't even try.  My husband does much too good of a job!) 



Fold at top and sides so the raw edges won't show.



Curtain hooks.....way to go, in my opinion!

So simple!



I know it would have been nicer to have them sown the right way, and someday, in my "spare time", maybe I will, but for now, with company coming for Labor Day weekend, they work!  Honestly, you cannot tell they are not sown or hemmed unless you walk up and closely examine!  You're welcome to come to visit, but if you do, please don't examine my "So Simple" curtains!













I know you're probably wondering what I did for the hem at the bottom.  Glad you asked!  I simply (there's that word again!) let them "puddle"!  I hope that is not way out of style.  Is it?  I don't really know.    I just folded them under and they were long enough to puddle on the floor.  If they were not long enough, I suppose you would have to hem them.  (You could always use tape!) 



The puddle!



This little project even motivated me to actually clean the window inside and out.  I am so glad to get that done. 



A few more shots.



At night, pulled together for privacy, of course.



Hope you enjoyed hearing about these "So Simple" , quick and easy curtains.

Linking to Beneath My Heart's DIY party.