One of my favorite things.

For years, I have loved visiting my little Grandmother Mary Elizabeth in Columbus, Indiana. While visiting, I have always had a great love for her beautiful china and asked her often about it. She said that one day, when I was married, that she would give it to me. She indicated that no one else in the family made mention of it and that she would be happy for me to have it.

So, several years ago, that is what she did. So here it is, one of most beautiful china patterns I have ever seen. I am so fortunate to have it. I just love the pattern on the inside. It goes so well with my pink depression glass collection too.

I have spent countless hours doing research about the pattern of the china. It is called Parisian by the Royal China Company out of Sebring, Ohio. The china was actually my Great Grandmother Lottie Mae Moore.

Ever since I was in high school (even before she gave me her set), I have been looking in antique stores trying to add to my collection. Now with the internet, I have made quite a few purchases from ebay as well.

I don't think my Grandmother will ever know how much it means to me to have her china.

This busy Mother loves soft water...and the lift it has given her life.

This week, I was very happy to get our soft water tank installed. I have to admit that over the years, I have been very skeptical of the whole "soft water" thing. I mean, the only people that I knew that ever had soft water where my parents. Which all that meant to me was that when you take a shower in their guest bath, you have to hang onto the walls for dear life! Soft water makes everything very slippery.

However, after much discussion with my hubby, we decided to get a soft water tank. Honestly, I still was pretty skeptical. But I would like to show you my results.

The glass on the left was washed with our previous hard water. The glass on the right was just washed with our new soft water. Can you tell a difference? I know I can. I had spent quite a bit of money trying to get rid of those darn hard water spots...and nothing ever worked until now!

I have to say thanks to my Culligan man!

Seed Catalogs

My 2010 seed catalogs are arriving daily. One of my favorite things about January is ordering my seed catalogs. Then, when they finally arrive, I spend the evenings, reading them from front to back. By the time spring actually comes, the pages are worn down, covered in post-it notes and scribbled on.

I have always had a love for planting gardens or just growing something. I remember my first apartment in Cedarville, Ohio. It was back in 1995 and I had this tiny apartment that didn't even have air conditioning, but it did have a nice little porch. I remember planting a container of jalapenos and a container of peas. I was so excited when they actually grew!

Well, that was a few apartments and houses ago! Now, my hubby and I are planning our first veggie garden in our new home. We are so excited and talk about it nightly, ok, well, I talk about it nightly. We are also hoping to put in a few fruit trees this year as well.

What's going in your garden this year? What are your thoughts on heirloom plants, especially tomatoes?

Until next time, Lori