Shine's Thyme

Daily ramblings of a ridiculously happy housewife and mother. Come in and see how sweet life can be!

Sunday, June 19, 2011

I Think I'm in Love

I still can't believe we have a contract on our house. It doesn't seem real......seems very surreal. We've been looking hard and I have found my true love.
I have ALWAYS loved old Victorians, but never thought I'd actually be able to  have one. For one thing, I live in a very rural part of east Tennessee where there just were not very many Victorians built.When you do find  them...they are valued very highly and WAY out of our price range.
Now low and behold I've found this beauty. It just so happens that we are also in a high tourist area. Long ago, someone took this old farmhouse and transformed it into this gorgeous painted lady. They bought the farm and split the land into smaller parcels and built several other Victorians and marketed them as a "Victorian Resort". Unfortunately, with the collapse of the economy this person's dream came crashing down and the whole community went into foreclosure.
The difficult times we are in breaks my heart. I have seen so much tragedy.
That's why I am so convinced that this is definitely a God thing.
Why He is working in our lives right now is beyond me. I do not feel worthy of anything God does for me, but when He does true miracles for me, I am so amazed I can hardly function.
Sisters....if you don't mind...I'd appreciate your sweet prayers right now. I don't know if it's possible for us to actually get this painted lady, but boy has she stolen my heart.
So much so that when I think about her, I truly go into "swoon" mode. No matter though, what my heart says, if this is not where God wants us to be, I don't want to be there. Our "fight with our flesh" is just constant isn't it? Well....I just ask for prayers that we will be wise enough to follow God where ever He wants us to be. I Would be a VERY happy girl if He would let us be here....in this beautiful piece of art.......
but I know deep down, that where ever He takes me...I'll be happy, and thankful.
Have a lovely day ladies....will keep you posted on the move!
Blessings~~Shine

Friday, June 10, 2011

Simple Change

Hello girls! Well...this has been a different week to say the least. After having our house on (and off) the market for the last 5 years, we had a showing last Sat.! (the first in almost 2 years). Then, the couple wanted a SECOND showing!! (now I'm getting "a little" excited.) Then the next day...they made an offer!!!!! Can I scream YAY!!!!!!!!!!! They LOVED our house!!!!!! Just as we do.....there is ALWAYS someone else out there like you:) NOW....the scramble will be on to find our next home. Actually....tomorrow, we'll find out if we have to scramble. Their first offer wasn't ridiculous by any means, but we could not accept it. So we countered, and, hopefully...they'll come back tomorrow (by 4:00 pm) and have a better offer. I'm trying not to get too excited ya'll :)
HOWEVER, in the meantime....I  have a cute transformation to share.
If you'll recall....on Mother's Day, my sweet hubby surprised me with a gift I'd wanted a long time.
It was instant infatuation. I LOOOOVE my swing girls. BUT....take a looky at how much better it looks now.
See! I made my chain covers!!! They are super easy to make (you can find a great tutorial here) cordcoversandmore, and they make such a BIG difference!! (The BLOOMING hydrangea doesn't hurt anything either:)
Girls....it's my most favorite place. I sit here every chance I get and try to just look at the birdies....or the flowers, and I am so thankful for all that God has done for me. No matter if He wants us to move or wants us to stay....I really don't care at all. I ask only that He goes with me, wherever I go.
Blessings to you all sweet friends.....Love Shine.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Happy Day Scones

I am SOOOO ready for this new season. School's out.... I'm just dreaming girls......dreaming of all the projects I can do this summer. It truly makes me swoon! I am enjoying every possible moment lately. Savoring every sweet breath....taking in every green leaf and every priceless smile from my precious children. More plans, more projects, more dreams.......EXCITING!!!!!
Right now I think I'm going to make these incredible scones that I found on  Eggs on Sunday.

They are really easy and deeeelish.
I think the fam will love them.....after all...what's no to love? Chocolate, raspberries, butter.....YUMMMM!
These are actually photos taken by   Amy   . I hope it's OK to do this. I did read somewhere that as long as you're giving credit to the blog you get the info from, it's politically correct in blogland.
Here's the recipe for these scrumptious treats...., but please do go and visit Eggs on Sunday. Blessings to you all dear friends.....Have a lovely evening! Love ~~Shine





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Raspberry Chocolate Tea Scones

Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 tablespoons sugar
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and chopped into small pieces
1 cup miniature chocolate chips or finely chopped chocolate
1 cup frozen raspberries, chopped (keep frozen until you’re ready to add them to the dough)
3/4 cup heavy cream
1 egg, separated
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone baking mat.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and sugar. Add the chopped cold butter and rub with your fingers into the flour until the bits of butter are roughly the size of peas. Stir in the chocolate chips/chunks.
Separate the egg; reserve the white for later use (you’ll use it to brush on the tops of the scones before baking.) In a separate bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the cream, egg yolk, and vanilla extract.
Add the chopped frozen raspberries to the flour mixture. Pour in the cream, and using light, quick strokes, stir with a fork until just moistened (there may still be some flour on the bottom of the bowl.) Use your hands to gather the dough into a ball and knead it lightly a few times, just to gather it together. Don’t worry if there’s still a little flour remaining on the bottom of the bowl.
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and divide into two balls. Gently flatten each ball into a 1-inch high disk, and cut each disk into 6 wedges (for 12 scones total.) Place on baking sheet and brush the tops with the reserved egg white; sprinkle with sugar.
Bake for about 12-15 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and scones are cooked through.