Cobalt Glass

My Cobalt Glass on display
at the Library.

As promised, here are a few pictures of my Cobalt Glass collection.  It has been on display at the Bittersweet branch of the Mishawaka-Penn-Harris Public library, for the entire month of August.

Here you see the entire collection, all spread out
and beautiful.  It just needed a little sunshine!

It felt so good share my collection with the patrons of the library.  In light of the fact that my collection is normally housed on a single shelf of a very small china hutch, made it especially satisfying to see it spread out in that gigantic display case!  It was as much a treat for me, as I hope it was for the guests of the library.

"The Gift," that started it all 20 years ago.
Given to me by my dear friend, Beverly Brosmer.

What began as a thoughtful gift, has turned into a deep "blue" passion.  I now find myself watching for glints of blue, shimmering in the sunshine, at every yard sale along the roadside.  Thrift stores, antique shops and flea markets are havens for cobalt glass.  I find that my van seems to turn into these places, as though it were on autopilot!

Beverly has granted me membership into the Blue Glass Buddy Club.  I'm very proud to be a member!  I love the beautiful blue glass so much, that I even wrote a poem about it.  Enjoy!


Cobalt Glass Acrostic Poem
written by:  Michelle (Shapland) McCarty

C ollectible
O bjects made of glass
B rilliant shades of blue
A ntique to new
L ovely to look at
T reasures for me and you.

G lassware in unique styles
L ining the windowsills
A rranged to catch the sunlight
S hining through the hills
S uch beauty produces smiles.

Thank you for stopping by and reading about one of my many passions!  I hope you will comment here and share with me something YOU enjoy collecting too!

39th Birthday

Birthdays are a big deal in our house.  After all, it's the day the most important people in our lives came into the world.  We make the entire day all about that special person!  They get to chose the breakfast, lunch and dinner menus; and we do whatever they wish to do.  (So long as it fits into the budget!)  We also try to make it as stress and drama free as possible.


This past weekend was my turn to get that special treatment.  My family and I celebrated my 39th birthday.  The day started out with hugs, kisses and Happy Birthday wishes.  Then I received the most wonderful, handmade birthday cards EVER!  A handmade birthday card, in my opinion, beats a store bought card ANY day!


My youngest son Christopher, worked on a pop-up card for the majority of Friday night.  It was so pretty!  He did a very nice job cutting everything out, coloring it and putting it altogether.  He even wrote a message inside!

The front of Christopher's card.

The inside of my fantastic pop-up birthday card!
Underneath the butterfly it reads, "The rare Momarc Butterfly!"

Zachary, my oldest son, loves to draw.  He usually draws Anime characters.  But Friday night he spent a lot of time trying to draw something realistic, that he thought I would like.  He tried several pictures and wasn't happy with any of them.  So finally, frustrated and tired, he doodled a picture of Jesus and wrote me a little note.  Little did he know, it was the perfect card for me!

The doodle Zachary drew.  The little paragraph reads:
"Happy Birthday Mom.  I love you more than any child could
love their mother."

Most of the morning was spent relaxing and lounging around the house.  Then, in the afternoon, we piled into our hoopty van and ventured out to the car lots.  We're in the market for a Toyota 4Runner, you see!  I've always loved 4Runners and am itching to have one.  Even though we can't buy one just yet, I did get to test drive one.  I really, I mean REALLY loved it.  If only we could find one in the color we like and at a price we can afford.

After we reluctantly took the 4Runner back to the dealer, we headed over to my parent's house.  My mom had made a delicious German chocolate cake and we had picked up some Martin's fried chicken.  It made for a scrumptious birthday dinner.  Not diet friendly, of course, but delicious none the less!

The rest of the evening was spent visiting and watching old family movies.  My Aunts had taken the old reel to reel films and had them transfered onto DVD.  What a delight it was to see the old footage of days gone by!

It was the perfect way to spend a birthday.

New To Me Camera

Good morning everybody!

I'm so excited to tell you, that I have a New To Me Camera!  I still plan to keep and fix my old digital camera.  But in the interim, we came across a great deal on a digital camera my husband's friend was selling.

It's a Fuji digital camera and he was selling it for the unbelievably low price of $75 bucks!  This friend of ours is in the market for a higher quality digital camera, so we got to benefit.  It was too good a deal to pass up, don't you think?  And, this way, once I get my other digital camera fixed, we'll have TWO cameras for twice the picture taking fun!

If only I had the out-of-commission camera working.  Then I could take a photo of the new one and post it here.  But, since it is still in non-functioning mode, I'm unable to satisfy your curiosity in that department.

You know, I stink at spelling all the time, but my foggy brain is really causing me difficulties today.  I've typed that word, curiosity, numerous times now and just can't spell it right.  I'm gonna have to consult my little book of spelling words!  Dog gone my foggy brain!

Okay, I'm back.  For inquiring minds, I found out I kept trying to spell the word "Curiosity" with a "u" in it.  My blasted brain!

Now that that is out of the way, back to the camera.

It takes a pretty good picture.  My husband and I took it with us on our 18th Anniversary Getaway Weekend!  Here are few photos to give you a feel for how the camera does.

The Big Sable Lighthouse on Lake Michigan in Ludington State Park

The spiral staircase that defeated me in my attempt to conquer my fear of heights.  I wanted to go up in the lighthouse so badly, but the panic attack took over.

The glow of a gentle sunset, cast the perfect light for this beach grass photo.  One of my favorite pictures from our trip.

We had such a wonderful time on our trip to Ludington State Park.  Our plan is to make reservations and go back there next year.  That way we can take our boys with us.  I really think they would enjoy themselves immensely!  Our good friends, Eric and Ruth, plan to go with us too!  It should make for another spectacular getaway!

Donald Duck Applecore

I love, love, love apples!  I love the way they look, the way they smell, the way they feel in my mouth, the sound of the crunch when biting into one; and especially the taste!  Oh so yummy!


Not to mention they're healthy and we all know that saying.  An apple a day keeps the doctor away!


I'm eagerly anticipating apple picking season!  I can't wait for September!  My favorites are Honey Crisps.


Fall is my favorite season and that is apple season.  I can hardly wait to take the hayride out into the orchard to fill my basket full of yummy, crisp, delicious smelling apples.


While I was day dreaming of apple orchards, I remembered an old Disney cartoon I once saw.  It had Donald Duck and the chipmunks, Chip & Dale, in it.  It was all about apples, applecores and hilarious slapstick cartoon footage!


They just don't make cartoons like this anymore.  So here it is for your viewing pleasure!  Enjoy!

To Do List, F+

This weekend was crazy busy.  Now you would think, a weekend of busyness would provide a number of crossed off projects on the To Do List wouldn't you?  Yet, in classic Michelle fashion, I was unsuccessful in my efforts.  Several things from an almost year old To Do List, went untouched and unfinished.  They're still staring me in the face, waiting for the next opportunity to be crossed off.

How can that happen?  I mean really, how?

I'm not for sure here but, maybe it has something to do with the fact that I have a bazillion things on my mind, numerous projects going at once, a really large procrastination bone; oh, and three other bodies around me who play a part in the whole unaccomplished scenario.  If I come up with a better answer, I'll let you know.

The weekend started out with a grand plan, that was soon flushed down the toilet.  Then I revamped the plan and that flew out the window.  Since Plan A and Plan B were scrapped, I decided we needed to come up with a different type of plan--especially since, at this point, it was already Saturday evening.

So I came up with the, Do Whatever You Want To Do, Because You Won't Do What You Plan, Plan!!!!!  Can you sense a bit of irritation here?  If not, start sensing it 'cause it's there.  Yeah, this plan REALLY didn't work!

I do this to myself everytime.  I eagerly anticipate my husband's weekend off, thinking we are going to accomplish SO much!

For those unfamiliar with my husband's work schedule, let me fill you in.  He works for Federal Mogul and gets every other weekend off.  Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  However, he works 12 hour days that's the trade-off!  I don't envy him his schedule.

At any rate, I do look forward to the long weekends together!  Time to accomplish important tasks and enjoy accomplishing them as a family!  That's 3 whole, entire, complete, uninterrupted--whatever you call 'em--24 hour periods of time!  We should be able to accomplish a LOT of stuff, right?  Wrong?

It never happens!  It doesn't matter how planned and organized I try to be.  It never happens!!

I think somewhere down the line we got gypped in the gene pool category.  Neither of us got the organizational, get the job done now genes from our respective families.  I'm just sayin'!

We sort of feed off of each other's procrastination and lack of Stick-To-Itive-Ness.  If one says, "Lets go do something else," the other is quick reply, "Okay!  As long as we're together!"  Then our grand plan gets left in the dust.  Thus was the case this past weekend.

For inquiring minds, I'll give you all a glimpse at our year old To Do List.  Some of these things REALLY have to be done soon.  The fast approaching fall and winter seasons demand it.

*  Clean up & dispose of demolish scrap in the side yard

*  Clean the driveway side gutters out

*  Finish insulation

*  Finish hanging drywall

*  Tape, mud and sand drywall

*  Prime walls

*  Paint walls

*  Lay down new sub floor

*  Lay down laminate flooring

*  Fix walls in stairwell

*  Lay new floor in the kitchen

*  Put counter tops on new cupboards

*  Fix the kitchen sink faucet

*  Repair the shed & paint

*  Finishing putting deck on out back

*  Get van repaired

This is just a portion of the list.  It is a HUGE list, I can't believe we didn't accomplish MORE this weekend!

But, on a positive note.  Here's what we did get done:

*  Mowed the backyard

*  Planted the daylilies

*  Pulled nails & sorted wooded lath pieces

*  Several loads of laundry

*  Partially cleaned out the office

*  Sorted some paperwork

It wasn't much, but it was something.  While there was a bit of accomplishment, there wasn't enough to have a marked gain or loss.  Nothing really got crossed off of the old To Do List.  I think I'll call it a wash!  I hope to get a lot more done this week--in between the back-to-school rush!

Speaking of school, our project has been graded.  To Do List, F+!!!

Well, time to get off the computer and get to work!  Wowzers, it's gonna be a busy week too!

Thanks for reading!  I feel better having vented my procrastination woes.

Blog Hop 2010

Okay, I'm going to try and join the Blog Hop 2010!  I hope ya'll have some patience with me, 'cause I'm not sure WHAT I'm doing.  Okee-dokee, here we go.

Follow me on a trip through the Blogosphere.  I've joined up with the Blog Hop 2010, to try and find more blogs to read, make some new friends and maybe pick up a follower--or two--along the way!

A brief description of myself.  Well, as you will soon learn I am usually anything BUT brief!  So here are the Top 10 Things that make me, ME!  (Aside from God, Family & Friends, these are in no particular order.)

1.  Loving Jesus is definitely, my No. 1 thing!

2.  I adore being a wife, friend and companion to my amazing husband, Pete.

3.  God has blessed me with two amazing boys.  It truly is a privilege, to be called Mom.

4.  Friends are vitally important to my well-being.

5.  Nature is my friend.  Okay, except the bears--they scare the bejeebers out of me!  Oh and I loath flying, crawling, blood sucking, stinging bugs!

6.  To step into a Jane Austen novel would be grand; and Anne of Green Gables is simply the BEST!

7.  I'm a self-proclaimed Frozen Coke addict; strongly considering a 12 Step Program, if only there was one!

8.  I'm a member of the Blue Glass Buddy Club, a/k/a A Cobalt Glass Collector!

9.  I could do find-a-word puzzles all day long, while listening to my favorite music on my iPod!

10.  I was going to list my favorite movie, but I can't pick just one!  There are WAY to many to choose from!  I love a good movie.

Well, that's me in a nutshell.  I look forward to making new friends and reading as many blogs as possible!

A Discontent Town Mouse

I read Town Mouse, Country Mouse, by: Jan Brett today.

While I was reading the story, it reminded me of my need to be content.  Content with all that God has given me, whether it be in the town or in the country.

I also need to remember, there will always be things to fear, things to miss and new things to get used to.  This simple concept can be a challenge for me at times.  Especially when I'm in the grasp of discontentment.  Today was such a day.

I am trying to find my contented heart.  But, it has eluded me once again.

I crawled out of bed feeling very dissatisfied.  I felt like A Discontent Town Mouse, longing to be a country mouse.

"I need a vacation," said the town mouse to his wife.  "Let me take you to see the countryside where I was born.  Life is quiet and peaceful there.  The sun shines brightly every day, and the air is so clear that you can see the stars at night. . ."

Doesn't that passage sound wonderful?  I think so!  I've always wanted to live in the country.  As a little girl, I remember voicing my dislike for city life on numerous occasions.  My parents were very patient with me.  However, my childish ramblings made no difference in our living arrangements.  As a matter of fact, they still live in the same house I grew up in; smack dab in the middle of the city!

. . . they heard the town mouse exclaim: "This is the life!  Wildflowers, spring peepers.  If only we lived here!"

I can hear myself exclaiming the very same things!  You would think--having married a man who desires to live in the country too--that I would already be well established in my country mouse life.  Yet another desire, stronger than my desire to live in the country, prevailed.  It was my desire to stay close to family.

My husband, being the gentle, self-sacrificing man that he is, settled to live in the city so that I could be close to my family.  When your hearts desires conflict, discontentment can never be far away.

The country mice crept out.  "You like it here?" they asked.  "Why, we've always wanted to live in a town house." . . . "Why don't we trade houses?" said the town mouse.  "Would you?" asked the country mouse . . . "We'll leave right away," she said.  As they said good-bye, each of the mice thought that they had the better part of the bargain.

How I would love to trade houses with a family that lives in the country!  Our home is downtown, in the heart of the city.  Right in the middle of all the hustle and bustle.  Sirens 24/7, speeding cars racing down our narrow two lane street, booming music from the cars cruising the neighborhood--doing God only knows what, fighting from the rental properties across the way, not to mention all the lights that drown out the beautiful night sky.

Our neighborhood has changed considerably since we moved in, 7 years ago.  I think that's part of why I have grown so discontent with being a town mouse.  Living in the urban jungle just doesn't appeal to me--and never has really.  I'm definitely ready to pack up and move to the country.  The city is wearing me down so, that the thought of a little drive to visit family is looking more and more appealing everyday.

. . . The sun had come out, and everything was glistening and green.  "It is beautiful here," said the town mouse's wife.  "We should try to enjoy it."

In the end, the town mice go back to the city and the country mice go back to the country.  Neither wishing to live anywhere else but home.

Unlike the story, I'm fairly certain I would be content in the country and willing to leave the city life behind me!  The thought of it had me lost in the most beautiful daydream.

I found myself walking through bountiful vegetable gardens, fragrant flower patches and green meadows drenched in golden sunshine; as the sun peered over a big red barn.

My mind was full of wonderful sounds of farm life.  I could hear the mooing of cows, as they roamed the countryside searching for the perfect patch of grass.  The sound of hungry pigs, oinking profusely in eager anticipation of slop time.   The synchronized clucking of chickens pecking the ground for a bit of feed.  Then, off in the distance, the proud cock-a-doodle-do of the resident rooster; boldly announcing the break of dawn.

As I wandered farther into my dream, I heard the rustle of the trees, the sway of the grass and the eerie whisper of the corn fields.

As my mind was lost in the sights and sounds of country living, I began to imagine the smells of country life as well.  I could almost smell the scent of lilacs mingled with the mellow fragrance of freshly mowen hay; and the often sobering smell of manure.  My farm girls heart was delighted and I could sense it all in my mind's eye.  What a lovely daydream it was, until I opened my eyes.

Back to reality and the challenge before me to find my contented heart once again.  To let go of the daydream and seek to enjoy reality.  For my life is so blessed and I am so very happy; despite my hearts unwavering country desire.

In the words of Jane Austen:

"I must learn to be content with being happier than I deserve."

Even greater still is the following Bible verse:

1 Timothy 6:6 - "But godliness with contentment is great gain."

Made Just For Me

A quick update on Blogenstein!  If you are reading this, then you are gazing upon a work of art.  No NOT my blog post, but the blog page itself.  Yes, it is a magnificent work of art by an amazing woman!

I woke up yesterday morning to find a message in my inbox from my dear friend, Amy.  She had read my Blogenstein  post and wanted to offer me some help.

Her assistance was just what the doctor ordered.  Blogenstein now has the perfect backdrop and it gives me that "warm fuzzy" feeling!  My blog page has been decked out in a beautiful shade of Cobalt Blue with wonderful beige lace accents.  It was Made Just For Me by Amy Sparks Harrison, of Mon Ami Designs.  What a kindred spirit, with a heart of gold.  She felt for me, and my blog dilemma.  Not only did she design the background, but she even put it altogether for me.  My Blogenstein dilemma is O-V-E-R, over.  I couldn't be HAPPIER!!

A BIG THANK YOU goes out to Amy!  Check her out on the web.  Amy shares her thoughts on life, love, marriage, children, gardening, canning, decorating, art and anything else that pops into her creative mind, on her blog, Confessions.  You're guaranteed to love it.  You can also check out her artwork at Mon Ami Designs, at word press.  Then she has an online store at Mon Ami at the Etsy Shop.  I hope you take a few minutes to take a peek at her lovely artwork and maybe make a purchase or two!

This very happy blogger, is off to complete one monstrous To Do List.  Bye, bye for now!

Blogenstein!

Okay, I'm not sure what's going on with my blog page on Blogger!  I'm a bit frazzled, to say the least.

Last week my chosen design from thecutestblogspot.com, disappeared!  This completely and utterly bummed me out.  I loved that design, and the colors.  The beautiful blues and beiges were great!  Where or where did my blog page go?  Wherever it is, it's under going some sort of Frankensteinian transformation.  I feel like my blog should be renamed, Blogenstein!!

So I've been attempting to find another template that strikes my fancy as much as the last one did.  I've not had much success in my endeavors; and the one I am currently using will only last a brief time, I can assure you of that.  It doesn't give me that "warm fuzzy" feeling like the other one did!  I mean, I love to wear the color pink and all shades of it at that.  But I prefer my blog to be decked out in brilliant shades of blue, accented with wonderful beige overtones.  I see it in my head, but just can't find it on the web.  (Hey, there's that inner poet coming out again!  Ba ha ha ha!)  The search is on!

If only I had a program to create my own background template for my blog.  That would be ideal.  I can feel the creative juices flowing now.  I would use the most gorgeous shades of blue, specifically cobalt blues and the beige like that in my grandmother's doilies.  I could see myself getting all creative and turning Blogenstein into a beautiful piece of art for all to see!

Anywho, I just wanted everyone to know that my blog background will be changing until I find a more suitable and agreeable template.

Beware the Blogenstein!