On the Road Again ~

Hello to you, my lovely friends and faithful followers!
Have I got a special surprise for you!
Today it would have been my dear dad's 81st Birthday.
Two and a half years ago many of you spent precious time
on your knees before the thrown of God in prayer for dad

 and our family as dad went through a time of illness, 
hospital stays and then his open heart surgery

which resulted in complications and God calling dad home to glory. 
Just before dad was wheeled into surgery,
his last words were, "I'll be returning with a new heart"

but God had other plans for dad.

~~~♡♡ ~~~

Months before dad passed away, he and mom went through an Estate Sale
with nearly everything selling, including the restored vehicles dad

put his time and heart into during his living years. 

One of dad's restored treasures was a '56 Ford pick up with the name "Cherry Delight".

My husband and I were fortunate enough to purchase dad's dream.

Of all the restored vehicles dad put his time into,
 Cherry Delight has a story behind her and she was dad's dream. 

After purchasing Cherry Delight I asked my dad to write out for me

why he wanted a '56 Ford pickup and these were his words. 

Debby~

In 1955 just prior to graduation I purchased a new 1955 Ford pickup

with the help of my mom and dad. The plain Baby Blue pickup was customized

including a flame paint job, custom upholstery, fender skirts,

full hubcaps even '49 Mercury taillights fitted into the rear fenders. 

But then in 1956 Ford made a dramatic change adding a wrap around

windshield making it the best looking pickup on the road, 

or at least I thought so, oh if I had only waited another year. 

A year actually turned into 21 years.  Now living in East Vail

in a new home we had built for ourselves I decided it was time 

to find me a '56 project pickup ~ time to make my dream come true. 

My friends were trying to help me out but to no avail, 
couldn't find the one I thought was right. 

Then in early May Mike Bice told me of a red '56 he had seen in Red Cliff, 

he had spoken to the owner John Martinez, who wasn't 

interested in selling, but I decided to go see him for myself.

After meeting with him, within an hour or so I convinced him the pickup

should be mine ~ and the fun was about to begin.

Forty years later my daughter Debby has decided she wants

the pickup, I'm both excited and concerned for her. 

The pickup has been sitting in a garage for approximately 30 years. 

The brakes are down and the tires are shot, and that's to be expected, 

hopefully mechanically the rest is still sound. 

I wish her nothing but the "BEST" and I'm anxious to see her

driving and enjoying it within the next couple of years. 
 Love Dad ~
~  
Looking back, not knowing dad would not be with us much longer 
I am so very thankful for this hand written letter. 

 
Before dad passed away he told me to talk around
and see if I couldn't find a "back yard mechanic" who would be willing
to tinker with Cherry Delight. 
So, I did as dad asked, talked around, even went to the High School
thinking maybe they would like to work on her as their automotive project. 
Finally, with a handful of options I laid them all before the Lord in prayer.
 Soon after, God clearly directed me to this amazing and talented mechanic,
who offers custom rebuilding and does restoration on any automotive.


 
For the past two and a half years Cherry Delight has been at the garage
under the loving care of our mechanic,who by the way, is a Christian.  
I truly believe this man was sent from God. 
It all started with putting in fuel injection, which led to
Cherry Delight receiving a new engine, (her new heart) which led to 
numerous changes taking out the old and putting in the new.
God knew that Cherry Delight would be in the best of care
when He directed me to this man.
If dad were here today, I just know he would be very pleased with God's choice.

Cherry Delight is on the road again after being stored for so many years.
Oh how I wish my dad were here to see his dream is alive
and sit in the passenger seat beside of me
while the two of us Cruz down the road together.
Dad was full of life and known for his story telling,
so now as I drive along in his dream pickup
I can hear that awesome voice of his as he shares of his many interesting stories.
In spirit, my dad will always be there by my side
as I enjoy something that was once his,
something that meant a lot to him and something that was restored with his own hands.
Right now before winter sets in I'm having the time of my life!
She will be garaged over the winter month's in this vintage garage
that both dad and I discussed before he passed away.
The paneling is from an old milking barn that was on dad's property.
I'll save that story and photos for another time.
Until then... I'll be out driving ~ 

 Mom continues to make progress with her rehab
gaining strength with each new day.
The goal is for mom to be strong enough to have Christmas
with one of my sisters who lives in Wyoming.
Wyoming is a lower altitude than here, something mom needs with her heart. 
Once again, thank you so very much for your continued prayers. 
God bless you!
Love & Hugs
Debbie 
♡

In Loving Memory ~ Dad, this ones for you! 😗

Stephanie's Tea Cup/ Mug Reveal Party ~

Once again it is time to celebrate with Stephanie over at ~
The Enchanting Rose
as she holds her 11th Tea Cup and Mug Exchange Reveal Party.

This is something that I know is a favorite of many, including myself.

I wait with anticipation of just who my dear Stephanie

is going to match me up with so that I can put together a gift package

in hopes that I may bless my recipient's heart
and this exchange was just as wonderful as all the past exchanges.

I had the opportunity of giving a tea cup and a mug

with both ladies being extremely easy and enjoyable to shop for.

My tea cup lady was Lea who has a lovely blog

that I happily follow and now look forward to becoming friends with.

Lea has been a real blessing through her comments on my posts

during this time of illness that mom is going through.

Thank you, Lea, for being a lovely "Southern Belle" with a sweet spirit. 

This was my gift for Lea ~

For my mug I had the opportunity of meeting a lady with a blog

whom I have never had the opportunity of "meeting"
here in our wonderful community of Blogging.

Dee has a lovely blog that you would enjoy visiting, I'm sure.

I had a wonderful time gathering treasures for Dee using one of her favorite colors,
it seemed as though her color ~ mint green ~ was abounding in every store.

Here is the gift I sent out to Dee ~

With everything going on with my mom I nearly passed this exchange by.
The dates were going to conflict with my travel times while taking mom to Arizona
and I didn't want to disappoint my sender should I not respond right away.
But God ~
Not knowing that my travels were going to change due to mom's health,
I listened to that still small voice believing God was 
directing me to sign up and trust Him for the outcome
and sure enough, the outcome was wonderful!
My heart was richly blessed when I received both my teacup 
and mug just one day apart.
I do not  usually sign up for a mug, but I'm so happy that I did
because I had recently broke one of my favorite large mugs that I very much
enjoy using for both coffee as well as my Lipton's cup-a-soup.
You need to have a good size mug for a cup of soup. 😉
Anne, who does not have a blog so graciously
packaged up the most delightful gift box for me,
 I felt spoiled!
These are the items Anne filled my gift box with ~
Note cards in a keepsake box shaped like a book,
a book on friendship, a frame with Scripture,
chocolates, a cookie cutter in the shape of a mug,
 some caramel cafe' escapes to die for!!
I shall never have to go to Star Bucks again. HA!
Anne, thank you so kindly for your gracious love towards me. ♡

The beauty of a rose ~
Laura  from Decor To Adore
was just the sweetest as she so graciously packaged up a {{PINK}} 
box of delightful treasures for my enjoyment.
My gorgeous tea cup/saucer with a matching plate
is Redoul'e Roses by Roy Kirkham ~ fine bone China from England.
Isn't it fancy?! I will certainly enjoy gracing my china cabinet with this set.
I was spoiled twice over from these two precious ladies.
These are the items Laura filled my gift box with ~
Rooibos cinnamon vanilla tea in a lovey tin, shortbread cookies ~ my ultimate favorite!
A tea cozy that I just know was made by her hands,
a darling little note pad that will go into my purse, chocolate
and a beautiful hand made pop-up card.
Laura, once again, thank you for the beautiful tea cup and pink treasures. ♡

♡♡♡♡♡

Stephanie, once again, THANK YOU, for the many hours that you pour into
your lovely exchange!
Being your mother, I have the blessed opportunity of hearing
through you, the many stories of these ladies experiences 
and the friendships made all around the globe.
 I too, have been blessed with lasting friendships made over a tea cup and or a mug.
As you pray over each name Stephanie, and allow God to direct you
in matching ladies up, you have no idea how God is using you
and how lives will be touched through this ministry of yours.
God has placed ladies in my own life through your exchanges 
who have encouraged my heart many times over
not knowing that I was in need of some encouragement.
May your heart and life be blessed abundantly
for all that you joyfully do for our enjoyment
through your loveliness.
♡

Joy!
~ Debbie ~