Welcome back darlings to Not Quite Donna Reed!

Monday, April 23, 2012


Hello Gals! I am so glad to be back here in this space, truly. I have been praying for quite a few months about blogging and its fit in my life. Some of you may have found your way here via my blog Blueberry Cottage. While I have loved that blog dearly I have felt like it is time to let it go and move on.  I will keep the archives up for a bit and will transfer a number of the very popular posts over here, but my focus is changing in regards to blogging.  

I have had a passion for homemaking since I was a little girl washing my doll clothes and hanging them on my mother's clothesline! The domestic arts have always been a joy to me. I love, love, love, taking care of my home and family and really wouldn't trade it for any other profession on God's green earth!


So gals the focus here will be on all things involving family and home. The navigation bar up top pretty much sums up what the topics of chat will be here.  I hope to post a few times a week, Lord willing.  This space will be a spot to offer fresh encouragement to the wife and mother or the wife and mother- in -training, tips on homemaking, frugality, cooking, baking AND LOVING OUR HUSBANDS AND CHILDREN.  My prayer is to be that Titus 2 mentor so absent in our churches today.  Taking care of our homes and families is the most important job on this earth--gals, we're raising future generations!  Let's enjoy and excel at this priveledge God has blessed us with.

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:5

Now let's have some fun to kick off this space! I am not quite finished tweaking things here yet, but I just couldn't wait any longer to share. So you may pop back in and see different things, but for the most part the major designing is done.  Dear Becky over at The Cutest Blog on the Block has been working on this space since March and let me just say she is a darling! If you want to spruce up your blog, you need this gal--she not only is creative, she is patient. 

To celebrate I have some gifts for you.  I do love to get pretty packages in the mail and want to share that little thrill with you!   

First  up is a vintage dragonfly necklace I created with a freshwater pearl on a ball chain. These are made with glass carbochons so the image pops--it really is just adorable! It is a 1"X2" rectangle and the image is vintage emphera reproductions. I love this necklace soooo much! There are more of these if you want a closer look in my new Etsy Shop Pretty Darling Things--the shop link is right on the sidebar.



Second up is this cupcake kit I put together. Doesn't it make you want to whip up a batch of pretty cupcakes right now! I bought a tin from Crate & Barrel years ago on an outing to Boston and have kept my cupcake making supplies in it ever since.  You get a brand spankin' new cupcake tin, a Birthday (or anyday!) cupcake kit that includes the batter mix, buttercream frosting mix, cute pouch of sprinkles, flower themed cupcake lines, and a package of tinsel candles. Celebrate a birthday or throw a party with all of this! (tin not included)


Third, is our Family Rules poster I created to imitate Subway Art.  I have seen these posters in all the home goods stores at outrageous prices and knew I could make this.  These are our Family Rules and I hope they will resonate with you.  You will get a copy of this poster unframed. It is printed on blueprint paper and framed it has a distressed look with a few simple techniques.   I will be posting a tutorial and links to those I used on how to make one of these, with the frame.  Stay tuned for that.



Now all you need to do to enter is leave a comment here and say hello. But, if you want extra chances, which will help me get the word out about Not Quite Donna Reed, you can blog, tweet, or FB about this and earn yourself 3 extra entries.  If you "like" my Facebook Page for Not Quite Donna Reed, then give yourself five extra entries. No need to add each entry in separately, just let me know how many entries you earned and I will let the random number generator do all the work! This is an honor system here, I will not be checking up on anyone:-)

I will pick three winners Saturday Arpil 28th and announce them here and on FB.  Thanks for coming by and sharing my joy!

34 comments:

  1. I can't find a follow button just by email which I can do. Liked on facebook and need to know how to find you on twitter. Will post your button on my sidebar too :)

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    1. Hi Lorraine,
      I just added the followes button and the social media buttons are still in the works. Thanks for adding my button--I get so many inspiring ideas from your blog! I hope you'll join the weekly stitch along--you do beautiful crochet work:-)
      Suzanne

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  2. OOOOO...so glad you started this one back!!! I'll be stopping in often!

    I'd love to win, too!

    Jennifer godsbeengood@gmail.com

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  3. This blog is SO MUCH FUN! I grew up watching "The Donna Reed Show"!!! I'm your newest follower here AND I'm hoping you'll peek in on my a MAYBE follow too...
    I'm love a chance to win your goodies,
    Have a wonderful week,
    Hugs,
    Donna

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  4. Happy to follow! One of my blogs is also retro.

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  5. Your site is so cute! I love all of the retro pictures!
    http://dixie-n-dottie.blogspot.com

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  7. Very excited about your new blog! I love retro everything, and am addicted to my Betty Crocker cookbook collection. Looking forward to reading a lot of fun posts here. Exciting give-away too! I am now following you, liked your facebook page and blogged about your give-away. Thanks for the chance to win. Love the play list by the way. :)

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    1. Christy,
      I love my Betty Crocker vintage cookbooks better than any new ones I have! LOL! Do you have the one from the early 50's?
      Suzanne

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  8. Love, love, love the new design. Definitely be following.

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    1. Thank you Raquel, I always like to see a comment from you:-)

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  9. Conrats...very cute, but I will miss your Blueberry Cottage...
    Hugs, Linda

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  10. That would be CONGRATS! Need another cup of coffee....

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  11. Hi Suzanne,
    I stopped by this morning for a visit and you put a HUGE smile on my face with all your wonderful good news. I'm so thrilled for you and am sending oodles of happy wishes your way. You are such a delight and do so much for everyone. Thank You!

    Kathy (big smile)

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    1. Kathy,
      Thank you so much, your comment is very humbling:-) What are you knitting up? I hope you'll participate in the weekly mem "Let's Get Stitched". I am still wearing your socks everyday...LOL!
      Suzanne

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  12. So glad to have found your blog! Being a homemaker is a journey that I am beginning and I am happy to find some encouragement. I love the design of the blog, too! Take care.

    Christy

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  13. Not sure how to edit my comment, but I did "Like" your Facebook page! I don't want to miss out on my chance to win! LOL

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  14. What a lovely site Suzanne, I'm looking forward to visiting often! With love and blessings, Carly xx

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  15. Oh I love your blog and I too am looking forward to visiting each and everyday. I am definitely going to sit down when I get time this morning and drink my cup of coffee and go through your blog because it is just wonderful from the looks of it. Have a wonderful day.

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  16. Just stopping by to say hello and nice to meet you!

    Come check out my list of 100 Smoothies! Comment if you'd like on which one is you favorite!

    Love, Traci @ Ordinary Inspirations http://www.ordinaryinspirations.blogspot.com/2012/04/100-smoothie-recipes.html

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  17. Dear Suzanne,

    I look forward to your upcoming posts, as these are topics that I enjoy! May God bless you with this new venture in blogging!

    Blessings!
    ~Nadine

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  18. Suzannem
    Your blog is so cute!
    I Tweeted about your giveaway( https://twitter.com/#!/ )
    I also LIKED you on Facebook.

    Thanks for the opportunity to win :)
    Shalom,
    Moira

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  19. Cute! Congratulations on the new, adorable blog! I run a Homemaking Link Up Weekend that starts every Friday morning and I'd love to have you join us!

    Have a lovely weekend and God bless you and your family!

    Sarah

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    1. Hello Sarah,
      So glad you popped in! Love to visit you and link up:-)
      Blessings,
      Suzanne

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  20. I'm so glad you're writing again!
    I like your new look.
    You inspire me to do some more Titus 2 type posts at Harvest Lane Cottage.

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    1. Laura,
      Thanks! And glad it inspires you to write again too--we all need little places to pop in to to get a bit of encouragement in our mission:-)
      Blessings,
      Suzanne

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  21. Add 5 more entries for me for liking you on facebook, please.

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  22. Hi, I was checking out your chocolate mousse dessert shots. They look so good. I am going to make them this weekend for my family. Anyway I thought I would check out your blog and enter your giveaway. I also will like your page on facebook.

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  23. Hi Suzanne,

    Love your new blog and the music. When i was younger i watched Donna Reed. I am still a lover of aprons.
    Wishing you a wonderful day.

    Love, Janice

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  24. Found your blog today- I actually don't know who Donna Reed is, but we never had t.v. in our home, so perhaps that is why. :) I am looking forward to future visits as I really enjoy being a homemaker. Seems we have a lot of similar likes including lilacs, picnics, and bluebirds. Thanks for entering me into this lovely giveaway!.
    I am doing one for Mother's Day. Please feel free to enter mine as well.

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  25. Love the new website. I liked it on Facebook, so I guess I get 4 entry chances. I love the give away items. Thanks for the chance to win. Blessings. Barbara Rivera

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  26. So glad to find you here...love the idea of this blog! I'm a big fan of old, classic tv shows so you got my interest with your blog title. :o) I blogged about your blog (as well as a few others) on my latest post. I'll be back to visit again. :o)

    Sandra
    Ravenhill Cottage

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  27. Hello! Just found your blog! It looks wonderful :-)

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Thank you so much for poppin' in and saying hello! I read all my comments and any questions I answer right here, so if you have one, check back:-)
Have yourself a darling day,
Suzanne a.k.a. Not Quite Donna Reed