Vintage Shopping and Scrapbooking Weekend

What a great weekend! My girlfriends and I went for a weekend in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia. There are so many great vintage/antique shops and roadside stands that are perfect for browsing. Armed with the latest edition of the Flea Market Finds magazine we were ready to shop.

The weather was great for most of the weekend but on Saturday afternoon the thunder and lightening kept us inside working on our scrapbooks. It was really nice getting some rain since we are in a severe drought situation, I can't complain anytime we have rain.

My friend Michele had this t-shirt on this weekend; I love it!

The "theme" for this weekend (not that we really needed one, but it is fun) was tropical, so Michele provided us all with these funny sunglasses. Each pair had parrots, monkey's, flamingos, and palm trees. What's more fun than six grown women laying on a big slab of granite, wearing goofy sunglasses, and having their picture made? . . . nothing really, I would do it again in a heartbeat! I love these girls!

Mother of the Bride (M.O.B) . . . the continuing saga

Remember a while back I told you about the book M.O.B. my daughter bought me, which was supposed to guide me along the joyful path of being the mother of the bride? Well I think it skipped a few things and I thought I would pass them on to anyone who may find themselves in this same spot.

1. Even though the invitation company says "these particular invitations don't require extra postage!" Don't belive it. After purchasing $130 worth of .41 cents stamps the weight of the envelope after everything was inserted was over the weight limit. So off to the post office to purchase .58 cents stamps . . .
2. The bride wants whole coffee beans to go in glass containers with candles . . . simple and beautiful. Now where do I buy 25 pounds of coffee beans at a very very cheap price? Still looking, no luck so far! I say, "Can't we just use really small pretty pebbles? " She gasps, "Absolutly NOT!" What was I thinking?!?
3. Don't be too helpful. You will be told you are taking control.
4. Don't be too hands-off. You will be told you don't care.
5. Don't speak to the bride above a whisper you will be told you are yelling.
6. Don't say you love her first up-do hairdo...she doesn't like it so you shouldn't either.
7. Don't make suggestions...refer to #3.

Ring Ring Ring . . . Telephone Call For You

Talking has never been a problem for me. I was one of those kids in school who always had the X marked next to “Avoids Unnecessary Talking” on my report card in grade school. My job is a communications analyst, so yes I know a thing or two about talking, communicating, telephones, wireless communications, etc. . .

But, you know what? All of this communication is starting to be a burden! Do you ever have those days where you just want to sit and watch rather than participate? Technology is a great thing, but right now I think I would like it if I could just sit on the porch and enjoy life quietly. Of course you can join me for a chat on the porch, but don’t call me on the phone, I’m not gonna answer!

Wedding Plans and Roses

Sorry for the delay in posting this week, but it has been a busy one. Last Saturday my daughter had a second bridal shower, she and her finance' received some really nice gifts. It was hosted by her future mother-in-law and another family member. They gave her this beautiful pink rose corsage.

The weather was not very cooperative but we were pleased that so many took time to attend. The wedding is a short 62 days away, and I am starting to feel the pressure!
Even with the best plans there is a lot of details to attend to. So far I have addressed a little over half of the invitations, Thursday we will pick up her wedding gown with alterations and pressing completed, (did I mention that the place she bought her gown is two hours from our home!?!), and bridal portrait on Friday.

She is graduating from college in less than a month, so after that hopefully she will be less stressed as well, and we can start to enjoy all of this activity a little more. With so much going on here I will post as often as I can, with the ongoing wedding plans!

Stawberries and Cream

While shopping at Michael's last week I came across these cute note cards in the dollar bin. They had others as well but this one with strawberries and cream was my favorite.

I love this time of year when strawberries start appearing in the produce section of the grocery store, especially if they are on sale. Our local strawberries will not be ready to harvest for another couple of months.

These were delicious, but rather than top them with real cream, I just use low fat/no sugar added vanilla yogurt. Of course there are a number of great recipes using these beautiful red berries, but I would rather just eat them like this. . .mmmm good!

Thrifing Jackpot (Part 2)

Well I had to share some of the other items found at the Goodwill on Saturday. The first one was this beautiful white glazed stoneware pie plate. I love the roses. This beauty set me back $2 bucks . . . My husband and I received a beautiful silver bowl as a wedding present and I spotted an identical one, complete with the hard plastic liner, for $3! Other than being tarnished it is in perfect condition.
Once home I pulled out the silver cleaner and got to work shining and buffing . . .

Ta Da! My new beautiful silver bowl . . . you just have to love Goodwill!

Thrifting Jackpot!

Last week was a rough week at work, so Friday night I browsed the newspaper for local yard sales to spend a little time thrifting, which always is a fun stress reliever. Since the weather is beginning to warm up a bit the yard sale signs are starting to spring up about as quick as the flowers around here! I came across the perfect one: "Yard Sale/Estate Sale, Depression Glass, Antiques and more. . ." Great! I set the alarm for 6:30 a.m. and planned to be one of the first ones there. Well when the alarm went off I heard the rain pouring down and the wind blowing it against the windows . . .the sale was postponed. Oh well, there is always the Goodwill, nice, warm, and dry; best of all I could sleep in a little longer.

There are five Goodwill stores within about a 15 mile radius of my home, so I headed to my "lucky" one, and I was not disappointed. Heading straight for the housewares section I spotted a four place setting of Homer Laughlin Eggshell Georgian dishes! The plates, cups, one saucer, and three bread plates were all along the shelf. I snatched up those dishes so fast the people around me thought I was having some kind of spasm. I got all of this for $4

Each cup and plate are rimmed in gold and the flowers are so pretty. When I researched these specific dishes and the markings, they were made around 1937. (If anyone knows anything else about this specific pattern or design I would love to hear your comments).

The markings on each piece is B55N5

Isn't this place setting beautiful!

My next find was a glass dome which I been looking for and found for only $1. I discovered this great idea from Tina over at Cherry Hill Cottage and have wanted to make one of these. It turned out beautifully.

Maybe I'll make some mini-muffins this week and try it out.

These one only two of my thrifting finds at Goodwill I will share the others this week.

Simple Beauty

I took this picture on Easter Sunday afternoon. Daffodils are so pretty and they last such a short time, but as soon as they bloom it is another reminder that winter is almost over. This picture reminded me of one of my favorite poems by William Wordsworth.

"Daffodils" (1804)

I WANDER'D lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the Milky Way,

They stretch'd in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:

I gazed -- and gazed -- but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

By William Wordsworth (1770-1850).

Show and Tell Friday

It's Show & Tell Friday over at Kelli's There's No Place Like Home. Drop by for a visit and see who else is there for Show & Tell. It is always a great time and you never know who you will meet!

This week I want to share with you my tapestry Easter table runner. I bought this several years ago and really enjoy putting it on my dinning room table. The pictures are of an Easter parade with bunnies, chicks, ducks, and lambs . I love how each one is dressed in their Easter finery! I have an African violet plant sitting in the center.

Signs of Spring

Don't you just love the first signs of Spring? On Easter Sunday afternoon my family spent time together visiting at my mom's house. I couldn't help but wander around her yard and enjoy some of the blooms. She has a green thumb and her yard and flower garden always looks so pretty. I am determined to work a little bit harder this year in my own yard! Maybe I can even grow something that is worthy of a post! But until then you can enjoy some of her flowers~

He Has Arisen!

Now after he rose early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene. . . She went out and told those who had been with him, while they were mourning and weeping. Mark 1:9,10

Christians, dismiss your fear;

let hope and joy succeed;

the joyful news with gladness hear:

"The Lord is ris'n indeed!"

The promise is fullfilled

In Christ our only head;

now justice, mercy, reconciled,

he lives who once was dead.

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday and along with being nice having a holiday from work, my thoughts wander toward the real significants of this day. A day that marks the death of our Lord died on the cross, until he arose again on Easter morning.

The significants of Easter Eggs reflects new life which is what Jesus did for us, many years ago.

Tagged for Another Meme

I have been tagged by Hope over at A Second Time Around to participate in a meme on 8 facts/habits about myself. I am not very good at these kind of things, but here goes:

In the past year I learned to play raqetball. This is a huge thing for me, as I am not very athletic, and not a big fan of exercise. My sister invited me to join her and my nephew at the YMCA one Sunday afternoon last September. I had such a great time I joined that day! We all play racketball, along with my daughter, another nephew, and my brother. Unlike logging miles walking nowhere on a treadmill, I think racqetball is at least exercise with a purpose.

I love to read true crime. . . maybe that is why I am afraid of everything! My favorite author is Ann Rule.I am an avid magazine reader. . . Country Living, Country Home, Creative Memories, People, Ladies Home Journal, Mary Englebrite Home, Romantic Home, Martha Stewart, Real Simple. . . and anything else I can get my hands on!
"Ding Dong Avon Calling" I have been an Avon Lady for over 22 years.

My very favorite flower is the tulip. I love all colors, but I guess the to me the pinks are the prettiest. I even carried tulips tied with ribbon for my wedding bouquet.

The first car I drove was my parents Chevy Vega Wagon.

Chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate....this should speak for itself.The best shoes in the world are my Berkenstocks.