~FROM YESTERDAY to TODAY~

I've been tending to tender family issues...been missing you!

While working in my studio today I came across this precious photo taken back in 1990 while running a booth at a Folk Fair here in Oklahoma.  Do you remember those t-shirt dresses??? They were the rage so don't laugh!  This pictures surely proves I've been in the business for a long, long time!

Truth be told I giggled out loud when I saw the picture.  I remember putting those sailor collars on the dresses and adding those big pinky-rose colored bows to the front!  I can't believe it but the photo was snapped 22 years ago this September...  After my sister, Linda, moved away to Tennessee I was on my own and convinced an old friend to help me 'sell' for the day.

What were the hot-ticket items back then?

Hmmm...lots of handmade bears and cross stitched pillows with country girl motifs.  And...stuffed heart garlands, wooden shelves with hearts (made by my Mr. AGPMan!), and anything and everything stenciled.

Want to know what my best seller was?

See the little hanging pillow on the arm of the rocking chair (on the left)?  I made tons of those little sweeties...they said "I HEART Country" and were cross stitched in pinks, country blues, creams and whites.  Some were done up reds and hunter green, too!  

Want to know what I miss most about those days?

It wasn't my big hair :) or those black Sam & Libby black-bow flats...

Nope!

It was the ages of my kids.

In 1990 my son Brandon was 8 and my sweetie-girl, Adrienne, was 5....

I love reminiscing and taking trips down memory lane.  I'm reminded when I step back into the present that life is good and has been for a long, long time!

I'm about to begin work on a very special project that's going to keep me hopping this week.  I'll be out and about visiting you all as soon as I can.

Love to you...

 

~CALIFORNIA DREAMING with FAMILY and FRIENDS~

~AT COUNTRY ROADS~

Orange, California

Today I'm going to share with you a few more pictures of my Cali getaway.  I hope they will make you smile!  While I'm at it I'm going to ATTEMPT to make my way around all the changes to Blogger!  BAH!  The new layout is making me NUTS! 

~I WANT THIS BENCH~

(and everything else you see, too!)

The picture you see at the top was taken two weeks ago last Tuesday.  My big sister, Linda,my sister-in-love, Ginger and I had a great time shopping at Country Roads in Orange, California.  My brother, Bill, was such a trooper and let the three of us shop until we dropped.  It was such a fun day and the memories of it all will be with me forever.  I love my family!!!!

~BEAUTIFUL TANZA and ME~

Now...you don't think I went all the way to my home-state without finding time to visit with my longtime friend, Sweet Tea (Tanza), do you?  No-sir-ree!  After my family and I shopped all day Miss Tea graciously met up with us for an early dinner.  She worked all day and still managed to squeeze in a visit with her Okie-friend.  We dined at a sweet eatery in Orange and then Miss Tea drove around with us and pointed out some of the most famous homes in Orange.

 ~HISTORICAL CRAFTSMAN HOME~

One of the homes on our mini tour was that of Tea's beloved cousin, Sandy and her husband, Rick!   Sandy and Rick live in a Craftsman Home (Craftsman Homes were originally built using a KIT and sold by Sear's) and it is the most charming thing I've ever seen.  Every room in the house looks magazine perfect and I can't help but wonder WHY I haven't seen this amazing home in print before.  It's on the historical register from what I understand so all the updates must be approved... 

~BEAUTIFUL LADY~

This is Sandy!  Isn't she just darling?  You can see in the background a bit of her incredible home.  Want to know what else?  They didn't even know we were coming and everything was picture-ready!  

 ~AMAZING KITCHEN~

Their fabulous kitchen!  Sorry for the less than fabulous photography skills here...  Love the sink and the island!  The house isn't overdone and yet warm and inviting!  Incredibly beautiful!

~WARM and INVITING~

This is a shot of Rick and Sandy's living room.  We interupted Rick watching TV I'm afraid.  Look how lovely it is!  Again...they didn't know anyone was coming!

~THE GAZEBO~

 The backyard was breathtaking!  Rick and Sandy recently hosted a wedding here!  Beautiful!  More than beautiful!

~G is for GREEN...and LIFE~

 I had forgotten how lovely California foliage can be.  It's the one thing I miss...it's beautiful in Oklahoma but the heat sometimes kills our flowers off early if we aren't careful with them.

 ~GRILL 'EM UP~

This is Rick's Bar-B-Q joint! :)  I love it

Thanks to Miss Sandy and Mr. Rick for allowing my family and I to barge in unannounced for a visit to your lovely home.  You were both so nice and kind and I can see why Miss Tea loves you so much!  I'm so hoping to see your entire home in print someday!  Long overdue and totally deserved!

Still have so much to share with you...I'll keep it for next week!!!

Hope your day is wonderful!  Tonight my daughter Adrienne and I are going to the Oklahoma Ballet to see

The Wizard of Oz.

I love spending time with my girl-child.  I can't believe she's been married almost five years now!  This is our second time to attend the Ballet together and this year it's my Mother's Day treat!

More soon!  Love to you...

~WHITE WHITE MY COTTAGE IS WHITE~

~VINTAGE PLATE HOLDER~

Today I'm sharing with you a few pics of a wee little corner in my bedroom.  Someday when I get a new camera or lens I hope to take better photos of the entire room!

~NEWER CHEST~

With our recent remodel, which included taking down the wall between our family room and dining room, I ended up having more wall decor than I could use.  I was sad at first as I didn't have a place for the vintage plate shelf I purchased a couple of years ago.  But with a little scouting around upstairs I found a little nook where it will work...at least for now.

 ~WHAT IS IT?~

(A VINTAGE GLOVE BOX!)

Now...I don't like anything  sticking out even a teensy weensy bit into a doorway but until I have more time to decide just where to put this small chest it's going to stay right where you see it!

 ~WHAT IS THIS?~

Any guess as to what this sweet old piece was originally manufactured for?

~ANOTHER LOOK~

How about now?  Any guesses?  My guy thought it was a cooler for butter because of the little tray on the inside...??????

~INSIDE VIEW~

Do you know yet?

GIVE UP????

It's a vintage French Enamel Lunchbox!  Isn't it fabulous????  I found it recently at a local shoppe and just had to bring it home with me.  It's white and has this wonderful old patina to it!!!!

It's a present from me to me! :)

My home is always changing...but honestly~I'm loving it more now than ever before!

Today I'm linking up again with:

Faded Charm for White Wednesday

Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday

I'm off to paint and sew!  My brush and needle are calling my name!

Love to you...