Tablescape Tuesday

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch, has been hosting Tablescape Tuesday for the past several weeks. I just recently discovered her blog--check it out--it fabulous! I've decided to play, along with other sweet gals that are posted on Susan's blog.
So here's my breakfast table...28 years ago a friend gave me a set of Liberty Blue dishes, and I've collected more over the years--meat platters, sugar and creamer, etc. I picked this tablecloth up at a thrift store last year just in time for fall.
The mirror plateau I purchased at a flea market, the pitcher that's holding my roses was a gift from my step-mom, Leilani. The Amber candleholders are thrift store finds as well as the little tea light holder. The figurine was my mother's---she purchased it when she and my dad visited Oberammergau many years ago. She is so perfect for the fall season.
The napkins, napkin rings AND silverware were are thrift store finds!!
And the cute pumpkins? The Dollar Tree!! Boy--I love a good deal! :-)

Have a Happy Tuesday!!

Las Vegas

Here are just a few pics of Las Vegas--the above is New York, New York casino and hotel. We wandered through all the major casinos. All had amazing architecture and designs..

This is the ceiling in the Venetian hotel-where The Phantom is being performed in it's theatre especially designed for the play...
We tootled around The Forum--a very swanky shopping mall...

Here are Steve, me, Laura and Dave going in to see The Phantom...
Photographs were not allowed in the theatre, so we had to make due right outside the doors....
"I'm ready for my close-up Mr. Deville!" (Laura goofing off...)

The Phantom was an amazing performance! If you've seen the movie, the theatre looks just like the one in the movie. $40 million was spent on it! Full symphony orchestra--perfect acoustics--outstanding performances--sigh. It was all so wonderful!

We had dinner at a great Italian restaurant right next to the theatre after the performance.
Here's to great friends and a wonderful, memorable time!!

Mail Love from Tiffany..

When we got back from Las Vegas (post forthcoming) I had a package awaiting for me in the mail...I had requested from Tiffany the cute button card and she not only sent that, but all these other goodies!!


She sent along the cute pink card thinking of my husband, Steve--she is so thoughtful!!
Check out Tiffany's blog and website--she designed my blog banner and has a line of Autumn ones available right now, along with her other designs. She is a very talented and creative collage and mix media artist and interior decorator--a great inspiration to me.. Thanks, Tiffany!!

And this is what I did with the cute button card..see it hanging from the spool holder on the sewing machine?

This is a cabinet in our front entry with a few fall touches. Way back in another post I mentioned I felt something was a little 'off' in the display and Marietta from Sweet Old Vintage suggested I switch the dress form and the pitcher. I like it so much better now..Thanks Marietta!

A close up of the cute button card....
I tossed this necklace on the dress form to bring in a little fall color--the necklace is OLD and I purchased it at Goodwill--one of those exciting little deals! ;-)
Today we're having a little engagement party for our friends, Brian and Jenni, so I'm off to finish preparing for it.
Have a wonderful Sunday!

Exodus 15:2The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

Happy Autumn!!

Happy First Day of Autumn!
I've started my fall decorating...but am leaving for a few days. Will post pics when I return.
Thank you to all you lovelies who left comments on my linen post--it's so fun to share the love of vintage and pretties!
And thank you to those who've asked about me knee...it it MUCH better, thank the Lord!! Some medication from the Dr's and plain ol' taking it easy did the trick.
Well, I've got lots to do--hoosh the house for Fall, and get my packing done! Oh--where are we going???
VEGAS--BABY!! ;-)
Steve's speaking at a convention there and we're meeting our friends, Dave & Laura there to see Phantom of The Opera....
TTFN!!

My Obsession with Linens

I found this description of tea towels on the Internet: A tea towel is a cloth for drying dishes and is also known as a dish towel. It is very handy and helps to give a neat and clean look to the kitchen. Few tea towels are too lovely to be hidden away. The attractive patterned linen or cotton tea towels are appealing to eyes and also have a high utility. I have had an obsession with linens since I was first married and my mother gave me a few doilies, tea towels, and tablecloths in setting up my first home. I began looking for them when garage sailing or shopping at the thrift stores. They were very inexpensive and added so much to decorating! I made pillows, seat covers, and lampshades with them. And, yes, even used a few to dry the dishes!! ;-) But my favorite way to display my collection is using them as window treatments...

These are pictures of our bay window in the kitchen/dining room. Steve built a shelf over the window so I could display my other obsession (wink).
For a window treatment I used all the special tea towels I've collected, or were given to me by family and friends. I cheated just a little, and used an apron in the very middle of the window!
There is something so sweet and charming about these lovely, embroidered tea towels that makes me smile when I look at them. I love the idea how homemakers years ago took the time to embroider a simple flour sack to beautify their kitchen--or the 'guest towels' that were used in the bathroom...My 90 year old aunt has always had a neatly displayed stack of linen guest towels in her bathroom-- and that's what you used to dry your hands! She said she loves to iron and doesn't think of it as extra work.

These past couple of days I've been cleaning out the guest room closet, which houses all (most) of my linens. I have taken EVERYTHING out and am neatly folding them and organizing them according to function (tablecloths, napkins, doilies, etc). It was a joy just handling them and remembering where I was in life when I acquired it. When I came across a doily given to me by a close friend of my mom's, and I hadn't talked to in months, I just stopped right then and called her to catch up. Today I'm going to write a thank you note to another friend's mom, who's given me some beautiful linens she doesn't use any more, and I just want her to know how much I really appreciate her thinking of me...I've also set aside a stack of linens for my sweet daughter-in-love, Kristen--who loves tea towels and tablecloths as much as I do!!
Well, got lots to do today!! Thank you notes to write and a closet to finish organizing!!
Have a wonderful day!

Happy Birthday!!

Psst! Today is my blog-friend Glenda's birthday!! Please pop over to Many Fond Memories and wish her a Happy Day!!

Mail Love

I hurt my knee about a week and a half ago, and was lamenting to Laura about it--how it was slowing me down--the pain was making me grumpy, blah, blah, blah....she, as always, listens sympathetically and says just the right thing to get me laughing.
So yesterday I received a package in the mail from Laura! I called her right away and she said "these are 'hope your knee feels better' gifts!" :-)
She had spied a few things at the thrift and thought I might enjoy them--so here's a little eye candy for you!

This darling shabby chic frame....(see me in the reflection of the glass? :-)
And this beautiful little blue set--a darling tray and two adorable covered dishes...
And this wonderful vintage box--it must've held a large greeting card. I love the sentiment on the front--I think I might make altered-art with it for Christmas.....if any of you are interested, I could scan it and you could create something too--let me know!

Thank you so much, Laura, for your thoughtfulness, your willingness to listen to my rants and raves, and most especially your friendship and love!!

I love you!!

A Giveaway Link!!

My friend, Marietta at Sweet Old Vintage is hosting a giveaway-- these darling ornaments she's made herself!! Just click on her blog name and enter to win!!

Thank you...

to all those who came to my whine and cheese party and left those wonderful comments.
I made this journal almost 2 years ago and the quote is my mantra. I know how I think becomes how I feel, and I know it all boils down to choices, but boy, is it hard sometimes to choose right (positive) thinking when circumstances in life prove to be challenging!
I was cheered and buoyed by your comments-- I didn't feel as alone and isolated. Thank you for taking the time to share your hearts with me. It was so wonderful to see how God used you gals to speak and minister to me!!
Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Steve and I are motoring down to see my dad and his wife in their new digs tomorrow!

Another ATC--this time done by Courtney!!

Courtney was inspired by TMTA and decided to whip one up....and since she doesn't have a blog, I thought I'd post it for all the world to see!! ;-)

ATC for Courtney

This weeks TMTA is on dancing...and when I read the prompt word, LeeAnn Womack's song "I Hope You Dance" sprang to mind. I gave the book of the same name plus the CD to my daughter, Courtney after she graduated from high school and began her life's adventures as a young adult.
She has blossomed into a beautiful young woman of 24 and is one of my best friends. It is a wonderful experience watching your children grow to adults and become 'friends' with them! She is someone who I greatly admire....I've watched her navigate her life--watched her as she took heartbreaking experiences and allowed them to make her stronger, and more confident.

I've included the words to the song....and it's still dedicated to Courtney. I love you, sweetie!!
(sniff-sniff)

I HOPE YOU DANCE

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out --reconsider
Give the heavens above more than a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance....

A Little Cheese With My Whine--yeah, it get's a little cheesy! ;-)

This card is from Mary Engelbreit, and the quote is from Abraham Lincoln:

"Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be".:

I used to have this framed and hanging on a wall in my previous house when I was really "into" the Mary Engelbreit "look"--whimsical, bright colors, etc. I still love whimsical--just toned down a bit. And I LOVE Mary Engelbreit's magazine HOME COMPANION--she always features unique and very talented decorator/artists.

So about the quote--sometimes I find it so easy to veer off course of my 'happiness lane' and wind up in the ditch of discontentment wondering how in the world did I get there.
When we got home from our fun filled weekend with our friends all I focused on was what I didn't have here--my friends like Laura, and Susan, and Toni and Anita and Sue who are my encourager's and prayer warriors. And the more I focused on it the bigger it became, till I told Steve "I think we made a mistake in moving here". Oh yeah--I let it get HUGE!!
I've been wandering around here all week sighing and feeling woe is me. Poor, pitiful me. I like to think I don't go swimming in the Pity Pool but I stick my toes in it once in a while. I think this time I even waded in up to my knees by the time I realized what I was doing! And what was I doing? Letting my mind wander where it shouldn't go...taking my eyes off the Lord and losing focus as a result.
Feeling led, I wrote a dear friend, who confirmed what I already knew, but needed reminding--I am responsible for my own happiness--and for me, my happiness comes from my relationship with Jesus. And if I don't have that dialed in--it doesn't take too long for me to come undone.
I'm responsible for how I think and what I think and, truly, if I dwell on "what is pure and lovely" life is SO much better!
So I'm outta the Pity Pool, all dried off and ready to greet this weekend with a better attitude and a heart of gratefulness for all the Lord has done for me!
Psalm 145 :18
The Lord is close to all who call on Him, yes, to all who call on Him in truth. He grants the desire of those who fear Him: He hears their cries for help and rescues them.

Have a wonderful weekend!

San Diego with Our Best Friends

Our view of downtown San Diego from our hotel window

Steve and Dave enjoying a glass at the Rancho Bernardo Winery, while Laura and I frequent the little shops...Dave took us out to brunch and at fun place called The Antique Row Restaurant on our last day--good food--good friends, a perfect combination!
We motored over to Coronado...Laura and I shopped again, and (I know it's corny) bought the guys t-shirtswhile they took in this view. Laura and I joined them as soon as we found there were no deals to be had at the shops. ;-)

I didn't take many pictures--we were having too much fun!

We got home Sunday night, and I've been in a 'funk' ever since. When you spend 4 days being loved on unconditionally, being made to feel lighthearted and fun from people who REALLY know us and love us all the same (warts and all), well, it is just hard to come home from that!

I know it's a rare combination to find a couple who you, as a couple, get along with....and we are just so blessed to have that with Dave and Laura. Dave is Steve's best friend--they both are in law enforcement, both love the Lord, and both are passionately in love with their wives.

Laura finds humor in anything (so does Dave) and can make me laugh so hard I think I'll explode! She also has the rare sensitivity to listen to me and hear what I'm not saying, and pick up on that. They are both encourager's and truly make us feel unconditionally loved. It's so nice to have people in your lives who you have history with--that you can just say stuff without explanation and not feel judged. When we lived in San Diego we spent almost every Friday or Saturday night with them and sometimes even mid week! We've lived in Sacramento now for almost 3 years and how I miss those times!!

I am grateful, tho, for the times we do get together now and we look forward to seeing each other as often as we can. Part of our discussion when we're together is planning the next time!!

"The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, nor the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when he discovers that someone else believes in him and is willing to trust him with friendship." -Ralph Waldo Emerson -