Cub Scout and an Award

This is my nephew(my sister's son) posing with his first award. He and his dad made a little car to race and he scored third place twice! Way to Go!!!!!!

Time

Time-do you ever stop to think where's it's going? I think I do much too often. They say if you have kids you can watch it go as they grow-but since I don't have any-sometimes I can't even believe how fast it's moving. I think I've never contemplated it more than since I've been visiting my grandmother in the nursing home. Feels like in a blink of an eye-I'll be there. I've been trying to slow down the days and enjoy them, but feels like work and obligations get in the way. One thing I am realizing-we make our own happiness and we have to do what it takes to make that happen. Memories and relationships( with God firstly) are the most important thing we can do for ourselves and that is something we need to work at to reap the benefits of this busy world. I treasure all the new friends I've found in blogland-what a blessing you all are! I had always wanted one of these clocks for our kitchen(our antique furniture in there is mostly oak). Bought this one at a friend's auction for $90 a few years ago. I love all the beautiful details.

I bought this clock about a month ago for only $35 for our parlor. Not quite as ornate-but the coloring matches the furniture in that room.

Zimmerman Family Bible

My mother in law, Caroline Coon, gave us this a couple of years ago because it belonged to the people who built our home-James Zimmerman, my husband's great, great grandfather. It has a special place in our parlor-where I think it would have been originally! Max Coon is my husband's father.

Inside inscription!

It's in such wonderful condition and we are so glad to have it back in the house!

Sea Shell Shoe

Yesterday I posted a wonderful seashell box and today I'm posting this neat shoe. It's got this hidden compartment underneath! I'm joining Junkin Finds Friday at http://ljm-alacarte.blogspot.com/2011/02/junkin-finds-friday-17.html
And Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2011/02/show-and-tell-friday_24.html
And Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2011/02/old-frames-china-feathered-nest-friday.html

Sea Shell Art Box

I bought this old sea shell box long ago. It looks like something a sailor might have made at sea for his love(or that's what I like to believe!)

I'm joining Vintage Thingie Thursday at http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/2011/02/vintage-thingie-thursday-vintage-girly.html

A Box of Ring Pops

I picked a box of these up after Valentine's Day for half-price-don't have any kids-but thought these would be fun to hand out to the kids camping this year-or maybe a few of the ladies at the nursing home would get a kick out of having one! Anything to bring a smile to their faces!~ I'm joining Rednesday at http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/2011/02/rednesday_22.html

White Flowers around the Yard

Are you ready for spring? I'm just starting to get the spring fever but not wanting to think of all the work I need to do! Here are some images I had saved from around my yard last summer-all white metal flowers!

I'm joining White Wednesday at http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/

Reed's Butterscotch Patties

My BF Tete surprised me(if you could say that-we were both ordering some items from Cheryl at ZanyMayd and I mentioned that I liked this item(I've started collecting old candy tins) and when I went into look at the items I'd ordered(she actually orders them for me!) I saw she had bought this and at first I thought she bought it for herself and said something and then she said-how'd you know about it?) My BF Tete-I just love her-and this candy tin is really cool!

I'm linking up for Mellow Yellow Monday at http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/2011/02/mellow-yellow-monday-109.htm

A Man's Shirt

The one picture that didn't make it into yesterday's post(I accidentally deleted it and then couldn't get it back in the right order!). This shirt hangs in our bedroom along with a pair of tweed knickers(underneath). Several years ago all the girls in my husband's family were going through some old family clothing. I wasn't there and was given what was left over-the men's items. I really liked it because if you go antiquing -you know-you usually don't see a lot of men's items. It's kinda like today-us girls have a lot more clothing than our men counterparts. This is a cool old shirt because the front is hard like cardboard and a collar would have been attached at the top. Something a little manly in this feminine room-wouldn't you agree!

Our Downstairs Bedroom

It's been a while since I did a little longer post and I took these pictures in January so I thought I'd share with you a few pictures from our downstairs bedroom. We have three bedrooms upstairs, but this is the one we sleep in off our parlor. I love this wall paper and have it on two sides. The bed belonged to my husband's grandmother, but we will be having it re-done because our littlest dog has chewed the posts on the end. I have a wonderful Eastlake tall headboard that I will be replacing it with while we have it re-done(I may want to keep it in there-Eastlake furniture is my favorite!) I love this precious picture of the little girl above the bed. I have several pictures of children praying. All my pictures I think are old. We have four Eastlake washstand's -this one is the least ornate.

I love prints with flowers in them!

My husband found this dresser in our smokehouse when he first moved down here in 1982(we didn't marry until 1994). It was in pieces and he had it re-done. His sister had this mirror hanging in her house in Chicago and I always admired it. When she moved to Oakland and her house was smaller-we had the chance to buy it from her. I love all the detail to it!

The picture is of William Riley that grew up in the house. I've tried to add some masculine items such as the black glove box and two black collar boxes . I have three old collars layed out underneath. The large cream book is titled "Married Life" and the smaller green one "Daily Promises". I have several hankerchiefs with a "C" monogrammed on them. Two handmirrors and a brush with an "R" on it(for Rebecca).

There is one window that goes out to the backporch. There used to be a door that went out to the back yard(in fact there used to be three doors off the back for ventilation) but now there's just one off the kitchen. My favorite kind of quilts are crazy quilts(love the different types of fabrics and random order!) so I also pick up crazy quilt pillows.

I'm joining Home Sweet Home at http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/2011/02/home-sweet-home-2.htm

and Show and Tell Friday at http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2011/02/show-and-tell-friday_17.html

and Feathered Nest Friday at http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2011/02/bedroom-inspirations-welcome-to.html

Vintage Book Transformation

I've had this book for several years but never really looked at it-someone made it from an ordinary old book. I think I've never parted with it because I loved the roses and the saying! Looks like just a regular ole book from the back!I'm joining Fabulous Friday Finds at http://froufroudecor.blogspot.com/2011/02/fabulous-friday-finds-party_17.html
And Junkin Finds Friday at http://ljm-alacarte.blogspot.com/2011/02/junkin-finds-friday-16.html
And Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/02/vintage-inspiration-friday-25-where-to.html

Kitty Wall Pocket

Bought this cute little wall pocket at the thrift store last fall-it may be the start to a new collection!

I'm joining Vintage Thingie Thursday at http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/2011/02/vintage-thingies-thursday-vintage.html

Gnome Planter

This is one of the cool finds I bought while antiquing with a new friend last month-in fact-it was my first purchase of the day! I only paid $7 for it-I hadn't seen one before. Any ideas what kind of plant would look good in it?

I'm linking up for White Wednesday at http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/2011/02/white-wednesday-87.html

Ella Mae's Valentine Surprise

I've decided to feature My Grandma -Ella Mae- on both blogs today. I really haven't felt much like blogging lately. I'm getting tired of the simple posts-just showing items -I feel like my blog has no real meaning-un-inspiring-and boring. This post is not meant to totally change that-but I did have some revelations yesterday. You see-I can admit this-I'm basically a selfish person-always have been. I've never wanted children-didn't want anyone to stand up with me at my wedding-I've always looked out for #1-me.

When my Grandma went in the nursing home a few months ago(she got out-went home-only to return again) I decided that I needed to make an effort to go and see her more. I'd go thru the town she's in twice a day when she was home and never go and visit-selfish with my time(our greatest commodity these days). I didn't even call much.

I've had people close to me die before, but I've been thinking for some time I didn't want to have any regrets with her. I'm not the kind of person to cry(I think I may have only cried twice in 17 years). I internalize things and maul them around and ponder them (that's why Tete is so Great-she's the best friend for understanding and clarity and listening-I love you Tete!!).

Yesterday when I was at the nursing home-I saw myself in those people-we're all going to get old. It's scary-makes you think about things. One-Life is short and you need to take every opportunity to make yourself and others happy-your memories will be what matters in the end!
Two-Love matters-I'll explain what I saw yesterday.....

My Grandma was seated next to a lady who just continually rambled to herself(my Grandma's tiny voice said to me-she cusses a lot). I tried to listen to what she was saying-but couldn't make heads or tails out of it, except for the name George. We had to wait a long time for the meal to come-so I entertained Grams(she told me that the day before she had yelled out-Ella Waggle is Hungry-I can see her doing that!). I painted her nails-a glittery pink- and we sprayed her hair this lovely pink that everyone commented on and stared out(she loved that-she was the talk of the nursing home and stood out among all the white hairs!). Back to the lady(didn't get her name)-after a while and much gibberish from her-a man came in to feed her-must have been George her husband. One of the staff brought George his own plate of food and told him that they would take care of him. He was gentle and kind to her. Very quiet man-but he did tell me that they'd had a party earlier in the day with cookies(he must have been there for that too!) All I can say is LOVE!!!!!

Thirdly -I know this post has been long-People working together-I see the kindness in this nursing home-I'm glad she's there-they really try to make it special for people-one staff member reading trivia-last week they had in line dancers-I took my Grams -and she really enjoyed it!

Anyway-the big reveal-She did tell me I could do this-Anything to put a smile on her face-I told her -next time Grams-it may be a tattoo-

YOU'RE NEVER TOO OLD FOR NEW EXPERIENCES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For more check out http://shabbypinkworld.blogspot.com/2011/02/valentines-to-remember.html

I'm joining Rednesday at http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/2011/02/rednesday-valentines-and-robin.html

Happy Valentine's Day

To all My Blogging Friends out There-Happy Valentine's Day-I hope you spent the day with the one's you love and told the one's you couldn't be with that you love them!

Valentine Jewelry

I always dig out all my heart jewelry to wear from the first of February to the 14th. I'll never forget when I was working at a jewelry booth in high school and a lady came up and opened her coat and was wearing at least 15 heart necklaces and said she couldn't decide which one to wear so she wore them all-it was a very fun look~

I'm linking up for Silver Sunday at http://thegypsyfish.blogspot.com/2011/02/i-heart-silver-sunday.html

Sweet Dog Valentine

I fell in love with this vintage valentine years ago when we first got our dog Buddy-made me think of him and I!

Valentine Books

Here are two books that I keep out for Valentine's Day!

I'm joining Junkin Finds Friday at http://ljm-alacarte.blogspot.com/2011/02/junkin-finds-friday-15.html

and Fabulous Friday Finds at http://froufroudecor.blogspot.com/2011/02/fabulous-friday-finds-party.html

and Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/02/vintage-inspiration-friday-24-vintage.html

Velvet Heart Pincushion(?)

I don't remember where I picked this up at -I know it 's been a long time-and I really don't know why-but it's definitely a vintage thingie-because I don't know what it was used for. Perhaps it was a pin cushion with the heavy stuffing gone!

I'm linking for Vintage Thingie Thursday at http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/2011/02/vintage-thingies-thursday-vintage-red.html

Vintage Valentine Wreath

I've been wanting to make a Vintage Valentine Wreath since I saw an inspirational picture(last picture) a few months ago. I came across these darling valentines for only $2.50. They just don't make them like they used to! Now I just need to find a wreath to attach them all to! I wanted to share the backs(White Wednesday!) with you-such cute little grade-school signatures!

Inspirational Picture!

I'm linking for White Wednesday at http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/2011/02/white-wednesday-86.html

Carnival Doll

I've had this carnival doll for several years-I have four of them-this one doesn't have her arms-but you wouldn't know that because someone cleverly covered them up with a valentine! I'm joining Rednesday at http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/2011/02/rednesday-with-cath.html

Richelieu Mints

I sometimes look for fun old candy containers when I'm antiquing and a couple of weeks ago this one caught my eye. What I really noticed were these sweet little cherubs with pink roses around the back! Perfect for putting out at Valentine's Day!

I'm linking up for Blue Monday at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

The Ending to a Very Long Week

Well-finally our power is back on after it being off since Monday nite at 8:00. My husband was prepared for it, but we didn't think it would happen so soon. He had stock-piled wood(we put in a wood-burning stove a couple of years ago-Thank God!), filled 5-15 gallon buckets of water for flushing the toilet, had every pitcher and container full of water for drinking and washing our hands, bought lots of junk food that didn't need to be heated up(we usually eat healthy), I had just gotten At &T wireless service for my new Ipad, charged up the cell phones, got kerosene for the kerosene heaters and gotten out oil lamps and candles. It seemed like an adventure at first-but it got old after a few days. We took showers at his sisters(although I did try a sponge bath one day-too much soap used and then I couldn't get it all off!) and I still went to work each day. I loved feeling kinda like I was living in the 1800's-but so ready to catch up on everyone's blogs! Here's a valentine I've had for a few years-makes me think of my hard-working farmer husband to keep us warm and safe!

Hope everyone is safe and warm!

Gibson girl print

I just love this old gibson girl print-it hangs in my hallway year round and I pair it with lots of hearts!
I'm joining Holly at Tickled Pink at http://www.504main.com/

Riley's Love Lyrics

I always am on the lookout for vintage/antique holiday items to use and I came across this wonderful book that I will put out for Valentine's Day for only $9.00. It's got some wonderful graphics that I thought I would share with you!

I'm linking up for Vintage Inspiration Friday at http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/02/vintage-inspiration-friday-23-valentine.html