Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy New Year!


Happy New Year!


We are celebrating tonight with my Mom and Dad
 and nineteen family members!
 We have lots to celebrate....
birthdays and anniversaries along with the New Year.
We are so grateful to have each other and spend this time together!


I wish you all a very Happy New Year!
Here's to a wonderful 2011!!!
:)

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

A New Year, A New Attitude



2010 was a year of change.

 2011 will be a year of new opportunities!

I am praying for courage
 to embrace the opportunities that present themselves
 and hoping that I don't let fear or doubt get in the way.


One of my favorite Christmas presents
 was from my baby sister Mary Beth who scooped up some free leftovers from her church rummage sale.
  She gave me an assortment of old soft covered cookbooks and a deliciously rusty blue gray enamel colander.
 LOVE them!

The old recipe cards pictured here are from an old box of cards that once belonged to a relative of Mr. Flea.
Some look pretty tasty and worth trying.
 Can you believe after all the goodies we have consumed this holiday season...I am still pondering more sweets?


I wonder if this recipe works?


:)


On the road...
Hoping to get to see Mom and Dad
 and the rest of my family soon!




Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Vintage Holiday Postcards For You


Just a few holiday postcards for you to use in your artwork. 




I hope you are enjoying this week between
 Christmas and New Years.
Stay warm!

Monday, December 27, 2010

A Few December Anthro Pics




My local Anthropologie store used a very green approach to their window displays this December.
Not my favorite but always interesting and thought provoking!


This industrial looking radiator chair is certainly very cool to look at but not one I would choose to curl up in with a book
 especially on this cold and winterly day!
But...it is a piece of art for sure!


Love the clock cases and the pallet treatment on the wall...
...not as fond of the paint cans but they certainly provide
 pops of vivid color!





There's that lace doily headboard in the background again...
... always so much inspiration to be found here.


The after Christmas sales must be amazing now
 but I imagine the snow storm is keeping everyone away. 
It certainly is keeping me inside!


All this green sort of works for the New Year... 
new beginnings...new growth...
...new chances to try again at whatever we are reaching for!


I'm a list maker.
I think it helps me to put things down on paper.

I'm formulating my resolutions,
 my "to do" list and my 
"needs versus wants" list for the New Year.


I have been adding to my "gratitude" list all year long.
That's my most important list of all.

Did you start yours yet?
:)

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Blizzard!


Snowed in!
Eating leftovers...keeping warm.
Christmas day was lovely and I hope your celebration was too!
:)

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas!


Wishing you joy and peace this Christmas morning!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Santa's Coming!



Twas the Night Before Christmas...


There is much excitement at our friends' home today...
Can't wait to visit these three tomorrow morning! 



May all the Blessings of Christmas be yours!



Peace on Earth

Goodwill to All

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Who's Hiding In That Pickle Jar?


My collection of vintage baby shoes is sprinkled about the house
 and I stash the rest in this huge pickle jar.
 After seeing Manon's post featuring the cutest little red shoes...
I decided I needed this tiny red pair for a Christmas display...
 ...so I dumped the jar out on the table.


Wait!
 Do you see what I see?


Look at this charming little fellow nestled in that old shoe!


Where did he come from?
hmmm....I have no idea....


OK, so I told a tall tale....(tail?)
:)
My girlfriend Paula gave me this cute little Christmas mouse in the old Victorian shoe when I visited last week.
Thank you Paula!


He is a Cathy Pendleton original creation.
Too cute!

Just one more sleep till Santa comes!
Merry Christmas friends!
:)

The Enduring Appeal of Vintage Pinks


A few faded pink vintage ornaments found at Gather last week.





Kate's first little pair of ballet slippers...
...loved and worn at age four as she twirled and danced
 her days away.



I am looking forward to having her home
 along with her big brother Dan on Christmas day.





I found this old postcard dated 1907 in a shoebox full of cards
 from Mr. Flea's side of the family.

I love the message on the back to Miss Mary Coe...

"Eat all you can and get stout like this little girl".

:)

Oh dear, maybe not such good advice ... 

In any case...Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Dina Varano in Chester, CT


Whenever I visit my friend Paula in Connecticut we usually take the short drive to the charming town of Chester. It is a beautiful historic mill town in the Connecticut River Valley that is known for its art galleries, elegant shops and great restaurants.


We always stop in at the shop of  Dina Varano
 which features her beautiful jewelry designs as well as a collection of fine crafts, eclectic home decor, beautiful purses, scarves, folk art  and unique and interesting gifts.


Over the years we have purchased any number of lovely gifts for friends and family here...and a few things for ourselves too!
 It was fun on Friday night to watch as several men stopped in
 to buy Christmas gifts.
  

click for a closer look!


It was difficult to photograph the shop at night...
I wanted to do justice to Dina's beautiful jewelry so I asked her for a few professional photos to share with you.
The necklace above is called the Flair
 and it is of oxidized sterling silver.


Dina's work is clearly inspired by nature.



This sterling silver bangle bracelet is called the Crowd


 Sterling silver rings








I took this photograph and the one below.
I love the organic quality in her work.


These gorgeous earrings are part of her impressions series
They might just be in my Christmas stocking!
Mr. Flea (aka Santa Baby) could always use a little help!
:)

If you are visiting Chester you will love her shop and gallery.
You can also see her work here:


I am linking up this mostly white and silver post
 to Kathleen's at Faded Charm for White Wednesday.