A Wedding in the Secret Garden

We're planning a wedding....a very intimate affair with just close family and a few friends.......It is for the lovely Charlene, a sister by marriage......It will be held in the secret garden or beyond in the myrtle patch in the wood at the end of June....





maybe here.......



or here.....



Sister Mary Beth and her husband Robert have such beautiful grounds and the perfect setting for a wedding.....






Charlene loves these colors......



There will be light fare for eating.....



There will be music and dancing.....we have a family of musicians......and we all love to dance.....






There will be candlelight and romance........



It is fun and exciting to be part of the planning of this intimate and special affair......



It will be an evening to remember and cherish...not just for Charlene and her love, David but for the rest of us too.........

Winged Beauties

These antique German postcards were in one of my shoeboxes of old postcards....they are hand colored and glittered and full of fantasy and humor! I would like to display them creatively in the more whimsical, feminine guest bedroom at the lake house....but want to protect them.....Does any one have an idea? I'm hoping for some inspiration from all my talented creative friends in this blogging community......What would you do with these?

Keeping things Simple

Sweet and simple.....





In these crazy times and in this complicated world....I find myself gravitating toward the basics...





faith, family and friends.......



Trying to understand what's really important and to simplify my life.....



May you sleep well and have a peaceful and lovely day tomorrow!

Babytiques and other Business

These little kewpie dolls are dressed in handmade dresses and booties.....I just discovered them in a box of old toys that was under a pile of things in the attic....I'm recalling that they were leftovers from a church sale that I helped out at.....no one wanted them so I adopted them....I can't say I took such good care of them as they have been in the box for a very long time.



The title of this vintage book is Baby's First Objects.....I love the pictures......



These baby items were all family things that were passed down....the German baby dish belonged first to my Uncle Don, then Uncle Ted and then my dad......



A mother of pearl ring with a tiny sterling silver bell....can you see the little buckle? (click to enlarge)....a baby spoon monogrammed with the letter C and a monogrammed E on a silver and mother of pearl rattle...complete with baby teeth marks!.....Babytiques!



This package wrapped so charmingly arrived last week from Ruth at The Beautiful Life blog.....
It contained my special, custom ordered pillow!!



Isn't it fabulous!!!??!!
Don't forget to pop over and sign up for The Beautiful Life's 100th post giveaway.....You won't be sorry....besides the fact that it is an extremely generous giveaway.....while you are there you can look over Ruth's lovely blog or visit her online store.....lots of wonderful things to see!

Luxe Colors

As the sun shone brightly this afternoon...the colors in the garden took on a vivid, luxurious hue.....such vibrant, rich color makes my heart sing....it's like opening up a new box of Crayola crayons! I hope the week ahead brings lots of sunshine and color to us all!

P.S. ...There is a fabulous "100th post giveaway" given by Ruth of The Beautiful Life Blog......wait to you see all the goodies she has assembled.....all you have to do to enter is leave a comment!!

Recent Finds on the Junking Trail

Yesterday morning (before babysitting) I passed by a sign pointing toward a yard sale.....I made the turn.....and was rewarded for my effort! I found this charming little red pump priced at $4 .....perfect for the lake house.......



This large wicker covered jar was in great condition and a steal.....



This crock stands 17 inches tall.....it was the same price as the number on it.... $5!



Two weeks ago at the sale at the school across the street I found these apothecary bottles.....I am kicking myself now because they were in a box with beakers and other lab equipment.....I should have taken the glass beakers too!



Also at that sale were 2 pretty blue plates and some striped ticking fabric.........



At our church sale I found an old jewelry box with green velvet interior....sealing wax (note the price sticker..25 cents), an old brass and enamel flask and shapes for a cookie dough press (also 25 cents)....



These two very old mourning cards below were a bit sad.....the two men were so young when they passed ...but the die cut was interesting and the flowers sweet....I had to rescue them.....



So those were some of my recent finds.....actually I dragged a dressing table with a large triple mirror out of the dumpster after the sale across the street......another little project for Rob....
Have you found anything special in your junking journeys these last few weeks?

Aunt Laura Babysits

This is how I spent yesterday afternoon and evening......



How lucky was I?
We had so much fun......

Great Aunt Alice's Album

This is an old album that belonged to my great aunt Alice......



It is full of old cabinet cards of her relatives and ancestors.....about twenty in all....



Aunt Alice was related to me through marriage.......she was married to my grandfather's brother, Uncle Harry. They shared the farm with my grandparents.



Alice and Harry did not have children of their own, but adopted one son.



There are no names identifying these people ... we only know that they were from Aunt Alice's family.....



The farmhouse was sold when I was a newly wed.....this was in the house and somehow was given to me for safe keeping....since I was the one who liked all the old things.....



The leather cover is worn....the pages are loose from the binding, although in good shape....they are a beautiful rich green with gold design and edging.....



It is a treasure that was passed down to my great aunt and I am happy to safe guard it for generations to come....