Getting Ready To Celebrate

One more day to prepare for the gang...

Gorgeous day today filled with billowy white clouds against a brilliant blue sky!

Digging out the Independence Day decorations and everything else red, white and blue.

Joan of Anything Goes Here just reminded me that she is having a Vintage 4th of July Blog party so I am linking up and if you want to see more red white and blue....that's the place to be!

Took a road trip to buy some supplies and detoured to a few little shops...
...as always, found some goodies to bring home.
I will try to get those bits and bobs photographed tomorrow morning to share with you all...

Have a good rest and a wonderful Thursday!
:)

Sun Kissed

Anyone who knows me recognizes that the color orange is just not for me...



There is nothing orange in my closet ...
...nor anywhere in my house.



But every once in a while Orange calls out to me...
...with its vibrant hue and almost raucous attitude...



...I become captivated by the wild side...
...if only for the moment...



...and today Orange inspired its own photo shoot...



A vintage white Sunkist juicer missing its fruit is satisfied with the orange and yellow colors of this lowly weed...



Even a weed... and an orange one at that...
...can have its day in the sun!



I hope your days are sun kissed!
Happy Summer!
:)

Majestic

I found this painting at the thrift store last week...
I didn't buy it right away...
The volunteer workers recognized that it was worth a bit more than their usual fare...
...and so I hesitated.
But he is compelling...
Happily, I came to my senses and went back for him.



Another something I couldn't resist at the market today...



All is calm.



All is bright.



Majestic.

Today was a mixed bag of weather conditions...
...some rain...some sunshine.

I was able to work on another collage this afternoon....
...I am enjoying this time to create and experiment with art immensely.
I know how lucky I am.
:)

A Few Good Finds

Found some clear glass items this weekend...
...my favorite is this old English medicine jar with this interesting latch system on top...



Here are two old clear glass dog candy containers...
...love that Scottie!



...a pretty little creamer with a touch of gold and hint of green...



The bottom of the medicine jar says...
Davies & Geck, Inc. Patent applied for
Trademark Recd in US & Gr Britian
New York, London



An assortment of old silver and silver plate spoons



If anyone knows anything about Hallmarks and silver...



...let me know what you think about these old pieces!



...a great assortment of tinware...
muffin tins and pans.

The larger muffin tins are marked US 1941.

There were more tins too...
...just didn't have time to clean them up for photos yet!

Also found were some linens and lace....
...have to save some pictures for later on in the week!

Tomorrow my Mom and Dad leave for a few days so I will be getting ready for the July 4th crowds and hopefully have time to work on my art projects too!

I hope that you have had a wonderful weekend!
:)

Roadside Wildflowers

My Mom and I took a drive today and stopped to pick wildflowers by the side of the road.

We would like to share them with all of you!

We also stopped at a few yard sales and will show our finds tomorrow...

Have a good rest and I hope Sunday is a great day for all!
;)

Experimenting

Going out on a limb here...
...knowing you will be kind to me...



...but I am having fun with my Experimental Art e-course...
especially the paper and collage lessons...



It is has really been fun to use all my old papers and embellishments...



...and Amelia and the other participants have been so encouraging...



...Do you recognize this beauty from the family album?
(I made a photocopy for use in the collage)

I plan to get busy with more art lessons this weekend...
Hope you have some fun plans this weekend too!
:)
:)

Lesson Learned

Looking at all those beautiful young faces this evening as they accepted their diplomas and congratulated each other on their high school graduation...



I started thinking how sometimes life really is like a bowl of cherries...
...these enthusiastic graduates are looking ahead to a future bright and sweet with possibility...





...and then sometimes life gives you a lemon...



...a problem or situation that you don't feel prepared to handle...
...sometimes you get the bitter with the sweet...



And so it is with every family...
I am feeling grateful tonight for time this summer and hope to be able to make some lemonade out of those lemons...
I will be heading to the lake tomorrow to spend some quiet and quality time with my Mom and Dad.
Time is a gift!

Have a great weekend! :)

Inside The Old Hymnal

An old hymnal ...
...possibly from Mr. Flea's ancestors...



Inside the front cover was this rusty old needle and thread...



...printed in 1793.





...a little doodling...
...or experimental art...
:)



...the back inside pages...



I find this so fascinating and hope you do too!



Because so many of you inquired as to the name of this pretty pink blossom...

...and because I have no idea...
...they just bloom all along the hedge by the side of the house...

...I asked an expert and my friend Carole of Maynard Greenhouse and she told me it is

Shirobana Spirea.

This variety can display up to three different colors of blooms, varying from white to light pink to a darker, reddish-pink. Often there will be a cluster dedicated to a single color, and the very next cluster will produce flowers of a different color.

A busy day tomorrow...
My nephew Joseph graduates high school...

He is the Salutatorian of his class!

Way to go Joe!

P. S. - Thanks for all the cold summer salad recipes!
They all sound so delicious!
We will be busy fixing them and trying them out over the next few weeks!
I hope you try them too!
:)