Found at the Thrift Store: A Little Lost Sheep

 

 

You just never know what you will find at the thrift store!

Hope your week is going well!

:)

Celebration

Family...

I have been so blessed to have a close and loving family.

And so has Mr. Flea.

Tomorrow we will be celebrating the 90th birthday

 of Mr. Flea's Mom.

She and his Dad (age 92)  are still  healthy and active

 and live here in the same retirement community as my Dad.

Yes, I am back in Florida!

Thanks Dan...for holding down the fort up north..again!

You would all just love my mother-in-law Rachel...

...another creative spirit...full of energy and enthusiasm for life.

She was a school teacher for many years

 and is a talented artist...still painting with water colors

 and quilting to this day.

This is a bit of lace and silk that long ago

 had been tucked away in an envelope by Mr. Flea's grandmother.

 They were the remnants of her mother's wedding gown.

(Mr. Flea's great-grandmother)

My mother in law has passed the envelope on to me...

...a keeper of such mementos.

I am delighted to treasure it...

 and one day pass these bits of silk and lace

 to another keeper within the family.

We have many blessings and reasons to celebrate!

I hope you do too.

Have a wonderful weekend!

:)

Spring Romance At The Abbey

A stroll through the garden center at Home Depot...

...brought pretty pansies, pink hydrangeas 

and spring time thoughts...

Downton Abbey....did you see it tonight?

Wasn't it a lovely ending?

Lady Mary and Matthew....together at last.

~ sigh ~

I thoroughly enjoyed it...

...didn't you?

:)

More of Evi's Home and Her Valentine's Day Luncheon

Thank you for all your comments and emails

 about Evi's Valentine's Day luncheon.

I wish you all could have been there with us!

Here are a few more photos of little details

 around her beautiful home and of the luncheon. 

Gifts and treats for all!

Debbie made delicious meringues and packaged them so pretty!

She also gave us this fun self-therapy note pad

 and made and packaged some chocolate nut bark for us all.

(This is in addition to the little mice! )

Carole created this little Valentine critter pin cushion for Evi.

That girl is so talented!

She also gave us each a copy of Jeanne d'Arc Living

...and yes, more candies!

Paula, another immensely creative and artistic friend

 stitched up these sweet paper hearts

 and filled them with caramels and crystal drops.

Paula also gave us each a narcissus bulb

 planted in a little zinc square.

Evi covered small boxes with paper and glittered the edges 

and then filled them with candy and chocolates.

She also beaded little hearts to tie on her packages

 that held cute purse size notepads. 

These delicious chocolate cake hearts were served

 with fresh raspberries. 

They weren't just chocolate cakes...

...lots of special ingredients including raspberry preserves

 were baked inside.

Yummy!

And this tarte....wow!

It was a German Black Forest confection!

It had five layers and sour cherries and was scrumptious!

Evi said that she had never tried the recipe before

 and that we were her Guinea pigs.

anytime Evi...

...anytime!

:)

I realize that I didn't take photos of the potato leek soup,

 the delicious salad, the shrimp, pineapple and mango skewers

 or the gourmet rice dish she served us.

 Take my word, please...

it was all so delicious and exquisitely presented! 

It was a beautiful day,

 in a beautiful home,

 with beautiful girlfriends.

How lucky could this girl be?

:)

Valentine's Day Luncheon

Valentine's Day was extra special as I spent it at Evi's home

along with girlfriends Paula, Carole and Debbie.

As always, Evi's home was perfection.

Her table was set so beautifully...

 with care and attention to each and every detail.

Evi crafted small gifts and party favors

 filled with candies for each guest.

She made us feel so special...

...but Evi is really the special one.

Her creative and artistic talents are on display in every inch of her home and with every thing she creates, sews, cooks or bakes.

We had an amazing lunch with delicious desserts.

Her dress form is still sporting her handmade angel wings

 ... and for this occasion...a trio of Valentine hearts.

Evi has already started to bring spring touches into her home.

Everything is so clean and fresh...light and airy.

Don't you just love these whimsical green pompom trees?

Partial to rabbits and bunnies...

Evi used this found by the curb iron basket to display

 this charming pair in this spring like vignette.

Here is another group of rabbits gathered together.

It's all in the details...

Debbie made lovely pink merinques, chocolate nut bark 

and these sweet little mice for us to share.

Everyone exchanged Valentine tokens and little gifts...

...these girls are all so creative...

I'm so lucky that they put up with me.

It was a delightful afternoon 

and I am so happy that I was able to attend.

Will share more tomorrow!

Hope that you had an extra special day too!

:)