The Eyes Have It

Happy Birthday to Who?

Happy Birthday to Foo!

Luv ya cuz!

(the first three songs on my playlist are for you!)

Rednesday ~ Paper Mache Tray

This brightly colored tray is another find from our attic. It looks great on the red background of our dining room but it's a bit hard to photograph in there so I took it out on the front porch. You can see a photo of it in an earlier post here.

I just love the French style and Provencal colors,

but it isn't French.

These trays are paper mache and made in Japan. From what I've found on the Internet they were made as bar ware from the 30's to 50s. The lower part of the curved type says "Alcohol Proof". There are many that look similar and some that are much bigger and more extravagant. They often have this French look but I've seen them in very retro 50's pattterns too.

Hey, the stamp is red too. I just love red and yellow together. :)

Please visit Sue at It's a Very Cherry World for more REDnesday fun.

Another Birthday, Another Pet

Happy Birthday Son!

He doesn't do cake. He would rather eat brussel sprouts than sweets. But since the rest of us don't want to celebrate with veggies, a pan size chocolate chip cookie is his 2nd next choice.

When we pick a theme, we take it all the way!




Since little sis got a hamster for her birthday he got his kitten.
Sunny wants to know why he didn't get something small and furry for his birthday!

Camera Shy cousin, the kitty finder.

Thanks cuz, you pulled off a great surprise!

Sweet Dreams Mickey, Sweet Dreams Son.

The Next Big Trend

Moooooving Along....

The Sound of Silence

I recently read some great tips about blogging but one in particular left me feeling a bit...I don't know, not offended really, but ...sad I guess.

It seems some people are really put off by music on our blogs.

Sometimes it catches you off guard, me too, that's why I always turn my volume down low when I start blogging.

But I love to listen to music on blogs I visit!

I turn my radio off so I can listen to the blog authors' playlists. It doesn't matter to me if the music is themed to the post, the blog in general, or is random music the author likes. It adds to the experience of knowing the person behind the blog. It's also a great way to be introduced to music you might not otherwise be exposed to.

I even go as far as going to a particular blog and turning up the music really loud while I do housework. Confessions of a Plate Addict is one of those I regularly listen too because she plays wonderful French songs. It doesn't matter that I can't understand a word. It's the atmosphere it provides that I love. If you go by there as of this post you will hear the theme from Superman. Her most recent post is about some darling action hero dolls she and her grandson made. But hey, Superman is inspiring too...I'll be able to leap huge piles of laundry!

I even had a "Reese's" moment (remember the old commercials, "Hey you got chocolate in my peanut butter!" "Well you got peanut butter on my chocolate") when my blog window was open playing "Little Houses" at the same time I was visiting another blog that had birds tweeting in the background. The two combined were even better than a peanut butter cup!

What upset me about the tip was the idea that if you "are a serious blogger" and want to be "successful" at it, and have lots of followers and comments you can't have music.
I guess it depends on what dictionary you use why you're counting followers and comments. I don't mind ads on blogs, I think it's a neat way to make money and in this economy it's a blessing for many. And I love shopping other blogger's stores. But some blogs I used to enjoy are starting to be more of a sales pitch for their advertisers and sponsors than anything else.

It just leaves me...sad...for them.

A Bit of Red and a Makeover

So friends, it's not what you were expecting is it? I hope you enjoy my new blog design. Before I tell you how this came to be I thought I'd share a bit of RED, you know, just to keep you from going into shock at my drastic change!

This is a fan found in our attic. We think it belonged to Hubby's grandmother. It could have come from her mother or grandmother too. Not sure how old it is but it is certainly beautiful with it's pink and red flowers.

It wouldn't stay open by itself but you can see some of the outside detail.

I have always been quite nostalgic and digging around in our attic has given me a new appreciation for vintage style. It has started creeping into our home as we display some of our new found attic treasures. Even so it's not the direction I was planning on going when I contacted Debbie of CGT Designs. She follows my blog and had an idea what I liked. We talked about bright colors, french country, red and roosters. I also wanted a labrador retriever worked in there so she sent me a great link for art. Well, I didn't fine the right dog but I spent all night immersed in vintage artwork.

I fell in love with the little dark haired girl in the green hat. If you're wondering why, check out the head of hair behind the basketball on my left sidebar! So off I went in a whole new direction.

I'm pretty sure Debbi was quite surprised with the art I sent her for inspiration. But she didn't skip a beat and went right to work designing my new background, header and tabs for my sidebars. We had so much fun working together! We are both on the West Coast so we could email each other and get responses quickly as we blogged each evening.

Debbi has several blogs as she is talented in several areas! You may know her from Marionberry Cottage or All in my Cottage. Cindy at The Vintage Vignette did a feature on her that was just wonderful. You can click here to read it and check out Cindy's great vintage style too.

Thank you so much Debbi for all your help and guidance through this process. You are so talented and I couldn't be happier with the final product. I just sit here looking at it, smiling...



Hope it makes you smile too!

Dawn

Gratitude

My good friend Gwen at Murphy Grace Home bestowed this Attitude of Gratitude Award on me recently and I must say I'm thrilled that she would think of me. Thank you Gwen!

I've seen this award on other blogs and frankly, my cluttered mind didn't get it. Why the lemonade stand? Well, duh! After reading Gwen's post and thinking about what I would share I realized being grateful is not just about being thankful for blessings you've received outright. It is also about finding that silver lining. Seeing the blessing where it's not obvious. Making lemonade instead of complaining about sour lemons!

They say don't sweat the small stuff. In my life it is the small stuff that matters most. The stuff many people take for granted.

My Attitude of Gratitude comes from my family and friends:
sweet children sorting out their own little worlds,
a hubby fighting his own physical battles while still providing for the family,
and my parents, family and friends that will drop everything to help me out with an extra hand...or three.

~ I am grateful for ~

A shoe tied.

A hug given.

A note written.

Fear conquered.

A real friend.

A day to relax tired muscles.

I am also grateful for you. My new bloggy friends who open your hearts and homes to share everything ...from the beautiful ...to the mundane ...to the life altering. Moments that let us know we are not alone as we strive for that perfect glass of lemonade, just sweet enough to balance the tartness and still taste the lemons. Please visit my followers list that I moved to the bottom of the page for this post. Make sure you click to see the few that aren't showing. They were my first followers and gave me the courage to share my stories. Give yourself and all the rest a pat on the back for being there when someone needs a comforting thought.






When I started blogging I saw all these beautiful awards and thought the creativity behind them and the thoughtfulness of them was very special. I didn't realize they came with strings and was curious why some bloggers were "Award Free". Well, rules sometimes must give way to practicality so if you can only pass it on to a few people that is fine with me. Even if you can't play along please accept this award and my sincere belief that you deserve it.

10 Friends with the Attitude of Gratitude

Connie ~ The Cottage Loft

Sandi ~The Green Pea

Jean ~ In the Garden with Miss Jean

Becky~ Sweet Cottage Dreams

Kim~ Starshine Chic

Karen~ Some Days are Diamonds

Tina ~ Enchanted Rose Studio

Carol~ Old Glory Cottage

Sue ~ It's A Very Cherry World

Sandi ~ Bearly Sane

The "rules" of accepting and sharing this award are:
Put the logo on your blog or post.
Nominate at least 10 blogs that show an attitude of gratitude
Link to your nominees within your post.
Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award.
Share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award.
Tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude.



Thank you for your visit!
Dawn

Thrifty Thursday

I know, I know, it's almost Friday! But I've got about 6 hours of Thrifty Thursday left here on the West Coast and I'm determined to make it this week. Poor Leigh, I keep telling her, "I'll see you Thursday" but haven't made it in few weeks, maybe several?! I found these dishes at Good Will several weeks ago.

This pretty little fall bowl was $2.00. You can see it on my mantel my fall header. It's a rich yellow with a brown design. It looks almost black and white here.

One thing I don't like about our local Good Will is that they write the price on in permanent ink. Do they all do that?

I got 4 of these cute plates with the little blue mini print for $1.00 each.

More blue and white, again for $1.00. I love the design on this one. It's a strange size, too small for a platter but not really a candy dish or desert plate. It's a reproduction and says dishwasher safe so I know it's meant to be used. I'll use it for decoration anyway but I'm curious about it.



That's it for today. Head on over to Bloggeritaville and say "hey" to Leigh. If you haven't read her story about how she met her husband click on the link below her profile to find it. It's soooooo romantic!


I won't have much time to visit for the next couple of days. I'll get around to everyone Monday. Have a great weekend!
Dawn

REDnesday ~ Tables from The Green Pea Boutique

Don't you just love a pop of red?

I found two great red end tables at The Green Pea when I made a short trip out of town to meet some new friends. You can read about these sweet ladies here and get links to their blogs. They are also listed under California Friends on my right side bar. Sandi has a lot of wonderful red pieces in her boutique. I actually found 3 tables I loved but only two could fit in my living room.

I knew they would be perfect in my room and make a great REDnesday post so I'm linking up with Sue at It's a Very Cherry World. You can get there by clicking on her button on my right sidebar. Please go by and visit her cherried-out blog and see what the other participants are up to. I took a sneak peek and found some beautiful cranes posted by Cindy at Applestone Cottage. Oh! Wait, don't go yet! You have to see my tables first!

I was looking for pieces with storage and some character. I never dreamed I'd find them in RED!
Yay, the work is already done. One less project for me to procrastinate about!

I'm sure you've seen this type of magazine table before but probably not in RED. Don't you think the red just gives it a fresh new cottage feel?

I've always loved this little fall birdhouse store because of all the colors, especially the red.

The table holds some magazines, decorating books, and books on local history. The box peeking out under the yellow napkin holds coasters. I was so excited when I found it because the fabric covering it is a petite print of my valance fabric. The box was holding candles that had such a strong scent they made me sneeze. I had to toss the candles, spray it with Fabreeze and leave it outside for a week before I could bring it in.

I love the table next to this red lamp shade but the shade is a little short for the lamp. It's all a work in progress!

Here's my valance that inspired the color scheme for this room. I absolutely fell in love with the big red/pink roses and the red pomegranates.

Here's my second red table. Notice the big empty space on the right? Hubby's recliner goes there. It didn't make the cut. In fact, I pushed it way far away so it couldn't possibly be in the shot! Even Hubby has mentioned it's about time for a new one so you know it's bad! My little rocker/recliner is the perfect spot for reading or pulling out my notebook and pen from the little drawer and making a Honey Do List.

I just love this table! It's so chunky and sturdy with just enough detail to tickle my fancy!

It's hard to get through one of my posts with out a little Lab Love! At least this one doesn't shed or track in mud. OR KNOCK THINGS OFF THE TABLE TRYING TO GET TO THE WINDOW TO SEE WHO JUST PULLED UP! Sorry, Sunny is still trying to get used to the new furniture arrangement! The little lab looks cute on the placemat but it's real purpose is to have a special place for Hubby's Pepsi when he gets home from work. On that note I better put his chair back...


Happy REDnesday! Thanks for staying through it all!

P.S. Sorry for reposting, again! I just had to add a little personal note.

Mom, this music is for you ~ Red River Valley! I'll sleep peacefully tonight remembering all the times you sang the four of us to sleep with it! Love you and Dad!

Dawn

Slow Recovery

It's been a very long week but we're slowly starting to recover. I've managed to toss together a few quick posts but mostly I've been sleeping whenever my daughter does, which hasn't been very much due to a constant cough and fever that keeps returning. We'll go back to the doctor tomorrow to make sure she hasn't ended up with a respiratory infection on top of the flu.

Since she has taken over the couch the dogs had to find new places to chill. I woke from a nap one afternoon to the sound of snoring. I expected it to be hubby but instead I found Sunny dreaming away on hubby's pillow. At least he's color coordinated with the bedding! Now there's a design tip for you!

Sweetie Pie felt good enough for a few minutes to base coat this little sign we're making for Halloween. Then it was right back to the couch.

I hope to have a nice REDnesday post featuring my new tables from The Green Pea for you later this week. If you don't hear from me till then you'll know Baby Girl is still home with me. By the way, Grandmas rock. I couldn't have made it through this week nearly as well as I did with out my mom helping out around the house and using her Grandma Magic, aka, The Happy Ribbon, to keep our sick sweetie in good spirits. Thanks mom, you're amazing!

We Will Never Forget~September 11, 2001

The Worst Season

Man your stations ladies, the worst season has arrived. Not Fall.

Photo courtesy of The Graphics Fairy

The FLU season!

My daughter has been sick for three days with every flu symptom known. We've barely slept. Her doctor says keep her home until she has gone 24 hours without a fever and no fever medicine. It won't matter though. By the time she gets well her classroom will be empty. Her teacher just called and said they started the day with 6 of 13 students and one staff member out with flu symptoms. Before the day was over they sent two more kids home. Might want to pick up some hand sanitizer while you're out shopping...

Bloggers' Day Out

Last week I had the wonderful opportunity of spending a day with three inspiring women I met through blogging. Doesn't the one in the middle have the most stylish hat! I'm pretty sure she got it from "The Graphics Fairy" if you'd like one too!

Miss Jean is a wonderful gardener and quilter. She shares her passions along with her love of family and the escapades of her Scottish Terrier, Maggie, on her blog,
"In the Garden with Miss Jean ".

Becky also has two Scotties, Mr. Duhgall and Miss Fiona. Her blog,
"Sweet Cottage Dreams"
is full of artistic photos of collectibles, cooking, decorating, do-it-yourself projects and of course those darling Scotties.

Sandi's blog
"The Green Pea Boutique"
is named after her store in Escalon, CA. She shares her love of antiques, unique finds and renovation. She and her husband have spent years transforming an old hardware store into a charming boutique with their trusty helper Barney by their sides.

We began our day at the Waffle Factory on Jackson Ave. in Escalon. It's a wonderful hometown kind of place where the patrons and employees all know each other. They seemed a bit concerned about the out-of-towner who wasn't sure if she was in the right place and didn't know the people she was looking for! Thank goodness Sandi showed up and put them all at ease by giving me a big welcoming hug. Then Becky and Jean came in and it was hugs and giggles all around! We had a great breakfast, nonstop conversation and a few more good laughs. Becky handed out some treats she made for all of us and took a few photos. I left my camera in the car at breakfast but I remembered to take photos of Becky's sweet gift when I got home. She baked wonderful little orange-apricot cookies and packaged them up with several ME items with a pretty little bow.

You gotta love a friend who enables your sweet tooth and your ME addiction!

That is Miss Jean on the left, Becky in the middle and Sandi on the right. You can see that this is a big store!

It's so big you almost need a guide. Who better than Barney the "Labrasset Hound". He can sniff out the best items and retrieve them for you too! Just don't expect him to do it quickly.

It was a work day for Sandi so she set to opening the store. Becky and Miss Jean got down t0 business checking out all the great antiques, collectibles and unique items Sandi offers.

I spent some time just admiring the magnificent old building.

Sandi's arrangements give it a warm, homey feeling.

The high ceilings done in white bead board, tall white columns, skylights, and lace covered windows make it open and bright.

The dark wood floors and painted walls with exposed brick provide a sense of history.

Break time already Barney?!

I had to get a photo of these great crocks for my hubby. We have several similar pieces that were made by the California Pottery Company in the Merced plant which closed in 1929 I believe. I think hubby's grandparents use them for processing olives from the two big olive trees on our lot.

Sandi had a lot of customers but finally got a chance to relax and visit some more. We enjoyed meeting her "non-blogging" customers and friends too, although I'm not sure what some of them thought about us giggly girls running around taking photos everywhere!

This is a sweet little vignette in the back of the store. Don't you just love that red window frame! Speaking of red, I found some great little red side tables for my living room. Sandi's husband and son even carried them across the street to my van for me. They were such sweethearts and I was glad we got to meet them too.

Doesn't Barney look comfortable just hanging out?

Actually, we were all comfortable just hanging out. That's the kind of place The Green Pea is. And that's the kind of people these women are. I felt like I had known them for much longer than a few hours! It was such a pleasure meeting these sweet ladies. Amid all the story telling, laughing and photography we actually all made a nice little haul of goodies too. I already mentioned my new tables and I posted about Sunny's new fall tie on Friday. Becky picked up a small scale and I think a few other items. Jean bought a wonderful tapestry pillow and a beautiful green dish among other things. I can't wait to see what they post about our little adventure. I know we all had a different "perspective"! You can visit them by clicking on the links at the top of this post or in my blog list on my sidebar.

Looking forward to more Bloggers' Days Out soon!
Dawn