Labor Day Weekend & Picking!

Hello, friends!

 

I hope that your Labor Day weekend has been relaxing!

The hubby and I are now home after a trip to Iowa. If you are into collecting antiques, you may consider heading that way. We drove...

And stumbled upon many barn sales and antique malls along the way.

Our first stop was here. The sign on the highway read, "Barn Gypsies sale", with an arrow pointing towards a dirt road. We followed. It led us to a house on some land... Surrounded by barns and several vendors, displaying their treasures. Oh, what fun!

Once we enter Le Claire, Iowa, we already knew that we would be visiting "Antique Archaeology", the American Picker's shop.

We enjoy watching the tv show, so I just had to purchase a tank top with their logo on it!

We spent the remainder of our time in Iowa, exploring.

I love playing "Miss Photographer"!

It's been a lovely three day weekend!

I will see you again real soon!

XO

 

Summer stuff... and Fluff!

Hello to you!

The weekend has just arrived and this girl is too exhausted to stay up much longer! It's all good. You see, during Summer vacation...

every day is like a weekend. No alarm clock. No sense of time. Good company comes to visit. Art takes place consistently throughout the Summer.

Patio painting, under patio lights after dark.

The buzzing sound of locusts in the trees.

My dear friend, Lori, made another trip to share some time before I return back to the working world on Monday.

I painted the girl on canvas as we talked for hours.

Music from the seventies in the background.

Messes...

Lovely art messes!

Always a full pot of coffee in the kitchen.

On Thursday she and I went into the city and browsed some unique shops, sampled some Indian appetizers, sweet desserts, and yes...

Delightful coffee!

Once again, saying goodbye this morning was sad...

But then at lunch time, my sweetheart arrived home and announced that he had taken the remainder of today off from work! He was ready to get out and play! It's so wonderful to be married to someone whom you love to hang out with!

Someone who also shares my passion for java!

(Someone who also wears reading glasses to see the menu)! He would not be pleased about this photo being on the Internet, but in my eyes...

He's darling! He eats whipped topping with a spoon before sipping. Cuteness.

He lifts my spirits...

and patiently waits as I explore beautiful boutiques.

He smiles when I blurt out, "Omg, these boots are to die for"!

Aren't they fabulous?

I then wait on him to fulfill his big moment.

He finally convinced one of the shop owners to allow him to peek into the eery underground city (off limits these days). A city of tunnels with much history- Leavenworth, Kansas. Rumor has it that the tunnels were used back in the terrible days of slavery. We shall research. That's what we do...

Us history buffs who enjoy seeking out such places.

Now, back home after our day trip.

Both tired and ready to savor some rest.

Then java again in the morning!

Happy weekend to you!

XO

 

Missy's Mad Tea Party... Come on In!

The invitations were delivered, one by one...

I watched from behind the bushes with excitement as ribbons were un-tied, envelopes opened, and smiles appeared on each recipients' face. Yes! They would attend!

"Attend what", you ask.

It's that most wonderful event that comes once a year!

It is a Mad Tea Party that all began by Vanessa dear! I will provide you with her link at the end of this post!

For now I must dash. We must not be late!!!!

I dig deep into my trunks for the finer treasures that I store-

My china, my fancy linens, hats, and bags.

Ah ha!

There it is!

My tea party purse!!!

How do I look? Aren't the feathers just grand?

Off to another trunk I go. It's the trunk that holds my tea sets...

And a bit of magic too. Shhhhhh.

I reach for each piece and dust them off clean.

After draping the table with a crisp table cloth, I begin setting each place for each special guest.

Oh my, oh my...

I look at the clock.

I have run out of time and desperately need help!

Hmmmm.

It never fails me, when I'm in a pinch.

My magical wand...

Just watch this!

I wave it around and say a few words.

Wa la!

We now have a true tea party with fluffy, pink cakes...

And cups filled with hot tea, ready for sipping!

Have you tried this one?

It's a dreamy delight!

I have saved the very best tea for you!

Filled with blessings and love...

And may all of your dreams come true!

Hurry, hurry!

Drink it up!

I want to thank you for dropping by!

I love how the blogging community comes together for fun and creativity!

A big, big thank you to the charming Vanessa, who hosts this event each year...

This being the 6th!!!!

You can visit Vanessa right here.

Be sure and view the right side of her web page for a list of all Mad Tea Party participants.

Grab a cup of tea...

Or two,

Click on each participant's link to "blog hop" from one fabulous tea party to the next!

I plan to sit down and visit each one...

But for now I must go.

There's a knock at the door and my guests have arrived!

We Love Holidays!

Why is it that the weekends seem to end so quickly? I wore my pouty face last night because I knew that I had to get to bed. Back to work. But I had more painting to do... and another fabulous book to read, by author, Mary Kay Andrews. (My fourth)! If I knew how to use the link function in this new blogging app, I would link you to her website... (Another task that I could have completed last night: learn to link, if only I could have stayed up late)! Just type her name into your browser and enjoy! I love her style!

It was, however, a wonderful weekend, as always. For a gal who has never looked forward to Valentine's Day...

Well, let's just say that the holiday of love may not be so dreadful after all, in fact, this year I am actually participating in all of the hoopla!

I'm painting little love notes.

My sweetie surprised me with all sorts of Valentine decorations.... glittery hearts in pink and red. Big ones, little ones... "Baby, look what I got for you", he said!

Hmmm. My eyes widened and my mind began wandering. Oh, what would I do with all of these lovely sparkling hearts?

Uh oh, I thought. I did have a bit of a problem, you see. I refuse to take down the Christmas tree. I like seeing the lights glow every morning and night. I'm just not ready to say goodbye to our tree, but how then, can I decorate for two holidays at the same time?

Compromise.

We do have a smaller tree. So, I removed all of the Christmas ornaments from the small, woodland tree that stands in the dining room...

And gave it a new look!

We now have a Valentine tree... (With a congrats card from Laura.... Thank you, my friend over at "where the gold bees dream" blog)!

And, a Christmas tree!

Maybe it's not "proper" to have both, but we don't care. Truly, there are no rules in this home! My sweetheart and I are both free spirits! Perfect together.

We love holidays!!!!