A Bluebirds & Roses Tea

On our way through Kansas, we were able to stop and visit with Karla ~ she graciously invited us to her beautiful home, and had also invited some other area bloggers for a tea party. The only ones I already *knew* through blogging were Karla and Beth, but it was a pleasure to meet all of these sweet ladies. And, of course, the famous Sugarwings, who is every bit as cute as her photos (though I somehow failed to get a picture of her)!! The little cutie in the photo here is Shawn's daughter.Karla had decorated the table in a bluebirds~and~roses theme in honor of our visit; I was so very touched and surprised!!!!!!!

It looked so beautiful; as does her entire home. I felt like I was stepping into a magazine (Karla has been featured in many issues of our favorite decorating magazines :) Can you imagine being able to tour her home in person? I know I'm blessed!! Also, her unbelievable studio, where she created the most amazing things.......

Everything is so beautifully-organized ~~ even her ironing board looks pretty!!

At the end of our delightful visit, Karla presented us each with one of the bottles she had used to decorate the table ~~ I chose one with pink roses.....

Thank you so much, Karla, for the lovely visit!! I certainly enjoyed it!!

The first night of our journey, we met with my friend Nikki and her sweet family. Nikki wears vintage clothing, including jewelry and shoes, and is so beautiful!! We ate at the Old Spaghetti Factory in St. Louis. The next day, we travelled on through Kansas -- Brad had never been to a Jack in the Box, and had quite the fun time trying to impersonate the various photos of Jack throughout the restaurant.
Good times.
Tomorrow, I'll share about our visit with Karla!!

We're back from Colorado!! And I bought pretties!!
I will have lots to share, but just knew you'd want to see the goodies I bought first!! Look at these beautiful pale pink dishes with a cottage and flowers on them!

Vintage sheet music in pretty pink and green, and some postcards.... a small rose plate, and an enamel BLUEBIRD pin!I simply could not pass up this vintage covered dish, all crackled and aged, and perfect for my cottage kitchen.....

The trip was wonderful ~ I met the lovely ladies Nikki, Karla, Beth, and some other sweet bloggers whom I didn't *know* before. Also had a great time travelling with the always-entertaining Brad.

More pictures to come soon!

My oldest son, Andrew, with his pretty girlfriend Alli. They were going to his friend's wedding.
Mock orange in our side yard.......

This will be my last post for a week or so..... Brad's band is going on tour to Colorado, and I am going along! We've never been there, but have heard how beautiful it is!

The best part is, along the way, I get to visit with two blogging friends ~ Nikki of Scarlett Rose Garden, and Karla of Karla's Cottage! I am waaaaay excited! I'll share lots of pics upon my return!

Birthday prezzies from sweet hubby arrived today ~ two more RA videos to come. So far, I have briefly browsed the book and like it alot, and watched one segment from the DVD and love it!!

Our Lucy Raccoon brought her baby up to the "feeding grounds" (aka beneath the birdfeeder) last night.... Isn't it cute?

The other night she brought FOUR babies up, but of course my battery was dead on my camera that time!

She was not happy to see Mr. Bunny near *her* feeding grounds. He left promptly.

My "Knockout Roses" (from Lowe's) in bloom by the front door.

How does your garden grow? Here are some close-ups of containers I have planted this year.
I love the Macro setting on my new camera!
This is the old cider press that was featured in the "lumber-hiding photo" recently!! :)

Hope you have enjoyed a lovely weekend!

Pretties!!
I stopped at my first yard sale of the season on Monday, plus went to a couple of antique stores with my mom on Thursday.Victorian die-cut little girl.....
An old Victorian calling card.....
Vintage suitcase to "re-do"......
Old metal coasters in cottage chic colors!

Sure feels good to be back "thriftin"!!

What's a Graduation Party without Dottie? She greeted everyone as they arrived.
We had a great turnout ~ couldn't get everyone in the photo ~ the weather was gorgeous!
Lots of food of course!And cake with the guys' picture on it!
Rockin' Out!
A completely alcohol-free party, and Dottie still ended up like this!! Too much Hawaiin Punch, Dottie?

Thanks for visiting, and for all the well wishes for Brad and for my birthday. Next post will have some pretties in it!! :)

Brad made it!!!!!!!!!!
Pomp and Circumstance.......
The Moment We've Awaited for 18 years.....
He spots proud Mom and Dad.....
Celebrating with Friends....

Party Pics Coming Tomorrow!!

I'm back! And it's my birthday today!! Graduation and the party are both over and I can relax!! :)

I'm working on getting the photos from the weekend together; in the meantime; here is one I took of a backyard vignette I made last week before the party. We had a pile of lumber that was a mite unsightly, so I disguised it with this rustic vignette. Chris said it probably just drew more attention to it, but I still think it looked better than an ugly pile of wood!

Party pics to come (including Dottie! :)

A Brief Bloggy Break

You all *know* my son Brad...... He is graduating from high school this Friday night!!
Saturday night, we are having a big party at our home to celebrate with his other bandmates, who are also graduating with him. They will be performing outdoors, and we are expecting several hundred people.
So, needless to say, I have a bit of cleaning/preparing to do in the yard and house! :) We are making the food ourselves, so a tad bit of cooking to do as well!
I'll be back "ATP" (After the Party), and will be sharing more photos with you. (I am loving my new camera -- check out the pic of Brad in his $3.99 suit from the Salvation Army!)
See you soon!!

Beginnings.....

In our secret garden, I have planted some impatiens in one of those "hanging basket bags" that I had leftover from last year. It will take awhile to be full and pretty, but I kind of like it now too, as it hangs on a rusty old fencepost above other vintage garden elements.

You might remember this old chair I got at auction for free....... the vintage metal bucket belonged to my uncle ~ more impatiens getting their start, along with some purple torenia ~ I painted the sign on an old board, to designate the way to our path through the woods......

Senior Prom

Saturday night was Brad's Senior Prom. Here are a couple of photos of the special night. It seemed white was the color of choice for girls' prom dresses this year......

Several of the kids met up at a friend's house, and his home has the most beautiful flowers, including this wisteria, below...... I've always wanted wisteria......

Oh, P.S. I got a new camera!! Just in time for graduation!! I love the clarity of it for photographing people -- haven't tried it out for decor pics yet! Stay tuned!!

Happy Mother's Day, My Friends!!
This is a vintage card from the 1930's. The beautiful lady on it reminds me so much of my own dear mother; she even wore her hair like that in her younger years. She would have been a mere infant when this card was made though!! :)

Happy May!!

My favorite month!!