1910 (?) Vintage Paris Beaded Dress

About 10+ years ago I went to an Estate Sale with friend Gail and as we walked in both of us saw this vision on loveliness folded in a zip lock bag. Both of us knew instantly what a find it was and that each of us wanted it. Unfortunately she spotted it a nano second before me so it was hers.

 Big sigh here.......however fair is fair

Lo and behold several weeks ago she called me and said that she had started to thin out her collection and needed to get rid of things and knew that she needed to give me "the dress". 

Overwhelmed, shocked, grateful 

yet terrified to take it out of the plastic bag.

After scrubbing the table I gently slid the dress out and painstakingly unfolded this beauty.
It was as I expected it to be....extremely fragile and falling apart in places but exquisite none the less.

How I wish you could see this "live"  up close and personal

Visions of Downton Abbey are floating thru my head!

Gail never took it out of the bag in all those years

Ooh la la

 Beads everywhere!

 Look at the stitching that was done!

Happy Friday and Dandelions

Happy Friday to all

When I was out speed walking so I could get back in my allotted work break time today and saw these sunny flowers. I was reminded that recently Wesley and I were taking a walk and there was a yard that had at least a million dandelions ( gross exaggeration but you never know!) 
"I bet Grampa is sad that he doesn't have all these beautiful flowers in your front yard.

.....Ummmm.....

My response:

"Trust me it would be a whole new level of sadness if we had these flowers in our yard."

I was staring at one very confused little boy!

(Picture scrunched up eyebrows and momentary silence)

Relaxing

"I didn’t get anything accomplished today"

I’m not sure when life segwayed from relaxing to I didn’t get anything accomplished this weekend.

Yes, even when I take a day off to do something I have wanted to do that in no way involves work, I have to say that in the back of my mind I think that I should be home cleaning or weeding  or something that needs to be done.

When my kids were young I was a firm believer that it was priority to spend time with them and worry about all the chores some other time. I had a wonderful time and so did they plus we built memories that they still talk about. We survived without cell phones and cable and so many other things that they have a hard time believing we didn’t have "way back then."

I, for one, am so glad that I adopted that lifestyle 

and I am going to work on letting myself do nothing every so often now too. 

Like reading 

or a marathon re-watch of Downton Abbey 

or baking…..

Or taking a long bath and reading....

and eating what I baked!

I always feel this relaxed after doing any of the above

or perhaps I'm just experiencing a sugar coma....

either way I'm happy!

Ancestry Search

I have been bitten by the Ancestry bug lately. Most of my free time is spent searching and searching & then more searching. Neither of my parents were interested in recording all the family members so I didn't have a lot to go on. Though honestly, I had some key information that was helpful. I was so excited that I actually was able to get information as far back as my moms great, great, great grandparents on her grandfathers side. Remarkable. I was shocked that I was able to get names that far back & I know I have only scratched the surface.

So far I know I'm German and English!

I simply can't wait to find out more. 

Fast forward to my great grandfather and finding out he came from a family of 9 kids so needless to say I have a lot to explore & record with just that! 

Holy smokes... I will need a big chart just to fit all that in!

Vintage Thimble & Needle Case

Thoughtful Kindle DIL and my son gave me these beauties. 

They are beyond beautiful and perfect since my passion is sewing. 

I haven't the vaguest idea how old they are but visions of the owner of something like this 

just  makes my imagination run rampant!

(The hankie was an earlier gift..how perfect)

Peppers

I was chopping away one day and truly wasn't paying attention to the luscious picture 

that was forming right in front of me. 

I am only growing red and green peppers this year

 but I think next year I will have to try my hand at orange and yellow too!

Salads, eggs, potatoes, etc etc, etc

YUM

Grown Up Coloring Books

With adult coloring books being all the rage these days I signed up for a Zendala  Coloring class..

Well it was a coloring class 

but we had to create the Zendala/Manadla first. 

What a humbling experience that was!

The instructor, who is an art major and teacher was positive and calming but the very thought that artwork was part of the evening was intimidating. 

When she said it doesn’t have to be perfect and that’s ok

…..the seamstress part of me was like….

what do you mean it doesn’t have to be perfect??? 

As the evening progressed it was abundantly clear that my sister was blessed with all the artistic ability in the family so I will enjoy my coloring book.

Tho I have to say I was impressed by the beautiful designs that others in the class created

…and completed…unlike me.

That’s ok. My talents just lie in other areas and I actually did learn things

....like I need erasable colored pencils for one!

Maxcera Green & White Toile Rabbit Mug

Oh, how do I love thee lapin (rabbit) cup? 

I love thee alot!

I'm ready to take my first sip of coffee.....ahhhhhh

Now for the pictures.

So French Country right???

From Friend Susie

She has so many unique and amazing shops in her area.

Thank You Again and Again and Again!

Indiana Visit

Friend Susie has been searching for this walking trail for awhile now. She finally was able to track it down and we went for a long walk in the woods. Unlike my neck of the woods,  it was startling quiet with the exception of the birds singing their little spring hearts out and the water in the creek gurgling along..

Here are some of the things I spied

Susie is prepared to go all the time, like every day possible, to walk and relax in the woods. I’ll look forward to walking with her again on my next trip south.

She is also bound and determined to stay in the tiny house for a day. She would love to wake up in the quiet of the forest but I’m afraid that if they let her stay she may never want to leave!

Belgium Friends

I woke up to the horrendous  news of what had happened in Belgium. 

Between the tears I emailed friends there. 

I heard back from them that they are all alright but obviously shaken and of course so sad at what has happened in their country. 

       we stand with you today and forever my friends

Croque Monsiour

I was visiting friend Susie last weekend (one of those physical and mental R & R long weekends) and she thought it would be a nice idea to go to Indianapolis for lunch at Petite Chou. 

 Decision making, when presented with an array of food, isn’t my strong suit. 

So  many choices and I get to only pick one! 

After some deliberation and thanks to a very patient friend and waiter 

I ordered the Croque Monsiour.

Ham, gruyère, creamy béchamel, dijonnaise
Oh Yum!

I had chosen wisely.

After that you can stroll on Monon Trail to get rid of a few of the calories you just took in. 

The unfortunate part is that  as you are heading back  you pass Brics Ice Cream.  

Go ahead ..... indulge yourself.

I strongly recommend Chocolate Choo Choo.
Just sayin'

Pioneer Woman's Cookbook(s)

I am the proud owner of two more of The Pioneer Woman's Cookbooks. I have been pouring over each beautiful and hysterical page for over a week now. I'm excited to try so many of the recipes in her books..... I can cook and smile at the same time. So tomorrow is Skillet Lasagna and then later in the week Salisbury steak ala PW. (that's for dear husband who LOVES Salisbury steak. 
And after many, many, many years of marriage I have to say I have never made it.  Pretty bad right?
Anyway I'll make up for it this week and surprise him.
If you like to cook.....go get her cookbooks! They are wonderful and full of more than just recipes.

I tried to win a cookbook on her website so I could actually have a signed copy. 

How awesome would that have been?!?

She loves butter, cream, sugar, chocolate plus alot more 

and isn't afraid to use them in abundant quantities. 

She is a woman after my own heart. 

And us redheads need to stick together!

She is just not the cutest thing ever right?? 

My Saturn

I love my car.

 I could have easily done the "jumping in the air for joy" commercials they used to do. 

Now you may ask why would I be so crazy about my car. 

Here are my top requirements:

I do want a nice looking car, 

I want it to start. 

I want it to be warm in the winter 

and cool in the summer. 

I don't require all the bells and whistles tho heated seats are A HUGE plus. 

She just keeps chugging along so

I think I'll keep her for another 12 years.

Did I mention there is not one spot of rust on her either! 
Such a pretty girl.

Dear husband washed and detailed her for me today and she is a thing of beauty!

Saturday

It's Saturday. I slept until 8:30....can you believe it! It was pure heaven. I heard dear husband leave at 4:30 this morning to go to work...he really doesn't like working on Saturday and I sure don't blame him one little bit. It's 50 degrees, sunny & blue skies.

No one wants to work on such a glorious day I'm sure.

So here I sit with my feet up, my coffee and reading, actually rereading, "Somewhere Safe with Someone Good" by Jan Karon. 

I just love Fr. Tim and Cynthia and of course their pets Barnabas and Violet.

It's quiet, the coffee is delicious and the book is my escape for a little while. 

What a luxury instead of the 4:45 alarm I get up to for work.

It's time to get moving and accomplish what seems like a hundred things to do today tho.

Well.....maybe 1 more chapter and a little more coffee with an English Muffin on the side!

IKEA Love

So what to do on a day when you just need to get out of the house 

and the weather is not cooperating??

Hmmmm

Well of course I go to IKEA

The fact that dear husband likes to go as much as I do...

or almost as much, is quite a perk.

We love to look at everything whether it's something we would buy or not. I marvel at all the creative things they do to make products appealing and user friendly Dear husband is looking at how its constructed and how it works. It's a marketing masterpiece!
They tiny house was amazing! It was 742 sq ft of adorable. What a good use of space. Now don't get me wrong in reality it would take me about 10 seconds to know "tiny house" living isn't for me but I still loved seeing it and walking around in a mini home. It's incredible how they make such good use of space.
Despite my good intentions that I don't need anything and I'm only window shopping I have never walked out empty handed. 

~Kid size spray bottles for water fights in the heat of the summer....49 cents...how do you walk away from that in exchange for some Kodak moments!

~An orchid for Kindle DIL who has the knack for get her orchids to re-bloom

Cork trivets..I'm obsessed with them....I have no logical reason why 

fry pan, doormat, storage container, pillow form etc....

Yup....I didn't need a thing.