Melony's Whimsy Daisy!

Operation Arkansas

I'm hopping down a little bunny trail from my crafty blog today, but will be back in the next little bit with some completed pictures of Craft Cottage projects.

Bob's Marine training kicked in as we prepared for our 4th of July annual pilgrimage to visit my family. Operation Arkansas went into full steam ahead as the truck was cleaned and shined, gassed and oiled, and strategically pre-packed with suitcases the night before. I received a special Husband Waiver to do a last minute loading of my makeup and hot rollers. Departure time: zero dark thirty.

We arrived at our destination successfully (and without a lot of "unnecessary" stopping) and I got to meet and kiss on one of my brand new kinfolks! Are babies just not absolutely heavenly?

I laughed as I watched my daughter, Daisy, being so dramatic with her cousin as they watched the family firework extravaganza. Where do they get their flair for the theatrical?

Tears were shed too, as my sisters and I watch my Mother struggle with Alzheimers. She didn't know me much of the time and how I miss her! What a cruel disease and what a heartbreak for those, like my Daddy, (and my two sisters who live nearby), who live with its horrible affects on a daily basis. Yet...God was good to give us happy moments amongst the sad.

There were new adventures to be lived out as my husband enjoyed "playing" with a Big Boy toy! He had so much fun digging a hole! (and to think I was always happy with a little shovel and pail!)

 

No summer vacation is complete without a little swim time! I heard on the radio today that blended families, such as mine, can take up to seven years to truly gel. This picture allows me see how far we've come in a year and a half. Bob married me, a widow, and stepped in to be the father of my two youngest children. I am so thankful families can come together and love each other even when there is not a gene shared amongst any of us...we are a family!

 

Here is a goofy picture of me. Why? So much of the time my Mother was behind the camera taking pictures of us. I wish we had more pictures of her! So, on a whim, I took this silly picture of me while the kids were swimming. I want them to someday look at this picture and laugh, and know they had a silly momma who loved them!

   Life is full of fun and fireworks, laughter and tears, fresh sweet babies to kiss, and dear old ones to hold close while you can. Cherish the moments and snap a few goofball pictures of yourself along the way. Your children will be glad you did!  

The Funny Thing About Expectations...

My long awaited weekend began with attending the production of The Pajama Game. My daughter, Molly and her husband, joined us. I attempted to dress vintagey, and in my mind pulled it off. My cherry pin I wore was true vintage. Does anybody else get where you totally dislike every picture with yourself in it? In the spirit of trying to not be so vain, I'm posting the picture, my double chins and all. It was a great night. The musical was funny and had a kitschy, retro, feel with adorable costumes and fun hairstyles. We are all still singing the songs in our head.

 

By the end of the night, my ankle flew to the right with every step, and I was in  red-high-heel Hades. With a new admiration for Doris Day, I took them off and walked to the truck in my stockings. Normally this would have grossed me out, but I was desperate. Poor Molly, in high heel boots that couldn't easily be removed, hobbled to her car.

Happy Note to Self: Flats can be vintage too! 

Friday, we were off to Austin. We had a great meal at the Texas Land and Cattle Company. The Steak Soup and the Smoked Chicken Enchilada Soup were out of this world. Bob and I realize we are getting old. We are in Austin, for Pete's sake, with all these food choices, and we eat at this restaraunt twice because of the soup, and of all places, IHOP (because of the pancakes) twice! We did have a more adventuresome night at Trudy's where I had my first stuffed and fried avocado. I think it is the best thing I've ever eaten in my life.

I would like to make a disclaimer at this point. I'm going to talk about the Maker Faire. I don't mean to hurt anybody's feelings, as it was superbly organized, well-run, clean, friendly, etc. It was just not what I expected, and that is entirely MY fault. So, if anybody happens upon this post that was a part of Maker Faire, please know I'm pointing the critical finger at myself. It was like attending a Martial Arts Convention and expecting to buy art supplies. I should have known better.

I  was expecting lots of booths of cutesy handmade goods ready to take home. In actuality you were to learn and MAKE projects along with the artist...therefore MAKER Faire. (DUH) So, for someone who was expecting lots of glittery pinkness, vintage roses, and painted goodness ready to purchase, wrap up, and give for Christmas, it was not what I expected. The good news is, Bob...who was totally dreading the event, thoroughly enjoyed the Maker Faire! Go figure!

Expectation: cute little stuffed softies to purchase...teddy bears, pink poodles...

Reality:

 

Yes, it is very creative and people were having a blast pedaling this large reptile. I think it's a reptile.

Expectation: funnel cakes, big chocolate chip cookies, hamburgers and foot long corny dogs

Reality: (and much healthier, I know):

 

Expectation: Lots of quilts, vintage linens, polka dot aprons, and hats 

Reality:

 

A very scientific display on algae that eats engine exhaust.

Expectations: some wood crafts, cutesy little embellished boxes, sewing cabinets

Reality: A large wooden catapult that tossed watermelons. Bob insisted we wait twenty minutes to see it in action. Yes, it can toss a melon a country mile.

Expectation: Perhaps some vintage clothes, ephemera, old dishes

Reality: Can you spot the vintage disco ball? That's a blast from the past! A band was playing on top of the firetruck, and they were really good!  

 

Expectation: Artwork, collages, decopauges, original paintings

Reality: A great old van anybody could add their personal paint touch to it.

 

Expectation: Embellished cuteness everywhere

Reality: Embellished cars

It was all very interesting. It was just not my cup of tea. The weekend away with my husband was wonderful, and on the way home we stopped at an antique shop and I spent $1.62 on these great 50's, aqua, big, tumblers. So, I'm a happy girl!

 

A Day in Gladewater, Texas

Hello friends!

I was so happy to have so many visitors drop by and visit on my first post. I'm pretending we had tea and cake while you were here. The Bible speaks of hospitality, and it has always been one of my shortcomings. There is a difference between entertaining and hospitality. What do you think the difference is?

I spent one day last week adventuring in Gladewater, Texas with my friend Jennifer. The small town is touted as the East Texas Antique Capital. We walked up and down the sidewalks and then, dipped into the many little stores. One of my favorite places is the St. Clair mall. Jennifer went crazy over cookbooks.One of the vendors has a booth of all yellow, all pink, all aqua, and all lavender. I'm crazy about all things old and pink and aqua.Here is a taste of one of the yummy sections!                      

Here is a picture of part of the aqua section. I thought that was a radio there in the center, but is a nail dryer from the 50's! Fab dahling!

               

We ate at Glory Bee Bakery. The quiche was delicious, and we went back later for dessert. Gladewater is not all antique stores. There was a very trendy little store across the street from the bakery called Twinkles.  

Lots of colorful displays and eye candy, and the store owner is a very colorful sweet personality! She was helpful, but not pushy. I can't handle salespeople following me around and suggesting things to me. She was just right. Normally, in this kind of store, I would look for just a few seconds and leave, but the sign below caught my eye and dragged me right on over. Happily I found two shirts I really liked for $6.00. She packaged up my bargain shirts like I had paid $100 by wrapping them up in a hot pink bag with tissue paper and pink and black ribbon. That's my kind of shopping!

Then, the serious business of treasure hunting began! I found quite a few goodies and some have already been listed for sale in my Etsy shop. One of my favorites is a Humpty Dumpty head vase from the 50's or 60's. His outfit and bow tie are deliciously retro green, and he was in perfect shape. Until he sells, I have my scissors resting in his chubby self. I won't cry if he doesn't sell, but hopefully someone will have the perfect little spot for him in their home.            

Humpty Dumpty, being an egg and all, reminds me of these egg cups I have in my window sill. I prefer vintage things but if it's new AND quirky, then I can swallow my pride and enjoy it. These little egg cups are not vintage, but have that look to them, don't they? I am using the little lady egg cups to ripen some garden tomatoes. Aren't they funny?

The best part of antiquing was watching my daughter, Daisy, discover what she likes. For her, it's all about cats. She picked up some great old kitty salt and pepper shakers. She is funny in that she will strike a bargain, as she is on a limited budget and earns her own spending money by doing chores. Vendors seemed impressed at her love of vintage and the way she wanted her dollars to stretch. She usually gets a good deal.

Daisy took sewing lessons this summer, and enjoyed it. Don't you love it when one  your children pick up on some of the things you enjoy? Out of five kiddos, she is the one that is most like me... quirky and creative.

Don't get me wrong. I love the differences in myself and all my children. They amaze me with some of the things they are able to do that I am not!