Hot as Heck

 It's been tropical here in the Midwest.  Hot, sweltering days, late day thundershowers.  Even when we get up early to walk, the humidity is soupy.

Saturday, we never moved moved from the house.  We took lazy to a new level.  Never even opened the curtains.  By the evening, thunderstorms kept us in and I was walking around the house, up and down the stairs just to get some blood flowing.

We got out for a while this weekend. Sunday we packed a  small cooler with water and hopped into the truck.  We were almost alone on the roads and the thrift.  I was happy to find this wallet.  I have the one with the same pattern, but it is worn and soiled.  It feels good to change out he old for the new.  Vera Bradley thinks of everything...

 even the shoulder cord snaps off.

 It is brand new though the pattern is over 10 years old.

 I also found this platter.  When I make my cookie trays at Christmas, this will be perfect.

Pottery Barn...$4.99.

 Here is a small vignette using all thrifted items.   ( Subconsciously going through  silver phase.)

Several weeks ago I showed the fresh flowers from Elizabeth.  Now the are all dry and ready for crafting.

In the news, English Valley style...I GOT MY DRESS! The dresses I ordered from Macy's.com arrived. I bought two sizes, and tried on the smaller of the two and it fit perfectly.  It looked good, and if you know me, that is not something you will hear from me often.  It's such a relief to have this taken care of.  In a bit of serendipity, my dear pal Jean sent me a necklace and earrings a while back.  She is generous to a fault and always thinking about me. One of her girls got them and were not able to use for their family's recent wedding.   I thought when I received them I would ask one of my girls if they were interested.  Once I got my dress, I found the necklace and earring are the perfect touch to class up this grandma.  Another check on the endless list of shower, rehearsal dinner, wedding things to do. Thank you Jean!

I have been working on items for the shower.  I will show all after the event later this summer.  I am not squandering my time during this heat wave, and have actually done most of the things I need to do.  I've made centerpieces, decorations, favors and tried to do things budget minded.  Time is flying and I am ready...well not quite, but I will be.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy this beautiful day.

Summer Travels

 We went to a rummage sale in a nearby town.  A town we drive through on the main road but never venture into.  When  I saw the signs for a rummage sale, we went on an "explore" and found the town to be charming  and old. I found a few things at the sale for our babygrand and a depression glass bowl for me.  This building in the town is so cool.  Was it a post office?  A store?  I need to do a little research and get back to you.

 On Saturday we went to Blumen Gardens in Sycamore, Illinois.  We had visited once before when Jon and Charlotte were searching for a wedding venue.  I took this photo of a" kind old man",against this beautiful old door. ( That's what our Penny called Grandpa during our last visit.;-) Grandpa loved it!

 Is there any flower more old fashioned than a single hollyhock?  I remember my Buscia planting them, and my brother Larry and I using them when we played farmers market as 5 and 6 year olds.

 The flowers are tissue thin and the seed pods hold many tiny black seeds. I need to have them in my garden again.

 The grounds sure looked different from our last visit in the very early spring. Everything was green and lush.  A perfect vignette at every turn.

 A romantic setting, cool and inviting.

 The weathered wood, old signage, pots and plants galore!

 Inside the weathered building, so many beautiful things...I love the look of the blue glass in the window.  I need wider windowsills at home.  Every window would have a blue jar or two or three.

 These delicate banners came in all the letters of the alphabet.  It gave me an idea to use vintage hankies with sticker letters for a party or event.  So very pretty.

The windows!  I think I photographed them all.  

I have more photos for another day, of the factory, a large amazing store filled with treasures right next store to the gardens!

How is your summer going my friends?  Ours has been interesting.  We have been making summer memories with our girl, preparations for a shower and a wedding that is less than 100 days away! 

On a personal note... I think I found a dress!  I hate to shop for clothes. (especially in an underwire bra and spanxs!)  I found a dress on line and ordered it in two sizes.  Now in the comfort of my own dressing room, I will spare myself the misery of the in store dressing room.  I hope this will be the one.   My girls all like it, and a certain guy does too. My guy is going to look so darn good too. We went all out and got some sweet clothes and shoes for my sweetheart. (No tuxes, it's a barn wedding)  This 61 year old grandma still wants to look like me for the wedding of my darling son Jon.   I have never been much for makeup,  At my own wedding, 40 years ago, I washed and dried my long straight hair, a friend plucked my eyebrows, I put on mascara, blush and lip gloss. That's my MO to this day.  Except for the eyebrows that I have to LIGHTLY pencil in. I will wear my hair up and hopefully have a good hair day.  Seriously when Charlotte arrives looking all gorgeous and magical, Jon looking so handsome and proud, Kristen and Penny all dressed and splendid, who cares what grandma wears. I really need to be comfortable, or as comfortable as you can be in spanxs! LOL

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy this beautiful day.

...and a basket of baby's breath!

 Here is the said basket.  My one thrifting photo of the post.  We found the basket at a thrift  in Port Washington, Wisconsin.  Just minutes away from Lake Michigan, with a million dollar view of the Lake to boot.  Anyway the basket was marked $5.99 but was included in a 25% off sale!  I have always admired the photos in magazines of a large basket just like this filled with baby's breath, but never imagined having enough to fill such a large basket...
I'll explain how I had enough to fill several large baskets...  

 We have been taking day trips as my husband's schedule allows.  I love a long drive but I also like sleeping in my own bed.  Milwaukee is our neighbor to the north, and we pass it each time we head to Mequon. 

 I have no idea what this impressive building holds.

 I know exactly what this building holds...beer!

 The Lake calls to us over and over, I never get tired of walking her beaches or sitting on her shore.  Since we recently had our truck repaired, we are happy wanderers again.

 Back to the baby's breath.  A lovely young lady Kelly, daughter of my dear friend Jean got married to her handsome Mike over the weekend.  I volunteered to help with the centerpieces, and enlisted my beautiful SIL Elizabeth to help.  (I am smart enough to know when I am in over my head, and Elizabeth works at a florist and is an amazing floral designer,)

 I set us us on the deck and for a couple of hours we played with flowers!

 This is our sample made by Jean.

 Here is the mysterious Elizabeth making bouquets with flowers from my garden.  We had such a great time making the bunches of baby's breath for the tables as hubby filled the mason jars with submersible lights and glass beads.  My dearest and I set up the centerpieces that afternoon at the amazing venue,

Rustic charm...

  a perfect couple

 a beautiful, magical venue...

 the table numbers, framed botanicals from Germany. It was a happy and love fulled  wedding. So many lovely personal touches. I was honored to be a small part of it.

 My favorite wedding guest...

and his adoring wife. (I was trying to look angelic ;-)

Thanks for stopping by and for your friendship.  Happy summer, we are just getting started!  Enjoy this beautiful day.

The Door Into Summer

 A view through the bittersweet arbor. Summer is in full bloom.

Taking the traditional road trips.  This to Galena, IL.  A beautiful drive down Route 20.  America the Beautiful indeed!

 So many memories on this street.  We came the first time when our Mike was just a tyke;-)

 The July 4th weekend was filled with fireworks and fun, concluded with a big family cookout. 

 We also celebrated out baby bird's 8th birthday!  I have to find a more grownup name for her here.  She is the big sister of two now! Still so special to me.

 Always time for a walk on the beach, to clear our heads and just be.

I love this life and the partner I share it with.  I love the long days and the cool nights we've been having.  Grateful for a loving family,  kids I adore, my babygrand...the sunshine in my life and a new baby to kiss repeatedly! Life is good.

Thank you, Amen!

Enjoy this beautiful day.  Penny