The Princess needs a cure

My oldest granddaughter just turned four. What a wonderful age.. this is the time in her life she can imagine and believe she can be anybody or anything. Her current goal is to be Rapunzel.. She told her Mom she had to have a "Rapunzel" birthday party.. (Her "Pops" and I had recently taken her to see the movie Tangled). Disney movies start a whole new identity for her most of the time. Since I do a lot of sewing, I got the bright idea to make her a Rapunzel costume for her party... just to make sure could get into character.. (you know how that works). The party was magical for her.... I really think she thought she was Rapunzel. As a matter of fact we were instructed to call her by her name "Rapunzel." She refused to wear shoes... "didn't you know the Princess does not wear shoes?" My bad.

It was a lot of work but so worth it to see the joy on her face when she saw the costume.. four year old's are such grateful littles...

And oh yeah, I managed to fit a Belle  into the week.. she loved both of them.. .
 but.. Rapunzel won out.. it was her favorite..

Our little princess had such a wonderful birthday this year.. it will be something I never forget.. such a change from last year.. we never know what year to year is going to bring around here.. last year she was sick and  hospitalized for two weeks her birthday party.. my dear little granddaughter has Cystic Fibrosis (a life threatening genetic disease that affects the lungs and other organs).. so I was more than happy to spend the whole week this year sewing for her so that she could be the Princess on her day..

 In April we will be walking to raise money for a cure in the Great Strides Walk. Please join me in finding a cure ....   My dream is to see her healthy .. Rapunzel needs a cure! 

You can learn more about Cystic Fibrosis at:

http://www.cff.org/AboutCF/

Thrift store trip

So I thought about quiting this blogging thing, but then I found out oldest granddaugther (4 today by the way) likes to look at my pics on the blog.. so heres to you sweet girl. I guess I will keep at it for a while since I know at least one person is following..
I went on a venture to the local thrift store before Christmas.. my sister in law is always talking about the great deals she can find.... and.. some other bloggers do a wonderful job at finding great things for their homes.. so I thought I would give it a shot.. What a wonderful first try I had, I scored as a matter of fact. .

Four whole bucks!!! I love it.

These guys were $ 3  for the short one and $4 for the taller?? go figure but they are really cute in the guest bedroom.

 China bowl (that actually matches my serving pieces) I really don't think this was ever used.. I paid $4 for this piece..

And my very favorite find!!! This was a little more at $15 but...

I know the canvas is pulled and the frame is chipped but I just love it!

So needless to say I have been back several times since.. and... NOTHING. Oh well, I will keep trying.

Oh yeah, can't wait to share my lastest finds on ebay.

Have a great weekend. 

Final post for Christmas

Today I finally unpacked our most treasured decorations. These are gifts that have been given to us from our family some who are no longer with us...  I am honored they shared their love of Christmas with us.    

This china was passed down from my husband's Aunt..  I adore it!



dessert plate

Two sets of cups



I added a thrift store tea pitcher to the set. I paid a whole $3.00 for it this week. Gotta love that!

   These cups are simple... but take a look inside.

cute huh?

Looks so much like a story book illustration.

The table

Another gift from my cousin.. doesn't she have the most gorgeous face? Thank you Connie.. The green china is from my father in law.. I will do some pics of it later.. I love it.. good story behind the gift.


Made by Connie Tognoli




One of the original.. I like him better than the new guys.



Painted in 1977. She is so beautiful to me.

Well that are my post for Christmas.. I am waiting for my second new granddaughter in as little as two weeks. Hopefully I will soon be too busy rocking to post for a while..  Have a great weekend!

Santa's here y'all!

Wanted to get some pics of my favorite Santa's.. I love this blog thing, it's like a photo album but fun.. No one is forced to look at pics but they are there if you want to take a look.. I hope you enjoy these guys as much as I do.

This Santa was a ceramic project that I painted in the 70's. He needs some touch ups but I don't have the heart to alter him.  I still can't believe I painted him although I think I remember writing colors on him in pencil to replicate the display.. guess that would pretty much verify I am not an artist




Dear Santa

 

  

This guy is lovely to me. A local man (Newton Prince) acutally carved this santa and sold them.. he is made from the mold of the original carving. It is dated 1987.

Another look..

This one is a knockoff of an original somewhere.. I loved his green outfit.. from the 90's  

To cold for no shoes

This guy is holding his shoes and is barefoot. A gift from sister in law, thanks Rhonda. (Dept 56)

 

Don't these look like brother Santa's?

Birthday Present this year.. (Mark Roberts)

A handcrafted gift from doll artist and my talented cousin Connie Tognoli. She made him expecially for me.. can you tell I like to sew?

Santa is everywhere .. hubby and I went thru the dive thru at Mc'D's on Sunday with our four year old granddaughter and guess who was in the Buick in front of us? You guessed it, SANTA... oh course sweetie girl wanted to know why Santa was not on his sleigh.   

Decorating for Christmas

So I finally made some progress in decorating for Christmas. The kitchen is done. I started decorating a tree for the kitchen when my oldest granddaughter was two. I had always wanted to have a tree in the kitchen with sweets. Grandchildren have given me the incentive to do some things I have put off for years. What a wonderful memory this will be for her one day. The baker..
(from Khols)

I love these glass ornaments of candy.. We lost a few last year..

Cute isn't he?

I wrote a note on the bottom of this one for my granddaughter documenting the first Christmas we baked together. 

The Pillsbury dough boy! I love his shaker.

Another baker (again from Khols) got him 1/2 off. Gotta love that 

My latest Santa, found at Home Goods this year.. love the vintage look

View of my hutch.. Pottery went up when the grands came along. The evil looking Santa has been around for over 16 years.I painted this one over 10 years ago

Closeup of the pottery.. I love it because my husband has bought it for me on trips.

Find at Crate and Barrel is perfect for the tree.. the table runner I usually make but for 12.95 at Home Goods I decided to pass all that work.  

Thanks for the visit. 

Thanksgiving & Green Stamps

• Just one little pic of the table at Thanksgiving.. not much but pretty good for the day my daughter came home from the hospital after a c-section. The glasses were a find in my own attic.. I bought them w/ green stamps, yes anyone remember green stamps?

Yum Fall!

Yum!

So my daughters and I start the fall season every year by making pumpkin bread. I made it using a variation of a recipe I have had since the 70's. I think it turned out delicious and moist. It is an easy recipe and makes two loaves. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Bread

Pre heat oven to 350

1 can pumpkin
4 eggs
1 cup veg oil
2/3 cups of water
3 1/2 cups of self rising flour
3 cups of sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 teap nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 allspice
1/2 tsp cloves

Mix pumpkin, eggs, oil, water and sugar until mixed. Wisk together dry ingredients. Add dry ingredients to wet mixture slowly until well mixed. Do not over beat.  Spray pan two loaf pans with non stick spray and sprinkle with granulated sugar. Bake for 50 mins until center comes out clean when toothpick inserted.