JULY 4TH

I don't do a lot of decorating for the holidays with the exception of Christmas.  But, I had to do a couple of things to celebrate the Fourth of July.

SUNFLOWERS FROM THE GARDEN

LUNCH ON THE PORCH

AND, OF COURSE, OLD GLORY

I'll be joining the following blog parties this week:

The Polohouse for Favorites on the First (Monday)

Smiling Sally for Blue Monday

The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday

Maria Elenas Decor for Tuesdays at our Home

Hickory Trail for Efforts and Assets Tuesday

A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday

Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday

Common Ground for Be Inspired Patriotic Party Wed. P.M.

No Minimalist Here for Thursday Open House

Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday

Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special

ORGANIZING BY SHOPPING THE HOUSE

I have ample storage in my kitchen, but I prefer to use it for my dish addiction.  Since I'm not that fond of cooking, food storage is secondary.  However, this cupboard has been driving me crazy lately.

The small jars of spices were hidden behind stuff; and I could never reach the cornstarch without getting my stool.  The grandkids were always scrounging for sprinkles for their ice cream and turning everything topsy-turvy.  STILL, I didn't want to forfeit any of my dish storage.  So, I decided to repurpose this card catalog into spice storage.  It wasn't fully used in the computer room for assorted stuff; so a good clean out, and it was moved to the kitchen.

It is now easier to reach stuff in the cupboard.  That white unit on the top shelf pivots down for easy access. It's always been a lifesaver for this height-challenged person!

 The top two drawers of the card catalog hold the large jars; all alphabetized.

 One of the bottom drawers holds the small jars; and the other is the grandkid drawer with the sprinkles.

So much better!

I'm joining the following parties -- check these out for a plethora of ideas.
The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday

OLD GLORY ANTIQUES FAIR

Last weekend we were off to attend the Old Glory Antiques Fair in Littleton, Colorado to observe the current trends.  

We saw lots of 'fresh from the farm' stuff.

 A good amount of industrial or is this from the farm?  Does anyone know what this apparatus is?

 Lots of crust and rust!

 Industrial carts repurposed into furniture.

 With a little cowboy and chippy paint thrown in!

 Patriotic items.

 And one of the biggest draws -- Ki Nassauer of Flea Market Style graciously signing magazines.

Did I buy anything?  Not at the Antiques Fair; as I had decided to 'shoot my wad' on something I have had my eye on for over a year at one of the Denver antique malls.  I've walked away at least three times without buying it; and decided that if it was still there, today would be the day.

It was there, so this tin picnic basket came home with me.  Since it hadn't sold, that probably means it was over-priced; but I couldn't resist it any longer.  I search for bargains constantly, so I can splurge once in awhile!

Sharing with the following blog parties:
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday
Sunday View for Vintage View Sunday
Cedar Hill Ranch for The Scoop Tuesday
Our Home Away From Home for Tuesdays At Our Home
Hickory Trail for Efforts and Assets Tuesday
Knick of Time for Knick of Time Tuesday

COLORADO ON FIRE AGAIN

Yes, Colorado is on fire again.  The largest of the fires is in the Black Forest area north of Colorado Springs.  This devastating fire has claimed nearly 500 homes and two deaths in the past week to become the state's worst wildfire ever.  It is now 55% contained, and most mandatory evacuations have been lifted.

A devastating wildfire also hit close to home this past week -- The Royal Gorge Fire.  We live in Canon City which is on the eastern edge of the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park.  

The Bridge spans the gorge at 1000 feet above the Arkansas River - a sight to behold! Since 1929, the park had been expanded to include other attractions; and is owned by the City of Canon City.  

The Bridge on opening day in November 1929.
Photo from www.royalgorgebridge.com

The Bridge on a normal beautiful Colorado day.
Photo from www.royalgorgebridge.com

 This past Tuesday, June 11; a wildfire erupted from an unknown cause (at this time).  The picture below shows the front gate as guests and employees were all being safely evacuated.  

Photo from www.dailymail.co.uk

The below picture shows the front gate shortly thereafter.

Photo from www.royalgorgebridge.com

Picture from www.royalgorgebridge.com

The carousel was always a popular attraction for the kids.

Photo from www.royalgorgebridge.com

At this time, it appears the bridge itself has sustained minimum damage.  Engineers will be brought in to survey and ensure that it is safe.

Photo from www.royalgorgebridge.com

Our thoughts and prayers go out to our neighbors to the north who have lost everything.  Here in Canon City no homes or lives were lost; but as a community our heart is temporarily broken.  The Bridge and Park is an icon for us, and the source of considerable tax revenue.  The Bridge employs 200 people during the summer season including the 40 full-time/year-around employees.  The remaining 160 people have lost their summer jobs -- many are high school and college kids.  Both of our kids worked "The Gorge" many summers during high school/college.
The Bridge and Park will be rebuilt -- they are saying 'bigger and better'.  However, the charm that had evolved over the last 84 years is gone forever.  My hope is that the city officials and bridge managers will refrain from turning it into a 'daredevil disneyland'.  May they design the buildings, structures, and attractions to enhance the natural beauty of the gorge, which is truly a gift from God.

In the meantime, life will go on -- the picture below shows the new white bison baby, named Smokey, born just yesterday at the park's wildlife zoo.  All animals in the zoo survived the fire!

Photo from www.royalgorgebridge.com

And, the tourist business on the river has resumed -- the sightseeing train and the river rafting started up again this weekend.  There is still plenty to do here.  Come visit the beauty that is Colorado!!!!

DAY TRIPPING

We've taken a couple of day trips in the last couple of weeks -- both without a camera -- I know, what was I thinking?

The first was to the monthly (in the summer) Paris Street Market in Littleton, a suburb of Denver.  Since we don't need a thing, we go with the idea of checking the trends, observing what other people are buying: and if we just happen to see something inexpensive that catches our eye, we will buy it.

Our only purchase this time was this plaid and leather flask from England for $7.

We didn't really see any new trends emerging - lots of chippy furniture and window frames still being carried out.  We saw mega amounts of repurposing done in the name of art; some repurposed a little too far for our taste!  Always a fun little trip, as we usually meet our son there -- he had just returned from the REAL Paris just a couple of days before; so we got to hear about his trip.

- - - - - - - - - - -

The second day trip was to the mountain town of Rye, Colorado for an estate auction.  The man had been an auction attendee for years, and had stockpiled sheds and sheds of stuff.  The auction company had done an incredible job in sorting out things into over a thousand boxes and containers.  There was some great stuff, along with a lot of junk; but the boxes were going high - over $25 and up for a box.  The property was hilly, dusty, and the sun was unbearable.  If you've ever stood in high-altitude sunshine, you know what I mean.  After a couple of hours, I retreated to the car (I was engrossed in a novel; and remember, I'm not the outdoors type)!  Bob hung around and bought a wire basket of bottles, but there weren't any medicinal amber bottles in the basket -- that's what I'm interested in.  

 This is just a small number of the bottles he got; we'll probably keep the old grocery basket and sell the bottles.

If I had been 40 years younger, $400 richer, and 4000 miles closer to sea-level; it would have been the perfect auction. 

We found a good Mexican food place in Colorado City; and stopped in Pueblo at Barnes and Noble for a couple of new decorating magazines, plus I finished my book on the way home.  All in all, it was a fun day in an unusual way!
---------------
This coming weekend we are headed to the Denver area again to the Old Glory Antiques Fair in Clement Park.  I'll try not to forget my camera this time.

Check out the following blogs for mega inspiration:
Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Knick of Time for Knick of Time Tuesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday

THE TOY TRACTOR AND 'GRANDDAD MAN'

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!

When I was born, my father was hoping for a boy - someone he could teach to farm, hunt, and fish.  Not only did he get a daughter, but he got a girly-girl who never wanted to do anything out-of-doors!!  That didn't stop him from buying me boy toys - consequently this toy tractor and trailer.

  It did come in handy in my child-play.  It was a vehicle I could send the pretend daddy out into the fields to work, so the little mommy-in-me could nurture my baby dolls and and organize my play dishes.

 However, I'm sure my kids and grandkids have played with it far more than I ever did.  My kids named the little figure, 'Granddad Man".  It really did kind of look like my father -- he always wore a hat like that.  'Granddad Man' is detachable, and has a history of getting lost.  I've found him separated from his tractor buried in the sand pile, under the bed, and in an unrelated box in the back of a closet, etc., etc.  He's been known to be MIA for days at a time!

I'm sure my grandkids have thought I was a bit obsessive about keeping 'Granddad Man', the tractor, and the trailer together.
  

After all, it takes a lot of diligence to keep your toys orderly for 70 years! 

This week I'm joining the following:
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday Treasures
Hickory Trail for Efforts and Assets Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Common Ground for Inspire Me Friday
The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday

BURRELL SEED BOX

For years I've been searching for a seed box in my price range -- still no luck.  So when I saw Debra's post on Common Ground about recreating a seed box; I decided now was the time to have my very own.  Check out Debra's post here. Since we are all about "decorating with meaning" at the Salmagundi household, I chose to duplicate what might have been a D. V. Burrell seed box.  I'm not sure that Burrell's ever put out a box; so this is just my interpretation.

This is the Burrell's 114th year of operation and is still owned by the family.  My Grandparents were friends of the original D. V. Burrells, and my parents lived next door to the Delavan Burrells for years.  When I was a child, my Mother worked in the seed company's office for a couple of years; and my Dad, as a farmer, contracted with them to grow plants for seed.  Lots of family association here!

My collage shows some of the type of seeds grown to be shipped all over the world by the Burrells.
When I was a kid, I always loved going for a ride to see all of the zinnia fields in bloom.  Below are a couple of postcards from the 1940-1950s showing zinnia fields.

Among our Rocky Ford collectibles, we have this 1935 Burrell catalog.

And in the stuff I found in my Dad's workshop was this seed bag.

 This 1950s contract was between Burrell's and my Dad to grow watermelons, cantaloupe, and zinnias for the harvest of seeds.

I was the third generation to be born and raised in Rocky Ford,  Colorado, the home of the world famous cantaloupe.  Incidentally, the listeria scare last year were NOT cantaloupes harvested in Rocky Ford.  But, I guess if you use a breed developed in Rocky Ford many years ago, you can call them Rocky Ford cantaloupes.  The farming community in Rocky Ford is struggling anyway because of water issues; and the world-wide publicity about listeria hasn't helped.  Great strides have been made this past year to assure the safety of all cantaloupes shipped directly from Rocky Ford.

Thanks to Debra at Common Ground for spurring me on to create my own reproduction seed box and take a trip down memory lane.  My next post will be the story about the toy tractor.

I'm joining in the following parties:

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

The Dedicated House for Anything Blue Friday

Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special

Sunday View for Vintage View Sunday

Better with Age for Give Me the Goods Monday

A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday

Knick of Time for Knick of Time Tuesday

Vintage on a Dime for Welcome Home Wednesday

No Minimalist Here for Thursday Open House Party