FATHER'S DAY & ANOTHER FISHING EXCURSION

We have decided to try to give the grandkids some experiences this summer that they might not have with their parents. A week or so ago, Bob took Wyatt fishing for the first time at a local pond and to the river. Another trip was in order as Caitlin didn't get to go the first time. So they headed to a reservoir close by. The best part about going on an excursion with Papa is to ride in his 1971 Suburban on bumpy roads - roll down those windows and let your hair fly - no air-conditioned vehicle here!

"I'll enjoy the view, while you untangle the line, Papa!"

Patience is a virtue.

"I'm not very patient - I would rather play in the mud."

"EUWWWWW" - "STINKY" - the dreaded outhouse experience!!

Hope you are all enjoying your summer experiences.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL OF THE PATIENT FATHERS AND GRANDFATHERS OUT THERE!!

Sally

CLOCHE PARTY

Marty at A Stroll Thru Life is hosting a fun event today. It is a cloche party, where everyone can show off their cloches. Be sure to stop by her blog to check out all of the participants.


I've been looking for a cloche to buy for a year now, as I love how clever everyone is in their displays. My problem is that I'm very frugal when it comes to buying something I really don't need (except maybe transferware)! Consequently, I have yet to find a spectacular one for very little money.

Since I wanted to participate today in this grand event, the best I could do is this little glass thingy found at Goodwill for $1. It is only 8" tall by 3" wide, and there is very little that fits in it.

For now, I have tied a ribbon around four generations of baby spoons.

I am so excited to see every one's ideas today at the party, as I sure suffer from extreme cloche envy!!

OUR FRONT COURTYARD

Barb at Grits and Glamour is once again hosting a porch, patio & garden party. Go by her blog to check out the list of all of the participants with their outdoor party spaces.

Recently, I showed you our screened-in back porch. Now, here is a glimpse of our front courtyard. This space is not seen from the street; so when you come up the walk to the front door, this is always a surprise.

This table and chairs belonged to my parents. I've always enjoyed their 1960's style.

Thanks for stopping by,

Sally

PILLOW PONDERINGS!

I've been pondering a lot about decorative pillows recently, as I have grown tired of my 3-year old living room pillows. Here they are in all of their "matchy-matchy" glory.

I dug out all of my old shelter magazines and decorating books, and every evening I pored through them pondering every decorative pillow in sight. I read the fine print about the different fabrics, sizes, and trims. I pondered and pondered. You see when you get older in your retirement years, you have more time than money, so you ponder a lot!

My research has led me to several theories. I have for now discarded the "matchy-matchy" theory. There is also the "collected over time" theory - you know - a new pillow every year from a different source. Along this same idea - the "only bring home something you absolutely love, then it will all go together" theory.

Since I sew and make all of my pillows, I guess I should apply these last two theories using fabric I love and have collected over time. I love the red floral and fruit fabric so much that I ripped apart some old curtains to make these two new pillows. Here are the results of this week's pillow making frenzy. I don't know - they are probably still too 'matchy-matchy'.

I'll live with these for awhile to see how I like them. BUT, I guess I had better start assembling fabrics over a period of time to check out the last theory - "the scientific method". That is a large print, a small print, a solid, and a geometric (a stripe, check, or plaid), all in a color plan. But, of course, I have been told they can't be from the same line of fabrics, as that would be too "matchy-matchy"; PLUS I must love them all dearly. Do you suppose there is a legal number of pillows allowed? Like maybe it is 21, the same as the legal drinking age!

OH, SHEESH, I THINK I PONDER TOO MUCH!

LAZY DAY!

Is there anything more indicative of a lazy summer day than a 7-year old boy out fishing with his grandpapa?

Hope you have a lazy summer day to enjoy!!

Edited to add: To answer your questions about the rescue boat - we have a lot of rafting on our stretch of the river, so we have quite an active search and rescue team. The day that Wyatt and Papa were fishing, the team was just on a training mission. No problem - Wyatt just loved watching them at practice.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON AUCTION

Susan at A Southern Daydreamer
is hosting Outdoor Wednesday. Be sure to check out her blog for a list of the other participants in this event. I thought I would take you on a short trip to the Colorado mountains for an afternoon outdoors. Not the usual hiking, camping type of trip as I'm just not that outdoors kind of soul!!

We heard about an auction in a small mountain town close to where we live. So, after church on a recent Sunday, we thought we had better check it out and headed up the mountain.

And I thought we have a lot of junk. The auctioneer in the black hat was selling stuff right and left!

How about an old bathtub?

Maybe, you need a window or door for your cabin! The whole pile of windows sold for $1.

A buckboard to drive to town!

A washing machine!!

The facilities?? Yes, the only restroom around was an outhouse.

I'll take the hint! Guess we better leave.

Of course, the scenery is always beautiful in the Colorado Rockies.

It's starting to rain - time to take the road to home!!

Thanks for going on our Sunday afternoon excursion with us,
Sally

MET MONDAY IN THE WORKSHOP!

Once again, thanks to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for hosting Metamorphosis Monday. It is a chance for us to show off our before and after pictures. Please go by Susan's charming blog to view the other participants this week.

My husband Bob's favorite thing to do is to putz around in his workshop, aka as The Garage. Now that summer is here and he is off for the summer from substitute teaching, you can find him either in the garden or the workshop.

He loves to find furniture in REALLY bad shape, and bring it back to life. On a recent trip, he won this little cupboard at auction for $4. We have no idea what its former use was, but the bottom shelf was charred and falling apart. And what was the purpose of the three holes in the back?

The front doors don't close properly, the face board is warped, and it has a very ugly paint job.

See that mallet laying there - that means Bob is about to break this cupboard down to its parts.

And, here is the finished project. It is off to the consignment store to be sold.

Someone recently gave Bob three chairs that were almost

in pieces.

There were enough good pieces to make two chairs.


These chairs are oak, very sturdy with an unusual floral applique on the backs.

We reupholstered the seats, and the consignment store has already sold them.

Not bad for cheap!! All you need is a handy, dandy husband! I've enjoyed the benefits of his talents for 50+ years. And, no, HE isn't for sale.

STIMULATING THE ECONOMY WITH TRANSFERWARE!

You all know of my obsession with 19th century Aesthetic period brown transferware. Well, I've had my eye on this little tureen for way over two years at a local antique mall. I've visited it many, many times always thinking it was way too much money! During a period of about two months the tureen was missing, but then it magically reappeared.

I'm on Social Security so was eligible to receive the government's gift (?) of $250 stimulus money. I decided that when the check arrived, I would do my part to stimulate the economy by buying the tureen! Isn't it a beauty?

Most of my stimulus money is still unspent. Guess I had better save it for my grandchildren - they will need it when they inherit our national debt!!!!!

Thanks for stopping by,
Sally