WEIGHTY MATTERS

I see these American Family Kitchen Scales all over blogland.  Plus, there is a plethora of them on google images, ebay, and pinterest.  Judging on the numbers that have survived, every housewife in the mid-20th century must have had one in her kitchen!

What am I missing here?  I've been married (and cooking) for almost 55 years, and have never had a need to weigh anything in my kitchen.

I don't have a clue what everyone was weighing?
So, why do I have one of these scales?  Several years ago when my Mother-in-law was downsizing, Bob brought this scale home to me.  Evidently my Mother-in-law was through weighing whatever it was that she was weighing!  Now what was I suppose to weigh?
Cans of tomatoes?  It already says on the can what they weigh.   So, that wasn't it!

This one is a lovely shade of green -- some call it Jadite green. In the quilt world, we call it "THAT" green indicative of the 
shade of green fabric often used in 1930s quilts.

Maybe when I was young, I should have invested my change in American Family Scale Company -- then now I would be a millionaire, and could buy vintage kitchen scales and have a true collection. 

These scales really are rather endearing though, aren't they? 

 In the meantime, I'm still trying to figure out what to weigh on mine.

I'm joining the following parties:
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks
Creative Home Expressions for The Creative Home and Garden Hop Sunday
Sunday View for Vintage View Sunday
Creatively Living for Monday Funday
Better With Age for Give Me The Goods Monday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Knick of Time for Knick of Time Vintage Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday

HIBERNATION SEASON

When it gets over 80 degrees on a daily basis, I go into hibernation.

Spending most of my time in the house -- reading or just putzing around! 

 I'm just not fond of being hot and invaded by bugs.

 I even try to avoid going out to shop or junk hunt!

 I did step outside this morning to take these pictures of the cottage garden at the front of our house.

 I'm back inside now -- please let me know when it is September!

Thankfully, our flower and vegetable gardens are lovingly cared for by my husband.

I'm joining the following parties:
Pieced Pastimes for Saturday Sparks
Creative Home Expressions for The Creative Home and Garden Hop Sunday
Three Mango Seeds for It's Party Time Sunday
Creatively Living for Monday Funday
The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday
Hickory Trail for Efforts and Assets Tuesday
Our Home Away from Home for Tuesdays at our Home
A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday
No Minimalist Here for Thursday Open House
The Polohouse for Favorites on the First

AN AMAZING SUNFLOWER AND A BLOG ANNIVERSARY

 We have this amazing sunflower growing in our vegetable garden that just keeps reaching for the sky.  We don't know how it got there -- it is not in our regular sunflower patch that is on the other side of the yard; plus it is twice as big as those plants.  Some bird must have done his magic and transplanted the seed last summer.

I had our rather tall granddaughter, Caitlin, stand by it so you could see just how magical it is!!

I have a blog anniversary coming up in a week or so.  In the past, I haven't mentioned blog anniversaries; but five years seems rather momentous in the blog world.  

My blog is rather simple -- no web designer, no sponsors, no branding consultant, no income -- just a disparate assembly of things, ideas, and people that are important to us and the way we live.  What you see is what you get! I began blogging in July 2008 as a way to journal our lifestyle and document our ancestor's belongings for our kids, grandkids, and their descendants. (I'm not sure they will be interested down the line, but just in case!)  I had no idea I had this much to say; and that I would still be blogging five years later.  My posts are far from thought provoking or sometimes are not even well thought out; but I hope it comes through just how much I love God, my family, and my home!

We all blog for different reasons.  My reason was strictly for my personal enjoyment; and I'm sure not always of public interest. I'm just not into  'growing my blog' or making money from it.  I'm retired -- and tired of thinking about money, accomplishments, ambition, etc. etc. and all that accompanies those efforts.  I've considered making my blog private, or a 'no comment' blog, or not joining in the blog parties held each week.  But frankly, I've really enjoyed the interaction I've had with other bloggers -- something that was unexpected on my part. Thanks to all of you.

 Will I continue to blog and for how long?  I don't have a clue.  As long as I enjoy it, and have something to say that I think my descendants would be interested in; I suppose I will..  And hopefully, whoever reads my blog will also find something interesting about our lifestyle and the people and things that inhabit our home. 

So, for now, I'll continue to party on--

The Heart of Your Home for Amaze Me Monday

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday Treasures

A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday

Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday

Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

DETAIL TOUR - LIVING ROOM

One of my favorite decorating book authors is Mary Carol Garrity of Nell Hill's fame.  I'm not sure how many books she has written -- I have seven different ones, but my favorite is probably "Feather Your Nest"(2007).  She writes about developing your own style with suggestions for building blocks to realize that personal sanctuary called home.  The sub title of the book is "It's All in the Details" suggesting that it's the details that bring your home to life and tell the story of those who live within!

Here are some of the details from our living room.

Do our details give clues of who we are?

I'm linking up with the following blogs -- check them out for lots of inspiration.

Sunday View for Vintage View Sunday

 Better with Age for Give Me the Goods Monday

The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday

Cedar Hill Ranch for The Scoop Tuesday

A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday

The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursday

Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday

Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

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!!!!