BIRTHDAY AND V-DAY WITH THE BEAUTY AND THE CUTIE

The grandkids and our daughter stopped by after school today for a short visit to celebrate Wyatt's 12th birthday and   Valentine's Day with us.  Of course, there were birthday presents for Wyatt and V-Day presents for both the beauty and the cutie.

We had cake and ice cream with Wyatt's favorite blackberry sauce made with blackberries from his and Papa's patch. 

They had to hurry off as Wyatt had basketball practice tonight. Our Saturdays are now filled with 6th grade basketball games, and it sure is fun to watch him play!

Look at him -- he's almost as tall as his 17 year old sister (who is tall!!)  What happened to our tiny Valentine baby?  Guess I do know -- he's eating us all out of house and home!

Happy Birthday, Wyatt!  Plus, Happy V-Day to both of our heart tuggers, Caitlin and Wyatt.

I've had this picture of them at the very bottom of my side bar since I started this blog in 2008.  Love this picture -- she's holding his hand so he wouldn't go into the river.  Tugs at my heart every time!

MY VALENTINES

GRANDCHILDREN ARE THE REWARD FOR SURVIVING PARENTHOOD.  Here are our rewards - the best Valentines ever.

First, The Beauty --

Then, The Cutie --

Our Valentine baby turns 11.  We had the family celebration this past weekend.  Needed to spread the treats out a little with a birthday party and a Valentine party at school, plus Wednesday night youth at church.  That's a lot of sugar going down!!

Caitlin and Wyatt, you will always be the sweetest treat ever.

THIS, THAT, AND THE OTHER

 It has been awhile since I posted about the activity in the Salmagundi workshop (Bob's garage!).  Above, is a picture of a clock given to us by good friends to either keep or sell.  It required a little cleanup in the workshop plus a trip to the clock repair shop for cleaning and adjustment of the clock workings.  It is over 100 years old and is from Germany, but has French workings.  The face and pendulum is beautiful copper and engraved with wonderful Art Nouveau designs; and it has the most mellow chime on the hour and half-hour.  Needless to say, it is a keeper and currently hanging in our living room.  Bob, also, restored an organ stool, a sewing table, and a mirror; then sold them for these friends.  Somehow, we missed photographing those items.  From the same friends came this oak hall beveled mirror.  It just needed some cleaning and the mirror secured.

 It has these great hooks, and is hanging in our guest room.

 I don't know if I have shown this hanger from Paris before, but it was a great find at an estate sale.  We haven't stayed at the Grand Hotel, but have stayed in the Saint Lazare area of Paris before.

Below is an Estey child's organ brought in by a woman wanting the case restored.  After doing some research, we found out that this black & gold finish was original, but beyond repair as shown in the first collage.

So, Bob was able to recreate the original finish and repair the pedals for her.

Last Fall, Bob found this set of original Thonet chairs at a yard sale.  He finally finished them up this past week after taking each one completely apart, regluing, and restoring the finish.

They are currently at the consignment shop for resale.

This was another Fall project -- an old record player cabinet.

And now, repurposed as a great storage piece.  We don't often choose to paint furniture.  It seems in our small rural and mountain community that natural wood sells better.  However, this piece sold right away, so we may try more painted finishes as we find some suitable projects.

A before shot of this cedar chest escaped us; but the chest finished up really nice as shown below and sold immediately.

And, FINALLY, Happy Valentine's Day to our favorite heart tuggers (AKA the grandchildren).  Caitlin & Wyatt, you make everyday special.

Also, Happy l0th Birthday, Wyatt.  You were the best Valentine present, EVER.

I'll be joining the following parties this week.  Please visit these blogs to check out all of the inspiration offered.

Between Naps on the Porch for Met Monday

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday Treasures

Restore Interiors for Restored it Wednesday

The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursday

Miss Mustard Seed for Furniture Feature Friday

MY HEART TUGGERS!

Hello everyone! I'm not back to regular blogging yet, as I still don't have a new camera. Progress is being made in that direction, however. The weather here in Colorado has been cold and snowy, and I LOVE it. Warm and toasty inside, and beautiful outside - our mountains are glorious right now.

I'm stopping by as I just didn't want to miss the opportunity to wish my Valentine boy a happy 9th birthday. With those freckles and imagination, Wyatt, you tug at my heart every day!

And, a Happy Valentine's Day to my other heart tugger - Miss Caitlin!

Grandchildren are the BEST Valentines in the world!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO ALL OF YOU, TOO!

BIRTHDAY BOY!

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY TO THE BEST VALENTINE PRESENT EVER!

Wyatt, you have completely stolen our hearts.
Love from Grammy and Papa

BIRTHDAY AND VALENTINE WISHES!!

Wyatt, you stole our hearts from the beginning. And now, our 2002 Valentine baby has grown into such a sweetheart! Those adorable freckles and your playful spirit are impossible to resist. HAPPY 7th BIRTHDAY!!

And, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to both Caitlin and Wyatt. Because of you two, our hearts are full and overflowing. You are so much fun to have around.

Love from Grammy and Papa

AND TO ALL OF YOU IN BLOGLAND, MAY YOU HAVE A HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY SPENT WITH YOUR LOVED ONES!!!