CATALPAS AND OTHER JUNE DELIGHTS

The catalpa trees throughout our town are especially glorious this June.

We planted this one in our backyard 20 years ago as a tiny tree -- they grow fast!

The blossoms look like popcorn exploded.

And, June in Colorado means the roses are prolific before the dry, summer heat takes over.

Flag Day was celebrated June 14th, but every day is flag day around our household.

Hope June is a month of many blessings around your house!

PRE-HOLIDAY RANDOMNESS ---

We're gearing up for the November and December holidays around the Salmagundi household.

1.  The last rose of summer -- there is something so vibrant about the last roses of the season.  Evidently, this buggy-leaf-thing thought so, also.  We've finally had a hard freeze; rather late for this part of the country.

2.  The house is a mess.  Bob is doing some long over-due maintenance painting.  We have a long hall with many doors and woodwork to be done.  In the process, we're starting to clean and clear out stuff to make room for the Christmas explosion.

3.  We have two family birthdays before Thanksgiving and one between Thanksgiving and Christmas to add to the festivities.

Our daughter's birthday is this week.  She is in her 10th year of being free from Stage 4 brain cancer -- a real miracle!  She has struggled with the results of the surgery, the effects of all of the radiation and chemo; so she endures a lot but continues on with such a cheerful attitude.  Each birthday is a special gift.

Happy Birthday, Jenni!

SILVER AND ROSES

 Last weekend we went to a great estate sale -- that is, the antiques were great; just not the prices.  The stuff was all probably worth the asking price, but were not in our range at all.

The only thing I bought was this little 5" silver vase.  I found it out in one of the sheds with junk -- that is probably why it was marked $4.  I wanted to pay $2, but prices were firm!

I love the Greek key design and the 'loving cup' handles; and thought it will be handy to use for little bunches of posies from the garden this summer.

 Our rose bushes are covered with buds and just beginning to bloom; which is about a month early for our region of the country.    

Cold weather is in the forecast for tomorrow -- hope they don't get frostbitten!

Check out the following blog parties this week for lots of summer inspiration.

Southern Hospitality for Thrifty Treasures Monday

Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday

From My Front Porch to Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday

White Ironstone Cottage for Treasure Chest Friday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

VINTAGE THINGIES THURSDAY

As a child I was so thrilled when I learned to read. My Mother always read a lot; so I figured you were all grown up when you could read by yourself!

We went to the local library every week, plus my parents always gave me books as presents for my birthday and Christmas. Below are three of my favorites from my childhood. They all have copyright dates from the early 1940s, and two of them still have the price of $1.25 written in pencil on the inside cover.

Hansel and Gretel was a favorite not necessarily because of the story, but because the illustrations were so colorful and they had moving parts - an early pop-up book.

I loved my "The Story of Jesus" book because my Grandmother was always reading her bible and telling me stories from it. This way I could read about Jesus all by myself.

And finally -- "Sally Goes Shopping Alone"! I loved shopping with my Mother, so what little girl named Sally wouldn't have loved a book that seemed to be written just for her. I was definitely a 'shopper-in-training'!!

Suzanne at Colorado Lady is hosting Vintage Thingies Thursday today. Please check out her blog for a list of the participants showing off their vintage things.

And finally, we have had our heavy freeze in Colorado and the flowers are all gone for another season. I rushed out the night before in the dark and picked these. "The last roses of summer" are always so intense in color and as huge as a dinner plate.