Happy Valentine's Day!

Several months ago, my friend offered me this lovely china cabinet to use in my shop  to display china.    The cabinet belonged to her grandmother and she estimated that it was a least 75 years old.  Her grandmother owned a boarding house in downtown Richmond and used it in her dining room where she served her boarders. When my friend and her son delivered it to me in December, I was so taken by the beauty of the old wavy glass and the charm of the chipped green paint.  My first thought was I'd love to use it in my dining room instead of the shop.  After a few minor repairs, it was so much fun arranging these dishes in this beautiful piece.  They've been tucked away in a cabinet for several years and now I get to enjoy them every day.

It is so special to know the history behind this piece and I'm grateful that my friend wanted to share this gorgeous heirloom with me!

Sand and Snow

A friend offered me the use of her timeshare on the ocean this week.   Not even ten inches of snow in the forecast will keep me from heading to the ocean!  My neighbor and I drove there Monday night so we'd have all day Tuesday to play before the snow started that evening.  We found two great antique malls and had lunch at a beautiful waterfront restaurant.

 

 

Bootsie is the resident kitty at the antique mall.

Eight inches of snow fell Tuesday night and Wednesday morning the beach was beautiful.  This was the view from our ninth floor window.  We stayed in all day and evening and watched movies and read.

 We did invite a few feathered friends over for lunch.

 

 

This was the view from my bedroom this morning. I loved hearing the ocean waves before I went to sleep at night and seeing the sun rise over the water in the morning.  However, all great things come to an end and we had to head home this afternoon.  My corgi girls were glad to see me and it's always nice to get home after a short, relaxing trip. 

 

Have a great weekend!

Sewing Cabinet

I am excited to share this with you! About a month ago I bought this pine cabinet at the flea market for $35.  It was covered with scratches and radio station stickers (obvious work of a bored teen).  I contacted my beautiful friend, Erica, at Tattered Elegance to see if she was available to paint it for me.  I suggested a few colors and the dress form graphics. I knew she would create something I'd love.

 

 

 

 

I am in awe of her talent!  I love everything about my cabinet and had fun putting my notions, etc. in it last night.

 

Have a great weekend.  I'll be visiting my sister and "thrifting" quite a bit.

Happy New Year!

I've spent most of today putting away my Christmas decorations. My house seems sparse and uninviting without all the color and twinkling lights.  

This past Sunday I had all of my extended family for a fun afternoon.  I thought you'd enjoy this picture of my crazy brother (no hair) and cousin (lots of hair) mingling with my carolers on the front porch.

This was a great holiday season for me.  I spent lots of time with my family just having fun.  Early in December my niece spent four days with me.  I spent three days in Williamsburg with friends around the middle of the month.  The Sunday before Christmas I went with my sister and her family on a train trip to New York City. We left on Sunday, saw the holiday show at RCMH that night and came back the next day.  It was a six hour ride to the city but the train was very clean and comfortable.  I can't wait to go back!
 

 

 

New Year's Eve was quiet at my house.  I enjoyed a wonderful dinner with one of my neighbors and then settled in with my corgi girls.  I tried to talk Miss Heidi into staying awake to watch the ball drop with me, but it didn't work!

 

 

My head is  full of thoughts about things I want to accomplish in this new year.  We'll see how that will work out for me. 

 

I hope you enjoyed your holiday and the corgi girls and I wish you a year of good health and fun adventures.

 

Merry Christmas To All...

 

and to all a good night!   Holiday wishes from one exhausted elf grandcat, two corgi girls and me. 

Saying Goodby to a Special Friend

Tod and Hanna

It's never easy to let go even when you know it's for the best.  This morning I had to say goodbye to my nineteen year old male kitty, Tod. His kidneys were shutting down and my vet said it was time to help him to the bridge.   He was the most loving and gentle creature I have ever known.  Until the last few weeks, he was by my side no matter what I was doing.  One of his favorite things was helping me change the sheets on my bed.  It was a game to him.  He loved to get under the fitted sheet and I'd tickle him.

Throughout the years, my pets have been such a joyful blessing to my life and this handsome guy was no exception!

Catching Up!

This has been such a busy month and I finally have a minute to touch base with my blog friends.  I spent the last three days in Williamsburg, VA, with two of my wonderful friends.  Last night we walked around in the historic district and it was so beautiful!  I hope you'll enjoy seeing some of the natural decorations.

The winter garden was beautiful!  The cabbages looked like they were made of silk.

This old world Santa was mingling with the crowd.  I love Williamsburg and especially during the holiday season.

I want to share pictures of some of my decorations soon.  In the meantime, this is my corgi Christmas tree.  It's about 13 inches tall and is made of porcelain.

The corgi in the dog house looks like my precious "Hanna".