California in July, 2009

This is my new favorite picture of my grandson, Brandt, taken after a day at the beach in July, 2009. Apparently he is going to have a bad hair afternoon/night!
I just love this little guy to pieces.

Summer fun 1920's style!

I posted these photos on my Shades of Inspiration group and I thought that I would also blog about them. My mother is on the extreme right (short one with the left arm up) and she, along with her bathing beauty friends, seems to be enjoying the water and some summer fun. She was born in 1914 and she will be 95 years old on September 4.My mother is the first one in this line of pretty ladies relaxing near the water on a hot summer day. I'm guessing this photo was taken in the late 1920's in Rockford, IL.
Goodness gracious!!!! So this was the style and fashion of the 20's....we have come a long way. My mother is in the second row on the right posing with her friends on a hot summer day in northern Illinois. I'm so glad that my mother saved these vintage photos because my grandchildren will have so many visual reminders of their ancestors.

It's the little things

WOW! I can't believe it's been so long since I've actually blogged about something even if it's a little thing. I'm in the midst of planning, organizing and shopping for my daughter's baby shower. Since it's been so miserably hot out, I haven't felt like venturing into the car to drive around from store to store to get some of the stuff that I need...and I need a lot. Many of the ideas are still swimming around in what is left of my brain, and some ideas have actually taken shape. I was at my computer until around 3 AM working on two ideas for the shower. I'm not going to be specific about any details because my daughter and other invited guests read my blog and I want the theme and details to be a surprise. Diana and Robin, only 1 of my "hints" actually made it to the semi-completed stage!!

I've also been working on "Brandt's Big Brother Bucket". I don't want Brandt, my grandson, to feel left out when his sister arrives, so I'm putting together some puzzles, games, and 2 Wiggles videos to keep him busy during the initial flurry of newborn activity. Speaking of "Wiggles", my daughter and I took Brandt to see their show on Monday afternoon when it was 114 degrees in Phoenix. We had to walk back to the car which was about a block and a half away from the Dodge Theater (my daughter dropped us off in front of the theater before the show). It was miserable and Karen was worried about Brandt getting overheated. We managed to get on the freeway (took forever) and we drove back to Chandler where I live. We stopped to get cold water and I took Brandt's shirt off only to have him get upset because he wanted it on!!! It was a nice show and Brandt had fun, but the heat outside was awful. I told my daughter that we will never plan anything like this again in July or August.

So between the baby shower and Brandt's bucket, I've been pretty busy. Since the baby shower is only a few weeks away, I've decided to make it my priority....DUH. Brand't bucket can wait until October when the baby is born.....oh, I also have to plan my mother's 95th birthday party which is September 4th. Lord, give me strength.

PUMPKINS!!!!!!

OK, I'm totally shocked as of today! I was shopping in Michael's when I turned a corner and saw an entire display of PUMPKINS in all shapes, sizes and colors! I immediately called my daughter to tell her about the display, and she said that the Hallmark store where she works will put their Halloween things on display in two weeks! It's the end of June for heaven's sake! ! ! I continued down the "pumpkin" aisle and saw orange, gold, red, and brown mums and other Fall flowers. I also saw bats, ghosts, ravens, and other things for Halloween and the Fall harvest. Maybe it's because I live in the Arizona desert and it is 500 degrees outside today.....perhaps I feel like the whole pumpkin display is a dangling carrot so to speak reminding me that there is cooler weather at the end of our hot, miserable tunnel of a summer. That is if we survive the summer!
Oh, I forgot to mention the arch of Christmas wreath garland that I passed under on my way down another aisle...............Enough already!
Is it just me???????????????

Pink Saturday

Welcome to another Pink Saturday hosted by Beverly at How Sweet the Sound. Please click on the "Pink Saturday" button in the right sidebar so you can visit other delightfully pink photos.

My first photo is of pink baby booties and pink rattles for a baby girl. We just found out that my daughter is having a baby girl in October and we are thrilled. The new baby will join our precious grandson in making us two very happy and proud grandparents. The safety pin, the clothes pin, the Care Bear and block were my daughter's playthings when she was a baby 29 years ago!!! The booties are new.
I'm not sure where this mini pitcher and swan came from but they have been around for a long time. I think that my grandmother had a swan like this but I'm not sure. I just remember these being in our house for many years.

This Marie Antoinette shoe has also been around forever. My mother brought it with her when we moved to Phoenix in 1962. One of my aunts might have given it to my mom, but I'm not sure. It is prettier than the picture...my camera is not the best. The pink flowers on the toe of the shoe are so delicate and pretty not to mention the inside of the shoe itself.
Thank you for visiting today and have a peaceful and wonderful weekend.

Friday's Favorite Family Foto

Welcome to Friday's Favorite Family Foto hosted by Deborah at Pictures, Pots, and Pens. Click on the "Photos" link in the right sidebar to visit other photo contributions.

YUMMY CHOCOLATE DIRTY FACES

The first photo is of me licking the bowl after my mother mixed a chocolate cake. This photo is from the 50's and it was taken in our kitchen when I lived in Rockford, IL. I guess back then little girls wore dresses more often than they do today....looks like mine is covered with an apron to keep it clean.

This next photo is of my daughter, Karen, licking chocolate off of a plastic knife as she frosts a cupcake. This was taken when she was 4 in 1984, and she is sitting on my mom and dad's kitchen table.

This next photo is of Karen at the age of 2 after she had eaten a piece of chocolate cake. It must have been a delicious piece of cake judging from the messy face!
This final photo is of my grandson, Karen's son, as he is "helping" his mom make a birthday cake for his dad. Brandt comes from a long line of chocolate lovers and cake batter "eaters"!
I just love his face as he savors the wonderful taste of CHOCOLATE! Yummy, Yummy

Pink Saturday

Happy Pink Saturday to all of you and thank you, Beverly, for once again hosting such a wonderful celebration.

My first photo is of a plate with delicate pink flowers that I bought at a yard sale for $1.00 last Saturday. When I found this plate, it immediately reminded me of the pretty box that sits on top of it. I purchased the gold-trimmed, round treasure box at a doll show many years ago, and I have never really done anything with it. I brought the plate home and both are now on the dresser in one of my spare bedrooms.

Here is a photo of the top of the treasure box with its gorgeous pink flowers and gold trim.


Here is a photo of the detail on a cake plate that I purchased for a $1.00 at a yard sale last Saturday. It really is a pretty piece with the softest and most delicate painted flowers that I've ever seen.
Finally, I have a needle point piece with a cute saying and more pink flowers with a heart. This used to be in the kitchen at my old house, but now I have it in a spare bedroom.

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful June weekend.