Journey (or Patty, as I like to call her) was due on April 4 but decided not to arrive until April 10. She came to visit me with her mommy, Jennifer, and her grandmother, my sister, Dee today. She’s a sweet little baby and I can’t wait until she’s old enough to spend the night–about 4-1/2 weeks!

We had an unexpected snow with freezing rain and below-freezing temperatures last week. I’m sure my two beautiful flowering crab trees and my Japanese lilac tree are going to suffer this year. But after the snow melted and temperatures began to steadily increasing it got me to thinking about the new addition to my garden and how much fun the planting of annuals was going to be.

I drew up some simple plans last summer and handed them to my husband. When I awoke the next morning I went to his workshop to see how he was progressing. It was done! All we had to do was move it outside and stock it. Of course, I had to surround it with beautiful plants and bushes.

The potting bench is pickled now in a lovely sage green with all the natural grain showing through. I’ll post a picture of that if and when the bushes around it are in bloom. That darned late snow….

Click to enlarge!Katie’s birthday is coming up on April 22. She’s going to be 10! She’d love to hear from all of her fans who want to wish her a happy birthday!

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I’ve had this original Adolph Heinze for about 25 years. This had belonged to a former boss, Gayle Johnson, and it had been hanging in our office long before I even came to work with him. Back then we all smoked in the office (no open windows, no ventilation system to speak of) and this picture was exposed to all that smoke. Years and years of smoke.

Upon Gayle’s death I was given the artwork by his son, who came to pack up personal belongings. Up to now I’ve always looked at it as “nice” picture. It wasn’t a subject matter that I would hang in my livingroom, but because I thought so much of Gayle, I loved having it as it evoked many wonderful memories of our time together.

So imagine how surprised I was to find out that this artist is quite sought after in the art world and some of his work is very valuable. I haven’t been able to find out any information on this specific work.

I’ll never sell it though. Except for this, I have nothing else to remind me of Gayle. We worked together so long ago and my memories are fading. When I look at this, they all come back….

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Three of my favorite pieces in the loveliest of bright red and creamy white with brilliant touches of platinum–beautiful….

Click to enlarge!These were my mother’s. My sister and I divided the collection so that we each would have four. These are the ones that I inherited. Needless to say, I cherish them.

Just a sample of some of the items I have for sale on my website! I’m featuring Porcelier, Hall, Dripolator and many miscellaneous manufacturers. Stop in and see the bargains!

I purchased each of these pieces separately over a few years. I love it when I find a piece to a pattern that I’ve already started!

I remember many meals in my grandmother’s kitchen where the plaque hung when I was a little girl. It now hangs in mine. The hands perfectly symbolize my grandmother to me. It’s one of her beloved posssions that I feel so fortunate to have.

I received a pair of these exquisite lamps a few years ago from my husband for Christmas. He found them in absolute and perfect condition. And got them for quite a bargain, too! Simply one of my favorite Christmas presents ever.

My sister and I would always get the 1/2 oz. bottle of Evening in Paris toilet water (not the perfume!) in our Christmas stockings. My mother started this when we were about 5 and 7 and continued until each of us got married.

I found this set on ebay and immediately put a bid in and won.

I also bought my sister a large bottle of cologne and gave it to her at Christmas.

This set sits proudly on my jewelery armoire When I open the cover and smell the inside, I am instantly transported back into that magical world called, “Childhood.”

I’ve used my artistic license on some of these, e.g., I added a watercolor filter to the roses in the pink McCoy vase.

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Porcelier 1939 World’s Fair Pitcher	Hall Red Poppy Casserole	Hall Orange Poppy Casserole and Pitcher
My grandmother’s 3-piece condiment set	Fiesta Casserole Dish	My Aunt Franny’s chalk or plaster lamp
Mother swan & baby 50’s tv lamp and McCoy tulip vase	McCoy vase	Fiesta Vase & Porcelier Ball Pitcher, Cream & Sugar

All my own tubes put together in a fantasy garden. I would love to look out my window and see this!

Something fun to do with your Paintshop pro tubes: Take a picture of your yard and superimpose your own tubes over it!