Early September Lazy Days

My mom's impatiens on the front porch are losing their petals...

I think they look pretty lying on the cement.

A little acorn has joined them. It's proclaiming that fall is on its way.

P.S. I'm blaming my blogging absence on this little one. Got her this summer. She's named after the wonderfully sassy Minnie Pearl...and believe me, she lives up to the name.

How have your first September days been? They've been lazy days around here as you can see.

 

Elvis Sings On

Wasn't he something?

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Elvis will always be my favorite entertainer. I'm amazed at how he continues to reach audiences 35 years later. My generation never got to experience his music live, but it still means so much to us.

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I had the great opportunity to visit Graceland a few years back. It feels as if his spirit is still present there.

I made sure to join in on the tradition of leaving a note on his front wall.

Rest in peace, Elvis! Sing and don't be silent, 35 years later and beyond. 

August 16, 1977-August 16, 2012

American Pickers: Amateur Edition

Last weekend, my mom and I made our way to the Springfield Antique Show & Flea Market in Ohio. It turns out many of the vendors canceled because of the heat, but those who braved it had wonderful items for sale!

Here are a few things I found at the show:

I've been looking for a recipe box for awhile now! I wasn't sure what I was looking for, but knew I wanted it to have a 1960s feel. This was made by Ohio Art Co. (the same company that created Etch A Sketch!) I just love the brightness of the pink and red flowers combined with the aqua lid. It reminds me of my side borders! I can't wait to fill it up with yummy recipes. Got any good ones I should add in?

The next find was sheet music from one of my all time favorite musicals, State Fair. "It Might As Well Be Spring" won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1945.

We found it among a large stack of music, each piece with Miss Betty Sellers's name on the front. We think she must have been a music teacher. If not, then definitely a lover of some great music! In the past I didn't like items with names written on them, but I now feel like it's making a connection with someone. I think she'd be thrilled to know that she is still able to share her love of music with others.

Rodgers and Hammerstein was the ultimate musical duo, don't you think?

The last thing I spied was this cupboard. I walked up to take a quick look at the tag thinking there's no way I'll have enough for this! I always need some more shelf space. As I turned the tag over to take a look, the dealer immediately said "I'll take $12 for it." $12!?!?!

Maybe I'm the crazy one, but I think that's a deal! It's very sturdy and the doors still close. All it needs is a new coat of paint! When I fix it up, I'll be sure to show you the after pictures.

We made it through the outdoor show with plenty of time left in the day, so we hit the two antique malls as well--Springfield Antique Center and Heart of Ohio Antique Center. Let me tell you, these are huge malls! Springfield, Ohio is considered the antiquing capital of the Midwest, and it's obvious to see why!

I love pink and black together. I've seen these dishes before, but hadn't yet bought a piece. This bowl was cheap. I love setting old bowls on tables, desks, and dressers to hold small items.

One last thing I grabbed was this red "S." My mom and sister both have a letter of their first initial, so I've always wanted one too. This one looks like it could have been used on an old marquee. I think it will go well with my aqua bedroom walls!

Summer is my favorite time of year for "picking." Have you found anything good this season?

The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave

  Happy 4th of July!

 

I took this photo during our trip to Washington, D.C. this past May. It was placed at the Vietnam War Memorial by high school students to honor the men from their school that had served. The red, white, and blue stood out so vividly against the green grass.

It was my first trip to Washington, D.C. (Can you believe it? No school trips!) It may sound cliche, but I felt pride in our country and its founders as I viewed the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights for the first time.

Enjoy your celebrations today.

Sarah Is In The Building...

 Ah! It's been awhile, hasn't it? Somehow a couple days break turned into a month! 

Welcome to my new followers! It's always nice to find a few new faces that have joined in the singing.

The lovely Magie at Teacups and Bunting nominated me for the Versatile Blogger Award! She is so sweet and her blog is one of my favorites. Pay her a visit if you haven't yet. 

It's been so long! There are a few rules. Instead of listing fifteen blogs, I'll point you toward the "Inspiring Voices" down to the right on my sidebar. These are my (nearly fifteen) favorite reads. I'm inspired by the posts of all of these bloggers. Even if I'm not writing, I make sure to check in to see what these women have to say about their lives and work.

Here are my seven random facts:

1. I love working with children. I love their spirit and unfiltered minds.

2. I collect vintage wedding toppers...no wedding in sight yet! 

3. If I had been alive in the 1950s-1970s, I would have been one of those screaming girls in the front row of Elvis concerts.

4. I'd love to write a novel some day (probably not such a surprise coming from a blogger).

5. I'm really enjoying trying out different recipes recently. Coca-Cola cake goes perfectly with tea.

6. I love Mexican food! And sometimes crave corn dogs from the state fair. Weird, I know.

7. Purple is usually my favorite color, but I'm loving orange right now.

Hope you all are having a wonderful start to June. It's a little chilly here--must be the payback for those warm March days!

A Dose of Sprinkles

 This past Saturday, I spied this ring of sprinkle heaven in the front case at Flour Mill Bakery.

Could you have resisted it?

I couldn't!

A Royal Anniversary

Can you believe it has already been a year?

Last year, my mom and I got up around 4 A.M. to watch the coverage of the Royal Wedding. I have always had a crush on Prince William (I don't think I'm alone in that--look at that smile!) and have always loved learning about the Royal Family. Didn't he look dashing in red? And that dress...

As you can see, I added some little touches to brighten up the early morning darkness. I put up their engagement photos and the date to frame the T.V. We had to buy the commemorative scented candle to burn in celebration. We are burning it again today, as we love its sweet smell.

We ate breakfast while we watched the actual wedding, and then we had a tea around lunch time as we watched and listened to the day-long discussions of the networks about the dress and the balcony kiss.

That evening, we continued the celebration and had a chocolate biscuit cake, as that was what Prince William's groom's cake was to be. I've been craving it ever since then.

Several people did not understand why others here in the United States cared so much about the occasion, but I couldn't help but be enchanted by it. I guess I'm a romantic at heart (let's just say there's currently a stack of wedding books to look through at our house with no wedding in sight that needs planned!). There must be others like me...the night before, we met another girl my age in the baking aisle looking for ingredients, and we found out she was hosting a party in celebration too! Did you tune in?

Here's to many more happy years, Will and Kate!