Alexander and Claire

Alexander spent 10 days with his Mom and Dad in Malaysia where they had a wonderful holiday..this was his view from his crib...the highest towers in the world..Petronas Twin Towers....perfect view to wake up from a sleep.
Here he is at 17 months old...the little world traveller that he is.





Claire checking out her view with her Daddy....she is hoping for a sunny weekend so she can go for a ride in her stroller..at 5 1/2 months she is as sweet as can be.





I know that this feeling of happiness and joy for our family will just continue to grow as our two grandchildren grow, travel, live, love and learn..

Some of my gifts and finds!

Here are 3 sweet gifts from Cindy for my birthday (in September) given to me early so I can enjoy them! My collection of ceramic pieces is growing..aren't they adorable?

She is sure that by the time my birthday comes along she will have forgotten what

she gave me and I will get more loot!

Thought that the big one with Thumper and Bambi would be a great urn for my last remains.

(long time hence, I hope)..

Cindy was worried as it didn't have a lid but I could just get one made from my sweet sisters.

(who at this moment are waiting the first un-veiliing of their glazed pottery from their new kiln!)

Buttons from the Farm Chicks, glass platter and tablecloths as a gift from my Cindy.

String found in Value Village with instructions to crochet a shopping bag.

The McCoy vase below adds to my collection of McCoy. Love

this color..one day I will tell what happened to my turquoise collection of vases.

Doilies to be made into pin cushions as well as a lovely ball of yarn in a vintage tart pan.

These are some of the finds and the presents I recieved while on our Farm Chick trip.

Ironstone bowls $1.99 each at Value Village...what a find that was..As well as the large platter $3.99

and the smaller one for $1.99. Never be afraid to bend over and check the lower shelves..although getting up is harder these days..good to have a helper along! :)

Gifted little ironstone jug from Cindy. Thanks dear friend!

So my collection is growing...am looking for a larger pitcher to put some summer blooms in!

Before the Farm Chicks...

On the way to the Farm Chicks show, I stay overnight at Cindy's sleeping cabin on the lake in Nelson....I arrive before lunch and meet Cindy in town to check out her favorite haunts...thriftiness is a gene we share ...we must be related! After scoring some wonderful finds we were off to the lake and getting me settled in. Cindy has the most wonderful comforting touch to make my stay so memorable. Fresh flowers in a vintage ironstone vase that she found while thrifting with me when she was here last...my favorite snacks, fresh cream for morning coffee...chocolates on the pillow and a gift of a vintage jug...filled with small hand milled soaps...how in the world does she ever get anyone to leave?
This is the view of my retreat for the night..how wonderful is this..built by her and her man! Thank you my dear friend for making me feel so welcomed and loved!

These are what you need!

These are a few of the accessories that are needed to be a "stylin farm chicket!...what's in your closet?

500 photos and editing!

There are so many photos to choose from. What a great place just to see what the new "Junk Trends" are..here are but a few!

The "Farm Chick is Home"

Back Home...great trip..Cindy totally spoilt me...I will post more pictures later this evening..unpacking my loot...and wonderful gifts from Cindy.
We met some great gals, Tracy and Lori at our dinner and had such fun!....we will see you next year as well!

What the "Farm Chicks Saw!"

Here is what we saw yesterday..Today is a whole new ball game..The vendors will be stocking up for the 10:00 rush of eager"chicklings."
Was great getting to meet Serena and Heather, and Jenny at the dinner as well as at the show..Next year we will be opening this wonderful weekend up to our good buddies!

"farm goods"

Here are just a few things we saw today ..this describes the concept of the "Farm Chicks"...some might in-correctly call it junk..but we know better!
We had a great busy crowded day...found some treasures that I will post about in the next day or so. Soon we are heading out to the "After Party Dinner."
It has been a beautiful sunny day here..more of this gorgeous weather tomorrow!

We arrived....!!!!

First things first..Value Village, Spencers and 2 other thrift stores before we made it to the Davenport Hotel..We had a quick bite to eat...(rather a late lunch at PF Changs) then off to the Pottery Barn..we walked and talked and finally had to just sit down as we were both tired as we were up so early...a little more shopping, some tea and a sweet, back to the hotel for an late dinner and then catching up on the blogs and Cindy reading her magazines.

Today we will be full on in the Farm Chicks mode..will take lots of Photos and fill up "Elaine" our cart!

Here are some of the things we saw...but did not buy! Although I must say we did fairly well @Value Village with some new LU Ray little bowls, a vintage ironstone platter and several nice ironstone bowls..it started out as a good day yesterday..bodes well for today!

Off we Go to the Farm Chicks Show!

OMG! Cindy and I are ever so excited..Our annual pilgrimage to see all this beautiful stuff..some might wrongly call it junk..but nay nay I say....beauty is totally in the eyes of the beholder!
Two days of bliss..all kinds of junky eye candy for these two thrift store mavens! We are getting many requests from our nearest and dearest to be invited on our next annual trek to Mecca..and we will discuss the possibilities of a numbered lottery system to be fair to all! :) Here's to a fantastic girls weekend and it could not be done with out the love and support ( and a bit of bribery) to our darling men in our lives! Thank you Jim and Tim!

Banner is up and flying!!!

I have my little crocheted banner finished and it is up and flying

it's cheerful colors in my craft room

Jewelery to go!!

These are a few things I made today to take along to the Farm Chicks Show.

The one on the left is what I call my

"Badge of Honor"

Forgot the one I made last year for the Farm Chicks at our home in AZ..and of course I couldn't go with out one..

I bought the Junk Queen stamped spoon last year at the FC and this year I added on the rhinestone  button from Cindy as well as a few  more chains..surprisingly, it does not weigh my neck down..

I will report on how it did while I was wearing it.

Off tomorrow to Nelson and staying overnight with Cindy at her beautiful cabin at the water's edge..

stayed tuned for more photos!

To the Farm Chicks we go!

Cindy and I will be heading off to the "Farm Chicks" show in Spokane on Friday.
Here is how my vintage shopping cart looks finished.
This was a special gift from Cindy and I wanted to do her proud!
I am sure I will be putting some of her finds in this cart on the weekend!
As you can see there was alot of laundry pegs used to take measurements and hold everything in place.
Vintage lace and buttons finished off the project.
I had fun making it..in the meantime my sewing machine was annoyed with me and made a terrible mess with my bobbin and thread so off I went to get it fixed and a quick button hole lesson.
Who knew that there were so many different bobbin sizes and you needed a specific one for your machine??? I do now..the machine and I made peace with each other and here is my very happy result.

I am sure there is an easier way and when I get my gifted cart from Christa I will get help from Alanna who is a marvelous quiltmaker!
Jim made a great comment saying that he could see that when Cindy and I were much older (than we are now) we both would be pulling these vintage carts along pointing out thrifty things to each other....
he knows us well!