Happy Memorial Day

You know how I love my vintage photos! I thought this one would be perfect for Memorial Day.
May your grill be hot, the sun shinning and may your prayers be carried across the sands to our troops.

My dad when he was on board ship during Viet Nam. He was on board when my little brother was born. He didn't see Robert until he was almost 8 months old. But back then, that was just part of it. Being a military family is harder than most American's can understand so, think and pray for their families too on this special day!!

Joey's Birthday Present

My hubby Joey turned 60 last month and when I began thinking about what to give him for his birthday I drew a complete blank! Then I thought, what about a new puppy? No, he did not want another puppy, clothes, car, I was running out of options, SO,....

I bought him a visit to feed the giraffes at the Fort Worth Zoo. You stand next to the enclosure with these huge tree branches, reach them up where they can reach them and then they strip the leaves off of the branches!  You can't tell by these photos but there were 7 of them. The dominant mothers just made sure they got most of the snacks! Such a fun day!

Look a new blog design!

SO! How do you like the new look? Karen Valentine did her magic and redesigned my entire blog! We're still working out a few bugs but we're almost there! I have tried to link this blog's photos to Flickr so if you have problems please let me know so we can work it out! I just thought it was time for a new look and I wanted an easier way to show you all the vintage wedding photos without keeping them on the blog page. If you are ever considering having someone design or even re-design your blog I cannot recommend Karen highly enough! I'm one of those people who do not have a lot of "vision", so it took a talented person like Karen to give me what I wanted!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden,falls upon us, when adversity takes the place of prosperity,when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us,when trouble thickens around us,still will she cling to us,and endeavor by her kind precepts, and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness,and cause peace to return to our hearts.

-Washington Irving

Life began with waking up,

 and loving my mother's face.

-George Elliot

Happy Mother's Day Mom,

 loving you always.

The Cloverleaf, the Disneyland of Ardmore Oklahoma!

It was love at first sight! I wanted to take him home when I saw him at Round Top, but he wasn't for sale! I thought I would never find out where he came from...

 But fate brought us together! My friend Charlene and I went to the Glitter Market in Oklahoma City, which was so much fun, that post will be next. So we're at Glitter Market and this wonderful woman Carol said, we just had to stop by the Cloverleaf in Ardmore on our way home.

And this is the Cloverleaf! My jaw fell to the ground and I ran around like an idiot for an hour saying, "o-o-o- I want that, no, I want that! I had to make do with photos because most of the things I wanted were not for sale darn-it. But there is one item I plan to plead and offer anything to get.

No not him! Although, he is the best kind of man, the handsome quiet type!

Nope still not going to tell you until I have it in my hands! But can you believe what a find this place is! I could see this sign in my studio in a heartbeat!

I could use this elephant for...a planter, a trash can, who cares, I love it! It reminded me of the new movie,"Like water for Elephants." This is as close as I can get, I hear the movie is sad, and I can't watch movies about animals being treated bad, it haunts me for weeks! But, if I could take this home too, everyone gets a ride!

And who who wouldn't love an ice cream trash can! 

Oh soooo awesome!

I think I'd put him next to the Funeral Parking only sign! My husband already thinks I'm crazy and belong in a looney bin because of all my crazy collections, this way I'll have my own personalized parking spot!!! Don't ya just love a man in tights!

I would love to surprise my sister -in-law the attorney with this in her yard! Aw, come-on,  it'd be funny! 

Alice in Wonderland..."Off with their heads!!!!"

Ok even these chicks were a little to wild for me, but oh so cool! Sock it to me baby!

Makes me think of the Junk Gypsy Prom! I wonder if any of them are my size???

I wonder if she served frito pie and RC cola!

Now this head I would hang in my studio because it'd plastic! And until now I didn't even notice the juke box under the cowboy hat, add that to the list!

SAD UPDATE!! 
This is the item I wanted! It's a vintage perfume dispenser from the 1950s. I thought maybe this would be in my price range but she wanted $800, RATS! So once again fellow bloggers if you ever see one of these let me know!!!

My "Holy Grail" find of an Antique Wedding Shadow Box!

As many of you know, my main obsession/hobby is to collect antique wedding anything! I have cake toppers, I have tons of wedding cabinet photos and even marriage certificates. SO!,I had to share with you my favorite purchase of all time. To me this is the "Holy Grail" of vintage wedding items. It's a wedding shadow box from the 1910s? I'm guessing the age just by the looks of the age of the photograph. I found this at the entrance to the Junk Gypsy booth in Round Top this past March. I almost tripped my friend Charlene to get to it first. Although being the great friend that she is, she demanded that I buy it on the spot! So....I did!

I have tried to find the history behind these shadow boxes without much luck. I assume they were just a way to preserve the wedding photo, the veil and sometimes part of the bridal bouquet. I haven't found the perfect spot yet, I assume it will go in "my room" but it's just so pretty I wish I had a way to display it better. So my partners in crime out there in blog land, if you ever see one of these as you're walking through an antique shop or cleaning out your grandmother's attic ,
please contact me!

Turn out the lights, the party's almost over, but only after the JUNK GYPSY PROM

That adorable Junk Gypsy Amie never lets us down, she always looks adorable! She just threw a "little something" together!

And Janie is looking oh so diva even though she was dealing with the trauma  of one of her chickens losing a toe in the storm door. Both Janie and the chicken survived the prom just fine.

Oh Lordy, then there's Dakota who is always the life of the party and never dissapoints us each year with his outfits! He said he was in a rush this year to make costume so he  had to make due with a loin cloth, darn, just hate it when that happens! Isn't he just
the cutest lil' thing!

Then I drive 5 hours from home and see someone from the same town I haven't seen in ages, Miss Cindy Boehme!

Well, all I can say is we were in south Texas, ya never know what you're gonna  see!

The band was great but once the clock hit midnight it was time to
"turn out the lights, the party was over",.....till September!!

Sassy Friends in Round Top

Group shot of the gaggle of us at the Bloggers Party!  What a wonderful group of creative women. It was fun to finally meet everyone face to face!

I'm not sure why there was a big plastic armadillo with a pink wig and bunny ears  outside of abooth but it was perfect for a Photo Op! Not something you see everyday!

We flipped to see who would have to drive pulling the trailer next time. I say Susie should! I brought the flamingos! 

I'm not sure what they are but we found a blond one!

Karen and Ricki found something really cool so they're both thinking, can I make that?

What a small world, I even got to visit with some of the ol' gang from high school,
adorable sisters,Tandy and Tally.

Miss Karen just taking a break in a shady spot......hey that's my beer!

Once upon a time in the magical land of Magnolia Pearl

In a land far, far away in a place called Marburger Farm, there was a castle called Magnolia Pearl. It was surrounded by a moat of happiness and beauty. All who entered were greeted with hugs and smiles and assisted by beautiful girls all wearing the clothes we were all waiting in line to try on!

Even the castle birds had a special cage to roost in.

The Queen displayed all her wonderful creations for all to see and left us all in awe.

Her ball gowns were designed with all the creativity the magical queen could master.

So I asked her to help me pick the perfect person to win the "Magical Magnolia Pearl Bloomers."
She chose number 7!
So the winner was Kim Hanauer!  Her blog can be found at kimhanauer.blogspot.com

So once that was taken care of...it was time to shop!! So with lots of Robin's help,

I tried on everything in the booth, and I do mean everything and packed two bags full of wonderful treasures!

So with my bags packed and m new outfit on, I went to checkout..

After these two lovely ladies added, and added, and added, I almost fainted when I saw the total!  But, after looking at all the wonderful things I had in my bags, I just smiled and headed to hide my new "pearls" in my coach out in the parking lot.

I hugged the handsome king goodbye,

Said a sad good-bye to my favorite girl Faith,

Took one last look on my way out of the booth and thought...did I get  one of those???

Magnolia Pearl give-away don't miss your last chance to enter!!

Don't forget, I'll be picking the winner for the Magnolia Pearl Bloomers in just a week! If you still haven't entered to win, don't miss your chance! Just leave me a comment and I hope to have Robin herself pick a name out of a hat and reveal the winner. I will let y'all know who won when I get home from Round Top. Good Luck!