Raising the Bar

                                 Shhhhhhh....This is a surprise post for my St. Louis kids.

Their Anniversary is coming up later this Spring

and I love to surprise them with something vintage.

They are big fans of the local breweries of St. Louis.

If you've never been, then it's the home of Anheuser Busch

Schlafly, and tons of other smaller companies,

with lot's of great little urban pubs.

So when we found this Farberware Bar Set I knew they'd love it.

I've checked the Internet and can't find any information

so I'm not sure how old it is, but the wicker covers just knocked me out!

On second thought, they may need to arm wrestle me for that  thermos.

Here's a photo from our trip last fall.

Incredible house...

Their "Restoration Hardware-ish" Dining Room

Happy Early Anniversary, kiddos!

see you two at Easter!

(xoxoxox, mom)

Aren't they cute?

I don't look old enough to have them as kids.

yeah, right...

I'm joining in for

Oh, that face...

It's no secret that with two married daughters, I'm old enough to have grandkids, but alas, I have none; only a grandpuppy and grandkitties. Vinny, (Vincenzo) a French Bulldog, is the newest member of the family and he belongs to Erin and Keith, our St. Louis kids. Spoiled is a word that comes to mind. Notice the quilted barn coat and rhinestone collar. But hey, he's so darn cute you can't blame them. 

Puppy portraits...

(Gee, I love this new camera!)

Erin and Keith

and Aly and Chris,

waiting to unwrap gifts.

Our tradition is to open them Christmas Eve.

I was in my pajamas and glasses, so no photos of moi.

you'd thank me.

I'm looking forward to the New Year,

but first our Anniversary, tomorrow.

Hope you are recovering from the Christmas Rush.

I spent all day Sunday in my Jammies.

love to all,

Debra



Snuggle up

These crisp Fall days

 hold such a fascination for me.

The colors of the leaves and sky;

 the critters, (squirrel,s chipmunks, and birds)

 all scurrying around

filling their pantries for the cold winter days ahead.

My old chippy Adirondack chair

calls out for a good book and a hot mug of cider.

I love to mix the patterns of plaid, stripes, and florals.

Pendleton and Scottish blankets are my favorite cuddle on these cool days.

Halloween is over,

but Fall will still be here awhile.

My mums and ferns survived a killing frost last week,

but soon it will be too cold to try to cover them.

I just wanted to say "Thanks" again,

for the great turnout for

 Vintage Inspiration Friday!

We made a trip to St. Louis to visit our kids,

so we were constantly on the go.

Come back Friday, I have some wonderful photos

of the local fun.

I'm joining Kathleen for White Wednesday

and Cindy for Show and Tell Friday

Hope you're having a wonderful week!

(I'm pooped!)

love,

Debra

Next project please...

As a certain bbff said to me last night,

"Wallpaper?...you'll have to convince me."

I know, I know, wallpaper seems to have fallen out of fashion of late,

but I've always loved me a little wallpaper to set a mood.

The Dining Room is the only place in this house,

that you'll find it.

And that's below the chair railing.

And I seem to be on some kind of wild,

redecorating roll here...

to lighten up my world.

I still love the green and the toile,

but anyone else out there like me...

You just need a change every once in a while?

I'm holding the sample book up next to the chair rail

to get an idea of it next to the white woodwork.

and I just thought I'd throw in my Mother's Day

 gift from my St. Louis kids,

a Paris pillow from the new collection at Restoration Hardware.

OK. I'm off to order the wallpaper and matching paint.

Keep a good thought for me.

I tend to get in over my head at times.

I'm doing a two-fer this White Wednesday

hope you don't mind me being piggy.

Thanks Kathleen

So, this may take me a while,

as I have to strip the old paper off,

...paint,

and then wait for the paper to arrive.

I'll try to come up for air.

love,

Debra

Vintage Botanicals and a Garden Table

This little metal outdoor table

at one time was in my booth space at the antique mall,

funny thing...

it never sold.

And you know what happens when things sit too long,

yeah...

they come to live at my house.

So now it sets right under

my kitchen window on the deck.

You can see it from the sunroom,

 so I really enjoy decorating it with my vintage

garden thingys.

A black birdcage covering some hearty ivy and my "Collegian" botanical notebook that I found several weeks ago at Spring Creek, are sharing the table with some silver of the galvanized zinc kind. I have several old watering cans, but this was a Birthday present a few years ago from my older daughter from Restoration Hardware, one of my favorite stores.

 Marion Bradway (lady or gentleman?)

must have had a Botanical assignment

to catalog wildflowers back in their college days.

My best guess is from the 1940's.

I thought about dismantling the pages and framing them out.

And I still may do that, but for now,

they are all together.

My kitties were very interested in the old pressed flowers,

but every time they went near them they started sneezing!

Funny how after so many years there is still pollen of some sort.

...choo!

I love the typewritten pages and the aged tape.

You can see my white garden gate behind the table.

 I have two of them.

Can someone say ...selfish...?

And my old hose hanger.

Just gotta love that color of blue!

I'm linking up with these wonderful parties.

If you have time go visit and say Hello.

The French Cupboard

My Romantic Home

A Few of  My Favorite Things

Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie

Gypsy Fish Journal

Have a Wonderful Weekend everyone!

This Mommie has some fun time planned,

with her big kids.

And if you have a few mintues and you'd like to know me better,

click on my Bible Study Blog here

and you can read what I've learned by being a mother.

love you all,

Debra