A Step Back In Time

I always love the feeling that washes over me the instant I walk into an Antique Shop. It's like taking a step back in  time. My Mother, Sister and I made the rounds yesterday for our weekly outing together. As we were admiring all the lovely handwork and old fine furnishings, Bridget said how much she loves the simplicity of the way the pioneer women lived. I agreed. Then about 30 seconds later I said if they were alive today they would sure set us straight on the meaning of the word "simplicity"!

Now this would have been a modern convenience for a pioneer woman but I sure can't imagine having to cook on it. For one thing, look how low it is. Talk about a back breaker! And I'm just a smidge over 5'3". For someone tall that would be crazy!

But I wouldn't mind having it just for looks :)

This rooster caught my eye because he took me back to my childhood.

My grandparents were chicken farmers.

Lots of happy memories of playing in the sunshine and running through the cornfields with my cousins as we were growing up.

How lovely is this?

My Mother has always had a thing for these.

I love the dresser scarf too.

This chair was gorgeous!

 

But what did I come home with?

Because you know I had to have some little SOMETHING.....

This charming accent lamp!

Isn't it unusual?

I've never seen one quite like it.

I LOVE vintage lamps.

This one sits very prettily on my dresser.

It has different flowers on each side.

And look at that darling scallop along the top edge.

Yep, I had to have it!

I love to look at old things like this and wonder who owned them before.

Then I think of the years I will enjoy them until I pass them on to one of my daughters or granddaughter.

And honestly, I think they are happy for the time they spend with me :)

Bridal Rose Tea Cup

 

This has been an absolutely beautiful day of sunshine, soft fluffy clouds and fantastic early Fall breezes. I did wake to a house that was slightly cooler than I prefer, so when Hubby left for work I turned the furnace on for the first time and let it run for about an hour just to knock the chill out of the air.





 Naughty Me!

 

But as the day went on it was just gorgeous and I had to open the windows to let the warm breezes blow in and warm the house that way. Such funny weather this time of year!

Well ~ it was such a lovely day that my Mother and I decided to take a stroll around the local thrift shop during the afternoon. And I am so happy that we did :)

This is the treasure I returned home with from today's hunt.

A Fine Bone China English Tea Cup and Saucer.

The pattern is

 

~Bridal Rose~

 

I have never seen it before.

I am totally in love with it!

And so very glad I ventured out.

It is in perfect condition.

I paid a mere $6.99 for this delightful piece.

As you can see in the first picture, I settled right in and had a nice cup of tea when I got home.

So very charming.

Don't you agree?

I felt just like

"Her Majesty"

from the first

to

the last

sip.

I think she's happy in her new home. 

Invincible Summer

As Summer fades into Fall, I begin to look in earnest for as many flowers that are still blooming as I can possibly find. There are still a few. Thankfully. I am one of those people who doesn't let go of the Sweet Summertime too easily. While everyone else in the universe gets excited over the coming crispness of Autumn evenings, I am still looking longingly over my shoulder for warm nights on my porchswing. I do get caught up in the holiday spirit in a big way but the day after Christmas {literally~ the DAY AFTER} I am wondering if it's almost May.......
But, anyway, I thought I might show you a bit of what's still in bloom in my tiny, overgrown, somewhat neglected garden. Just a few pictures of some of my favorite things.

A magical Fairy stepping stone. A birthday gift from my Mother a few Summer's ago.

I love the Pink Polka Dot plant cascading behind her.

I love this darling birdhouse that was another birthday gift from my friend Krista several Summer's ago. I get lots of garden finery for my June birthday :)

Those are Peonies behind the fence.

The brick house is my Mother ~ In ~ Law's house next door to me.

It's where Scott grew up.

A beautiful Plumbago bush. Once again, a gift, from my dear friend Diane.

She brought it to me when she visited from Kentucky in the Spring.

Thankfully it blooms and blooms and blooms because the bunnies LOVE the taste of it!

Speaking of Bunnies ~ I love this little cast iron fella. He was ~ yes a one time birthday gift! ~ from my friend Karen.

He guards the birdbath where sprigs of Chocolate Mint meander about.

A sweet couple of lover's nestled between the roses and hollyhock.

A gift from Karen as well.

A beautiful Fleur De Lis grill that was a gift from Krista looks majestic amongst the hostas.

 It has weathered and rusted over the years so nicely!

And one last look at the last Rose of Summer.

 

She is an Old English variety.

I no longer remember her name.

Her perfume is absolutely divine.

Straight from Heaven.

And, believe it or not, this is one thing I actually bought for myself!

 

My humble little garden sits just outside my kitchen window.

Every time I gaze at it I feel wrapped in arms of love.

Mother Love.

Girlfriend Love.

The Great, Boundless Love of God.

 

Though I will miss my Sweet Summertime and my Garden, all it's love and promise lay within in my memory and my heart.

Waiting.....just waiting.... ALWAYS waiting...

 

"In the depths of Winter

I finally learned

that within me lay an

Invincible

Summer."

Albert Camus