Coincidence?

Last Tuesday, I asked C if after dinner he wanted to take the boys by a local John Deere place to see a huge tractor they had out front. C had taken a picture of it to show the boys earlier, and I thought it would be a nice way to get out of the house for a bit. As we were yielding to traffic, I saw the above car. I know it doesn't look like much, but it's an old Plymouth Valiant. My dad had one. Actually, my mom bought the "old Val," as the car was known, brand new in 1965 for about $2,000.00.

After my parents married, it became my dad's, and he drove it until it wouldn't drive any more. I sat in it on cold mornings with neighborhood kids waiting on the bus, I rode to school in it in junior high. It wasn't cool or even retro with its push button radio (push the button, the little dial flew to the next station). The paint was chipping off terribly on the front. A brick had been thrown at its side. Still, I didn't mind. It was like your ratty old comfy pants. Daddy did have the engine rebuilt after it "wouldn't drive any more," and then it was our Sunday-afternoon-drive car. By then, I was old enough to appreciate what the car meant to my dad, still I did manage to drag the right front bumper of my second car along its side one night, leaving a nice black line. I went right in and 'fessed up, even though the friend with me urged me to "tell him when we got back." Then, something went wrong with that engine, and the old Val never rode again. After my father's death, we ended up having the car towed away, but not before I asked C to take out the glove compartment door.
Yep, white with red interior!

I always thought the glovebox was neat with its little spot for your drink to sit and nice surface to sit your burger and fries on at the drive-in or a place with car hops bringing your food.


So, when I saw that car on the road Tuesday, on the fifth anniversary of my daddy's death, I didn't think, what a coincidence. I thought, thanks, Daddy, I miss you, too, every. single. day.Drive on...

Out with the Old

New blog layout to pep me up for the Fourth of July. Although, I'm probably more pepped about Hancock Fabric's 5 Simplicity patterns for $5 sale coming up later this week! Book club was Friday. The peach cobbler didn't even make it through the night after C had a bowl. Target's white sangria in a box, don't laugh at the box, is yummy. We emptied the box and another bottle of wine. Sounds like a good book club to me! However, Thursday (the day before book club) was a cluster. I realized I didn't tell my mom I was doubling a recipe. So, she cut some celery for me and then shared the rest with her husband while I was at the grocery. So, another trip to the grocery. I knocked over a box of dry macaroni, all over the floor. I broke one of my great-grandmother's dessert bowls (I've ordered a replacement, fingers crossed it will really match). Friday wasn't a whole lot better. I chipped paint off our bookshelf and put a dent in our table with the can of furniture polish. I was literally afraid to wash my serving dishes for fear of destroying them. Just call me Danger-prone Daphne. Maybe it's because I was all stressed about getting everything done?

So,I am sort of glad to see June go. It's been such a busy month for me. It's flown by, but I haven't had much of a chance to enjoy the summer, to do some fun stuff with the boys. It seems every week has been preparation for the weekend. And C's summer classes? They are taking a toll on all of us. Our yard needs mowing, we are trying to get everything cleaned for the window installation folks (yes, new windows, finally!), our garage and closet need to be cleaned out, and the list goes on. So, as I wave farewell to June, I am trying to just slow down and welcome a slower-paced July.

Funny things heard around here:
H: What are those bugs, Mom?
Me: Lightening bugs.
H: They are flashing their tail lights at us.

Me: What are we going to do with that little brother?
H: Throw him away?

Secret Life of Grime

With my turn to host book club coming up (next Friday!), I am getting ready to do some pretty deep cleaning. If I am to be honest, this is the only time my kitchen gets the good cleaning it needs (cabinet doors wiped clean, baseboards, chair rails, the works). So, I was wondering if I am the only person who has specific spots that I clean, that I wonder if others clean. I am a germophobe but not a neat freak at all. When I am in others' homes, I am looking at their decor, particularly the walls, as I tend to go bare-walled compared to others, not how clean their houses appear. However, there are a few specific places I do look at and wonder, "have they cleaned that?" Today, I was cleaning one of those: the ice and water dispenser on the refrigerator. It can really get disgusting, especially if you have really hard water (like we do). I also really like to get that cover on the bottom of the refrigerator clean (I guess I have a thing about refrigerator cleanliness). I know some of the things that often can be overlooked like the ceiling fan blades and picture frames, but what are some other grimy spots that you notice? I want to make sure I hit 'em all!

The Yellow Bird Fabric: A Serendipitous Tale

When I saw this picture in the May issue of Cookie magazine, I wasn't paying attention to the room (the article was about decor). I was mesmerized by the little girl's dress. That beautiful fabric.

Alas, looking in the magazine and on Cookie mag's website gave me no information about the dress (I was looking for a Where to Buy). So, a couple of weeks went by, and I was on Mel's blog and clicked on her link to Alewives Girl. Imagine my surprise to see a picture of a little girl wearing a top made out of this fabric. (Thanks, Mel!)

I quickly commented, asking Rhea (the owner of the fantastic Alewives Girl) if she could tell me about the fabric. She commented back that it was an Alexander Henry fabric available in her web store. With bated breath did I click on the link to the web store, then to the Alexander Henry fabrics, and then...

what light through yonder iPhone screen did break? It was the fabric with birds golden as the sun. The next day, my fingers quickly did the ordering, and in a very few days (thanks, Rhea), this arrived
Isn't that so beautifully wrapped? And, it contained a hand-written note from Rhea. So nice. So here it is

No, I don't exactly know what I am going to do with it, but I know I love it!

I've Been Busy (featuring Lucy's Kimono)

Busy turning this

into this

And these

Into this

And, finally, into this

Yes, I've been very busy. Today was my second straight weekend of helping host baby showers! These two items were for a baby girl who is expected at the end of July. The kimono is from Heather Ross's Weekend Sewing, it's the Lucy's Kimono pattern (hence the title). I am worn out after several late nights of sewing. I am ready to go to bed early tonight and maybe watch some Cars :) Hope you're having a good weekend.

Wishing True's First Giveaway: Bee Gee Bags

Wishing True (a blog that is sort of a combination soul-candy/eye-candy for me) is having its first giveaway, and it's an uber-chic Bee Gee Bag. Hmmm, so do I want one?

Um, yes,

yes,

and yes!

Go here to enter, you know you want one (or five, but Kate's only giving away one).

*All photos from www.wishingtrue.com

Three Chances to Win

Photo from www.alilwelshrarebit.blogspot.com

Christy over at A Lil Welsh Rarebit is giving away three different prizes, and this necklace from Tags-N-Stones is one of them. Now, I am not much of a jewelry girl (gasp, I know shocking isn't it?), but if I do purchase jewelry, I want it to be fairly simple and "clean." This necklace fits the bill, and if you win, you can choose silver or gold for the monogram tag and the stone color (Christy's blog has pictures of the stone colors). Click here to see what else she's giving away (and to enter for yourself!)

Ravenhill Crafty Giveaway

Emily at Ravenhill is offering a couple of great giveaways: 1) an issue of Sew Hip (a UK magazine that I've heard lots about on crafting blogs) and 2) deep breath here, fabric!

Photo credit: Ravenhill.typepad.com

So, click on the link below to see more pics of the fabric and to enter, of course!
http://ravenhill.typepad.com/weblog/2009/06/finally-it-is-time-to-announce-the-winner-of-viltes-shawli-used-the-random-number-generator-to-select-the-winner-and-the-luc.html

A Reason to Renew Your Vows Giveaway

Vintage Wedding Refashioned Frock GIVEAWAY!!!!

Photo credit: grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com

Seriously, if I won this dress (and the flower laurel since I commented on the post), I'd be talking to C about renewing our vows.

Photo credit: grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com

Do you see those sheer sleeves with light blue buttons down the arm? The lightest of blue detailing? (Excuse me, I need to wipe the drool off my keyboard, ok) Really, I love it!

Earrings from Grosgrain Giveaway

Vintage Earrings Tutorial and GIVEAWAY!!!!

Grosgrain/Shabby Apple Giveaway

Marseilles Dress SHABBY APPLE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Grosgrain is giving away a gorgeous dress from Shabby Apple, so I am linking up to enter the giveaway. While checking that one out, I've seen two more giveaways I must enter. Plus, I already know of three others on blogs I read. Um, sorry for all the giveaway posts, but I love free, beautiful things!

I did enjoy this note about the company: ~Shabby Apple welcomes you to great dresses that make dressing simple. After years of not being able to find stylish dresses that covered enough skin to make you really feel comfortable (without wearing a tank top, cardigan or long slip), owners Emily and CK decided to do something about it.~ Amen! I detest finding something I really like, only to discover, once it's on, that I need a tank top or something to make it wearable!

At Least It Tastes Good (and some blogging to love)

Don't worry Mel and Chris, it tastes good. However, it isn't supposed to have a depression in the center. In fact, a nice little hill would have been just right. I did open the oven door while baking (I thought that was an old wives' tale). If anyone has any other ideas why this may have happened, do tell, as I am supposed to be making it for a baby shower in a week!

I just wanted to say to please go check out Christy's blog. Today, she's written about what it's like to "work" to become pregnant. She's also written with honesty about the jealousy that one can feel when seeing others who so easily add another child to their family. I love that she is open about her feelings but not hurtful to others. It's a good read to help remind us to put ourselves in others' shoes.

We are NOT Getting Wild and Crazy

You know how sometimes you say something, and when you hear it coming out of your mouth, you think, that's not sounding exactly like what I meant to say? That happened to me the other night. Now, as you know, if you've visited here much, I am an avid fiction reader. In fact, I like to read so much that I have actually cut myself off for now, so that I can accomplish things (but that's another post). Now, my husband, C, is not a fiction reader. Give him a photography book or even an instruction manual, and he will read it like he enjoys it, but fiction? *sigh* No can do.

So the other night I was getting the boys ready for bed. C had just left H's room (to go look for Lightening McQueen again). The boys were on H's bed and starting to get a little rowdy, and I said, "We are NOT getting wild and crazy, we are going to READ BOOKS!" I hear a little laughter from the other room, and then C calls, "Can I get that on tape?" Followed by more snickering. I'm afraid I will not live that comment down. I think he may have said, "What? You're not a wild and crazy bookworm?" As soon as I said it, I knew it would not be the last time I heard it repeated back to me.

So, we may not be getting wild and crazy, but I will be trying out a recipe for Lemon Poppy Seed Bread tomorrow and Mel and family may be visiting tomorrow and bringing some dinner which means I get to see the sweet little baby girl! Let's hope the recipe turns out well, and maybe we'll have some dessert=)

Oh, and in case you're keeping track, right now all Cars cars are present and accounted for. H has taken to putting some of them in his nightstand drawer before bed. Since my last post, we managed to lose and find "Old Lightening" and find Mr. The King. C found them both, go Daddy! We also introduced "New Lightening" aka H's Lightening, not because we thought Old Lightening had disappeared for good. We actually bought a set, the parts of which will be used for prizes for H for working on his writing. The set included Lightening, and H was awarded his very own Lightening after doing really well sharing with his little brother over the past couple of weeks. That sounds a bit saccharine, but we really are very proud of him for learning to share with W.