My Cozy Home

disneyland, birthdays, antiques...sounds like heaven to me

Hello my friends!  My family and I just got back from a week in Anaheim, CA.  My mom met us down there as well and we had a great time.  While we were there we celebrated Evy's 4th birthday, spent three days at Disneyland, went to the ocean, visited Hollywood, and of course found time for antiquing.  It was so much fun, and always tough to come back to the norm of work and day-to-day stuff that isn't nearly so fun.  I wanted to let you know ahead of time that I was going to be in California, but unfortunately our car was broken into right before we left, and multiple things were taken, including our checkbook with address.  In addition was Steve's planner, which had a packing list in it - needless to say, we were very concerned about leaving our house when thieves had our address so I didn't feel comfortable announcing our time away.  I'm including a few (many) pictures from our trip - specifically some of Disneyland and the fall decorating they did there.  I loved it! 

There's just something magical about this castle, especially at night when it's all lit up.

Some of the Disney decorations were sweet -  like this one.  Others were a bit more sinister.

A hearse at Haunted Mansion

 

Mom and Evy with more sweet decorations.

The Haunted Mansion - It was creepy, fun, and really put me in the Halloween spirit - as if I wasn't already in the mood :o)

Can you see those beautiful hanging mum baskets.  They're big mum balls.

Evy was more of the "admire Mickey from afar" school of thought.  She was all talk while in line, but when it came right down to it, she was just too afraid to hug giant mice, bears named Pooh, and Mad Hatters.  Princesses were okay though - she was all about the princess hugs.

 

This was in our hotel room on Evy's birthday.  Up next, princess hugs.

Snow White with Snow White.  Such a special day for all of us.

When we weren't at Disneyland, we were doing lots of other fun things - antiquing being one of them.  I'll show you some of the fun things I got once I get them into position.  I hope you all had a good week.  I'm back to work tomorrow for one day, and then flying back to California on Tuesday for the rest of the week for work - this time San Jose. I'm sure it will be fun, but it tires me out thinking about hopping back onto a plane and doing the hotel thing again.  I'll have some down time at night though, which will be nice.  Thanks for indulging all of the pictures.  You may see a few more here and there in future posts.   

antiques find new home and loving guardian - shouts of "hurrah" heard round the world...

I have taken pictures of most of the antiques that I got while attending the amazing, and very rewarding Junk Bonanza a couple of weeks ago.  I believe I've established a new speed record for myself, and perhaps even the world for finding just the right place for said new goodies.  I believe it was providence, dare I say, divine providence that the new antiques slipped so easily into our home.  I digress.  Here are pictures of most of the items, although the hand and ring displayed inside the cloche are not pictured, but are very happily sitting on my bedside table looking quite like they've always been there (do I hear utterances about divine providence again?  ehem, okay, okay moving along).  I plan to try and capture some of the other items I got, a couple are Halloweeny so I'll save those for a bit later.

Pictured new items are the golf club set with plaid bag, the bag sitting on the floor nearest the chest, and the riding helmet sitting on top of it.

Okay, so this guy isn't part of my recent antiquing expedition, but he's cute, and really that's about all the explanation necessary I think.  I got him at Michael's - he may look familiar to you.

Pictured here is the snapshot of lab coat people outside the Natural History Museum.  Love the lab coat people.  I know that not everyone would agree that Mr. Pumpkin Guy is cute, but I think he's hands down adorable.  I just paused to look up at him as I type this.  Yup, he's still totally cute, and in case you're wondering, he is indeed still smiling. 

I really, really like the Fall Harvest sign that I got.  It's in the kitchen - the room you can see behind it is the dining room.  The DR is a very pale gray color - the Kitchen is that caramel, butterscotchy color.

Here is the tartan plaid Pendleton blanket that I got (I already posted a similar picture earlier). 

A close up of that great Junk Fairy wand that I got at Kari's wonderful booth at Junk Market. It's tucked into the Halloween tree.

Well, I don't have a picture of everything I got, but it's a few things just so you can see how they're fitting in.  They're mingling well with the other antiques and decorative elements.  They haven't started any fights or even engaged in any name calling.   So, success all around I'd say.  Also, I wanted to let you know that I'll be out of pocket a bit over the next week.  I hope everyone's doing well.  Thank you for being such wonderful blogging friends.  It really does mean so much to me.  Talk to you soon.

journaly things...

I've been so inspired by all of the wonderful journals that I've seen people create lately.  Typically they are the 56 cent notebooks, the black and white marble looking ones, that have been altered.  People are so creative.  I decided to try making one as well.  I'm definitely going to make more and try different styles.  I decided to use my journal to keep track of my "me money" expenditures (this is an allowance that my husband and I each take when we get paid.  That way we can each spend the money on what we want, and we don't have to feel guilty about it - it's a good plan for us).  In addition to tracking that information, I plan to add little pictures that inspire me, and lists of fun things and antiques that I'd like to try and find. 

 

I covered the front and back of the notebook in scrapbooking paper.  I then used Martha Stewart scrapbooking ribbon to cover the seams between the paper and the edge of the notebook.  It is sticky ribbon so you just place it where you want and it stays put.  I used a glittery "A", and glittered scrolls to embellish.  The little girl is from a book that I have that has paper projects in it.  I scanned her, printed her on photo paper, and then cut her out.  Little rhinestones line the bottom of the notebook, but you can't see those very well.   I also made the little bookmark.

I just love that little girl.  She's so cute.

I like having a pretty bookmark to go along with my new journal.  I really had a great time making the journal, and I have realized that the more I play with different materials, the more my creativity increases.  I find it to be the same with writing and photography  too. 

I'm getting my hair done today - I always love that. I have a/some glass(es) of wine while I'm there :o)  We gab and gab and gab.  I read magazines.  It's a good time.  I hope you all are having a great week.  In my next post I'll show you were I put all my goodies from my antiquing escapade last Friday.  The weather here is crisp and perfect for jeans, sweaters, and jackets.  I love this time of year.

antiquing splendor...

What could be better on a Friday than taking the day off of work to experience a full day of brilliant antiquing?  That was actually a rhetorical question - no answer required because there isn't much that could be better - maybe some things are evenly matched - I'll give you that, but I can't off the top of my head think of much that is better than a day off to find amazing antiques.  My sister-in-law (Erin), and I got an early start on Friday morning to go to Junk Bonanza - an annual event that is put on by the Junk Market girls Sue and Ki - contributing editors to "Country Home" magazine.  We got there just before it started so that we could experience it all from the beginning.  It was WONDERFUL!!!  Every booth was good - no crap, just great stuff!!  Over 100 vendors were there, including the beautiful, talented, and very sweet Kari from Artsy Mama.  I was so excited to meet her and see her pretty creations.  Here we are at her booth.  The Junk Fairy wands were made by Kari - they are so cute!  Kari had so many wonderful things in her booth and she displayed them so well.  Also, her dad took the pictures and was helping Kari in her booth.  He is so sweet - what a cutie!  Also, thank you Erin for being my antiquing buddy all day - we did have a fantastic time.

It was so fun to meet Kari in person - I'm so glad she lives near me.

                                                                                                       

                                                                                                                                           

Look at those great Junk Fairy wands - so cute!

My loot!

Look at that golf bag.  I got the bag and four old drivers for $18.  I really love that plaid.  Also, I was very excited about the tartan blanket, and the riding helmet that was made in Greenwich, CT. 

                                                                                                                                                               

Kari made the wand and the Halloween witch that is laying over the top of vintage ledger paper.  I love them!

I got the tall glass cloche to add to my growing collection.  The hand under the cloche is cast iron - It's so heavy.  The ring is from The Junk in My Trunk - the creation of a fantastic woman named Karen Ross Smith, who was also at Junk Bonanza.  The ring is a beautiful vintage button.  I also got a bobby pin with a very cute vintage button. They are really great - Karen does a great job with the jewelry - they are really well made.  And seriously, that hand is fantastic for displaying such a great ring!

 

Skeleton keys from Kari's booth, a frog, and ironstone platters to add to yet another collection.

I nearly had a spasmic attack when I found this bag - $14.  Yes, $14.  The bag, riding helmet, and golf bag are all in my entry now - I'll take some pictures later to show the new display. 

Just wanted to show my new tartan blanket on the bench in our family room.  I sure do get excited about those colors - especially at this time of year. 

Tonight we have a block party in our neighborhood.  Not sure what I'm making yet.  Last year I won the prize for best salad, which was an asian salad and so good.  Not sure I'll be winning any prizes this year.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend!   

halloween tree and the name game

As planned, on September 1st I dragged out all my autumn and Halloween goodies.  It took all day to get things positioned.  While decorating I burned one of my 1803 candles - the one called "Prairie Home", which smells like pumpkin bread and spices.  Those are the kind of days I really enjoy.  Being at home, decorating, baking, reading, hanging out with my family.  Usually there is a good mystery movie tossed in there to round out the evening once Evy has gone to bed.  I'm just going to show one of my Halloween trees today.  I can't show all my fall stuff yet, otherwise, what the heck would I talk about later in September and in October.

Not sure if you can see it, but it says "Boo".

 

                                                                                                                                          

                                    

                                                                                                                      

 

                                                                                                                                                            

   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                    

                                          

                                     

And, I was tagged by Sophie for the name game.  Here are the rules: Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog post containing your own middle name game facts. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

C: Coffee - I lived for 32 years of my life disliking coffee.  It always smelled so good though - Steve always made it and I wished I could like it.  Then I discovered flavored creams - Like Hazelnut, and Pumpkin Spice, among others.  Once I added that delectable flavoring to the coffee, that was it, I was hooked.  Yum.

L: Laughter - I do like to laugh, a lot.  I like to make people laugh and be the recipient of the wit of others.  And when you live with Mr. Steve Andrews, you can't help but laugh - He's just the funniest guy.

A: Antiques - Well, I don't even think I need to explain this.  It really is one of my absolute favorite things to do.  I've always loved it - since I was a little girl and my mom and I would go antiquing together.  And I always will love it - I'm an addict and that's all there is too it.

I: Inspiration - I've never been quite so inspired as I have since I started blogging and meeting all of you wonderful people.  I've become more artistic and have tried my hand at some projects.  Things I probably wouldn't have done if I hadn't started blogging.  I look at my home a bit differently now as I style and restyle, and shuffle things around.  I think, "I bet this would make a good little picture for my blog".

R: Reading - I LOVE to read.  And, it's mysteries for me.  Like antiques, I have always, always loved reading mysteries.  It started with my mom and I reading Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden together - snuggled up in my bed, taking turns reading to each other.  I love the intrigue, the suspense, and the fact that I'm usually cozied up in my home as I read them.  It's safe, and a bit scary all at the same time.  I do hope that Evy will have the same love of reading that I do.

E: Evelyn - My daughter, my companion, my inspiration.  She allows me to be a child right along with her, and I love it.  Seeing her playing, and the incredible imagination that she has is a reawakening for me.  I really appreciate and admire her imagination, and hope that she carries it with her all her life.   

As you can see, my middle name is Claire, named after my aunt Claire.  I love my middle name.  And since there are six letters in my middle name, I now need to choose six people to tag - Kim from Vintage Pretties, Karla from Sugar Bear Designs, Mary from Across the Pond, Rosemary from Roses Petite Maison, Priscilla from Priscilla's Cottage, Jen from The Cottage Nest. I apologize if any of you have already been tagged.

Hope you are all having a wonderful Labor Day weekend.