Blog Party!!! BLOG PARTY!!! Blog Party!!!

I'm getting an early start on Joy's blog party on May 1. She is featured in the soon-to-be-released issue of Artful Blogging magazine.....how special is that?

Her blog party is about 'Why I Love Blogging" so make sure to visit her site and check out all the participants and see why each loves blogging.

Now to answer that question myself......I LOVE Blogging because I get to share my passions with others that are passionate about the same things.

I live in such a tiny mid-western town and don't get much exposure to others that love sparkly, vintage, rusty, chippy, flea-market finds. All I have to do is click on the many blogs I have found and feel I am surrounded by friends who love those things too.

I just checked the number of blogs I subscribe to on Google Reader and found out that 143 blogs friends are just a click away......and I know there are many more to yet be discovered!

I must admit I am so envious of my blog friends that have lots of time to craft and shop for vintage treasures. What fun to shop and make things and then resale like several do!

I also love seeing pics of bloggers homes. I get all kinds of decorating ideas.

Such beauteous and creative people these bloggers!!!!!

Any Paris info? Please do share

All I can think about it seems is my trip to Paris this July. Have I mentioned it is a dream come true for me? Oui.....I know...a thousand times already!

Here are a couple books I've been using to get info.

If you have ever been there and have any ideas or info please do share them with me!

I've received a few gifts from coworkers recently and I'm sure they are thinking if they just give me a little something for my trip I will shut up already!

First sweet Megan thought of me when she spotted these Fleur-de-lis so she picked them up for me. I hung them on the bedroom armoire and now the gold knobs I wanted to replace don't look so bad.

Then Rita found this luggage tag that says Paris, France, and New York so I found it on my desk one morning.

She knows that I also love New York City and the times I've traveled there that is all I could talk about then!

Please let me know if there is some place in Paris that we must see or any info I can not get from a book!

I had a lot of dried herb and flower bundles that I hadn't done anything with so I decided to frou-frou up this left-over Christmas wreath. The wreath was made with pine and boxwood and had been hanging in the 'manwood' room since the holidays.I used lavender, marjoram, and a few hydrangea blooms...all dried from last years garden. I didn't realize the wreath was actually a teardrop shape until I hung it in the kitchen.

Oh well, it had dried into this shape and things from nature are perfect in their own way, right?

Candalabra Deal

Found this goldplated candelabra at Goodwill the other day. Isn't it pretty? It was only $4.99 and is really heavy and of good quality. I stuck it in my craft room, the 'B'Hive,' until I find a spot for it....probably in the master bedroom. I may use it to hold some jewelry or I may just put some candles in it...not sure yet. I'm thinking it would look really cute with necklaces and bracelets hanging from the arms.

The straw hat with the pink roses was purchased at Sal Gilbertie's Herbs in Connecticut several years ago. Sal's is where Martha Stewart shops for herbs and has often featured him on her TV show.
I'm over the hearts on the hanging rack and am sure I will be replacing it after returning from France and being inspired by all the beauteous decor there.

My HomeTown

Hartford City, Indiana is my hometown...

...it's where I've always lived and probably always will.

I found these old postcards featuring my town and love the history I see in them. This is the grand courthouse and is the most beauteous one in this part of the state. Since I only live a block away from it, I hear the clock bell in the tower ring. The bell rings one tone for every hour {one tone for one o'clock, two tones for two o 'clock, etc} so I especially love it when working out in the gardens as it helps me keep my time.

This is the old City Hall and Fire Station.

I remember this old brick building from my childhood. Unfortunately it is no longer standing and has been replaced with a modern structure. How sad is that.......


Here is the prettiest church in town.

It is now called The Trinity United Methodist Church.

My parents were married in this church 50 years ago

and our family have been members here forever.

Hartford City, Indiana, USA

What history!

Back in Action.....

Just as my hectic work schedule is calming and I am feeling inspired to blog again.........ye ole computer decided to get sick. Not a virus that I could remove but several viruses and also a part replacement was required. EEEEEECCCCKKKKK! So after finally getting a call from the computer fixer dude I'm finally back at it. Did not realize how much I depend on my computer and am so happy to finally have her back.

Here's another box I decorated and am getting hooked on this decoupage thing. I've always loved reading magazines and now end up tearing out many of the pages to have pics to decorate more boxes.
Also this week I found a couple treasures at Goodwill, which is about a block away from my new office location. That means weekly lunch break visits to treasure hunt. What fun!

I promise more frequent posting on my blog now as time should be more available for it. I envy those that blog almost daily...both the time and the inspiration involved.

I've been in a Mod Podge mood and making some boxes. Right now I'm in the process of covering a peanut butter cracker box that is the perfect size to hold CD's. Seems like I have piles of CD's around that could use a home and I also have piles of magazines around so what a perfect recycling project!

Of course there are pink roses and gardeny pics............................................

And also pics of crowns and royalty.................

And of course some Tiffany blue

Here's another tiny little box I just finished that will be perfect for traveling and holding earrings......like when I go to Paris in July!!!!!

Ohio River and the Eagle

Over New Year's weekend, hubby and me and five friends headed to a cabin on the Ohio River. It was so fun and relaxing. The only time we left the cabin was to check out the local antique shop...........which was closed so we ended up just riding around the river when we spotted this Eagle. He (or she?) enjoyed posing for us.




Beautiful Eagle

Lazy long weekend on the river with friends.......

the perfect way to start 2009!