She's A Grand Ole Flag ....

   Since Memorial Day I have been in an all American mood! I asked my friend Tanya to join me in a little trip to our favorite garden ... Roger's Gardens! Granted, it is the  BEST at Christmas time but the glory of Spring was also amazing.
However, my interest lied in the home decor section specifically the Americana decor! They do an amazing job with every season so I new I wouldn't be disappointed.
I forget my camera so I only took a few pics using my cell phone. For some reason I don't do as well with the phone as I do a camera so bare with me.

The patriotic umbrellas may look familiar to you ... I bought two of them last year on sale! They are currently displayed on my patio table but I am very tempted to hang them upside down over the table!! I love how this looks.

Here is Tanya ready to enter the gardens! I think she was talking to me when I snapped this pictures and she will kill me when she see's how good it looks ... I told you I'm bad with a cell phone camera!

 

 

 

 

I love these trunks. I was fortunate enough to receive one a gift filled with a quilt kit last year from my friend Paula! The wonderful pennant decorated with an eagle was one of the few things I brought home with me. Keep an eye open, you will see it later this summer in my home!

Speaking of home ... I spent some time a few nights ago decorating a small vignette for baseball season! I usually have it done before now, however,better late then never!

A few of my many Angels Mickey Mouse players ....

While I was setting this up guess who came on TV?? Yep, it's my boys of summer. Score 3 to 0 Angels.

As you can see my little set up is just above the TV, right where I can see it everyday of baseball season!!
PlayBall!

Back to Quilting!

Unfortunately my sewing room does not benefit from the central air conditioning very well. When the weather is hot I need to sew before noon and then get out of there. I have taken advantage of the cooler weather the last few days and have been quilting up a storm.

Last year for my birthday my dear friend Penny gave me an entire quilt (in pieces) in a big jar! Last week I cut all the pieces and today I laid it all out on my design wall.

This is going to be tricky to assemble. Laying it out was challenging enough, like putting together a jigsaw puzzle! Once all the 2 1/2 inch squares were in their proper places I rolled the whole thing up ....

Almost done rolling .... Then I took it up the my sewing room where I will begin putting it together row by row 23 times!! I love how it looks finished, that will be my motivation to get it done.

 

 I realize it's only May (almost June) but it's never to early to start sewing for Christmas and birthdays!

Using materials from my treasure trove I created a personalized runner ....

The tiny black writing near the blocks is a favorite Bible verse of a friend of mine ...

 A little Americana quilted checker board! I think this may find it's way to my grandchildren this Christmas. They need to learn to play games the old fashioned way .... not on an I Pad!!!

 

 Well thats what's been going on here. Hope your Spring days are filled with joy.

Happy Birthday Jewel!

If I can be as sharp and happy as my friend Jewel when I turn 94 years old then bring it on! She still has her sense of humor and her sunny disposition. Don't get me wrong, if you need a stern talking to, she can still dish it out.

Saturday her daughter's Barb and Janice combined a 94th birthday and Longaberger party to celebrate Jewel's special day. 

The weather was absolutely perfect for her "in the garden" party.

Most of the gals are gathered in the warm California sun enjoying their lunch.

 

Here is Jewel the birthday girl with her daughter Janice. Look at that adorable silver stream bird house to the right of Jewels head.

My Longaberger display is up and ready to go ....

One side of the beautiful garden. The little table holds a plate where Barb put the peanuts for the blue jays. Within seconds they are swooping down to collect their treasures. So fun to watch them!

 

Another side of the yard is home to this vintage bicycle with the Longaberger bicycle basket attached to the front. Two more bird houses are dangling from the tree to the right. The back yard is filled with wonderful trees and they have fun, unique birdhouses hanging all over the place! So fun back there ...

This family loves the AnaLee dolls featured here. Barb contacted their offices and requested they make a special 94th birthday mouse. They were honored to be a part of this special occasion and made the custom creation especially for Jewel.

Happy Birthday my dear friend. May you have many, many more.

Awesome Collectibles Home Tour!!

I guess I just didn't have enough of touring homes ... today I went out to my dear friend Tanya's house so we could rummage through some of the local antique shops in her home town of Redlands. If you're not familiar with the city of Redlands here is a brief synopsis.

This beautiful city is nestled at the foot of the Cleveland National Forest and in it's hay day this fertile land was covered in citrus. The railroad came through bringing wealthy investors from the east eager to settle in the warm California climate. Beautiful Victorian Mansions line the historic boulevards reminding the locals and visitors alike of the rich history this community holds. 

It's no wonder that the antique shops are bursting with beautiful pieces from the past.

Fortunately for me, Tanya's home was better then any antique shop. She and I have similar taste in collectibles so I just filled my eye balls with all of her treasures! I quickly grabbed my IPhone to snap a few quick pictures to share.

Of course this cute trough caught my eye! It's packed full of wonderful quilted treasures. The one in the front on the right was made by our friend Barbara Miller. It is a memory quilt of Tanya's dad who passed away not to long ago. Tanya has been learning to quilt and several of these are some of her creations!

The Wilton Pewter Co. made this wonderful pewter plate to commemorate the Redlands community. Those round things are citrus trees.

Some little Putz sheep ... a tiny sewing machine and some jax are just a few treasures on this little shelf.

Here is something I had never seen before. The tall plate like items in the back with paper attached to them are memo holders. You hang the plate on the wall and the U shaped piece is on a spring holding the memo's in place. Very cool! Wonderful small lamps another sewing machine and a cute oil can ... Love it all!

I tried everyone of these door nobs and not one of them opened anything!

LOVED this little cabinet. The doors are so cute when they are closed. Tanya has a cute display of small pewter mugs and blocks tucked inside and a cute little quilt draped over the door. The pewter minute man in the center tried really hard to jump in my pocket!

These two fellas came all the way from the Cobblestone Cottage shop! They are carved by hand and so darn cute.

Another wall of beautiful crosses ... each one has a story of it own to tell ....

And the final picture has got to be the best ... 

 Can you tell what this mangled  mess is?? Yep, its toys!! Dino, dragons, snakes and Godzilla numerous treasures belonging to Tanya's grandson. Any grandmother in the world would covet a treasure trove like this knowing it makes a loved one happy in her home.

Hope you enjoyed another tour!

 

In Memory .....

In approximately 30 minutes Pacific time many red blooded Americans will kick off the unofficial summer holiday. It's an unwritten rule ... Memorial Day kicks off summer and Labor Day wraps it up. Motor homes with bicycles strapped to their backs will be heading out of town along with motorcycles to the deserts while others will head off to the many beaches that line the Pacific Coast. Unfortunately many Americans will forget to pay homage to those that this Memorial Day holiday was originally established to remember. 

In my family, Memorial Day was always a day to reflect on those family members, and others who fought for our great country and lost their greatest treasure, their lives. 

Today, while placing my fresh new American flags out on my front lawn I began to think about how many members in my family fought for this great country.

 

The earliest war veteran I have record of is my Great Great Uncle Phillip Geiger. He served in the Civil War in the Ohio 3rd Infantry. Unfortunately he died much to young for any family member to learn anything about him. He is interred in the Geiger Family plot in Logan Ohio. Each year, the Veterans of Foreign Wars lay a flag and a commemorative metal on his grave.

The next generation to fight in the wars protecting America were my Paternal - Grandfather, Edward Pritts. And a my maternal Great Uncle Bernard Factor. Both of these men would serve in World War I. My grand father fought in France at the battle of Argon where he would receive a Bronze Star for wound received in battle.

This document was signed by President Woodrow Wilson  ... the bronze star is on the lower left.

 They both returned home at the end of the war.

The final two men to serve were my dad - Paul Pritts and his brother, my uncle Leonard. My dad served in the Pacific Theater and was one of the men sent into clean up Nagasaki Japan after the ravages of the atomic bomb. My dad was so horribly affected by his war experiences that he would never watch a war movie or discuss his years in the war.

My uncle would serve his time at the latter part of the war in Germany. In their honor I want to thank these 5 men for protecting my right to be free.

My flags are out!

And they are on display inside as well ....

 While you celebrate this holiday take a few minutes to say "Thank You"

The Birdies and The Bees .....

No! Not those kind of birds and bees! After the amazing home and garden tour on Saturday I was inspired to get out in my yard and wash off the winter crud. So Sunday morning with rags, scrub brushes and all purpose cleaner I head out to the yard. After a couple of hours I had successfully excumunicated numerous spiders, dead bugs, weeds and dirt. I provided a little CPR to my dying plants via water and some plant food. Now a trip to the garden center is in order and the yard will be ready for summer sunning.

Look at those nice clean bug free Longaberger Lanterns! I had the ladies over today to sew and since everything was so nice and clean I served lunch on the patio. The Longaberger Bee Skeep basket has been a long time favorite of mine.

I have to watch these bears ... they are from the Giant California  Redwoods and they love to sneak food. To keep them from being over fed I posted a sign. The two trees were carved by hand with a chain saw! My dear friends husband does these and I am a lucky recipient!

How many gnomes do you spy??

Peek A Boo ... I See You ...

I love gnomes! So much so that we're going to the Angels Baseball game tomorrow night and we get a FREE Albert Pujols garden Gnome! 

 

Longaberger Spring Home Tour 2014

 

   All the hard work, all the planning and baking in the 100 degree heat was absolutely worth it. Our guests just ooh'd and awed at our 3 beautiful homes yesterday. The horrid heat wave finally broke Friday night and we awoke to a mild marine layer and cooler temps Saturday morning. I will not babble on and on about things since I took so many pictures and I want you to enjoy them without my narration! So let's get to it.

Our first home was The Vander Zon home. In brief ... they have lived here about 20 years, after a horrible fire destroying most of their home Lisa's husband rebuilt their home to it's current beautiful state. With her love of a homey cottage style there is plenty of cozy!

This was what greeted our guests when they arrived ... a nice cozy setting for two ....

Walking in the front door is her living room filled with vintage 1930's quilts, antiques and of course Longaberger baskets! The ladders on the wall were made by her husband out of salvaged walnut.

This cute primitive blue pie safe is sitting in her dining room filled with her collectibles and more quilts!

A big comfy chair in a family room corner ...

A cute little pillow ...

 

Moving into the bedroom/office area's we pass this awesome sign ...

   

Nice Longaberger display in Lisa's office/craft room/guest room!

 

Split shot ... a view down the hall is a picture gallery and another ladder filled with quilts in Lisa's office.

 

Another shot in the office. Her Longaberger baskets really work hard in this space!

The master suite ... the quilt squares above the bed are Hawaiian .. I love their two tone color palate ...

  

Outdoor patio is set for a Memorial Day BBQ!

A comfy spot for tea in the garden ....

A spot to sit and listen to the fountain ... look at those cute lil bunnies nesting under the fountain.

A nice shady spot on the patio next to the pool.

 And finally ... the boysenberry vines that I am lusting after. These just melt in your mouth!

Oh my oh my ....

 The next home belongs to Karen and Don Roger's. Like the Vander Zon's they too have lived in there home about 20 years. Karen is a "nester." Meaning she finds great joy in making the perfect nest for her family and their friends. She is our longest Longaberger collector and boy did it show. Our guests just loved so many of her vintage Longaberger pieces.

Welcome to the Roger's Home ...

This is a close up shot of the family room farm table. Karen uses every bit of her Longaberger collection every day and it is amazing. I love her use of our wrought iron caddy!

We learned that this corner of their addition is her husbands favorite. The bar, flat screen TV and his treasured ICE MAKER!! I love the brick flooring, also found in the Linamen home!

Another cute laundry room ... I really need to get my act together and create a nicer laundry room! I bet it makes doing laundry fun!!

A nice basket vignette on a bathroom counter ....

UGH ... the gym. Believe it or not this is Karen's favorite room in the house ... wait till you see her ...

A Roger's family heirloom ... so lovely ....

Some vintage Longaberger ....

Two picnic baskets makes a perfect impromptu table when you add a tray!

 Let's take a look upstairs shall we??

This is my room ... love the white and colonial blue ....

This cute room is the safe haven of their 7 year old grandson Dustin ...too cute.

The wooden farm house belonged to Don, Dustin's grandpa. It has been replicated on the wall behind his bed.

The master suite ... the black and white pictures above the night stands are those of Karen and Don as tiny children, so darn cute.

Master suite sitting area ... The view from these windows is breath taking. It overlooks the entire Chino Valley.

Just a portion of the master bath, I LOVE the sinks and cabinetry ...

This is my private bath ... did I mention I am moving in here??

These two works of art were painted by the home owner Karen! The suit case is her version of a Louis Vutton decorated with flowers and a touch of Paris!

Myself and Ms. Karen, isn't she just adorable. You can certainly tell who has been using the gym equipment!

 Now for our final home. This is just a small part of the Linamen home. I had intended to go back and capture the upstairs but I failed to do so. With three generations living in this home there are family traditions everywhere. Her 92 year old father in law is now in residence in Debbie's former home office and their 25 year old son occupies three of the upstairs rooms. They are a true example of the new family modality.

Debbie's kitchen became a flower shop preparing for the tour. Aren't all those little creamers adorable??

A view our her kitchen window into a lovely spring garden. Salad anyone?

Karen working at Debbie's home office! Check out those baskets at the top ...

All of my sugar bowls full of baked brownie's, our 3 tiered server was perfect for serving my guests.

The bedroom and sitting room quarters for Debbie's father in law. With a bathroom right next door it is a perfect cozy place.

And finally a little niche for the Linamen grandchildren. They love to sit here and have tea parties with grandma's Longaberger tea set.

Hope you enjoyed our tour as much as we did. Sorry you couldn't have one of our yummy, chewy brownies!