Pink Roses

I'm pulling over...

Lake Toxaway, originally uploaded by suzanneduda.

I'm pulling over, and I mean that in a good way. Not like a threatening-my-kids way...."if you kids don't stop fighting, I'm pulling over"...you see the kids and I are going to North Carolina today , for a long weekend, to see my brother and his family, and I am driving. This means when something strikes my fancy, I'm pulling over. Fresh peaches-YES, fireworks-why not, yard sales-definately! Growing up, we always took long road trips, but it was always about getting to the destination. We didn't stop unless we HAD to. These days I'm all about the journey, and the unexpected things you find along the way. So when I see something that looks interesting, you can be sure, I'm pulling over...

There's a dumpster in my driveway...

I am a pack rat. A serious pack rat. But I am in a CLEANING mode which is why there is a dumpster in my driveway. Some of this stuff has got to go. But in the midst of my cleaning, I am finding treasures.  Things I thought were lost, things I forgot I even had...and then I run across some kindergarten drawings that my 20 year old made and get all weepy...and I put them back in a box to keep for another 15 years.  I am a pathetic sentimental pack rat.  I'll never fill that dumpster.

Happy Birthday Teresa McFayden!

Bella Crown, originally uploaded by suzanneduda.

For the past few months I have been fortunate enough to be involved in a 'top-secret' group of artists who have been making birthday hats and crowns in celebration of Teresa McFaydens birthday. This project was the brainchild of Kim Kwan...you can check out her website here..

..and see a complete list of participants as well as links to their websites...

We also have a flickr group that can be linked here...

It has been lots of fun thinking and creating-this is my first attempt at making a crown..I am pleased with the results-hope Teresa likes it! Thanks Kim for all your planning!
Happy Birthday Teresa!

thrift store finds...

vintage hat boxes, originally uploaded by suzanneduda.

Some days you get lucky. I had a good thrift store thing going this week. I found these vintage hatboxes and the glove box covered in vintage wallpaper at one thrift store. At goodwill I found a stack of 50's children's books including a "Dick and Jane" early reader, a pile of vintage lace ($1.00) and a pair of pillowcases with little pink rosebuds on them. Lucky indeed. I wish I could figure out how to post more than one picture on a blog post...still learning here...the other pictures are on flickr, in case you want to see my finds...

I need a vacation...

Hydrangea & lightship basket, originally uploaded by suzanneduda.

actually WE need a vacation..between summer jobs, an Eagle Scout project, college applications and summer reading - we are all a bit cranky. This photo reminds me of an amazing vacation we had a few years ago to the northeast...Boston, Cape Cod, Nantucket (where I bought this lightship basket), then on to Bar Harbor, Maine. We spent 10 fabulous days and built a lifetime of memories. In fact, Elizabeth wrote about this trip on one of her college application essays a few years ago. I still need to finish that scrapbook...

afternoon showers...

patio table, originally uploaded by suzanneduda.

we're in that sumertime weather mode here...afternoon showers. Every day I think they might hold out and we can actually eat dinner on the patio. I set the table, cut some flowers, and then you hear the distant rumble and you know the rain is coming. Last night I had to hold my umbrella over the grill to retrieve the burgers! Oh well, a little rain isn't going to stop me from grilling...after all my dad used to grill in the SNOW in the winter in Buffalo, N.Y. He just moved the grill outside the window of the sunroom, and would open the window, flip the steaks, and shut the window FAST. That's a dedicated grill master!

skeleton keys

skeleton keys, originally uploaded by suzanneduda.

I just purchased this lot of vintage skeleton keys on ebay...I think I am going to try to use them on my ornaments for the Silver Bella shabby ornament swap...I tied them with a black and white gingham ribbon, and put them on top of my dish of mother of pearl buttons in the sunroom. I thought the contrast was nice.

sparkly goodness...

vintage rhinestone pins, originally uploaded by suzanneduda.

How pretty are these pins? My good friend & other mother (O.M.), JoRae came over last week with a paper grocery sack. Here's some things from my mother ,she said, I don't know if you will want any of it. By things, she meant an ENTIRE BAG filled with vintage jewelry! HELLO! This picture is of 3 of the pieces. I have spent hours cleaning and sorting, polishing the silver..I'm in heaven! So THANKS O.M., your sparkly goodness is in good hands...I will LOVE it all, and someday, like you, pass it on...

mom and dad

mom and dad, originally uploaded by suzanneduda.

It dosn't get any better than this. These two LOVE me. They are always there. They always listen. They never quit. I count my blessings everyday that they are healthy and well. If only they were closer! I LOVE YOU mom and dad-with ALL my heart!

happy birthday...

just a little plastic cupcake topper goodness to wish my little sister a happy birthday...just remember, for the next 3 months we're only a year apart! hope everyone has a lucky 07-07-07!