Pink Roses

blog giveaway {x4}...

Hello friends!  As I mentioned last week, I just wrote my 400th post, and had my 2 year blog anniversary...so it's time for a giveaway! 

When I was trying to think of what to giveaway, I just thought of all the things that I collect and love, and put together some things that I hope you will like too.  I also wanted to make 4 somewhat identical things, so that there could be 4 winners.  While searching for the perfect "container" to fill with vintage items, I thought of one of my collections...vintage white wicker purses.  The purses are fun and summery, and I actually use them on occasion!  I chose 4 purses from my collection, and made tags with vintage ledger paper, ribbon and a millinery flower (I destroyed a hat for this!)...

Inside each purse I put a vintage hankie, an old postcard, a card of rick rack, and lots of other vintage finds...

Of course they're all different because they are vintage items I have collected over the years.  I also put together paper packs to go with this, that contain vintage wallpaper and sheet music, French and Latin pages, a book of green stamps, game cards and more... ( I will take a picture later today).

So if this sounds like something you would like to win, leave me a comment here and I will draw 4 names on Friday.

Good Luck, and thanks as always for stopping by!

summertime...

Life is slow around here these days...we are having a very relaxing summer.  We have been doing a bit of cleaning and sorting and organizing of the "ugly" areas of the house which include the garage and attic and basement storage.  Those areas have not inspired any blog posts!  Boring and dirty! 

Starting July 1st, I am going to post a "photo-a-day"...a snapshot from around the house...something pretty to look at...even if I have nothing exciting to say.  We could all use a little pretty in our day.

Wishing you all a great weekend...blog giveaway on Monday!

a visual treat...

The new issue of Somerset Life is absolutely GORGEOUS!  From Heather's beautiful photograph on the cover, to articles and projects by Kim, Andrea, Rebecca, Lori, Jenny, Melissa and so many more...

I am honored to have a photograph {of a gift from my friend Lisa} displayed on the same pages as Tiffany and Holly, two of the sweetest gals I know!

Look for the new issue on July 1st..

52Q: weeks 21, 22, 23...

week 21: How would I spend a free day if I had no restrictions?

(my answer: in Paris-shopping the flea markets all day, and dining and dancing (romancing) all night!)

materials: a page from an old French book, a scrap of barkcloth, a mother of pearl button, and some netting from an old hat.

week 22: Which direction am I going?

materials: notebook paper, vintage wallpaper, ledger paper

   {i like these two together}

week 23: How can I be kinder to myself?

materials: watercolor paint and micron pen

I hope you're having a great day!!!

400...

Last night I was rambling around blog-ville and noticed several people having 100th post giveaways and such and I started thinking...I wonder how many posts I've written?  I don't keep up with the statistics of my blog very often, it kind of overwhelms me thinking of so many people reading.  I prefer to think of it as me, talking to you, not like I'm in a lecture hall in front of a whole bunch of people.  Anyway...I searched around to find out how to even find this information, and when I did I was so surprised.  This is my 400th blog post!

400, seriously?  When I was thinking of starting this blog I got a piece of paper and wrote down all the things I could think of to write about.  I was trying to see if I had enough to keep this blog going for 2 weeks.  The list was pretty short, and fairly boring, but I convinced myself that no one was EVER going to read it anyway, so who cares.  It will just be me, writing random things and memories, so I don't forget them when I get really old.

Now I realize I have written 400 times.  What in the heck have I talked about?  I know there were 2 "my-son-almost-died" posts.  2 out of 400 isn't bad.  Be glad I only have one son :).  I'm hoping there has been more good than bad, more happy than sad.  I know that you have been there regardless...with cheers and support and prayers and smiles.  There is so much love and goodness in the world, and I am, no WE are, so lucky to be a part of this blog community.  My thanks to you all!

So, 400...I know I am supposed to be having a giveaway or something that requires a random number generator (lol), and actually I have missed 100, 200, and 300, so I should pick several names, right?  Well in my statistics search last night I also found that my 2 year anniversary of this blog is in 10 days, so I think I will wait until then, and that will give me time to figure out what in the heck to give away!!!

I'm thinking an assortment of vintage finds: wallpaper, ribbon, buttons, millinery...flea market finds.  Something with pink roses for sure!  I have 10 days to figure it out!

Thanks, as always, for stopping by!

xo suzanne

in the garden...

I've been spending a lot of time working in the garden the past few weeks.  As you can see from the picture below, the abundant rain we have had has caused the vines to go crazy and take over...ivy, vinca, honeysuckle, and the dreaded poison ivy are everywhere...

Day by day I have been weeding and mulching...

the ground is soft and easy to work, so that makes the task easier.  I've been moving things around, sorting it all out.

 

It's been good therapy for me...the work, the quiet...nature

I've been sorting a few things out in my own life while in the garden...

I still feel guilt over my divorce...that I didn't give my kids the "happily ever after" they deserved.  That I deserved.   It has been 3 years since he left, and I am ready to move on.

I am giving myself permission to be happy.  I am giving myself permission to live.

I am not going to put my life on hold any longer...

I have no idea what life has in store for me, but I am going to be open to the possibilities!

still the boss...

The 3 big Gardenia bushes in my backyard are filled with dozens of blooms.  The entire yard is filled with their delicious perfume.  Wish you were here!

Sorry to be gone for a week-it was not planned.  Life just got in the way (in a good way), and it happened.  I haven't been on the computer, or blogged, or read blogs, or answered email.  Sorry!

I have...cleaned the garage, weeded the garden, helped Christopher organize his college stuff (he is feeling SOOO much better), eaten ice cream (double chocolate chunk), gone to the gym (because of the ice cream), watched the Stanley Cup,  spent time with the kids, and adjusted a few attitudes.

This past week was finally my  "adjustment" week with the kids home from school.  I knew it was coming...it just took a while.  We were all playing nicely and then it happened.   It is difficult for kids who have been living "on their own" to adjust to the rules of home once again.  I am guilty of asking unreasonable and interrogating questions such as "where are you going?" and "will you be home for dinner?".  I've been accused of nagging when I ask "will you please : take out the trash/unload the dishwasher/clean your room?"

Really...who do I think I am?

Oh yeah, that's right...

I'm your mother.

and in case you missed the memo...

I'm still the boss.

I'm glad we got that cleared up :)