Happy Birthday, Dad!

This man is my dad. When I was little, every Monday through Friday at 5:30 PM, after hearing his car pull into the driveway, I would hide behind the front door of the house where I grew up in Pleasant Hill, Ca, waiting for him to open it, then jump out and yell "Daddy-O!!!!!!", and he would act surprised every single time.

It was behind the door of this house in Napa, CA that he grew up. My dad and I went to Napa yesterday, to re-visit the memories that this once small town still holds. He pointed out many houses and locations that were the scene of many of the stories of his past I have heard before, and a few new ones too.

We found the niche of my Grandmother Madonna, who I never got to meet, & been told I look very much like.

We found the house of his father and his second wife, my Grandma Helen.

And of course there was FOOD involved. In fact an important part of the reason of our road trip was to get a special treat for his birthday dinner.

If you have any history with Napa, you must know of this place. It was once the Depot Restaurant, home of the delicious Malfatti, and many great memories. The Depot has closed, but if you ever have a hankering for GREAT Italian food, you need to follow our lead and head to Clemente/Val's Liquors in Napa, where the previous cook/owner from The Depot is still dishing out century old authentic Italian handmade recipes. Clemente himself & his family will even carry your order to your car, give you a kiss & a hug and send you on your way.

We had a surprise guest at his birthday dinner tonight--his lifelong friend Harold Haloran, who helped us celebrate and eat Dad's favorite cake--Banana Nut, made by my sister Joan. Happy Birthday, Dad. You've always been my hero. It was your day, but I feel like I got the gift.

Vintage Thingies Thursday ~ Talkin' 'Bout My Girl

I got this mannequin at a recent garage sale (for $7.00!!!). Maybelle is a full-figured gal, with no markings. I've never seen one with the
string in the middle of bust--I wonder what it's for? Anyone have any information on her? For now she is content to stand at the end of the hallway. Soon she will be in my new craft room!

Go to Colorado Lady's blog this and every Thursday for more Voluptuous Vintage Thingies.

All Because Two People Fell In Love

It was a beautiful a day as these two people are. I had looked forward to the wedding of my baby brother and my new little sister, Mary, for almost a year! I and my whole family are SO very happy they found each other.



I was delighted to be included in the wedding by making a few things for the reception.


I made these for Mary 'cuz she's a California girl to the core, who loves her flip-flops!




Then I made these scrolls for the wedding guests to fill out with their memories, hopes, dreams and advice for the newlyweds! They will all be put into a scrapbook (my wedding gift to them!)
I also decorated the toasting glasses with rhinestone initials and white roses. It was also my (nerve wracking) duty to deliver the cake to the reception site an hour away! Everything went as planned, and we all partied the (hot) night away.

And as if we didn't have enough to celebrate: my sweet sister, Madonna came with her husband Albert (my dance partner for most of the evening), all the way from Louisiana!
along with her daughter (my niece) Rebecca and her beau Rusty.
While they were here, joined by my sister Joan, we got to visit Wendy Addison's shop "Theatre of Dreams" in Port Costa!

It was truly a magical time to remember!

Turn-down Service Included

Remember this cute little guy? That's my baby brother! He's getting MARRIED this weekend (that'll be another post!) to a wonderful woman who already adds so much love to our family that I can't imagine our family without her.

Remember this cute little girl? That's my oldest sister! She and her husband are flying in from Louisiana for the wedding! They'll be staying with me, which translates to "Clean up and fast!"

I had so much fun getting the back room ready for them. Yes, I know you'd expect more whimsy and cuteness from me, someone who buys, paints and sells furniture for a living, but believe me, these pictures chronicle a vast improvement of a space we dubbed "my husband's closet".

Because I live in a small house this room is normally full of size 10 shoes, clothes, and yes, I'll admit it, furniture waiting to be transformed.

But now it's cool, clean and quiet. And I can't wait until they get here!

VTT ~ Crying Over Spilled (And Shattered) Milk Bottles

When I was little and growing up in Pleasant Hill, CA, we used to buy our milk at the DuMor Drive-Through Milk Depot. See all those glass bottles stacked in the metal crates behind these attractive folks?

Recently I bought this book, which has lots of photos that stirred up a bunch of memories for me! When I was 10 years old, I dropped a full bottle of milk, then slipped and landed palms-down in the shattered glass, and got about 5 stitches in each hand.

(Images of America "Pleasant Hill" by Adam P. Nilsen)

About a month ago, I found one of those bottles at a sale! (They are really heavy when full of my lemon aide, no wonder I dropped it!)

It even has the cap! I remember when our phone number used to be MU2-8044! (I'm really not that OLD, I just have a good pre-birth memory)

Share your Vintage Thingies every Thursday at Colorado Lady's blog!

Vintage Thingies Thursday ~ Laundry Day

One of my motto's is "If it's ugly, cover it up with something cute!". So I took my own advice and covered up some stained walls and exposed pipes in my laundry room.

I had been collecting cute vintage doll clothes and baby clothes for a few YEARS (yes years) and finally put them to use on this clothes line with mini vintage clothes pins.

Problem solved, and cutely too, I might add!

Don't hang me out to dry--show me YOUR vintage thingies! Join in at Colorado Lady's blog every Thursday!

Goody! Two Shoes!

I know the days of these being "all the rage" are over, but I had always wanted to try making one. Just call me a late bloomer.

I had a pair, so I painted each shoe a different color and used some vintage flowers and lace on them.

The pins needed a little something extra, so they got topped with flowers too!

They'll be for sale at the shop this month during July 16-19th. Hope you'll toddle on in and take a look around!