The Thrill of Being a Grandmother!

The Thrill of the Hunt has been neglected this past 9 months or so. I became a first time grandmother and there just isn't enough hours to  get everything accomplished. This past summer was a gathering time for me. Gathering a stroller, a small crib, gently used baby clothes, a baby swing and a Johnny Jump up.So glad my girls are so practical and agree that clean used strollers and cribs at Grandmas  is just fine.So for about $150.00 Grandma  is  completely outfitted and ready along with Grandpa to take the babies for a stroll. This is our Baby Ella,she is our first grandchild. Love this picture of her smiling at her grandpa! Daughter-in-law Alyssa withBaby Ella. Hope your Christmas was joyous!

Getting Inspired!

I was perusing my favorite blogs, I get so inspired while looking I just find myself jumping up and moving things around.Are you like that? It was a long hunting season this year ( for treasures) that is. I have so many treasures to find spots for. Ha!  I did unload quite a bit at the garage sale we held this summer.But you know what that means. HOORAY!  Room for something new! I hung a chandelier from the pot rack that hangs above my (chopping block,storage, dresser table) that stands in the middle of my kitchen. I know , I know I can't believe I actually did it. But I think you would be surprised how neat and unusual it looks.It is a small black chandy with 4 candle holders.Maybe you wouldn't be surprised. I love chandeliers! My little 6 year old niece told her mother that if aunt Mary could hang a chandelier in her car, I think she would! Children are soooo observant.Haven't been taking pictures lately, but hope to soon.

We enjoy going for a drive every Sunday after breakfast. I think it's a habit leftover from our childhood, (back in the "good old days") when gasoline was 23 cents a gallon! This drizzly summer morning found us driving up into the hills where it became foggier with each turn in the road. It felt like we were in January rather than July! I thought of the Rose Garden and told hubby to stop so I could take a few photos. Hope you enjoy them! 

Summer morning in Portland, Oregon

My Lasa-poos and I enjoying the cool morning.

Raindrops on roses

Sheila"s Lipstick

I have been coming to these gardens over 35 years, and each year they amaze me.

My front porch

Oh it all began with where to put my newest find - a white wicker footstool - found at the Goodwill. My friend, Priscilla, was struck by a decorating mood. I welcome any help moving and rearranging the outdoor furniture. Oh, what a difference placement can make. So now I will enjoy the front porch so much more. Over the last 20 years, I have collected a wrought iron cafe set, a wicker chest where my gardening tools are kept, a wicker planter, an iron settee, and a heavy Victorian wrought iron garden chair that has to be more than 100 years old!

A very French Chair !

Just dropped in at the local Goodwill on my way home Sunday. My luck! I have seen this elegant style of chair for years and loved it. The second I saw it , I knew it was going home with me. Love the soft gold floral. Seems that a dog loved chewing on the arms , but I was not discouraged! no not I! As soon as a spot was picked for this beauty , I applied dark furniture wax which was immediately soaked in and drank up by the dry wood. The rest of the chair was just perfect. A good vacuuming and voile !

Entertaining the thought of paring down......

The sisal rug made a huge difference in the appearance of the room.

                

As you can see I have a full house. 

I love the green paint on this chair.

Now that we are grandparents, with another announcement just recently. This last week our daughter shared her good news. She and her husband were just beaming.I suddenly realized how many treasures I have all around . Not exactly child proof.  Where do I begin paring down? I changed a rug in my living room and I was amazed at how much a sisal rug calms a room.  I found these 3 chairs this last year and I am really not ready to part with them yet. Decisions, decisions...Maybe I'll start with my closet ..... Ha!

Something magical happened this week . I became a Farmor (grandmother)

On May 31,2012 Little Ella Mae came into our world. She arrived 4 weeks early and weighed in at 6.3 lbs and 18 inches tall. I actually felt a warm loving light come into me as I held her for the first time. What a delight to meet her, my granddaughter! She is the daughter of our son David and his wife Alyssa.
That's what my week went like.
It was my "Thrill of the Week"

Introducing Miss Ella

Granny and Ella

Great find at the Goodwill!

Last Saturday was a lucky day for me at the Goodwill. I came upon a wonderful white wicker dresser  that was in great shape.Ah-ha! guess what I am using it for. It now stands in my kitchen with a chopping block at  one end and a granite tile at the other end for hot pots and pans. So for a frugal $20.00 I changed the whole look of my kitchen. Love all the basket drawers for various shaped trays, those rolling rolling pins, napkins and even those extra large cooking pots and pans. Amazing what a dresser can do for a room! Thanks for coming back and come again. Comments are most welcome.  What do you think?

Our Baby Shower for Alyssa Sunday May 6,2012

Yes indeed, it took a village to put this party on. We did it! Our son David and his wife Alyssa are expecting their first child in June. From the moment  and I told family and friends that I was planning a baby shower, I had volunteers for every job it would require.  My sister-in-law Dorraine volunteered to do the flowers. She made corsages for  the  two Grandmothers  and her Great Grandmother. I have a home filled with  treasures from The Thrill of the Hunt. So sis-in-law came over and helped move furniture, clean up the front and back patios after our long cold ,wet winter. Together we cleaned the chandelier  and painted patio furniture!Whew! my friend Priscilla loves to bake, when she said she would bake the cupcakes and  thank you for coming cookies. I knew we were in for a treat. She used some ideas from Pinterest and executed them beautifully.Here are some pictures from our shower for Alyssa. Hope you enjoy them! Feel free to leave a comment  (I'd love to hear what you think) and thanks for stopping by......

I've stayed away too long

 I have stayed away too long! My hubby is now semi-retired and I find myself going

somewhere all the time!  Its just us and our two poodle mix pooches, Irma and Louie. They have our middle names. When our now adult children say"You treat them better than you treated us" I say "Yes,and they behave better than you did! Lol.  I hope to get back on a regular once a week basis to share"The Thrill of the Hunt" with you. Thanks for coming to my blog today.