Road Trip 2013 - Part 1

 

Have been back from the Road Trip for awhile, however, my re-entry into regular life has not been a smooth one.....besides the stacks of mail, (including another love letter from the IRS) we have two rental leases up, working on a flip house, my mom and her dog are staying with us, we prepare for Steve's surgery, been some nasty snarky personalities and misunderstandings going down and have not even mentioned the laundry, shopping, ironing....sigh....I must remember this as I go through this intense time.....

 

 

Everything you see in the outer world has an inner meaning. At the heart of every experience, every situation, every circumstance, there is an invisible truth. The true, hidden meaning represents the activity of Spirit. You are ever unfolding, being guided, pushed, and prepared for the next part of the process.

 

 

Our wonderful road trip started with Steve and I flying into Chicago to see our precious nephew and his family.  They live in a wonderful 80 year old brick classic bungalow style Chicago home.  They have been there about a year and it was fully renovated prior to their moving in.  Very modern and the attic is the master bedroom and nursery, main floor the family and dining area, kitchen, 2 bedrooms and a great basement man cave and bedroom, bathroom and laundry where Steve and I stayed.  We visited here a few days and did the Chicago tour thing Wrigley Field, Miracle Mile/Michigan Avenue, State Street, etc. (I have been going to Chicago for the past 30 years and never tire of the places I go)

 

 

 

This is their most precious new addition.....she is a sweetie....only sorry I did not get a family picture - they are a very adorable family and he has a beautiful wife.  I got lots of baby snuggling time in and loved it....

 This is their sweetest of sweet pit bull who never barked and would love you to death.  She loved sitting on the stoop as much as we did.

 

 This is their next door neighbor Vince who we would chat with as we sat on the stoop every morning and night.  He is a Jimmy Cagney type Vietnam Vet who has lived in this house for 60 years and it was his parents before his.  He invited us over and showed us around and it was like a time warp.  His mom and dads bedroom looks like the day them moved in, with her jewelry box on top of the dresser, same lamps, dresser scarf, pictures and even the coat she bought in 1957 hanging up!  He has a young 'lady friend' who looks to be moving in and I am sure will rock his world and this museum.  It has the original sink and fridge and even his model airplanes he built as a kid still on the shelves.  I drooled over some of the furniture and nostalgia however it needed some major TLC.  He is a great guy and we enjoyed getting to know him.  Every morning I would walk the streets and just enjoy the architecture - so different from So. Cal cookie cutter houses....on this street alone I saw American 4 Square, Brick Flat, Chicago Cape Cod, Craftsman, Workers Cottage, Goth Revival and Stick Victorian.  Loved this area; did not love the traffic into town and gas at about $5.00 a gallon!

 One day we went just around the corner from our nephew's house and shopped at a Thrift store.  It is in a very Polish neighborhood like several areas of Chicago suburbs that are ethnic centric.  I asked the lady at the check out if there were any other stores around and she said, oh yes, right across the street at the Snow Removal shop - she has lots of things in there.  So we ventured across the street and I noticed this stork and nest like we saw all over Poland when we were there....it was charming to see.

 We went in and met this wonderful lady and her family.  This lady is a dynamo....she settles Estate sales, buys out Moving Sales, sells on ebay, goes to swap meets, runs a snow removal system and a hundred other things. I wish I could do half the things she does.   She had her beautiful daughters helping her that day - her energy was amazing.  She welcomed us in and said 'head to the back room and make a pile of what you want and we will come up with a price, if you don't see what you are looking for, just ask!' 

 

At this point I was having an 'American Pickers' moment.  It was freakin amazing!  She had rooms and rooms and rooms like this below.  She had everything from comic books to old games to crystal lights to guns and vintage fishing gear - I loved every minute of this visual overload.....

 I was able to find this treasurer for Kristen who has wanted one for so long!

 This is my bounty....a transistor radio like I had when I was 6, a Monopoly game from the 1930's with wooden houses and wooden players (for Adam) vintage postcards from the 1940's, this great little suitcase that I will use for dinner vignettes, and of course an Eyewitness book for the boys....it was so so so fun and I would love to go back again. I wanted to stop at so many Thrift Stores and did get to do a few....some day I will go back and stop at all the ones that I passed by and longed for :)

 We left Chi Town and headed to Springfield to revisit Mr. Lincoln's home....it is always fun to see and the estate and state have done a superb job of keeping it pristine and open free to the public with wonderful park rangers guiding the tours and the entire area has many homes that you can also view. 

 The inside furnishing are largely from the Lincolns with other pieces true to the period added and well documented.  This is the room where he was asked to be president and also where he wrote many of his works....that is his rocker and being such a tall lanky guy I think the only chair in the house that would have fit him!

 Mary Todd's kitchen and the stove she bought....not sure how much time she spent in here....I think she was modern enough to plan but not do!

 The famous rug in the house....they warn you and abhor you from stepping on the rug so much that it is almost a mockery and just to be a rebel I had to inch my toe on it and send this picture to my cousin Biz who is well aware of the rug bashing that goes on here!

 Love Abe's hall tree and where he would hang his hat after a long day of lawyer and politicking!

 Another thing they rave about is how a sign of wealth in the 1800s was to pool your drapes, showing that you are so wealthy you can afford fabric to lay on the floor from your window....Mary was really into this!

 Lincoln sighting aka Steve in the gift shop....

 By where we parked was a Civil War Reenactment...we did not have time to see much however lots of costume pieces, tents set up, etc.... 

 And look who we saw crossing the street heading home!  Mary and Abe!

 They were really 'in character'.  I told Mary we had just been to her house and she said 'What - you were at my home when I was not there!' and Abe was kind of gentlemanly....I said, 'I really like your costume!' and he said, 'Well, I really like your costume, it becomes you'....lol

 So we bid them adieu and off to see Lincoln's tomb....I just did not have the heart to tell Abe what happened to him and where our next stop was.....

 Another place they have done an amazing job keeping up....love this tragic history of Abe and what all happened in trying to secure his final resting place.  So man documentaries on it and here is a brief history:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Tomb

So paid our respects to the Lincoln family and headed south to Dixie!  More later.....

America - Land that I love!

 

 

Dear Blog.....just back from a 2+ week flying/driving cross country trip and so high on America right now!  Went so many patriotic places, saw small towns and big towns and people from all over this land and enjoyed the beauty of the USA from the road and from the air.....will write more on that later....have to catch up on a few things around here, however, my desire to decorate for July 4th must be fed!....makes me feel good to see R,W & B and flags all over.....

 

 

I did the mantle up right this year....Rocky approved :)  The flags the boys made me and flags from Kristen and Adam when they were little are part of the overall theme.  I bought Dylan a Gettysburg Address and framed it with a picture of Mr. Lincoln....he is really into Lincoln lately....the plaque of Lincoln my MaMa Auten had hanging in her bedroom is in the vignette, along with precious plates Adam brought me from DC and the Uncle Sam we bought when we took the kids to DC in 1992, also included is a ceramic figurine my mom bought when we used to spend July 4th at their place in Flagstaff....my political button collection and the tie rag drape I made a few years ago....I added some R, W & B lights I scored at a Thrift Store for $1.00.

 

 My vintage July 4th postcards displayed on my bar with a parade picture and some R,W & B candy sticks.....

 The boys outgrew their little Red Table (boo hoo) so I replaced it with this drop leaf table and chairs (yard sale score for $25.00) it is lower than a regular table and  fits them so much better (these boys have long legs!)  it also will make a great project table for puzzles, artwork and more.....

 I gave Kristen my R, W & B bandana tablecloth that I made a few years ago, had given Shannon one too, so made a new one from bandanas that I picked up on the road trip.....I added some flags we have kept from parades and political events over the years in my birdcage on my lazy susan......it looks like a stripe of white on the tablecloth but it is just the sun shining ing.....

 In the living room I put a flag table runner with Uncle Sam on the trike, and some other R,W & B décor.....

 I hung our bunting by the front walkway with our America Sign on the door and a flag in the planter.....the other rag tie from the overhang.....If you love America you are welcome here!  If not - go away!

So, now I am loving the festive and inspiring feeling....which will help as I unpack my treasurers, do lots of laundry and iron into next month....all worth it....more coming soon!

Chopped! ~~~~~ Patriotic Posies~~~~~Patriotic Boys~~~ A focus on Service

Over the years, Steve and I have hosted many dinner parties....we love to entertain.  In LA we hosted 'Tables of Eight' where you would rotate houses once a month and take turns what course you brought and who the guests were....then we organized many many many progressive dinners and mystery dinners...we also started a dinner party for Scripps Ranch Softball team as a fundraiser and that has turned into 'A Taste of the Ranch' that is their number one fundraiser for the entire year....along with intimate dinner parties and themed dinner parties over the years.....a few weeks ago we were watching 'Chopped' and thought about having a chopped dinner party....so it was on.  It was so simple to put together - I only wish I had more pictures! 

 

I put out all kinds of cooking oils and seasonings, compliments, etc.....

 

and created a pantry in the dining room with all kinds of ingredients to compliment the baskets...fresh vegies, fruits, pastas, etc., also had serving pieces for the presentation and pans to cook with.....



 We set up the family room as the judges area....we made ballots and also had a prize for the winner....

 Here are our willing and adorable contestants....they were all gamers and really did well in their allotted 20 minute time line!

 Basket 1 Couple:  Brave and Sweet.  Ingredients:  Dinner rolls, shrimp, fresh mozzarella, fingerling potato's...they added a few things and turned that into this delish shrimp bruschetta-ish delight!

 Basket 2 Couple:  Adorable and Compatible (yes compatible was a category to judge!)  Ingredients:  Bacon, Water Chestnuts, Butter Waffle Cookies....they turned this into a spicy 'multi asian' stir fry with a delish chocolate waffle truffle....

 Basket 3 Couple:  Cute and Strategic.  Ingredients:  Can black beans, can multicolor corn, tofu, red onion.  They had the best dish (and won) with this incredible yummy Quesadilla and he wowed us with his expertise in the kitchen!

 Basket 4 Couple:  Young and competitive....and wish I had a better picture....it was hard to host and take pictures!  Ingredients:  chocolate pudding, marshmallow cream, ginger snaps and microwave pork rinds.....they made a banana split heart shaped dessert with crumbled pork rinds....and boo hoo...no picture of the award ceremony but it was a kick to hang with these incredible talented and fun people!!!

 

 I wanted to focus on 'Service' this week and make some Patriotic Posie pins for  Memorial Day some of my friends who had husbands, dads, sons, etc. in the service.  I bought 3 compatible fabrics and some buttons that need to be covered (I loved doing this when I was a little girl my grandmother sewed)...

 I made a template and cut 2 larger flowers and 4 smaller flowers, rotating fabric....

 Then I covered the buttons in the left over fabric.....and enjoyed a trip back to 1960's and my MaMa's house watching her whirrrrr away on her sewing machine while I played on the floor with all her fabric scraps....

 Then I folded the smaller flowers and rotated them on the larger baser....

 Added the button....and sewed a latch pin on the back....

 And whipped up a batch of patriotic posies!  I can't wait to share these!

 I could not wait for Friday night for my adorable boys to come over....Brody is still in the Kelly's hero mode....he and big brother love to hike down the canyon next to our house....

 I can't get enough of this sweet face....so proud of this boy.  As a first grader his class got off to a rough start - 3 different teachers in the first 8 weeks of school!  Talk about learning to adjust!  He persevered and under his mommy's guiding eye has excelled - reading above his grade level, socially happy and incredibly sweet.....

 I love my Kelly's hero's (Brody) work ethic....he will wash my dishes, pick up all his toys and even vacuum his GiGi's car - he is a real life hero to me.

 The boys are outgrowing their little table I use when they are here (boo hoo) so Steve and I wanted to get new bar stools for them to use...ours did not have backs on them.  I priced them around town and had almost decided on some and then it hit me - check Craig's List first!  I found THE VERY SAME ones in great condition in PB so Steve went to check them out and brought them home....honestly, I saved over $400.00!

 I had a chance to do a little thrifting with my bestie this week - we went to a surgery preop for her and needed to have some fun - so lunch and shopping - what better!....not pictured is a fab vintage Christmas table cloth I found (I had to do some spotting on it - turned out great) and I found more pilgrims, a cute little leprechaun, an eyewitness book for Dylan's collection and a depression glass piece...grand total:  $12.95  (I did buy some trays for my artist neighbor and a ball also - those costs not included in the $12.95)

 Rocky loves to watch the boys play military from a perch on the couch....then when they go outside he walks all around the 'scene' and checks everything out...I love to watch him survey....he is so funny!

In closing....I am reminded of Service....Giving of one's time and resources without expectation of payment or reward.  Doing what one is capable of doing for the joy of doing and giving to others.

Our Secret Garden.....We love Festivals!



They boys, Steve and I decided to plant a 'secret garden'....Dylan is so into plants and anything to do with digging in the dirt and seeing things grow....he is very into this project.  We are hoping to attract special birds and fairies that will bring gifts for our garden......it is all very secret....sshhhhhhh.....Here we have tomato's, corn, pumpkins (for jack o lanterns!), peppers and a tiny rosebush that we hope the fairies will like.....

 

 

It was Dylan's idea to float some roses in the fountain to please the fairies......I don't know about the fairies but this really pleases GiGi!



 

We had a wonderful visitor....we have never seen a bird like this before in our garden.....it is working!!!! But where are the fairies?

 

A little shout out to Gramps....his yard is looking good this year!

 



 

Our flowers for the victims of Boston bombing are blooming nicely.....

Sadly, after yesterday, we will have to plant more for the tornado victims of Oklahoma.....if you look hard on the wall by the fountain you will see a dome garden with vegetable seeds growing....another Dylan project....

 

 The boys love to swing from this area and watch for birds and those elusive fairies!

 This is the view from the fairy garden.....close to water and pretty features for our visitors....they must be fast as we can't seem to see one!

Brody loves his little house I bought him at the Thrift Store....he can use his binoculars to spy on the garden and who is visiting!

We took the boys to the first spring festival this past weekend .....we love festivals...fresh air, nice people, walking around and holding hands.....the boys love them too!  We are lucky there is one about every weekend in the summer in San Diego. 

 This one had a wonderful parade!  Fire trucks, clown cars, candy tosses - what else would a little boy want?

 Even the Oscar Mayer Weiner Wagon.....brings back memories for me....would you be surprised if I told you I still had my Oscar Meyer Weiner Whistle....probably not huh?

 This little boys loves his hot dogs, so what a perfect picture is this?

And an old fashioned ring toss.....Dylan won lots of prizes for him and his brother.....it is good to see big brother do for his little brother.....and because they had so many things, we searched for a little boy who had nothing and Dylan gave him a ball and Brody gave him some candy.....

 

I am reminded that the value of teaching knowledge and wisdom develops courage, strength and discipline to act.