IT STARTS TODAY..

A BRICK FARMHOUSE EVENT

Head on over and enjoy the day

Here is a few peeks at what could be there!

McMaster & Storm

{Above 4 Pictures when I helped them in 2009 @ Country Living Fair }

Authentic Mexican cuisine from my dear sis-n-law

When your stomach starts the rumble...

pic via m.

The most adorable hair clips & accessories.. Marcy from M.blooms

pics via Jill

The talented seamstress.. Jill

And SO many talented others

Here is where the full vendor list is

If you need Directions

Come! Come!

Party Planning

Arabella's 3rd birthday party snuck up on me. I had thought about it a few times but pushed to the back of my mind Now her first birthday, I think I planned out for months... you know first child... first birthday! Big celebrations when you have the time and they don't even remember.... Pictures are great if you back them up!!

So back to last week.... in between normal life, putting a few things up from the garden for our family to eat this winter, going over plans to remodel our new/old house, keeping our current house constantly clean to be ready for a "showing" at moments notice.... I decided I at least better get some inspiration for the party.

I came across these colors Watermelon red, Coral-ly pink, and Aqua in a display of candy. mmm looked yummy and summery. Then I found this post from Jackaroo Love.

Ohh vintage buttons I could do that. ( mind whirling with all sorts of fun ideas)

My plan was to just make the decor from my craft room supplies( I have never shared my craft room because it is normally a disaster... creative minds are not organized minds... right.... oh wait, It has been forever since i have actually created something... so no excuse for the mess but I do have plenty of supplies to throw a party.)

I did want to get some fun napkins and a few more paper products... so I planned a quick trip shopping.

I took one of my nieces with me to help with the kiddos Thank you, Thank you!

Being as I had help with A & O, I was able to scour all the aisles and found the clearance aisle way in the back.

and....

on the bottom shelf....

way in the back.....

this is what I found....

A tiny party in a box ....

for eight children...

complete with a tiny price: $2.98!!!!

ohh how sweet!

...vintage buttons.. Your on hold for another time, This Time I'm taking the easy way out

- which was really hard..i felt like I was cheating... I know silly but back and forth my mind went: easy or original, easy or original....

FORGET ORIGINAL this time!

I couldn't hardly buy napkins (& time) for this price.

Ok so i went ahead and bought two boxes.

One for this week and one for her party with her cousin Annie!

Here is some of the first one!

Saturday Sale

My Mama & Sis are having a sale if you in the area(California e-mail me if interested)

make sure to stop by!

Check here for a few more picture of the Milk house

Modesto Farmer's Market

Strolling down 16Th street to the Farmers market in Modesto on a

Thursday or a Saturday mornings was always a favorite time of mine when I lived in California.

Often I would walk down before starting work at Fleur de Lis and pick up a pizza bagel from Word of Mouth for lunch or some fresh flowers or herbs to scatter vases around in the shop.

Highlights of the market for me are...

• Fresh cut flowers
• Fresh tomatoes before the garden is ready
• Breads and pastries from Word of Mouth bakery
• Lemon Cucumbers
• White peaches & Nectarines
• Chatting with old friends

Here are a few pictures from last Thursday when I convinced my family we HAD to go!

Thursdays are a little quieter than the weekend but that doesn't effect the bounty of God's fields spread across the tables

All the possibilities of what to make out of these plump ripe tomatoes were racing through my mind!

[above 3 pictures courtesy of Sciabicas.com]
It is always a treat to stop by the Sciabica's olive oil table. Chat with the sweet owner and see all the flavors . Basil, garlic, lemon, lime,rosemary are a few of my favs
{They also have gift packs which are great gifts}

{Basil and Lemon}
I picked these two to take home with me.
I'm already thinking about a creamy risotto & corn with the basil and some salmon with the lemon oil. Really so many uses
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thursday evening we combined some fresh slices of tomato with the basil olive oil then headed to the garden to see what we could add

We found some banana peppers ready and of course some fresh basil......
then added salt and pepper to taste and a yummy tomato platter is before us.

OH They were soo good!!

soon they will be ready in Ohio --

{R, make sure to share with your family !!! hee hee}

{Fleur De Lis}

Here is another shop for you to peek at.

This is also one of those "must" stops for me when I'm in California.

This shop is dear to my heart being as I worked here for many years off and on

since I was 15 until I moved to Ohio.

I have many memories and so much love for the people who make this shop so beautiful.

Children's area

If you dig a little deeper you will find wonderful monogrammed linens

and vintage tins from France.

Beautiful Glazed Pottery from France





Christmas finery

Always love the fresh greenery and plants.

Many hours of watering in my past(=

Ruth & I at Christmas time.

Ruth has brought a lot of the furniture here from her past trips to France.

One day I'm going to get her to take me to all her old haunts in Provence

{I have been dreaming for a few years now & will be for a few years more until my babies are older !}

A lot of you have probably been in here before but if not make sure to stop in & say Hi!

Have you been to --Laura Bell's

Finally I am getting to the other pictures of our trip to California in December

When ever I go "home" I always have a few musts of where I want to go...

{LAURA BELL'S}

is definitely one of them!

This sweet owner has a wonderful eye for small details and using her finds in unique ways.

This planted weathervane is one of my favorites!

Love this vintage paper. I was thrilled to add some to my paper collection

If you get the opportunity make sure to stop by both of her

booths[ one down & one upstairs] at the Antique Emporium on J Street

{Opening up Shop!}

Dogwood Designs

We are now open. Close to you!!!{through your screen}

Come on over!

We have a few items up, with more to come. Check back often!!!

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Giving Thanks most of all to the Lord our Provider

Hiatus.....over....?

............we shall see...

{Where I've been, in front of the computer}

{Sent to Press!! Yay!}

{Praising Our God for His sustaining power!}

A few of the last couple of week's activities

{Happy Birthday Sweet Moriah Faith!}




Cousins
six weeks apart
Rocking out
Lazy evening at home

Playing OUTSIDE while mama shops
Is she trying to rally the passer byers to Mc & S.....
..........?

...... Or just dancing away with Uncle Vaughn!!


soon I'll share a few projects I've been working on.

Country Living Fair 2008

Bloomsbury Loft's Booth

Love the green velvet pillow

{Leah do you recognize the floral pillow fabric }

In the CL Craft room decorated for fall

We stopped by at the end of a presentation of

Simply Sublime Bags by Jodi Kahn

Looked easy and fun

I really liked the brown transfer ware

I always like to pull it out for my table in the Fall.

{McMaster and Storm}

Loved your booth Ladies

Missed getting a pic of the cute FAIR sign they made.

Lola B's Boutique

Sweet booth

They had some adorable Girls dresses.

A few of my finds

After the fair we ran over to Sobo Style as her cute fans advertised,

a great shop! She then told us about a fun fabric store

Sew to Speak right down the road.

Fall!

I can't believe it's here.

I'm ready to bring God' splendor into our house

and pull on sweaters in the crisp of the day

{only sweaters not coats !!}

Ahh and warm yummy soups & latte's.

Father God, May we FALL into to your arms daily and Meet our Jesus there.

Phil 4:19