The process has begun...

We are starting our traditional Annual Family Summer Fun Game. Every year we go through the same process of "where are we going on our summer vacation?". The obvious is, though not so to us, go to Oregon and see my family (blessedly, my family is coming here later in the year). We only have one trip for Paul, Matt, and I to go on (good luck getting Justin to take a day off from work) each year. Last year Matt and I went to Oregon for two weeks at the very beginning of the summer, but last year was...ummmm...differn't. The guys love the beach, I love Texas, but Texas in the summer is not a viable option, so...I want to go here, yes, above IN the picture, but not in Florida which might as well be Texas as far as I'm concerned, weather-wise and without being, well, Texas. We like to go out of state but not drive very far. I found this photo while I was "working" in my studio today and it reminded me that I need to be pondering this subject. How blessed can one woman be that this is what I'm fretting over (well it's not all but this is supposed to be a mostly-uplifting blog)? Realistically I know we'll be going to the beach like we do every summer...and then I remember, keeping things very relative, to thank God that it won't be in the Middle East...

Happy Birthday Baby Ben!!!!!!!!

First came the momma, my first baby-love, my niece, Maya. When I met her the first time I fell hook, line, and sinker for her. I had never known a love like that before in my life, baby-love. Then she grows up and marries a hairy-legged (albeit handsome, smart, nice...wonderful, really)fellow and produces this little bundle of beauty, Ben, one year ago today.

Da 'rents...

Daddy and Ben...

Mommy and Ben...

Have I ever mentioned how time flies...?

Texans meeting in California

Going through old photos today I found this one from 1986 of me and Frank Beard, the drummer in ZZ Top. He, his family, and the Gibbons brothers had come to The Peninsula to play golf on a break from the concert tour they were on. The Beard family stayed at my parent's inn, Forest Lodge, in Carmel and my mom arranged for me to get this photo-op with him (but only after a couple of mis-fires like the time she said, "Oh there was the nicest man here last week, said something about having some Grammys. What was his name?". Quincy Jones!!!! We had a long chat about running names by me before they leave.). I was way too nervous to enjoy this. I had just had Justin and was totally feeling new-mom-frumpy-sleep-deprived-and-out-of-place. Breast-feeding, so not drinking like when I met Clint Eastwood. You see I was ready, though, as I already had all their albums (remember those?) because I was and am still a huge fan. Also being a big fan of irony, I enjoyed meeting a fellow Texan in Carmel! He was telling me how his wife's sister was attending Texas A & M at the time...Jesus just left Chicago and He's bound for New Orleans...

Amy Inspire Companied me!

Seeing Amy's bubble bath that ate Milwaukee reminded me of this picture of my babies at 4 and 2 in their bubble bath. This has always been a favorite of mine. And, yes, Mildred, it is almost 20 years ago~yikes~time scoots by. They are 23 and 21 now, whew...

Another day in Frederick

Today was another Frederick day which means that our space at Emporium Antiques Mall has a new look. Seems I can't just take a few things in, I'm still trying to organize in such a way that I can have most of my artwork there without being too overwhelming.

These are photos of our space, ever evolving...

There is a lot of crammage in my area, if you don't like the look please buy a bunch of stuff and it won't be so full. Here are some pics of other folks' spaces...

There's something for everyone from purest antiques, to vintage, to repro, to...

Mackenzie Childs~esk...all this and a cool, beautiful city with lots to see, do, and eat!