A LA CARTE

Sunday, May 9, 2010

MEMORIES OF ANNE'S MOM

Mother's Day Swap!

I participated in my first swap for Mother's Day and I'm so glad I did. How else would I have gotten to know such a wonderful person, Cecilia Mary Steblay-Koeman! She is Anne's Mom from the blog PHAMILYBLOG and my swap partner.

Anne sent me a bio of her Mom and this is what I learned. Cecilia was born in 1914 and had a rough beginning losing her Dad & older brother in a mining accident in February 1927. She the lived with her Mother and several sisters until grown. On Saturday's when her grandfather was off he would turn on the radio and dance with his granddaughters. Cecilia loved to dance and became a terrific polka dancer. Anne sent me this prayer card of St. Cecilia the saint for whom her Mother was named.

Cecelia was a great bowler and did everything left handed except write. She was a very good cook and of Slovenian heritage and Anne sent me several recipes that look so yummy!
Cecelia was also a gardener and I received a packet of seeds Four O'Clocks

They look like lovely flowers and I can't wait to plant them! She also sent me chamomile tea as her mother grew her own flowers and made tea from them. She included some wonder Colorado honey sticks.

And this sweet little book about Tea Parties! Can't wait to read this.
She also sent some French Vanilla coffee one of her Mother's favorites and mine also.

Cecilia left a trail of tissue wherever she went and so this adorable little mini kleenex holder and matching tea cozie that holds two tea bags was sent to me. How wonderful to tuck into my purse! Also a grocery list, notes and some decks of cards as Celeilia loved to play solitaire with her Sister Ang. They would sit across the table from each playing their own game of solitaire and sipping coffee and talking. I loved this and can just see them in my minds eye!

There were so many little goodies, coffee magnets, sticky notes,
little frames, hand lotion and a candy bar Cecilia's favorite Rocky Road....I must admit that is gone... yum!

Sadly Anne's Mother has passed away which made this wonderful swap even more significant as a way to honor a lovely woman. I had a wonderful time getting to know Cecelia and also more about Anne. Her Mom raised a wonderful woman and I am so happy to call her my friend. I'll close with one thing Cecelia always told her children.. "Whoever told you life was easy lied to you! Life is hard! Pray Harder!!"

So Cecelia I'm going to have a bite to eat and a cold beer (your favorite drink) and hope I live to be 87 years young like you did!

Thanks Anne for sharing your wonderful Mother with me.

Oh, and Happy Mother's Day to my Mom!! You can read about her at Anne's blog here.

Happy Mother's Day to all!

Linda

Saturday, May 8, 2010

LET THE COUNT DOWN BEGIN...

Dear Friends,

The time has come...this is hard for me but I will try to explain the best I can.

June 9th is my Birthday! It is a month away and well I was born....in 1950 and so you see that means that on June 9th, 2010 I will be (GULP) 60 years old!!!!

Now this has freaked me out a little. I have never been one to worry about my age, I am a young at heart kind of woman. But somehow turning (gulp) 60 has thrown me for a loop. Instead of freaking out I have decided to embrace this birthday and so...

THE COUNT DOWN TO THE BIG SIX - O STARTS TODAY!

I will be doing SIX....yes SIX giveaways to you my wonderful friends. Counting down until the BIG ONE on June 9th.

Are you ready for some fun??? I sure hope so!!

The first giveaway will be in honor of Mother's Day. Now if you are a follower of my blog you know I am a Mother to two wonderful daughters, but I am also a Kitty Mom. My wonderful Charlie has decided to help with the first giveaway in my honor. So if you are a lover of Cats or know someone who would love a special Cat Lover's gift here are the details.

This will be the FELINE FAVORITES Giveaway

Lots of fun random 'cat' items including kitty treats

Whoops these almost got abscounded with by Mr Charles himself

Catnip and toys

A coffee mug

Pillow "Happiness is being owned by a Cat"

Cute MEOW frame, Charlie thinks his photo should be in there but I convinced him that whoever won this would like a photo of their CAT not him!

So here is how you enter!

Leave me a comment about your cat or a cat you know that will be

Entry #1

Leave a comment if you are a follower for Entry #2

PLEASE LEAVE TWO SEPERATE COMMENTS

SO I MAY USE MR RANDOM.ORG!!

I will draw for the winner Wednesday May 12th and post the next giveaway!

Oh and of course there will be some surprises for the Kitty Mama or Daddy who wins this giveaway!

Can't wait to read your comments about cats!

Always,

Linda

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

P IS FOR PYREX

I'm joining in Alphabe-Thursday with JENNY MATLOCK and Vintage Thingie Thursday with Suzanne at COLORADO LADY

I love Pyrex! There is just something about it that calls out to me. Is it the patterns? The colors? Shapes? Not sure but I love Pyrex and I use it (do not put in the dishwasher ever it will ruin the patterns). I had a few pieces and then I started seeing them here and there and well....

They just multiplied until I have a very nice collection!

A very large collection!

These bowls were at my Mom's house and she gave them to me

These have been around our house for many years

I found this blue/green bowl in Sanibel last year

then I found the gold version

These were promotional items and were called Twin Servers

they came in a caddy and held two bowls. No lids were with these

(I have added one so I could stack them easier)

no official pattern name

This pattern is called Colonial Mist

I have one Blue on white and one White on blue

Another pattern called Horizon Blue

This pattern is called Butterprint

This pretty popular pattern is also known as

Amish, Farmer & Wife, Buttercup and Rooster & Corn

These refrigerator dishes are in the Snowflake Blue pattern

One of my favorite pieces is this

This pattern is called Blue Ivy and it is a promotional Divided Dish

This was another Promotional item

a snack server in the Compass pattern

The detachable handle is what makes it interesting

usually found without it I was lucky to find this in Texas

The pattern on the lid of this piece is called Verde

This piece was nasty, dirty, greasy when found

It cleaned up and showed it true colors!

This patten is Spring Blossom Green and is my

first piece of a patterned Pyrex baking dish

I found this Monday at my local thrift on 1/2 price day

This pattern is called Butterfly Gold #2

above is a solid color dish

Getting tired yet? Hang on almost done!

I love pink and have been wanting some Pink Pyrex~

Found this at Scott's Antique and paid too much but I love it

Pattern is Gooseberry!

These were found at different times

Love these large casseroles and the top is a divided dish

This pattern is called Snowflake and is Turquoise on white

or white on Turquoise.

I was able to find all my information on all this amazing Pyrex

at this site PYREX LOVE

I have open shelves in a corner in my kitchen and the Pyrex lives there and is able to be enjoyed!

If you see something you love, email me we might be able to work out a Pyrex swap~

Always,

Linda

CINCO DE MAYO TABLESCAPE

Happy Cinco De Mayo!!

I am joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch

for Tablescaping Thursdy I put this tablescape together on Wednesday for my Honey and I to enjoy a lovely Cinco de Mayo dinner!

I started with this tablecloth my Mom gave me

It's pretty old and she got it in Mexico years ago

I decided to highlight the greens and golds

I started with off-white charger plates

Added Harlequin dinner plates and salad plates

I used yellow handled silverware and a napkin that also added red to the mix of warm colors

When I don't have cut flowers to add to my table

I will often use one of my house plants

Here ivy just adds that lovely green to the table

I found this very cute candle holder at

The Classy Flea. I was not able to join the Atlanta bloggers last Saturday for the shopping event, bud did get over there on Sunday and fell in love with this little guy.