A LA CARTE

Thursday, June 11, 2015

D is for Downsizing!

Downsizing!

The scary word that all collectors hate, but that at some point must be done!

Two years ago when I decided to move from a large home with a basement and this dedicated 'dish closet' I knew that some serious downsizing was needed.

Before I even packed to move, I started donating dishes and glassware! It was hard, but I knew that it could not all go with me to my new 2 bedroom duplex. This was the first of many donations.

The new dish closet was smaller and I needed to make some decisions about what to keep and what to donate.

Beautiful dishes that I love but no longer had room for or the time to play with...

Life changes and so must my priorities!

So I also took a look at my napkins (this is only one drawer of two) and my placemats and tablecloths

I have found myself doing fewer and fewer tablescapes so it's time to downsize these items also

This pile has been donated

but I think it's time to do another edit!

So many sets of glasses and this isn't even all of them! So now I'm downsizing to this!

I do have some glasses in my kitchen cupboards but these are the seldom used glasses, but so loved and can't part with...yet!

My home is a work in progress and two years later I've donated so many things but still have too much. I'm proud of my progress but will continue to downsize until I feel I have a comfortable amount of possessions.

I'm still working on downsizing some of my collections but the 'orphans' have found a home in my kitchen so they seem safe for now!

Have you been downsizing and how do you feel about it?

I'm joining Jenny for Alphabe-Thursday

and the letter D

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

They Say It's My Birthday!!

It is finally here! I am a proud 65 years old today!

The day started with Fireworks in my honor

(OK so it was thunder and lightening but sounds good to me) Now the sun is shinning and I'm going to enjoy the day!

I'm going to have lunch with Sara and the Grands

and I heard a rumor that Tiger was going to bake me a cake sometime later today :)

I'll have lunch with my Mom tomorrow. She has a bit of a cold but thinks she will be feeling much better by Wed. She has a Dr's appt then also.

I'll be back soon to share my special day with you and tell you all the grand presents I've bought myself....yes I buy myself presents, you don't?

The winner of my Birthday giveaway is

Susan @ Writing Straight From The Heart!

I'll be in touch soon to get your address. I can't wait to fill a box with goodies just for you!

Wishing you JOY,

Linda

Thursday, June 4, 2015

C is for CAT!

When I was in elementary school, I kept asking my parents for a cat. One day my Dad came home with a sweet little back kitty! My love of cats began and has never ended.

I don't have many photos of this beautiful girl but she was my pet for many years. She passed away after I had left home and I cried so much when my Mom told me.

Her name?

Yes my first cat was named Tiger! Why would you name a black cat Tiger? She walked like a Tiger my Dad said and it stuck. She had one litter of kittens before we got her fixed and we kept one who we named Tuffy! This sweet girl will always have a special place in my heart!

My next cat was a pretty little girl named Muffin!

She was an indoor cat, but got out somehow and was lost and never found. I cried so much!

I took a break from owning a cat for awhile.

After marrying and having children we wanted animals but Sara was (and is) highly allergic to cats and dogs. We had a couple of outdoor animals and one was this adorable cat named Star!

Sara called her 'Star Baby'

Star met the end like so many other outdoor cats when they tangle with a car. We buried her in our yard and I said no more outdoor cats.

So many years later (after Sara is out on her own) I find and bring home this cute fellow

Charlie Kitty!

This sweet boy has been with me for 16 years and is such a good cat. I love him very much!

He hates to be picked up and held, but since today is Hug Your Cat Day...I did and we both survived!

I'm sharing this at Alphabe-Thursday

Wishing you Joy,

Linda

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

Vintage or Modern??

Are you a little bit Vintage?

Are you a little bit Modern?

Are you a little bit of both?

I love vintage and yet I don't know that I could live without many of my modern conveniences!

Computers are very high on my list of must haves in my life. I've become so dependent on it like most of the world has. Heck our phones are now computers!

Remember when the Princess phone was the new thing in phones! I am lucky to have a pink princess phone, but what I use daily is...

My new LG G Stylo from T-Mobile

I love it! Large screen and so many apps, oh and it also makes calls! Give me modern on this one!

How about this vintage clock?? Pretty neat I must admit, but for my living room I chose

This large wall clock, modern with a 'old' look

What about vintage ornaments?

or this beautiful hand blown glass modern ornament? It's pretty and I love it, but...

on this one I am vintage all the way!

So I am a mix of vintage and modern in my life!

Which are you?

Because I am so blessed I want to have a giveaway. One of you will receive a box of goodies choosen just for you. Leave a comment (and make sure I have your email address) and let me know if you are more vintage, modern or a mix of both!

I'll pick a name on June 9th (my birthday) and the winner will get an email asking about some of their favorite things and I'll put together a box for you.

I did this once before and it was so much fun to fill a box especially for one of you.

One more

vintage cat?