let's dance...

Did you know 

I live in a house full of sports nuts?

 I do.

( I wasn't sure you knew that 

with all of the fluff and pretties going on around here)

Today is an eagerly-awaited day.

The day that March Madness begins.

Known as the big dance.

It is a family event.

We  have *brackets*.

We get together 

to watch, to cheer, and to eat yummy food.

The families with the 2 remaining teams 

in the championship game 

get to pick what dessert our Miss G will make...

GO West Virginia!

We did a little internet research and did you know?

1. Basketball was invented in 1891. by James Naismith, a clergyman, educator, and physician in Massachusetts.

2. There were originally 9 players on a team.

3. By 1937, the ball lost the laces...helpful for dribbling, don'tcha think?

4. The *baskets* were peach baskets 
attached to the wall?

I didn't.

Now, I do.

How else are we supposed to watch basketball 

during the day and call it history?

I know it is the men's college championship

and 

these are girls.

Their uniforms are cuter...

white delivered...

This was waiting for me  last night.

My husband really wanted to know 

what was in the box.

dishes

Yes, 42 pounds of dishes.

not just any dishes...

(have I told you how much I love dishes)

I called in the help to unwrap

just like christmas

Here they are...I'm so excited.

I've been collecting these for a few years

It started a few years back when 

Gayle and I split a set we won on ebay.

 My family has grown 

and it's time to add to the set.

This set was on ebay.

45  pieces...less than $3.00/pc.

I think the serving pieces alone are worth what I paid.

I took a chance 

and bid

and won!

~

~

Now buying dishes on ebay does have its risks.

Once I had a box of 8 plates arrive 

and every single plate was broken.

Some even have that beautiful crazed and stained  look.

These arrived

 and 

were perfect.

They are stored

here, there and everywhere.

I think for Mother's Day 

I'm going to ask for a built-in china cabinet.

I have just the spot in mind...

graceful words...

"Thank God, 


O women,

 for the quietude of your home,

and 

that you are queen it it.

Men come at eventide to the home;

 but all day long you are there , 

beautifying it, sanctifying it, 

adorning it, blessing it.

 Better be there than wear a queen's coronet. 

Better be there 


than carry the purse of a princess.

 It may be a very humble home. 

There may be no carpet on the floor. 

There may be no pictures on the wall. 

There may be no silks in the wardrobe;

 but, 

by your faith in God,

and your cheerful demeanor,

 you may garniture that place 

with more splendor than the 

upholsterer's hand ever kindled."

 ---Reverend T. DeWitt Talmage, D.D.

This

 ( found at  A Wise Woman Builds her Home)

really spoke to my heart this week

as I wade through *stuff*

May I keep  perspective.

what caught my eye...

I really did have a great time 

searching 

for treasures in Portland.

I came home with lots.

Some  were great prices

and

some called to me.

like this tiny little dolly

 Have you ever seen 

a more adorable baby dress?

Think 

of all the love

in each little stitch and tuck.

I love this brown transferware shaving mug.

I've wanted a  plateau mirror 

so I snatched this one right up.

I've been watching them on ebay 

and  

this was priced waaay better.

So now, I'm busy creating new vignettes...

mainly in my bedroom.

I'm trying to decide 

what's for me 

and 

what's for sale.

I have to sell 

something 

to make it a buying trip 

for Miss Gracie's,

 right?

check out more... 

*Show and Tell* with Cindy

at My Romantic Home

presenting white...

If you know me...

you know...

I *love* presentation.

Presentation is everything.

Presentation is what makes my heart go pitter-patter.

Presentation is what makes my family  crazy.

or think I'm crazy.

In my opinion the Pacific Northwest 

has some serious junkin' style going on...

We went to the Portland Antique Expo, 

my all-time favorite antique mall Monticello, 

and a few other shops.

I'm showing you some of my favorites ...

some of these girls know presentation.

I had the opportunity to meet Julie 
from Kindred Roses

Her darling farmhouse style 

was an example in presentation:

Less is more 

if 

done excellently!

One of the highlights of my trip

(now don't be jealous)

was meeting, none other than

our Kathleen!

We chatted for over an hour

My husband  was like

"You talked to her for an hour?!"

Yep we did!

It just goes to show...how sweet and easy she was to talk to...

We talked antiques, family, business, antiques, selling, decorating...and even what kind of cars we drive 

 for junkin', selling, and family.

No pictures...we don't like pictures and we were busy!

I can't believe she was selling this:

It came home with me

I've got just the place in mind for it...

and it will remind me of our visit!

I'm just going to give you a sneak peek 

of the treasures I uncovered.

I'll be linking up with 

My Romantic Home 

on Friday ...

So come on back!

THANK YOU 

all so much for the well-wishes 

for our anniversary...

we had a wonderful time.  

today's the day...

I celebrate  29  30 years

with my best friend.

It has been fun~ it has been hard~ 

~it has been full of adventure~

~it has been full of grief~it has been full of joy~ 

~it has been a learning experience~ it has been humbling~ 

~it has exasperated me to tears~it has been a revelation in the

 character of God~it has revealed the character of me~

~it has been rewarding~

It has been perfect!

He is my other half~he completes me~ he balances me~ he

 bails me out and He loves me.~He thinks I'm funny.~He

 makes me breakfast on Sunday's.~

 He serves me with all of 

his heart.

How thankful I am

for this wonderful, mysterious plan of God...

when two become one.

~

~

~

I posted this last year and it is still so true...

it has been a year of me walking beside him 


in his time of grief...God is so faithful.

I'll be back to show you some of our get-away trip

but 

let me tell ya

these  Portland gals rock!