My Sister Had a Birthday

This is how we celebrated my sister's birthday over fifty years ago in Palo Alto.

Birthday girl in white dress opening presents,
my sisters and I are in the navy blue dresses with the red sashes

Don't you love the cute dresses?

Here we are celebrating a year later

Left to right: Judy, birthday girl, and me

Now we gather at the my sister's home in San Francisco to celebrate her day.

The Birthday Girl

Been doing this for over ten years.

Me and My Sisters
The beautiful sweet peas were given to the birthday girl by my brother.

This year, we had three generations represented, my daughter and niece:

Mrs. Shoe

And my grandbaby and my sister's granddaughter

Baby Shoe

We ate sandwiches

Turkey and ham sandwiches on homemade seven grain bread...yummy and scrumtious

Fruit salad, chips and a variety of bottled juices and sodas.  

(We set up our "picnic" in the living room)

And cookies.

for sisters, for birthdays, and for celebrations.

Good Morning To You

CHEERS.

My sister gave me the cool hot chocolate plate and found the embroidered napkin at an estate sale

Hot Girl in Hot Pink

Made this hot pink coat out for this gorgeous gal who was going to the

Prom held at our church:

Used this vintage Vogue pattern:

Vogue pattern no. V8687

Made if with Dupioni silk and a fun charmeuse black spot silk lining.

Poor girl...Saturday night was the hottest night of the year.

She looks smashing.

Latest Estate Sale Find

I happened upon an estate sale on my way home from the fabric store on Friday
And purchased this swing for ten bucks:



I was in the middle of a sewing project, so I didn't have time to deal with bringing it home
And made arrangements to pick it up the next day

After our hike, Martha and I were able to fit the seat part into the van
And took the seat home

But the frame...it did not fit...what to do?

Luckily my house is less than a half a mile away
We carried it...yes...the two of us carried it

My sister is awesome...and strong...and bold...and fun.

I plan on transforming this gem into "GranZ's reading swing"
Can't wait to show you "after" pics.

Blooming Bulbs

Check out what's blooming in my garden now:

Everything has perked up from the rain we've received these past couple of days. Love it.

My Grandpa and Scrace Baking Co.in Salt Lake City

My grandpa was a baker.

Check out the flour still clinging to the man's hands on the right.

Just love the picture of my Grandpa standing on the steps in back of Scrace Bakering Company in Salt Lake City, Utah.  These hardworking men with sleeves rolled up and donning wrinkled soiled aprons (except for the young man in front) took a moment out of their busy day to have this picture snapped.

Front of Scrace Baking Co. on Main Street in Salt Lake City, Utah:

My grandpa was very artistic and talented.  He made his own weddng cake:


my parent's wedding cake:

I understand there were little treats inside the little open door

and my aunt and uncle's cake:


Found this this link from the Utah Historical Society which gives a bit of history about the bakery....  can't wait to find my grandpa's name among Scrace's ledgers and records. Also, I want to hear of my dad's memories of when his dad worked at the bakery.

I love to bake...both my daughters and my son love to bake.  I like to think that the "baking" gene came  from my grandpa.

Easter Sunday

Went to church and enjoyed the lovely music..

Came home and found this on the couch from the Easter Bunny (aka DZ).  That bunny has terrific taste in candy.. only Sees..yumola.  Here is my dilemma ... none of the three kids live here anymore.  Should I inform the bunny of that fact?  Or should I just let it slide?



To me, Easter is about donning a new spring outfit

My brother and I

                                                                   JandGMcLean

And sharing the day with the family.  One of my sisters hosted Easter this year...and we had a wonderful afternoon ...

Me and my grandbabe

Egg decorating and more Easter baskets filled with Sees

Yummy food

Fun family

A hostess with the mostest...for dessert we had strawberry and lemon pies in a jar.

My sweet parents...aren't they adorable?

Bruce, my dad and Paul

My sisters and brother (and Fiona) enjoying the sunshine

The Shoes

JandGMcLean

I love this time of year.

This Morning's Breakfast

My breakfast this morning:

Good old fashioned oatmeal garnished with almonds, dried blueberries, a tad of brown sugar, a pinch of cinnamon and a bit of milk. My day goes so much better when I start my day with a bowl of "mush".

I am Back...

I thought to myself as I turned the calendar page to April, "Where in the world did March go?"
It blew by so fast.  I only posted once during the entire month!

Let me give you a snapshot of what has been happening around here:

Had this little guy for a whole weekend while his parents traveled to Utah to attend a wedding.  First time the parents have been away from their babe.  He was an absolute delight. Received much needed rain which invigorated my bulbs, azaleas and other blooms.   I now need to get out in my garden and pull the copious amount of weeds.

Picked up a new sewing machine since my Elna  (had it for over thirty three years) decided to call it quits right in the middle of my costume marathon. Luckily, I was able to borrow Sophie's machine to get me through the final days of sewing. Sure do love my serger and my new machine.

Sewed an Easter dress using one of my vintage Vogue patterns. I am almost done... just need to attached the giganto rick rack and sew the buttonholes and buttons. Will try and make a hat from the same era to wear. I will post a pic of the total outfit which includes a hot pink Betsy Johnson sweater with hot pink suede ballerina flats.

Painted the french doors between the dining room and family room..well really only half done. The key to a good paint job is in the prep (85% prep/15% paint). DZ is the absolute BEST prepper I know. He is thorough and exact...which results in a mighty fine finished project.

Looks pretty good if I say so myself.  I love new fresh paint.

Celebrated Mr. Shoe's 31st birthday ...hence the Baskin Robbins "31" Flavors ice cream. Mrs. Shoe made the cake and it was scrumptious.

  

Sewed a twirly skirt for a sweet little two year old's birthday present.

Last but not least, found out that these two are moving back to California...WHAHOO.

I'd say I've had a mighty full month...wouldn't you?