The Big 50 Junking Bash!

     I can't believe I am actually 50 years old!  Old is the optimum word, I suppose.  Actually, I don't feel old.  On most days!  What I wanted to do more than anything for my 50th was to go to the Farm Chicks Antique Show in Spokane.  They planned it on my birthday weekend!  How on earth did they know?  I drug my favorite sidekick.  Yes, drug!  He was a sport in every sense of the word.  Chuck has become my favorite shopping partner over the years.  Maybe because he doesn't seem to have an agenda of his own that conflicts with mine.  Oh dear, I need to work on that piece of self evaluation. Anyway... It was the most fun weekend.  Friday afternoon, on my birthday, we checked into the Davenport Hotel.  We didn't originally pick the Davenport.  We chose a "Motor Inn."  You know the kind that you drive right up to your door.  The kind big in the 50's and 60's.

Well, to our good fortune, we didn't end up there.  There was an email from Expedia that stated that there was a problem.  It so happened that this place was closing down.  Actually, it is being turned into monthly rentals.  When we drove by we were VERY surprised!!  These monthly rental were occupied by individuals that otherwise would've been homeless. That would've added an interesting element to our weekend.  Like I said, to our good fortune, Expedia put us up in The Davenport.

This was one of the most beautiful hotels I have ever seen! The Davenport is one of the older buildings in Spokane.  What a jump from the Airway Express-montly-rental-almost-homeless-type-of-motor-inn! 
     I felt like I walked into a beautiful hotel during the turn of the century.  WOW! It still gives me goose bumps.  I was so THRILLED to experience something so awsome.  That evening Chuck and I went on a bike ride around Spokane.  I wasn't sure I would survive, but I did!! Yay!  After the ride we stopped at an Italian restaurant for dinner. I couldn't ask for a more fun birthday. 
     Well, actually the next day was just as TERRIFIC!  We went to the Farm Chicks Antique Show.  It was certainly a blast from the past.  What a way to celebrate 50 years...everything OLD!

     I have wanted to attend this for several years now.  You can bet your bottom dollar I will attend this for several years to come.  I had such a great time looking through JUNK.  I am not a serious junker but I can see how one can become totally addicted to old junk.  What treasures! 
     I enjoyed seeing the types of people that attended this.  I would say the average age was about 40.  I am sure the the older shoppers enjoyed reliving their memories of "back in the day!" The funniest trend was seeing all the "granny carts" used as shopping baskets.  What a great junk trendy idea.

Here are some of the wonderful old stuff still hanging around.  I tell you it's addicting!!

Ok.  Some of the stuff was a little bizarre!  Remember those dolls whose eyes would shut?  Creepy.

And of course I have treasures to take home. Let me just add there were a ton of stuff that would've come home with us if there were the money and the car space.  Those gals that pulled a trailer, now they were on their game!

The wonderful thing about all this junk is that it will go to use.  I purchased every piece knowing what I was going to do with it or where I would put it.  Upcycling can be a fun and creative outlet.  Yes, I suppose one can go overboard and have too much "junk" around.  The nice thing is you can always give it away, sale it, trade it in for some new junk! 

Kathy

Road Trip!

WOW! About 3600 miles!  Jeff, Tim, my good friend Jen and myself headed south for the spring.  Jeff, Tim and I planned a trip to go see grandma and grandpa Cherry in Arizona.  We decided to bring Jen along and drop her off to see her parents in St. George, UT.  Jeff, Tim and I spent about 1 1/2 days in Vegas before driving all the way to Green Valley AZ.  The warm weather was so welcoming considering we drove through heavy rains all the way through WA, high winds through Oregon and snow flurries through to Salt Lake.  The worst thing... I could barely walk when we arrived in Vegas.  I figured it was because I was sitting so much for the drive.  It was some sort of sprain, strain or something in my hips. I limped up and down the strip not only from sore hips but also from my flip flop's cutting into my toe.  Las Vegas was like Disneyland for adults in a cheap sort of way.  We stayed at the Excalibur Hotel/Casino.  Boy, was the casino buzzing, literally.  There's this weird buzz from all the gaming machines.  I can't even imagine staying in there for hours, which I am sure some people do.  Like I said, the best part of Vegas is the sunshine and the pool! 

Our visit with grandma and grandpa Cherry was productive.  They are doing as well as expected.  The main reason for the trip was to check up on them and to bring back some of the larger things that they were ready to part with.  Jeff was able to get grandpa's lathe.  I brought back my mom's beautiful oak hutch and my grandmother's china.  Nona's china is around 90 years old.  It was nice for my parents to visit with the boys again too. With the boys having busier lives it might be the last time they get to have some one-on-one time with them.  I thinked they enjoyed their visit, all involved.

I sure enjoyed the roadtrip with Jen.  Jen was so much fun and so tolerant of the boys and their wacky humor. We were able to stay at Jen's family's houses along the way.  I felt so comfortable with her family

A Little Gem!!

Often when surfing the internet there seems to be so much one has to weed through just to occasionally stumble upon something spectacular.  When I do come across a rare find, I feel as if my world has opened up before my eyes.  I love these moments.  Even at 12:34 am I wish I could call someone to share this find with them!  I came across this short film, The Butterfly Circus.  It was right up my alley as far as spectacular goes. I am so appreciative when talented individuals share their talent.  Someone has to be their audience.  How LUCKY I am!

A Really Great Day!

Last Thursday Jeffrey and I went into Seattle.  He had a car part to take downtown and I couldn't pass up an opportunity to tag along on a BEAUTIFUL day.  We decided to go on a picture trek since it was so nice out.  We walked all over and went to our favorite places.  First, Jeff wanted to have me try a crepe at a place him and Kamee like to go to in the market.  We shared a ham, spinach and cheese crepe.  Next time I am going to get a dessert one.  Those look soooo good! 

We then went to take pictures of the different areas of Pike's Place Market. On of my favorite shops at the market is DeLaurenti.  I love that Italian grocery store.  Everytime I am there I get fresh pasta. 

The market was really crowded for the middle of day on a Thursday.  Poor Jeff tried to get a picture of this great sign that read, "cherries."   Since it was so crowded he could never get a clearing enough to snap the shot.  I also wanted him to capture a picture of this sign in the Sanitation Market, which is located across the street from the main part of Pike's Place.  The sign belonged to this little bakery called Three Girls Bakery.  One of my personal favorites!!!  The entire Sanitation Market was closed for a remodel.  Bummer for us and bummer for the shop owners! 

We decided we needed to go sample the best cheese at Beecher's.  Jeff got me hooked on a cheese called Flagship.  Oh my, is this a really great cheese.  It is a cross between a white cheddar and a gruyere.  YUMMY! (Tonight I made a creamy pasta sauce with that cheese to go over the fresh pasta)

We journeyed  up the street towards Westlake for more favorite spots for picture taking.  There is this store from England called All Saints.  The store has a great decorum!  The entire store is decorated with all antique dressmaking machinery.  I have never seen so many antique sewing machines in one place.  Jeff was capturing photos when he was asked NOT to.  Again bummer!  He did get a couple of shots though.

We decided to call it a day when, yes, the rains started.  I guess great weather for half a day is better than not at all. We have a hard time not ending our day in Seattle without going to Dick's in the U district, no matter if we are hungary or not. 
This was a great day in Seattle.  Mostly, I enjoyed spending some one-on-one time with Jeffrey!   

Is It Just a Boy Thing?

Today Tim, Ashley, Chuck and I drove up to Green Mountain so Tim and Ashley could shoot. Yes, its one of those thrilling boy things. Actually, Ashley did like shooting. It was her first time to ever shoot a gun. Of course, Tim had her shoot the shotgun first! She did great since the gun was almost the same size she was. She handled the kick-back well. I even took ONE shot with Jeff's 30-06 rifle and I hit my target of a #10 can full of applesauce! You can even see the whole right above the jagged edge of the can that the bullit made. I quit while I was ahead. I spent the majority of the time in the car. One, I do not like guns particularly. Two, I do not like earplugs a lot. Three, I would rather be shopping, crafting, reading or anything other than being on the side of a mountain with a small armory being dressed in camo. This is Tim's PASSION! We would've been out on the sidelines had he been interested in a team sport. This is the one way we can support him with his interest. I know Tim wished I had participated with more than just one shot. I suppose you just have to be in the right mood for shooting. Sorry Tim! When are we going to the mall?

A Heart Attack!!

I can't believe February is almost over! I wanted to have an entry on Valentine's Day because it is one of my favorite holidays. I have always been drawn to the shape of a heart. I love how creative one can be on Valentine's Day towards those that they would like to express love to. The discussion at home is that it is a holiday mainly targeted to/from women. I suppose I cannot argue with that! It does seem more of a "chick" thing. I remember LOVING to prepare my Valentine Day cards when I was in school. When the boys were little it was somewhat of a chore with them. So I suppose you can imagine who completed the task of preparing Valentine's Day cards for them to take to school?

This year we were surprised when we came home from church and saw that we had just received a "Heart Attack." Scott, Tasha, Denton and Makenzie came over when we were out and spread cut out hearts and messages of love all over the place. I wondered what was up when there was a heart hanging on the doorknob when we came up to the porch. What a fun surprise awaited us inside!

Valentine's Day is a bright spot in the middle of a dreary winter. I can't think of a better holiday than to celebrate LOVE and tell those around you, in creative ways, how you feel about them. I love ALL 16 members of my immediate family very much and know I need to express that to them individually on any 'ol day!

New Year, New Experiences!

Wow! One whole decade down. I remember when 2011 would've sounded so futuristic. I looked back over my New Year blog entry from last year. I am sad to say that I didn't do so great in the resolution part. I heard on the radio that females break New Year resolutions after 4 days. Only 4 days! I am going to give it my all to last at least 5! Men seem to only last 24 hours. Hmmm, interesting.

Some of my focus this year will include, exercising more often, eating healthier, being more createful and being less worrisome. This year I have decided to make some jewelry. I have always wanted to do this. The older I become the more often I am saying, "why not!" In the past some of my great ideas never seem to materialize because I have talked myself out of it by saying things like, "I don't have the time, the money or the exact know how." Or maybe because I grasshopper around trying to find the perfect thing for me. This year I am going to try the approach that I will not stop myself before I have even started.

I have been doing a ton of research on certain jewelry making techniques, tools and supplies needed and even how to set up a website. Of course it is still in the planning phase. Hopefully, I will start something before too long! I do recognize that since I seem to enjoy so many different things and want to try everything, that in itself might be what keeps me from acccomplishing any one thing! Oh well. I will keep on experiencing I suppose. The perfect thing for me is bound to show up at some time!