~THE JOY of ROGER'S GARDENS

..A pocketbook basket..

The rain has passed on...

and today was a beautiful Sunday in sunny Southern California.  We were off to the beach at Corona Del Mar just southwest of Orange County, or the OC as they now call it on television.  Newport Beach is lovely, but Corona Del Mar is my favorite with a little private beach in a cove with tide pools and rocks to climb on.  I forgot my camera in the car..so no pictures but it was glorious!!

Poor daughter tried to save me from getting swept off the rocks..since I was wobbling all over the place..and she got soaked half way to her knees, shoes and all as the tide rushed in, it missed me and got her!

Bless her heart.  She loves her Mom!

We first went to breakfast at Ruby's which was delicious and then off to Roger's Gardens!  My first visit to a place I have always wanted to see.

I was like a kid in a candy shop..I flitted from display to ..

to display determinded to find something to take home...but..

We spent nearly two hours touring this garden/nursury and didn't see it all.  I didn't think of photo's (of course) until we were back at the front..THEN I snapped a few shots to show you.  Ah well...old scatterbrain here!  I wanted EVERYTHING!  Yes I did!! 

There were little "pocket book" planters shaped exactly like a purse.  I wondered if there were a real purse under all the moss..but no.  That couldn't have been.  I mean, could it??  No....

I think my sweet son in law was getting a little tired..Patient Husband and he found a comfortable corner with lovely patio furniture and sat in shade chatting whilest daughter and I continued to wander and dream. 

..I finally picked one of these...and then later took it back! :(

I kept picking things up..peeking at the price and gently sitting them down..trying to look casual..

Mary kept giggling at me...

Getting just a bit tired..oh wait...what is that I see over there...

Ohhhh...how lovely!  But I want something that will last awhile..

These???  No...I can get these at home in Riverside...

Ok...the prices here are a WEE beyond me..but it was fun looking.

Example, we walked through the outdoor furniture area and I picked up a pretty pillow sitting on a pretty chair...$350!!  Time to leave this lovely place and return when money is no object!  I guess that is no time soon. 

So back to the front of the store..with three candles and two little cartons of tiny flowers for my bird cages..

This is just a tiny bit of what we saw.  I need to carry my camera around my neck!!

...then INSANITY hit me and this basket went into my cart!  Dear sweet husband didn't see the price or I might have walked home to Riverside! :)  It has now found a home on my front porch...

Isn't it pretty??  Yeah.  I think so too.  You would have bought it too, right??  Right???  :)  Can you tell I took this photo just moments ago?  It's dark out so I used my flash..but I was in such a hurry to show you...

XXOO

Mona

Those hugs and kisses are cuz you always agree with me.. It's so nice to be understood!!  :)

~BUMBLE BEE'S AND APPLE GREEN..~

Warm days were here for a bit..which put me in the mood to mess with that poor old lawn swing.  It's been painted and tweaked so many times now.  Worn old twin quilts, gone without a cover..and is now still wearing it's cover of an old worn out king sized bed quilt that used to cover my bed years ago. 

I did FINALLY made a slip cover for it...rather badly, but it works.  Sort of.  I dug out my lace curtains and "laced it up" for summertime naps.  It's one of my favorite places to read.

I DO love this shady little spot on a hot summer day...with the cool, cool flagstone floors...

IS there NO end to your projects...says "patient husband" trying hard to be patient!  "Nope" I says.

You see.. a can of spray paint is pretty easy (IF THE WIND IS NOT BLOWING!) and I have a shelf full of it.  All colors...pink, brown, black, white, red, seveal colors of green..and lately my choice of color has been "Apple Green" ..

At least I THINK this is the color I want, and since I never was much for palm tree's..

...this is the fabric that will cover the chairs.  See the little green leaf, which matches the chairs perfectly, and little golden bumble bee??  Hmmmmm? :)  I hope it turns out cute.  (I hope, I hope!) 

 I have so many colors around this house already..a little "brick red" isn't going to hurt a thing.. and besides, it's in the back..so it won't shock the neighbors and...I've had the material for several years now...

You have a wonderful weekend...ok?

Lov'n hugs!

Mona

~DREAMING OF A DEAR LITTLE COTTAGE..~

Hi!  
It's me, Mona.  In my fairy tale world, this is what I dream of...
I've wondered from time to time where I have gotten this need to live a certain way?  Why the colors I love more than others?  Why small and close suits me better than large and airy...  interesting how we gravitate to one thing instead of another.  I never wanted to live in a large home.  Not sure why this is, because I certainly needed one with seven young children....

I would love to live in a little roadside cottage like this...

or this...

I love this little wooden gate...

I would love to make a wish here and investigate what's behind that pretty gated wall..

I think I could force myself to make my home here...I do dearly love those windows...

To wake up in the morning with roses growing just outside my window pane...how lovely.

I believe I would have a spot of tea..and this wonderful lime cupcake....that daughter Mary makes...

...and maybe use this pretty tea set??  *sigh*

...and listen to the rain come down.

...and by the way..it's suppose to rain all night tonight.  The wind is already kicking up outside.

We are having such a lovely Springtime this year. 

Sooo...what do you think...do you think I need that tea set?  Yeah...I know...not really!

Luv'n hugs,

Mona

~A BEAUTIFUL DAY~

What a nice day.  We spent the day at a lovely beach at Corona Del Mar here is Southern California.   Cliff house, gorgeous streets with very old quaint little homes, all different, line the streets.  California's Coast Highway runs right along side of the beach not far from where we spent the day..

Me, my daughter Maryalice and her my Granddaughter, Ireland.  Sometimes I am amazed at how Irish my children look.  Yellow baby roses from daughter Maryalice! 

"WAIT, I'm not ready!"  I aways say that and no one ever listens!  :)

Ever notice how old people bundle up on days when everyone  else is...in shirt sleeves? 

Sweetie pie smiled all day long...I am so grateful to have someone to watch over me..bless me whenever I sneeze and take pictures of  me when I am not ready!! :)

I had to show you my son in law's plate of food!  I made the potoato salad, baked beans and deviled eggs..daughter Mary made the cinnimon rolls with cream cheese frosting, french toast casserole, honey baked ham and egg and sausage casserole!  I have ham and deviled eggs in the frig waiting for breakfast!!  There were also a huge amount of deserts.  Homemade cookie all decorated beautifully, giant cupcakes, strawberry pie, fresh sliced oranges, berries, of all kinds and a couple of cakes.  It was beautiful! 

Dear son in law is a SERIOUS eater...and appreciates every single bite!!

Daughter Maryalice and Grandson Eian, hiking up the cliffs with the metal detector in search of gold!  (excuse me whilist I snicker a bit!)  We had two metal detectors and it kept everyone busy...when not eating ...

Little Emily read an Easter book in her bunny ears...

...blew bubbles...(with some help from Uncle Alex!)  Emily's little golden loop earrings were her Aunt Natalia's when she was a child and passed down to Emily.

...and hunted Easter eggs while Mommy photographed every single move with delight... 

We had a wonderful day in spite of the shadow that was always there.  It was a gorgeous day at the beach and one of the great things is that I got home with NO sand in anything!!  Now that's a first!

I hope your Easter was wonderful too!

Lov'n hugs,

Mona

~THE LESSON...~

HAPPY EASTER!

 One time someone explained Jesus to me this way.  She said to picture an egg.  She said that some people in this world live life on the shell of the egg, while others live their lives in the white.  Still a very few live their lives from the yoke of the egg, but Christ, he lived his life from the center of the yoke.  His message was so simple.  Love one another....

  It made me wonder about myself and think about how I live in this world.   From then on I had a clearer understanding of Christ.  It made sense to me.  I think many live life at the shell level, lucky ones live at the white level..and some strive for the yoke of the egg...the ideal...but just ...imagine!  From the very center of the yoke!  What an impact he made on us!  How he blessed this world with his message.

Love.

The blessing of Easter to you. 

Love, 

Mona

~ON TO A LOVELY EASTER SUNDAY..~

Easter is ...strange this year.  Different and not the happest I've ever had.  Things in my dear family are not perfect.  A lack of forgiveness.  Grudges.  Anger being hugged close to the heart.
It's sad and I cannot fix it.  This has never ever happened in my family before and it isn't between my own children but it has spilled over onto them and I am at a loss.
It's words spoken without thought, hurt feelings.  I would get on my knee's and beg...but it won't help and it is not mine to solve.  I had to finally accept that.
Pray?  I have.  I do!

That is not to say there is not joy..because there is.  A new Great grandson is expected in July and he lives close to his Great Grandma which makes me smile.  I am trying to dwell on the good and the beautiful! 

So...the beat goes on..Easter will dawn and I will see part of my family and talk to the others.
We will join hands as always and pray together, but hearts will stay dark..stiff..cold and sad.
Some things are just out of our hands...
  I will NOT be false with you and pretend my life is perfect.  But...I promise you, I smile a lot and find lots to be happy about.  Somehow, some way, the ends will come out even.   And so...

My Easter tablescape...of sorts.. :)

I bought my centerpieces from Kristin's Creations.  It was not a large centerpiece so I sat it in an old picket fence box that I found at a garage sale sitting beside the people's home all covered in dirt.  I don't think it was for sale at all because things were growing up around it..but I bought it for a quarter and washed it up and lightly spray painted it.  It's such a handy little thing to use for lots of things..dishes plants...blah blah blah...

The "Birdsnest" chargers are from Pottery Barn that I bought a couple of years ago which BROKE my bank!!  I could only afford two of them!  At least that is all I WANTED to afford!  Sheesh!!

Everything on the table except the plants, the candles and the tea set (a gift from my boss when I was still working) are from garage sales.  All of the Wsstmoreland milk glass was no more than 25 cents to 50 cents! 

My china is Nortaki and the pattern is something called Mystery china.  No name.  Very old.

I bought the set of 12 at a garage sale for $35.00.  LOVE those garage sales.

Place mats and napkins..gargage sale.  Crystal glasses were at a Estate sale for $8.00 I think.

They are gorgeous and I treasure them.  The bunnies are Gobels I found on ebay.

All the silver on the table are from garage sales for hardly anything..and I keep collecting.

This is International sterling silver.  The name is Prelude and I believe it was discontinued OR made in 1939.  It was advertised to be the "most beautiful silver ever made".  Came with sweet little butter knives, soup spoons, everything.  It is just a set of 8 but I will be on the look out for more.  It even came in it's own silver chest..WITH other mismatched pieces of sterling.  Price?  $10.00!

Yep..all that sterling silver for just $10.00!!  True value is $4100! 

I smiled for year over that one!! 

Now you know what keeps me going to those garage sales every week!

Sorry, I know I showed this photo..but I just LOVE that little bunny! 

I did not set the table correctly..but ...I will next time.  Maybe..  :)

The burlap runner with the chiffon ruffles was $19.00 which I found on Etsy!  Tie backs were $4.00 each.   I have decided that I rather like the little flowers in the chair tie backs..at least for Easter..

Mele?  Priceless!!!

Love'n hugs!

Mona

* I want to thank you for your beautiful comments.  The warmth and kindess you show to me is ...something I will treasure as long as I live.  You have NO idea what it means to me!

~I LOVE TABLES AND ...

.....I can always find room for one more.

  This is the third weekend that has been a big 0 for garage sales!  The weather had contributed and it was a cold Saturday...at least for Southern California.

While driving around happened upon an Estate sale.  By this time is was getting later in the morning so Karen who I have met on several occasions,  let me have this lovely little Drexel table for half price.  $47.00 and to me it was worth it!

A close up of the detail. 

Everything you see on the credenza are garage sale items.  Everything else in this picture are also old and used items. 

Some little teapot crocheted coasters for daughter Maryalice.

I found these and everything else in this post, at my favorite "no good garage sale days" little store in the alley.  I can spend an hour in there just looking and finding goodies..Saturday everything in the store was 25% off!  LOVE it!

Did I remember to tell you that she is doing fine.  She is just about a mile from the beach and can see the ocean from where she lives.  It's little compensation for what they have been through...

She does not feel at home, she says, but that will take some adjustment.  She has a good lawyer who is listening.  She has done her homework..she and her wonderful husband  are  going to come through this..

A little old linen tea towel..so sweet in a basket or whatever...

This is a nice large tablecloth and the price was right.  I dearly love those lace tableclothes!

Faux violets so realistic looking I had to have them.. Perfect for keeping my favorite bunny company..

And this little heart shaped sun catcher of pressed flowers....I took a horrible picture of it..  The top of the glass heart is embellished with brass flowers...so sweet in my dining room window.  It's heavy

The patio is a mess!  I am painting my patio table and chair a butter yellow...unless I decide it doesn't look right..then it might become apple green.  It will probably stay yellow.  Big..big..big paint job!

It's so horrible looking that I have nothing to lose. 

I'll show you what I am doing later...

See that froggy over there on the coffee table..yes..that one!   Well, the set will be that color!

Got a thing for butter yellow lately!

Lov'n hugs,

Mona

I am joining Marty's Table Top Tuesday~

~ALONG CAME EMILY...~

Saturday didn't yield many garage sales due to the cold weather and the threat of rain, however I did spy a sweet little Drexel credenza at an Estate Sale..and got it for $47!  Half the price it was marked. 

I really want to do Table Top Tuesday so...I will show you my finds tomorrow.. :)

Is this determination and concentration...or what?! Every dolly must have a perfect hair-do..

Not sure exactly what kind of doll this is..but ...nope, not even hazarding a guess!

Baby girl Emily, is growing up faster than I want.  She does not live close by so it seems every time I see her she is at another stage in her development.  From new born to toddler to terrible screaming two's to a little lady that looks to Mommy for clues as to her behavior. 

How I wish Pat could have lived to see his Greats!  I like to think he does..

Your comments on my post about dreams and random thoughts, memories were so loving and understanding that I was able to finally cry and get rid of that ache in my throat that sometimes comes.  I cannot begin to thank you for such warmth as you have shown me.

*********

Patient husband and I had such a nice weekend...found some great stuff...it's always fun!  He found a book..I found a wee bit more!  :)

Love,

Mona