I just bought this for my bedroom. I was so envious of people who had dress forms. I couldn't find a cloth covered one that I could afford and then I saw this pretty one. TA DA! Just for me! I like the scroll work, too. Can't wait for it to arrive.

I have my winners for the giveaway. I only have 2 people. I think people were afraid to comment. My winners are Jan and Tom's Place and Screaming Meme. Actually Joanne commented, too so I'm going to send her something also just because she's a sweetheart.

Pay It Forward

Hi, This post really doesn't have to do with Kevin Spacey. I do like him but this post is about a blogging exchange I learned about from Joanne at My Little Cottage in the Making. It's based on the movie "Pay It Forward."

This is how it works. I'm going to send something to the first three people who comment on this post. Then those three people promise to send something to the first three who comment on their posts and so on and so on. The something can be anything you bought, were given, found or made.

If you want to join the fun...Please leave a message and then post about the giveaway on your blog. Then send something to the first three who sign up. Sounds simple and fun!

Huggies to you, Susan

The service for my father in law was beautiful. It was held in the chapel of the funeral home. He had military honors with the playing of taps and the flag folding ceremony. We also had a memorial video with pictures of Ralph, his family and friends. The video will be on line for people to view.

We are doing pretty well. Ralph had been ill for several months and so we knew this would be happening. He was 93 years old. What a kind, generous, loving gentlman he was...an excellent husband, father and friend.

Blessed by a Beautiful Award

I want to thank Lady Em of The Lavendar Beekeeper for this award. I really appreciate receiving this. It means so much to me. We are supposed to pick five other blogs that we would like to see receive this. It was very hard to choose only five. All the blogs on my list are wonderful! My choices are:

1. Beachy's Capecod Cupboard. This was the first blog I read. I was searching the internet for collanders and found an older post of hers about them. That's how I began lurking around reading these fun blogs!

2. Four Sisters In a Cottage.

3. Coastal Nest.

4. Jacaranda Cottage.

5. Tales From an OC Cottage. (I was born an OC girl).

All of these delightful blogs are on my list with a bunch of other great places to visit.

Update on My Father in Law, Ralph. The service will be Tuesday morning in Bellflower, CA. The thoughtful man had everything planned out years ago. This was really a blessing to my husband. We knew what Ralph wanted and Don didn't have to worry about what to do. It's always so hard to lose friends or family. I appreciate your prayers. His passing was expected but just not quite so soon. There's never a good time though, is there?

Hugs to everyone, Susan

Just a short note to let you know that my father in law, Ralph, passed away this morning. He had been in poor health for several months and became very weak the last few days. I'm not sure when I'll be able to post. Please pray for my husband, Don and his brothers Jim and Walter.
Hugs to all of you, Susan

I was having trouble with blogger this morning. I had to do this post twice and I'm still not sure if all the pictures are going to appear correctly. Anyway I hope you get the idea of what a fun place this is.

Debra's Cottage

Yesterday I decided to drive to the beach to beat the heat of River City. On the way I stopped at Debra's Cottage in Costa Mesa. Unfortunately I forgot to bring a camera. I need to keep one with me at all times! So I went to their website and "borrowed" these pictures. They may not have exactly the same things in the store but this will give you an idea of all the darling things they do have.

This place is just filled with ideas and beautiful things to lust after.

They have lots of signs, birds, tea things and stamping supplies, too.

Lots of accent furniture pieces.

I love these pillows and chair cushions. They have some very much like these.

Beautiful "beachy" tapestry.

Their furniture is gorgeous and reasonable...not cheap but affordable.

The little bucket comes filled with things to make a "bucket garden." Aren't the pillows pretty?

I love this hutch. Over protests from Don I'm painting mine white or maybe green.

These shelves are very cute. I'd love to have them!

They have sofas and chairs very similar to this. Isn't that chair pretty and cheerful?

I bought green glass salt and pepper shakers with little metal labels that said: a pinch of salt and a dash of pepper. Too cute! I also bought 2 ceramic plates with 3-D ceramic flowers on them. They match one I already have.

After dragging myself away from Debra's I drove down to Balboa Island and walked around looking at the beautiful homes. I really needed my camera there for my walk-by.

On the way home traffic was bad so I stopped in Homegoods for an hour of browsing while the traffic thinned out. I hate bumper to bumper driving. I bought a cute ceramic tray and 3 matching round boxes to hold Q-tips, cotton balls or whatever.

Carribean Blue Le Creuset

When we thought we were moving to the Huntington right away I started collecting Le Creuset in Carribean blue. I thought the color would be so pretty at the beach. These bakers were on sale and were the first things I bought. Next I found the grill pan on sale. Then I stopped buying because I stopped working and we weren't moving for a while. And Le Creuset is $$$...too rich for my reduced budget.

Caren found this teapot at the Le Creuset outlet store in Cabazon.

And she found this pitcher, too.

And this trivet, too, only in Carribean blue not cobalt. It has a candle in the center to keep dishes warm. And then she bought all three pieces for me! What a thoughtful daughter! So I'm still collecting when I can find it on sale.

Shelby Foote

Tonight I watched "The Civil War" on PBS, well the first two episodes, anyway. I had seen parts of it several years ago. I love history where there are photographs of people. It just makes it so much easier to relate to. I didn't like history classes when I was in school because I didn't care about the precise dates of events; I was much more interested in the stories about people.

That's where Shelby Foote comes in. He would tell anecdotes about historical figures (both well known and obscure) in his charming southern voice. I think I developed a little crush on him. He must have been a charming man since he had three wives. Unfortunately he passed away in 2005 at the age of 88. He was one year younger than my father. My father was a bit of a storyteller, too. Anyway, Mr. Foote had the ability to bring history to life and even more, to bring the people involved to life also.

If you haven't seen "The Civil War" it is well worth seeing. I think I'm also going to check out some of Mr. Foote's writings, too.

Have a Happy Monday! Love ya, Susan

Yankee Doodle Dandy

James Cagney...another of my Favorites! Loved him in the gangster movies and loved him in this:

The movie for the 4th of July! If you haven't seen this, you should. It is fabulous! Wonderful songs, dancing, comedy, patriotism, tenderness...this is one of my all time favorites! I love when he tap dances down the stairs of the White House! I watch this every Independence Day.

A still from the movie.

Wonderful Costumes, too.

Try to see this if you can. I promise it's great! Have a happy 4th!