State Fair Quilts

My husband and I saw these beautiful quilts when we were at the Minnesota State Fair last summer. I especially like the one above. Blue is my favorite color and this one just jumped out at me. I can't imagine the time and patience that went into making these. Needless to say, these were all blue ribbon winners.

I love this one too. It just seems so Americana to me. What a treasure to hand down to future generations!

I really liked the vibrant colors in this one. It just seems to say happy! I would just love to have just one of these quilts, maybe someday! Thanks for stopping by, Cindy

Outdoor Wednesday

Welcome to my first Outdoor Wednesday, sponsored by our lovely hostess Susan at http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com Please visit her site for more lovely postings. This is a pic I took last summer along Lake Michigan. Remember, I don't have the greatest digital camera, but it was just starting to get light out, and I thought I would give it a try!

This pretty waterfall is Tahquamenon Falls. Located along Michigan's Upper Peninsula, it's a big one, and it gets it's color from the iron ore that was mined in this area. The color made it look like a big root beer float, and I kept thinking I could reach out and drink it!

Pictured Rocks lake shore located along Michigan's Upper Peninsula goes for almost 20 miles and is a colorful expanse of forest -topped rocks. This was truly a breathtaking tour, and one I would truly like to take again. It was so peaceful and the water was a turquoise color. Thanks for stopping by, Cindy

MET MONDAY--THE BED

Welcome to my 2Nd Metamorphosis Monday sponsored by Susan at http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/ please check out all the other wonderful

projects. Here's the dilemma-- When my 18 year old daughter decided to take all of her bedroom furniture to her new apartment last summer, her mom, being me, was left without a bed for her room. Well her mom,that being me, was quite depleted funds- wise what with two graduations, a vacation from the graduations and helping 2- 18 year old's get settled in their new digs. My sweet Mother-in-law had made my daughter a quilt (see pic below) for graduation and sweet daughter decided to keep it at home so not to get ruined. (click on any pic to enlarge) I had an extra twin mattress and box spring and so I took to looking for a headboard. I needed to find something cheap but not so cheap looking. One afternoon, I stumbled upon an antique headboard and foot board during a little garage sale hunting. The good news- the owners only wanted $15 for the pair. The bad news, a little chunk was missing from the headboard. My hubby said, "no problem, he could fix it" and I only wanted to use the headboard anyway. See pic below of foot board with missing top scrolly thing. My hubby removed a piece from here and carefully replaced on the headboard. Using the color scheme from the quilt, I primed, and painted the head board a colonial yellow.

Aw, finished new headboard for my daughter's room. I think the color goes nice with the quilt.

Another view here, I don't think you can tell where he replaced the scrolly thing. So, with the cost of $15, and a quart of paint I had a colorful new headboard for my daughter's room.

With the leftover paint I decided to do the old shelves in her room as well.

I was going to throw out this shelf but it looks cute with the new coat of yellow paint.

Thanks everyone for stopping by my 2Nd Met Monday and a special thanks to our hostess Susan. Cindy

Beautiful Summit Avenue, St. Paul, MN

Summit Avenue, in St. Paul, Mn is one of my favorite places. We are less than 2 hours from the Twin cities, and this is a must see if you ever visit. Don't forget Mall of America is there waiting for you too! Summit Avenue stretches almost 5 miles and is considered the longest uninterrupted stretch of Victorian Architecture in the U.S. The houses were built between 1856 and 1880, and 85% remain original.

There are two national historic districts along here. The Governor's mansion is here as well as F. Scott Fitzgerald's home around the corner from the Commodore hotel where he is said to have written the Great Gatsby.

The style of home includes Queen Ann, Romanesque, Beaux Art, Georgian Revival, Tudor, Spanish, Colonial and more.

I believe this is a Queen Anne.

Another pretty view, it was hot that day so we didn't walk real far. F. Scott Fitzgerald called Summit Avenue a mausoleum of American Architecture.

My husband and I were walking along and saw a little opening, when went to look this is what we saw. I wonder if they have a gardener?

A sweeping view of the Mississippi River where Summit Avenue begins. I love history and I love homes, so going here is always such a treat! Thanks for stopping by, Cindy

Summit Avenue St. Paul , MN

My Low Budget Shopping Trip

I took a little shopping detour today, and with a promise to hubby to keep a close tab on spending I managed to find all these cute little things for $12.00 plus tax. The little bird salt and pepper shakers are my favorite and for only $2.99 I just thought they belonged in my house.

A side view of my cute little birdies. I think I can use these in a tablescape!

This little crock was also only 2.99 and I just knew where I could put it ----my house!

Last, but not least this cute little pierced tin candle holder was on sale for 4.99 and the chunky little candle was a buck. I just love candles and use them a lot during these cold, dark, winter days. Cindy

Tablescape Tuesday, no. 2 / Shades of Blue

Welcome to my 2Nd Tablescape Tuesday! All this blogging is wearing me out, but it sure is fun. My tablescape today is wintry and if you look out the picture window you will see why. The china I used is Blue Hill by Noritake. I know I've had it over 20 years! The little blue checked table cloth has a silver shimmer, the place mats have snowflakes and i tied some snowflake ribbon I had around the napkins.

I used a lantern I got at IKEA for the centerpiece, I usually keep it on the mantle, but on these cold dreary days we can use all the light we can get. I added a polar bear and a little penguin on skates (borrowed from my daughter's room.

The teapot is from an auction about 2 $, and I placed a votive by each setting.

The salt and pepper shakers are from the same auction, 1.00 and I put a little blue ring around the lantern and placed it on a silver place mat.

Another view- thanks for stopping by and please visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/ for some beautiful and creative tablescapes!!

My Sweet Gypsy Rose !!

I'm feeling a little sad right now. You see, I love the sport of figure skating. My daughter skated for 13 years and this is the first year that she isn't skating with our local skating club. She performed her senior solo last year at our annual ice show. Below is a pic from 2 years ago when she performed a duet with another member of our club. They skated to My Sweet Gypsy Rose and My daughter was Rose and the other gal was Tony Orlando. ( I even added the music here) With the US Figure Skating Championships coming up next weekend (We went last year, it was in St.Paul) and our local ice show in March I'm really missing it.

My daughter was a competitive skater too and that part or our lives was really fun, we traveled to competitions and she earned lots of trophies and medals. Thanks for letting me go down memory lane. Cindy

Some Interesting Fellows Stopped by for a Visit Today!

OK, I love this Cat! Met him this summer at a resort while he was checking my husband and I into our room.

As many of you have heard, we are having a dangerous cold snap. Most of the schools in the state are closed tomorrow, we are expecting air temps of 20-25 below zero with wind chills of -45. We have a ton of snow too, so many of us put corn out for the deer. Well they came for a visit today, and I hope they got their tummy's full. We're certainly earning our frozen tundra nickname today! I try to think spring. Cindy

Check out this beautiful home overlooking the famous Mackinaw City Bridge

My hubby and I were invited for a tour of this breathtaking 5 story home overlooking Lake Huron and the Mackinaw Bridge. This home is still under construction after more than 2 years.

Here is a view from the 5th story master bedroom.

A pic of some of the exotic hardwoods used in the five story ceilings in the main living area.

A view of some of the stone work on the lower level facing the street.

Another view of the street side.

Mackinac Island and The Grand Hotel

Last June, after the hectic weeks of preparing for graduation and a party for 2 graduates my husband and I took a trip to Michigan's Upper Penisula, including Mackinac Island and of course the Grand Hotel. Mackinac Island is one of the most beautiful places to visit in this country. There are no motor vehicles allowed and you get there by taking a 15 minute ferry ride. The lilacs were still in bloom,in late June because of their lake climate. Oh--- it was so beautiful and should be on everyone's places to visit. Cindy

The day after New Years.

Welcome to my blog. This is a new adventure for me and please bare with me as I learn how to navigate this whole new adventure. I hope to include decorating, recipes, and stories about life in general.