Estate sale treasures and a bowl full of cherries...

Thank you for all the sweet comments about my mother's beautiful birthday cake and Josie's hearing loss on Monday's post.  I wasn't going to say anything, but I decided to share it with all of you.  I started blogging over six years ago to document our journey with adopting a child with special needs and it's been an amazing experience.  We knew about her special heart and extra thumb and now we're learning that she has a special ear too.  

You're just one special amazing little girl, Josie!!

Now, onto my estate sale adventures....

Despite a full weekend of birthday parties, we managed to hit two wonderful estate sales.

This metal crayon box has a few colored scribbles, but I couldn't pass up the fantastic graphics.

 I also rescued these fun plastic cups.

 They've already been scrubbed out and tested with root beer floats Monday night.  YUM!

These vinyl floral covered beach roll/pillows had never been used.

 Don't you love the graphics on the wrapper?

I also found a box filled with Easter goodies.

I wonder what pies and cookies were rolled out with this rolling pin?  The bowl and linen also came from this estate sale.  Love the green handles and the red stripe on the bowl.

The crocheted cherries were purchased from Heather (Vintage Grey).

 They are now hanging from my kitchen window valance.

Don't they add the perfect touch?  Love them, Heather!

A happy weekend in estate sale land!   On Friday, I'm going to be posting a Kim K. Patriotic give-away.  Be sure to check back!  
 

Celebrations and Surgery!

It was a busy weekend filled with Josie's zoo party and her family party. 

We couldn't have asked for better weather at the zoo. 

Well...maybe it could have been a bit cooler, but it was definitely a gorgeous summer Saturday.

On Sunday, Grandma spoiled Josie with one of her infamous cakes.  Thank you, Mom!

Early this morning, we went to the Helen Devos Children's Hospital for minor exploratory surgery on Josie's left ear.

We've been working with a specialist to try and determine why Josie has hearing loss in her left ear.

She was allowed to put cotton candy chapstack in her sleeping mask. Cool.  She was very brave and now she's home and resting on the couch. We have a follow-up appointment in a few weeks to talk about the next set of procedures and/or a possible hearing aid.

We love you, brave birthday girl!

8 is going to be GREAT!

It's party central at our house!

 Josie's birthday celebrations are happening Saturday and Sunday.

 Last year's cowgirl/western theme is still one of my favorites but I frankly didn't have the energy to do a big party at our house (especially after Emma's Sweet 16 party a few weeks ago).  

So the party festivities are taking place away from our house at our local zoo!!

Fingers crossed the weather cooperates.  What is it with me and outdoor party venues?

We love you Josie!  

Eight is definitely going to be GREAT!
   

Collecting enamel tables...

Chris came home with another $15 enamel table from a recent estate sale.

 As you can see, this one needed some tender loving care.

Originally constructed in 1948, it has two sides that can be extended.

He spent the weekend sanding off the rust and repainting the enamel.

Don't you love the blue trim? He taped off the sides to retain its color while he was repainting the table top and collar.

He wanted to replace the wood on the drawer, but I loved its worn character.

$15 table.  $3 can of white enamel paint.  Hours of elbow grease.

New life for a very loved table.

I wonder what special meals, family secrets and games were shared at this table?
XOXO
.  

Great pumpkin plans!!

Shall we take a stroll to our vegetable garden? 

 Past the treehouse/gardening shed and my beloved gnome house is a sunny patch of land.

 This is where the vegetable garden resides.

Every year we have big plans for a huge harvest of pumpkins.

Maybe the pumpkins know our true intentions and encourage their woodland friends to invade our garden.

This year, we have special things in place.

We now have a motion/heat sensor activated sprinkler.  Thank you Mom and Dad! 

We also have fencing like Fort Knox.

We also have this dandy scarecrow.

Peter Rabbit, you'd better tell your friends to stay away.

Boo!