I really love my new blog design.  It was created for me by Karen Valentine. I suggested design ideas and she created this wonderful custom design for me.

I also love this vintage art, I am reminded of my cowboy hat.  It is an interesting story about how I acquired the hat. My hubby received the hat from a friend who also worked for the Forest Service.  Now, I have no idea where the guy got the official Forest Service uniform hat. The hat had never been shaped and worn.  It was still in the original old hat box. Well, hubby didn't want it anymore....and suggested that I give it to someone who collects vintage Forest Service stuff.  Then I tried the hat on...and it fit me perfectly....so I kept it. But, the problem was to get it shaped properly.  I was heading to Idaho for my Aunt Glenda's birthday.  I know that there is a great western shop, Hamleys, in Pendleton Oregon. I arranged to stop there, to get the hat shaped. The hat guy was waiting for me at 4 pm that day.  The man was actually fondling the hat, as he told me about it.  It was made in the 1930's, is very good real beaver fur.  A hat of this quality is very expensive nowadays.  I have a very special vintage Forest Service hat. I wish that I knew how it made this way to the guy we got it from. I can speculate that he must have gotten it from a Forest Service "Old Timer". It is now beautifully shaped, and oh so special to me. I look a bit like this art wearing the hat.

Going Riding

I love this photo, I don't know where this is, but my guess is Colorado or Utah. I can close my eyes and envision this day. It is a wonderful dream, that I will experience...maybe not exactly like this...but Sis and I will ride her horses. I love the smell of horses, and feel of riding. It is inside me...Always a horse lover.

Six Great Ladies, Sigma Kappa Sisters

Jeanette, Ceil, Lorraine, Sharon, Lorri, Barbara

Here are two great photos taken February 19, 2011. Six friends and sisters gathered together. We talked, laughed, reminisced, had great food, and fun. Wow, the six of us haven't gathered together in about 40 years. It is hard to say that (wow)...life has taken us all directions. Somehow the young women we were are still there. Lorri, second from the right, started on this project not so long ago. She did it! I am so happy that she was willing to get us together. Barbara and Jeanette live in Portland, and took us into their homes, made meals, and planned activities. Some of us are thinking about a trip to Scotland and ? That would be so fun!

Sigma Kappa Sisters Weekend

Sigma Kappa Founders

Colby College, 1874

I belong to a sorority, Sigma Kappa. I joined as a young woman when attending the University of Oregon. I think that I can attribute staying in college, when I wanted to quit to my sisters. It has been a very long time since I have had contact with many of them. Six of us are gathering this weekend, in Portland, Oregon for an informal reunion gathering. I hope that we have a wonderful time together, and really enjoy seeing each other.

Lorri

Lorraine

Jeanette

Barbara

Cecil

Sharon

One Heart, One Way

Get out your pearls, ladies!

February 14th, Love this Valentine!

I found another Valentine that I just love, I hope that you had a great day.

A New way to use your pearls!

Lara, Modern Prairie Girl, shared this photo on her blog. From the Junk Sisters show, last weekend in Hillsboro Oregon. I love pearls, and vintage silver...well, this combination is a treat for the eye. Fun to wear as well. Enjoy!

To Valentines Everywhere

I just love the artwork of these vintage valentines, so much wonderful detail, beautifully exquisite as I like to put it. Have fun looking at these!

Friday at Glory Days

Friday, I decided to visit Glory Days Antique Shop. The area that is right inside the door is a vision of creativity and inspiration. I took these photos to show things that I like. I think that the cherub with the pink blossoms is my favorite photo. I love the inspiration that comes from some of these vintage items. It really is a good source for ideas.

I hope that you enjoy these three photos!

Wedding Planning * The Bridal Flowers

It is time to renew the planning for the July 30th, 2011 wedding of my daughter. I really want to do the flowers. I am taking another floral class this spring. It will be the wedding arrangements class. I think that this brides bouquet is stunning and I am envisioning something along this style.

Living your Truth - The Brave Girls Club

Living your truth means listening very closely to the very quiet voice that is trying to get your attention. Living your truth means being very very still and seeking truth and beauty and goodness and small miracles all the days of your life. Living your truth means being exactly who YOU are, in spite of who and what others are around you. Living your truth is a joyful path, a path that no circumstance can every rip you off of.

Joy can be felt anywhere, anytime, in any situation.

Go forward in Joy. Be Brave.