Be careful what you collect

I decided about six years ago that I would start collecting tea cups.  I went to someones grandmother's house and she had a bunch of mis-matched tea cups set out for coffee.  So I told my family I was collecting and found my first one at Canton Trade days.  I though it was neat, with the main design pattern on the inside of the cup.

Aynsley, England bone china

$10.00 Canton, TX

I then started receiving from family members for every occasion.  My mother will only drink her coffee from one of my teacups when she visits, no bulky coffee mug for her dainty lips.

Be careful what you ask for!

I have at least 10 more in my kitchen cabinets.  Two demitasse tea cups are part of the collection.  The one on the left is a wedding gift to Lynn and I received from his Aunt.  I thought it was strange at the time, it was not the pattern of my china that I had chosen.  But, it ended up one of my favorite gifts.  The other, now how wonderful is this, when my mother-in-law heard of what I was doing, her best friend insisted I have one from her wedding pattern, see below on the right. How sweet!  ( I ALMOST felt bad accepting it )  but she insisted.

Aynsley, Ambassador Marone and Norleans, Japan

I think I only bought myself maybe three or four of the teacups, the rest were gifts.  Thanks everyone, but I finally had to say politely, STOP!  I think I have enough.

Until.....  Nickie, Lynn's Mom gave me her wedding pattern below.  What a grand finale.

Royal Worchester, Dunrobin

If anyone is wondering... I  now am collecting Waterford Crystal...no stopping allowed!

Gotta love collecting!

What collection of yours got out of hand or you love so much you can't stop?

Shared with
Donna at Funky Junk Interiors

What's in a name anyway?

Just in case you are all wondering, "What the heck is up with the name of Lori's blog?".  Here is the story behind the name.  Anyone who went through Alexandria Senior High School in Louisiana, needed Mrs. O'Quinn's senior english to graduate.  One of her assignments was the memorization and recitation of a poem.  I chose "Daffodils" by Williams Wordsworth.  To this day I still have it memorized and every spring or randomly throughout the year, I will recite the poem for the enjoyment (haha) of all those around me.

The craziest thing that has happened was when Lynn and I were staying at the Carnagie Castle in Scotland.  The drive towards the castle was lined with you guessed it... daffodils.  At dinner that night we were seated around the table, all strangers, except for Lynn and I.  Dinner here was a formal affair and all guests had dinner together in the main dining room. I mentioned the daffodils and immediately proceeded into the first line of the poem.  The a Scottish lady seated across from me recited the second line, I the third and so on.... I don't know who was more shocked.  I think the Scottish and English visitors were the astonished ones that someone from the other side of the pond had that poem memorized.  Thanks, Mrs. O'Quinn, I did feel very scholarly! 

So, I have been patiently waiting to write this post.... Here is the first picture of daffodils (below) that I have seen this spring (Tom Thumb- none in any yards yet) and below is the famous poem.  Notice the now historic blog title last line...

"Daffodils"  by William Wordsworth

I wandered lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the Milky Way,

They stretched in never ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced, but they

Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not but be gay,

In such a jocund company:

I gazed - and gazed - but little thougth

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft when on my couch I lie

In vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

PS - As I have gotten older it takes a lot less to fill my heart with pleasure.  And guess what?  It never runs out of room!

See more yellow.... Mellow yellow Monday..
Mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com

Pink workout mat inspiration

I was given these for Christmas and today is January 19th.  But, I can explain.  Lynley was here over break and really it is like having company,  I felt like I had to entertain her ALL the time.  So if she was home it would be rude to work out ... correct?  I unwrapped everything and Cotton is my witness, I did my half hour workout.  I'm going to wait until next week to try the new pilates DVD.  I'll be back in shape by then!

She is not quite the loud and demanding personal trainer, but she doesn't care what my work out clothes look like either.

Forty Dollars and a Flea Market

Forty dollars and a Flea Market... this time McKinney trade days.  About one hundred times smaller than Canton, but half the time to get there.

Did I mention it is January, cold and rainy and we went anyway.  You know when you get first row parking at 11:00 that it is not going to be crowded.  So here is what I found.

Lots of western stuff, we are in Texas.  Not my thing, though.

Having three girls I am always drawn to anything with pink, ruffles or ribbons.  No need to buy anything at this booth yet.  Grammie you do know how to make these hats though?

Ann Marie and her friend Becky joined in.  Ann Marie won the prize for spending the most.   Is that a prize you want to win?

I usually don't come home with any extra cash, but did this time.  Half the booths were closed either due to the cold or just being January.  I spent $14.00. The candy bowl matches a fruit bowl that Lynn's mom gave me.  A wedding gift to her and Ray from over 60 years ago.  I know now the pattern name.  Caprice, by Cambridge glass.  The vendor had marked down the candy dish from $20.00 to $15.00 and she took my offer of $10.00.  The plaque is for Melissa to give  Sean.  A line from the song that was playing in the background when he proposed to her.  Half price, $4.00.   Since I had a little extra cash, Lynley, Lynn and I had Wich, Wich sandwiches before she went back to school.

BEFORE/AFTER - Living/Dining Room and Guest Bath

New color is by Sherwin Williams - Nomadic Desert, Lynley and I decided we needed just a touch lighter shade in here than the Latte in the hallway.

Stripes are 10 inches wide, horizontal.  The color is

the same Nomadic Desert, but one stripe is flat and one is satin finish.  I love the effect.

Good-bye 1991mirror, new color Nomadic Desert

Eww! was the response when we romoved the old mirror and found the original wallpapper.  We did not build the house, so I am glad to say was not my pick!!

Cotton helped hold the drop cloth in place.  She is going on 15!  Lying down on something is usually the position you find her in these days.

Thanks, Ann Marie, Melissa and Lynley

No, not from the floor, but Lynley and Melissa decided to change the color on the light fixtures to dark iron and the spray paint left a fine film everywhere!  Took a lot of extra scrubbing to clean up.  Live and learn. Oh, did I mention the temperature never went above freezing this past weekend.  It was the perfect cold weather indoor project.  Floor in bathroom is the next project!

I'm linking with Domestically Speaking paint party...

More New Orleans

Mint Julep's?  They sell those there? Guess what there is a restaurant where you can order food too! 

Way too many Hurricanes in my life.

Where else but New Orleans, architecture students must have a hay day here.

Ann Marie, Lynley and Melissa

Jill and Lori

Voodoo store, no one would go in with me.  I wasn't going by myself!  I am taking one of the tours next time and a cemetary tour.

I want this front door! 

I knew Ann Marie would come up with better shots than me.  A much better camera does help. Here are some more....  Mom you are correct, New Orleans at the Royal Sonesta years ago, was my first Christmas in New Orleans.  I remember a wonderful dinner at one the "B" restaurants.  (Brennan's) Yum

Last weekend with my free painter!

Lynley reminded me that she will be heading back to Norman next week.... sometime.  That makes this my final weekend for her decorating advise and painting labor.  We finished the hallway last Sunday and have decided that the color latte is too dark for the living/dining room.  She and I tested some spots and have decided to go the the next lightest shade on the paint swatch.  I'll try to take some before and after shots.  It is a huge job, but with her help maybe we can knock it out before she leaves. 

So sad to see her go back to Norman, but so happy for her and the FINAL semester.  Our final semester too!  I feel like Lynley, Lynn and I are all graduating.  7 years, three daughters and three degrees later, wow.  BIG party to get ready for.

Happy 2010!

New Orleans! I don't think I have ever been to New Orleans at Christmas time.  So when Jill called and said they had high tea reservations at the Salon at the Windsor Hotel, I jumped at the chance to join them.  Lynley, Ann Marie and Melissa were able to come too!  We met Jill, Chris, Rachel, Ellen, Kelly and Ellen and Kelly's, Aunt Kelly.  We had  high tea and then spent a couple hours in the Jackson Square, made a stop at Pat O'Briens for Hurricanes,  Chris toured us through the garden district and we headed home.  Delay in the airport because of snow "again in Dallas".  It was a wonderful, fun time.

Assorted Chocolates!  Yum, what could be inside?  Rachel did not like her surprise chocolate. Mine was a milk chocolate truffle middle.  We decided Rachel's was very cherry.  Aunt Kelly below is pointing with her first finger!  Just in case you were wondering.