America The Beautiful

I know I'm not quite on cue here...but Memorial Day weekend is always busy and I'm not able to really concentrate on what this holiday represents. So the smoke has settled around here per say... the kids are back in school and my husband back at work. I can now reflect. I am thinking of how much I LOVE THIS COUNTRY! I...LOVE...THIS...COUNTRY!! No matter what party we as a citizen belong to...what differences we have...we are the most fortunate people in the world...living in this land of ours. Certainly...it is because of those brave men and women who have given up their lives for the freedoms and security we now share. I am so grateful beyond words. I for one will never take their sacrifice nor their family's sacrifice for granted. For all of our military veterans and those serving in the military now...thank you for your service and keeping us safe. YOU are my hero's. YOU have sacrificed unselfishly on our behalf! YOU have kept America beautiful. ~amy

Fairport, NY

Here are the pictures I promised you of Fairport, NY. I went there to visit my friend the week before last and if you must know...I am longing for the day when we will be able to move back. Fairport was at one time a busy canal port. Now the Erie canal in Fairport and Pittsford is mainly used for recreation. It's a vibrant village that not only is lovely but the citizens have made it a true community. Fairport will be hosting Canal Days on June 6TH. It's a fun weekend. The New York State wine region boarders Fairport also. Just a little tid bit...when we were still living there...we ran into Cher at "Lickity Splits" one of the local ice cream shoppes along the canal. She was taking the boat tour on the canal and stopped to get ice cream. I know it doesn't make me a movie star or anything but can you imagine? What a surprise that was! I hope you get to visit this part of the country some time. I don't think you'd be disappointed ~amy

Let Us Never Forget

The Hat

Haven't named this baby hat yet. I'm open for suggestions. I'll be sewing up more of these in different colors and sizes for the fall. I liked how this one came out. Hope you're having a lovely weekend! ~amy

Kitten Mitten

Stitch by stitch....I embroiderd a kitten motif for a change.

Have a great day!

~amy

Another Last....

Please bear with me for the next few weeks as I try to cope with my first born child graduating from high school. I posted this post Let's Hear It For The "Lasts" a few months back when I was starting my sentimental journey of my daughter's childhood into adulthood. I am very conscious now documenting her "lasts." Below is a picture of her at her last orchestra concert in high school that we attended last night. I remember the first time she picked up a violin when she was only six years old. Wow...has time flown by. She'll be attending Penn State Main in the fall for music education and we could not be more proud of her. Now....if you don't mind again....I would like to share with you Let's Hear It For The "Lasts."

I remember when my children were babies and I was so caught up into their "firsts". The first time they smiled, talked, sat, walked. I couldn't wait to grab a pen and note every milestone in their baby journal. Now that my first child will be wrapping up her senior year in high school....I can't help but try to remember all of her lasts. When did she hold my hand for the last time when we were in a parking lot or crossed the street? When was the last time she sat on my lap and hugged me with the tightest bear hug she could give? How about that last butterfly kiss, the last time she gave me the secret code... that she loved me before she got on to the school bus each morning. Or the last time she crawled into bed with us at night because she was scared or just wanted to be cuddled. The last time she said "I'm going to live with you forever" or "Daddy I'm going to marry you." If only I had a crystal ball and I knew that the "lasts" were staring at me right in the face...I would of cuddled her a little longer, held her hand tighter and just savored the moment. ~amy

Pittsford, NY

Hi there! I just got back from a great trip visiting my friend Joan in Fairport, NY. Actually...my family and I used to live in Fairport (which is outside of Rochester, NY). I love and miss it still.

On this trip Joan and I would wake up early each morning and walk along the canal from Fairport to Pittsford and then back. I am thinking the distance between the two villages is 5 miles. We then would stop at "Canal Roasters" one of the local coffee shops and get our Chi Tea...sit and talk. Each day we would go shopping, lunch, (did I mention shopping?), dinner with drinks and then settle in for the night. We did this for 4 days straight. What a wonderful time I had. I am hoping we'll get transferred back there again but who knows.

Below are a few images of Pittsford. I will share some more pictures of Fairport later this week. There is so much history in this region along with various sites to see....NY State winery's, the finger lakes, skiing, shopping, museums, the Erie Canal, Canal Days, ALOT of antique shops, fantastic restaurants and so much more. This regions natural beauty is lush and I long to be back there permanently....although it is good to be back home. My new puppy "Brody" is growing like a weed. I hope you enjoy the pics.

~amy

Happy Mother's Day

Every mother has the breathtaking
privilege of sharing with God in the creation of
new life. She helps bring into existence a soul
that will endure for all eternity.

JAMES KELLER


My sister and I with mom.

My Vintage Blankie Giveaway

It's getting very close to the My Vintage Blankie Giveaway. We almost have 25 people entered. I'd like to thank Becky from http://www.sweetcottagedreams.blogspot.com/ for displaying our giveaway button on her site...so thoughtful. It really got the ball rolling. As soon as we hit the magic number... I'll randomly pick the winner. It won't be long now. I'm so excited and I'll keep you posted!

Due to the fact that I have learned how to scan this week and how to transfer files on to my G drive....I am initiating My Vintage Blankie's very first giveaway. It's a big one!!! I will be giving away $75 worth of credit from My Vintage Blankie. You will be free to pick out what ever you would like from My Vintage Blankie (www.myvintageblankie.com) up to $75. All you have to do is be one of the first 25 people to leave a comment on this post. After 25 people have left a comment we will randomly pick the winner! Good luck! ~amy

Birch Bark Things

I've collected many things over the years made from birch bark and incorporated them in our decor. We lived up in the Adirondacks for almost 3 years and I fell in love with the beauty of the outdoors and the great camp style. Local artisans use the bark from birch trees that are indigenous to the region and create beautiful pieces. Here are a few birch accessories I've collected while living up north. ~amy

Cabin Or Cottage?

I have been forever dreaming about some day having a getaway up in the Adirondack's. I guess you can say it is my hobby planning for this dream. I have picked the area where I would like to have my cottage or cabin. I have designed in my head the structure, floor plan and how I will decorate the inside and out. Below are a few characteristics of a cottage style or cabin style.

The basics of a cottage style are comfort and practicality. Inside you'll find wood floors, some­times painted a cottage gray. Walk through a screen door, and you step out onto a porch...a must for enjoying summer twilight's. In the kitchen, you'll find painted cabinetry or open shelves stacked with Grandma's everyday dishes. The furnishings of cottage style are simple and include slip covered armchairs, well-loved wicker, or a set of simple painted chairs gathered around a large pine table. Lighting comes from vintage table lamps. Chenille spreads and scrap quilts top off the beds, while faded chintz floral and striped cushions add even more comfort. Signs of the outdoors are evident here. I can see accessorizing with wildflowers in a Fiestaware vase and watercolors of lakeside views adorn the walls.

Now let's take the cottage style and take away the feminine characteristics and a cabin is born. These manly retreats, built to house hunters, fishermen, and summer campers, are more rustic than cottage's. Here, log or wooden walls give a rustic background for simple, furnishings. Tools of the trade...guidebooks, maps, fishing poles and lures, rifles and mounts .... work to accessorize. Lighting may come from kerosene lamps or an antler chandelier, and a black iron wood stove or stone fireplace dries wet clothes as fish and ghost stories are swapped. The kitchen is the place to clean fish and make coffee...housed with vintage utensils like kettles and cast-iron skillets for frying up the day's catch.

Which would you prefer? Cottage or Cabin? They both sound like heaven to me. My summer getaway would incorporate a mixture of the two. I would use finishes such as wood and stone. I'd furnish my getaway with upholstered leather and floral fabrics...accented with pillows and throws made from chenille and wool. Definetly I would use open shelving in my kitchen and would lay stained wide plank flooring through out. The lighting would be a mixture of a kerosene lamp, wrought iron, Tiffany and antler lighting. A stone fireplace would be a must and be the focal point of the interior. I imagine an open floor plan...one bath, bedroom and loft...not a lot of square footage. One stipulation...my screened in porch has to be sizable with a clothes line to hang clothes from...room for a table and chairs and a few comfy sitting areas. It will be my out door living space... a continuation of the house...where I plan on spending a lot of time. I know my getaway won't be a reality this year...so I will continue...to dream and plan for that anticipated day. ~amy