Kay Ellen

Vintage, Romantic & Sentimental

My Mom brought over a very old scrapbook the other day...weathered and worn, and to my surprise it belonged to her Mom and Dad!

Special pages filled with hopes and dreams for an engaged couple in 1935...my Grandparents, Ruth and Dean. 

All the bridesmaids added special notes and magazine cuttings throughout the journal. My understanding is my Grandma recieved this scrapbook as a gift at her bridal shower.

I feel like I just stepped back in time, so precious.

I love these old graphics and the happy couple washing dishes together...and the husband is in the apron?!  

 

What a sentimental memory for my family to have from my grandparents. I wish I could talk to my Grandma and ask her more details about these special pages, quotes and writings.

We miss them both and will treasure this family heirloom from their yesteryears.

I also love knowing that artful clippings and scrapbooks were being created back in 1935.  

Amazing memories in these pages from long ago...

Have a blessed weekend and thank you for stopping by,

:Kay Ellen

 

Joining in Pink Saturday HERE

My Country,"Tis of Thee"

Ten years ago ... 9|11 where were you?

For my family, we woke up like any other day and were getting ready for work and school. My children were 7 and 10 years old at the time. I would typically turn on the television each morning to catch up on the news as I packed lunches and made breakfast. Our morning routine changed in an instant as my husband and I stood and stared at what was unfolding in New York. I recall praying, and thinking that I could not wrap my head around the idea that a commercial plane would fly that low over the city and hit the Trade Center?

Not knowing, we watched as the second plane crashed into the sister tower ... and then we heard that at least two additional planes had been hijacked.  My phone started ringing, my Mom and my mother-in-law calling to see if we knew what was happening in New York.  We all agreed to pray for our Country.

My next thought was ... what about my children? Should I let them go to school? Would the attacks effect us here in California?  

The kid's school was not to far from our home, I volunteered daily, and I was close to many of the teachers and staff. So, I decided to take the kids over to the school and talk to their teachers.  My first stop was at my son's fifth grade class, it was full and they had just begun reciting the pledge of allegiance. We joined in, and proudly recited the pledge with the class. I briefly spoke to his teacher and said I would check back at lunch time.

My next stop was my daughter's second grade classroom. I could hear music beginning to play in her classroom as we approached and kids had begun to sing ... My Country, "Tis of Thee" I felt my eyes water with pride for our awesome country ... I sat down and joined the beautiful young voices. A meaningful way to honor the United States of America and those suffering in New York. I gave my daughter's teacher a huge hug and decided to let my daughter stay in class that morning too.

My children's little public school blessed me so much that morning, under such uncertainty of what was happening in our world on that day,  they were embracing their students and teaching them how America would not waiver on the principles our country was founded upon.

My heart aches for the lives that were lost on that horrific day. I am so thankful, beyond words, for the countless heroes that bravely ran to rescue those in harms way.

My Country, Tis of thee sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing; land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims pride, from every mountainside let freedom ring. 

:KayEllen  

Lifetime of Memories

A special friendship to reflect on today~~~ my dear friend Julie.

We grew up just a few blocks apart...Our parents were best friends in high school.

We did everything together...ballet lessons, brownies, girl scouts, violin and piano recitals.

We even had a singing group in the early 70's called the Updates! A cross between the Partridge Family and the Brady Bunch! We sang with tambourines, matching outfits and chocker necklaces:) ha-ha 

Back in the day~~~we loved taking silly pictures in the old photo booth at Woolworth's in the Riverside Plaza. 

Aahhhh, so many summers spent waterskiing and camping at Lake Havasu, Arizona...and lots of memories driving the VW bug to 15th street in Newport Beach :)

We loved the drive thru at Naugles...yummy tostadas and macho burritos!

Best friends and cheerleaders during our high school years...this photo was taken in Hawaii after we graduated in 1979. 

No matter how much time passes by and we may go months before we get to see each other in person, we just pick up where we left off and laugh and talk for hours!

Julie writes a column in her local newspaper about her life as a wife and mother with humor and laughter in each post! She is also a fellow blogger so we enjoy visiting each others sites encouraging and cheerleading each other on in our lives and in business. 

I have to add that Julie has an amazing memory. She can remember details of our lives from forty years ago...old phone numbers, addresses and birthdays too! 

A special friendship that will continue to last a lifetime. 

Have a wonderful & blessed 50th Birthday Julie~~~ you deserve it!

xoxo 

Kay

Come on in for another look...

Hello Friends,

We have a little sunshine today after seven days of dark and stormy weather.

I grabbed my camera quick and took a few more pictures of our home.

I enjoy setting the table a few days in advance... now we are ready for Christmas morning breakfast. 

My Christmas china is made by Nikko...I bought my first place setting 25 years ago. 

Joining in Susan's Holiday Tablescapes HERE

I enjoy adding simple accents to make the table sparkle.

Old and New treasures mixed in together for a winter wonderland tablescape.

The only new item I purchased on the table this year was one box of ornaments from the Dollar Tree! 

Ready for a special cup of tea...

Here's a peek of more holiday accents...

A favorite statue dressed in whimsy winter attire and a touch of Pink! Happy Pink Christmas Saturday to Beverly & friends HERE

This wood carved nativity was a gift from my parents when they visited the Holy Land...The true meaning of Christmas...The First Noel

More winter sparkle in the corner cabinet filled with tarnished silver.

I have a special memory table set up to celebrate those family members that have passed away...keeping memories alive and sharing their stories. 

Some of my dearest friends are hurting deeply this holiday season...missing their loved ones that have passed away this year.  A son, daughter, brother, sister, husband, wife, mother, father, co-worker and a high school friend. I wanted express my love and let you know I am praying for each of you at this difficult time... 

Need to smile in this busy and non stop season? Miss Gracie cuddled up on a pillow might help.

or Napoloen my cat that thinks he is a dog! He was so excited to go outside today and explore after all the heavy rains...

From my family to yours~~~Have a blessed Christmas!

Puttering

I am puttering around my garden this morning...

Still on a spiritual high from this past weekend. Singing all the songs I heard...and very thankful for the lives that were changed at the Harvest Crusade.

Wow, my morning glory vines went crazy the past couple of weeks...I am trimming them way back before they take over my garden!

This is my little hidden gardening corner where you can find me puttering away. The chippy garden table belonged to my Grandpa Dean. He let me have the table over 25 years ago. Originally the table was used in his workshop everyday for over 40 years. I still love it, all weathered and worn. A special gardening table the holds lots of memories...

and I also enjoy creating little things that make me smile in the garden:)

Ok friends, I am headed back to the garden to create, trim and putter some more...

The newest piece in my gardening area is the galvanized barstool. Perfect for outside in the weather. A sweet blogging friend Ruth from "The Beautiful Life" told me about it... so I headed over to the website overstock.com and ordered it! Make sure and stop by and say hello to Ruth...thanks again for the hot tip!

I am taking a few days off from blogging, working and ready for some much needed vacation time with my husband and teens.

See you later!
:Kay Ellen

Memories on Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all you Dad's that make each day count...

Taking time to skip~~~

Piggyback hugs~~~

Lending a helping hand...

Making a splash~~~ 

Wheel Barrow rides!!

Jumping for Joy

It's OK to be silly...  

Special vacations... 

Celebrating Holidays~~~

Happy Father's Day to my husband...So many special memories to share of you being a great Dad!!  We love you!!

Kay, Kyle & Paige 

    

Happy May Day!

Happy May Day to all my blogging friends! 

I picked a special bouquet~~~ fresh from the garden for you all!

Gathering flowers on May Day began when I was a young girl. My Grandma Ruth would encourage my sister and I to suprize our neighbors with a bouquet. My mom would save all the plastic green baskets from our strawberry purchases. My sis Kim and I would pick flowers from my Grandma's garden and our house...We would make the baskets early on May 1st...after we finished the bouquets we would head out to bless the neighbors! 

The best part of this event was ringing the doorbell at each home~~~annnd running and hiding!! I am sure after a few years the neighbors knew it was us!! but they always acted suprized and played along with us:)

Missing you today Grandma!!

:Kay Ellen

Pink party at Beverly's! 

Have a blessed weekend everyone!! 

Blessings to Celebrate

Hi Friends, 

Tickled to share the news~~~I am published in the Spring Issue of Somerset Life Magazine!

I am a pretty sentimental person so I decided to create vases embellished with heirloom treasures that belonged to my Grandma. A special way to keep her memory alive and share with my children about her life.

Jewelry, lace, buttons and silver serving pieces adorn the glass cylinder vases.

In the article I  encouraged others to make a vase filled with memories. A wonderful way to share and remember special times gone by.

I used my parents sealah no sew adhesive to adhere the lace and treasure's on the vases.

Another blessing~~~ this photo was published in the same magazine! A stack of special poetry books that belonged to my Grandpa Dean, he loved to read. 

A big thank you to Stampington & Company, Christen Olivarez and staff! I feel honored to be published in this beautiful magazine.  

My vases arrived back home safe and sound after their photo shoot. I decided to use them as our centerpiece on the Easter table.

I set the vases on a pretty tray and filled them with white ranunculus blooms. 

I added  special touches on the table... I purchased two yards of this light blue sheer fabric on sale $5.oo! and added my pretty pearls for an elegant feel.

Burlap, linen and a cotton print fabric are layered on the table to create a unique tablecloth. A  metal cross to remind us of the sacrifice made at the cross.

I used faux silver chargers, creamy ceramic dishes and a sweet birds nest in each bowl. 

Beautiful blooms and textures.

Spring blessings.

Happy Easter!

The spring issue of Somerset Life should be available soon at Barnes and Noble, Border's and Craft Stores like Joanne Fabrics and Micheal's. 

OK so let's celebrate~~

Leave a comment on my blog or facebook to enter to win the Spring Issue of Somerset Life a sweet birds nest and a variety pack of Sealah no sew tape and a Starbucks gift card! 

Have a blessed and joyful holiday with your family and friends,

He has Risen!

Luke 24

:Kay Ellen 

  

Looking Up

Hi Friends, 

Healing and resting this weekend I spent some time looking at photos I had taken over the past few months. This photo just jumped off the page. I started to remember why I loved this photo...

This was the day we were going to say goodbye to our son headed off to college. I was a little sensitive that day, well if you ask my family I was down right cranky. Butterfly's in my tummy and feeling out of control~~~ very natural for a Mother saying goodbye to her first teen to leave the nest.

We were walking around the Mission in Carmel enjoying the day and I noticed the sky was changing. I looked up and quickly grabbed my camera. 

A scripture came to my mind~~~ Psalms 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation. 

A peace came over me as I realized everything would be OK.  I have my assurance in the Lord not in my circumstances. He directs my path daily~~~and he will also be with my son where ever he goes even away at college!

I received an email from an on-line newspaper this week requesting to feature my photo. They posted it today on my husband's birthday:) 

Happy Birthday Mark!

Click here if you are interested in taking a look at the newspaper and photo:)

Thank you for your emails and comments...

I am feeling better, just taking things a little slower this week.

:Kay Ellen

Memories in a Basket

Do you enjoy picnics? Do you have memories of taking a road trip with a packed lunch in a pretty basket? 

If this picnic basket to talk~~~ I wonder what it would say? What was your fondness memory? Did you have a special destination?    

A favorite picnic memory I  have was during the summers of 1967-1972 going to Fairmount Park on Sunday evenings during the summer and listening to live music with my family. We would have a picnic dinner under the stars. I loved it. My Grandma Ruth~~~ the amazing baker would bring something sweet for us all to share during the bands performance.  My Mom would save bread-crust or crackers for my sister Kim and I to run off and feed the ducks near by.

  
I guess you could say I am a pretty sentimental person and the older I become those simple carefree evenings have become precious memories I will cherish forever.

Happy Pink Saturday to my blogging friends that have stopped by celebrate! Thank you dear Beverly for hosting this event. Beverly had emergency surgery recently...Praying for you Beverly and hope you are feeling better each day!

 

Please Click Here to stop by and say hello and send your get well wishes:)

:Kay Ellen