Bon Anniversaire, Aunt Lori!

We threw a little shin-dig for my Aunt Lori last week. It was a french-themed bash which we set up the night before because she was travelling in from the east coast in the wee hours of the morning and we wanted to surprise her. SO after only getting a couple hours of sleep, I was magically awake during this thing they call the sunrise. (It will be decades before that happens again.)

Because I couldn't sleep (I swear that has never happened before) I was able to take pictures in this beautiful morning light.

My Aunt Lori is such an incredible person. She travelled across the country to see my play, "Into the Woods". She has been such an encouragement to me and has provided so many opportunities for me.  She even paid the bill so I could get braces. She also altered a prom dress from the 50's for me while she was here (which I will show you someday soon!). She is so selfless and one of my closest friends. 

My mom got to use her fancy napkin fold that she learned in Switzerland!

Then...this almost happened. So close.

I only have two regrets. One, I wasn't even able to enjoy the party due to a heavy rehearsal schedule. And, two, I painted the sign on pages from an english book. I really wanted to rip into a french one, but I also didn't want to destroy any rare editions. So "Bon Anniversaire, Lori!" was actually painted on a story about Texas.

 I hope you had a lovely birthday, Aunt Lori! We love you!

A Bag of Beads

I always love when I can get a really great bargain on a collection of buttons or beads.

I bought a Ziplock bag of assorted beads at a rummage sale for only $6...and knowing the going rate for a strand of beads at Michael's, I thought this was quite a steal.
I had a lovely time sorting through them and to begin I thought that I'd make two very long necklaces that I could double or triple up.

What do you think of these?

Hunting for Doors

My friend, Makayla and I spent last Friday afternoon hunting for doors. We rummaged through flea market like shops and yard sales looking for a door that could someday embellish a door frame at Makayla's place.  I was easily distracted by everything because I find character in junk from another era. Why is this?  I must have what certain characters in Midnight in Paris have. Oh, to experience life in another era.

Here are a few snapshots that I took while Makayla diligently browsed through a warehouse of doors.

"S"

This door is stylish, isn't it! It feels rather art deco.

 

I have a few of these and know severaly people that collect them. It would appear that many people do. Why is that?

They are a staple at every garage sale. Why do we collect them?

I thought it might be fun sometime to go around town taking pictures of cool attic windows. I love this one. They are only on the really old houses and they are all so unique. Can't you just see the March girls from Little Woman peering out from their attic window saying, "What do you think of the captive?"

Is it just me, or can you see the letter "D" too?

I took this picture for two reasons: 1. I have a good friend with the last name Phillips. And 2. This company originated in 1912 which reminds me of Titanic.

I like diamond patterns.

Love this font!

I almost bought one of these babies at a rummage sale last month.  It would have been a major splurge. Someday.

We stopped a really great bookshop with book from the floor to the ceiling. I'm not exaggerating. It was amazing. These two volumes caught my eye so I snapped a picture. Moments later Makayla pointed out the same binding to me. We had a good laugh about it.

A beautiful cover!

I took this picture for my dad. I picked up a 2 record album that  I have been searching for at this rummage sale, only to discover once I got home that record 2 was missing. The next day I was driving with my dad and I saw that the sale was still going on. So we pulled over to search for it. My dad saw this little mail box and thought it was so cool. Little did he know I took a picture of it for him the day before. (If you were wondering, they didn't have Record 2 anymore...so I'm going to have to buy Electric Light Orchestra's Out of the Blue AGAIN!) 

Blurry...too bad.

A trip to Two Harbors is not complete without a stop at Betty's Pies. We entered through the exit door because I thought I saw Robert Redford in the parking lot and clearly ignored the brightly coloured exit signs. I swear that was the enterance last time I was there! Makayla had a Butterfinger something or other pie and I had the Great Lakes pie (strawberries, rhubarb, blackberries, raspberries, & blueberries) which was more than delicious! We found all the wrong doors during this hunt, but someday, hopefully the right one will be just around the corner and visibly marked.

Grandma's Eggs, Bologna, & Cheese Sandwiches!

Don't bash them until you've tried them. They are a scrumptious concoction of deliciousness. I dream about these sandwiches on a regular basis and can't help salivating at the mere thought of them.

My grandparents are snow birds, so I only see them a few months a year. This is mainly because we live in a location of the world that most people flee from when it starts to get cold. I question the sanity of everyone I encounter every December...I also say "What am I doing here???" everytime I leave the house. Needless to say, they come back home every June. If the mood suits my grandma, she will make her legendary Eggs, Bologna &  Cheese Sandwiches.  This is a special summer treat of the rariest nature. There are certain guidelines to follow for such occasions. For instance:

1.  If Grandma asks if she should make her Eggs, Bologna, & Cheese Sandwiches, you respond with a direct, affirmative, "Yes.". Leave all okays, sures, & I guesses for everyday sandwiches.  
2. Each sandwich should be given an individual's undivided attention as they are devoured & mindfully savoured. Conversations should be kept to a minimum...or flat out withheld until dessert.
3. Leave no bit of bread untouched. If it's in the pantry, it would be better to slather a bit of eggs, balogna, & cheese on top of it. Its purpose will be served. You see, you want as many sandwiches as possible because I cannot begin to tell you about the sadness one feels when their cousin takes the last sandwich from the pan.  
4. Eat all the sandwiches. Even the funny looking ones. Looks can be deceiving.

It's probably best that I conceal these images from the public. Over the years I've heard that some people find the ingredients repulsive. Maybe it has something to do with the accompanying smell. I don't know, but here's the recipe...sort of.

A couple hard boiled eggs.

Hot Dogs (Bologna) I know what you're thinking....you want to run to your kitchen immediately and make this. Hold your horses. There's more.

Next you get a block of cheese. I don't know what kind. Chop it up somehow. I never pay attention to this part. I'm always too busy counting down the minutes until I get to scarf down as many sandwiches as possible like I'm in one of those competitive eating contests.

Add a generous amount of ketchup. A giant dollop, if I may. Oh, and mayo! Don't forget the mayo!

Oh, I forgot to tell you. Somehow you chop up the hot dogs and the eggs. I don't know how to do this, but I'm confident that you'll think of something.

Go ahead. Mix it up. ;)

Next lay as many hot dog buns you can find on cookie sheets.

Cover every surface of bread possible. Make it happen, Capt'n.

Place tray in oven on BROIL for just a few minutes. You definitely do not want this to burn. But if somehow the edges are burnt... (see Rule No. 4 above)

 Enjoy!