lots of photos

Posted on July 7, 2007 by Shanda

My brother and his wife have been here since Tuesday night.

On Thursday, our friends Matt and Laura visited us.

On Friday we got our puppy.

Things have been busy, but it’s been a happy kind of busy–reconnecting with family and friends and adopting a new puppy.

I’ve taken a lot of pictures, hope you enjoy them!

Nathan and his family:

Here are some pictures of our visit with Matt and Laura. Matt lived in the area during a couple of summers (I think 2003/2004). We had him over to our house almost every week for dinner and he became like family to us. Matt and Rich love to run together and Matt is a wonderful, godly young man who is studying to be a Pastor. Last fall he married Laura and they live in Michigan. This was our first visit since last summer. We had so much fun and they stayed until almost 1 in the morning!!!!

Jake and E have their own bow and arrow sets now, the real thing! Matt is holding Rich’s bow.

I grabbed the camera quick to take this one. Caleb was feeling frisky after dinner:

We did our 4th of July sparklers on the 5th because of rain:

New Puppy:

Melissa and I went shopping the other day and I bought these NEW DISHES:

This china was all made by Homer Laughlin Co., the maker of my favorite FIESTA dishes. I bought these at an antique store for half price:

And here is the latest FIESTA color, EVERGREEN:

Last, but not least, I also collect china with violets on it and found this set at an antique store. They were half off—only 7.50!

Thank you for looking at my pictures. I hope you all have a nice weekend!

To fill the hour – that is happiness. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Fiesta Finds

Posted on October 28, 2006 by Shanda

I collect dishes, but not just any dishes! FIESTA! I found a lady who lives less that 15 minutes away from me who wanted to sell some. I went to her house to pick it up today. I bought: 1 “radioactive red” plate, a set of light green salt and pepper shakers, a cobalt mixing bowl, a MEDIUM GREEN (the rarest color) teacup and a cobalt large teapot. All are vintage.

Posted on September 29, 2006 by Shanda

This is a picture of some of the vintage fiesta that I own. I bought the disc pitcher in Sturbridge, the turquoise and yellow dishes I bought this week in Somers, CT. The vintage ivory plate and cobalt plate I bought in Suffield, CT. In “real life” the pitcher is the same color as the rest of the yellow in this photo.

I received a new “Country Living” magazine today. Here are some quotes for inspiration:

I like a rich color such as an earthy brown in the home. It provides a reassuring contrast to the highly technical times we live in today. Chris Madden, designer

A good cast iron skillet has a unique recipe of its own, a sort of DNA-its seasoning that it perfects over time.

Abundance, the season’s theme, calls for a table brimming with beautiful color.

Give thanks
and in all
things be
grateful.

Abundance begins with a home that brims with laughter, where conversation is plentiful, and bounty is measured by hours spent with loved ones. Fill yours to overflowing.

Natural beauty

the earthy warmth of wood

At home in comfort

simply thankful

SHANDA’S EXCITING FIESTA FIND!

Posted on August 30, 2006 by Shanda

This is me, first thing this morning, with my new bowl.

Look what I found last night! For those of you who don’t know me . . . .I collect Fiestaware, made by Homer Laughlin China Co. My dear friend and fellow xanga member EBABE also collects it. It’s so much fun.

Anyway, the newest color is HEATHER and I decided to go to MACY’S last night to see if they had anything new. I entered the store and off in the distance I could see the fiesta display. I saw a stack of boxes with a big, shallow bowl displayed on the top. No! Could it be? A PRESENTATION BOWL IN HEATHER????? I walked quickly. . . .and. . . . YES, oh YES, it WAS! And with gold lettering on the bottom with those thrilling words; “Exclusively for Macy’s”!! Should I buy the whole stack? No, better not. Not when one bowl is 50 dollars! I looked in 3 boxes before I found it: The Perfect One. . . . .and with lots of loving, backward glances I went to pay for my fanastic find.

I went up to the register and it rang up for 53 dollars.
But wait!
“Let me go see if that’s supposed to be on sale” said the nice lady. When she came back, she rang up the bowl again, saying “This is 30% off. That’ll be 35 dollars!” I squealed for joy! Should I go get another one at such a good price? No. Better not. What would my husband say?

So out the door of Macy’s I went, holding the bag with my new fiesta presentation bowl in HEATHER. The first thing I wanted to do was tell a friend. Not just any friend, my fiesta partner-in-crime, Lea Ann! (and let’s face it, she’s the only one I know personally that can truly share my joy when it comes to fiesta!)

Shanda and Lea Ann. . . . . .April 11, 2006, at Lea Ann’s new home in TX. I’m holding the LILAC DISC PITCHER that she GAVE me, and now she says I have to give it back. . . . . .

Pictures of dishes and chairs. . . . .

Posted on July 27, 2006 by Shanda

I collect cherry things and found this plate the first Saturday we were here, when Amanda and I explored a local antique store.

Some of my fiesta collection:

The middle one is the coveted LILAC disc pitcher that Lea Ann shockingly ( I was “completely shocked”) GAVE to me when I visited her in TX this spring!

Come to think of it, she gave me the SCARLET one (on top), too, as a gift when I had baby Caleb. She handed to me and said, “Congratulations, you’re a mommy!”

Come and sit by my side? I told Lea Ann I’d put a red rocker on my porch for her. . . .I’ll have to call it the “chair for kindred minds”, it can represent all my dear friends that live too far away for frequent visits, Joanna, Christie, Colleen, Elisha! It’ll be waiting for you!

Next Year I’m Takin’ the Older Kids!

Posted on April 13, 2006 by Shanda

Hi Everyone! I’m back from my trip to San Antonio, TX!!

Saturday was spent traveling. We got to our gorgeous hotel, “La Mansion”, late that night.

Sunday Rich had golf. I went out in the morning and stayed outside, walking along the beautiful riverwalk.

San Antonio Riverwalk

When Rich got back, we went out walking again. We had dinner outside that night.

Monday was spent in basically the same way. Rich had a meeting all morning, so I went out with Caleb, who stopped traffic everywhere we went with his cuteness. I’m not being an overly-proud mother, either, ~ he got more attention than I have ever experienced. One lady went on and on about how cute he was, and when I said, “Thank you!”, she said, “Thank YOU!” Made me feel so good. . . . Anyways, Monday was a little rough toward the end because I completely wore myself out. We were outside walking all day. I did get to see beautiful gardens and water was everywhere, it was such a treat to see such beauty. We saw the Alamo, too. The boys were thrilled with the little gifts I bought them from the giftshop.

Tuesday was spent saying goodbye to San Antonio and hello to Dallas. We drove all morning and arrived at the Garfias home at 2:00. (For those of you who don’t know–the Garfias’ are from our church and just moved to TX in March. Lea Ann and I are close friends) Lea Ann was waiting for us and rushed out the door into my arms as soon as I got out of the vehicle. I don’t get that kind of warm welcome very often! Our visit was sweet and too short. Her house is beautiful, open and bright. Lots of space. She’s done an amazing job arranging each room and decorating. I took pictures of the kitchen, my favorite room in her house, you all know why: FIESTA!

Rich and I had to leave at 10pm. By the time we drove into downtown Dallas and into our hotel it was close to midnight. Our flight was early in the morning and so we were up at 5am. Caleb was an absolute perfect baby, believe it or not, no problems whatsoever with traveling. Thank you to those who prayed for that specifically! Unfortunately, Caleb is sick now, with a fever. And I am going to the doctors today for a sore throat that I have been ignoring for too long.

Things I learned from my Trip: Even though I wanted to see and do as much as I could in a day, I neglected to take care of myself and rest. I was a big grouch for half a day because I didn’t relax until it was too late!
Also, I want to take more of my kids next year when Rich has his next yearly convention. It will be in Naples, FL. I get upset because I am spending a lot of time alone and I start feeling lonely. If I had some of the older kids, they could experience travel and it would be more of a family time. There would be less pressure on Rich to free up his schedule for his lonely wife.
Travelling with a baby isn’t that bad. Don’t forget to take a stroller, like I did. But, if you do take one, take a light umbrella-type stroller. It’s much easier to handle. I had to carry Caleb in it up and down stairs, which I never would’ve been able to do with our regular one.
Visiting a long-distance friend is such a special thing to do. Meaningful memories are made and relationships are strengthened. Get ready, Joanna!

Thanks for reading my rough report of my trip! Forgive my lack of development, I have lots to do today but don’t worry, I’ll take some time to rest at some point!

P.S. More Advice: Don’t ignore a sore throat for 2 weeks. I just got back from the doctor’s and he wasn’t very happy with me. I have a sinus infection. . . . .

Next Year I'm Takin' the Older Kids!