Let's Celebrate!

Hello Sweet Friends,

It's been a year since I began this blog. I really can't believe it! It seems like just yesterday that I began this little blog journey, and it's been more fun than I could have ever imagined. I remember how thrilled I was to have one follower! This week my 100th follower signed on! (Thanks, Deb!) It means so much to think that someone liked my lil' blog enough to click that "follow" button. For those of you who aren't "official" followers, but pop in from time to time-- I adore you too. I really, really do.

Oh, and those of you who leave me some love in the comments-- thank you soooo much! XOX! It's your feedback that keeps me going. I think you know what I mean... especially if you're a blogger too! I love and appreciate all your comments so much. It's amazing to think that whether I need advice on what camera to buy, what kind of vintage bowl I just bought, or how to grow a peony-- I can just put it out there and my sweet bloggy friends around the world are there to help me out. It really warms my heart.

Soooooo, you know what's coming... a GIVEAWAY!!! To thank you all for sharing this journey with me, I'm having a giveaway. In true Jill fashion, I haven't got the prizes gathered and completed yet, so it will be a mystery prize. (Oooooh!) I will give you hints though... the surprises will be either vintage, or vintage inspired-- or both! Oh, and here's another hint:

Okay, to enter this fabulous little giveaway, just leave a comment. You don't have to be an "official follower", however-- if you are an "official" follower please leave a second (separate) comment also. Hagrid and I will draw the name on Friday! (I'll try to take pictures of that!!)

Hugs,

PS: I must admit, I can't take credit for creating that lovely dessert. It's a chocolate mousse tulip from the bakery of my favorite market, Nugget Markets. Yummmmm... I'll have a bite for you too!

Peonies, Some Vintage Goodness, and a Surprise in the Mail!

Thanks to Claudia's Trader Joe's tip-off and inspiration, I now have this beautiful bouquet of pink peonies gracing my dining room table. I've never bought peonies before, and when I saw those beautiful flowers on Claudia's blog post, I just had to have some. They're so... feminine and sweet! And she was right-- they smell divine!

As the sun beamed through the window, they started to open up in minutes. I just love how frilly they are! Have any of you ever grown peonies? I think I'm in love with them. I would love to grow some. If you have any advise, please let me know!

Besides Claudia's inspiration, this is the other inspiration for the splurge-- these vintage table cloths. Don't you love the giant pompom trim? I do, but I've always felt it needed some kind of overlay, so when I was out shopping in the foothills this weekend I found this wonderful vintage tablecloth. I laid them out on the table, and looked around the house for something to put in the middle of the table. I think the peonies are perfect!

Okay, do these look like real cupcakes or what? (Okay, you'd never see a real cupcake shrink wrapped, but you know what I mean!) These arrived yesterday-- a wonderful surprise from my wonderful aunt, Alice! These cupcakes are actually bath fizzies-- they're amazing! I think they may be almost too cute to use... almost. It was so fun to receive such a random, sweet, happy surprise in the mail. Thank you so much, my dear Auntie Alice!

Hugs,

More Vintage Finds...

I thought that I'd post some fun finds that I've found over the last few weeks. I've been having too much fun!

I fell in love with the vintage lamp immediately! It was in a shop at a nursery up in the foothills, believe it or not. It was love at first sight. I knew that I could find several spots around the house for it.

I also found these sweet little pottery pieces at some antique shops-- love the blues and greens. I just love the sweet raised flowers on the sides. (Just click the photo to see it up-close.) The tiny white ceramic basket was only 50 cents! It will be joining my little white pottery basket collection that is still in a box in my garage somewhere. Someday, when I have unearthed my collection I will share photos of it with you.

I found this print(?) at a street fair a couple of weeks ago... I just love the soft lines and colors. Oh, and the frame---looooove it!

This is a close up (sorry for the blurry photo- still learning this new camera!) of this aqua/robin's egg blue pottery piece. It's an interesting shape. I'm not exactly sure what it is, except I do think it may be an egg poacher. I saw something similar in a magazine, and that's what they called it. Whatever it is, I love it!

...and this I call, "Happy Tax Return to Me"--- a little splurge, but you guessed it-- I love it. It reminds me of Cinderella's pumpkin carriage. I'd never seen a pewter teapot in that shape. It's pudgy and sweet. I must have picked it up and held it a zillion times in the past few weeks. The last time I was at the shop, I told myself it was "A Sign" that it was still there waiting for me. Have any of you received any of those "signs" ever? (Come'on-- fess up!) I receive them far more than I should ever admit. Although, let me just say, there are "signs" that I have passed up that I regret to this day.

So, my advise for today is "Don't pass up A Sign." Especially when it's biting you in the butt. Ah, I do have my poignant, profound moments, don't I?

Hugs,