Summer Reads

Whatcha reading?  I get that question from friends and I ask that question too.  If you've read a good book lately I want to know.  Do share.  Summer is coming and I'll need reading material on the patio.

Colleen told me about  The Homesman by Glendon Swartout.  I enjoy historical fiction and this one was no exception.  It's a story of the women that went West and then went crazy, literally.  Terrible things happened to women pioneers and some times they had nervous break downs.  There were no asylums for them out West so they had to be brought back to their families in the East.  

This book is a western, which made me a little leery but once I started reading I couldn't stop.  It's a well written, interesting story.  It is not a happy, feel good story, but it is an intriguing story.  

I watched the movie after I read the book.  It was a good thing because I think it would be hard to understand what was all happening in the movie if I hadn't read the book.  I loved the character, Mary Bee Cuddy.  Hilary Swank played Mary Bee Cuddy,  Hilary is not my favorite actress so that may be why the movie disappointed me.

 Then because I usually follow up a good book with more by the same author, I read  The Shootist  by Glendon Swarthout.  It  is a western and I did enjoy it.  I may have a long list of Louis L'Amore books to read in my future.  I have not watched the movie yet but I will, it stars John Wayne and Lauren Bacall.

While I was poolside in the desert I read a very light book, chick lit, if you will.  Love, Rosie  by Cecelia Ahern is a romance written in email, texts, and snail mail format.  It's a cute story and easy to pick up and put down if it's time to float down the lazy river or go mix a drink. 

There is a movie and I'm not sure I will watch it but if I need a romantic comedy it will work.

 Then because everyone one else was reading  Gone Girl  by Gillian Flynn I read it too.  A psychological thriller isn't usually my first choice, however; I was intrigued.  It is well written with good attention to details and it moved along quickly.  It was hard to put down.  In fact I read 3 hours past my bedtime just to know how it all turned out in the end.  I really enjoyed this book,

I haven't watched the movie, without having read the book I'd consider it too scary for me to watch just from seeing the movie trailers.  I think I can watch it now and I do like Ben Affleck so I just may do that some evening.

 I am enjoying browsing through  Style & Simplicity  by Ted Watson Kennedy.  I adore his shops in Seattle so it was a given that I had to have his book.  It's pretty.  I knew it would be and I'll enjoy paging through for many years to come.  It's a keeper.

I just started reading  The Bookstore  by Deborah Meyer.  I am having trouble getting into it, but I will give it a few more chapters to take off.  If it doesn't take off soon, it will get the boot as I say.  This means it will get returned to the library without wasting anymore of my time.

 Glamping with Mary Jane by Mary Jane Butters was in my '57 Aloha stash,  I've read it before but now it is back out as a reference book as our project moves along.  This is a wonderful book for vintage trailer owners, wannabes and glampers or campers.  It has beautiful pictures and graphics so it's fun to page through and dream about camping this Summer.

And lastly,  Jesus Calling by Sarah Young is an ongoing read for me.  I have the book and I have the app on my iphone.  It is a daily devotional that has many wonderful insights and thoughts to begin or end your day with Jesus.

Keep reading my friends, support your local library and bookstores!

The Sale That Time Forgot

On Friday I went with my  junkin' sisters  to the granddaddy estate sale of all estates sales.  Ever.  Franny of Earthakitty had been telling us that she had a BiG sale coming up.  It was two houses that had been closed up for 40+ years.  Eeeek!  

Shelly and I lined up at the older house and Chris lined up at the newer house bright and early. Only fifteen people would be allowed in the old house at a time.  I was behind a man who had spent the night in his van to be in first place, a young couple and then ME!  I could see what I wanted through the front window.  The guy ahead of me also went for the Christmas but he only had two hands and then later put it all back.  I think he wanted it because I wanted it and then didn't really know its value.  "You won't run into creepers at estate sales," said NO ONE EVER.

 Usually at Franny's sales there are the regulars and neighbors.  This sale brought people from all over the state... the state of confusion, the state of rule breakers and theCRraaaZZY state of mind.

 I wish I had taken more pictures inside the house but I was busy and there was a lot of stuff to fall over so yeah, I had to keep my wits about me.  And there were a hundred people waiting for their turn to come into the house and I understand estate sale etiquette.

Vintage Christmas, was my goal and specifically the peacock ornament.  Hey, I didn't have one of those in my collection.  Don't judge me!  I know I have a large collection but I did not have the peacock.  I am laughing at myself and my disease, collectoritist, feel free to laugh with and at me.  

I have two local mugs that I look for while junkin'.  I didn't find the plowing match mug but I did find two of the the Lynden Diamond Jubilee mugs.  In the lower left there is a plowing scene.  The man in the image is my Grandpa Dykstra.

 There are two professional images of Grandpa and his Belgians that were used for postcards, a telephone book cover, mugs, plates, ash trays and such.  The picture below is one that I have in my living room, it was done by the Lynden Studio and was painted to make it a color photo.  Later there was a color photo taken and used for postcards etc,  I have found three of the actual Plowing Match mugs and so my guys each have one and now I have three of the Jubilee mugs.

 Back to Christmas, because it is my true love,  A sweet Santa box and some pretty tissue paper.

 The '57 Aloha needs some light fixtures and I found this clip on lamp with an orange and turquoise flower decal for $3.  It needs new wiring, the cord literally crumbles every time I touch it.

 I found a suitcase that has a rusty orange colored lining in pristine condition.  I plan to use ASCP to paint the exterior.  Now I have two suitcases for the '57 Aloha that will work nicely on the canvas bunk.  Hubby and I can pack our clothing in the suitcases for camping trips.

 An old flashlight and a syrup dispenser for the '57 Aloha rounded out my purchases for the morning.  What's a camping trip without pancakes? 

It was a fun sale and a successful sale.  And I promise I am going to go through my vintage Christmas and have a sale of my own.  Some day.  Not today though...

By the way the sale is open today and tomorrow.  There is plenty of junk left for you.  It is on the Hannegan Road, close to Hinote's Corner.

I'm Busy, Kinda

 I'm busy okay?  Since vacay in the desert I have been a little busy.  And possibly a little bit lazy too.  The first week home I was of course, slammed at work.  I needed to fill eight volunteer shifts, get caught up on daily stuff and the new inventory just keeps on arriving.  At home the house needed a Spring cleaning, the yard needed weeding, the '57 Aloha needs to get finished and I was reading some books that I hadn't gotten to on vacay.  Whaaat?  Yes, I have been reading when I should have been bustling around and posting on the blog.

So finally, a very random post because some days random is better than nothing.

I am walking and walking and keeping score with my fitbit.  I am still using fitness pal to count calories but really, how in the world does one add up the calories in a Philly cheese steak sammie topped with mac and cheese and bacon and served with a an IPA?

Eat less, move more is a full time job for moi and my oh my, life has gotten in the way.

I am trying though... until someone wants to go out for dinner.  Then, not so much.

The '57 Aloha is being worked on by Hubby.  A lot of progress on the dinette and the bed area has happened.  The hinges and other cabinet hardware is ready to be installed.  Who knew polishing, cleaning and obsessing over cabinet hardware could take over our lives?

The weather has been so great this spring and most folks in our area have done a lot of yard work. 

 I had not.  I just wasn't feeling it.  Last weekend I jumped in with both feet, a hoe, a rake, a pressure washer and some new potting soil.  Y'all will be happy to know that the patio is party ready and the window boxes are ready for plants.  Whether they are ignored or tended the weeds continue to grow and it's been a tough lesson for me this Spring.

Now, you understand why I haven't blogged much lately...

DAILY LIFE!  And really, who wants to read about cleaning, chores, yard work and failed diets?

No one.

Poolside For a Week, Yes Please

After leaving Alcazar in Palm Springs we drove to Indio where we had a 3 bedroom condo at Worldmark Resort.  At check in I asked for a ground floor room close to the pool, the pool that doesn't have the lazy river.  It's generally quieter.  Our wishes were granted and we had a great location with a patio on the ground floor along the pond and rose gardens.

We went out for groceries and because we could see that we would like being on our patio we bought groceries for some dinners.  We really enjoyed grilling and relaxing on the patio in the evenings.

Our resort has huge pools, a lazy river and a water park for the kids.  We pretty much spent everyday, all day lounging poolside.

Kassie's family and friends were at the resort too.  And they also like to lounge by the pool.  Who doesn't love being poolside all day?

Max may look a bit like his Dad.

Isn't that a cute couple sitting on the pool steps?

Usually, twice a day we walked to the other pool and floated down the lazy river.

 We took morning walks before our long days of poolside lounging.  The temperature was perfect, the mountains were beautiful and the flowers were in bloom so it was a pleasant morning walk.  We used these walks to justify all of the drinks and snacks.

 We had dinner at the Cliffhouse one evening.  It is literally built on the side of the mountain and we had a nice table outdoors.

Max had his pic taken in this same spot at the Cliffhouse about seven years ago with Sam.  He had been to the Cliffhouse before so he knew he wanted to order the rib eye steak and the hula pie.

 Kassie celebrated her 21st birthday in the desert.  We went for Mexican food with 20 of her family and friends.   We had a good time celebrating Kassie.

Kassie family was so great about including us.  Jake and Kayla's baby, Ella, slept through the family photo.

 Little Ella stole our hearts.  She is one of the sweetest babies I have ever met.  Jake and Kayla do a wonderful job with her and it shows in her sweet disposition.  When we had to go home Karen commented that she was going to miss seeing her everyday.  Me too!

We had a relaxing, fun week in Indio.  There was a lot of poolside time, many laughs, good food, great conversations, shopping on El Paseo, and good books were read.  Best of all, good, good times with my peeps!

Palm Springs Proper

Hubby, myself and our friends, Mark and Karen had a wonderful trip to Palm Springs and area over Spring vacation.  Our first two days we spent time in actual Palm Springs.  The Palm Springs airport serves Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio,  La Quinta, Rancho Mirage, Coachella, etc.  It feels like one big city that goes on and on but the background color of the street signs change and so you know you are in another city.  I am using the word  city  loosely here as they feel more like towns.

Anywoo, we wanted to visit old Palm Springs, like the Rat Pack did years ago.  Palm Springs does have a vintage feel to it.  We stayed at Alcazar Hotel.  It's a small hotel and two restaurants with the same owner.  Our room was comfortable and pretty.  Everything was white except for one orange pillow on the bed.  We had a poolside room.

 Alcazar has small courtyards, pretty paths and sitting areas throughout the property.

We ate dinner as small plates downtown.  We came home for dessert at Birba, one of the restaurants on the property.  It was fantastic!  I relived it, talked about it and thought about it throughout our trip.  I ordered the Tarte au Creme with Berries and a flute of Prosecco.  Oh my, it was scrumptious!

Karen and I hope to recreate the recipe.

I loved the wall water feature and Hubby thinks he can build one for me at home.

The next morning we had breakfast at Cheeky's, also on the property.  Sign in early because there is a line.  Hubby and I shared a flight of bacon.  What's not to love about THAT?

 The night before our wait person had recommended the pancakes at Cheeky's.  She told us they had fresh corn in the pancakes and though it may seem strange, it would be good.  I took her advice and ordered them with fresh blueberries.  The grapefruit juice was fresh squeezed when ordered.

My breakfast was crazy good.

We enjoyed our stay at Alcazar.  Everyone by the pool was pleasant and the the music was great.

They had bikes for us to ride but we ran out of time.  Max flew in and we moved to Indio.

To be continued...