Time Travel Thursday #60 & Talented Time Travelers #59

"We all have our time machines.  Some take us back, they're called memories.

Some take us forward, they're called dreams."

~Jeremy Irons~

Welcome to the 60th Time Travel Thursday linky party at the Brambleberry Cottage!

Are you ready to share your fondest memories, grandest dreams,

and most creative projects? Great!

First...

let's revisit a handful of the talented time travelers from

last week's party.

Since my Yankee doesn't like prissy, feminine décor, I have to live

vicariously, through those of you who have dreamy, romantic touches

splashed throughout your homes.

René @ Miss Gracie's house has so many beautiful "girly" things throughout her

lovely home, I just have to keep going back to get my feminine fix.   ; )

Jessie @ A Cozy Cottage in the City created several pretty vignettes

with these gorgeous purple tulips.  I think they look fabulous

in this French zinc pitcher!

I thought this was just the cutest design for a child's room.  Then I found out

that Anna @ lasso the moon had done it all freehand...

and I was even more impressed!

Getting a steal of a deal is always so much fun—and when

the makeover turns out this pretty, it makes the deal

even sweeter.

Julie and Sharon @ Vintage Shabby Chicks are always on the lookout

for such trash-to-treasure finds.

Amy @ All Things Home shared the unique sofa table she whipped

together, but it was this fantastic old tool tote that

really got my attention!

IF YOU LINK TO THE PARTY, PLEASE BE SURE TO LINK BACK TO

THE BRAMBLEBERRY COTTAGE ON YOUR BLOG.

An Enduring Love

MOM & DAD'S WEDDING/ANNIVERSARY CAKE

Today is a very special day!

For on this day—fifty-six years ago—my precious parents were wed.

MOM & DAD ON THEIR HONEYMOON IN 1955



They were merely teenagers when they made the decision to become

husband and wife.

With the consent and blessings of their parents, they committed their lives to one

 another before a justice of the peace—no fanfare, no elaborate wedding... 

just the two of them and two witnesses.

Now while most people consider the fiftieth wedding anniversary the anniversary

to celebrate, last year will most likely be the one most remembered by 

my parents and their loved ones.

It all started when my dad decided to surprise my mom with the church wedding

 she had never had, as a fifty-fifth anniversary gift.  It was to be

a simple affair—

the two of them, their children and their children's families.

Simple...

with five daughters?  I don't think so!

THE PASTOR, DAD, DAD'S BROTHER & BEST MAN

So while Mom and Dad were making plans for their simple wedding & anniversary

celebration, other plans were being made, as well.

MOM & DAD EXCHANGING VOWS



Without their knowledge, extended family members, friends, and acquaintances

were being invited to this blessed event.  And arrangements were being made for a

catered reception—something neither of them had planned for...

nor expected.

DAD KISSING HIS BRIDE OF 55 YEARS

The ceremony was incredibly sweet, and few eyes were without tears, as we witnessed

yet another testimonial of the enduring love

of my parents.

THE HAPPY BRIDE & GROOM

As I watched my dad take the hand of his bride and walk down the aisle, I was

overcome with emotion.

With five daughters, he certainly was no novice at walking brides

down church aisles.

But...

 this was the very first time he had ever walked his own bride down the aisle.

And I was blessed beyond measure to witness it!

I love you, Mom and Dad!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

Time Travel Thursday #59 & Talented Time Travelers in Focus #58

"We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories.

Some take us forward, they're called dreams."

~Jeremy Irons~

Welcome to the 59th Time Travel Thursday linky party at the Brambleberry Cottage!

Are you ready to share your fondest memories, grandest dreams,

and most creative projects? Great!

But...

let's travel back to last week's party first,

and take a peek at what some of our talented time travelers linked up.

I have a very sad confession to make.  There was a time in my life when

 I didn't shop thrift stores.  Can you believe it?!  Thank goodness, I  was cured

of that illness...a long time ago.   ; )

And if Kristen @ My Covered Bridge had the problem I USED to have,

she would have missed out on these cute urn planters—and

quite a few other goodies you'll see when you
visit her blog.

All you beach lovers owe it to yourself to pay a visit to Cheryl @ beachcomber.

She has many beautiful mementos of the sea throughout her

lovely home—like these gorgeous framed prints,

made from calendar pages.

When I saw this creative reuse of a vintage flower frog, shared by

Linda @ delight, I decided to go through my own collection—

yep, I collect those, too—and "borrow" her idea. 

Laura and Andrea—newbie bloggers—@ Cottage and Broome are having a giveaway,
to celebrate the launch of their new blog.  You still have time to enter;
the contest ends August 31st.

If you're stumped for cute ideas for baby or bridal showers, then be sure to visit
Jenny @ Simcoe Street.  Two of her most recent posts covered
both ends of that party spectrum.

Robin @ highpoint circle gave us a glimpse of her lovely teacup collection—

and a little anecdote involving her children.

Well, that's just a taste of the delights from last week.

Let's see what's happening this week.

IF YOU LINK TO THE PARTY, PLEASE BE SURE TO LINK BACK TO THE BRAMBLEBERRY COTTAGE ON YOUR BLOG.

Weathered and Worn

Like a busy little bee...

I've been buzzing around the farm, diligently tending the garden, and, ever so

gradually, clearing out the barns and outbuildings.

I start each day—in the wee hours of the morn—

with a good bit of energy and high hopes that I will finally eliminate the

clutter I've lived with...

 way too long.

But..

before the day is done, something begins to happen.

By midday, my energy begins to wane, and the hope that had prodded me toward

the task at hand, now seems but a distant friend.

I feel quite sure the intense heat—that is almost suffocating the South—

is, to a great degree, the master of my misery.

By the end of each day, the energy supply that I'd begun the day with is all but

drained completely.

And like this old vintage tool caddy...

I'm left feeling rather weathered and worn!

Thankfully...

I realize that tomorrow is a new day and with a good night's sleep and

the Lord's blessing...

I will awaken to beautiful blue skies, cheerful chirping songbirds...

and a totally renewed perspective!   ; )

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to

an end; they are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness."

Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV

Joining SJ's Creative Bloggers' Party, Carrie's Amaze Me Monday,

Kristin's Tuesday's Treasures, Rebekah's Anything Related,

Mary's Share the Love Wednesday, Debra's Vintage Inspiration Friday,

 LaurieAnna's Farmhouse Friday, Courtney's Feathered Nest Friday,

Cindy's Show and Tell Friday, Meg's Everything But the Kitchen Sink,

and Bev's Pink Saturday.

Time Travel Thursday #58 & Talented Time Travelers in Focus #57

"We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories.

Some take us forward, they're called dreams."

~Jeremy Irons~

Welcome to the 58th Time Travel Thursday linky party at the Brambleberry Cottage!

Are you ready to share your fondest memories, grandest dreams,

and most creative projects? Great!

First...

let's revisit some of the talented time travelers

from last week's party.

We all love thriftin', right?  Well, you won't believe the goodies

Tami @ A Girls Gotta Nest found thrifting in her dad's garage. 

What you see above is just the tip of the iceberg.

What do you do when find something you like, but it doesn't quite fit your style?
You give it a makeover, of course.  This sweet little statue was
completely transformed by Judi @ Loving All Things Romantic.

Sincerely Retro took all the football fans on a walk down memory lane with a
peek at a magazine from 1963.

If you're in a pickle, looking for a cute way to display bathroom essentials,
visit Linda @ Nina's Nest for a simple,
yet charming solution.

This trendy setting actually revolves around a total redo of a once not-so-trendy chair. 
But twin sisters, Kahli and Milla of Design Par Deux took this piece
 from ho-hum to hip.

What's black and white and pink all over?  The answer...this very pretty
tablescape by Judy @ A Southern Belle Dishes on Decor .  There's a great
story behind the color combo, by the way.

Aren't these the most fabulous children's antique sewing machines?
They are the wonderful collection of Lambs and Ivy Designs, who also
has an Etsy shop filled with beautiful rose ribbonwork
embellishments.

There's a new DIYer in Blogland showin' off her talents.  So be sure

to run by and say hello to Kim @ Kimberlyann.  And while you're there,

note the sweet baby boy in a number of her pics.

Can you believe it's already time for school again?

Are you looking for some creative snacks for the kiddos?  Craft Zoo

shared a couple of tasty treats that are sure to be hits with the school crowd.

Do you like old houses?  Would you like to take a tour?  Then visit

Patti @ Pretty Old Houses and tour the charming home of her dear friend Joan.

And when you've finished that tour, you'll discover other pretty places
to ponder on Patti's blog.

Wow!!!  Lot's of great stuff linked up last week.
Now...can you top it this week?!

IF YOU LINK TO THE PARTY, PLEASE BE SURE TO LINK BACK TO THE BRAMBLEBERRY COTTAGE ON YOUR BLOG.


An Open and Shut Case

I thought you might be interested in seeing some more of the stuff pulled out

of the barns and outbuildings—to be "dealt" with, during the

BIG purge.



I had quite a stash of vintage trunks, suitcases, and assorted

storage bins to sift through. 

And you would think that by now, I would

automatically grab the camera for before and after pics.

Unfortunately, I was so caught up in just "getting it done," I forgot to

take a before photo of the rather large stack of
stashed storage containers.

So far, I've eliminated an antique humpback trunk, several vintage suitcases,

a vintage skate case, two antique shoe-salesman cases,

and several old crates.

WHEW!!!

The four pieces you see, in the second image above, are the four I've decided

to keep.  Well, actually, there's a fifth one that sweet son has

expressed an interest in, so I'm not counting it.

I found the pumpkin-colored suitcase at a thrift store, years ago, for a mere $2.00. 

It's a piece of Maxonite Maximillion luggage

 from the very early sixties. 

This vintage piece is from the Samson line—the predecessor to

the very familiar Samsonite luggage line.  I only paid $2.00 for it, as well—

at yet another thrift store.

I really like how the patina has darkened

in certain places, over the years, to a rich blackish-brown. 

This vintage file box—record album sorter—is one of my favorite pieces

of all time.  Both the exterior and interior of it are covered in,

what appears to be, some type of oilcloth.

Its time-weathered patina was perfect when I found it,

but...

the incredible vintage details of this piece were what sold me on it.

I've had this old beauty for so long, I can't even remember exactly how long I've owned it. 

But, I do remember that I found it at one of my favorite

flea markets and only paid $3.00 for it—marked down from $5.00. 

This is the inside of the old trunk you see in the second image above.  It was a more

 recent purchase than the other three—picked up just a few years ago.

The Yankee and I were out one Saturday morning and drove past

a local barn sale.

 

I convinced him to turn around so we could check it out,

and was so glad he consented to do so.

This charming relic of antiquity was tucked under a table,

 fairly obscured by all sorts of junk—and not the good kind either.  

The Yankee retrieved it from

its hiding place and inquired as to my thoughts about it. 

I was more than a little surprised that he even had to ask.

Of course, I wanted it!

And for a whopping $1.00, it was mine.   ; )

Now that I've rediscovered it, I'm considering the various possibilities

of what can be stored in it.

It's loaded with neat little cubbies on both sides—which make it perfect

for storing bits and pieces and tiny treasures.

But now I need to figure out the best things to store in it!  Decisions, decisions!!!

How would you use it?

Well, at least I've whittled down one collection

 and can call this one an open and shut case...

I think!   ; )

Joining SJ's Creative Bloggers' Party, Cielo's Show Off Your Cottage Monday,

Carrie's Amaze Me Monday, Linda's Nifty Thrifty Tuesday,

Diane's 2nd Time Around, Rebekah's Anything Related, Kristin's Tuesday's Treasures, 

Tammy's Anything Goes, Susan's Outdoor Wednesdays, Kim's Wow Us Wednesdays,

Mary's Share the Love Wednesday, Leigh's Thrifty Thursdays,

Suzanne's Vintage Thingie Thursday, LaurieAnna's Farmhouse Friday,

Debras' Vintage Inspiration Friday.