A New Way of Looking at Things

A while ago, I was reading on one of my favorite blogs (Susan Branch, Millie) about using old fashioned liquid bleach on linens. I decided then and there to try it out. I remembered my mother using it, and then ironing the damp fabrics. It was a trial and error for me.

I first collected all the vintage doilies, and linens I have all around the house. This is NOT by any stretch all of them!

I then ordered the bleach from Amazon. They still make the same old stuff....who knew?

Next I washed all the linens and line dried them to get out the yellowed/rust spots and make them smell sooo good! There is nothing like UV rays for whitening and brightening. Then I brought them all in and slowly soaked them in a mix of 1 part water to 2-3 parts starch. Back out to the line to dry again. I tried bringing them in damp to iron, but it didn't really work, so I let them dry again. Only this time they were STIFF.

But the ironing was easier and they came out lovely, slightly stiff, crisp and white, and they stay that way! Now ironing is not my favorite domestic chore, but somehow ironing vintage tablecloths, aprons, clothes, doilies and runners is more fun and rewarding.

Here are a few, line dried, and waiting for the iron.

I am now in the process of cleaning the linen closet, putting some out for display, and the rest nestled in their closet.

 It feels like Grandma's house around here, but I don't care because I LOVE vintage linens. (But it was a lot of work!) A rewarding household project, completed.

Once In a Lifetime

Once-in-a-Lifetime-Trip

The insurance man and I decided to take most of the month of April and travel across our country to visit Julie and her family. The first thing we did was to go car shopping for a comfortable car, and we ended up with a 2015 Nissan Murano. It stood us a good stead for the trip.

Just before we left, Dad suffered a stroke and was hospitalized. We were able to hurry around and leave a day early to stop and see him. We were relieved to find him still smiling and in good hands while we would be away.

We had breakfast with Mom and other family at McDonald's before being on our way on our big adventure. We followed Interstate freeways, and went through 10 states on our way to West Virginia.

We took 4 1/2 days to reach our destination, and were determined to be there for granddaughter Amelia's 9th birthday. Our toughest and longest day was when we drove through Kansas City, St Louis and Louisville in one day. But the reward was seeing everyone the next day. Julie and family drove to meet us in the State Capital of West Virginia, which is Charleston. We met up at a restaurant called 'Fat Patty's' for lunch, and it turned out to be a very good and cheap hamburger joint.

Overall we had a great visit and special time together for 8 days. I will take each grandchild and show a few of the best photos.

 

Amelia (Since she was the birthday girl)

We had surprise snow storm on her birthday, which was April 8.

One of our favorite things to do when I visit is to have tea. One afternoon we had  impromptu cups of tea with some homemade sugar cookies Millie had made.

Another day we had a dress up tea party which was lots of fun.

 We celebrated Amelia's birthday one night with Reuben sandwiches for dinner, by her request...

and here is her birthday cake for our new 9 year old.

We love to do things together, so

 we decided to do a sewing project together. We needed her mothers fabric box from the attic, so she climbed up to get it. We picked some pretty blue fabric and then

 worked hard to make a curtain for the kitchen.

Towards the end of the week we took the older kids bowling for Ben's birthday. Millie got to come too, and had a good time improving her skills.

Taking a bowling break...

 

Cecily- Age 7 

Cecily is helping her mom make Ben's birthday dessert.

Cecily's dress up clothes for our fancy tea!

 

Cecily had a pack of cards, and talked Millie into playing with her.

Entertaining the baby!

Papa is GREAT!

Julie bought a kit and Cecily and I spent some time learning how to latch hook. Her picture is of a horse, and Cecily loves horses!

 

Bronwyn- Age 3

 Watching Grammy frost Millie's birthday cake.

 Getting a little Grammy comfort... We went swimming one day and Bronwyn slipped and hit her mouth on the concrete. She had a big fat lip for a day, but no teeth damage thank goodness. 

 Sitting with Dad after her bath,

 and sitting with Papa is always a good place to be.

These two fight and get along famously all at the same time. Right here they are hugging but making scary faces?

 This is Bronwyn at our fancy tea. Pink looks good on this girl!

 

That's enough for one post. Tomorrow we'll show the boys.

 

A Little Bit...

A Little Bit of Fresh Oregon Strawberries

 A Little Bit of Playing in the River...

and Having a Picnic

A Little Bit of Crocheting

And a Little Bit of Gardening... 

made for a very nice Memorial Day Weekend.

 

Hope Yours Was Nice Too!

 

Sweetness In a Sweater

Jameson Peter, 3 weeks old, wearing his dapper sweater made by his Aunt JoAnn!

Looking Forward To Spring

 Snow is still on the ground, but I have a bit of spring in my house!  My husband brought these two little pots home the day before my birthday, March 1st.  I couldn't believe how perfect they were, just what our table was needing as a little promise of spring ahead.

 The white hyacinth is so fragrant too.  What a treat.

And I must show you my table runner, while I'm at it.  After Valentine's day I pondered what I should put in the center of the table next.  Since spring was coming and my birthday was close and blue is my favorite color, I decided that something blue would be nice.  It seemed like the perfect time to get out this crocheted table runner that my sister, JoAnn, made for me.  I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed it on my table the last few weeks.  Family love, favorite color and hope of spring makes for much cheer in my heart!  Having the kind of year where my head is clear enough to even think about creating atmosphere is a reason for much cheer as well!