Easter Display!

While going through my piles of stuff I found a box of Easter decorations I completely forgot I had! I just set this up yesterday, but I'm actually having a FEASTER Sunday party on the 19th so it can stay up until then. Here is my cute little display!

I found a bag of little plastic roses that I'm thrilled about. Does it make me a granny that I prefer plastic flowers to silk ones? So cute!

I have no memory of acquiring this bunny planter. I'm in love with it! His little butt is sticking out the back of the log! I also found a stash of little chenille chicks.

Teeny pink nosed bunnies and a spun cotton chick.

I just put this thing together after YEARS of having all the supplies. I saw a similar thing on A Beautiful Mess so long ago, got the vase from Travis' grandma, bought the vintage birds at a few different sales, then they sat in my craft room for ages. I'm thrilled with how it turned out.

The singing red bird at the bottom might be my favorite.

So many good things have been happening since we started cleaning out the house. I can't wait to see what else I discover!

Our Christmas Day

We had a nice quiet Christmas day at home this year. Travis and I stayed up late watching A Christmas Story and eating a seitan roast, then slept in until about 10! It was great. Thankfully the pugs didn't care. They like to sleep in too.

We had mimosas in the Christmas glasses my grandfather found for me last year! He and my grandmother have a Merry Christmas set and I've been looking forever!

We listened to records, including my new Mr. Spock record.

Presents and a pug occupied with a treat half as long as her little body!

New "wish you were beer" mug. Haha.

Travis is great at buying me gifts. I can't pick a favorite! Look at that Spock pug mug! And I finally got to try out Lush bath bombs. I'm in loooooove! Also, check out that vintage caiman. Travis was pretty slick and bought it while I was in the store with him. I had no idea.

Seriously, these two couldn't have cared less up about while they finished those treats. I made cinnamon rolls from scratch that didn't rise AT ALL. Haha, they were real dense, but still tasted good. I'll try again soon.

We went to the movies of course, to see Into the Woods. Unfortunately it was pretty terrible. Ugh, and it seemed right up my alley too. About halfway through I couldn't wait for it to be over.

After the movie we came home and Travis made a vegan lasagna for us to take to my aunt's house that night. We bought this blow mold Santa three years ago at the world's longest yard sale but always forget to get it out! Travis surprised me and put it on the car port last week! I love it! There is another deer but his base is broken. Now we've just got to figure out how to mount him on the roof next year...

One last Christmas cocktail...I'll take everything down New Years Day. I like to keep my cute stuff up a little bit after Christmas.

AND! I always forget about this amazing pink feather wreath because I don't keep it in the basement with the rest of my stuff. I finally remembered this year! Isn't it beautiful?

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday like we did!

Christmas Decorations: Oh Christmas Tree!

I decided to get a new, bigger Christmas tree this year. We've had the little 5.5 footer since before we got married (so more than seven years! ah!) and it was getting pretty crowded. So we went to Michael's when they were having a half off sale and bought this beautiful 7.5 thing! I love it! And it's already mostly full, haha. I can't resist a good ornament!

We set this beauty up on Thanksgiving and I've been enjoying the lights every night. I'll be sad to take it down.

We have vintage ornaments, the ornaments my grandparents bought me every year since I was born (the Santa/reindeer bicycle built for two was from the year we got married) and Travis' childhood ornaments. I love this one with the photo of him when he was six years old. Precious. 

Lots of vintage ones. That cute Santa is a favorite.

I've been wanting a Santa like this forever! I finally found one this year at an estate sale. My aunt knit me that cute tree pillow.

The woman I bought my angel from told me she loved her because she looked drunk.

I couldn't bear to put my talking Pee Wee away. Since taking this photo I put some mistletoe in his hand. Kiss me under the Pee Wee doll. I also get lots of delight from putting that Santa hat on my fox head.

There is the circus horse I got at the flea market last month. Beautiful!

We got Phyllis a few weeks before Christmas and got a few pug ornaments because of that. We snapped a leg off of all of them to match our tiny tripod.

And last but not least, my little tree on top of our medical cabinet. Travis has his vintage medicine collection in there.

That little silver tree is from the Target dollar aisle about 8 years ago. I was thrilled to find that tiny tree skirt with the pom pom trim a few years later. I need to find a tiny Santa hat for Merlin the squirrel! And a little stocking for him to hold.

I hope you enjoyed this little peek at my holiday decorations. I really love vintage Christmas stuff and look forward to putting it all out every year. And dread putting it all away. Ha! Hope you have a nice Christmas eve and day off tomorrow! I know I will.

Christmas Decorating: My Mantle

It's Christmas Eve! I'm probably at work as you're reading this, but I can't wait to come home and spend the evening cuddled up with Travis and the pugs. We're going to make a seitan roast from this recipe book (wish me luck! i hope it turns out) and watch movies.This is the busiest time of year for both our jobs and we're ready for a little break.
Here are some more of my decorations. I love my mantle. Maybe I can get Travis to build us a fire tonight!

Lady head with some mercury picks!

I didn't find any pine cone gnomes this year. But I did find a few cheap boxes of indent ornaments.

A favorite Christmas card, my sweet ermine, and a decorated monkey tail.

That jaunty deer is one of my favorites. And that little jar of old candy decorated with felt.

I might have a few more stockings than we need. Travis bought the dog house one for Phyllis when we first got her. It was so sweet and I love putting it up every year. Priscilla's is that granny square one. And I pretend the rest are for the cats though they don't get stockings. They don't care about treats! The two on the right are mine and Travis's. We made them for each other when we were dating. He keeps trying to buy me a new one but I love mine. He sewed it from scratch and picked the blue velvety and puppy Christmas fabric.

The bottom shelf of our built in is always a Harry Potter shelf. The rest changes for the holidays.

I went to a estate sale just to get that tree. It is like a box top with felt glued on. Isn't she sweet?

I have a pile of vintage Christmas photos and this is one of my favorites. One year I'll wrap our front door in foil! Isn't it a stunning look?
That angel is a new addition this year. She has a china head and a mesh layer over paper. And glittery arms. The photo in front of her is a marching band in the snow.

Even our tv gets a little festive touch.

Rock Island Fourth of July!

I love the fourth of July! This year we celebrated by going with some friends to Rock Island State Park. It is about an hour and a half from our house. I thought we had been recently but looking back it looks like we haven't been since 2010! Which is a shame because it is amazing! Look at this place!

It actually wasn't as crowded as we were expecting for the holiday. It was PERFECT out! About 85 degrees and sunny, 0% chance of rain. It was probably the best day I've had all summer. Here is a little bit of a photo overload. Crystal came with us, and she has a really cool waterproof digital camera!

The best swimming hole is to the right of the main trail. It is a pretty treacherous hike to get down there. Especially with a cooler!

We found an easier way on the way back, it just involves a short period where you have to walk through waist high water. We brought two other couples with us, and happened to run into some more friends in the parking lot!And look at Travis carrying that cooler. Bless him.

We found the perfect spot right down by the best rock jumping area. The lady in red is my new friend Ashley! She is the one who did taxidermy with us recently. She brought her husband Justin and her friend Christina.

Summer nails, summer cider, and my Sharon Needles coozie! 

Here is the spot everyone was jumping from. Not me! I'm too much of a chicken! The water is so cold and clear, and you can't even touch the bottom!

Marc in mid air! 

I spent most of the day floating with my Super Noodle! I love that thing. I've already gotten my three bucks worth out of it!

Crystal enjoying her float. Look at that beautiful light! It really was a perfect day.

Here is another less scary place to jump from. I'm still not into it.

Here is a view of the rock you jump off of from out in the water. Scary!

And here is where we were hanging out right next to it. It was great, there are tons of ledges to sit on, and some under the water too so you could sit in the water without having to swim.

Travis in midair!

I hope we can go back at least once before summer is over!