Country Roads Eye Candy

I've had SO much paperwork today on my day off! Something is just wrong with that. My eyes feel like they are going to fall out of my head. 

Anyway, it has been awhile since I've put together a Country Roads slide show. We just have so much great stuff here and wonderful displays and vignettes as well.

I took a some time to today to put some pictures together. I know that some of you have seen these before, but I had to work with what I had.

My hopes are that "if" you click the link below that everything will work out just dandy! At this point in my day, "dandy" would really be good. I also just want to take a minute to sincerely thank all of you that leave comments on my blog, on our Country Roads and Antiques Facebook page,  and your warm and thoughtful words and conversations you have with me at "the store."  That always means a lot to me. I know how blessed I am to have customers that feel like friends and family. It's been almost 20 years since Country Roads opened. And without you, it would never be the store it is today. A heartfelt "thanks" to you all!

http://smilebox.com/playBlog/4d7a49774e5445344e44413d0d0a&blogview=true

White Wednesday at Country Roads

Another "White Wednesday" at Country Roads, a favorite little place of mine. The one good thing about owning a store like CR is that you are surrounded each and every day by things that you love! Below are just a few of my favorite things that caught my eye yesterday at "the store"!

As you can see, we definitely have a little bit of everything! If you are ever near our store that is located in historic Old Towne Orange, CA, I hope you stop by and see us! I promise we won't disappoint you. Also, be sure to go visit my friend Kathleen over at Faded Charm! She has a big list of blogs that have some great eye candy just waiting for you. Have a wonderful day!!

Marjorie

As many of you know, my business is retail, but it is also the business of people. I don't know what it is, but I'm always fascinated and interested in people and their lives. Each of us are writing our own book as we grow older and adding more chapters to be filled with the  experiences to our lives.  Sundays are tough retail days at Country Roads. I don't know what it is about this day, but wow, they are long, hard days. And usually most Sunday nights I meet my oldest daughter the El Torito bar down here by the beach. We sit in the bar, and sip our drinks and just talk. Last night we were talking about people in Brande's Dad's family. Although I've been divorced for many years, I still think of these special people that were in my kid's lives when they were younger. We were talking about my kids great-grandma Louise. She lived to be 102 years old, and both Brande and I were in awe about it and what Louise was able to see in her life time and how sharp she was. What a wonderful woman.

While we were chatting over our drinks, there was a big celebration going on in the banquet area of El Torito.  Earlier two girls from the family gathering had walked through the bar where we were seated asking if anyone wanted any of the cookies they had. Both myself and Brande had passed on the cookies and continued our conversation. Family. . .has always been so important to me. My life is so different than many others because not only because my is so close, but I also  work with my grown kids as well at Country Roads.  My family is a huge part of my life that I always cherish and hold close to my heart. And I'm excited as it continues to grow. I will being having my fourth grandchild join our family in late July!

Anyway, as  Brande and I were finishing up our drinks and getting ready to leave El Torito. the same girls with the cookie trays were now walking through the bar passing out the little bags of candy that are pictured above.  It was Marjorie's 90th birthday and they had their entire family gathered together to honer her on her special day. As we got up, Brande suggested we walk over and wish Marjorie a happy birthday. As we did,  this wonderful woman sat in a chair surrounded by a huge family and you could just feel the joy in her heart.  She had on her corsage, gifts surrounded her, flowers surrounded her, and obviously you could just "feel" the love and happiness that this woman had brought her family. balloons surrounded her and most importantly her big family surrounded her! I shook her hand and said "Happy Birthday" and Brande wished her the best. She smiled and then looked at us both and said, "who ARE you"? For some reason I still chuckle about it today as I write this. There was just so much love and happiness in that room with Marjorie that you could "feel it" everywhere!  The room was filled with gifts, smiles, flowers and so much happiness. As she Marjorie squeezed my hand to thank me for the birthday wishes, she tilted her head and sat back in her chair and asked, "who are you"? She was just SO cute!

Sometimes I feel as if I never really knew my Mom who is pictured above on the left in Temple, Texas with her Aunt Faye.  I have a few stories of hers that warm my heart, especially about her love of gardening and her great love of her beloved Texas Bluebonnets. My Mom, Johnnye Merle, lost her Dad when she was only 16 years old.  He had a  drinking problem and killed himself when my Mom was only 16. And sadly her Mom died of cancer when my Mom was only 18 years old. I don't think my Mom ever got over the hard times and the loss. She kept to herself most of the time I was growing up and didn't share much. I actually learned more about her life after she had passed away and I found several old photo albums. I would loved to have heard my Mom's voice telling me those stories of her family in her family and growing up in Texas.  But, hey,  I'm happy that I was able to find the pictures and piece together much of her life. I've been able to share this with my grown kids and will share my Mom's stories with my grandkids as well. 

As Brande and I left Marjorie at El Torito, I left with I smile on my face and a warm heart. I made "sure" Brande knew that I intend to celebrate my 90th birthday there as well! There are so many people in this world like Marjorie, or my dear sweet friend Ruthie, that are so wonderful and wise. They make this world a brighter more caring world for us all.  I only hope as I rack up the years, I can do the same! And me, for now,  I'm still traveling on the road of life and letting it take me to exactly where I need to be!

RuFie Green

As many of you know, the third building at Country Roads is my favorite. I love the old brick and all its architectural details the I continue to fall in love with daily. This is a big space, and many of you remember my dear sweet friend from several years ago, Ruthie, or as Riley use to call her when she was little, RuFie. When she left to move back to Florida, there was such a void in the "RuFie Green" area. That is until lately. My buddy and good friend Darcy made me a deal I couldn't resist. We would share the space and she would display and fluff my stuff.  It was such a perfect suggestion since I always think I have "time" to do everything. So, below are some little vignettes courtesy of my buddy Darcy!!

I learned something about Darcy. Ever since she moved into RuFie's old space, she has become poetic! I think she is getting the RuFie vibe over here, as my dear sweet RuFie is the best when it comes to words. Thanks Darcy for performing your magic. Everything looks great!

The Magical Touch

In my almost twenty years of business here at Country Roads, I've had a lot of talent pass through my old front door. And every once in awhile, you come across someone that just blows you away! They can take any area in the store, and turn it into something magical! This is the case with my friend and dealer, Debbie Watts. We've been doing a lot of moving around in the store the past week or so. Debbie took on one of the porch areas that we have here at CR. Before I go any further, Debbie is not done yet with decorating the porch but I just had to share some pictures . Just take a look what she accomplished in just a couple of hours. . .

Debbie's creativity and magic continue to blow me away. And I can't forget the man behind the woman that helps put this all together,  it's Larry, you know, my brother from another mother! One of these days, I'm going to take some pictures of "big Lar" at his finest and do a blog post on him! I promise you will truly love the adventures of this this big ole sweet guy! Speaking of wonderful people, today I'm linking up with Kathleen, over at Faded Charm for "White Wednesday". She too is a wonderful and talented individual. Happy White Wednesday to you all!!

Three Years Ago Today

Three years ago today, I became a Gramma for the second time when Morgan Clover Jackson was born. For me, when babies are born, that magical day just freezes time. Nothing else in the entire world matters more than the new gift of a grandchild. Morgan, pictured above, is a Daddy's girl as you can already tell only minutes after she was born grabbing his finger. Seeing your son in his new role in life, well there are just no words for it. The moment was so special.

And for me, to hold that bundle of love and joy for the first time is also magical. I always thought having kids was the best thing ever, but I have to say, having grand babies is high on my list as well!

Riley meets her brand new cousin for the first time as Aunt Brande holds baby Morgan so Riley can get acquainted. 

And then the moment came when Riley got to hold her cousin. This picture is one of my very favorites. Look at the little smile on Riley's face.

And today, my little girl Morgan is three years old, in the blink of an eye! 

There is a definite bond between Morgan and Riley, an unspoken love, and unspoken love.

Then there is my little boy Bodhi! His favorite pastime is torturing the girls and playing innocent as you can see in the picture above. Bryce did the exact same thing to his sister over the years. Actually, he still does! I'm not sure what Bodhi did to Morgan, but obviously she wasn't happy! And just think Bodhi, at the end of July Morgan gets a new baby sister, and you get a new little girl to tease and torture.  Happy Birthday Morgan! We will celebrate the big THREE tonight at my house. . .

Mixing It UP!

So. . .I will make a confession today! I really do love chaos because when it is all said and done, everything turns out to be totally awesome. We have been doing some big moving at Country Roads for the past week. And the results of it all are slowly being completed. Today I've got some pictures of Melinda's new porch here at CR. As you look at these pictures, please remember, this eye candy isn't quite complete yet. I just couldn't resist not taking some pictures of it yesterday.  I love the bucket chandi below. It has a great look to it!

This cool old cupboard recently painted with the famous Annie Sloan Chalk paint was just coming into the store at the end of the day yesterday. It was done by our friend Marina. And for those of you that know Marina, she is not only talented, but has the biggest heart out of everyone I know. I'll be posting the other new displays at the store this week right here,jj soon!! But if I were you, I would stop by and see them for myself! Have a great week!!