C.W.Y.G. VI

Celebrate What You Got (C.W.Y.G)- Patches!

My paternal grandmother passed away many (20ish!) years ago...but she lives on in our lives through Patches. Patches sleeps in the crib with WKF (as he did with me) and so we think of her every day. He is such a sweet dog, made of lovely vintage fabrics.

It is not every day that you see another Patches, so I was giddy when I saw this post, which contains instructions on how to make your own Patches if you are handy like that.

C.W.Y.G. V

It's time to celebrate another "what you got" today.

Last week, after this post, I got so many emails and questions about the tent in the picture. Some people were genuinely curious about the tent, most were poking fun at me for having a tent because my inner circle knows how much I don't love camping.

Below is a photo from my first and last camping trip. My face tells you how much I loved it.

For as much as I love being outdoors, I agree it's kind of weird that I don't camp. And for the record, I am still optimistic that someday I'll learn to like camping.

Back to the tent.

So, for the 2 years leading up to the birth of WKF, I was doing a lot of international travel for work. Many of my trips were to France (this post has some pix). On one such trip, I heard about the "2 second tent". I heard it was really cool, had won some design awards, was French, was not available in the states, and was actually pretty hard to get - even in France. Bien sur, I needed to have one! Who cares that I don't camp, this thing is such a cute shade of green and it is a hot item...I needed it!

I was working in a small town in southern France. Several investigative phone calls told me that there was not a tent available within 200km. But, lucky moi, I had a weekend trip to Paris planned. So I did my research, found the nearest store with a tent, and hit it early. I snatched the last tent! Phew.

Well, the tent store was not close to my hotel...so I had to carry the tent on my back all day. (sidenote: a tent on your back is NOT a look included in this "What to Wear in Paris" post).

Look closely at this photo...see that green disc on my back...voila.

That day, so many people stopped me and offered to buy the tent from me (I'm telling you, this was a hot item!). I declined their generous offers...but fell more in love with that tent with each offer. I returned to the states with the fabulous tent, which I gave to O as a bday present that year.

I have no idea how hard it is to pitch a regular tent...but I must say, pitching the 2 second tent is easy as pie! You just toss it in the air, and it lands as a tent. See below. Wow, right?

Raising a little boy in the Pacific NW, I realize that I am going to have to give this camping thing another go someday (no rush). And when I do...I'll have a tres cool tent. In the mean time, let me know if you ever want to borrow it!

I found this fun photo here, read the post if you are interested in vintage kitchenware collecting.

You know how I feel about my yellow casserole dish!

C.W.Y.G. IV

I am really having fun with these "Celebrate What You Got" posts. Today's post is thanks to O's late grandfather.

About four years ago O and I went on a fab ski trip to France. While over there, we visited with a bunch of O's family, including his 90+ year old grandpere who was living solo in an apartment in Lyon. The apartment was modest, there was not much hanging on the walls.

However, above his couch was this oil painting:

I was in love with it. When we asked him about the painting, sweet grandpere told us that the painting was a self portrait done by a woman with whom he had had "adventures". At that point I really loved the painting.

Grandpere passed away about a year ago.

When O's dad returned from services in France, he had the painting for me. It hangs by our stairs and I smile (and often giggle) each time I walk by it.

Below is a shot from our visit to Lyon.

C.W.Y.G. III

It is time to Celebrate What You Got again...today's C.W.Y.G post, a hand carved bird.

This guy was whittled with love by BryGuy. He has crafted many many birds. This one is most special to me because the wood used for the base was a chunk of wood from the house where he was born (an old farm house in Iowa). The wood used for the bird is from the house where I was born (an old farm house in New Hampshire).

C.W.Y.G. II

Welcome to another edition of Celebrate What You Got.

I am in love with this vintage Dansk casserole dish. This belonged to my mom and I was thrilled when it arrived in her suitcase this past summer. I have fond memories of her using it and I love love love to use it myself. I love the color. I love the history. I love it.

Just posting this makes me want to make a casserole...does anyone make casseroles anymore??

Celebrate What You Got (C.W.Y.G.)

This recessionista is celebrating the things I have and love, instead of shopping for new things. On that note, here is one thing that hangs on my wall, which I just adore. This is my Pepa's (grandfather on Birdie's side) class picture from elementary school. He was the only boy.