Gravel Art

How many of you out there remember the Gravel Art of the 50's and 60's? You could buy a kit and create these lovely pieces of art to hang on those wood panelled walls in the entryway or den. Many considered them crass. I consider them class. I'd like to have a matched pair hanging in my entry. Check out Suzanna Anna for a video of how she still creates these pieces. Sorry I can't tell you which ones are her creations or which ones are vintage. Thank you Gretchen for the link.

Marvelous Motorolas

In a stunning glass house, perched high on a cliff somewhere in the tropics, they dance to the rhythm of the bossa nova from their lovely Motorola.

On the California coast, Carmel by the Sea perhaps, this lovestruck couple gaze into each others eyes while their Motorola sends out the sweet sounds of Latin jazz.

And look what Santa left these two happy children on Christmas Day. Guess it was too big to come down the chimney. Look Jane, look Dick, look, look, look! Its a Motorola! Over there! Forget those books, we've got music!

And here once again is my beautiful Motorola. Just like the ones in these fabulous 60's ads.

Well what can I say about this ad....Is that a Motorola in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?


I know you've seen the Coronet before too, but I couldn't leave her out. She was our first console .

Artwork by Kerry Beary

I found these two hip cats at one of my favorite thrift stores. ILove them. I also love these hip cat prints by Kerry Beary. Aren't they fabulous? Or check out her brand new print here.

More Fun Finds

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Yep. Another lamp I could not resist. $3.oo. Treasure Chest Thrift.

Original oil from Good Stuff Thrift. $3.99

Cool plates. Set of 15 $3.99 Purrrfect Bargain Humane Society Thrift.

This little sugar bowl matches a platter I found at another store. Good Stuff Thrift $1.99

I love these plates. Canadian Pine by Easterling in Bavaria Germany. They were $2.99 for a set of four. I wish I had more so I could use them for my Christmas dinner. I may just mix and match with some other vintage plates.

More "fundue" paraphernalia. This Fondue book has some really fun recipes. Waste Management finds. $3.00 for pot, stand, napkin and book.


Okay, now for the big stuff. I found this Ethan Allen couch and loveseat at Salvation Army. It was half off Friday so I scored both pieces for $180.00. I needed a new couch badly and was thrilled to find these. They are in perfect condition and they feel really good on my aching back unlike our old saggy couch. I love Sally's.

These cool lamps were at a local salvage yard (without the shades). I think I need to find better shades. Any ideas? They were $5.oo apiece. Are they not beautiful?




We found this unusual table at Goodwill. It is really heavy. I don't have any idea which era it comes from. Have any of you seen anything like this? It was $15.00. I like the amoeba top.

And The Winner Is....

Congratulations Leah at Storybook Ranch. My son Will chose #3 from the vase so Leah takes home the prize. Leah, email me at jloub53@gmail.com. I have lots of the cocktail napkins so anyone who commented, just email me your address and I'll send you a pack. Once again Happy Holidays everyone and thanks for commenting.

Vintage Christmas Giveaway

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I hit pay dirt today. I walked into the Humane Society Thrift Store this morning just after they had brought out NINE BOXES OF SHINY BRIGHT ORNAMENTS!!! They were marked $1.00 a box. I scooped all nine boxes up immediately and took them to the register. Guess what? All Christmas items were half off. I quickly paid and left. The grand total came to $6.00 and I had purchased a few other items as well. I looked at the receipt when I got home and she only charged me 25 cents a box! I will donate a big box of goodies to them next time I'm up there to make up for it. I also found a basketful of Christmas napkins from the seventies. I think they are really cool. There were 15-20 packages of them and I bought them all. Don't ask me why, I never have parties but for 10 cents a pack I couldn't resist. Okay, so here is the GIVEAWAY part. I'll give the lucky winner, (drawn randomly by my son with his eyes closed) all the stuff pictured above. Just leave a comment to enter. And here is a suggestion. The winner can donate something to a local charity. Just a suggestion.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Oh My Dynaflow

This is not the actual car. My husband is tearing our basement apart
looking for our box of photographs. I'll post the photo later.

When I was a junior in high school my sister went off to college and this 1950 Buick Dynaflow Roadmaster was passed on to me. My grandmother bought it new and around 1965 or 1966 gave it to my sister. It was 15 years old and had 40,000 miles. The front grill alone probably weighed several hundred pounds. (slight exaggeration) The interior was green plaid. My grandma went to the grocery store once a week and to the bank. The rest of the time the Dynaflow sat in her garage on 9th avenue in Sacramento. Needless to say it was in mint condition when it was passed on to us.


My Dynaflow sat seven people comfortably. It was a great car for the drive-in theater.
It was also great for camping at the beach. The seats were so large it was like having two twin beds. Plus, my plaid flannel lined sleeping bag matched the seats.

Eventually, my sister reclaimed the car and took it to college with her. Just as well since it only got about 10 miles to the gallon. That's when I began my long love affair with the VW Bug.

We've Hit Another Milestone

Twenty-five faithful followers. Time for another Happy Dance. Thanks for tuning in!
(If you don't want to watch the whole dance, be sure to watch the very end 1:40. It's the best part.)

DREAM BABY DREAM!

Someday soon we hope to design and build our dream home. These photos are in our portfolio of ideas. What do you think?

Love the idea of bringing the outdoors in.


I also love the idea of an indoor green wall.

The fireplace is a must. I know they aren't energy efficient but I want one anyway.

I have decided that garages are overrated. What do you do with a garage? You fill it up, clear it out, fill it up again, clear it out again. A carport is visible to the public. It just can't be full of junk, so you take your junk to the Salvation Army. Less is more. Not using it? Get rid of it! I love carports, especially this one.

A wall of windows...a must.


Clutter never looked so good.


There is a fireplace like this at a local salvage yard. I want it. I want it bad! I know it would probably never pass inspection. And I know I DON'T CARE...I WANT IT ANYWAY!