When life throws a curve...................

.............such as it did this week, one is so grateful when the good news comes.



Our very special Susie, owner of SuzAnna's Antiques which, if you've followed my blog you will know is one of my favorite places to be in the whole wide world..........................was definitely thrown a curve and scared us big time!
Go to her daughter Jenny's blog The Red Bulletin Board for details of what happened at the hospital!



The great news is Susie is now out of ICU, can have flowers and goodies to cheer her up, and hopefully will be treated for her original back problem. Then, she can return to the shop because there's a heck of a lot of work waiting for her - such as rearranging the outdoor area for Spring............




.................cleaning the rust off garden chairs (just kidding - we love 'em looking like that).................

....................and polishing the crystal chandeliers, except we won't allow her on ladders for a while. Susie is a bundle of energy and always seems to be up a ladder when I stop at the shop ~ can't keep this gal down for long.

Please keep Susie in your thoughts and prayers ~ and if you have time leave a little get well comment to her either here, or on her daughter Jenny's blog. Thanks so much.

All images show items for sale at Suzanna's Antiques NOW!

Three Years ~ 800 Posts!

Vintage silver in the dining room.

My third blog anniversary is just around the corner and I'll also celebrate publishing 800 posts at that time. What does this mean in the huge scheme of things..............a GIVEAWAY of course!!!

No, can't send you a ticket to Africa, or put you in my duffel bag and take you on safari in May, but I will send a little celebratory vintage gift your way...............if you leave me a comment on this post and you are the winner!

I bought two boxes of these old spoons from SuzAnna's Antiques a couple of weeks ago and will share a box with the winner. They're from Singapore and already already 'vintaged' . They will look awesome set in a tarnished silver cup, an old ironstone sugar bowl, a small crystal vase, or even a shabby old Ball jar ~ whatever works in your decor. I'll tuck in a little surprise also.

Thanks so much to everyone who takes time to read my blog and leave such delightful comments. Some of you have followed my comings and goings all three years, others are fairly new ~ I'm grateful for all of you and love that I've been able to meet several of you in person.

So don't forget, leave a comment here on this post. On my blog anniversary, February 27, I'll toss your name in the hat.

Exploring Africa

I've been asked to show the countries I'll be visiting during the safari trip in May. I'll be in South Africa, shown in yellow at the bottom, Botswana adjoining it to the north in green, Zambia north of Botswana in pink, and perhaps a quick side trip into Zimbabwe, shown in orange to the east of Botswana.

You all loved the book. The movie was magnificent. Out of Africa, one of my favorite books. Bringing it to the silver screen gave one the feeling of at last being there alongside Karen Blixen (who wrote under the name Isak Dinesan), sharing both her personal and business struggles to make a happy life so far from her home, in a country she loved so much.

Do you know what people say about Africa after they visit? I've heard the usual statements.........thrilling, exciting, different, beautiful, hot, cold at night, buggy, smiling faces, kind people, animals, animals, animals and more animals. Now and then I still hear it called "The Dark Continent". The statement that has touched me closer to the heart than any other, is the one my sister-in-law made. For her it was "a life-altering experience".

Animal photos from safari websites.

Vintage Travel

Last week, when DH saw me lift the suitcase out of the trunk he yelled from the front steps. "You know, you can't take that one to Africa".

It was a piece of real luggage. No wheels or zippers, probably lined with sturdy silk or crisp printed cotton - no keys so haven't been able to look inside. The kind tucked carefully into the hold of the Pan Am Boeing 707-123 Clipper America on October 26, 1958 when the airline inaugurated transatlantic jet service from New York to Paris. The elegant owner in her tailored sheath dress, swing-back jacket, seamed nylons and high heeled, peep-toed sling backs, tucked her soft leather clutch under her arm, adjusted her pill box hat, and climbed the steps to the cabin.

1951 advertisement for the same Crown brand luggage.

My first flight ever was from London to Washington, D.C. in 1962. Was I nervous, you bet! Was I excited, definitely. Those were the days when travel was truly a delight..............they certainly didn't toss the leather luggage about to be scratched, dented, scraped and worse.

Dear friend Vanessa offered me this vintage suitcase because she knew I'd love it being it was a faded French gray. It found a home on the armoire in the French inspired guest room, and on top, the pretty clock Vanessa gave me a year or so ago. Isn't it fabulous to have friends who know exactly what you love?

Edited 9:15 PM ~ After Marilyn at Delights of the Heart asked me if I was going to open the suitcase to see if there was anything inside.....I did! Nothing extra like $100,000 in cash, or a few pieces of diamond jewelry tucked in a pocket.................but look how pretty the lining fabric turned out to be, cream silky gathers and printed with the Tour Eiffel and Arc de Triomphe. Love it!!!!

St Valentine's Day

HEARTS and FLOWERS

on

ST. VALENTINE'S DAY

Wishing you a LOVELY day.

Pink Saturday

For today, another fun PINK SATURDAY with some Valentine related pretties. These below caught my eye last weekend at SuzAnna's Antiques, Valentines and general pink treasures for sale right now if you are in the area and can stop by.

Love this shepherdess in the pink dress and that's one gorgeous straw hat trimmed in pink ribbon - Easter bonnet anyone?

Vintage Valentines galore! Aren't they more romantic than today's often tacky cards?

Wouldn't it be fun going treasure hunting come Spring - wearing that straw hat - and filling this cute pink shopping basket?

Really pretty vintage tablecloths for a Valentine's Day luncheon.

I've decided I will not post red pics tomorrow..............if you can stop back I'll surprise you with my take on St. Valentine's Day.

Meanwhile, enjoy your weekend and may you be surrounded by love and loved ones. Be sure to stop by Beverly's blog How Sweet The Sound for the list of this week's Pink Saturday participants.

Saturday Morning

Edited: Warm hearts - cold snow!

We awoke to snow again - very pretty and just enough to not be much of a problem around here, thank goodness.

Degas

The Dancing Class ~ 1876

Collection Harry Payne Bingham, New York

Sunday afternoon, I discovered this beautiful portfolio of sixteen full color Degas prints at SuzAnna's Antiques for just $12.

The Dancing Class ~ 1880

Denver Art Museum, Colorado

Known as the painter of ballet subjects, Edgar-Hilaire-Germain Degas (1834~1917) was far more than that. He was a portraitist of great distinction, a draftsman and one of the most exciting sculptors of his century.

A Dancer at the Age of Fourteen (bronze, 1880)

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

The Tub ~ 1886

The Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington, Connecticut

Degas seldom personified women in the intimate confines of their boudoirs, their faces were often hidden by the poses he caught them in with often just a cheek line, an ear, a slight indication of profile.

I think this print will hang in my bathroom, perhaps framed later. The colors are beautiful.