The Sun's Out Take Pictures Fast!

Boy the sun was beaming in the room and I grabbed my camera and just started taking pics.  I wasn't even done setting up the mantel yet but I snapped away!

For Christmas I had moved my furniture into new positions.  The striped cabinet had been moved over to this side and I do like it under the picture.  They both have a very Tuscan look and go together well.  I was a bit heavier into Tuscan for a while but have been breaking away from it a bit.

I don't keep a lot of family pictures around the house but I do keep a small group and these were a part of our son's wedding.  I elevated the urn with my newer glass display piece that I used at Christmas which had a small tree on it.  

The etagere was moved back to this corner.  Same things on it as before.  

I keep this copper dish displayed because the kids gave it to us and it is a little mental tie in to my Dad's past.  He grew up in Calumet Michigan which was at one time a very important copper mining town.

On the other side I switched a couple of pieces on this wood top area.  The floral arrangement had previously been on the coffee table, then the dining table and now here… call me fickle!

I found this runner during my visit back home.  I love the quatrefoil pattern and this had to come home with me.   I guess I should have ironed these.  That white linen piece always looks frumpy.  :-/

The big bowl with the deco balls keeps floating around the room too.

I've added pieces from three different stores.  The ones with the brass bands are the most unusual since the body is made of cut pieces of bone.  

Same stuff on the coffee table. I like these elements so they stick around.

 One thing I changed after I took the pictures are the two white candles on the brass candle holders. When I first had chosen the white ones I decided they reflected the shape of the large white hurricanes but after Christmas when I put them back they felt too modern and bold.

I remembered seeing these feather shaped candles somewhere so I went shopping on the internet.  I thought I'd get a pair and see how they'd do.  They aren't offered in white, but I think this ivory is nice because it softens up the look.

 These are called Feathered Twist Beeswax candles made by Dadant Candle.  These are the 8" ones and they are also offered in a 12" size and in multiple color choices.

These candles also make me think of a quill pen which seems appropriate for the period of the picture on the wall.

I feel like something else is needed up there but I don't know what it is yet.  Perhaps some books or a neat box.

I was looking to do something different with the candle holder.  I was staring at my etagere and noticed the golden metal orb looked about the right size so I decided to try it out.  Turned out to fit in there rather well.  Makes me think of a King's Scepter.  :-)

This picture is current the other ones with the sun were from a week ago.  We've had some real mixed up weather here lately as I know many of you have.

I'm joining the following parties:

Between Naps on the Porch
for
Metamorphosis Monday

Our Home Away From Home
for
Tuesday's At Our Home

A Stroll Thru Life
for
Inspire Me Tuesday

Ivy and Elephants
for
What's It Wednesday 

Happy 4th!

Happy Independence Day!

 I hope your 4th of July will be great!

I found some old pictures from my childhood and it made me think about how so many people travel and take a vacation around a holiday.  

 In 1963 we took a mini vacation with

my Dad's brother Raymond and his wife.

Here we are going across the 
Mackinac Bridge and then we headed 
west across the Upper Peninsula

 My Aunt Lavina, Jen, Me and Uncle Ray

posing for a quick shot...don't I look like a

tomboy!  (I was!)

 My Dad on the left, Uncle Ray and 

my Mom... 

 We toured the Porcupine Mountains

Wilderness State Park.  I was obviously 

enjoying the view!  No fear!

  My Dad grew up in

Calumet, Michigan.  It's way up in 
the Keweenaw Peninsula of the 

Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

 Home to an area that was the site of the

first copper mining boom in the U.S.

We made our way up to Fort Wilkins Historic State park which features a restored 1844 military outpost and one of the first lighthouses on Lake Superior. 

Me on the left, sisters Jen and Sherry

On the shores of Lake Superior. 

 Mom, Jen, Me and Aunt Lavina

I hope you enjoy your Independence Day
Be safe and eat well!

I live in Traverse City, MI these days and it is about to be taken over by about an additional  500,000 visitors for their National Cherry Festival.  
(No I'm not kidding!)  
I usually stay away from town because
traffic is a bit tough at times.

Our son, wife her brother and parents are coming for a visit for a week.  
I'm going to be a bit busy for a while and I'll be on a mini vacation!  

We're planning to head north to see some sights! 
See ya in a couple of weeks!
Liz