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10/30/2010

Welcome to the 77th "Sunday Favorites"


"Sunday Favorites" is a Sunday meme designed to give bloggers a chance to share a favorite post from the past!!! For more information on how to republish a past post just click HERE.

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Hello my friends!!!

Welcome to the 77th run of "Sunday Favorites"!!!

I hope that you are having a wonderful weekend!

BOO!!! Happy Halloween BOO!!!

Have a wonderful, happy, and safe holiday weekend, my friends! It will be a quiet one at our place...no children to take trick-or-treating or dress in halloween costumes. In fact, we usually never have any trick-or-treaters at our place since we live way out in the sticks! Awwww!

I am sharing one of my favorite posts from March 2010 called "Favorite Things" for Sunday Favorites this week! I hope you enjoy!

Just a little note: Sunday Favorites Criteria

When I first started the Sunday Favorites meme, my initial thought was to offer a solution for getting a post out on the weekend without having to spend alot of time doing so...weekends are just a busy time for most of us! Copying and pasting a previous post is so quick and easy. Not only is this a quick and easy solution to the busy weekends, but it's also an opportunity to dig back into our blog archives and share a favorite "past" post once again! Many of us spend alot of time and effort creating a post and it just seems a shame that it is viewed only once and then forgotten about!

I would like to reiterate that Sunday Favorites is a meme about sharing or revisiting a post from the PAST!

I hesitate about saying anything at all, however as time goes on...I have received emails and have had more and more comments about bloggers who are joining the Sunday Favorites party without following the criteria. They are linking up to the Sunday Favorites party...using a present day post or a post that they just published! While I appreciate the sweet intentions of these dear bloggers, posting a present day post...just seems to be missing the point of what the Sunday Favorites meme is all about! It really is so easy to just cut and paste a previous post for this party...if you need help with the "how to's" of doing this...just click on the Sunday Favorites logo at the top of my side bar. You will find detailed information on how to do this.

It certainly isn't my intentions to offend anyone or hurt anyone's feelings. I went into hosting this little Sunday party with the intentions of having fun! Making rules and trying to abide by them...just seems to put a "damper" on the festivities...know what I mean? I certainly hate the thought of losing any of the Sunday Favorites participants so please be mindful of what this Sunday meme is all about! It's just good blog ettiquette! And...while I am on the subject of blog ettiquette, I would also like to say that I really appreciate...if you are joining in with the party...to add the Sunday Favorites logo...or my blog link to your post or your side bar! You know, it's kind of like showing up to a party that you have been invited to...without ever acknowledging the hostess! I spend many hours reading and commenting on all of my Sunday Favorites participant's posts...and I really enjoy doing so!

Thank you!!!

Wishing you all a super Sunday!!!

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Instructions for Participating in Sunday Favorites
*
If you are participating in Sunday Favorites, please be sure to add your permalink and not your general blog address.
*
Please copy and paste the Sunday Favorites logo button to your Sunday Favorites post or your sidebar so your visitors will know that you are participating. Also...please link back to the host blog, Happy To Design. This is important because it helps those who are visiting your blog, find the other wonderful blogs that are participating.
*
Please do not add your link below, until your Sunday Favorites post is actually published to your blog.
*
Thank you so much for your participation!!! I am going to really enjoy going through your "Sunday Favorites" posts!!!

Love ya'll,
Chari




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Sunday Favorites

My favorite post from: March 25, 2010 *

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Hello my friends...I hope that you're having a fabulous week!
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Today, I am joining in with "Show & Tell Friday" and "A Few of My Favorite Things Saturdays". You will find the credits for these lovely parties at the end of my post.
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Do you remember Show & Tell when you were in school? I sure do...it was one of my favorite things! With that in mind...I thought I would combine some of my favorite things for Show & Tell today! Can I bring some of my bestest friends in the whole wide world for Show & Tell this week?
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One of my bestest friends is Cindy from Applestone Cottage! I don't know how long its been now...but we met through blogging! Cindy is just the sweetest gal and she is soooo creative and talented! I just love her to pieces!!!
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My Teacup Pincushion

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Cindy sent me this darling teacup pincushion this week! I was so surprised when I received the package...I wasn't expecting anything! What a fabulous surprise...a "just because" gift...the bestest kind!!! Thank you so much...dear, sweet friend!!! I love, love, LOVE IT!!!
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I sat this beautiful teacup pincushion on my dining room buffet. I just redecorated it for Spring...using that pretty yellow-green color that I call Spring green! I think the pretty pink and green teacup pincushion looks sooo pretty in this spot!!! It matches perfectly!!! Ohhh...do you see that beautiful pink carnation on the front of the teacup? It's absolutely gorgeous!!!
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Ohhh...just look at that pretty lace and those gorgeous decorative pins! Cindy made the pins too! I love the little paper roses that she used as a decorative accent!!!
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I wanted to take a photo of the pretty saucer...I love this pattern!!!
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A view from the top...I love those pretty pink ribbons!
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Cindy, I just adore my gift...thank you so much, sweet friend!!!
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If you haven't ever met
Cindy from Applestone Cottage...you are missing out on a real treat! Please go by and say hello and meet her...you'll be glad that you did! Cindy lives in the beautiful state of Wisconsin...land of the forests! Her fabulous cottage home is situated right in the middle of a forest! She is such a talented designer and crafter...as you can see!!!
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My Victorian Tassel

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Another one of my bestest friends is Gloria from Happy To Be! I first met Gloria when we were on Rate My Space, a website where you can showcase your home, that was nearly three years ago. Gloria and I hit it off from the very beginning. In fact, I call Gloria...Sis...because she is just like a sister to me! Gloria and I are finally going to meet! We are meeting next week in Las Vegas for 4 days! I'm sooo excited!!! We have already made a few plans of how we are going to "paint that town red"! Hehe!
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Gloria crafted this fabulous Victorian tassel...just for me...and sent it to me for Christmas! It is hanging on the door of my china cabinet in my frenchy studio/office!
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Isn't it fabulous? Now I have to tell you...I have a "thing" for pretty tassels and they can be found everywhere in my house...but this Victorian tassel is my favorite!!! Thank you, Sis!!!
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Ohhh my...just look at the button-up Victorian shoe!
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And...of course I had to show you a close-up of all the fabulous trim and ribbons that Gloria used in making this Victorian tassel! I love brown and aqua blue paired together! Ohhh...and just look at those fleur de lis on that one ribbon! Do you see the beautiful aqua blue jewel? Ohhh...this is sooo fancy!!!
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I love, love, LOVE my Victorian tassel!!! Thank you, Sis!!!
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Speaking of Victorian...

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This is a Victorian lace tablecloth! I have it folded in half and draped over the back of my chair in my frenchy studio/office! I didn't want to fold it and get it wrinkled! Hehe! I have big plans for this fabulous lacy cloth...hmm, a tablescape? or perhaps a vignette?
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Gloria gave this gorgeous Victorian tablecloth to me...a "just because"...gift! She knew that I had been searching for one...isn't she the best? Thank you, Sis!!! I just adore it!!!
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A close-up so you can see the beautiful floral pattern in the lace! Ohhh...and I love, love, LOVE that long fringe!!!
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I don't know if you have ever met Gloria over at Happy To Be, but she is such a dear lady and she has one of the most beautiful homes that I've ever seen!!! She has been a collector of antiques for many, many years and her home is filled with some of the finest that I've ever seen! Really...I just stand in awe! You'll have to just go and see for yourself!
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The old vintage frame and photo behind the chair is of my husband's Grandfather when he was just a small boy. He is the little boy in the middle with the blonde curly hair! This was probably taken around 1920. The frame is very old as well...I think it's sooo pretty! We inherited all of these old family photos when my father-in-law passed away.
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On the wall, to the left of the chair, I have a large decorative iron piece...with a candle and another tassel.
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I decorated the pillar candle by wrapping a piece of scrapbook paper with French writing on it...around the candle. Then I tied a thin black ribbon and a piece of twine around the candle as well. On the front is a beautiful black vintage button and a piece of gold angel hair trim. These were gifts from another very dear blogging friend...Mary from Mary's Meanderings. She sent me an old iron crown...I should have taken photos of it...so sorry! Mary included the little button and trim in the package...I just loved it and decided to decorate the candle with it! Thank you sooo much Mary!!! You are such a sweetheart!!!
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Mary has a beautiful old Victorian home that she and her husband are restoring. You just have to go by and see it...and tell Mary hello! She is the dearest, sweetest lady!!! I know that she would be delighted to have a visit from you!
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These are a few of my favorite things!!!
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I am joining in with these fabulous parties today...
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Show & Tell Friday...hosted by Cindy over at My Romantic Home.
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A Few of My Favorite Things Saturdays...hosted by Laurie over at Bargain Hunting and Chatting with Laurie.
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Thank you so much, Cindy and Laurie...for hosting these fabulous...fun filled...parties for us!!! Please go by and pay these sweet ladies a visit and while you're there you can check out all of the other party participants!

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Well my friends...I'm so happy that you came by for a visit today! Please leave me a comment and let me know that you were here...I'd love to visit with you!!!



10/25/2010

Delicious Autumn...Part II

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Hello my friends...I hope you're having a fabulous day!
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Ohhh my...things are forever changing at my place! I decorated my dining room buffet at the beginning of the autumn season but I've changed it once again. Last week, several of the items that I used to decorate my buffet...went to the table for an autumn tablescape. Eeeks...I couldn't just leave the buffet bare...could I? Hehe! Anyway, thought I would share a few photos of my new dining room buffet decor! I hope that you enjoy!
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To view "Delicious Autumn...an Autumn Buffet" Part I...just click HERE.
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"Delicious Autumn...an Autumn Buffet" Part II

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This buffet started it's life as a dresser in my step-daughter's bedroom...ten years ago. When I first moved into my honey's home...it was in desperate need of furniture...sooo...I pulled this big ol' dresser from the bedroom...refinished it...and moved it into the dining room to use as a buffet. I have never regretted the decision! This piece works much better as a dining room buffet than it did as a dresser in a little girls room!
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This piece had a dark wood finish. As you can see, I painted it a creamy white and used olive green on the insets of the door and drawer fronts. I used an antique gold colored glaze on top of the wood carvings and some of the moulding...to make the carvings stand out and for a little more interest. I used the same paint treatment on the mirror that matches the buffet. I'm really pleased with how it turned out and how this piece looks in my french country dining room!
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The beautiful buffet runner was found at Hobby Lobby several years ago. I just love the colors...the embroidered pattern...and all that long fringe! The olive green, gold, and burgandy colors are perfect for the autumn season.
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Two matching buffet lamps sit on either end. I just love these frenchy lamps...the bronze metal and the beautiful cut glass on the base of the lamps just make my heart sing! Ohhh...and I mustn't forget the pretty dangling crystals! Gorgeous!!!
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Voila...a new autumn vignette for my frenchy dining room buffet!
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An autumn cloche...a three tiered autumn display...a few acorns scattered about...and a few autumn pears sitting on a stack of autumn plates.
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An autumn cloche
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This cloche was sooo easy to put together. I used an autumn floral pick for the arrangment and added a few nuts to the base, an autumn plate...and Voila! I tied a pretty gold satin ribbon around the handle of the cloche...just a little extra pretty!
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By the way...I thought these photos turned out so pretty. I love how the lamp crystals are catching the light and how they look against the mirror. And...I love that my large painting of the fruit and the three tiered display is caught in the reflection in the mirror!
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A Three Tiered Autumn Display
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I used my three tiered pedestal cake plates for this autumn display.
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Top Tier...
A yellow-gold pillar candle "tops off" the autumn pretties! I added a bit of autumn potpourri mix around the candle, a few pumpkin place card holders, and a few autumn leaf napkin rings.
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Middle Tier...
I simply added pears around the middle tier.
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Bottom Tier...
I used an autumn wreath made up of berries, a few autumn floral picks (the dark red cattails, etc.), a bit more autumn potpourri strewn about as a filler, and two pretty yellow gold bird figurines.
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You know how I love my sweet birds! Hehe!
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A few wooden acorns for decoration...
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You can get a better look at the buffet runner in this photo. This is my favorite table runner! I love the colors and the embroidered floral pattern is really beautiful!!!
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A stack of extra autumn plates with a few pears...
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My "artsy" photos.
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And...there you have it...another autumn vignette for my dining room buffet!
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I'm sooo glad that you came by today...I hope that you enjoyed!
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I am joining these fabulous parties...
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Metamorphosis Monday...hosted by Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch.
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Table Top Tuesday...hosted by Marty over at A Stroll Thru Life.
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A heartfelt thank you to Susan and Marty for hosting these fabulous parties for us to enjoy! Thank you, sweet ladies!
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Well my friends...thank you so much for coming by today! Please leave me a comment and let me know that you were here...I'd love to visit with you!
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Warmest Autumn Wishes!

10/23/2010

Welcome to the 76th "Sunday Favorites"


"Sunday Favorites" is a Sunday meme designed to give bloggers a chance to share a favorite post from the past!!! For more information on how to republish a past post just click on the "Sunday Favorites" info. photo in the sidebar.

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Hello my friends!!!

Welcome to the 76th run of "Sunday Favorites"!!!

I hope that you are having a wonderful weekend! We are having one of those nice, quiet weekends...no plans...nothing that we really HAVE to do...just a lazy, restful weekend! Maybe we'll just curl up in our easy chairs this evening and order a pay-per-view movie and enjoy a warm, quiet night in!

This week for Sunday Favorites, I would like to share a post that is very near and dear to my heart! The post is about meeting with my dear, sweet friend Gloria from Happy To Be blog. Gloria and her husband Len...met Russ and I in Las Vegas last April...and we had the time of our lives!!! It was like a "dream come true" and I will always cherish our meeting and the time we spent together!

Well...Gloria is celebrating her 2nd blogging birthday this week! If you haven't ever met Gloria...you are certanly missing out on a blessing! Please go by and wish her a Happy 2nd Blog Birthday...ohhh, and she is having a really sweet giveaway too! Just click HERE to get to Gloria's!

Happy...Happy 2nd Birthday, dearest Gloria!!! Congratulations!!! I love ya, Sis!!!

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Just a little note: Sunday Favorites Criteria

When I first started the Sunday Favorites meme, my initial thought was to offer a solution for getting a post out on the weekend without having to spend alot of time doing so...weekends are just a busy time for most of us! Copying and pasting a previous post is so quick and easy. Not only is this a quick and easy solution to the busy weekends, but it's also an opportunity to dig back into our blog archives and share a favorite "past" post once again! Many of us spend alot of time and effort creating a post and it just seems a shame that it is viewed only once and then forgotten about!

I would like to reiterate that Sunday Favorites is a meme about sharing or revisiting a post from the PAST!

I hesitate about saying anything at all, however as time goes on...I have received emails and have had more and more comments about bloggers who are joining the Sunday Favorites party without following the criteria. They are linking up to the Sunday Favorites party...using a present day post or a post that they just published! While I appreciate the sweet intentions of these dear bloggers, posting a present day post...just seems to be missing the point of what the Sunday Favorites meme is all about! It really is so easy to just cut and paste a previous post for this party...if you need help with the "how to's" of doing this...just click on the Sunday Favorites logo at the top of my side bar. You will find detailed information on how to do this.

It certainly isn't my intentions to offend anyone or hurt anyone's feelings. I went into hosting this little Sunday party with the intentions of having fun! Making rules and trying to abide by them...just seems to put a "damper" on the festivities...know what I mean? I certainly hate the thought of losing any of the Sunday Favorites participants so please be mindful of what this Sunday meme is all about! It's just good blog ettiquette! And...while I am on the subject of blog ettiquette, I would also like to say that I really appreciate...if you are joining in with the party...to add the Sunday Favorites logo...or my blog link to your post or your side bar! You know, it's kind of like showing up to a party that you have been invited to...without ever acknowledging the hostess! I spend many hours reading and commenting on all of my Sunday Favorites participant's posts...and I really enjoy doing so!

Thank you!!!

Wishing you all a super Sunday!!!

~~~~~~~~

Instructions for Participating in Sunday Favorites
*
If you are participating in Sunday Favorites, please be sure to add your permalink and not your general blog address.
*
Please copy and paste the Sunday Favorites logo button to your Sunday Favorites post or your sidebar so your visitors will know that you are participating. Also...please link back to the host blog, Happy To Design. This is important because it helps those who are visiting your blog, find the other wonderful blogs that are participating.
*
Please do not add your link below, until your Sunday Favorites post is actually published to your blog.
*
Thank you so much for your participation!!! I am going to really enjoy going through your "Sunday Favorites" posts!!!

Love ya'll,
Chari




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Sunday Favorites

My favorite post from: April 8, 2010 *

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Hey friends...I hope that you're having a fabulous week!
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Whew...just getting back from our trip to Las Vegas and trying to catch up with ya'll! I'm just trying to "catch up" PERIOD! Hehe! Wow...I love Vegas...but I sure wished that I was just 21 again!!! I just hate when the reality of things catches up with ya!
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Well...as many of you know...honey and I went to Las Vegas March 31st for the "13th Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend"! Ohhh yea...and was I ever excited...because we were meeting up with Len and Gloria (from Happy To Be blog)!!! Let me tell ya...as great as Vegas was...it could not compare to being able to meet my bestest friend Gloria! Gloria and I met on HGTV's Rate My Space about three years ago and we became friends from the moment we met!!! I would have never imagined at that time...of having the chance to meet Gloria "face to face"...but we did!!!
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Yeeeehawww!!!
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Here is my friend Gloria!!! Isn't she just the most beautiful woman you've ever seen?
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Gloria is beautiful inside and out!!! She is the sweetest, kindest, and funniest ladies ever...and you just can't beat that combo!!! Gloria told me when we were trying to find a place to meet...to just look for "the redhead with the big ol' smile"!!! Yep...I could have picked her out of a crowd of a thousand!!! I took this photo of Gloria on Friday...the first day that we met!
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Here is Len...Gloria's sweetie! And I tell ya...Len is just one of the sweetest guys that you'd ever want to meet! As soon as I met him...it was like we had known each other forever!!! Len is one of the most interesting men that I've met! I loved talking about some of his life experiences and about some of his great collections! Did you know that Len collects old slot machines? That's just too cool!!!
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And...here is my sweetie Russell!
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The first thing we did after we met...was to go and get some lunch at one of our hotel's 10 restaurants! Then we found a table in the casino and sat and talked...then we moved the party up to our room at The Orleans Hotel! The guys were just itchin' to go and check out some of the old cars that came to the "Rockabilly Weekend"! They were gone for hours...Gloria and I just talked and talked...and talked (in fact, I still don't have my voice...I lost it...hehe)!!! We didn't even miss the guys...the hours just flew by!!!
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Well...you've probably heard me talk about the "13th Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend"! What a trip!!! For more info. about this fabulous event you can go HERE to read up on it.
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Saturday....The Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Car Show!

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Russell, Gloria, and Len in front of our 1953 Ford Customline.
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Yes...we drove our old 1953 Ford all the way from Colorado out to Las Vegas so that Russell could participate in the rockabilly car show on Saturday!
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Hehe...the guys were in their "7th Heaven"!!!
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Now...I have to tell ya...this was a very different kind of a car show...it was a "Rockabilly Car Show"! The whole "rockabilly" thing was such a hoot! Rockabilly is all about the old cars...old 50's music...and the guys and gals dressing like they did back in the 40's and 50's!!! Ohhh my...you should have seen all the 40's "Pin-up models" posing with the cars!!!
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But those "Pin-up" gals had nothing on our "Pin-up" guys!!! Just look at Russell and Len...they just don't make em' any finer!!!
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Mmmm...Baby, Oh Baby of Mine!
Russell, my "Pin-up" guy!!!
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Dang...he's sexy!!!
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The Cars....

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Of course, I had to share just a few photos of some of the cars! They're sooo pretty!!!
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Love this car...classic rockabilly style!
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A low-rider with flames!!!
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This old truck was parked next to us...they were from Ft. Collins, Colorado! What a small world...hehe! The guys have a tattoo shop. As you will soon see, tattoos are a big part of rockabilly!
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Len, Gloria, and me sitting behind our old Ford. I'm sooo glad that we brought our chairs...it was an all-day event!
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While the guys were off checking out all the cars...Gloria and I sat and talked...and talked some more! Hehe! We also did a little "people watching"!!! Ohhh boy, and did we have fun!!!
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The Rockabilly Guys and Gals...

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Pretty ladies all dressed up in their 40's - 50's garb!
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I loved this gal's cute dress and heels! Ohhh yes...these gals walked for hours around the car show in heels!!! Me...I had my flat/comfortable sandals on! Hehe!
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Loved these gal's clothes! Check out the 50's glasses and hair-dos! Hehe...told you they liked tattoos!!! I've never seen so many tattoos...and the gals had just as many tattoos and the guys did! Ohhh...and there was lots of red-red hair! See the lady in the background? I called this "raggedy Ann" red!!! Sooo much fun!!!
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Here's a look at some of the gals sporting their tattoos!
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Rockabilly Vendors...Shopping!!!

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Ohhh my goodness...there were vendors galore! Lots of vintage clothing shops! Check out all of the polka dot and stripe clothing on the rack!
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I just loved this pretty gal's dress and hair!!!
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The "13th Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Car Show" crowds...against the Las Vegas' skyline!
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Chuck Berry Concert...

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One of the highlights of the car show was the Chuck Berry concert at 6pm!
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Chuck Berry played his heart out! I loved hearing all of his old tunes...and he did a pretty good job for being 72 yrs. old! Sheeeshh...is Chuck Berry really 72?
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The crowds had soooo much fun and I loved watching them dance to Chuck Berry's music!
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This guy in his "Zoot suit" and galfriend really put on a great dance show for us!!! The "Jive" is a dance favorite of this crowd! In fact, they had Jive dance classes and a Jive dance competition at the rockabilly weekender!
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My friends, this really was like taking a "step back in time"!
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I couldn't resist...just had to do a photo in that good ol' sepia tone...ahhhh nostalgia!!!
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And...here's my honey in his best rockabilly duds! Isn't he just too cute? As honey put it, "my old straw cowboy hat and 'police-man' glasses!" Hehe! I don't know...but he sure looked fine!!!
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Gloria, Len, Russell, and I just had the best time ever at the "13th Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender" car show!!! Thank you, Gloria and Len...for the best time ever!!! You made our trip the most memorable...fun filled...trip ever!!! Love you guys!!!
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Well my friends, I hope you enjoyed sharing the rockabilly car show with us! In the days to come...I'll share a little more about our trip and meeting with you!
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Have a fabulous "rockabilly" day!!!