Easter Decorations 04/21/14

I collect vintage baby planters and alot of them tend to be lambs. So I have a collection of lambs. It was an accident. I didn't mean to have a collection of lamb planters, it just happened. So it fits to display them at Easter.

This planter is actually for Easter. I like that.

I have a few of this type of lamb. But one of my favs is the little duck under an umbrella. 

He makes me smile. :)

I bought that turquoise deer around Christmas. I know he's got nothing to do with Easter, but he looks so relaxed among the lamby-pies.

Here is an old tin rabbit and cart carrying...Baby Jesus. Christmas seems to sneak in to all my decor, no matter what the season. 

(...like this egg-covered Christmas tree...)

This cute duck is two syrofoam balls in a nylon sock! So clever, I want to try making one of my own.  It has a Japan sticker on the bottom.

Last fall I got this great corner cabinet at a g-sale for $20. 

Its perfect for displays.

I almost left this crafty styrofoam bunny at the rummage sale but 

I was smitten with his plaid vest.

Here are my dogs in the 1970's trying to get to my Easter basket! :)

This is a child's purse.

Vintage crafty styrofoam egg.

This is the only beaded egg I've ever found. It is so pretty!

I'm not sure but I think this glittered egg is a Christmas ornament.

Left to right: A chalkware chick, a plastic rattle rooster, a chenille and pom duck and a spun cotton chick (MY FAV!) breaking out of his pink shell!

Check this out! A real live (dead) taxidermied CHICK! I got this in a lot of other vintage Easter decorations in a shoebox. I love him even though its kinda twisted to think he gave up his life to become a symbol of new life.

What's cuter than flocked styrofoam chicks wearing party hats? I love the satin ball bunny peeking over from behind them.

You can't see this very well but its a 1960's hat covered with velvet millinery posies! :)

I hope you had tons of fun this Easter with lots of blessings besides! 

Easter Blessings 04/18/14

Thank you, oh so much, to everyone for your kinds words of sympathy and encouragement regarding my dad's passing. 

While I was caring for him, we watched HOURS of old movies on TMC. 

We saw everything from Silent Movies to Westerns (Dad's favorite) to Doris Day (my favorite!)

I also had a lot of time to sort through tons of family photos starting from the 1940's before my folks were married, on up to the present. It was cathartic.

I also had a little time to work my hands at something pleasing. When I flew 2000 miles to Dad's with a small suitcase full of yarn and pipe cleaners,

 my intention was to make lots of little Easter "friends."

I made only this one little pom-pom chick.

Losing my Dad 04/17/14

 I've been gone a bit from my computer. Last month I flew back to my hometown 

of San Diego to help care for my aging Dad. He had been failing all last year and

 required hospice to come into his home in March. He passed away on April 2nd 

at home with all four of his children by his side. He was 89 years old.

This is a photo of him and my mom shortly after they were married. 

Oh, my gosh! He was so dashingly handsome! :)

(Mom wasn't too hard to look at either!)

This is my favorite picture of me and Dad. 1970 Disneyland.

 Look at his big hand holding mine. :)

Holding my oldest in 1982.

After a day of golf a few years ago.  

Dad with his crazy dog, Little Bear...also affectionately known

as "Hump-o-matic."

I've never had anyone this close to me pass away. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, to watch him fade and finally take his last breath. Although my heart is broken, I am so incredibly blessed to have gone through it all with my siblings. The four of us have always loved each other and been pretty close, but this experience has brought a depth to our relationships that I never knew possible. My dad was a complicated man and though he could be difficult, to say the least, we all loved him. We all share the same struggles and joys that came from knowing this man.

God is still good and I hold on to the hope that I may see my dad again. And this time he won't be sick! The resurrection of Easter is on its way! :)