Life is Good in OK

Life is definitely good in OK...otherwise known as Oklahoma! Especially if the 3rd fairway is part of your own backyard! This past weekend I talked my Dad into a road trip back to our family roots in Oklahoma and Kansas. Our first stop on Friday evening was in Owasso, OK, the town that my cousin Mitchell and his family has called home for over 10 yrs. now....

A lovely, very gracious home, indeed! And Amy (Mitch's wife) leaves nothing to chance when it comes to having us all completely coddled and cozy! She and I chatted to the wee hours sipping French champagne she and her daughter brought back from Paris. And who would've thought that I'd get pampered Parisienne style in the middle of Oklahoma! C'est la vie! : D

Back Home in the Lone Star State

Cousins, cousins, and more cousins! Aunts and uncles, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, grandparents, grandkids....all rounded together at the Grandma and Grandpa Hayes old homestead house...

Playing....

Reading stories....

Splashing in the pool...

Drawing and coloring....

and gathering together to celebrate and cherish the memories of my beloved Mom....

connected to so many special people in so many special ways....

Tina, Travis, and daughter, Cassidy

Amy, Mitchell, and son, Tyler

My darlin' cousin Tina and me...the only 2 grand-daughters on the Cady side for 18 years!

Lots of tears, lots of laughter, lots of hugs, lots of love and consoling...

and finally the time to have to say good-byes....

What precious memories have been made... 

to be shared and cherished for the next generation! 

Off to Texas

We unexpectedly flew out of Boston a couple of weeks ago due to the untimely passing of my precious Mom, Colleen Cady Hayes. I haven't been home to Dallas in over 5 years and, as unfortunate as the circumstances are right now, it's been such a blessing to reconnect with family and friends. Just the children and I made the trip while Andrew, my hubby, stayed home to hold down the fort....job, animals, and new farm that we closed on the day before we left for Texas. However, hubby  was able to get us all safely to Boston and on our way for our 2+ week visit to what was once considered 'home' and the birthplace of our children.

Travel these days seems to inevitably be riddled with its delays and stressful moments and I must say that this was the first time I've attempted to travel all alone with just the kids. We left home at 5 a.m. so we could be to the Boston airport by 10 a.m. The plane was delayed 2 hours so we spent that time touring the historical district around the Boston Commons. Not a bad place to kill some time! My biggest trepidation was getting us all through security but thankfully that episode was uneventful. I had managed to schedule a non-stop flight to Dallas so once we were in the air, it was smooth sailing to DFW. The biggest thrill of the flight, though, was yet to come...

The highlight of the flight was that the pilot invited the kiddos to tour the cockpit of the jet once we landed. I didn't even think anyone did that kind of thing anymore! What a thrill...and an education! : D

Off for a Cruise

No better way to spend a lazy summer afternoon than to set off for an evening cruise on the lake or out to sea. I have many a fond memory of my yachting days and weekends spent on Lake Texoma, a large lake sharing its borders between Oklahoma and Texas along the Red River. So relax and sip a frosty cocktail of choice or tall glass of iced tea as we tour this lovely yacht with its casual and soothing interiors....

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Holiday Happiness

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My Idea of holiday weekend happiness is strolling the flea markets, yard and barn sales that roll out right about....today!! Bring on the summer red, white, and blue fun in the sun! Enjoy a great Memorial Day Weekend....and official kick-off to sweet Summer Days! : D

Display Ideas

 
I've been searching for display ideas for my antiques stall space. Here are a few I've pinned recently....

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Isn't it amazing how each vignette can create...evoke...its own mood...its own sense of space and place? And it doesn't take but a small corner or a single wall...or even just a table with a lamp! Now to just make my own little space....speak! Tell me what it really wants to say. The creative process is so addictive! : D

Amongst the Dandelions

Our youngest, Asheley, turned 8 this week...unbelievable. Of course, I'll be saying that for all my children for the rest of their grown lives! But, nonetheless, the 'baby' of the family has lapsed another year on her denial focused mom this Spring....and is appropriately nestled amongst her favorite dandelions! So I thought I would share our traditional dandelion photo shoot with you...while I just take solace in the fact that she's still rapturously content in poofy pale pink dresses and pearl headbands!

One thing this mom clearly cannot deny.....

her daughter is very much the 8 year old! : D