Sunday, December 4, 2011

My Stupendous Saturday With Blogging Friends!

Yesterday I had a fabulous day!  I met up with four of my blogging friends for a day of shopping and lunching, and home tours of their beautiful houses, all decked out for Christmas.  It was the best kind of day.  First we met at Elaine's house.  She blogs at Sunny Simple Life  
I have known Elaine the longest.  Her blog represents her perfectly.  She is warm and genuine, and her commitment to her family is not only obvious in her blog, but when you enter her home, you feel it.   We got to see her home all ready for Christmas, and meet three of her four girls.  Her kitchen is like a warm hug from MOM.  It took me back to when I was kid.  It is straight out of the 50's, complete with rotary dial phone.
I was so busy looking and chatting, that I didn't get too many good photos at Elaine's.  There is her little "Q" back there climbing up onto the kitchen table. 
This was on her dining room table.
One of Elaine's older daughters took a picture of us before we left on our adventure.
That is me on the far left.  Elaine next to me.  Shelly next to Elaine.  She doesn't have a blog yet, but we are working on her.   Next to Shelly is Patty.  Patty is also Shelly's sister in law, and Patty blogs at Lemon Lane Cottage
On the far right is Debbie.  Debbie drove in all the way from Lancaster.  She is the one I have known the shortest length of time, but what fun it has been getting to know this lady! She is as fun and full of energy as her blog leads you to believe.  Go see her at My Vintage Daydreams
That is little "Q" in the photo with us too.  What a cutie she is!   I told her that we need to have a playdate with her and my three Lil' Dumpins'  They would have a ball!  So off we went, first to the store that Elaine has raved about to us.
This was such a treat!  We walked inside, and just didn't know where to go.  Everywhere you looked was amazing!  What a cute store. The back, behind the counter was filled with coffee beans and loose tea.  The aroma alone was enough to draw you in.  It was Christmas Open House, so it was very crowded.  I will certainly be going back to this wonderful store!!!  By the time we had finished at The Country General Store, we had worked up a powerful appetite, so we went to a charming little diner just a few streets away, on yet another beautiful Main Street that was lined with shop after darling shop!!!   We were in Covina to start out, but this diner was actually in Glendora.  It used to be a bank, hence the catchy name for the restaurant.
I had one of the best sandwiches I have ever had!!!  It was a cold turkey, on squaw bread with cream cheese, cranberry dressing and sprouts.  To die for!!  Another place I am going back to!!  This restaurant was nestled on one of those charming main streets you hardly ever see anymore.  Where the street is lined with mature trees, and parking your car is as easy as angling it on up, right in front of the store you wish to visit.  Then walking the street on both sides, where unique shops beckon you inside.  There was an old timey candy shop. An antique store, a high end ladies consignment shop, where we had a little fun.  Elaine, that dress is YOU!!!
 There was a quilt shop, where I found out that Patty does quilt samples for the store.
 Watch repair, shoe cobbler, and on and on...just so quaint!!!  We had some fun in a specialty paper store where their Fall items were 60% off!  Yes, we found some goodies!!  I think this is the store where I nearly knocked Patty off her feet to the floor with one swift pivot of my heel on my way back to the SALE end of the store to get some Vintage Halloween boxes!  She made a quick recovery, I shouted an apology over my shoulder, without missing a beat on my way back to the far end of the store where my treasure was waiting!!!  To be fair...it was my big purse that clocked her, not me.  I didn't even feel it!  Sorry Patty!!! 
So up and down the street we went.  Popping into every shop that piqued our interest.  We ended in a fantastic kitchen shop!  I was in heaven.  This is another place I MUST return to!  Mom....we need to go take a class here!  Looked like a good line up of fun classes!!!!   My poor partners in crime had to go rest their weary feet out front on the bench while waiting for me to make my final purchase of the day.  As if the day had not been perfect enough at this point....we were far from done.  From there, Patty scooted on back to her home, to prepare for us to come have dessert as our last stop of the day, while the rest of us traveled to Shelly's fabulous home.  Now, I am at a loss for words here.  This house, was unlike anything I have ever seen in my life.  Stunning, spectacular, cheerful, vivid, happy, charming, vintage, warm!  These are all words that come to my mind.  She takes most of her every day decor down, and creates a Christmas fantasy land that is just too wonderful to describe.  Shelly lives in a townhome that she has turned into the most darling cottage I have ever seen!  Let's just take a look in pictures.  With the first one being the view as you approach to her front door step.
One look at that, and you just know you are going to be in for a treat!!  Come on in, and feast your eyes!!!




 Me thinks my friend Shelly likes RED!!!  This was just the front room!!!   The kind of place that you had to keep circling past, because every time you looked, you saw something new!
 Here is the master vignette maker herself...Shelly,  holding one of the stockings sporting her name, that she found at a thrift store.
 Now let's walk on over into the kitchen.  You will flip I tell you!  FLIP!  First, the two crisp white slip covered easy chairs with matching ottomans that beg you to sit and enjoy the space.  Each draped with a vintage hand crocheted red and white afghan!!
 That picture just about makes me cry!!!  And that afghan on the far left made me swoon!
Next up...photos of her kitchen.  It is a dollhouse!  I told her that to me, it was like stepping right into Mrs. Claus' kitchen.  Warm and fuzzy doesn't even begin to describe it!!  Enjoy!!!








Even her patio was an extension of her home, and her love for red and white, and all things cottage.

Back inside for a quick peek at her "girly" bathroom!


Wouldn't you love to have a soak in that fabulous bathtub?  Wow!   Then, before having to dash off to our next destination, we got a peek at her bedroom.

Have you ever seen anything so cute in all your life?  We told her she needs to be on a home tour, or in a magazine.  I am sending these photos to Country Sampler and a couple of other magazines.
After Shelly's house, we drove just a mile or so away to Patty's house.  Another charming home, on a picturesque street.  Like something out of a Norman Rockwell photo.  Individually unique cottage type homes, dotting a beautifully tree lined street, nestled into one of the most charming towns I have ever visited! We walked in to the house where the soft glow of a fire greeted us, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air.  Christmas was in every nook and cranny of her home.  She had prepared a lovely dessert for us, as our final destination of the day. Come see Patty's beautiful home with me.
Look at those beautiful diamond paned windows!!!  Her kitchen is cozy and warm, and the cupboards were painted in the barn red of my heart, complete with bronze farm style hinges.  LOVE!!!
She had laid a pretty holiday table for us, with her homemade goodies to enjoy. 
Although we had not discussed doing this, we had each brought gifts to share.  Sweet Debbie, who we were all meeting for the very first time, had thoughtfully prepared a gift for each one of us, personalizing it to each one of our interests.  For me, she had this darling sign made, and two cute little vintage rooster salt and pepper shakers.  As well as a bank that read SPA DAY, because she had noted how much I love going to Glen Ivy!!  She said I needed to have a place to put my pennies to save for my special place.  And she tucked a holiday hand creme into each one of our packages as well. Here are a couple pictures of the ladies receiving their gifts.

Patty had made each one of us a felted owl ornament.  She had it sitting in a nest of crinkle paper along with some holiday candy, and tied up in a cello bag with a red ribbon, sitting next to each of our place settings at the table.  Here is a photo of each of them lined up on the table.
Elaine gave each of us a Gooseberry Patch cookbook.  And her little "Q" gave me this work of art while we were at her home.
This was Debbie's thoughtful gift.
I had made each of them one of my red holiday Bloomie's.
It was the most perfect, wonderful day!  It was the best thing to put us all into the spirit of the holiday season.  Giving, sharing, and enjoying the fellowship of friends.   Elaine, Patty, Shelly, Debbie...THANK YOU!  It was a day I will never forget!  I can't wait to see all of you again!
XO  Kris

30 comments:

Tammy said...

How fun! What a great day! You look great, btw!

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Kris, you girls had way to much! Elaine and Shelly's homes are so adorable and I love all the places you went! I LOVE Country General Store and went there many times over the years I lived in Walnut! I have their Christmas decor all over my home. Your gift exchange was so sweet and personal. What a great group of ladies! Hope to met up with you the next time!

Hugs,
Maryjane

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

PS...your girls are laying some pretty eggs!!!!

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

One more PS...Patty's home is adorable too! What fun touring homes!!!! xo

NanaNor's said...

Kris, Oh what a fun day with such special friends-no surprise because you are one special friend. Loved seeing the homes and stores. On Wednesday I will meet my two blogging buddies for lunch down the road-I can't wait.
Have a wonderful day.
Hugs, Noreen

Cheryl said...

What a fun day!!!! The houses are all amazing and so pretty, and shopping and eating too?!!! The perfect day. Thanks for sharing all the wonderful photos!

Dawn said...

Holly Cat's that's a whole lot of decorating. Wow, them girls have some ambition I'm tellin u. Looks like you had a fun day. Must be feeling much better. I am friends with Patty also, we met in blog land over some dandelion fabric. Ya never know what brings people together.

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

I saw that you girls had this fun time! I just love visiting with blog friends...and to see their homes in person is just the best...Girlfriend time is precious!!

Pammy Sue said...

Wonderful! Too fun. That house was truly amazing. Would be fun to walk through and look at. I'm not sure I could live in all that though! Amazing!

Bethany said...

I am drooling over the red and white!!! BEAUTIFUL shots!!!!!!

Patty Marker said...

You describe it all so beautifully. What a fun day...I can't wait for the next one. Patty

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Kris, what a wonderful day you had! Looks like such a great and fun group of ladies. It's always special when friends can get together. i bet you will cherish this memory for life........but I think their will be lots more gatherings too! xoRobin❤

~Niki~ said...

what a post!
must have taken you forever to write. I loved the holiday home tours! I made the same exact pattern afghan for my sister YEARS ago~wonder if she still has it.
Looks like you all had a great time!

Lauri said...

Your descriptions and photos were so detailed that I felt like I tagged along as well. What a fun afternoon. (I love old town Glendora but it's been years since I've been there.)

You'll have to plan a trip to Arizona some time for shopping, eating, and a home tour.

Grammy Staffy said...

What a wonderful day with blog friends. I loved all of the pictures. I am glad that you all had such a great time together. Enjoy the coming week. Hugs, Lura

Angela said...

Oh my goodness gracious, that Shelley needs a blog..so I can keep drooling all over the pages of it...I wanted to cry with joy too..oh my!! Red...her home is just glorious. I love love love it. Everything about it. Patty's kitchen cupboards have always been a fav of mine...Thanks so much for sharing

Nicolle said...

Good morning! Kris, you look gorgeous in that group photo. What a beautiful group of ladies. One of the reasons I love blogging, besides the amazing friendships, is seeing a glimpse into other people's homes. It's one of my favorite things to do, is to peek into houses. What a treat to see these pretty houses your friends have. I just loved every single photo here. So glad it was a great weekend!

Betty Jo said...

I found your link at Patty's blog. What an incredible, and beautiful day you girls had together. I love the name of your blog, and the cute rooster on the table design to the right of the posts!

Gloria Baker said...

what lovely and fun time dear Kris:) all they look adorables and fun. and waht lovely Christmas things (lol):)

Debbie said...

WOW...such fun. The houses were soo cute! But the friendships enjoyed ca n't be beat!

Unknown said...

Holy Cow...what a fantastic post...what a fantastic day with fantastic friends! Lucky you!

Linda said...

What a wonderful day!! It looks like you had too much fun! All the houses looked awesome...and quite ready for Christmas!

Whosyergurl said...

WOW. I feel like such a boring, plain Jane! Truly. Love the red. I love red and WEAR it a lot but do not decorate with it a lot. I have a lot of green. Here is my BIG question- WHERE does she put it all when it isn't Christmas? Hmmmmm? She must have a barn!
xo, Cheryl

Teresa Kasner said...

Wow, Kris... what a great day you had with wonderful friends! I have some fellow bloggers in the Portland area.. I should organize a get-together. Hmmm. Love the decor of your friends! I could see several things I wish I had..
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*M*E*R*R*Y* * *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
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((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Pam said...

What a wonderful day! I wish I lived closer so I could spend a day with you!

I can't get over Shelly's house - WOW! I've never seen anyone so festive. I wonder if she decorates like that for every single holiday...I have a feeling she does.

Genn said...

Glad you had such a fun time!
What beautiful homes they all have.
And do you think that Elaine looks a little like Sherry Klein? A little bit, huh? :)

Jill said...

What a wonderful experience!! How great to be able to meet and hang out with fellow bloggers! All the homes look wonderful! I will have to stop by and visit some of their blogs, thanks for sharing!

Have a great week!

Blessings,
Jill

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

How wonderful! I have met the nicest people blogging....and now that includes you! I'm in California too - but I'm about 200 miles north of you. What a marvelous day! I'm so glad you all go together.

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Oh Kris, I am so jealous! Why do I live so far away? Wish I was there!!! I do visit Elaine, but the other ladies I don't know. What a fun day you had. Those homes, OMG I was swooning! The gifts were fab also. So glad that you got to meet up with friends! Still jealous. lol!

DaCraftyLady said...

Oh Kris I wish I knew I would have joined you gals....it looked like such a wonderful day together and I love meeting my blogging friends....let me know when you gals decide to meet up again and I will drive out there..glad you had a wonderful visit!! Debb of Long Beach...