Keep on Dancing

 She danced! Dreaming of Dance

If you have followed me for awhile you will know I visit my favorite antique mall 4 times a year for their seasonal events. It is sort of my kick off for a new season. The celebration just makes my heart happy. I don't need to buy anything, but snap a few pictures and savor the changing of the season by surrounding myself with beauty and pretty things.

Each time I go I notice if there is a theme that is showing up that I have missed. It seemed this time it was just about decorating ourselves.

We can decorate ourselves with baubles and beads or maybe a pretty hat or piece of lace. It doesn't take much at all. We can even just pick a flower when out and about and tuck it behind our ear.

Yes, I did have to notice the light coming in the window, shining on this pretty blouse. Just the light took my breathe away.

Sometimes I can't help myself, I just must touch. Thankfully, I didn't see a do not touch sign. I love to touch old fabrics. Oh, I touch new fabrics too. When I go through a clothing store I can't resist touching as I walk by. And sometimes just the touch will sell me on something I hadn't been looking for. Do you touch when you shop for clothes?

There is a song that says, It's a Hard Luck Life. Everyone has times that are part of that hard luck life, but it is how we choose to live it that counts. It counts that we decorate ourselves and dance.  Another song is I Keep on Dancing on my Own. That is exactly what I do for myself and what I tell others to do too. Let's all keep dancing, decorating our world, and we will certainly find JOY through all the tough times.

And then I found this smile.

He made me smile back.

Have an amazing week and don't forget to dance.

Yes, I know, I just got back from traveling to Alaska, but an opportunity came along last week and I said "yes!". I leave Sunday for 10 days, traveling to Provence (the south of France). My "live-in gardener" is staying home and I am flying off to meet others and play awhile. There may be a little shopping too. I might even dance in the street. France has always had my heart and I needed one more adventure there.

I will see you in a couple weeks for pictures.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Queen for a Day!

 When I was in high school there was a show on TV called Queen for a Day. During that time I traveled with my aunt, uncle, and cousins to Southern California where my aunt went on the show to tell her hard luck story and why she should be Queen for a Day. She didn't win, but it was a real eye opener for me. I learned that everyone has a hard luck story, life can be hard at times! It's how we learn to live with it, how we tell our story, and how we carry ourselves. Do we walk with our head down, defeated? Or do we hold our head up high and rejoice at the little things?

When I saw this sign at the antique mall this past week I just started thinking we all deserve to be treated like a Queen for the Day, each and every day.

These dresses at the antique mall reminded me of my mom. It was the era of the "house dress". She wasn't treated like a Queen, but she still knew how to laugh, smile, and love her neighbor or friend. We each deserve to dance.

What she and all of us deserve to wear and dance in is the following.

We are the Queen of Dreams and Reality too.

The yellow dress above doesn't show up well in the picture, but when I saw it I thought I would feel like a princess or a queen if I wore this. I would dance the night away, just floating on a cloud.

 I might not tell you my hard luck story because I know that is just the way life goes, but I can dream of being that Queen for a Day any day. I buy myself flowers because I deserve them. I take myself on adventures because I am my own Queen for the Day.

Remember to treat yourself with love and be your own Queen for the Day. And if we are very lucky, we will be treated by others like a queen or at the very least a princess. We deserve it!

Sending Love,

Marilyn

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

For me the kickoff to the Christmas season is the holiday show at my favorite antique mall in Portland. This post is showing most of the pictures I took this year at the show; so, it is picture heavy. I thought you might enjoy. It is indeed beginning to look like Christmas. Next week I will share my apartment pictures. Stay tuned!

Since I have downsized I don't really purchase, just taking pictures; but these butterflies fascinated me, and I did sneak one big butterfly on to my tree this year. So far, my "live-in gardener" hasn't noticed it. Now how can you avoid one large butterfly in this pretty green color? Just saying!

This wedding dress reminded me of my mother's wedding dress. The fabric even felt the same. I used to love playing dress up as a young girl in her wedding dress.

Now why didn't I smile? I was in my happy place.

I love, love the sparkle and shine of Christmas.

There seemed to be quite a few deer hiding here and there.

If I needed a chair, I could have been tempted by this yellow chair. It would brighten any room.

And sending best wishes of NOEL as we enter the season of JOY!

Love,

Marilyn

Focus on the Stars, The Wonders of the Season

 

Pull up a chair, let's sip a cup of tea and embrace this day of Thanksgiving. It can be a magical time of wonder or if watching the news, a time of terror. Let's hold on to the wonder of the season and be thankful. We will notice the warmth of sitting by the fire, wrapped in a cozy blanket and something warm in our hands. As we walk outside, we will notice the sounds of crisp leaves being stepped on or the sounds of the wind. We will tuck our hands in cozy mittens and our arms in a favorite warm coat.

Could this be the cozy coat or something simpler? Found at a local antique mall but didn't come home with me. I think I have simpler tastes. Just a quilted, puffy coat will do.

We will notice the simple things, like a paperwhite sitting on my kitchen windowsill.

Whatever path we take, always take time to notice those things of wonder and joy.

Sing a song of Thanksgiving and Rejoice at the simple, small things in your everyday life.

I am thankful for you and you. Thank you for stopping by. Have a most delightful week.

Sending love,

Marilyn

Spooky Daze

“Gather ye witches young and old for a cup of tea and a story to be told!"  Unknown

Because I am downsizing, I don't go to the antique mall to shop. I go for the smiles, I go to snap pictures, and I just go to surround myself with festive love. The Monticello mall here in Portland has the most wonderful seasonal events and I don't miss one of them. It's my own secret adventure. Don't tell anyone, it's my secret and I am sharing it with you.

I love the whimsy and silliness of Halloween.

Do you like to play a little bit?

I have a doll head very similar to the one tucked behind the skull. It scared my grandson so much, I had to hide it.

Do you think a woman US president could use this necklace?

Welcome to Autumn, dear friends!

 Sending love and spooky adventures!

Marilyn