Extinct

We saved pandas, elephants, and bald eagles...can't we save newspapers from extinction? I think my blogging friends could put together a newspaper that every one would want to read! Hey Saucy, you are the entertainment editor,
Rebecca gets international news, Cha Cha gets op-ed,Marsha covers the arts, and Rochelle is the tech wiz!
I would pay $10.00 an issue for that kind of news!!!

Oops

We have about 5 inches of snow on the ground, and it is pretty darn heinous!!! Who knew it was going to snow more this year? I didn't, which explains why I donated Deke's winter coat and boots, and Lulu's boots last week. Oops, looks like we are shut-ins for the weekend.
It is difficult to keep from swearing every time I walk by the windows and see the snow. I have to think happy thoughts, and remember that soon I will have the flop sweats from the stifling heat and humidity.

Kitsch Quilts

My talented friend at Kitsch Designs is having a sale on her beautiful quilts! I just adore these quilts, and I would love to buy all three.

Spring-A-Ding-Ding

Martha's beautiful muffin liners

I buy the cheapest bags of speckled jelly beans
and throw away everything except the blue and green ones.

Ready for Spring cupcake decorating!

I've trotted out all of my light blues, greens and creams,
now I'm just waiting for Spring!!!

Movie, Movie, Movie

Could this be my new favorite movie?
Linda, Linda, Linda

I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the Japanese film, Linda, Linda, Linda. It is guaranteed that Lulu will adore a film about school girls starting a band, especially with their adorable school uniforms! Super cool music by the 80's Japanese punk band, The Blue Hearts. I will keep you posted if this is a must see.

Gloomy Days

It is a rather dreary and dark day in Chicago, so I have cranked the happy tunes and lit the birhouse on fire!!!! It is impossible to feel gloomy with Louis Prima blasting and candle light illuminating the house. I need to fill my white vases with white tulips and all will be fine in the Crispell home.
What do you do to rid the bad joojoo from your home?

Welkom, Ketʼili ikos tkʼveni/šeni mobrżaneba,Ahlan Wa Sahlan, Kia Ora

Welcome Friends!!!

It is so wonderful to see friends visiting this blog from all over the world! This is just a sampling of some of the people visiting yesterday. I hope I seem much more intelligent and entertaining after Blogger translation.
Last summer, a newspaper in Oman carried the Chicago Tribune article about our home. It was quite amazing to imagine that people on the other side of the world were reading about my family, collections and decorating style. I wondered how the good people of Oman related to an article about flea market decorating.
I am grateful to everyone for stopping by, wether you are down the street or 6 time zones away.

Big Boy

"It all began in 1936 when Bob Wian, the owner of a 10-seat diner in Glendale, California, invented an extraordinary double-decker hamburger and the "Big Boy" was born. The sandwich's success inspired Bob to name his diner Bob's Big Boy. When a customer sketched on a napkin a boy in overalls with a curl in his hair, the likeness became the diner's logo and is now one of the world's most recognized and beloved corporate icons."
Of course we collect Big Boys, how can you not? My lifelong dream is to own a giant Big Boy statue from a restaurant. We can use all of these Big Boy banks to save up for the Grandaddy of them all!!!

It is hard to believe that in the 93 years of my life, I have never seen the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C. That is all about to change! We have out plane tickies, swank digs, nice pants for Deke, a place to park Buddy, and we are good to go. We just have to wait a few weeks until the blossoms are in full bloom.
Any suggestions on places to dine, shop and see while we are there?????

Saturated With Color

The Chicago River

Boats dumped powered vegetable dye in the river to turn it green for St. Patrick's Day.
It is shockingly bright!

We had a perfect vantage point under Marina Towers.

Lunch at The House of Blues in Marina City.
This place is full of amazing colors and inspirations.

This chair is wonderful, every inch is covered in patterns, bottle caps,
and a lovely portrait.

Detail of a railing with bottle caps and bike lock fringe.

Isn't this fantastic ?

I loved the way the wood paneling was painted in the powder room.

I couldn't wait to get back home and cover everything in bottle caps and paint!

Enjoy!

Have a wonderful weekend!
We will be heading to Chicago in the morning to see the Chicago River
dyed green for St. Pat's Day.

I Love Etsy

I bought these adorable pillows from Vintage Jane on Etsy. I have discovered that any money I make on Etsy, immediately goes towards the purchase of a wonderful handcrafted item.

I am heading downtown today to scope out two large antique malls. How is it possible that I have never stepped foot in them? I'll keep you posted on what I find.

Happy 11th Deke!

Deke recently celebrated his 11th birthday!!!





Finger Lickin' Gift Givin'

Perhaps this is my cholesterol talking, but I find these unused fried chicken buckets quite charming! I think they will make the perfect gift basket for the right recipient. I found the buckets in two different junk stores in Chicago, and believe it or not, they were all super inexpensive. I had a feeling that the shopkeepers were muttering "people will buy anything",
as I left their shops.

Hello Cupcake!

Lulu and Deke have these to look forward to as their after school snacks today! We are thinking Spring.