An afternoon stroll down route 66

 

Yesterday, I finished painting the baseboards in my living room so I thought I’d take a stroll down Route 66. Care to join me? I thought you might.
For about a year now all you could see were tall wooden walls and “Coming Soon” signs throughout the park, but last Friday the walls came down. The Big Reveal! Carsland in Disney’s California Adventure!

As you can see, traffic jams along the route. Wall to wall people. Oi Vey was it ever crowded!! There were people walking about with tires on their heads, which I failed to get pictures of, but I’m sure there will be plenty more opportunities. After all, Disney does pride themselves on the fact that they are a “Retail Destination” and no longer a family destination for making memories. Don’t get me wrong, I love the mouse and his magic kingdom, but one shouldn’t have to take out a loan in order to take the wife and kids on holiday…Oh! So sorry about the rabbit trail ranting. Where were we? Oh yes! Route 66.

Everywhere you turned there were people people people. So many people that it was hard to get pictures of anything. So I did a lot of looking up.
Speaking of looking up, up ahead you could see Flo’s Diner serving up an assortment of tasty treats. I couldn’t tell you what they were since it was so crowded, but it looked like fun.

The interior of Flo’s was like stepping through a portal into the past. Black and white checkered floors and lots of 50’s décor. Flo and her fabulous girls were painted across one of the huge walls. The colors were just yummy.

After spending about an hour in the hot sun I decided to escape the crowds and headed to the new Ghirardelli Soda shop. I’ve always wanted to visit the original one in San Francisco, but never made it there. Now I understand it’s closed, so Disney’s will have to do. I stopped to enjoy a Ghirardelli Chocolate ice cream in a dark chocolate covered waffle cone. It was delicious!

After that I headed back home to do more work. Hubby and I decided that since the room was torn apart we may as well replace the trim around the windows. I think we may be working backwards, but often that is our way.

Have you ever taken a trip down route 66? I remember as a child road trips taken with my family. The three of us kids piling into the back seat of the old Cadillac and taking off for destinations unknown. I think the section of road I remember the most was in Holbrook Arizona with the Wigwam Village Motel. Does any one remember that place? How I longed to stay the night in one, but we always kept driving right passed the wigwams. Makes me wonder if they’re still there, but then since I added the link above, they must be “-).

So, if you have any memories of route 66, I’d love to know what they are “-). 

It’s that Magical Fanciful Time of YeAr…

 

Can you guess what it is?

 

It’s the 5th Annual MaD TeA PaRty Hosted by the most adorable Fanciful Elfin creature to exist…Vanessa Valencia and her Beloved Beau…ThE MaD HaTTer…
(aka, Mister Lovee)!
It doesn’t get any funner than this in Bloglandia,
(and yes! “Funner” is a real word)
so won’t you join us for another fun filled wacky few days of blog hopping through the list of party goers?
I know I’ll be there and it would be fun to see you too!!

Don’t forget the date!

July 28th 2012 

you can click on the image above for more details 

Coming up for air

 

Well, I managed to make it through another semester and am hoping to have only one more to go…hopefully! Last summer I took an online class in “code writing” which I really enjoyed, but I decided to take this summer off and get some projects done around my beloved Brambleberry Cottage. The effect time and neglect have had on our weence little dwelling is staggering. Where does one even begin? I decided to start with the living room. I have been in the mood for a bright springy color after staring at brown walls for the past 15 years. And yes! I did say “15.” I looked around one day and realized I was living in a time capsule…nothing had changed in 15 years. No furniture rearranging, no fresh new fabrics, no change at all. Quite disturbing for a girl who thrives on change.

So I painted the rooms green.  This past week I finished the living room and entry and now I’m replacing the baseboards with help from my dear hubby. He gets to do all the measuring and cutting while I paint.
You can see to the left of the door the new moldings, which are very exciting in my way of thinking. I just love progress, don’t you? Even if it’s a bit slower than I’d like, but much depends on my hubby who has to work all day then come home to the wife who’s head is bubbling over with ideas, which in turn means more work for him. OH! See that front door? I’d Love for him to cut it in half and transform it into a Dutch door. Seems simple enough, right? Right! I might even paint the inside of it pink. I’m definitely painting the outside of it pink! Pink doors make me extraordinarily happy.

Now here’s something that I’ve wanted to do for many many many years. Paint this old filthy fireplace white. Don’t get me wrong, I find the old brick to be very charming, however it’s also dark and dingy at the same time. While it worked well with the brown walls it seems perfectly out of place with the fresh spring green.

So, armed with a can of paint and a brush…viola! It is now white. Well, at this stage it’s only primed and there’s still more to come.

About 10 years ago I bought these gorgeous tiles from Dard Hunter’s grandson while at a local Craftsman Faire. I had always planned to design a surround for the fireplace, but never got around to it, so, this is the year and I’m very excited about this as well. I wish you could see the colors in real life because the picture just doesn’t do them justice. They’re very vibrant and glossy looking. Beautiful to my eye.
Of course the existing mantle will be removed and replaced with a new one that will be fully integrated into the surround. Plus it will be removable just in case we move one day, which I’m sure will never happen, but just in case “-).

I also bought 15 yards of fabric from Calico Corners to make new drapes. They’re having a 20% off sale so the timing was perfect! I’m still waiting for it to arrive via post. It has a very English feel with its creamy yellow background and pink roses scattered among apple blossoms. The shades are all soft and muted tones. “Lovely,” says I.

 

Then once all that is done I’ll be able to start re-arranging all the lovely little vignettes scattered about Brambleberry cottage. So much fun!

Do you have any fun plans for this summer?