Islands In The Stream...Er...

...kitchen...have always been something I envied. Now, remember

I don't have a big kitchen. And after watching far too much of HGTV's House Hunters, I have

come to realize that I possess a kitchen "too small for any living human being" (Does this mean UNLiving folks will fit?), that has

 "old fashioned Granny cabinets", and, for the pièce de résistance, is "positively grotesque"! All comments I heard last week alone about kitchens resembling my own. But I digress.

Suffice to say I do not have an HGTV dream kitchen. But I now do have an island...well...of sorts. But I like it. I really like it!

Recently, the vivacious and always glamorous Sue from Sullivan and Murphy,

and I spent a morning and afternoon sale-ing around garages and yards. *smile*

We came home *mostly* empty handed. But I had seen the cutest old sewing table bottom and wow. I wanted it. Sue knew I did but she and I were in total agreement that I NOT buy it!

Why? The lady of the house would not dicker at all. We tried for a measly 3 dollars off her asking price. She just turned and went inside. Not even a response! Obviously we offended her sensibilities.

We are pretty rude sorts you know. But this was a GARAGE sale. We were not in a high end department store. I may be a virgin yard sale-er but I have come to learn that dickering is expected and yes. Even desired! And we only asked for 3 dollars off! So we left. Uh huh.

So here is what Sue has yet to find out. (This is a little surprise for her by the way!)

The next week I was out with Bill and I asked him to drive by the house. We know the area as we had once looked at the house next door to purchase. I wanted him to see this house...and gadzooks!

They were having another garage sale. We pulled up and what did my little eye spy?

You betcha.

And had she come down 3 dollars? More like 15! Yippee!

So Sue? You were right!

Oh, and this is the first time I have shown off our new tile floor! What do you think? It only took us 8 years to do...next up? New counters. Let's hope they will go in in less time! *smile*

Let's Go Down To Rike's...Er..The Schuster!

Going into Dayton, to see a show or performance at The Schuster, is always a treat.

It is a beautiful structure, inside and out!

But there was a time that going down to Second and Main meant something very different...

To Daytonians it meant,  "Going down to Rike's".

Rikes was a seven-story department store in downtown Dayton, Ohio. It began in the 1850's as a dry goods firm and moved to the corner of Second and Main in 1912 where it remained until it was demolished in 1999.

Once upon a time, a wonderful and magical holiday tradition was on prominent display, entertaining and delighting children of all ages - hopefully creating memories that would last for the duration of their lives.

These glorious windows became the focal point of Christmas in downtown Dayton, and nearly every area family would bring children downtown each December to enjoy the magnificent presentations featuring dancing elves, woodland creatures, happy families and all manner of holiday delights!

Yes, for most of us who grew up in the Dayton, Ohio area, going down to Rike's department store during the holidays was a must do! Their windows were just such fun! I can still remember standing in the bitter temperatures, nose pressed to the cold glass, drinking in every single detail each scene offered.

Now, I am sure that to our technology fed children, these scenes seem all too simple in nature and but to us, the children of the 50s and 60s, they were an integral part of our Christmas magic.

When Rike's was imploded to make way for the Schuster, these scenes were salvaged and reconditioned. Each holiday season they are, once again, brought to life in the very spots where they once delighted scores of children. Where once they were inside of Rike's, they now spend the holidays inside the Wintergarden section of the Schuster Center. They stand ready to bring smiles to the young ones and fond memories to those of us who are a wee bit older!

Just yours truly, doing what I love to do...

I so enjoy going downtown to see these wonderful treasures, and thsis year I went with my buddy Sue Sullivan...we had such a sweet day. Thank you Suey!

And thank YOU for going along with us and sharing in my Dayton Christmas memories!

I am a little behind this year due to Kip's sudden illness...but things are slowly getting done.

Cards are mailed and shopping is finsihed. Grace and I are about to begin baking....love the smells of Christmas!

Thank you to everyone for your prayers and concern for Kipper. He is not feeling like himself, the meds do that, and not quite up to snuff but we all know recovery takes time! How I wish I could explain that to him! Poor baby! We cannot leave him alone so Grace and I will stay until Dan and Bill get in from work. Then she and I will be off to get all we need for our Christmas Eve dinner.

I hope you are all having a sweet week and that your holiday plans are falling into place.

Love and Candy Cane Hugs,

Susie Q

Sue, Sue & Kari's Big Adventure

I am a little late to post this day of fun but here goes! Last Thusday I had such a sweet time!

Our dear  friend Kari of Just Livin' Large was here for a few days. I wanted her to meet Sue S from Sullivan and Murphy and Sue to meet Kari! I picked up Sue, picked up Kari and away we went! Yes folks, they actually trusted me to drive! Silly girls...

We began our day at Fulton Farm near Tipp City, Ohio.

Sue S. showing off the delicious angel food cakes you can find here!

This was my purchase that morning at Fulton Farm!

Tippacanoe and Tyler Too is a wonderful store in an old hotel. Room after room

 filled with all manner of delights!

I loved the staircase in the old hotel.

Kari doing a little window shopping!

The very lovely Kari and Sue pointing out a *frightfully* pretty bride in the front window

of Feather Your Nest, just the greatest shop! We all found fun bits and bobs we could NOT live without!

They have the most wonderful vignettes!

Boo!

Across the street we found Cognac...a very pretty shop filled with lots of treasures...

If you have longed to find a bust of Gandhi that you can put a plant into (and haven't we all?), well then, this

shop has what you are looking for!

We headed back into Dayton and showed Kari a little of the downtown area. Then we decided to pop into the 2nd Street Market. It is quiet on Thursday so we were able to quickly see it all and pick up some freshly baked bread and other goodies.

Then we hopped on down to Waynesville and had

lunch at The Hammel House Inn, perused a few shops and saw

 such great old houses like this...

And here you have the chubby thorn between 2 gorgeous roses! Sue S., me, Susie Q and Kari! Aren't they  beautiful ladies? Two wonderful, fun and very dear ladies too!

I had such a sweet time with both of them and know that the fabulous Sue S. and I will have many more adventures...she lives near by after all! And I bet I speak for Sue too when I say we hope Kari will get back to the midwest soon. VERY soon! I miss her akready! We love ya and loved being with you!

And do NOT let either of these girls fool you...they are both knockout pretty, smart and fun!

I hope that all of you are having a week filled with smiles!


And don't forget to sign up for my 3rd Year Blogging Anniversary giveaway!
Just leave a comment on THIS post!

Love and Hugs,

Susie Q