Happy 55th Anniversary!

Recently, my sister and I headed down to central Illinois to celebrate a very special day ~

our parents 55th wedding anniversary!

Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

I know that it hasn't always been easy. I'm sure there are parts that you wouldn't want to relive again,

but you taught us about the strength of a marriage commitment meant to be kept until death do us part.

That if you can hang on through  the tough times, there are better times around the corner!

I'm planning for DH and I to meet that milestone as well...

It was fun for us to spend a weekend together, just the four of us.

We enjoy having our husbands and kids join us, but sometimes just the four of us is just right!

We spent an afternoon in Arcola, IL ~ home of Raggedy Ann and Andy.

Some lovely shops are there

Olde Brick Wall

The Primitive Goose

The Antique Emporium, which covers the entire second floor.

We had fun reminiscing about this President's set that we once had as kids.

Whatever happened to that?!

We think that you received them from a visit to either a gas station or a grocery store, but can't recall which.

And here are the treasures that came home with me:

This wonderful toleware painted bread tray - I have plans for the bottom that is very chippy.

I also have plans for

This wooden divided box. 

I also bought the blue and red coverlet piece to use in my creations, but once home I realized that all the edges are blanket stitched in a wonderful old red wool yarn and now I can't bear to cut it :)

While on our visit, my mom decided to pass on some of our family treasures.

My sister received a great Steiff monkey puppet that our grandfather gave our grandmother when they were dating. We remember them making us laugh with that puppet when we were small.

Our grandmother was also very active in the Eastern Star (masonic temple) and she received many of her treasures from those days.

And I received:   

Our great-grandmother's bible with a wonderful celluloid cover and metal hardware and closure. Dated 1887, it is written in Czech/Bohemian. In the back she wrote about the births and one death of her children - the dates, times and places. Each of her four children were born in a different home, but all in Chicago. I received her rosary - she was the last generation of Catholics as the subsequent generations are Lutheran. I'm not sure why... (and then I converted to Methodism in 2000). And fittingly enough I received her treasured stork scissors! I can't tell you how meaningful these treasures are - heartfelt treasures are the best!

Congratulations Mom & Dad!

I hope that you enjoyed your anniversary weekend as much as Pam and I did!

"If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

~ 1 Corinthians 13:1-7

Blessings, Patti