Girlfriends and Greenhouses

Growing up as a child, I never realized how important family traditions would become to me. When you are young, attending yearly family events was just something that you did. As I grow older, I realize how precious these traditions really are. Some traditions are started from the time you are born and others just seem to develop later in life. One such tradition that has developed later in my life and has become so special to me happens each year around this time---the week before Mother's Day. My Mom, my best friend Heidi, and I all meet at a wonderful local greenhouse called Kaelins Farm Market where we choose our flowers for the coming season together. Kaelins is a family run farm and one of my favorite places to visit. From the moment you walk into the door you feel welcome. I love that Mrs. Kaelin remembers me from year to year and is always so friendly and helpful. Not only is it a beautiful greenhouse but there is also a little luncheon kitchen where some of the yummiest of treats are cooked up. If I time it right, I am sometimes greeted with the wonderful aroma of freshly baked sweets. In the Fall there is nothing better than a freshly baked apple pie still hot right from the oven.

Their greenhouses are simply wonderful. I could get lost wandering from greenhouse to greenhouse just taking in all the beauty.

I usually plant in the same color palette reds, yellows, and blues but this year these wonderful pink dahlias changed my mind. I just had to have them.

After making our selections we load all our beautiful flowers into our cars and hurry home to plant. I love that this annual event has now become a special tradition. The memories of this day last forever. All summer long as I care for these beauties, I am reminded of the two very special people who share this day with me.

A Wonderful Surprise......

When I decided to enter into the world of etsy and blogging, it was mainly to share my art with others. I had no idea that I would meet so many wonderful people in the process. I must say that I have really enjoyed getting to know new friends and chatting with them on line. The inspiration they give me through their art work and their blogs is amazing. One such person is Barbara of Southern Lady's Vintage. Her Etsy shop is filled with lovely vintage pieces. If you love roses as I do, please take a minute to look at all of her hand painted items with the most romantic roses that I have ever seen. Barbara also has a beautiful blog. From the moment you enter her blog you know it is someplace special. You are greeted with such beautiful music which invites you stay and visit for a while. Barbara recently had a special give away on her blog to celebrate her 100th post!! Guess what----I won. I was so happy to be part of the celebration and the recipient of such a lovely gift.

Thank you so much and Happy 100th post Barbara. I look forward to many more to come!

Home Sweet Home

Having someplace to go is home.

Having someone to love is family.

Having both is a blessing.

I have been truly blessed by both a loving family and a place of my own to call home. My home is not one of grand stature, but it is one full of love and wonderful memories. It is the place where we started our family, it is the place where our family has gathered for many picnics, a place where many a holiday and birthday have been celebrated, a place where our friends are always welcome, a place where we feel safe and comfortable.

Each room in my home is special to me, each in it's own way. I look at my son's room once a room decorated in the soft colors of a baby's nursery now filled with things belonging to a 17 year old young man. Wrestling trophy's, an electric guitar, an x box, and Cd's have long replaced teddy bears, Lego's and matchbox cars.

As I look at my kitchen, I am reminded of how when I decided to redecorate, my family and friends chipped right in to help out. Never complaining when the cabinets needed just one more coat of paint then we had originally thought. My best friend's husband took so much time and care to hang wainscoting giving the room that cottage look that I love.

Our game room filled with vintage signs and framed sports jerseys--the place my son and husband "hang out" with each other. I love the sound of their laughter as they watch a goofy movie that only

they would enjoy.

My craft room that has allowed me so much happiness as I create. Someday I will show you pictures when it is just a little more tidy (lol)

Then there is my living room. The one place in my house that I can retreat to when there is craziness everywhere else. The room with no TV where I can just sit and think. The place where I have decorated with my true personality. This is the room that I sit and visit with special friends and the room I would love to share with you.

This sweet pillow was made for me by my mom. She is such a talented sewer and quilter. I plan on sharing more of her work with you in my mother's day post. I can't wait to show you her amazing quilts--I know you will love them.

I guess the line from one of my favorite movies is true----There really is no place like HOME!

How Time Flies

I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand.
You felt so good in it; no bigger that a minute.
How it amazes me you're changin' with every blink.

Faster than a flower blooms, they grow up all too soon.

~lyrics from song entitled "Let them be little"~
~Written and sung by artist Billy Dean~

It seems like just yesterday that I woke my husband at 4:30am to tell him it was time to go the hospital. Oh I can still remember how excited and nervous I was to become a mother. For as long as I can remember, that was my dream--to be a mommy. This day April 26, 1991 that dream would finally come true. I had a son, Alexander William Panormios and he was mine to love forever.
Time passes so quickly. It really does seem as though I blinked and he grew into a young man.
Today we celebrated Alex's 17th birthday with a picnic--the first of the season. Grandmas and grandpas, aunts and uncles, cousins and friends enjoying each others company and celebrating Alex. What better way to spend a Saturday.
Happy Birthday Son
I love you!!

***Alex's first Birthday-----17 years ago . Good thing he still doesn't eat like this :) ***

Crafty Sweetness

What do you do with a few minutes all to yourself?---- read a book, take a bubble bath, listen to music. Well with my few minutes I decided to wander around a craft store and check out what was new. I also had a 40% off coupon for Michaels that I just couldn't let go to waste :) I wandered up and down the isles looking at everything from silk flowers to rubber stamps finding nothing to spend my coupon on. Oh well, I thought, this coupon will just have to expire. And then I spied them. The cutest new die cuts from Sizzix. There were love bugs, teddy bears, baby girl and boy die cuts---I just could not decide. If you would like to take a peek at all the die cuts, here is the link to the Sizzix website.....http://www.sizzix.com/campaigns/cshow/2 I decided on the baby animal set.
Aren't they the sweetest little animals! I could hardly wait to create something with them. This is what I came up with........
This little elephant card was made with the new baby line from Melissa Frances. I just love this paper. It is so soft and sweet.


The little giraffe and lion cards were made with one of my all time favorite lines of paper--Tres Jolie by My Mind's Eye.
Let me know what you think-------

A Beautiful Nuisance

As I was contemplating starting my blog and opening my etsy shop, many thoughts swam in my head. What would I write about, what would I sell in my shop and what in the world would I call my blog and shop? Oh I had a list of names---which one should I choose? I finally decided on Dandelion Wishes. Why that name you ask? Why a dandelion--they are such a nuisance poking their little yellow heads right out into the beautiful green grass. Then there are those little white seed parachutes floating over my lawn just looking for a place to land and grow more little yellow heads in my beautiful grass. If I would have stopped at that thought I never would have choosen the dandelion to represent my blog. Who want's to be known as a nuisance?? Not me :)

As I stopped and looked at the little yellow flower, I discovered that it is really quite beautiful. With it's many petals and it's happy yellow color I found it to be really very cheery. And then the thought struck me. There are many things that come into our lives that at first we consider a nuisance. But if we really stop to think about them, often they can become a thing of beauty--teaching lessons and helping us to grow and mature in our lives. I couldn't think of a better name for my blog and shop. It helps to remind me to stop and see the beauty in all situations, to ask myself what lesson am I to be learning, and how does this situation help me to grow into a better person. I wish that for all of you my friends as well.

And who could not love a bouquet of these sweet little beauties. Hand picked with tiny hands just for you and given to you with all the love in the world.

Flea Market Pretties and Beautiful Banners

As I have shared in previous posts, one of my favorite things to do on beautiful days is to treasure hunt at local flea markets. Well it was a simply lovely day today--sunny and warm--the perfect day for treasure hunting. So my husband, my son (yes who should have been in school :), Emma (the little girl I babysit), and I piled into the car and headed for Rogers, Ohio. An amazing flea market is held there every Friday. Rows and Rows of treasures just waiting to be discovered. I usually dig into every box I see, I could be there for hours and hours. Today however I did use some restraint knowing that the patience of a three year old would soon be gone. Emma and I searched the booths together looking for the perfect purchases. We had fun looking at all the vintage toys. She was such a good girl and so patient. Just look at the beautiful things we found :

First is this lovely vintage rhinestone crown pin. I just could not leave this behind. And guess what it was only $1.00. I could hardly believe it.

Oh and I just loved these pretty little pins and sweet earrings. I can just picture how they will look on my next collage.

And these precious buttons---all in my favorite colors.

I think my favorite treasure of the day is this sweet vintage rose pin. I wish I had a whole garden of this precious pin.

Before I close this post for today I would love to share with you this splendid mosaic collage sent to me by Tamy Ottomeyer. Tamy is the gracious host of a banner swap that I recently participated in. She has a lovely blog Ga Ga for Garlands http://simplymein.typepad.com/gagaforgarlands/

I had such fun creating my banner and really appreciate all her hard work to make this swap possible. Thank you again Tamy!!!! I love to see all the creative work that went into these banners. Enjoy the collage---each banner is just lovely.

Biscotti, Lavender, and Ribbon

Today was one of the most enjoyable days!! I spent the whole day having fun with my mom. The weather was sunny and warm--the perfect day to spend at the Strip. No I didn't say to strip :) Here in Pittsburgh, just east of the city, we have a terrific place called The Strip District. It is known for its wholesalers, restaurants and fun funky shops. There are so many ethnic groups represented in the Strip and the street vendors are plenty as well selling everything from ethnic food to T-Shirts. We had a wonderful lunch at a diner called Pamela's and then we shopped until we dropped. Here are a few of my favorite purchases.

If you like Biscotti, this is the place for you. I bought these at the most amazing little bakery. There were so many flavors I could hardly decide. I finally made my selection and left happily with them as well as a coconut macaroon that I ate right away!!!! So YUMMY!!!

These next two purchases are from one of my favorite shops ever. A little shop called Roxannes Dried Flowers. As soon as you enter this shop you know it is someplace special. It is packed full of beautiful dried flowers, wreaths, ribbons, and wonderful rod iron art for the garden. In the back of the shop is a door that leads out onto a patio. In the summer this patio is full of beautiful flowers. I could stay there forever and just dream the day away. The picture above is of some beautiful fragrant lavender. I just couldn't leave without filling a container to take with me. I love lavender---the smell is so romantic.

I also couldn't leave without these beautiful ribbons. The colors were so soft and they all have that wonderful vintage look that I love so much. The day was topped off with the most delicious chi-tea latte from a wonderful coffee shop called Prestogeorge.
The lunch and shopping were so much fun, but the best part of the day was spending time with my mom. She is not only my mother but also my friend.

Celebrate Nature

Oh this month has been a month of firsts for me. I decided to take the plung into the world of blogging. Then after listening to my friends describe how much fun they had participating in various swaps, I decided to join the fun and participate in my first ever swap. It was hosted by Tamy Ottomeyer for GaGa for Garlands. The theme of this swap was" Celebrate." We could celebrate anything we wanted as long as it was incorporated somewhere on our banner. I thought about it for days---What could I celebrate?--- Then as I was doing my dishes looking out of my kitchen window it hit me. I could hear the birds singing, see the tree in my front yard bursting into bloom, the daffodils and tulips were up with the most beautiful buds--I could celebrate Nature. Something that in our busy lives we sometimes forget to notice and appreciate. So I set to work. I must say this was truly a fun project to complete. Here is a picture of my finished banner. I hope my partner enjoys it as much as I enjoyed creating it for her.

As I thought about my blog entry today, I knew I was going to share about my banner. I decided to take a walk around my yard and just appreciate the beautiful nature that surrounded me. Here are a few pictures of what I enjoyed this afternoon.

It was nice to stop and appreciate the beauty of nature. If you get the chance, take a moment to enjoy the beauty around you.

Happy Birthday Heidi!!!!!!

Sometimes in life we are given blessings beyond all of our expectations. My very best friend, Heidi, is one of these blessings. Heidi and I have been friends our whole lives. Our parents became friends while living in the same apartment building shortly after they were married. When it was time to move into a house, it was decided that they would build right next to eachother. Heidi was born in April and I the following February. From that day on we would be forever friends. Infact it was Heidi that gave me the name Mimi. My given name is actually Maureen but I guess that was just too difficult for a 10 month old to say so I became "Mimi". Growing up was great having your best friend just a walk across the yard away. We have so many memories of the fun things we did. We had sleepovers, camp outs on the patio, played dolls for hours, and of course played dress up.

Oh yes, I am the one on the left--notice my choice of outfit. Well it is one of my favorite colors, aqua. I have no idea what is on my head:) Heidi is the tidy, proper, pulled together one on the right. This picture certainly matches our personallities today. I have a nickname for her "Tidy Heidi" . When she would come to my house to play, we would have to tidy up my room first. My mom loved it when Heidi came to play :)

As we grew up we grew closer together. Going through all those things little girls go through. Family vacations, our first boyfriends, our first heartbreak, going off to college, our engagements, our weddings, the birth of our first child (both sons of course), happy times and sad times. We have been there for eachother.

Our friendship is truely a gift to me and I don't know what I would ever do without her. I started this blog a few days after Heidi's actual bithday on April 12 but I wanted to wish my best friend a Happy Birthday even if it is a couple of days past.

Welcome!!!!!

Hello and Welcome to my blog, Dandelion Wishes. I have been considering starting a blog for several months now and with much encouragement from my friends and family I have finally decided to give it a try. I have been inspired by so many talented ladies and their amazing blogs. I hope you enjoy reading my blog half as much as I do theirs. I have listed some of my favorites for you to enjoy.

Well maybe I will start off by telling you a little about myself. I will be celebrating my 21st wedding anniversary this year with a wonderful man named Alex. We were high school sweethearts of sorts--eventhough we went to different high schools. We have a 16 (almost 17 year old) son also named Alex. He adds so much to our lives. I tease him that he drives me crazy, but I wouldn't trade him for the world. I am an accountant by degree but I currently babysit two precious little girls in my home. They are sisters ages 3 and 7. Both girls came to me at age 7 weeks and have become a special part of our family. I love doing all those "little girl" things with them--playing doll house, having tea parties, playing dress up--you know all those things that I didn't do with Alex :)


I love all things vintage. I am just drawn to the special treasures of the past. There is nothing like soft romantic lace, sweet buttons, wonderful old aprons, anything with "chippy" white paint, well loved childrens books, postcards from far away places and of course anything with sweet pink roses. One of my favorite past-times is searching for these treasures at estate sales, flea markets, and garage sales. How exciting to open up a box and find rolls of seam binding that has long been forgotten. I love the history these items give us. I wonder --what child loved this book or what favorite recipe was made in this apron---oh I could daydream all day.

Well before I close my first blog entry I would love to share with you two of my recent estate sale finds.

First is this wonderful beaded purse with it's tiny pink flowers. I think I actually squealed with delight.


Oh and I just couldn't leave this precious jewlery box with it's beautiful ballerina dancing so gracefully to "Beautiful Dreamer". Can you imagine that I got both of these treasures for 50 cents each!!!! A wonderful day of treasure hunting.
I am looking forward to sharing more with you in the days and weeks to come. Good night for now
~Mimi~