Mr. Bates and a Happy Halloween

Not the Mr. Bates you were hoping for?

 That doesn't make Mother Bates very happy.

You know what happens when Mother isn't happy.

Are you scared, Chicken Little?

No?

How about a little Jack for ya then?

Just in case he didn't scare you last year.  (that post here)

Boo ya.

I embroidered my version of Mrs. Bates onto dark blue velvet and stuck it into an old frame.

The wonderful, perfect Mother spoon was purchased in Distressed Donna's Etsy Shop.

There are 3!  I found them irresistable.  I have a Bates thing.

The Jack-o-Lantern was made from an old lantern I found at reStore.

No watching The Shining this year...
I think we're going for Bette Davis in
Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte.
Or maybe Baby Jane.
Although I do have a tendency to laugh uproariously at the scary parts
because Bette is just so...well, so Bette.
I love old Bette Davis films.
Make it a fun night, whatever you do-  and enjoy your candy coma.
You know you will.
You know I will.

Happy Halloween!

Mushroom City

Mushrooms.

Ugh, I know.

But I can't help but see the beauty in the textures.

Nature presents us with so many things to look at if we only slow down to see them.

Just look at the gorgeous light.

 From my window it appeared that hamburger buns had been thrown into the grass.

I had to investigate.

I'd never seen these in our yard before.

Pretty with the last of the crepe myrtle blossoms.

Look at the ruffles.

As you can see, I was very intriqued.

The only thing I know about mushrooms that grow in the yard 

is to keep the dogs from eating them.

That, and the gnomes.

Where there be mushrooms...
there is sure to be a gnomemobile close by.

Brucie is hiding in the wedelia with eyes closed.

If he can't see them, they can't see him!

Now on to the winnings...

Andi likes owls and navy blue, this is one of her requests.
These sketchy doodle patterns have been fun to embroider.

She also chose custom towels with navy embroidered names- which are top secret, btw.
I can't show them.

And this kitchen towel.

 Tuula is the Queen Pink Lady, so it's all things pink for her.
Vintage 1950's pink apron, chenille fabric remnant, embroidered hand towels,
vintage napkins/placements, etc.

Tuula has an Etsy shop where she sells beautiful wind chimes made from vintage silverware.
Spoonfuls of Whimsy- HERE.

I purchased these as a birthday gift to myself last summer...they hang in my office.
You'll see more of them in a future post.
They are so pretty and unique.

Packages are on their way to the post office, ladies.
Enjoy!

Mystery Lady in a Box

I found this photo box at my favorite roadside antique stop.

I find it so interesting.

Who was she?

Who carried her face around in this tiny box?

Perhaps her husband, a Civil War soldier?

Many soldiers carried these tiny boxes with pictures of their loved ones.

These are called union cases, named so not because of any reference to the Union, 

but rather in regard to the union of materials used to create them.

Sawdust and varnish were typically used and referred to 

as thermoplastic- melted down and then formed in dies.

They were commonly used from the mid 1850's thru the mid 1870's.

The inside is lined with a faded velvet from long ago, as they all were.

There are some elements missing from this one as you can see from the photo below.

(photo from ebay)

The only clue is this photographers stamp.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find much information other than 

a few other photos taken around 1861.

These cases typically contained "dags" or Daguerreotype,

Ambrotype,Tintype or CdV images.

I am pretty sure that this photo is a Carte de Visite, or CdV.

Any experts out there?

Clue me in...I'm very interested!

She was so sad that I gave her a little makeover,

but even coral lipstick can't turn her frown upside down.

All these sourpuss photos amuse me.

Although in her defense, there was little to smile about during that time.

Can you imagine the laughter years from now when all the 

"duck face" selfies come to light?

Or maybe they'll be concerned that there was an epidemic of some sort

that caused our faces to contort in such a way.

Kardashdementia???

Yikes.

Thanks tons, Kimmy.

Anyway, this was a fun little discovery and I loved the history of the piece.

I might want a few more.

I definitely want the books on the subject.

Giveaway prize photos are up in a few days.

And the giveaway goes to....

 Hello Monday!

For two of you it's a happy day...

I have begun work on Disturbed Delilah Andi and Vintage Vixen Tuula's giveaway packages

and will be posting them on completion.

Thanks for entering ladies!

Congrats!

I hope you enjoy your custom created packages.

For all of you fist pounders that weren't chosen, blame doped up Magoo.

He picked the winners in his pain killer haze after dental surgery.

Please, no crying.

I can't take any more crying.

I'll be having another giveaway in November, 

so don't despair.

Thanks to all of you that entered and have a great week!

Gratitude

I have been the lucky winner of some wonderful giveaways lately.

I have also been the recipient of some lovely gifts from the hearts of my BB's.

(That's Blog Buddies for you regular peeps.)

Suzan loves these Willow Tree figurines- aren't they so her?

Every time I look at this one (called Gratitude) I smile.
This was a very special giveaway.

This was part of Suzan's giveaway...Annie Sloan fragrance collection in Paris, of course.

Her gracious friend, Caroline, sent me the diffuser and it smells wonderful.

It's also very elegant and beautiful.

As soon as my desk is cleared, it will reside there.

Donna had a giveaway celebrating the new Make It Monday party.
I got to choose from her Etsy shop.
I have plans for these little goodies.

The biggest gift that I have received from blogging is that of friendship.

I know that you have all heard it before, but it's so true.

We find our people here.

And though we are miles apart, we are connected.

As bloggers, yes- but more so as women.

Women who really and truly care about one another.

I would have never met so many wonderful, talented, kind, loving

crazy ass lunatics like myself.

True sisters of the heart.

Different, yet the same.

My people.

I look around my home and I smile at all the reminders of this...

Thank you, Bliss!
These beauties are custom made by B's daughter.
They are cake testers.
In my house, they are husband stabbers.
Every once in awhile he needs a little poke in the butt.
I poke that man in high style with these babies.

These beautiful hydrangeas arrived one day- I love hydrangeas, but I can't grow them in my yard.
Kirby sent them as a surprise.
Or maybe she forgot...or maybe I forgot.
They make me happy, like I've got sunshine on a cloudy day.
Thanks, Buttercup.

Kris is featured in this gorgeous issue- and she autographed it, too.
I had to persuade her, but she's nice like that.
She also has a lovely guest room waiting for me to visit- with chocolates.
Even though Susan got there first.

Danni risked her life fighting with this wild stuff.

I'd never had real bittersweet- it sure doesn't grow around here.

I loved having it all around the house last fall.

Thank you for not including the spiders.

I would have had to send you scary doll parts in retaliation.

And last, but certainly not least....Donna.

You know how much this means to me- it will be a forever keep.
I still get teary when I look at it, but mostly I feel the comfort from another soul who understands.
Thank you, dear sweet lady.

Now, it's time for me to have a long overdue giveaway.

All you need to do is comment here on the blog.
If you haven't liked The Keeping Room on FB, I'd appreciate the click.
It's not necessary to win.  You can ignore it completely.
Nothing will happen.
You know I think all that jumping thru hoops stuff is a bunch of nonsense.

Ok, get to the good part, you say....

I'm going to pick two winners next Monday, Oct. 13.

In your comment, choose one of the following catagories:

Feisty Frenchy
Monogrammed Myrtle
Disturbed Delilah 
Vintage Vixen
Bat Sh+t Bertha

Comment to your hearts content if you feel that you just can't commit to one choice.
Comment all day, every day...no rules.
How's that for some radical stimulus?

Now, I must run off to get my nails done...I ruined my manicure with paint.
Big surprise, hmmm?

Good luck everyone!

Let's Play 50 Questions

Kirby made me do it.

1. What are you wearing? 

Gray tee and drawstring pants- covered in paint. 

I'm on a break from painting my sons room.

I might not go back.

2. Ever been in love?

Like Roberto Benigni, I love-a everybody!

3. Ever have a terrible break-up?  

Several...and the stalkers to go with it.

4. How tall are you? 

5'6

5. How much do you weigh? 

110 lbs.  She lies! lies! lies!

6. Any tattoos? 

Hell, no.  I would never.  It hurts.

7. Any piercings? 

Just ears...two on one side and three on the other for that diamond stud.

I haven't used but one in each ear for close to 30 years.

8. OTP (One true pair, favorite fictional couple?) 

Elllll-eee-uttt and E.T

9. Favorite Show?

Blacklist

10. Favorite Bands?

The Eagles, Journey, Maroon 5

11. Something you miss?

The good old days.

12. Favorite Song?
I Won't Let You Go by James Morrison.  I belt it out everytime I'm in the car- and have done it for the last three years.  And the video has stayed with me all these years.  I love the message.

13. How old are you? 
How old do you think I am?  I'm 27+5+13+3+2+5 minus 3

14. Zodiac sign?
Gemini.  That means I have an evil twin.  See above.

15. Quality to look for in a partner?
Humor.  This is the only reason Magoo is alive today.

16. Favorite Quote?

That tastes bad.  That tastes like not having a dog. - Sweetie Pie Thomas

17. Favorite Actor?

Robert Duval

18. Favorite Color?
Green 

19. Loud music or soft?

Both.

20. Where do you go when you are sad?

I take to the bed, y'all.

21.  How long does it take you to shower?
As long as I please.  I love hot showers and sugar scrubs.

22.  How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

Ready for what?  The only thing I'm ready for is coffee.

23. Ever been in a physical fight?
Yes, every day when I put on my jeans.

24. Turn on? 

Intelligence


25. Turn-off?

Arrogance

26. The reason I started blogging?
Miss Mustard Seed told me I could.

27. Fears?

Daddy Long Legs and choking on a powdered donut.

I had a near death experience from both!

28. Last thing that made you cry?
Thinking about Henry the other night.

29. Last time you said you loved someone?
Five minutes ago when Magoo left for a doctors visit.


30. Meaning behind the name of your blog (What We Keep)?
What We Keep refers to pieces of ourselves- our souls, our loves, our losses.  And all the things we keep close to us that tell the story of our lives...or something.


31. Last book you read?
The Signature of All Things by Elizabeth Gilbert

32. Book you are currently reading?
Gone Girl


33. Last show you watched?
Modern Family


34. Last person you talked to?
Son#3- I needed him to wipe the baseboards in his room so I could paint.

They were looking a little crunchy.

35. The relationship between you and the person you just texted?

Son#1  He's bringing me Chick Fil-A.  #1 w/lemonade.


36. Favorite food?

Too hard to say, but I could eat Tex-Mex every day.


37. Place you want to visit?
Scotland.  The Scottish Highlands.


38. Last place you were?
In the pantry getting chips for my guacamole.


39.  Do you have a crush?
I had a crush on George, but he's gone to the dark side now.
And he supposedly asked Kirby to marry him a few weeks ago.
Quite clearly I cannot trust the Clooney.

40. Last time you kissed someone?

Bruce kissed me...does that count?  Yes, I play smoochie face with my dogs.

Otherwise, I laid one on Magoo for bringing me a coffee in bed this morning.

41. Last time you were insulted?

Can't remember.
 
42. Favorite flavor of sweet?
Chocolate, duh.

43. What instruments do you play?
Piano.  I can play Heart and Soul better than any seven year old I know.

44. Favorite piece of jewelry?
A custom ring with all our names on it.

45. Last sport you played? 

I vaguely remember playing badminton a few summers ago.

46. Last song you sang?

Up to the Mountain- along with Patty Griffin.

I sound just like her.


47. Favorite chat up line?
How you doin'?  Joey style from Friends.


48. Have you ever used it?

Only in the mirror.


49.  Last time you hung out with anyone?

Last night...I hung out with Magoo, Bruce, Sophie and Dylan McDermott.

50. Who should answer these questions next? 
Someone.  Anyone.  Everyone.

Why is this here?

Just because it makes me laugh.

Hope you laughed, too.

Happy weekend, friends!

(And a giveaway begins next week so tune in to Tina Town on Monday.)