Whether you are participating in the Heirloom Party, or coming by as a guest to browse the other blogs, I want to welcome you! Aren't blog parties fun? Where else can you join with other friends in your jammies, sip on your drink of choice in the comfort of your own home while perusing pictures and reading stories to your heart's content? Only in Blogland!

I come from a very close-knit family where tradition and cherished treasures are handed down to children and future generations. It's really a lost art. So I am determined to keep those traditions and treasured heirlooms alive. I feel very blessed to have been given these things to enjoy and pass down to my own children.

My Grandpa Charlie was an amazing man. He loved to work in his little garage building things out of wood that he selected. One piece in particular is this sweet little hutch. Grampa made it for my Mama when she was a little girl in the early 50's. He also made a matching one for her sister, Bonnie. I just love the simple design and the beautiful swirly grain in the wood. It's the perfect height for a child to reach her books or to sit at and read. I inherited the hutch when I was a little girl in the late 60's. It held all of my favorite Golden Books and dollies. A purse always hung from one of the knobs. After my first daughter Liza was born, Mama gave me the hutch for Liza to enjoy. Now it's Emma's where it sits proudly in our school room.

After all these years that have gone by, this very well-built piece has stood the test of time. I so love the chippy worn look that it's acquired with age. Full of character.

One of the most special people in my life is my Gramma Bea. She would have been 93 this year. It's difficult for me to even type this as I miss her so. She was a gentle soul. The best Gramma in the world. She loved to sew and made my Sister and me so many things - clothes for the two of us, clothes for our dollies. She made crafts with us. We'd have Sunday Supper at her house every week. She was a great cook. Every time she came to visit she brought us each a Hershey's Bar. We'd put it right in the fridge, because that's the best way to eat one...when they're nice and cold! Yum. What a treat when we were young. But my most precious memories with my Gramma was when I'd stay overnight with her. She had a cedar chest. Inside she kept two stuffed animals - "Blue Bear" and "Ferdinand" - I got to snuggle with Blue Bear, and she took Ferdinand the dog. We'd climb in her little twin bed (because you know, Grammas and Grampas back then had twin beds. LOL) and we'd stay up for hours into the night telling stories. We laughed so hard. She had the best laugh. She would read to me from Richard Scarry's book. She bought one for me, and one for me to give to her. That way we both had one at our homes so we could read from it no matter where we were! Sweet, huh! Gramma Bea made up voices for each character in the book. Priceless memories. *tears*

Here's the cover - ha, a lion smoking a pipe. Yah, there's some pretty silly stuff in this book! For those of you who have read Richard's stories, you know all about that. I've read to my kids out of this book too. And someday my hope is to read from it to my own grandchildren.

The inside cover - this one was kept at Gramma's house. It says "To Gramma Bea, Merry Christmas 1971, From Marie." I was 4 years old. The pages are tattered and worn.

My favorite story is "Couscous, the Algerian Detective." Gramma had an accent for the characters in this one. It was Couscous' job to catch the robber, "Pepe le Gangstair" - so Couscous disguised himself as "Fatima, the dancing girl." Every time Gramma played the part of Fatima, we roared with laughter at her accent. I can remember it vividly today.

There's Fatima dancing away! LOL.

I love old Bibles. I have several that I've found at thrift stores. My favorite though, is my Grampa Ed's (Dad's Dad) Bible. I have a long lineage of family on both sides who were Nazarenes. I have memories as far back as age 5, going to church with my Grandparents. I remember the old wooden benches that made a rickety sound when you sat down. I remember singing old hymns. And memories of my Grampa Charlie (Mama's Dad) standing up and telling the congregation how much he loved the Lord. So sweet. But an even earlier remembrance was my Grampa Ed's little Bible. He took it everywhere. When he passed away in 1975, it was given to my Dad. I remember admiring it and wondering if someday it would be mine. My Dad passed away a few years ago and Grampa's Bible was given to me. It's so precious to me. I loved Grampa Ed. He could play the banjo. He was a simple man and loved to laugh.

He took notes all through his Bible. On the inside cover he wrote his favorite verses. And on the opposite side it says "Presented to Ira Edward Sebourn by Mother and Ronald Sebourn (my Dad) in June of '66." I had to laugh, because at the top of the page written by my Gramma it says "Jewell has $367.00 of Everett's money." Yep - that's right, I guess back then they kept track of stuff like that in their Bibles. LOL.

Throughout this little Bible are pictures as well as pages where there are dates of marriages, births, and deaths of family members. How wonderful this information is and helpful in researching my family lineage.

The next two heirlooms are my favorites because they are jewelry, and oh how I love jewelry!

First is a beautiful ruby solitaire. It belonged to my Great Gramma Ray on my Mama's side of the family. Mama has memories of her wearing it in the 50's. Mama said she was always very neatly dressed. Wore pearls a lot and put her snowy white hair up in a bun. Mama remembers her Gramma Ray cleaning the ring with her hankie. Oh to have known her! I would have loved to sit and look through her jewelry box! My Mama inherited it many years ago. I remember her wearing it on a silk ribbon around her neck. Now I have it. I wear it on special occasions. My sweet Sister Lyssie, has a matching blue topaz ring. She is sharing her heirlooms also over at Life of Lyssie.

This last heirloom was designed by my Mama's sister, Bonnie. She took the crystals from a long-strand necklace belonging to Gramma Ray and made bracelets for each of the women in our family. Now that's a whole lotta crystals! She managed to put 5 crystals on each of our bracelets woven between smaller pink Swarovsky crystals and silver spacers. It's an amazing piece. Gramma Ray's crystals are so beautiful (and heavy!) especially in the sunlight as they catch a rainbow of colors.

Some day these two pieces of jewelry will be passed down to my daughters. And hopefully so on, and so on.

Thank you for taking the time to join me down memory lane. Now make sure you hop on over and see our sweet friends' treasures! Really take your time with this. Read every story. Look at each picture. Leave comments. In most cases, these are items that are near and dear to our friend's heart and has stirred some emotion today. I will have MckLinky up until August 2nd. So come back and enjoy!

*Updated 8/1 - congratulations to Nancy of Nancy's Tidbits - she's the winner of our Jungle Queen July giveaway!

I am really looking forward to seeing what everyone shares for our Heirloom Party! Are you working on your post? If you have it done early, and for those who are interested, Mr. Linky will be ready tonight at 6:00 pacific time (beach time. LOL). For those of you stopping by today and don't know what this is about, click here for the details. Love to have you join us! Also, tomorrow is the last day to enter my "Jungle Queen" July giveaway.

Also, I am very excited for one of my most favorite blog friends, Layla of The Lettered Cottage. She has opened her own online shop - Lettered Cottage Home. You will fall in love, like I have, over her fabulous treasures. Simple vintage-y must haves. One-of-a-kind flea market finds. Items that have that "Layla" signature touch. She is sharing them with us! Make sure to stop by her shop and browse (drool). No matter what your decorating style, you're bound to find something perfect for your home.

I'm busy preparing for our Heirloom Party on Friday getting good ol' Mr. Linky figured out (my first time using this gadget, or is it a widget? I don't know.) and thought I'd share with you a few of my favorite things for July.

I love scented hand soap. For years now I've been using various fruity scented Bath & Body soap as well as Mrs. Meyer's yummy aromatherapy soap. Well, while browsing the isle at Walmart I happened upon a hand soap by Bodycology. At first glance I thought Walmart started selling B&B soaps. Nah, it couldn't be. But the packing is very similar and the names of the scents are as well. For under $2.50 a bottle compared to B&B's $4 price tag, I thought it was worth a try. So I bought one for the kitchen - "Clean Lemon" - which smells just like that. Very nice!

And, one for the guest bathroom - "Brown Sugar Vanilla" - yum. The kids love it. And they both have the little anti-bacterial scrubbing beads.

Oh how I adore candles. I even light them in the daytime! I have one on the stove now that has the most amazing scent. My sweet friend Susan came for a visit this week and brought it for me. Yankee Candle - Vanilla Lime. You must try it. Great for the kitchen.

Lovin' my iced tea! I've been a life-long tea drinker. Fond memories of my Mama making "dirt tea" (that's what we called it) in a big jar and set out in the summer sun on the front lawn to brew. Since she didn't put sugar in it, we drank it straight up on the rocks (ice, that is). I've hunted for the perfect tasting green tea and found that Celestial Seasonings is the best. Plus it's full of antioxidants!

You know, is it just me or have the high-end cosmetic lines gone way up in price? So to help my pocketbook I've been on the hunt for more reasonably priced cosmetics from Walmart and Tarjay. And I just had to report to ya'll a fabulous $5 mascara that my piddly little lashes are flipping over! It's by Loreal "Voluminous." Ooh la la!

Oh, how did this pic get in here? Yes, she's wearing my 80's puffy wedding head piece my Mom and I made. It's so heavy. I looked like Princess Vespa from Spaceballs coming down the isle.

Emma, aka Vanna White will be drawing a lucky winner for my Jungle Queen July giveaway - Friday is the last day to enter!

I'm joining Rhoda over at Southern Hospitality for her Today's Thrifty Treasures. I've been talking a lot about treasures lately. I really feel like the things I bring into my home are just that - treasures! They aren't expensive, but they are special pieces that reflect my design style and plain ol' make me happy. Speaking of treasures, I'm looking forward to seeing what ya'll are sharing for this Friday's Heirloom Party! If you don't know about it and would like to participate, read the details here. Love to have you join us!

I found this adorable step stool for $8 at our local antique mall. Maybe a little more than I wanted to spend, but it's perfectly chippy and old just like I like 'em! Love the soft, aqua color and oval shape. Emma stands on it while she helps me in the kitchen!

Look at this sweet $3 Fiestaware creamer. This is the first piece in my collection of this beautiful color, and hope to find more on my hunting adventures!

These next two items were not found at a thrift store but were definitely a thrifty price!

I have been curious lately about using drop cloths as curtains. I bought two from Home Depot for $8 ea. I was pleasantly surprised how much I like them! Very happy to get those black panels out of there, aren't you?  I have seen a few pro bloggers who have wielded their mean glue guns and mistreated the bottom of their drop cloth curtains. Since there's no sewing involved, I will give it a try. Any suggestions for mine? These are hanging in my school room, so maybe something fun?

And last is my new sale fan from Fry's for my living room. I love the bell shape of the base and the creamy color.

Don't forget to enter my July giveaway - Friday's the last day! Click here for details.

I was blessed to win one of the prizes from Kim's Annual Cottage Charm Giveaway. I didn't realize it at the time, but the sponsor I won the prize from then would turn out to be a wonderful pen pal I adore today! Her name is Marianne from Songbird is Nesting. She lives in Holland. One of the fun things for me about blogging is getting to meet friends in other countries, and for this sheltered SoCal girl that's very exciting! Please go visit her, you'll love her vintage style! Marianne took time to find out what my decorating style is and colors I use in my home. She wanted to customize my prize. Sweet, right? Well, the day I had been anxiously awaiting came this week as I received her package. So much thought and care went into it that I just had to share with all of you what she sent!

First of all, just look at the vintage-inspired wrapping paper she used to wrap the box in. Yes, that's right...she actually wrapped the shipping box! And notice she so graciously paid $20 for shipping costs.

The card she enclosed with a sweet little note on the other side, hoping that I would like everything. Oh my, yes I do! Ask my kids. They saw me do the happy dance as I opened everything like it was Christmas.

Look at this banner she made! Marianne has the unique ability to take paper and embellish it with her own vintage style. I love the colors she used!

Another paper creation. What a great saying "live, laugh, love." I have it hanging on my old chippy window bulletin board next to my desk as a constant reminder! Look at that sparkly crown!

A hand-made lavender sachet. Wish you could smell it. Heavenly. Love the sweet vintage-y picture she sewed on the front!

Okay, excuse me...but isn't this heart pillow she made the cutest thing you ever saw? The frilly red & white gingham around the edges just makes me melt! I love the elongated shape.

How did she know I've been wanting a tassel? And look at those colors. You all know how much I love my black & white! This little lovely can hang anywhere in my home, but will probably find its residence on my black hutch. The cute box it came in is neat too and will look pretty used as decoration.

The next few items are representative of Holland. So fun to have a little piece of her world here in my home!

Loving these fabrics! The first one, red & white checks with the sweetest floral design.

Next, blue & white with little pictures of sail boats and lighthouses. Oh, and of course windmills!

And last, but definitely my fave, little Dutch boy & girl holding their cute pails. Also sweet Dutch shoe sailboats! Oh my. You know I don't sew, but I will be looking for someone willing to make me some pillows! I can see them sitting on my rescued black bar stool I have in the living room.

The cutest, tiniest porcelain shoes!

Cool tile of an old building "Stadhuis Maastricht", 1740. I need to do my research and find out more about it!

Ya'll know how much I love chocolate. Well, I hit the jackpot with some luscious specialty Dutch chocolate. Yah, there's one missing. I have no willpower. See that cute little tin? It housed the most wonderful cookies I've ever had. Called "Stroopwafels" - hee hee. Sorry, no picture of them. The kids and I enjoyed them after dinner last night. Imagine the best tasting waffle cone made into a thin cookie with chewy caramel inside. Yep, I know you're drooling. Then there's the package of "Old Dutch" hard candies. They will look cute in my candy dish.

Yah, I can hear you, Marianne did spoil me. But it has turned out to be more than just winning a giveaway, I have won something even better! A sweet friendship!

Please join me for an "Heirloom Party" on July 31st! Also, don't forget to enter my July giveaway!