My Dad

Well, here he is, all dressed up and ready to go meet up with friends for lunch at the Olive Garden.  What a cutie!

84 years young and he was planning on having a cocktail or two!

A blue knit hat is the perfect stumpwarmer.  Oh, and doncha love the support hose.  Dad rocks!!!

When I was in Birmingham of course I had to stop in at 5th Avenue Antiques, a great shopping experience.  Before I began wandering I started babbling to the owner and one of the vendors and it turned out the vendor was having a 40% off sale!  His boothes were full of Fenton glass and beautiful Roseville and Weller and Van Briggle pottery, as well as lots of planters, jewelry, etc. etc. etc.  At 40% off, why go anywhere else (plus I was running out of time before I was to meet my sister, damn it).

I love this pretty Weller "Panella" pansy vase:

And I'm fairly certain it's not a reproduction:

Also got good deals on a Fenton Silver Crest two-tier tidbit (dinner plate and luncheon plate sized tiers) and this absolutely darling little Silver Crest basket with handpainted lilacs signed by C. Ash.  There are several other pieces of this design at my antique mall--a pair of candlesticks, a large vase, a larger basket--but this one is just tooooo cute!

I especially love how the artist painted the lilacs on the rim. 

And finally, I'd like to introduce the newest member of our extended family.  My sister, who is known to her grandchild as "ZuZu", lost her wonderful boxer Rusty several months ago and they were finally ready to "do dog" again.  Could this little guy be any cuter?  I say little, because from the looks of those paws he ain't gonna STAY little for too long!  Meet Max!!

The weather at La Condo has been incredible the last couple of days, at least in the morning, and since I get up before dawn thanks to the leaping screaming cat I get to appreciate the almost-coolness.  It's only gonna get better!

Well, unless some nasty ole hurricane decides to make a visit since we're still right in the middle of  'cane season. It's been five years (as of August 29) that Hurriane Katrina paid us a visit.  I do NOT want to go through THAT again!!!!

On a much happier note, a brand new Publix grocery has opened AHEAD OF SCHEDULE just minutes from La Condo.  I LOVE PUBLIX.  WOO HOO!!!