A Favorite Thing ~ and Merci Beaucoup

I'm slooowly easing back into blog life since returning from vacation.

We took a road trip to our fishing cabin on the
Old Colorado River, then drove to Williams AZ and took the train into the Grand Canyon and stayed overnight. The next day we hiked and shopped and lunched, then returned to Williams on the afternoon train.

Before leaving Williams the following morning, we went to Bearizona,

 a wildlife animal park that opened in 2010 and was loads of fun.

After driving through and seeing the animals in habitat,

 I spent a lot of time in the barnyard

with the chickens and pigs, peacocks and goats. 

For several reasons I've yet to upload the hundreds of pictures I took. But soon!

(the photos above are all from the internet)

* * * * *

One of the things I've been working on since our return

 is getting things in the garage sorted through. 

 I just took a big load of collectables into my consignment space,

 and have lots more ready to go.

  In the midst of all the culling, I came across some things

 I'd completely forgotten about.

And that's where A Favorite Thing comes in ~ I love surprises!

Look at this beautiful stack of  little Bavarian dessert plates

in four different patterns of hand-painted pansies and roses
in purple and pink and yellow

  I brought them in, gave them a gentle wash,

 and added them to my sideboard in the dining room.

I'm ready for company ~ let's eat cake!

  I love happening upon lovely things like this.  

* * * * *

Another fun find was this 1936 falling-apart-copy of  The Housekeepers Daughter

  It was silly and humorous, and a quick read.

  A movie adaptation of the storyline was made in 1939,

 with Joan Bennett, Adolphe Menjou, and John Hubbard.

  I'll have to watch for it on TCM.

Something interesting I'd never seen before

was on the copyright page of the book:

"Because of the acute shortage of regular book cloths under

war-time rationing, this book is bound in "leatherette", a

sturdy paper fabric especially designed for this purpose."

 * * * * *

And the final surprise was a very special win from Marcia at

The Shop Around the Corner

  These handmade gift tags were waiting for me when I returned from our trip

 

   6 tags of two different designs, strung with black satin ribbon,

 with gilded edges and black feathers.

  They're really quite beautiful!

  I'm going to have to do some fancy shopping and wrapping

 to match the quality of these tags!
Something French perhaps...

 Merci beaucoup Marcia!

* * * * *

 And on a weather note, Fall has finally come to SoCal.

Our days are still warm, but mornings and evenings are getting chilly.

I'm sad to have to close the windows soon.

Last night I enjoyed the crickets and distant train whistles while reading.

Counting My Blessings

xo Susy

I'm linking up with Claudia at

Mockingbird Hill Cottage

for