WE MADE IT (again)!!!

HOORAY!!!
I am VERY PLEASED (and humbled) and PROUD to announce that the
4th Avenue Gals (Margee, Bri and I)
will be amongst some of the very best antiques vendors that the Northwest has to offer at the upcoming
Junk Salvation Show in October

(formerly presented as the Funky Junk Sisters Vintage Flea Market)

and we couldn't be more excited.



I was just perusing the list of blogs that I follow and saw that the Funky Junk Sisters had a new post titled, "Junk Salvation "A" list: Are you on it?"
and I am so proud to announce

WE ARE!!!
Bri, Margee and I have spent our time since the last show in search of fun and unique treasures to save and bring to the Junk Salvation Show. And here are just a few of my favorites.

These are old reader-board letters (that I borrowed from my dad's tire shop) that I repainted green and have placed in my garden in an effort to try and persuade my veggies to flourish. I think next year I'm gonna place the letters: S H I N E near the sun to encourage it to come out and play a little earlier next summer.

I picked up these old blocks prior to our last show and have been displaying them in a vintage children's toy barn. Hmmm...you may see them in October (but only if a dear friend of mine hasn't stolen them for herself)!!! You know who you are!!

I also grabbed this lamp and have since repainted it in a more solid white color minus the lovely gold flecks (although I may paint it one more time before the show).

OH MY!! How I do love me some old insulators. I have been spending time recreating these into fun treasures to add a little romance to anyone's backyard.

I love this drop leaf table!!! Plain and Simple!! And as hard as I've tried, I can't seem to find a permanent place for her in my yard...so if my efforts continue to be unsuccessful, she'll be there, also.

And last, but certainly NOT LEAST, I will have an array of wristlets to choose from. And at only $10 a piece you can surely pick up numerous ones to go with a variety of different outfits (and moods). GREAT GIFT IDEAS!!

The above is 'Betty'

and this is 'Lucy.'

We are again, so incredibly excited for the Junk Salvation Show in October (the 15th and 16th to be exact)...and hope you are as well.

Looking forward to seeing some old, familiar faces there and of course meeting some new ones, as well.

WILL YOU BE THERE??

Customer of the Month

If you are a regular reader of our blog...you have surely noticed a regularly reoccurring visitor...
...my grande, non-fat stirred caramel macchiato from Starbucks.
What???
...you were expecting a person or a pet?
Nope...although this beverage does hold a special place in my life.
She keeps me caffienated and ready to face my days with my 'other' girls.

As a result, we have gotten to know a few of the baristas at our local Starbucks.

It all started with our one of our favorite baristas. A noticed that she was wearing a cute, trendy belt with rhinestones and pirate skulls on it. Coincidentally, A was wearing her pirate flip flops...and thus a friendship between the two was imminent.

Meet Lennox...she's is GREAT!

She always goes out of her way to come over to the drive-up (no I am not brave enough to bring two little kiddos in) window (even if she is working 'the bar' and making drinks) to say hello to my ladies.

One morning, when the line was exceptionally long, I went in to order my drinks and left my ladies in the car with my friend. Lennox was working the drive thru and saw me in line. She took a moment to leave a note for A and Had.

Isn't that sweet?

And you know it's a sign that you frequent an establishment a little too often when:

Lennox went to Japan to study abroad for 3 weeks and returned with a gift for my girls.

Their very own coffee mug from a Starbucks in Tokyo.

UNBELIEVABLE!!

We also have a few other baristas that we adore and look forward to seeing on the days they are working....Ashley, Desi and Jay.

Jay told us today that he is trying to talk his manager into letting some of the baristas participate in our weekly, "Pajama Monday's."

They are all so sweet to my girls and talk to them as people, not kiddos; and are quick to greet them before they greet me.

Now I would expect this kind of attention at a locally-owned, independent espresso stand, but not necessarily at the biggest coffee franchise in the world. I am convinced that this is a coincidence and that it has more to do with the town that we live in and not the fact that it is Starbucks.

A is a very thoughtful and giving girl...always ready to share a special rock, stick or picture that she's colored with anyone she meets....and our friends at Starbucks are frequently on the receiving end of these treasures. And in return, my drink frequently comes with a smiley face on it.

Flash Forward a few months...

The girls and I pull up to the Order Here speaker and A rolls down her window and proceeds to order my drink for me (yes, she can order it like a champ) and recognizes that the person taking her order is Jay. She tells him that she has a present for him. He responds with, "Oh Yeah! Well, I have a present for you, too!" My curiosity was sparked.

We wait our turn in line and pull forward to exchange our goodies.

Jay got his specially colored picture and A got...

THIS!!!

My girls and I were voted Customers of the Month! How cute is that?

And BONUS: I (I mean 'we') got 7 free drinks as a prize.

We had to make a special trip inside so that A could see that her special sign presenting her as "Customer of the Month." She was beaming.

These pictures are proof that it is very difficult to get a picture of two kiddos in which they both look cute. One of them is almost always looking away, being overly cheesy or having freakishly HUGE eyes.

We do adore our local Starbucks and all of the friends that we have met as a result of my addiction...I mean love of all things caramel.

Do you frequent coffee shops?

What is your favorite drink to order?

I am always up to try something new.

It's Finally Happened...

It Did!!!
As much as I wish it hadn't...
...it was beyond our control.
Our beloved apricot tree bit the dust....LITERALLY!
(an entire blog post about a tree...
I know...a little ridiculous, but we sure did love her...)

A little shocking insn't it?

O.K. let me take you back a few steps.

A few years ago, Jas had the itch to start pruning our trees. Sounds rather reasonable...I know it does. But trust me...it was NOT a good idea. Because you see, Jas' idea of pruning typically involves a chainsaw, not clippers or pruners.
After some serious begging and pleading, I finally convinced him to let me call an arborist.
Well to make a long story short, the arborist came back at us with some good news and some bad news.
Being the optimist, the good news was that Jas would not hit his head on the limbs of our tree for much longer because...the bad news, the tree had approximately 2 more years left with us.
And as much as we had hoped and prayed that this arborist was hoakey and that he didn't know what he was talking about; that was NOT the case.

So fast forward really quick to yesterday afternoon.
I was visiting with some friends in our back driveway and watching our kiddos/grandkiddos ride bikes.
When out of nowhere, there was a noise that sounded like the loudest rumble of thunder EVER. For a quick moment, I thought what in the world is that? The skies were overcast, but there was no wind, it was slightly warm, no rain...no nothing.
And by the time that the rumble stopped I looked quick into the yard and discovered that our dear tree had lived her last moment with us...and had tipped over. I was in utter shock.

But as I thought back to the diagnosis that we were given by the arborist...he had told us that we would have her for about 2 more years...and that was August 2008!!! I don't know that you get any more exact than that!

(let me know if you want his number...cause DANG! That's pretty accurate!)

Oh how we'll miss her and the majesty that she bestowed upon our backyard.

Jas and I reflected and decided that she was probably near 60 years old...as our home was built in the early 50's...and she was probably planted shortly after.

Look! Her roots remained firmly planted. She just up and tipped over.

I did praise God for keeping our children and pets safe...as they could have easily have been playing underneath her or in their playhouse (which she feel on) or climbing her, which A loved to do.

In fact, after our guests left, I went inside to put Had down for her nap and was greeted by A with VERY red and VERY puffy eyes.

My little epathetic and sensitive girl was grieving the loss of our dear friend.

What's a mom to do, I ask? Load up the girls...and head to the 'Golden Arches.'

Yep...it was a no-holds-bar trip. Happy Meal...check! Sprite...check! Ice Cream Cone...check! I was ready to do anything to help my peanut to feel better.

Good thing she's like her momma...IT TOTALLY WORKED!

Here she is climbing her 'climbing' tree for the last time.

Boy oh boy...do we have our work cut out for us or what?

I guess I know what we are doing this weekend.

It was a BIG tree.

I leave you with a picture that I took only a few weeks ago...mainly because I can't find where I hid any of the other ones on our computer.

Wasn't she gorgeous?

We will surely miss her and the shade that she cast upon our back yard.

She was a good ole tree.

'Peak'-a-Boo

Much to our surprise...last Tuesday Jas took the day off to spend with his girls.

Now the rational side of me thought....PERFECT! We'll get the patio and driveway pressure washed, clean out the garage, wash the cars...heck...I may even get some sewing done.

NAH!! NOPE!!! UH UH!!!

After J and the girls got home from their routine trip to the local donut store, I got them dressed, packed some snacks, grabbed Had's blanket and Zee-Bee (stuffed zebra that she's had since her days at Children's...let's just say it's been well loved).

The Skaug Family was off to do something we'd never done before...go hiking!

Washington State offers endless outdoor recreational activitiese and we opted for a local hike in Enumclaw.

It's known by numerous names by the locals: Mt. Peak, Pinnacle Peak and Mt. Pete.

Nonetheless, we were off for an adventure!

A was excited that at the trailhead she found some foxglove. I had to remind her that the trail is unlike our back yard and we aren't really supposed to pick the flowers; we are supposed to leave them for other hikers to enjoy also.

Had looking all geared up and ready to go...and Jas looking not to eager that I brought the camera...'Hello J, how else and I supposed to blog about our adventure if I don't have the camera?'
P.S. This is the last time that you'll see Had in the backpack...she soon realized that it wasnt nearly as much fun to 'ride' as it is to 'run' like her big sissy.

I do recognize that this picture is blurry...but that's what you get when you have an over eager 5-year-old venturing out on her first hike.


Had convincing J that she is big enough to walk all by herself.

And she's off...

A rare moment when A actually sat still for a photo opportunity.

My girls and I loving nature...and the cool root system of this tree.

"Looks like worms," according to A.

Had holding her own...and keep in mind this is a moderate 2-mile hike with an elevation gain of about 1,000 feet. We passed numerous skilled hikers...most of who commented on Had and her independence.

A and her 'hiking stick.' That girl is notorious for finding special rocks, sticks, pretty leaves, etc.

Another pic of my girls both who are posing like little hams.

Had found a walking stick of her own. She sure does love her big sissy and strives to be and do everything just like her. And while I think this is cute now...I have a feeling that by the time they are 12 and 15...A will not find it nearly as flattering.

Pray for me. PLEASE!!!

A found a downed tree and of course had to be brave and try it out.

Not to be outdone, Had had to give it a try also...but only if dad helped (mom's request).

Look close...see the little blur it was a little chipmunk that we met of the trail. But he was shy and didn't really want his picture taken.

A few from the trail of Enumclaw below...it is the cutest little town...lots of farms, dairys, cafe's, ice cream parlors, etc

We stopped for a snack about half way up...and some sisterly love.

Had sure does love herself some carrots.

After a few minor melt-downs, we finally made it to the top. Now keep in mind...there is no spectacular view...just some fun log benches with LOTS and LOTS of names and initials carved into it. Had thought they were just cozy.

Hey look at that!! We caught him!! Here is our furry little friend...with the help of some Wheat Thins...we got him to pose for a quick picture.

It was such a fun day for our family. We really enjoyed our time together without any distractions.

But if Im being honest here...the hike back down was miserable! And that's probably an understatement. Had insisted on walking (I mean running) down the trail and since I couldn't bear to watch my girl fall and skin her cute lil face, I ended up carrying her down (bonus for mom: extra 25 lbs = extra workout).

Oh! And little Miss Independant A would not hold J's hand and proceeded to slip and fall on her biscuits about every 5th step.

But it was a fun day and although at the time I was thinking I was crazy for thinking that hiking with a 2 year old was a good idea...I would do it again in a second.

Wristlets...

OH how I do love fun, brightly colored fabrics.

One Problem: Jas says that collecting fabric is not a very good hobby (and if you have seen my momma's sewing room...you'd know he's right!). I know this.

However, he doesn't say much if I actually create something with my collection of 'pretties.'

So here is my lastest attempt at justifying my purchases of fabrics.

I hope you love them like I do!

And if you do...just leave a comment letting me know which one you simply cannot live without and we'll coordinate delivery!

Each measures approx. 7in wide and 5in high and are lined with a coordinating fabric.

This is 'Pink-Pink.'

This is "Orange-a-licious.'

This is 'Mellow-Yellow.'

This is 'Lennox.'
This is 'Jilly-Bean.'

This is 'Avary.'

This is 'Morning Glory.'

This is 'Farm Girl.'

And I would gladly personalize her for you with your inital.

And this is the one that I use almost daily for my trips to the grocery store, Starbucks, garage sales, etc. So much more convenient for me to hold than a bag...especiallywhen I am trying to wrangle my two busy-beauties into going my direction.

...and the best part...they are only $10 a piece.

Happy Monday to you all!