I Heart Summer

Goodbye June...my favorite month of the year...

~Driving truck drivers crazy since 1997!~
(Truck drivers love crazy redheads in convertibles...much better than blonds!)

The Days of June!

• Lots of top down days

• I met my Sgt! Notice I say my...like mine and not yours...mine all mine....teehee! Poor Sgt. doesn't know what he's getting himself into.

• Kitchen backsplash...so much left to do on that one...will have to extend that into July

• Flowers!

• Auctions.

• Grad class...oh gosh it sure is boring and lots of work!

• Sleeping in!

• I'm still running...5k here I come...I'm kicking 5k's ass.....
  

• Sunshine...glorious sunshine :)

Bring on July...I'm ready!!!

Basket Full of Goodness

Roots Market is the place to be on a Tuesday in Lancaster County Pa! They have a farmers market, flea market, auction house, and provide lots of people watching opportunities! What more could anyone want?

Gateway to the flea market!


Mennonite fruit/veggie stand


Sweet corn


Mr Bill's Grill


Fresh baked Amish pies and cakes!


Whoppie Pies...Sorry, I think you can only get these in Lancaster County!


Cute Amish girls with their dogs!

The Life of Milo....

Milo will be turning one in July! I can't believe it's almost been a year since I found the parking lot kitties and brought them home to foster. I am a poor animal sucker...see here!

There's the Milo...laying on his back with the fat little tummy!


Can't walk quite yet!

Milo's pinup picture!


hehehe some things never change!

It's amazing how much joy an animal can bring into your life. Never a dull moment with my Milo around....thanks for all the laughs little buddy.

Happiness is Free...

Some Thoughts on Happiness...

• Often people attempt to live their lives backwards; they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier. The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want. ~Margaret Young

• Most people would rather be certain they're miserable, than risk being happy. ~Robert Anthony

• Happiness is always a by-product. It is probably a matter of temperament, and for anything I know it may be glandular. But it is not something that can be demanded from life, and if you are not happy you had better stop worrying about it and see what treasures you can pluck from your own brand of unhappiness. ~Robertson Davies

• Indeed, man wishes to be happy even when he so lives as to make happiness impossible. ~St. Augustine

• We tend to forget that happiness doesn't come as a result of getting something we don't have, but rather of recognizing and appreciating what we do have. ~Frederick Keonig

• Is it not clear, however, that bliss and envy are the numerator and denominator of the fraction called happiness? ~Yevgeny Zamyatin

• He is rich or poor according to what he is, not according to what he has. ~Henry Ward Beecher

• Happiness grows at our own firesides, and is not to be picked in strangers' gardens. ~Douglas Jerrold

• In order to have great happiness you have to have great pain and unhappiness - otherwise how would you know when you're happy? ~Leslie Caron

• To be happy, we must not be too concerned with others. ~Albert Camus, The Fall, 1956

• Some pursue happiness, others create it. ~Author Unknown

• If you observe a really happy man you will find him building a boat, writing a symphony, educating his son, growing double dahlias in his garden, or looking for dinosaur eggs in the Gobi desert. He will not be searching for happiness as if it were a collar button that has rolled under the radiator. He will not be striving for it as a goal in itself. He will have become aware that he is happy in the course of living life twenty-four crowded hours of the day. ~W. Beran Wolfe

• Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response. ~Mildred Barthel

• The best way for a person to have happy thoughts is to count his blessings and not his cash. ~Author Unknown

Blog Love: Piewacket

I wanted to send some love out to my internet friend Lara's blog, Piewacket. Lara's photography work has always inspired me and she happens to have wonderful vintage style..... I've drooled over her amazing style for years. But most importantly, I want to send some blog love out to her in regards to her Atticus Project!

From Lara:

I have reopened my etsy shop to help fund the treatment for Atticus's chemo. He was diagnosed with mast cell cancer, after going through a surgery and having his spleen removed. His prognosis with treatment is very good but it is expensive. I did a post on my blog and have already had a great response. I am stocking my shop with tons of goodies, I am cleaning house and selling stuff I love but can live without. I am also selling some of my own work at pretty good prices...if you see a print you like but would like it in a different size, just let me know.


Here's hoping you feel better soon Mr. Atticus!

May 9, 1942

George got his woman!

The wedding announcement and invitation.

St. Mary's Catholic church on Saturday morning was the scene of one of New Oxford's prettiest and most impressive wedding ceremonies, when Miss Mary Frances Weaver, daughter of Mrs. James R. Weaver Hanover street, New Oxford, and George Clifford DeVine, son of Mr. and Mrs. D.C. DeVine, York, were united in marriage at a nuptial mass by the Rev. Paul D. Weaver, Mount Carmel, an uncle of the bride. The bride was given in marriage by her brother, Fredrick, and she had as her bridesmaid her sister, Miss Marie J. Weaver. George G. Weaver, another brother, who is in the U.S. Coast Guard, stationed in New York, acted as best man. The Rev. H. J. Howarth, pastor of St. Rose's church, York, was present in the sanctuary. The church was filled with friends. The Bride was attired in a white lace-trimmed gown of sugar mist modeled on princess lines with train. She wore a fingertip veil and carried a nosegay of white roses and snapdragons. The bridesmaid's gown was a model with dusty rose sugar mist skirt and lace bodice with which she wore a matching lace bonnet. She carried a nosegay of mixed flowers. Miss Teresa Staub, a cousin of the bride, was at the organ for the wedding march and postlude. During the ceremony, Arthur Ford, Mt. Carmel organist, played and also sang three solos.

The bride has been the courteous and highly efficient chief operator of the New Oxford telephone exchange for a number of years, and she has the best wishes of a host of friends. Following a short wedding trip the couple will reside on East Berlin R.D. 1, in which section Mr. DeVine has been specializing in several farming enterprises for the past few years. A wedding breakfast and reception, held immediately after the ceremony at the home of the bride, was largely attended.

My treasures: the engagement ring George gave Fran, the letters, and a few wedding pictures.

So, that's it folks! All 24 letters that I have, written by George to Fran 1941-1942, that documents their romance. I really enjoyed sharing and I know many of you enjoyed reading!

If you liked reading George's letters to Fran, here's another website you might also like to check out that documents a young woman's diary from 1945-1946, posted by her son Dave....Dorothy's Diary

If you are a new DeluxeVille reader and are curious to see the other letters George wrote to Fran, I have them listed to the right on the sidebar! Enjoy and as always, thanks for reading!

February 1942

February 18, 1942

Tuesday Eve.

Dear Fran:

Well it looks like we must go back to the time when we first started going together, when we would write to each other twice a week, and I would come see you once a week. In other words the girls have decided to stay down in York, so no car, no dates. So get your pencil sharpened and lets hear from you. I don't know what they are going to do about the weekends, so I don't know when I will see you. But if you see a shadow walking around New Ox. don't be scared, it will be me. I should make a good stand in for the Thin Man in a few weeks.

I have been thinking about what you said the other night about us and the 16th. And the way things are I would like to wait for awhile. So lets not make plans yet.

Well not much more to say, and it's getting late, so will close.

Love
George

February 28, 1942

Thursday Eve.

Dear Fran:
I will admit, I had it coming no doubt about it, only you should have given it to me, more then what you did. I should have my teeth kicked in, and if you will forgive me I will crawl, and I mean crawl from here to N. Ox., and be proud to have you do it.

Every day that went by since I got your first letter, I kept thinking and knowing that I should write and give you some explanation, but I kept putting it off, and kidding myself until it's at such a late date I feel that perhaps it might be to late.

I don't see how or why you put up with me, when I act like I do. You never once treated me like I do you. Every thing that doesn't go according to my plans, I quickly show my sweet disposition, and take it out on you when I know all the time deep down inside that I am wrong, and you are always right. Then I'm not man enough to admit it. But lately I found out you can't kid your conscious.

As for our wedding day, I didn't change it just for spite or to try and hurt you. I still want it in April, and I still want you just as much if not more, now then ever. I wasn't thinking of how much trouble it would make or the way conditions are, I was really thinking about you honey, and the things I would have to ask you to do, also the things you would have to do without, so that we could make a living the way I want us to live, and I never even asked if you might like to live that way. I've been thinking it over for the last few days, and if you will still have me, I want to take a chance on it, even if I only have you for a night or a week, or what ever it may be, it will be the biggest and the best that ever happened to me. And if we live together for a thousand years it will still scare me. I don't mean you, it's the idea of me trying to take care of you. So how about seeing you Sat. night? I will call you up in the morning, and if you aren't busy I will come over.

Must close now and hit the hay, it's only one o'clock Friday morning.

I love you and I miss you, always
George
P.S. I'm not just lonely.


George & Fran celebrating their 40th Anniversary in 1982

In fact, George and Fran had almost 44 years together...I really hope it was the best thing that ever happened to my grandfather....even with the ups and downs that life hands you...I hope he always treasured Fran and the family/life that they made together.

January 1942

January 7, 1942

2:30 Tuesday

Dear Fran:

Just finished lunch, which we started at 11:30 and ended a few minutes ago. One sure can kill time when one has a few books and magazines to go with lunch.

I am looking forward to the day when we will be together, then I will do without both, lunch and books. "Don't blush Honey", that's if I can come home and see my dumpling or should I say my woman. Don't mind me honey, it's just the cold, 8 below this morning and I believe I will go to bed as soon as I finish this and stay there for the duration.

I passed our house the other day and every time I see it, she looks better. Even tho it does need paint and isn't wired, she looks swell. I can just see us spending an evening at home, then I can hold you as long as I want, and when I ask you if you will go some place and do something, I'm not going to take no for an answer, and I won't be buying you a choc-soda. I'm nuts. But I love you. I just wish I could show you. Well, I guess I should cut the monkey business and close with ten thousand drooling specials.

Geo.

January 22, 1942

Dear Fran;
Received your card today, and it gave me quite a laugh. "Oh you Weaver" you almost make me feel like a sick man. But you can't keep a good guy down, or can you? I believe you could.

How did you sleep last night honey? I believe that last potato chip I ate, was what kept me awake. Or perhaps it might have been that not half so bad show. But I have a good idea we will make up for it in the spring. Or maybe I'm taking to much for granted, am I? Well, I have some work that's waiting for me so I will close with a dry one.

Love
George

December 1941

December 17, 1941

Dec 16 - 8 more days till x-mas

Fran Honey:

Polished off the last egg of the day, and now I am sitting around listening to my stomach growling for a bite to eat. Where oh where are those girls? We are going to eat our meals at a respectable hour. Meaning you and me, get it.

Well we finally butchered a lamb Monday, and it wasn't such an ugly job. Hit it on the head, then cut it's throat, after that you start skinning. The real fun started when we cut it up, to put in the freezer. I got that job. The only thing the girls recognized after I was finished were the chops and legs. You will have to come around for a lamb stew. We have the lamb. We had over 40 lbs of meat, at a cost of about $3.00. Not bad eh what? So much for that.

I'm still thinking about the other night, and I think you are swell honey, you really leaned on me. If you ever need a shoulder, and I hope you do, give me the job will you please "cup cake". Well there goes the bell, so will close, with a thousand specials, which I will collect Thursday.

Love, George

P.S. I hope you like this letter more then the one you are still looking for from last week.


December 30, 1941

Fran's Birthday Card:

Dear Fran,
If I ever look as bad as this, please shoot me.
How's about seeing you Wed?
Love George

Happy Father's Day

While all your Daddy's were wearing 70's sears sucker suits and corduroy pants, my Daddy was rockin the polyester ice cream cone shirt, while holding a tiny cup and punching out little old ladies!

Real men wear ice cream cone shirts! :)

Happy Father's Day to All the Ice Cream Cone Shirt Rockin Daddys!

Dear Sargent Sean.....

Why have you not asked me out yet?

Really, can you be THAT busy???

*see how cute I can be!

Do you expect a gal to wait forever?

Places to go people to see here buddy!

*note my "what the hell" shrug!

Just a thought for ya....
you should fit me in your busy schedule
before it's to late!

*note my "it's to late face"!

This is why I prefer sailors! Or perhaps a nice strong Marine! They know how to get the job done!

Crazy Vintage Girl Errands

Today I have some errands to run. Like for instance, I need to stop over at the post office and mail out the lamp. When ever I go to the post office, the post office ladies swoon over me?? They like to look at what I'm wearing or what purse I might be carrying. It's very cute really and it doesn't bug me because I know they are not being mean or sarcastic. Most people in my little town, have seen me around so they know and accept my uniqueness. Like the garage guy where I take my car always calls me "retro girl". Since I like the guy and have known him for years, I don't get offended. The pet store guy calls me 40's girl. Once at the grocery store, I walked down an aisle to have some fella turn and look at me, break out into a smile and call me rockabilly girl. Okay then..... I said. hahaha I've had random people ask to get their picture taken with me like I'm the "Welcome to Lancaster County" girl or something. I guess they don't have cute girls wearing vintage where they come from???? I also HATE having strangers come into my house because they always want to talk about my style. Once I had a borough inspector in to check my water lines and he proceeded to "hang out" for an hour asking me all kinds of questions not related to the water lines. He some how missed all my "will you please leave" hints and at the end of all his questions, he asked me out?? Ummm, no thank you, that's very unprofessional! Who knew my own house could be a bus stop???

MaryDeluxe's Summer of Fun....Bitchen Kitchen Sneak Peek

I finally ordered tile for my kitchen back splash this past Memorial Day weekend because BuyTile.com was having a big online sale! Being the thrifty gal that I am, I discovered it was much cheaper to buy the tile online then support a local business. Yes, sad but true. Well, my tile finally arrived today!!! Thank you Mr. UPS man! Five big, heavy boxes to lug into my house! Fun!

I know, you're all just dying to know what kind of tile I picked for my kitchen backsplash?? Aren't you??? (Okay in reality, I know no one really cares what kind of tile I picked... but in my head I'm pretending like you all do.... so I still win!) Below is a sneak peek of my work so far!

Ha, I didn't pick ceramic at all! I went with glass....fooled ya all!

As some of you know already, I love to do house projects. I would never live in a newer house because it would simply bore me to death. I need something with a bit of character that needs a little tlc. Here's a picture of my first tile project...I retiled the shower and then the bathroom floor a few years ago. This is when I discovered how much I like to tile.

If you want to read more about my on going kitchen adventure over the years....
Boomerang
And so it begins...

I can't believe that I'm finally going to be done with my big kitchen project soon! Exciting!

Junkin Day

Tuesday = Junk Day!!!!

I finally got over to my favorite auction place to do a little junkin and was completely SHOCKED at the crazy large crowd! I've never seen it so packed with people! Lots of Amish, Mennonites, and regular old folks. I guess my secret auction haunt is not a secret anymore.

All lined up at the hitchin posts.....


I made friends with a horse....this guy decided to back his wagon into the road so I felt the need to save him. I named him Fred. :0 Yes, I live in Amish country....best place in the world if you like farms...which I do!

Things I found in the junk piles.... but didn't buy....because I forgot my checkbook! I'm a LAME-O.

Awesome kitchen table missing the chairs


Box of old Christmas lights and a huge box of old jewelry!


50's portable hair dryer


a box of 50's magazines...lots of Look and Police Gazette


Look at those lamps!!!! Missing shades but good condition.


An atomic 50's glass shade!

I did have $10 on me and bought a box lot for a cute wicker purse with lucite accents and handle! I also got a bunch of other things I will never use in that dang box. All I wanted was the purse! Can anyone say yard sale? Oh wait, I don't have a front yard anymore...hahaha street sale!

Vintage Regrets

I, like many of my amazing DeluxeVille readers out there, are what I like to call "vintage enthusiasts". Over the years I have acquired and let go of many a vintage item...like I'm sure many of you have also. This morning, I was back once again spending some quality time in my closet. As you all know by now, I am much smaller then I use to be. After trying on some of my vintage dresses that I acquired years ago, I discovered that apparently my boobs have gone on vacation somewhere without me. Yes, this means more dresses will go to the auction block due to my vacationing boobs. I was thinking, I could keep the dresses in hopes of a future boob job or I could clean out the closet and buy new things. Hmmm which is more likely to happen? Oh yes, new things... though I guess new boobies could be considered new things too! :)

Any way, what I want to know is....... What vintage item have you sold over the years that still haunts your dreams and you wish you would have never gotten rid of??

Here's mine, this vintage gabardine western outfit still haunts me. I sold it many years ago.... because at that time, I couldn't fit into it...now I would be able to. It haunts me just lookin at the picture. Vintage trousers are so hard to find....trust me, I'm always on the look out for em!

So tell me, what is your biggest vintage regret regarding something you let go of??? Better yet, show me!

The New Winner is....

Milo going to town!



Yum!! Emily of Livin' Vintage

For My Mom

A back garden post for my Mom! I spent the afternoon at the green house with my Mom and then roaming around her gardens. Yes, it runs in the family. It seems most of us have green thumbs. I think we get it from our sassy aunt dot. Mom bought me the hanging petunias which I didn't hang at all but mounted to my garden posts. I like having flowers at different heights around my garden. It's a design thing with me. Thanks for the flowers Mom!

Someone also asked me in an email what that building is in the back?? It's my studio space. Which, is full of junk once again. I tend to clean it out and then fill it right back up again with more junk.

Click on the picture to see it better!

P.S. Milo is busy in the garden chasing bugs and things so he'll be picking a name on Sunday!