So we set up the food and drinks on the porch.  Henry’s Party: Part 1 posted here.

  Cupcakes, brunch food..yummy lemonade..Jones soda and Dad’s root beer…Jones is so good!

Enough! I could go on and on about the porch (like about this fun JBS birthday bingo card banner with book pages)…but I won’t;; ha! Let’s go outside!

OK let me just admit, the game area was a total flop..vintage-y ring toss and rubber horseshoes (kid safe)..total flop..who wants to play those games when you can play on the new treehouse fort! (Thanks Dad!) My husband was so right about this one BUT the chalk cloth (yes it is CHALK cloth) made a cute and easy sign! I bought the chalk cloth at fabric.com and you season it just like regular chalk paint.

And below, tables and centerpieces..in front of our shed! kraft paper coverings..

The centerpieces were paint cans. I was going to chalk spray paint terra cotta pots but too rainy so i just did the paint cans with Jenni Bowlin scalloped crepe paper edging and her paper for pennants, the small version of the birthday bingo cards, and notice cute chipboard buttons.so vintagey! I love her stuff! I just used 99 cent monkey grass from the garden center…if I had put in chalk painted pots I was going to write “GROW” on some and “Henry is One” on others..but this worked out fine and was much simpler! I would have used little galvanized buckets but Home Depot (THE place to get galvanized buckets of variouse sizes..or Lowes) but they did not have so I bought what they did have…little paint cans! Little buckets of crayons would have been fine too!

And lots of sweet friends and family…

{Debbie, Lynsey & Ruthie and Henry with Grandmother}

The picture above is so funny to me…I wasn’t going to have Henry open gifts…he was getting sleepy but the little girls were so funny curious about “present time” so I had them bring them over and help him and he actually enjoyed it!

I have a zillion photos I could share but will stop droning on..thank you for all of your kind comments…we had no cake time with the baby or even a photo of our family of four..but it was still such a great day..thanks to everyone who helped prepare and celebrate!

Thanks for listening to my mommy ramble about my party!

Wow! Parties are work..but fun!  Please remember it is not all cupcakes and balloons around here everyday BUT on Saturday we had a blast celebrating Henry and the joy he brings to our family….We don’t do this every year but we had a big party for Drew’s first birthday so we did the same for little brother! So grab a cup of coffee, this may get long!

First off, some of the food and treats! We had cupcakes instead of a big cake and that was perfect.  The crayons went on the kraft covered tables outside. The adorable papers on the banner and cupcake wrappers are from Jenni Bowlin Studio…I used several of her things for the party, more on that later..I love her stuff! Thanks to our friend Lori for the help with the banner!

Blowing up balloons before the party…I just bought one of those $19 bottles of helium in a box at Target…..it was just enough to tie around the tables outside…I can’t believe for Drew”s party I actually rented a big bottle from the local welding supply place! The fabric scraps (I mean tablecloths;;)  are from Premier fabrics. I did not even hem them.

Our house is small but this screen porch is large and so great for parties….I set up the brunch food (mostly from Sam’s if you are wondering how I had time to decorate, well I only made one casserole myself, the rest of the food was ordered, fruit or made by a friend!)…My sweet father-in-law supplied the fresh watermelon and my friend Jill made a ton of sausage balls…thanks Jill!

We had candy and cupcakes on the kids dessert table and on the “adult table” we had carrot, red velvet and chocolate cupcakes from a local bakery AND gourmet chocolate chip cookies (HEB’s Central Market) in bags…the grown up party favors!.. Recognize the stickers from Jones Design Company?!

You can see the kid dessert table below in the background..it was located too out of the way though, I was shocked they did not raid it as much as I anticipated..their moms were probably glad!

Below…bags of chalk for favors and balsam wood vintage airplanes from here. I love the blue plumbago that we ran out of time to plant so we stuck in a pot! We’ll have to get that in the ground soon.  The star pillow is borrowed from Drew’s room!

All of this, and the birthday boy just wanted a cracker! We love you Henry!  Happy Birthday!

[More party fun tomorrow!]

To say I love it would be an understatement.  I didn’t intend to carry this silhouette theme from his shower to his first birthday but it sure is fun! And that background design, also not intentional but very similar in feel to his nursery drapes (lattice by Waverly) ….drapes that I must admit he will be outgrowing VERY soon..they will be giving way to cowboys or burlap …so this gorgeous invitation ended up paying homage to sweet things you can get by with boys only for a short time…pretty patterns and silhouettes..in a short time it will be Transformers and Star War so i am enjoying the “sweet” while I can…

Emily also made these adorable stickers for the favor bags.  Actually I can’t decide if I like or despise favor bags..I may use them on little bakery bags with gourmet cookies inside..now that’s a favor! What is your thought on favor bags for parties..if you are a mom, do you love or hate????  If you are a fan, what do you like to fill with..so far I have bubble gum and organic raisins..that’s an odd combo huh?!

[Edited to say, great favor ideas on the Jack & Izzy blog, check out here...love the water bottle idea and just might do the chalk bags especially since I have a huge chalkboard door on my backporch where the food and favors will be!] 

{Next I will share party inspiration from girl parties–both birthdays and baby showers..stay tuned}

Weeks ago,yes I am serious, I layed out what I had (an old banner of Drew’s, fabric scraps, etc..) to see what I had and what I needed….I began hoarding napkins from Target before they were snatched up in the Fourth of July frenzy….oh how I love those red polka dot napkins!

I must say, I was very happy when I discovered I was pregnant with Henry and due in July (aside from the scary thought of being largely pregnant in the Texas heat).  I hate the heat but I love the Fourth of July and the thought of a little Star Spangled baby boy made me very happy and still does… So lots of flags..I’ve even been tea staining them…yes, I am serious. And loving the “American summer” theme which involves a little circus/carnival, a little retro/vintage, silhouettes, and a little July 4th rolled in one…its the mish mash theme/non-theme. Of course I totally made that up!

And then the invitation of course. More on that to come.

SEE!  Time truly does FLY!  He is going to be ONE YEAR in two weeks! ONE YEAR y’all…hard to believe..seems like I was just posting fabric ideas on here for his nursery and now I am thinking about how to change it! Crazy mama!

Oh and yes that is a bit of the new master bedroom drapes you see in the background and no its not finished yet..I have two of the four panels up, haven’t put up the new rod, never even finished “glazing” the blue dresser..

But that’s okay..we are having fun and just trying to keep up!  Next adventure, Henry’s first birthday party..stay tune for sneak peaks and little details next week..it is going to be so fun!  My little Fourth of July baby is getting so big!  So I am switching gears and trying to keep up!

Hope y’all have a safe and fun weekend..I adore July 4th..homemade ice cream, watermelon and flags!!!!

Linsey and Tricia did great posts recapping the event last Saturday. Check out here and here. Here are a few more shots of my favorite things at the Mini Flea….Like this cute chair by Tricia!

…and lots of pillows and frenchy inspiration from Linsey!

Pretty things from the Nest, a great store in Houston…

..The lovely sound of JD and Linsey’s fountain in their backyard..which is like a courtyard..perfect spot for our little sale..i just love this area..every time you step out her back door you think it is raining because the fountain has such a tranquil sound…very calming.

…and the yummy muffins and lemonade donated by Whole Foods in support of the charitable aspect of the event.

JD jazzed up the lemonade..yum~!

Meeting blog readers and shoppers like Ian and his sweet mama..look at his cheeks…so adorable!

…and this cute shopper below..she and her mama went home with one of my favorite pieces…a vintage trunk with the most wonderful robin’s egg blue finish and bamboo accents!

And last but not least..seeing the women pictured below was such a blessing…these are my relatives!  They missed my Granny’s funeral because their own mama is not in good health but they live in Houston and were able to attend the sale..it was so good to see them..love you Walker women!

Thanks again for everyone!

Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my granny.  Much of my love of old things and appreciation for beauty came from her.

Thanks to all of my current clients for their patience and prayers.

My great-grandparents, with my grandmother, their oldest daughter, the 3rd of 12 children    

Margaret Annell Walker Holmes

{ca. 1928, Bosque County, Texas}

Some of you may recall a series of posts I did last year on decorating with photographs and family items.  I was pregnant at the time and pretty emotional about the topic, I think I droned on and on about how this could be done in a tasteful way and why it is important.  I asked others designers and bloggers their thoughts and really tried to capture this topic.  I don’t know if I even scratched the surface but I have found a source.  Monica Rich Kosann.  She “gets it” and more. She is an amazing fine art portrait photographer, jewelry designer and CURATOR of family memories!  She has been blessed with an amazing talent in this area. When I heard about her new book, Living With What You Love, I knew I had to discuss here on the blog.  I love this topic so much and Monica has put together an amazing source on this subject. She has captured the importance and beauty of living with the things we love whether they be family photos or collections. 

 I love what Monica, pictured above with a huge photo canvas,  says in the forward of her book:

The fine art of family is far more than taking photographs and hanging them on the wall, or finding the right place for an old heirloom. Each of us has the power to transform our personal living space into an area where family memories are kept alive, where we pay respect to our values and accomplishments, express our tastes, communicate our enthusiasms, and create memories and experiences that friends, relatives, and children will forever associate with the place we call home. 

Wow. This is powerful.  So not only is this a beautiful book, like everything Monica creates, but it also has heart and soul.  And I love that.  And it’s not just about photographs and heirlooms she also covers ideas for display in public spaces, stairwells and intimate spaces like closets and tablescapes. 

This book is comprehensive and a great source for designers as well as homeowners and photography and antique lovers.  As fans of her jewelry and home items at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus know, Monica  is a skilled artisan at mixing photos and heirlooms to create unique pieces…you see this in the book and more. Where else can you find one volume that will give so many display ideas on groupings, types of frames and more?!

For instance, the book shows Monica’s office in her own home [pictured below].  She had this cork applied like wallpaper.  We visited recently and I asked her about sticking pins through the cork into the sheetrock. She said “yes it’s a commitment” so this isn’t a temporary treatment but it is very cool.

So if you are like me and love photography, antiques and collections, you must check out this new book and also Monica’s website, www.thefineartoffamily.com, it is full of inspiration and beauty for the everyday. And I’m hoping we can twist her arm and get her to show us more nooks and crannies of her lovely home in the future..it looks amazing! Just like Monica and her artist’s eye.

This is actually the best picture I took the entire weekend..not sure what I have done to the settings on my Rebel..I need help. My attempts at Bluebonnet pictures, total bust. Oh well, I would rather have this blurry than nothing at all! Doesn’t Henry just look a bit like Humpty Dumpty!;;

{Andrew Payne 5 years, Henry Brooks nearly 9 months}

I love those chubby arms so much! and this sweet face!

Not to leave brother out of this report…Drew had a big week at school…”rodeo” on Wednesday (it is like a game/obstacle course thing..big deal! If I had KNOWN what a big deal it was I might have taken my CAMERA), then he went to the real “Houston Rodeo” last night with Daddy AND (not to brag, ok i will just for a bit) he is learning to read recently..BOB books are awesome.  So that is where big brother in a glimpse at  5 years. So proud of him and for Daddy for teaching him so patiently!

I love my boys, even though vomit in the hair yesterday was not fun, it is still the best job I have ever had! HAPPY SPRING BREAK..I can’t wait to just BE AT HOME.

What are your plans???