WOW what a great thread! I wonder how many of us if we were starting from scratch would decorate our homes and that might be the better question. Currently I think our styles in general are partially based on years of accumulating things and change in tastes,so you just go with what you have. If you were given a clean slate you might find yourself decorating in an entirely new way. I have never liked modern or very contempory furniture my entire life.I have always been a more traditional girl. Having said I was more traditional I have some antiques from my hubbys gm, which I would never part with and always work, simply by re-upholstering the piece. We have a huge painting the belonged to my mil which is old and I also love which had been over every dining room in our four homes. We simply reframe and change the matt etc and its like a new painting. A friend of my hubbys gave us as an engagement present a silk embroidered piece which was done by his mother and sister. Its the type you might see in an oriental restaurants.It too has always hung in the dining area, except for this house. Now we are re-doing the dining room and I think I will be able to hang my picture back up. So I think this goes along with the saying if you love something you will make it work by re-framing or whatever. Another example is the solid teak dr suite given too us from my mil. I would never in a million years buy something so contemporary,plus I have also never liked the look of light wood.But it is a beautiful suite and in this particular house we have a separate dr, so it works because it is separate from the rest of the house which is more traditional. I also like an informal style as opposed to rooms done very symetrically with matching end tables lamps.As for accessories I find a light sprinkling of dust bunnies on occasion adds to the informal look...wink wink.

No, it was not a version of Maid-Rite. The store promoted them as 'Maid-Rite' and had all the official Maid-Rite signage. Not a Mom & Pop but more of a truck stop/ C-Store sort of place. Don't remember what the gas station affiliation was. Store is still there but around here, anyway, a gas station might be a Shell station this week and a Mobil station next week. I suppose there is a small chance that it they were selling counterfeit Maid-Rites but they sure went to a lot of trouble convincing people it was the genuine article. Agree about the quality of the beef.

I make a similar Sloppy Joe with Butterball Turkey Burger patties. Crumble them up so they look like ground beef and so, with all the other seasonings, they taste just like the beef Joe's. Islay - this is an American favorite because we really do like to eat messy stuff. Yes, the filling falls out, the bun gets soggy, and you have to use your fork to scrape up the bits from your plate (or as I do using some potato chips to get the bits up), but do try them - they are delicious and they do not taste the same as if you put the filling in a bowl.

That looks great, Sue! We keep the sheets for those beds in the baskets. A couple of tips... we found that cotton jersey (knitted) sheets fit those French mattresses better than a woven cotton. Also, to keep the mattresses from moving buy one of those waffle type rubber rug pads and cut it to fit the top of the base. It will provide enough grip to keep the mattress in place. That is a darling little table btw!