Powermuffin, that cabinet sounds wonderful! Just the fact that your grandfather made it makes it something to absolutely treasure. How nice that you've restored it! Gsciencechick, I love the look of 1940s blonde wood! There's something so very chic about it. Chic, yet still very nostalgic! I like the way you're paying homage to your Aunt Mary! Luckygal, I adore barkcloth! At one time when I was going with sort of a tropical look in my guest/workout room, I seriously scoped out sources for barkcloth drapes. They were pretty pricey (even on eBay), so I opted for a number of barkcloth pillows on the daybed instead. I can envision the drapes just as you've described them. So very cool! Fun2BHere, I am indeed living in your home town! Not in the TCU area, but just north of downtown. Are you still living here, or have you moved away? I was born here, moved away, but now I'm back. It is, and will always be, home! Oh Pesky, they're not awful! They're wonderful! I absolutely love those so pieces - they have tremendous personality! Where have you displayed them? Flyleft, those pieces sound fabulous! And how wonderful that they were crafted by your grandfather. Even though you never met him, they surely make you feel a connection to him. What history that table and chair must have!

Eileen, Fantastic idea for a party!!! You've inspired me to have one of my own. Plus I will actually get to enjoy the party instead of "making sure everyone else is getting what THEY need!".. I'm a big soup maker so it's hard to pare this down. I won't put them in order since it's all a tie but... Pasta E Fagioli Chicken corn chowder split pea w/ ham tortilla soup Maybe we'll all get some good soup recipes we DON'T have out of this thread. Yeah for fall weather!! Have a fantastic party. Question: Do you make any of your soups in advance and in what order, if you did, would you make them? You've got my mind thinking now :)

I have boxes and boxes but no scanner. I guess I may need to get one. unfortunately there are a lot of photos that have no names and I have a lot of others that need to go to parts of my family that we have lost touch with and have no way of ever finding them. I LOVE the photos that you all have posted. The sepia tones and as was said the dressy clothes. Oh my, Bottom left photo is my brother with a past president of the US...also bottom shelf the 8x10 right middle side is my Mom when she married. I bought this piece of furniture just for my family photos. It was from a tear down in the NH or Boston area. A built in cabinet. I refurbished it with glass shelves. Stripped all the thick white pain off and then stopped as it goes well with my chocolate walls in the morning room. I wish I had a scanner,,,,sigh...

Well, that's not our problem, for sure. Our Florida vacation guest room has an unfortunate limitation that prevents virtually all abuse -- it's just over 7' deep by 7' wide, with a pocket door, 2 small closets separated by built-in drawers to the right of the door and a single bed to the left, window straight ahead with a little side table below it. For obvious reasons it's used by easy-going singles who aren't claustrophobic, but it's nice and comfy and works very well. Notably (aside from a second single bed, writing table, and reading chair of course), it holds almost everything that article recommends. Extra pillows and blankets of varying softnesses and thicknesses, bath linens, small space heater, fan, are all ready in closets that are otherwise empty for guest use. An adjustable reading light is mounted on a wall so the little side table remains clear, and decor is simple and serene. The drawers are topped by a mirror, and their top holds a couple of welcoming things, including chargers plugged in and ready in a basket. Most of the other useful items mentioned in the article, including toiletries and meds, are waiting in the drawer(s). No TV so far, though I would like to add one, and flowers stay outside, but otherwise... Once the business of switching out the weird jello-wobbly bed that came with the place for a good one with soft, smooth linens was attended to, the rest of the comfort was/is easy and inexpensive.