Monday, December 17, 2012

Birthday, Baby, and Aluminum Christmas Trees

About a month ago, I bid and purchased this aluminum Christmas tree on eBay.  There was some confusion and frustration with the transaction but I will not go into that.  It, luckily, arrived in one piece (well after I put it all together that is).  I love it and couldn't imagine a Christmas, moving forward, without it going up in my home. 

Dave helped me in getting the tree up and helped putting on the decorations.  I was able to dress up the tree with decorations I purchased of shiny vintage tree bulbs from a recent thrifting outing in Anaheim.  This is the time of year to shop for vintage decorations while thrifting. 

I love having the color wheel.  It's hard to show in these picture but I actually purchased a vintage Holly Time revolving tree stand.  It's pretty mesmerizing and I catch myself uncontrollably starring at it at times when it's turned on. 



The mighty color wheel.


My blogger friend Janey at Atomic Redhead has some fantastic blogs on her own collection of aluminum Christmas trees.  Here is a link to her most recent blog about the purchase of a pink aluminum tree.  Simply amazing!  http://atomicredhead.com/2012/11/23/why-hello-there-pink-aluminum-tree/

As like my Halloween tradition, Jack is out and about having perched himself in the tree just below the star.

Here is one of the vintage decorations I purchased in Medford, Oregon back in October while out thrifting with my family.

No tree (in my house at least) would be perfect without a touch of tiki.


After talking to my grandma about my purchase she mentioned that she had one in her garage and would be happy to pass it onto me.  The one she gave me is a four foot tree and a beauty at that.  I don't have room in my apartment to have them both up but will hold onto it for future use in a bigger home someday.  It belonged to my great grandma Annie.  My grandma also passed on some original tree ornaments of she and my grandpa's from their first tree together in 1950.  I'm honored she has passed these treasures down to me.

I celebrated my birthday with friends this year by having dinner at Benihana's.  We had a very entertaining cook and delicious dinner, drinks, and superb cake to top off the evening.  I'm so lucky to have all these great people in my life.  Dave was unfortunately unable to attend due to his work schedule.  He made up for it with roses and a fantastic vintage emerald costume jewelry set.



This ended up being a very sad week but it did bring the family together.  I was able to meet my niece Paige sooner than expected. Here is a picture of me holding her for the first time.  Please disregard my mess of a self having just been in the car for a nine hour drive.  It was all worth it to hold that precious baby girl.


Till' Next Time,

Suz

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

A Walk Around My Neighborhood: Banker's Hill Victorian Homes

I have been on numerous walks in my neighborhood (of Banker's Hill) and have always been in awe of some of the lovely Victorian styled houses that are all within a few blocks from my house. Having lived in my neighborhood now for close to four years I thought it was due time to learn some history about these lovely neighborhood homes.  I centered my blog around these three as there are many other amazing historical homes throughout my neighborhood, these are my favorites!

The first house is known as the Britt Scripps Inn and is of the Queen Anne Victorian style.   It was built in 1887 for just $3000 (I'm sure a lot of money back then) and was considered one of the most expensive homes of its time.  There are many beautiful stained glass windows throughout as well as a separate carriage house in the the back.  Eugene Britt was the original owner who then sold the house to Edward Scripps for just $16,000 before the 1900's.  It went through many owners and renters and went through a massive renovation to restore the house to its original glory which can now be shared by visitors as it's now a bed and breakfast.


This home is located on First Avenue just past Laurel headed into downtown.  It's been referred to as the Long-Waterman house.  I love this style commonly referred to as the Queen Anne Victorian style.  The house was built in late 1890's by John Long, who was the owner of the Coronado Fruit Package Company.  He later sold the house, after the untimely death of his wife, to Robert Whitney Waterman in 1891.  Waterman was San Diego's 17th governor.  It was sold for $17,000!!  It is now used as office space. 

This is the Timken House.  It was built in 1888 and is also of the Queen Anne Victorian style with a mix of Georgian influence.  It was built by the highly regarded prominent architects Comstock and Trotsche.  It has been a private residential home since 1965.


These are all truly wonderful homes and I'm so lucky to live so close to this history and pass by them on a daily basis.  It would truly be a dream of mine to own and live in a Victorian home someday.  A gal can dream.

Till' Next Time,

Suz