I have the BEST big Brother ever! This came in the mail today – too funny!!!

Hummels, where to begin? Aunt Rita Mahan had a huge collection & mom adored them. When Josh was a toddler we gave grandma the little boy with his rocking horse. Some years later mom gave me the little girl sitting on a fence. My Cousin Larry gave me the chickens Hummel after his mom died (because I had a flock of 30 hens) but my mom latched on to it and said “Marianne can have it after I die!” Larry was a little chagrined but whatever Aunt June wanted, she got! I still love them all, such innocence & joy.

This little vignette is in the secretary that dad bought for mom when she was pregnant with me. She collected swans all her life. She even had a pair of swans on their wedding cake because swans mate for life! The Santa box is part of her Christmas collection. I have a Santa tucked away in my office and the great room because seeing them reminds me of mumsy and that always brings a smile! The rose bouquet is The Empress’ Winter Bouquet by the Franklin Mint. Dad had been buying these for mom yearly as her birthday present. This one arrived a week after he died.

These two were a couple of my favorite imperial bouquets!

Speaking of bouquets, the gardenia mom rooted for me is blooming like crazy this year! Just brought in three more blossoms!

And MEMES!