I love to look at magazines, when my kids are all safe in bed at night I will sit A photo of Annie's restaurant, I love the mixed matched china and lampshade, there is a painting on the back wall, by her husband Dan...
in my favorite chair and dream and decorate....I will clip out pages and keep
them in file folders of my favorites....for someday. When my older children now,
19 and 20 were little I had a little shop. We had antiques and collectibles, I made my dolls and other crafts, offered painting classes, it was a lot of fun. I
enjoyed the people and finding things for my shop, and watched the excitement as they went to new homes. As I had more children I just had to give it up and my mom took it over and had a antique store, Forget-me-nots
was the name. Someday, again I dream of having a shop ....In one of my
magazines I found the perfect inspiration. The shop keeper has a gift shop-antique store in one side and a restaurant in the other. What a perfect combination! I love this.....instead of tearing the pages out of this magazine,
I keep it right by my bedside table dreaming for almost 9 years. The name of the magazine is one of my favorites Romantic Homes.....
her annual trek.....She thought it would be fun to introduce us to some of her
talented artist friends she had met through her blog.....Blog? What was that?
We were soon to find out....
Godmother) She really is Corey's Godmother....All we knew is four ladies were
coming. An very talented lady flying all the way from Texas wow, a doll maker,
and artist and her neighbor friend.....Our sweet cousin Alma decided to join us...
somehow it was like we had been friends forever even though we'd never met
As we began to visit I heard Annie from Texas tell her story about having a
shop and restaurant named Mabel Annie's, What? Could she be my Mabel, the
one from the magazine? My heart began to race, I became week in the knees and my throat began to tighten as I collapse in tears...Oh my Gosh ! I screeched several times and my mother began to think what is wrong knowing my reserved personality she could not figure what had brought me to tears...
You are Mabel Annie? I said the one from Romantic Homes? Yes, I had a shop
in Missouri, I couldn't believe it , I as in awe for words.....What I had mostly
admired about Annie and her story was her courage and fortitude as she had
started over and made a success of her life with her five children as she relocated and started a new life....amazing and she was standing here with us
in our home, all because of Corey and her amazing match making skills, my mom calls her a "connector of people" it is an amazing gift....There is a lot more to the story , it is unbelievable, and still unfolding, the seeds sown that
day are still growing......
Yes, its still by my night table and dreams do come true....
This a special gift from our friend Annie an found object bracelet she called it,
much like our found friendship, made by Annie who is an incredible artist, she
is going to be at ArtFest in April teaching classes, I am honored to know such an incredible loving person..... 
Ok the table is beautiful, for a queen. I really like the pink fabric under the magazine....pretty.
Stacy
Posted by: stacy | March 17, 2008 at 02:45 PM
What a beautiful Story Denise... how exciting to get to meet her! I love the sweet corsage she made for you. I hope someday your dream will come true.
I have a very similar dream. :) mine is for a coffee shop...with big comfy slipcovered chairs and tons of romantic books and magazines with a quaint little antique shop attached. :))
xoxoxo Heather
Posted by: Heather {Pretty Petals} | March 17, 2008 at 06:59 PM
now...i am speachless...dear one! it was a memorable experience for me...to meet you and your family...i'll cherish it forever! our meeting was not an accident...it was meant to be...and i can't wait til i return to soak in more love and beauty with my sweet sisters in northern california. i am actually still home right now...just getting ready for artfest...apr 3-6th...thank you sooooo much for all of your kind words...and thoughts/prayers...i feel the love! hugs & love to y'all.
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!
Posted by: annie | March 17, 2008 at 08:33 PM
Wow Denise what a fabulous story.
Absolutely incredible!
Take care and thanks for sharing that story with us
Alison
Posted by: Alison Gibbs | March 17, 2008 at 11:51 PM
Denise, what a wonderful story...i sounds like a truly amazing day filled with friendship and beauty!!!
Posted by: Lori | March 18, 2008 at 03:32 AM
Hi Pinkie Denise looooove your banner...its Denise from flickr! Wow Breathtaking ...eyecandy!.. I would love to invite everyone this summer for a tea party on my beach! I already invited Susan and Abby from Maine and NH..anyone going to be in NE this summer..just putting word out..Nantasket Beach was first Victorian summer resort in USA.
Plenty of parking! Bring your suntan lotion and beachball! LOL Denise Nantasket Beach!
Posted by: Denise Fontaine | March 18, 2008 at 05:18 AM
Gosh, I remember that article and shop, WOW!!! Later, Lori
Posted by: Lori | March 18, 2008 at 05:46 AM
Oh my goodness! I remember that article so well!! I think my mom still has that issue, too! My mom and I drooled over that pretty shop!! How wonderful that you got to meet her and have her in your home! Sounds like you ladies had such a fun time!
Michelle
Posted by: Michelle | March 18, 2008 at 07:41 AM
That is a wonderful story, Denise. Maybe someday I'll be coming to visit you at your restaurant/shop.
Posted by: Betty @ She's Sew Pretty | March 18, 2008 at 09:21 AM
Dear Pinky,
THIS story makes me so happy to read! The photo's describe the story well. What I wonder and didn't fully understand: Did Corey know your dream and arrange the meeting?? or was it an amazing coincidence? I most certainly see this dream coming true in your future! I was unable to get the link to work for Annie. I will google her. Wondering where she is in Texas?
xo
Constance
If you see Corey, please tell her I'm thinking about her and her family.
Posted by: rochambeau | March 18, 2008 at 02:15 PM
I will never ever forget your face when you discovered your Annie... it is one of the most precious experiences I've ever seen, that whole magical weekend... waking up and talking and taking pictures and sharing our dreams... a dream come true, to be with all of you and sweet Annie... XO
Posted by: Lea | March 19, 2008 at 08:25 PM
Oh, that was always one of my favorite issues/articles as well. Loved all that she did there. How wonderful that you got to meet her and form a friendship.
c
Posted by: Cindy | March 20, 2008 at 01:53 PM
I just got chills...that's one of my all time favorite articles in all the magazines I've ever stashed away and been unable to part with! My own venture in business was also short lived, due in part to my young children & wrong location. But, I had so much fun decorating my tea tables as inspired by her shop, and have been stashing broken dishes for years in hopes of a wall like that!! How cool for the pages of a magazine to come to life before your eyes!
Posted by: Kelley | March 24, 2008 at 09:12 AM
I have just now read your blog A Song For Annie......and recognized the magazine she was featured in in 1999. I ran to my magazine stash.....and sure enough there it is..in mint condition....and I remembered reading the article. I like it even more NOW. And, I love your blog. Would love to hear more about this story in the future. Thanks for sharing the story and all your beautiful things......Pat at birdnestontheground
Posted by: Patricia Eaton | April 09, 2008 at 12:46 PM
Looks like you are working hard. We are so excited to see you getting ready to open! Your friends across the way!
Posted by: Gathering Better Junque | February 02, 2009 at 06:06 AM
Blessings and success on your new venture! I have that very same issue of Romantic Homes and kept because of the same article!!! How weird is that? Since I live in a neighboring state I hope to visit Annie's someday. How incredible to be inspired by the dream of another and see that dream blossom into reality!
Posted by: Miss Sandy | February 09, 2009 at 10:29 AM
What a truely, wonderful story! I got chills reading your words, I could just feel the excitement you had in the moment you realized who was visiting you in your home!!! I am so glad you are able to realize your dream, and your shop is going to be so very successful, I just know it!!! I found you through Dede Warren, I did pages for the Vintage Valentine Book too! I love my book, it is such a little treasure. Your blog is so pretty and I will be visiting you again! Nice to meet you.
Milli (sashagirl on flickr)
Posted by: milli wagoner | February 12, 2009 at 11:53 AM