Thursday, August 27, 2009

Thrift store finds...

Isn't this thermos great!

Went to the thrift store today for one thing. (Like that will ever happen!)

I couldn't resist some of these wonderful finds.

Large wooden rooster ...
Tole tray, fabric, bird houses, cups, flowers...

What fun I had. Now to go and find new places to display them.
I think you should always display the things you love.
Everywhere you look in your home should give you joy.



Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Fresh Raspberries!

Fresh Raspberry Cobbler... Simple dump cake recipe...
How many fresh raspberries can you eat?!

5 jumbo quarts of fresh picked raspberries...


My family went to the local farm to pick fresh raspberries. They were soooo delicious, one of those summer fruits that is only around for a short time.




Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Outdoor Table Redo..



4 squares of tile at 99 cents each - not bad!



New table next to new furniture...

I went and bought new patio furniture the other day, it was on sale 75% off,
can't beat that, considering my stuff was getting pretty old looking. The redwood chairs I had were starting to rot and since the new set was on sale , now would be the best time to buy. Okay, so I get it home and all my old tables just look too old next to the new stuff. Instead of buying more stuff, I reused the old ones but covered the tops with stone tiles I bought at the Home Depot. I glued them on with construction adhesive and grouted the seams. I think they look great and now they match my new stuff. Hmmm now what about that picnic table...

Friday, August 21, 2009

YARD SALE FINDS!

I had such fun today going to a couple of yard sales.
I found this adorable truck for a steal.
A little dusting and it will be like new. Perfect for someone with 2 cats.
A fruit candle , yellow desert cups, and a heart pin.
Like a kid in the candy store!

This cute vase -
wouldn't it be great full of fresh daisies!


I'll take going to yard sales and finding a
whole load of treasures for $10.00
over going to a department store
and buying one thing for $30.00
ANY DAY!

Brothers...

Okay I finally got a picture of Blue. He and his brother Whiskers are napping on my bed. As opposite in character as can be, but still like a cat - likes to sleep all day.
Blue has a beautiful black coat.
He was actually the only kitty of the litter that was black, the rest were all grey.


Thursday, August 20, 2009

A little bit COUNTRY...

These pictures are dedicated to Nate from the Oprah Whinfrey show, who recently redecorated an outdated country home. His design turned out beautiful but he took away the country style . In doing so he made me feel as though country style has no STYLE. But not for me -I Love Country and I know many others do as well.
For Nate, a wreath made of the dry dusty things he hates.
For Nate, some cute little bunnies .

For Nate, some more of those artificial things on top of one of those old time doilies.


For Nate, a heart to welcome you home.




To Nate.... I LOVE COUNTRY!

For Nate, who doesn't like doilies, I have them everywhere, I collect them. Someone took their precious time to crochet them. A little piece of history.
For Nate, who doesn't like using stuffed animals in decorating... A little kitty to wait for the birdies. He probably doesn't like bird houses either!

For Nate, who doesn't like dried flowers. I save them all and use them to decorate with and to make home made potpourri, oops.... he probably doesn't like that either.


For Nate, who says to leave the farm animals outside. Every house should have at least one rooster. I know I have at least 4.



For Nate, hearts are always welcome in a country home.





Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Sleeping kitty...

Whiskers is one of 2 cats that we have. One is all grey and the other all black. They are brothers we got from the same litter. Brothers but totally different. Whiskers is thin and active, loves to go outside, hunts anything that moves and is fearless. Blue on the other hand ( picture to come) is a solid black cat. He's fat and lazy, afraid of every little noise. We actually have to leave the door slightly open when he goes outside so he can run back in when he gets scared. But as you all know, pets are part of the family and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Splashes of yellow...

Yellow is not one of my favorite colors, but it does add a pop of sunshine.
Stella Doro. A smaller version of a Day Lily.
I only have a small area of sun so I am limited in what I can plant.
Large yellow Marigolds stand out next to the Pink Impatiens.


Red roses are always welcome.



Sunday, August 16, 2009

Faux fireplace...



Our house didn't come with a fireplace and is too small to install one, so I did the next best thing - built a faux fireplace. The best place to put it was in the dining room. I think it turned out pretty good. I had to take the mantle part to the local high school wood shop to have cut, but otherwise did the whole thing myself. I love having a mantle to decorate for the seasons. This is the summer look. What do you think?

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Growing Wild...

Purple and pink are one of my favorite color combinations.I love the impatiens but so do the deer. If you live near the woods like I do, you may have trouble with deer eating your garden. Here is a recipe that really does work. I used to buy the netting and the $50.00 a gallon spray but my neighbor shared this with me and now the wild animals still come but they don't eat. Take an empty gallon jug, add 4 raw mixed eggs and one cup listerine type (I usually get the generic version )mouthwash, fill with water, shake well. Pour into a spray bottle and spray your plants. When I first used this, I did it every day to make sure, but now I only spray once a week. Sometimes the sprayer gets clogged so I spray water thru every now and then. I try to share this with everyone. No one wants to spend all that time and money and then have the deer eat it all.
These beautiful ferns have gotten so big. Time to devide them next spring.

I've heard of putting a mirror in the garden, so I tried it. What do you think?


Caladium and hostas are a perfect pair.




Friday, August 14, 2009

Garden BUZZzzzzz....

This morning as I was sitting outside, a big bumble bee came buzzing by. I followed him. First he landed on the pink begonias. Do you see him? He's right in the center.

Then he went to the hosta. And crawled inside the white flower. For a time he was so deep you wouldn't even know he was there.



I really don't like bees or any other flying insects. But I do love my flowers and we can't have one without the other. Bees are actually gardeners, tending to the garden. Spreading the pollen where ever needed.







Thursday, August 13, 2009

An extra chair...

We have an extra chair in the dining room . It sits in the corner waiting for that special guest to join us. For now it's a place for my basket of lace table cloths and napkins, a bag of home made potpourri and a sweet kitty creamer.

Morning sun...

The morning sun comes right in my bedroom window. This may not be a real rooster, but waking up to the bright sunshine ( at about 6:30am ) and seeing this vignette first thing in the morning, reminds me of how it must feel waking up to the roosters crowing in the country.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Fresh Garden Tomatoes...


There's nothing better than fresh picked, home grown, garden tomatoes. If you don't grow your own ask a friend. Most people grow way to many to eat by themselves. And if you grow your own, share some with a friend. Enjoy!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Cool Summer Evening...

This was such a beautiful summer evening. Sitting on the porch, the cool breeze, the setting sun. The crickets and cicadas are so loud. The lightning bugs are out - little flashes of light in the looming darkness. The days are getting shorter. You can just feel it. School is going to start in a couple of weeks. No more sleeping in. Back to routines. Let me just enjoy it a little longer.

Weekend flea mrkt/yard sale finds!

What a wonderful time I had this weekend findings treasures. And the prices were fantastic!
Roosters .50cents/ each

Tin .10 cents! Wow


Bag of molds 25 cents



Green plates 50 cents/ each
Wow! Did I get some Bargains! A lady even thru in a crocheted table cloth because it had a stain on it. What a great time. Now to clean them up and find a place to put them....





What a little glue can do......

This garden urn was cracked in 3 places but I just glued it back together and set it on top of a base to a birdbath that had been discarded. I placed a chipped plant saucer upside down for a more stable surface( the chip is hidden in back) and filled with ivy and impatiens. Just because something gets broken doesn't mean it still can't be used.

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