Thursday, September 29, 2011

Afternoon Thoughts













Morning and early afternoon spent tidying up our little nest we call home.. Air is still damp and chilly with not a speck of sunshine to be found....

This evening we will be going to play cards and have snacks with 2 other couples we will be going to Myrtle Beach with... As the rains continued yesterday { another 1 1/2"} so does our seeded grass continue to break through and show color... As the air seems to become cooler everyday, my thoughts of nesting become much stronger.. Making some changes here and there on a zero dollar budget remain strong in my thoughts... As we enter the darker time desires for attention of warmth and comfort are here also.. It always seems after traveling the journey of summer and much of our time and energy is spent out of doors our nests need some fluffing.. Although our temps are chilly there is something to say about the turning of leaves and sprouting of plumes before our eyes from ornamental grasses and our feet rustle through the leaves that have made their final journey to the ground...

I spent some time in the rec. room Tuesday night creating a piece of altered art from a very old book cover.... This was made to sit atop the fireplace mantle come the last week of October as I start to decorate my home for the holidays... This simple little creation will accent the antique and vintage rhinestone brooch bottle brush tree I made to be enclosed in the glass cloche that sits on my mantle also... The sparkle of snow and snowflakes will be added also... I have also added the old post card picture if you happen to love her as much as I do and would like to use it.... I will also be making a tag with the full post card and not just a cut out.....

The afternoon has become later and I must think of freshening up soon and we are going to go to "The Station" a local bar/restaurant in Defiance for tonight's special of a burger and hand cut french fries for 1.99... before we go to play cards... Hope you have a pleasant evening also....







Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Everyday Musings








The countryside is continuing it change and we are heading into our winter season as fall continues to strut it's stuff... As I look out the large picture window this moment the skies are very grey and the tree branches are swaying from the winds as it appears rain may be nearing ....

I have noticed on a few blogs the time has come for the setting of shoppes for the Christmas magical season to begin... This season for me is a frame of mind... As I have stated in the past.. Tom and I do not allow ourselves to give in to the tromping the streets and shoppes for buying and gift giving... We love sharing our time and home and nourishment with other friends and family but find the gift giving not to be necessary and relay that to our families... A gift of ones self is so very important to us...

Yesterday and today was and will be spent working through the back bedroom where I had the items for the sale stored for over a year... As I am cleaning I have found some more objects that were meant to be placed on the sale and it means once again a couple storage boxes will be needed... I do have to make a much better effort of identify what is in these boxes however for further use... as I can bring them out and use them for a change instead of the old saying " out of sight .. out of mind"....

MY fireplace mantle has been changes for a month or so of viewing and I have used the base I will also be using for Christmas decorating... The addition of ice branches and the changing of the glass cloche and I have a altered art piece locked in my thoughts I would like to create for this area.... I am anxious to start this piece as time is needed for just some relaxing... to me creating is total relaxing...and inspirational...

The sweet little carved pumpkin supporting a vintage button and crinkle ribbon was found yesterday in a unmarked bag while in the back room cleaning... Now it has found a home on the dining area table for a couple weeks... till the winter season takes top billing... I have been thinking of the gentle moments of the magical season that will soon be upon us... I am looking forward to taking the minutes and hours for making this season special but very very simple this year...snowflakes... snow... sparkle... and bottle brush trees... will be the theme... Most everything will remain in the storage boxes this season...

About 10 days or so will be spent away from home the first part of this coming month of October as Tom and I will be traveling and meeting up with 3 other couples from Defiance as we all travel to Myrle Beach... We will all be staying in separate condos at a resort there... We found this to be the best sort of vacation as we can do many things together but also just nothing if desires... Course the guys will be filling their desires with golf ... For myself I am just in total happiness just using the swimming and hot tub areas with a good book or my Ipad in hand... We are also ocean front as many hours will be spent just watching the waves come banging in... Maybe walking the beach and collecting some shells that could be placed out in the landscaping just completed by the new pool would make some nice memories also... { ps... we have been fortunate enough to receive some nice rains that have encouraged the grass seeding to peep and start to set a nice green foundation...}

I wanted to mention also that I have been having trouble being able to leave some comment on some of my favorite blogs... I am still reading and enjoying every moment spent there I just can't relay those thought... KIM ... you and KRAMER are one of the blogs I have not been able to connect with... Hope I can find a cure soon....

I must make a exist now and head toward that back bedroom and strip the bed and wash all the bedding.... and think of what will be nourishment for supper as lunch will be covered with a kettle of home-made chili that simmered all afternoon yesterday....

Sending out best wishes and I am feeling much better from the fall as the OUCH is getting much milder as the days pass. What a blessing.....




Saturday, September 24, 2011

A Charming Place To Dwell

Seems so long since I have had a chance to post or follow blogs I love and it in reality has only been a few days.. I am so ready to get back to my everyday simpler life.. The sale is over and was successful and the pool cover has been anchored and stretched and covered till next spring...
Thursday evening after the sale Tom and I rode to Defiance to catch a a bite to eat and upon returning home I misfooted and fell when getting out of the car right into my garden space in front of the house into a rock and buried plate in the garden area.. Needless to say I am bruised and sore but nothing broken... Geez, I don't like falls...I plan on making some small changes in the house this next week when I am not moving as gingerly... I will take a look at my objects I choose not to put a price on and mix them up and marry them with something new.... I always of course have a romantic look in mind... Simple but beautiful that delights the sense of sight and smell always works... Sparkling glassware catching light always adds a touch of the lovely.. I many times said that the lighting makes or breaks a mood in a room.. Spread soft light throughout the room instead of one pendant in the ceiling is the key... Always in cooler times the flickering of a candle or the fire in the fireplace makes it complete..
Although we may be having a few lovely days and I plan on enjoying them as they are available, I am adjusting to the fact that summer living has just about came to the end for this year here in Ohio. Already the weather can't seem to make up it's mind..as today is chilly and grey and damp... I know keeping chills a bay is now going to require supplying more blankets to the bedding and throws for chilly nights while reading or viewing TV.. It all becomes part of a process as we prepare for our seasons to change... as we choose ti live in a area with four season... It is time to focus on bringing and using a mix of flea market and higher end antique objects for a uplift and create some charming spaces to dwell...

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Musings

As I have been working my way through belongings this week for my sale tomorrow I have found I have not one large item... Everything I have to offer is some small little decorating treasure... I also discovered that about myself.. It is not my style to have some large statement piece... rather I like to take a whole bunch of small objects and place them onto a vignette to make a statement... It is intriguing how we all have our own style and way of display.... I also made a statement on Facebook that I have been cleaning out things and my home seems to have more in it now than I started with... I think I have set times out that I found and decided not to part with and haven't had time to arrange or work in... I have gathered some fall decorations from storage but not too many as I don't have a hugh supply... I do love bittersweet however and have some lovely pieces of silk from my design days... One piece I have pictured today and I love it... Filled with silk dried hydrangea's... spiced oranges... and vines of bittersweet all arranged in a natural state in a very large white bowl that is a part of a pitcher and bowl set... The pitcher part has the same hydrangea's arranged in my living room.... When we are collectors we sure do get a bunch of stuff.... I am just sitting here shaking my head at myself...
For me fall brings on a nesting instinct... Acquired taste over the years has allowed me to love fall decorating but I don't care much for Halloween decorating... The urge for more actual cooking and warm foods seems to increase... Tom and I both like the tradition of a Sunday feast... with that comes only 2 meals instead of 3 however... A late breakfast and a complete supper...
I know all the delicate little details in ones lives differ greatly from family to family and I strongly urge all of you to live the life you love and enjoy... For me a touch of vintage and antique... good food ... family and friends just about says it all...
So long again for a couple days as I get through the sale and play catch it up afterwards... Sending best wishes and blessings....

Friday, September 16, 2011

Garage Sale Offerings

This is my living room that will give you some idea of the type of offerings....





My fireplace







My pie safe with aged silver... Yummmm..









Perfume bottles and Mirror and altered art in glass cloche... The pics above are just to give you some idea of the style that will be offered at this sale... This is what I would call a "GIRLY" sale.... NO CLOTHES... except a few offerings of antique and vintage... No large furniture... mainly smaller decorating treasures...





As promised I wanted to share a few pics and a short listing of the many little treasures that will be at my garage sale... Thursday ..Sept 22nd 9-6 and Fri. 9 to noon.. half price...

















Old antique tin hamper that has a re-do and is hand painted with roses...















Candle Holder with candles...


















Old celluloid box with gloves... post card holder with card ... Little accent pillow



















Pillows





















Vintage hats.....






















Holder and vintage lovely china celery tray

























Embellished with vintage brooch glass frame with 2 changes of pics.. Other pic is gals in their furs for fall and winter...




























Shabby frame...




























Silver butter tray altered art piece.. I will have other aged silver including a silver teapot to offer....































Lovely embellished paper dolls for decorating your Christmas tree or everyday enjoyment.... I sold a couple thousand dollars worth of these on Ebay over a couple years...


































I have included a picture of the wall in my living room with objects similar to what you will find in these garage sale offerings... This is a "GIRLY" sale...






A short list of some more treasures that will be at this sale.



Christmas ...



Perfume bottles



Never used espresso pot



Vintage and antique dishes



Many altered art creations



Mirror



Many pillows



Hat Pins



Beaded Napkins Rings



A bit of vintage clothing... hats.. gloves... ect...



Vintage Pie Saver Pink with a rose decal



Whiting Davis vintage purse..

The items I am offering are not from your everyday local retailer like Walmart ect. These offerings have the charm of times past... I have been in design for many years over 25 now and have retired... Many little gems came from high end gift marts or antique shoppes.. and some are created by me.. Many , more small little treasures that won't last long...
































Grain Sack Musings






































I usually do not end to follow trends but I am sure loving the newest and hottest trend of the use of vintage grain sacks... Seems with the recession and more budgets being put in place people are moving away from the more polishes and toward vintage and hand-made materials... The warmth of these objects offer comfort to people in times of hardship and have personality all their own..

Grain sacks were designed to be past down from generation to generation with pride with the family coat of arms and their lovely calligraphy.. They were made to last for years upon years... Now days the sacks can be laid out and framed.. made into pillows... used on couches.. footstool, and others.. French grain sacks with lovely calligraphy can be quite expensive however.. I have become quite obsessed with them and have used them in many areas of my home... I think with lives being so very hectic we are searching for a calmness and feel of warmth and cozy. Feed sacks remind people of a more natural and simpler life style. Once again embracing the use of handmade. Sacks are not being thought of as old farm country decor anymore...

Charming gifts and indulgences can be created with even worn, patched, one of a kind sacks with its strong, course texture...

Affording the real thing is not a option for myself but I can create some similar looks by stencils and free hand...

Pics and other information can be found here....



Curtain picture from the catalog of Anthropologie





















Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Values I Hold So Dear

It was off to town this morning to get my meds and place a ad in the newspaper for my coming garage sale.. It will be Thursday of next week on the 22 nd... While picking up my meds they were offering the flu shots so I also recieved that again this year... The remains of this afternoon I will seek out more objects I will be willing to part with and price for the sale...
The elements I love and define what I consider my style will have to stay with me as I don't mind as I love almost all of them and my budget doesn't allow much spending...
With aging I have changed almost to the point of dramatic... I find only wishes for a peaceful, much, much more simpler , happier, life.. With the lessen in desires, I have found my life to be much more fulfilling.. Time taken to absorb the gentle breezes and the beauty that is all around me... to allow time to read a book that transports me to a different time and different places many times ... simples pleasures...
The pool crew is suppose to come this week with the cover for our new pool and the first year they will close it up for us... as they have to come and drill screws for fastening and stretching the new cover... The water is very cold and the crickets and leaves are making their way into the pool making it a real challenge to care for... The landscaping we choose to do was simple and is completed , except I would like to make a trip to select stone down by Toledo and pick up a few speciality rocks and one dramatic one for the one stone garden... The seeded area is shooting new grass and showing a bit of green.. Tom is however thinking of seeding it again to make it thicker... The time has come to winterize this wonderful part of our back yard and look forward to the spring opening...
I am off to search out a few more objects for pricing.. As I look about you can see the way I place things together I do truly love most of my belongings.. and do not have to have new or different.. It does become a state of mind...
As the weather report forecasts much cooler weather the next few days... for today it is just lovely and comforting to walk out on our acres and enjoy the calmness of the day.. These days and times are what truly matters and the values I hold so dear....

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Burlap and Grain Sacks




As the leaves continue to start there gentle journey to the ground thoughts travel toward fall decorating and objects... With not caring for many rules toward decorating I think fall takes quite kindly to the use of burlap and grain sacks that can be made of cotton.. jute... or hemp... coarsely woven... Burlap is very versatile, and can easily be used with primitives to glam... I especially love it with the use of a unlikely partner of laces and finer fabrics... Many lovely and charming decorating ideas can be accomplished with the use of this heavier material..... let your imagination be your guide as you will find this can be also a very budget friendly way of decorating.....




Sources for pics...











Saturday, September 10, 2011

Changes Are Upon Us

As the mornings in our area have become chilly thoughts of whip creme covered melting hot chocolates have taken over thoughts instead of my favorite summer beverage of iced lemonade....
Rain... rain and more rain has been answered by earlier prayers this summer when we were in need so very badly... Now ... reversed prayers may soon be needed to tighten the valve.... so farmers will be able to go to the fields in a couple weeks to try to secure the harvest that will be allowed to them...
I believe we will also be calling next week to have our pool cover installed and closed for this year as the elements are making it very difficult to keep it clean.. That enjoyment will be placed in storage... just as our holiday ornaments and decorations until the proper time to unveil it once again...
This time of the year has a transition time and sometimes is difficult to come in from outdoor events but we must... I have started my fall and winter entertainment by reading a book.... " Growing Up Amish" by Ira Wagler... I also purchased " The Help" yesterday while doing grocery shopping... The local library has it reserved into the middle of next year... Hard to believe.... More time spent indoors however does allow more time to be spent on altered art and creating... as more time is allowed due to not having outdoor chores.... I do have many projects waiting for this time period...
I had passed on all the issues of Jeanne d Ark since last Christmas but have allowed myself to order the fall and Christmas from Tracey... I will so be looking forward to receiving them... They are so lovely but with my shoestring of a budget I must make some choices to a couple a year... All the lovely pics today are from the Jeanne d Ark living site...


Lovely gift boxes will be making their appearance under the twinkling of lights of our beautiful trees.....



Candles will be flickering their dances on our ceilings and the lovely scents will be enjoyed by all....





Trimmings will be displayed in all their loveliness.......but for now however ... chilly temps... falling leaves... pumpkins...bittersweets and nuts and berries are all starting to make their appearances.... as many are starting to add the touches for this season that is upon us.... Sending wishes for a pleasant weekend your way..

" LIFE IS NOT ABOUT WAITING FOR THE STORM TO PASS....IT'SABOUT LEARNING TO DANCE IN THE RAIN " unknown






Thursday, September 8, 2011

A Warm And Cozy Cottage

Everyone can identify with a fragrant garden, with the beauty of a sunset, with the quiet of nature, with a warm and cozy cottage... Thomas Kinkade

Creating a warm welcome to our home ... for those who we love to visit... family, friends, and neighbors.... A wonderful thought.....


We here in Ohio have been experiencing rain and cool temps and winds the past couple days... The work I would have loved to accomplished I am pretty sure may be waiting coming next spring... We did have a load of decorative stone delivered to finish the one back area by the new pool... Hopefully that will get done by next week... Falling leaves, 3 days of wind and rain have some things looking pretty drab here but hopefully the lawn that was freshly seeded will take sprout... I am sure some pretty days will return yet this month however...


Home is where my heart is as I have stated many times before... The place we long to return to after a long stressful day... But is home is just 4 walls and been left untidy and unorganized it could be just more stress. Today I have a kettle of home-made chicken noodle soup on simmering for lunch... Since being in the back yard and by the pool is out of the question today... I am thankful for a cozy warm shelter inside our home... Today it has provided me with a sense of security from the word outside as the rain and chill continues... It is the complete home however that brings a sense of ease into our life...


Most of my day yesterday was spent pricing more objects for my coming sale of which I think will take place on the 22nd of this month... I am off for a nice warm bowl of soup and complete more chores and some pricing...



Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Gathering Autumn Treasures

For myself it is always a welcome time to return to a normal everyday life after a holiday weekend. Some times we have so much anticipation of what it should be and some of the times it just isn't... it is nice to return to a routine... Time is in his... It is only 7:30 in the morning and he is headed to Wauseon to play golf already... Yep... he's in his routine.... A very chilly holiday was spent yesterday... We went from 98 degree weather to the 50's... It has been the most unusual summer I think I can remember and experience....
I am ready for fall after the chaos of this summer although it means the closing of our lovely new pool... but also knowing what we have to look forward to next spring.... Crispness and clarity has definitely arrived... It becomes the season season of plenty with the arrival of the final harvest for the season... Tomatoes sit in a large group on our out door table awaiting someone to slice them for enjoyment and it will bring on the apples oh so crisp.... The making of wonderful treats from our kitchens will be in full swing... apple sauces... apple butters and ciders and just wonderful baked apples from our ovens, will be in full swing...
It becomes a might bit tempting to partake in pumpkins, squash, Indian corn, gourds and bittersweet for decorating our homes... I know my cooking and baking seems more complete meals start to increase during this time.. The foods prepared seems more comforting... Although I have corn stalks available in our fields I choose not to decorate with them as the winds and rain always seem to make a mess of them, scattering them all over the yard... so I just stay away from using them... As fall gets further along the winds pull our leaves from our trees and leave them like skeletons for the season... This is always a sad time as I love the foliage on the trees but the ice and snow lays upon these skeletons and creates a winter blizzard effect and creates wonderful beauty also... Fall is the one time of the year that we allow dummies in our yards.. Chuckle... Then comes the goblins... I have already started to knock down cobwebs inside and outside our home... I will be going to storage this morning after posting and gathering some of my outdoor fall decoration... keeping it simple will be placing them out on the front porch today...
As we enter into the plentiful season it will be a perfect background for pleasures and wonderful treats... Don't forget to get those clear white lights and add them to your fall settings as a early start for Christmas.... It is wonderful the fall traditions have developed into some magical fun filled days and nights and it is a reminder for us to stop and enjoy moments as the pass by so very quickly... The calendar says the time is arriving .... so lets just enjoy the offerings and treasures this season creates for us.....

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Imagination..Creates Personality

Received many lightening bolts and God bowling strikes last evening and through the night but very small amount of rain... The sun is trying to peep out as I am typing this post...
As many of you will be touring around this weekend with different celebrations of all kinds... do you let your imagination travel with you? I know many times I view styles or something I find very appealing and try to imagine how I can make something similar work in my style... Always love looking for seating arrangements.. Bold colors not so much as they do not work for me.. I have to go with calming.. not something that makes me want to jump out of my shoes when entering the room...To enjoy the ambiance I love I have to stay with warm color choices... Considering how you can out something to use can be quite challenging and fun... It only makes sense to do what you want to surround yourself in... I love lots of stuff yet a more serene way of living... I always have stressed groupings instead of items just setting randomly everywhere... It all should be dome with your imagination and own personal touches however.. It is wonderful to find inspiration but making it your own is what adds the personal charm.Viewing and searching out salvage architecture can make many forms of decorating very lovely.. In my area this form is salvage is not very often found... Not plentiful as I have viewed on other blogs that you may have access to ... in fact, if you find one piece you may be lucky... Letting your imagination travel with you on your journeys will bring one-of-a-kind character by revealing your own personality....