To Save a Buck, To Share a Swap, To Thank My Friends

 

Got a bee in my bonnet and needed something for over my sea inspired mantle...what to do?  I went on a hunt for a piece of wood and found this piece of paneling.  Where this paneling came from is any one's guess, there is nothing like it anywhere in my home.  Any who, to save a buck, or two or twenty...I cleaned the panel and got out my sticky plastic letters that I've used for so many projects.  I got this technique from Joan at Anything Goes Here, a while back, and have used it ever since.

 

It's so easy...stick the letters, paint over the letters, peel off the letters before the paint is completely dry.


 

I only had this shade of green spray paint so I let her rip.  Now you have to wait for the reveal since my photos loaded all out of order...

Debby over at Cozy Blanket hosted a swap.  My partner was Alyssa from Boston Bee.  I sent out my box of goodies without photographing them. (I was trying to get things done before our baby grand was born) I went over to Alyssa's blog to see what she liked and packed a box with things I made and stuff she might enjoy.  I just received a box filled with goodness from Alyssa.  She is a talented artist, and sent me some of her original art made into greeting cards, so wonderful.  A beautiful tin of tea, fragrant soap, a starfish, an embroidered tea towel and a hobnail votive holder.  The part I liked the most was the thought and kindness given to packing this box for me.  Thank you Alyssa, I'll stop by often to see what you're up to!



Alyssa's artwork!



So many goodies!

Amazing generosity!

And now...Back to our regularly scheduled program...

 

Peeling the letters while the paint is still tacky is the trick!

 

This is my 500th post!  Blogging is now a part of me.  I'm curious by nature, so the chance to post and share the things I'm doing, the things that interest me... it's perfect for me.  I came to this time in my life where I needed a place like this, and inspired by so many of you, here I am.   I am blessed to have made so many friends through blogging.  People who through comments and emails have become supportive and cherished friends.  Thank you to all my followers, the dear ones that comment faithfully, and all the friends I've made here.  Thanks especially to my family here at home that inspire me, support me and love me, just the way I am.  I am extremely blessed, and tremendously grateful.  Enjoy this beautiful day my friends!

Summer Mantle and Buffet

 

Summer is just around the corner so time to change things up a little.  I started with my empty mantle...First I have to say that I packed up all the stuff I used for my Spring mantle and labeled the container with a detailed list of what was inside.  Through the years I've collected so much stuff, but I find I use only a few things I really like. 

 

I started with the water..aka some sheer fabric with a watery hue.

Added a seascape I bought for 50 cents last year, a sailboat, some driftwood...(to admit that I can't find my 4 ft. piece of driftwood, would be telling...imagine the state of my basement storage, that I can't find a 4ft piece of driftwood!)  a lighthouse...

 

A sea inspired platter, lantern, more driftwood, some glass wired beads to symbolize ocean spray and some ornaments and a sea bird.  Look again at the top picture and see the foreground...I like it!


 

When I started to change things up on the buffet, I started with the farmhouse print.  I was going to hang the quilt, but it is so tattered that I used my large window (that is also a coffee table, I have brackets and legs that screw on) to prop it up.  I shopped the house for vintage items that might be found in a farmhouse...my blue ball canning jars, one filled with buttons, the cloche filled with ecru crochet cotton, more cotton in the fruit baskets.  I found all those scissors, hanging on the pegboard in the utility part of the basement.  My Dad hung them when we moved in...18 years ago.  Lunchbox and crock, mini picnic basket and my pharmacy bottle and galvanized soap dish from Joy's Shop the Shed. What do you think?

A few things to share with you tomorrow,  more decorating, my first swap, and my 500th post!!!  Have a great day my friends. Thanks for stopping by.

Transit of Venus, The Planet of Love



tiny Sun from the pin hole camera

 Did you see it? Venus, the planet of Love, passed across the Sun yesterday at 5:04 Chicago time.  The only safe way to view it was with eclipse glasses or a pin hole camera.  Cajoling my hubby to help, we made a pin hole camera, but the image was so tiny we didn't see anything.  Then hubby found online a suggestion to use binoculars to project the image onto light colored paper, and it worked! We actually saw Venus!


too small to see anything!

 If you missed it, mark your calendar, it will happen again December 11, 2117!


The binocular projection.




Thanks honey, perfect to see the planet of love with the one I love!



Speaking of Love...We have face time everyday with our favorite girls.  Today is the 2 week birthday of our sweet p.  She's changing everyday...thank goodness for technology!  Have a great day my friends.

Summer Reading

 

My dear Kristen gave me these books when we were in NY for our grand daughter's birth.  First, The Vintage Table, by Jacqueline de Montravel, and the editors of Romantic Homes Magazine.  This is a book you want to jump into the pages of.  If you're a fan of vintage linens, retro tableware, old and old looking accessories, this book is for you.  Beautiful photography and chock full of great table setting and decorating ideas.  Kristen knows what I like, and this book is way cool.

The second book is, The Bluebird Effect by Julie Zickefoose. 

 

If you've ever had a close encounter with a hummingbird, become friends with a pair of cardinals, you speak the same language as the author.  There are many stories of how Julie has interacted with birds her whole life.  The book is beautifully illustrated with watercolor paintings and drawings.

 

The perfect book for summer reading, inspirational and heart warming.

I am also reading A Natural Woman, Carole King.  Just when you think you know something about a person, you find out you don't know anything at all.  This book has been a revelation...  The truth is I thought Carole's book might have some juicy tidbits about James Taylor, someone who's music I adore, and seriously,  I've had a crush on him since high school.  James' and Carole's career's have crossed since  before Tapestry and Mud Slide Slim, and recently with their Live at the Troubadour album.  There is some info about their early friendship, but I am now amazed at Carole's story. If you are into the music of the last 50 years, this book is for you.  One thing I'll reveal from the book...The lyrics of the song, Natural Woman were written by her then husband, Gerry Geffin...by a MAN and not Carole who wrote the music. I know, shocking!!!

Kristen and Doug and baby Penny are doing great. There is so much love in that little family. Grandma Penny is still blue and missing them all. We talk and face time every day...it helps, a little.  Sometimes Penny looks right into the iPad at me...I hope there will be a connection between us over the miles. Sigh...

I'm busy in the garden every morning and waking up feeling the work in my bones.  It's getting better and easier as the work gets done.  Just a small patch of garden still to be weeded, and then to start all over again to keep up with Mother Nature. 

Thank you so much for stopping by my friends, enjoy this beautiful day!

June, the beginning...

 

These photos were taken a couple of days ago...the weather has changed, not unusual for Chicago but a 40 degree temperature drop and rain for two days puts a damper on your gardening...  Just when you really wanna get out there. 

 

The first of June, oh my...how often I wondered what I'd feel like on the first of June.  Would we been home?  Would our baby girl arrive on time, or make us wait.  But here we are at home, grandparents, and the summer ahead of us. 

 

 I know what I love most about summer...  Walks by Lake Michigan in Wilmette, rides to the Lake shore up north in Wisconsin, Ravinia, an outdoor concert venue where dining and listening to music under the stars is the most romantic thing. Day trips to Galena, overnight to Door County..how will we fit it all in?

 

Flea market Sundays, Car rides with my dearest,  outdoor dinners with the guys and this year a summer visit from a certain very special small person, and her wonderful Mom and Dad. 


 

We've got summer birthdays to plan, a aniversary to celebrate, new shops to explore, friends and family to host...  The thing about summer is that it's over in the blink of the eye,  Savor every long day, drink in the sunshine, bring a cool drink out and fresh flowers in every day. Gaze at the night sky, watch for the ISS, wave hello and wish them Godspeed as they pass.   Enjoy each beautiful day my friends!  Have a great weekend.