No Sugar, Extra Cream

So this is Christmas...

2011-12-24T23:54:00.000-05:00

Stopping in to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas before I head off to bed. Tomorrow will be such a busy day with family, food and lots of laughs. Blair and I can't wait to watch McKenzie open all of her gifts! She is such a doll baby!

I'll leave you with a quick picture of a mantel I did at my sister's house.... I'm loving the mix of white pitchers, old spools, Santa's and cedar!

Merry Christmas to All.... and to All a Good Night!

Happy Turkey Day!

2011-11-24T08:48:00.000-05:00

I would love to say that I haven't blogged lately because I've been tirelessly redoing my dining room to get it ready for a huge gathering of family and friends... or playing around trying to create the perfect tablescape to enhance that newly decorated dining room... or busy poring over all of my recipe books planning that perfect Thanksgiving menu... but, alas, none of that would be true... :-) Truth be told, I am a terrible blogger... but that's okay with me... because that just gives me more time to spend reading everyone else's perfectly wonderful blogs!!

The girls and I are headed to my Mom's where we will meet up with the rest of our family and enjoy a wonderful day of food, a lot of talking on top of each other, a lot of laughter, and more food... but it's the sweet kind the 2nd time... desserts are always the best!

Hope everyone has a wonderful day full of the same! Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm So Vintage Feature

2011-10-17T11:57:00.000-04:00

Laura over at I'm So Vintage has a great post today featuring vintage toys that bring back some great childhood memories... and she included the vintage jump rope I have for sale in my Etsy shop!

Click on the link and check out her blog - she always shares such lovely photos!

I'm So Vintage: playful shopping on a monday: my grandson on a recent camping trip enjoying the simple pleasures of childhood After last weeks very spooky Halloween shopping, I tho...

Vintage Camera Goodness

2011-09-12T12:39:00.000-04:00

I love vintage cameras. I don't know why, because I can't take pictures worth a darn. Truly... my daughters will take the camera away from me if they see me even trying to snap pictures at a family gathering... and I'm okay with that. I mean, we all have our strengths and weaknesses, right? And sometimes you just have to accept what you know to be a weakness and move on....

Since I have no expertise in the photography field, I choose to love them because they look nice sitting on a shelf, or adding that touch of "something" to a room sitting on a stack of old books. The older the better for me - like the old box cameras - those are some of my favorites.

I have a couple of cameras displayed in my home, a couple in my Etsy store (just because I don't know how to use them doesn't mean I can't buy them), and a few that I've bought that I haven't had a chance to clean up and photograph for my store yet... (and yes, I said I was going to photograph them). :-)

So how excited was I this morning to see that someone else loves vintage cameras too and featured one of mine in her Treasury! If you're like me, and love vintage cameras, you need to check this one out. It's full of sweet old vintage camera goodness!

Have you forgotten?

2011-09-11T13:16:00.000-04:00

There have been some beautiful tributes over the last several days as our Nation marks the 10th Anniversary of the September 11th Terrorist Attacks. As I've watched the coverage, I can tell you that it all feels just as raw to me now as it did then. I didn't live or work in New York City on September 11th. I didn't work at the Pentagon. Nor did I then, or now have, any connection to Shanksville, Pennsylvania. I didn't personally know any of the victims of that horrible tragedy. But I was and still am an American. And what happened that day changed all of our lives.

I watched Fox News' coverage Saturday afternoon of the Flight 93 Memorial unveiling. It made me proud to see President Bush and First Lady Laura, President Clinton, Speaker Boehner and Vice President Biden and his wife, Jill, there to remember those who gave their lives that day to save who knows how many others' lives. I sat with tears streaming down my face when Sarah McLachlan sang I Will Remember You... and then when I thought I was done, she sat down at the piano again and sang Angel. And the tears flowed again.

I did get a laugh out of President Clinton when he said "Since I am no longer in office, I can do unpopular things"... but then he got serious again when he went on to tell everyone that he was shocked that they still needed to raise $10 million to finish the memorial. So, in his words, "Speaker Boehner and I have already volunteered to do a bipartisan event in Washington and let's get this show on the road. Let's roll." He used those words. Those words that every single time I hear them, I think of Todd Beamer and the passengers of Flight 93. If anybody ever needs to define the word "hero", you need to look no further than the passengers of Flight 93. They were true American heroes.

This morning it has been wall-to-wall coverage of the memorial services at Ground Zero, the Pentagon and that field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. We've heard over and over again the calls made to loved ones from those who knew, at that moment, that they were going to die. We've seen the damage and destruction at the Pentagon and heard the stories from those who risked their lives to save coworkers and strangers in the darkness after the crash. We've watched repeated images of the planes crashing into the Towers. Countless images of the Towers on fire. And even more images of the Towers coming down with all of the smoke and ash rushing through the streets, covering everyone and everything in its path. We've relived the events with first responders, rescue workers and survivors, and have cried with all of them over all of the lives lost.

We have watched our current and past Presidents attend memorials at each site, speak to the families, and lay wreaths in remembrance. We've held moments of silence, read names, rang bells, sang songs, and shared memories. And while it may seem like the coverage is excessive, it isn't. What happened on that day changed our lives. We don't need to live in an "out of sight, out of mind" society. We need to understand that the threat is still there and it is real. We, as a Nation, need to remember September 11th. Every. Single. Day. And then we need to live every day like it was September 12, 2001. United. As a Nation.

This song by Darryl Worley says it all.

"My fellow Americans, for as long as our country stands, people will look to the resurrection of New York City and they will say: Here buildings fell, and here a nation rose." - George Bush

Sepia September

2011-08-22T10:20:00.000-04:00

It's so nice to start your day off with love from a fellow Etsian! I woke this morning to a feature in a pretty sepia-toned Treasury entitled simply September. There are some very pretty things featured -- one of which is a precious Sepia Bottle Brush Tree that I created for my Etsy shop. :-)

I'd love it if you'd take a few minutes and visit this pretty Treasury - and be sure to check out the shop of its creator, VintageRedoux, while you're there!

Champagne Party

2011-07-05T09:30:00.002-04:00

Well, no, I'm not having a Champagne Party... but a sweet Etsian by the name of "unbirthdayparty" decided to have a virtual one today and made herself a Treasury! She was sweet enough to include a set of Vintage Butter Pats I had just added to my shop probably an hour before her Treasury was created. Now how sweet is that?!

Be sure and check out her Treasury and visit all of the other Etsy shops featured while you're there!

Childhood Memories

2011-07-04T10:07:00.000-04:00

I had another sweet Etsian feature my vintage jump robe in a Treasury! 4EnvisioningVintage created a great Treasury full of memories from her childhood Summers. Check it out here - I'm betting there's at least one thing featured that will bring back a childhood memory for you too! And don't forget to check out her shop while you're there!

A Picnic with a Chicken

2011-07-02T20:40:00.000-04:00

Ok, so I didn't really go on a picnic with a chicken... LOL But I did find a really sweet picnic basket and an old gavanized chicken waterer at a yard sale this morning! The ad for the sale was titled "THIS IS THE BIG ONE!" - they had cleaned out the attic, the garage, had an old this, an antique that, it just sounded like one of those sales you would just be crazy to miss! Well, I thought about missing it. I really did. Had a ton of errands to run, and it was already hot - 85° and it was only 10 AM - but I ended up on that side of town and decided to ride by there to see what was left. And I'm really glad I did.

I pulled up expecting a REALLY HUGE SALE. Instead, I found a couple of tables set up with a bit more stuff lining both sides of the driveway. The couple running the sale were super sweet and said they had been swamped with people earlier - seems I might of missed some really cool stuff while I ran errands.

So, here's what I found.... when I asked about that sweet picnic basket, the girl said it was the basket that her family took on every single picnic they went on when she was little. And with that little memory shared, she named a price and it was sold! LOL That scissor lamp sitting on the chair is way cool too -- it has a great industrial feel, but the metal shade is painted like a tole lamp. I can't wait to get that one cleaned up!

I'm loving these bottles too... the one with the remains of the label still intact has a nice bubble in the glass and is taking on a great lavender tint. The cigar box they're sitting in was a freebie because one of the little wooden slats on the end was missing. Oh well... :-)

The minnow bucket is great - the graphics on it show some wear - but not enough to take away from its vintage goodness... coming from someone who loves the look of old galvanized metal... Then there's the other galvanized goodie. The girl at the sale said it was a chicken feeder - which is what I thought it was when I found it. My DH informed me when I got home that it was not a chicken feeder, it was a chicken waterer. I said "whatever... it's cool... and it's mine..." I got the big eye-roll with that one.

So, that was my morning - how was yours?

Hooray for the Red White and Blue!

2011-06-28T17:45:00.001-04:00

Went window shopping on Etsy while I was watching my Gamecocks play in the College World Series last night and kept finding cool vintage red, white and blue stuff. So I decided to work up a Patriotic Treasury for the 4th.

I don't know about the rest of you, but sometimes when I flip through Treasuries on Etsy, I end up seeing the same items and the same Sellers featured over and over again. So, I tried my best to only include items that had not been included in a Treasury before, or at the most, only one other time. I'm sure some of the Sellers I featured have had other items featured before, but at least the item I chose to feature is different. There are so many really good shops and sellers on Etsy that tend to get lost in the shuffle, so it's nice to be able to spread the love!

So with all that said, Hooray for the Red White and Blue!

Last Day for Silhouette Giveaway!!

2011-06-27T14:51:00.000-04:00

Ok, I know I'm always late to the party.... story of my life.... but if it's still June 27th when you're reading this, you still have time to enter to win too! Hop on over to Funky Junk Interiors and lets see which one of us gets lucky!!

Oh - and while you're visiting Funky Junk, be sure and check out her latest project -- the Junky Picket Phone Organizer -- it's one cool message center! :-)

Some Vintage Puppy Love

2011-06-22T19:10:00.001-04:00

I was visiting a few Etsy shops the other night and kept coming across the sweetest vintage puppies.... so I created a Treasury so that others could see them too! Enjoy!

Some Vintage Puppy Love

I Got Featured!

2011-06-21T19:15:00.002-04:00

I'm so excited! I was reading my daily Etsy Finds email the other day -- the theme of this one was "Yacht Rock" -- and I'm scrolling down through the email and I get about half-way down and think "that looks like my little yachting cap"... "wow - it is my little yachting cap!"... so I click on my pic and it takes me, obviously, to the item in my shop... and what do you know - it had sold! Now how cool was that?!

Thanks Etsy Admin!!

** Oh - and you can check out the entire newsletter here!

Treasures from Hwy 23

2011-06-20T19:30:00.001-04:00

So, besides all of the pretty houses up and down Hwy 23, there were a ton of yard sales! Of course, there were also times when you just drove and drove down the 2-lane highway past groves of peach trees, fields and cows and just enjoyed the scenery, all while wondering "where do these people shop?!?!" These were also the times when you realized you had lost all hope of finding a cell signal... But then you'd see a cluster of cars pulled off the side of the road ahead of you, and you just had to pull over too!

One of my favorite towns is always Ridge Spring. It is exactly what you picture small-town America as being... sweet Main Street full of charming old buildings, railroad tracks, and a Town Square complete with a white gazebo... reminiscent of Grandview in Ghost Whisperer. People were set up on the sidewalks, empty parking lots, all up and down the Town Square. You could buy fresh produce straight from the farm, eat your weight in boiled peanuts and homemade peach ice cream, or just wander though all the tables of treasures. Last year when we came back through this town they had a band setting up in the gazebo apparently to celebrate all of us finally leaving their quiet little town! :-)

Here's a shot of what I found that day. Obviously, I don't just stick to one particular style, theme, era, etc., when I yard sale. But just so you know, the creepy Santa in the back is not coming to live with me permanently... he creeped Blair out so much she didn't even want me to buy him! LOL

I absolutely loved the blue and white transferware Auld Lang Syne Bowl/Cup and Saucer! And so did my Mom -- it was her Birthday gift! None of the pics I took do that piece justice... it is beautiful in person and was a great find. It has already found a lovely place to call home on a Queen Anne desk in her front hall.

And see that neat old demerol bottle in the front? It has gone to live with my niece, Kathryn, who is studying to be a Nurse.

And the Short'nin' Bread sheet music in the back? Going to Kathryn's Mom - she has collected negrobilia (how do you spell that??) for as long as I can remember - and she's a Clemson fan too - so between the bright orange color and the sweet Mammy - it had Carol's name all over it! LOL

We really did have a good time even though it was sooooo hot - but I can't wait to do it again next year! I just hope a cold front decides to come through that day....

A Little Hwy 23 Love...

2011-06-19T12:21:00.000-04:00

Blair and I hit the road a couple of weekends ago and sweated our butts off at the 5th annual Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale. It's a great local "longest yard sale" that starts each year in Batesburg-Leesville and ends in a little town called Modoc. We just thought last year was hot... I'm pretty sure we hit 100° this year! We were seriously so hot and sweaty, that by the time we got to Edgefield every bit of energy we started with had been zapped, so we turned around and made our way back home. I'll never know what treasures we left behind in Modoc that day.... but the thought of driving 17 more miles to get there was just more than either one of us could handle! LOL

Before I share pics of the treasures we did find that day, I thought I'd share a few shots of houses you pass as you travel down Hwy 23. There are so many beautiful old houses, I wish I could have taken pics of all of them... but sometimes people driving behind you just don't understand why you feel the need to come to a dead stop in front of a house when there's no "yard sale" sign in the yard! :-)

So here we go..... House #1 - this one is big and beautiful! You can't really tell from the pic, but it sits back from the road at the top of a small rise and makes quite the statement as you drive by.

House #2 - don't let the trees blocking this one fool you -- it is a wonderful house - with a gorgeous old front door!

House #3 - This one has wonderful lines - I think what would be considered a gambrel roof - and all those columns across that wrap-around porch! It's one of those you drive by and think how very pretty it could be with a little bit of love...

House # 4 - another wrap-around porch - but this one wraps around on both sides! The gothic lines on the upper windows, the front door surround and all of the architectural trim set this one apart from your basic white farmhouse.

House #5 - Who doesn't love BIG WHITE COLUMNS?! I love this house - the balcony above the front door - but my absolute favorite part of this house was the wrought iron fencing in the front! Don't you just love that gate?? Just beautiful!

and finally, House #6 - This great Greek Revival is just a treasure... don't you just love the trim shape above the windows and the awesome double front door? They just can't make new ones with the same look and feel... you can just hear that screen door slapping shut...

If you're ever in the area, I would highly recommend a leisurely drive down Hwy 23... it's a lovely little slice of Americana... and don't forget your camera!

2011-05-02T21:59:00.000-04:00

Don't you love Springtime?? I've spent a weekend - or two or three - doing what I love best... hitting yard sales and estate sales! Found some neat things for my Etsy shop and some equally neat things for me to keep! :)

There's a celery vase in the back right of the pic that is just to die for in its simple beauty. And it doesn't hurt that it has just the slightest lavender tint going on either! The gravy boat is delicious and I can't wait to do some digging on the little gold rimmed glasses to find out more info on them. Then there are the postcards -- they have to have a certain look to them to get my attention -- and I just happened to come across a few that show life at Myrtle Beach in the 1940's - what a different place it was back then! My, my how times have changed!

I have this thing about old books too. It's like a sickness.... LOL I can't seem to leave an estate sale without a stack of them following me home! Sometimes it's the title that gets me, sometimes it's the cover, or sometimes there's just some sweet little inscription written on the inside cover that meant enough to someone that they held on to that book for years and years.... and how heartless would I be to let that book end up in a landfill somewhere?!

So, is there something that you just can't bring yourself to leave behind when you hit estate and yard sales?? I'd love to hear about it... you know, it's that misery loves company thing.... :)

Seriously...

2010-11-28T23:24:00.000-05:00

Wow... I seriously did not mean to take such a long break from blogging. I mean, geez, it's been a year! I mean, I've eaten another Thanksgiving dinner since I've taken time to post here! Of course I'd like to say I haven't touched a computer or, better yet, read anybody else's blog in all that time.... but I'd be telling a big fat lie!! LOL

So, it will take me a bit longer than I have tonight to catch up on the past year, but I'll give you just a highlight or two real quick...

Let's see... where to start.... well, my oldest daughter and her significant other have bought a house and started a family! On July 27th they had the prettiest little baby girl! McKenzie is the absolute sweetest thing alive! Now I can say that, cuz I'm her grandmother *cough* *cough* Actually, we don't use that word around here... makes me feel WAY older than I am... so we are still trying to figure out what she might call me one day. Suggestions are welcome. :)

Here's a pic of my little sweetie taken in September - she was 2 months old. Isn't she precious?!

I've also been keeping busy with my Etsy shop. I had spent some time several weekends ago bleaching a load of bottle brush trees to get ready for my own Christmas decorating, and wanted to do some in my Etsy shop too. But they had to be different.... so I looked through my stash of stuff (which, according to my husband, I have way more of than the law should allow...) and came up with some different ways to display them. Here's a sampling of a few things that will be finding their way into my shop before Cyber Monday shopping begins...

Lots of pretty things! It makes me want to start decorating tonight... except I've got all these things to get loaded into my Etsy shop before tomorrow morning...

Guess I better go get busy. I'm heading out to Kensington Mansion in the morning to help decorate the mansion for Christmas tours. I'll be back this week to update a bit more.

Thanks for sticking with me!

Thanksgiving Wishes

2009-11-26T09:43:00.002-05:00

Just wanted to take a minute this morning to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope that you are able to spend time with family and friends today. The girls and I are going to my Mom's where there will be, I think, 21 of us at last count, sharing what is always a fun time and a really great meal!

Today we are most thankful that on Monday my nephew, Ryan, made it back safely to Ft. Hood from his tour in Iraq. We won't have him home for Thanksgiving... but that's OK... it means we get him at Christmas... and that's even better!!

Do you love vintage graphics as much as I do? This great old Thanksgiving postcard was a freebie over at The Graphics Fairy. She has a great blog and always shares the most wonderful vintage images and clip art with everyone. Stop by and visit her if you have a minute. You won't be disappointed.

Enjoy your day... and save a piece of pie for me!

Til later...

TGIF

2009-11-06T08:00:00.004-05:00

Do you ever have weeks where you feel like you're never going to get it all done?? I'm not talking about work stuff... I'm talking HOME stuff... I know, everybody's yelling at the screen ME, ME, ALL THE TIME!! I swear this week mine is worse than everybody elses! LOL I think I'm going to need at least a 4-day weekend to be able to feel even just a tiny bit caught up around here. Either that, or by Monday, I'm going to need a vacation.

I did do something with my little white pumpkins that I had painted weeks ago. And yes, I was a bad blogger, because I didn't show you any pics! LOL But I've since moved them to their new home on the mantel... so maybe this pic will make up for my earlier slackness. Maybe?? Oh, and while you're looking at that pic, please tell me what to do with that mantel. The fireplace brick was painted cream and the mantel black by a previous tenant and I just don't like the harshness the black mantel brings to the fireplace as a whole. Any thoughts on what to do with it?

I've got to jump in the shower. Am running late this morning... But before I leave, I wanted to ask everyone to keep the wounded and the families of the fallen and the wounded at Ft Hood in your prayers. Ft Hood is where Ryan was and where he will be again by the end of the year when he gets back from a tour in Iraq. Such a sad and tragic day yesterday... I will never understand why those who are so miserable and unhappy with who and where they are feel that taking the lives of others will somehow make them better. It makes. no. sense.

Til later...

Frustration Fear and Pumpkins

2009-10-18T09:20:00.005-04:00

The title says it all... If the poor little puppies in this house could talk, the things they could tell you about watching football with me! LOL I hardly got my little pumpkins painted for yelling at the TV screen. It was such a frustrating game. But scary too. When Mo Brown took a HARD helmet to helmet hit and was knocked unconscious... that was scary. And the fact that there was NO PENALTY FLAG for that one, just added to the frustration of the night. I really think the refs screwed that one up, big time. Thankfully, all reports say he's going to be fine - just suffered a concussion. "Just".

So I'm putting the finishing touches on my little pumpkins this morning. They should be sitting pretty in all their simple Halloween glory very soon. I didn't take a before shot in all the game excitement... but here's a picture of progress being made. :)

But for now, I have got to find some coffee.....

Til later....

Fall and Football

2009-10-17T14:15:00.004-04:00

Well, I think Fall has officially arrived here in the South! Our high today might top 55, but then again, that would be surprising with all the clouds that have rolled in. But, boy, did it feel good when I walked outside this morning! I've got tons of things I need to be doing this afternoon, but have been missing my blog... so decided to take a break and type for a few minutes.

I've been looking for what I call "ghost" pumpkins for a couple of weeks (you know, the cute little creamy white pumpkins - except I want the faux kind) with no luck. Had even considered breaking down and buying the real things at the Farmer's Market, but hadn't had a chance to stop by there yet. So I had to make a quick run through Wally's this morning to pick up a few things and there on an endcap sat four boxes of mini pumpkins - all shades of oranges and yellows - marked $1.00 each. So, you know what I did.... Yep. I'll have my ghost pumpkins, just like I wanted, before the day is out. :)

I can't wait to have an evening where I can read through everybody's blogs uninterrupted to catch up on all the happenings. Course, that won't happen tonight... no way, no how. Tonight I plan to spread out in front of the TV with a project while I watch my Gamecocks take on Alabama. Considering my parents were born and raised in Alabama, and ALL of my extended family still resides there, it makes for a really hard game to watch. (Not to mention they are ranked #2 in the Nation to our #22... EEK!) I'm hoping for an upset. It could happen....

Ok - I've got to get back to work. I'm editing pictures of some neat vintage items that will be added to my Etsy store this weekend. (I am really hoping that the more things I add, the faster this process will become. LOL It seems to take me forever to get something posted...) Oh - and don't forget to take a minute and check out my Halloween pictures. They are way cute! And on sale too! The perfect vintage looking accent to tuck on your mantel for All Hallow's Eve. :)

Have a good weekend! And GO COCKS!!

Til tomorrow...

Is it Fall Yet?!?!?!

2009-09-20T16:36:00.005-04:00

I didn't think I'd ever hear myself say I can't wait for Summer to be over.... but, might I just say how glad I am that Summer is almost over?? I don't know about the rest of you, but we have had such a brutally hot one here, I can honestly say that I will not miss it. Not. one. bit.

So I'm sitting here looking forward to the cooler days (and nights) of Fall. I can't wait to feel the crisp morning air, to see the leaves falling, covering up the last green grass of Summer... Oh... and to watch College Football! :) Yes, I know. I'm a girl - I'm not supposed to like football. But I do. It's one of my favorites things about Fall. So last night I got to watch my Gamecocks beat Florida Atlantic. Go Cocks!! After our heartbreaking loss to Georgia last week, even though we were expected to beat FAU, it was nice to do it. Know what I mean?

So while I was waiting for my game to start, I decided it would be a good time to "Fall up" the mantel. So I cut on the telly so that I could keep up with this "other team" that was playing yesterday, (*cough*Clemson*cough*) and changed the Seasons in that part of the house. I realize that sounds like such a small thing, but that means I made countless trips into the spare bedroom where I store all of my treasures, dusted and vacuumed my heart out, and although I'm far from finished, at least I've done a little bit to usher in the Fall season. Now, if the climate here would just cooperate with me.

I also spent part of the day taking more pics of some pretty things I've been creating for my new Etsy shop. I feel like it will take me years to edit all of my pictures and get them loaded in the shop, but I'm working on it as fast as I can. :) I'm hoping to get a few new things loaded tonight by bedtime, so be sure and check back later. I've got some pretty Fall things coming, as well as a few Gamecock things for the local fans. Surely I'll get faster with the whole process as I go... at least I hope so! LOL

Here's just a peek at the antique marble topped chest in my den. I am loving the small brown toile pitcher in this picture. It was on clearance at TJ Maxx for a whopping $2, so I did the only thing I could do, I bought the only two they had left. :) And aren't they going to be pretty additions to my Fall decor?!

Til tomorrow...

Oh my gosh!

2009-09-12T11:25:00.006-04:00

Wow - it feels like a lifetime since I've been able to sit down and post on my poor neglected blog! I am so sorry for what was a WAY LONGER absence that I had wanted it to be! I had life get in the way - don't you hate when that happens?! LOL

And Tanna -- thank you so much for missing me! :) I only wish my absence had been so that I could work on that old house.... The price has dropped another $10K, but with the amount of work that it needs, it's still not an affordable option for me. I still have to work up some more pics of that baby to share with you. I'll make sure I include some of the pics that show the more major "issues" the house has. But before I do that, I've got to catch up on your blog to see new pics of that grandbaby!!

My oldest, Brittany, finished school at Johnson and Wales in Charlotte in May, and then decided it would be a good thing to further her education back home. So, now I have both Brittany and Blair in town at USC. Not that I'm complaining.... they could both be out of state where I only got to see them at Thanksgiving and Christmas. But they have worn me out getting all the tuition stuff handled, and getting both of them moved into new apartments... and getting to share dinner with them every night, weekly Walmart runs... well, you get the picture!

On top of all of that, I've been working up some pretty things, as well as switching some rooms around (since the girls have left the nest) and in doing so, have been sorting through a lot of treasures I've picked up over the years that I have talked myself into parting with. So, I've been spending some time taking pics and working on setting up an Etsy shop so I have a venue to sell some of my treasures.

But for now I've got to get out of this chair and get something accomplished. I'll leave you with a pic of my favorite end of Summer view out of my kitchen window. I absolutely love crepe myrtles and took this pic one evening when a storm was brewing in the distance. I loved the color of the sky against the colors of the crepe myrtle.

Til tomorrow... (no, really, I mean it!)

Car shopping is for the birds...

2009-06-24T22:53:00.003-04:00

So, I've spent most of my night internet car shopping. Did I tell you how much I hate to shop for cars??? But I've got a daughter who is car-less at the present time due to an accident, that totaled the car. It wasn't her fault, which was a good thing... and most importantly, she wasn't hurt, which was an even better thing... But this means I've got to find something to replace hers. Ask me if I'm having fun... Not.

So I'll leave you with another peek at a piece of the historic treasure I mentioned last night.

Til tomorrow...

Not Tonight Dear...

2009-06-23T21:37:00.002-04:00

Yes, I know... it's been over a week since I've posted something... anything... I really do have an excuse. Although it sounds sooooo lame when I type it.... but I have just simply been too darn tired at night to sit down and type. See? I told you it sounded lame. But it's the honest truth. I'm thinking maybe I need to find a good multi-vitamin. Think that would help my energy level? Something's got to do the trick. Any ideas out there??

I'm pretty pooped right now. I really want to catch up on all my favorite blogs. But I just can't. Not tonight. I'm calling it a night. My legs are killing me and my eyes just aren't cooperating with me either... the darn things are just sooo tired. So I'm going to leave you tonight with a small glimpse of a treasure that Blair and I looked at a couple of weekends ago. I promise to share more about it very soon. :)

Til tomorrow...

Long May She Wave....

2009-06-14T08:55:00.004-04:00

Happy Flag Day!

If you do nothing else today, fly your flag! Oh - and don't miss this great tribute to America by that great man himself, John Wayne. Even if you've seen it 100 times, it's always worth watching again.

Be back later...

A Pretty Picture...

2009-06-08T22:53:00.004-04:00

I know, I know... I missed posting yesterday. But I have a good excuse. Really. I had to go to Charlotte to see my daughter and was exhausted when I got home last night, so I called it a day and went to bed. But I have a pretty picture to post to make up for it...

Don't you love to smell fresh rosemary? I do. Back before Mallie (the chocolate lab) became a part of our family, I used to grow my own rosemary. But since Mallie is on a mission to make sure I don't grow much of anything in her yard, I am having to enjoy it in other people's yards right now.

My Mom trimmed up one of her rosemary bushes the other day to send some to a friend, who is a chef. She had a little extra that she brought out to my sister's house. We hated for it to go to waste, so we decided to pop some into this pretty little bowl so we could not only enjoy the smell, but its simple beauty. Check it out.... ain't it pretty? :)

Til tomorrow...

Hwy 23 or bust...

2009-06-06T22:18:00.004-04:00

Well, I picked up Blair this morning and we headed out on a road trip to check out the 3rd annual Peach Tree 23 Yard Sale (which amounted to yard sales along Hwy 23 through 6 different towns). I have a friend who had gone to this the 1st year it was held, and they came back with all kinds of treasures.

No such luck today. Don't get me wrong, we did come back with a few things. But for the most part, the treasures just weren't there. Now if you needed a used pair of shoes, or some old clothes, that was the place to be today! Truly, I think we could have counted on one hand the number of roadside tables we passed (and stopped by) that did NOT have clothes or shoes for sale. And don't forget the toys - there were plenty of those to go around too!

The other plentiful thing today were the antique dealers that wanted top dollar for everything. Now I don't have a problem with a dealer asking a fair price - I used to have a booth at a local antique mall. But when you set up a table at a yard sale, you need to leave your high dollar things in your booth or shop. People go to yard sales to look for a deal. Like this little woman we saw who fell in love with an old framed picture only to be told by the gruff dealer that it was an "original Coke poster" and he couldn't take any less than $75 for it. Needless to say, she walked away. It's a yard sale people...... bring the right stuff to sell and price it accordingly.....

I did come back with a partial set of dishes that match a partial set I already owned, a small cream McCoy (I guess more accurately Floraline) planter, and 3 old sewing machine drawers. That's it. Not much to show for all the driving we did, that's for sure... I would show you pics tonight, but I haven't taken any of it out of the car yet. :)

I will, however, show you a pic of one of the many pretty houses we saw on our little drive down Hwy 23. We might not have bought many treasures, but we sure got to enjoy looking at plenty of them!

Til tomorrow...

Rainy Nights and Fridays....

2009-06-05T22:02:00.003-04:00

Well, I don't know what the weather is where you are, but we've got rain. And apparently lots of it. Flash flood warnings running across the bottom of the TV screen. Which makes this the perfect night to curl up on the sofa with a book... which is what I am just about to do. :)

I'm reading A Rather Lovely Inheritance by C. A. Belmond. This is a new author for me, but I was in the mood for light-hearted books on our last visit to BAM and these books looked like they would fit the bill. Blair always laughs at my book choices - she says I read "cheesy" books. She's a Twilight lover.... Oh well.... I'm half-way through the 1st one. So far, so good. Do you have a book you've enjoyed lately that you can recommend for my next trip to BAM?

Til tomorrow...

Shell Boxes

2009-06-05T07:26:00.004-04:00

Wow - I'm going to have to switch my schedule around so that I can post in the mornings... LOL I had to watch Burn Notice last night, then I caught Royal Pains after that, and then I had to call it a night because my eyeballs were too tired to focus on the screen to finish typing up my post. Which just means you get two posts from me today, instead of one. :)

Don't you love shell boxes? Here's a sneak pic at a small piece of my collection. I have always loved shells. I picked up my first shell box at a yard sale years ago, and haven't stopped since. I do have a mental limit as to price (depending on the box itself), but to this day, I haven't even come close to reaching it. The most I've paid for one (and it was a pretty thang) was $4. The rest of them have become mine for anywhere from $.10 - $1.00. They aren't for everyone - I know that - and am grateful! Just means more for me! LOL I love them, they make me happy when I look at them, and that's what matters.

Til later...

Somewhere Over the Rainbow...

2009-06-03T23:43:00.003-04:00

One of the neat things about rain is that sometimes you get to enjoy a really cool rainbow after the rain has stopped.

Blair and I were driving into the city the other afternoon and this is what greeted us once we got off the interstate. I know it's not the best picture, but it was impossible to get one without all of those sweet power lines blocking part of it. The thing I thought was cool about it, though, was the way the rainbow came down behind the dome of that awesome old building on the State Hospital grounds at the end of the road. Of course, we would've had a much better picture if all of those annoying people rushing to get home from work had been a bit more cooperative! :)

But even with everything that was in our way, it was still a pretty rainbow...

Til tomorrow...

Calgon take me away

2009-06-02T23:07:00.004-04:00

Well, after my night last night, you would think the last thing I would do today would be to get back on a ladder. But, alas, it's part of my job - I paint for a living... so what's a girl to do?! LOL

I was reading through some emails tonight and opened one in particular from my oldest daughter - who had spent Memorial Day weekend at the beach. She had sent me a few pics of her view while laying out on the beach to make me jealous. Sweet kid... yeah right! But it worked. Looking at the pics, I could almost hear the waves and feel the sand between my toes... Oh, to have that view every day. It would be Heaven. Absolute. Heaven.

If only I could be sitting in that blue chair down by the water's edge right about now... where is Calgon when I need it?!

And would you believe, knowing how much I love shells (one day I'll share my shell box collection with you), that she didn't bring me not one shell back from her trip?? The nerve.... LOL

Til tomorrow...

Give me an E...

2009-06-02T08:34:00.006-04:00

I fell asleep in the middle of my post last night! LOL Sounds strange, I know... but I had a long "ladder day" yesterday - meaning I spent my day painting crown in a room with 12 ft ceilings, which meant there was a lot of up/paint, down/move ladder, up/paint, down/moveladder... you get the picture. :) So, I settled down in front of the computer last night to read a few emails, type up my post, play with the puppies and catch a bit of TV all at the same time. (Multi-tasking at its finest!) But my leg cramps just didn't want to cooperate with me. So I thought I'd stretch out on the sofa for a few mins and prop my legs... And the next thing I knew, it was 2:20 this morning! So, needless to say, I didn't get a lot done last night! LOL

(So pretend this post is my Monday post, and I'll be back after work tonight with today's.)

I wanted to share a sweet piece of vintage linen I picked up at a yard sale a few weeks ago. I came across it in a pile of "junk" - truly - on a table in the middle of broken toys and coffee mugs... I know you can picture this table! It's a beautiful piece - damask - with a wonderful script "E" monogram done in the softest pink. I haven't laundered it yet, but am planning to give it a little spa treatment in a warm bath of oxyclean before it gets "pressed" into service.

Til later...

The sweet smell of honeysuckle...

2009-05-31T23:27:00.003-04:00

I found a new (well new to me anyway LOL) blog yesterday that I can't wait to spend some time reading! The name itself - Honeysuckle Lane's Simple Joys - brings back memories of when I was little girl. I loved honeysuckle. We had it growing along the fence in our backyard. To this day, it's still one of my favorite plants. The smell of honeysuckle in the Summertime... you just about can't beat it.

Now back to the blog. :) If you love mixed media collages, wreaths made with vintage papers, and beautiful embroidery work, you're in for a treat. Lana creates beautiful pillows embroidered with silk ribbon that are just so pretty! And be sure and check out her latest wreath made from a vintage Alice and Jerry book. Too cute for a kid's room with a vintage feel.

Be sure and check out her Etsy shops. I know I will! :) Oh - and while you're visiting her blog - be sure and read her request on the left side to visit Vaseline's e-card campaign - Prescribe the Nation. For each free e-card you send, Vaseline will make a donation to The National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias. Her son suffers from HED, so this is a cause near and dear to her heart.

I hope you enjoy her blog as much as I have - and as much as I will continue too, I'm sure!

Til tomorrow...

Best Intentions

2009-05-30T23:05:00.004-04:00

Yep, we've all had them at one time or another. I had them tonight. My plan was to post about a wonderful blog I wanted to share with all of you. But then it happened. I got sucked into a House marathon on USA. And before I knew it, I was finishing up my 3rd episode! Geez - where did the night go?! LOL So just look for the other post tomorrow. Really. I'll stay away from the TV. I swear.... :)

I'm in love with this bedroom. Thought I'd leave you with some eye candy from Country Living.

Til tomorrow...

All good things...

2009-05-29T23:35:00.006-04:00

Well, tonight's the night. Jay's leaving me. Late night for me will never be the same.

I know for some it was a huge deal when Johnny left. Not so much for me. By the time I grew up enough to appreciate late night TV, poor little Johnny was on his way out. So Jay has been it for me all these years.

It's been fun this week watching "the best of Jay" and remembering people and events from "way back" that I had long since forgotten about. But as they say... all good things must come to an end. I'll miss him. I sure hope his next show will be as good. 11:30 pm at my house is sure going to look different.

Gone to enjoy the rest of the show. :)

Til tomorrow...

The Little Big House

2009-05-28T23:24:00.006-04:00

Tonight I wanted to share a blog with you that I think you'll enjoy. Take a little time out one night and stop by The Little Big House. It chronicles the good and bad of sisters renovating a Greek Revival farmhouse that they purchased together in upstate NY located a town over from their parents. In addition to the renovation pics and stories they share, you'll love all of the inspiration pics posted as they work on the house room by room.

(Photo courtesy of The Little Big House blog.)

Til tomorrow...

Drop Cloth Chic

2009-05-27T23:30:00.007-04:00

Got a drop cloth lying around your house? Maybe you have a neglected potting bench just waiting for some love? If you answered yes, or heck even if you didn't, check out this post over at freckledfarm . Cammy took a drop cloth and transformed her old potting table into a great outdoor serving table for entertaining. I love the torn edges, the use of upholstery tacks, and most of all, the cute little ruffle across the bottom. Isn't that just the cutest thing? And what a pretty picture...

Til tomorrow...

Pretty Little Pitcher

2009-05-26T06:56:00.004-04:00

I love a pretty pitcher. You could easily say I have a collection of pitchers. Heck, without even moving out of this chair, I count 16 of the little pretties within eyesight. I'd like to tell you that's all of them... except that it's not! LOL So I guess you might could say I have an obsession with pitchers. Now mind you, I don't collect just any ol' pitcher. They have to speak to me. They have to have a certain look and feel about them. And almost always, they are old, worn, and are more of a cream or off-white in color (although I do have more than a few that are white).

But there are occasions where I find pretty ones that are brand spankin' new that follow me home as well. Like this baby pictured below... she's not a tiny thing - she measures about 8" tall - and was on clearance at TJ Maxx a few weeks ago. Clearance?! Now why on earth would someone have passed her by on the shelf long enough for her to end up on the clearance aisle?? I'm so glad they did though, because now she's mine. And doesn't she look pretty sitting on my little drop front desk. :)

Oh, and while you're visiting blogs today, take a minute to visit Ruth at The Beautiful Life. She's celebrating her 100th post with a giveaway of "100 wishes" and a lot more you don't want to miss! While you're there, take some time to visit her online store. She carries some beautiful things and shipping is always free!

Til tomorrow...

Memorial Day

2009-05-25T10:18:00.005-04:00

Take a moment today to thank a soldier and remember those who have fallen. For without their daily sacrifices, and for some their ultimate sacrifice, we wouldn't be able to celebrate this day with parades, cookouts, and fireworks.

I was reading through some blogs last night, you know how it is, you link from one blog to the next, and the next, and the next.... and I came across the little bluebird diaries. This girl founded and runs Operation Stars and Stripes which is an incredible non-profit organization dedicated to supporting America’s military and their families at home and abroad. Please take a peek at their website and if you are able to make a monetary donation, I know it would be appreciated. If that's not something you can do at this time, you might look down the list of critically needed items and see if there are things on that list you might be able to help them out with. Our soldiers need to know that those of us back home remember them and, most importantly, appreciate all they do on a daily basis to protect our freedom.

I'll end this post with a couple of pictures of our soldier - my nephew Ryan. We are all so proud of him and miss him terribly. Some of us got to talk to him on Skype Friday afternoon. Although it was probably 12:30AM where he was, and we know that he was tired, it sure was good to see and hear him. We love you Ryan and can't wait til you come home!

Here's a pic of Ryan with my daughters, Brittany (left) and Blair (right) at my sister Carol's house when he was home on leave. All of the cousins that were in town got together for brunch the day before he left. They all had such a good time! The french toast was delicious!

And here's our soldier at the airport, heading back to Iraq. Doesn't he look good in uniform! LOL

Til tomorrow...

Shopping Local

2009-05-24T21:36:00.002-04:00

Shopping local. Do you do it? I don't mean the Wally World down the street, or the big orange box store around the corner. But local... as in the cute little dress shop, gift shop, dog groomer, etc., in the quaint part of town, not inside the Mall. This is something I try to make a point to do on a regular basis. Not because I despise standing in line at Wally's (which I REALLY would rather eat worms than do), but because I think it's important to support your local economy.

Five Points Fountain
Originally uploaded by shabbyshell

At one time, my Mom had a shop that sold wonderful gifts and home decor. It was the only shop like it in that area of town. Business was great. You could always find a great piece of furniture or pretty piece of Rowe pottery... and don't get me started on the Christmas ornaments, etc. It was a great place to run in at the last minute to pick up a wedding gift, birthday gift, housewarming gift. You never left empty-handed... you get the picture. :) And then 9/11 happened. And everything changed. People stopped shopping. She chose to retire not long after that. I don't know that my girls will ever forgive her for the after-school job potential they lost when she closed! LOL I wish I had a picture of her shoppe that I could post, but I don't... you'd have loved it.

But, back to my point. There were so many small businesses that closed their doors then. And now with the state of our present economy, well, it's a scary time for small businesses once again. So why not take the pledge -- visit the350project and make a pledge to support your local businesses. There are some great ones out there. You won't be disappointed!

Five Points Shoppes
Originally uploaded by shabbyshell

Til tomorrow...

Birds of a Feather...

2009-05-23T22:50:00.003-04:00

Well, you know what they say about birds..... and around here, I'd say that's true. Just thought I'd share pics of a couple more of the many birds that flock together around my humble abode.

I picked up this fat little bird sitting on top of a flowerpot at TJMaxx a week or so ago. They had another similar to this one, but the pot was laying on its side. I thought it would've looked really cute worked into a window box with a pretty flower spilling out of the pot, so I picked it up for my Mom. She has the perfect spot on her back porch to do something like that. It will be fun to go over to her house and see if she had the same thought I did...

The 2nd pic is a sweet little bird I picked up at a yard sale. He was an expensive little thing -- he cost a whole quarter! He only stands a touch over 2" tall and has flown all over the house. He's been in a nest and has tried out several spots, but seems to prefer his little perch on the mantel over any other at the moment. Who only knows where he'll end up next!

Til tomorrow...

So Much to Learn

2009-05-23T00:21:00.001-04:00

Iron Birds
Originally uploaded by shabbyshell

I know... I have so much yet to learn about posting pics. I'm sure one day I'll figure flickr out... LOL but since it's late, and I can't figure out how to edit my last post to add my pic that I forgot... this will just have to do! :)

And now.... I hope this works....

Til tomorrow...

Cream Tweets

2009-05-22T23:43:00.003-04:00

I love birds in my decor. Specifically cream colored birds. Although I will admit that I have picked up a few white ones here and there.... mostly I stick to the "no sugar, extra cream" thing when I shop for my birds. I don't really have a preference on what material the bird is. It can be iron, ceramic, porcelain, etc., it just has to have a "look" about it that speaks to me. As time goes on, I'll post more pics of the birds I have displayed around my house.

But for now, I'll start with this pic of a couple of iron birds that I love. I bought these at a store called The Closeout Co. years and years ago. The store isn't open in my area any longer, and boy do I miss them! They were one of those stores that I could walk in once a week (they were only open 3 days a week, mind you) and never walk out empty handed. I have so many iron pieces that I bought from them that I still love to this day. Have any of you heard of this store? Do you have one near you?

Til tomorrow....

Stormy Weather

2009-05-21T22:57:00.004-04:00

I love a good stormy night. Now, mind you, I love to be at HOME on a good stormy night. Preferably curled up on the sofa with the puppies and a good book while the rain falls and the thunder rumbles in the distance.

My Mom and I were driving into the city this afternoon and we watched the prettiest stormy sky forming. No rain though, just dark clouds rolling in against a beautiful blue sky. A little later, my daughter and I were out and darn if there weren't still more dark clouds rolling in. Like me, she was hoping for a rainy night too. I'm guessing the two of us must have jinxed it by hoping for rain out loud, because we got nothing out of all those clouds. Not. one. drop. Oh well, at least we got to enjoy the clouds.

Til tomorrow...

Idol Toes

2009-05-20T20:58:00.005-04:00

So... I thought about my 2nd post all day. What I would say, what picture(s) I wanted to post... and then I realized... yep... tonight was the Idol finale! Can you guess what I'm doing?!?! Yep - you guessed right!

So I'm sitting here with a yorkie in my lap and one asleep at my feet watching Kara come out and show bikini girl how to sing - and then when she finished and ripped her dress open revealing a black bikini - it was absolutely hilarious! My poor little pups... they have no clue what they're missing. LOL

Ok - so I'll touch on some important stuff. Here's the deal.... my plan is to post every day. Complete with a picture. Of ... something. Because I think posts with pictures are way more fun to read than those without. So with that in mind, here's a cute little pic my youngest daughter took today. She says you should always paint your toenails bright pink because it makes you happy every time you look at them. I have to admit, she was happy today... so maybe she's on to something - ya think??

Til tomorrow.......

And so it begins...

2009-05-19T22:19:00.002-04:00

After months of lurking, reading and really enjoying everyone's blogs, I have finally decided it's time to step out of the shadows and start one of my own.

Being the private person that I am (really, I am, so go easy on me please...) it's a bit of a hard thing to step out of the shadows and into the light with the sole intention of sharing my little part of the world with who only knows... but being that I have so much to share (or at least I think I do :) LOL) I think it's time.

So here goes nothing. And a little. And a lot.

Let's do this.....