Do it Anyway!

I love this song from Martina Mcbride for many reasons, and I wanted to share it with you plus include a little known fact...
Did you know this song was inspired by a poem written by Mother Teresa titled Anyway?

Enjoy...and may you find inspiration for your journey!

White Wednesday ~ Kitchens and Reflections

When thinking about what to share with you today, I remembered that I haven't really posted much about my kitchen re-do.  

This was completed close to two years ago, and while trying to find my pictures of the "before", well...let's just say by the time I located them...it would be another month between posts. 

So here we go... we'll just have to settle for the "afters" for now....

My home is a 115 year old colonial...so as you can imagine...it was ready for a remodel!

The old kitchen was dark and dreary...(barn red cabinets) that made a screeching noise when you closed them, since the house had settled and nothing fit quite right anymore....

I really love the do-over...full of modern conveniences like lazy susan's, sliding spice racks, pantry cupboard, double oven, cupboards and drawers that close automatically....ahhhh

This was no easy remodel. The doorway into the hallway had to be widened to accommodate the fridge.  We closed off a doorway where you see the stove now to make more counter space. Took out a mudroom to open up the kitchen and add closet space.  Before the redo, my kitchen had FIVE doorways leading out of it...which made for a very awkward kitchen.

The entire room was gutted down to the studs.... new walls, ceilings, floors, doors, window, appliances, cabinetry ...everything~

Although enjoying the kitchen has been short lived since the home is up for sale...

I'll always have these pics to remind me of the sweetness here...

Next I wanted to show you a sweet find this summer at a local boy scout troop sale. 

This mirror was gold in color and I just knew it would look lovely refashioned in  a coat of white.

I painted it in Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint in Old white, and then distressed it around the edges.

I was going to sell it in the shop...and then I decided....

It was TOO lovely... I just couldn't part with it...

Loving the details....

She stands over four feet tall!  Now I just need to find a place for her where she can "reflect" and shine!  Not bad for a mere $7.00, wouldn't you say?

I also scored some fantastic old books and this lovely print, which DID make their way into the shop.

Along with this luscious lace, which currently graces my hand embellished gift bags!

Before I go, I wanted to thank Stipje for featuring my chalk-painted pots on her blog. Very sweet and such an honor for me.  You can follow the link here to see how she features other blogger's creations: www.stipje.blogspot.com

This week I'm linking up with the following parties:

White Wednesday

Vintage Inspiration Friday

Feathered Nest Friday

See you there!

Thank You Times Three

Guess what arrived in the mail yesterday?

You would be right if you guessed "Vintage by Nina"! I won this in the giveaway at the beautiful "Burlap Luxe" Blog!  A million thank you's Dore!

I absolutely love it.  And it's autographed to boot!  ~sigh

Page after page of eye candy...

Inspiration...

and ideas for every room...

Vignettes to drool over...

and every shade of white and cream in the universe!  Oooh...I'm a happy girl!  

Thanks again Dore!

Then I came home from work  today to find a special delivery from a precious friend!

This beautiful bouquet of fresh hydrangeas...

a pretty journal to record thoughts, prayers, and dreams....

and "tissue to go", because she knows that in this season of my life, 

"Tears are sometimes words the heart cannot say".  Thank you Erin! I love you.

And last but certainly not least,  I popped over to Common Ground Blog this evening to see who the winners were in Debra's giveaway for the much anticipated new Carolyn Westbrook  book "Through the French Doors".  Imagine my sheer delight to find that I was one of the lucky blessed winners!

Thank you Debra!!

What a fantastic couple of days for sure!  So again...thank you times three to

Dore

Erin

& Debra!

xoxoxo

A Fabulous Week in Review

What a wonderful week last week was!  Do you mind if I tell you a bit about it?  First off, I received these darling mini clips in the mail from Rhonda at "A little bit French" ....  They are gorgeous beyond belief...  And can you see those little card stock images behind the clips? Rhonda was so sweet to add them to my order...

 So I used them to embellish a couple of my little gift bags like this....

and this.... 

The last Sunday of June I had the pleasure of "pickin" with two of the loveliest souls you'll ever want to meet.  None other than Susan from "Evelyn and Rose" and Michelle from "Petite Michelle Louise".

I met up at Michelle's house, which is about an hours drive from me.   From there we drove to Todds Farm Flea Market, which is approx. another 45 minute drive...and there we met up with Susan. (oh and can I tell you that Michelle graciously gave me a tour of her home first??  There are no words to describe the beauty, detail and pure style of this woman's home...truly!!!)

Here we are holding some new found treasures from dollar row...

Susan, Michelle and I

This was one of my favorite finds at Todds Farm.  Chippy and Shabby in all the right places.  I used a magic eraser when I got home to clean off the coat of dirt she was hidden under...and just look at her now!!

I scored this print at Todd's Farm also...very Jeanne D'Arc in style!

An old standing fruit scale was also begging to come home with me...but not without a little haggling, hemming and hawing  for just the right price.   :)

Just couldn't resist this vintage evening clutch with rhinestone clasp...along with the softest pair of leather gloves.... Thanks for showing this to me girls...

But this is what totally sold me on the clutch...look at the inside!!!  sigh!

The next stop was at The White Elephant in Essex, MA.  Another treasure trove of fun and excitement for all three of us.  Michelle and Susan couldn't wait to show me the one dollar and five dollar sections. (my personal favorites)

On Michelle and Susan's first visit to the White Elephant, they thought it would be fitting to hold old rakes and pitchforks for the camera since after all...they were "pickin".  We thought it would be good fun to keep up the "tradition". 

Michelle and Susan ~ aren't they adorable?

Michelle and I

Susan and I

Here they are looking over some "possibilities"

Unearthing discarded treasures is such a thrill! And so much more fun with like minded friends!! 

I was so amazed by Michelle's uncanny ability to have a "vision" for every piece we picked up. And right away...she doesn't miss a beat! I came home inspired by her creativity for sure!

This old wheel come home with me...

And I was lucky enough to find yet another Jeanne D'Arc style print....  woo hoo!  But this was at our third stop.... Pettingill Farm's Vintage Bazaar.  They hold a show twice a year, and we just happened to hit it that day. 

You'll have to stop by Michelle's blog to see pics soon of Pettingill Farm. I was too busy with my jaw on the ground...and running from vendor to vendor to take my camera back out.

And if all that excitement wasn't enough, I was humbled to be gifted with this sweet bathing beauties candle created by Michelle. Thank you dear friend... I love it!

And sweet Susan totally surprised me by gifting me with this beautiful copy of Somerset Life, that BOTH SHE and MICHELLE are published in. Thank you so much Susan!!  It went on sale July 1st so be sure to grab a copy.  These remarkable ladies blew me away with their writing style AND creativity inside these pages. ( I should have thought to have them autograph it for me... hee hee)

And are you ready for this?? ... the very next day after this incredible excursion, I found that I won the Vintage by Nina giveaway at Burlap Luxe.  An autographed copy is on it's way to me as I write this.  I'm so thrilled! Thank you Dore!

I know this has been a long post...but I couldn't help it!! Just had so many blessings to share.  I hope to  show you soon where all the treasures land... (and also the ones that I haven't shared here yet) Be sure to check out Susan and Michelle's blog to see all their sweet treasures too.
I'm linking this week with:

White Wednesday 

Vintage Inspiration Friday 

Feathered Nest Friday

 HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY TO ALL!!!