May 28, 2011

The True Meaning of Memorial Day

Let's pause  to remember WHY we celebrate Memorial Day. Thank you to all our soldiers, past, present, & future!
Please turn up the volume when you watch this video from YouTube.  Even though it ends with Happy Veteran's Day...it's most fitting for Memorial Day.
God Bless our armed forces!!!
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May 25, 2011

Thrifty White Wednesday

Just wanted to show off a few of my good deals for White Wednesday...

I snagged this petite wooden chair at a yard sale for $1.00
Yup...just $1.00!  And that's not a crack running down the chair...oh no..that's chippy green paint underneath.
I thought maybe I could use this chair to showcase these treasures I bought on Etsy.
This vintage wicker chair was bought at an estate sale for $30.00.  It's sooo comfy and solid that I just had to keep it for myself.  Did I mention it's quite large?  I put a quilted pillow sham over the cushion purchased at Goodwill for $1.00.
Just look at the arms on this beauty...this side has a built in space for magazines or books
and this one has room for a glass of something cool on a hot summer day.
I can't decide which look to go with. I  put this chiffony like panel over the cushion that was $2.00 and added a couple of my pillows to it. I think this look is way more romantic.  Just not sure how well the scarf will stay put when sat on.
And did I mention, the lovely owner at the estate sale threw in this wicker footstool for free?  It has shells on it which I don't favor, so for now I just draped  some lace over it till I can do something else.
And lone behold...my parents were out yard saling and brought me over this sweet wicker magazine basket that they picked up for me at the hefty price of $2.00.  How did they know that I had just scored all these wicker beauties???
Now this little baby below is really something.  It's too high to be a footstool, so I think it's a little sitting bench. It was handmade many years ago and is very heavy. (I got this for free by the way)

It was ugly brown and bumpy, so my dad stripped it. (It was way too gross to just paint over) 

Then he surprised me by painting it white, and my mom upholstered the seat with a pillow case that I bought at the thrift store for $1.00.
For now I have it in front of my mantel as a little extra place to sit.
And lastly...you may remember this folding wood chair that I had painted white and was going to sell. It was brown, vintage and $8.00 at a yard sale. 

Since it didn't sell at our shop's "At Home with White Event" ...I decided it was a sign that I was supposed to "keep it."  Don't you just love signs like that???
I grabbed a couple pillows I already owned, then I dressed her in a ruffled bed skirt picked up at a second hand shop for $2.99. (I know...I know...I have to iron it)
So for under $50.00, I scored a wooden chair, wicker chair, wicker footstool, magazine basket, a sitting bench, folding wood chair and a sham, chiffon panel, pillowcase, and bed skirt. Thriftiness is so rewarding.

I'm linking up with Kathleen over at Faded Charm Cottage for her 101st White Wednesday. 
 See you all there
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May 22, 2011

A lovely giveaway

How sweet is this?
Check out this giveaway from Susan at Evelyn and Rose. Who wouldn't want these yummy treasures?  Susan is sooo talented and very sweet. Visit her blog to see all her fabulous inspiration and while you're there...be sure to enter. Just click on her giveaway button on my sidebar, and it'll take you to her blog. 
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May 17, 2011

White Wednesday Party

Happy 100th White Wednesday
to Kathleen at Faded Charm
Although I don't have any special vignettes to honor the celebration, I still wanted to pull out a few "whites" and join the party!  How could I miss it?

To begin the party, I wanted to showcase my dining room chandelier.  She has made an appearance in the past, but I think it bears repeating.
A large white bowl filled with wine corks that I won on ebay. (Lest you think I drank all that wine)
Here's a beautiful pile of vintage lace that I picked up at my shop for a "song".
I found this lovely chair for $10.00 at Goodwill.  No paint needed...already perfectly white. I will however reupholster the seat if I decide to keep it.
And lastly, what is lovlier than white ironstone on top of an old chippy, peely step ladder?  I picked this up recently for my kitchen. (again at "THE SHOP")  Woops...I'll have to check to see if I'm earning more than I'm spending. *wink*
Again...A great big shout out to Kathleen at Faded Charm. I remember when I didn't even know what a "White Wednesday" was!  I've gained so much in friendship, inspiration, and just plain fun... so Kathleen...a heartfelt thank you from me to you!

 May all your Wednesday's be White~
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May 16, 2011

Blessings

I would like to share a song with you that has touched my heart beyond words.  If any of you are struggling with something, please take the time to listen to these lyrics.

 I pray they'll "bless" you as they have me!
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May 15, 2011

And also a "time for change"

The thing about changes...
or should I say "unwanted changes"....
we can fight them or accept them...be destroyed by them or grow from them...
In this "time and season" of change in my life...
I pray to be graceful in loss, unwavering in faith, and sweet in spirit.
Let not bitterness or anger wrap it's ugly tentacles around my heart. 
I know I will one day look back and understand your plan in all of this Lord, but for now it's enough to know that only through your strength, I can weather this "time" of change.
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May 11, 2011

Mantel Vignettes?

Happy White Wednesday Everyone!  First I wanted to show off  this lovely book my friend Mary gave me for my birthday.... (she created it) You can visit her at her blog Chanels Shabby Rose
 My white selection is short this week  but I just HAD to show you a close-up of my new (old) mantel
 I've never had a mantel before, so I'm beyond excited to decorate it
 Pardon the mess you see below. This is just where I've been shoving  placing everything while I'm fluffing up each room for Spring.  Can you see underneath, I've placed a huge mirror behind the mantel?
I'd love to hear any of your ideas for sweet mantle vignettes or links you can show me for ideas. You know...with varying heights, etc. I love shabby, french, cottage, romantic, etc. I do have a mirror above the mantel too, but I may be replacing that one since it was already there and the height is not quite lining up.

Well, time to  link up with Kathleen at Faded Charm Cottage for White Wednesday. Can't wait to see all the fabulous whites! Thanks for hosting Kathleen!
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