Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Milk Glass and Silver Centerpiece

Hobnail milk glass and silver make a kind  of shabby and chic combination.



I put this centerpiece together for the porch. 


I like the cool, calm greens and white. 



I used Huechera, Boston Fern, Lilly of the Valley, and different Hosta leaves. 




I am joining


and 

 for Tablescape Thursday

and


Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness, has never danced in the rain.

.... and I am ready to dance in the rain.



So do we have rain? No, I am still watering. 
  As is most of the country, Kansas is having a bad drought.*** My mom is beginning to talk about the drought of the 1930's in comparison. Eek! We have no water restrictions......yet.


I have given up trying to keep the lawn going, letting it go dormant, however I am keeping the plants alive as best I can. The garden hose has become my nemesis. 

Don't forget to keep the bird baths filled. I put pans of water on the ground to keep the squirrels and opossums from climbing the bird bath and toppling it! 

Except for this bird bath, which leaks, so I planted it. 


View from the screened porch. See how dried up the lawn has become? Boo Hoo. 

I notice the birds are visiting the feeders much more too. I guess many plants dried up before they were able to produce seeds.

*** An added note: Today Kansas is the hottest place in the country. Nice.....

I am joining

A Southern Daydreamer for


and





Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Note Card Party

I just discovered Vee's Note Card Party. It has some wonderful, beautifully crafted photos that many talented folks have chose to share at a party. What a great idea! SO, here is my humble contribution.


Final Touch Daylily with bad bug!


Doesn't this look good right now?


Or this? Lookout Mountain, Colorado. 


A perfect END, scratch it, if it itches!

I am joining 

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Queen Anne's Table

Time for a cool, neutral table, with crisp white napkins, white ironstone and Queen Anne's Lace for a bouquet.


A little secret... I actually like starching and ironing napkins and tablecloths. They look so nice all starchy!


Place mats from Kohl's.


Dinner plates are Gibson, salad plates are Pfaltzgraff  Weave. 





I set my table and then went out to pick the Queen Anne's Lace. It grows along the roads and in the fields.



 I live in the suburbs, encroaching on farm land.




Isn't that sky beautiful?

I am joining Kim at
and
Susan at

Monday, July 2, 2012

Office Redo

The thing I like best about summer vacation ( besides not getting up at 5:30 am) is the time for tearing into projects. Here's some before and afters of my home office:

After:



Before:

Pretty bland, huh? 
I darkened up the walls a little with Valspar Frappe.

I lived with sub flooring( yes, I ripped up the carpet) for a few months until I could get Pergo type flooring put in. I should have gotten a photo of that.   NOT

I didn't realize what a difference the curtains would make. So much warmer!



Country Curtains made these, as I couldn't find any black  buffalo check fabric anywhere.                             ( I didn't look too hard)




This  shelf is a leftover of Daughter #1 bedroom. We put it up when we moved in. Plant hanger brackets painted white and a narrow shelf. It is really good for knick knacks without taking up any room space. She had it filled with little china figurines and stuffed animals.



I have little china dogs, photos, and some of MY toys. (they are antiques now, boo hoo!)





My globe is a thrift store find, all metal, one dollar!

I love Raggedy Ann dolls, but have really pared down my collection and only kept a few.

My constant companions in the office are  Oscar the wiennie dog 


 and Oliver, my little Parrot. Oliver is blogging friends with Kiwi and Pearl Angel over at
 2 Birdies and a B.




Plastic sheeting is a necessary evil behind Oliver's cage, as the more he likes his food, the more he slings it.           ( Think fresh strawberries or blueberries on the walls)

A new table for his cage was a Walmart put together. I did it too! Took me two hours ( A to B, B to Q?)

Underneath the table is a little slotted box I picked up at a garage sale. I added playing cards, poker chips, the old viewmaster and discs for it.

I still need something for this area above the chair, I have some ideas.

I tore into the closet too. It is 
 full of tablescape stuff. Tablecloths, napkins in the plastic boxes, and extra table top stuff that won't fit in the hutch or pantry.



I am joining Susan at


for Metamorphosis Monday,

 Kim at Savvy Southern Style for

 and 
at No Minimalist Here