I Just Couldn't Help Myself

What's a woman to do when you're standing in line at the grocery

store and these daffodils on clearance are staring you down?

At first, I just leaned over to smell them, and then stepped back

in line.  But ~ they kept calling my name.

Besides ~ there's a nasty snow and ice storm coming in tonight

and I needed a little "fix" to get me through the next

onslaught of nasty weather.

So ~ with my daffodils in one hand and a bag of Hershey's kisses

in the other, I went through the self check-out line.

Now I know you're laughing at me, but over the weekend while

I was out, my daughter's dog somehow got up on my desk

and ate half my stash of kisses.  

  

  While everyone else is stocking up before the storm on the necessities of milk 

and bread, I'm buying flowers and candy.  A person has to do what they 

need to survive.  And oh yeah ~ the

dog is just fine ~ he has a stomach of steel.

~ 

But doesn't my desk look so much cheerier?

Isn't this yellow and white striped pitcher sweet?  I just

love it's cheerfulness.  It's not vintage and it's not handmade, so

I can't sell it in my Etsy shop, but it will go up for sale at

my next open house in May.  I found both the pitcher and bowl at
 Goodwill  on one of my treasure hunts and I love how they brighten

 my desk with sunshine.

I don't think I've ever had such a good time posting  pictures.

It's amazing how a splash of yellow can lift your spirits.

I hope they've lifted your spirits too!

 I'm linking withA Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday~Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday~Tracy's Trinkets and Treasures for Macro Party~My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday's Treasures~Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays

Beside Still Waters

I was on my way to my parents home the other night and

was taken with how much whiter everything is out in the country.

I think it's because it's more untouched by humans and snowplows.

I quickly pulled in at one of the state parks along the reservoir and

snapped a few pictures.

I know we've all seen enough of winter snow scenes and had our fill

of snow ~  including me.  Some even suffer from depression during

these long dark days with less sunlight.

As I was pondering my frustrations with winter and longing for spring,

I was reminded last night of Solomon's wise words from Ecclesiastes 3:1.

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose."

Right then and there I realized in God's eyes, this

season is necessary and I made a decision to embrace winter

and enjoy its benefits.

For some of the animals, it is a time of hibernation.  As I

thought about this in terms of my life, I realized how instinctive

it is in winter to want to "snuggle down" in my home.  When I

finished my design classes in early December, all I did was sleep for 

several weeks and woke up just in time for Christmas.

Just like the snowy landscape, my body needed this rest after going

full speed for months on end.

All of nature, from the animals to plant life, take a break from reproducing.

They rest and survive from the reserves that they have stored up during the summer. 

We all live rushed and hectic lives and I must admit that I am a very

"driven" person.  My Mother is constantly telling me to "slow down", 

"you're getting older, and your body needs more rest".  Her words, "you're

going to ruin your health" constantly ring in my ears.  On this 

"Seasonal Sunday", I am going to embrace both the sabbath and the season,

and rest as God intended it to be.

And as all of nature slows down, I am going to give myself "permission"

to slow down, take a few more naps, read a few more books, visit 

with friends and simply give thanks for God's built-in sabbath.

And while I long for spring, I am going to look for the God-given beauty 

of winter and give thanks for this time He has appointed 

to restore my soul.

"He leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restoreth my soul."

Psalm 23: 2-3

~

Linking with

The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays

A Snowman Table

It seems the theme for January is snowmen and snowflakes

and at my house its really no different, especially at my table.

I found these jolly fellows hanging out at the thrift store back

in October for $.99 a plate and they're here today to

brighten my table with their smiles.

Each of the four plates is different, but I only used two of them

today for this tablescape since the other two are a little

more Christmasy.

My base dinner plate is white with raised dots around the rim and

was purchased this season at World Market.

Napkins were purchased at a thrift store for $.59 each and

the napkin rings are simply coordinating ribbon I found

at JoAnn Fabrics.  

My centerpiece is a simple dark blue candlestick holder with a

white candle and another piece of coordinating ribbon wrapped

around the center to tie everything together.

I love the contrast of the dark blue salad plates against the

stark white of the dinner plates, while the polka dots on

the ribbon and both plates completes the look.

Here are the other two plates that I did not use today.

Snowmen may represent the cold outdoors, but their 

child-like smiles warm hearts far and wide while 

harkening back to the simpler days of our youth.
~
Joining with Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday

Layering Up

With a great part of the country locked in the embrace of

extreme cold, we are all "layering up" to stay warm.

With that in mind, I wanted to carry that theme into my decor

today and do a little layering inside.

~

I found all three of these items at the Scott's Antique Market

this past weekend and while playing around with them, I did

a little "layering up".

~

My first layer is a 1936 "Old Cafe" pink Hocking depression

glass shallow candy dish. 

 

This vintage dish has a flared rim and little tab handles.

The second layer is a sweet little lace doily withwhat looks to me like tulips and tiny tatted flowersaround the edges.  At least I'm pretending they are tulipssince I'm longing for spring. 

Next up is a darling candle holder with a little side handle.It is the perfect shade of soft pink. 

Lest you think I'm "pink crazy", it really is a rather recentdevelopment, but I must admit, is steadily getting worse. 

And last, but not least is a lovely strand of pearls. 

Everyone knows that pearls are an absolute necessity

when "layering up". 

Whatever keeps you warm or warms your heart is perfectfor layering.  With what and how are you "layering up" lately? 

Joining Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday~Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays~House of Grace for Twice Owned Tuesdays~Frou Frou Decor for Fabulous Friday Finds~French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Fridays~Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday~Southern In My Heart for Inspiration Friday~A Little Knick Knack for Everything But the Kitchen Sink~How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday~Debbiedoo's Newbie Party   

Winner of My Thank You Giveaway

And the winner is ~ Chris of Nuffin Special.

~

Congratulations Chris and thank you all for participating.

I appreciate all of my followers and enjoy so

much visiting with you all on a day to day basis.

Your friendships have enriched my life more than I can ever

say or return.  Thanks for being you and sharing  your

rich lives with me.

 

Cindy

 

Way too Cold

Burrrrrrrrr ~ it's way too cold ~ way too much snow.

It's -5 degrees this morning and try as I have,

I am officially done with winter and ready

for spring.

If it wasn't for the Scott's Antique Market being in townthis weekend, I would hibernate all day.  I'm off to deal withmy winter blues by going junking.  What's a girl to do? Joining The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays~Little Red House for Mosaic Mondays

The Gifts of Age

I found this dear little bowl at an antique store

a few weeks ago and couldn't resist 

bringing it home with me.

 When I bought it, I thought it was brown transfer ware,

but now I don't think it is.  Regardless ~ it is old and has

been well used.  It is a vegetable bowl by Ridgways

Royal Semi Porcelain made in England and

the pattern is "Melville".

It has the sweetest delicate little daisies around the edges

 that cascade down the insides of the bowl.

  

Even the bowl's outside edges have daisies cascading 

down the sides.

What I didn't notice before is that it also has a nearly 

worn off gold stripe around the top edge.

~

It sets on the dining room hutch next to a rather old

mortar and pestle that my ex-husband made for me

many years ago.  It has always been special and always will be.

Some things are special because they were lovingly made for

you.  Some things are special because they are delicate and

need extra care and attention.  But I'm finding more

and more that I have a special appreciation for things just

because they are old.  Maybe it's because I wonder what stories 

they could tell.  Maybe it's because I'm getting older and 

finally appreciate the gifts that time and age

have to offer.

Linking with  

Frou Frou Decor for Fabulous Friday Finds

~

Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
~
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday 
~
Southern In My Heart for Inspiration Friday
~
The House in the Roses for Show off Your Cottage Monday 

White Makeover

I was taking pictures of this sweet little vanity for my Etsy Shop and
thought I would share it here with you all.  I actually refinished it last 
summer before I started blogging, therefore, there are no "before"

pictures, but there are several "in process" pictures.

When I found this vanity at a yard sale, the wood was dark and lacking 
personality.   All it needed was a little TLC.  

~

I took all the pieces apart in my back yard and primed it using my new paint sprayer. 

Even though my yard is not in the best shape here, that

grass sure looks nice and green right about now.

 Next, I sprayed it with two to three coats of Dove White

Benjamin Moore paint and put everything back together again.To give it a little more personality, I applied two complimentary wood applique pieces to the drawer and added a wooden knob.

 I also lined the inside of the drawer with scrapbook  paper

to dress it up and give it a new, clean feel.

To cushion the seat a little more, I added an extra layer of thin foam and

polyester batting and then covered it with this soft pastel mint linen fabric.

 I think I'm jealous ~ her cabriole legs are more shapely than mine. 
Lastly, I lightly distressed everything to create the shabby look that I love. 
I'm hoping eventually some mother will fall in love with it and

give her daughter the perfect place to pamper herself.  I think

it needs a little girl to love it again.

~Don't forget to check out my "Giveaway" here whichends January 22nd.~Linking with Faded Charm for White Wednesday~Domestically Speaking for The Power of Paint Party~Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday~Dittle Dattle for Amaze Me Monday 

Where I Create

I found this sweet little container at Goodwill the other

day for only $.99 while I was out getting groceries.  I thought

it was to hold business cards and would look sweet in

my blue and white office. 

Well ~ when I got it home, I discovered that business cards were too large to fit, 
so I filled it with paper clips.

This little blue and white vignette sits on my office

desk where I do all my work and blogging.

This used to be my daughter's bedroom when

she was much younger, but after she moved upstairs,

I claimed it for my office.  I especially love this room

because it looks out onto the deck and back yard where I

most love to play.  A room with a view.

Behind the picket fence is my herb and vegetable garden,

now tucked snugly in under a blanket of snow.  Off to the left

and out of sight is my greenhouse and garden shed.

This picture was taken from inside, so sorry about the 

window pane going through the center of the picture and I 

don't know what that yellow blur is.

~

On the other side of my computer sits my cherished

lifeguard lamp.  This was purchased at a Lake

Erie gift shop for the lake house, but found it's home

on my desk instead.

I think I found a better use for my container than paper clips. 

Who doesn't need a wee bit of chocolate when they're blogging?

Please be sure to check out my "Thank You" giveaway by 

clicking here.  The giveaway is open to all followers ~ both

old and new followers are welcome to participate.
~
Joining Little Red House for Mosaic Monday
~
Dittle Dattle for Amaze Me Monday 
~
Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
~
The House in the Roses for Show off Your Cottage Monday 
~
Smiling Sally for Blue Monday