Porch Decorating

I always love decorating my porch for Christmas but this year it has been even more fun.  Maybe because the weather is so nice.

I bought my carolers in West Virginia at least 20 years ago.  They were simple boards with painted faces.  Throughout the year, I look for new outfits for them.  The boy with the snowflake sweater was the first one I dressed and he still has his original outfit.  Maybe I will concentrate on finding him something different in 2020.  There's something about that sweater that I like!

I am lucky that there is a huge holly tree laden with red berries just a few feet from my front steps and  I have English box woods across the front of my house.
I start with faux wreaths and garlands and stuff them  natural cuttings.  I also like to use variegated holly.

I hope you have enjoyed this Thanksgiving day with family and friends!  I was fortunate to be invited out to brunch and dinner.  

I Am Excited to be Back!

My sweet boy, James Bond!

Good Morning!

I decided to restart my blog this morning.  Starting today, I will be sharing not-so-exciting events in my life which consists of entertaining my three corgis and decorating my house.  I have missed it.

Today it is going to be around 65 degrees in central VA.  I am going to take advantage of the warm weather and spray some shelves for my rented space in a local antique mall.

If you have time to see the movie about Fred Rogers during the holidays, I would highly recommend it!  I have always had so much respect for him and this film confirmed all the good things I have thought about him.

It may take a while for me to get organized and remember how to maintain my blog but I hope you will bear with me!

Miss Perl will soon be four!

Spring Showers!

We've had so much rain in Central VA this spring and I love it!  Everything is lush and green and we've had only a few uncomfortably hot days so far. I've spent hours on the front porch with the corgi girls.  Projects in the house have been nonexistent!

I want to share some of my outside pictures with you.

This great basket was a flea market find for $4.  

My corgi topiary has flourished with all the rain.  I have had it five years. A sweet blogging friend (Angela) from WVA sent me succulents to plant in it when I first purchased it.  For the most part, I have to replace the plants each year except the hens and chickens.

                                       

I've been making garden angels with dishes that I buy 

at Goodwill. They are beautiful when the sun shines through them.  I use E-6000 glue and it seems to work well outside.

I have the above ground cover growing in my yard and can't seem to find identifying information about it. Does anyone know the name? 

I can't believe tomorrow is the first day of June.  In a few weeks, I will be marking something very important off my bucket list.  Will fill you in later.

On-Line Auction

I never bid on on-line auctions but last week I decided to try it.  The lot I bid on was pictured as an open drawer with several nondescript pieces of linen hanging out of it.  I won with an $8 bid.  Much to my surprise, when I went to pick up my winnings it was a large box of linens.  About half of it I couldn't use but two of the prettiest items were this beautiful tablecloth and a needlepoint bell pull.   

 

I love the hardware!

I painted this dressing table for my daughter over the weekend.  Usually I don't like doing furniture but this was fun.

Baby Perl

Next week will be one year since Perl came to live with us.  She has kept me on my toes  but has brought me such joy!  

New Year

Perl

Perl was born in Florida one year ago today.  I had no idea that she would become part of my life and bring me so much joy.  In my search for a Cardigan puppy, several pieces of the puzzle fit together and she became my puppy!  I established quite a friendship with her breeder during the time I was waiting for her to get old enough to make the long ride to VA.   Sadly, her breeder passed suddenly soon after I got Perl and I still miss her.  We communicated often about Perl's growth and her shenanigans!

I've think there must be a beaver in Perl's family tree.  She has chewed so much furniture and I can never catch her.  She also has destroyed numerous electrical cords.  She is definitely my last puppy but in spite of all the destruction, I love her so much.  She makes me laugh everyday.

Redecorated Guest Room

I hope you'll enjoy seeing pictures of my redecorated guest room. This has been a fun project and I'm thrilled with the way it turned out.  My painter is a retired high school teacher and  does a fantastic job.  She's  slowly painting my natural woodwork white in each room and I can't believe how much difference it makes.  My wonderful friend helped me choose the paint color.  It is called Rosewater.

I made the valances from a single drapery panel I found at a thrift shop for $1.99.  It was in pristine condition and already lined.  I added the beaded trim.

I used every inch of the fabric covering the chair and making the pillow.

 My vintage hankies are displayed in an old spoon rack.

The wall cabinet is the top of an old secretary and was purchased at the flea market.  It's amazing how a little TLC and some white paint can bring something to life!

I made the white ceramic tree when I was in my 30's in a class taught by the same friend who picked out my paint.  Longtime friends are priceless!

This little dotted Swiss dress came from antique shop. I had to bring it home with me!

I found these felted corgi ornaments at Target this year and I think they are sold out across the country.   Corgi lovers are crazy!  I'll hang the wreath in my kitchen window in a few days.  It makes me smile.

My corgi girls are doing so well.  Bonnie has adjusted perfectly since she came to live with us  in the summer.   She is a super sweet girl and so well mannered.  Perl, well that's a different story.  She's wild and determined.  She will be a year old in December.  Miss Heidi is a quiet old lady who takes lots of naps and doesn't like to be bothered by the younger girls!