Pruning My Crepe Mrytles

I can't stand it any longer.  The temperature is going up to 69 degrees here on Wednesday and already I'm making plans for all the outside chores I want to do.  This is a good time to prune my crepe myrtles.  I was looking at the Southern Living website and they refer to the pruning that most people do as "crepe murder" because they butcher the shrub so badly.  The website offers great instructions on how to prune them properly.

I think I'll also prune my butterfly bush.  It may be a little late in the year but I think I'll do it anyway.  Last year my bush was full of blooms and attracted so many butterflies.

Just thinking about these projects is really theraputic for me.  I love spring and this will be my first spring since I retired.  I plan to enjoy every ray of sunshine and daffodil that blooms!

Chip and Hanna

We had a wonderful visit at the Children's Hospital Saturday morning.  Hanna rode in this rolling chair so she would be on the same level with the children in wheelchairs.  She's gets very heavy for me to hold up for them to pet.

Chip was the other dog visiting from our therapy group.  He is an adorable cockapoo and  loves entertaining the children by playing his piano.

These two make quite a team.  Their personalities compliment each other.



My Grandparents

Last night I was cleaning off my desk and came across an envelope of very old pictures.  One of which was this picture of my grandparents that I'd like to share with you.  Don't they look like the couple that was on the corn flake box many years ago, no disrespect intended.   Unfortunately,  I didn't know them.  She died when I was very young and he passed before I was born.  She looks like a very sweet, hard working lady and he is somewhat handsome.  It makes me sad that I never had the experience of doing things with my grandparents.  I can imagine collecting eggs with her or helping to make biscuits.

 Hope you all have a great weekend.  Hanna and I are off to the Children's Hospital this morning for a visit.  We didn't go last month because of the weather.  She had a bath last night and we have her Valentine bandana ready.  Maybe we'll get some pictures today.

Smiling Corgi Faces

I posted this a few months back but I wanted to share it with those of you who joined us recently.

My corgi girls' faces were hand painted on this old window by a artist here in VA.

The technique is called "reverse painting" which means that she had to start with the finishing touches and work backwards.  Amazing!  The window hangs over my sofa and is one of my most prized possessions.

A Message from Susan Paley

I don't think I've mentioned before that I've become friends with Susan over the last several months.  She's the type of person you immediately feel like you've known forever.  She very witty and tells the most interesting stories.  We keep in touch through email.  With her permission, I am posting this picture and short note from her.

Greetings from Southern California

I am honored to have Valentina appear on your blog.  I can't think of a nicer place for my ladies to be.

I especially love your minature house and the cat hanging on the toilet!

HAPPY NEW YEAR SHARON!!

Susan

African Sunset

I received an email yesterday from my dear friends who live in South Africa, near the city of Johannesburg.  This picture of a gorgeous sunset was taken from their yard last week.

It's summer in South Africa now and their garden is in full bloom.   I enjoyed seeing their beautiful flowers and they give me hope that spring is not far away!

Valentina

I don't think I've introduced you to Valentina.  I found her at the flea market last fall and she is the latest addition to my Susan Paley lady vase collection.  I love her red hair and green eyes!

If you've recently joined  my blog and are not familiar with Susan Paley, here's a little history of her vases.  She is an artist who lives in California and designed these cute little ladies for Ganz.  They were mass produced by the Ganz company until 2006 when they were retired. 

Don't you love her little red nails?
 

Tablerunner

A friend sent me an old tablerunner with this beautiful hand crocheted trim on each end.  The fabric was very worn with several holes.  I removed the end trims, made a new fabric runner and attached the trims to it.  I also machine embroidered  teapots on each end.  I was so pleased with the end result and put it on a small buffet in my dining room.

I love recycling!

The Kitchen

This is the last of the Victorian dollhouse pictures.  I hope you have enjoyed seeing them.

The table is still set with my beautiful Christmas china.  Notice the Felix the cat clock in the corner. It is definitely not Victorian, but oh so cute!

And last but not least, is one of the resident corgis.  She was made by miniature artisan, Alice Zinn.

Dollhouse Bathroom

The wallpaper in this bathroom is black with twig wreaths and rose colored ribbons.  The colors are faded in this picture.

A black and white cat is playing in the toilet.  I've seen my real cat do this on occasion.

Have a great weekend!  Only one more week in January!

Full Moon and Dollhouse Attic

Did anyone else notice how beautiful the full moon was last night?  I'll bet it was really pretty at Angela's (West Virginia Treasures) and Amy's (Verde Farm) in West Virginia.

The dollhouse in the attic is a 2010 Hallmark ornament.

The Nursery

 Wallpapering this room was quite a job!  There are a few imperfections here and there but fortunately they do not show up in the pictures.  Finding the toys was so much fun.  Did you see the Cabbage Patch Doll?  If you're close to my age, you probably remember standing in line to buy them for your children.

Don't you just love the giraffe?  I need to make a cushion for the rocking chair.

Dollhouse Bedroom

I am so pleased with the way the master bedroom in my Victorian dollhouse turned out.  The curtains were made by Linda Wooten of Wooten's Miniatures.  She is a talented seamstress and very reasonable.

Victorian Dollhouse

I'm excited to share with you this week my other dollhouse.  I found this house on Craig's List for $50.  It was assembled and the cedar shingles and the siding were already on it.  With the help of the owner of a local miniature shop, Mr. Bell, it turned out to be a beauty. He made all new porch railings since the original ones were missing and completely redid the windows.  It is painted a soft beige and the doors are a dark lavender.  (The picture makes the house look lavender and it isn't.)

Of course, there's a black cat on the front porch and a couple corgis in the house.



Little Ladies

I found these beautiful plates at a thrift shop recently for $3 each. They were made by the Hamilton Collection in 1989.  The colors are beautiful and the little girls remind me of my granddaughters.  I have them hanging in my dining room.

Stone Gable

If you haven't already, you have to visit the Stone Gable blog.  She has the most beautiful tablescapes and scrumptious looking recipes. Her blog is near the top of my list of favorites.  I like the tutorials she offers also.

I'm quickly getting burned out with my organizing projects.  I guess you could say getting all my cabinets organized was my main New Year's resolution.  My mind keeps moving forward to daffodils popping out of the ground, spring peepers, and outside projects.  I keep telling myself it's only January, but that doesn't seem to help the restlessness I feel.

I must be content to read a few more good books, search for more great blogs and watch OWN network for at least eight more weeks.

Corgi Social

Several years ago I hosted a "corgi social" in my backyard.  The dogs had so much fun and my granddaughters loved being in charge of them.  My Hanna  is front left and Heidi (with her rather large ears) is sitting by my granddaughter in the red shirt.   I didn't have Arabelle at the time.  My daughter put this picture on Facebook today and I had forgotten all about this event.  It's so cute I just had to share it with you.

New Pillow and Very Old Rocker

I recently made this pillow out of an hand embroidered dresser scarf.

Old  linens are so beautiful and I love using them in my bedroom.  My mother and I embroidered pillowcases when I was a young girl.   By the way, if you do machine embroidery, check out the Hatched in Africa website.  They have beautiful designs and some of them look like the vintage designs that were already stamped on the fabric.

 

I have owned this rocker for 40 years and the lady who gave it to me was in her 90's at that time.  It belonged to her parents who had long been deceased.  A few pieces of the wicker are broken, but for the most part, it is in excellent condition.

Stay warm today, wherever you are.  Is anyone else ready for Spring?

Dollhouse Sewing Room



click to enlarge

My favorite room in my dollhouse is the sewing room.  I love the wallpaper and the ironing board with the pinned dress pattern.

50th Follower Giveaway

I thought it would be fun to have a giveaway to celebrate my 50th follower.   I had a drawing and the winner is Julie from Saltbox Treasures.

I'm sending her a "bed bag".  This is my own creation to hang over your bedpost to store your glasses, remote, etc.  I hope she will enjoy using it.

Your bag is in the mail, Julie!

Van's Barnyard Antiques

Saturday I went with a friend to visit her relative in South Boston, VA.  We stopped at Van's Barnyard Antiques just off  Rt. 360 West near South Boston.  We've been there several times over the years and I usually come home with a birdhouse.  Today I came home with pictures only.  ):

The shop is located in the owner's backyard.  These pictures are of her home, the shop and her gorgeous

yard.  Hope you enjoy!