Almost Time to Celebrate!

When I started my blog last summer, I never dreamed I'd ever have 100 people who are interested in what I write about.  I'm  getting close and when I have 100 followers,  I'm going to celebrate with a giveaway! 

I enjoyed True Grit  but it wasn't one of my favorites.  I saw previews of Water for Elephants that opens in April and it looks like it's going to be a great movie.  Has anyone read the book?  I am so happy that The King's Speech got best picture on the awards last night!

Have a great week!

Weekend Projects

Last night I worked on covering this album with the beautiful fabric I got at Hobby Lobby yesterday.  I also found the pink and green tassels that matched it perfectly and I think they give it a finished look. I plan to use it for pictures that I've collected of my friends and family during fun times we've shared at my house. 

A few years ago I made a valance for my friend's black and white bathroom. This weekend I made her two coronets from the leftover fabric to hang on a hat rack that she uses as a towel rack.  These are great for an extra hand towel.  I especially like to display vintage handkerchiefs in them.  I'm hoping to make some for my Etsy shop soon.

This is the same friend who is basking in the sunshine of the beach in Florida right now (earlier post).

I'm going to see True Grit this afternoon.  I am not usually a fan of westerns because I don't like the violence, but I do remember seeing the first True Grit and thinking that it was a fantastic movie.

Hobby Lobby

At last we have a Hobby Lobby in my area.  For years I've enjoyed shopping at the Hobby Lobby when I travel but haven't had one closeby.  Last week I was there and saw the prettiest fabric with teapots and teacups.  At the time I couldn't think of anything to use it for but I have decided to cover a scrapbook that I'm making with it.  Today I'll be heading to the flea market in the morning and then on to Hobby Lobby.

Yesterday was so windy here.  The sun was warm but the wind was whistling through the trees in my backyard.  I spent a good part of the afternoon on the deck  doing "pedicures" on my furgirls.  I use a Dremel to grind their nails.   Can you imagine working on 12 little furry feet? 

Hope everyone has a great weekend!  I'll be watching the awards on Sunday night to see if The King's Speech wins!  That's the only movie I've seen that's nominated.

Trompe L'oeil

I was in a beautiful  seaside village in Nova Scota several years ago and came across this fence in someone's yard.   The image is called "trompe l'oeil" which is an art  technique involving  realistic imagery to create the optical illusion that the object is three dimensional. If you click on the picture, you can see more detail including the sea gull and the writing on the newspaper.  This is one of my favorite pictures from that trip!

Peter Rabbit

Desktop calendar (I downloaded the medium size )

I'm reading The Tale of Holly How which is the second in the series of The Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter. I was looking up information on the Internet about Beatrix Potter  recently and  came across the Peter Rabbit website.  What a wonderful site!  There are so many resources for teachers and parents.  There are games to play, coloring sheets to print, a puppet show to create and lots of other things.  The only thing I could use was the downloadable calendar for my computer desktop and the e-cards, but I sure did enjoy my visit.  You might want to check it out if you have small children or grandchildren.

The King's Speech

Yesterday I went to see The King's Speech and I loved it!  The acting was superb and I won't be surprised if it doesn't get several Oscars this weekend.   The fact that Elizabeth and Margaret had two darling corgis certainly was part of my fascination with the movie. There aren't many movies these days that have any substance to them at all, so seeing something that is entertaining and educational is refreshing!

Oak Bluffs, MA

The Tabernacle

I came across these pictures yesterday and thought you'd enjoy seeing them.  This area was so beautiful with its massive old oak trees and beautiful summer flowers.

In 1996 I was on vacation in Falmouth, MA, and took the ferry over to Martha's Vineyard for the day.  Our ferry docked in Oak Bluffs and I soon discovered the hundreds of little Victorian cottages that were built starting in 1861.  The cottages were used when people came to the island to attend revival meetings at the Tabernacle.  Today the cottages are the most perfectly preserved collection of Carpenter Gothic style architecture in the world and are used as family vacation homes. 

About Amish: Giveaway of a Copy of "Why I Left the Amish"

About Amish: Giveaway of a Copy of "Why I Left the Amish"

Miss Vera

Miss Vera has had a very busy week.   Every time I looked out the window she was stalking something.  The moles and voles must be moving around since the weather is warmer.  She is so serious about keeping her yard in order.  She doesn't even like for me to talk to her when she's working.

My daffodils are up about six inches and I noticed yesterday that the forsythia was almost in full bloom at the local botanical gardens.  I sure hope these few warm days haven't fooled the spring flowers and they won't be frozen during a snow storm in March.

Spring is my favorite season!  Everything comes alive after a "long winter's nap".  I can't wait to hear the "spring peepers" peeping.

Friday Thrifting

The temperature was in the 70's here on Friday and it was such a beautiful day.  My friend and I left early to spend the day in Williamsburg, VA, shopping at all the thrift shops and consignment stores.  

I've been looking for a rose colored tablecloth  to use with my china for a long time.  They are pretty hard to find because I guess this isn't a  popular color right now.   My friend found one hanging on a rack at the Disabled Veteran's Thrift and it was the perfect color.   It looked to be freshly laundered and was stain free.  What a find for $3. 

The color is  lighter than it looks in this picture.  The china was given to me by my neice.  Her aunt was a nurse in WWII and brought the set back with her from France.  I don't use it often because it is so old and very fragile.

At the same store I found this reversible black and white stripe and toile tablerunner.  It is in new condition also and was only $3.  I plan to use it with  my black toile dishes.  Both items laundered beautifully!

And last but not least, I got this beautiful china teacup for $1.  It is made by Paragon and the pattern is called Tapestry Rose.  Don't know what I'll do with it but just couldn't leave it.   I always feel the need to rescue a pretty teacup!

Have a great weekend from the furgirls and me!

Destin Beach, Florida

My friend sent me the following email yesterday.  She and her husband are camping on the beach in their RV in Florida.

"Here are a few pictures of the sunrise and sunset on Destin Beach on the Gulf of Mexico. Notice the beautiful white sand beaches and blue green water.  Also our home away from home.  We are parked on the front row right on the beach.  You can't ask for more than that!!!!!"

This is their "home away from home"

Wow, I cannot imagine anything more beautiful than waking up to the sun rising over the gulf and watching it go down in the evening.  They are having a wonderful time and will be there for about a month.

Half Broke Horses

Yesterday I started reading Half Broke Horses, by Jeannette Walls, around the middle of the afternoon.  I finished the book about 1:00 a.m.  I read The Glass Castle by the same author last summer and loved it.   I'd say that Half Broke Horses is equally as good.  Jeannette Walls has a very unique writing style and in some ways reminds me of the Irish author, Frank McCourt, who wrote Angela's Ashes.  I love reading and one of my favorite things about retirement is having more time for it.

Laughing Duck Farm Blog

Last night I discovered the Laughing Duck Farm blog.  If you have time today, please check it out.  They had the cutest baby goat born just this past Sunday!  I would love to get my hands on her, she's adorable!  I believe this farm is located in Texas and the blog is one you don't want to miss. 

I spent yesterday afternoon outside picking up limbs and starting to clean up the backyard for spring.  The land behind my house is undeveloped and is full of beautiful hollies and hardwoods.  The wind was pretty strong and the sound of it whistling through those trees was great.  There was a beautiful blue sky and the movement of the fluffy white clouds was so pretty.  I'm one of those people who can get "high" on nature real fast!

The corgi girls had a great time!  In between picking up each stick, I had to throw the frisbee for Arabelle and Heidi.  Hanna is not the athletic type and doesn't like getting overly hot and tired. 

Hope this weather is a sign of an early spring!

What a Fun Day!

Yesterday I had a small Valentine party for my daughters, granddaughters, and a few close friends.

We had great food including a never ending supply of chocolate!  Everyone chose a hat from my vintage  collection to wear.  The afternoon flew by!

 

Nothing is better than time spent laughing with the people you love!

MousesHouses Blogspot

(This picture was used with owner's permission.)

If you haven't read the MousesHouses blog recently, you just have to check it out.  Maggie Rudy, the blog owner, has a picture book coming out in March featuring her mice.  On her blog she has a video done by her son about her studio and she also talks about how the book was photographed.  It is very interesting!  I don't have any little ones around anymore but I may have to buy this book just for me.  I think it comes out on March 11 and you can preorder from Amazon.

Rome, Italy

This is Trevi Fountain in Rome.  It is one of the most famous fountains in the world.

My friend's husband won a trip to Rome, Italy, from the company he works for.  A few weeks ago they spent eight days there and loved it.

I'm sharing with you a few of her pictures.





The Coliseum

The skyline of Rome



Happy Birthday to My Wonderful Friend!

At least 25 years ago we became friends at a part time job  we shared.  We were about the same age, our children were the same age and we had so much  in common.   The years have gone by and our children are grown.  We're both grandmothers now and she's about to retire this summer.  I can see lots of adventures in our futures.  She and I enjoy taking overnight trips and stopping at every thrift store and antique shop on the way.  What a blessing to share your life journey with wonderful friends.

A Very Special Guest Today!

Hello there, my name is Charlotte, Lady Charlotte Pedigree to be exact, and I live at Verde Farm with many other chickens and animals.  I may be a chicken, but I'm a designer at heart-and land sakes, I'm living in a new place with a wonderful name. It's called "Heartbeak Hotel."  Now, isn't that the most clever name you ever heard for a house of hens and roosters?  I have been reading Miss Sharon's blog for a while now and it's one of my favorites because she and I have the same taste.  Let me explain... 

Last month I saw her wonderful posts on doll houses and I have to tell you, I thought those beautiful houses were for me.  A chicken  could only dream of a home so beautiful and I couldn't get it off my mind.  I asked my farm lady and farmer if I could be in charge of decorating our new place-because I am the only hen here with design style-and lucky me, they said yes!  So I am working on my decorating plan and let me tell you where my inspiration is coming from.  You guessed it, Miss Sharon's dollhouse.

My favorite room is the blue bedroom Miss Vera is in.  My favorite color is blue and since I'm a girly hen, I think the lace is dreamy.  Since I don't sleep in a bed, I am going to do blue check curtains in my house and lace trim on the edge to get a similar effect.  I first asked if we had the budget to do wallpaper, a nice toile perhaps, but farmer put his foot down.  So, I want to paint my room a pale blue, I think it will be relaxing and believe me we chickens need to relax.

In terms of decor, I want some pretty framed artwork like Vera has here.  Gold frames are just my style and I am on the lookout for some fine, fowl art.  I don't have a kitchen but I need fine china and Miss Sharon has a beautiful set in this kitchen.   Goodness, I wonder if they make china feeders.  I sure hope so.

Of course, farmer wants me to have little biddies so I need a section of my home for the nursery.  We all know what a hen box looks like, but Sharon's bassinet is more my style.  A cream paint with wood carved flowers on my box would make me so happy, and I know my babies would love it too.

So, I want to thank Miss Sharon for inviting me to share my house decorating plans with you.  I long to make a name for myself and inspire hens all over the world to insist on a stylish home for their families.  Chickens are important too you know.

Warm regards,

Lady Charlotte Pedigree



One Lucky Lady!

It's been a year ago now since my daughter saw an ad in our local paper for "free to a good home", a yellow lab named Lucky.  About six months prior to that her wonderful lab, Hank, had passed on to the bridge.  He was about 15.  They still had one lab and I don't think they were actively looking to get another one.  However, this is a match made in heaven.  Lucky is the sweetest  and happiest dog I have ever seen.  She just seems so grateful to have such a loving home.  Sometimes it's amazing how things just seem meant to be!

Delightful Reading!

Amy at the Verde Farm blog recently recommended The Tale of Hill Top Farm  which is the first in a series written by Susan Wittig Albert.  It's a fun and light reading mystery that  I'd describe  as an adult fairy tale.  The author of the Peter Rabbit books, Beatrix Potter, is the main character.  All of the animals in her books are part of the story and actually talk. 

Vintage Handkerchiefs

click to enlarge

I've accumulated a number of vintage handkerchiefs over the years and I had not found a good way to display them.  Yesterday I made this paper coronets and stuffed them in the top.  The beautiful edges of the handkerchiefs show up perfectly.  I got a little carried away and made three of them. 

This one looks great hanging on my china cabinet door.

I'm beginning to see why I don't get any housework done.  I'm too busy with my fun projects. 

Coming soon! A very special guest blogger!

Thrift Shop Find

Last week a friend and I spent the day shopping at  local thrift shops.  I found these beautiful dishes that were made by Homer Laughlin China Company around 1957.  This company orginated in Ohio but moved to Newell, WV and is still in operation today.  Homer Laughlin also made the bright colored Fiestaware.  The stamp on the back reads Century Service Corporation.  This was a department store that used Home Laughlin dinnerware as their store brand dishes.

My dining room is dark teal under the chair rail and off-white above.  These dishes are so beautiful with my colors.  They were such a bargain, I could not resist.