Gathering Daffodils at the Old Farm

This morning my daughter and I walked down to the old farm next door to gather daffodils.  Like a lot of old farms around here, daffodils were planted as borders for walkways, fence lines, and flower beds.  Even though the tenants have been long gone, these tireless harbingers continue to their work, announcing the approach of spring.  

Lovely yellow and green!  What a welcoming sight after a long, colorless winter.  

The farm is "next door" which in the country means about a 5 minute walk down the road.  Of course, taking a walk down the road also means all three dogs MUST go with us.  Try and leave them in the house while you go for a walk and they'll try to guilt you with their pathetic howls.  It's really quite funny and quite loud!

Cooper, the Schneagle (part Beagle and part Schnauzer), being the adolescent that he is, always has to be first at everything...first out the door, first in the door, first to eat...and today first to get to the farm house.  Here he is patiently waiting for the rest of us to catch up.  Such a goofball.  He definitely keeps us entertained.

Here's a sneak peak at the daffodils.  I'll post more about the daffodils and shamrocks tomorrow!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!
Angie


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JENNIFER RIZZO

FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS

COMMON GROUND

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Spring in Blue and White

We finally received a decent amount of snow this winter.  And, now I'm over it!  I'm ready to get on with spring.  I've pulled out some of last year's spring decor but it seems I'm going with a blue-white-yellow theme.  So far, I've only added a few things to the kitchen and living room area.  As soon as the temperature gets back in the 50's at least, I'll work on the front porch and deck.

Warning this post is a little photo heavy so grab a cuppa something to enjoy while you're here.

Some of my favorite blue and white dishes in a old brass planter.  

I've also added a glass with vintage silver and ivory handled flatware.  

Love the patina...fancy word for tarnish :)

I swapped out the bamboo tray that was on the bar table for my grandfather's old tool caddy.  I love the mix of the old rough wood with the silver and glass.  Cobalt blue tumblers, found at Goodwill for $1.99, were added for a punch of color.

An old calf muzzle, purchased from a yard sale, holds wine corks.

The silver punch bowl, ladle, and demijohns were all found at my favorite thrift store, The Bargain Center.  I've found SO many things there.  If you're ever in the Murfreesboro area, let me know.  We'll go treasure hunting together.

I didn't use a wreath on the mirror of the bar this season.  I let a couple sprigs of forsythia cascade over one corner.  I love forsythia bushes.  I planted a couple this past summer.  I hope they come back this year.

And, because I'm dying to get my hands in the dirt, I started the kale plants from seeds a few weeks ago.  We love kale broiled with a little sea salt and olive oil.  It's so good it rarely makes it from pan to plate.

Finally, what says spring more than a baby chick?  This little guy is so life-like he's fooled a few people.  We've actually raised chicks before and enjoyed it.  Now, since the girls are older and involved in so many activities, it's easier to just buy pullets and raise for eggs.  It's on my to do list once the temperatures stay warm.

I hope you've enjoyed the spring decorations I've added so far.  I'm linking the The Scoop's Mega Spring Linky Party HERE.  Be sure to check it out!

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!

Angie

I'm linking here:

JENNIFER RIZZO

FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS

COMMON GROUND

HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON

COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

FRIDAYS UNFOLDED

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

ONE MORE TIME EVENTS

TWIRL AND TAKE A BOW

SAVVY SOUTHERN STYLE

STONEGABLE 

UNDER THE TABLE AND DREAMING

ART IS BEAUTY

 

Personalized Stationery for the Graduate

Spring is coming and that means graduation time...

Our middle daughter graduates this May and, if you've had a senior before, you know that graduation can get expensive.

I came across this almost complete stationery kit at the thrift store a few weeks ago.  It was only $.59 for the box and it was a nice quality of paper.  I thought it would be perfect for my daughter to use for thank you letters for graduation gifts.  So, I took it home and ran it though the printer, adding her initials.

I think it took me longer to decide which font to use than to actually make these.  Literally, it took less than 10 minutes from start to finish and we ended up with 24 pages and 25 envelopes.

I think they turned out pretty spiffy for only $.59!  So, the next time you've got a partial box of "something" to donate and you wonder if you should even bother??  Yes!  Yes you should!  People like me are counting on it.  :)

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!

Angie

I'm linking here:

JENNIFER RIZZO

FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS

COMMON GROUND

HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON

COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

FRIDAYS UNFOLDED

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

One more time events

 

funkyjunkinteriors

Upcycling Thrift Store Plates

I found a couple of small plates at the thrift store for just 29 cents.  I loved their shape and the black edging but they seemed a little plain to hang as is.

That's when I remembered the Pinterest trick for adding designs to plates using a Sharpie.  I love Sharpies.  If you could see my work table, you would see Sharpies in every color.  It's an addiction.

My office (former dining room) has sort of a hunt theme with antlers, dog paintings, and horse sculptures along with vintage map so I thought a fox silhouette would be ideal.  I found a simple pattern online, printed it, and cut out a template.

I traced the outline with a fine tip Sharpie first, then removed the template and filled the rest with a broad tip Sharpie.  The black ink covered well without leaving stroke marks.  Now, according to the pins on using Sharpies on ceramics, you should set the ink by placing the object in the oven.  Since my plates are just for decoration, I skipped this step.  I'm not very good at following instructions.

I did flip the stencil for the second plate.  I wanted the silhouette images to mirror each other.  

I ended up hanging them in the kitchen near my cabinet, another thrift store find that you can read about here.  I think their size fit perfectly above the tole tray and ironstone platter.  

Kind of an eclectic mix I guess...fox plate, ironstone, architectural print, and tole tray...but I like it.

So, for under a dollar, I have the perfect little additions to my wall.  How about you?  Are you a plate-on-the-wall type person?

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!

Angie

I'm linking here:

JENNIFER RIZZO

FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS

COMMON GROUND

HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON

COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

 

funkyjunkinteriors

Helene' s Legacy

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French Metis Linen Sheets - A Goodwill Find!

I know that picking and junking and thrift store shopping are pretty popular these days.  Sometimes it feels like everyone is now wise to the whole vintage craze and there is nothing left to be found...or at least not at a great price.  Well, I'm here to say those nuggets are still out there.  

I found these 3 beautiful French metis linen sheets at our Goodwill last week.  They were priced at $2.99 each!  

It was one of those moments where you throw your treasure in the cart and book it for the nearest checkout before your incredible deal is found out.  

Look at the beautiful lace edging on each.  The one in the center actually has a matching inset lace on the end of the sheet as well as at the top.

Two of the sheets had been repaired "way back when."  I love the care they took in mending the holes...no exposed edges, the ends are turned under, and lovingly handstitched.

These made my day.  What treasures have you found? 

Thanks for stopping by and God bless!

Angie

I'm linking here:

JENNIFER RIZZO

FROM MY FRONT PORCH TO YOURS

COMMON GROUND

HAVE A DAILY CUP OF MRS. OLSON

COASTAL CHARM'S NIFTY THRIFTY TUESDAY

 

http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/themed-linkups

http://heleneslegacy.blogspot.com/2013/11/everyday-vintage-link-party_22.html

FRIDAYS UNFOLDED

FEATHERED NEST FRIDAY

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