rummage finds

blue and white chamber pot $1.00

Contrary to what my family and friends like to say I do not shop all the time for bargains.  I don't even hit consignment shops and rummage sales weekly, except the Habitat Restore where I volunteer.  Here are a few of my latest finds.

Jewelry cabinet, solid maple and in great shape $2.00

great little chair with woven seat $3.00

shower time

We spent the holiday weekend celebrating with family.  My brother in law Mike and sister in law Cathy are going to be grandparents for the first time.  Their son Ty and wife Jessica are expecting a baby girl in July.  I personally believe that grandparenthood is the best thing you can do.  Yep spoil them then send them home, that's our duty.  We had a  lovely shower and OOHHed and AHHed looking at all the great things available for babies these days.  We had a great time and wish only the best to the parents to be.

MIL Sara doesn't get to have all four of her kids together very often, so this is for her.  Great pic.

Memorial Day

As you have spent time with family, gone to cook outs and ball games or just enjoyed the long weekend, remember the real reason for the holiday.  Say a little prayer for those who gave their lives so we can live in freedom and plenty.  America has a lot of problems, but is still the best country in the world to live in.

garden show

Kathy and I did our first show of the season last weekend.    I'm not going into my usual rant about how I hate out door shows (high of 54, windy and mostly cloudy).  What I was most impressed about was this tiny towns garden club and the wide variety of booths they had set up.  Yes there were plenty of places selling plants but there were also garden junk booths, pallet art, glass flowers, wind chimes and bird feeders, antiques, ceramics, baked goods, succulent gardens and plenty of baked goods.  Shows are really hard work so it's nice to interesting surroundings and great places to shop.  Most vendors don't like having pictures taken of their booths, they think you are stealing their ides, so that's why no pictures except our booth which was the best looking one there.

Garden show

Kathy and I had our first show of the season this last weekend.  Of course we each had to do a little retail therapy.  Lucky for us we were next to the Marshal FFA.  The group had loads of flowers and plants they had grown themselves.  I would much prefer buying from a community or school group than a business. I bought nine gallon size perennials for $30 and 10 pink geraniums for $5.  The going retail price for that size perennial is $8-15.  The geraniums usually run $1-1.50 at the big box stores where they aren't cared for very well.  More planting to come.
Always check local schools, gardening groups and community colleges.  The prices may not be the lowest but the plants will be healthy, disease free and taken care of.

russian sage, yarrow

toad lily, iris

begonias I'll over winter

garden vignette

Just a little peek at some of the outdoor decorating I've been busy with.

little grouping one on each side of the walk going to the front door

We have two wheel barrows so why not use one of them as a planter  it's hard to see but there are marigolds, petunias  and pinks in there, I've since added blue salvia and nicotania in the center

These chairs were bright red when I bought them last year.  The new paint is Krylon Sea Glass

These pictures were taken at the beginning of last week on an 80 degree day.  The next day the temps dropped into the 40's and we had rain the rest of the week, so I'm farther behind than I was before.

garden fun

I've been wanting two tall planters for each side of my front door.  Now you know I'm not going to pay big prices for some of the fancy planters I've seen, so I improvised.  AH used some sand to level patio blocks we had laying around, I spray painted two metal waste baskets I'd picked up recently.  I filled the bottom half with packing peanuts then planted bright flowers in them.  They stand about 30" tall now and will be closer to 40" when the flowers start to fill in.  Since I had everything on hand the total cost was about $30 for the pair.  Most of that was for the flowers, the purple osteospurnum alone were $6 each.  I also planted sweet potato vines, white salvia and petunias.  You can't tell the cans are different sizes and slightly different shapes, I think that makes them more interesting.

perfect marriage

Sometime I find a great piece when junking and know exactly what I'll do with it.  This marriage of a glass candle stick and a gazing ball were just meant to be together.  Keep your eyes open, you never know when you'll find the perfect marriage of pieces.

picture perfect

There aren't many days that can be called picture perfect, but last Saturday was definitely one of those days.  Our son Nate and family came for the weekend and we took them to the train museum in Monticello.  The kids had a blast looking at the train cars set up as a museum and loved riding the train through the country.  The weather was finally beautiful, warm and sunny so we sat outside on the observation car watching the country side go by.  We only traveled 16 miles but it was just enough to experience riding a real train.  Later that day we had a great cook out and went for ice cream at the state park.  Simple country life, no trauma, no drama, no computers, no phones just hanging out together enjoying each others company.
Look in and around your community for those hidden gems to experience with your family.

Chase, Jayden, Nate, Barb

I imagine my Grandpa worked at a desk just like this.  He worked for the railroad most of his life

The kids were fascinated by the tiny potty that folded into the wall

Since they barely know what mail service is the kids were interested in how the mail was sorted and delivered

Who are these old people?

kitty fun

I know I'm the crazy cat lady who posts way to many pictures of her furry children, but it's my blog so bear with me.  Above my microwave is a tiny shelf where I display one of my prize possessions.  The ear of corn was my grandparents candy dish that they always kept full of white or pink dinner mints.  We could have them every time we went to visit.  We didn't have much candy in the house so that was a big deal.  Our ornery, super curious kitten Dusty has decided it's a wonderful place to hide and reach out to grab the other kitties when they get on top of the upper cabinets.  They like to look down on the world when ever there is too much activity going on or strangers in the house.  For now the corn had to be shoved back to wall so it doesn't get knocked down and broken.  I guess you can tell who really runs this household.  My kitchen walls are a soft sage green, I don't know why they are showing up yellow.

rummage fun

This past weekend was our community yard sale.  I love the small town wide sales, so much fun without having to drive for miles.  I managed to fill my car twice for about $60, way more than I usually spend but I got some great buys.  Here are just a few.

wall shelf, just needs a clean up and new paint

heavy iron lamp.  I'll take out the wires and it will make a great place to hang a pot

I didn't count them but there are at least 25-30 little angels made of capiz shell and wire for $2

Service for eight dishes $15 with aqua.  No marks so if anyone knows what they are please contact me.

I didn't buy this, someone left it by my back door.  Great tin divided box.  When you have the junker rep, sometimes things just appear.

metal chandi. $4 I'll remove the wire and hang it outside with candles.  It's sitting on a fun bench $2 that will get a paint job.

5 spindles to be used for legs $1

I only showed you a tiny amount of goodies I got most of it is still in boxes and bags in my sun room waiting to be unwrapped.  Where else can you have this much fun for two days?

I find this in strange places

I think it's important to keep your eyes open to special finds everywhere you go.  This great buy proves it.  I was in an Amish bulk food shop when I  came across these great canisters.  They are tin with a place to write with chalk on them.  They were full of cookies that I ended up giving to our church youth group, because I sure didn't need them.  I bought one to start and my friend went back and got me four more later, so thanks Jeane.  Just an example of looking for great buys any where you might be.  What would you store in these great boxes?

New cushions

My cushions for the patio were getting in sad shape.  They were fading and had mildew on the seam lines.  I splurged and bought all new cushions.  If you know me, you know I rarely buy anything at full price and prefer used over new but this was one thing I was willing to bite the bullet and buy at the beginning of the season.  The shade cloth is up and the patio is open for business.  I see a book and a nap on that chaise very soon.

happy aniversary

It's May day and Andy and my anniversary.  Yep, 43 years without killing each other.  We've stuck it out and worked hard to last this long.  Definitely the best decision of my life.  I've had people ask me through the years how we've stayed married so long.  My answer is always the same, commitment.  We got married for the long haul and even through the good and bad times try to remember we are in this together forever.