I'm Back and Looking Ahead

Hello, hello everyone!

 

I have finally returned from my blog break and am glad to be here with you!

 

Vacation was wonderful, my refinished floors look beautiful and
 I am working on lots of new projects around the house. 
(I have a lot to share, if I could only finish an actual project. Ahem.)

   

Somewhere along the way of working on all these projects, I was detoured.

 

It all started last week. 

 

First, the temperatures cooled into the 70s. 
Overnight, the temps were in the 40s.

 

Second, I got my Sept/Oct issue of Taste of Home magazine.

 I opened the cover and was stopped in my tracks by this picture:

 

 

The big "Back to School" did not even phase me,

 even though my kids are back to school in less than 3 weeks.

 

No, it was the apples.  Oh there is nothing like a crisp Fall apple! 

And then it started.....the conditions were right for...

 

FALL DREAMING

 

 

Pinterest

 

Pinterest

 

Pinterest

 

 

Why does this always happen?

 

I don't want to rush Summer, but somehow Fall has a

way of awakening me from my Summer stupor.

 

So, have you been doing any Fall dreaming lately?

 

 

  

A short break

Hello!

I just wanted to announce that I will be taking a short blogging break.

We'll be going on vacation soon, and we are having our hardwood floors refinished while we're gone.

That means we've got to clear out all the rooms & closets before we leave. Heaven help us!

I'm even going to try to paint one of the rooms this week before all of this begins.  Don't you think it'll be fun, painting at night, after work, with no natural light?   Don't answer that. 

Now you see why I need the break.

And believe me, I don't even want to think about the mess we'll be in when we get back from vacation and have to put everything back & get rid of that layer of dust that'll coat everything in the house from all the sanding.  Oh good times, my friends.

See you soon!

Anchors Away tablescape

I don't know that I ever told you before, but I love all things nautical. I always have.

I remember having an "oh so cute" sailor suit.  Now I know you're thinking I must have been a little girl when I owned that sailor suit,  but no...it was the 80s and I was in high school.  :)

I've always been drawn towards anything nautical.  I like to joke and say it's because my father was a sailor.  He was in the US Navy.  Dad always knew of my love for all things nautical, so whenever he would chance upon a piece  treasure from his days in the Navy, he would give it to me.  I have his old uniform, his lighter, a framed photo of his ship, his medals and his ribbon pins.

Anyway, I digress....

Welcome to my nautical table:

 

 

 

 

I can still remember spotting these salad plates in Home Goods.  It was love at first nautical sight! 

 

Navy Blue Dinner Plates:  by Country Living, Kmart
Placemats:  Home Goods
Navy Blue Flatware:  by Cambridge, Home Goods
Napkins:  Bed, Bath & Beyond

 

I gathered some nautical and coastal goodies for my centerpiece.

 

Ship:  Michaels

Sailor Boy:  Christmas Tree Shop

Assorted shells from the beach in Florida (Thanks Aunt Gen & Uncle Tim) 

 

Tablerunner:  Country Living, Kmart

Candle holders:  Michaels

The sea, once it casts its spell,

holds one in its net of wonder forever.

--Jacques Yves Cousteau

 

 

Thank you for taking a look at my tablescape.  As always, I appreciate your visit!

 

 

Linking to:  Let's Dish @ Cuisine Kathleen

                     Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

 

 

 

 



My Happy List

Today, I am joining my friend, Ricki Jill from Art @ Home, for My Happy List Tuesday.

 

This week, I'm happy about:

fun.

Last weekend we went to see fun.  It was the first concert for both my daughter & son, and did they ever love it!

I have this video I took with my iphone.   It's just a little snippet of one of my favorite fun. songs.

I'm not good at this technical stuff, but the video here does not look as good as when I watch it from my iphone or computer.  It's blurry  & looks further away here???  We were not that far away from the stage.

Anyway, you know the last concert I went to iphones weren't even invented yet, let alone cell phones.  lol  I always remember the warning that we would hear before the concert started that said "photography & videotaping are strictly prohibited."  Wow, what a different world we live in now!   Everyone was taking pictures or taping with their phones and there was no "strictly prohibited" warning before the concert. I guess our kids today are lucky.  They can actually look back & view the concerts they went to.  I would love to see a video like this of when I saw Bon Jovi back in the 80s for their the Slippery When Wet tour.   

 

 

 

This week, I'm happy about:

 

 

Cooler Temps and Less Humidity 

 

 

By Wednesday, the humidity is supposed to break.  Thank goodness!

 

 

 

This week, I'm happy about:

 

 

The Royal Baby

 

 

 

 

Is it weird to be happy about that?  It's not like I know the family, or that I was from England even,  but I was a huge admirer of Princess Diana and I just love seeing her children and legacy live on.  

 

 

 

This week, I'm happy about:

 

 

NYC and Broadway Shows

 

 

On Saturday, my daughter & I are headed to NYC.  We are going to see:

 

 

I can't wait!  I love the city, I love Broadway, I love spending the day with my daughter.

 

 

 

What are you happy about this week?

 

Head on over to Art @ Home, link up and tell us about it!

  

The Painting of the Clock Tower

Well hello there friends!

Summer is moving along so quickly.  My weekends have been jam-packed with activities.  We've finally ceased with all the rain, but man it's hot...and humid.  Oh is it humid!  I'm not complaining though.  I will suffer in silence because that's all I seem to do is complain about the weather.  Before you know it, I'll be complaining about the snow.  Right?  So no complaints here.

Anyway, as I type, this is what my dining room looks like: 

And this...this is what my dining room looked like last summer:

 



Notice anything different?  Maybe you need to scroll up and take another look?

 

Anything? Anything?

 

I painted the clock tower over in the corner of the room!

 

See it now?

 

The clock tower was a pretty piece of furniture.  Dark finish and flowers painted in orange, gold & red.  My husband bought it for me from Pier 1 many years ago.

 

 

Trouble is, pretty or not, it was just too dark for my taste.     

 

So, against my husband's advice (I'm a rebel, LOL), I gave it a little Annie Sloan's Old White chalk paint. 

 



 

I know that some of you who prefer a darker, richer tone to your furniture are probably scratching your head, wondering why I painted it.  Honestly?  The dark finish just didn't go with my dining room or with the lighter cottage look that I love. 

 

Anyway....

 

I found this graphic from The Graphics Fairy,

 

 

and transferred it to the clock tower by using this technique.   I was a little intimidated at first,  but I found it was a very easy technique to use.   

  

I then took out my handy dandy little paintbrushes and some paints, and painted it all in.   Now this I was VERY intimidated by, but I managed it fairly well.  

 

Of course, I had to give it a sanding after I was done.

 

I added some pretties to the shelves.  

 

And that was that! 

 

 

It is kind of amazing how everything stands out against the white finish now.  Before, unless it was white, it would get lost on the dark shelves. 

 

I'm glad you took the time to visit me today.    Much love to you.♥♥♥

 

Linking to:  What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

 

 

Jumping on the Bandwagon

Looks like it's my turn to jump on the band wagon with the rest of you.  After all, I don't want to get left behind. 

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Being technology challenged, I really hope this works!

Dots, Checks & Roses Tablescape

Before I begin, can I just complain about the weather for a second?
I believe we had 19 days of rain in June.  Here we are,
July 1st and what's it doing?
Raining!
I feel like I live in a jungle or a rainforest.
Everything is ridiculously green, but goodness, it's depressing.
I think it's time to buy a boat, or an ark, or something.

Ugh!  ENOUGH!
Thank you for allowing me to vent.  Now on to the post....

-----------

I don't believe I've shared a tablescape with you for 3 months now.

 

That's pretty sad, so I'm going to remedy that right now.

This is one of my favorite sets of dishes. 

 I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love them. 
They are from 222 Fifth. 

These dishes have everything I love...dots, checks, roses...pretty colors
and a vintage feel.

White charger:  Oneida Factory Outlet

Gingham flatware:  Spiegel

Dot napkins:  Joann Fabrics

Dot tumblers:  Target

The dinner plate.  

Insert big and dreamy **sigh.**

 

 You can find the recipe for my strawberry hand pies, right here.  

 

As always, thanks for visiting me today!

 

Linking to:

 

All Things Thursday at Posed Perfection

  Let's Dish at Cuisine Kathleen

 Share Your Cup Thursday at Have a Daily Cup of  Mrs. Olson