Tea for One

The flowers were a gift from our pastor's Mom. She was thanking me for taking Pastor to the hospital last week (after she fell in the middle of the night and broke her arm). The biscuits are homemade, and of course some of my homemade jam too! I'm going to sit and enjoy the quiet
for awhile, hope you don't mind.

The tea cups and saucers are pre-war Japanese china. I got 5 cups and 5 saucers in a box of junk at an auction, years ago. I had 3 of them filled with flowers and gave them to my friends for mothers day one year. At the time, I didn't know they were worth anything. I paid a $1 for the whole box of junk! The detail on the tea cups is exquisite. I have 2 cups and 2 saucers left, and they stay in my collectible cabinet.

I'm joining 2 different parties this week. Please leave a message of encouragement as you drop in and visit. Everyone loves comments! You can find more fun at the below links:

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com

http://coloradolady.blogspot.com

Metamorphosis Monday - vintage footstool!

I have an awesome metamorphosis this week!

At "junk day", in a little town north of here, we found this footstool along the curb. The fabric was in perfect condition, although a bit out of style. My DH thought it would take some work, but would be pretty again, with out help!

Torn apart, it needed a lot of TLC - but the bones were good. Even the springs were individually wrapped.

DH had a some major glue and nails business to attend to, but it worked!

The cotton looks awful, but it just had a little rust on it. I wanted to reuse it though, it fit

perfectly.

Old fabric on the right, new fabric on the left.

It's beginning to look better already. The next step though, we were wondering how to make a clean, straight line at the top.

So, we took a yard stick and split it in half length ways, then cut it to fit the sides. Amazing as it seems - it was exactly 72" around the stool, so it fit perfectly.

I hot glued the fabric to the stick...........

Then tacked the stick to the stool. We tried using a staple gun, but the wood filler was too hard, so we ended up using the air powered nail gun. Then, turned it upside down and tacked it down. I went around the edged with the glue gun to make sure everything was going to stay in place.

The final step with ANYTHING fabric that we are going to use around the house - whether it's a new couch/chair, mattress - I always use Scotchguard to protect. Even new tennis shoes! (no paid ad here folks, it's just the truth!)

I can't wait to get it to the lake house and use it! It will be perfect for my bedroom reading area/computer area. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment! I'm joining everyone at Metamorphosis Monday at the below link:

http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Quarterly projects

At this time of the year, I have a couple of "quarterly" upkeeping that I do. The first one is to clean my dryer filter. I've made it a habit to clean mine about every four months, using a soft brush, warm water, and some dish soap. If you want to know if your dryer filter is dirty - just take it to the sink and run water on it. If the water puddles up and doesn't run through, then it needs cleaned. The "waxy" substance on our dryer sheets sticks to the filter, and keeps the air from being able to move through like it should. It helps to make our dryer run more efficiently, and does a better job in shorter time, in some instances.

The other thing I do quarterly, is add yeast to the septic tank. We've been in this house for 29 years this year, and I've done this since we moved in. About 15 years ago, we were doing some work (adding on), and had the yard torn up. My DH decided at that time since the yard was a mess anyway, that he would call in the "Honey Wagon" to clean out the septic tank. The "Honey Man" was impressed to find no solids in our septic tank at all. He advised that we should keep doing whatever we were doing, because it was working! My DH was impressed, since he always thought I was kinds "touched in the head" with the yeast thing. (go me!)

In the front cover of Martha Stewarts magazine, she has an organization calendar, and I've been using it to do the "extra stuff" that usually gets forgotten. Try it if you need motivation.

Have a wonderful week, and a blessed NEW YEAR!!!

It's starting to look alot like Christmas! and it's about time!!!

I'm so slow in getting everything done this year. We are getting new windows - living room, dining room, and sun room, the 4 windows that I decorate trees in front of every year. BUT I didn't know when they were coming to install - so I've been patiently (really, I have!) waiting for them to come. Last week, I called them, and they said they were planning to come on December 22. Seriously? The 22nd? I asked very nicely if they could wait til January, and they were happy to do so. I went shopping and found these adorable little pears -CLEARANCE. Kinda got me in the mood.

Last year, one of the bloggers I follow (sorry, I forgot who- but if it was YOU - Thanks!) that showed how they display their Christmas cards. I thought, hmm... I have one of those, got it out and waaalaaa, love it.

Friends from California sent us a wreath, live, smells awesome! My DD#1, had the arrangement for working 5 years at her job, she brought it to share the weekend after my birthday, and kinda "forgot" to take it home. It sure takes a lot of water!

We have had snow a couple of times, but this weekend, the weather is in the upper 40's, so we were able to get the decorations outside done. I'm into wreaths this year (apparently).

Last, but never least, is decorating of the bridge. Icicle lights, greenery and a huge wreath, accent the 60' bridge quite well. It's especially pretty at night. Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful Christmas, and blessed new year. Sandi

Homemaker Link Up Weekend

As I sit here at the lake house, I have SO many things that I should be doing! We will have our Thanksgiving meal tomomorrow, but the cooking can't begin til later this afternoon. Now I know, it's like the WORST thing a blogger can do, but I don't have a camera here. I'm thinking about buying one to just leave here, cause I keep forgetting to bring mine. Oh well. I'm going to post a few photos of some of the changes I've made since we got here in June. Definitely Homemaker stuff!

When we bought this house, it had been owned by an elderly couple. I'm sure the 80's decor didn't bother them, but it is driving me CRAZY! Above, you will see the built in hutch/buffet in the (?) dining area. (The question mark is because I don't actually call a 6'x6' area a dining area, but that's what its supposed to be.) Anyway!.....They had added these shelves and when we viewed the house, it had a coffee mug collection on it. Oh dear..... I'm not into mirrors, at all - and my DH didn't want to try to take it down because it might make a mess of the wall, so ....

below is what I did.

I removed the shelves, made a black board out of the mirror, AND removed the fake stuff on the glass. The only down side is that I have to keep it nice and clean on the inside now, but I can handle that. I like it SO much better.

Thank you Sarah for starting a new fun meme! I'm linking up with Homemaker Linkup Weekend at the below address. Just click and GO!

http://bloggingwhilewaiting.blogspot.com/

Barns, barns, and more barns! Vintage Thingies I love

One of my favorite Vintage Thingies is old barns. I sell these photos, and will be putting them in my Etsy shop soon. They sell well, and I'm proud of them!

Please join the fun at the below link for more Vintage fun!
http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/

Vintage Thursday

This childs toy was given to DD#1 when she was 3, she loved it - and spent a lot of time taking her babies in and out. I was tickled that she nor her little sister ever got in it and broke the bottom or sides out - however tempted I'm sure they were!
It originally belonged to my step sister Kim. She was in High School, and no longer wanted it, so Dad and Lois reglued and fixed it up, Lois made linens for it, and gave it to Angie for Christmas. My Dad died the next Christmas, and we have always cherished something that he spent time working on for her.
Angie has no girls, and decided that she didn't need it kept for her anymore. We've had it in storage all this time. I pulled it out a couple of weeks ago and reglued it. My step sister Kim, just had her first Grandchild this past summer, and even if it's a boy, I'm SURE she's going to be tickled to get it back. I was tickled to give it to her.
I suppose technically, it's an illegal bed - it has that dropped side that is such a no-no these days. Good thing it's only big enough for dolls - hope none of them get hurt!

The little deer is SO cute! I remember when baby beds had this kind of sticker (?) on them.

Thanks for joining me this week, and I would love it if you would leave a comment! Please click on the link below for more Vintage Fun!

http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/