~Tis Simple Summertime Sharing, Makeovers, and Other Blessings!~

 

 Boy, Howdy!

Isn't summertime just busy?  Garden is in and growing, although everything is about 2-3 weeks behind.  And this evening I hung a bunting on my chicken house - just in time for the automatic sprinklers to go off!  Whew!  Our son and some of his college friends are coming home for the 4th of July Holiday, so been moving things about and 'tweeking' ~ some in our family call it putzing.  Anyway, here goes:

Anybody know who Arnold Friberg is?  Very famous painter who painted Prayer at Valley Forge?  I recently discovered he had another sweet painting called Winter at Valley Forge.  Found it for a very reasonable price and hung it above the pie safe......

Also discovered a Civil War clothing 'suttler' in my area - could hardly stand walking into his workshop.  I was jumping out of my skin at all the reenactors clothing, leather goods, and amazing civil war accessories he had for sale.  I have always wanted a 'cartridge case' to use as a kind of purse......  found one.  Can check that off my bucket list......

I did some shuffling in the spare bathroom getting it ready for company..........

This shelf was actually a made over thrift store find .......  see the star at the top?  It is covering up a cut out (shhhhhhh! - it's an 80's thing)  heart. After painting and antiquing the whole shelf that was (again, shhhhhhhh!) pink,  I just put some fabric over the 'hole', nailed it down with old upholstery tacks, painted a primitive star ivory, and antiqued it.  TaDa!  My new .99 shelf.  But my new super fun find I got last weekend at my FAVORITE store, Heritage Reflections, was this cute little red shelf.......... it really looks so much cuter than this, I just need a better camera........

My mother loves cabins, and I found this gem for her at the local thrift store.  She lives in Illinois, so this one is going to have to wait for alternative shipping, like when she drives out West this Fall, as I am fearful to ship it.  It is heavy resin, and that lamp shade I feel could get crushed.......

I am also working on my civil war quilt.  In fact, I was awake at 3 this morning and couldn't get back to sleep, so up I got and went in my sewing room and worked on it.  Here is a sample block.......

Now remember, I haven't blogged for almost two months, so I need to get caught up.  I prefer to blog once a week and not have quite such a gap in Posts.  This is my new 'vision'.  Weekly, not quarterly, Posts.

Anyway, two more topics and I will be done 'for a week.'  Remember my settee that I got at the thrift store over two years ago?  The one I have been scared to death to tackle?  You remember, this one?

It is finally in the upholstery shop!  Can you believe it?  But first, I had this old chair done........  I am in awe.......  I so wish I had a before photo, but alas, I have searched to no avail.  It is not 'in place' yet and all decorated about, but tomorrow I am cleaning before the weekend company comes and will make it all cozy.  Simple beauty:

See, I have been quite busy.  Tis good to stay occupied, but I also have been reading in the evenings.  Reading history, which I love.  I am always studying about the War for American Independence and the Civil War.  I truly believe I was born at least a century too late.  Currently I am reading a book on Johnny Appleseed.  I just finished the classic 'Farmer Boy' by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  I skipped over that one in the series when I was little, and, wow, I am wondering, 'why'?  It was so inspiring. 

So what are my plans for next week?  If you could only take a gander at our family room upstairs, you would see this mess.  We are painting white walls a dark ivory, and I can't wait for the finished product:

You can kind of see the darker ivory in the corners and on the back wall to the right of the window, old color to the left.  I think I will just love it!

In closing, I know we are all busy.  Kids to raise, gardens to tend to, laundry piling up, day to day responsibilities.  But remember what it is all for.  Make good choices.  Be the person you are suppose to be, not who you have become.  I am an avid Glenn Beck fan, and he has inspired me to think, question, and act.  Be kind to your family, and enjoy the 4th.  It truly is a blessing to live in these United States.  It really is - don't take it for granted!  Please.  Don't take it for granted. 

Oh, and one more parting photo for my Aunt Lynn of my clematis - I think the vine has hit the mother load for fertilizer, it has just taken off!

Blessings on your holiday weekend!

~Shanda~