Thrifty Thursday ~ Time Out

It's been a long week and I'm ready for a trip to Bloggeritaville! Check out Leigh's cool thrifty mirror ~ it's really awesome ~ along with all the other thrifty finds when you're done here.

This was going to be my Wordless Wednesday post yesterday. That is, until the mailman pulled up with a package from dear sweet Kathy from Kathy's Cottage. The kid's wanted to swim just then so I grabbed the package and my camera and headed to the pool. I bought some great vintage fabric from Kathy's Etsy shop: HensinDaisies and that little darling added in some beautiful little surprises on the side. After a I took tons of photos of my haul I was just too excited and couldn't wait to share them with you. So now this is my Thrifty Thursday post because it features my bargain rocker ~ more about that at the end.

This is my new Time Out spot, just for mommy. From now on, when daddy gets home and decides to tease the kids and start all that loud horseplay and squeelin', I'm "taking to" my rocker until the ruckus dies down. Have you noticed since I started blogging I'm picking up all these southern phrases. Maybe there's a "lady" inside this California girl after all. I'll never be able to set a table like you all though!

So here is my little corner of peace and quiet on the porch. I got this big, chunky rocker in a thrift store several years ago. It was already peeling paint and was set on top of a bunch of stuff that was stacked to the ceiling. The guy didn't want to climb up and get it but I begged and begged. And offered him all the money I had on me. That did the trick. I still think it was a great thrifty buy even though I shelled out $50. Can you see how thick the seat is? My hubby and his friends were like, OMG its solid oak...strip it...stain it...varnish it...and I was like, step away from the shabby rocker and no one gets hurt! Ah, there's some California speak for ya, like for real!

Did you notice my new bird trellis? I teased you with it last week. It was a bit of a splurge from Lowe's. I planted a few ferns under it to soften the base without hiding the design. I've always wanted something there to stop the eye and this was perfect. Now if I could only get the rest of the porch looking as cozy.

Stay cool,

Dawn

Edited to add Thrifty Thursday 'cause hubby needed the computer last night I didn't know if I would get back here in time to finish it.

Milk Glass and Scotties ~ From the Attic

These are a few of the things we recently pulled down from the attic.

I could not believe it when my dear mother-in-law showed me this gorgeous fabric. There is a about a yard and a half. It's actually a curtain panel with lining but the lining is coming undone. It may become a chair pad for my big rocker on the porch. Now that my daughter is doing better I need to get back to work out there. We'll be having temps in the 90's this week so I'll have to get up early...he he he...slim chance when I'm blogging and it's almost midnight! Anyway, there are tons of other fabrics up there but this is my favorite so far.

These plates are adorable but didn't clean up too well. They have a lot of crazing and stains. They are still sweet to decorate with though.

I just love the unusual color combination on this child's teapot. Well, maybe not so unusual for the time, it's blending with the fabric just fine.

These milk glass pieces reminded me of Mary at Little Red House. I actually gasped when I spotted them because she aways sets such a pretty table with her milk glass collection.

I don't know much about milk glass.



These don't seem as detailed as hers.





So they may be less expensive reproductions.




Here's the label still on one. It says:


Milk White Anchorglass, Anchor Hocking Glass Corp. Lancaster, O. USA

Maybe I'll drop by Mary's and see what she thinks.

Those of you with a good pair of bi-focals may have noticed the milk glass vase was filled with some strange little creatures in the first photo on this post.

Know what they are?



Vintage cake decorations/candle holders! Little pink birds...

...and the cutest little Scotties you ever saw! Now, I know there are a few Scotty fans out there. But have you ever seen a yellow Scotty? Or a blue one? You have to see these guys close up. By the way, the macro setting isn't just for flowers! Don't you just love it?

So here he is, one ear up and one ear down. He looks a little sleepy to me. Probably ate a little too much frosting and needs a nap now that the sugar has worn off.

Oops!Dog Pile! Bad dogs!

See the little holes for candles? OK, back in the box. I promise you won't have to stay there for another 40 or 50 years. Does anyone have instructions for making those faux cakes? I don't think they would be good for a real cake any more, the metal sticks are a bit rusty.

Speaking of vintage...

This vintage, red rose, flour sifter makes me want to re-model my kitchen. Shhhh...don't tell hubby!

I think maybe just changing the wallpaper to a nice vintage pattern...did you hear that Sis? Ha, Ha, I think I still have glue in my hair from when my awesome sister helped me wallpaper the walls and ceiling! I have never laughed so hard in all my life! I better quit now before I get into real trouble with my hubby and sister!

For all you Western bloggers looking for the cowgirls I mentioned, hold that thought. I had trouble getting a good photo but will try to get them up soon. And please forgive me if my spacing is all goofed up on this post. I was playing with photo placement and things kept moving on me...I finally gave up!


Dawn

A Peek at the Porch

We've been having wonderful weather for June. It's in the 80s with a little breeze so its been nice working outside. We've cleaned off the clutter and cut back the bushes by the walkway. Hubby tore out most of the foundation planting, but there's a whole different story behind that.

Here's a sneak peek at the porch.

A little bird stopped by

to see what all the fuss was

and decided to stay.

My dear mother-in-law came over with a gift.
She said my rooster on a stick looked lonely

so she brought him a friend.
They have a lot in common and

he is quite smitten with her.

He strutted all day!
I just hope I can remember to water her.

That's it for now. I'm trying to make some fabric decisions for the chairs to my little bistro set. I also need to figure out how to fix up the screen door. But all that can wait till morning, I'm ready for a glass of tea!

Dawn

Porch Crimes

Okay, take a deep breath, one, two three...publish! Holding my breath! I'm waiting for police sirens or a bolt of lightening from heaven. I know the condition of this porch is a crime or at least a sin! So why am I showing you?



I'm quickly learning that blogging gives me someone to be accountable to. Sometimes we get used to stuff laying around and after a while we don't even see it. But seeing it through the camera, through your eyes...that's great motivation. Plus you all provide so much inspiration! I'm looking forward to spending a lot of time here this summer. We all know how fast summer flies so I better get on it!


First off, need a new flag pole so the flag will stay at the end where it's supposed to be. Some living flowers in the pots would be nice! Hubby has hired a boy from down the road to help with yard work so I'm leaving it up to them to clean up the flower beds and overgrown bushes.

Oh my, where does all this junk come from? Not my treasures, you all know where they come from. I'm talking about the scooter that has been too small for my daughter for years, hubby's exercise ball we brought outside to play with cause it wasn't getting used, muddy shoes (dried on mud now) etc.

Check out my "vineyard". In another week I won't even have to step out the door to pick grapes! This lovely vine must have been "planted" by the birds. We sure didn't plant it in the front flowerbed!

At last, some progress. The boys have trimmed the hedge and mowed the lawn. Now I can see the mail truck when it pulls up! Thanks guys!



So there you have it, my project for the next few days. If you don't see "afters" by next week I expect you to come knocking on my door to give me a good kick in the seat and get me moving!

Dawn

Rooster on a Stick

I found this rooster at Raley's supermarket of all places. Yes, I'll admit to being an impulse shopper. I have to be because I always forget my list!

This base has sat on this corner of the porch for as long as my hubby can remember. His grandpa was an architectural scavenger long before "dumpster diving" became cool. And look, it has real patina! We have some other great pieces I'll show on a later post. What? Oh, the stick.

Here it is. The cats and wind kept knocking my new friend off his perch. I got lucky and found that the new rooster had a hole in the bottom. The base had one as well and often held small American Flags. I purchased a small dowel that fits into both holes.

Now he proudly welcomes all my visitors in true Charles Faudree style. Mr. Faudree's book "French Country Signature" is one of my favorites. His country cabin,"The Roost" is one of the places featured. I adore the iron dog drinking fountain, in this same red color, that welcomes his visitors... and their yellow labs.;)

Mr. Faudree says, " It is important to decorate a front porch, a porte chochere, or even a back entry to set the tone for the rest of the home." I know my blogging friends already know all that. I just like the way he talks about decorating!

My husband almost died yesterday when he caught me taking a picture of our front porch. I'm afraid it's been a bit neglected lately. There are grape vines and rose bushes creeping through the railing, over the rocking chair and within a foot or two of the front door. I told him he better get busy with the yard work because I need some "after" photos...

Dawn