California Pottery Crocks and a Chicken Love Triangle

Old crocks have such a nostalgic appeal even though they are such utilitarian pieces. We were lucky to find several that Hummer and Hobo had used. At least one came from the California Pottery Company which operated a plant here in Merced from about 1920 to 1929. Hubby believes they were used for curing olives from the two olive trees on our property. I've always wanted to display them together but I had trouble finding a spot because they're so big.

When Hubby pulled this old wood stove/shin bruiser out of our living room fireplace I knew I had a place to display the crocks.

The fireplace that can't be used as is and we're not sure if we're going to restore it. Now for the pretty part...

The crocks by themselves were looking rather dull. I tried some old silk roses I had but it was a long swag and just didn't work. I thought about silk sunflowers but the prices were outrageous for the long stemmed ones so the crocks stayed empty for a long time.

Just yesterday I came across these real sunflowers at Raley's. They have a section of "Farmer's Market" bouquets that each have just one type of flower but you can mix and match bouquets at a a price of 3 for $12. I think they'll dry well enough to use through fall.

They looked so nice that Miss Henrietta moved her bed over for a closer view...

and a handsome new fellow found his way in. Hank doesn't know bout him yet but Henrietta says she and Alejandro are just friends.

I don't know, they're looking pretty cozy to me!

And the crocks look nicer now too!

BYOR Party!

That's Bring Your Own Rooster Party!

Our wonderful Barb at Bella Vista

is hosting another soiree in honor of our proud feathered friends.

It's becoming the hottest thing in August!

Please visit Barb and check out the list of party-goers on her sidebar.

I tried to be funny last year

and I think I ended up being

the one wearing the

proverbial rooster lampshade

on my head so

I'm keeping my beak zipped today!

Enjoy!

What Is It About Roosters?

Seeing how much commotion Barb's Rooster Party has caused in the hen house got me to wondering...

What is it about Roosters anyway?

Why do we let them into our homes to strut and crow and roost where ever they want?

After all, they're just a barnyard bird.

They don't care about anyone but themselves.

They're not the least bit cute.

And they certainly aren't friendly!

They have NO style whatsoever.

They're not classy.

They're not useful.

And the have no individuality.

They don't even sparkle or pop!

So tell me why Roosters make you crow, because, really, I just can't figure it out!

Dawn

Three or More Tuesday ~ Rooster Plates

Today I'm joining Tam @ The Gypsy's Corner for my first Three or More Tuesday. I suspect it will probably always be "or More" for me.

I'm sharing 4 rooster plates that set me on a new path for a color scheme in my dinning room. I started out with a soft red, green and yellow palette and was trying to keep to it, something that's hard for me to do. I was doing great until my sweet son bought me blue and white salt and pepper shakers. Foiled again. I had to find a way to make them feel like they belonged. Can't have our salt and pepper shakers feeling like they don't fit in now can we? It took a long time but I finally found these rooster plates in a Williams - Sonoma catalog. I know, I know, not exactly thrifty. But they saved my sanity so they were worth it. Each plate has the same rooster in my original colors. But each plate...

has a different...

graphic...

border...

in blue!

Here's all four together.

They just make me so happy.

Silly, huh?

Now strut on over to Tam's place and check out all the other Three or More participants. I hear she purged her closets so we'll all meet at goodwill when we're done!

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