Friday, July 30, 2010

From My Office

This is the valance that I made from vintage feedsack fabric that hangs in my home office windows. Above the window is a collection of colored vintage flower pots.


My little office is in the rear of the house by our back door to our sunroom, our main entry. Last year I repainted it a light seafoam blue, made valances from vintage feedsack fabric, and reupholstered my roller desk chair with vintage barkclothe. Although not a large room, I have set it up to house my large filing cabinet, a computer desk, a worktable , and some open shelves. I used a primitive screened milk safe with old white paint to house my office supplies. The bottom drawer is our "junk" drawer that holds everything from glue to low-voltage light bulbs, a must-have for every home.


Reupolstering the desk chair was not a difficult as I thought. After adding some more foam and cotton batting for a fluffier seat cushion, I cut my barkclothe pieces larger than needed, stapled and tacked them to the bottom, then replaced the bottom web covering. The arms were not as easy because they had no backing to remove, so I simply tacked them real smooth on the underside and remounted them. They are mounted with only 2 screws, so not big problem putting them back on. The back of the chair was a little trickier. I had to remove the entire back piece that had hidden nails holding it on. I was not able to remount it the same way, so I used some little decorative brass tacks, and it worked just fine. I love it, and it is much more comfortable than the original chair.
My daughter was getting rid of some vintage storage shelves she had in her garage. These shelves were already painted white, so I cleaned them up and they fit perfectly under my window that faces the old smokehouse. It is a handy place for my cameras, current ebay items, and wireless network components. The corner worked for file storage drawers, and a little primitive shaker chair adds and extra chair for a friend or guest. On top of the shelf unit, I placed another little vintage shelf for my African violets. It has two little storage drawers that are just the size for CD's.
On the wall that faces the sunroom, I have a little gateleg table that works well for a little work space or project table. Sometimes I use it for my laptop. It was handy while setting up my website http://www.countrycharisma.com; I was working back and forth on two computers .
The sunroom window is just above the gateleg table. I have a nice view of the sunroom and on out to the pool. Often my dogs will lay by the sunroom windows just to keep and eye on me.
The back window to the driveway and garage, also views the old smokehouse. It was my husband's vet pharmacy for years. We added the room with the french doors for an extra vet office, which has now become the man-cave since he retired. Although this is a tiny room, I hope you enjoyed the tour of one of my most visited workspaces.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Remember when?

I found this little clothing catalog in my antique shed the other day. It is dated 1954 to 1955 Winter catalog, and features this blue coat on the cover for $13.95. I remember my mother having a similar coat in her favorite color red, which she made herself as she was quite an accomplished seamstress. I also recall her making party dresses like the ones below. It was so fashionable to dress up for a Saturday night party, even when it was just an evening out with friends. Casual dress was reserved for picnics and cookouts at friend's homes when the entire family was invited (kids get to come). Dress up events were few an far between. With six children, my parents did not have many evenings out without us along. We had some great picnics though!


My mother made most of my clothes, and my sister's too. I had one "store-bought" dress similar to this little plaid frock. The first time I wore it was to church, and halfway through the service I realized it was on backwardsI I thought it buttoned up the front! The only reason I figured it out was because another girl had on a similar dress near me, and hers buttoned up the back! Somehow that one got past my mother who was one for detail, but she got a good laugh out of it when we got home. Mom made us little coats like the blue one on the right. She was always making some new seasonal coat! How I wish I had a few of those cute things she made today.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Hawaii Visit to Maui and Grandchildren

Hana, Hawaii was gorgeous, but even more were my beautifull grandchildren I had not seen in four years. So thankful to my husband Steve, who gave me this trip for my birthday!
My son's oldest of 3 is Wylani, who is 10 and quite a good little surfer.

The shore is gorgeous no matter what direction you travel it.


Caught this lucky shot of a sea turtle off the lava cliffs in Waenapanapa State Park in Hana.

View of Venus Pool on the right, a fresh water pool that meets up to the ocean with only a black rock beach.

Our first aquaintance with Freyja, our 18mth. old granddaughter. Her mother and sister made us the leis from Plumaria blooms off the tree in their yard.

Freyja eating cookies at the beach.

a beautiful scene near my son's in Hana. First morning there we took a 2 hour walk on the shore by his home... one beautiful scene after another.

Picture from our hike.

Black sand beach with polished rocks. Loved the shapes and colors.

Same beach at Venus Pool early in the morning. It was a great place to use our cell phones for signal, then ditch them for the day!

Wylani swimming in Venus Pool.

Leila, our 7 year old grandaughter building one of her many scuptures on the beach.

Far end of Venus Pool.

Waves crashing on beach side of Venus Pool.


The cave at Venus Pool


Steve and Leila on the shore at Venus Pool while Leila gathered items for her lastest creation.



Steve enjoying the view.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Nashville Flea Market Finds








My husband and I enjoyed last Friday at the Nashville Flea Market. I didn't buy much, but did find a few things I liked. I fell for this blue enamel PARIS tub. It went right into my kitchen when we got home from the weekend. It was so relaxing to wonder around the first market with only a chill in the air and breaking sunshine.




Never can resist a good piece of graniteware either. Pick up this little bailed gray granite pan to go in the log cabin when it is finished. We did get the cabin under roof before winter, but we still have a way to go before it is completed. I will show the on-going progress.





This white tulip magnolia in our back yard has not been able to bloom for the past several years due to late freezes. It was a delight to see it covered with blooms this year. It would be nice if the blooms on the trees lasted longer.







Saturday, March 13, 2010

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Granpa with the newest granddaughter, Willow

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Baby granddaughter, Willow, 9lbs 5ozs.

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This is and old store front Dairy Queen my husband and I found in Andalusia, AL this weekend. The dining room was in this quaint building full of antiques, old signs, and gas pumps. Next door was the ice cream stand with all the signs for shakes and icecream. I didn't know there were Dairy Queens still functioning in the traditional manor as this one. It was so inviting.

This is the little icecream drive in next door to the storefront dining room. My husband was waiting for our order of blizzards.

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