Happy New Year

Well it's that time of year.....when I spend a day planning and organizing, etc.making my New Year's Resolutions.  This year instead of resolutions I'm calling them "Intentions".  I have good intentions for the new year.....  and here's what they are:

• learn photoshop
• eat more veggies, drink more water
• plan Molly's wedding....  and have a lovely, fun wedding

Merry Christmas

May all your Christmas's be White!!!

Looking forward to celebrating....church tonight and a breakfast at church in the morning followed by a Christmas worship service.  I will have a few hours to get things together for our family Christmas.  I've been cooking all day today and I won't finish till much later tonight.    

Missing Molly who isn't able to get home for the holidays.

Hoping you all have a wonderful Christmas!!!!

Weekend in California

My weekend in California was really fun.  I am mostly a stay-at-home kind of gal and enjoy the little pleasures in life but last weekend I boarded a plane and flew out to visit Molly in California.  We enjoyed a non-stop shopping weekend.   By the end of the day I fell into bed and slept soundly every night till morning and that doesn’t usually happen.

One of the highlights of the trip was going to the Vintage MarketPlace.  It was such fun for me to look at all the booths and see how they decorate and what they are selling and to compare it to what is selling here in rural Central Pennsylvania.  I gotta say, I’m much more in love with the whites and pastels and burlap in So. California than the “country” colors and stuff that sells here in Central Pennsylvania.   I am gradually making some converts.  The white shabby furniture is really selling at my booth.

I love TJ Maxx so we shopped there on Friday, as well as Marshalls, Home Goods and the Coach store.  We don’t have any of the fun stores here! (thank goodness).  

Saturday we shopped in LA and I enjoyed “the Grove” and “Farmer’s Market” and then on to Santa Monica so I could see the Pacific Ocean and more shopping.  Sunday we went to Temecula, wine country and visited a few winery’s followed by more shopping. 

A big thanks to Molly who had the whole weekend planned and to Matt for not complaining about any of the shopping, etc.  My suitcase was only 7 lbs. overweight so I stuff seven pounds of stuff into a paper bag and put my purse on top and called it my “carry-on” so I was able to get everything home!   If I ever recover financially from this trip I may do it again!

Fun in Southern California

Last weekend I went to visit Molly and Matt in Southern California.  Molly had a lot of things planned for us to do but first on my list was the Vintage Marketplace December Show  It did not disappoint, the artists were amazing.  I loved so much of what I saw.  We just don't have good "stuff" like that in Pennsylvania.  I got some good ideas for my booth for next fall.   I purchased some great pieces while I was there and am enjoying them in my home.  Here are some photos that we took.

Look at the windows on this booth....can you imagine what it took to put it together?  Wow!  I love it.

Another of my favorite pieces that I left there for someone else.  This was on a mirror....  how did they do that?   Did I mention that the vendors had the best stuff?!!!                 I may have to plan another trip out there next December.

I've been really busy at the space I rent at Street of Shops.  It seems that I can not keep small furniture in stock.  I'm so glad that people are buying my white furniture, but it keeps me busy.  This weekend Mr. Kay and I took a Bakers Rack over there.  I painted it "Duck Egg Blue", I almost hope the color doesn't appeal to anyone and it stays for awhile.   It makes a great display piece.  

This weekend I painted another dresser and another display piece to replace the one that sold this week.  I painted this display piece "Paris Gray" and did a white dry brush over top of it.  I won't care if that sells, I still have another one of those in the basement all I have to do it paint it. 

I am working on some picture frames to take over there but it doesn't look like they will get there before Black Friday shopping.  

It's time to shift gears and plan for the Thanksgiving meal I'll be preparing and serving later this week.  

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.  If you plan to shop on Friday remember the antique and junk dealers in the small shops that reuse, recycle and reinvent !!!!

A Perfect Weekend

I just had a perfect weekend.... Molly came home Friday morning so I finished up my work at the office and came home and hung out with her.  We talked about plans for her summer wedding and then cooked and got ready for company for dinner.  Very soon my blog will turn into a wedding blog as Molly's wedding will be here before I know it and there is lots to do....

Saturday we were up early and off to Williamsport to TJ Max, Olive Garden for lunch and then Macy's.  We ended up at the Susquehanna Valley Mall.    I bought a new suitcase for my trip in 18 days and some clothes for Molly among a few other things.  She bought a pair of boots that she loves. 

Saturday evening she went out to visit friends and this morning we went out for breakfast before she had to leave to fly back.  The weekend went by much to fast and I forgot to take photos!!! 

Now I need to get into the Thanksgiving mode and start planning the meal, etc.

Productive Weekend

This weekend I was determined to do some painting and get some projects finished for the shop.  Here is a photo of the stuff that I was able to finish or just about finish.  I need to make a cushion for the bed I am calling a dog bed.  I think that will be really cute when finished.   I love the little stool that I repainted and reupholstered.  I don't think that will stay at the shop very long. 

I also painted a cute little message board that I found at a yard sale on Saturday.  I have been selling a lot of those but none as cute as this one with the tulips on it.  The doll bed I'll be using to display pillows this weekend at a friend's open house.  A small white box will be perfect to put potpourri in at the shop and the other finished project is a kid's chair.  It is really sturdy and very nice, I'm keeping it for now. 

I've got a couple more projects that aren't ready to show yet.....  I love that Annie Sloan paint!!!!

Beaver Fair

I've been so busy that I haven't taken time to blog....  last week was the Beaver Fair and I entered a couple pillows that I've recently made.  I got first prize for each of these as well as "hobby, 5 or more specimens" which also was crazy quilting, I just didn't photograph them. 

Anyhow, the large pillow along with another one I finished earlier this week are both over at Street of Shops in my booth for sale.  I'm working on another one that will soon join them.

Just finished this one this afternoon.....     

Savoring Summer

I'm sitting on my front porch tonight savoring what is left of the summer.  I have seen a lot of "back-to-school" sales and at the shop where I rent vendor space I noticed many are decorated for fall already.  Fall is definately in the air....as I sit and hold on to the last of summer I can watch the middle school kids practicing for football in the fields across the street from our house.  I also hear crickets chirping which also reminds me of the nights getting shorter. 

I love the summer and the hot sun beating on my face,  I like the smell of a chlorinated pool and not wearing a coat or sweater, I like sitting around a campfire and making s'mores with the kids, I like pulling weeds and the flowers in the gardens.   I'm holding on to summer until mid-September when the calendar actually shows that fall has arrived.    What will you miss about summer?

Linens

I spent the afternoon today ironing linens. I have acquired some new pieces that I want to take to my shop this week so yesterday they spent the day soaking and today I starched and ironed everything. I find it very relaxing and enjoyable to look at all the pieces and enjoy the stitching on each one as I iron them.

I also have a lovely old wedding dress from the early 1900s that got ironed as well.

She said Yes to the Dress!

Friday was a day I was looking forward to for a long time.....we went wedding dress shopping.   I knew from our prom dress experiences that wedding dress shopping would be as much, if not more fun.  Since prom dress shopping was always fun at Brides Bouquet in Selinsgove, PA, we choose there to look first.  And as I expected we didn't have to look any further.  With over 200 dress in stock, I knew something was sure to please.    Also as I predicted, Molly had photos of about 15 dresses she really liked to show to the woman in charge and we left with something quite different from any of the dresses.  Everything looked good on petite little Molly so it was hard to find something that really "wowed" us all (and by all I mean her best friend Amy, Molly and me). 

After she tried a few dresses on I saw one that I really liked and told the gal I wanted to see her in that one.    I picked the winner!   It was what I imagined she would look like on her wedding day....  Right now it's a big secret, but be sure to tune in next August for the posts on the big day.

Photoshop

I'm taking an online Photoshop class.  About 6 years ago I made an effort to learn photo shop. I failed....just could not get the hang of it. Of course back in those days my option was photoshop elements 3 and now the latest version is elements 9. I think there have been quite a few improvements in the various versions. Did I mention that I also have a copy of Elements 5 and tried again about 4 years ago.

I’m working from a free 30 day trial download of photoshop elements 9 and finally found the perfect teacher who is very thorough I’m trying to practice daily and I’ll be purchasing the real copy shortly! My class is for 10 days and she is teaching stuff that I will actually be able to use. 

Anyhow, perhaps ya can teach an old dog new tricks afterall!

Not the way to start the weekend!!!

Just as I was ready to leave to run errands this afternoon a big storm blew in and blew a  big  branch off our silver maple tree, not the way I wanted to start the weekend.   It also blew shingles off our garden shed.  I'm guessing Mr. Kay will not be happy to see that job either.

Luckily the branch missed the lamppost and it is still standing.  I would bet that the flowers I have planted around it were not as lucky.

Oh well, the storm is over and I'm off to pick up a few things before our women's ministry meets tonight.. 

I hope the rest of you have a great weekend with no glitches..... 

The Big Reveal!

Here are the photos from my little corner of Street of Shops.  Mr. Kay helped me move in on Friday and today we were back to add some more stuff and do some tweaking.  A few pieces have sold already and so I had to do some rearranging.  I came home and made another banner like the one that sold already.   Not sure that I have as much time to work on this stuff as  had originally planned, but we'll see how it goes.

Tonight we are staying home.  We usually take in fireworks on the 4th but this year we are staying home and I'm enjoying that I don't have to be anywhere and I'm going to watch the Washington DC fireworks and party.    Happy 4th of July everyone!

4th of July Weekend

Goodness, How can it be that it is already 4th of July weekend here in Central Pennsylvania!   I have been so busy this summer that I haven't even taken time to blog.  I hope to change all that since I have lots to blog about!

Last week I havested some lavender.  I've got feverfew, peonies and larkspur drying in the attic already.  In an effort to keep busy and downsize a bit around here I have decided to become a vendor at Street of Shops in nearby Lewisburg, so I'll have a few dried flowers among my collectibles and miscellaneous items.  I want to make soap again but so far just haven't had a free weekend to get out the soap pots and get started on that.  And to be perfectly honest the soap kitchen needs some reorganization and cleaning!

Among other things Molly is coming home at the end of the month.  She will be getting married the first weekend in August of next summer and so I wanted her to come home about that time this year to look around and decide if we can pull off an August wedding or not.   We are seriously considering doing it here at the house with a tent and all, which could be a lot of fun.  So this summer I have been busy working outside to see if it will be possible next year to get all the gardening finished by the first weekend in August.  So far, I'm doing pretty well.  

We are planning on a productive weekend and hopefully by Monday we will be ready to relax and do something fun....I'll keep you posted!   Enjoy your holiday!

She said "Yes"

Exciting news at the Philips house.  Molly is home to visit over Easter vacation.  They arrived on Friday, we hung out and had supper and when Molly was upstairs getting ready to go out, Matt asked us if he could ask Molly to marry him.  The plan was he would do it Saturday night after dinner.  She had called lost of freinds from college and high school and they were all going to hang out together.   Of course she had no idea that Matt was going to spring the question.   The ring was in a ring box tucked inside another box inside of a cake that she was supposed to cut.   When the cake wouldn't cut, Matt helped her with it and more or less was poking the cake to open the box....she still had no idea until she saw the small ring box....  the ring is beautiful and she said yes.

And now the pressure is on to lose a few pounds before I'm the mother of the bride....  she is thinking I'll have at least a year. 

Daffodils!!!

It has been a long cold miserable winter but it looks like spring may actually arrive.  Today the temperature is 73.  I think I heard that it is a first since last October.  Anyhow, it is beautiful outside and over my lunch hour I picked a bunch of daffodils for my desk at my office.  I love daffodills if for no other reason than they are the first flowers to bloom that are big enough to pick and enjoy indoors!

On my way back to the office I noticed other signs of spring...a neighbor mowing her front yard and windows open at another house.  What are the signs of spring in your neck of the woods?  

It feels great outside in Central Pennsylvania today!!

Blessings Journal

Each month I put together a women's ministry event at our church.  Today we made a "blessings journal".   I read devotions for the ladies about a woman who was going through some tough times in her life and someone gave her a beautiful blank journal that she used daily to write out her blessings.  I thought that was a good idea so we made an altered journal that I suggested they use as a "blessings journal" but they can use it for anything they want.  There were some cute ones, some of the ladies got creative.

The one I made I will give to a friend and hopefully this week I'll be making another one for me.

Sprinkles!!!

Last weekend in my travels I saw an old herb shaker bottle that was filled with sprinkles and I immediately thought that I needed one in my kitchen too! Meg and I sort of looked for one as we hit some antique shops but I didn’t see any that I really liked so I came home and found the perfect shaker on ebay! It arrived today and I could hardly wait to fill it with sprinkles and put it next to my salt and pepper shakers and as I anticipated, it is just what the kitchen needed.

The real test will be at Easter when the little Devine boys come for dinner and find that there are sprinkles to go on the ham or anything else they think to be sprinkle worthy!

Spring is about to actually spring!

Niece Megan called last night and wondered what I was doing today.  She came to visit and we made a day of shopping.  We started out at the somewhat local green house and got into the mood of spring before hitting the flea markets and antique shops.  After smelling the hyacinths and seeing all the lovely blooming bulbs I fought the urge to purchase pansies.  It is really to soon here to be planting them out, there is snow in the forecast for this week. 

So off to the antique mall.  I bought another floral frog and another small white pitcher, Meg found some crates she liked and a cute silver dish and a few other things to hang on her walls.  We had a great time and five hours later arrived home.  

I can't wait for yard sales to start!

Finally!!!

Every winter while all the "winter" people are out sled riding, ice skating and skiing I'm sitting next to the fireplace enjoying the atmosphere and breathing in the fragrance of narcissis!  I love the smell of them, they are the first flower of the year for me.  

This year my narcissis are a bit of a disappointment....   I bought a lot of them and planted some up for my sister and a couple pots full for me but only about half of them are growing.  I'm not giving up yet but not real hopeful either...  I'll give them a couple more weeks.   Here is a photo of the ones that are growing.  Hard to believe that just these few flowers scent my whole living room, but they do!  

I may get a snow day this week and more time with my narcissis while they are still blooming!  The weatherman is calling for ice and snow.  I'll work at home if we get the ice they are calling for.

Happy New Year

I can hardly believe that I haven't posted since Thanksgiving!   Today I finished a small (5x7) wall hanging that I thought I'd share.  I've been keeping up with the daily stuff, cooking and cleaning and working but not much else.   Finally I went to the dr. and then physical therapy for my aches and pains and I'm now feeling much better, so hopefully I'll soon have the energy to finish some projects around here.