A Little More Spooking

Oh my, it's been a while since I posted!

If they were giving out awards for bloggers I think that I would certainly be in the running for The Slacker Award. Real life has a way of interrupting my creativity and blogging, as I'm sure it does for you too. And so, in an effort to avoid the notorious award, I am posting a few Halloween photos from around my home---because if I waited much longer I truly would be awarded The Slacker (hmmm, I'm trying to envision just how that award would look).I hope you enjoy seeing some of the feathered and long-legged friends that have invaded our house.

Happy Halloween Weekend To You!!!

A Thrifted Nook

I have an unusual little nook in my family room. It's a small spot in between the fireplace and the hall. One of my first furniture thrift store purchases for this home was this bookcase. I fell in love with it's shape and size the moment I saw it.

It was the perfect piece for this nook. I filled it and topped it with more thrifted items. Yes, everything you see here (with the exception of the large finial)
were thrift store bargains costing no more than a dollar or two. Even the beautiful framed photograph of doorways
was a thrift treasure. It just proves that
it doesn't have to cost a lot to decorate
even the most unusual spaces in your home!

A Row of Empty

I have long touted my love of an empty frame.It is much easier for me to make a commitment

to a beautiful frame
than to the painting or picture it may contain.Because of this love I have gathered
several gorgeous frames over the years.All were acquired from thrift stores.Most cost less than five dollars.I have painted some.Many have their original finish.Some have intricate details.Others are plain.Yes, I am smitten by a pretty frame.So it's not surprising
that I would gather many together
to decorate the mantle shelf in our dining area.(I tucked a line of Christmas lights behind so there is a lovely warm glow at night.)

For The Birds

It's funny how one "new" item can serve as inspiration for a whole makeover. My garbage gift screen got a good cleaning and sanding to reveal some of the old paint layers. Then it was placed in the center of the mantle, serving as a unique backdrop.I pulled out all of my collected birdcages and gave them a fresh coat of white spray paint to unify them.I also spruced up some old candle pillars with a yellow so bright it screams sunshine.These little birds were thrift finds years ago. Originally they hung from a ribbon. I cut apart a wire hanger and drilled a few holes in the birds and some scrap wood, to make long legged fowl.

Of course every bird needs a nest or two. This one is my favorite. It's the real deal. Several years ago I found it in my driveway after a mighty wind.
There used to be horses near our home and
this little nest has horsetail hair woven in for nesting comfort.
What a creative bird!

I added a few green books for color and interest.

The mantle looks fresh, fun and
for the birds!

Get A Handle

A few years ago we remodeled our kitchen for just around a thousand dollars. Of course that price did not include the appliances or new cabinetry. But it did include light fixtures, beadboard, glass, primer, paint, glaze, poly, granite tiles, grout and all the materials for the new underlayment that's required when you tear off the existing counter tops. Then there was the cost of the trim at the top of the cabinets, tile for the edging, and hardware for the drawers and doors. And when it was finished I was pretty proud of our "new" old kitchen. However, there was one element that I felt we could improve on if we could find another bargain. The white hardware.

I had purchased a big bag of white handles at the thrift store for three dollars. Who can pass that up when there's twenty-six handles that need to be replaced? It looked fine enough until I came across another
bag-o-hardware last week at the thrift store for four dollars. The new handles match perfectly with our lighting fixtures
and the lead on the stained glass door. I think the kitchen is complete. . . .

at least until we get weather warm enough to throw open the windows and break out the paint brushes because there's just one more element that I need to improve upon!

Empty

Well son #3 is off to learn Mandarin Chinese and to grow and to serve. I am thrilled for him! But it's been hard to have to a quieter house and leftovers in the fridge. It's very difficult for this momma to adjust when her babies leave the nest. There is always an empty spot in my heart and my home. We sat down for Sunday dinner in the dining room with one more empty chair.Speaking of my dining room, I don't think that I've ever shared many details about the furniture there. The table was our first and only purchase from an antique store. I love the details of this 100+ year old beauty! Each end has leaves that pull out and up to extend the length. It's distressed and creaky and charming.
It has taken it's fair share of abuse from our family from meals to toys to school projects. We have made many memories while gathered around it. I often think about the stories it could tell of it's previous life with other families.
I inherited these gorgeous chairs from my grandmother. I adore their detailed craftsmanship. And I love having something from a past generation as an important detail of our home. We originally started with six chairs but are down to five with many of them having been rebuilt and repaired. Even though they are heirlooms we use them and enjoy them and love them.

A few months back I stumbled upon
two tufted beauties at the thrift store. I was smitten the moment I saw them! They now sit at each end of our table and are often called into service in our living room when we have guests and need additional seating. I am delighted by the way they soften the dining area and bring in a bit of a feminine element to an otherwise more heavy and masculine space. Opposites do attract!

Occasional Glimpses

The other night I walked through our darkened home. I walked into the family room and turned on the lights. Their glow brought enough light that I needn't turn on any others. As I finished up in the kitchen I turned and looked into lit the family room.
At that moment I got a glimpse, a still shot, like a photo in a magazine. The room was far from magazine perfect. Pillows and toys were strewn across the floor, which needed a good vacuuming. All of the surfaces needed to be dusted, but still I got that glimpse that happens on occasion.
I stood to take it all in.

Along with the glimpse came a feeling of reverence.
This is our home. Ours.
We are the ones responsible for making it a place of comfort. It is a place where laughter abounds,
where friends are welcome.
A haven for memories.
A shelter from the storms of life.
A sanctuary for our family.I stood in awe as I thought of how
our hands have created many of it's contents. This is the same room I pass through dozens of times each day
but at that moment it felt different.It seems that I get so busy with the day to day that
I lose sight of the wonderful details that are my life. So when those occasional glimpses occur I try to take it all in,
cherish the moment,
appreciate what has been revealed to my soul
and express gratitude for the blessings I have been given.

For I am truly blessed.