The Visitor

This morning as I stepped out onto the deck with my cup of lemon ginger tea and my copy of "Artful Blogging", I thought about how lucky I am to live here in the country.

Surrounded by beautiful woods with a lovely creek flowing along the edge of the property.

I felt blessed and content as I sat there sipping my tea.

I looked up for a moment and noticed a flash of white through the deck railing and this is what I saw…

A beautiful white duck just like the one I had as a pet years ago.

I don't know where he came from, but I heard he lives among some downed trees at the edge of the creek.

He seemed to be staying close to the three families of geese that have made their home here.

Probably for protection from the many predators that also share the surrounding woods and creek.

 I do hope he stays a while and takes a swim now and then in the pond.

Sushi the cat, like the white duck, was a visitor who popped in several years ago and decided to stay.

 I love my life in the country and can't imagine ever living elsewhere.

I could never trade my moccasins and the morning dew on the grass for high heels and hard pavement.

The simple pleasures of country living are my happiness.

karen ann

What's Been Happening?

Seems like I've been gone forever.

Been crazy busy here.

Spent some time spinning.
My first attempt at spinning locks.

Learned to dye wool.

Had a week of fun in Maine.

Not sure what the "NOT ART" was about, but I thought it was kind of interesting.

Maine is such an "ARTSY" place.

I'm always inspired when we visit there.

Since I've been back, gardening has taken up most of my time.

My lilacs are beautiful this year and smell heavenly.

Playing catch up with chores and walking the dog.

Some quiet time brushing the cat.

It's good to be back.

Looking forward to seeing what you all have been up to.

karen

Vintage Love

Flea Market Season is upon us here in PA.

That is a good thing because my husband and I love junkin and a bad thing because we already have so much stuff.  Our weekends usually involve some sort of pickin, whether it's a flea market, garage sale, thrift or antique shop. It is a rare occasion that we make it home without at least some little trinket or other. 

I'm loving small vintage  ceramics lately. 

I had a hard time controlling myself when I found these old wooden Asian shoes.

I have a small corner devoted to my collection of vintage Asian treasures and these were such a great find. I just had to have them.

This sweet puppy lost his mate and has a booboo eye. I had to rescue him before it was too late.

This befuddled looking cat reminded me of myself most days.

This vintage fry pan is such a happy color with the sweetest designs.

It ALMOST makes me want to cook something ; )

I hope all you pickers and junkers out there are finding lots of sweet treasures that make you happy too.

karen

Creepy Vintage Cat & A Rocking Chair Makeover

I picked up this old concrete kitty at an antique shop about a month ago.

It's all chippy and kind of creepy looking.

Great for Halloween.

This old rocking chair belonged to my mother.

She bought it when I was born and passed it on to me when my daughter was born.

It was an ugly red with gold cushions.

I had thought about donating it to Goodwill, but changed my mind and gave it a fresh coat of paint and made some new cushions and a slip cover for it.

I recycled some old muslin drapes for the slipcover and made a pillow from an antique egg mash bag.

Now it's good as new.

See ya soon.

Karen