Little French Sailor

This summer has been a busy one.

There hasn't been much time for treasure hunting at the flea markets or antique shops, but last Friday I took some time to hang out with 3 of my girls and we did just that.

We visited a couple of antique malls and just had a great time together goofing off.

I found the sweetest little ceramic decanter.

It is stamped GARNIER France.

 Made in 1936.

He's about 4 inches tall and still has part of the cork in his hat.

Simply adorable.

A fun little find to remind me of a great day spent with my girls.

Karen Ann

Bedroom Decor A Mix of Old and New

For months I've been scaling back, purging, cleaning and getting rid of all the things in my home that I don't really love. 

I found this beautiful chandelier in a closet.

I had purchased it a couple of years ago at a garage sale and forgotten about it.

It is now hanging in my bedroom and I love it.

The dresser below it is a piece that we found in a thrift shop for about $30.

My husband did a fabulous job restoring it.

The pitchers were flea market finds and the white curtains I made from a cotton sheet.

 Straw hats, old shutters and new white lampshades for each side of the bed dress up the space while keeping it simple.

My collection of old chandelier crystals hang from a reclaimed cabinet door with chicken wire insert.

A stained glass window and some mercury glass candles sit atop the fireplace.

A few pretty accessories

add some interest.

 

I love this room so much more without all the clutter.

I feel like it's a lovely mix of old and new and holds good memories of times that my husband and I spent treasure hunting together.

Karen Ann

As It Is

Sometimes I feel like the normal, everyday goings on, just suck the life out of me.

Like there's no time left for me after tending to what everyone else needs.

Don't get me wrong…my life is good, but I crave a little solitude at times.

Time to think, be creative or just do nothing.

It seems like it's been a while since I've done that, so with camera in hand, I stole away a few moments of time this morning to just be.

Nothing staged.

Just things as they are.

The chippy cabinet door on my porch with the flower long gone from the old green bottle.

A burlap coffee bean sack stuffed with pillows, cushions the iron bench where I sit and drink my coffee in the mornings.

Sunflowers hanging from the porch post to dry.

They managed to grow all on their own with no help from me. Scattered seeds left by the birds and field mice, from last years vegetable garden.

There was no time for growing vegetables this year.

My old weeding wagon is almost hidden from the towering weeds that have taken over my garden.

Some of the weeds are quite pretty, like this morning glory that has climbed the fence that surrounds the garden.

I hesitated slightly as I turned the knob to enter the garden shed.

I never know if I'll meet a family of mice or chipmunks when I walk inside.

So far so good, but you never know.

Pots and garden supplies fill the shelves.

A birds nest found last Fall sits near the window.

Walking back to the house past the picket fence.

Time to get back to reality.

Thanks for joining me on my short journey of solitude this morning.

Hope you enjoyed the photos of things as they are in my world.

Have a great day everyone and remember to take a few moments for yourself now and then.

Karen Ann

Summer Blooms

Autumn is creeping up on us and I wanted to share some summer blooms before they're gone.

 

 

Although I'm enjoying the warmth and beauty of summer, I'm looking forward to the change of seasons and some crisp Fall days.

Hope your summer's been filled with beautiful blooms and sunshine.

Thanks for stopping by.

Karen Ann

A Chalk Board A Chippy Window And Some Birds

I can't believe summer is almost over and I haven't taken time to say hello.

You know how it is…life just keeps happening and it sort of gets away from you.

The good things and the bad suck you in and there's only so much time and energy to go around.

I won't bore you with the details of my goings on, but I would like to share some photos of a few projects that I've worked on over the past few months.

I finally managed to make the large chalkboard for my dining room.

I have not, however, managed to write anything on it yet.

 I replaced the brown chippy window on my living room wall with a white one and...

 added these sweet white birds to the mix.

I've been working like a mad woman on my house and will have plenty of pictures to share with you in the days ahead. Hope you've all had a great summer so far. Hugs to all of you!

Karen Ann

Peace

A much needed distraction from my normal.

 Back too soon.

 Dreaming of making this my normal.

Dreaming

A Few Spring Projects For The Deck

We are finally having some warm days here in PA and it feels like Spring.

Time to prep the deck for some outdoor activities.

 I've recycled all my old throw pillows into one giant pillow for the deck.

 Our new pergola has been installed and is waiting for our first BBQ.

 My temple bells are hung

 and the Buddha statue is in place.

It's starting to come together nicely.

I'll be spending time reading, spinning yarn, and working on a little yoga here over the summer.

No vegetable garden for me this year.

How about you?

Karen