Thursday, April 26, 2012

beauty in the rain..

I woke up this morning 


with my heart as  heavy
as the clouds 
that were pouring their tears upon us.



 I see changes coming.



Coming as quickly as the weather  
that changes from 
bright and cheery
to 
dark and dreary.



As any self-respecting, middle-aged ,mid-life crisis hormonal homeschooling mama would do,
I left my girl doing algebra 
and 
 I went outside to play.




I sought to find beauty in the rain.



Out on the porch, down the road, and into the alfalfa field
I went.


And do you know what?



I found it.


I found the beauty.
I just had to look for it.




 Find rest, O my soul, 

in God alone; 

my hope comes from Him.  

He alone is my rock and my salvation; 

He is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  

My salvation and my honor depend on God

He is my mighty rock, my refuge.  

Trust in Him at all times, 

people; pour out your hearts to Him,

for God is our refuge.

Psalm 62



Where are you looking for beauty today?

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

white in the parlor...


A few of my favorite photos of my parlor


I so love
 the peacefulness of white,
 the warmth of wood,
with just a titch of pink roses.






















That's all for today...hope your week is grand!



linking to:
White Wednesday @ Faded  Charm
Show off Your Cottage @ The House in the Roses 
Tuesday Cowgirl Up @ The Farmhouse Porch 
Cozy Home Scenes
Knick of Time Tuesday @ Knick of Time
Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Under $100 @ Beyond the Picket Fence
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage
Air Your Laundry Friday @ Freckled Laundry
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Farmhouse Friday @ Laurie Anna's Vintage Home
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
PRIMP Your Stuff @ (PRIMP)
Thriftin' on a Thursday @ Savvy City Farmer
Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence
Potpourri @ 2805


Friday, April 20, 2012

farmhouse friday...

 Farmhouse Friday
Garden Party
you Texas gals are a bit ahead of us weather-wise
There's not much going on yet in my garden
but 
I really wanted to play in the garden party.
 I'm going to show some things 
from last year's garden


I can't wait for my roses to bloom!


roses on the porch


roses at the back door


and some more roses


the view when we walk



Happy Weekend!
linking to:



linking to:
Farmhouse Friday @ LauraAnna's Vintage Home


White Wednesday @ Faded  Charm
Show off Your Cottage @ The House in the Roses 
Tuesday Cowgirl Up @ The Farmhouse Porch 
Cozy Home Scenes
Knick of Time Tuesday @ Knick of Time
Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage
Air Your Laundry Friday @ Freckled Laundry
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Farmhouse Friday @ Laurie Anna's Vintage Home
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
PRIMP Your Stuff @ (PRIMP)
Thriftin' on a Thursday @ Savvy City Farmer
Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence
Potpourri @ 2805




Tuesday, April 17, 2012

white wednesday fun...



goodbye picnik
you've been a swell friend
we have spent a lot of time together
you've taught me a lot about  art and photography 
and bringing the two together
you have brought me many hours of pleasure

I  am going to miss you



or
 am I?


Just when it looked like I was going to have 
to break down and learn (and pay for) photoshop
I  heard
about picmonkey (I do not know where they come up with these names)
It's run by some of the old picnikers ...
so it is very similar.
The transition has been painless
and
I think I might even like it better.
and for the girl who does not like  change that is saying a lot.


I took a few hours on Sunday 
to have a photo shoot of my Easter roses
and then played on picmonkey.









So check it out...it's loads of fun. 
I just finished with my taxes...tonight is Mrs. G's first baby shower...my girl and I had fun shopping this morning...I can't show you yet but let's just say that it might  involve pink  polka dots.  


linking to:
White Wednesday @ Faded  Charm
Show off Your Cottage @ The House in the Roses 
Tuesday Cowgirl Up @ The Farmhouse Porch 
Cozy Home Scenes
Knick of Time Tuesday @ Knick of Time
Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Farmhouse Friday @ Laurie Anna's Vintage Home
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
PRIMP Your Stuff @ (PRIMP)
Thriftin' on a Thursday @ Savvy City Farmer
Air Your Laundry Friday @ Freckled Laundry
Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence
Potpourri @ 2805
Under $100 Linky Party @ Beyond the Picket Fence

Monday, April 16, 2012

a bit of monday cheer...


spring has sprung


 My Crabapple in Bloom





Yesterday, I  took a few minutes
 to enjoy the sunshine 
and 
play with my camera.





If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant. 


~Anne Bradstreet~






linking to:


Show off Your Cottage @ The House in the Roses 
Tuesday Cowgirl Up @ The Farmhouse Porch 
Cozy Home Scenes
Knick of Time Tuesday @ Knick of Time
Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Farmhouse Friday @ Laurie Anna's Vintage Home
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home






Friday, April 13, 2012

got chairs?

My collection of pressed-back chairs
 found thrifting


I have been hoarding saving  my favorites
to replace the white reproduction chairs 
in my dining room.


I love the details.
I love the wood, warm and worn.
I love that they don't match.


It's true , just a few years back 
these would have been headed to my paint booth
for a coat of white paint.


But times are a-changin',
Now
it's all about white paint AND wood .
Together.
These will stay like they are
just a little seat fix-up.


Whew, it's a good thing that my stuff is the last to get painted.


Thanks for all of your input on the woodwork!
I know it was a bit controversial
but 
since we don't talk politics
we need something  
every now and then
to stir the pot.
(grin)
My Mr. and I had great fun reading through them all.

The tally is:
Paint, we love paint: 23
Don't you dare paint :  21
Follow your heart:  6
I'm in the same boat as you:  2

You gals are  lots of help, aren't you?!
linking to:


Show off Your Cottage @ The House in the Roses 
Tuesday Cowgirl Up @ The Farmhouse Porch 
Cozy Home Scenes
Knick of Time Tuesday @ Knick of Time
Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Farmhouse Friday @ Laurie Anna's Vintage Home
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
PRIMP Your Stuff @ (PRIMP)
Thriftin' on a Thursday @ Savvy City Farmer
Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence
Potpourri @ 2805
Under $100 @ Beyond the Picket Fence

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

To Paint or NOT To Paint...

yes,  I'm referring to the trim in my house.


Read on for  details.

When we bought this house, 
we were on the 10-year  renovation plan.  
Um,  ya we're at 15 years
and still not finished.
 One of the last things to do is the interior trim.
We changed out window (aluminum side-sliders for wood single-hungs) 
during the exterior makeover
and have changed one doorway. 
 Those areas are trim-less at the moment.  
We have been trying to decide on that trim for almost 8 years now...
does that make it a 10-year decision?!
I do what I always do with indecision...
move onto the  thing that I do know
and don't decide at all.

It is time...we really do need to decide
what to do  and to do it.
this post really should be titled
To Decide or Not To Decide.

.
We have  three main rooms  in question.
They're the more formal rooms. 
The deal is this:
 there is a mixture of trim going on.
Let's go room by room and you'll see what I mean.

The Entry.
Here is that original stairway that sealed the deal for me


Two of the doorways have original trim and one is un-trimmed.


The 2 windows are untrimmed.

The Parlor
Same unfinished doorway from the entry 


and all of the windows  are raw wood without trim.


The trim going into the dining room is original.

The Dining Room
All of the doorways and the built-in china cabinet are original.



The windows have nothing.
The 3/4 plate  moulding  and crown are already painted white.


This picture from Easter morning shows 
all of the mis-matched-ness.

So this is where the dilemma is.
We need to purchase the trim for the windows and doorway.
We are going to get the same profile 
but do we get stain-grade
and attempt to match? (will it ever?)
Or do we get paint-grade? (do the easy and for sure thing)



Pros for Paint
  • Less expensive (paint grade is considerably less money)
  • On close inspection, the existing trim is not in that good of condition, there are a lot of paint splatters on it already.
  • I really do  love and have loved  painted woodwork for a long time.
  • When all of the trim is installed there will be 3 types of wood: the original trim, the windows, and  the new trim. Is it even possible to make all match in color, in finish, and for it to look old?


Pros for Stained Wood
  • Considered a more authentic restoration
  • Is painted trim a fad? (does 20 years of liking something disqualify it as a fad?)
  • Does painted wood reduce perceived value in a  historical  home?
  • Will I have painter's remorse?  Once painted-always painted (I will NOT strip woodwork)


So there it is in a nutshell.
Tell me what you think?
What would you do?
Would painted woodwork make a difference 
in your decision to buy an old house?



White Wednesday @ Faded  Charm 
Tuesday Cowgirl Up @ The Farmhouse Porch 
Cozy Home Scenes
Knick of Time Tuesday @ Knick of Time
Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Be Inspired @ Elizabeth & Co.
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Time Travel Thursday @ The Brambleberry Cottage
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Farmhouse Friday @ Laurie Anna's Vintage Home
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
PRIMP Your Stuff @ (PRIMP)
Thriftin' on a Thursday @ Savvy City Farmer
Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence
Potpourri @ 2805