Little this....a little that.....

We love our new open house card.  I got to take the picture at sister Linda's little garden shed.  It's perfect for what we want to do in the shop.  Can't wait to get started!

Judy and I were out and about in Springfield late yesterday afternoon and it was perfect for getting the camera out.  The city of Springfield is loaded with old trees and lots of maples.  It's a very pretty town under normal conditions but to see it in the fall is a real pleasure.

All of this beauty should never be taken for granted.....it's definitely a gift from God for which we should be so thankful.  Fall always makes me think of my Mom because she loved fall and always wanted to go for a drive.  Then there's my sister Jean who's slowly losing her sight.  She's lost the sight in one eye and the other is slowly fading.  She's sad because she doesn't see the beauty that she remembers....it's not the same. 

This was all on my mind yesterday while taking in my surroundings.  I noticed all the political signs up in yards and wondered why they had to be there to blemish the beauty.  It will be such a relief when this is over and we don't have to be inundated with it continually.

Here are a few more of the pictures from our Saturday trip.  It's such a simple pleasure to drive down an unpaved country road and especially when the leaves are in full color.

This is the dining room in the owner's house.  Across from this is a huge fireplace.  Perfect place to enjoy a big bowl of soup on a cold night.

Jean and I were enjoying the front porch.....

Jean and Judy......

How would you like to have to sweep the porch with this?

Hope you enjoyed the tour today.....sort of jumped around (story of my life).  Judy and I are headed to Leola's to work on the porch so guess I'd better get my overalls on (just kidding). 

Have a great day!

The season has started....

It all starts again.... We had a great opening night and the shop looked amazing. We have such a creative, hard-working bunch of women who killed themselves to totally transition the shop. The front was all twinkly & sparkly.

Judy's 15 year old g'daughter, Jordan, played beautiful Christmas music on her cello.

Here's Katie http://ragamuffingal.blogspot.com/ and Dulcy http://dulcysdoorstep.blogspot.com/ checking things out. They're always there to support us. They're good customers but best of all they're really good friends.

Two more good friends that came in for a visit were Debra http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/ and Mandy from http://wishonawhisker.blogspot.com/.

Pam has several new shirt and jacket designs and the cutest hats. I bought an arrangement to hang that she put together with fresh greens and put a red & black wool hat in the middle. It is so cute & going beside my front door. She makes the cutest bows out of old ties and vintage jewelry. She puts a pin on the back so you wear it like jewelry. She's so talented.

Tomorrow is my work day. Should be busy. It's suppose to be sunny and 72 degrees. Hope we have a busy day. The blog give-away is still open so come on in & sign up. I'll draw the winner on Mon.

Leola's open house blog prize.....

OK! Below is a picture of the prize for leaving your name & email when you come to Leola's open house this weekend. I'll have a big jar in my area (when you walk in the front door, go to your right & I'm the first space on the left). There will be pen and paper. If you have any questions, just ask. Don't forget.

The 2 candles are the greatest. They run on 2 AA batteries & are dipped in wax so they look real. They're the greatest candles & you don't have to worry about fire. Candleholders are not included but will be for sale.

We'll see what happens. Come and see us. It's going to be an amazing open house. Remember, we're having wine and appetizers and music on Thurs. night 5:00 - 8:00. Be there or be square.

Time to vote!!!

Well, I'm off to vote. I've done enough talking & now it's time to act. The early news showed the place where we vote & there were long lines. It just seems incredible to me that people should have to stand in long lines to vote -- especially when it turns into hours. Don't you wonder how many people that prevents from voting. Oh, well, I can stand in line & I intend to do it if I have to. This has been a very difficult 8 yrs. for Mike & me, so call me a "wild-eyed optimist", but I'm hoping maybe things will change. Keeping my fingers crossed!

So after voting, I'm off to Leola's for another day of decorating. We're closed until Thurs. evening at 5:00 getting ready for our open house. It's already looking fantastic.

Have a great day!

My garage sale finds!

Yea!!!! The garage sale fairies were looking down on me today. I really found some great things. It was one of those mornings when I felt like if I didn't get out of the house I was going to have a "run-away" (that's what my Mom always said). I think I just do way too much thinking about things I have absolutely no control over so decided to do something that really makes me happy. And the garage sale fairies showered me with gifts. The first thing I found was this wonderful yellow-ware bowl. That's one of my many collections so it's kind of hard to give up but I just don't need another one & making money off this stuff is suppose to be the name of the game. Anyway, it will go to Leola's.

The next find were these wonderful barley twist candlesticks (another collection) but there again, I'm taking them to Leola's. Am I tough, or what!!!!

The last garage sale I hit I found the hand-braided wool rug & twinsize iron bed. Sorry but I'm keeping the bed. I have one & have been looking for a second since the g'kids need another bed.

I'm trying to stockpile some things for Christmas open house. I have painted a wicker settee brown & I'm making cushions out of a red plaid wool throw. It is going to be so cool! RL would love it. So I'm trying to come up with things to go into a real country, primitive room. I'm still such a fan of country, primitive things like quilts, wool rugs & throws, candlesticks, crocks, & wonderful old linens. I also want to have a lot of handmade things this year so I've been working up a storm. Wish there were more hours in the day.