Patriotic and Picnic Like for Memorial Day

A simple patriotic table for two. 

Patriotic and picnic like

 I selected flowers and branches for filler from my yard and garden to create my centerpiece.

 Tulips, daffodils, and cherry tree blossoms

 These gorgeous red tulips resemble roses in their depth of color and shape

 The sun came out long enough for me to snap a few shots in between the rainy weather we're having right now.

 This tall handled pitcher is made of tin and decorated with berries.   I wanted to suggest a picnic atmosphere with fruit and vegetables.

I have two narrow glasses inside of the pitcher.  One is upside down to support the 2nd one that is resting on it to hold the flowers.  I didn't trust that the tin would hold the water and I needed to create a way to get the flowers up higher.

 These Homer Laughlin diner style plates added to  the patriotic picnic feeling I wanted.  The checkered design is repeated in the napkins and a tablecloth underneath.

 I criss crossed two square tablecloths since

they were the only thing I had that suited

my theme. 

I corn on the cob dish added a splash of color and helps suggest a classic picnic food item!

 I added a little sparkle to the napkins

I can carry this theme outdoors if the weather permits on 

Memorial Day 

 Thank you for visiting and I hope you have a 

great Memorial Day!

Remember to honor those who gave
their lives for our country.  

Let's also remember to say an extra prayer for

the people of Oklahoma that have suffered

such devastating losses this week after the

tornado swept through their area.

 Donate Funds to the American Red Cross to help 
with disaster relief.

   
I'm joining 

Cuisine Kathleen for her
Let's Dish Patriotic Challenge  

Between Naps on the Porch
for
Tablescape Thursday 

 

Cloche Fairy Garden

I've loaded up my tray and created a

fairy garden.

I borrowed a few pieces from my outdoor fairy garden

Under the cloche is a fairy standing in a

bed of grapevine and floral rosettes!

These are all Mary Cicely Barker fairies-

They have such sweet faces

My fairies lend a little magic to my gardens every year so they'll be heading outdoors very soon!

I set a couple of wax begonias in this cute 

little mini chicken wire metal planter

All my fairies love to garden!

    This one is next to my rustic cast iron garden tool set that is actually a doorstop.

 I lightened it up so you could see them better

 I hope you enjoyed my fairy garden!

These can be a lot of fun.  Normally I would have all real plants, stones and natural accents, but since this was just for fun and temporary so  I didn't want to build it that way.  The begonias and fairies will be heading outdoors very soon! 

I'll be joining Marty at A Stroll Thru Life

for her 

Yip-Skip Cloche Party on Wednesday

Finishing up the Plate Rack wall and Entry Table...

You recently saw my new plate rack with the blue dishes I put together "here".  I took the pussy willows that I used for my Easter Egg Tree and popped them in the new big blue vase.  I was able to bring in some height to the design which I knew it needed.

 I took a woven tray and an oval platter from the kitchen area and mounted them on the wall next to the plate rack.  I was tickled to be able to use something I already owned.

 I also added to metal bowls to the top of the plate rack- they are also from Wendell August.

 I am pleased I found a way to display them!

One was a gift and one I bought on a trip to

Pennsylvania! 

Maybe a little French Country now? 

 The entry table...

I had to have something to set where the pussy willows had been on this table, so this earthenware vase with the greens has come back into play.  

 

 Do you remember my little treasure box?  I stuck a few more trinkets in it.  Some keys, a tassel, and a bit of lace.

Here's a link to the original posting "here" 

I propped the box top open by using the ring for the keys in the back which help anchor it.

 Now I'd like to see the door painted a different color. 

I've shifted a bit away from the Tuscan coloring so I will study this a while to decide.  I need to switch up to a neutral floor rug color for the season too. 

Our Grandfather clock used to set there where the table is and it may be getting back moved here again.  We're tweaking the living room and haven't been able to make our minds up about it yet.

 Only thing is I'd hate to loose this display area,

I have too much fun with it!

Stay tuned!!

Please join me at
Ivy and Elephants for
What's It Wednesday

   

 

Multifunctional Closet Renovation

I have had this closet targeted for a while for some storage improvement needs.

This is a 3 ft. square closet that abuts the stairwell

going down to the basement level on the other

side of the left wall.  It was the coat closet for the

home but after we remodeled and added another closet 

it turned it into a storage closet which held the leaves

for the dining table, mop, broom, vacuum, cleaning

supplies and even candles!

 I forgot to take a picture before I emptied it all out, 

but you will have to believe me it was packed.

   

It had the wire shelves meant for clothing in it

but it didn't work that well and there wasn't enough
effective use of space.

 

So I stacked it all on the dining table because it's very close by, and the leaves for the table ended up in a bedroom closet of spare bedroom.

Holes had to be patched, then a primer paint went up and eventually the paint.  I had 3/4's of a gallon left over from my office we painted a year ago, so I chose that to use. (White Chocolate by Benjamin Moore.)

The next day the brackets went up.  We decided we better build it strong since we aren't sure how heavy the loads may be.  He found a center stud (well actually it's off centered) so he used that for the center rail.

Hooray!  I chose the two top shelves to be 12" deep and the three bottoms to be 16" deep.  They are prefinished and just had to be cut to length.  

 There is an attic access above and I believe the ladder will clear the shelves.  Let's hope because neither 

of us bothered to find out!

Let the loading begin! I'm putting candle holders, vases and cloches in here so I don't have to go to

the basement to retrieve them.

 Now remember it's a multi purpose closet!   

My green crates hold household cleaning products.  I put lightweight things that I could grab easily on the top shelf.  We had some leftover shelving material so I had him cut one to fit the floor so I could easily slide these plastic containers in and out.  Isn't that rag mop gorgeous!  We couldn't find anything better to hold my mop, broom etc., so we re-used what we had.

 The two vacuums get used a lot and they had to stay in here too so they are the last to go in!   Of course now I could change up and use the shelves for other items anytime I want.  I like that the shelves are adjustable and there is plenty of strength to hold whatever I can challenge it with!

 We spent just under $65 in materials.  We saved on paint because we had our on stock pile.

I will be joining BNOTP for

Metamorphosis Monday

and

Our Home Away from Home for

Tuesdays at our Home

 

My new office collage......

In the recent past we purchased a picture that was installed above the fireplace and I blogged about it "here". 

 It was there briefly and then we happened along a clearance area and found a portrait that we replaced it with as shown "here".

So now I had this brand new picture and no

place for it.  In the back of my head I thought

it might work in my office, but it's pretty large and

I wasn't positive it would fit.

  Yesterday I was in the mood and I stripped the top of all my 

stuff and went to work hanging the picture.

I was able to incorporate my other pictures into my new wall collage and I think it worked out very well. 

  You may remember my "Nod To Romance" post

where I first showed my Paris book and the little 

green frame.  As you can see I adopted those pieces

and added them to my vignette and just behind it 

are the two prints I posted about "here"

  I adjusted a few things, edited out a few etc.

Who knew when I bought the big picture on

the top right 5 years ago and the two small

prints a couple of months back that they'd end up

together in a collage! 

  I really did not expect to be making these changes 

in the office so soon, but I'm content with the

new look and I'm glad I gave it a try!

  

Prayers for Linda

Today I'm asking for your prayers for my friend Linda.

 "Life and Linda"

She's my blog fairy (designer) and a very 

close internet friend.

Linda and Granddaughter Marissa

 Our friendship began in 2009 when we both were doing posts on the HGTV/Rate My Space internet page. 

In 2010 she encouraged me to start blogging and it was at that time I believe she started too.

She's so savvy with computers and she's held my hand 

throughout these past 3 years with my blogging needs and 

is a real blessing to know!

 About 13 years ago, just after she married her love Paul, 

she was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer.

Linda and Paul 2010

She braved through surgery and chemo therapy and has been a healthy active person ever since. 

Unfortunately she's recently been diagnosed with cancer again and will be undergoing surgery tomorrow Thursday the 9th. 

There will be chemo therapy again and I 

know that is hard to go through. 

Linda (denim skirt) getting down at a Hoedown party showing some dance moves to her friends! 

Please join me with some extra prayers 

and encouragement and let's help Linda get down 

on this cancer once again!

 Here is a link to her blog page

Life and Linda

Together we can beat these things!