Friday, March 7, 2014

a small change in the garden . . .



No skiing for us; instead, heavy rain, poor snow conditions and only 2 chairs open made for 2 very long drives in 2 days.


Today was a free day of sorts -nothing I "had to do" - so this morning, I got out the mate to this crusty old folding table which has been begging for a make over.


With a coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Louis Blue, my table no longer looks crusty.


In fact, I think the little table actually looks quite pretty now.


It was a gorgeous afternoon so I took the time to sit in the garden reading ( actually getting ideas for a blue and white bedroom ) and enjoying a piece of the strawberry bread I made this morning.


Lulu sat waiting vigilantly in the hope that I would spill some crumbs.


I love the simplicity of the cape honeysuckle inside the polka dot pitcher, but after watching Lulu in the garden, I feared she might knock over the pitcher.


I replaced the pitcher with a rusty old watering can.


Tomorrow, it is back to the March List, but for today, it took just a little bit of paint to create a small change in the garden.

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63 comments:

  1. Hi Carol,
    small changes are important too.
    Time to sit back and reflect and .....muse.....
    those moments were my precious moments .
    Today I took my laptop ....he is very old .... and I keep him in a drawer because I use my Iphone and Ipad for everythinh now.
    However blogging is not yet working as I want it to on those so LAPTOP-TIME it is .....
    I keep A LOT of pictures in my laptop and today I looked at some of them.
    Oh my ....... 2008 2009 I was still working as a teacher ....
    and .....tears in my eyes ....
    MY GARDEN .....green and flowers everywhere and my giant chestnut-tree was stil there .....
    giving me shelter and gave me the idea I had my very own forest .
    Tears in my eyes because everything is gone .
    Not here anymore .....
    My neighbour did not stop before the tree had to go !Okay the tree was too big for a small city-garden but I planted a chestnut there and it was growing there for 25 years so ....yes a very big tree but so so so beautiful.
    but....hey now is now and I am starting all over again.
    From nothing back to a friendly garden again .
    Just as my two new best friends my new hips are giving me a new life again .
    reading your blog was like a medicine for me .... Visiting your blog was a healing moment each time ......
    I completely lost myself in the process of pain and now I am back .
    Given the opportunity of a whole new start .
    I am so glad that Spring is in the air right now .
    The perfect season for new starts
    I miss my tree ever since so much
    But I need to focus on the future now .....
    Happy weekend Carol

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  2. Strawberry bread sounds pretty good.
    Your little table looks pretty good too.
    Merle..............

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  3. It may be a small change, but it is a big, bright, and beautiful appeal!

    Poppy

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  4. I like the look of your little table, how do you make strawberry bread?

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  5. I love your table too and I would to come and sit with you. I am so tired of snow. We are suppose to have some warm temps this week so hoping it will stay. I can't wait to get into my garden this year.

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  6. Carol, I like the changes!

    I have the first cousin to your table on my back porch. We have so much rainfall in the summer that it would be rotten in a year if I left it uncovered. Even painted.

    I think the watering can looks both cute and safer!

    Enjoy your weekend. We have pollen from oak trees. Ugh!

    xo

    Sheila

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  7. Good morning Carol! I have missed you so much, but I see you have been up to your usual FUN and beautiful makeovers. This little table looks splendid and I am getting excited about painting a wooden horse I have. I am going to run over some Annie Sloan white over him, and give him a waxing, then some aging.

    Your garden looks ready for ME to sit in and wait for summer. Oh how you inspire me! Anita

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  8. Can I come visit? I REALLY need to get away from this SNOW!!! It looks beautiful!

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  9. I love the painted table!! The weather looks beautiful.

    kathy

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  10. That is an adorable little table now. It fits your reading corner well. Hope you have a great weekend, oxox,Susie

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  11. I'm sorry your ski trip had to be cancelled. That would be disappointing. The table looks sweet with it's new paint and the polka dot pitcher is cute. It looks so beautiful in your garden. I would enjoy sitting there soaking up the heat and drinking an iced tea. Have a lovely weekend.

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  12. That is a shame about your ski trip, Carol.

    The little table is a beautiful shade of blue and, with the chair and greenery, you've created a comfortable spot to linger with a good book.

    I found myself typing up a big March list a couple of days ago. Your sphere of influence is growing!

    Karen

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  13. I'd love to be sitting in your sweet reading spot soaking up sun and ideas, too! Your table looks adorable!

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  14. Carol, I love how a little dash of paing can make old things new again and oh so pretty also... Love your little table and the polka dot pitcher is to die for. Have a happy day... Cathy

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  15. Sorry you guys weren't able to ski. The table looks really pretty. That's soft a soft shade of blue.

    Have a great weekend!

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  16. Good Morning Carol,
    I love your sweet little reading spot in the garden. The table looks so pretty. Love the old watering can with flowers. Very sweet.
    Kris

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  17. Strawberry bread sounds delicious. Looks like you made good use of your free day, love the table makeover. Sorry to hear that your ski trip was rained out.

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  18. So sorry you had the long drives and no skiing but looks like you put the bonus day to good use. The little table looks happily at home in your delightful garden!

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  19. Major bummer on the trip ~

    Love the little blue table, and I think we MUST have the recipe for your strawberry bread! The hubs is drooling already!!

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  20. The blue table is perfect with your white chair. What a great place to sit and read a book. The strawberry bread looks so good. No wonder Lulu was hoping for a little snack. She is getting so cute.
    Sorry about the ski trip but look at the wonderful weather we are having and I know the weather there is beautiful.
    Have a great rest of the weekend.
    Hope Steve's shoulder is healing.
    Mary

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  21. Love your little blue side table! And Lulu is so cute. :-)

    Sorry your ski trip didn't work out - that's a bummer. Wish I could ship you all our snow! I'd much rather be sitting outside enjoying the weather and all that beautiful sunshine. Seeing your photos makes me long for it even the more.

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  22. I love the color…what a nice change. But I'm sorry your skiing fizzled.

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  23. Hi Carol,

    Shame that you weren't able to go on a skiing trip but you did great things around the home - love the little blue table.

    happy weekend
    Carolyn

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  24. wow, that table looks so great. i would have never guessed ... ( :

    love the mason jar - tea drinker. whatever you wish to call it. looks like a perfect day. so fun!!

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  25. And it really brightened up that area too! I'm so jealous of you folks with green and flowers in your gardens. Did you get that mason jar with top at Target? I saw it on someone's blog, and went to ours, but we didn't have any.
    Brenda

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  26. Carol,
    Your garden looks inviting and a delightful mix of flower varieties. Lulu has the life! Such a charmer and a bundle of adorable energy. So will you consider sharing your recipe of strawberry bread???

    Sorry your ski trip wasn't what you planned. Hey today was 59 degrees in Philadelphia. Could it really be... Oh please let it be Spring.
    Vera

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  27. Oh...how I want to come and sit in your pretty garden!!
    hugs,
    Cindy

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  28. Your garden is lovely and just calls for visitors to come and relax! Your newly painted table is great! Enjoy!

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  29. AMAZiNG!!! I only wish I could sit there with you and take it all in! The rusty watering can is awesome! And your bright new table is stunning! Your garden looks beautiful friend! Ha...and LuLu is a doll! Here is to relaxing and having time to smell the flowers!!! Happy weekend to you!! Nicole xoxo

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  30. Sorry to hear about the NO snow days :(

    Your makeover of the new table came out great...BIG change. Love the water can but I really liked the red polka dot vase too. I understand keeping things out of reach of wagging tales :)

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  31. Such a pretty garden. Your little table looks as fresh as a daisy. Looks like the perfect spot for a cup of tea, time to read a book, or just sit back and enjoy the flowers.

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  32. I love your little blue table. What a great transformation. You have such a sweet little garden.

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  33. So pretty! We are still covered in snow so I really enjoy your garden stories and all that gorgeous color!

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  34. The table does look lovely. Looks like your garden survived the rains. A blue and white bedroom? Isn't that a little tame for you? It will be lovely.

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  35. Thanks for another lovely visit to your colorful home and garden! You made my day!

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  36. What a beautiful area to sit and read and have a treat! Your little table looks so pretty, and I'd love to pop over for some of that strawberry bread! :)
    Susan

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  37. sorry you didn't get to ski, but your table looks wonderful. Carol, what do you put on top of the paint? Wax?

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  38. I love that soft blue on your table. The pitcher is lovely and I understand you don't want Lulu to knock it down. The rusty watering can is a good compromise!

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  39. CAROL!!!!!!! You just came....thank you! Now the digital version costs...just so you know. You won't see my article in the short sneak peek that is there...but thank you so much for coming over! I am thrilled. Anita

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  40. Sorry to hear that the skiing trip didn't come off. The newly painted table suits your pretty garden and now you can get back to your huge list !!

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  41. Your garden is so inviting and charming. What a lovely spot to spend an uneventful morning. :D

    xo,
    RJ

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  42. I'm sorry you missed out on your skiing vacation, but I'm green with envy at the thought of you sitting out in your garden. Love the blue table.

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  43. Happy Monday! Aw, it looks so pretty!

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  44. Absolutely inviting and charming!
    I would love to be visiting you this morning, in reality time!
    Happy Monday!
    Jemma

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  45. So sorry about your trip not working out, but the table looks great! :)

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  46. Looks great and very Spring/Summer like!! We are expected to get snow in the next day or so!! Thanks for your visit!!

    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  47. My heart flutters every time I see you have posted something! Um...strawberry bread? I'll be right over. I'd wait for crumbs with Lulu as well! How lovely to be able to sit in your garden and enjoy the sea breezes. Your table is gorgeous. I have never used chalk paint except black for a chalk board. I didn't know you could use to paint furniture. Awesome! Polka dots are my fave! xoxo Jen

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  48. So nice to see how Lulu has grown and is the cutest pupper. Annie Sloan paint in blue here I come. Just love your quick makeover of this table just like that! The before and after is wow.

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  49. Sorry that skiing was a bust! Your table is lovely - such a nice color. I am longing for spring - we have had three weeks of cold and clear followed by several days of rain, which is slowly washing away the ice and snow.

    I did see crocuses coming up in Sitka a couple of weeks ago, however, so I am hoping!

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  50. Sorry to hear your ski trip melted away. Your newly painted table is super cute. The light blue works really well with all the green in your garden.

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  51. Oh bummer about your trip. I have plenty of snow here :-) I've been sitting by my fireplace keeping warm.
    I love your updated table.

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  52. I've never used Annie Sloan paints before, but it sure looks pretty on your table. Your garden is as lovely as ever! Sorry you didn't get to ski. My daughter has been going through withdrawals. She had an appendectomy and is out for the season.

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  53. Your table is beautiful...Louis Blue is one of my favorite Annie Sloan colors. It adds just the right touch to the garden. Oh, to live by the sea...how wonderful! I'm glad you got to enjoy a nice relaxing day, We need those! Have a beautiful week.

    Kathleen

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  54. So much loveliness here Carol...as always, a feast for the senses! :)
    Lulu is adorable, and I am inspired by the sweet table makeover...those polka dots, (I am obsessed with polka dots), the beautiful chair...and the green lushness of your yard...all fabulous....
    Your strawberry bread sounds delicious!
    I've never made strawberry bread, but as soon as they are in season here, you've inspired me to try...
    Hugs,
    - Irina

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  55. Hi Carol, I always enjoy your small and large changes. This little table is lovely and just the perfect size to accompany a garden chair. Love your little jars with straws . . . so cute :)
    Have a wonderful week.
    Your blogging sister, Connie :)

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  56. I nominated you for a Liebster Award on my blog at http://www.housekaboodle.com/liebster-award-pay-it-forward/

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  57. What a shame that you had no snow after such a long drive. Your table looks so elegant. I have never heard of strawberry bread, it looks very delicious and interesting.
    I love your description on my blog of the sun going down. Sarah x

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  58. Darling little folding table, Carol! Perfect for your wonderful garden.
    Mary Alice

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  59. Hi Carol, I can't wait till I cam get back out into the garden! Your table turned out great and I love the polka dot pitcher. Don't blame you for wanting to protect it from being knocked off.
    I have a table and chair set like your chairs. It was my moms and I cherish it!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  60. The table looks great.
    I made strawberry bread. We planted lots of strawberries last year so I am hoping we have lots of berries this year. I have to make more strawberry freezer jam.

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  61. I love your little table and your wonderful garden!! Looks like the perfect place to sit and enjoy your beautiful surroundings....the strawberry bread sounds great!

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