Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Willy Nilly

I haven't posted for over a week and as I tried to come up with a topic,


the word random came to mind.


 iPhotos on my computer is filled with


a bunch of random,


unconnected pictures.


Then, the word Willy Nilly popped into my head so I googled it to make sure I understood the meaning.


Yes, my life seems to be quite "here, there and all over the place" lately


and this post is completely haphazard too.


Last week, I was looking online for Christmas ideas and found Marie and Magnus - 18" pixies-  on sale for half price at Maileg USA.


Marie and Magnus will probably be sitting on this ladder when I decorate it for Christmas, but for now they are sitting on a bench at the foot of the guest room bed.


Or, at least they were when I left the house to run errands this morning.


When I got home, the pixies were in a pile on the bed.


Lulu would not look me in the eye when I asked her about the pixies.


Another recent purchase was a set of cake stands from Decor Steals.


The stands can be taken apart for storage so I just put them in a cupboard until I started my Christmas decor.


But, the other day, I decided I didn't want to wait for Christmas, so I made a "cake".


I gathered up all the dried flowers I could find around the house and in cupboards and tucked my twin mice into the vignette


I added the Little Sister Mouse that I bought at the same time as the pixies.


I don't decorate much for fall, but this vignette definitely has some fall tones to it.


On our recent San Francisco vacation, we spent one night in Folsom visiting family and walked around the historic shopping district.


If we hadn't been in Steve's sports car, I might have convinced him to let me bring home the bathtub or maybe the vintage screen door.


Instead, I settled on a vintage look bucket that fit in the car just fine.


In finding a spot to display the bucket, I decided to bring this yellow bench down from the attic.


I will close this disjointed post with the ad for a class I just signed up to take - I have always wanted to try felting.


Thanks for staying with me through this "higgledy-piggledy" post.

Posted by at 1:46 AM
Labels: , ,

70 comments:

  1. Sam I Am......September 2, 2015 at 2:13 AM

    I loved your post...more like mine except yours are more artistic and colorful. I've had a busy summer and didn't blog for awhile there but now I'm back too. I love the Maileg pixies and all their cute little creatures. I keep wanting to sew them but I'm not sure I could pull it off as there are no patterns out there that I could find. Aren't they just perfect for Christmas? Are you sure it was Lulu? Pixies are known for being mischievous...similar to leprechauns. LOVE your yellow bench...my favorite color!
    Good to visit with you as I have been a "slacker" this summer! I've been watching the live shows (3 evenings..tonight is the last) on PBS from Monterey Bay about the blue whales, sea otters, seals and sharks that are all there feeding this time of year. What an ecological success and comeback for that part of the ocean. I am truly enjoying it. Have a great week!

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  2. Ivy, Phyllis and Me!September 2, 2015 at 2:30 AM

    Good Morning Carol, I loved your 'willy nilly' post, because as always, it was filled with such interesting photographs. I love Marie and Magnus.... fabulous names by the way, and the way Lulu was looking sheepishly at you when you asked why Marie and Magnus were not in the place you left them.... I think maybe she had a little fun with them.
    Such a good idea to be able to dismantle the cake stand, because they can take up so much storage space, but to be honest Carol, it would be such a shame to tuck it away in a cupboard because it is so lovely.
    Although it isn't officially Autumn yet, it certainly feels like it here in England.... it's very rainy and cold.
    Have a lovely day today.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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  3. Castles Crowns and CottagesSeptember 2, 2015 at 3:01 AM

    That Lulu......she is CULPABLE! teeeheee...and she knows it. But, we love her anyway.

    Willy Nilly sometimes is the best way to free what is inside of us and better yet, what we DON'T KNOW is inside of us. Then when it come out in art, even WE are surprised. "No surprise for the writer, no surprise for the audience" (unknown author of that quote).

    Oh my friend, how I miss Instagram. Now that school is in full swing, there is a new sort of discovery and Willy Nilly....and I will embrace it.

    OH! THANK YOU for the posters! Much love, Anita

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  4. Rita C at PanoplySeptember 2, 2015 at 3:43 AM

    Those pixies are adorable, and Lulu's reaction priceless. Love your fall 'cake'. I don't usually do a lot of fall decor, but put away much summer stuff and it looked pretty empty, so.....you know that goes. I feel like deal with nilly willy on a daily basis. :)

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  5. Betty September 2, 2015 at 4:02 AM

    The pixies are so cute. Sometimes when our minds are all over the place I think of it rebooting itself. After awhile you will feel the calm come over you and will be thinking clearing again.

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  6. GinaSeptember 2, 2015 at 4:04 AM

    I enjoyed this willy nilly post! It's always fun to see pretty images of your surroundings. I think Marie & Magnus have stolen my heart!

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  7. FlowerLady LorraineSeptember 2, 2015 at 4:43 AM

    What a fun post! I'm a willy nilly sort of person, so I get it totally. :-)

    I love Marie and Magnus ~ and your cake stand is wonderful and I love how you used it already.

    Thanks for sharing ~ FlowerLady

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  8. StaceySeptember 2, 2015 at 5:05 AM

    I like willy nilly. Always have!! Your photos are all beautiful and you remind me that I wanted to add a maelig or two to my Christmas decor.

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  9. Miss MerrySeptember 2, 2015 at 5:06 AM

    Your photography skills are so amazing. Looking at your pictures always brightens my day!

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  10. UnknownSeptember 2, 2015 at 5:35 AM

    When we lived near Sacramento we visited Folsom often, it was one of my favorite towns to spend the day. The lake was also fun. Marie and Magnus are adorable and I love how you used your cake-stands for fall decor.
    xo Sally

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  11. UnknownSeptember 2, 2015 at 5:36 AM

    When we lived near Sacramento we visited Folsom often, it was one of my favorite towns to spend the day. The lake was also fun. Marie and Magnus are adorable and I love how you used your cake-stands for fall decor.
    xo Sally

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  12. Linda @ A La CarteSeptember 2, 2015 at 5:44 AM

    It was fun to see all the great photos and I love those pixies! Lulu looked a little guilty I must admit.
    hugs,
    Linda

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  13. LaurieSeptember 2, 2015 at 6:29 AM

    Carol, I loved your Willy Nilly post. You take the most gorgeous pictures of the most gorgeous vignettes. I love that basket of flowers in the first photo, the best. Oh wait, I love the chair photo on the beach! Heck, I love them all. Have a wonderful day!

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    Replies
    1. LaurieSeptember 2, 2015 at 6:31 AM

      I almost forgot, LuLu made me laugh. She was showing her guilt, huh?

      Delete
  14. DebSeptember 2, 2015 at 6:32 AM

    Isn't Maileg a fun site? I could spend a ton of money there. Lulu is adorable!! What breed is she? You know, most of your post has pictures of flowers or plants, so maybe it is not as willy-nilly as you thought!
    Hope you have a wonderful day!

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  15. Kim September 2, 2015 at 7:14 AM

    I love random...Willy Nilly...it's always fun to poke around here and there and see what's going on. I think your pile of pixies is adorable. Thanks for the chuckle. Now I am off to buy those cake stands. Thanks for the link!

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  16. bobbieSeptember 2, 2015 at 7:55 AM

    LOVE the cake stands (and how you've decorated them), and the bucket and shovel are adorable!!
    Hugs ~

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  17. ConnieSeptember 2, 2015 at 7:59 AM

    I Carol, Willy Nilly or not . . . as usual a very fine and wonderful post. I think that most of us live a somewhat "every which way" life. I sometimes go into the bedroom in the morning to get my glasses, come out with the bed made, the pillows straightened, the lights off and start doing something else before I remember that I'm still not wearing my glasses. I would love to spend sometime just sitting in that chair on the beach, it looks so inviting and I love the pail you added to your collection.
    I hope that you are having a lovely day.
    Connie :)

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  18. Jackie and Joel SmithSeptember 2, 2015 at 8:40 AM

    Love being willy hilly at times and this summer it seems that is the perpetual state of my being. Great post! xxx

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  19. Deb @ Frugal Little BungalowSeptember 2, 2015 at 9:37 AM

    Not sure about Lulu and the pixies. Maybe they were tired and wanted to take a nap...maybe they come alive and do things like the elf on the shelf :)

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  20. Deb @ Frugal Little BungalowSeptember 2, 2015 at 9:39 AM

    Not sure about Lulu and the pixies. Maybe they were tired and wanted to take a nap...maybe they come alive and do things like the elf on the shelf :)

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  21. KellySeptember 2, 2015 at 9:43 AM

    I adore your pixies and mouse for Christmas! it was wise to buy them while they were marked down since they can be pricey. Lulu probably liked them too! wink! The sand bucket and shovel reminds me of one I had when i was little. They used to be metal back in those days.

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  22. Jacqueline~Cabin and CottageSeptember 2, 2015 at 9:44 AM

    Willy nilly seems perfect for me lately too! A San Francisco retreat would be lovely! And it's the second time in 24 hours that I have heard folks refer to Chistmas. Here we go!

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  23. Row homes and CobblestonesSeptember 2, 2015 at 10:22 AM

    Oh my bad Lulu ... no eye contact says it all. Yup Willy Nilly sure describes my week so far too. Today is my BD and John gifted me with some nice presents, but my favorite is a needle felted mouse. So from one Mouseateer to another I felt your panic when you walked into the guest room ... I had it (panic) when Violet (mouse ballerina) entered my life and on her first day here I watched Max cat scoop her up from the theatre run with unworldly speed upstairs with her in his mouth! As I screamed, no Max that's Mommies toy as he gently spit it out!
    Carol you make my day with your delightful posts and sweet friendship.
    Hugs from a sizzling 93 degrees in the shade in Philadelphia!
    xoxo,
    Vera

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  24. SusieSeptember 2, 2015 at 11:59 AM

    Carol, Your dog Lulu gave me a laugh. I loved the mice cake. :):) All your pictures are so nice. The yellow bench works great. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

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  25. ~Lavender Dreamer~September 2, 2015 at 1:27 PM

    I like posts like this....a good way to catch up! Love the class you're going to take and now I'm off to look at the sale on pixies! They are SO cute! Hugs!

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  26. susanSeptember 2, 2015 at 1:40 PM

    I always love how you decorate and do your table settings. Everything always looks cozily (is that a word?) perfect! Sweet Christmas pixies and cake plates - I may need a set of those myself.

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  27. prince snow farmSeptember 2, 2015 at 1:53 PM

    The best kind of post!

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  28. Celestina MarieSeptember 2, 2015 at 2:16 PM

    Willy Nilly posts are the best. Love the pics. The pixies are too cute!! Great cake stand and I love the cake you made for it. It does have a fall feel and color to it.
    cm

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  29. chateau chicSeptember 2, 2015 at 4:56 PM

    I like random posts when the photos are as beautiful as yours...enjoyed the variety!!
    Mary Alice

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  30. Jake's a GirlSeptember 2, 2015 at 6:08 PM

    Your random/willy nilly has a bunch of pretty, lovely and beautiful in it. :)

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  31. KathySeptember 2, 2015 at 8:24 PM

    Love your little mouse cake. That Lulu is a rascal!

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  32. SueSeptember 2, 2015 at 8:32 PM

    Oh those pixels Lulu was playing with are the cutest ever. I like the fluted cake platter and fall cake display. Like a lot of your fans, I enjoyed all the photos and feel like I just flipped through a magazine.

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  33. Botanic BleuSeptember 2, 2015 at 10:30 PM

    What a fun willy nilly post. I like all your random photos. Wonder why LuLu wouldn't look you in the eye?

    Judith

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  34. Leslie HarrisSeptember 2, 2015 at 11:37 PM

    Carol I read your Willy Nilly post yesterday and kept wanting to get back here to comment. I also wanted to tell you that when you were in Old Town Folsom you were so close to our old home. In fact I used to go buy my Annie Sloan paint at one of those shops. We lived in a community down the freeway nestled near the river called Gold River. But it sounds like you had a great time...with KC and her boyfriend and family right? What a small world finding out that he went to the same high school that my boys did.
    Your random photos are such a good idea, I often feel in that kind of mood too...where I could post little glimpses here and there of my life---scattered projects everywhere. hahaha..
    xo
    Leslie

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  35. podsoSeptember 3, 2015 at 4:55 AM

    A perfect post --- this and that--lovely photos--works for me!

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  36. Picnic BenchesSeptember 3, 2015 at 5:26 AM

    Your photography skills are really amazing! It was fun to see all the great photos. Thanks for sharing!

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  37. handmade by amaliaSeptember 3, 2015 at 6:45 AM

    Oh, these cake stands are wonderful!
    Amalia
    xo

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  38. BeachGypsySeptember 3, 2015 at 7:10 AM

    I loved your willy nillly post. Where are the gorgeous houses?..san Francisco? Did you try the felting yet?

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  39. Betsy@My Salvaged TreasuresSeptember 3, 2015 at 9:37 AM

    I love posts like this...a little of this and a little of that really adds up. Lulu must have really missed you while you were gone; love that look of guilt, lol.

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  40. MelanieSeptember 3, 2015 at 11:19 AM

    My last post was random and willy-nilly, too ~ though my life has been that way, also. I think we're always up to something, but not just one particular thing that is blog worthy. I guess that's why IG is so popular. With your creative mind, those cake stands can be decorated in so many different ways. Love what you've done already. And those mice...love them! They are so darn cute. I don't think Lulu likes those pixies though. You're lucky she didn't chew them up! ;-)

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  41. AnaSeptember 3, 2015 at 11:55 AM

    I see I am not the only one with Christmas decor in mind already. Cannot wait to start :-) Your ladder and new cake stand will look great with your Christmas decor. Great pics by the way.

    Hugs,
    ❤️Ana

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  42. JenSeptember 3, 2015 at 1:02 PM

    Lovely willy nilly! The mice are adorable! I'd like to try felting as well! xoxoxo Jen

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  43. karen@somewhatquirkySeptember 3, 2015 at 2:26 PM

    I think Marie and Magnus have been fooling around. That's probably why they were on sale. Trouble makers. Your willy-nilly pictures are wonderful. I LOVE that white and black house in San Francisco!

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  44. JeannaSeptember 3, 2015 at 4:18 PM

    This was a great post, Carol. While it would be hard to choose a favorite part, I will say that the screen door tugs at my heart...I'm sure you aren't surprised :)

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  45. Pamela GordonSeptember 3, 2015 at 5:06 PM

    I love this willy nilly post Carol. What adorable pixies you found and the little mice in the cake stand display are so cute. Wonderful photos of everything you shared.

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  46. Cathy @ My 1929 CharmerSeptember 3, 2015 at 6:55 PM

    Enjoyed your willy nilly post....light and airy. Love the pixies and what did the dogs do to them? I wish I had seen those cake stand on Decor steals...but honestly you could buy something every day, so now I don't look anymore? I would of put Steve on the curb and took off with the tub! Just sayin...

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  47. Joy JunktionSeptember 3, 2015 at 7:33 PM

    I loved this post, Carol! It shares the many aspects of your personality, the joys, the beauty, the craftiness, the loves of your life! It's the best kind of post! Love those Maileg's - and that little Miss Lulu - sweet! I bought my first item from Decor Steals several weeks ago but haven't received it yet - does it usually take long?? Have a wonderful weekend ahead! Blessings, Cindy

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  48. Daytona DamselSeptember 3, 2015 at 8:32 PM

    Love this post. The little mice are cute and the cake stands can be used for so many things, Like your touch of Autumn.
    Debbie

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  49. Mary@mydogsmygardenandmarySeptember 4, 2015 at 1:03 AM

    What a great post - I loved it. You new pixies are darling. Yes, I think Lulu wanted to take a nap and they were in her way, or she was mad at you for not taking her with you.
    What a great cake stand - so many different ways to use it. Great photos
    Have a super weekend.
    Mary

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  50. Ricki TreleavenSeptember 4, 2015 at 2:45 PM

    Lulu thinks Magnus and Marie belong to her! SHe's too flipping' cute. :)

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  51. Lowcarb team memberSeptember 4, 2015 at 3:09 PM

    Oh what a lovely random post ...

    Such great pictures and I love the pixie's, and the mice - so cheerful, thank you.

    Have a lovely weekend

    All the best Jan

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  52. Lowcarb team memberSeptember 4, 2015 at 3:09 PM

    Oh what a lovely random post ...

    Such great pictures and I love the pixie's, and the mice - so cheerful, thank you.

    Have a lovely weekend

    All the best Jan

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  53. cynthia lee designsSeptember 4, 2015 at 6:05 PM

    I loved your Willy Nilly post!! I have a thing for cute little mice and yours is adorable!! Mine is sitting in a white ironstone saucer.
    ~Cindy

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  54. 518FrenchgirlSeptember 4, 2015 at 8:50 PM

    Carol, Thanks for reminding me that as I wander around my house after working for 25 years that it's OK to be a little disjointed and disheveled as I attempt to toast 2 slices of bread and scramble 2 eggs and it takes me 45 minutes because I'm multi-tasking and doing 16 other things at once! I was so efficient and competent working my desk, phone, fax, scanner, e-mail, copier and computer simultaneously, but the excitement of retirement has still got me a wreck going in too many directions! Thanks for letting me identify with a fellow retiree and bringing me back to earth. Marilou

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  55. Little FarmsteadSeptember 5, 2015 at 8:01 AM

    Love your new cake stands! Your pictures mad me home sick for California, where I grew up! Thanks for sharing.

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  56. RueSeptember 5, 2015 at 10:23 AM

    I love random posts, because they show little pieces of a bloggers life unstructured. They're also good, when you have nothing else to post lol

    Loved all the pictures and your cake stand.

    Poor Lulu lol I can't leave anything stuffed around the house or my dogs would eat it, not just play with it.

    Have a great weekend :)

    xo,
    rue

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  57. Tea in the LibrarySeptember 6, 2015 at 4:03 AM

    Poor Lulu. I could not have resisted those pixies myself.

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  58. Vickie @ Ranger 911September 6, 2015 at 8:19 AM

    Where to start? Your photos are so lovely of a place that's always summer. And your new purchases are absolutely adorable! I admire them on many of the Scandinavian blogs I follow. As for felting, it's something I'd love to try also. My sister makes the most adorable little felted mice. Have fun giving it a go!

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  59. Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouseSeptember 7, 2015 at 2:54 AM

    By looking Lulu's eyes, I can tell she's innocent!

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  60. PoppySeptember 7, 2015 at 6:34 PM

    You live in a wonderfully whimsical, willy nilly world - for now!

    Poppy

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  61. Cream LinenSeptember 7, 2015 at 10:48 PM

    Beautiful photos. That was a lovely , colourful beginning to my day!.Thank you for sharing!
    Tina

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  62. TinaSeptember 8, 2015 at 12:40 AM

    Hi there! I love all the beautiful pictures you have shared at here.. Enjoy reading your post. Thanks for sharing

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  63. Sherry @ Thrift My HouseSeptember 8, 2015 at 11:09 AM

    Willy Nilly works for me. Love your photos always! The cakes stands are perfect! The pixies are too cute. That tub!!! Couldn't you somehow strap it to the top of the car? Then you could fill it with more goodies... Love the bucket too! Random is good Carol!

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  64. Joy@aVintageGreenSeptember 9, 2015 at 12:53 PM

    That was the BEST post - it was happy, random, cheerful, had a story line or two, showcased some great vignettes. Gave me a great lift today ! Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  65. ℳartina @ Northern NestingSeptember 10, 2015 at 5:57 AM

    I loved this post and all your pretty pictures!!

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  66. BethSeptember 15, 2015 at 7:14 AM

    Carol, I saw the lovely banner you made for Jane of Blondie's Journals on her blog post today. Do you make and sell banners? I am interested. Please respond to me by email BethieLauren@gmail.com.

    Thanks, Beth

    ReplyDelete
  67. Down by the seaSeptember 15, 2015 at 2:25 PM

    I love this post it is so full of interesting things! Sarah x

    ReplyDelete
  68. CarlaSeptember 18, 2015 at 8:03 AM

    Oh listen to you with all your cute words....willy nilly, higgledy-piggledy, etc. LOL I can just see y'all driving down the highway with claw foot tub strapped on the truck in the sports car. And Poor Lulu she just wanted the Pixies to come out and play. How can you be made at that sweet face. ;o)
    I love that picture of the bike in front of the house. Is that one of Steve's. Love it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. CarlaSeptember 18, 2015 at 8:04 AM

      Or is that a picture picture you took? Either way I still love it. LOL

      Delete

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