What took me so long?

Have you ever come up with a decorating idea that makes you ask yourself the question "What took me so long?"

Steve found this cabinet in my parents' garage nearly 40 years ago and it is one of my favorite pieces.

It was in KC's bedroom when we first moved to our little cottage, in the garage for many years and most recently in the living room wearing a coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint Old White.

All through the summer, I looked for a cabinet for the entry way and finally it hit me that I didn't have to buy anything - I had the perfect piece already.

I wanted to store extra dishes, place mats, tablecloths and napkins in one place and the cabinet is the perfect solution.

I defer to Steve for artwork and I love his choice of me with my 'kids' at Hanalei Bay, Kauai from our Christmas vacation last year.

A few of my mother's vintage tablecloths and some colorful Moda pieces are showcased in a favorite metal basket on top of the cabinet.

A galvanized tin vignette is dressed up with baby's breath.

I haven't decided which color of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint I will use to paint the inside of the cabinet, but paint it I will because I might want to be leave the cabinet open.

The closest ASCP dealer is a 40 minute drive and I can't get there until next week, but I couldn't wait to see how the cabinet looks filled.

Boxes, buckets and baskets were drafted to corral like items so I can easily find what I need.

Grouping my flatware together helped to see deficits - I obviously need yellow handled flatware.

A metal basket sits on the floor holding favorite quilts.

A card I made with a quilted heart decorates the Antropologie shelf that  holds our keys and Lulu's leash, etc.

Some items were removed from the cupboard like my grandmother's Planters Peanuts container that ended up in the dining room.

My alphabet blocks from the Sundance catalogue ended up on the mantel.

The Dutch door is open to a sunny day November day and I am still asking myself why it took me so long to think of moving the cabinet to the entry.

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Fooling Ourselves

Winter is not my favorite season.

I prefer warm days, flowers abloom in the garden and late sunsets.

Despite the date, January 5, it felt a little like spring today and we actually had the back door wide open for the sun to peek in.

In the morning we went for a long walk on the beach.

We took a leisurely bike ride along the beach in the early afternoon.

But, by the time we were back home, tomorrow's expected rain was beginning to make itself felt.

Steve put a fire in the fireplace and we cozied up to read.

When it was time to set the table, I wanted to continue to feel the sun of the day so I chose a spring like setting for the table.

I selected a vintage tablecloth gleaned from my mother's linen closet,

 blue and yellow polka dot Sabre utensils and clear glass dishes.

Next came the tricky part.

I wanted to use my little wooden crate with tiny bottles for flowers.

Our garden, like most other gardens on the street, is bare of flowers although we have had enough rain for lots of green.

I was able to find a few little red flowers, a couple of daisies and even one lone little purple flower.

With the table set, I am back sitting by the fire while Steve creates a feast.

When we sit down at the table, we can fool ourselves that it is almost spring.

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I am linked up at

Funky Junk Interiors - Saturday Nite Special

Flea Market Finds

We had full intentions of riding our bikes to the Flea Market this morning.

When we looked at the end of the lane we saw crowds of people and remembered there was a marathon running through our little beach community.

Obviously the operators of Seaside Park and the city don't communicate because marathoners mixed with Flea Market bound shoppers equates to traffic jams.

Just like in my blog browsing, I was looking for items I might buy, but mainly getting inspiration.

I have an old watering can that Steve found in my parents garage over 30 years ago.

It sits in my garden and I am thinking I might paint it yellow.

I also have a tin hanging basket sitting in the attic.

I just might paint it like the red, white and blue tins in the photo.

Or, I might paint my watering can red and fill it with flowers.

I think there are several crates in my parents' garage left over from the 'orange grove' days.

I will have to check into them when I visit my sister in a few weeks.

The old rusted chair caught my eye, but I really don't have any space for more chairs in my garden.

I love the old crib filled with pillows.

I need to make new pillows for my garden chairs and I am thinking of simple white because my colored pillows fade so fast.

I guess if I remembered to take them in at night it would help!

I like the basket filled with plants.

I have so many baskets filled with books, maybe I should try plants in one of them.

The yellow wheels are great.

I have no idea what I would do with them, but if I look at this photo now and again, maybe some idea will come to me.

Then I will have to go out and find wheels to paint yellow.

I have always had a fascination with letters and spell out words in little vignettes all over the house.

Just lately I have added numbers to that and have numbers on my mantle.

I love this pile of linen and would have spent much more time combing through it if Steve was not showing signs of fatigue - shopping isn't his thing - ever!

So what did I buy?

Not much.

I spent a total of $17.

Had I seen the letters and numbers at the beginning of our shopping, I could have spent more time and bought lots more letters, but I saw the letter bins right near the exit.

I found this little table runner in the pile of linens.

I am always changing the linen on the table so after it has a bath, this lacy runner will have a stint on the dining room table.

We eat outdoors a lot during the summer so this tablecloth will get a lot of use.

I have to launder it and hem the edges before it can grace our table.

I love the pattern and that it is my primary color palette.

I did not find a vintage clock face.

That just means I have to continue the hunt.

Two months of summer vacation to scour antique shops - 

I think I am up to it!

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I am linked up at

Cherished Treasures
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and

Her Library Adventures
Flea Market Finds

and

Southern Hospitality
Thrifty Treasures

Use It or Lose It

When I was first married, I raided my mother's linen closet.

I took some lovely vintage linens and used them regularly, but as they began to wear, I put them away to save.

I only have three left of the original pieces.

I'm not getting any younger and I decided that I should be enjoying my possessions rather than hiding them in a closet.

Tonight, as Steve prepared dinner, I got out one of my vintage table cloths to set the table.

This is a favorite because of the red, yellow and blue color scheme.

I remember my mother using this when we would have family gatherings.

It is just a little short for the table, but I don't care.

The other day on a blog post, someone used the term "shopping" in their own home, so I went "shopping" and stole the blue bottle from the bathroom.

We had sunny weather the last few days and my roses were blooming.

I am the world's worst cook married to one of the world's best cooks and I was treated to a fantastic beef stroganoff tonight.

I did warn him that he better not spill wine on the tablecloth!

This teapot tablecloth is another of my vintage family pieces.

It's a fun pattern, but it is in bad shape.

The side that is on the window seat is totally frayed.

I used this little cloth on a little side table in our former home.

I had to stop using it because the stitches in the beautiful handwork were coming out.

The pitcher is another piece from my mother.

When I was a child, my mother joined a mail order club in which she received a gift from around the world each month.

I must have been about ten and I remember watching her open the box each month and thinking everything was so exotic.

I distinctly remember when this pitcher arrived.

I loved it, and as an adult, I asked if I could have it even though it was chipped a bit.

At my age, just like the pitcher and the linens, I am a bit chipped and frayed, but still useful!
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I am linked up at

Anything Blue Friday

My Romantic Home

Knick of Time