Re-arranging Furniture...in the Garden?

I have blogged in the past about the fact that I love 

quirky and unusual things in a garden.

Here is a recent post about garden surprises.

I have a few old bistro chairs which I will be adding to

my garden, but in an unusual way.


As planters.

All you have to do to convert a standard chair is to simply add a wire basket to the "seat"and plant with your favorite flowers, moss or succulents.

I form a basket with chicken wire and then

attach it to the chair with wire.  

Then, I line the basket with moss to hold in the soil.
Easy Peasey!

I will post pics and how-to's as I go along.

But for now, look at the great examples I 

found on Pinterest.

Source: bellasrosecottage.blogspot.com via Barbara on Pinterest

I love the little addition of the bird house above.

Source: Uploaded by user via Barbara on Pinterest

Even an everyday Adirondack gets dressed up for the Garden.

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Barbara on Pinterest

How's this for an instant pop of color?  

A flower pot, painted the same color as the chair, was

 inserted into the seat area.  How easy is that?

Source: flickr.com via Barbara on Pinterest

I love this vintage chair with pretty pink and fuschia flowers.

Source: flickr.com via Barbara on Pinterest

An old bent willow chair makes the perfect planter when

its useful life is over.  


And now for my favorite.


You know I have always wanted a French Bergere chair...

Source: tumblr.com via Barbara on Pinterest

I guess I can have one in my garden!

I love this one planted with a mossy-like ground cover. 

And this isn't exactly a chair....but it makes me smile.

Source: greenopolis.com via Barbara on Pinterest

Isn't this wicker settee simply charming?

How cute would this be tucked under a shade tree with succulents and moss?  I might have to scout out an old wicker piece and give this a try, as well.

Hope everyone along the East Coast has survived Tropical Storm Beryl.  We are on the tail end of it here today in Coastal NC.

It has brought some much needed rain, and also makes for the perfect day to catch up on some blogs, sleep and old movies.

xxoo, barb 


ps - I do have a new name for my new shop.  I am having a logo designed and will reveal it in a few days.  :)

New Beginnings....

Hello My Dearest Followers and Friends...

Sorry I took the last week off.   

I had quite a lot going on - to say the least.

Some personal issues which I won't bore you with.  

But, also I have been enjoying my sweet, new Granddaughter.

As I write this post, I realize it may come across as surprising.

It was to me, too.

You see - I almost died this past week.

I almost had a stroke.

What do I mean by "almost?"

My blood pressure spiked and was so high the ER knew

I was going to have a stroke.

After they got me regulated and stable, the kindly and older

ER doctor came in, sat down beside me,  took my hand and said

I needed to thank God I was still alive and well - because it was only a Blessing that I was.

So I did.

In the early morning hours, still hooked up to multiple tubes 

and oxygen and who knows what - I prayed.

I thanked God for giving me another chance at life.

And I thanked Him for the wake-up call.

I knew it was time to make changes in my life that would

alleviate most of the stress.

So - I am happy to announce that I am selling my 

Real Estate Company....

...and I am opening a Home Decor Shop.

I owned a shop many, many years ago alog with my very talented Mother.

It was some of the happiest years of my life, and I have

wanted to own another one for as long as I can remember.

But, I got into Real Estate almost ten years ago.

It has been very lucrative and hard to turn away from.

But, it has taken a toll on both me, my marriage and my family.

Until now.

Now when I have been given that second chance to

do something which makes me happy.

Here is where you come in.  I need you help.

I need a name for my shop.

I have narrowed it down to a few locations.  Here is one location.

It's in a local historical town in an old 1800's building.

Vintage charm included.  

I will be selling Home Decor ranging from Cottage, Coastal, French Farmhouse and Gardenwares.  I hope to make a few buying trips to some of my favorite haunts from when we lived/shopped in Europe.

I love the idea of the shop's name incorporating the word

"Vintage" but it doesn't have to.

So here is your chance to help name my new business....

and win a $100 Visa Gift if I choose your name.

Even if you just participate - you could win a 

$50 Visa Gift Card.  Enter as many times as you choose.

Thank you for letting me share my story -

and I apologize if it is on the personal side.

(and there are no pictures)

I look forward to seeing the names you come up with.

Contest ends June 3rd, winner will be announced that evening.

Blessings, Barb

Our newest blessing....

Welcome to the World

Caitlyn Jo Russell

My third grandlove!

7.3 lbs, 19"

Happy and Beautiful and Perfect.

We are blessed.

Old Letters and Postcards

I love old letters and postcards.

I love the flowing script and handwriting that has become

such a lost art.

In an age when people write like a computer program,

such as using "ur" for your, and "b4" for before...

it is so wonderful to see how people communicated in 

a time before there were computers and cell phones and

Facebook...and blogging.

I have a shoebox full of old letters from The Hubb's

Grandmother and Grandfather, written during WWII.

I displayed a few of them on the drop-front desk in my
Formal Living Room.  Did you miss the Living Room
Reveal?  If so, its HERE.

They are sitting on a vintage glass cake stand and silver tray.

As a military family, the letters touch my heart immensely. 


Can you imagine not having any other course of

communication, not even a phone call or anything,

for months on end - accept a letter?

Can you imagine writing letters day end and day out, 

and not even knowing if your loved one was reading them - 

or was even alive?

I treasure these letters, and have read them all.

This envelope is dated March 2, 1945.
I love the Red Cross War Fund stamp.

I have a few vintage postcards I picked up when we lived

in Belgium.  I love the old postmarks.

This one is dated 1929.
Look at that beautiful writing.

Do you have some vintage letters and postcards?

I would love to hear about them.


Hope you're having a blessed week, Barb

Giddy about Garden Centers...

I made a trip to a local Garden Center over the weekend.

I wanted to find something for my Mama for Mother's Day

which was a little bit different. 

Mama loves her garden and she loves plants of all kinds.

I, gratefully, inherited that gene.

I have to say I became a little giddy.

Do Garden Centers make you that way?

There are women who go giddy over shoes,

and giddy over purses.

My friend Kathysue at Good Life of Design

goes giddy for a new lip gloss.  :)

Me?  Plants. Flowers. Herbs. Pots.

Gloriously Giddy.

Over the Moon Giddy.

Break out the Debit Card and to hell with the

House Payment Giddy.

That kind of Giddy.

Here are a few shots of my local Garden Center...

You are greeted by a beautiful koi pond and stone patio with a selection of patio furniture for sale.

Look at this lovely setting.

Just off to the side, you enter the main garden area through 
this jasmine covered arch.

I wish I could wave this scent through your computer

screen, it was absolutely incredible.

Pots, pots, pots - sorted by color.

These topiaries look like they were imported from 

Italy don't they?

   

sigh

Lots of statuary....

I just adore this "thing-a-ma-jiggey" stand.

It has a great little chalkboard at the top.

I know these Garden Centers are created to encourage...

...to inspire...

... and to make you forget about your Mortgage.  haha

More beautiful containers...

Look at this lovely water feature -

Below is a table with an array of miniature plants and succulents...

Look at the fun Fairy Gardens they created...

Inside, they featured a stand full of Fairy Garden accessories, 
all in miniature scale version.  So cute!

A beautiful terrarium...

Inside I found this reproduction tool box.

It was VERY hard for this beauty not to come home with me.

You can't really tell from this pic but it's beautiful bird's egg

blue color,aka my kitchen and breakfast room.

I can just see this on my breakfast room table.

(I foresee a trip back very soon. LOL)

And just look at these lovely cloches.

I did buy two items which I am not going to show you yet, because

I am working on another post.

But, I am anxious to get back.  The Owner said they add new

items to the inside store every week.

Just what I needed to hear.  LOL

I hope you enjoyed this little tour of my

 local Garden Center.

Are you having a great week?  I sure hope so.

xxoo, Barb

I sea a change...

It dawned on me a few weeks ago that although I have

lived next to the sea for most of my adult life,

I have never incorporated much of the seascape

into my decor - other than a shell or two.

I'm not talking about cutesy signs of flip-flops and

brightly hued colors,  but soft tones of the ocean and sand

with touches of vintage appeal.

This inspiration picture from Pinterest in the perfect example.

Source: bungalowblueinteriors.com via Barbara on Pinterest

I love the simplicity of the collection of driftwood in 

a vintage wire basket.

I decided to make a change, right at the front door.

I needed to re-do metal wall basket which I had decorated 

for Spring.  It was filled with lots of Spring-colored

blooms.

So I grabbed a few silk blooms of blue and white hydrangea,

burlap ribbon and some grapevine.

But first, I hot glued a few small shells onto some

wooden skewers.  These are shells I collected

during a visit years ago to Sanibel Isalnd.

Just a few shells tucked here and there...

a mini starfish...

...a small sand dollar.

...a scotch bonnet or two.

(I also added a tiny starfish to the ribbon)

...a few bright, white clam shells.

And I went from Soft Spring... (Before)

to

"Hello Summer!"

I am also trying to convince The Hubbs

that the red door needs to be painted blue.

He thinks a blue door with a red brick home won't look

good.  I think he is absolutely WRONG!

Can't you just imagine a soft blue tone juxtaposed

with the red brick and white trim?

I also wove in some grapevine.

I love the mixture of grapevine and shells.

I used a strip of my leftover burlap ribbon to hang the basket.

Shells, grapevine, hydrangeas and burlap in a chippy white

metal basket.

Almost.... perfect!

Thanks for letting me share this

Sea-Inspired Door Arrangement.

I am joining the following Linky Parties:
The Tablescaper for Seasonal SundaySephanie Lyn for Under the Table and Dreaming - Sun ShowcaseSarah at Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After MonMary at Boogieboard Cottage Masterpiece MondaySusan at Between Naps on the Porch for Met MondayMarty at A Stroll Thru Life Tabletop TuesdayLinda at Coastal Charm Nifty Thrifty TuesdayErin at How to Nest for Less for Party with My PeepsKim at Savvy Southern Style Wow Us WednesdayJill at French 23EWDCupboard French Inspiration on Thursdays Gina at The Chabby Chic Cottage Transformation ThursdayLiz at Brambleberry Cottage for Time Travel ThursdayJann at have a daily cup for Share Your Cup Thurs Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home #67Sherry @ No Minimalist Here for Open House PartyStacy at Embracing Change for Creative InspirationsDebra at Common Ground for Vintage InspirationCindy at My Romantic Home Show and Tell FridayCourtney at French Country Cottage Feathered Nest FridayHeather and Vanessa at the picket fence Inspiration FridaySherry at The Charm of Home Home Sweet Home FridayWendy at The Shabby Nest for Frugal Friday
Have a Blessed Week!....Barb, The Everyday Decorator

Mother's Day Tea Repost

Mother's Day is this Sunday.


I am blessed to still have both of my parent's with me.


They are more than my parents - the are truly my best friends.

My Mommy is 78 and my Daddy will be 80 this year.
They have been married 62 years!


I often see signs that say things along the lines of
"Oh no, I am starting to look just like my Mother!"
or
"Oh no, I am starting to sounds just like my Mother!"


...and I always think to myself when I read this...


I sure hope so.


I have tried to raise my son like I was raised...
with respect, and humor, and with good ole' Southern manners.


I look at my son and his family and think I've done a
 pretty good job.  :)


I decided to repost this 
Mother's Day Tea
I shared a few years ago.  


Hope you don't mind the repeat!


Happy Mother's Day!!!
xxoo, Barb
================================== 

Welcome to Tablescape Thursday!

This wonderful event is hosted by our friend, Susan at

Between Naps on the Porch.

Please stop by Susan's site. Not only does she amaze us with her creative tablescapes, but her blog is beautiful, as well.

Best of all - there is a full list of of all the Tablescape participants.

Before I share my tablescape...I just wanna share that my heart is heavy today.

We had to put our dear Miss Prissy to sleep.

She was our diabetic cat and she went into renal about midday.

I held her all the way to the vet, and all the way back home.

We buried her under her favorite tree. I miss her so much, but she was suffering and I know she is better off. Rest in Peace, my sweet baby girl.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Sunday is Mother's Day. I dedicate this tablescape to all the Mothers, Stepmothers,

Grandmothers and Mother Figures...and even Mother's of Furr Babies.

May you feel the love of your family on this special day.

Mother's Day Tea Menu

Curried Shrimp Salad Tea Sandwiches

Turkey BLT's w/ Pesto Mayo

Chocolate-Mocha "Cupoleans" with Raspberry Cream

Chocolate Caramel Truffles

Lace Cookies

Drunken Raspberry Skewers

I used a pretty yellow tablecloth dotted with a floralscape 
of pink and red roses.

I then used an overlay of silk plaid in fuscia, buttercream 
yellow and sage.

Remember the plate I featured yesterday for

What's on Your Wall Wednesday?

Here it is again with an appropriate message for the occasion.

I am actually using a teapot and a chocolate pot.
 They are both Bavarian.

This is part of the myriad of teapots/cups I collected 
when we lived in Europe.

I had dreams of returning to the States and opening a 
Tea Room, so I collected

boxes and boxes of dishes.

Maybe one day.....

I wanted the floral arrangement to look and feel like
 I had just come from the garden with an armload of flowers....peonies and hydrangeas. My favorites.

mmmm....Chocolate Caramel truffles arranged on a petite
 pink and white transferware dish.

Crystal beading and sheer pink ribbon reflect the 
beautiful Carolina sunshine cascading in through the window. 
The raspberry tart just glistens.

Instead of a sugar dish, I decided to use a small, crystal 
petit four dish.

Sugared raspberries add color, and a small, silver tea 
spoon is used for serving.

Turkey BLT's with Pesto Mayo

A tiered plate stand is decorated with ivy and peonies. 
Peony leaves surround pink rose plates which hold (upper tier) Turkey BLT's and (lower level) Curried Shrimp Salad.

Do you know what this pink depressionware piece is?

It's a cigarette holder. LOL

I think it works much better holding the silver tea spoons.

Pink and green...what a delight.

Drunken Raspberry Mini Skewers served in a 
vintage hobnail creamer.

Lemon wedges and silver sugar tongs...

I used embossed fruit plates and creamy yellow napkins.

My vintage silver tea cake stand holds a raspberry tart 
and chocolate lace cookies.

I tried to create interesting layers so the eye would not
 know where to look next. :-)

Peonies and pink hydrangeas....

The china cups are from the set we inherited from Mr Grits'
 Mother -  Noritake Joaquin.

Pink pillars rest upon white porcelain tea bag holders. 
Inexpensive silver mini-frames

are used to label the teas.

Yellow with accents of pink.... perfection.

(I found this just a few days ago at Marshall's by the way)

Vintage silver tongs tied with a pink French ribbon bow....

Chocolate-Mocha "Cupoleans" with Raspberry Cream

What exactly is a "Cupolean?"

It's my version of a cross between a "cup"cake and a nap"olean."

I will share this easy dessert for Foodie Friday.

I hope you have enjoyed my Mother's Day Tea.

Please join me next Tuesday (and every Tuesday) for

Tea Time Tuesday.

Many Blessings to all of our Mothers....Barb