Plate Display Ideas

This is a good idea from Better Homes & Garden showing what to do when you don't have a window directly above your sink.
Yes, some people have this "challenge." In our first home we didn't have a window sink because the garage was on the other side of the sink wall and the layout of the kitchen was so, we couldn't change sink locations.
Click on the photo to link to the site that has 26 other plate display ideas.
Don't you like the kid's folding wooden chairs hanging on either side?


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French Doors

Aren't these french doors with working shutters beautiful?
If it came a big thunderstorm and it began to hail, you could close these and feel snug & safe inside.
Can't you imagine getting up and opening the doors; and then the shutters, to see the sunrise and feel the morning breeze? Aahhhhh.

Repurpose...

A few years ago
a friend
bought me this
sweet metal basket
filled to the brim
with white tulips.
After gazing at
them for several
days, I planted
them in the yard
in hopes of
seeing these
beautiful flowers
next Spring.
But what to do
with the
basket?
Storage...
but
for what?



Aha!
Put the dry
laundry
detergent
in it, of course.
I've put my
laundry detergent
in a glass
container
for YEARS.
I found that
this metal
basket was
good because
it was wide enough
to easily fill and
scoop out
the powder.
If you live in high
humidity, you can
put "Stretch and
Seal" over it or sew a clear, soft plastic cap to keep on it
when not in use.

Here's
the one
I've used
for a
very long
time.
The hat
was my
garden hat
before it
got a hole
in the crown,
[not too useful
when keeping
the sun off your
head].
One of these
days I'll get a
new hat.
Whattya think?

White Chandelier

This old metal chandelier was going to be thrown out, so I brought it home.
It got a light coat of white spray paint, allowing some of the metal to show through.
Then I added Austrian crystals everywhere -- and then some.
Even when there's only a thread of light, it sparkles!
We put it up in the master bedroom of the Sweetwater Cottage and installed a dimmer. It makes the room feel so romantic and special.
I'm thinking about making one of the other three I have like it into a non-electric chandelier using candles. Don't you think the beautiful crystals will probably look amazing by true candlelight? I must always remember to get DRIP-LESS candles. I'm off to write that down.....

Birdcages

My grandma (on my Dad's side) always had canaries.
When I'd walk into her home, the sound of these little yellow birds was so cheerful to me.
Grandma told me the chirping and whistling sounds were their "song." I was in love with birds that would sing to you.
To this day, I will stop what I'm doing to hear the song of the birds outside.
The birds had such an affection for Grandma & I wonder if one reason was because she would often stop her housework; walk over to the cage and sit down for the sole purpose of listening to their music?
This birdcage (though bird-less), is one of my favorite things at the Cottage. Maybe one day will it house a couple of canaries?

Gigi's Apron

Today I found Gigi's apron - the one she made for me about ten years ago.
I had forgotten how detailed it is.
It must have taken the "late seventy-something" saint quite a while to finish.
Gigi (remember pronounced with hard 'g's) was from Norway and though she had lived in America for more than 50 years, her accent was still strong and beautiful.
She had this habit of everyone once in a while, quickly sucking in her breath and making a "tsk" sound at the same time. At first, it startled me until I realized this was just Gigi's Norwegian way.
And though wrinkles had taken over her face and her fine hair was white, she still had a very girlish look and way about her. She was charming!
Today I remember a dear friend who no longer lives on earth, except in the hearts of her friends and family.
Thank you, Gigi, for the beautiful apron. I will pass it on to my granddaughter, along with her great, great, great grandmother's apron.

Aprons Again

My grandmothers wore aprons every single day of their lives like the one pictured here from Angry Chicken's "Tie One On."
Each morning they would put on a clean dress and a "fresh" apron.
The aprons were always pressed, starched and coordinated with their dress.
I never saw a stained apron, nor one that was tattered. When they got to that pitiful state, they became household rags...or maybe pieces for a quilt.
Every single time I put an apron on, I smile and think of my grandmothers.
It's comforting.
What will my granddaughter put on that will forever remind her of me, I wonder? I'm off to think about that for a while....

The Apron

Don't you like going to Barnes and Noble or Borders book store?
We get a "cup of java" and begin the hunt of the book that will inspire or bring a smile.
Last week I made a bee-line to the hobbies section. There were several books dedicated to the humble apron. Huh? The apron that in 1971, some women felt was a the proverbial choke collar?
The apron that symbolized female oppression back then?
The apron that liberated women burned, along with their bras? THAT apron? Yep, the very same. Most had great flair and were proud to be labeled "retro."
I've always liked aprons. I've got a half-apron that belonged to my great grandma. It's a sheer white dotted Swiss with RED dots and red ric-rak!
A dear friend from Norway, Gigi (pronounced with "hard gs"), made me a red checked half-apron with beautiful smocking.
I've got the matching aprons my mom (who's now with the Lord) made for my granddaughter (who was 3 at the time) and me. We faithfully wore them even if we made delicious goodies in her Easy Bake Oven.
Which kind do you like? The half apron? The chef or butcher's apron?
My grandma always wore those full aprons that went over her head & covered the whole front.
Do you have any wonderful memories of the humble apron. I'm glad "the old girl" is back.
You can see the pattern to the apron above and others at The Angry Chicken's "Tie One On."