Chinese Take-out

 

Hello, Dear Friends, I hope that you are staying warm and cozy as 

we slide into November, when autumn's beauty gives way 

to cold winds and frosty mornings. 

One of the ways to have a cozy evening for Ramblin' Man 

and I, is to treat ourselves to Chinese Take-out. 

xx

Over the years I've collected some pretty things to make 

this a little more special. 

A few things were wonderful gifts from loved ones. 

I am always on the look-out to add to my collection. 

I would like to find enough to serve four or more. 

Most were found at thrift shops, flea markets and antique stores. 

This lovely cross-stitched table cloth was a thrifty find. 

You can see the designs are quite beautiful. 

The carp dishes were collected one by one. 

This little plate is a work of art. 

This rice spoon was the first thing that I found. 

It encouraged me to look for more. 

I have no idea how it survived. 

I found it years ago when my children were small

and it is very thin porcelain. 

xx

Chinese take-out was one of the few treats 

my husband and I were able to enjoy 

on a Saturday night when the children were 

in bed. 

We were rarely able to go out to dinner. 

Finding a sitter to watch four rambunctious little ones

was a difficult feat. 

Now that we are retired, it is a special occasion treat. 

Always for our anniversary and also for my birthday. 

xx

Take-out in front of the television is so cozy. 

Fried rice, egg roll, chow mien, bbq pork, and sometimes 

moo goo gai pan (chicken with veggies), or broccoli beef. 

Ramblin' Man's fortune came true. 

And so did mine. 

xx

What is your favorite take-out treat? 

Flea Market Finds and Makeovers

Hello, Dear Friends! 

My goodness, it is already June!

I know that I have not been around 

lately, and I apologize for my absence. 

I have been thinking of you, though. 

I wish I could say that I have been sun-bathing

on a tropical island, but no,

 that is wishful thinking! 

I have actually been hard at work. 

We finally had some hot and dry weather, 

here in western Washington State, 

which means that I have been catching up

on my outdoor painting chores. 

I've stained the deck, given all my deck chairs

a new coat, too, and have been having 

a bit of fun here and there on the side.  

I recently went to another flea-market with my daughter, 

Heather, and we had so much fun finding treasures! 

I have shown you a photo of my kitchen, 

because that is what I was searching for.....

all things 'kitchen' and all things 'green'. 

So without further ado, let me show you what I found! 

This was the first thing I spied as we walked

in the doors of the old field house at the local

fairgrounds where the sale was held. 

 Although.....it didn't look like this.....

It was bright blue! Although it was cute, 

it wouldn't fit in with my decor, 

and I wanted to try my hand at something 

I've wanted to do for a long time - stencil 

a doily pattern. 

I started out by spray-painting all three table surfaces 

a creamy white. 

When the paint was dry, I used some two-way tape to 

tack down some paper doilies with the middle one

'over the edge'. 

I then spray-painted the whole cart green. 

What do you think? 

I was happy with the outcome, 

although if I were to do it again, 

I would use a temporary spray adhesive

on the doilies, as some of the green paint 

sifted under, but not enough to spoil 

the effect. 

It is the perfect little piece for my kitchen, 

and can be wheeled out onto the deck, too. 

It would make the cutest dessert cart, wouldn't it?

Or a sweet drink cart.  

I also found some beautiful hand-crocheted pillow edgings. 

So much work went into them! 

Of course I had to make some pillows for them! 

I found four green-checked dish towels and made two 

pillow cases out of them. 

Before I hand-sewed the crochet lace to the edges, 

I wove a thin green ribbon along the flat edge
so I could gather them slightly to fit. 

A standard bed pillow fits inside each one perfectly. 

The dishtowels are thick and sturdy - 

resisting wrinkles. 

I think of all the work that went into 

the crochet lace and what they once were used for. 

Perhaps for a bride or a beloved family member. 

Maybe the pillow cases wore out and the lace 

was painstakingly removed and stored away, 

only to end up at a flea market for me to find :) 

Now they are loved once more. 

I found some green-handled vintage kitchen tools, too. 

An apple corer/peeler comes in handy sometimes. 

And who wouldn't like some fancy-cut 

 baked sweet potato 'fries'? 

  

I found some new pretties for my 

'kitchen queen' cupboard, too. 

A very cute green and cream sifter......

Two vintage vases......

Some green depression glass dessert cups.....

And a pair of lime juice glasses and a flower-edged pot-holder. 

I'm always looking to add to my pot-holder

collection and I found several little beauties. 

In green, of course! I love them for placing under 

serving dishes or to protect surfaces from scratches - 

never to use as actual pot-holders! 

They are too pretty for that. 

The tin holds cooking herbs. 

I found this heavy metal flower holder, too. 

It makes a perfect holder for my planning desk. 

My son and daughter-in-law gifted me 

with the window on Mother's Day. 

The panes open up in the back to insert 

photos or artwork.
xoxo

Kai is always photo-bombing :)

This sweet little needlework made it into 

my sitting area on one side of the glass door. 

The frame matches the 1950's pen and ink

watercolors on the other side. 

I hope that you enjoyed my flea-market finds 

and that I have inspired you to visit a 

flea-market near you!  

You never know what treasures you'll find. 

All that decorating made me hungry.....

Won't you join me for a bite? 

xoxo

Thank-you for stopping by, Dear Friends. 

xoxo

Irish Spring Decorating and an Anniversary

Hello my Dear Friends, and Happy St. Patrick's Day! 

I know I have not been around to visit you lately, 

but put out your calling cards because I am 

ready to make my rounds <3 

First, though, I and my daughter, Jennie, 

want to thank you so very much

for your heartfelt condolences on the loss of 

our little dog Peanut.

Your kind and caring comments really are

balm to weary hearts. 

xoxo

As you can see, I have brought out the 'spring greens' 

to redecorate my little cottage kitchen. 

This is partly to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, and 

partly to bring out a fresh look for spring, 

which is just around the corner, 

here in the northern hemisphere. 

I also have an anniversary announcement! 

Tomorrow is the 6th year anniversary of my humble

little blog! 

I started this blog to celebrate and share

 my love of home and family, 

cottage style decorating, gardening, 

home-cooking, and crafting, but most importantly, 

to connect with like-minded people 

who share these simple joys. 

I've been blessed to have connected with

 so many wonderful and creative blog friends 

over these last 6 years, who have taught 

me the value of friendship, 

and daily renew my faith in the kindness 

and goodness of people the world over. 

xoxo

I've been gathering all things 'green' to celebrate spring. 

Some things I have had stored away, 

and some are recent 'finds'. 

I collect vintage potholders and these two little beauties 

were recent finds. 

I've borrowed the green, vintage coffee cans 

from Ramblin' Man's toolshed :) 

He likes vintage finds, too! 

Coffee cans hold all sorts of manly things

like screws, nails and other 'necessities'. 

Now they hold large jars of garden herbs. 

Two more vintage potholders double as hot-pads 

for tea and baked treats. 

I also found this wonderful vintage apron

to add to my collection. 

This apron inspired my hand-sewn curtains 

by the glass door. 

 The sweet, stitched dog picture is also 

a recent find. When I went vintage shopping with 

my dear friend, Julia, a few weeks ago,

I searched for little things 

to add to my 'green' decorating. 

 My green enamel top farm table holds some 

of my green collections - bottles, postcards, 

and St. Patrick's Day badges. 

I found the tiny hand-painted landscape a couple of 

years ago, along with these authentic reproductions 

from the Ball canning jar company. 

I hope they keep re-issuing these - I have blue

and purple, too. 

I like to coordinate the colors of my art. 

Thrift store paintings add sweet charm. 

I sewed the banner a few years ago 

from a collection of linen tea towels and rick-rack. 

It comes in handy for spring and summer

celebrations. 

I have green print fabrics to sew pillows

to add to my collection 

and I will share those with you when I am done. 

I am a firm believer that you can't have too many pillows :)

Another recent find was this little wire shelf. 

My Irish elf and lucky horseshoe 

take top honors. 

My doily pillow sports one of my badges. 

A small collection of green depression glass

inspired my green decorating. 

I try to add a piece or two every year. 

This year I found the little glass basket, 

the small plate behind it, and the candle holder above. 

The jar holds biscuit and cookie cutters with green handles. 

I also found the square glass cake plate standing against

the wall. 

I made the framed Irish Blessing out of scrapbook paper. 

My lucky clover tablecloth :)

Looking out the windows, you can see 

it is a cool and rainy day. 

We are sun-starved here,

50 miles south of Seattle, this time of year. 

Kai likes to watch me taking photos. 

His pet door is behind the curtain:)

Ramlin' Man's sweet note :)

I will leave you with five Irish Blessings and sayings,

Dear Friends. 

A turn of the century postcard addressed to 'wife'. 

Thank you for your sweet visit, Dear Friends! 

xoxo


Today I am linking with: Five on Friday
the last one hosted by Amy @ Love Made My Home.
Thank you, Amy, I've enjoyed participating
and have made some wonderful blogging friends.

xx