A New Kitchen Vignette

Hey Friends! I know I don't need to tell you that nothing feels as great as rearranging things in the house to come up with a new look.  Recently, I decided I wanted to change things up a bit in one of my favorite spots and after one thing led to another I ended up with a new look in the kitchen too.

Here's the new look!  I moved the bakers rack from where it was outside on the screened porch to inside in the kitchen.  I just love it!  I can't believe I have not put this in here until now.  I guess since I bought it just to go outside that's where it's been, that' is until now.

Here is the desk I used to have in here in the same spot.  It's still in the kitchen, just over by the coat rack now. 

I am really lovin the way this looks and fills the space so much better.  Especially since I have a space to decorate and display some of my collectibles now without having to install shelves.

Speaking of shelves, let's see how I loaded them up.

I just couldn't resist bringing out the few roosters that I have along with a few new and older items.

I bought these fantastic woven wired basket trays as a set of three at one of our local antique thrift stores.  I think the contrast between them and the silver I inherited from my in-laws is just wonderful.  I love mixing things up!

I think the last item to go in this vignette was the crowning touch!  After searching around the house for something to complete the look of this shelf. I was just a tad near giggly at how well my new tea towels from our very own blogger friend Debbiedoo's fit right in.  The stenciled wording look on these totally made it, don't cha think?  I sure do!

  I am so glad I commented about wanting to buy some of these from her.  She really has quite a skilled hand at stenciling.  She is considering doing more stenciling to sell, so if you like them hop on over to her blog and ask about more.  I'm sure she would love to help ya out cause she's like that ya know!  Thank you...thank you...thank you Debbie!

On my next shelf I have a wooden garden box I bought on clearance from Michael's.  It has four divided compartments perfect for and keeping a place setting of flatware and napkins handy.  And right next to it is a stack of dishes.  Four dinner plates and four desserts of course! 

And on the very top is my favorite Roo of all.  I think he loves sitting up top.  Don't they all!

I still haven't spruced up my old season block like I thought I would, but honestly it's starting to grow on me now just as it is.  

Down on the bottom is this wonderful crate I got from my old job at the gift shop.  I had been using this thing as a bread box but decided it will make a better storage box here.

It really was very large for a bread box on the counter and bet I can store a good amount of table linens in here instead.  Hopefully!  I didn't put the old wine bottles back on here just yet and now I am thinking I might be able to store some of my goblets on those racks instead.  What do you think?  Maybe?

Okay, so that's my new look!  How do you like it?  

Do you want to see why I moved this off the screen porch?  

Well, to make room for the hammock on the porch again.  I can't believe it's been well over a year since I've had my hammock on the porch.  It takes up a lot of space but it's so enjoyable especially in the spring and fall.  I'm not quite ready for Fall just yet, but a few cooler evenings relaxing on the porch sure would be nice.

I am linking up with the following parties today for;

Seasonal Sunday

Metamorphosis Monday

Tabletop Tuesday

Please be sure and visit the links above to see so much more!

Hope your having a great weekend!

Fishing by the Pool

I don't know about your side of the country but it sure has been hot, muggy and stormy around here lately.  I am so happy to finally have a clear evening for a little outdoor dining.  I've set the table quickly tonight as the sun is setting rather rapidly and it looks like the fish are jumping!

Placemats: Crate and Barrel

Dinner Plates: Christmas Tree Shops

Salad Plates: Christmas Tree Shops

Goblets: Christmas Tree Shops

Napkins: ?  Very Old

Glass Napkin Rings: ?  Can't remember, bought last year?  Gee I'm getting old!

Flatware: Steinmart

Candle Jars: Old Time Pottery

Thanks for stopping by!  

Hope you also get the time to enjoy a little outdoor dining this summer.

Be sure and visit the following parties for a little more tablescaping inspiration at;

Let's Dish

and

Tablescape Thursday

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

It's a Mermaid Party!

Deep in the midsts of the bluest of blue oceans

 where bubbles dance happily and sway in slow motion.

http://advanced.aviary.com/creation?fvguid=dd8772b8-79cd-11e0-937b-12313b101135

While sailors bid farewell to their hearts true allure.

http://alluringlore.wordpress.com/tag/mermaids/

A great gathering is forming

 in a procession of grandeur

http://alluringlore.wordpress.com/tag/mermaids/

It's all for a special occasion to be,

The sirens trumpet has blown for a return to the sea

Calling all Mermaids home,

 for a very special party.

The Decorative Dreamer is returning and Sailing Simply

dressed by the shimmer of twilight in purple majesty.

She's scooped up a pail full of oysters on her way

crabville.com

And a basket of shrimp to share.

There's even a few extra veggies to spare.

meemoskitchen.blogspot.com

Because every Mermaid enjoys a tasty treat

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She's even baked a cake that especially sweet.

We've all been so busy getting ready with all the primping and such,,,

http://www.shellbellestikihut.com/

To honor our dear friend at Shellbell's Tiki Hut.

It's been so long since we've seen her around

We miss you dear lady, and want you in town!

fabulousfifi.typepad.com

So my gift to you is this very special crown!

 It's a virtual gift but especially for you...

befitting of an ocean princess none other then you!

Happy Birthday Renee!

I hope you have enjoyed this special post created for you.  I am joining a few more today over at

 Mountain Mermaids.

I hope you'll join us too...because...all...

Repainting the Den

Hi Friends! I hope you have enjoyed the past weekend as much as I have.  In fact, I am still enjoying the weekend as I am enjoying a rare 3 day off weekend.  Woohoo!  

Since I had 3 days in a row and miraculously Sherwin Williams also had a 40% off paint sale I decided it was a great time to tackle repainting the den.  If you follow me at all you know I've been wrestling with what color to choose for some time.  I really loved a bluish green shade that I saw at a parade of homes house last year and even got a paint sample shown here.  But, I decided as pretty as it is that would be a color that I just could not live with.  I next started leaning very heavily towards one of the neutrals that I keep seeing many of you choosing.  I love how beautiful they are, but....again I just knew deep in my heart that is not me.

So, long story short, this is what I chose.  My new color is called Lucent Yellow.  It is shown on the left side of this picture.  I finished the sofa wall Saturday.

 It is very hard to describe because while it is a yellow it also has a slightly greenish tint.  It is such a subtle change from what I had but looks so much fresher!  I love it!

Here are a few more up close shots of the two colors.  The one on the right is my new color, Lucent Yellow. The color on the left is the old color which was a SW custom blend that is a mix between Compatible Cream and  Napery.

Yesterday, I did one more of the small walls with the french doors and today I hope to finish up everything.  I still need to do the fireplace wall and the wall that faces the street.  I am taking my time and moving the furniture out from the wall as I go so I haven't had to clear the whole room.  

Here is one more photo showing a small box of the old color from yesterdays paint job.  I cannot wait to have this room finished.  My youngest son came down stairs yesterday and said it was a very subtle change (his words exactly) and almost unnoticeable except for the fact that is looks so much cleaner.  I love that!

Well, I'd better get offline now, I've got to get busy again!

I am sharing these subtle changes with you for

Metamorphosis Monday

Have a great day yall!

Driven by Jealousy and Envy

Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming but who can stand before jealousy?  (Proverbs 27:4)

I'd bet if I asked most of you are driven by jealousy and envy you would answer NO very quickly.  I would too.  If you are like me you probably equate being driven by jealousy similarly to being consumed by jealousy.  However, there is a huge difference in those words, driven and consumed.  

By definition being driven means you are compelled or have an urge, being consumed means to take in, to expend, or to destroy.

The recent shootings at the theater in Colorado are so frightening and unsettling.  My heart breaks for those parents who children did not return home after the midnight showing.   Like several others that I know, I  also had a child who also went to the theater for the midnight opening here in SC.  I cannot shake the feeling that the person who committed this crime must have been consumed by some type of jealousy.  Something he felt he could not have but deserved, perhaps something as simple as attention or notoriety in his case.  Who knows?  Only God!

  I won't attempt to define the word jealousy here.  Did you know that the definition for jealousy is even hotly debated by scientists?  My first thoughts on this were huh, why?  But then if you think about it wisely you can understand how we all seem to have our very own definitions of jealousy.  

Sometimes we think of jealousy as being acceptable.  You know, as in being just a little bit jealous or envious, just a tad.  I know that I have allowed myself to feel envy many times lately.  My latest subject of envy involves the woman who operates a fruit and vegetable stand with her husband here in my little town.  I cannot help but look on her with envy when I pass by on my way to work.  I see her there in the mornings uncovering their wares underneath the roof a very old broken down shack of a building that used to be a corner store back in it's hay day.  It is now literally is a decrepit old wooden shack.  She is usually clad in cut off blue jeans, no makeup, barefoot and holding a baby on her hip.  The baby is just one of many small children along with a few teens on occasion.  Her hair is usually pulled up high in a loosely contained ponytail in attempt to escape the heat of day and her body is nicely tanned and very well toned.  I am assuming she is so fit from from all the hard labor of growing a crop to sell by the roadside.    I am jealous because I think she has the life!  No pressures, and no worries from the conventional lifestyle that I lead.  She is a farmers wife, complete with a bustle of children an adorable farm house, a field of fresh food and a schedule set by the pace of her own choosing.  But the truth is, I really don't know.  I don't know her story at all.  I've never stopped to ask about her story.  I have stopped and bought delicious tomatoes from her, though I have not inquired about her lifestyle.   Perhaps it was jealousy keeping me from getting to know her more or a fear of sounding rude.  I also don't want to face the fact that she might even laugh at my jealousy of her simple lifestyle.

If I were to move beyond my envy I might just make a new friend.  In fact the truth is that if I were to let go of all the jealousy's which are holding me back in life there might be something more.   The bible speaks very clearly about being wary of jealousy and envy yet we still do not take it very seriously. 

And I saw, that all labor and all achievement spring from man’s envy of his neighbor.  This too is meaningless, a chasing of the wind. (Ecclesiastes 4:4)

This verse and the ones that follow the verse above teach us quite a bit about the hollowness of chasing after that of another.  For when you are so busy looking at another you are not focused on all that you have and have been given.  Jealousy not only destroys the chance of true friendships and relationships but it also eats away at the relationship we have our lord, Jesus Christ.  Unwittingly perhaps, allowing jealously in your life pulls your trust away from God our provider.  Satan will use whatever he can to destroy that trust.   Destroying friendships and relationships which are at the heart of Christ is what jealousy and envy will do if you allow it too..."who can stand? ".  

Did you notice the question mark at the end of the first verse?  I did!  It's there!  It questions us (or me) to stop and think.  There is no doubt that jealously and envy are deeply rooted in this world.  But we can take a stand against it.  We cannot cure the jealousy of another but we can surely work on our own hearts thus opening the door to others.  Will you also take a stand against jealousy?   You and I can trust in the Lord to show us the way.

I am sharing this with you today as part of my own

Sharing Jesus Sundays.

I hope you enjoyed this long overdo devotional style post today as I attempt to share with you my thoughts and love for Jesus Christ and his word.  

Have a blessed Sunday!

When Lightening Strikes

Why is it that just when it seems as if you are smoothly sailing along something strikes sending life into a turmoil?  Is that the way it is with you?  It seems that way for us quite a bit and this week was no exception.  Monday night we were struck by lightening.  The damage we recieved was miminal compared to what I have seen others experience but it was an unsettling experience none the less.

One of the best features of my back yard is my BIG beautiful old oaks.  When we built the pool last year we chose to keep the ones we could because they would provide a nice amount of shade during the summers hottest months.  We knew there would be lot's of maintance with them concerning the leaves in the fall and winter but chose to keep them anyway because we enjoy their beauty that much.

Late Monday afternoon while everyone was away a storm popped up and lightening struck one of our big beautiful trees.   The Mr. came home to find shreds of bark all over the pool and deck.

Our tree looks like it was attacked by a giant cat.  The terrible monterous cat also singed the fence as it traveled along the fence then jumped over to the pool pump and wreaked havoc on it.  

Our poor pump is still screaming in terror from the shock and will not stop.  We may have to send it away to restore some sanity around here.

Our big screen TV was so terrified by the shock of that huge horrible beast that it simply expired on the spot and took out the cable box and internet with it.

The cable repair Doctors came and fixed the damages to our home and our neighbors because the beast also traveled along the ground and worked his way over to our neighbors home following the cable lines.  I have not spoken with them yet to see if that nasty cat made it's way into their home as well.  I certainly hope not.  I hope he died right there on the line and was not able to wreak havoc on another family like ours.

I grieve for my tree as I do not know yet if it will survive.  It is not likely.

So sad to be reminded how quickly life can change in an instant.

Most importantly we are well and safe and for that I am so thankful.  I am sharing this with

 Outdoor Wednesday

Watch out for these summer storms yall!

May the sunshine be on your back!