All is Bright

We have been hanging chandeliers at the old house this week as the date for the Christmas tour is quickly approaching.  I found this chandelier at a garage sale and my heart just leaped in joy. The poor gal who was selling it was in tears as this had been a showpiece in her home in New York and would not work in her new home in Florida. She found some comfort in knowing that it would be hanging in our old house and I promised to do a post so that she could see it.   It really is perfect in the dining room.  I couldn't be happier.  

I am joining Debra's Be Inspired Party today. 

One Candlestick short of a full glow.

This whole decorating experience for the Shabby Old House's pending Christmas tour still has me wondering why I agreed to such a thing this year.   Living between two houses with one still waiting to be finished and moved in to in Alabama and one waiting for that day and then to be sold in Florida has meant that with each trip to the old house we are pulling a trailor filled with the items needed to complete the decorating for the tour.    On the other hand I will have to say that things are getting completed that have been on hold or time hasn't allowed us to finish .  I couldn't be more pleased with the way everything is turning out.  The glow of twinkling lights throughout the house has a way of settling my nerves as well as making everything, even Shabby Old things look wonderful. However, with each trip, no matter how organized I am, I arrive only to discover that I left behind something in Florida. 

So as I load the trailer and check off the list I can only pray that I will not discover on the Alabama side of the trip that I am,

"One candlestick short of a full glow!" 

The Countdown Begins

Here is a little sneek peek at what I have started to do at the Shabby Old House.  

One room down and one tree up and lots of work left to do for the Christmas tour in Eufaula.

Christmas in July

 One has to a bit on the crazy side to be thinking of Christmas in July with temperatures in the high 90's and swimsuits hanging on the line,  however that is all I am doing these days.  A call came to my home mid June and a voice full of Southern charm and grace convinced me that our home was needed on the Christmas tour in December and  before I could sit back and contemplate what this all meant, I said yes.  Now mind you we have not yet finished our home or even moved there yet and most every Christmas thing I own is packed under the stairs and in the attic of our home in Florida.

Two years prior some dear friends of our had their home on the tour and they were pleased to find themselves still talking to each other by the time December rolled around.   When we told them of our commitment they just shook their heads and laughed and said they would be praying for us as our marriage would surely need a miracle.  So now as I have spent hours on my pinterest board on Christmas I ask you,  is this too bold for the old house?

With the stained glass directly above the door the traditional reds and greens of the past have just looked off.

I would love your imput and ideas and most importantly your prayers!

Today I am joining the party with all these girls

 Susan from Between Naps on the Porch

 Jenna Rain on a Tin Roof  Give me the Goods Monday

Sunday showcase with Stephanie

Be Inspired House of Rose

Honey, will you make me.....

 Who hasn't fallen in love with something from Susie and Mark's shop Posh on Palm in Sarasota, Florida or sighed over the pages of lovely photos of their shop or home from the pages of our favorite, Romantic Homes and Victoria Magazines.  They are such a gifted couple and their brilliant teamwork have created some of the most amazing spaces and furniture creations.  This amazing mirror is just one of the many things that I have been longing for but my spending allowance was always too thin whenever I visited their lovely store.  

 

Until one day I saw it.  Hidden, filthy, heavy as heck, but loaded with the prettiest of details and within my budget "that day".  So I, well, rather they loaded it in to the back of my pickup and off it went to sit for months in my piles of projects in waiting in our garage.

 That day I had a couple of choices.  The one the guys are carrying had the pretty details but was short and without a shelf.  The one below did not have the details that I loved but it had the little shelf and dirt enough to pot a plant.

 Months passed until my sweet hunk of a man had the time he needed and he had decided he had seen this ugly dirty mirror for as long as he could handle it and the project began.

I too have a wonderful man like Susie.   He has learned that building things is way up there on my list of what makes a man AMAZING.

 The day that he built this mirror, there was also a newly created sign on the door that read, NO GIRLS ALLOWED!

See those mums?   I had placed them on his work bench after staging a Farm Table that he had built for the shop and forgotten to put them away.  

Well, I know better now. lol  

The frame that I bought had all the pretty details but did not have th shelf so he built the storage bench for me.  Now it's my turn to get busy on the seat cushion.   Hubby did a great job, don't you think?   He is a treasure for sure and I love him dearly!

Today, I thought I would join Susan from Between Naps on The Porch for her great link party.
Joining these great parties as well.
Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life 
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm 
Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House 
Wow us Wednesday Savvy Southern Style

Little Blue Bottles

 The simple blue vintage bottles to me added just the right pop of color.

I love them with fresh or fades roses.

It's the simple things in life isn't it?

And to tell you the truth it is a good thing because I simply can't think of a thing to write.
Hugs
Becky
I am joining Marty for Inspire Me Tuesday.

It was a very good garage sale.

Don't hate me!  lol

Sometimes you just stumble on the most incredible finds and sometimes you go weeks without finding anything.  This day was one of those heart pounding jump out the car and run, exciting garage sales.

She had moved to FL and the chandelier did not go in her new home.  She was sad to be selling "HER" but happy that the Shabby Old House would be "HER" new home.  It is a HER because she is Beautiful!

Happy Happy Happy!

  I am linking to the following parties:

Wendy at The Shabby Nest for Frugal Friday

Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Alison at Stuff and Nonsense for Friday's Unfolded

Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Diann at The Thrifty Groove for Thrifty Things Friday

Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

Kate at Chic On A Shoestring Decorating for Flaunt It Friday

Jane at Finding Fabulous for Frugalicious Friday

Sweet Tea Anyone?

It is my pleasure to serve you some very sweet tea today.

I knew that I was going to enjoy being a Grandmother but I never dreamed to what degree.

With each of their little smiles, I smile from the inside out.  That old saying, " If I knew how much fun Grandchildren would be, I would have had them first, "  is so very true.

If you are a YOUNG..ha ha  Grandma like me,

have you found this to be true?

Being a Grandma does require some energy to keep up with these little sugar bugs but somehow I have found all I need drinking all the sweet tea that those sweet little hands pour.

Even the dog looks forward to their visits because she knows that there is sweetness to be found even in the crumbs that fall from their table.

I hope you have a wonderful week.

Hugs

Becky

This little light of mine

 Last week I found myself turning the car around rather quickly to go to an Estate Sale that was in a lovely retirement community.  When I stepped into the home my heart raced as my eyes spotted one treasure after another.  I was almost sad for not having met the dearly departed mother of the ladies hosting the sale, for she had loved the things that I love and I knew that we would have been fast friends.   When I spotted these lamps I knew in an instant that they were coming home with me.  That is if the price was right and as I spoke with the ladies of their mother's treasures, I pulled out my phone to show them a picture of my bedroom and exactly where they would go.   With a tear in their eyes they told me that she would have been delighted to know of the home that they would go to.  It was a comfort to them and a delight to me.

 I knew they were big lamps.  I would guess them to be about 3-4 feet tall and the base filled my bedside tables.  I may have to come up with another place to put them.

 As I was placing them I discovered this signature and stamp I rushed to the computer to see just exactly what the story was on these lamps.

The lamps were created by the JB Hirsch Lighting Company and these were a part of the Francaise Collection which were made from molds of the famous French bronze sculptor LF Moreau and his brothers.

 During the time of WW1 various bronze founderies began to hide the molds fearful they would fall into the hands of the Nazis.

 The molds were taken apart and the parts were scrambled.

 In 1948-1963 over 200 molds were unearthed.

 When JB Hirsch learned of this discovery he brought back several molds from France.  Putting them together was like figuring out a zigsaw puzzle with much the same delight of the completed accomplishment.

 I am amazed by the wonderful details of these lamps.

I hope you have enjoyed this little bit of history.  I hope that in the telling I haven't made any mistakes.   

Today I am joining Debra of Common Ground Vintage Inspiration  and the Show and Tell party at My Romantic Home  and French Country Cottage.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Hugs

Becky

Memorial Day Reflections

 I found this picture of The American's Creed at a yard sale and  I knew that it would be a perfect gift for my husband who served in the Marine Corp.  It spoke to every sentiment that he holds in high regard and of which I so appreciated him for.

The American's Creed was written in 1917 when  patriotic sentiments were very popular.  Most Americans felt, as the creed states, it was their duty to love their country, support its constitution and obey its laws, to respect its flag and to defend it against all enemies.  Sadly, just as this garage sale Creed was considered something to be gotten rid of at very little cost so we find today in our wonderful country the same values that once made us great being forsaken. 

 It use to be a value that was taught then and one that as good Americans we should not fail to teach our children today.

 The children of that time knew then as well as many do today that Freedom has a very high price.  Today, as we remember with thankful hearts, our Veterans who served and are serving our country, may we also remember and  give thanks for the men and women who have served and serve us in another capacity and yet with the same mindset and sacrificial cost, that being our Policemen, Firemen and other First Responders.  We are so grateful to you for your service this past week in Oklahoma.  You made a difference to so many.  

As we celebrate our

Happy Memorial Day may we keep in our mind and in our prayers the many who have served this great country so well.