My new goodie!

Hello! I went out for a little shopping therapy yesterday and boy am I GLAD I did! I found a Mary Kay Crowley litho for $29.99 which is a STEAL! It's 27x36 and so pretty! I can't decide whether to hang it in the kitchen or the living room.... I collect her art and just love it all. Decisions, decisions!

Hi all! I'm sorry I haven't posted in weeks! I am in the middle of a painting extravaganza here! You wouldn't believe it but I am USUALLY good at this and so far, there has been two colors in the kitchen. The second one is MUCH better than the first PEA green one (YUCKOLA) which was Sherwin Williams sassy green. The SECOND color in the kitchen is Sherwin Williams blonde and VERY nice. Now the foyer will be changed, yes I know I'm NUTS! It's yellow currently and a little TOO yellow. It's just not growing on me. :( So I think I'm either going to go with the SW blonde like the kitchen, or one shade lighter on the same paint card, Ivorie...... What would you do? Please help, LOL! Oh and pictures of the kitchen are coming soon!!!!

Losing a loved one

Hello, I'm sorry I have been absent. A few days after my last post, tragedy hit our family. My cousins husband was killed in a snowmobile accident. It has really been hard on all of us. Especially my cousin who is now a widow at the tender young age of 27 and her son is only 20 months old. This whole ordeal has made me really appreciate life and also see just how short it is. It has made me hug my own husband more and cuddle with my boys every chance I get. Dave was a wonderful man and husband. He had a laugh that warmed your heart and made you smile. Above is a picture of Dave with my BIL at the Kentucky Derby last year and the other is a pic of Dave with his son visiting a horse farm during Derby week. We loved him and he will be missed dearly. So please, go give your loved ones a big hug and kiss.

To strip or Not to strip.......

that is the question! I remember first seeing this border in Ballard catalog. I even bought the hooked rug to match! I loved the little roosters sitting on the ornate french chairs. So fun! But now, 4 1/2 yrs later with window treatments up I wonder if this makes my kitchen look "busy". I still love the pattern, but I also have ALOT going on in my kitchen (which isn't seen in these pics). I know I will probably have to repaint IF I strip it because of the paint fading from the sunlight on the walls. But I just wonder if I should take on this project today? Or leave well enough alone! But I have been going back and forth with this for some time now. And hopefully we'll be putting the house on the market in the next year or so. So what do you think?

Thrill of the Hunt

Wow, double post today! I went to my favorite consignment shop this weekend! I hadn't been there since a few weeks before Christmas. When I pull into the parking lot, it's a feeling of sheer delight! This particular shop has housewares, furniture, linens and clothing! It has a variety of everything and the two women that own it do a wonderful job. As I walk around looking at all the treasures to be had I repeatedly tell my sister, ohhhh you should buy this! Or I really want this but (the reduntant answer, lol) I have NO more room! But, it's the little things that make me so happy! The little glass pedestal bowl was on the $2 table outside the shop. The little needlepoint was hiding underneath something and NEEDED to come home with me! The little daisy placecards and birdies were together and spotted immediately. And my love for vintage kitchen utencils and tools is becoming an obsession! It's a nice retreat to the stresses of everyday that make me, oh so happy! :)

First snow fall!

It's very unusual here in NY not to have snow before January. I'm one of those people that needs to have four seasons. And I think I'm almost blue when we don't have snow on Christmas. But I'm glad to see the pretty snow here, even if it's just for a day or two. I had to take a picture of it adorning my bird bath that attracts all kinds of birds in the spring and summer. I love the snow, but I hope it doesn't push spring back when her time comes!

My new friend

Every January I go into organization and clean out mode. I vow to make my life easier. Well, last year when my crock pot died, I never replaced it. Honestly, I never cooked in it that much. But there has to be a reason people love them so much right? I love to cook. But one thing I don't love is scrambling at 4pm on what we are going to have for dinner, besides take-out. Well, this January I'm vowing to make my life easier. Maybe even do meal planning that I always SAY I'm going to do and never do. Last night I did my very first meal in my "new friend". I made bbq pulled pork and served it on fresh italian soft rolls. YUM! And yes, it was VERY easy. :)