Thrifting Finds

Bonjour Mes Amis!

Hope you are all having a great week so far, and if you happen to live in parts of the country that are getting pounded by snow and ice storms, I hope you are staying warm, snug and safe!

Hubby and I are still here in South Georgia soaking up the sun and warm temps, and I can't tell you what a treat that is after weeks of frigid temps back home in the Midwest!

One of my favorite things to do on vacation is to search out thrift shops.  Last week we went to quite a few, and I managed to find some treasures in the making that I'll eventually be adding to my shop.

 I have to apologize about the photo quality, as it's hard to take good pictures inside the motor home.

Anyway, for those of you who know me, I am always hunting for pretty picture frames and mirrors  to transform with a little paint and tlc.  So I was very happy to find these pieces.   I really love the frame on the left, it's got some beautiful details.  And I couldn't pass up that wicker mirror, even though currently is has a very bad paint job!  I also really love the framed rose print!   How were the thrift stores down here, you might ask?  Well, let's just say that the ones that we went in left much to be desired!  If I wasn't such a die hard thrift shopper, I would have walked right out of those stores,  as soon as I walked in!  Instead, I did manage to find some goodies while hunting thru piles and shelves of

  dirty, nasty, unorganized junque treasures!

So after bringing them all back to our "home on wheels", I gave them a very good scrubbing and had a mini photo shoot!

/

 Isn't this vintage print of the Virgin Mary pretty?  Right now the frame is a very gaudy gold, I can hardly wait to repaint it my favorite shade of creamy dreamy white!

 More neat frames, just waiting to be made over!

 I was super excited to find the mirror/corkboard on the right.  I know what you are thinking, that thing is

ug-ly!

Well, just look at what I did to one just like it, that I found last summer!

I painted it my signature heirloom white, and covered the corkboard in beautiful blue and white toile barkcloth, that I bought in Hawaii.  So I will give the same makeover to this one, I can hardly wait!

That's it for now, I'm off to see what you all have been up to!

Thanks for stopping by!

Sights of the South

Bonjour Ya'll!

We're still camping here in South Georgia, taking a much needed break from the cold and snowy arctic Midwest!  Today we visited downtown Valdosta, and had lunch at the nicest restaurant called "Steel Magnolias" (love the name!).

 I also love the quote on their chalkboard!!

 Cute little outdoor tables, with chairs painted my favorite shade of aqua blue.

I'd read many good reviews of the restaurant on line, and knew this was a place after my own heart, as soon as I spotted those cute folding chairs!

I also fell in love with all the gorgeous mirrors on the wall!

 The wall behind me had the neatest wallpaper, again with that pretty aqua.

Our lunch was delish, we will definitely eat there again!

 Below are some photos I snapped of a cute shop we went in.  It was full of all sorts of painted furniture and home decor.  I was a bit shy to snap any photos inside, so these are of their window displays.

 Love that neat birdcage!

 Great vintage furniture transformed with chalk paint.

 I fell in love with this Frenchy chair!

 The next photo I took in another nearby town.  It's their courthouse,  I really loved that amazing architecture and the neat silver dome.

 Ok,back home at the rv, here is our Katie taking a little break.

 She loves camping, and especially loves the long hikes we've been taking her on each day!

I'll be sure to share more photos with you in future posts. 

Have a great weekend!

Greetings from South Georgia!

Bonjour Ya'll!

After weeks and weeks of bitterly cold sub zero temps and lots of snow storms, hubby and I have escaped the frozen tundra of the Midwest and headed for warmer climates!

So, we loaded up the motor home, Katie in tow, and hit the road!

 Here is our home away from home.

 It is such a treat to see green again!  The warmer temps seem too good to be true after our never ending arctic blast back home!  Notice all of the moss hanging from the trees?

 This pretty palmetto is also in our "yard".

When we first arrived a few days ago, it was chilly and in the 40's.  Still warm by our standards!  Today it is in the low 70's and just perfect!  Wish I could have brought you all along!

While it is supposed to get cold again the next few days, we are in for another warm up. Anything beats single digit temps (for a high!), and well below zero night time temps!

 There are many hiking trails here at the state park we are camping at.  One trail overlooked this swampy area, so different from our landscape in the midwest.

 Ewww, what is this?

On our hike yesterday we were quite surprised to see this armadillo.  Katie went nuts barking at it, as we just don't have these creepy looking critters in Michigan!

 Speaking of our Katie, today she turns one year old!

Hard to believe she went from this...............

 to this................

 and this...................

 So quickly!  I snapped this shot of her today here at the campsite.  She was enjoying my reclining lounge chair outside.  What a pretty girl!

I'll be sure to share with you more photos of our trip in future posts.

Keep warm, and have a great day!

Baby it's Cold Outside!

With another arctic blast upon us and temps in the single digits (for a high, and not including the wind chill factor!), I am longing for spring!  (I know, I said I wasn't going to complain anymore about the cold!)  Tonight's low is supposed to be minus 8 degrees, brrr!

So today I stayed warm by snapping these photos from the comfort of inside, looking out the window!

We really enjoy watching the birds at our heated bird bath. It's a treat when the blue birds swoop in for a quick drink.  There were 7 today at once, but of course all but 3 of them flew off when I ran to get my camera.

Aren't they beautiful? 

 We have several bird feeders as well as suet feeders, which are always a hit.  I was so excited to see this yellow bellied sap sucker (he's huge!), on the right, and a hairy woodpecker on the left.

 As soon as the hairy woodpecker flew off, a red headed woodpecker flew in for a snack!

 Ok, I just had to share these next two pictures of our Katie, staying warm and cozy inside!

 Here she is, playing with an early birthday gift, a stuffed squeaky chipmunk.

(Yes, she is more than a little spoiled!)

 I just had to tease you and share with you these lovely shots of Giverny, Monet's gardens!

I was hunting thru photos that I'd saved and came across them today, and thought they would be a good antidote to our subzero wintery blast!

This was our second trip there, in 2008.

 Ever since art appreciation class in high school 

(and I won't even tell you how many years ago that was!) 

I've been in love with Monet's work.  I had dreamed for years of some day visiting his gardens, but never thought I would actually get there!

 What a treat, and a surreal moment, to be standing at his famous pond, the setting for his gorgeous water lily series of paintings!

 This is his home,above.  I just love the green shutters, and how the ivy has taken over the peachy pink stucco walls.  We toured the inside, but weren't supposed to take photos.

 Tons of rhododendrons and azaleas (sigh!).

 Another view of his pond.  Notice the pretty green bridge in the background?

Here's hubby on the bridge.  Isn't that wisteria gorgeous?  I remember it took quite awhile for me to get a shot of this, as the gardens were packed with other tourists the day we were there.

If you ever get a chance to visit Giverny, do so!

Just looking at these photos from the past makes me feel a little warmer:)

Have a great day, keep warm and cozy!

Spring Fever!

It's official!  I now have spring fever!

While I would much rather be looking at this pretty corner of our yard............

 Instead I am looking at this!  Ugh!

Winter actually didn't bother me this year, until last weeks arctic blast hit!

 Record breaking cold temps, more than enough snow and ice leaves me longing for warm and sunny days!

 So instead of this....................

 I would love to see this!

So since it will be many, many more weeks til a warm up, I will have to content myself to day dreaming!

I've got the urge to do some spring decorating and crafting, but will try my best to hold off for awhile!

 Here is a little Easter vignette I created a few years ago.  I just love the vintage chalkware bunny perched at the top of my tiered pedestal bowl.

I've also been wanting to create some Easter baskets from peat pots.

I found a little inspiration on line, below.

Source:  Cheeky Magpie

 Isn't this the cutest?  I just love the cheery pastel colors, that sweet little birdie, and those pretty vintage millinery flowers!

Source:  Cheeky Magpie

 I adore the little nest and eggs in this darling peat pot, above!

Source: Scrap Scene

And this is another favorite that I am totally in love with! Love the vintage book page, those pretty little blue eggs, and the butterfly embellishment!

So for now I will have to be content dreaming and looking forward to warmer days.

I so will not miss having to wear my winter coat, boots, scarf, hat, gloves, etc, etc!!!

Enjoy your weekend, and keep snug and warm!