Welcome Miss Addy!

And DJ and Dawn...We are so excited. They are coming for a 4th of July wedding and then we'll be picnicking at Brian's farm. John and I get to babysit for the rehearsal dinner. We haven't seen her since March, and those few months make such a difference.

Hence the shop will be closed for a couple of days, and we'll be decorating the house for the 4th, to celebrate their coming, and their 4th of July wedding anniversary, and a great family get together.

Looks like she'll set the stage. Love her outfit!


Love the fourth!!! Red, white, and blue are so cheery. And I love that no matter whether it's checks, stripes, or a print, the color unites the scene. Have fun. Enjoy the holiday. Celebrate family.

Told you I was going to start small. Here it is.

Love to find unusual items to use as planters. This galvanized scoop does have to be watered more frequently, because of its size, but it's worth the extra bit of attention, don't you think?

The flag gives it the heft it needs to carry the responsibility of decorating the shop gate. How's that for a statement?

Going to call Handyman Morris today to see if he can finally finish the gate off the back of the deck. Can't get to the "back forty" to tend the vegetables, and flowers, and, unfortunately, the weeds which are thriving.

Got a bug.

I got some bug over a week ago, and it really laid me low. Couldn't even find the energy to blog..didn't realize it took that much energy. Ever notice how everything becomes overwhelming when your energy is low. I can see how people get depressed if they are not feeling well. Life becomes too much to deal with. And when you are in that state, it's difficult to see the end. I felt as though I could plant 3 flowers and then had to lie down. Clean the kitchen, lie down. Make the bed, lie down on it. Sorry no photo this time. It would not be a pretty sight. I'll start small tomorrow when I reopen the shop and hopefully get my momentum back. Looking forward to being my old self.

Stars and Stripes Forever

We’ve gone over the top (of the shop, that is). Don’t you love the banner Tina put together to top our patriotic display All we need is John Philip Sousa playing Stars and Stripes forever. We’re all set for the summer red, white, and blue holidays. From the burlap banner, to tin trays, to patchwork quilts, to vintage flow blue, to handmade (by Tina) flag pillows with surprise backings, we’ll help inject a bit of the spirit into your celebration. (We didn’t even plan for the red and blue chandeliers accentuating our scheme.) And we have old game boards to add some fun to your day. Stop in. We’ll have those Sousa marches playing during all the summer holidays -- Memorial Day, Flag Day, and 4th of July. And when it warms up as it is supposed to do on Saturday-76!, (now isn't that appropriate), we'll have iced tea and treats.

It doesn't take much

Welcome to Renie's fantasy world. It doesn't take much for me to imagine I'm in Italy. I exit the shop, step down from the deck onto the weathered buff colored patio brick (with the remains of someone's brilliant idea to paint the bricks green!) and look at this scene, while sipping my iced tea or coffee (depending on the weather).

Granted, the little boy on the bench is more typically American than classical, and the wood crate has side panels written in English, not Italian, but I somehow get the feel of Europe.

Now you know why my father called me Pollyanna, not always in a complimentary sort of way:). However, I am grateful that the good Lord blessed me with the ability to be happy with what I have and the imagination to see what can be.

Sad ending: the horrible winds we had last night blew the window down, not only breaking the bottom panes of glass, but destroying the bottom interior window framing as well. We'll see if the E 6000 miracle glue my friend Tina told me about, can perform another miracle. I'll keep you posted.

screen doors, planters, and strong willed women

Had wanted to post a few more shots of the patio and planters I've been working on: Upper left is a World War II ammunition box planted with a red geranium, white alyssum, and blue lobelia. Add a flag, and it's perfect for all the summer patriotic holidays - Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4th of July, and finally, Labor Day.

And I love the look of the weathered chair and bucket next to that red geranium. Really makes it pop.
Since I last posted a few days ago, I have become a carpenter. Remember that ugly storm door going out to the patio - the one with the plywood inserts where screens or windows should have been.

I found a screen in a frame at the habitat for humanity store and thought...why not trace it, jigsaw on the lines I draw, pop out the cut part and voila!...insert the screen. Simple, right? Not when you've never used a jig saw before, and not when you don't take the door down first. But, anyway, with the help of spackle and paint, here's what I ended up with. I am so happy with it. (don't look too closely). I had two men say it wouldn't work, handyman Morris and husband John. They don't know how determined we women can be. Where there's a will, there's a way. I think my sister, Janie, said that on the phone this A.M.

Tidbits from Just A Second

Started planting in our vintage containers and was going to get photos, but it started raining, and I didn't want to get my camera (or me) wet. So I took a few shots inside instead. At right is a green enamel individual teapot planted with baby tears and sitting on a
vintage restaurant plate. I try to find objects that are wonderful alone and then enhance them by putting them together.

Here are a couple more great finds -
a tin flower bucket with hydrangeas, and how about lavender potpourri in tea infusers. Couldn't be cuter. Tina displays them on a silverplate serving piece. With their stamped fabric trim, they make cute little hostess gifts or favors or "treat yourself" items. Love it.