I noticed a few weeks ago that there was a new thrift store in town so I put it on my radar. I finally got the chance to visit and was pleasantly surprised by their inventory of vintage and antique items as well as most of their prices. Again I was drawn to the mirror and old frame section. I had to put blinders on when it came to the furniture.

When I was looking for a mirror to go in our small entry way, I originally wanted an oval shaped piece since the staircase, wall and doorway are so boxy. Because I couldn't find one, I settled on the rectangular mirror but still wasn't feeling it. Then I found the oval one at the new shop for $2.99 so I took it home to see how it would look. I know bold/ornate patterns aren't every one's favorite but if you were me, which mirror would you prefer?

Have a good weekend, ya'll!

Not a ninja - roadside stands

One of the things I adore about living here are the small, unattended roadside stands where flowers and vegetables are sold. During my travels I like to stop by these places.

It makes me happy to see them and I am somewhat surprised by the trust that the owner has with their unknown customers.


When I first moved here, I went to the stand in the pictures below which sits to the left of the yard at a sweet little farmhouse. The house was covered with flowers and vines and the porch kind of beckoned you up to it. Since the door was ajar and there was a business sign in the yard, I thought it was a flower shop or boutique. I walked up to the door and pushed it open.

I took a few steps in and saw this beautiful farm table with cut flowers strewn all over. I noticed the creaky wood floors and farmhouse touches around the room. A cat sauntered up to me and started leaning on my leg like they do. She was purring so I bent down to pet her. As I did that, I looked to my right and saw a TV, living room furniture and kids toys playfully tossed about. I quickly stood up and did a double take, realizing that this was no flower shop but that I was a stranger standing in the middle of some one's living room.

"Oh no!" I whispered to myself and began to back out but those creaky floors were loud and the cat's "MEOWing" was even louder. I thought it would give me away. I whispered to the cat to "Shhh" as if that was going to help

I continued to walk backwards for some reason which is when I stepped on a toy truck and stumbled a little, sending the truck skating across the room. Panicked, I turned around and ran my legs smack into a table. I wanted to let out a yell but instead I quickly tiptoed out the door, almost hopping and whispering, "Oh my gosh, oh my gosh, oh my gosh!" When I finally got out, I cracked myself up, laughing all the way home.

I am so not a ninja.

I wonder how many people bring back the jars?

Pretty in pink.
Honor system.

Fruits and veggies

There was even a change box to the right of the money
to make yourself change if you needed to. That's my dollar in there.

What do you love about where you live?

Oh, oh, oh it's magic.

Trae man thought it was great when his 4th of July glow stick broke
and the substance flew all over the kitchen.
He would turn the light on and off, "Now you see it, now you don't,
now you see it, now you don't...
Wowwww, I'm magic." he'd say.

It was pretty great.

Coming up this week: a new thrift shop!

Framing ferns - quick DIY art

When Jon saw that I was packing a book to take with me to camp a few weeks back, he smiled and said, "Oh, gonna get a little light reading done?" He was excited for a moment at the thought of me taking time to read, something I love but never can squeeze in any time to do.

I said, "No, that's for my ferns!"

Every few years I like to press ferns for quick art work and since I don't use a fancy flower press, I just use the trusty (and slightly dusty from all the non-reading and I guess non- dusting) books.

This is one I framed in 2003 when we went hiking in Maryland with the kids. I found 3 species that day and put them in 5 old frames which I picked up at a thrift shop. It has kept its color but some of the others have faded which is why I redo them every few years.

I loved that the frames all had their original prices on them. .39 cents for the 5x7s and .59 cents for the 8x10's. You can't even get those prices at a garage sale.

This time I'll put them in white frames which I happen to have a bunch of, just in all the wrong sizes of course. Time to remedy that.

Anyone making nature inspired art? Displaying a beautiful, twisted piece of driftwood, perhaps? Or still keeping that pet rock on the shelf?

Linking to Just a Girl

Somewhat Simple

Tales from Bloggeritaville

Frugal Novice

Fourth recap

We had a very full Independence day - okay, not really.
The absence of family makes it such that we really don't put effort into a barbecue or anything. So, we had spaghetti. The kids don't mind. All they are concerned with are the pyrotechnics. And being some what of a pyro myself, I look forward to them as well.

We did have a backyard campfire to roast marshmallows and make s'mores. We also hosted a couple of sleepovers for the kids. The neighborhood kids were in and out of our door all day, going between their swing set and ours and grabbing watermelon along the way. It took all my effort to keep Trae from streaking out in the yard. I had to go collect his clothes a few times. He's become somewhat known as the naked baby of the neighborhood.

When the sun went down we were ready for the fireworks display. It was a little late before we got to them which I'm sure made the neighbors happy. Jon lit the fireworks in the middle of the street and all the kids would yell "car" when they saw headlights coming.

It was very mullets and drinking cap-ish but a whole lotta fun.

Kitchen progress

I was hoping to get to the pallet project that I had drawn up in my mind which is now sketched onto paper. But then we got to talking about the kitchen and how we have to finish it regardless of the cabinet situation.

We are putting in a mix of open shelving and cabinets but unfortunately we have to arrange them differently than originally planned. That now calls for a few more cabinets to install. Specifically, we need to create a surround for the refrigerator and put the open shelving in a new location.

That's where this project stalled. But a fresh perspective put us back on the right track.

So amidst the weekend's holiday fireworks, a sleep-over, play practice and a backyard marshmellow roasting event, we hauled home a pantry that I found on Craigslist for $40.00. I pulled out my trusty mouse sander and went to town sanding enough of the old finish so that the primer could adhere to the surface. Jon took care of the door crevices while I got the high spots.
And after a few coats of primer (Kilz) and paint, we brought it in to get an idea of what it will look like. We still need to finish the overhead cabinet and attach them but one step closer is better than no step.

These pictures serve as inspiration photos for the look we are trying to achieve. I call it fresh country modern but really, we call it "anything is better than the crappy way it was before."

Can you tell we're not perfectionists? Our DIY motto - "Done is better than perfect." (Scott Allen)

Have a great day!

via Country Living
via Traditional Home

source unknown

source unknown

Red, White and Blue inspiration

Happy 4Th of July, America!

Red, white and blue looks good on you.

I love fireworks. This picture is of the Vancouver, WA side of the Columbia River and where I watched the fireworks display growing up - seeing them on the water makes for a great setting.

Be safe!

*Images courtesy of Martha Stewart Living, Country Living,

Delish.com and Vancouver short stay.com