Back in early February I stopped off at an antique mall on my way home from work. Just as I stepped in the store I noticed a small booth to the left with things placed at random. That's usually a good sign because prices are more likely to be random as well, which = good deals.

I took notice of the botanical art sticking out from behind some frames. At $5.00 it was a great deal and the booth dealer was having a 20% off sale - even better.

Before

After re-framing.

In my research about the print I found that it was originally an engraving from a seed catalog from the late 1700's. There were 12 engravings, one for each month with all of the flowers blooming in that month. The flowers have a corresponding number and name. This just happens to be my birth month, March. See? I was meant to have it. You should be on the look out for yours.

The catalog became so popular that they had to stop printing it in the large size and went to smaller pages. It's a great piece and so beautifully illustrated. Perfect for Spring.

Then last week at the thrift shop I found Blair some more tea cups and saucers for her tea parties. I even found a sterling silver candle holder for $1.99 that I still need to polish so it'll be an extra fancy tea party.

The dishes were only .49 cents each and are in perfect condition and... they are cherry blossoms.

Now I have officially posted about those dang trees for the 3rd time in a week.

Have a great day!

*And for you local friends, I'm thinking of having a "Hunting 101" field trip. It won't require a gun and shooting animals. We'll go to my favorite places for antiques, vintage items and just plain cool stuff and learn all about the hunt. If you're interested, message me.

linking to The Shabby nest

Opportunity knocks or blooms in this case

Two posts in one week about Cherry blossoms??

I just wanted an excuse to use my own picture since I used stock photos in the last. This was taken on the hotel property where my husband works. Don't be afraid to snap a picture when you see something you like. The opportunity may pass if you don't. I hate it when that happens.

Enjoy your day!

Love & being lame

My horses in the newspaper a long time ago. My family home is in the background (between the horses) on the side of the hill.

Recently while on our morning sprinting exercise, Jon tweaked his leg a bit. He tried to run it out but it was still a little sore. After we returned home, we drove out to the farm for some milk and to the supermarket. Along the way he told me that if he ever becomes lame (as in not being able to be physically active) then just put him out of his misery, like they did with my horse.

"My horse wasn't put out of his misery! He's playing on a farm somewhere right now. Anyway, I would go to jail." I said.

"No one would send you to jail." he said

"Yeah huh, Look at Dr. Kevorkian. He's there."

And then a guy jogged across the street in front of us.

"I used to be that fast." Jon remarked. "All fast and cool."

"You still are." I assured him

"No, I'm laaame." he said, stretching out the word "lame" and impersonating The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Glancing over at him I said, "I could put you out of your misery now." and we laughed and laughed.

I'm told marriage is supposed to get dull but to us, ours just gets funnier and funnier.

A beautiful arrival

You know they are on their way!

At this time of year I am always on bloom watch to try to get as close as possible to seeing when the Cherry blossom trees are at their peak. It's an awesome sight.

It was a lot easier when we lived in DC and I didn't have to plan a weekend. Now I really have to pay attention. It can be a total bummer to go all the way down there and the blooms aren't ready for their big debut.

Cherry blossoms are some of the simple pleasures in life. I think of it as God's way of personally renewing my faith every year; my own signal to remind me that there is much life to live and still so much good to notice. I hope they do that for you too.

courtesy of womenaroundtown.com

Image courtesy of Okinawa Soba

Today's play list

Photo taken from #7

It's been said not to ask me my opinion because I like everyone and everything. That's not really true. I just keep most things under my hat. It is true that I hate to say what's my "favorite" because it's always changing and saying a favorite anything is like asking me to pick a favorite child. But for today these are my top song picks I'm listening to, in no particular order because that opinion thing would stress me out...

1. Who's gonna ride your wild horses - U2 (It's Bono. Enough said.)

2. Suspicious Minds - Elvis. Yes, Elvis. (You're dead inside if you don't like it.)

3. I've got this friend - The Civil Wars (No wannabes. Real American Folk music, finally.)

4. Smells like teen spirit - Nirvana (I know, 90's Seattle sound. They're still stuck in the 90's out there but I'm from the Pacific NW so I'm entitled to still like it. Just mop your floors to it. I guarantee you'll forget to mop and will channel your inner rock star. Good times.)

5. Stay with you - Goo Goo Dolls (All around good love song.)

6. Folsom Prison Blues - Johnny Cash (All musicians worth their salt credit Johnny in some way.)

7. That's What you Get - Paramore (Happy that my girls invited me to this concert.)

8. These are the Days of our Lives - Queen (Freddie Mercury recorded it just a few days before his death. He had one of the best voices. Bittersweet song. Strangely enough, I read the news of his death on the door of the Hard Rock Cafe in Tokyo.)

9. Thunder Road - Bruce Springsteen (One of the greatest songs of all time. Even non-fans would have to agree. Just listen.)

10. Mr. Brightside - The Killers (I dance all over the house to this. Its tune reminds me of dancing with friends at Portland hotspots.)

11. Fast Car - Tracy Chapman (Brilliant singer/songwriter. Great lyrics)

What I'm thinking

I got this from my friend Heide, who got it from her sister, who got it from The Ecology of Happiness on Facebook. Right now there are a few people's faces in my mind that I wish could see this and take it to heart. But that's not the right way to look at it. So it's up to me to internalize this and make sure I practice what I profess to believe and not worry about who isn't.
Words to live by.

Enjoy your day!
xoxo
Laura

Budget beauty - bathroom

We'll be working on the basement bathroom remodel this weekend. Saturday is really the only day that we have to get anything done and that is pushing it most times. Last weekend we played but this weekend we're all over it. We have accomplished a few things. Take a look...

{The sink is in.}

We found it just sitting in the Garden tool aisle at Lowes a looong time ago, way before the flood. It was marked $25.00. The sink was on a shelf a few feet away. A worker just happened to be walking by and we asked if we just take it to the counter. As an after thought, I asked if there was hardware with it anywhere. He said he didn't think so and then bent down and marked it to $20.00 because of it. We didn't even ask or think of it. Pretty nice of him. I still have to install the knobs.

{New faucet}

Nice and shiny, looks good but was only $12.00 at Home Depot, hello.

{New flooring underfoot}

For $103.00 we were able to put down a hardwood look-a-like. It's rubber backed and does not have to be glued down. So if we ever experience a flood again (knock on real wood) we'll just pull it up, wash it off, dry it out and put it back in. Could it be any easier?

Bathmat - West Elm, $16.00

{New/old accessory}

I found this little guy at an antique mall for $3.00. I like having unique accessories and when they are so inexpensive, they're easier to switch out. But for now, he's a keeper.

When this is all said and done, we will be waaay under budget which is why I have changed it up and am going with a different light, not your standard light. It's going to be cool.

More later.

Have a great day!