My Entryway Buffet...

  Hey friends!  Last night at nearly 11:00 - I had a notion to paint something... 

 Won't you come in and see?

 That's my new/old blue buffett that was screaming for some love...

 See, last night it still looked like this - white - and even though I love white - this just wasn't doing it for me.  It was white when I bought it years ago, I painted it black then back to white and now it is "Flood Tide" blue.

 When I was in Lowe's - I spotted this lil' sample jar - just two dollars and change.  I already had my glaze and wax, a cheap brush and of course my sander - I just LOOOOOVE my "mouse" sander.

 After a lot of dry brushing with that inexpensive chipwood brush, I glazed it, waxed it and put the original hardware back on and now it is perfect - at least for now anyway.

 I bought this piece of art - which was my first "real" art piece purchase a year ago at our local "Art in the Alley".  It is a watercolor and the peacefulness of the fence row and grass just kinda spoke to me I guess.

 Months later - I found this 5X7 rug at Lowe's in the clearance section for 24.00 - it was another jumping off point I suppose.

 Glass vase from Home Goods - a trio of frawns from my "Macho" fern.

 Lamp with burlap shade - Kirklands and that quirky ball - a score from the Peddlers Mall.

 So here is the view from the den... 

Looking out from the office...

And here coming down the steps.   Next - when I live with this new house a little more - I'm seeing stripes, or a stenciled wall or maybe even some wallpaper behind my buffet - but for now...

I'm happy ;-)

Beans in the Pantry...

I recently was able to can my first batch of green beans in our new kitchen.  We've had such a busy summer that it was real nice to be at home and do something we'll enjoy all winter long.  I might add I had lots of good help from the hubby, my son and my mother-n-law. We really enjoyed our day - but I might also add that we put up 34 quarts of beans - from picking to breaking to canning - nearly 12 hours - whewww.  They better be good - that's all I'm saying!

Clean Jars...

 Lots of breaking going on...

 A nice hot bath...

 Canning...

 Cooling...

 Sitting Pretty...

 On my new pantry shelves...

 Love it!

Country Chalkboards, Sweet Signs and a Wedding Farewell...

Hello friends, I'm gonna finish up my posts on Danielle's wedding and show you just a few simple, handmade touches that made her day so special.  This was a chalkboard made from an old dresser mirror - I think this was made by my friend, Lisa Curry.  Danielle made simple stakes with dates and words on them - all out of salvaged barn lumber.

 Another simple chalkboard over the cupcake table.  I left before the yummy cupcakes arrived - I sure do hate that I missed those!

 One of Danielle's creations with her Cricut.

 These were all my chalkboards that she used over her buffet tables.  The one in the middle is the one I most recently made from a small door.

These boards worked out perfect to write the country menu on - including the "sides" as well as the "drinks".

 

A simple round chalkboard and a "love" stake.

 A "Just Hitched" sign hangs on the back of a wagon which Danielle and Taylor rode on from the chapel to the barn.

 A matching pair of signs greeted their guests at the entry to their beautiful farm.

 Danielle, thank you so much for letting me share in your special day.  You were absolutely beautiful...

 ...and so very kind and gracious to me.  Your entire family was - thank you. 

 I loved every minute of being at your family's gorgeous place, surrounded by the horses and even...

 ...the resident barn owl. 

Best Wishes to you, Taylor and your precious daughter, Braelyn.

Barn Reception..."Randomness"

Hey friends - just sharing with you RANDOM snapshots of Taylor and Danielle's reception - jus' trying to squeeze it all in - but there are still a few more even after these.

Tables - all in a row...

 Handmade signs - simple and sweet...porch lights light the entry.

 Beautiful country flowers - compliments of her sweet mom, Anne...

 Paper Flowers everywhere...

 One cool and inexpensive chandelier - Danielle and her mom made this from two different size hula-hoops - yep, you read that right - hula hoops.  They suspended the smaller one in the middle, running icicle lights on both levels - I added the burlap ribbon just to soften up the look a bit - it was beautiful lit up at night - you couldn't even tell what it was made of.  Good job girls!

The dance floor - there was a "Let's Dance" sign on the left but oops - I missed it.

 Simply ran a bolt of burlap all the way down the tables and tucked in some asparagus fern on the ends.

 The main entrance to the reception - ladders with lights, grapevine and canvas.

 Simple arrangments in mason jars for the tables along with some lanterns and rye grass baskets.

 Check back for the final pics soon!

Have a happy day!