"Makes Me Smile" Monday

Yes, I have died and gone to transferware heaven !!!

Thanks to a jaunt to Buffalo on Saturday, an unexpected antiquing find, and the generosity of parents (thanks mom & dad !), these lovelies got to come home with me:

I've been slowly collecting this shade of transferware for a few years now, picking up pieces here and there as I can . . . but it's become difficult to find, at least in our area. Imagine my surprise at seeing

this entire beautiful set !!!

I had so much fun unpacking each piece and playing with it all . . . looks SO GOOD on our table !!! I'll have to plan a dinner party of some sort just so I can use all of these lovelies !!

I think they look pretty happy in their new home, too. My baker's rack certainly looks less naked now !! I just need a sign for the top shelf that says "TRANSFERWARE" . . . .

maybe a project for another weekend !

Happy Monday !!!

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

I finally own artwork . . . .

and it's making me smile today !!

This lovely print was done by a well-known local artist who also happens to be a patient of ours at the dental office. One of his paintings hangs right next to my desk. He came in recently with some samples of his work, and I just had to snap up this one ! It's a church in Stockbridge, MA . . . the artist said he had to hurry up and paint the scene during Sunday morning service, before people and cars and all cluttered up the view, and he had to move out of the way !!!! So lovely . . . especially on one of our bedroom walls !!

Happy Artsy Monday !

A New Tenant

Looks like we've had a new addition

move into our barn:

Maybe some little ones will soon make an appearance ????!?!!

Happy Nesting !

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

About a year ago, I purchased a few back issues of Country Living from one of my antique haunts . . . . and this postcard was tucked inside one of them:


I really need to live this out more . . . I'm so guilty of counting down until my next day off, our next vacation or trip, or whatever else beyond the daily grind that's coming up. So many days go by that I could have made count instead of just trying to get past them !! A valuable lesson indeed !

Happy Monday!

Here's to making it count !

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

I was trying all day to think of what to

put on today's post.

I could put up more pictures of my growing sprouts . . . . or more pictures of the cats (always an abundance of those !) . . . . or shots of the beautiful tulips growing in our yard . . . . . ?!?!?!!!!

But then I remembered what today is:

Cinco de Mayo !!!

So, in honor, I thought I'd post a picture of

my favorite Mexican:

Isn't he adorable ?!?!?!!

And he makes me smile everyday !!!!

Happy Monday !!!

"Makes Me Smile" Monday

Wow . . . after a very full day today,

I almost forgot to post !!

I spent some time yesterday downloading, deleting, and just going through recent pictures, and decided to post my favorites:

I'm not sure what these flowers are (any ideas ?!??), but their color is just so vibrant and beautiful that I had to take a picture !



This is how I started my day off last Monday: a little tea and a little Tasha Tudor on my sun-filled porch. Wish I could start every day like that !




These are just some regular old terra cotta pots that I picked up at Michael's last week. They're spending some time in my garden after having a buttermilk bath (as recommended here), and will hopefully be nice and weathered soon !!



And, this is a picture I took of our barn from the roof our house ! I was cleaning our gutter (yes, we have only 1 gutter !) yesterday and decided it was a great view to take some pictures of our property . . . this is the best ! I just love how our barn turns that beautiful bright red after a light rain, and how everything around is finally getting green !!

Happy (Random) Monday !!!

Hello, Sprouts !

I actually did say that to my lovely little seedlings !!! Maybe all the sweet talk has worked, because they're growing fast. Some were even ready to be transplanted to larger pots ! So, with the help of my gardening assistant:

. . . we did a little repotting today !

All my little troops, lined up and

ready to go (and grow) !

I couldn't resist a few pictures of the daffodils randomly sprouting in our woods, too. I thought about climbing in and cutting them to bring in the house, but they look so perfect right where they are.

Happy Sprouting !