Random Thoughts

I actually made time to sit down and write a blog post and guess what?  I am drawing a blank as to what to write about.  Is my mind full of its typical typhoon of thoughts and chores that I need to do?  Yes.  But for some reason none of the things in there seem to be interesting enough for me to share.  My head is in a February Funk: cold, gray, and muddy.

I have a pile of furniture waiting to be rejuvenated.  I have a garden that needs to be planned.  I have a half a dozen too many roosters that I need to re-home.  I have rooms that need to be repainted.  I have a kitchen remodel that needs to be designed.  I could go on and on, but frankly, it's overwhelming.

So, instead I will write about my random thoughts.  I've been very introspective lately.  Perhaps it's because I've spent my February doing a lot of reading - something I love - but haven't had much time for since becoming a mother.  One post on my son's school's family Facebook group changed that.  A brilliant mom suggested starting a book club and poof! I bought and devoured an excellent book.  It felt indulgent to treat myself to a big fat book when I could should have been doing a thousand other things.

The book was, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.  It was delicious.  It reinforced my belief that all of us humans have struggles to bear.  We all have hardships.  Some are much, much worse than others.  Some are obvious and some are invisible.  Some are our own fault and some are completely out of our control.  And despite all of the suffering and pain that life may hand us, there is ALWAYS something beautiful and joyful - be it small and simple or grand.  We just have to look for it.  We humans are incredibly resilient.  Many people go to hell and back - and live life to its fullest despite horrific experiences.

This isn't a book review.  I haven't even mentioned the topic or setting of this book, and I am not going to.  All I will say is that it made me appreciate all the things I have to be thankful for and not take for granted in my little life.  It made me hold my child a little closer, not be so harsh with others when they upset me, be more patient of the person ahead of me in the check out line, and makes me smile at strangers.

We all choose every single day with our thoughts and actions what kind of world we are creating for ourselves (and others around us) to live in.  I am choosing a kinder, gentler, peaceful and loving world.  I will strive to remember and practice this.

Snow Days

Growing up, snow days used to be the BEST.  Then adulthood came along with a job in a hospital and a 30 mile commute... and snow days? Not so fun anymore.  Next, came parenthood - and luckily for me no more job away from home that requires me to get there no matter the weather.  Therefore, snow days are fun again. Right? Ummmmm.... I though so, until this particular storm blizzard.

My job now is taking care of a family made up of 3 humans, a canine, a feline, 25 chickens and a few hives of honeybees.  This work doesn't give me a paycheck and, truth be told, very few "thank yous." Despite this, I am so very thankful to have such a big "family" to love and care for.  A little snow shouldn't be an issue.

The snow is beautiful here.  Looking out any window of my home I see a winter wonderland. Except for yesterday.  Yesterday all I could see was WHITE.  It snowed and snowed and snowed some more.  To top it off, the wind was brutal and created shoulder height snow drifts.  The highest drifts strategically located at all entry/exit ways to our home, including the chicken coop doors!

The view from the front of my house yesterday afternoon.

A drop of advice for anyone building a chicken coop in their yard: keep it closer to the house than you think you should - especially if you live in a cold, snowy region.

The path I shoveled to the chicken coop this morning.

Cheers to 2016

So, this new years eve was very low key for us.  We went out for a nice dinner at a local brew pub and headed home with our darling 5 year old son for a quiet night watching a movie.  I'm a little embarrassed to say that all 3 of us were sound asleep well before midnight. 

Is it sad that this is how we rang in 2016? I don't know.  I was with the ones I love in a safe, warm environment with a full tummy.  That is something I personally am thankful for.  The older I get, the more appreciative I am of the little things in life.  After all, it's all the little things put together that make up our journey here on Earth.

Speaking of little things, I have been home brewing kombucha for close to a year now - and really feel that I've gotten good at it. (Shout out to my friend Erica who gave me my first SCOBY to get started!)  I only brew about a gallon at a time - just for my own consumption; although, I have gotten my husband into drinking it a little bit when I remind him how good it is for him.  I have not really attempted to get my little one drinking it - maybe because I don't think he'll like it - OR - maybe because I don't want to share it just yet! ;)

toasting the new year with homemade pear & cranberry spiced kombucha

Many people are familiar with kombucha, but for those of you who aren't - here is one (of many) views.  I personally enjoy the process of making and flavoring this slightly effervescent drink and feel that is it doing good things for my health and well-being.  I know that there are differences of opinion about this beverage - so I make no claims of what it will do for you.  Interested?  Do your own research.  If you like what you learn, try some bottled from your local health food store or restaurant.  There are several commercial brands - with lots of different flavors.  In the greater Philadelphia area, there is even a local brand on tap in many trendy eateries.  If you try one flavor or brand and it doesn't do it for you, don't give up on it all together - the flavor possibilities are endless!

freshly bottled in the second fermentation to add fantastic flavors

 Much of the fun to me is trying new flavor combinations and the creating occasional goofy names.

 
Truth be told, I was a little nervous the first time I tried making home brewed kombucha.  I even had a small bottle explode in my kitchen! But now that I've gotten the hang of it, I enjoy the process almost as much as I enjoy drinking it.  Admittedly, I find myself craving a glass of it daily.  It's almost as fun as having a glass of champagne. Almost.

Have you tried kombucha?  What do you think of it?  Interested in making your own?  There is a TON of information online.  Have fun exploring!

Plate Rack Makeover

So I bought this large plate rack from another antique dealer back in August.  Since then, it has sat in my sun room in front of the French doors that we rarely use.  It sat acquiring piles of stuff for both my booth and for myself.  I planned on painting it and hanging it over a large buffet that is also patiently waiting for me to makeover... What was the delay?  Well, deciding what color to go for and, simply put, life.

Here are some before pictures: 

It was actually already painted quite nicely with tromp-l'oeil to make it appear to have raised panels.  It just wasn't right for my space. It would have blended in too much with our freshly painted walls in Sherwin William's Windfresh White.

During:

Being the fan of milk paint that I am, and a lover of most everything blue and white (hence my blue willow collection), I chose Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Artissimo and finished it with Hemp Oil to give it a subtle sheen finish over the distressing I did by hand to show some of the former colors.  Milk paint often looks quite flat and unappealing after application.  The magic happens after it drys, is distressed to your liking, and then sealed.  Sometimes it even crackles and chips on it's own.  In my case, it didn't - so I lightly sanded the areas I wanted to look old and worn.  I then finished with hemp oil to seal it.  As you can see, I had a little help!  I applied the oil with a brush, let it soak in, and then rubbed off the excess with old socks on both of my hands (and my little helper's hands too!)  I buffed to a subtle sheen with those old socks too!  The nice part of these products, is that they are totally natural and safe to use indoors - as there are no fumes.

The piles of stuff in my dining room have been put away! 

Here is the hanging process with my husband.  We used 2 L shaped brackets at each level into the studs.  Because it is going to be holding a fair amount of weight with dishes and other glass/pottery items, this was absolutely necessary. I first made a template of the rack.  As you can see, I ran out of white paper and had to resort to newspaper.  (Which I don't recommend as it made my hands black with ink and put spots on the the wall, that I had to wash off with soap and water on a soft sponge).

Please excuse the huge amount of clutter on top of the buffet.  This is stuff for my booth and future creations!

My personal stud finding the studs. ;)

We got to this point just in time for Thanksgiving!

And here is the finished project with my Italian terracotta rooster plates and lots of little Christmas decorations.  I still need to paint over the L brackets to match the wall and shelf - but I was just too excited to get it filled with some of my favorite things - that I couldn't wait!

Ready for Christmas.  Cheers!

I'm still waiting for the depression era buffet to tell me what she wants for her makeover.  She has gorgeous lines and great legs - but has a fair amount of damage to the veneer and finish.  I am 99% sure that I will keep at least her top in the original wood finish - but haven't decided on whether or not to paint the body or just refinish with a dark stain.  I would never destroy a valuable antique by changing it's finish - but this piece is not one.

I still have to get the little black shelf up that I showed you in my last post here.  I have a spot for it, but it's waiting patiently for me to hang.  Hold on, honey, I'm getting to you!

"Junk" Collecting

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a "junk" collector.  I love old, pretty, and unique items.  My car seems to have a mind of its own when driving by a thrift shop, yard sale, or flea market... not to mention good stuff left with a "FREE" sign on it by the side of the road. Seriously, did someone really throw away that cherry dining table? And how about that antique dining chair with a broken arm?  If I don't save it, the trash collector will!  It may take me a bit of elbow grease, but I know that there is something beautiful in there waiting to be brought back to life!  I have even dumpster dived with my sweet equally crazy mother in law right in the middle of down town Kennett Square, PA.  If memory serves me right, it was the fall of 1998 and we found some cool old wooden fruit crates with brightly printed labels IN A DUMPSTER.  Yes, we climbed in.  Or maybe she was the only one to climb in.  That time.  Perhaps that is where it all began for me.  Yes.  She is definitely to blame thank for my problem skill.

I know that many people find these types of places messy, unorganized, overwhelming, and filled with junk (perhaps a little like my home?).  Okay, some of that is true - there is a lot of junk in there - but the saying one man's trash is another man's treasure is definitely true.  At least for me.  Don't get me wrong - some of that trash is still trash even to me - but beauty is most definitely in the eye of the beholder.  When it comes to "junking" I like to think of myself as one who wears rose colored glasses.  I see things for what they could be in addition to what they already are.  I also value the nostalgia of a well loved item.  That old serving platter that has been through countless family dinners is special.  The vintage Christmas decoration has so much more personality than today's mass produced stuff.  Perhaps it has a little chip or hairline crack - but hey, I've got my share of chips and cracks too. That's what makes me ME.

Today I had a little over an hour to go treasure hunting.  I did pretty well.  Like this antique chair for $7.  And this cool reproduction shelf for $10.  I also found some sweet milk glass dessert plates, pewter dinner plates, pewter decanter labels, and faux bone handled silverware. 

Unfortunately for me, my dear husband doesn't really enjoy supporting my propensity for "gathering."  Fortunately for me, I have a little disposable income from selling my chicken's farm fresh eggs.  So I can TOTALLY justify my pastime!  What is that old saying? Happy wife, happy life? Enough said.

Writing this blog is a great motivation to put all these newly found treasures to good use.  I am most certainly inspired to get this shelf hung and filled with beautiful junk ASAP.  After all, I have at least a few readers depending on me.  Now, is there anyone available to help me move a 600 pound upright piano?  It needs to be moved up 2 steps and down the hall because the Empire chest needs that spot so I can hang my new shelf above it...  The wheels are turning indeed.

A Change of Desires

So, my wonderful husband got me a sweet bracelet from a famous jeweler for our anniversary last weekend. It was truly a shock - as he is not into material items.  Don't get me wrong, when we got married, he bought me the most beautiful engagement and wedding band ensemble - more beautiful than I ever could have imagined.  To this day, I gaze at it with joy.  But, that was pretty much it.  Yes, there have been other gifts of jewelry over the years, but they came after my special request and not so subtle hints.  Besides, before we met, I had already been lucky enough to have a nice collection of jewelry from lost loves and gifts to me, from me.  My love of antiquing has helped foster my collection of sparkly shiny things as well.  To me, it's like treasure hunting!  And just so you know, it doesn't have to be expensive to be a treasure to me!

As I may have hinted to in previous posts, my dear husband is a workaholic.  We pretty much only see each other on weekends.  He also often has to work on weekends as well, but usually, at home, thankfully.  This anniversary weekend was no exception.  He arrived home after 7 pm (which was early for him!).  Because we have a 4 year old, going out that late typically isn't for us.  So, I prepared an extravagant anniversary dinner for us including his favorite things - French Onion Soup (but with wild mushrooms - some harvested from our property too!), mixed greens with heirloom tomatoes and fresh mozzarella,  sauteed asparagus spears with prosciutto, and grilled steak.  I adore cooking, so it was my pleasure to do this for us!  I even bought my own flowers as I wanted to have the table perfect for us.  (I know, I'm weird - but I told him not to get me flowers).  We typically go somewhere to eat and sometimes to the theater for occasions such as this and forego gifts, except for cards.  So, when he walked into the house with a little blue bag, I was shocked.  Excited too!

Inside the blue bag, blue box, and little drawstring pouch was a lovely little beaded silver bracelet.  Adorable.  But, too small for my wrist.  Sad face.  He immediately told me that I could exchange it for whatever I wanted since it didn't fit me. It made me feel sad that it wasn't really my taste either - but truth be told, I am (mostly) a practical person.  If we are going to spend a significant amount of money on something, I want it to be valuable and useful. How is jewelry useful? Well, if I can wear it a lot, that is useful to me!

I spent that evening browsing that jewelry store's website and found the perfect necklace with a horseshoe on it.  Simple, delicate, and something I can wear daily. (Also, who couldn't use a little extra luck?) So, the next chance I had sans little one, I went in for the exchange. I dropped little man off at play school and headed over to the big fancy mall.  Since I only have a limited amount of time alone (about 2 1/2 hours 2 days per week), I got to the mall early - before the stores were open.

I hadn't been in this mall for months, possibly even a year or more.  This was strange.  In the old days, I used to be a shopping fanatic.  I knew the locations of the clearance racks in every store and the layout of the mall like the back of my hand.  Things changed when I became a mom.  Now I know my way around Target, Tractor Supply, Carter's, and Osh Kosh like nobody's business.  What were all of these fancy display windows? (I took a picture of one that it was so beautifully done! Look below.) There was music playing that had me singing along and feeling happy.  So very happy.  Wow, the marketing experts know what they are doing.

This has inspired me to do this in my own home... now I  just have to DO it and not dream of it!

It was lovely.  But, then I started to think - even if I had unlimited spending money - would I go crazy here?  Nope.  At this phase of my life I would rather spend it on something completely different: like a hot air balloon ride over beautiful Chester County in the Autumn, tickets to the theater, a thick wad of cash at a flea market/antique show, or even (gasp) upgrading the beehives or chicken coop!  And then there is always those goats I've been wanting and a tractor, yes please!

Does this mean I never want to receive a special gift of jewelry from my husband again?  Hell no! But, I don't need fancy things to be happy.  I don't need to wear certain brands to impress anyone or feel good about myself.  I just want to be me.  I don't need to have the latest, greatest, or best to be happy.  I just need to be me: the person who loves to be a mom, wife, great cook, gardener, beekeeper, chicken lady, antique/vintage stuff enthusiast, artist, goofball lady in denim overalls and chuck taylors who breaks out in song at any given moment....

To sum it up, I desire to be about the experiences and moments in life and not about the material things.  I am incredibly fortunate to have more than I need to survive.  Plenty of stuff.  What is important in life (to me at least) is to love life and enjoy the ride.  That is what fills me up inside.  I hope you can find what fills you with good feelings too.

Hello friends.  It's another beautiful day in Chester County, PA.  I know that I've gushed about how much I love Autumn before - so I'll spare you my descriptions of color and scents that I am soaking in.  Suffice it to say that the earth is a little slice of heaven to me right now.  I'll let these pictures speak for me.

Halloween is coming up.  Fast.  I have some of the cutest spooky decorations that I've collected over the years that are just waiting to be put up on display.... Yes, waiting patiently in their orange and black tub in our guest room.  Hey, at least they made it down one flight of stairs from the attic!  My goal for this afternoon (in addition to dusting, vacuuming, tidying up the plethora of toys, laundry, cooking dinner, feeding the chickens, etc.....) is to get at the very least my favorite decorations out!

It's bad, I know.  But, I am way ahead of schedule in the costume department!  For myself, I made a wicked witch costume that I had the pleasure of wearing the other weekend for an antiques show called "The Witches of Bethel." FUN! All of the vendors dressed as witches and there were some great creative costumes in addition to all the amazing antiques and artisan crafts.

Not only that, but my 4 year old son decided over a month ago that he wanted to be the Statue of Liberty for Halloween this year.  "Wanted" is the keyword in that sentence.  He has since changed his mind - so we shall see what he finally decides at the last moment.  Lucky for him I love to be creative and am wrapped around his little finger.

Anyway, being the fun and creative crazy mommy I am, I made him this costume in about an hour one evening.  It's not my best creation every, but I think I came out pretty cute! The torch even lights up (Thank you very much, Dollar Store flashlight!)  And you've gotta love his tablet working as the book.  It is 2015, after all. ;)

 

He wanted me to take his picture in the powder room so you could see his torch light up.  Um, okay.  I hate the wallpaper in the powder room.  And who wants to see a toilet in the background?  Oh well, he's so cute that you won't notice.  Also, redecorating the powder room can be a future blog post.   

 

 Perhaps the Statue of Liberty is not an obvious choice for a 4 year old boy - but lately he is into maps, cities, and landmarks.  So, why not?  It was also a great opportunity to teach him about America.  I'm proud to say that my maternal grandparents (as well as my elder uncles and aunt) came into the USA through Ellis Island and their names are commemorated there.  Those same grandparents studied hard and became citizens of this great country made of immigrants. It was one of the proudest moments in their lives.  If it weren't for them being so brave and adventurous, I wouldn't be here today.  The American Dream.  May it live on.

That's it for now.  Until next time be happy, be kind, be patient and make the world a little better than you found it. The little things you do each day make a difference.