COZYING UP THE PORCH

When Fall is here and the weather turns chilly, we usually clean the porch cushions and pack them away for the Winter.

But this year since our home will be on a local charity home tour in December, I decided to cozy up the porch a little for this Winter.

I made some new pillow covers out of a beige, black, and red plaid flannel.  Thought they would look good with a rustic Santa and a wonky tree we have planned to place on the porch table.

I kept them simple. The flannel from Jo-Ann's is a nice quality, washed well and was on sale for $5 a yard (plus I had a 20% off entire purchase coupon).  Not bad for two pillows and a cushion cover for under $10.00.

I'm also using the plaid to recover the cushion (not shown) on the big wicker chair.  It's not done, yet, as I had to go out of town (100 miles round trip) to get a 28" zipper.

That's all right as it gave us an excuse to have lunch at The Olive Garden ($)
and for me to go to the quilt stores ($$$).  

We won't count the expense of the trip to buy a $2.50 zipper into the cost of cozying up the porch!

Edited to add:
Finished the cushion cover!

I'm joining with:

Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

IT'S COMING DOWN!

Back in 2010, after much discussion, Wyatt and his Papa built a tree house.  See that original post here.  Now, again after much discussion, the tree house is coming down.  Bob has determined that the elements have taken their toll, and it really isn't that safe any more.  We've checked with the grandkids about the option of repairing or tearing down, and apparently teenagers do not need a pirate ship, a castle, a quiet place to read, a place away from adults to pout, etc.  

It appears that I'm the only one that is sad that it has served its purpose, and is no longer needed or wanted.

I'm in mourning.

I decided that what I'm really sad about is that my grandkids' childhoods have been fleeting, passing so quickly.

When did this little boy, who was so excited about his tree house ---

turn into this tall teenager?

Bob and the teenager will get the rest of the tree house down; then, next Spring, we will re-landscape.

I'm joining the following:

Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

Smiling Sally for Blue Monday

Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday

The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

SLOW AND LAZY AUTUMN

Not too much going on in the Salmagundi household.

 I've been working on a project that isn't even worthy of pictures.  When I made the cushions for our dining room chairs a couple of years ago, I used straps with velcro to fasten them to the chairs.  Over the long haul with the wear the chairs receive, the velcro just wasn't working anymore.  I'm replacing the straps with
 ties -- slow, boring work!

The sun is setting in the west much earlier these days; but Autumn is lazy like I am, I guess.  We haven't even had a freeze yet, so the flowers still are looking good.

With the cooler nights, however, the vegetable garden is ready to be put to bed.  As he always does, Bob brought the pumpkin crop around to the front of the house in the old red wagon.  The wagon was brand new and shiny when our 47-year-old son was a toddler.  It's hauled a lot of stuff and kids over the years.  I just noticed it was a "Radio Astronaut" model.  Astronauts were the heroes of the day in the late 1960s -- true, real-life super heroes!

I should get out there and do something creative with those pumpkins on the front porch. 

If only I wasn't having such a lazy, enjoyable autumn!!!

I'm joining the following:
The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
A Southern Day Dreamer for Outdoor Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

WATER BABY HAS A BIRTHDAY

Happy Birthday to our granddaughter, Caitlin, who is turning 19 this weekend.  From the very beginning, she was a 'water baby'!

It's been no surprise that for the last three summers she has worked in the office of Raft Masters of Canon City.  One of the perks of the job is rafting the Arkansas River of Colorado.  Since she weighs a little bit of nothing, she has to sit in the rear of the raft -- that's her in the back top with her brother, Wyatt, in front of her.

I think this was where they got dumped into the river.

On another trip, that is her in the back, right side -- bit of nothing, skinny arms and all -- playing with the big boys.

She would love to train as a raft guide, but she lacks the weight and strength needed.  So, for now, she plans to keep working in the office plus study business and marketing in college.  Watch out big, burly boys; someday she may own the place!

She has certainly graduated to a BIG pool of water.  This Grammy tries not to think about the dangers of that.

Cait, you are a very capable gal -- don't forget you can overcome any rough waters encountered in life.

OUT AND ABOUT THIS WEEKEND

 We took the chance to get out of town for the weekend -- headed to northern Colorado.  Even though I was born and raised in southern Colorado where my heart lives; we did go to college in northern Colorado and actually lived there for 10 years.  So, we also do have a soft spot for that beautiful area of Colorado. 

This weekend, Bob met our son for a short trip to Rocky Mountain National Park near Estes Park.  They were hoping to see the aspen in all of their fall glory; but even though the park was full of people hoping to see the same, there were only spots of color.

 A little too early, I guess, but it was a good time for a father/son day.

They dropped me off in Longmont, Colorado so I could attend Quilt-A-Fair for the day.  The event has been sponsored by Colorado Quilting Council for many years as their prime fundraiser with vendors and lots of quilts to see.  

 I hadn't been for several years, so it was great fun to see old friends and to be inspired.

After meeting back up, Mike headed to his home; and Bob and I went to Denver to spend the night.  We have a favorite hotel with a steak place close by -- yum, yum -- we split a dinner of prime rib (and still had more than enough).

Sunday was spent antiquing and junk hunting.  

What did I buy?  Brown transferware, of course, -- a chamber pot and two soup bowls.  

  Brown transferware looks wonderful combined with Fall colors!

Fun weekend, but always nice to be home again.

I'm joining in with the following:
Smiling Sally for Blue Monday
The Dedicated House for Make It Pretty Monday
Coastal Charm for Tuesday Show and Share
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

FLORENCE - THE ANTIQUE CAPITOL OF COLORADO

I thought it was time I did a post about Florence, Colorado.  It is a small town south-east of where we live -- less than 10 miles from our house. 

They claim to be "The Antique Capital of Colorado".  This weekend they celebrated 88 years of honoring their pioneers.

 Even though we hop over to Florence regularly to eat and antique; we make a point of going over during Pioneer Days as they sponsor an open air junk/antique market, a steampunk market, and bargains in the shops.

The two main blocks are full of antique stores on both sides of the street.  There are more shops scattered in other blocks, as well.

These are our favorite places to eat -- Quincy's (an evening steak and prime rib place); The Aspen Leaf (sandwiches, soup, salad and baked goods); and the Japanese place.  Our son who has traveled to Japan several times deemed it very good.

 But, let's do some shopping first!

 This is Colorado - the Wild, Wild West!

No, I didn't buy that brown transferware pitcher -- out of my price range at $79.

Some of the dealers and building owners live 'above the store'.  We toured the upstairs of this building at last year's Christmas home tour. The Wilson Block was a former hotel in its heyday.  The upstairs apartment is fabulous with about 4000 square feet, an atrium, beautiful stairway, and a newly-installed elevator.  I lost track of the number of bedrooms; and the owners have a wonderful art collection!

 If you are in the area, it is worth the stop to walk down main street to shop and eat.

I'm joining the following:

Smiling Sally for Blue Monday
Confessions of a Plate Addict for The Scoop Tuesday
A Southern Day Dreamer for Outdoor Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

LET THERE BE LIGHT

I don't shop IKEA -- too many people, too much merchandise, too much confusion!

But, our son has mastered the art of running in, finding what he needs, and getting out of there.  He recently discovered a LED work lamp for $10 (Check IKEA here).  He bought two for himself and one for me.

It has a goose-neck adjustable arm and a very heavy-weighted base -- perfect beside my chair where I do handwork.

It's a big help for these olden eyes!  And, you can't beat the price.

Now, I can add to a million wonderful reasons why I had kids -- they can run your IKEA errands for you!!

I'm joining the following:

Smiling Sally for Blue Monday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

LABOR OF LOVE

 On Labor Day September 7th, we are celebrating our 57th Wedding Anniversary. 

 Here is what I was thinking that day so many years ago.

Thought #1:  I remember waking up being thankful it was a beautiful day.  The reception after the ceremony was to be at my parent's house; which was big, but still couldn't accommodate 300 people.  The overflow was going to be in the backyard.  I knew I needed to talk to Bob first thing on the phone to see if he was as nervous as I was (he was!).  The rest of the morning and early afternoon was a blur.  Maybe a little too much celebrating the evening before at the rehearsal party!

Thought #2:  Arriving at the church, I couldn't believe how beautiful it looked -- and the smell with all of those fresh flowers was, indeed, heavenly.

Thought #3:  My mother (on my right) looked so beautiful in that emerald green peau-de-soie silk dress.  Our wedding was the day after her 39th birthday -- I thought she was pretty and young enough to be the bride.

September 7, 1958

Thought #4:  And there was Bob -- I couldn't believe he wanted to marry ME.  He was one of the 'popular' boys in our class - you know -- Senior Class President, jock, etc.  I was just one of the 'smart' kids.  But, I knew nothing about marriage and how to make it work.  I did know, however, he deserved my best efforts.   His family and mine lived on the same street, two doors down from each other.  All of the little old ladies on the block didn't think it would last -- we were so young.

And so, I learned to make meat loaf, bake a potato, and fix a salad!  
And, he kept all of his promises to me.

 The rest is history with a lot of meat loaf along the way.

It's been a "Labor of Love"!

I'm joining the following:
Coastal Charm for Show and Share Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday

WORKSHOP UPDATE

I haven't done a workshop update for a long time.  Bob is always out in the garage doing something.  If something needs salvaged -- he's the one to do it.  Anything rustic sells well in our part of the country in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.  That fits his aesthetic perfectly.

The rustic harvest table above was made from 100 year old wood he salvaged from an old garage.  Wish I had room for another big table -- this one is neat with the thick boards and the breadboard ends.
Bob made the little chest below from pallet wood.

Below is a cupboard he found in a downtown alley ready to be trashed.   The top of the chest was bad, so he filled it in with twigs.  This photo was taken before he added the glass over the twigs.

This chimney cupboard was built from scratch using wood from free pallets.

Looks like a pile of wood scraps to me, but he saw that this was a desk in its former life.  He bought it for $4 at an auction (and I thought he over paid!).

When he got through, this is what it looked like.

 He built this rustic chimney cupboard from free pallet wood and some of the free 100 year old boards out of a friend's garage.

There have been more projects the past few months, but he is always so anxious to get them out of the garage and to the consignment shop.  He always has them loaded in the truck before I get a chance to take a picture!!

I'm joining the following:
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Smiling Sally for Blue Monday
Knick of Time for Vintage Tuesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
The Dedicated House for Before and After Wednesday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday