Category Archives: decorating

Tin Can Garden

Sometimes Summer isn’t what she promises.
 You have to move
your flowers inside.
This is my “Tin Can Garden”
Tea, cookies, candy
and a lonely pickle jar have
contributed to my humble little
garden.
 
 
 
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.Roses in Pickles
 
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Impatient’s waiting for the rain to stop, Impatiently!!.
 
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The Lesson

Good Day Everyone.
 
 
This week was my sister’s birthday. She died 4 years ago May on my
mom’s birthday. I’d rather remember her birthdays than her death and for
some reason this past birthday seemed to linger with me more than usually.
 
I thought I’d post a picture of a Hummel I have of Our Lady.  Clare always loved
it and would critique my dusting whenever she dropped by. (she was a dust
freak)
 
 
It’s a beautiful figurine.  The golden locks have their own sheen. Her soft blue mantle
is covered in daisies.  I use a soft bristled paint brush to dust her. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
She holds a tiny blue flower and shows the Child Jesus it’s beauty as a tiny
blue bird perches, watching the lesson.
 
 
That’s what mommies do, they’re always teaching.
 
I hope you’re having a good week.
 
If you want to see some other Hummels here is a link:

Primping Mirror

 

 
Today while I’m cooking the corned beef I thought I’d share
a little bit of our Irish family.
 
This is my husband’s great aunt Lizzie. The picture came to
us when his mother’s estate was divided.  What I love is
her warm smile and she has her two faithful dogs by her side.

 

 

 

Because she was never married, her father left her a portion of
the farm in Donegal.  Her brother and family was to have the rest.
The will reads that she will have ownership in the house to the left
of the stairs and the upstairs quarters. Included is a 3 quarter
garden (?).  Actually this was very good in those days. Normally
she’d have to go live with one of her sisters and help them raise
their families.

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 When one of the family went back to Ireland a local artist gifted
them with a water color of the farm. Rather than have it be framed
and eventually stuck in someone’s attic.

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My step son had it put in a “primping mirror” and gifted his Dad one
Christmas.

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You may know these mirrors by another name. We always called them
Primping Mirrors. They were very popular in the 40’s and 50’s they
hung near the door so you could adjust your tie or hat before you left
the house.
OH and Aunt Lizze out lived them all..Sweet Shamrocks,…I love this gal!

The Madonna of the Streets

I love this painting. The blues and earth tones
brings a feeling of sadness and yet hope.
It’s titled, The Madonna of the Streets by
by Roberto Ferruzzi
 

 
We keep it at the end of our hall, so when you enter or leave you’re
treated to this lovely reminder.

 
Today is Ash Wednesday, a day that starts the
40 days of fast, abstinence and almsgiving.
 
Almsgiving can also be mercy towards others,
generosity of heart, sharing goods, and so on.
 
A couple of days ago, Donna at: An Enchanted
Cottage. Wrote of her friend who shares this generosity
of heart. 
(her link)
 
 
 She uses her time and talent in homeless
shelters.
Her mission is (quoting her post)
”

“Enchanted Makeovers a organization that transforms
shelters for women and children
 into places of peace and possibilities”
 
 
 
 
 
I ask you to visit these sites, to see how one woman
changed the surroundings and gives people self respect
when they’re at the lowest time in their lives.
It gives 10 ways to help.  Also it can inspire us to do
something in our own communities.
 
She certainly knows,  The Madonna of the Streets.

 

The Sun Came Out!

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I’ve been in the mood that many others are in now.
When is winter going to end. And who stole our
January Thaw?  And when are they going to bring
it back?  February isn’t so bad. We still have a
sizable foot of frozen snow. However the days are
getting longer. And we’ve gone above freezing twice.
That says a lot. (I’ll grasp at anything now).
 
I picked up some spring flowers the other day. Just
to change me. No other reason. Something frivolous
and gay.
I didn’t know what to use as a vase. I have a lot of glass orphans from
old arrangements. It’s not a big project, but it’s fun to be inventive.
There was an old cookie jar, Pepperidge Farms used to sell as a
promotion. My husband got it for me. He was big at sending away
for things.  Especially when it comes to food …hehehe.

 
Okay I know I could use a few lessons at the Martha Stewart School of
Design. But I bought flowers and the SUN came out to play. I think it’s
a sign. …it has to BE!
Find a cookie jar, and watch it bloom!