China Cabinet Refinished...

Well, here it is all finished.  Mr. Bird Nest was up at 5:00 this morning to attached the bottom piece he veneered.  I got up shortly after that to help him put the sliders on and get it upright.

My grandmother's china fits perfectly.  I haven't even filled the bottom of the cabinet yet.

My two little dogs are guarding the merchandise.

The bottom piece has a curve and that's what made putting on the veneer a little difficult.  Not bad for our first attempt.

The was also a piece out of the upper crown molding but Mr. Bird Nest found a filler and molded it so you can't even tell it was repaired.

It even has a tassel on it already.

Now what will I nag Mr. Bird Nest about.  He got this project completed in one and one-half weeks. 

Actually, I'm on to another project.  I'll tell you about it in a couple of days.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

China cabinet progress...

This is the bottom of the china cabinet, missing the base trim and molding.  Not to worry...Mr. Bird Nest is on the case.

The veneer on the base of the cabinet was all chipped and being the great husband and carpenter he is, Mr. Bird Nest is repairing it.  See that curve on the wood.  This wasn't an easy job. 

I'm hoping by the end of today it will be installed on the cabinet and maybe, just maybe my china will be displayed.  He also has to install a new back on the cabinet but that's a piece of cake for him.

This is Mr. Bird Nest's day off.  He works 4 ten hour days or 4 twelve hour days and gets one day off each week.  He thinks I work him to death on those days, but he has so much energy he would do it anyway.

Stay tuned for updates.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

Filling in for Rick and Noelle...

Noelle called me last night to let me know that Nicholas was receiving two awards at a school ceremony today and she was scheduled to work and Rick had work also.  Would I mind attending?  I live for this stuff.

Nicholas received two awards.  One for perfect attendance and one for most books read.  I think he had read somewhere near 200 just since school began.  Yep, he's my grandson.  Now if he only started reading mysteries. 

The best part was that he got to come home with me and spend the afternoon.  We did his homework for tomorrow, he rode his Big Wheel  and we baked brownies.

The only problem was that Rick came to pick him up before Mr. Bird Nest got home from work so he didn't get to see him.  He's going to spend a weekend with us soon and then they can spend some time together.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen 

Dessert servers...

I've been looking for two more of these glass cheese toppers.  The cake plate on the back left came from Michael's on sale.  The one on the right I got for $5.50 at Home Goods and the plate in front came from Home Goods for $.35.  Sometimes I like to just buy a couple of different kinds of dessert for dinner.  Whether we have company coming or it's just the two of us, it's fun to have some choices.  I also thought these might be fun to use for Thanksgiving.  

Here are two more larger cake plates.

The cloche on the right came from Pottery Barn.  It's huge and it still doesn't go all the way over the plate.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

A weekend getaway...

Our oldest son and daughter-in-law gave us tickets to a concert at Clemson University for Mr. Bird Nest's birthday so we decided to make it a little getaway.

We left our house early in the morning to run a few errands (parts we needed for the repair of the china cupboard) and stop at one of our favorite restaurants to have brunch.

Mr. Bird Nest also found a little town on the way in Easley, SC where they were having an Antique Festival in their downtown.  I left him outside taking photos while I went through some of the antique stores.

He was probably thinking he could take a nap on the other end of this bench.

They had some really great places to shop.

They also had outside vendors.

I guess this was when the boredom for him hit.

I started collecting cast iron dogs but now that also extends to china ones.  He was only $5.00.

I had to have this footed bowl and in a second you will see why.

This bowl on the left I have had for about 30 years.  I use it for punch, trifle, etc.  So I had to have the one on the right and it was only $12.00.

We had reservations at a great restaurant for dinner before the concert..."Pixie and Bill's" in Clemson, SC.  First, we had spinach salad with homemade bleu cheese dressing.  Mr. Bird Nest had his favorite, a hunk of rare prime rib that was about 3 inches thick and as big as his plate.  It would have fed a family of four for at least two nights.  I suffered through filet mignon, well done (I'm a farm girl and we like our meat cooked).  It also included baked potatoes, broccoli and a loaf of warm wheat bread.  I couldn't have eaten dessert if my life had depended on it.

^{Now, live from LittleJohn Coliseum...........finally after three warm up acts, JASON ALDEAN.} 

I've been lucky enough to see him 3 or 4 times.  Mr. Bird Nest has now seen him twice.

He is a country artist but I consider him more Southern Rock and he's a Georgia boy.

It was a really late night for us....11:45 and thanks to Mr. Bird Nest we stayed overnight in Clemson so we didn't have to make the hour drive home until the next morning.  (He was up, showered and dressed by 6:30).  UGH!   I was planning to sleep in till at least 7:00 but it was his birthday treat.

 Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

Cow head...

I got the white cow head on the right of the window at an estate sale this summer.  Mr. Bird Nest hung him up this week.

He doesn't really have any special purpose but to just look cute.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen