BIRD NEST COTTAGE - I've crossed over to the dark side....

Okay, you're probably wondering why Gretchen has all this scrapbooking paper.  Well, it was on sale at Hobby Lobby for one reason.

 

And for another......  I just bought a cricut.  Yipee!  My daughter-in-law Noelle has one for scrapbooking and although they live in our area and she offered to let me use hers, I thought I might just as well get my own.

 

My daughter-in-law Elizabeth, who is a first grade teacher, will be able to use it to for school bulletin boards and such.  She only lives a half mile from us.

 

I think it will be fun to make cards and banners but I'm most looking forward to being able to create lettering.

It just arrived yesterday, so this weekend I'll be giving myself a crash course in how it works.

If anyone has any tips or ideas, just send them on over.  I'm going to be a novice at this for quite some time.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

BIRD NEST COTTAGE - Last Weekend

 

We had a little picnic last Sunday night when my brother was here.  Chris, Elizabeth, Carson and Lauren were here, along with Rick.  We had planned to swim but it was a little cloudy and cool, so the kids got to pull out all their toys.  Lauren had all her babies set up for a tea party.

 

Lauren must be thinking about joining the military like her Daddy did.  She was practicing her marching. 

You can see we serve mostly from the counter when we have a big group for a picnic.

 

I found this little chair at an antique store in Greer for half off.  It's made of bamboo and folds up.  It's just the perfect size for the little girls.  I remember my brothers and I having some little chairs like this when we were young.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

BIRD NEST COTTAGE - Antiques from my Aunt

 

My aunt also sent me this creamer and sugar bowl.  They belonged to my great grandparents on my father's side of the family.

 

She also sent Rick and Noelle her silverplate silverware that is a service for 12.  I just put it in this silverware chest that I had from my mother's silver.  My new hutch has a felt-lined drawer for my silver.  Chris and Elizabeth have my mother's silverplate service and I have my mother's silver. 

 

Both Elizabeth and Noelle got a piece of this collection.

She also sent my son Chris a Hummel plate that had the year he was born on it.  (I forgot to take pictures of that.)

 

My Aunt Margaret Belle also sent me these pieces of silverware that belonged to my great grandparents to share with the boys.

I think the nicest part of her giving these antiques to all of us is that she is still here and we can thank her and tell her how much all of this means to us.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

BIRD NEST COTTAGE - New Treasures

 

I just got these candlesticks from a catalog.  I think it was called the Country House.

 

We have a new shop in Greenville that is only open on Thursdays and Saturdays.  They go to the Market in Atlanta the beginning of each week and get new items for the store.

 

This is what I found that I had to have for in my bathroom.

 

Since I've been thinking about joining in the "Tablescape" group, I knew I needed chargers.  I found these metal ones in a catalog and I though they were just what I needed.

 

Mr. Bird Nest couldn't figure out why we needed 12 of these or what they were for.  I explained that they are like the show pillows on the bed.  You know the ones you put there to look pretty but would never lay your head on.  He's still shaking his head. 

 

Just thought I'd drop this photo in.  Nicholas and Chloe came over yesterday to spend two days while their Mom is working in pediatrics at the hospital.  We spent most of the day in the pool, using the new sliding board into the pool.

 

I found these two bowls at Garden Ridge for $1.99 each.  Mr. Bird Nest and I love French Onion Soup and I thought these would be perfect.

 

While I was at Garden Ridge I found these great books for great prices.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

BIRD NEST COTTAGE - Antiques

 

LuAnn gave me this spongeware bowl since she knows I love red.  I love that it's a little used and I know I'll use it a lot.

 

I found these two larger plates that have cows on them.  The two little ones I thought would be good to put on my dressing table for jewelry.

 

I couldn't pass up this little tureen that was made in Japan.

 

I love all the detail on it.

Keep in mind I shopped for three solid days.  I'm exhausted and had to rest today after my company left.  I'll have lots more to show you in the days to come.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

BIRD NEST COTTAGE - Discovering some of Greenville

 

This is me with my brother Paul in downtown Greenville.  Noelle (DIL) had to work all weekend so she met us for lunch downtown to have an opportunity to see our visitors.  We ate at "Mary's" and it's also called "The Cottage".  I should have taken a picture of the front of it.  It is just adorable and the food is fabulous.

 

Me with Paul and my favorite sister-in-law LuAnn.  They've been married 35 years.

 

This is part of Falls Park in Greenville.

 

This shows the outdoor eating area of Mary's.  Aren't the gardens fabulous?

 

This is the bridge that connects the West End of Greenville to downtown.

 

More of the park.

 

This is Reedy River Falls.

We spent the rest of the day antiquing all over Greenville.  Yes, my brother collects too, so he was more than happy to spend the afternoon shopping.  He's really more interested in milk bottles, carriers, milk cases and farm equipment but he was a trooper.  I told you he's perfect!

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

BIRD NEST COTTAGE - Visitors

 

This is the piece of furniture my brother and sister-in-law brought me from PA.  It is actually manufactured by Pennsylvania House furniture and was bought by my aunt to match my kitchen table.  I will have to ask her how old they are.  I'm just not sure but I think somewhere in the 30 - 40 year old range.  It's made of cherry with dove-tailed drawers.  It has two linen drawers and a silverware drawer with the felt to keep my silver from tarnishing. 

My aunt is now in a nursing home, which I'm not thrilled about, but I feel honored that she entrusted the care of these beautiful pieces to me.  You won't ever see me painting any of these pieces.  I had to have the table refinished when I got it, but this is in pristine condition and with just a little furniture oil, it will look like it just came off the showroom floor.

 

The one thing you can't see in the picture is the beveled glass in the upper cabinets.  It is the first thing you notice when you see it.

You can see although this cabinet is from my father's sister, I've chosen to keep my maternal grandmother's china inside the top.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen