Master Bedroom Almost Finished...

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

The Cutest Little Pillow from Cracker Barrel...

 

I found this cute little pillow at Cracker Barrel.  This is the kind of thing my mother always bought and then we would use it as a pattern to make 10 of them. 

 

I know the grandchildren will love it.

Mr. Bird Nest is off from work tomorrow and we are finally going to get the new drapery rod and curtains hung in our bedroom.  Then I still have to order the shades for the swing arm lamps and the vanity chair.  At that point, that room will be done. 

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

Luckiest Girl in the World...

g'day 

guess what?  you won the Lisa Leonard giveaway on my blog, you have $100 to spend there...woot woot! 

I'll be emailing Lisa and she'll contact you. 

Congrats 

Sarah 

abeachcottage.com

 

 

I got this note from Sarah @ abeachcottage.com.  I've never won anything.  Nada, zilch, zippo!  And to win from Sarah (who just happens to have one of my favorite blogs) is just too sweet.  And did I mention it's a gift certificate to Lisa Leonard.  WOW!!!  I think I should buy Powerball tickets this week.

 

Hugs for everyone,

Gretchen 

More space for books...

  

My supply of books has expanded to a point where I needed new bookshelves.  Scanning through the Sunday newpaper I found this book shelf on sale at Target.  These are mostly new decorating books I've purchased over the past year.  Since my kitchen cupboards are white and my banquette is white, it seems to fit in well.   

 

I know how I like to look at the titles of the books on your blogs, so I'm including pictures of the books. 

 

These are my English decorating books.

 

My favorites of these are my Nell Hill books.

Oh, by the way, I put it together myself.  I'm a little worried that I had a couple of screws left.  Oh well, let's hope they were extras.  It seems very sturdy.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

Ann Taylor purse for $1.60 at Goodwill...

I went  shopping today with Noelle and Chloe and then to lunch at Cracker Barrel.  Chloe was so very good and on my way home I decided to stop at Goodwill just for the heck of it.  I rarely find anything in this store so I wasn't too excited.  I went to look at the purses first.  I have a serious purse addition.  Is there rehab for that?  Anywho, I saw this big leather purse and I pulled it off the hook and looked inside.  Ann Taylor.  I don't have Ann Taylor anything but I knew this was an expensive purse.  I tried not to run to the check out counter but I know I was.  Because I'm a senior citizen and have a Goodwill Card that says that, I didn't have to pay the regular price of $2.00.  I paid only $1.60.

   

I brought it home and polished it up with Mink Oil, cleaned out the inside and  it's ready to go shopping.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen  

 

Reprinting my favorite story...

This is my little vignette on my desk in the living room.  I don't know if I've ever told you but my parents got me this desk for my high school graduation.  I guess I should have taken a better picture of it when I told you that.

My favorite thing in this whole arrangement is my little pumpkin.  I think I got it at a Hallmark store back in the early seventies.  I always, always had it on my coffee table in the living room in the fall when the boys were growing up.

Both of my sons are U.S.Navy veterans and both of them went into the military right out of high school.  Rick, the oldest (now a contractor), spent most of his time (7 years) in Japan and Chris (a Universit of South Carolina grad is a roofing buyer) spent most of his time (5 years) in Virginia Beach.

It was so hard to have Rick so far away during so many holidays but he came home a few times and we tried to make up for his time away.  One of the things he always asked me in the fall was if I had that little pumpkin on the coffee table.  He said he knew if it was there, everything was OK and he would picture it there and not miss us as much.  His memories of autumn, rain, pumpkins, hunting and football all revolved around that little pumpkin.

I don't think it's fall unless I tell this story.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen

I'm Thankful for Autumn...

 

Last year I made this pumpkin topiary that still looks good.  I bought the lettering "Autumn Harvest" at Hobby Lobby on sale (of course).

 

Any day that is under 80 degrees I consider a good day.  Here is one of my Dollar store pumpkins.

Thanks for reading,

Gretchen