Feathered Friends Party

Today is a Feathered Friends Party with Gina at The Shabby Chic Cottage. At this site you can share anything that has to do with birds, which includes art, or even the real thing. After you've visited my post, won't you just twitter over to her site?

I'd like to share a unique birdhouse that was actually constructed by my mother. She made it from scrap wood, cut out the "bird doors", and made the roof from a license plate. I don't know too much about the plate but the state and date is meaningful...any guesses?




You're absolutely right. I'm a Texas girl, BITS {Born In The State}. The date...I'll just keep you guessing...


Have a terrific Wednesday!

Thrift store shopping and a few questions....

If you've been following me, you know that I'm a novice at blogging and everything that goes along with it. I've been up and running for 4+ weeks and have loved every minute. I've been inspired, touched, and have learned so many incredible things from all the wonderful, creative people and their adventures!

Thanks to blogging, one of my favorite new pastimes is thrift store shopping. It has been so much fun and, well, addictive! I just love wandering and looking, thinking about all the possibilities of what could be.

Here are a few things I've found this week:


This silver plated platter was so pretty ~ I loved the handles.



This piece has delicate roses around the edges, the pattern is Camille.

I had always wanted to pick up a few of these pieces to see if they were worth it, and I was presently surprised! They cleaned up very well. I think they'll be pretty used in different settings.



Ok, I'd like to ask a few questions to all you experienced thrift store shoppers:

1. What in your opinion is the best day{s} to do your shopping?
2. Is there a better time of year?
3. Does the time of day matter?
4. Do you have any other words of wisdom about thrift store shopping?

Please share your thoughts, I'd truly appreciate it!
Thanks!

Be sure to visit, 2nd Time Around Tuesday, hosted by Diane at A Picture is Worth a 1,000 Words. Here you'll find many participants and their treasures! It's definitely worth the trip!

Metamorphosis Monday w/ Southern Hospitality

Please join me at Susan's, Between Naps on on the Porch, for more transformations! She and the other participants will amaze you with their creativity!

This summer was a joyful one...my oldest son married the love of his life and has moved into a loft in Dallas, Texas. Both he and his bride love contemporary furnishings so their new home is perfect. Because {he} they have their own place, I now have a semi~spare room {he took about 85% of his things with him}. I've heard different opinions about "redecorating" your child's room when they leave the nest, both "yea" and "nay". So, I decided to go with "yea" and a little "nay".

As I venture farther and deeper into this wonderful world of blogging, I just get more and more inspired. Inspired to try things that I haven't been brave enough to do in the past and inspired to look at things from a very different perspective. So, to all you creative bloggers out there, thank you for all your inspiration!

Today, for Metamorphosis Monday, I'm showing two things for my "new" guest room. This room already had blue walls with white built~ins. Since we will be moving in a year or two and I didn't want to repaint, I went with what I had and decided on a beachy theme. I needed this room to have a queen bed, so I've been on the lookout for a new headboard. Nothing I found was the right style or more importantly the right price. Therefore, my husband and I decided that we would just build one, he's quite a handy man! I wanted something casual, preferably white to match the existing shelves. As luck would have it, I was at my favorite Goodwill store and I spotted this headboard. It was sturdy and the look was perfect. Best of all, it was a great price.

A little sanding, priming, two+ coats of paint and it was a perfect relaxing beachy bed!


As I was browsing, I ventured to the picture frames. I knew I needed something for my blank wall above the bed, I just hadn't decided what to do yet...and then I spotted this picture frame! It was in great shape and pretty. I still have a fondness for the goldtones...so I thought twice that perhaps I shouldn't paint the frame. Well, by the time I had arrived home and dismantled the pictured, I discovered it was plastic. So, the painting began!





Now, filling the frame...I toyed with the idea of taking pictures of seashells and then enlarging it, but I don't think my simple camera could handle the enlargement. Then I thought about fabric {like I've seen on several posts}, but this frame was quite large. So with coupons in hand, I headed to Hobby Lobby and Michael's. I ended up at Michael's and found something that I thought would work. After playing around with their colors and frames, I decided to get this print. I think I like it...


I like the way the casualness of the print blends with the "fussy" frame. With my carpet, I think it all might work.

When I have the room completed, I'll post it on another Metamorphosis Monday. Until then, thanks for stopping by and enjoy the rest of your Monday.

And...be sure to check out Southern Hospitality for her weekend update. Here you'll find other participants as well and their finds while treasure hunting...you'll be amazed at all the terrific items!

Show and Tell Friday

Welcome to Show and Tell Friday. {Thanks to Kelli for hosting this event.} Grab a second cup of coffee and visit her and the other participants as they share pictures and stories about their treasures!

Today I'd like to show a special collection my mother put together for me as a memento of two very special ladies in my family.


Can you find the delicate glasses? They belonged to my great~great~grandmother. Aren't they just the cutest things?


They are carefully tied with two different ecru ribbons. Below these glasses are three very special books which belonged to my grandmother.


Her name was Lydia, isn't that a beautiful name? It's one that is not heard too often these days. When I do hear this name, it makes me think of lace, roses, and gardening. {Notice the date on the book: 1915}

My mother has been giving me special things over the years and she writes little notes with the item's history. I'm so glad she does this...thanks Mom.


Thank you for visiting today, I hope you enjoyed this show and tell. Happy Friday!

Tablescape Thursday

Be sure to visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for her lovely tablescapes and other participants as well. It's so fun to see what people put together to share.

For my table today, I'm using my everyday dishes. They are Mikasa, Country Estate, pattern is Autumn Vale. I registered for them as wedding presents and have used them religiously for the past 25 years. They've held up very well, even with teenagers loading and unloading the dishwasher! {Yikes!}


My flatware is Michelangelo, also everyday.

I layered my placemats, silk on the bottom and woven on the top. These too were wedding presents and sadly, this is actually the first time I've used them!



The lavender decanter is a recent purchase from an antique mall, although, I'm almost sure it's new. The crystal vase was a gift from my parents from their travels, and the larger serving pieces were wedding gifts. The glassware and dessert dishes were a gift from my mother ~ I've seen them before on someone's post. I believe these were purchased at Joske's. Does anyone out there remember that store?

See the candle holder? It was a thrift store bargain. I'm so glad I picked it up ~ it's so versatile.



Here are a few shot after the sun had settled...



Have a terrific Thursday!

Wordless Wednesday

Today I'm participating in Wordless Wednesday. Please visit Simply Joyful Photos to view other shots that "say it all!"

Have a great Wednesday!

Three or More Tuesday

HOWDY! This post is a bit unusual...I have three pictures that I'd like to share ~ all on the same theme...on this Three or More Tuesday.

Please visit Tam at The Gypsy's Corner for more three-or-more posts. They are all unique and great fun to browse.

My son graduated from Texas A & M University in May. What an experience! Seeing an arena full of graduates, 1800+, with the world just waiting for them to take~hold~and~run is something that takes your breath away. Pomp and Circumstance brings chills and that special thank you bear hug from your child is enough to start the tears just a rolling...

My child is the proudest member of the Fighting Texas Aggie Class of '09 and his mother is a proud Aggie Mom. I attended my last Aggie Mom meeting tonight {sob, sob} and received his graduating gift from the club. It's a beautiful paperweight. If you are not familiar with Aggie traditions, their ring is one that is known throughout the world. The paperweight is a replica of the ring.

My son wasn't in town to receive this gift because he has joined a firm in Dallas, Texas.

{YEA! He has a job!!!}

So I accepted for him. What a proud moment for a mom!


I didn't attend TAMU and didn't realize what a great school it actually is...It has been an amazing experience for not only my son, but our family as well. Whoop!