Rowdy and His Buds

I snapped a few pictures while visiting a ranch this weekend in Llano, Texas.

Rowdy is on the right.

The owner of the ranch told us that these longhorns are only about 2 years old! They weigh about 1000 lbs now and can easily reach 1500 lbs or more! They love coming up to the fence for a treat, I think they were waiting for me to feed them, instead of taking their picture.

Sorry guys.

Thanks so much for visiting, enjoy your day!

I'm linking to Outdoor Wednesday at a Southern Daydreamer. Be sure to drop by for amazing shots.
I'm also linking to Happier Than a Pig in Mud's Barnyard Bash. Sounds like a great time!

For the Birds...

This past weekend I found some sweet friends while visiting an antique shop.

I wasn't familar with their maker, Norleans {from Japan}, so I did a little research. Turns out they were made in the 50's from lightweight porcelain.

One I found on line was about $25 with shipping...I paid around $6.00.

Yea.

At a thrift store, I found these guys...they were in pristine condition. The aluminum tray was another find.

I'm always on the lookout for pretty glass pieces.

I was in luck, found these salt and pepper shakers and decanter.

The top of the decanter can be filled...my mother has gotten me hooked on them.

The tea cup was a loner...no saucer...but very pretty.

I'm going to turn him into a tassel.

My sister and I were able to spend the entire day shopping in Llano, Texas while our husbands went dove hunting. I'm not a hunter and don't know too much about the "ranch life", but sure enjoyed the slower pace. People were so very friendly, helpful, and just plain nice.

Thanks for stopping by to visit, enjoy your day!

I'm linking to several parties, be sure to click on their links below for loads of inspiration!

Today's Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Second Time Around at A Picture is Worth 1000 Words

Thrifty Thursday at Tales from Bloggeritaville

My Lovely Bookshelves.

My last post was about bookshelves and my love-hate relationship with them. I've come to accept the fact that I just love all things with a story, a history. Because of this, I have collected a lot of stuff things.

I wanted to repost a quote from Mary Carol Garrity:

"Bookshelves are made for more than books and that’s where I stage our family’s narrative. The narrative describes the people who live in the house and it is the charm of the home. I try to tell the story of the family by showing our taste, passions, experiences, preferences and outlook in the objects we love." {Nell Hill's}

So here they are, my "lovely bookshelves" holding my story, my family's story.

For instance, this shelf holds seashells my maternal grandmother and I have collected along with favorite books, and a tray from my paternal grandmother.

And this shelf holds a favorite little bottle from my grandfather, a thrifty cup, and more of my favorite books.

Other shelves hold special pictures and projects that my children made when they were young.

A true "narrative" of my family.

Thanks so much for visiting, enjoy your day!

Bookshelves...

I have a love-hate relationship with bookshelves.

I love their storage capability but find them difficult to decorate.

Then there is the age old issue: are they to be functional or decorative or both?

ugh... 

For me, filling them is NO problem, but making them look good is a different story.

I've gone through different phases...sometimes I like them monochromatic...sometimes whatever goes...sometimes sparse or jammed packed.

double ugh...

Then there is the book issue...facing front, facing back. Sort by color, size, topic...wrap them, bookjackets on, off...

My head just spins.

What's a girl to do?

Look for inspiration online.

Houzz is a great start.

That's where these images are from.

You can read the entire article here.

Then I found this picture on Nell Hill's Facebook page:

Mary Carol Garrity wrote:

"Bookshelves are made for more than books and that’s where I stage our family’s narrative. The narrative describes the people who live in the house and it is the charm of the home. I try to tell the story of the family by showing our taste, passions, experiences, preferences and outlook in the objects we love."

{Nell Hill's}

After I read her words, I knew what I was going to do:

 love.my.bookshelves.

Next post...My Lovely Bookshelves.

Taking a short break...

I'm taking a short break...my classroom and incoming students need my undivided attention!

I'll be back soon, I promise!

Johnson Brothers

I'm joing Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch for her Tablescape Thursday. It's always so much fun to see what everyone has put together. Be sure to drop by for loads of inspiration!

I first saw these dishes a year ago, about the same time I began blogging.

It was the color, shape, pattern around the rim, and the different castles that caught my eye. Plain and simple, I fell in love! Since then, I've been looking for a set but haven't had too much luck except with online stores. Have you ever ordered from this store before?

I have been completely satisified with them and their service. They are well stocked...and the prices are reasonable. This box contained the Johnson Brothers Old Britian Castles ~ Blue {and they do a great job of packing your treasures in loads of bubble wrap!}

Below are the different layers and their cooresponding castles:

Since this set is new, they are dishwasher and microwave safe. Here and there I've seen old pieces and some have a bit of grazing and of course need special care.

I love all the Johnson Brothers' patterns...I could get in a bit of trouble shopping for them alone.

For instance, I really like the "pink" version of Old Britian Castles.

...and then the Old Britian Castles Pink Christmas...

So, back to our subject...tablescaping...

Just in case you wanted to know:

Flatware: Oneida, Michelangelo

Tall Stemware: Lenox, Navarre

Candlesticks: vintage

Napkin Rings: Ebay

Napkins: handmade

Tablerunner: Marshall's Home Goods

Dollar Store: votive candle holders

Thrifted: blue pitcher centerpiece, silver plate butter and oval covered

               vegetable serving dish, salt and pepper shakers, crystal water goblets: Import Associates,

               Cascade

Thanks so much for visiting...enjoy your day!

Thrifty find...

I'm joining Leigh over at Tales from Bloggeritaville for her Thrifty Thursday. Be sure to drop by for amazing finds and loads of treasures!

I really wasn't looking for anything in particular...well, maybe some fabric, while shopping at my favorite thrift stores. No tablecloths or such this time but I did happen upon a set of water goblets. It was the ball stems and the etching that made me take a second look. Since I don't have an antique booth or etsy shop, whatever I purchase, I usually keep. And since I didn't really need any crystal stemware, I thought twice about these four. In the end, I just couldn't resist. The price was right...and they "would" match another set I already have...so I bought them. I'm glad that I did, they compliment my original set very well.

I was very curious as to the maker and price of my treasures so I went online to Ebay. The company is Import Associates and the pattern is Cascade. There were a couple listed from $14 ~ $19 a stem. {I paid $19.99 for the set.} I then ventured over to Replacements.com and found the accompanying pieces...hm...perhaps I can add a few more pieces to my new collection?