~PHOTO'S OF LIVING ROOM..~

The first picture is the before. I am the worst possible photographer...which I can somewhat explain. Actually, I can't. It's just one of those things. At least you can see the old carpet. The walls were already painted the day before.

I must tell you that there are markings on the wall reflected from the mirror. Each time a I take a picture...I get orbs or wall markings. I've been told it is from the flash and the mirrors in the room. The orbs...no one seems to be able to explain other than dust on the lens. Enlarge. If it is dust it flies..FAST.

This house has several pocket doors and bi fold doors which I love. At first I couldn't get used to the one on the bathroom I used..but now I love it. So cute and unusual.

Enlarge both of these photo's and look at the markings on the mirrors.
We painted the living room door white on both sides. One side of the front door was a sort of orange paint..burnt orange..and the inside was a dark wood. I removed the door knocker and removed years of tarnish and it turned out a lovely brass finish.



Notice the markings on the mirrors and one is reflected on the wall. Enlarge the photo's and compare the two. Do you have any idea what it is? Or those round white things that I sometimes catch in mid flight? These markings are sometimes on the walls...reflections? Bugs me at times. I think it's just interesting reflections.



I love the change. It's cozy...old fashioned but I love the look of lace and the color of the paint. Haystack by Laura Ashley. The coffee table is going to be painted white. What do you think. I love Shabby chic..but..I love the bright colors too. Thanks for your sweet comments. I am very, very insecure with decorating. Not everyone like as much "stuff" as I do!
Long, long day today. But fun.
Hugs and love,
Mona :)

~ PHOTO'S OF HOME FINALLY... and back of silverware~

I was finally able to get a clear picture of the back of the silverware. I used the serving spoon and worked with my camera. I am finding my camera's flaws are not it's flaw's but my own. I need to learn to read directions.
Please enlarge the picture...



Please remember, this is not a big fancy home, nothing elaborate, but it is comfortable and cozy. We love it! Lots left to do, but it is small things such as sinks which are not in good shape at all.
My husband lived here since he was 25. He is now 76 years old! That's a long time
and this was quite a change for him. My style is VERY different than what he was used to.

The color green I used is called Trade Winds by Earth Elements. Velspar's signature colors. Sweet husband LOVED this color! :)

All the trim in the house, including the cabinets and doors and front door is Moonlit Snow. Very clean looking. I did fool around with the idea of doing the ceiling a different color and the trim..but...I didn't want to push the envelope!

The carpet is Grand Teton Green Clover. I thought it went nicely with everything. I favor anything that looks like soft moss. And it is SOFT! :)




My little bathroom..

We painted the my bathroom Primrose by Laura Ashley's collection.



I really, really wanted a pink bathroom. It is right off the green bedroom and the colors go so nicely together. I hope you like it as much as I do.
Not a fancy bathroom but it's cozy.

Love and hugs...
Mona

~GARAGE SALE FIND OF MY LIFE...~

Last Saturday we nearly decided to not go to the garage sales, but then went anyway.
Sometimes, I don't get out of the car but that seldom happens...unless it is clear there is nothing. This one looked good..so we walked up.
On a table near the end of the driveway was a box full of tarnished flatware that caught my eye...this sort of thing always does, but usually I pass it by.

Some of you might remember me being talked out of my silverware, King Richard to be exact, by eldest daughter in Georgia.
I had only used it once..but..anyway..I let it go.

I picked up a piece and turned it over...was a bit startled..thought I had read wrong but asked the man how much he wanted for the set. It looked to be only a set of six but it was lovely. "Prelude" was the pattern and delicate to a fault.

He said $15.00. I countered with "will you possibly take $10.00?" He thought for a second and agreed. I asked my husband if he had a ten and he handed it to me. I only had some change in quarters etc.

I handed the man the money and headed for the car. We got in and drove off and only then I had the nerve to look again. It read on the back INTERNATIONAL and then...
STERLING! Yes! Yes! You talk about your happy DANCE!! I am no expert so had to look it up to see what it was when I got home.
I looked it up...and...






The price for a set WITHOUT the adorable butter knives and the soup spoons OR the serving spoons was $3899.00 but with the soup spoons it is $4199.00! Just one place setting is approx. $374.95. I have no idea what it is with the little butter knives.
Also has four large serving spoons. Beautiful round soup spoons are also with the set. It is a set of 8, NOT six.
There were also additional Pieces in the box that were Silver plate!
I love the pattern!
I'm still not sure it's real! It says Sterling. The pattern is exactly like the photo. I tried to get a picture of the ingraving on the back but it blurred. I am going to try another camera tomorrow.
I wish I had a better camera! NO! I will not sell my silver for a camera. :)

Am I going to be punished for not going back and telling the man it was REAL! NOT PLATE! I don't think I could even find the place..but still...I am feeling just a bit guilty. Don't make it worse on me..ok?
It really is beautiful! The year it was made was in 1939.
Look it up and see what you think.
NEVER have I ever gotten anything like this at a garage sale. Lots of silver plate, but not sterling!

I am as excited about this as Dawn was about her post cards in the attic.
Yippee!!
If you are knowledgable about Silverware..please let me know. Thanks!!
Hugs and love,
Mona

p.s.
Garden Of Daisies is right! I have no idea why the "shop keepers" or early birds as they are called, didn't beat me to it. This morning we were out earlier than usual. We usually go later at about 9. This time we were out by 7am. NO idea why someone hadn't scooped it up. Never thought of that!! Wow! Just accidental that I found it! :) Thank you for the lovely comments on this post!

~AN EARTHQUAKE, A PINE TREE AND ME~

My advice is to not try and do it all at once! I mean, don't put in new floors, paint every room and then have new carpet laid all at one time. It will KILL you!
Please believe me. At least don't do it and live there! I'm still not myself nor is it all back together...however...I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

Sweet Howard is in the garage trying to find his work bench, however he did smile this morning because he was able to get the car into the gargage. It's been a month since that has happened.
I just had a call from daughter Mary, and she was a bit shaken. There was a trembler centered not far from us, and two tiny after shocks. Even a tiny one can make us pause and cock our heads listening for that tell tale roar that comes at us like a freight train. Since Haiti..we pay attention.

Pine tree. Well, yes. We have ONE! But it is a doozy! My husband planted it nearly fifty years ago, shortly after he and his family moved into this home. It is now very large!

You really should enlarge this one!


It is a Canary Island pine tree and the cones you see on the porch are the small ones. I have filled every empty container, every basket, every box I can find...and now since our rain and then warm sun..yesterday we got 9 at one time.

When he used to pick them up and bring them in..I would sigh and smile and admire and now my smile is getting weaker and weaker as he trudges up to the house and says, "where do you want me to put THESE!" I just say.."Oh, anywere you can find..and so now the porch is piling up. You see, my idea was to give them in baskets, at shined up and with a bow, to my children. Well, I 've done that. Now what. Some of these are nearly ten inches long..and longer. Lovely, but...now what?

Oh...and more tremblers today...makes one nervous! Yep...

Hugs and love,
Mona

~A GIRL'S FAMILY TEA TIME FOR VALENTINE'S DAY~

I think some of you who read my blog know this unusual home once belonged to the author, Emilie Barnes. It's lovely having our gatherings here...and a tea is so fitting..

My daughter Mary, me and granddaughter, Rachel.

Mary's signature cupcakes.
As for me, I had tea and scones with raspberry jam and clotted cream! :)

...and the most devine sugar cookies. Mary's own recipe!


Looking out the little dutch doors to the yard.

Mary putting the finishing touches on the table before the girls in the family arrive! Rush, rush!!

Emily's first Tea at Aunt Mary's house, busy using her "lady" manners!

Don't worry, Mary has had lots of practice pouring tea..so "shhhhhh..."

"Excuse me. Did I say you could take more pictures of me?"

~A little family photo to remember this day. Grandma, Mommy, Auntie Natalia and Emily!

More sweet things to look at. Valentines EVERYWHERE! Yes indeed!

~LOVE SWEET LOVE!!

It was such a beautiful day and I was sitting right next to the door. I kept gazing out...then ate another cookie...and gazed a bit more.

Table set for tea..and family fun.

Formal dining area..off behind where we were sitting.

Granddaughter Ireland was in New York at college and missed the tea..so daughter Mary had her picture on the table and we pulled her up on the computer and everyone talked to her in her dorm room. I cried.



~ And a good time was had by all...especially Emily!



~And when I got home from the Tea...this is what I found on my chair in front of my computer... I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day. We did!

Love,
Mona

~HAPPY, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY~

Sweet husband mowing the lawn this morning..and one of our two Coastal Redwoods. He makes every day Valentines Day for me. My love.

He helps make life worth living. He makes me smile. He IS my Valentine.

My precious little friend, Mele. You can tell I offered her "candy" to sit still...she did. She was a Christmas gift. Her beautiful coat has been soaked with my tears many days.
Another love and joy in my life. Always next to me, under my chair, at the foot of our bed, and of course on my lap.

Today I unearthed these..two of my Valentine dishes... I'm afraid I wasn't able to join in the decorating this year. Next year!! :)


Hey...this looks great. You should have seen it at the beginning of the week!

...and I found these.

I am putting my things into my much loved hutch that I've had for almost 40 years. It was in storage for close to two years and in our garage for nearly another two years all wrapped in packing blankets.
Another day of unpacking and putting things back tomorrow. What a chore! It's wearing us out, I'm afraid.

Finally, when I'd had enough I walked outside and sat on the porch! Just a beautiful day. Perfect temp. and I thought of all my friends in the snow. Some enjoying it and some not so much. No snow to show you..but some flowers perhaps??



On our front porch.

These are the only flowers I can give you. They are just beginning to bloom.

I watched Howard mow the lawn..and looked forward to Springtime. No snow for us...but lots of rain...and we REALLY needed it. But..gee...just a little snow would have been nice. I can see it on the mountains though...NOT good enough!!

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY to all you beautiful people! You bring so much love and comfort into my life. You are a constant source of joy! Yep, LOVE, that's what it's all about.

Love, MUCH love..
Mona

~THE WIND BENEATH MY WINGS..~

Now and then something happens in this life that sets you back on your heels, and suddenly you see more clearly.
The day before yesterday this "something" happened to me. I was doing some browsing through blogs and I seldom do this unless I am going back just a couple of posts to catch up.

I had gone to visit Dawn, at Cottage State of Mind. I visited, read her post and checked to see if I have seen the one before. I lose track of the days lately.
And for some reason, I have no idea why, I found myself going back and back. Clear to October!

Suddenly, there in front of me was this post of Dawns. It began with MY NAME and a beautiful Autumn angel. The one I borrowed (stole) from her blog to show to you. You see, I took the angel because I don't want her to know I am writing this until after it is done.
Dawn had written this beautiful post for me because I was so ill. I had surgery on September 30th, losing a foot of my colon. I had spent the summer very ill with a massive infection. No cancer, but I just slid under the wire.

She, Dawn, had sent this beautiful angel to watch over me, quiet my mind and care for me. And I never knew! I NEVER saw the post! Not until that very moment.
I sat here crying. Grateful. Touched by the kindness of this woman. I wrote to her yesterday, thanking her and explaining to her that I had just found it.

She wrote me back the dearest letter. It's mine and I will keep it and her precious post close to my heart. Dawn's Autumn Angel will always watch over me. Thank you, Dawn. Thank you so much for everything!

As I have said before, if anyone asks you why you blog, send them to me, and if you think no one is guiding us, you might want to think again. :) Who led me to this post? I am completely well and feeling wonderful! It makes one think.
My love to all of you,
Mona

p.s. Dawn's post was on October 16th. My mother's birthday is on that day. :)
Dawn and I are both Libra's born in October.

~DEAR HEARTS AND GENTLE PEOPLE~

I have read so many wonderful posts lately that I'm overwhelmed.
One of those dear hearts is Jaz@ October Farm. One of the nicest people I have met here in blogland. She had this delightful giveaway of lovely pressed glass. A pair of DOUBLE candle sticks and two pretty serving dishes for candies or whatever you wish. She also included a delicious box of candy to go in the dish. Taffy! I LOVE taffy and I was fortunate enough to win!
It arrived today and I had to clear a place to be able to take a picture of it.
I'm sorry they were a too dark.
Thank you Joyce! Thank you so much. They are just in time for Valentines Day and will help make my table beautiful!



See the double candlesticks. They are just beautiful!
If you haven't met Joyce, please stop by her blog for one of her delicious recipes. Today she featured WALNUT BREAD! Also, she has great hints such as making your popcorn with bacon drippings! :)

Just the day before I found out I won this wonderful giveaway, sweet husband was helping me remove dishes from the hutch and broke one of my candle sticks. I just smiled because I knew even prettier ones were on the way. I think my reaction sort of surprised him. I love it when that happens!

Those of you in all that snow I've been hearing about, please stay safe. Joyce, enjoy your snow for me, ok.
Di, you too! I really do miss it even if it can be a pain. It is one of the most beautiful parts of Winter.

Love,
Mona

~LEST WE FORGET...AND A MARATHON OF VISITING BLOGS.~

Yes, I am on a marathon of visiting. I visit, comment and then I visit some more.
I then go work for awhile. I'm busy STILL moving some things out to the patio and garage and trying not to think what a time I will have putting it all back together.

I get into a rut of going to certain blogs that I love and tiring out before I have gone to all those I want to visit. I MUST find a way to work more in...and so far...unless I LIVE in this chair in front of the computer... anyway...you get the point.
Does anyone have a system for visiting that might work for me?

Another thing.....and this is IMPORTANT!

Lest we forget:
Please visit SMB @ Words of Wisdom from a Smart Mouth Broad. SMB has gotten out and done something about the tradgedy in Haiti. Please, please do not tell me you are sick of hearing about this...I understand ...and yet this was of the magnitude of Katrina. Probably worse. Katrina was in a nation that could help even if it took longer than it should have by a long shot! We can redeem ourselves here. Please go read the list of SPECIALTY ITEMS that are needed. Things that many of us cannot do anything about, but perhaps someone reading her blog can. Just take a moment. Please check and if nothing else, please write and tell her where to go for these items. SmartMouthBroad @gmail.com
Hugs to you for your trouble.

My love to all of you during this month of LOVE!
Mona