Pink Polka Dot Boots

I love little girls' boots in gardens. Bright pink ones with polka dots. I had seen some in pictures and knew that one day I would see some at a yard sale, and I'd grab them for my garden. Yard sale after yard sale, no pink boots with polka dots showed up. But determination kept me looking. Finally, I went to a yard sale with my hubby, and guess what. I saw a pink boot in a box. Two would really be nice, I thought, so digging in boxes and throw-away piles I went. Surprise, surprise. More pink! I found the other boot. Now I have the cutest little girls' pink boots - and they have polka dots.

Not sure how flower-planting in the boots was going to turn out, I took my chance. In addition,, I stuck an old sink I'd found at a moving sale into the ground beside the boots. Something so small as planting flowers in odd sinks and little girls' boots bring the biggest joy to me.

Of course, I couldn't resist inserting the photo with my kitty, Patches. She was so curious about the boots and all that I was doing. Patches is another small thing that brings a big joy to my heart. She is a tiny thing and has the whiniest little kitty-cat meow. She loves to be held and petted - and loves my garden nearly as much as I do I think.

Join me over at Pink Saturday where you'll find pretty pictures to direct you to fun and interesting blog posts and ideas of many creative folks.

Kittens on a Pink Bench

I have a cottage cabin in a high desert area. This little cottage is a work in progress. Recently, Mr. Fun put up some siding that was much needed. Yesterday it rained, an uncommon occurrence in our area. When it rains, the dirt gets crunchy and makes things look even dirtier - like my little pink bench.

A little history on that little pink bench

We have a table with two benches that we inherited with the cottage. They were white but looking awfully shabby. Okay, I know the French Shabby look is in, but these had paint peeling and desperately needed a fresh touch of paint. Surprising me, Mr. Fun painted the benches with white paint...he thought. When he looked closer, he realized he had painted the little benches with a very light pink paint. I love them! They not only provide a practical bench for my garden supplies for my flower, vegetable, and kitchen gardens. They are adorably cute! This morning I was leaving for one of my blog class sessions that I teach when I noticed two of our little kittens perched on top of one of the little pink benches, the one beside the new siding. Of course, I had to stop and take a picture or two. Speaking of cute! Normally after a rain, I hurry to the flowers to see if there are any lingering raindrops. That always fascinates me. But this morning the two little kittens on the pink bench outranked my raindrop flowers for once.

Oh, and today is Mr. Fun's birthday! Happy Birthday to my other half I've been married to for 33 years. Find more of his fun upcycled crafts where he blogs at http://highdesertblogging.com.http://www.highdesertblogging.com

If you haven't ever visited Pink Saturday, come with me as I share this blog post there. You'll enjoy the beauties you'll find.

Springtime Gardening

Springtime! New buds on plants and trees, flowers - and weeds - popping up. It's a beautiful season. Well, maybe not the weeds part of it. But even that part can be a good thing. Need a little push to start exercising? That's a good way to do it. Pull weeds.

New to gardening? Purchase a hula hoe to make weeding a bit easier. If you've never used a hula hoe, let it not fool you with the two prongs on the one side. If you scrape with the prong side, all you'll get are two lines drawn in the dirt. You use the scraper side that pushes those weeds out of the dirt except those crazy stubborn dandelions. Pull the dandelions up with a shovel. Then to save you from back strain, use a grabber to pick up the weed to place in your waste bin.

Source: gettyimages.com via Randi on Pinterest

Visit a home and garden store or nursery for spring planting inspiration. Visiting without a list, though, could make a big dent in your pocketbook if you're not careful. The flowers are so vibrant and colorful that you'll want to buy one of each. So do a little research beforehand to see what grows in your garden's soil unless frugality isn't a concern. Then you can afford to experiment with flowers you haven't tried planting before.

Now go enjoy yourself strolling through the nursery aisles of flowers, plants, and trees. I find it to stir up creative ideas for gardening. Create your own gardening style. That's the fun of it!

Vintage Winter Finds

Vintage Sun Dial and Clock

Christmas decorations were stored, and I desired a fresh look for the new year. Looking around the cabin cottage for just the right items to place on the mantel, I remembered this Sun Dial Clock that I found at a favorite vintage shop for only $6.00.

Continuing my search for the look I wanted for the mantel, I discovered paintings that I had seen in the loft when we purchased our cabin. My husband had cleared out the loft to scrape the overpowering blue popcorn ceiling and prepare for painting. Fascinated by three paintings stored in the loft that we found when we purchased the house, I decided to use all three.

The paintings I inherited with my cabin cottage: 

This one has a gash in it...not sure what I can do to fix this. Any suggestions?

Hacienda Painting

Autumn Painting

My husband said this corner looks like an antique store!

Flowers in Vase Painting

The end results of my vintage search for the mantel:
A winter setting of blue, white, and black - a theme of purity with the white candle, church and its steeple (it's a bank my husband and daughter made years ago), my mother and dad (a minister of the Gospel)...

Winter Mantel - Church Bank and Family Photo

WINTER...the white candles and the glass made me think of purity and clean...

Candles, Scrabble Winter Word, and Glass Image Photo

THE HOLY BIBLE...the white candle...the blue and white and the ocean background of my daughter's picture...all reminded me of crystal blue and white - purity

Candles, Family Photo, and Holy Bible for Mantel Setting

Every word of God is pure: 

he is a shield to them that put their trust in him.

(Proverbs 30:5-American King James Version)

Thank you for visiting my blog today. May you feel the touch of the Creator on your life as you make this week's journey.
I'm linking up to these fun parties:
Knick of Time Party
Wow Us Wednesday

Rustic Exposed Beams Vintage or Modern

Rustic exposed beams are in and are seen in vintage as well as modern magazines. On my recent layover in Phoenix I purchased a Phoenix Home and Garden magazine and have yet to tire of it. It's filled Spanish/Mediterranean decor of the Southwest. Southwestern home decor includes Spanish, Mediterranean including rustic, colonial, cottages, cabins, Spanish red clay roofing tiles, Hacienda-style hallways and courtyards - vintage or modern.

Using recycled lumber in recreating the Early California Spanish hacienda has been a popular California trend in constructing custom homes. One such vintage lumber company is located in the beautiful Temecula, California wine country.

Thinking of going for the exposed beam look in your home? It will work for the farm/cottage style and the elegant decor with either faux or vintage beams. Enjoy the rustic exposed beam possibilities listed below.

Source: houzz.com via Laura on Pinterest

Source: sothebysrealty.com via Alaina on Pinterest

Source: countryliving.com via Alissa on Pinterest

Source: images.search.yahoo.com via Missy on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Alaina on Pinterest

Source: remodelingtherapy.com via Remodeleze.com on Pinterest

Source: designindulgences.com via Kathleen on Pinterest

Source: barnhousebh.com via Paula on Pinterest