Farm Fresh Eggs (A Cover-Up)

Hi Everyone!

Way back in October of last year, Mr. Bluebird raised the curtain rod on our kitchen patio door.  I also had him remove the gold vertical blinds (yuck!) at the same time.  The blinds were our attempt to block out the lightning during summer storms. We had hoped this would help our dog with his storm anxiety, but it was not to be.  After eight years, we threw in the towel and happily took down the verticals.  Just doing that brought in so much more light into our north facing kitchen.  

The Pottery Barn curtain panels also look so much better raised up about 4 inches. Of course, like any home improvement project - even the itty bitty ones, like this, there is a price to pay.  Our "bill" was an unsightly patch of white left behind because our lazy painter (yep, me!) did not remove the rod the last time I painted the room.  And of course, I no longer have the paint - nor do I know the color. Ugh!!! Will I ever learn?

Anyway.....this is what the middle area above  our patio door has looked like since October! I apologize to all of the guests who have come and gone during this time period.  It looks pretty shabby.  But, you know, you kind of get used to it and it just becomes part of the background.  

Fast forward to yesterday.  When I left the house to go grocery shopping, the ugly white patch was still there.  On my way home from the store, I  have to pass by this cute little shop. This shop is huge and has two floors of unique home decor and antiques.  One of my favorites!  Like many other shopping days, I found myself pulling up to Finders Keepers to see what was new.

I was on the hunt for a small accent lamp, but ended up buying this "Fresh Eggs" sign.  I knew it would be perfect for the space between the patio curtain rod and the patio door.  (It would also cover up the ugly white patch!)

I really like it and it is a great addition to the farmhouse decor - big and bold, yet simple.

The "eggs" sign really compliments the little rooster table vignette I have going on.

A glimpse from the other side of the room.  I think the graphics go well with my auction bill to the left.  You can read about that here.

I didn't find the little lamp I was looking for, but I definitely scored a gem yesterday.  The sign was made by local artist, Dan DiPaolo.  He has designed many things for Lang over the years and is one talented fellow.  You can read more about him on his website Dan DiPaolo Studios.  I like that this particular sign is not mass produced, it is all handmade and even signed by the artist.

On a completely unrelated topic, today I am cleaning our home office - it has really exploded into a disaster area.  I will be very glad when peace is restored to this room for many reasons.  One, we use it all of the time and two, it is one of the first rooms guests see when they come to the front door. So, a-cleaning I will go!

Thanks for stopping by,

Jane

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Blue? Who Knew?

Hi everyone!

Here we are - the 20th of January already. These early weeks are just flying by.  I have a quote on my chalkboard right now, "If winter comes, can spring be far behind?" At the rate this year is going, spring will be knocking at my door before I know it. (Never mind the snow in tomorrow's forecast!)

Let's talk about blue.

These days, I don't use a lot of blue in my home decor. I do have a blue ceilinged powder room, but that's about it. Years ago, I had tons of what was called "country blue" - I even had blue plaid counter tops in our kitchen. Don't judge - it was "all that" in 1989 when we built that house!

Perhaps that is the reason I haven't used much blue these past years. Who knows? Actually, I am just a warm color girl and blue is on the cooler spectrum.

But, wait! I've let some blue slip in recently. And....I am really liking it in this small dosage.

I've been sharing recently about the cabinet and blue willow pieces I received from my mom after her move. I have been playing around with styling the cabinet and since my mom always, always had blue willow in said cabinet, I decided to try incorporating a few pieces into my vignettes.

I put some ivy in an old cream pot, next to a black metal chamber stick. I opened one of the drawers and used it as display space.

I also put one of her blue platters inside the cabinet, and layered in a depression glass cake stand and Jadite pitcher. I like the pop of blue with the warm colors...adds some spice to every thing.

In small doses, I am really enjoying the blue. Who knew?

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

Linking with:
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Grace at Home

Market Cart - Art!

Hi everyone!

Just like last week, I am writing this post while watching the Green Bay Packers game. One more win and they will be headed for the Super Bowl! Of course, they have four quarters to play....So I am doing a little blogging to r-e-l-a-x! 

Last year I found an old, wheeled market cart at an antique mall. It spoke to me, but at the same time I just couldn't find a place in our house where it looked good. It sat in a corner, lonely and collecting dust.

One day I thought, "why not hang it on the wall?" And so I did just that (actually, Mr. Bluebird did just that, lol)!

You can see a glimpse of my coffee table. I am keeping it simple right now, enjoying the "after Christmas clean." The runner is a $5.00 scarf from Wal-Mart and the iron & glass cylinder candle holder is from Pottery Barn. Cheap & pricy: a beautiful combination.

This is a very grainy picture, but here is a closer view of the cart. (I may have a fancy schmancy camera now, but I am still learning how to use it!)

On the side table vignette, I put a potted plant in the Blue Willow creamer I first told you about here. I also mixed in a very sweet copper mold I picked up for $2.50 on New Year's Day.

I just think the little horse is adorable and adds a jolt of metal to the display.

The green lamp with burlap shade was a Home Goods find several years ago.


I really like how this part of the room is looking right now, and more than happy that I found a spot for my market cart...finally!

Now, about those Packers! Hoping for a win today. Any Packers fans out there?

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

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Memories & Momentos

Hi Everyone!

I am writing this post while watching the Packers/Cowboys playoff game....it's helping to relieve the stress! It's been a big football week around here...of course, it's exciting that our Packers are in the playoffs but an added twist is Tony Romo, the Cowboy' s quarterback, grew up just a few miles from us and Is a hometown favorite. Still rooting for the Pack, though. Sorry Tony!

Now, on to some decor additions to the Bluebird house.

My sweet, almost ninety year old mom recently sold her home and moved into an apartment. This all happened quite quickly and  meant doing quite a bit of downsizing.

For most of their lives, my parents lived an "American Pickers" kind of lifestyle and our house growing up was filled with an ever changing array of junk antiques. One thing that was a constant in the home I grew up in, and later in the house my parents spent the past thirteen years in, was this pine cabinet.

My mom was a whiz at refinishing and turned this battered cabinet into a thing of beauty. She always had it filled with her prized collection of Flow Blue and Blue Willow. Now, this cabinet has a prideful place in our living room. It balances the room out perfectly, as our large entertainment center is on the other end of the room. I am looking forward to filling it with treasures! I love having meaningful pieces in my house...it gives our home a soul.

I found a roll of $3.00 shelf paper that I plan on tacking to the inside back of the cabinet to help things displayed stand out a bit. I thought about painting the back,but once you do that, there's no turning back...not ready for that commitment! I will try the shelf liner for awhile.

 

I did keep a few of mom's Blue Willow pieces, like this super pretty creamer. It's chipped, but I still like it. I think I will put a little potted plant inside. The spice cabinet was a recent purchase from my favorite antique mall. I was going to hang it in the kitchen, but am thinking about using it somewhere less expected. Stay tuned for that!

I leave you with a picture of my mom. Probably the hardest working and positive-minded person I've ever known! I am hoping she will enjoy this next phase of her life and enjoy the new friends and activities available at her new home.

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

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Brain Freeze

Hi Everyone!

This is one of those brain freeze posts....a little of this, a little of that.

I know you must be tired of my weather rants this week, but seriously - IT IS COLD!!! Bone chilling cold. I would like to say we were able to hunker down at home and be cozy & comfy, but Mr. Bluebird is still recovering from knee replacement surgery so we have been out and about to physical therapy and a stop at his office.  We are home for the evening now, though, and we are very grateful to have a warm place to be. My heart really goes out to those who have to work outside or  are cold on night's such as these.

Brrrrr....a windchill advisory through noon on Saturday.

Even the dog is feeling the chill!

Our Old Glory is blowing in the cold, winter wind.

Plow and Hearth

The UPS guy braved the weather and delivered these veggie baskets from Plow and Hearth. I've been wanting these for awhile. One of them is extremely large, so I have to rethink where I am going to put them. Hope to do a post on that soon!

Definitely a "three dog night" ahead, but we will make do with our one!


Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

Cold, But Cozy

 Hi everyone!

Today has kind of been one of those lazy days at home - puttering around with this and that.  It's a nesting mode. We have hit the deep freeze here in Wisconsin, so a fluffy blanket, fuzzy slippers, magazines and my Kindle are my best friends!

A midst this unfortunate turn in our weather, I have been enjoying the best coffee EVER MADE!  This is a huge endorsement coming from yours truly because I am not a big coffee fan. However, I read somewhere that coffee is good for you and actually can help with weight loss - sign me up on all accounts! This particular flavor for the Keurig is fantastic and smells incredible.  Try it out!!!

I kept this urn filled with evergreen and poinsettias out - I really am enjoying the pop of color and the simplicity of the arrangement. A cheery accent for these cold, blustery days we are experiencing.

Our little "Charlie Brown" tree we planted from just a seedling a few years ago - being brave against the elements! It's only about three feet tall. Just a pipsqueak.

Our garden shed stands strong in the wind and snow.

I have had the cute ceramic kitty in a window in our various homes since 1984!  For the past twelve years, it has peered out of our shed window.  I just love him - so cute.  

And this, ladies and gentleman, is a look at the week ahead for my neck of the woods.  Can you all say "Brrrrr!!!!!"

Time to go snuggle by the fireplace, pick up a magazine, and of course, check out all the inspiration in blogland - I think I will be doing a lot of that this week!

Thanks for stopping by,
Jane

Linking with:
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Winter Blues Wednesday

Winter Meets Valentine's

Hi Everyone!

Well, Christmas 2014 is all tucked away in the record books here at the Bluebird household, which left things looking a little......sparse.  I am not a sparse kind of girl - although I do enjoy the order that comes after the chaos of Christmas!  But anyhoo, I decided to leave the garland around my kitchen chandelier after taking down the holiday goodies I added to it.  I really love this garland.  It is very wispy and just says "winter" to me.

The plain garland is pretty and all, but I still wanted a touch of holiday to cheer things up during the cold winter months.  With February fast approaching (it is, people, it is!), I headed over to Hobby Lobby and picked up a few bits and bobs that I thought would look good sprinkled in with my garland.

I was kind of feeling a country vibe, so I chose some cute cloth hearts, wood & burlap hearts, and some vintage-y metal hearts with beaded hangers.  The red and pink shiny heart garland brings a little bling onto the scene. I also pulled out some red gingham fabric from my stash.

 I wove the  heart garland around the pine garland, looping it and twisting it.  Then I added my fun ornaments.

I also cut some of the gingham into strips and tied them here and there around the garland.  I like the texture the fabric brings.

Just a simple, "heartfelt" bit of decor to bring a smile to our faces during this cold and snowy part of the year in Wisconsin.  I haven't done any other Valentine's type of decor around the house just yet, and this simple garland may just be enough this year.  Time will tell!

How about you? Are you looking for a little color to bring a smile to your house and heart this time of year?

Thanks for stopping by,

Jane

Chandelier source:

Lowe's

Portfolio Pot Rack Light

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