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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Autumn Leaves Tablescape

I pulled a few items together that I had, most of them for years, and a few local finds, to create an Autumn leaves tablescape.
 The rattan chargers that I used last week are here again. That black fabric place mats reverse to red for   another look. Two for one placemats.
 The leaf print service plates are fabric backed glass.
 They were a thrifty find at a local craft fair. Someone had decoupaged fabric on the back of glass plates. I got 4 for $1.25.
 All the leaf pottery is from Walmart. I bought it on sale last year.
A wreath of fabric Autumn leaves encircle a glass hurricane pillar candle.
 Clay pot saucers are used as wine coasters. The classic amber stemmed German wine glasses were bought in Germany many years ago.
 Grapevine napkin rings.
 I used a long hand knitted scarf as a table runner. These scarves are great to find at all of our local towns art and craft fairs.
An Autumnized table! Ready for a autumn dinner... start with my Baked French Onion Soup.

Cheers!
Rita
Links: Between Naps On The Porch, My Romantic Home, Domestically Speaking, A Stroll Thru Life

Monday, October 25, 2010

Blogging On The Deck

The weather here during the day has been perfect. Warm sunny days. Perfect for sitting outside on our deck. I'm loving my new computer, the MacBook Pro. I can take it anywhere. No more being stuck inside. This is the best of both worlds, blogging and enjoying the view!

Cheers!
Rita

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Scenic Drive Day

Since the Fall Foliage report said that the colors are at their peak we decided to take a drive. We took the
Cherohala Skyway, "A Drive Above the Clouds" from North Carolina thru the Nantahala National Forest into the Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee.
Of course we took the doggies along.
 The road switchbacked the mountains.
It was a beautiful sunny, warm day.
 We made it to the the top.
I can see my house from here!
Great fall views.
I thought ahead and put a pot roast in the crock pot before we left. When we got home hungry at 7:00pm
 it was ready. It's always good to walk in the door and smell something delicious cooking.  For the recipe click on  Rita's Recipes 

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Salvaged Wood Shelf

We added a thick wood shelf to the wall with the black bear.  It's only 7"wide and  82"long, so it fit perfectly in that space.
Then I moved the black camelback trunk underneath .
I moved the antique pottery churns to the side of the trunk.
It stores our out of season clothes.
Leaf art.
This is the wall -BEFORE.
This is the wall-AFTER
This is how it started. Our son-in-law, Mike had this piece of wood in his garage. It's a salvage piece from an old bar. He had used most of the wood building a table and had this piece leftover. He knew the scavenger in me would love it. I didn't know exactly where I would use it, but was thinking shelf. He had it sanded in no time so that I could stain it. We loaded it into the van when we left New Jersey. 
I found the perfect spot for it, on the bear wall, behind the love seat.
"We" stained it, and attached it to the wall with wrought iron brackets.
It's very thick and rustic looking.
It has a thick bullnose edge and great wood grain.
I couldn't wait to put stuff on it accessorize it.

 Thanks Mike!


To see how we made the bear click HERE

May Days






Friday, October 15, 2010

Fun Frugal Fall Fashion

 A few goodies I found while on the local thrift store hunt.
 Black leather cowboy boots for $2.50.
A full length leopard print skirt with a fringe bottom, $2.50. A black leather Etienne Aigner purse, $2.00.
I think I'll wear these pieces tomorrow night for dinner and a movie. The movie ticket will cost more!

Have A Good Weekend!
Rita


Links: Coastal Charm, The Shabby Nest

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Weekly Table Change, Black & White

Gathering some of my this-and-that to create a neutral Fall table setting for the week.
 Here's what I used.
 Leather placemats from JCP outlet, $2 each. I know...rrrrrrr!
 Woven bamboo chargers. I found these last Saturday at the Maple Leaf Fest in Whittier. I got 6 for $2 !!
 My pewter dinnerware set of 6 dinner plates, salad plates, bowls, and mugs with white pottery liners. I got this set at a neighborhood garage sale in Barrington, IL many years ago for $30.
 Grapevine napkin rings. White ceramic escargot dishes. We love escargot.
 My hammered finish Cambridge flatware works with everything.
 White teapot on warming trivet, cow creamer, heart ramekin for soft butter and covered bowl for sugar or jam.
 Cow salt and pepper set sits in front of a black and white gingham check Fall pumpkin from Target.
 A Longaberger wrought iron candle stand usually sits on the kitchen window sill. This week it's a centerpiece.
 A Longaberger pillar candle holder works perfectly as a wine caddy. I love the pinecone and acorn motif.
 I used the Longaberger wrought iron stand again, but this time with the metal tray to hold the teapot and cow creamer.
It also has a Fall relief pattern.
A use what you have tablescape!

Rita

May Days

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Guest Bathroom Before and After

"Bear" bones guest bath before. 
after
Bear and evergreen tree shower curtain hooks. Natural color waffle weave shower curtain.
before
after accessorizing.
 Bear and tree metal counter accessories: tissue cover, mug & holder, toothbrush caddy & holder.
Lotion dispenser & holder, soap dish & holder.
black, red, taupe
A bear theme on the hand towels in a rustic twig basket.
A deep whirlpool bathtub is perfect for a nightly bubble bath. A basket of extra large bath towels is handy.
Opposite the sink. Watercolors in the room are by Frank Staral. We bought these at the annual Fall Art Show in Barrington, IL
I found most of the bear accessories at Target.

May Days