I Love Frilly Skirts and Curvy Legs!

Several years ago I saw a china cupboard at a yard sale that needed repairs and was filthy. I saw the potential beyond the dust and needed repairs and bought it. I loved the intricate details, curvy legs and frilly skirt!

 

She sat in our garage at Fleur Cottage, partly because I didn't know what to do with it and mostly because of our cancer journey. While it was stored in the garage, the glass to the door got broken; it was very disappointing because the glass was wavy and original. I mourned that in a healthy way and moved on. *smiles*

 

She was put up for the auction at our sale and nobody wanted her. I couldn't believe that no one saw her potential so she came home with me to Apartment 12 and stored in the barn. Now she sits in my living room and I'm really pleased with the results.

 

Transformation!

 

I decided to paint it in the apartment for convenience sake as it needed so much clean-up and repairs as well as not having to trudge through the cold, ice and snow we had.  

 Stick bugs and dust...eeeek! I found a few papers in the drawer that were dated in the mid-seventies. The drawer was very hard to pull out so I planed it down before I painted it.

I was delighted to find the missing piece to the leg on the left but not in the middle. I used wood putty to repair it and was delighted with the results. The finished leg is on the right.



She must have been stored in a damp place because the veneer was loose. I repaired some and took some off that was in the back where it made no difference. As noted, it was made in China. 

Pretty drawer handles, intricate details and the door handle. It was off-center with a missing knob. For now, the door is not back on the cupboard and will be a future project someday, possibly with chicken wire to replace the glass.

 

Transformed and isn't she pretty?



 

It sits beside the door leading to the upstairs and replaced the bookcase that was there. Books, dolls for the girlies and miniature cars/trucks for the boys are in the baskets. The drawer stores the games.

Aren't her frilly skirt and curvy legs lovely?

A close-up of the lovely details.

 

Before and after.

 

I'm very pleased with the end results!

 

 

~ Esther





Ah, Winter...Ah, Summer!

 Today...

Midsummer...

Same spot!

Each has their own beauty and both have their season.

It's a promise!

~ Esther

Bookcases and Desk Wall Unit

 

The bookcases and desk are finished! I was surprised how smoothly and easily it was to get this done. I painted the bookcases in the paint room and the desk in the apartment to avoid having to empty the drawers. I tend to be a sloppy painter but using drop cloth and newspapers tucked under the desk, I had minimal clean-up.
 

The desk was given to my honey on his sixteenth birthday from his parents. As you can see, this sturdy desk was well-used and battered. I debated if I wanted to paint the top and did for two reasons. The top was not wood and it was worn.  I was going to paint the handles black but saw a desk with white painted handles and waa-la, mine are too. I really like the feminine flair it gives to the desk.





As I was painting the desk I thought of moving it between the bookcases and create a wall unit. I lived with it for several days and decided I liked it. Making this move meant I needed another mirror to fit the space. I found one at the local thrift shop that is a perfect fit. And the lack of a chair? The desk is too high for me and 'net connection is poor in that area so I do my laptop business at the dinning room table.



The weather is in a deep freeze right now but I'm yearning for summer spring! This is as close to a spring feel I can get for now.  

Before and after.

I switched out the décor and used pieces from my collection of ironstone. I kept the globe look on one side and a collection of crocheting threads on the other. I love the softer look!

 

The window seat is now by a window. It's a good place to sit and soak in the sun or daydreaming of summer! 

 

 

 

~ Esther

Today I Love...

Winter in black and white. Icy. Misty. Quiet. Time for reflection.

 

Enjoying the peace of today.

 

 

~ Esther

Today...

I treasure the moment...

 

My favorite mug that was gifted to me from a niece-in-law. These home-made hot chocolate dippers were a gift from my dear friend, Kay, who spent several hours here last week.

 

I cannot lie - I ate it off the stick with a cup of my favorite cappuccino. What can I say? It was delicious!

 

 

It snowed today and it was the perfect time to indulge!

 

 

~ Esther





Words for Twenty-Fifteen

 

Choosing a word or words with care is important. We all know that and we all fail at times. Too many times, I speak out of impulse...God and I are working on that because I really want that to change.

 

Instead of choosing a word for 2015, I decided on a phrase and chose 'Treasure the Moment.' Most of us have conversations on how time passes so quickly and here we are - a brand-spanking new year ahead of us...again! Truthfully, I don't want to bemoan how time passes so quickly...instead, I want to treasure the moments!

 

I  treasure family! Our children and my siblings. My brother next to me in age just had open heart surgery and its caused me to take a fresh look at myself. I treasure the moments of good health and want to do what is in my power to continue to enjoy that wonderful gift. I can lose weight, exercise, eat real foods...it's up to me to make these choices.

 

I treasure the moments spent with friends who speak into my life. I want to be the kind of a friend that speaks life into others. I don't want to be the person who sucks all the air out by being so opinionated it pushes people away. Or be that needy it does the same thing.

 

I treasure the moments of being alone so I can renew self. Too much busy-ness makes me soul-weary.

 

I treasure my church family! I still get hugs from my little girlfriends who miss the 'smarty man' with me. Friends who remind they pray for me and share the memories of my honey with me. Folks who take the time to care enough to ask and listen. 

 

So, 'treasure the moment' is my mantra for 2015. To slow down and choose quality above quantity!

 

~ Esther

 

   

Christmas at Apartment 12

Christmas decorating this year is centered around greens and pinecones. They are more wintry than Christmas so they will stay up through January and possibly part of February. As I mentioned before, I get good quality greens the day after Christmas for a large percentage off...so fun to see what is left!

Welcome!



I love my entrance in the winter just as much as I do in the summer!

The greens are tucked in around what is already there. I found the large pinecones in the bottom of the bag; I forgot they were in my collection. Painting the bookcases are a project for this winter.

I love my wide window sills!

 

I don't do much red; however, these were the hunting socks my honey had ever since he started hunting at a young age. They were a seamless wool until I cut them into smaller socks. I wish I would have left them like they were. The red jacket is mine and is hanging there solely for decoration. The bench was made by his mother and my shoes are stored in a basket under it.

 My tarnished silver tree, a perfect size for a small space.

Pinecones and burlap! I used an embroidery hoop to wind the burlap swag around it. Simple perfection!

 My collection of putz houses. The two below were taken when we had our first snow.

Dining room buffet dressed in simple greens and cloches.

 

A favorite with greens and berries tucked in.

 Bedroom window.

This was taken during the first snow as well.

 

Wishing you a joyous Christmas and a wonderful 2015!

 

 

~ Esther