~ Yes... No.... Yes.... No

After a whole week of driving all over this place, I don't have a lot to show for it. But it was fun anyway. We went to places where we had been before and discovered some new ones.

Yes, I did love this green vintage glass ware. But I talked myself out of starting a new love affair with them, so....

No I did not get any of it. But I snapped a picture in case I "need" some later.

Yes, there were some fabulous old bottles in a couple of booths.
This guy had so many, so no....

I did not buy this many. I just added a few to my growing little box of goodies like this.

There were only a few vendors who had really great old hardware. This lady was very busy, and had one of the best selections of old junk/treasures. No....

I did not get anything here.
Although a great selection, I didn't need
anything that day

As we have gone out everyday looking, I again realized that the prices at the Extravaganza are often the best we find. If it was still going on this weekend, I might have wandered back up the road to look around some more.

And Yes! it was a great week with just the two of us tripping around in the truck looking for that special treasures. Sweet Hubby is back to work on Monday, but it was fun vacation, even though we "stayed at home."

Have a Wonderful Weekend!
See ya' soon.

~ Renninger's Extravaganza, Feb 2009

It was a beautiful crisp, cool day as we meandered through the rows filled with a wonderful diversity of goods ranging from treasures to junk. As far as you could see, there were tables and tents stretching on and on. It seemed that there were as many sellers this time as usual, but many said sales were down from years before.

We had a short list of things that we were hoping to find but didn't really find those. We were lucky to find a few others things though. I'm almost wishing that we had returned on Sunday to see if you missed any of the rows.

These are a few of the fabulous things that we really liked, but left for the next person.

The antique ceiling tins were huge. Where would we put them? I couldn't think of any place, but Sweet Hubby thought we should get one anyway. It was tough to walk away. His logic was we finally remembered to bring the truck, we should at least get something big. With those gorgeous fleur de lis designs, they were stunning.

I saw how easy it was to be fooled by metal and iron that was new but had been left outside for a while. Several vendors were selling rusty but new things. It appeared that a few people were fooled. I hope they just didn't care that the same items came from Michael's or Marshall's for half the price before they had been quickly rusted.

This iron was the real thing though. So beautiful with its amazing rusting, aged patina.

We are hitting every antique and pre-owned, and thrifty store this week that we can find, looking for some old furniture pieces to use for storage. So far not much luck. Maybe the next trip out will find a treasure.

See ya' soon!

~ Thankful Thursday, Decorating - Where to Begin

One Good Painting, a lovely Frame,
and fabulous Raku Pottery.
(Painting by Sweet Hubby,
Raku from Winter Park Art Show,
Frame from a Mirror at Ross.)

Thankful Thursday is a funny title because it seems an odd time of the week to stop for a moment and be quiet and reflective. That's why I like it, a good reminder.

Things to start with. Art. Plain and simple. Good art, real art, not something that came from Target. I totally understand that it's not cheap to do this. But there is nothing that compares to real art, except a handwoven rug, or a fine antique.

Start with as close to an empty room as possible. Add the one or two special things that you have, the art, a rug or an antique. Let it sit. For a day or so. Then decide not only what do you need the room to function as (yes, I know that's important) but how to build the room around your treasures. It gives you fresh perspective.

If you have one good painting, who cares if the sofa came from a thrift shop. It can be recovered. Wonderful art is a luxury I know. But it will last forever, you don't toss it out like a worn out sofa.


We were really surprised the last few art shows that we visited how much the prices had increased. Next month is one of the largest and best in the US that is held nearby. Sweet Hubby has shown in this one. The high quality is worth the day of viewing. About 150,000 people show up, to look, and hopefully to buy since many of the artists rely on art shows for their total incomes.

A setting like the one above in the first picture could be expensive on a modest budget. But you can find original art for any budget. I know how lucky I am that Sweet Hubby has such an amazing talent and so in every room we can have original art. He also loves exploring for antique treasures with me so we have a few of those, too. Finding art is like anything else worthwhile, it might take some effort to go out and hunt. Check out art shows, and places like Etsy. At most large and quality art shows, they have a student section. This is a fabulous way to have original art from students who may be exceptionally good.

The raku pottery was one of those special gifts, not an everyday expenditure. What I love the best about it is not just the outstanding quality, but that it reminds me of the wonderful day we had together at the art show hoping to find one special something, and then deciding on these together. Actually there is another large vase. This one was my favorite, and the other one was Sweet Hubby's. Then we did a little bargaining and we got the small third piece for free. Good art makes a room special!



Framing can be so expensive. For this size painting, with comparable molding, the price was over $300. Instead I find mirrors in ornate frames at Ross, Home Goods, and Marshall's and remove the mirror. The frames then costs $60 to $100. Quite a savings. Of course sometimes you get very lucky and find old frames at thrift shops, consignment shops or garage sales. I'm working on a couple of frames that we found a couple of weeks ago at a consignment shop. One more thing on that long to-do list.

See ya' soon.

~ Study of White, Tell Me It's Friday

It's Friday!!

When I was in school studying art, I loved drawing simple white draped fabrics. I still love white. It keeps calling me back again. Do you long for white that is aged, crumbling and peeling? It's so beautiful. If I can't have that, I'll take a nice painted antiqued finish. Off white, with touches of umbers and taupes, and a dash of sienna.

See ya' soon.

~ Almost Time for Renninger's Extravaganza, Take the Truck!

The gym memberships are getting expensive and I really didn't think we were getting our money's worth since we can't go more than twice a week. OK, so "I" could, but I don't go unless sweet hubby can go which is on the weekends. When I called to ask about any offers other than our renewal amount, I mentioned this to the nice guy. And he told me they just happened to have a plan for slouchers like me! I was delighted. No he didn't actually call me that. Everyone was happy. I saved $200, hubby got me to sign up again, and the gym kept customers who have been with them for 10 years.

But what did sweet hubby say when I told him that I saved some money? He said, great, now you have another $200 to spend at Renninger's. I told you he was sweet hubby.

We are going to take the truck. This silly guy didn't. They did get this large piece in the bug. However, I never did see him get in the car to drive it.

A few people like this guy couldn't help but watch to see if it could be done!

The stores inside pack their shops for the event!

Hundreds of vendors come from all over to set up their booths.

And you can find some wonderful treasures like these old ceiling tin moldings.
The one on the bottom came home with us.

The pictures are from of the last Extravaganza that we went to. It can wear you out. But of course it's a totally fun adventure. Just in case anyone is within driving distance here are the dates and info. Feb 20, 21, 22. And you can see an arieal veiw here.

See ya' soon!
Hope you are having fun traveling to all the blog give aways for OWOH.

~ Fabulous Friday, Happiness, Grisaille

Every time I pick up a paint brush, it makes me happy. No matter what I'm doing, painting a piece of furniture, redoing a small accessory or starting on a canvas, painting makes me happy. Is there something like that just makes you happy? Somewhere I read about writing a list of things that make you happy. It's a good way to get to know yourself. I found some funny things on it years ago. And now there are new things on the list, like petting puppy or having him sit in his chair beside me while I post a note here.

The armoire in our bedroom is another favorite project. The look is grisaille, monochromatic in shades of taupes, umbers, and a touch of sienna. It was something that sweet husband and I worked on together, he helped me attach the top piece, and then I had the joy of having a paint brush in my hands for a few days.

It wasn't all joyful though. While painting it, I didn't like the way it was going, and I tried to remove some of what I had just done. But the paint did not want to come off, not all together anyway. Fortunately I stood back and realized that it was turning out just the way I wanted it to. It looks like the surface developed over time. The process was just different than what I had planned. Funny how that happens.

(Grisaille (grɪʼzaɪ, -ʼzeɪl; French: gris, grey, French pronunciation: /ɡʁi.zaj/) is a term for painting executed entirely in monochrome, usually in shades of grey or brown... Wikipedia.)

Hope you have a great weekend!
See ya' Soon

My OWOH GiveAway Open Until Feb 12.

~ Thankful Thursday, the Living Room

Living Room Mid 2008

I gave this sofa to sweet daughter when she moved into her house. It wasn't new, wasn't perfect, but it was greatly appreciated with moving into her first house. It looks very good in her family room and will do for a few years, especially while Cody Puppy is growing up. I also gave her that square coffee table. It's great for entertaining and it works well in her living room. So right now the living is rather naked. The French chairs are still there, the rug is different, and the black marble top chest is still there. It will look pretty much the same even after I find the sofa. I'll have to do some detailed posts on this room, it might be interesting to see some of the elements that have gone into it and how they were accomplished.

I'm thankful that I have this picture to motivate me to go look for another sofa sometime this year! It just seems I get more distracted from these kind of tasks. I'm thinking for moving the dining room table in there until I get around to deciding on a sofa. There are just way too many things that really need to be done, and I'm not getting too many of them done at all.

The cool air finally descended all the way down here. We haven't had 3 nights of freezing temperatures in years. A hard freeze takes out a lot of our sub-tropical and tropical plants that we love to garden with. If the freeze gets them, we usually just plant some more and enjoy them anyway. It really isn't bad at all. I see what other are going through in the really cold areas. So I'm thankful for the warm sunshine on a cool day like today.

And then there is Cody Puppy. Aren't new puppy Nanas as "bad" as new baby Nanas! Yes they are. He's a genius, has slept through the night after the first couple of days, sits, comes when you call him, gives a paw shake.... um... all for treats of course. Treats, that's a Nana thing for sure. He knows who gives him the treats. I'm totally taken by surprise at how really good he is for my overworked, sweet daughter. After long hours at work, when she sees this puppy, it just melts the stress away and puts a smile on her face. I kind of like him, too. Thankful for Cody.

So today instead of looking for a sofa or doing the hundreds of things that really do nee to be done on the house, I'm running around after the puppy, trying to finish some custom art work and writing an article that is really giving me writer's block. I have no idea why, but it's going to break through today, I can just feel it. Positive thinking!

Please know that not just on Thursday, but everyday I open my little blog, I'm Thankful for all of you who come by and take a moment to leave a note. Blogging, it' s such a good thing.

See ya' soon.

** See the previous post for the One World One Heart GiveAway! **

~ One World One Heart, OWOH GiveAway Time!!

**Comments are now closed.**
Winner will be announced Feb 12th after noon.


(Click the Blue Button above for 900+!! GiveAway Gifts.)

I'm late, I'm late for a very important date.....
Oh! I almost missed the One World One Heart
GiveAway this year.
And I cannot miss it, I'm a charter member! LOL
This is my 3rd year, and I am so happy to be a part of it.
Thank you to sweet Lisa for creating
and hosting the big event!



Prize #1 to the first name drawn:
My newest print in my French Chair Collection
will go to the Winner of the OWOH GiveAway
here at The Decorated House

The basics are mostly the same on each blog, but here are my little game
rules for playing here on my blog:

** EVERYONE is WELCOME ***

You do NOT have to have a blog and you do NOT have to live in the US.

** You must leave your message on THIS POST/THREAD

** You must leave your NAME and an EMAIL address, or BLOG link, so I can get your prize to you.

** I am adding a couple more arty things along the way. The first picture is just the first of my GiveAway Goodies.

** The winner will be picked at 8am (EST) Feb 12th
and posted later during the day of the 12th. **
Come back often to see what is new in the GiveAway.
You can post a note more than once, and you will be given another chance to win.

Good Luck!

***EDIT >>> ADD ON PRIZE #2 ****
The prize to the 2nd name drawn:
A Print of The "Famous" Beau Bunny
(Hey, he thinks he's famous!)
"He Wore His Heart on His Sleeve"

This print has been sent all around the world, and I'd love to give one to one of you.

~ Thankful Thursday

Do you ever wonder where in the world other people store and keep things in their homes? For me I want to know about kitchen goodies. If you put away all the good things you need, and want to eat everyday, you wind up forgetting you have them.

Of course most fruits have to stay out in the open, so that's a challenge. And then there are all those nuts and dried fruits and yummy things. When you buy nuts and things like that in bulk, they get put away under the counter. Then we realize we are not eating them, so they get pulled out and sometimes left out. The other day I walked in and realized we had about so many different things on the counter! All I wanted was a simple solution. Somehow to keep them within sight so we ate them, but not so they took up space or were just a bunch of clutter.

I set out to find simple, small glass jars that would seal tight. What luck that I found them the first trip out. I love these small jars that can sit out with being too cluttered or taking up much room. They were at Ross in case anyone else needs some.

Pistachios, Almonds, Cashews, Dried Papaya, Dark Chocolate Almonds, Dried Ginger, 
Carob Energy Treats, Chia, Walnuts, Pecans, Sunflower Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds
Cashews, Hemp, for a few ideas. Doggie Treats are on another shelf. 

I know it's a very, very small thing. But I'm really grateful to have the space back on my counters and still be able to remember to enjoy the treats! A part of this new year for me is to try really hard to look for the smallest of things that I should be thankful for. The big things are so easy aren't they?

I love hearing back from you all when a holiday comes up and you are decorating with something that you purchased in my shop, or sometimes it's an everyday piece. Thanks so much, I appreciate it.

The French Chair collection is in pink and Tiffany blue colors. I think the simple black chair, with fleur de lis and a brownish gold frame is in the shop, too. I'll have to check because I know it's done.

French Chairs, Bunnies, Valentines & Puppy Kisses

Even if you had told me ahead of time, and some of you did, that being a puppy Nana was going to keep me very, very busy, I wouldn't have guessed how right you were. It's a trip. Like babies and little kids, I don't remember it being so much work the last time. Nor this much fun. Cody has a little curl in his tail, and when he's good, he's so very good, and when he's bad.... aw he's just a little bad. Overall he is great, although I have to watch him every single minute. I just can't get much done these days but I'm getting more exercise just running around after him.

He takes a nice nap in the afternoon in his bed by my feet and lets me work on the computer. So I have been able to get a little bit done here and there. There are some new goodies in the shop for Valentine's Day. I love the French Chair series I've been working on.

And Beau Bunny has a new Valentine's Day portrait. I hope to get some cards made, too. But no time for them yet.

See ya' soon!
Click on any of the pictures below to shop art from The Decorated House 

~ Wisdom & Magic . Feast of the Epiphany

..

This day is usually the beginning of the year for me. The first few days of January are still filled with left over holiday activities and trying to get everything put away again. The crèche is the last thing to be put away. On this day I stop and think of Wisdom & Magic. I love the story of the Magicians (Magi), Astrologers who came to visit the Christ child. Nothing in the story says anything about kings and that got distorted over time. They were men of wisdom and magic who read the movement of the stars.

The tree is finally gone, the decorations packed and ready to put up and away. It's been a little bit slower than usual with having the new family member. Cody says thanks for all the well wishes. He is really a very good pup. I hope he stays this way and I think he will since we are more intent on doing the early days correctly this time around.

We celebrate this Feast Day with a simple meal of French Onion Soup (without beef broth,) fruit salad and fresh baked bread. Some hot chocolate chips cookies sound good, too. It's the favorite dinner for my little family and they both chose the meal years ago. The twelfth night, the end of the Christmas season, it's a day of more thanksgiving. There is a promise of wisdom and magic if we only chose to look, and that is my intent for the new year.

See ya' soon!

~ A New Year, A New Love

It was Fate, pure and simple.

He was waiting for Sweet Daughter. She brought him to her, or did he bring her to him. Either way, it was meant to be. He was looking for love but held out until she came to find him because he knew she would love him the best.

How wonderful are the people who run rescue homes? It takes such dedication and heart. The nice lady got a call at 10 pm asking for help. Only a one day window to help, then the lot of them would be gone. All eight of them. The rescue lady of course could not let something so sad happen. She came to the rescue, again.

She found homes for every single one. All the adopting people had to fill out applications, agree to the rules, which were not all that easy, and to have a home visit before the decision was made. Everyone showed up on Saturday. Except one. They actually were looking at several options and didn't tell Rescue Lady and didn't show up. One little guy was left, but went home with a foster daddy to play.

And that is how they found each other. We left early to look at other little fur balls, but they were scooped up in minutes by people who had waited for 4 hours. How great is that!? Fabulous actually. We had no idea that would happen.

So we headed north to BJ's. It just happens to be by another pet store which has rescue Saturdays, too. And there he was. Just sitting and waiting. Everyone thought he was waiting for the rescue lady to pick him up from the foster daddy, but no, he knew who he was looking for. Sweet Daughter. And she knew him before she even got out of the car.

Cody, thanks for waiting for us. There were quite a few twists in his tale to make sure he didn't go somewhere else. And someone had to agree to be with him during the day, so that makes me a new Nanna for the daytime hours. He is Yellow Lab Retriever & Golden Retriever. Right now he's snow white and just plain cute.

He's 11 weeks old & of course a little genius. But aren't they all?

See ya' soon!
Cheers to the Best New Year!