~ New Goodies to Share ~

Happy Friday Friends!...well it's April 15th and just yesterday I got our income taxes finished and mailed...come to find out that this year the deadline is Monday the 18th and I had a whole 'nother weekend!...LOL...it's just as well...I am always glad to get that humungous chore outta the way!

After all that number crunching and paper sorting, I have treated myself, fairly well I might add, to some new goodies that I'd like to share. As you know, I love collecting handmades and I have added some wonderful treasures to my collections!...lookie here, I purchased not one but two new Schneeman bunnies made by Norma!...aren't they precious?...I've got one on each end table that are on either side of the sofa.
Also, I was fortunate enough to purchase this adorable bunny made by Lori of Homespun Prims by Lori along with this beautiful fabric covered box that came with the adorable little pinkeep...isn't this just as cute as can be?
And lookie at the cupboard hanger I purchased from Ronda of Simple Thyme Prims!

And this cute bear made by Jenn of Rabbit Hollow Prims...I love the lavender flower she crocheted!
Then there's these adorable bunnies that I purchased from Maureen of Buckbrush Farm...the standing one dressed in the brown coat and the wee chalkware one that I've placed in a pewter dish with an olde wooden egg...I just love 'em!
If all of that wasn't enough...the other day I went out and about to a few places that I don't get to very often...and I purchased this sweet little pot of faux daffodils at Pottery Barn...I love Pottery Barn...so many of their things blend with so many decorating styles!
Last but not least, there's this absolutely gorgeous pot of faux flame tulips...a good customer of mine had requested that I find her some potted tulips so I ordered these for her...I had to order a minimum of three so after shipping her's off and keeping one for myself, there's one left and I've placed it for sale in my shoppe!
There's only one though cuz I'm keeping mine! LOL!...oh and that cute little candleholder is new in my shoppe as well...it's the Teacup Candle Holder with a Blackened Grubby Nubbie which is also new, they are fabulous candles!...the prim herb rabbits you see there in the cheese box were handmade by my dear friend Karen of Olde Cottage Primitives and given to me as a gift!

I've been mighty darn good to myself haven't I?...I almost feel guilty!...notice I said "almost"...LOL!

Have a most joyous weekend all!

~ Spring Decorating and other Stuff ~

Whew!...it's Saturday afternoon and I can relax for just a bit...my shoppe keeps me so busy most of the time and since the Post Office closes at noon here on Saturday, I feel like I can breathe just a bit because no orders can be mailed again until Monday...so I feel like the pressure is off for awhile once I've been to the Post Office on Saturday morning!

Alot has been going on here under the willow tree...we are still working on resolving the damage on our house that was caused by the roofers...had much of the siding replaced about a week ago and it's looking better...still not sure if there's anything that can be done about all of the tar scrapes they left on the brick portion...and we are going to make a trip to the nursery to replace the plants they trampled and ruined as well as replace the yard nicknacks they broke...whatta nightmare this has all been!

Also, it looks like our little family is going to get a bit smaller...daughter-in-law has decided she doesn't want to be married to our oldest son anymore and she has moved out of their home...isn't it just the worst thing seeing the kids hurting?...it's almost unbearable!

On a MUCH brighter note, I wanted to share with you some new things I've acquired recently. First there's my new make-do chair, isn't it lovely? It was made by Pat of Olde Bittersweet Farm. Yes the bedroom still has the mauve carpeting, we must not forget its awesomeness! LOL I had an olde ladderback chair there filled with these dolls and I like the make-do chair better! I put the ladderback back in the family room where it originally was. While snapping pics, I thought I would add this one of our bed...I updated the bedding last year and never took a pic!I've also added a couple new bears to my prim bear collection. The two newest are the smallest bear, made by Dru of Cinnamon Creek Cabin, seated on the lap of the larger bear she also made...and the bear on the left, his name is William, he was made by my friend Karen...he's quite lovely and she even knitted his scarf!...she's having an update on her selling blog on Sunday...here's the link, Olde Cottage Primitives ...be sure to check it out!
I've also purchased a few new baskets from Pam. First I ordered one of her twelve inch cheese baskets to hang above my antique pie safe. Then I ordered one of her fourteen inch tobacco baskets and I think I like it better here but which do you think looks better? They are both beautiful baskets, I just am not sure which one looks better in this spot, maybe the answer is they both look good, who knows!
I also wanted to mention that cute little wax standing rabbit to the left of the spring pinkeep I made (pattern by Country Rustic Primitives)...the rabbit that is wearing the cloth tie is from Dana of Homespun Treasures ...I purchased it and a tart from her but you should have seen all of the wonderful extras she included in my package!...oh my what a generous gal she is!...Thank You Dana!...everything she sent me is wonderful so I know you will not be disappointed with any purchase you make from her site!

Now back to Pam...when I ordered the cheese basket, she surprised me with a very special gift!...knowing how I love hearts and heart shaped things, she sent me a heart shaped basket that she made some time ago and I found a nice spot for it in the laundry room...doesn't it look cute there? (the camera flash created some strange glare/shadow off the dryer and onto the wall, there's not really a big white smear there, LOL)
I spend a fair share of my time in here and it brings a smile to my face every time I look at it, Thank You Pam!...oh and I also purchased this sweet little buttermilk painted basket, which I just love, from her!
As much as I dislike spring with all of its cootie bugs, stinging, flying, and otherwise, I must say that I find it a fun season to decorate for...I don't know why, but I've always had a "thing" for artificial flowers and greenery...is that weird?...does anyone else have this fetish?...I have uploaded all of my spring decorating pics to my Picture Trail in an album titled "Spring Decorating 2011" so go on over and have a look and let me know what you think!

Thanks for visiting and have a joyous weekend!

~ TEN YEARS ~

Ten years ago today was one of the worst days in my life. On February 18, 2001 my hero, Dale Earnhardt died. Your hero? a race car driver? you may wonder. Yes but he was so much more.
He was a kind man, a strong man, a tall man, a handsome man, he was a good man. He gave generously to charity, not only monetarily, but of himself as well, and most of the time we never heard about it because that's how he wanted it, that's just the kind of person he was. He never forgot from where he came and his heart was made of gold. He lended a helping hand to so many.
The Intimidator was his persona and yes, he was just that on the race track. Oh what fun he was to watch on the race track! He was The Man! But off the track he was a respected and beloved father, husband, son, and brother.
The sport will never be the same for me but I do still enjoy NASCAR and watch all of the races. I haven't attended a Cup race though since before he died. I've attended a few Nationwide (the secondary series) races but no Cup because that is where he raced and I guess I just haven't wanted to attend the race and not see that black number 3.
I'll never forget the first time he caught my attention when I was really getting into NASCAR back in the 80's. He was holding his little daughter in his arms before a race and she kissed him on the cheek and hugged his neck...the television announcer commented on the sweet picture saying, to that little girl he's no Intimidator, he's just Daddy. That just melted my heart right then and there and at that moment is when I became a fan...I will always be a Dale Earnhardt fan.

~ Valentines ~

I have always adored hearts and heart shaped things...I have them in various places throughout my home all year long...but for Valentine's Day they're everywhere!...here are some pics I took of my Valentines...

























Happy Valentine's Day!

~ A Real Treat! ~

Yesterday I received an order of candles and I am SO impressed with the scent throw on this big one that I just have to share! I love love LOVE candles and consider myself a candle expert so to speak. I have burned many a candle in my time and can honestly say that these Primitive Jar Candles are among THE BEST ever!! All of their scents that I have tried have been SCRUMPTIOUS and the scent throw is FABULOUS! This new 64oz. candle is HUGE...it has 3 wicks...and the scent just fills the whole family room!...I LOVE IT!!...I also received these awesome Crow Tarts in the matching scent and they too smell absolutely WONDERFUL!So if you are looking to treat yourself or if you are looking for a new candle to burn, I highly recommend these!...and not just because I sell them in my shoppe but because they are truly wonderful candles!

Have a joyous weekend!