ahhhhhhh....Tim McGraw

Ok ladies....Ok Faith...I just have to write something on my favorite Country Western guy....Mr. Tim McGraw! I have always loved Faith Hill (his wife), but I have to tell you, I just think that Tim is my ultimate Country Guy! Perhaps it is the sweet way he talks...a kind of shyness-boyish-innocence look about him....the way he looks at his wife when they sing together...his clear and kind voice....the songs about peanuts and coke and the simple times of life...when a hoe was a hoe, when Coke was a Coke..when crack was a joke.....So, I ask you, what is not to like? I have fallen in love with his lyrics, and well, just his overall hunkiness.

I grew up listening to Country music. Back then it was Merle Haggard, Conway Twitty, Lynn Anderson, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Roy Clark and Buck Owens...some fond memories from my childhood years....thank you, Dad, for introducing me to that music! smiling. However, I rebelled against it (guess I loved rock-n-roll...) and loved bands like Kiss, Blue Oyster Cult, Elton John, Boston, Styx, Journey, Rush (my brother Bob's alltime favorite band)...just to name only a few of many.

In 4th grade I signed up to play an instrument. Gosh...what to pick??? My Grandma and Grandpa fiddled...so why not the violin? Oh my, it wasn't the sounds of what I heard them play, but hey....it was fun nevertheless. So, my dream was to fiddle...well, someday..... But, in the meantime, I will love the Orange Blossom Special (on my playlist) and dream of fiddlin'...just not with Tim McGraw! Afterall, he is spoken for...as am I.....!!!!

...so do you remember fried bologna sandwiches with mayo and tomat-A's?.......I like the old out-dated way of life........how 'bout you?

A gift from my sweet friend, DEB!

The story goes like this....

Last year I purchased a wonderful Hoosier with the BEST green washed paint, green glass knobs, white and green enamel top...it was a beauty and I love green..so home it went. I bought the piece from my friend Jennifer, who she and her husband, Skip, own Crow Trading Antiques here in town. Jen put the sold sign on the Hoosier and I picked it up a few weeks later. In the meantime, Deb (who I hadn't met yet) went into the store, saw the Hoosier, and was upset that someone else had bought it. Jen told me the story about this.

After having it in my den-office-sittingroom-should be the formal dining room....it just did not fit in. If I had had space in my kitchen, I would have moved it in there. Remembering the story Jen shared with me about Deb, I called Jen, got Deb's number and Deb came over and bought it. You see, Deb needed a green Hoosier for her garden room.

One day Deb invited me over to see her collections. Oh my goodness! Does she have wonderful things!! Her garden room is simply beautiful with the two Hoosiers she already had in there along with her vast collection of Shawnee, McCoy, and Robinson Ransbottom pottery pieces...all in greens, whites, robin's egg blue and yellow. After seeing her room, I knew that the Hoosier would fit right in.

While walking through her home, I spotted a white hutch that was chalked full of vintage Christmas goodies. Oh boy, howdy do! The hutch is exactly what I was looking for and she told me she would trade it with me towards the purchase of the Hoosier. The hutch had the old wavy glass front cabinets, original white porcelain knobs and storage below. So, we both ended up with beautiful things!

Last week Deb gifted me with this beautiful vintage Vogart Scotty Dog pillow. (She also collects Vintage Vogart Pillow tops). She found the unstitched pillow top and knew that she would finish it and give it to me. What a sweetheart! She did all of the embroidery and added the black edging (she found that at JoAnn's fabrics). Attached to the pillow was a card that she made. It is a picture of the green Hoosier...all decked out in her garden room. See, it was meant to be! That old green Hoosier has brought us together...oh, and with a thank you to Skip and Jennifer. Mr. Doogs likes the pillow as well!

Some lil' Vintage Kissy-Kissy

When I saw these vintage wall pockets for sale in Jennifer's online shop at The Old Painted Cottage (http://www.theoldpaintedcottage.blogspot.com/), I HAD to have them!!! Not only are they RED but they are of children! Love the chippy and worn look to the paint, too. After I bought them, Miss Jennifer emailed me and told me that when she bought them she had me in mind. And voila! they are now in my little home. You can hang them on the wall, but I like them just standing together...well, for now. Thank you Jennifer for selling these. I think of you every time I look at them! A wink and a smile to you!

Sentiments of Motto Prints....

There is just a sweetness about motto prints. For some reason, I am drawn to them and love collecting them. The motto prints that I have are from the 1920's. There is a certain look that I like...parchment colored paper, pictures of flowers, friendship mottos, birds, dogs, boats...soft and pretty ones. Nothing too bright or too art deco. They usually are framed in a pretty little frame, too.

My first one is pictured..it says, "You're The Sweetest Sweetheart.." I gave it to my hub one year for Valentine's Day. Another gift to him was the one with the clipper ship...it has a great "guy" look to it...and he loved it because it has a boat on it.

I have motto prints all through our home, however I did a grouping of them in our half bathroom downstairs, above the beadboard.

You can find motto prints at estate sales, flea markets, antique stores and eBay. They are becoming more collectible, especially the motto prints that have dogs on them. You can pay 30.00 on up for a Scotty Dog motto print on eBay. If you key in Buzza Motto print on eBay, you will come up with a variety of mottos for sale. Once you have one, you will want more!

Sooner or Ladder....let's see if the photos show this time.....

Many years back I went to a garage sale and found a sorry looking piece of furniture. I didn't know what to call it other than a receptical for garage what-nots. It had paint can stains, oil stains and well, it was a sight for sore eyes. At the time I wasn't sure where it would land in the house, but I could see it had good bones and potential. There was even an old crackle finish on the sides. After a good scrubbing, sanding and several coats of paint, it was alive and pretty again. Even though my kitchen is not really large, I thought it would be great to hold cookbooks and other tid bits. It has been at home in the kitchen since.

One day I was looking at it and thought, "A vintage towel bar would be great mounted on the side so that I can display some of my vintage towels." After having no luck at finding the right size towel bar, a light bulb went on in my head. Why not hang the old red vintage ladder that I already have on the side? So, I got it out and it fit perfectly. I now have a place to hang some of my towels without having to worry about one of the guys using it to wipe mustard off of the counter with. I know that some of you know what I mean!! smile.

Coconut Custard Pie

This recipe is from my sister-in-law, Valerie, who is a pro in the kitchen! About 23 years ago, we took a trip to see Valerie. At the time she lived on Lopez Island, in the Puget sound. She baked for a restaurant there and made all kinds of wonderful desserts and breads. I fondly recall the homemade Brioche that she taught me to make one evening. Anyways, if you like custard and coconut, then you will most likely like this recipe.

Coconut Custard Pie

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

4 eggs
6 Tblsp. Butter at room temp: note: I use 4 Tblsp and unsalted butter. This makes it less greasy.
1/2 C flour
2 C milk
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 C sugar

Whisk the eggs first and then add the remaining ingredients and mix well. I just mix by hand with a spoon, but you could also use an electric mixer. The mixture will be lumpy.

Add:

1 Cup coconut (unsweetened ribbon coconut) note: I use the regular sweetened and it is terrific.

Grease and flour a 10 inch pie pan. Pour mixture into pan and bake for 50-60 minutes..just until the top is golden brown and an inserted knife comes out clean.

Great to serve with a dollop of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Note: After removing the pie from the oven, it will collapse as it cools. We like it served warm, but it is delicious cold, too.

Sooner or Ladder.....

Many years back I went to a garage sale and found a sorry looking piece of furniture. I didn't know what to call it other than a receptical for garage what-nots. It had paint can stains, oil stains and well, it was a sight for sore eyes. At the time I wasn't sure where it would land in the house, but I could see it had good bones and potential. There was even an old crackle finish on the sides. After a good scrubbing, sanding and several coats of paint, it was alive and pretty again. Even though my kitchen is not really large, I thought it would be great to hold cookbooks and other tid bits. It has been at home in the kitchen since.

One day I was looking at it and thought, "A vintage towel bar would be great mounted on the side so that I can display some of my vintage towels." After having no luck at finding the right size towel bar, a light bulb went on in my head. Why not hang the old red vintage ladder that I already have on the side? So, I got it out and it fit perfectly. I now have a place to hang some of my towels without having to worry about one of the guys using it to wipe mustard off of the counter with. I know that some of you know what I mean!! smile.

Sweet Amy.....

Ok, I have to do another post tonight because I just found out that my sweet friend, Amy (Four Sisters In A Cottage) just blessed me with a post on her blog about my new blog. If you are wondering who the breast cancer ribbon is for on my blog, it is for Amy. Please read her blog at http://www.foursistersinacottage.blogspot.com
Amy is documenting her experiences in dealing with her diagnosis, double mastectomy and her current chemo treatment. I have never known anyone with such bravado. My hat is off to you, Amy!

Amy, we met when I bought some fabrics from you from your store. Even though we have never met in person, I feel like I have known you for years. We have so much in common..right down to having had recent back surgery for the same exact problem in the same exact area. How wierd is that? Don't worry about the weight gain....I so understand after having gained 15 lbs myself. Thank God we are six feet tall!!!!!! STTTTTTRRRREEEEEETTTTCCCCHHH it all out, girlfriend! LOL!

Love you, love you and I cherish you! Bless you, sister, and keep the faith! Faith and happy thoughts will get you through your days. xoxoxo

Decorating With Eye Candy!

Ok ladies, this isn't about decorating...well, in today's standards. Before I start, let me remind you that I am 46 years old (no "ahhh geeeeeezzz" from you younger gals!!) Do you recall hanging posters in your room of the gorgeous hunks of the time? How many Donny Osmond posters did any of you have? David Cassidy? If you hung posters in your room, you were either "decorating" or just had a barking mad crush on a teen idol. I also grew up watching great shows like Starsky and Hutch, The Brady Bunch, One Adam Twelve, Gunsmoke, Hee Haw and a bunch of old "classics." However, the show that I HAD to watch every week was Magnum PI. Not only were the episodes entertaining, but Mr. Tom Selleck was just, well how do I say it...HOT! (Yes, my honey knows that I adore Mr. S. and my last dying wish would be to meet him!) I guess it had to be his shorts and Hawaiian shirts and let's not forget the Ferrari! Vrrrrmmmmmm....not the car, my heart!!!!! Tom is just as handsome today and just as sweet! You go guy!

Vintage Scotty Dogs ~ Woof!

I started collecting Scotty Dog things before ever owning our little wee one! Over the years I have found them at flea markets, antique stores and on eBay. My great friend Kathy, who lives in Texas, has sent me a menagerie of Scotty Dogs over the past year or so. She has me pegged! Thank you, Kathy! My husband also will buy me Scotty jewelry and figurines. I have left the guess work out of what to buy me for a gift!!

This little picture is of our Doogs when he was a puppy. They are the sweetest natured dogs and once you have one, you will want another! I keep trying to talk my hub into letting me get another, but that will be a serious arm wrenching! In time darling, in time..... Woof Woof!

Getting the hang of it.....

With the new day and three very strong cups of coffee down, I did it! The blog is up and running now with some music, a photo album of pictures and a list of some of the blogs that I visit. Trust me there are more and I will be soon be adding them to my lists.

A little about me...

My name is Becky and I am 46 years old, married to my hub for nearly 25 years and have two wonderful sons, 23 and 19. We have two sweet pets, a Scottish Terrier and a Calico cat. I was born and raised in California and currently reside in the Central Valley.

The vision I have for my blog is to share with you decorating ideas, junking experiences, recipes and great places to shop to find that little (or big) treasure for you home. My goal is to create a fun place for you to stop by for visits and to share with me your experiences or comments.

Our home is filled with little tid bits of things that speak to me. As with most people, our home has evolved over the years from being Cutsie Country, to Americana, to now a more eclectic mix of English, Vintage, Cottage, Beach and Kitsch decor. The look that I love, love, love is a room filled with white slip-covered furniture, shabby white painted furniture, crystal chandeliers, old etched mirrors...a real peaceful and subdued room that you can just relax and let the worries of your day slip away. More cottage dreaming....ahhhhhh!

We recently changed the colors of our bedroom from greens and golds to taupe, creamy whites, white and black toile. Here is a photo of our bed with some of the new/old linens and pillows. I made some of the pillows and bought some from a sweet eBay seller, Amy Kozma. Amy's eBay name is Vintage-Home, not to be confused with the blog Vintage Home.

Just Getting Started Here....

Hello ~ I decided that I should give it a go with the world of blogging. I love to read other blogs that other women have created. This is going to be a work in progress...lots to learn...many changes to happen over time.

For starters, our cottage home was featured this month, July 2007, at the site theoldpaintedcottage. Jennifer Grey is the wonderfully creative sweetheart who has this site and we feel honored to have been chosen by her to be featured on her popular site. Thank you, Jennifer!!! Here is a sneak peek into our home...but you can see more if you google www.theoldpaintedcottage.com.