A Home For My Key Picture

I have finally taken the time to hang my key project picture...it now has a home on the beadboard between my kitchen cabinets and countertop. I'm not sure this is where it will be permanently, but it will do for now. I have several other items that I'd love to hang on this beadboard - old cookie cutters, more stars and signs, etc.

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Right now we are in the middle of having new windows and cement board siding installed, so decorating is not a priority...cleaning up is! Once this is done then there are no more major remodeling projects...at least I don't think so. I am planning on keeping several of the old windows for projects...I have several ideas, but nothing nailed down for sure...stayed tuned!

Home Pages

Tulip Tips

TulipsApril 2007Tulips are one of the easiest to grow and almost problem free flowers for the garden. They are a true spring delight sure to bring a smile. Some of our tulips are finally in bloom and the rest are ready to follow suit. Each year the tulip clumps get larger. The majority of the tulip clumps are orangish red giving a blast of wonderful colour. Somehow a clump of rosy pink and

One Year Anniversary

My GnomesOne year ago today I started Garden Gnomes Wanderings blog. Over the year there have been a few changes mainly with the template. I'm still having a lot of fun writing this blog so expect it to last. Today our house is one step closer to being sold. If that happens I'll go through the steps of turning over the garden to the new owners and the steps of creating a new garden. Time

An Old Chair

I love old chairs...this is one that belonged to my dear Mom. I'm not sure where she got it from, but I do remember her spending time removing the old paint only to discover the beauty that lay beneath! The chair is kind of small and a little wobbly, but I love it just the way it is. I often wonder who the chair belonged to before my dear Mom owned it and what they did while sitting in the chair...I hope they know that it is loved! I truly feel honored to have this chair in my home.

Bluejays

Attracting birds to my gardens has been one of my goals. Most birds are beneficial in the garden and while some can be pests, they are easily controlled. I was shocked when a fellow gardener referred to grackles as junk birds! As gardeners, we are stewarts of the land so there should be no such thing as junk critters. Some are pests and some are beneficial but all serve a purpose. I took this

Earth Day 2007

Happy Gardening!Garden Gnome©2007

Yesderday In The Garden

The weather has finally turned mild compared to the nasty April start. I spent a bit of time in the garden yesterday just puttering and enjoying the new growth. Now this is rather bitter sweet in some ways as we do have the house listed for sale and our offer was accepted on another house. Basically the only thing we have to do to move is sell our house. Looking at all I've accomplished in

A Peek Inside My China Cupboard

These are pictures of the treasures I have in my china cupboard. The brown transerware was purchased at our church sale which is held every year in June. I found this almost 2 years ago. It's not a complete set, but it works well enough for the family meals we serve in our home. The soup tureen, along with the little fruit shaped bowls and lettuce plates, belonged to Mrs. F., a dear lady I worked for several years ago. The salt and pepper shakers were from my dear friend, Josie.

The brown transferware is Enoch Woods and Sons English Scenery.

Please Watch Your Step

It's springtime and time to do a little updating on the blog. Over the next few days you will see a lot of changes and at times the blog may look just a tad weird as I tweak the elements and template. Sorry for any inconveince.Happy Gardening!Garden Gnome©2007

Waterfront Homes Weather the Storm

Daily Real Estate News April 16, 2007

Even when the rest of the market is slipping, there's one way to find a property that's almost sure to hold its value: Head to the water.

“[Waterfront property] appreciates faster in good times and declines in value at a slower rate in bad times,” says Alan Hummel, past president of the Appraisal Institute and chief appraiser of Forsythe Appraisals.

What about the increased risk of storms and flooding on the coasts? That won't keep the market down, experts say. Robert Hartwig, president and chief economist with the Insurance Information Institute, told a U.S. Senate committee on last week that the value of insured coastal property will double within the next decade. Hartwig cited a growing number of people who want to live in coastal areas, including in hurricane belts.

The greatest resistance to price declines in a slowing housing market is in areas with limited supply of homes and where buyers are users, not simply investors, says real estate adviser Lewis Goodkin, president of Goodkin Consulting.

Source: Investors Business Daily, Marilyn Alva (04/12/2007)

(ed note: Ocean Shores has miles and miles of Oceanfront, Bayfront, Jettyfront, Lakefront and Canalfront homes.)

Words...

Cottage Bethy posted about words around the house. Here are mine:

More Signs of Spring

Naked Lady LiliesAmaryllis belladonnaDespite the recent cold weather, signs of spring are all around us. Yesterday a house finch and goldfinch were visiting my neighbour's niger seed feeder. The bluejays are coming around for their daily peanut offering. If I don't have the peanuts out by the time they arrive, one of the bluejays has taken to sitting on the windowsill then tapping on the

Thrifting and Crafting

I found this little black wooden frame lined with black and tan gingham during my thrift shopping last week. It was 79 cents. I knew exactly what I was going to do with it. I had several old keys that I wanted to display. As soon as I saw the frame I knew the keys would look perfect in it. This is what I came up with. Now my only dilema is where to hang it...hmmmmmmmm.

I Received an Award!

Lynda from Hedgerow Hollow honored me with the Thinking Blogger Award. Thank you Lynda...I'm speechless!

Please stop back later so you can see who I've chosen to honor. This is going to be hard since there are so many wonderful bloggers out there!

Update:

Dear Ladies, it has been too hard for me to narrow my list down to five recipients, therefore I am unable to give you a list. I really don't want to leave any of you out...you're all WINNERS in my book...{{{Hugs}}} to you all!

Tuesday's Treasure...

is my constant companion Shadow. He has been with our family for almost 7 years. We found him in the middle of the road on our way home from Bible school...he was only 5 weeks old. I have had several cats in my lifetime and none have been as loving and loyal as this sweet boy!

Thrift Store Finds

While out running errands on Thursday I had an opportunity to stop at a few of my favorite thrift stores. Here's what I found:

The print was just .49 cents. It was in an awful gold frame but I thought the print was so pretty. I'm going to buy a white frame for it. I haven't decided whether to put it in the powder room or in the main bath. The sugar bowl was under $1.00 as was the creamer. I loved the shape of the sugar bowl. The decorative bottle to add to my collection was .79 cents. I also found another item that I will post about later this week. Stay tuned!

Enjoy!Garden Gnome©2007

Before and After

It was always my dream to live in an old farmhouse. That dream came true back in July of 2005. The first picture shows what the house looked like when we first moved in; it was boxy looking and not very welcoming. I wanted a home that when you pulled in the driveway you felt the house say WELCOME to you!

Braided Rug

Dear Friends, I am so happy that I am back and finally able to post again. My internet wasn't completely restored until today (Wednesday). Enjoy the pictures!

I have loved braided rugs for as long as I can remember. My dear Gram made braided rugs from the leftover material she used for quilting. Unfortunately I do not have any that she made. Ever since we moved into the farmhouse I have wanted to get a braided rug for the kitchen. After almost two years of searching, this is what I found at Lowe's last week.

Surfing at Damon Point in Ocean Shores

I found a link on You Tube of some guys surfing at Damon Point. The waves don't always look this, but they did last Thursday (3.29.07) when I was out with a few board surfers and I was in my Kayak. Click the link for more info: Damon Point Surfing

Standing Guard

Standing GuardGarden 2006Garden gnomes bring good luck to your garden and work hard to help your garden prosper but sometimes they need a bit help. That is where other garden decorations can help. Garden decorations add a touch of whimsy to the garden but they can also help in pest control. Pests are smart especially the rabbits who likely have group meeting to decide the best way into my

Internet Problems

Dear Friends, I just wanted to let you know that I have been experiencing internet problems so I have been unable to post anything since Wednesday. Every time I'd try to post a comment it would stop responding. Hopefully, the issue has been resolved and I can get back to posting regularly again. Thank you all for continuing to visit my home...I love your company! Enjoy the rest of your weekend....God's blessings to you all!