vintage bowl...

I think I'm actually happy this week has come to a close…

I’ve found myself dragging a bit, don’t particularly know why.  Must be post something or other…

I’m off work tomorrow and I have the whole day to play in the dirt and nothing perks me up quite like weed free flower beds with nice fresh compost…big sigh…

I am weird, aren’t I?

I’ve wanted to share these next photos with you for a couple of weeks…

My sister in law Shelly is the best thrift store shopper I know. She noticed the stemware and juice pitcher I scored at Goodwill last month and happened on this beautiful, vintage bowl in exactly the same pattern.  It is the perfect size candy dish for my hutch and I look forward to filling it up often.

Notice what a perfect match it is with the glassware in my new shelf display…

If that weren’t enough she made me the most scrumptious cupcakes for my birthday and brought them over to me in this…

Adorable, huh?

I am one blessed girl...

Looking forward to the weekend,

Patty

I've linked up to My Cottage Charm, Treasures and Trinkets...

paper roses...

I have been spending so much time in the garden lately...

that  hadn't realized how much I miss my craft room.

So last night I spent some time cutting out paper roses from this beautiful K & Company paper that I found at Michael's.

I used this beautiful inspiration challenge from Melissa Phillips charming blog as my starting point. 

She challenges us every week or two with stunning pictures from Leslie over at a Creative Mint.

I thought this was the perfect time to share this sweet card, too. 

A few weeks ago I had a request from my mom for a "sewing card" for her ladies quilt group giveaway...

Of course I had the perfect paper in my stash...

this is Cosmo Cricket's Material Girl.

Aren't the measuring tapes adorable and that sewing machine is such a hoot!

And I thought this sentiment was just perfect for the inside...

Don't you just hate it when one wonderful obsession crowds out another?  Oh, for one more day in the week or even a few more hours in the day!  What a blessed life this is...

Do something you love today...

Blessings,

Patty

I'm linking up to Melissa Phillips and Unscripted Sketches...

still at it...

In case you were wondering…I’m still working on my master bedroom redo. The last you saw, I had just put up the valance and table skirt.

Since then, I've made a couple of small accent pillows and was gifted this adorable seed pillow. I love how it throws in some additional colors to keep it all from being too matchy, matchy…

I used some of the fabric I showed you last time to make ruffles for the bottom of the lampshades…I think they came out just adorable.

The polka dotted glass on the side table was a splurge from Pier 1. I walked around the store with it for a while and I just couldn’t put it down…Looking at it now, I’m glad I didn’t. 

The little birds were on Easter clearance at Michael’s for only .89 cents.

I was using these plates in my Easter hutch and noticed they are just the right shade of blue for the bedroom so I hung them on either side of the window behind the bed...

What do you think so far? I’m really liking it…

I’m thinking a couple of vintage looking mirrors and some shabby picture frames will finish off the remaining wall nicely… so I’ll be heading over to the Goodwill store soon...

I have to tell you that Mr. Seeds4U keeps looking at me with that “what now?” kinda look they get…I know you know the look…I’m sure you’ve seen it from your mister a time or two!

Next time I’ll finish the rest of the tour…

Staying focused,

Patty

I've linked up to tabletop Tuesdays...
Show off your Cottage Monday...

Saturday morning... {D}

I love Saturday mornings…

The pace is slower and there's more time for reflection…

Of course, I have my coffee in hand…

today it’s a splurge of my favorite...
 freshly ground beans of Snickerdoodle...

and I'm thinking of that book from a few years back that had you list five things you’re grateful for…

This is such a good habit for me to get in to.  The area of contentment, of being okay with my life, of not comparing it to others, has always been a struggle for me. What I'm learning is that contentment is not automatic...it's a choice.  I can choose to think on the what ifs and but whys in my life or I can choose to rest in the thank you Gods.

Okay, here’s my list…

1. Always first is my God and Savior…His mercy and grace…His ultimate sacrifice…His innate goodness.

2. Of course, my family…both the one I was born into and those joined by marriage.

3. My cozy cottage…

4. Good health to enjoy doing the things that bring me happiness and joy…

5. My friends…both old and dear and my new blogging friends. I never would have imagined you were all out there with your warm and encouraging words.

If I could add a sixth…it would definitely be this coffee…mmm…wish you could smell its wonderfulness.  Now go pour yourself a nice hot cup...

I'd love to know what’s on your list?

My life is certainly not without it's stresses and struggles but I am finally...

 thankfully content,

Patty

"Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned to be content with whatever I have.  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything,  I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.  For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."  Philippians 4: 11-13

I've linked up to Spritual Sundays...

front perennial border...

I'm linked up today to Fertilizer Friday...

I had such a good time sneaking into my front perennial border this morning while the neighborhood slept. 

It's where I've been spending the majority of my time the last couple of weekends.  It seems that the blessing of two nearly 60 year old California Ash trees has it's disadvantages. 

leaves...

and seed pods...

both leave about a million little reminders that need to be either raked or pulled...

They're still worth it...

the structure and shade they provide can't be beat.

The rose bushes are full of buds...

these little dianthus are such hard workers...it seems they bloom 12 months of the year...

I put in a few new delphinium  and a couple of six packs of larkspur,,,

I can't wait to show you what it looks like in another month when everything fills in...

I hope you'll check back.

Digging in the dirt,

Patty