Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Just Another Sweet Day

Welcome . . .
Thank you for visiting, 
come sit awhile and I'll get the lemonade :)

Or take a walk around the yard and garden with me . . .

Or come inside and see some of our changes:)
This is the before photo of the back of our bungalow.
As you can see we still have the old windows.
We are waiting for cooler weather to start replacing them.
We have added a new door and cleaned up the flower bed.
 I was delighted to see that old shabby door gone.  
There is still so much work to do around here,
But we are plugging along and day by day :) 


 Come inside.
This was the area that is now the dining room, 
that doorway to the right leads into the kitchen.

This is that back wall, left of the door  leading into the kitchen, and how it looks now. 

This is right of that door.
I painted the living room a pale yellow 
and added a blue accent wall on the end near the kitchen.
Did you notice my Zinnias on the table,
they are from my garden :)


I love Zinnias :)

This is the fireplace in the process of getting cleaned.
I carried out two wheel barrows of ash.
Took steel wool to the brass screen,  
removed the 80's looking globes and installed an electric logs/heater.
 This is how it looks today.
Come on, lets go outside.
Remember my scarecrow . . . 
she is only about 5 inches shorter than me.
I wanted you to see just how tall my sunflowers are growing,
and they still haven't bloomed. 
I have egg plant . . .
I've never cooked it, but I had to plant something new to me.
I think that will be a fun thing to do every year.
Plant something new and learn a new recipe.
Growing a garden should be an adventure :)
Our grapes are starting to turn purple:)
Our peppers are going crazy.
I think that my simple  . . .
dig a hole by each plant and bury my compost
thing is paying off.
The bees are helping too :)
I cannot even start to express the joy I am having,
just watching my garden grow.
It's a dream come true :)
Look at the tiny little flowers that grow 
within the center of the Zinnias.
Gorgeous, right?

Before I say goodbye . . .I want to show you my find.
I went dumpster-diving . . . that's right.
I saw this old ladder sticking out of a dumpster 
and asked the owner if I could have it.
He looked at me like I was crazy, 
but then helped me load it into the pick-up.

"I'm thinking a quilt rack"

The back was broken, so I just have this front piece.

I would love to hear what you would do with it. 

Please leave a comment and let me know you visited.

Have a wonderful day.
Your blogging sister,
Connie :)

68 comments:

  1. Lovely work Connie, such character and such a cosy interior. I love the shade of blue on your porch. You have a good eye for design and display.
    Sally x

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    1. Dear Sally, your comment made my heart skip a beat . . such sweet words, thank you :)

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  2. You have done so much and it looks beautiful. I love the porch color. It looks very inviting to sit on a hot day.

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    1. Hi Betty, I wanted that color, but then started to second guess myself about being bold enough to carry in through and make it work.
      I love it, because it makes me happy and I'm very glad that I stuck with in :)

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  3. Wow! Your place is looking great! You've gotten so much done! And, your garden....wow! You definitely have a green thumb. Our garden is going better than it has but still not great. We're not going to give up though! lol Great find in the dumpster! I found an old ladder at a yard sale years ago. It's a huge, old, wood, extension ladder that I got for $5. So, it was like getting two ladders for the cheap price of one. I have one in my family room to hold quilts and throws that we can grab and use whenever we get cold. It works great and looks great too. The other one is in my craft room holding more quilts. If one of my bathrooms was laid out in a way that would work...I think a ladder would be great for holding towels. Maybe at my next house. Have fun with your new/old ladder. It'll be fun to see what you do with it.

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    1. Thanks for the great ideas and the wonderful compliments. We are totally surprised with our garden . . . just very blessed first timers :)

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  4. I've loved this tour of your house and garden!
    That's a very good idea to grow something new to you each year; I might adopt that!

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    1. Thank you . . . do you have any suggestions for next years new planting?

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  5. Oh that ladder is a find. My first thought was a drying hanger from the ceiling for herbs. Your place is really nice and you have such a magic touch. Have a great week and pace yourself.

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    1. Nancy, that is a wonderful idea. Once I get some roses growing around here it would be great for drying them, too :)

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  6. Wow! you have really been working wonders on your new home! It looks beautiful! And your garden is going to give you a bountiful harvest!

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    1. Hi Rebecca, our dear sweet neighbor has volunteered to come over and walk us through canning tomatoes. It will be a few more weeks before we start having enough for canning . . . but I am very excited :)

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  7. I loved the tour of your place! You and your husband are doing so much work and everything is looking better and better all the time. Very rewarding, isn't it?

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    1. Hi Melanie, yes, it is hugely rewarding. We can not believe how happy we are, living here. It's a dream come true. The nightmare is selling the old house. There are so many homes on the market around here.

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  8. Love that ladder you scored Connie!!!! I have seen them used beautifully in the garden as well! And the before and afters of your home are out of this world! Just stunning! As are you veggies and flowers! Happy gardening to you! Nicole xo

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    1. Hi Nicole, you're so sweet. Thank you for leaving such a thoughtful comment. I really appreciate your words. 

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  9. Hi Connie,

    Very cool tour! I love what you've done to your little bungalow so far. How fun. Dumpster diving is better than yard sales! The ladder would make a great quilt rack, especially since you're an avid quilter. Another option might be a magazine rack for your reading corner. I've seen one in the laundry room hanging from the wall with chains. They used it to hang clothes on; it looked very interesting in a fun color. I'm sure whatever you use it for will be great!

    Hugs,
    Kay

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    1. Hi Kay, I love reading your comments . . . good ideas for the ladder, too. I'm happy that you enjoyed the little tour, we are loving our new country life. There is still so much to do, but we are taking it one step at a time. We are working on getting the back section cleaned up (where the goat were this spring) So far we have the fence removed, that divided the property and have hauled things to the dump. We have another load on the old pick-up ready for the dump and at least one more load. We have made so many trips to the dump that we have made friends with the scale-house lady. We've even been exchanging recipes,LOL.

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  10. Your place is gorgeous. I've been following you for awhile and am so inspired(and impressed) at all the work you have done. Being a quilter, I would use that lovely ladder as a quilt rack too. Just sand, varnish, and WALLA a quilt rack. It sounds so easy when I tell someone else what to do. My sunflowers are tall like yours but not blooming, Yesterday they showed signs of the flowers opening. So, glad to know mine are on par with yours. Really, your house and yard are beautiful! Patty Mc

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    1. Hi Patti, it is lovely visiting with you and thank you for all the wonderfully encouraging words. I think that a quilt rack is what I will do, but then again someone might give me an idea that I would never have thought of, and that is perfect for our new home. That is one of my favorite things about blogging . . . getting creative feed-back and fresh ideas. Thank you again for stopping by, it has been fun :)

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  11. Your improvements are fabulous and I can understand your joy watching your garden grow. Thank you for sharing.
    Anne xx

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    1. Hello Anne, Thank you for taking the time to stop by. It is great to see you! We are absolutely loving our new country home :)

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  12. everything is looking fabulous. You two are have put a lot of work in and it's payed off big. cool find with that ladder. I would use it to hang blankets on

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    1. Hi Ann, that is what I think I will probably do with it. Having a place with extra quilts hanging . . . will be a great way to display them and a great way for anyone that is chilly to grab one to cozy up with :)

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  13. I forgot to tell you that I haven't found the site yet for that paper pieced cat but I'm still looking. I'll let you know if I do find it

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    1. Ann, I appreciate you so much, my friend. Thank you, I would truly appreciate having the pattern, it is so cute :)
      You did a fantastic job making yours :)

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  14. Wow Connie I can't believe how much work you've done in such a short period of time. Your home looks so cosy. I think it a wonderful idea to use the ladder for your quilts. The zinnia's are so beautiful, I've never seen them with the little flowers in the middle. Looking forward to seeing more.
    Ali xx

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    1. Hi Ali, We have been working hard, we still need to replace the windows before winter. They are in terrible condition. There was plastic over the inside of every window to help with the air leaks and hard water so bad that you couldn't see through most of them. I used CLR and steel-wool to get them as clean as I could. We are waiting for cooler weather to start on the windows. We are loving this purchase and even though it is hard work, it is becoming home, more and more everyday :) Thank you for your very sweet words and for your wonderful blogging friendship.

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  15. Connie...everything is looking great indoors and outdoors!! The ladder was an awesome find...you could put quilts on it if the ladder is big enough.
    hugs,
    Cindy

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    1. Hi Cindy, thank you for your sweet words and your awesome blogging friendship. I think that I might use it for quilts, but small cuddle on the sofa size :)

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  16. Thanks for the tour, you have done some fabulous things around your new home, well done. Oh I love Zinnias too. I love any flower that is bright and catches my eye!! Good find with that ladder.

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    1. Hello Sue, Thanks for stopping by and visiting. Zinnias make such great cut flowers for bouquets, I picked some over a week ago and put them in a jar in the kitchen window, They still look as fresh as can be. Something cheery to see while washing dishes :)

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  17. I wish you could come over here and help me 'dress' the inside of the barge - you have such a talent for it. I am thinking 'Captain's Cabin' for the snug, so any ideas would be greatly appreciated. I just love everything that you have done to your place. You could hang kitchen utensils and pots on that ladder, such a great find and very useful. Xxx

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    1. Hi Fran, You have touched my heart, I wish that I lived closer . . . I would throw my sewing machine into the car and be there to help. It would be so much fun, working with you. I love your idea for the ladder :) Maybe I can find some ideas . . . what is your color scheme?

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  18. Yes! A quilt rack of the ladder would be wonderful!! I think there is always so much to do whether your place is new or old it seems! Enjoy! Nancy

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    1. Hi Nancy, Life changes, our tastes change, things break or wear out and need to be replaced . . . there is always a reason to make changes to our homes.
      It makes life more fun:) Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by and visit, I truly appreciate your friendship :)

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  19. A big hello Connie, and thanks so much for popping over to my place for now I've found you and your wonderful place here :) I love what you're doing to make your house a home, and you're doing it with such style and beauty, well done! I love all your pics and the clean bright energy in them; your veggies and zinnias are gorgeous, and look at those beautiful grapes on the turn. You have a wonderful blog and I thank you for sharing all your wonderful makes and pretty things around you.
    Joy x PS I am just about to become your latest happy follower :)

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    1. Hello Joy, it is wonderful to get a visit from you and thank you so much for following my blog. I love making new blogging friends and sharing ideas. The world has become so much smaller since i've started blogging and I think that it is wonderful meeting women from all over the world that have a common interest . . . making a lovely home for their families, sharing their amazing talents and interests, and loving life. Thank you for your sweet compliments I truly appreciate the encouragement :)

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  20. This is Louise from cards4ubylouise commenting. I love your tour and I love, love zinnias too!! Need to bring in a bouquet of zinnias tomorrow. Vegies look delish, love your fireplace that will be wonderful during the winter. I have been looking for a ladder like that to lean up against the house and let clematis grow up it....yeah that is what I would do with it. Your house is beautiful, lots of hard work pays off many dividends.

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    1. Good Morning Louise. I love your idea of putting it outside and growing vines. That would be adorable. I brought one of my clematis with me when we moved, but it is not doing well at all. I do believe that sometimes things need a second year to get their roots established after transplanting. Maybe next year it will take off. There is a light pole as you walk up to the front porch and I have it planted there. It doesn't work and needs new wiring and a light, so it's on the list. Maybe next year I'll have a clematis and a working light pole, LOL. I keep telling myself, one step at a time:) There is more work around here than we expected, but we are plugging along. We love our new country home:)

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  21. Looks WONDERFUL Connie! Love all the changes you made! Can't wait to see what else youre up to :)
    Kristi

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    1. Good Morning Kristi, thank you for your kind words . . . we are always working somewhere on this property. It's whipping into shape, day by day :)
      New love our new country life :)

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  22. First - everything is looking so welcoming and pretty.

    Second - wow! you have gotten a lot done!

    Third - yes, a quilt rack. I just changed my ladder display in the garden. I hung tall glass bottles from the different rungs and filled them with flowers.

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    1. Hi Carol, that sounds wonderful (what you did with your ladder). I just raked the last of the apricots that had fallen from the trees, off the ground. The ones that were too high to reach with the ladder. We just left them for the bees and the birds. Anyway, the trees are out behind the grapevines and when there are no bees, it is the perfect spot for setting tables in the shade. I have several candle lanterns on Gypsy Rose that I thought I would borrow and hang in the trees for dinner parties. September and October are milder weather and perfect for barbecues. I started cutting out another banner to hang in the trees, too. Now, I'm praying that September does not bring bees to the grape vines, LOL. That perfectly lovely spot could turn scarey . . . with bees buzzing around when your eating. We are learning a lot about country life, just living through this first year and seeing the nature of this property.
      Steve is planing on building another outdoor kitchen at this place . . . I think that we should screen it in, but he isn't convinced. Maybe the bees will convince him. They haven't been bad (no stings yet) but they are annoying. Then again, they are part of the reason our garden is doing so well. Country life, is learning to live with nature :) I hope that I didn't burn your ear off. Have a wonderful day, my friend.

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  23. You have a cute cottage. I love your garden too, I have not had a garden lately but itching for one sometime soon. I am so glad that you found my little blog and now I am one of your newest followers.

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    1. Hi Kelly, I am so excited to have you as a follower, your blog is so delightful and it will be fun sharing ideas :)

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  24. Luv the progression, your sweet garden and especially the rocking chair on your front porch! Perfect for sitting and visiting with friends! hugz

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  25. Wow! You are turning your place into a perfect paradise! You must be so proud of all your hard work. I love the bright blue accents throughout - so cheery :)

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    1. Good Morning Rosemary, Thanks for stopping by, I truly appreciate getting company. Your words are a pleasant reward and soothing balm for all of my hard work. You are a sweetie:)

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  26. Connie, this is so fun to follow your house progress, I am just doing one room, you are just on fire, doing your whole bungalow! I love the fireplace and kitchen and the outdoors. You saw such beauty beyond what you bought! I would do a little dry brush paint on the ladder and prop it up like you said for quilts! Oh, you asked if I knew Lauren Bacall had passed when I did the post...No!...How creepy is that???!!!

    Carol

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    1. Hi Carol, I think it was a lovely reminder of this talented and beloved actress and her work, and the fact that you didn't know makes in all the more perfectly sweet. We will remember her and Mr. Bogart for as long as their films are being played . . . they are Hollywood icons:) I am going to enjoy watching you redo your bedroom . . . it is going to be so glamorous :) Bravo, for taking on such a challenging mission!

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  27. Such a lovely home you have both inside and out. I love that you have so many flowers and vegetables growing in your garden.

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    1. Good Morning Brandi, thank you so much! We barely got moved in, in time to rototill the garden and plant it. In fact our garden was behind everyone else's and yet the good Lord has blessed us with a bumper crop. This move to the country has been a blessing and we are loving it, hard work or not :) Thanks so much for visiting. I love seeing your pretty smile in my list of comments.

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  28. oh my goodness, what an amazing bounty of vegetables and fruits. i wish i had your skills! enjoy the fruits of your labor.
    b

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  29. You and I think just alike! I want a kiva ladder to use for a quilt rack! I pinned a couple of ladder quilt racks on Pinterest for inspiration! :-) I am green with envy over that amazing garden! I can't grow anything here! :( I used to grow so many veggies and herbs! I assume you paint (I noticed some paintings in the other post--are they yours?) And you quilt?

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    1. Hi Marie, thanks for visiting, yes I do paint and I do quilt . . . life is short and I like to try my hand at many creative things. They make me smile :)

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  30. Your home is so warm and inviting. So many fabulous little details that makes it so charming. Can't wait to see what you do with that ladder :)

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    1. Hi Becky, thank you for your kind-hearted words . . . Once we got the rooms painted and ready to move . . . and started bringing in all of our stuff, it did become a home instead of a house :)

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  31. Wow, you've done so many improvements. It's an on going process isn't it? At least it is with me. Your zinnias are so beautiful. One of my favorite summer flowers. They last so long.

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    1. Good Morning Lyn, thanks so much for stopping by to visit. I truly appreciate by blogging sisters and the friendships that I have made through blogging. It is an on going process, that is why I sometimes have to make myself slow down and remember that I do not have to get everything done the first year that we live here. It is just that there is so much to do when you buy an old fixer-upper. The fact is, we love this place more and more each day and feel blessed that the opportunity to purchase it came our way. Now, if we could just sell the old house :) Have a wonderful weekend and thanks again for visiting.

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  32. Hello Connie, You are so talented. I am amazed. We got an idea from a local fair we went to a couple of years ago. They took an old wooden step ladder and built a box for each shelf with decorative handles on the front of each box to make it look like drawers with planted flowers on each step. My mom fell in love with it so we found an old ladder and made one for her. She loves it and has it sitting in the garden outside her kitchen window with flowers, herbs and strawberries growing on it.

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    1. Oh my goodness . . . do you have a photo of it in any of your posts? I would love to see it:)

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    2. I went over to my mom's to take a picture and she has moved it under cover and take the summer flowers out of it for the season. I guess it go so hot she didn't keep them watered enough. Still, she's 81 so I guess it got to be too much for her to keep everything up. So all I have at this time is a photo of the ladder itself by the side of the house without flowers. (sigh) Sorry.

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    3. I'm coming over to take a peek, thank you :)

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