Snow Day

Finally, we had our first "real" snow.  After spending a few days home sick at Grandma's (me) Abby had recovered from her fever and her mom and brother came up to take her back home.  But before heading back on the road, the snow was calling them to come and play.

Will grandma ever tire of her new camera!!!

Aim

Fire!

Body sledding

Tired, wet and happy.

Corkscrew Trunk

On the edge of our pasture is this crazy tree that always catches my attention.  A vine had embedded itself into the tree when it was just a sapling causing this unique trunk growth.  One of a kind accident of nature.

 Then on a walk through the woods I found it's twin, except maybe a little younger. 

Isn't nature a hoot!

Taffy

Little bit of sun and Taffy is a happy kitty.

This year both of the girl's families came to our place for Christmas.  It was so much fun to have them all here!

Chloe and her new hat.

Phoebe got one too.

Ryan looooves maple syrup.

Abby was sick and had a rough morning.

Eli in the middle of everything.

After church we went to Grandma and Grandpa Hackwell's.

Chloe.

Phoebe.

Here they are together.

One of Grandma's trees.

Another one.

And another one.

And another one.....Grandma Moore joined in this picture.

Time for more presents.

Five generations of our family.  It was a very merry Christmas.  Hope yours was too!

A Nice Surprise

Do you know what these are?  I didn't either.While walking down by the old apple orchard during Milly's visit we noticed these strange looking pods on the ground and in two trees.  They are spiky and super sharp.  How had we never seen these before?  After pulling one open we found nuts.  In fact they looked like chestnuts.  So we picked up some and took them back to the house and did some research on the net.  Sure enough, they are chestnuts!  Happy dance.....I have chestnut trees!  Today I collected five pounds of the precious nuts.  Now what.  More research and I found out you can freeze them.  So that's what I did.  Froze them, after I held back a few to roast as a snack.  Chestnuts roasting on an open fire......

Yard Sale Finds

What a great day hunting! Garage sales are popping up all over the country side (and in town too). After mapping out my route, I started out early this morning and did I ever have fun! While garage sales aren't as picturesque as our auctions, the prices are sooooo much better. Here is some of the loot I managed to bring home! I tried to call Mom to tell her about one particularly awesome sale but she was at the dentist so she missed it.

This way cute comb and brush holder will look great in the cabin bathroom.

Vintage measuring cups and a biscuit cutter are going to find a home in the cabin's kitchen.

This box is just what I have been looking for to hold old bottles.

The long box will also hold bottles and jars on my breakfast table. Do you see the enamelware funnel and old canning jars?

A hammered pitcher and old brown jug will also go to the cabin.

Ten vintage books will make lovely reading for our grand daughters when they come to visit.

This frame will inspire a new project someday. Never turn down a beautiful vintage frame!!!!!

But my best find was this antique gate leg table for $25.00. Yes I said $25.00! And it is in perfect shape! The little table beside it was only $5.00 but isn't old.

Here it is with the leaves up. The legs are very beautiful.

And when I was polishing it I discovered it has a very deep drawer too. I LOVE it! I think this is my all time favorite garage sale day! I spent a total of $50.00 and many of the items are worth that all by themselves. Yippee!

Guest Room Redo

It is amazing what a gallon or two of paint can do for a room! This guest room has never been painted since we moved in. It was still builder beige/pink until I finally got around yesterday to putting some much needed color on the walls. We have a lot of company coming this summer and I couldn't bear to put them in that sad, boring room! Now they have a bright, fresh place to call their own. I had seen a lot of cottage style rooms in magazines where the paint color had not been taken from some of the fabric used! I was very nervous to try something so different but it is only paint! I chose a cool green. Not red or blue or beige, the colors in all the fabric and accessories. I do believe it really "cottages" up the room! By the way, I made the bed runner a few years ago. It started out life as a table runner but now looks great on the end of the bed.

Here is my grandfather's old desk (my brother Matt didn't want it, can you believe it? Of course that was before we refinished it). It has great claw and ball feet and a drop leaf front. I love this piece!

This mirror above the bed is one of the first antiques I ever bought. It was $150 back in the 80's and I have carried it around to every house we have own since then. It is soooo heavy and old it just screams cottage to me! Now I feel ready for company!