Springtime in Bloom

The weather has been just gorgeous at the farm. Warm days, cool nights...perfect. I snapped a lot of pictures the last couple of weeks. I hope you enjoy!

The red clover in the fields and along the roads is just beautiful:

And the irises! Oh my! This is a banner year for them. I counted 20+ either blooming or about to open:

They remind me of my mom  especially this one...she loved irises and blue was her favorite color! 

Same tub a week later...now a different colored iris blooming with the wine colored one!

I love all the different colors! They are such beautiful flowers. :)

I worked on the back flowerbed, cleaning it out and then planting a few new things:

The big metal box is a wood box. Kind of ugly really but convenient.

The front bed got some attention too although for now I'm just adding a few things in and trying to get some of the weeds out. It's going to take a lot more work to get it in shape:

The nice thing about it, it has several deer resistant plants all ready planted. It's just a matter of weeding it and taming the out of control plants. Eventually, I will move my fountain up here. It will look so pretty in this bed.

Bruce also got three good-sized blueberry bushes and planted them in the pasture next to the house. We are trying to figure out a good crop to grow so these are our test bushes. They should do well here:

He set up a drip irrigation for them and put a fence around them to protect them from critters.

Of course, what's a trip to the farm without an inside project or two? I painted all the window trim in the garage. They really needed it! Eventually, I will paint all of it as we intend to close it in for a den.

I also repainted my etagere we bought long time ago on one of our anniversary trips. There were two of them, painted bright purple, but we only bought one.

I repainted it right away but now the paint is looking tired

If you look close, you can see the purple paint there in the corner

I can't tell you how many times I wish we'd gotten both of them, but for some reason only bought the one.  I've used it for potted plants, however, it's been largely collecting dust the last couple of years. Then I realized the size was perfect for the corner of the dining room so hauled it to the farm to repaint it. I used a sample of BM paint and made chalk paint using white grout. Perfect!

I used old fence pickets to make the shelves:

And stuck it in its corner:

I'm not sure what I'll put on it - dog treat container? cookbooks? plates? Who knows but I like it there! For now I put a cream-colored pitcher with sunflowers and a wooden bowl on it.

Lastly, I took my ladder from Canton and placed it in the bathroom to hang towels on:

Much better than the chrome racks on the back of the door.

Of course, relaxing on the back porch is a must. We fill the bird feeders and enjoy the show. We have many cardinals. chickadees, tufted titmice, and jays. Hummingbirds too. Then this guy showed up:

Wow! An Indigo Bunting!

 He's a beauty!

We also had a Painted Bunting visit. Unfortunately, he was a little shyer and I didn't get a picture of him. They are so brightly colored. I just love all the variety we get - it is pure joy to take in God's creation. I don't think I'll ever get tired of it.

Thanks for putting up with such a long post. There is just so much to share and I'm glad you stopped in!

Buddy and Herbie say "hi"!

Blessings and hugs,
Cecilia

Barbed Wire Wreath

When we bought our farm, it had been fairly neglected. A previous owner had fenced off various pastures but when we got it, a lot of the barbed wire was on the ground. Not very safe! Needless to say, Bruce spent quite a bit of time rolling up and removing it.

Of course, I "rescued" one of the bundles of barbed wire. I knew it would make a really cool, rustic wreath! I stashed it in the barn until I figured out exactly what I wanted to do.

Then on one of my Canton shopping trips, I found this large wood and iron star. I immediately thought it would be the perfect accent for my barbed wire. (love the red!)

Sure enough, it was. I wired it on and then had Bruce hang it on the fence. Love it! It will go on our new entry gate when it gets installed...

For now we will enjoy seeing it as we come and go from the back yard.

Now for the other piece of barbed wire....

:o)
Cecilia

Joining these great parties!
Life on Lake Shore Drive Time to Party Bouquet of Talent
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Fun Personal Styling Session with Ella of Start Close In

I just had the most fun I've had in a long time! I did a wardrobe style with Ella at Start Close In. I found her when Miss Mustard Seed posted about her session with her. (Read about it here and here). I loved the whole idea of having a personal styling session. I decided for my birthday I was going to treat myself. Then my knee got broken and I had to wait until I healed. Finally on Tuesday, I got to have my session. What a blast!

 I told Ella  I didn't want to look frumpy just because I am 52! Or like I was trying to be a teenager. I don't work outside of the home but I'm an artist and want a look all my own. And Oh my goodness! She took my clothes and made great outfits that are true to who I am.

What I like about Ella is she's sweet, funny, and very, very talented in taking a closet full of clothes and making them fresh. (And I said sweet, didn't I?) She had me pairing things I hadn't thought of before and you know what? They worked! I can't tell you how excited I am about it. She really helped bring out my creative side.  No frump or too young a look here! LOL. Here are some of my outfits:

Making my black polka dot dress look stylish!

 This next dress got styled several ways. Here it's paired with my denim striped vest.

 She also had me pair it with my denim jacket, a cardigan, and my long sweater vest

Another way to wear my sweater vest:

 I really like this next look. I'm loving the yellow belt.

 This long sweater vest works with so many of my outfits. Who knew? :o) It's perfect with my maxi dress. Even my husband commented on it!

 One of my favorite shirts. I normally wear it unbelted and Ella had me belt it. Love pairing it with the bright blue capris. I think I need a brighter necklace to wear with it though. :o)

 I'm ready for Summer with my skort. Such a fun look.

Those are just a few of the fun looks Ella came up with. There are so many more. I laid them out on the bed and snapped pictures of them. I intend to put them in a photo album for quick reference - my own personal style book, if you will. I will also list the accessories that go with each one.

It's been fun wearing my "new" wardrobe. Ella also suggested I hang my clothes as outfits which will make getting dressed in the morning so much easier.

So thanks, Ella! I so appreciate it. You're the best!

PS
If you're needing help with your clothes or just want ideas on wearing them differently, I highly recommend doing a session with Ella. You will be glad you did - you will enjoy working with her! She doesn't have you get rid of all your clothes and you don't have to go out and buy a bunch of new ones...unless you want to, of course! :o)

End Table Redo

When I was looking for inexpensive furniture to furnish the farmhouse, I found the perfect sized end table  for the living room at a garage sale. She was a little rough as someone had started to strip the paint then left it all bubbled up to dry. Yuck, she was a mess.

In her youth, her legs had pink in the grooves...how do I know? That half-way stripped paint job left the color exposed.

I loved her size and shape though, so she came home with me. First of all, I had to decide whether or not to finish stripping the paint. I really didn't want to get into that mess so I attempted sanding the raised, bubbled areas of paint. hmm, I think I like the texture it makes...

Next, was deciding how much to paint her. Cover completely? Let's just say I was in a hurry to have an end table so chose to cover the pink and grungy white with a quick, light coat of fresh white.

Didn't love it but there was so much else to do in the house that I let her be.

Almost two years passed by and shall we say it just wasn't working for her (or me) anymore? She was lost against the white wall and her shelf with the texture just looked tired. I knew it was time for a makeover!

I started with a good dusting and then two coats of ASCP in Chateau Grey. I seriously love this color as it is the perfect grey-green. I followed it all up with clear then dark wax. Isn't she lovely?

New jewelry of course!

Look how the texture from the previous strip job gives her so much character!

And her leg details are beautiful - no longer the ugly pink mess.

I am thinking of painting a graphic on the top...however, it may be two more years before that happens. LOL!

In the meantime, she looks and feels so much better - no longer lost and overlooked against the wall.

The perfect spot to hold our board games!

Here's to happy endings!

Cecilia

I'll be linking up at these parties!
Coastal Charm Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
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Maria Elenas Decor Tuesdays-at-our-home
The Dedicated House Make It Pretty Monday