Sharing Shadymont, My Mountain Cottage

As of 5:00 PM, EST, I am officially retired!  Twenty four years with the Georgia Department of Public Health!  Up until I went to work for the State, I had worked part-time jobs so that I could be available for my daughter's needs while she grew up.  I worked as an accountant for my first 25 years in the work force, often working for two or three companies at the time.  I was able to go to my daughter's activities, serve as grade mother during her elementary years, and watch her when she was cheer leader.  I'm thankful for those years.  When I was 36, I decided I needed a job with benefits including retirement, and was hired at the second interview I went to.  I first worked for Mental Health (Substance Abuse).  I was a Secretary I at the beginning, transferred to Public Health in 1994, and ended my career as a Confidential Secretary to the District Health Director of a 13 county region. Confidential Secretary is a title which is the same as an ...

This morning I had a few errands to do, so I stopped in at a yard sale being held to benefit the children of Nicaragua.  It was quite a good sale, and I came away with a few things.  Basket, $.25, garden tool, $1, and mitre box, $1, so I spent $2.25. I like the markings on the mitre box and thought about leaving it the way I found it, but my love of white paint got the best of me. I taped off the markings and sprayed a very light coat of white paint over it -- only one coat.  The wind was blowing, so I didn't really try for complete coverage.  I used a jagged piece of masking tape to cover the markings and like the way it turned out.  Once it dried, I brought it into the basement and sanded it off, and hit it lightly with Annie Sloan Dark Wax.  I like the way it looks on my mantel.  I switched out the picture I had as a backdrop on the mantel, to this half moon one found last year at a consignment shop.  I placed my little dollar tree birds...

My husband and I have been working in the basement this weekend, as well as another evening this week.  We have sorted through almost everything in there and separated it into areas, for yard sale, Good Will donations, keep here, take to the Lake House, etc.  We have the entire center area clear of items, and soon hope to have much of what is left either donated or sold.  We are two tired people!  Up and down those stairs sooooo many times.  The good thing is, it is now in order, and in the process I cleaned out an area and set up a little table and shelves for my paint, and fun stuff! It doesn't look good enough to show you yet, but I will before too long.  We plan to have some more electrical outlets run and ceiling fans hung, as well as painting the concrete floors.  The area covers about 2600 feet, so if we wanted to spend the money, we could have a whole other house down there.  That's not going to happen!  We need the storage so that's ...

Today I'm sharing signs of Spring in my home.  What says Spring better than bird nests, birds, flowers, and cloches ? This is a favorite.  In the header, I have a large glass cloche covering this one.   I removed the glass cloche to cover this little floral piece I bought today at the consignment shop. Very simple little flower pot, nothing really special until the cloche is added. Just look at the difference the cloche makes.  It gives it more elegance, and elevates the importance of the small floral.   Much prettier, but I still may add some embellishments, maybe a small bird.    We can't forget the little cloche with the roses. I hope Spring has settled in at your home.  I think we're going straight into Summer in Northeast Georgia.  It was 80 degrees at 5 PM Friday when I was driving home from work.  Unbelievable!   I'm linking to Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Night Special.

My sister-in-law gave me this picture of a little chapel a very long time ago.  It is a Home Interior product, and  the year 1987 is stamped on the back , so it has been around for 25 years.  I came across the picture last Saturday when I was shopping the basement and brought it upstairs.  Once upstairs, I decided to give the frame a coat of Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.    Once I let the paint dry, I simply sanded it with a sanding block but didn't add any wax.  I really do like the frame painted Old White. Now, where to place it?  First I put it in a corner in the dining room.  We were unable to enjoy it placed in the corner of the dining room, so I moved it into the foyer. Now it is seen when you enter the front door.  I think I found the perfect spot.  Don't you? Come with me to these linky parties: Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors  Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch Cozy Home Party at Cozy...

Just had to do a quick post to show you what my sweet daughter gave me for my birthday! I just love it!  See what you think.  It has three legs, and heavy engraving across each side. It sits on the mantel in front of the tulips picture I posted a few days ago.  I placed a bunch of roses in it. I absolutely love this little bon-bon dish!  Don't you? It's going to make a great addition to my vignettes. I'm showing off my new gift at the following parties: Winter Blues Wednesday at DIY by Design Strut Your Stuff Thursday at Somewhat Simple Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home  Vintage Inspiration at Common Ground  

Today I'm sharing my mantel decorated for Spring, as well as several other areas that I've changed.  All these changes were possible without spending a penny, which I love, love, love! This is what I had on the mantel for about the last 2 months.  I like this, but wanted to lighten it up for Spring. I removed the candle sticks and platter from the mantel to the dining room, here. I had the pitcher already, I believe from Good Will, so I moved it to the cabinet. OK, the candlesticks, etc., have a new spot, but what can I use on the mantel?   I originally matted this print with a green mat.  Here, I have just flipped the green mat over and now have a white mat for the print.  (BTW, the print was free).  The frame and mat (with another print), were a gift a number of years ago.  Here is the same print and mat, turned to the green side. I also shopped the basement and found quite a number of items I will show you in the next few posts....