Sharing Shadymont, My Mountain Cottage

A couple weeks ago, I made a trip to Lowe's and bought a fern, a shepherd's hook, and a new hummingbird feeder, some succulents, and a few more items.  Once I returned home, I got busy rearranging the front porch, and sprucing up the little garden area near my front steps. I moved these adirondack chairs to the end of one side of the porch and used the old cushions in them.  Adding the table provides a place for a nice cup of coffee, or a cool drink. The rockers are in their usual spot, but I added new cushions.  I also added a citronella candle, and an arrangement in my old well bucket.  This bucket is the one we actually used when I was a young girl.  We had running water, but if the pipes froze in the winter, we could still "draw" water from the well, and this is the bucket we used.  (I know that information, ages me somewhat, but whatever.....right?) I switched out the Patriotic wreath for this turquoise one until July when I'll ...

Hey y'all, Hope you're having a fabulous week.   After I gathered these photos together for a blog post, I realized that they all depict nature in one way or another.  I guess you could say I have a recurrent garden theme going on in my home.  Not by intent, just things I've used throughout my home.  Do you ever feel drawn to items for no particular reason, at least no conscious reason?     The little nest above was attached to the back of a wreath I had on the front door.  I switched the wreath for another one, only to discover much later that the one I removed had this little nest and eggs attached to the back.  I tried putting it back on the door to see if the Mama bird would return, but she didn't.     The photo above shows part of a hydrangea.    What says garden more than a wire cloche with a bird and flower inside?   The red "fence" above this cabinet at the lake home is actually a side boa...

A few posts back I showed you the magnolia print that a co-worker gave me when I retired.  It's a beautiful print, understated, but so elegant.  Today, I decided I would see if I had a frame big enough for the print, so I shopped the basement and found one.  It was a narrow brass colored frame with a matted print in it.  I took everything out of the frame, and painted over the brass color with white interior paint that was left over from an earlier project.  It dried quickly, so I took a small acrylic paint brush, dipped it in pink paint, and painted one of the grooves in the frame. Once that dried, I sanded it in spots, and this is the final look.  I wanted it to look like a really old frame that had gotten painted more than once, and was chippy.  I think it turned out pretty good.  My goal is to find an ornate shabby frame for the print, but I was ready to have this print out so I could enjoy it. Here is how the frame turned out.  ...