Sharing Shadymont, My Mountain Cottage

We came back home to North Georgia today in order to get the yards back in shape here.  We kind of run back and forth during the Spring and Summer, trying to keep everything looking good.  Boy do we have a job ahead of us here!  I know what we'll be doing the rest of this week. While we were in South Georgia, hubby decided to clean out one of the storage/tool buildings.  So, I went out to see if there was anything I needed to save from the trash, and lo and behold, I found a few trinkets needing some spray paint and a new purpose in life! First up, is this rake, minus the handle.  It was rusty, which is good, but I wanted to make it pretty.  So, there just happened to be a can of glossy white spray paint in the shed.  I painted two coats on the rake, took it inside, and wired this little floral swag I already had on to it and made it a wall decoration.  (I've been editing photos in Picasa too, so these photos show some of their new effects). ...

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....

Come with me to Marty's Table Top Tuesday Party.   I've moved the large cloche again.  I now have three cloches with birds in them sitting on a table in the family room.  I've been trying to decide how to decorate the large cloche and finally decided that I could place this bird inside and have a collection (3) of cloches with birds under them.  So here they are. Isn't he a cutie?