Beautiful Silver Tray

I Finally Found It….So Exciting

Hello Friends, I have been looking, for almost a year, for a heavy silver footed tray with handles. I had gotten to the point of almost giving up until yesterday when I found this. Yes, they are out there but not at a reasonable price. Yikes!

This is the before. It is not in bad shape but definitely needed some tender loving care. While the antique shop did not give this one away….it was about half what I have been looking at in pricing. I was thrilled and almost did a happy dance in the middle of the store. Oh, the plans I have for this tray. Yea!

I cleaned it up but not perfectly…..I don’t particularly like my things to be letter perfect anymore. To some degree, I like the used look.

I put my Lladro swan on it….for now, and some of my lavender roses. Isn’t the color breathtaking?

I can’t wait to place a tea service on it.

 

I just happened to pop into an antique store I haven’t been to in ages and there it was. Timing is everything, isn’t it? I am so happy with it….can you tell?

Thank you so much for your visit.

I am linking to Met Monday at Between Naps On The Porch

Barb

The Keys to Life

Being a People-Pleaser

If you are new to Bella Vista, I post bits of life-changing wisdom, taught to me by a long time friend, on most Sundays. Faye not only taught me but she walked the walk. She lived the life she talked about and, for the most part, was a very happy and contented woman. Truthfully, watching her live her life day-to-day in such grace and peace spoke to me more than her words ever could. She was a living example of God’s divine peace and I do believe that is the primary reason, I daily seek God’s peace in my life.

When I met Faye, I was a definite people pleaser.  I did anything and everything for everyone who asked. I was literally driving myself into the ground without knowing it. Faye quietly sat me down one day and explained that I had the right to say ‘no’…..even though I was a Christian. What a revelation! I thought being a good Christian meant I had to do, do, do all the time. Looking back, I was unbelievably naive but the end result would have been the same….I would have burned myself and my health completely out if it had not been for this wonderful woman.

I will be honest and tell you that it did not happen overnight….it was a process. It took  a long time before I was comfortable enough to say…..”I can’t do that.” But, I did learn. I also learned it did not make me less than or a bad person to say no. If we don’t protect ourselves…..and our strength, our very health….we certainly will  not be there for anyone….including our families, our friends or ourselves.

Now, amazingly, I rarely have trouble saying no. It doesn’t bother me in the least. But, I am truly grateful for my dear friend that put me on the ‘right path’ so many years ago. It made all the difference in the world in the quality of my life.

Hoping your Sunday is blessed.

Barb

Happy Weekend

I Can’t Wait…..

Can you believe it is time for the weekend, already? I am truly looking forward to this weekend. My husband has been working non-stop on a very important contract and we haven’t spent any time together at all. Booo hoooo. But, Saturday morning is all ours!! ;-)

We are going to treat ourselves to a lavish breakfast out and then will visit our favorite antique shops. I am in the mood for some old, vintage things that I can rework and repaint. All the projects around Blogland have my creative juices flowing.  So inspiring.

I continue working on my studio….it has been an amazing transformation. I cannot believe how it has inspired my decorating throughout our home. I am kind of in a ‘turn in the road’ with my decorating at present. I am heading off in another direction…I’m not sure where exactly, yet….but that is half the fun. :-)

I also continue with my handwritten journaling….it is amazing how much faster I get to the point when I am using a pen instead of the computer keyboard. I am really enjoying it and feel as though I am in a deep stage of learning about myself. Love!

I so look forward to returning to the back porch to journal….can’t do it now. It is just too hot. Yikes!

I hope you have a wonderful weekend…..filled with joy.

Always…..thanks for your sweet visits.

Barb

Summer Days and Ramblings

Thoughts Abound Today

Hi Friends, I have so much to do and I’m not doing any of it….do you ever get that way? I think the summer doldrums have set in on me. Since I live in Florida, that is a pitiful state of mind because we have about three more months of summer. Yikes!

I spent part of the morning watering flowers in the back garden and pulling weeds. The humidity is not so bad in the mornings but the afternoons leave my hair in a fright. Ha.

Well, things to do and places to go. How are all of you doing with the heat? I see so much talk about it all across Blogland. Just think…..before you know it, we will all be shivering. ;-)

I hope you have a wonderful and COOL day.

Sharing my seashell shelves at My Romantic Home

Barb

Sweet Dining for Two

In a Pink Kind of Mood

Hello Friends, You are invited in to my table setting just for my sweet husband and myself. We celebrated our anniversary last week and dined out but I also set a table at home for us.

I definitely felt in kind of a pink frame of mind.

These pink cabbage plates are among my favorites. I love the color!

I covered the birdcage, which I love, in a vine and surrounded it with my Fitz and Floyd parrots. I have had these beauties for years.

I found this crystal decanter in an antique shop some years ago. I love, love it.

I hope you enjoyed our table….we did. ;-)

Thanks so much for your visit today.

I am joining Susan for Tablescape Thursday

Sherry for Home Sweet Home

Beverly for Pink Saturday

Barb

Refreshing Tea Time

Quiet Time on a Hot Summer Day

Welcome to tea. Come in and have a refreshing cup of tea on this hot summer day.

Tea always makes me slow down and enjoy my day. It gives me a few minutes to sit and relax….and dream.

There is something about a white tea service that refreshes my spirit.

Blueberry!

Aren’t these peaches delicious looking? They are!

The beautiful simplicity of white mums…….♥

Thank you for visiting with me today. You are always welcome.

I am joining Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage

Barb

Bedroom Mantel

I Wanted an Extremely Serene Look

Hello Everyone, this is the master bedroom mantel that I completed several weeks ago when I redid our master bedroom in a more shabby chic look.

Mantels are my favorite areas to decorate and we are blessed to have several in our dear old cottage. I desired a very serene and calm look for this room and I think I achieved it.

I love large glass jars and have them everywhere….some I leave completely empty. Can you imagine that? :-)

I am over the moon for Lladro’s and have them in all the softer rooms of our home. I never tire of them and they also give off such a calming feeling….and elegant too.

I like a touch of whimsy and I think the beaded garland provides just that.

Of course, I can’t do any kind of vignette without adding a book or two or more!

I hope you enjoyed our mantel. Thanks so much for stopping by.

I am joining Met Monday at Between Naps On The Porch

Barb

The Keys to Life

Finding Your Center

On Sundays, I occasionally post about the bits of wisdom my precious friend, Faye, taught me over the years. She was the most godly of women…..a true person of serenity and love.

Faye taught me to find ‘my center.’

It is that place, in all of us, where we get quiet and know that we are at peace and one with God. We know everything will be okay because we have gotten quiet long enough to hear His voice. God is always talking to us but we simply can’t hear Him when we are doing a dozen things at one time and going in a dozen different directions.

Granted, this isn’t easy in today’s world but her teaching of this wisdom to me has saved me more than once in my life. When I find myself fragmented and totally at odds with everything….I try to find that still, quiet place within my soul. I force myself to sit…turn everything OFF and listen. The voice comes and I am renewed and strengthened. No, it doesn’t always happen just that fast…but it does happen.

I hope you find your center today and rest. Happy Sunday.

Barb

SOFT SUMMERY MANTEL

Romantic, Vintage, Light-Hearted

Hello Bloggy Buddies, first, let me thank you all for the wonderful anniversary wishes…how very kind of you.

~~Sharing some pieces from my PINK MILK GLASS collection~~

I decided to decorate the den mantel in the softest shades of pink. This is the only room that is remaining in red in our home but the reds are very soft and I thought the pinks would really compliment them.

I am showing several pieces of my Pink Milk Glass collection. I have a large collection and it is scattered everywhere in Bella Vista. All these pieces were made in the late 50’s. I don’t collect it anymore as it is too hard to find and I am running out of room. It is the softest shade of pink and may even appear white in these posts; I always seem to photograph these pieces in rooms full of light…which makes the color drain out just a tad. 

A friend started me on this collection in the early 90’s. At that time, it was easy to find and reasonably priced; that is no longer the case.

Of course, I had to include a shell.

I have several other posts on my pink milk glass (other pieces) and you are welcome to check my archives, if you are interested. As always, thanks for visiting with me. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Pink Saturday at How Sweet The Sound

Barb