Spring 'tacular Mantel...Outdoors!

That's right! You read the title correctly! O U T D O O R S!! I'm showing you a mantel scape on my faux mantel that happens to be outside at the lake!

I love to be outside...when it's warm...at the lake...so it was natural for me to have the hubby build a faux mantel to decorate...o u t s i d e...

A little whimsy...

Enjoyed the mantel scape while sitting out in the yard...

Brought the much needed laughter from our friends...at first a little surprised...LOL

 I'm joining the spring' tacular mantel party at:   Fox Hollow Cottage
Also partying with:  Cowgirl Up
52 Mantels

See ya down the junkin' road!


Jan

Here, Copy Cat, Here

Super excited to join  DebbieDoos  for her copy cat challenge today!  Ohhh, I had big dreams of one major copy this past week but oh no, not to happen, this J-GRITS was in the bed! Yep, sick...with the crud...ugh! So the big dream copy will save until another day!  I do, however, have a sweet little copy that I tweaked to meet my needs for a springtime breakfast table for the hubby and me!!

(Better Homes & Gardens, March, 2010)

From the magazine..."Turn a tea set into a sweet floral display. Use one kind of flower in the teapot (here, it's white ranunculus) and another in the cup (tulips)." 

Well, I didn't have the 'white ranunculus' so I substituted  buttercups (from my yard) in my tall pot!  Love it!!

Again no tulips...but fresh strawberries will work...

Sliced just right...oh yeah...actually could past for very small tulips 

(if you squench your eyes just a little bit)

Have a Blessed Day!! And see ya down the junkin' road!!

Jan

Partying with:          DebbieDoos Copy Cat Challenge

In the USA...Cowboy Days Festivities

One local tradition we attended recently was "COWBOY DAYS."  The festivities began with a parade, music, food, vendors and of course cowboys and cowgirls with their horses!

And even though the skies were dark and heavy the festivities must go on...

 The shopkeepers had decorated their store fronts in the spirit of the day...

No 'cowboy' reenactment is complete without an official gunfight in the town streets...

 Small town America...gotta love 'em!!

Next time I'll post more of the parade photos...

See y'all down the junkin' road!!


Jan

Made in the USA

As I told y'all in an earlier post my friend and me have been on the junkin' road!!  It has been a wonderful adventure into a land of vintage and made in the USA!!

Recently, I'm sure you've realized, there has been a major push by media types to find and buy products made in the United States of America.   

They stated if all Americans buy just 'a few items' then  X  amount of jobs will be created!  

I'm all over that!!  More jobs = better economy = happy life!!

Lucky us... we found dinnerware marked made in the USA at a small consignment store...

(someone out there please correct me if I'm wrong about the name of this pattern)

Currier and Ives China in the blue and white was the most popular pattern by Royal China Company of Sebring, Ohio.  The company produced the dinnerware from 1950-1986.  

(Unfortunately, in the 1970's-1980's many china and glassware companies went out of business. 

 For me it was a great lost of American craftsmanship.)

In the shop the dealer had set a lovely table with the vintage china...

The vintage print brings about a nostalgic feeling...the good old days...evenings spent in rockin' chairs...watchin' the lightin' bugs fly in the night...grandma's cookin'...big family gatherings...

Ahhh, such a lovely feeling...made in the USA...

See y'all down the junkin' road!!

Jan

Partying today with...
Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper 
Her Library Adventures 
Thrift Share Monday @ Apron Thrift Girl 
Coastal Charm 
A Sroll Thru Life 

The Sun'll Come Out Tomorrow

Ooooooh, so much rain, wind, lightning...March 2, 2012 was another day of tornadoes in Alabama.  Thankfully the family dodged the bullet once again...

sitting in basements, storm cellars, wearing helmets, with flashlights, shivering with fright

Sharing this link from Amy at with a Vintage Twist...  (drop by for visit with her)

Alabama Tornado Damage, March 2, 2012

from the Denver Post

Neighbors helping neighbors...friends helping friends...strangers helping strangers...

we are all family when a disaster occurs...

PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE APPS FOR YOUR SMART PHONES, PURCHASE A WEATHER RADIO, DISCUSS A PLAN OF ACTION WITH YOUR FAMILY...

BE READY.  

MOTHER NATURE IS HAVING A HISSY FIT AND WE DO NOT KNOW WHERE THE FURY WILL BE NEXT TIME!

(source)

Many of the recent tornadoes developed from supercell thunderstorms.

Blessings!

Jan

Help, I've Been Framed!

 (Update:  To the people in Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, and Tennessee who have experienced the recent tornado rampage, you are in our thoughts and prayers.  We were in the Smoky Mountains last night when the tornado warning sounded for our location.  Lucky for us the storm system went south and finally ended in a thunderstorm. Since we have experienced recent damage in Alabama we were very aware of the potential threat and had our Iphones set to give alarms.  We were amazed that so very few people were aware of any danger.  I do not want to be an alarmist but everyone needs to be aware of extreme weather conditions.  Be alert!  I fear we are in for a very dangerous spring season of tornadoes.  Blessings!)


 Now back to our regularly scheduled program...

Oh yeah, I've been framed! No, no, I've not been arrested!  I'm talkin' photo framed!  But not just any old store-bought frame! Oh no! These are made from reclaimeded lumber!!

Many of you will remember this pile of lumber we've accumulated...

 

You may also remember I've a very handy hubby (the same one my Mema said was a 'keeper'...haha)

You may read about one of his reclaimed wood projects here...

I needed a gift for a very special friend...and I did not want to show up to the party with the very same dress on...y'all know what I'm talkin' about...the very same gift as someone else brings to the table ...bought at the local gift shop...with the identical wrapping and card attached...I wanted the unique!!!

Well hubby worked his magic once again...

The old lumber went into the shop in bits and pieces and out came the perfect gift for my friend...

Added a black and white photograph of an old mill with my logo...

After adding burlap ribbon and some bling...

My only problem????  Which one goes to my friend!!

Y'all may notice the chalkboard banner...yep, still lovin' that chalkboard paint...

Showcasing the reclaimed photo frames...  with the perfect backdrop!! 

This is the only way to be framed!!  LOL

See ya down the junkin' road!!

Jan

Partying with... 

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Inspiration Friday @ The Picket Fence

Friday Party @ Redoux

Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground

Fridays Unfolded @ Stuff and Nonsense

2805: Potpourri Friday

Show and Tell @ My Romantic Home

Sundae Scoop 

Got a Parrot Head?

For all of you that don't know what in the world I'm talkin' about, let me tell you a story! A story I hope you will like to hear!!! (As much as I like to tell it!!)

I'm a huge Jimmy Buffett fan! Totally love, L O V E, the music!  He sings of a relaxed, carefree lifestyle!  And it is a 'place' I can go to... when the stress of my everyday life catches up with me! 
That makes me a Parrotthead...fans of Buffett!! (notice the double 't' in both names)

Buffett and his band, The Coral Reefers, in their concerts provide an atmosphere

 that is so much like attending a tropical party!

And as y'all know I love a PaR..TY!!  

Now for the good part to my story...

The hubby and I attended his show in Birmingham...

Ohhhh, hear the squeals,

( yes just like the ones comin' from the mouths of those tweens attending a Justin Bieber show...

that's ME, dancin', jumpin', screamin')

Many fans will dress up in tropical attire..grass skirts w/coconut bra tops, Hawaiian shirts, board shorts, FLIP FLOPS...but since we've experienced a cold snap (and I'm too old for grass and coconuts, haha)...we made adjustments...

Off to the Dollar Tree to find...sunglasses with PARROTS...

Now to add to...

A few shells, one starfish, etc., add a funky hat for hubby...

Sparkly TOMS instead of flops, another pair of parrot glasses, flowers, faux leis, stars, ready to go...

(On a side note, did y'all know that for every pair of TOMS purchased 

one pair of shoes is donated?  cool, huh)

Yes, YES. YES...Jimmy Buffett sang of a tropical paradise... we were not disappointed!! 

And he had fun too!!

One other thing...we arrived in style...by LIMO!! All fifteen of us enjoying the ride and the music! 

Oh yeah, now that's what I'm talkin' about!! 

Favorite song?  Too many to list!! I'll settle down and get back to normal...

until 'Come Monday' is played on the radio... 

and I just may (yep, I will) get those sunglasses back out and start squealing again!!

See y'all down the junkin' road!!


Jan

Partying with 

Boogieboard Cottage 

BNOTP  

Coastal Charm

 

Fingerprints on the Fridge