~Freshing up the Kitchen~

Happy Monday to you all!. A few weeks back I won a giveaway from Catherine over at

"Pigment of your Imagination" Catherine is a folk artiest who paints the most amazing cupcakes, they are so enchanting and magical. I think they bring such whimsy and fun into the kitchen. I was able to choose a print of my choice and choose "Snickerdoodle Cupcake" it just happens that I love snickerdoodle cookies and so this was just the perfect cupcake to choose for my kitchen.

I framed it with white matting and a navy blue cottage wood frame, I love it so much!

Catherine also painted the cupcakes you see below the Snickerdoodle Cupcake print.

 Here's a closer look you can click on the photo to enlarge it if you like. I love how the cupcake is displayed on a decorative white cake plate and covered with a  glass cloche. The colors are so pretty. I hope you can see just how pretty they really are. My photo's aren't always the best, but I do try.

 So after hanging the cupcake's I was looking around the kitchen and said to myself, I think this hutch top is just not working! you know what I mean..when something just starts to bug you..So like any girl would do, I called out to my husband "Gary" and said we have to change this hutch, you should have seen his face "priceless". And so we did....LOL

I had forgotten all about these shelves that we had stored in our garage and re-found them while getting ready for a garage sale we had this weekend. Gary and I took the top off the hutch and he hung the two shelves up for me. I really like it and I think its a much cleaner look and less cluttered.

It's working for me now LOL, until I get ready to paint the shelves and the buffet white  : ) I have been wanting to try the new chalk paint, have you tried it yet?.

 

I recently purchased this hand made Cafe' sign from a dear friend of mine and Gary hung it up for me over the back door. I love this Cafe' sign and look its red!!!.  So there it is my  less cluttered kitchen...now if I can just stop myself from adding anything more...LOL. I'm such a clutter bug.
Have a sweet week and my your hearts be light and your spirit bright.

~Just Relax~

This is just  for you, now doesn't this make you feel all better!
I posted these darling massaging squirrels way back in 2009. I thought it was time to bring them back...
Maybe a massage  will help me with my blog fog or is it brain fog..LOL.
I just can't think of what to  write about  and also my photos are just not turning out very well...  I guess I just have the blues Big sigh !
I  love each and everyone of you..and hope you all had a delightful and relaxing Mothers Day full of love.

~French Blue Guest Bathroom~

Before I begin this post I would like to thank you for all your sweet compliments on my last post, Seth is really a great person .

This month marks our first anniversary since moving into our little Cottage. Our home was built in 1979 and is a ranch style design. We have two bathrooms each were  remolded when we purchased the home. Just the bear necessities were in each bathroom. The guest bathroom had a sink vanity, shower and pottie, no linen cabinet or window covering.

I didn't have much of a budget to decorate this room, so I had to make due with some of the things we brought with us from our other home.

 
I began by painting the walls a  french blue, changing the mirror from the small round one that was hung over the sink to my silver heart one I've had for years. Then changed the knobs out that I purchased from Anthropology, the knobs are called "mercury glass melon knob"  at $8.00 each.
I was able to reuse the white wicker seat and re-purpose the creamy white corner  hutch as a linen cabinet.

 Vanity with new mercury glass melon knobs.

 Before photo of the sink, mirror and vanity.

Purchased a few new pictures and a clock from Burlington Coat Factory, they have a really nice home area. I fell in love with the paisley wall clock and I always like to know what time it is, I don't know why I just do LOL....

  
Gary added the hangers to the white shelve that we all ready had.  This makes a great place to hang towels and a robe. We replaced the new very small  pottie that was there to a larger more "green" water saver. No handle you push the button on the top of the tank to flush.

 Love the mercury glass candle holders, also another re-purpose.

 The tile in the shower  is also  the same tile that was used for  the floor.

Installed the white 2 inch blind. Hung the shower curtain and Walla the "Guest Bathroom".  Very simple but functional. One day I hope to add white crown molding and bead board. A girl can dream LOL.
Enjoy your week, I will be thinking of you all and keeping you all in my prayers.

Today I'm joining in with Susan from Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday and Cielo from  The House in the  Roses

~Firefighter to the Rescue~

 All in a days work for firefighter "Seth" of the Winters Fire Department. A call came in that a  little kitty had climbed all his way to the very  top of the electrical post and could not get down....just like in a old movie when the Fireman would come to the rescue of the kitty in a tree, but this kitty was up in the phone wires.....

 Poor little kitty was hanging on for dear life....see kitty on Seth's shoulder.

 All the way down the ladder to safety, no more tight wire walking for this little guy....
A big purring thank you from kitty...

Seth is our daughter Bernadette's boyfriend, he is such a great person and so sweet and kind and loves being a Firefighter especially on days like these...Yep, all in the days work as a Firefighter (kitty's need saving too).
These photo's were taken from a Mobile phone. What a phone can do these days is just amazing.
Have a sweet day my friends!

~I missed you & and A Thank you~

 Oh, how I have missed  you! I really have, it seems like I have been gone for ever....We had a lovely trip to Las Vegas. The only bad thing was  I brought home a terrible allergy with a really bad sore throat and dry cough...I still have it and it just won't go away. I think I'm allergic to smoke...
I need to catch up with so many of you and I will. I have been thinking of you and wondering how you have been.
Can you believe Easter is next weekend! my goodness where has the time gone..
A few weeks ago I won a very lovely gift from "Rebecca" you all know Rebecca from A Gathering of Thoughts
I was so thrilled and so excited. Rebecca is a dear heart and she is so very talented and creative. When Gary and I arrived home from running errands yesterday  I saw a  package on the doorstep of our little cottage..I couldn't wait to get out of car and take it inside to open it and  see what was inside. The package was from Rebecca and when I opened it I was so delighted!
Just look at this sweet pink bunny pillow...how adorable can one pillow be!

 Along with the pillow was a bunny card to match that I can send to someone since its blank inside, but I can't part with it. The card sparkles with happiness! and playful bunny's.

 Also a gift tag and the little envelope you see has a tea bag in it, how darn cute is that!. I love everything Rebecca thank you so very much...I heart you!

 So in the spirit of Bunny's I thought I would share a few decorations I have around the house..nothing much this year since we are not hosting Easter... Our daughters Desire' and Bernadette are hosting Easter and big Easter egg hunt for all the kids...

 You might recognize this little bunny ...she only comes out at Easter time to keep an eye on all the little ones hunting for pretty colored eggs she has hidden....

 I know these dark chocolate bunny candles are kinda of weird....but I really liked them!!LOL

I don't think I'll be lighting them.I don't want them to melt. LOL

 
 Just a little Some Bunny Loves you pillow.
An Easter garland strung across the fireplace...

 "Every Bunny Welcome" is hung along side the wall as you enter our home.

Happy Spring you all! We had the most beautiful weekend weather we have had in along time. I hope your weekend was full of warmth and sunshine and everything that makes you happy!

~Up Up and Away~

 Gary and I  are flying away for one hole glorious week. Can you guess where we are going? Oh how I wish it was Paris, but sigh  it is not.....so the next best thing is "Vegas Baby!". We are staying at this beautiful hotel called the "Venetian Hotel"

 There will be romantic gondola rides and many yummy dinners (diet hard when we return) lots of shopping but probably more browsing then buying LOL.

I will miss you all so much, I' am not bringing my computer ( how will I survive without it).  I will write you all when we return. Until then I send my love and I leave a piece of my heart with you. Have a safe and sweet week my friends.

~Thank you Maryann~

I Won! the most wonderful gift (giveaway) from Maryann at  Mariondee-desings It arrived all wrapped in pink tissue paper with a pink ribbon, and traveled over the seas from Australia to my little cottage in Modesto Ca. Safe and sound. (You can click on any photo to enlarge if you like)

Maryann designed and made this fabulous cottage throw. I love it! it has the sweetest ruffles and lace.
Maryann sent the sweetest note along. 
  I was so excited and thrilled when Maryann wrote to tell me her beautiful daughter Lisa had drawn my name. I adore this throw and it brings me much joy! You all know how much I treasure everything handmade, and I will treasure this gift forever.

If you haven't had the pleasure of meeting Maryann at Mariondee-designs, please stop over and say Hi!
I'm sure you will love her blog as much as I do.