~New Dining Room Table~

Our new dining room table and chairs arrived, Saturday morning. This completes the dining room makeover.

The photo, at left, shows the dining room before. Laura Ashley Gold 3 paint, from Lowe's.

We're talking about selling the glass topped table and chairs, later this month, at our daughter and son in law's subdivision sale. We're definitely putting the old chandelier in the sale.

There are five leaves that fit around the outer edge of the table, extending it to 74 inches. The table remains round. When the leaves are not in place, the table is the same size as our former table.

I plan to use the Queen Anne style chairs, I refinished, with black paint (one shown here), between the new chairs, when we have more than four guests.

Slipcovers were included, with the chairs. The table and chairs are finished in a very dark brown, that appears black, depending on light.

I recently won this beautiful painting, in a giveaway at Studio Stuff. I plan to use it at the condo. Thank you, Linda!

As I wrote in the post, just before this one, I was the recipient of two awards, recently. The first one is Autumn Friends, from Jan of Jan and Tom. I think by now, just about everyone is in a Fall Decorating mood. I'm passing this award to everyone who stops by the Back Porch. Please accept it with my appreciation for your visits and pass it along!

I also received the Hooked on Your Blog Award, designed by Julia at Hooked on Houses. Thank you Linda at Lime in the Coconut.

It's so very difficult to pass an award along to just a few. I am hooked on all the blogs on my list and then some! I've chosen 5 to receive the award, at this time and will pass it along to others, in future posts.

In no particular order:

Mary, at Across the Pond

Cathie, at Catherine Holman Folk Art
Kat, at Kat's Whimsy

Karen, at Yellow Farmhouse

Rechelle, at The Country Doctor's Wife

Please accept this award with my appreciation and pass it along to 5 or more.

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Melissa, at the Inspired Room, asked for a list of 20 little things to treasure about Autumn.

1. Crisp Cool Days

2. Changing Leaves

3. Golden Light

4. A Fire in the Back Porch Fireplace

5. High School Football

6. Chrysanthemums

7. Caramel Apples

8. Apple Cider (warm or cold)

9. Curling Up in a Chair With a Good Book

10. Pumpkins

11. Apples

12. Soup and Chili Suppers

13. Walking Through Leaves

14. A Drive Along the Wine Road

15. The Ozarks in All It's Glory

16. Morning Mist

17. Getting Together With Old

Friends

18. Fall Decorating

19. Thanksgiving

20. Candlelight in the Afternoon

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Thank you everyone for keeping J in your thoughts and prayers. Right now October 6, seems like a long way down the road.

Have a wonderful week!

EDIT:

Several readers have asked about the dining room furniture manufacturer. The table is Lexington~Long Cove Collection. The style name is Fall River. The chairs are Lexington~Long Cove Collection in the Summerville style.

The paint color is Sherwin Williams Interesting Aqua (walls) and Sherwin Williams Topsail (ceiling).

We've decided to leave the floor bare.

GIVEAWAY ALERT!!

Lisa at Cakes and Cupboards is having her first ever Giveaway. For details, visit Lisa here.

~Postcard~

"Having wonderful time. Wish you were here". Isn't that what one writes on a postcard?

I'm writing this entry, Friday July 25th, my 65th birthday. By the time the post is published, we should be relaxing on the deck, enjoying the view. If all goes according to plan, a guest is sitting on the deck with us. I'm sure I'll have a story to tell about this guest, upon our return. Of course, there will be a photograph or two.

MISSOURI COUNTY NAME:
The Missouri county, mentioned in my previous post, is Audrain, in northeast Missouri. This is the county believed to be named for J's family. Although, when looking through county lists, I found origin unknown for Audrain County. We have a copy of a letter from our family researchers that mentions the county was named for Pierre (Peter) Audrain, J's ancestor.

A STYLE NOTE:
I couldn't leave for the lake without telling you about My Beloved Garage Sale Find.
Karin is new to the land of blog. I've known her a few years through the private decorating board we belong to. I'm enjoying reading "Is It Nap Time Yet?" blog. She wrote an entry about her daughter's room, this past week. There is a dresser, in the room, that is fabulous.
When I stopped by, Friday, I found a wonderful post about a piece of art Karin found at a garage sale, several years ago. Not only is it a very pretty painting, it has provenance! J and I love to dig around in the back rooms of antique shops and consignment stores. We find lots of wonderful things, but few are found with a story attached. We love it when we learn a bit of history about whatever piece we buy. This happened with Karin's beloved garage sale find. To read about it and see the photos, please click here.


You Make Me Smile! Yes, you all make me smile, at least once a day. I want to pass this happy award to you. Please take it and pass it to someone or everyone who makes you smile! This award was created by Gail at Squared Off. Her son made the drawing for his mommy. Imagine Gail's smile when she was presented with this wonderful gift! I picked up this sweet award from Pat in NY. Thank you for your generosity, Pat!

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Another new award, is on the side bar. Sharing the Love Award has a special story. Sandi passed the award to several people, including me. Thank you, Sandi! I am passing it to all of you, in gratitude for your kindness during this first year and a half of Back Porch Musings. The history of the award can be found by clicking the button on the sidebar. If you accept the award and pass it along, please link back to the original post. It is the story of a sweet child who has had heart surgery and the wonderful mom who created this award.

Andi challenged me to play Susie Q's Game. We all know how much Sue loves a good list. I'm inviting you to play, too. One thing I learned during the game. We should plan a trip to NYC! This will become obvious when you see my answers to a couple of great questions.

You are allowed only one answer per question. You may challenge 5 others to play Susie's Game. At the end of my list are 5 fabulous bloggers I've challenged. I also challenge anyone who is reading this post. Please let me know if you play the game. I'm looking forward to reading your favorites.

FAVORITE
Sport: Baseball
Game: Trivial Pursuit
Color: Aqua
Movie: It's a Wonderful Life
Broadway Play I've Seen: None, but would love to see any of them!
Broadway Musical I've Seen: None, but would love to see Mama Mia
Song: Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong)
Favorite City Visited: Nashville, Tennessee
Favorite Foreign City Visited: I've only been to Canada and Mexico border towns. Would love to see the cities!
Book: To Kill a Mockingbird
Children's Book: Nancy Drew Series
Classic TV Show: Carol Burnett
Recent TV Show: Monk
Actor: James Stewart
Actress: Angela Lansbury
Perfume: Tommy Bahama Very Cool
Food: Pasta
Dessert: Chocolate Anything and Everything
Chain Restaurant: The Cheesecake Factory
Local Restaurant: Oddfellows Cafe
Car: 1956 T-Bird
Condiment: Mustard
Kitchen Appliance: Blender
Home Appliance: Dyson Animal
Beauty Product: All Clinique Products
Favorite Clothing: Black Capris
HGTV Show: If Walls Could Talk
Food Network: Paula Deen
Author: James Patterson
Male Songwriter: Randy Newman
Female Songwriter: Carole King
Holiday: Christmas
Ballet: Nutcracker (segment within Radio City Rockettes Christmas Show, Grand Palace, Branson Missouri)
Disney Character: Cinderella
Flower: Calla Lily
Alcoholic Drink: Chardonnay (Kendall Jackson)
Non Alcoholic Drink: Unsweetened Iced Tea with Lemon
Magazine: Architectural Digest
Animated Movie: Cinderella (brings happy childhood memories!)
TV Mini Series: Roots
Season: Autumn
Male Vocalist: Harry Connick Jr.
Female Vocalist: Ella Fitzgerald (ah...Gershwin)
Day of Week: Sunday
Household Chore: Laundry
Ice Cream: Rocky Road
Candy: Bankheads Chocolates (Local)
Artist: Georgia O'Keefe
Quotation: See the Elizabeth Kubler-Ross Quote on my sidebar.

I challenge:
Diane
A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words
Picket (Dot)
Picket's Place
Susie Harris
Bienvenue
Deb
Deb's Country Kisses
Brenda
Country Romance

Have a great week!

Summertime Walk & Lunch on the Patio

Just before noon, we walked around the gardens. This Daylily, in the side garden, is the only one blooming. We saw lots of buds. I can hardly wait to see them blooming around the little chair.

Queen Anne's Lace, growing near the creek. This is one of my favorite wildflowers.

Lilies, growing in the garden next to the creek. The background photo is Hosta, in bloom, next to the patio. There are still no blooms on the Hydrangea near the white fence. The Daylilies there have buds, but no blooms.

The Endless Summer Hydrangea, next to the patio have no blooms. They are late blooming, because of late frost this spring.

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After our walk, we returned to the patio, for a delicious nutritious lunch of Rootbeer Floats. We were very health conscious, using no sugar added vanilla ice cream and Fitz's Diet Root Beer. They were very tasty, but we decided, next time we will throw caution to the wind and use regular Fitz's Root Beer and heavy duty vanilla ice cream!

Fitz's is bottled in St Louis. It has an interesting story, you might like to read.

http://www.fitzsrootbeer.com/

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Andrea, at Southern Heart, has tagged me to a list of "Southern Thangs". I was born in southern Missouri. While not the "deep south", southern Missouri is sometimes considered part of "the south". There are indeed many similarities. I've also lived in Texas, Tennessee and Louisiana and my father was born and raised in Texas.

1. Southern ladies never "sweat", they develop a "glow".

2. Hoe Cakes are an honorable substitute for unsweetened cornbread.

3. Both my "southern" grandmothers never left the house without make up. Make up being a good moisturizing lotion, Granny's was Italian Balm, a dab of rouge to cheeks, a tad bit of lipstick, and a tad bit of powder. I believe Nanny used the same technique. I try to keep that "tradition", only my make up takes longer to apply and I use more stuff.

4. Wilted Lettuce (salad)

5. Afternoon naps

6. Dinner is the noon meal, supper is the evening meal.

I tried to think of a few that haven't been mentioned. I'm sure when I publish I will think of more.

I challenge, Andi at Andi's Everyday Adventures

Sue, at Country Pleasures

Rose Mary, at Life in a Cordwood Cabin

A Garage Sale and a List

As we were leaving, this morning, we noticed a garage sale on the next street. J has been looking for a chest of drawers or some such, to put in the basement back room, for his work/knock around clothes. I think this chest of drawers is too cute for the basement back room. Don't you? I can see this little beauty all painted up in a cottagey way. Great for sewing, quilting supplies, yarn or art supplies. The possibilities are practically endless. I love the spinning wheel. The chest was part of a bedroom set, that belonged to the seller's parents, when they were first married. When J went back to pick it up, this afternoon, he met the original owner. The chest is probably 50 years old.

While J was negotiating the price of the chest, I wandered into the garage. Look what I found! I've been looking for a child size table and chairs for several months. With a little work and paint, this will be perfect for Gabi and Drew's visits to G'ma and Pop Pop's house.

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Charlotte, from House Wren Studio, has tagged me for a list of 7 facts about myself. Thank you Charlotte! I enjoyed reading your list.

Here goes:

1. I've read all of Agatha Christie's books. Many, more than once. I could read them all again, except perhaps, Endless Night. I thought that one was a bit of a departure from her usual books, almost like Stephen King's work. I've read most of his books, too. When I read Agatha Christie, I like to sip a cup of Earl Grey Tea.

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2. I enjoy watching many TV shows from Great Britain. Especially, As Time Goes By. Another one I enjoy is Keeping Up Appearances. Those are fun, no matter how many times I see them. My latest passion is Midsomer Murders.

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3. In 1970, I began acylic painting classes and belonged to the St Charles Artists Guild. I showed paintings in group shows. I painted for several years, then stopped. I gave away most of my work. In recent years, I've done a few murals or other decorative painting in homes and businesses. My latest painting, a sail boat, hangs at our lake place. Our wedding date is printed on the sails. I've done two little wall paintings there, as well. A Gull and a grouping of brightly colored oars, that appear to be leaning against the wall, in one of the guest rooms. I've also painted and donated work to be raffled at our local Relay For Life. I believe I'm proudest of those paintings.

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4. When my three daughters were small, I sewed most of their clothes. And made almost all their Barbies' clothes.

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5. While living in a rural setting from 1973 to 2003, I helped haul hay, round up stray livestock, build and mend fence, can or otherwise preserve food for our table and experienced other adventures of rural living.

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6. When I was growing up, I churned butter for Granny, on some Saturdays. For this, I was given a quarter to go to the show, Saturday afternoon. That was enough for admission and a treat. Can you imagine that? Those really were the days!

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7. I'm from the hills and hollers of the beautiful Ozarks. According to Ozark lore, it will come as no surprise, I am a barefoot girl. I rarely wear shoes. I wear sandals, when I leave the house, almost every month of the year. I only give in to shoes, when the snow flies.

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I'm Tagging:

Sue, at Country Pleasures

Lisa, at Small Space Style

RoseMary, at Life in a Cordwood Cabin

Joyce, at Brookside Cottage

These blogs are listed in my Back Porch Friends

A Hydrangea, a Hint and a List

We had a wonderful time at the lake, over the weekend. I took lots of pictures for a post, later this week.

Above right is a photo of one of our Endless Summer Hydrangea. This is from 2006. The plants are looking good. Hopefully, we'll see new blooms soon.

We have a busy day planned. This morning, J is scheduled for an MRI on his left shoulder. Three years ago, he had Rotator Cuff surgery on his right shoulder. Lately, his left shoulder has been feeling a bit like the right shoulder did, just before surgery. We are hoping it is a pinched nerve this time.

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The collage represents a "hint" about a post, later this week. This is a beautiful place in the beautiful Ozarks.

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~Lists~

Quite awhile ago, Sue at "Rabbit Run Cottage" and Jenny at "oldbagnewtricks" tagged me for a list of 7 facts about myself.

My list of ordinary, weird and little known facts about myself:

1. J and I have been married just over 23 years, second time for both.

2. I am G'ma to Xantiana (Xanti), Gabriella (Gabi) and Andrew (Drew). Xanti is 14 years older than Gabi. Gabi (age 2) is 15 months older than Drew (1). Xanti will be 17 in a couple of weeks. I cannot believe it!

3. I was born in Missouri. I've lived in 6 states; Missouri, Illinois, Texas, California, Louisiana and Tennessee.

4. I've worked retail and in the electronic/semiconductor/microchip industry. Most of my life, I've been a stay at home wife and mother.

5. I like peanut butter and pickle sandwiches. Either bread and butter pickle or dill pickle is good with peanut butter.

6. If I enjoy a book, I will read it again and again, as if it was the first time.

7. I'm a fan of 1930's and 1940's black and white movies.

I'm tagging Carol at Raised in Cotton, Andrea at Southern Heart, Donna at The Decorated House and Kim at Daisy cottage.
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Thinking Blogger Award

Theresa, at Garden Antique News honored me, by tagging me for The Thinking Blogger Award. Thank you Theresa! I have a difficult time choosing blogs to tag, because each blog I visit is wonderful. Because of that, I choose to select all my blog friends for this award.
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