~September Greetings~

~Lakeside~

 

Lantern from Schaefer House, Jefferson City Missouri, a couple years ago.

A freeform arrangement in a shell shaped container, assorted faux pumpkins, ceramic shore bird and a tea light lantern; tabletop vignette for the harvest table.

I arrange vignettes at the end of this table, at the condo, because I like the backdrop.

This arrangement also leaves room for four place settings, without obstructing the view.

The shell plates and glasses are plastic, from Home Goods.  White dishes, placemats and napkins from Home Goods, also.

 

The framed sunflower photo, on the shutter/window, is one of my photos. Sara Tetley’s Two Boats was here, before.

 

Above Sara Tetley’s Two Boats is a photo showing sail boats at Mackinac Bridge (Michigan), by photographer Nancy May.  The photo is a souvenir from a trip to Mackinac Island.  The sunflower photo was on this wall before moving it to the shutter/window.

Linking to Marty’s Table Top Tuesday.

 

Hint

Another Evergreen Mfg purchase.  I saw this birdcage Wednesday, thought about it, went back Thursday, bought it.  I am hoping I can use this on the chest behind the living room sofa at home.

Family has been here at the lake with us, most of the time, this trip. 

This morning, it’s so quiet here, after everyone left for home. 

Miss them already!

We will return home tomorrow (Tuesday), after a full week of fishing, golfing, fun, food, visiting and glorious weather. 

These photos show one of the wood docks, at a marina, Lake of the Ozarks State Park.

~Lunch Table Talk~

Monday morning, bright and early, J and I drove south for blood work.  This time, we both had routine tests.  Each of us had a fasting test. J had another test for his blood thinner levels.  We’ll know more about the fasting tests, after our check ups in about three weeks.  We are hoping to hear the results of the blood thinner test, in the next day or two.

I don’t know about you, but after these fasting tests, I am famished!  I decided a Mocha Frappe from McD’s was just the ticket, for breakfast. 

To assuage my guilt over my lavish breakfast, I had a light lunch.

I placed a thick slice of Sprite Melon, in a small fruit bowl, filled it with Blueberries, topped with light whipped topping and garnished with a Strawberry. 

It looked so pretty it deserved a photo shoot.

It was delicious, too.

An update…..already!

 

Before

After I published the post about the new cabinet, I made a minor change.

After

About 10 years ago, I shot a few black and white photos of barns around our county, with a 35mm film camera.  I remembered those photos, the other day, and thought one or two of them would be a great addition to the wall beside the cabinet, made from an old Missouri barn.

The barn, in the top photo, was on the farm next to J’s family farm. It is still in existence.  The barn, in the second and third photos, was just outside a small village, west of our town.  That barn is no longer standing.

As you can see, in this photo of the back of the cabinet, red paint is still visible on the old barn boards.

Because this has a few tabletop elements, I am linking to Marty’s Tabletop Tuesday.

~Hydrangea & Old Lace Table~

Dining Room

 

 

• Tablecloth and Napkins, Raymond Waites-Home Goods
• Blue Chargers/Round Platters-Raised in Cotton
• Stemware-Mikasa
• Plates, Odds & Ends-Nell Hill’s, Home Goods & Garage Sales
• Flatware-Target
• Birds-Home Goods
• Hydrangea-Our Garden
• Queen Anne’s Lace-Creekside Our Back Yard

I used Hosta and Hydrangea leaves to line the clear glass container.

Linking to Marty’s Table Top Tuesday.

 

Sunday was a fine day for a little drive.  More about that drive later this week.

Day Trip Preview

~The Fireplace Project~

 

Faux fireplace, that is…..

 

 

Hearth Room Fireplace

The hearth room fireplace is gas, as is the stone fireplace in J’s “lodge”, in the lower level of our home.  The back porch fireplace is wood burning.

I have thought about using a mantel to create a faux fireplace, but never ventured any farther than thinking about it, until recently. 

I try to remember to check JC Penney Wednesday Deals.  One particular Wednesday, a few weeks ago, while looking at the Wednesday Deals, I clicked on clearance and found a fireplace surround, marked $179.99 from $499.99, with free shipping.  I didn’t see how I could pass up an offer like that.  I ordered it before I could talk myself out of it.  It arrived within two days.

With the garage sale and a few other little interruptions, the faux fireplace project was delayed until this past weekend.

 Faux fireplace elements include the surround, paintable wallpaper from Lowe’s, and leftover ceramic tile, from the master bathroom.

The surround is not attached permanently, but rather hangs by keyhole mounts on two anchors.  The wallpaper can be easily removed.  Instead of  installing the tiles, they sit on a strip of non slip drawer liner, to keep them stable and protect the hardwood floor.  The surround can be taken apart, should we want to use it in another home.

We began the project, early Saturday morning, by hanging a tin ceiling look paintable wallpaper.

It has been said I am a “bubble off plumb”, in more ways than one.  I hope you keep that in mind and not examine the seams too closely.

As you can see, the Pampered Chef pastry roller is a handy tool for pressing wallpaper seams.  I have also used this little gadget when pressing peel and stick tile.  It is great for rolling pastry, too.

The wallpaper will, hopefully, give the appearance of old tile.  I set the surround legs up to sort of test the idea.  The “fireplace” sits next to the master bedroom door to the hallway.

The idea is to give the appearance of a fireplace that has been plastered over; often seen in older homes.

Sunday afternoon, we finished the install. We still need to cut trim to fit on either side.  I’m also looking for a piece of tile or trim to put on either side of the tiles, to finish out the look. 

Because it is close to completion, I decided to feature the “new fireplace” in this post.

The screen is one we used on the back porch. It’s a tad crooked, but will do until we find something else or add an electric fireplace.

I found a few things, around the house, for a vignette.  I am sure the mantel will be changed often.

 

The print is from a water color of Haldimand Bay, Mackinac Island, Michigan.

This fireplace is at our 2nd home, a condo at Lake of the Ozarks.  The TV niche was painted Sherwin Williams Mink to de-emphasize the opening.  A lake neighbor made the mantel.  We rarely use this fireplace, which is gas.

 Have a wonderful week. 

We are on our way to the lake, for a few days, with a couple of g’kiddos.

Linking to Marty’s Table Top Tuesday.

Because I got such a bargain, with the mantel, I am adding this project to Rhoda’s Thrifty Treasures.