Wordless Wednesday with Horse and ElfGirl

What a great find! I've been wanting a swing like this one and now we have one in our back, back yard. For more Wordless Wednesday participants, click here...

Antique roses and...

other heirloom southern plants.

I admit, I'm a sucker for an antique garden. My eyes glaze over when I walk into a well-loved garden. I hope and pray the gardener will say: "You like that plant? Let me give you some of it..." I'll take pruned plants, thrown-away plants, cheap plants, free plants. You don't want it, I'll take it...usually. Here are some photos of some plants we were given this winter.

Dr. Hobbs was a well-loved educator in our part of the country. After his death, his widow could no longer care for his extensive greenhouses and nursery inventory. We were blessed with a 7X10 greenhouse and many, many lovely plants. Here are some photos:

Chinquapin or Chestnut Rose in full bloom...this rose was discovered in China in 1824 and brought to the United States. It does very well here in the south.


Chestnut Rose Bud...covered in thorns. The rosehips will be orange and covered with thorns in this same way.

Oak Leaf Hydrangea in bloom. I've wanted one of these for a while. Now, I have three. They are still young, ranging in size from about 5ft to 3ft.

Random notes on random things

The bees are awake! They are buzzing around our heads like so many fighter planes. We just bob and weave. As well, one of the monarchs came out yesterday. I was able to see most of the transformation (very private critters, those monarchs).




As well, here are a few photos of some recent finds:


Antique quilt rack (side of the road)--isn't it lovely?--and box of 40-50s vintage linens

Bag of vintage patterns and sewing notions: gift--thank you Polly!

A gift in my flowerbed!

HTML tutorial, craft swap and apron-making

I was on the Etsy forums and found This link to an HTML tutorial. The first thing I learned how to do was make a "Write Me!" button. You can find it at the upper right-hand corner of the screen. I'll have to work on getting a cute avatar to go up there with it.

Today was a fun day. I hosted my first-ever "craft swap." We had about seven swappers. You should have seen the piles of fabrics, trims, patterns, knitting needles, books and scrapbook paper. It was great! Everybody went away with less than they brought...oh, except for Sarah. But, she will make some neat things with her goodies. And then, the hostess seems to be responsible for getting rid of anything extra. Hmmm...what to do with all these neato things?

And...I made my first apron pattern and apron! I traced my favorite apron, made three separate body pieces, cut up some old curtains and voila! I have a new garden apron! Yay! Check back for pictures of me modeling it.

unplugging

I initially came up with the title for this blog from reading The Cheapskate Gazette. I thought, James and I live simply, we are not addicted to stuff. These last few days of this new year have proved me wrong. It's not that we don't like stuff. We just don't like paying retail for it. If we can find it for free or really cheap, then we will take it. Found a cool set of dishes for only five dollars? Don't we already have a set of dishes? Well, yes, but these are super cool.

Okay, that was an out there example. Here's one closer to home. A neighborhood nearby was having a mandatory clean-up. We found several bookcases, shovels, ladders, dishes, etc. When is enough? I was telling a friend about the good finds and he said: "I just don't want anymore stuff." Not free stuff. Not cheap stuff. No more.

What kind of hole are we trying to fill anyway?

Anyway, James and I both come from stuff backgrounds. On one side, we have hoarders and on the other side, collectors. It's a mighty battle, my friends.

So, why am I writing all of this? Well, this stuff keeps us from doing the right things. I lose focus when I see clutter. I can't think. I can't dream or create. Some of this stuff has to go. Soon. Thanks for listening.

about those photos...

Free rocking chair...kermit loves it!!

Domestic Rotary Sewing Machine: circa 1930s...side of the road.

Syracuse Fine China: pattern Carefree circa 1950s

Descoware: enameled cast-iron predates Le Creuset

HaHa!! Cold water coffee extractor! If anyone knows how to use it, please write and let me know!