Treasures that remind you

Good morning lovies.

The fog has lifted here at the lakehouse, and the sun is shining brilliantly over the water.

It's one of those mornings when you look around your house and appreciate the simple pleasures you've surrounded yourself with.

 Like shells collected on a vacation that your whole family went on with you. The memory of a grandchild being excited over seeing their first starfish.

                              

 An antique passed down from your Gran....one of the most influential persons in your life.

Thinking about your cherished soul sister....the one person that understands your heart without judging.  Knowing the miles between cannot separate you.  Each time you look at a treasure you found on a shopping weekend with her, reminds you of the bond you share.
Feeling blessed that God put her in your life.
Do you have special pieces in your home that remind you of a special event, or person?
Hope you have a wonderful day.
Debbie
Miss you Laurie.
Sharing at Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground, and also with Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday.

My Heartland Stove

Hello bloggers and anyone else that might read this post.

When I posted about my grain sacks, some of you wanted to see more of my stove.

So....here it is!

 It's a Heartland stove that I found twenty years ago when we lived on our farm in southern Michigan. It's a reproduction of a wood burner. This one is electric. I wanted one with a grease reservoir, but it wouldn't fit my kitchen at the time. So I settled on this smaller one.
I worked, and saved for over three years to buy it.

 The bottom drawer holds pan covers. The warmer above houses the light and exhaust fan. I keep spices in there.
When we moved north, our new place had a wonderful built in stove with a grill...however, I wanted my old black stove instead. Everyone thought I was nuts! I didn't care, I just couldn't part with my Heartland stove.

The oven cooks 100 degrees hotter than a normal oven...so I usually set it at 250, instead of 350.

The oven is quite small...but I always seem to make it work.

Over the years this old stove has aged, and lost it's lustre...but until it expires, it will have a place in my home.

It might not be the prettiest, or most modern appliance, but I absolutely love it!!

Do you have something in your home that brings you joyful memories...like baking Christmas cookies, cooking a huge turkey dinner for holidays, making pies, birthday cakes, grilled cheese sandwiches, and homemade soups?
This old stove holds memories of "family" times for me...and now with grand kiddos, the new memories we make will include using my cherished old stove.
Enjoy your Wednesday.

Debbie
xxxooo

Grand kiddos

Hello everyone out there in blog-land!

I returned home at noon today. Went downstate to see my girls and their families.

It's a three hour drive, but soooo worth it. I thought I would show you why I don't mind the time it takes to get down there.

Can you guess what they are doing?  Yep...playing Wii.

Madison(Maddie) is on the left.

Anson(Bubba) is next to his brother Ethan(Easy E) who had a soccer game earlier that day. It was windy and very cold sitting at the field watching him play.

Kayla(Schmayla) is to the right of her brother Ethan.

This little tootsie is Charlotte(Charlie). She is sister to Maddie.

How they focus playing Wii.  Too bad homework doesn't hold this much interest.

Here we have Zoey(Schmoey). Kayla and Zoey only wear tutus....not jeans, shorts, or other skirts...just tutus. They are BEST friends.

This is my newest little darlin' Sadie. She's too little for a nick-name...so we just call her Sadie for now. I could just bite her!!  She's Zoey's little sister.
So there they are...all of my little stinker-butts. I cannot get enough of them! However, when it's time to head back to the lakehouse...I'm ready for a looooong nap. No wonder we had kids when we were young!!! whew.
Hope your weekend was as much fun as mine.

Debbie

Seed bags and feed sacks

                                                 Hello everyone out there in blogland.
                    Can you believe it's Friday? Holy cow, time is flying by here at the lakehouse!!
                    It's been almost a month since my sweet sis, Laurie, from Heaven's Walk and I went to the HUGE antique market in southern-lower Michigan. I was going to show you the seed bags, and grain sacks we found while shopping for vintage items at the market.  So.....here they are.

 I found this wire cage while there also, and thought it would be perfect for keeping the vintage sacks in.

 Some of the sacks were quite dirty, so after a good soaking, and washing, I was pleased to fold them and place them in the cage for display.

 I LOVE this ACME sack. The colors are so soft and pretty. I stuffed a king sized pillow inside for a pillow used on the window seat. I'm using an old garden bench for the seat.

 While I'm sharing the sacks, I thought I'd also show you some french towels I use around the kitchen.

The market is closed for the season..but Laurie and I plan on going back next year...once a month to find more vintage treasures.

This post will be shared with Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

I will be downstate visiting my three daughters and their families for the next few days.

Hugs to all!

Debbie

Also sharing this post with Debbiedoos New Linky Party.

My Autumn Table

 

Hello blogging friends.

It's time for Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch.

Since I put together my table for Autumn, I thought I'd set a tablescape that celebrates the season.

 

I've been collecting these dishes since my teens. My Gran had pieces that she had collected from boxes of laundry soap years ago.

They are from Jewel Homemakers Institute.

Over the years my collection has grown to include most of the serving pieces, a service for twelve, and even the custard cups.

We always use this set for Thanksgiving, and also when there is a houseful of company for Sunday dinner.    

   

My very first piece was a serving bowl I received from my mother many years ago. After that, Gran started giving me more of her pieces to add to my slowly growing collection of plates and cups that I would find at vintage shops and antique stores.

     

               I think this started my love for vintage items. I'm not sure what attracted me to these gems..but they have always been my favorite dishes .
I hope you visit Between Naps on the Porch to see LOTS of other tablescapes shared for Tablescape Thursday.
Have a wonderful evening.
Debbie

Vintage cases

Good morning bloggers.

Summer has returned to the lakehouse for a few days! Wooohooo!

Gorgeous sunrises, and warmer temps.

Kind of puts the Autumn decorating mode on hold.

Today I thought I'd share the vintage cases I found while yard sale shopping this summer.

I LOVED this round one, and debated on painting it white..but decided to keep it original. The brown leather details really make it stand out.

The larger case was also black, but in rough shape.

We pealed off the cracked and torn stickers, cleaned it up, then painted it white.

It holds a lot of "stuff" for storage, and adds a touch of "vintage" to my decor.
I wonder where these cases have been. What they carried. Who carried them. Did they travel by train, bus, or plane? What memories do they hold inside? It's fun to imagine someone from the 1930's and 1940's boarding a train with these pieces. Going to visit a relative, or secret love somewhere....sigh.
Even tho I'll never know their history...I'll enjoy them as a part of my home...always wondering what treasures they held.
                                                             Enjoy your day, my friends.

                                                                            Debbie

Vintage lavender bottles

The weekend has come to an end, and we are at the beginning of another week.

I trust you had time to do something enjoyable Saturday and Sunday...whether it be yard saling, mall shopping, antique hunting, attending church, spending time with family, or just relaxing.

I washed some lavender bottles, and set them on the kitchen window sill. Usually I scour shops, and sales for the blue or green bottles and jars...but while vintage shopping one weekend, Laurie(from Heaven's Walk) and I spotted dozens of lavender bottles. I was so drawn to them, I ended up purchasing five of them.

It's difficult to really see how pretty they are in these photos, but believe me when I say...they are beautiful!

 

I plan to put them in my bedroom on a side table...but for now, they are in the window so that I can see them while working at the sink.

 

In case you didn't know...it was Talk Like a Pirate Day. Tete, from Beyond the Garden Gate, had a really fun post to celebrate...check out her blog....Johnny Depp is over there!!!
Have a great start to your work week.
Debbie

Sunrise at the lakehouse

   

Happy Saturday to everyone in blog land.

When I woke up this morning I happened to catch the sun just coming up over the trees.

The air was still, and the water like glass.

It was so quiet and beautiful.

I wanted the feeling of peace to last for more than just a moment.

The little beach was empty, except for the sand toys the grandkiddos left from their last visit.

My kayak was there, waiting for me to push it into the smooth water, and take a silent glide through the glass-like matter.

Instead, I turned back toward the house...having to get ready for work. As I looked at the flower boxes, I realized that Autumn was working it's magic on the geraniums. The flowers are still vibrant red, but the leaves have changed with the cooler nights, and lack of sunlight this time of year brings.

Bittersweet....realizing that summer is coming to an end...yet the anticipation of the Harvest season beginning... stirring in my soul.

I've been so intent on holding on to summer, I've forgotten how beautiful fall really is. 
I hope you were able to take in some of God's Glory, if even just for a moment, today.

Debbie

Welcoming Autumn

Welcome...come on in.

I've got more Autumn decorations to show you.

Don't you just love sunflowers? They have such cheerful faces. If I must give in to letting go of Summer, let me do it with sunflowers.
Happy Autumn!
Debbie

French chandelier

Good morning lovies~~~

It's another crisp Autumn morning here at the lakehouse, with not a cloud in the sky.

I awoke to the gulls making a racket out over the water. One of my favorite sounds here at the lake.

Since hunting season is just around the corner, I'm making sure hubby gets a few things done around here. Once bow season starts, I might as well forget anything major getting accomplished.

He hung the French chandelier in the living room. The living area is in the addition to the house. The space above the ceiling is so cramped, you cannot get in there for much electrical work. So, hubby had to "swag" the chain and cord from an existing outlet on the ceiling.  It's NOT the way I'd like, but I'll take what I get.

I might add crystals to the arms in the future...but for now, I like the simplicity of it as is. Now I can look through the dining room, into the living room and see both chandy's. LOVE it!
The next project on the "to do" list is a new sea wall....THAT will be a biggie.
I'm sharing today's post with Faded Charm for White Wednesday. I hope you are able to hop over for a visit and see all the other "whites" shared for the event.
Have a super day everyone!
Hugs,
Debbie

The first signs of Autumn at the Lakehouse

Good afternoon blogging enthusiasts!

Well....I've finally done it....I've let go of summer, and embraced Autumn.

Here at the lakehouse the leaves are changing a little everyday.

It's inevitable....the change is taking place whether I'm ready for it, or not....kind of like menopause.(or as my kids call it...mental-pause).

I'm slowly pulling out the garlands, wreaths, pumpkins, the berries, and other decorations that usher in the Fall season.

The transformation is gradual. I'll be sharing more each day, as the house fills with the images of the changing season.
The sunflowers are the next thing to appear. How can I NOT appreciate Autumn when these happy faced flowers show up?
The sun is shining, the wind is blowing, the sky is clear, and the air is crisp...what more could I ask for?
Have a splendid day my friends.
Debbie
xxxooo