Fall in the Heartland

That buffet project must have plum tuckered me out, because I have no gumption this morning.  Yesterday, I spent the day catching up on the five ten loads of laundry that I got behind on when I was focused on turning the beast into a beauty.  Does anyone else see if they can turn 10 loads into 5 by cramming the washing machine so full it gets off balance?  I do.  All the time.  You'd think I'd stop, but I don't.  At least all but 2 loads have been folded.  Put away?  Now that's another story.

I feel like I'm wasting precious time by doing things in the house when I could be outside sanding and painting away.  Before I know it, Canada will be sending us her cold north winds and I will be freezing my southern tail off.  I have plenty of time to do all the boring inside stuff for the 6 months we have winter here.  I feel like I'm a squirrel hurrying to get things accomplished with the refrain, "Winter is coming!  Winter is coming!" pushing me to try to accomplish the impossible in just a few short weeks.  Y'all still in the south don't know how good you've got it!  :)

However, I can't deny the beauty of a heartland fall.  We do get the true seasons here even if they are June, July, August, and Winter.  Although this year, we've had a beautiful indian summer.  Thank you Lord for this beautiful fall weather!

I snuck outside this morning and took a few quick shots off my back porch and even opened the window next to the computer to take a few when the rising sun on the golden corn caused me to catch my breath.  That is what I have to share with you this morning...

I count my blessings that we have such beautiful views in each direction.  I can look north and see fields that reach as far as the eye can see...

I always love gazing east in the early morning, before the fog burns off the fields.  Its like looking at a living painting...

And looking towards the south, I see rolling hills of color...

But our growing woodpile to the west reminds me that soon, I'll be seeing a different view.  One of stark blue skies and blowing white snow.

Aren't we so very blessed?

I used this shot as a backdrop to a Fall poem I found online by using Picnik.  I plan on printing it out and framing it.

I've always said that there's nothing more beautiful than the sun rising over the ocean, but this is pretty darn close.  It just makes you want to take time to take a deep breath and breath it all in before winter sends her icy cold gusts.  The heartland in the Fall is one of the most spectacular places in the country.  And while I do long for the crisp sea air and salty scents of home, I'm pretty blessed to have these views out my windows each morning.  Aren't I?

Bedroom End Table Reveal

I am on a roll, peeps!

My 2nd reveal of the week and its only Wednesday!  Yippee, ME!

Okay, so remember those hideously ugly end tables I got from Goodwill for $10 each?

Uggggggggglyyyyyy, no?

Tah-Dah!

^ For once, these pictures show the true green!  YAY!  ^

I haven't quite decided if I'm going to put the little grates back in.  I spray painted them silver and they actually look pretty good when I hold it up behind the side openings, but I'm still pretty iffy. What do you think?

These will go into the master bedroom, along with the rocking chair, when I start that little huge project.  First, I have to finish the diva's room and then start and finish Ian's chest of drawers, a table, and two twin beds for the boys' room.  I'm still on the hunt for two more twin beds on Craigslist, but I haven't found anything I like yet.

My idea for the the bedroom is cream and white bedding with gray and green accents.  The only things that will be green other than any bric-a-brac I find, will be the end tables and rocking chair.  I cannot wait to get started and I'm beginning to get impatient waiting on the diva's room.  I still can't figure out why certain places on the wall don't seem to be cured yet!

While I've been waiting, I've been working on the boys' room and picking up stuff here and there for our bedroom.  Check out these finds from Ebay. . .

**All prices include shipping costs**

I won the two vintage pillow cases at the center and the one to the left for $18.90.  The other four, plus the one pictured below I won for $30.96.  If you love vintage linens, I totally recommend shopping from scoutyboy1 on Ebay.  Her linens are in impeccable condition and come to you freshly laundered and starched crisply.  I got both of these sets through her and they were everything she said and more.  I almost hate to put them on my pillows.  They'll probably never look this good again!

At the same time I won the first pillow cases I had a bid on a vintage Bates Chenille Hobnail Bedspread.  Unfortunately, I lost that bid by a measly $0.50 because I wasn't able to be home to keep track of the bidding.  Errrrrrrrrr....

So, I immediately began searching for another one and made sure my max bid was high enough that I would win.  I won this vintage Bates Chenille Hobnail with a Fleur de Lis design in ivory for $45.01.  Its more of a creamy color than white, but it is gorgeous and in mint condition!  See for yourself. . .

 Love the fringe!

Yesterday, I won a white hand embroidered tablecloth for $10.07.  I'm going to repurpose it to go on the bed to add more layers and texture.  Needless to say, with all this white and ivory going on, the hubs is going to be taking a shower every night right before bed.  I don't care how exhausted he is!  And the kiddies are going to be banned from the bedroom!  I want our bedroom to be a sanctuary and that means its a kid-free zone - except when they're sick or have a nightmare, of course.  :)

Currently, I've got a bid in for a white Matelasse coverlet that I am determined to win.  It will complete the bedding that I have envisioned for our "new" room - well, except for a white hand crocheted tablecloth/bedspread, but those are pricey!  I've currently got 4 days and 1 hour left and I'm watching it like a hawk.    Totally fell in love with this!  Here are a couple of pics I snatched from Ebay:

Beautiful, is it not?  Now don't go on Ebay and run the price up on me now!  LOL


And all of it is going to look beautiful on this one of a kind brass bed from Brass Beds of Virginia that my parents had handcrafted and I inherited:

What a wonderful family heirloom piece this will be one day!


So, that's what I've been up to.  I can't wait until I get the upstairs bedrooms done, so I can start working on the downstairs.  Too bad I've probably got 2 months or better to go.  :(  Maybe I'll surprise myself and get it done sooner.  This beautiful weather we've been having is perfect for any home rehab!


Tomorrow?  Well, let's see...  Hopefully, I'll finish painting the boys nightstands that have been sitting with the primer on and ready to go for about a week now and if I'm feeling extremely ambitious, I'll begin work on Ian's chest of drawers and the twin beds.  

Who knows what tomorrow will bring?