Love of Old, Charleston, SC

Well hubby and I decided to take advantage of extra time off around the 4th and hit the road for another trip to my favorite place to go and unwind, Charleston, SC.  The pictures above are just some of the many things I love about that place.  Walking around through the many streets, takes you back in time.  I just love the old houses, the little small court yards filled with flowers and of course the antique shops, yes I have new goodies, will share a few things later.  We usually go down this time of the year sometime, our 35th wedding anniversary will be on Monday the 15th, where does time go, seems like yesterday.  I usually pick up a cake for our anniversary and the kids will be here to share a piece with us, can't wait to see Oliver, I am sure he will love eating cake this year, he was too little last year.  Just wanted to share with you some of what I have been up to lately.  I have been working on a few fall items, and trying to get things ready for the upcoming school year, I will be starting to keep Oliver again the first of August, been missing the little guy.  The fall issue also should be coming in the mail soon, can't wait to see how they have laid everything out, it will be interesting to see and how they put the story together.  Hope everyone has a great weekend, been getting lots of rain here, we need a dry spell.  Take care Vicky

Oliver's Truck Wash

Just thought I would share a picture of Oliver really getting into washing his favorite truck.  Love's to clean things, just love how he seems so involved with the washing, of course he loves water.  Just one of Oliver's hat collection also, think that really added to the picture, he wears a hat outside, he is so far sking and light headed.
 Also wanted to update you on the upcoming fall issue of Country Sampler magazine, my house will be in it, should be out sometime next month.  The editor also asked me if I would be interested in doing a fall handmade for a give away with the article, so I have sent a fall item to them for the give away.  I have been also been doing a little summer decorating, and I will be starting on my kitchen next week, will be painting the walls a butterscotch color.  I am planning on doing the floor in a black and white checkerboard and repainting the island a black, so that is the plan for this summer, been needing a new dishwasher, mine quit a year ago, so we decided this would be a good time to replace the floor.  The black and white floor is a childhood memory of my grandmother, the little girl in the picture on my blog, it was in her house, really fond memories of her.  I am also hoping to get to paint my sewing room, want to use a more warm tone in there.  Well another rainy day here, been getting lots of them lately, my flower beds are all planted, just need to do a few more things and some more pots to plant, will share them when they are in bloom more.  Everyone have a great week.  Vicky-

Oliver turns 2

 Yes its hard to believe its been two years already, little did we know that two years ago our life was about to change that night with Oliver coming 3 months early and only weighing 1 lb. and 14 ozs.  You would never know that today, he is a healthy and very active 2 year old, even though he just still weighs 22 lbs and still can wear 9 - 12 month clothing, but we are so very thankful.  Thought I would share some pictures of the march of dimes walk that took place last saturday.  It was a cloudy cool day, but lots of people turned out for such a special event.  Here on stage is Oliver with his mom and dad, Oliver was the ambassador for our area this year.

 Here is Oliver with his buddy, yes my oldest son Justin loves to play with him, he would make a great dad, hopefully some day he will have his own.  Justin spent most of the time before the walk running after Oliver and even when the walk started he held him for the first little bit of the walk and then Oliver got over in his wagon and enjoyed his ride the rest of the 4.5 miles.

 Oliver on the loose, yes he was all over the place, and he never meets a stranger, friendly with everyone.

 Here is our team banner, we had one because of Oliver being the little ambassador.  The kids had went the night before and set up the tent.

 OK this nana is getting to look old and tried and by this time Oliver was wanting to take a nap after the walk. 

 Oliver found his cousins tricycle after the walk, just a little too big for him.  His cousin Jonah was born 3 months after Oliver but he is weighs 37 lbs, just a really cute kid, he is very friendly also, hate I didn't get a picture of Jonah. And of course his buddy by Oliver's side.

 Here is Brandi, Oliver's mom holding up the plaques she had received from the march of dimes, one is for Oliver being the ambassador and the other is for our raising the most money for a family team.  Yes our little family raised over 6,000 dollars this time.  We also sold I know of 140 t shirts but she put in a last minute order after that, don't know how many was ordered then, so our little team is growing.  Brandi really does a great job with the march of dimes each year.

 Here is the proud parents of Oliver, and Oliver is starting to want that nap, been a long morning, but the rain held off and another walk for 2013 came to a close.

Here is the banner they had put up for those that sponsered our team, they left one off, it was for my son's Justin were he works North Grove medical center and of course my little cleaning business supported our grandson, the fuel company where my hubby works, hum didn't have a picture of my hubby at the walk, yes he was there, and then Katie bugs cakes is Brandi's sister, she makes the best cakes.  It was a great day for a good cause and time well spent with the family.  Today Oliver is spending the day with his mom, miss the lilttle fellow I usually have him on thursdays, but I will be keeping him friday and he will be spending the night with us, spending time with him before you know he will be 22.  Hope everyone has a great week.  Will be back with a few more spring decorating pics, before I put up my summer items.  Vicky

Decorating with Blues

 Hope everyone is doing well, I finally got all my blue items up and decorated, yes it take me awhile to decide were I will display the item and what will look best for the season I am in.  Just love how this turned out with the orange and yellow tulips, this bunny is my favorite, I tend to leave my rabbits out for the spring and summer.  This is on my island in my kitchen, more kitchen pictures to come, been redoing a wall in there, think it turned out great, will show it in my next blog post.

This blue shelf I decided to use at the end of the couch in my den, it sits on a small white cabinet, really hard to get a good picture, it tends to be dark in this area.  Just love the spring sampler I purchased from Pamela over at Our Pioneer Homestead.  Oliver likes to play with the candle and the little bird.  I have to be careful where I put things now because he like to pick up items and look at them.

 I was unsure where I would put this blue shelf, I had orginally thought I would use it in my laundry room, but I had removed a red shelf in here and moved it to the hallway, then I thought I would make it like a wash up area used back then.  I decided to add the very large wood bowl and old pitcher with the blue strip.  This is in the master bedroom, I tend to use reds and blues in here.

 Sorry this picture turned out a little blurry.  I knew exactly where I wanted this one when I bought it, perfect to hang my collection of dresses and bonnets on, like having an area on top to put iems.

This blue item I could see in several places in my house, but for right now I thought it would make a nice center piece for my table.  The little sampler is one of Jennifer's at taylor farmhouse, and the bird I just love, picked it up from Dru at cinnomon creek.

 I wanted to show you the latest blue items I had found, I just love string holders, so I found these at Caroles Country store, she is listed on my side bar.  They are shaker with the blue paint, thought they would be nice on my nitestand.  Just love finding the old items when I can.

This is in my sewing room, been redoing items in there, so here is the first of the other spring pictures I will be sharing in a future post.  Hope every has a great week, been trying to get my flower beds weeded so I can get my flowers in before it gets to hot.  Hugs Vicky

JUST BLUE

My new shelves that is, not me.  No I am actually feeling better, especially after my quick trip up to Kingsport, TN yesterday.  It was a very cold windy day, and yes I did have a headache, just learning to deal with them, but other than that it was a really nice trip.  Love seeing all the rolling hills in the mountains starting to put on their green coat of grass and the rivers running along side the road, water was a little rough with the wind blowing and yes we did see some snow still laying around in a few places.  OK lets get to the good part, the shopping.  Well when we got to Bonnie's shop,  she had the coffee pot on and had stopped and picked up doughnuts for us to enjoy with the hot coffee, it just hit the spot from coming in from the cold wind.  I really enjoy not only coming up to see what she has gotten in her shop, but I get to spend time with her catching up on what has been going on with her and her family.  Just a really nice time spent talking and shopping all morning.  Don't you just love these blues, everytime I open a magazine and see blue stuff I start drooling.  Well I thought I had found blue heaven yesterday, I actually bought all her blue pieces.  Wanted to add in more color to my primitive decor, especially since the spring and summer months are coming.  Also found a few bunnies to bring home, yes bunnies are starting to multiply in my house.  I had gotten down my one and only spring/summer box down, yes that is all I had, I realized I had not collected much for the up coming months, so here was my chance.  I have already a place for the long shelf, it will go in my bedroom with my primitive clothes hanging on it.  The box with the drawer, like a letter tray will go on my table with a spring display, already been playing with it.  The others, well you just never know where it might end up, thats part of the fun in decorating, will share pictures when I get it all arranged.

 This is one area I have already started on, this corner of the living room next to the dining room use to have the large wardrobe here, I moved it into my sewing room.  Now this nook is used for a sitting area after dinner as others might be finishing up there coffee and dessert, just perfect for someone to sit here and still be part of the dining room area.  This area was also featured in the upcoming fall issue of CS, but it will be different, I have changed this area.  Oliver and I sit here and read also, you can see the little bunny I bought Oliver, I just love hearing him say carrots, after I ask him what bunnies eat.

 Just a close view, folded a little quilt, added a box, little basket with eggs in it, little bird for spring.

Love this spring display, the sampler was stitched by Jenn at taylors farmhouse attic, just love her stuff, just received a new one today from her, can't wait to get out.  My other favorite thing is the little blue box with the bunny in it, just too cute.  Well I have just started on my spring house, will share other pictures as I get them up.  I have also just had the phone interview with the writer this morning that will be doing my aritcle for Country Sampler, I received the pictures the other day, really turned out well, well all but one, my picture, I looked old and tired looking, well actually I feel that way lately, LOL, oh well it is what it is.  Hope everyone has a great weekend, will be in the mid-70's here saturday, yeh, can't wait, going to be decorating and piddling away with my stuff, you know that fun stuff we get to do from time to time.  Hugs Vicky

Oliver's First Snow

 Wanted to drop by this cold morning and show a couple of pictures of Oliver enjoying his first snow, and of course had to taste a little of it.  This was our first snow a couple of weeks ago, one minute we had nothing and within the our the ground was covered.  Yes he is growing like a weed.

Oliver was outside with his mom and dad running and playing, his dad said he was mostly interested in the cars.  Oliver will be two the first of May, boy how time flies.  I hate I have not been on my blog since this past novmember, I just don't know were time goes, just doesn't seem to be enough of it lately.  I got sick right after the photo shoot with a sinus infection from hell, just could not shake it.  And then hubby got sick right before  christmas, had to sleep in his recliner for two weeks, and then finally after the first of the year we were finally better.  Just alot going on with working, keeping Oliver and just day to day living.  And of course 3 weeks ago my migraines kicked back in can't seem to get rid of them also.  But on a brighter note, spring is coming, my sister and I went up to Nanbrook farm spring open house this past friday, loaded up on spring flowers and of course a prim bunny.  Spring just can't get  here fast enough this year, started putting out a few items in the house in mid-february.  Looking forward to this saturday, will be going up to The Rusty Relic and Country Heart for their spring open houses, so lots of new spring goodies are coming to my house, can't wait.  Also planning a trip this month to Kingsport,Tn to visit with my friend Bonnie who has a shop, Primitive Gatherings, can't wait to see all her spring goodies and to have a visit with her, she is always so sweet, makes my hubby and I a cup of coffee, just a nice visit with a friend and browsing through her shop for a couple of hours.  Well need to get started with getting caught up around the house, miss everyone so much, have to get caught up with everyone on their blogs.  I hate I didn't get my winter house up on my blog, but I am planning on showing some of my spring arrangements and some things I have been doing to shake up my house.  So everyone take care, Hugs Vicky

Fall Photo Shoot and Oliver walking

 Having problems loading pictures today, wanted to give you 2 for 1.  Anyway about the photo shoot, everything went really well, Bill and Gloria, well it was like having good old friends come by and spend the day with you.  They arrived at 8:30 and proceeded to start in the kitchen, they took two pictures in there.  Gloria didn't bring things to add in, she did pull a fabric pumpkin to add to a display I had in there, the editor wanted a real big fall display in there, she then lit candles I had, I think this picture will turn out so well.  It took almost all morning to do the kitchen I have a long and narrow one, not a lot of room in there.  They took 1 picture in the master bedroom, 2 in my sewing room, 1 in Oliver's room, 1 corner in my den and 5 photos in my liv/den area.  They said my house was very photogenic and they loved how th light came in in the living room.  I am so glad I did this, no regrets, just a relaxing day with them, it took until around 4:30 that afternoon.  They are always on the look out for houses, if you feel like this is something you would like to do you can email me and I will get you in touch with Bill and Gloria.  Still do not know which issue, the editor will decide, either the Home Tour edition or the fall issue, will let you know.

 Hard to tell I had a photo shoot the day before, yes Oliver is back, you can see all his toys in the background.

 Oliver has to turn and sit and then stand up to get in my kitchen, his grandpa helped him learn how.

 Oliver is on the move to see what he can find to get into, loves his new freedom, walks around all day.

 His favorite pasttime is doors, love to open and close them, ok just too cute, I really miss the little guy when I don't have him.

 Yes he just loves to help his Nana rearrange her primitives, he is really good about my stuff he knows what no means.

Still on the move, I think the only time he is still is while he naps.  I hope everyone has a great time with their family and friends next week, families are always very special.  I am starting to put up my winter decorating, yes all the pumpkins are coming down.  I will have a winter tour of my house sometime in early december.  Everyone take care, Hugs Vicky