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Sunday, April 29, 2012

Lowe's Give-Away!

Courtney over at French Country Cottage is sponsoring a give-away for a $100 gift card from Lowe's! This gift card can be used to purchase any number of wonderful home improvement items for a room make-over! I know I have a few rooms that could use a face lift so I'm entering - you should too! Just click on the link above to go to Courtney's blog post with all the details! Good luck!

Yard Sale or Bust!

It was finally time today! The official start of our yard sale season! Yay! One of my favorite annual community sales was held today and I was so excited! This is a fairly large neighborhood and most years, tons of residents participate and the treasures are bountiful! Oh boy, lemme at 'em! I pulled into the community and, huh? Where is everybody? Where are all the sales? I followed a few signs and found sales, but nothing like the norm. There were tons of baby and children things (we don't need any more of that stuff around here) and some people who must just like to sit outside in the 49 degree, cloudy weather because all they had was a rack of clothing or a table of old glassware. Here's the thing - I never even got out of my car! Gasp! I was so bummed! I really hope that it was the chilly weather that kept folks inside and that future sales in other areas will be plentiful and productive! I ended up going to two thrift stores - bought a vase and picture frame at each, along with a big set of salt and pepper shakers at one. The first vase is large and an aqua color, kind of like the shade of a Mason jar. I am cutting lilacs from our garden for the kitchen table. I think that the pretty purple and aqua will go nicely together. The second vase is smaller, more like a rose bowl and is pale pink with a fluted or pie crust edge. It is currently sitting on my bedside table, holding the beautiful bouquet my daughter surprised me with the other day. All pinks and purples and burgundy and chartreuse flowers - so pretty! It's the only thing I've taken a picture of as of yet and will include it in this post.

The two picture frames will be revamped for my shop, with or without art in them (I haven't decided yet). The salt and pepper shakers are really neat - one is deep red and the other is off-white and they have a little Fleur de lis design on them. We needed some bigger ones and while I wish that they were both the same color, at least we will be able to tell which is which now! The remained of the day was spent hanging out with my favorite loves, Jim and Mr. Sullivan, cocker spaniel esquire. We watched some TV, dozed a little, chatted and had a nice, quiet day. That's a rare thing!

I so hope that you had a great Saturday and that if you were out treasure hunting, you made out better than I did! Enjoy the rest of your weekend and thank you so much for stopping by! Hugs, Leena

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Happiness Is.....

.......the captivating scent of the blooming lilacs wafting into the windows on a glorious spring day. I think I'll cut some of these glorious blossoms and scatter them around the house in cute little vases tomorrow. Hoping that you have a wonderful weekend, friends! Hugs, Leena

Friday, April 20, 2012

Not So Grand Re-Opening, Sort Of

I haven't listed anything new in my Etsy shop since Jim's surgery, but since he's doing so well (yay!) and I've managed to squeeze a little time in, I thought I'd let y'all know that I started listing new items today (yay again!). I plan to continue to list more and more in the coming days as I complete more projects. Thank you to all who have inquired and cheered me on during my little hiatus! While my shop remained open, I'm sure it got boring with nothing new to look at. Fear not! I've got some great treasures, both vintage revamps and original art pieces, on the way. For now, here's a little look-see at some of the goodies in store right now!





Stop on by if you have a chance and thank you for reading! Have a great day!
Hugs, Leena

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Today's Smile

I always smile when I get up early in the morning, like today, and see the sun just starting to peek over the horizon. I open the binds and gaze out at the awakening world, listen to the birds chirping, see the lovely flowering trees outside the window and give a little thanks for another gorgeous day. No matter what the day holds after this point, the initial start is always peaceful and blessed this way. I hope you have a part of your day that makes you smile too! Hugs, Leena

Friday, April 13, 2012

America's Pastime

After an off-season that seemed MUCH longer than it was, it's finally back! It's time for peanuts and Cracker Jack, hot dogs and frozen lemonade! It's time for RBI's, ERA's, BB's, K's and HR's! It's the return of the heat, the high cheese, the slider, breaker and knuckle ball! No this isn't some alien code - it's BASEBALL SEASON!!! I love, I mean LOVE baseball! It is, in my estimation, the best sport to watch and play. My favorite team? The Atlanta Braves.

People often ask me, living so close to Washington DC and Maryland, why I'm not a Nationals or Orioles fan. Puhleeze! With all due respect, pft!(insert raspberry sound here) I am a die-hard Braves fan, have been my entire adult life and will never waiver! When I was a kid, I was a Washington Senators fan. I loved to listen to their games on the radio with my dad. I don't know if they ever televised any games "way back then" or not. I just remember my dad sitting by the radio, cheering and fussing, depending upon how the game was going. When I was in 6th grade, I got to attend a Senators game at RFK. I was awe-struck by the entire experience. I remember how big the stadium looked, how exciting each play was, the man who complained that we were tossing our peanut shells into the air and that the Senators lost to the Athletics. Despite the outcome, it was a fabulous day and one that I will always treasure. Frank Howard was my favorite player then and when I played softball, I requested his number, 33. I still have my little uniform shirt. A few years ago, Mr Howard, aka the Home Run King, was appearing at a sports collectibles show and I had the honor of meeting him, taking my picture with him and having him autograph a photograph for me. That was way cool!

We even meet Dolly Niemiec, who was a real player for the woman's league! The movie "A League of Their Own" was based on her team. Women. In baseball. What a dream come true! She was so sweet and it was great hearing about her experiences!

Up until a couple of years ago, the Braves had a Minor League team in Richmond, VA. I attended college there, so started going to the games. What fun! The stadium was old but full of history and there was a live person, a little old lady, who played "The Baby Elephant Walk" and other tunes on an organ - none of that recorded stuff like they use now. I even met Hank Aaron there once - what a thrill that was! I quickly became a Braves fan and never looked back. Jim likes the Red Sox and I have to admit that I like them as well, but they're not my Braves. I tell Jim that I cheer for Boston when they're not playing against the Braves. When they are, I pity them!


Right now, as I type, I am watching the Braves' home opener against Milwaukee. The score is currently tied, 8-8. I've just finished eating my favorite take-out dinner, a turkey and avocado sub from Jimmy John's and am happy to report that the entire lawn, front, back and sides, has been mowed by moi (phew!). The perfect dinner while watching the perfect sport, sitting next to my perfect husband is a great way to spend a perfect evening! Oh, did I mention that it was perfect? Wait, there is the matter of that tied score and it's only the top of the 7th so it's any one's game. As the great Bobby Cox, former manager (and oh so perfect) of the Braves would say, "Come on, kid!" Wow, I sure do miss him!


So, it is safe to say that I am one happy camper, or baseball fan, who intends to spend many hours cheering my team on, even if the television is the only one who can hear me. One day, I will sit in Turner Field and they will definitely know I'm there! Go Braves!

Update: The Braves won 10-8 in the top of the 9th! I live for this!

Hugs, Leena

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Happy Easter!

To all you Groovy Chicks,

All you Wonderful Peeps,

And to all of you Darling Honey Bunnies,

May you and your families enjoy a very Happy and Blessed Easter!

Thank you for being here! Love ya, Leena

Saturday, April 7, 2012

Quackers and Cluckers

I saw this ad in the paper the other day and got all excited:

No, it's not for ladies night at some swank club. It's the time of year when the Tractor Supply store sells baby chicks and ducklings! Jim needed more wrap for his foot, so he decided that we should go and play with the chickies. It seemed like a nice little outing for him and not too strenuous. Besides, who can resist those adorable little fur balls? First, we picked out these snazzy new bandages:

I'm really partial to the pink zebra stripes! Then we followed the distinctive sounds of the "peep peep" to where the little ones were. They were so cute! I reached my hand down into the big metal pale that housed the ducklings and they immediately rushed over, pecking at my hand for food. One climbed right into my palm and I lifted him up for a quick snuggle. What a darling yellow ball of warm fuzzy fluff!

There were several types of chicks - pale yellow, dark yellow, red, black. I don't know what they are all called, but each one was busily chirping and wanting attention, and they sure were getting it! There were several small children hovering around, captivated by these little ones. Many of them had probably never seen a real chicken or duck before.

 I have several Internet and blog land friends who have chickens and I love seeing their pictures, strolling around the gardens, hanging out in their cute coops and I believe that many are considered family members, as is the case with dogs and cats. If I were fortunate enough to be in an area where chickens and ducks were allowed, mine would be the same way. They wouldn't be livestock - they'd be fuzzy feathered family members! It's a good thing they aren't permitted. This place is  enough of a zoo already!

Thank you for stopping by today and enjoy a Happy Easter and Wonderful Spring!
Hugs, Leena
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