Screen Doors & Picket Fences

Let it Rain

2008-09-08T17:55:00.001-07:00

I love the rain. I'm not sure why. My girls will tell you it's because I was born during a horrific rain storm. The hospital even lost power and had to use back up generators as I came into the world. My mother says it's the worst thunder and rain storm she ever remembers being in. I told my girls that story a couple of years ago and they not only remember it, but bring it up every time we have a big storm. They're 6.

I love everything about the rain. The smell. The sound. The wind. The dark clouds. The renewal it brings. I love loud thunder and bright lightning. From a drizzle to a full blown storm.. you can count on me being a happy girl. I love to fall asleep to the sound of rain and thunder. I love to wake up to it too. I just plain LOVE the rain.

We got a really good soaking this evening. Here a few pictures from inside my home as it faded down to a drizzle.

From my bedroom window
Also from my bedroom From my dining room window
Out my back door

My Sister Amy

2008-09-08T17:21:00.000-07:00

Did I mention I have 5 sisters? Count em... 5! I'm very blessed. We all get along well... and when we don't... we get over it really quickly. The older we get I think the more we realize that life is definitely too short.

I featured a mini-tour of my sister Ann's house in my last post. Now it's Amy's turn. Or should I say it's YOUR turn to take a peek at Amy's beautiful country home. Unfortunately most of the pictures I took when I visited didn't come out well. All that I got that were share-worthy were some outside shots. Sadly, she lives over 4 hours away so I can't just run back over for retakes. I wish I could! Next visit though... I promise.

Next time, I'll be sure to get pictures of the INSIDE of her house as well as some pics of the wonderful house itself. But most importantly, I'll get pictures of her long winding, huge oak tree lined drive way. It's more like a country road than a drive way from the main road up to her house. It's just breathtaking. One of the prettiest I've seen. I'll save that for the spring when it's covered in gorgeous Texas bluebonnets! Something to look forward to!!

She lives in a wonderful hand-collected rock home with a tin roof and a porch that wraps completely around the whole place. It's amazing. She has the most incredible knack of decorating her porches in a country, rustic way. They're just gorgeous. Her green thumb helps!

I hope you enjoy my sister's country home... I promise more pictures in the spring!

My Sister Ann

2008-09-08T16:42:00.000-07:00

I mentioned in my "about me" that my sisters and I all have a love of decorating... of vintage treasures... of the hunt to find the perfect little "goodie" for the perfect little spot. There are 6 of us. We all love old things. We get it from our mother who has been an antique lover and "junker" by nature her whole life.

My sister Ann lives in a beautiful farmhouse in South Texas on quite a few acres... I think about 80. I'm so jealous. My little 5 acres pales in comparison! While all of my sisters and I love antiques and very similar items to a certain degree... we all have a little different flair about our styles. Ann has tons of everything! Don't ask me how she dusts! She loves true country farmhouse items and has some of the most beautiful pieces ever! Don't even get me started about her farmhouse kitchen table. I've been begging her for it for YEARS!! I'm eventually going to wear her down!! (Hopefully!)

I hope you enjoy this mini-tour of her comfortable, warm, vintage farmhouse... and most importantly, always welcoming country home.

Backyard swing under a big 'ol oak

Ann's beautiful front porch. It spans the whole width of her house and looks upon her beautiful property.

One of the many country cupboard vignettes in Ann's kitchen.
Her sunny and almost magical "toy room" guest bedroom. My girls and her granddaughters LOVE it!She even has a guest bedroom decorated completely with vintage sewing items.

Antique Alley

2008-08-01T04:25:00.000-07:00

I live in a small town south of Fort Worth, Texas. Twice a year, in April and September we have a wonderful event called Antique Alley. It's 25 miles of yard sales, antique vendors, funnel cakes, homemade crafts, friendly folks, and did I mention funnel cakes? This past April I set up a booth at the most wonderful spot on the trail... Whipp Farm. They turn their whole place into a little mini-Canton! It's so much fun. I usually shop... but this year for fear of my attic crashing in on one of my daughters as they slumbered... I decided to sell! It was so much fun!

So many people asked if they could take pictures of my booth for their "blog". You would think that being asked that over and over throughout the 3 day event would prompt me to take pictures of my own. It didn't. It didn't even dawn on me to take my own pictures until the morning of the 3rd day. My booth was VERY picked over. Practically bare from where it started (which is a very good thing!). But... I'm so disappointed with myself for not taking pictures earlier! Because let me tell you... my booth was smokin cute! I had so much fun "decorating" my booth that I'm going to do it again in September! Yes, I still have a few things to sell... but this time my sister is going in with me and she has a LOT to sell. But I'm mainly doing it to decorate. And to take pictures. For my new blog.

These were the most precious handmade cottage chic toddler beds ever! They belonged to my twin girls. They were WAY cuter before their shabby chic bedding sold right off of them! Why didn't I take pictures earlier?!?
Come visit if you can! September 18th through 21st. http://www.antiquealleytexas.com/

Green, Blue and Old

2008-08-01T03:57:00.000-07:00

I love this old cabinet. It's the sweetest shade of green and has primitive little flowers handpainted on it. The beadboard back is worn and chippy and oh so country. I wish this piece could talk. I would love to know where it came from, where it's been and what it's held. For now, it holds some of my blue and white collection... another thing I love. The contrast between the blue of the dishes and the green of the cabinet just works. They compliment each other so sweetly.

Blooms and a Bunny

2008-08-01T03:26:00.000-07:00

My roses finally bloomed nicely this year. I don't have the greenest thumb in town.. but there are a couple of things that I do okay with. There's nothing I love more than a beautifully blooming garden... it just usually belongs to someone else!

Another thing I love is this bunny.... chippy ear and all. He stands guard over my patio. My dear friend Janie gave him to me years ago. He's just the sweetest thing.... and so is she!

Be Inspired Today! Aby

I'm Obsessed!

2008-07-12T23:18:00.000-07:00

While my home isn't exactly a cottage... it is absolutely my favorite style and I try to incorporate it wherever I can. There's something so comfortable about cottage... shabby... farmhouse style. It just draws you in and beckons you to cozy up and relax.

I would love to one day own an old farmhouse or historic home with a big wrap around porch. I'd have a white porch swing (or two) covered with pluffy pillows made out of faded floral vintage tablecloths in reds, blues, yellows and greens. There would be some asparagus ferns scattered about and some white wicker here and there. The beadboard ceiling would be painted a soft sky blue, providing the perfect background for the quietly humming white ceiling fans. The architectural detail would ooze cottage charm and the beautiful green lawn between the porch and the picket fence would have a sweet vignette of old birdhouses, potted geraniums and soft yellow, chippy metal "motel" chairs. My sisters and my Mom would come to visit often and we would sit on the porch and drink my sister Audra's sweet tea. The air would be filled with sounds of laughter, kids playing and the occasional slam of the old screen door. I can picture it all now. It sounds heavenly! Maybe one day... We'll see!

For weeks now, I've been checking out all of the fabulous blogging sites dedicated to home decor and cottage living and I find myself engrossed in them all. It's as exciting as when the new Country Living or Country Home magazine comes in the mail! Only I don't have to wait! There are so many women out there with amazing talent! I love reading their stories and being inspired by all of their lovely homes and gardens. I've become obsessed!

Because of my new found obsession... I've decided to join in! I'll be sharing my home.. my decorating style and my treasure hunting adventures soon. I'm very excited to start my blogging journey! I hope you'll visit often! And leave me your comments! I'd love to hear from you!

Be Inspired! Aby