Tag: Vintage pieces

The Flower Cart

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Lastnight, my daughter opened the backdoor and gasped. There was a Tarantula perched on the doorframe outside. I’ve seen them in stores, and know people have them as pets, but to see one that closeup was exciting to say the least. Then my daughter said, “They’ve always been out there. We’ve just never seen one until now.”

This morning, while it was cool and overcast, I spent some time cleaning up the yard. Just straightening things up, kind of like we do inside the house, but this was outdoors. I had sat the empty flower cart up against the fence for Winter, but it was time to pull it out. Even sitting empty it emanates character. It’s one of those vintage pieces you wish could talk and tell you where all it’s been.

I wanted to move it out into the yard, but didn’t know where. Then it was like God showed up beside me and pointed out a good place for it. I rolled it across the yard and positioned it in a barren spot covered in yesterday’s birdseed. Walking away I thought, “That’s a good place. The birds can use it as a perch while taking turns to eat the seed below,” and went on with my day.

I finished washing the dishes and stood by the kitchen window gazing at the flower cart. That’s when I noticed a Blue Jay sitting on the handle checking it out. He hopped down to the bed of the cart, and then onto the ground to eat some seed. It was exactly as I’d envisioned, but if I wouldn’t have taken that pause at the window, I would have missed seeing what God had planned all along.

Have faith there’s a plan, and God will use anything to show us. Today, He used the flower cart.

The feature photo is a notecard created by artist David Arms and you can view his work here.

Living With Intention

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I’m sitting at the kitchen table writing morning pages.

Oh, it was so tempting to sleep just one more minute, but I sat up and listened to a mediation instead. He was talking about living enthusiastically. I’m not sure I can be called enthusiastic, but I do live with intention and maybe that’s a form of enthusiasm.

After the mediation, I got out of bed and let the pups outside. Walking through the house, it was like every action was ceremonial in welcoming the new day.

Opening the mini-blinds and pulling the string so they rest in place halfway up the window. Window one, two, three and open the front door to let fresh air in. Walking into the kitchen I see our dishes from the night before. A counter full of dirty dishes, but my thought was, “We use pretty pieces, so it’s a pretty mess.”

Yes darling. I’m going to show you my dirty kitchen, or at least the view from where I’m sitting. There is a flow to this life, but I believe if we get caught up in the flow, we can lose direction. Pause the flow and live with intention.

An up close view from the kitchen table.

The main thing that got my attention is the bamboo drying rack. I used to have a plastic one for the wet dishes to drain, but it would get gross and moldy if not wiped dry after use. I’m not going to take time to do that, so eventually it’d need replacing and having done so many times is like throwing money out the window. This bamboo one has held up for years.

My daughter bought the lilies and they’ve been sitting here for almost two weeks. We laugh at how long they’ve lasted. They just won’t stop being pretty! She bought them for me after a rough day at the Dentist. Just like the ribbon vase, she found the right container to place them in to do them justice. The purple mason jar was waiting patiently under the sink.

You’d never know the purple stock pot is dirty, but it’s sitting there waiting to be washed. I have to wash what’s in the sink first, because it needs a lot of room and relies on all the strength of the bamboo drying rack to hold it. It’s a solid piece, just like the crystal pitcher sitting beside the drying rack.

When choosing pieces for your life, choose solid.

The stock pot takes a grease cutting dishwashing liquid, but that sits in the cabinet out of sight. Here’s the one sitting by the sink.

There’s a misconception that pretty has to be expensive, but that’s nonsense if you keep it simple. If I need dishwashing liquid, I’ll choose pretty as long as it’s performs as good as it looks. That’s how I can sit at this table, beside a kitchen full of dirty dishes and think it’s pretty, because every piece of it is.

It’s a life well lived and loved by living with intention.

We’ve been talking about living the dream. Here are the posts in order up to now. Thank you for your love and support. ~Barb

I’m Still Learning

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I spent my entire weekend budget in less than an hour, but….I learned some things about myself in the process. I had stopped buying vintage items.

I noticed it over Christmas. Getting sucked into online world. Click a button, and it’ll be at your door the next day. Sometimes the same day. Get it sent to a ‘locker’ near you and pick it up in a little while.

Immediate gratification is fleeting.

♥

I drove over to a friend’s Shoppe for a visit and to see if she had any lamps. The lamp in my bedroom was not giving me any joy. It was new, and modern looking, and has been bothering me for a while. My friend’s Shoppe was closed, but there’s an antique Shoppe next-door. It was a good day to wander through one of those.

A lamp caught my eye, but it was part of a set. I asked the store owner if he would split up the set. After a quick call to the vendor, it was a yes to the lamp.

lamp1

I love the details of this lamp, and it gives the room a warm glow. My previous lamp was just a bright light. There’s a difference.

lamp2

Items like these aren’t considered vintage to me. I grew up with this stuff. They are however, classic goodness.

Walking through the Shoppe, I strolled from room to room. Was there anything else that needed a good home? Then, I saw this little crushed velvet seat. It would match my bedroom drapes, and give me a spot to sit and put on shoes. (Because everyone needs that)

velvetchair

At this angle it seems to be looking at me. Probably gonna have to give it a name.

♥

No regrets my darling and we learn as we go. I may regret sipping this Bluebottle cold brew later on tonight, but as I already confessed…I’m still learning.

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