A Jar Of Joy

JOY!

What brings you Joy?

Do you know it on a daily basis?

There are several keepsakes

in my home that represent

experiences that bring me joy 

each and every time I look at them.

In my kitchen, 

on top of a book shelf,

sets a collection of blue mason jars.

Different kinds, and different sizes,

but there is one that just stands

out in my heart!

It isn't necessarily the jar itself,

although I love it ~

it is one of those large shoulder jars!

That curved neck and rusty

wire wrapped around its top...

it protects something 

precious to me.

When I was about 13 or 14,

my father came home from a business trip

and presented me with a single, beautiful 

bloom of cotton.

You would have to know me,

but I've always collected rocks and sticks

and flowers and seed pods and sea shells!

I was thrilled!

I've kept that one single cotton boll

for almost 40 years!

I recently added a few more pieces

 that I picked from a huge cotton field

growing next to the highway in Tennessee.

 

It was a wonderful trip,

full of laughter and joy!

 

It might just be an old jar

with some cotton shoved in it ~ 

but in reality

this vintage treasure in itself,

holds something even more important.

My happiness, my joy, my memories~

safe and sound

under an air-tight seal!

Live your Authentic Life - Be the Real You!!!

Blessings,

Martha

 

 

Pickin' A Chicken House

Yes I did!

I picked a chicken house full of

junk that has been stored for decades!

And I must say, it was a blast!

I shopped for 4 hours ~

plain and simple,

there was just too much junk!

Automotive, hardware, 

school supplies, cash register tape,

yarn, Christmas stickers......

stuff, lots of stuff!

Anyone need some boat anchors?

Don't think these computers will

serve much purpose otherwise ~

Oh, but I fell in the love with

the rusty saw blades ~

 

and Garfield

forever stuck on 10:49 ~

wonder if it was morning or night?

 

 

Would have bought all the

canning jars, 

but I have cases of them at home...

still waiting for projects yet begun.

 

 Breaker, breaker 1, 9 ~

anyone need CB supplies?

Good Buddy!

  

 

 

Griswald stove dampers caught my attention,

I purchased several just because!

 

 

 I'm sure someone could fix

this baby up - but it's not me!

 

 More rust ~

Bicycle chains snaking across the floor,

just glad they weren't real snakes!

I saw a snake skin earlier that sort of

put me on edge.

 

 

 

 How about a huge box full of

Jagermeister Test Tubes?

Guess these were for a shot party! 

Seemed out of place for

a chicken house!

 

 

Poor Barbie, 

Ken was no where to be found,

probably hanging out near the Jagermeister Party.

Looks like she was resting after working

out to her Olivia Newton John cassette, 

hope Ken can find his way back to Xanadu!

  

 

The only mouse trap I saw ~

I'm sure they would need quite a few more!

 

 

Unfortunately,

this find was not for sale!

 

 

So, wondering what I DID

end up with after FOUR hours of picking?

 

  Seven galvanized boxes,

an awesome old red shopping cart,

shutters,

two old stretchers,

two old galvanized trash cans,

at least a dozen old metal signs ~

 

5 large unfinished frames,

two turned table legs,

one lone bicycle wheel,

one rusty metal milk crate,

a ton of yard sticks,

 

 

awesome rusty wire,

slatted wood pieces,

a vintage numbered valet board with hooks,

 and lots of small do-dads like big rusty screws,

stove dampers, metal cogs and wire screens!

 I can't wait to start on some

fun re-purposing projects!

 

I had a great day at the chicken house,

may have to go back again tomorrow....

already thinking about a few things I still need!

Live Authentically ~ Be the Real You!

Blessings,

Martha

Halloween Footsteps

I decided to do something

a little different with my mantel

this Halloween ~

The vanity mirror is old and the silver wearing off, 

(which I love), 

so I thought it would be the perfect backdrop 

for a Halloween theme.

The large, white architectural piece 

is from a very old building in my local community.

With the exception of a few items ~ 

like the glass ornaments, 

everything is vintage.

 

When I pulled out the glass beaded garland,

I thought the orange tones looked so much like copper, 

I decided to incorporate some of

my collection of bronzed baby shoes.

I added a few skeleton keys 

with black and white check ribbon

 to finish off the ends of the garland.

During one of my picking trips, 

I came across two small wooden staircases.  

They are too big for a traditional doll house, 

not sure what they were used for....but I thought, 

hmm, one day they will come in handy.

  

I added a couple of vintage clocks for extra interest, 

thinking it looked a little like a loose steam punk theme.

 

 

The metal urns came from Target 10 years ago!  

I took two old black wrought iron topiary forms, 

and placed them in the urns to resemble witches hats.  

Then I wrapped a black feather trim 

around the topiary base and tucked in one end.

  

Do you see what I see?  It's a black cat's tail!

 

This is the sort of mantel that grows on you!  

You have to walk up to it, study it, 

and then you see the vision!  

I love all the little baby shoes 

perched on their steps...

sort of like little ghost shoes from the past.

Quirky?  Indeed!

I wouldn't have it any other way!

Live Your Authentic Life ~ Be The Real You!

Blessings,

Martha

Buttercups and Barbed Wire

As Summer is changing over to Fall ~ 

think back to Spring 

warming up to Summer.

The air is hot and humid.

Mountain fields are full of Buttercups ~

little blooms of cheerfulness

waving in the breeze!

Such a lovely place!

Dainty flowers fenced in

by weathered wood and barbed wire.

A yellow carpet as far as you can see!

 

Rural beauty!

Live your Authentic Life ~
Be the Real You!

Blessings,
Martha

The Charming Footstool

Have you ever considered

the lowly footstool

to be an important part of 

your decor?

 

What do you notice first in this room

designed by Sarah Richardson?

(via)

I eyed the pair of upholstered stools 

in front of the arm chairs...

they are like little gems.

As gorgeous as they are,

this is something everyone can do.

   

The stools don't have to match, 

although there is something to be said

for symmetry.

 

If using a lot of color

or a busy pattern, 

twin stools may work better

than an unmatched pair.

(via)

You can find two small tables 

or two piano benches...

whatever works! 

Wrap the tops in a bit of foam and batting 

and upholster with your favorite fabric...

you can have the same look.

(via)

 An upholstered footstool

is an inexpensive but

clever way to introduce a special

color or fabric to your room design.

 

 (via)

 If you prefer antiques

or a vintage style,

there are plenty out there,

with original textiles

like this tapestry,

or gorgeous cane tops

with turned legs.

(via) 

 Or you can always pick up

a great stool anywhere

and upholster it with

a grain sack or vintage remnant

like I did with this one.

 

 Brenda, of Cottage4c blog

created an adorable

show-stopping footstool

out of a Coke crate.

 (via)

 They truly don't get 

any more charming than that!

So whether you

go for one or two,

(via) 

~footstools

are an incredible way

to add the extra touches

you need for a finished look. 

Live your Authentic Life ~

Be the Real You!

Blessings,

Martha

The Little Library

I love stumbling upon surprises!

I was taking photos in town and

came upon this little building.

At first I thought it might have been

a doll house turned bird mansion... 

but to my surprise, it was a

Little Library!

 Titled the Little Free Library -

I was so intrigued!  

You know I had to check it out!

 The sign reads:

"This little Free Library is a gift from friends

who wanted to PAY IT FORWARD.

They hope you will do the same!"
"Take a book, return a book."

 I found all sorts of books inside - 

for children and adults!

 What a charming building!

Great attention to detail - 

it just makes it that much more special!

 This particular lending library was donated

by our local county 

Retired Educators Group!

Puts a lump in my throat

as they continue to care

and give to their community!

 Wouldn't this be a special treat

to find in a park or

on a city corner in your town?

 Kudos to Mr. Richard Negley!

He did a fantastic job!

Truly this Little Free Library

is more than just a gift of reading ~

but one of friendship, 

compassion and community!

Notice this library is called The Conner School.

Teacher, Mary Lou Conner, 

who passed away in 2009 at the

age of 95 was a charter member of

our local Retired Teachers Association

and over her life received many

awards and accolades.

Her love of education and

her support and time spent volunteering

in several literacy programs,

improved countless lives

in our rural area.

In her memory,

this Little Free Library

continues to 

inspire the love of reading!

I had to dig a little further ~

Little Free Library

began in 2009 by a gentleman named

Todd Bol honoring his late mother,

teacher and educator,

June A. Bol .

This Little Free Library

sits above the St. Croix River

in Hudson, Wisconsin.

What a wonderful

memorial,

as the program

has touched thousands

of people

in the United States

and now Europe!

If you are interested in starting your own

community Little Free Library

or want to read more about it, 

visit  

LITTLE FREE LIBRARY

Their Mission ~

To promote literacy and the love of reading by building free book exchanges worldwide.
To build a sense of community as we share skills, creativity, and wisdom across generations
To build more than 2,510 libraries around the world - more than Andrew Carnegie!