Happy and sad today

First, the happy. It is my son's 7th birthday today! Seven years ago I struggled through a difficult delivery to be rewarded with this cutie:

I am so proud of my oldest boy. He is creative, smart, funny, sweet, kind to his little brother and loves Jesus. He starts school on Wednesday and will be in 2nd Grade. Sigh. Where did the time go?
I love you, Alexander!!

Today is also the day that my dear friend and sometimes mentor, Barbara Proctor, left this earth. Sadly, she had only been married to her sweetheart Phil for 6 months and all of that time was spent battling cancer.
I still can't believe she is gone and I won't see her again (this side of Heaven). Thankfully her family arrived in time to say goodbye.

Here are the lines of a favourite hymn of hers.

Be still, my soul:
the hour is hastening on
When we shall be
forever with the Lord.
When disappointment,
...grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot,
love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul:
when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed
we shall meet Him at last.

If you are inclined to pray, could I ask you to pray for her husband Phil and her four adult children and multiple grandchildren? It is a huge loss for them.Pin It

The White Stuff

It was a good weekend for spotting the white stuff. No, not snow! (shudder). White furniture.

I found this shelf ($32)
in one of the booths at Antique Station at Victoria Village in Snohomish. It now stands by my front door and I plan to change out the flowers/plants seasonally. I think at Christmas time I'll put in little Christmas topiaries or just lots of pine branches. I love having a place for my garden gloves, trowel, and sheers.

This beautiful table (for $25) was sold to me by Dawn of "greatfindz." The funny thing is, I saw this same table back a few weeks ago at a private sale but I didn't have enough cash with me to buy it from Dawn that night. Today she was at the Sandpoint Antique and Design Market and lo, and behold, there it was! It was meant to be mine, don't you think? :)

I also found this gorgeous vintage tablecloth in perfect condition at the Sandpoint market. It was $15.

These treasures sure make up for *last* Saturday when I didn't find a single thing at the BIG Goodwill store. How frustrating that was!

I'm linking up with Today's Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality.Pin It

Wordless Wednesday

Dahlias from my garden!!Pin It

A visit to Mecca (for gardeners)

This past weekend we went to visit my parents. Lucky for us, they live in a beautiful city full of things to do. #1 on my list was to go back to Butchart Gardens which is heaven on earth for gardeners. My dad watched the boys so my mom and I could visit the gardens without hearing complaints from bored boys! Unfortunately, our time was limited and the day was very hot so it was a very quick visit.

This is Love Lays Bleeding (what a crazy name for a plant!)
One of my favourite plants (ten of which are growing at the front of my house!) - Delphinium.

There is a huge rose garden at Butchart. I love the vibrant colour of this one.
Water lilies are so peaceful.
I love unusual plants. This is a whirligig daisy - I think I should change the photo to black & white - I think it would look super cool.


This is my mom by the famous Sunken Garden.

My favourite photo is of the gate in front of Jenny Butchart's private garden which has been maintained the same way that she had it since the 1930s. You aren't able to go in here but I think that adds to the appeal.
You receive a plant guide when you enter Butchart Gardens and I've been reading it for ideas for my own garden.Pin It

Wordless Wednesday

Butchart Gardens
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
August 16, 2010Pin It

This week's great finds

The last two weeks have been fantastic for "junking." Here are the fun things I've picked up at rummage sales, garage sales, antique stores, and thrift stores.

A while back I participated in a church rummage sale. Unfortunately I didn't sell much of my own stuff. I was selling baby gear and the crowd was older. I did found some fun things to take home with me like this green table for $3.
Last Saturday I stopped in at Maltby Antiques and I found this painter's box (which I'll fill with plants after sanding off the paint) for $5.
I found this fun sign for $2 at a garage sale. I'll put it in the boys' bathroom.
I've been looking for just the right coffee table for months and months. I found this super cute one almost by accident. I went to a favourite antique store (hoping to find a table) and in the parking lot there happened to be a rummage sale going on (not affiliated with the store). I spied this table, checked the price, and said "I'll take the table!" How much was it? $39. Pretty good, eh?
I love it and I'm so glad I don't have to paint it. My "to paint" collection is getting a little out of hand. :)

I don't have to paint this beauty either! I bought it for $10 at a private sale at a cottage on Lake Washington on Friday night. What a gorgeous setting! The weather even cooperated. ;) Here is a link to more photos from this sale.

This made my heart go pitter patter.I found it at Value Village for $15, which sounds like a lot but once it is cleaned up and painted white (of course), I think it would sell for much, much more. The photo doesn't do it justice - it is *heavy* and big.

I'm linking up with Today's Thrifty Treasures at Southern Hospitality.
Pin It

Wordless Wednesday

Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle.
August 4, 2010Pin It