Fallish...

A little vignette for autumn

 

I have started to decorate for fall... As I say about all the seasons and holidays...

My favorite time of year:)

I know I know I am always saying that.. Its just that there is so much to love about all seasons...

 

Winter brings a certain quiet calmness to life, for me life seems to slow down..

Spring brings flowers, trees with buds, hope and a sense of renewal...

Summer brings fresh cut grass, fun at the beach and lazy starry nights...

 

Then there is fall the colors of the leaves yes we do have a change of seasons here... The full moon seems so big, the mornings have a little crisp in the air and pumpkins and mums decorate porches.. well at least my porch... Living back east for all those years fall became a very favorite part of my life.. Trimming bushes back packing up the patio furniture and planting bulbs took up my days. Of coarse there were back to school nights cupcakes to bake for classrooms and football games to cheer on Cory and Aaron and field hockey for Sarah... I guess with fall come some really wonderful memories of my three babies how blessed I am!!!

 

This summer has brought huge changes for me with my dads passing.. Learning how to live without one of the most important and loving people in my life... For me its a slow process but each day brings new hope and for that I am grateful...

 

Lots of news to share big show coming up in November, my studio is finally done AND I am doing a Bed and Breakfast in my home.. Its called The Sweet Vintage Cottage!!! My opening date is October 1st!!! So excited for this new venture... Will post pictures soon.

 

as always thanks for stopping by...

 

xoxo

Juanita

Cloudy Summer Days...

                                                                  our cloudy skies

                                                                My sunny bench!!!

Seems like our summer is sunless this year... Living on the coast we are use to "May Grey" then "June Gloom"... BUT July is suppose to be sunny and warm... Though this year Mother Nature has other ideas:)
 I can't complain too much when I know there are droughts, too much rain and wild fires in many states including here California.. My youngest son Aaron is on the front lines fighting those fires, please keep him in your prayers!!!

My sweet Max and I worked in the garden he is such a great helper!!!  We cut flowers and planted some new pretties. Then Max and I made up some bouquets and delivered then to our newest neighbors.. Our neighborhood has been changing over the past few years. We have many younger families moving in with there little ones. Its really very nice to see this change.. Its bring a new life to this old 1950's hood:)

I recently went picking in the central valley and good Lord was it ever hot there!!! No lack of sunshine there or more importantly amazing treasures.... I found so many sweet things it was fantastic.. Had a wonderful time, I spent time with a dear friend from high school, Donna.. Her home is so lovely can't wait to post the pictures.. She made me homemade scones both mornings with cream, soooo yummy!!! Will be posting my pictures of all my lovely finds and Donna's lovely home!!!

Thanks so stopping by.....

xoxo
Juanita

Happy 4th of July!!!!

 

 

My Patriotic Table at the Little French Flea Market

I can't believe that its the 4th of July already!!! It's one of my favorite days... 

When I lived in Pennsylvania and New Jersey I found a new favorite holiday!! Growing up

here in California we had celebrations... sparklers, homemade ice cream (peach my favorite) and watching 

the fireworks off the end of the pier was great.... BUT then I experienced celebrating our country's independence back east and it was amazing!!! The fireworks were amazing the barbeque's the parades just everything was sooo wonderful...Everyone always decorated their front porches and a flag flying... Celebrating the 4th of July always bring back those wonderful memories...

The past few months have been very life changing for me, with my dad he passing away on May 16th. He had lived with me for the past six years... I miss him like crazy!!! When I painted out back he would sit with me helping me prime or sanding:) He gave me great ideas and was my biggest cheerleader.. The Little French Flea Market was my first market since my Lenny passed away and it very different coming home and he wasn't there to greet me and say "well how did you do babe?" It was a bit empty... He gave me that great love of finding a treasure he was always on the look out for me... So with that I will continue to pick:) and I know my Lenny is still cheering me on!!!

As always thanks so much for stopping by and giving me a few minutes of your time!!!!

xoxo

Juanita

Heavy heart

I am sorry I haven't been keeping up on my blog...

It's with a heavy heart beyond words that I share that my sweet father Lenny has passed away... He fell ill was taken to the hospital via ambulance, 2 days later it was decided he would come home on hospice within 5 days he was gone. My dad has lived with me for 6 years. His health wasn't the greatest but he managed. Last October he had another large heart attack that really took the wind out of his sails... I have been truly blessed with the time I have had with my sweet dad. He never complained and trust me he had lots of pain but never said a word.... He made me laugh usually at myself and not take things so seriously:) he was a prankster and always rooted for the underdog:) he was my hero!!!! He always encouraged me and was always so excited to hear how I did at my shows... He helped me put things together and gave me great ideas.. He was the best..

I miss him like crazy!!!

Xoxo

Juanita

My Birthday!!!!

 

Today is my birthday and to be honest I am very fine with it!!!! I use to say I am 49 (again) but I am 52... I don't feel like I am 52 however that is suppose to feel??? I have so many blessings in my life, I am one lucky mama and Gigi (grandma)... my great aunt Jeanie once told me.."Kitten always be proud of who you are and that includes your age" I have fought it for many years but every year my birthday comes whether I want it too or not..:) Sooo I am thrilled to have had another year of living and loving!!!

 

Wishing everyone a happy happy day:)

xoxo

Juanita

A Little DIY Projct

I am getting ready for a couple of shows, April 20th and 21st is the Little French Flea Market which is in Trazana Ca and then May 5th and 6th is the Three Speckle Hens show in Paso Robles. I am so excited to do these shows. I am doing a garden and outdoor living theme. Which brings me to the above wagon... 

I have had this wagon for at least 10 years, it has had many jobs... I bought it at a yard sale a little on the rustic side... Now it has aged a little more and I think has more character:) I had it on my porch with terra cota pots planted with flowers, then Max came along and then it was his ride to the park... It still has a lot of life left in it!!! So its next job is as a planter!!

I put some packing peanuts in the bottom of the wagon to help with drainage. Normally I use pebbles in the bottom of my pots but the peanuts make moving the wagon a lot easier (less weight) next spread your potting soil, lightly water then add a little more soil and the best part plant whatever your heart desires!!!. Can't wait for this to grow in!!! Its such a lovely addition to your garden, patio or just sitting in your yard..

I will post pictures when it's all grown in!!!

Thanks for stopping.. Happy Friday!!!!

xoxo

Juanita

Happy Easter!!!

                                           Like I said before I love these vintage postcards!!!!

                                                                My spring mantle

                             When I bought these chicks my sister was like really you need more
                                           spring decorations and I was like OF COARSE!!!

                                                 A vintage chick peeking out... soo sweet

                   I love spring and what it means.. A new start, for me its the start of the new year...
       The years I lived back east when the snow started to melt the green grass was poking up I started my hunt for the first crocus... I loved seeing the purple and yellow crocus making their way up from their long winter sleep... I knew when I saw the first one that warmer days were just weeks away... I had planted 20 bulbs year 1 by year 3 I had over a hundred coming  up all over my 1/4 acre front yard.. My neighbor told me that the gophers were the blame because they moved them everywhere.. Whatever was spreading them my yard was beautiful.. Thinking back now I wish I had taken pictures...Spring is always such an event after a long cold winter!!!

I found 3 bags of vintage Easter basket grass a few years ago and I have used it over and over.. The purple and blue large eggs I glittered.. My poor Lenny had glitter all over him for days:) I glitter in the backyard and because of the afternoon ocean breeze I have no control over the glitter:)

Happy Easter and Happy Spring!!!

xoxo
Juanita