Blooming:
Good to know the bugs are already eating the hosta and coneflower leaves.
What can you do? Nothing. This garden is pesticide-free.
I went to the shop to get the dove. And only the dove.
As you can see, this dove is very different. Rustic, bits of stones showing, a faint trace of the paint, much more weathered. He’s a bit smaller, as well.
I think he’s lovely.
Reunited. Or forcefully mated by yours truly.
Anyway. My intentions were honorable. Get the dove. Say hello to everyone. Then head home.
Instead, I came home with this:
An old street sign from Woodstock, NY.
How could I leave it there?
I’m not sure where it’s going to live. Right now it’s in a garden bed. But I’m sure I’ll move it around today.
And that’s not all. I saw this and I swear I heard angels singing:
Oh my heavens. This is the kind of thing I dream of but never find. But I did find it! I think it was there all along but I was so obsessed with the pots that I didn’t see it.
Where will I put it? I don’t know. I don’t care. I’m just thrilled it’s ours.
I can’t go back to that shop for a while. Three trips in two weeks and major damage done every time.
It’s a beautiful morning and I’ve been sitting outside on the glider. It will turn into a hot and humid day, however, just like yesterday when the temperature reached 89 degrees with high humidity. Wildly uncomfortable.
Then rain tomorrow.
But for now, I’m going to enjoy the porch while I can.
Happy Saturday.
so glad the dove partner was still there for you; they look sweet together!
also glad you found the other goodness. that old plant stand looks meant for you! am sure you will find just the right places for it and the old street sign (you know we’ll want to see photos of them in place)! by the way, are the nancy drew and hardy boys books in place in that great little “martha jane” bookcase?
glad you have air conditioning to keep cool. hope you have a wonderful weekend!
kathy in iowa
They are. But I’m still fussing with it, so the ‘reveal’ won’t be for a few days yet.
haha! i understand … and i am sure they look great there!
also, no pressure from me … share what you want when you’re ready … and thanks for all you share already. :)
it is 95 and sticky-humid here today. bleh. more of the same tomorrow, but will spend much of it in air-conditioning. my sister and i are going up to wisconsin dells to hear some music, see the house on the rock and (if they’re open) stop at a couple antique malls. mostly just to look, but i’d really like to find an old crate with meaningful or fun graphics on it. will see and be back home on monday.
hope you have a good weekend and enjoy the puttering and the a-c!
kathy in iowa
Is the House on the Rock the one near Spring Green? I worked there at the theater one summer- maybe 8 years ago? It’s lovely there.
that’s the one. i’ve been there before, but my sister has not so we’ll stop and see one man’s very unique dream!
did you go through the house on the rock when you were in spring green?
and agree … that is a very pretty area!
happy weekend.
For some reason, I never got there! Meant to, but I was pretty busy.
I always tell myself that I don’t drink or smoke so I have to have some vice. I love fabric and antiques. My dance teacher said, “Don’t postpone joy.” I took that to mean that I could buy the very expensive balloon curtains that I had been stalking for a while.
If you had left any of those things behind, you would be looking back with regret. So enjoy your joy. It’s one of the things that I love about your cottage, it’s all about what touches your heart. My most loved things are all nicked and scratched, it reminds me of my safe place, my grandmother’s house. It was a small house filled with love.
I don’t drink or smoke either. Never did drugs. So I think you’re right! Thanks, Christine!
Oh my goodness, the treasures that shop has!
Have fun with them!
Especially garden treasures!
I am so glad you didn’t leave any of these treasures behind. The sign is perfect for the cottage and that plant stand. I think I heard angels sing when I saw the photo!! Little dove made it home also. That shop has your style for sure and a little break before returning might be good for the pocketbook! It’s raining and humid here as Alberto makes its way to Georgia. It’s a good day for me to get some chores done, but will I?
A little break is a necessity! I’ve spent too much!
Perfect purchases if you ask me! Enjoy! We’ve had a couple humid, cloudy days while Oman has experienced a cyclone. By Monday temps here will be up to 110 F. :/
Oh boy! That’s hot! It’s 90 here and that’s too hot, too early. But it’s going to drop twenty degrees by tomorrow, with rain.
Beautiful finds!
Thank you so much!
I’m happy that you’re treating yourself! Wonderful purchases. I was “bad” this week too…I love fountain pens and I added more ink to my collection. (The new fountain pen was added a week ago…). And I bought my daughter a refurbished sewing machine. My sewing machine repair guy, who sold the machine to me, is a wonderful find…honest fair knowledgeable. I know my daughter loves me a lot but I can honestly say I’ve never gotten so many hugs and I love you Mommy in such a short period of time! Enjoy your doves and plant stand and sign! Oh my!
How wonderful for your daughter! I bet she’s already been having a lot of fun with it.
LOL!
good to see you still have will power!
but oh my. it all transpires to be perfection. :) xo
Well, look at this way, I did say NO on a few other things!
LOL!!! XO
xo
Absolutely love your purchases. They all had your name on them.
Thank you, Lea!
Well, I’m not sure what your great discovery is – a plant stand? A stand-alone window box? Whatever it is, you’ll make it even more beautiful. Have fun with it. And oh yeah, best stay away from that shop for a spell. It has powers over you! LOL. Peace.
#Resist
#ProtectMueller
A plant stand! A very old one, perfectly rusty.
Wow! Great purchases…especially that plant stand. I’ve been coveting one like that, for several years…glad one of us found one. And it even had singing angels? All the more perfect! Now, I’m anxious to see it planted. Or do you have other plans for it?
Whatever plans you have for all your goodies…they’ll look perfect, I’m sure. Have fun playing with them…glad the dove was still there for you! ;)
I will most likely use some potted plants in it, but I’m not sure yet. I’m glad the dove was still there, too.
Hi Claudia – Love your doves and your recent flower pots. We have been having really hot temps here in Minnesota. 90’s plus expected for long weekend and last 2 days were also in the 90’s and sadly, no rain. Rain all around us but it seems to split and go on either side of us. There were some places that had trees down and some hail, so don’t miss that. Struggling to get anything to grow. Do enjoy seeing all of your plants and flowers. Very nice and a bit jealous.
So sorry about your hot weather. It WILL get better, Ranee. Then everything will pop!
It’s all so wonderful! Everything you do makes it more wonderful.
Thank you so much for those kind words, Deb.
Be still my heart — that plant stand!! It is perfect. I cannot wait to see what you do with it. The dove is lovely and has such character. Your finds are just perfect!
I’ve been lucky lately, Dottie. Feeling blessed.
What great buys you purchased. That plant stand is gorgeous and so useful. Glad you got to purchase the dove. I would think of the purchased dove as the female. In most cases the female partner is always a little smaller than her male partner. Enjoy your purchases.
Marilyn
Yes. And less showy in color, as well! Thank you, Marilyn!
Love that sign!…And from Woodstock makes it even more special!…It would look nice on the side of the porch where you and Don sit…but will fit in anywhere in the cottage too…Such a sweet little dove…The plant stand is a treasure…as Mike Wolf says…”rusty gold”….I have several old plant stands here but that one beats mine for style and size!…Enjoy your new finds…I’m sure Don will love them too! Stay Cool…
I have a couple of old plant stands as well, but this one is the best yet! Thanks, Nancy.
Good for you Claudia!! We need a goodie now and then to reward ourselves for the hard work. And you have certainly been doing your share taking care of your beautiful cottage and yard. I picture your planter filled with ferns. How ever you fill it, it will be a wonderful addition to Mockingbird Cottage.
Ferns would be great but then I’d have to overwinter them. I already have one on the island near the porch entrance and we barely have room for that!
It’s fun to live vicariously through you in your shopping expeditions. Choices I would make myself. I especially love the sign. . . .”Perfect”! It’s fun feathering our nests and the fun goes on and on in a lifetime of enjoyment . For years I would shop with friends and when purchasing items they would ask what/where I would use it? Such a question. Most likely I had no idea where it would be placed. Who cares. Eventually I would find the perfect spot. I keep trying to “down size” (words I don’t really like)but in fact, I love my things and find it difficult to part with anything. They are a part of me. Therefore, I enjoy my home, garden, and “stuff” everyday. There aren’t many places I’d rather be than here in my home and garden. How lucky we are to find joy in small things. Oh, my the way, celebrate the rain. It means you don’t need to worry about watering. For me, in No. Calif., it’s always a worry to make sure everything has a good drink and to still conserve on water. All the best Claudia!
Yes, as I was outside watering today and yesterday, I found myself looking forward to the rain tomorrow!
I almost never know where I’m going to put something I fall in love with. Somehow it all works out, right? Thanks, Lyndia.
PS. I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to downsize! I do a bit here and there, but I love my things, too.
Oh my the plant stand is perfect! What to put in it?
Not sure yet!
Not sure about there but here in Michigan I put some cornmeal around my hostas and the bugs seem to stay off of them.
I love the doves they are beautiful.
Thanks for the tip, Audrey!