V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N...

Here I am again, enjoying another 'stay-cation'! From last Thursday at 12:31pm until the day after Labor day, I am free to sleep late (which I won't), paint all day long, shop, finally finish the workroom re-do that I have been pecking at all summer, and watching a couple of movies that I have been looking forward to for ages. (I watched 'Freedom Writers' today, excellent story!)

When I left the office on Thursday, it was to come home, get my last load of 'stuff' packed up and delivered to my friend Wendy's for our garage sale that was to take place on Friday and Saturday. Lots of work, but worth it! First, I got rid of lots of stuff that was just taking up room in my house,. Secondly, I got to spend 2 entire days with my friend Wendy, which we almost never get to do these days. I really miss that!

The weather was going to be iffy for the weekend, so imagine our surprise when Friday turned out to be a beautiful day with no rain! To be honest, we hardly got to chat on Friday. It was steady all day and we sold a ton of stuff! It rained overnight and Saturday morning was foggy and a little bit chilly. After a while it kind of cleared up and the sun even peaked through the clouds in the afternoon!

A little after 3pm we heard that dreaded low grumbling. We looked at each other and said, 'thunder'? Needless to say, we hurried and got everything packed up (thankfully, there wasn't a whole lot) and sat down in the chairs just inside the shelter of the garage when the heavens let loose with a huge downpour! We sat there (Wendy brought us each out an adult refreshment) and chatted for almost another hour! I think it was about then that Wendy mentioned that she thought I would have been snapping a few pics throughout the sale for my blog. Hmmmm....I guess I forgot to do that...

All things considered, it was a successful sale and enjoyed each other's company while making a few extra dollars. Can't beat that with a stick, huh?

Serenity Sunday...week 18

WOODSTOCK '69

"3 Days of Peace & Music"

(If that isn't inspirational, what is?)

This afternoon, I watched a TV Documentary that I taped. It was shown a couple of days ago on the History Channel and called 'Woodstock: Now and Then". I have to say, it was the best chronicle on the music festival I have ever seen. It was dubbed the biggest gathering of people in one spot in history (up to that point). Incredibly, there was no violence (unlike the Woodstock '99 in Rome, NY and other music festivals since then). It was full of interviews of those who were involved in the planning, pictures, film and historic information and insights, it was so interesting to me.

I was just 10 years old at the time, but remember the TV news covering the festival.

They say there were almost 500,000 young people in attendance. Imagine if you were one of the few people that lived in that small town, watching the cars and people come into town in droves! I can imagine that would scare the "JEEPERS" out of the 'townies'. But not Max Yasgur who saw this event as an expression of 'freedom of speech'. He figured out how much money his farm would lose if he leased the property to the investors, gave them the figure and it was theirs for the festival.

Since the NYS Thruway was closed and any and all roads to the grounds were socked full of people and vehicles, most of the entertainers had to be flown in.

This couple were interviewed in this documentary and are still together.

Their picture appeared on a record album of the festival.

How anyone could find their friends in this crowd is beyond me.

If you get a chance, look up this TV show on the History channel. You'll be glad you did!

Serenity Sunday...week 17

Serenity Sunday...week 16

(Country Living Magazine 9/09)

Makeover Issue-Country Living

Country Living Magazine

September 2009 Makeover Issue

Has anyone seen this month's Country Living? It's chuck full of great makeovers and lot's of "Steal this idea" hints. If you haven't read it yet, pick it up! You'll be glad you did...

One of the articles is about Pennsylvania homeowner/designer Mary Jane McCarty and the renovation of her home in Yardley, PA. I love her use of color and how she weaves her family heirlooms and vintage finds into every room. My favorite room is the kitchen. Her home is warm, friendly and one I'd be happy to live in myself!

(All photos from Country Living Magazine and courtesy of Gridley + Graves)

Hurry! Run don't walk....

Run right over to 52 Flea and sign up for her 200th blog post 'Give Back'! Just post a comment and if yours is chosen, she will pick up something special for you at the Madison Bouckville Antique Show this week! HURRY - you only have until midnight on Tuesday 8/11 to sign up!


http://52flea.blogspot.com/2009/08/200th-post-give-back.html

Serenity Sunday...week 15

BARN SALE: Serving Wine and Cheese...

I got an email notice: Private Sale at "The Barn"! 4-8:30pm, Friday evening, August 7, 2009. Wine and cheese will be served. Well, hey...that's my kind of sale! I had invited a couple of friends as my guests and Wendy came with me. This is a picture of the house...nice, huh?
As the sun was setting and we were leaving I snapped a picture of the front of the big barn. I guess I wasn't able to shade the setting sun from my viewfinder, but the picture turned out kind of cool. Inside those doors there are lots of treasures!

This is a long shot to one of the other out buildings on the property. Nice little garden in front of this one and a view of the chairs that were for sale and lining the walkway up to the main building.

Awesome shelf I got for my new workroom! I paid $35, but it's pretty good size. Imagine all the supplies I can stack on this one! I think I'll put it on top of my work table.

This is a cool birdcage and stand that Wendy picked up for a song! Cast iron base on this one and it looks like the cage is hand made! Metal scrollwork and wood. Really nice find Wendy!

We stood the cage up on my walkway in front of my house and darned if I didn't miss the picture of the base of it! (Like the Lucky Brand Bag I scored at Marshalls Home Goods last week for $69?? I do!!!)

Serenity Sunday...Week 14

"It takes hands to build a house, but only hearts can build a home."

*Author Unknown*

"Day-Trippin" to Cazenovia, NY

A couple of Sundays ago, my friend and fellow road-tripper, Pam and I went to the nearby town of Cazenovia to do a little shopping. It's just a short trip (a little over 15 miles) and has a couple of our favorite haunts. Among other things, Cazenovia College is situated in the center of town. Makes it easy for the students to get around, I'm sure.


Our day-trip took us the 'Old and Everlasting', a little shop that was having a great barn sale.


Driving into town we spotted this 'Buggy Driving Contest'. We didn't stay to watch, but it looked kind of fun!





We pulled into the village to stop at the 'Cazenovia Grill' for lunch only to find that they were closed for vacation (only in a small town, huh?).



So after stopping next door to the Art Gallery, we went to 'Dave's Diner'. Nice little diner/coffee shop that I'm certain the college students adore!




The town is packed full of old mansions and lake houses as it is perched on the shore of Cazenovia Lake. I thought you might enjoy a look at some of these old homes and the shopping district.