I thought I'd share of few of the treasures I've unearthed through these early days of summer. How I love old things. I also like to use pieces of furniture in rooms and ways in which perhaps, they weren't initially intended to be used. I have an old maple hutch that for the longest time lived in the girls room under a big queen-sized, extra-tall, Timber Nest loft bed, covered with all manner of art supplies, the cupboards below filled to overflowing with books. There it sat, with a cozy round Papasan chair situated beside it, and an Amish hickory rocker across from that. By and by as the family grew, the hutch made it's way out to the dining room, as the girls made their way to a new room, upstairs. It's pleased, just to be of service, however it's called upon to serve, which is presently in as an in house farm--acy-- with jar after jar of herbs, teas and tintures atop and a great gathering of dishes, tucked away down below.
Well, this past weekend I made the happy discovery of this hulking old painted cupboard. I was so excited about it, that when we got it home I made sure it was situated it out in the yard for the whole afternoon, so I could admire it from the open kitchen window while I did the dishes and putzed around in the kitchen. It is a good, solid old girl, who though she's seen a fair number of years, is entirely pleased with the prospect of seeing many, many, more. I think it's safe to say, that she likes us just as much as we like her. She knows many a moon will pass before she's ever laid aside again, and seems to be truly flattered that she may even be fought over, one day (though I personally hope not! ;o)
Okay, well enough talk about her. Here she is. How do you think she'd do for a sewing cupboard?
I really like the old glass knobs. And there's the original nice and solidly straightforward latch on the left door that takes me back in time each time I unhitch it.
I also found this simple, lovely, painted and distressed bench. Something handy to have around for indoors or out, to use as seating or a table. 
And, this nice set of interesting hand-blown glass tumblers, both short and tall. I've always been fond of blown glass, and scooped these up just moments after they were placed out on the shelf. They're especially colorful and therefore intriguing to the children, and the glass is thick enough that they they're not too delicate as to make them impractical.
We've used quite an array of rescued old glass to serve up cold refreshments over the years, from fine crystal to mason jars.
And, here's something that I know you mamas will appreciate if you don't already have such a thing. Another find I was so happy to make find this pair of wooden doll's bunk beds. With so many children, and thrice as many baby dolls, we have had a couple of sets as well as various cradles over the years, which having been daily used and dearly loved, lugged upstairs, and downstairs and indoors and outdoors, as well as sat upon by barely new mother--toddlers, have eventually gone to wrack and ruin, have been repaired and re-repaired. So, us being in the market for a new set, and gearing up to get ready to make them, we were delighted to find these two sets for a good deal less than the cost of making them, and far less than buying them new. How grateful I am to the dear soul that spent the time putting them together. They've found a good home, and as their predecessors, have been in the house on rainy days and lugged out under the wysteria beneath the summer sun. Passing day after day of happy play with the little mamas and little papa and their many treasured little ones.
I'm so thankful that the day is a long ways off when I'll ever even have to think about packing away such darling childhood things.
One last thing I thought I'd share is a beautiful old print that Big Papa gifted me with a while back. I believe it's called *Waving Down the Ferry*. I did know the name of the artist, though it's escaping me just now. Every once and a while my dear loving man blesses me with something really special that he knows I'll be so grateful for. This one was especially meaningful to me, because it wasn't for my birthday, or Valentines Day, or any other notably *special* day, but just because. I enjoy drinking in it's loveliness every single day.
I so enjoy waiting and watching for things that make our home warm and cosy, will last for years, but don't cost a great deal of money. Things that serve a purpose on a daily basis, both practically and aesthetically. With many years behind us, our home is filled with a good number of such things. Nothing very fancy, but sturdy and lovely things, that make our house a pleasant home, wherever that home might be.
Chas made up a beautiful carrot cake, and has put photos of it up on her lovely blog to share with us all. So, if time allows she'd love to have you come by and see her sweet creation. Thanks so much, Chas. Any and every one else, please feel free to share, too.
And, we are off for another long day trip, tomorrow, to look at another house and piece of property, but also for Big Papa to meet with a man about a possible job, as we're considering all of our options, in what the Lord would specifically have for us. So, I most likely won't be posting, tomorrow--first time in a long time (this to say, I'm so programmed to blog each day at this point that who knows--maybe I will end up popping in for a quick hello, after all :o) But, either way, I am aiming to put fresh new batteries in my trusty old camera in the morning, so I don't come back with a big fat *nothing* this time around! If I do forget, I may be too embarrassed to ever post again!
I hope you had a great day, today. We have been busy bees. James, has been pretty much singlehandedly painting our house with a paint sprayer. Hmmm, pretty amazing how quickly and efficiently it does the job---in a small fraction of the time it takes to do the very same with brush and roller. He's cruising right along and the house is really looking nice. Oooops, I was going to say maybe I'll get a photo of him out there, tomorrow, and pop it up for you all, *but* I guess I can't since I won't *be* here! Hopefully he won't go *too* fast and I can catch a couple shots of him in action, before he's got it all done! :o)
Also we had more than a little bit of excitement here, after receiving word this morning, from Tina, that the latest issue of the wonderful magazine that she and her dear husband put together, "Small Town Living" is hot off the press and ready, today. It's a free online magazine with loads of great articles about simpler life in small town America. And, the excitement here, was not only over the fact that the latest issue was ready--which would be big excitement enough, because we love the magazine, but everyone was gathered 'round the screen and crowding in, because Rosie, the goat kisser is on the cover :o) So, you are welcome to go by Tina's wonderful blog and also check out the magazine, and even print it out to enjoy in your most comfy chair with a cup of (where we are, iced) tea. Thanks so much, Tina. What a blessing!
Thanks for all of your kind and friendly notes and emails--I so enjoy and appreciate each one, much of your sharing and your precious photos bring tears to my eyes. Though I am again a bit behind on writing back, I will be writing as soon as time allows. Also, I do notice that folks will at times (perhaps wisely) send me notes a second time (if they haven't heard back from me, and it's been a while), and only then do they, and I, realize that due to (perhaps more than) occasional glitches on Yahoo, I never received it. So, do know that this does sometimes happen, too, okay.
The little ones are all sound asleep, clothes are ironed and laid out, food is prepared and everything readied for early rising and heading out first thing, tomorrow morning. Thanks again for your prayers and encouragement. You have been such a blessing to us all. Truly, thank-you for your sincere kindness and caring.
Warmly, Jewels
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