Chair no more...

Most people who know me, know I like rescuing old chairs, and this one was in need of help.

It was painful, but I hope this chair appreciates the transformation.

I decided it had a higher purpose. I've always thought my fireplace deserved a mantle, so when I found a random mantle cap at the thrift store, I decided it was high time I did something about it, and I sacrificed the old chair on the alter of my hearth!

I used bits and pieces off the chair to create a mantle for my naked fireplace and I'm happy with the results. I may tinker around with it some more... keep my eyes peeled for some other architectural pieces that I can add... maybe some corbels, who knows?

I also have some tile and I'd eventually like to re-tile the hearth, but you know the whirlwind of Christmas is coming. Speaking of Christmas, I can't wait to hang up the stockings.

Why should Oprah have all the fun?

You don't have to be Oprah or Julie Andrews to make a list of your favorite things.

It's really easy, favorite chocolate: See's, favorite color: Vintage Map, favorite sport: baseball, favorite splurge: Lunch at Cafe Lila with my little guy... see how easy it is?

So I decided in that spirit to have "My Favorite Things" party...details are forthcoming, but mark you calendars for Dec. 13. I'm excited about having a group of ladies at my house to celebrate one of my favorite seasons!!!!

Speaking of favorite things, I'm a big fan of my house. I just came across a picture of it from before we even put on offer on it. There's a lot of stuff going on in our lives right now that might mean leaving my little dream house and I really think that will be okay, as long as my favorite people (oh and the pets too) go with me.

Quoting one of my favorite movies, "UP"

"Sorry about your house, Mr. Fredrickson," says Russel.

"It's just a house," says Mr. Fredrickson.

Nothing like Disney Pixar to put some things into perspective.

Sorry start thinking of your some of your favorite things and stay posted.

How about a fire?

I had a profitable trip to the Mason Antique District. I picked up this Victorian chair, which has seen better days. While it's structurally sound, it's not going to be a chair for long. I have other plans. . .
involving this fireplace.

The Flu and it's untold dangers

I recently came down with the flu, which meant I spent a lot of time in bed, looking around at our bedroom and thinking of the things I'd like to change.Starting with the chair beside our bed. I originally got this chair thinking I'd recover it, but once I got it home I realized it went perfectly in our bedroom. The upholstery was in great shape, except for the little arm rest, which seemed like they had been attacked by a cat or perhaps something worse.
Luckily, I found some greenish plaid fabric that did just the trick on the shabby arm rests. The only problem is I decided to do this while I was sick. Sure, I thought I was on the mend. Turns out my brain was still foggy with the flu and I ...

I managed to staple my finger. OUCH! My brain was so foggy that I initially didn't realize what had happened. There was just extreme pain and a staple embedded into my finger. Only upon staring at it for a few seconds did I realize what I had done... I was holding my staple gun upside down. The only thing worse than having a staple go into your finger is pulling that same staple out.

So learn from me. If you're sick stay in bed, rest and get better, that shabby chair isn't going anywhere.

Oh Tim, how I love you!

Shhhhh, don't tell Bob. I have a crush on someone else.

I've never actually met him, but boy can the guy bake!

Tim Horton thank you, thank you, thank you for your pumpkin spice muffins.

For the sake of my marriage it's probably good you only make them in the Fall.

P.s. I'm a happily married woman so don't try wooing me with free muffins.

It's time for the harvest

We recently went to the Fall Festival at the Ella Sharp Museum.

It was great fun and beautiful day. Just think, our ancestors once used animals like these to help tame the land and provide food for their families. I think I'd have a hard time forcing this pair to do anything. Just look at those sad eyes. I'm pretty certain my family would have starved.
I would have needed one of these. The driver asked my son if he wanted to sit in the seat. Of course he did... so did I. He got to. Me, not so much.

Oh I love me some pumpkins.


There was an artisan at the festival making these beautiful brooms. I was particularly smitten with the broom that uses an old bat for the handle.

I wrote all about the festival for my column in The Jackson Citizen Patriot.

A little Tigers and a Zebra

I'd like to say I'm over it, but it's still stinging.

Sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and the first thing that pops into my head is the angst that was the final month of the Detroit Tigers' season. The second thought, the angst that was the Tigers' last appearance in the World Series against the Cardinals.

As a fan, I didn't think it got more painful than losing that World Series in the way our boys lost it, but now I'm not so sure. It's only baseball so I've got to get over it, but right now it still hurts.
On to happier matters. An iconic school chair.

Dressed in Zebra.

I again used fabric stiffener and polyurethane to adhere the fabric to the chair...I absolutely love this method. It takes numerous coats of poly, but I think if pays big dividends.

So in closing, the Tigers let me down but the Zebra didn't.