Grand Dollhouse

Look what I have found, its about five feet at the point. A shelf converted dollhouse.  I'm going to have some fun with this, and my granddaughters will too. I still had some credit from the antique shop in town so for $25.00 I brought it home. 

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Me and all eleven grandchildren...our silly picture ;)

Homemaking

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I've been here before, talking about my decor style. I've tried this and I've tried that. If you have been following me for at least a few years  then you know how I change back and forth.  So, with all that being said ......I have once again changed my mind of style for my home. The retro wasn't working for me!  Did not even feel like home to me much at all. I've done away with it, all of it. My decorating style is and hopefully will continue to be just simply my style........Simply Shelley Style!

Simple,quaint, plain, cozy, comfy! Which is just how Miss Suzy preferred her own home. I loved this story as a child, still do ;)

She is such a good homemaker.

Blessings friends

Whatever..........

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That reads contentment to me!

I sent a lot of stuff out the door of my little mobile home/cottage today. Even two large pieces of furniture.  This chest below is going to my daughter's home.

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And this vanity as well.

Not to mention all the other stuff that left. I am almost down to those last four dolls. Some persons are getting quite concerned about my giving up so much, but really I'm not having any regrets . One friend even thought something serious must be wrong with me. Did you ever feel you needed to do something and couldn't really explain why?  All I know is , I just feel the need to weed, and at this time.....it just feels right to me. I believe somewhere down the road I'll see there was a good reasoning for my years of weeding. I'll look back and think,....This was the reason for my letting go, and , "letting go" has been a big thing for me this year, in more ways than one. If you remember ......I shared with you all about my divorce from my husband after almost 40 years of marriage.  I have been weeding some things materially and emotionally .

I guess in some ways it could all tie in together. I'm not trying to figure it all out really...just following how I'm seeming to be led.  I know the one I follow won't lead me astray. I'm trusting him 100 percent. 

I am content. Maybe more so than ever!

Blessings my friends

Learning Contentment

Ladies, yes its true........I have yet unloaded another truckload of stuff from my home. I've been putting together some things for awhile for the antique shop Lady to come by and look at. She has a full time job, plus the shop and has been sick too so she hasn't been able to get by here. Needless to say my pile was getting bigger and bigger.  She finally got to stop by after work yesterday evening.  Of course she like it all and took everything with her. She and I have the same taste in stuff :) her words! My grandson helped her load it and she was on her way, happy as a lark, and I  have another $100.00 credit at her shop. This situation is working out fine for us both, as she said she hasn't had any extra time to go out looking to buy things to restock her shop with, and I am happy to unload some wares on her! Things are paring down nicely here in my cottage and making me feel much more comfortable.  Am I done yet, no....not at all. One day, maybe ;)

Lilly seems to be content in whatever place I am. All she needs from life is food, water, the outdoors and someone to love her. I think we can learn much from our pets on what it truly means to live contented in this life. They don't require much at all,  they're so forgiving, and they give without asking much in return. Lesson learned.

Blessings to you all...... Shelley

Changing Colors

Remember awhile back I said I was making a few changes around my home? Well,this is another one of those changes. I decided to add some color and did so by painting the drawers on this chest,with help from my daughter Regina.I kinda like how it turned out. It was dark in my house and these pictures didn't turn out as well as I would have liked.  I also painted the base and metal part of this vintage world globe.

And decided to add some colorful flowers to this vintage vase.

He's got the whole world in his hands

I think all the color is helping my mood and making me feel better. Thank you all so much for your very thoughtful comments on my previous post. The hearing went well. I had peace in my heart and God's favor with me the whole day. I saw it in all that took place. I am so relieved that part is over and done with though.  I feel very hopeful for a bright future....in whatever the Lord has planned for me. I'm just going to take my life from here one day at a time! Blessings to you all

One small Detail.........

One of those little changes I mentioned previously.  Adding some vintage pom pom trim to my lamp shade in the living room. 

Then I came up with a little girl to match this China boy.  I'll be showing more later. 

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Now, I just need to learn to fly :)

Hope you have a peaceful weekend...blessings my friends. 

Chit Chat.........

The latest

I like buying pretty new dish towels and hanging them on the oven door handle.  They are cheap, and make great decoration for the kitchen.  I leave then there until I grow tired of seeing them, then I take them off and throw them in the wash. After washing them I will use them and buy new ones too hang. The kids all know not to use the towels hanging on Meme's oven door :)     

Dresser in my bedroom.  I have to be careful are it becomes a catch all.  The little basket holds all my meds . I'm going to replace the lamp , as I use it for reading and this one just isn't big enough. I gotta see to read!

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Have any of you ever read The Mitford series by Jan Karon?
 I just finished book one of the series. At Home in Mitford.

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At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon, is a delightful novel that details the life of Father Tim, the rector of Lord's Chapel in Mitford, North Carolina. Father Tim questions his calling and his ability to lead the parishioners at Lord's Chapel. The town of Mitford and the characters that live there enhance the priest's life throughout the year, bring him great joy and happiness.

Now, I'm looking for number two "A Light in the Window" . I had never read any of this author's books before, and it took me a bit to get interested in this one, but overall  I enjoyed reading it very much.

I am also making a few little quaint changes around the cottage,I'll be sharing that soon. So what are you up too this week ,my friend?  I hope something fun and pleasant,........ Blessings

Big Baby now has Clothes

My latest dolly rescue, Big Baby now has her clothes on,that's always a good thing,don't you agree?
I put a long sleeve Onesie under this beautiful little dress I purchased at GW because of the hand that's missing four fingers.

Look at the details....just lovely and so sweet.

And this is the Raggedy Ann I rescued the day before Big Baby. She was very dirty and had a hole in one foot. I put her through the washer, although she still has some stains that wouldn't wash out, she really came so much cleaner than I thought she would! She smells nice and clean now as well. She is one of the old dress me type raggedies. She once had black shoes with laces in them to teach little girls to dress themselves. Notice the big buttons?

The little bonnet on the right I crocheted myself for my little granddaughter due to be born in Sept. I am not real happy with how it turned out ,so I am getting some much softer baby yarn today and giving it another try. This was my first attempt at crocheting a baby bonnet! I will show more of this bonnet and the next one in a later post. I pray you are all having a blessed weekend thus far my dear friends.

Pulling Weeds

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 Results of my last weeding session. Its not out of the house yet,but soon. If you are needing or wanting some advice as to what you should start with when weeding in your own home.....here is a good link from HGTV.
Oh,I did pull that globe out of the pile. Kinda like the colors in it! Since I'm doing a bit of retro in my cottage!

Cute cookie jars,but I just don't need them anymore. I need the space more. That elephant cookie jar made my friend Heidi very happy to be taking it home with her  :)

I cleaned my dresser in the bedroom Tuesday. It was looking like a " catch all " . I can't believe how much more relaxed it made me feel to have a clean organized space there. Don't know if these are normal feelings are some kind of feelings of anxiety being expressed, all I know is, it makes me feel better to clean a cluttered space in my home, and to weed what is not needed or wanted any longer.
Blessings on your week dear friends

Click here to visit my Pinterest board , Weeding my Home.

Dollhouse

The other thing I said I was going to show you all is a doll house. Yes, just another  part of my swap adventures with Miss Shop Lady :)  I thought long and hard about choosing this particular doll house because it's not just like the one I imagined I wanted.  Its a tin made and judging by the decorative colors and look on the inside I am thinking its one of the more early, maybe 1950's styles.  I wanted this doll house for my Hitty Jane and her friends.  I haven't brought it home yet, so I'm not sure how it's going to suit them. They may appear like giants in this house :) Of course, all is forgiving in the world of dolls and make believe, right?  Speaking of dolls, I am limiting myself to a small number of dolls I'm keeping. I weeded so many and I'm left with no more than ten at this time, but I will weed once again and lower this number as well.

My Hitty Jane

Remember when I showed you this picture and mentioned this was what was left of my Raggedy collection, but not to hold me to this amount because I may weed through then again? Well, I did! Keeping only about six.

I have given up so many small items, in exchange for a few bigger items. Things that won't need to be stored away, but left out to enjoy and use. I am happy with my choice, and believe it's the right choice for me and my little cottage.

I will share that Dollhouse in a later post........blessings friends

More weeding, for a good cause

I'm here, all is well. I have just been busy around my home , gathering stuff for the youth at church. They are having a sale tomorrow trying to raise money for camp.  I made a rather large donation and it felt good to be weeding my home.  I even got rid of more stuff by making a trade with the lady from the newly opened antique shop in town.  I am getting a table for my living room, a quilt and some store credit to boot! My new friend, the shop owner was thrilled with her part of the swap as well. I loaded her up  :)  One day I may be done with this weeding process, but then it may just become an on going thing for me. Guess time will tell.

I have no picture to post as I am having trouble trying to do so. Is anyone else ? I do want to wish you all a blessed weekend.  I'll be back soon.

My Raggedy Love

 This is what remains of my Raggedy collection...after weeding through and doing away with some others. I am happy with what is left,but won't say that I won't weed more,for that may be the case sometime in the future!

A favorite doll Ruby,Boo the little teddy ,a small star shaped pillow , I won in a give away package from a blogging friend years ago,some of my hats and a raggedy gift bag.

And a new bunny friend, made from cloth yo yo's. Isn't he cute? The little bed,I am going to make a mattress and patch work quilt for soon....that's the plan :) I roped it myself as it didn't have a bottom in it.

Below is me...with a favorite bunny years ago...many years ago  :) Its no wonder I am still fond of bunnies today. I have a memory of this such bunny hanging on the clothes line by his ears,no doubt after a good machine washing.

Blessings to you all......

Joyfully Blessed

My basket runneth over

 Hope your weekend has been wonderful thus far. Just a few pictures from around my home. For the last month I have been trying to eat healthier ...more fresh foods,etc. We have a near by farmers market, ( fruit and veggie stand recently opened ) that my daughter, Regina and I have been shopping at... for the produce and also just trying to do our part to help the " little man " stay in business. So many little shops, mom and pop stores have gone under over the years because of the big super centers and such,those have all but taken over ....its a little sad,when small towns like ours have empty buildings downtown that were once ones local grocery,barber shop,drug store,etc.....long gone. Now on a Saturday we look much like a ghost town,so to speak..while many have gone to bigger near by towns for groceries and supplies. Such as the times,I suppose.

Kitchen window

One of my rose bushes is laden with big bouquets, thought I would bring some indoors.

Roses from the yard

Simply Shelley

I pray you have a beautiful Lord's day tomorrow...be blessed dear friends, until next time....Shelley

Looking out the window

Be joyfully blessed.......

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Blue Willow

To Janey Larkin, the blue willow plate was the most beautiful thing in her life, a symbol of the home she could only dimly remember. Now that her father was an itinerant worker, Janey didn't have a home she could call her own or any real friends, as her family had to keep moving, following the crops from farm to farm. Someday, Janey promised the willow plate, with its picture of a real house, her family would once again be able to set down roots in a community. The book can be found here, to purchase if you wish.

Have you ever read the story Of the Blue Willow plate ? When I was in grade school my teacher read this to our class,and I was so taken by it. I connected with the little girl in the book. Our lives were in ways similar,but very different too! My family, as hers were constantly on the move. I was never able to develop lasting friendships and don't really have a home I can call my childhood home because we lived in so many different places. My family wasn't as poor as the family in the book,but as a family we faced some big struggles. 

Of course,there is a story itself within the blue willow plate that you can find here.

I have had my own Blue Willow dishes for about 15 years now. While I love many different patterns of dishes,these are my favorites and I won't be changing for others any time soon :)  Some things one just never grows tired of. Not my Blue Willows anyway!

A much younger Jaxon taking his tea out of one of my tea cup saucers.....My cup runnneth over!

They are even pretty while soaking in a dishpan!

So do you have a favorite dish pattern?  If you haven't read the story....you might enjoy it. It isn't very long and won't take but a few sittings to read. Hope your day is lovely. Blessings ,Shelley