tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19438528034806769002024-03-13T14:39:07.788-04:00Meaghan-Marie PrettiesA girl, A Flea Market, A Family,
And With A Little Luck,
Some Chickens...Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.comBlogger175125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-76705458643745620402011-11-02T13:39:00.000-04:002011-11-02T13:39:22.693-04:00Combined Efforts? As I was browsing through kijiji this afternoon and was seeing all the fabulous deals on antique furniture near Mr. Pretties new job (somewhere we really wouldn't have driven to to do a pick, which is saying a lot, because we'd drive almost anywhere in the name of shabbiness!) I started thinking about how badly I wanted my own shop a couple years ago. Like bad, <em>bad</em>, imperative to continue living BAD. Then Mr. Pretties company closed down and things were tight, no extra monies for fab finds (sad, sad times), then I went back to work full time, then Mr. Pretties went back to work and I stayed home part time but we'd had to move because our landlords wanted our house back to live in themselves (that's a story for another time. I think I need therapy for the emotional breakdown my separation from that house caused) and we moved into a nice little town, but with a house that is <em>much </em>smaller (and <em>a lot</em> more spendy) I hadn't even given it a thought. But then a lightbulb went off and I realized that we have a garage attached to our house, a garage that is very '1920s' like this house and that it looks exactly like an old barn inside complete with barn beam rafters, old 12 pane windows and dutch doors and the only use I had for it was... dun dun dun dun... housing the chickens. Yes. We have chickens. In our garage. Two years ago I would have already had it set up to house all our shabby chic sale items and been able to decorate it in perfect shabby shop style for pick ups... now I'm wondering can I house my chickens <em>and </em>shabby goodness at the same time? Our chickens do not smell, they have no odour what-so-ever, are fairly quiet, are fluffy and adorable, and their coop is actually quite shabby chic... it even has an over the bed netting, old bank bag pillows, and they eat/drink out of old black and white enamel containers, they really kind of fit in... We have no garage-type stuff in there, it's actually just storing all our furniture that wont fit in the house (which is a lot, there are no less than four vanities, 5 dressers, 2 dining tables, an uncountable amount of random wooden chairs, and boxes of enamelware)... <br />
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It's something to think about... my only worry is that our current landlords are talking about wanting to move into the house themselves (they live with their parents.... I don't know...) so I don't want to get to 'into it' and get crushed when we have to move the day after I set it all up the way I want. Maybe I'll stick with sewing my chickens some white ruffly curtains. Or maybe I'll take some 'me time' out in the garage this afternoon while the little pretties nap. Or quietly pretend to nap. Or just scream and yell while throwing stuff around their respective rooms and I pretend their napping. Whatever. Did I mention the last time I took 'me time' in the garage during naptime the chickens ended up with a paris inspired pink distressed coop? And for some reason don't want to use it? Yet, my new white silkie chickens, who are absolutely shabby chic in all their white foofiness absolutely adore it. Maybe they just have better taste than my four brown/black/buff silkies... I like pretending that the chickens actually A) notice and B) appreciate when I foof up their coop. In reality I know they only care when I bring them treats and water.<br />
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What have you all been up to???<div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-86334630507607109082011-07-14T14:06:00.000-04:002011-07-14T14:06:10.631-04:00Renting A Farm Is HARD...If not impossible...<br />
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Wow! Mr. Pretties and I have been mercilessly searching for 'the one' for the last couple months - partly because we're desperate for a farm, and big partly because the current homeowners of the house we live in want to move back into it. Which is a little bit on the inconvenient side for us. So we've been searching. And driving through rural communities I had no idea existed. And looking at livestock ads on Kijiji. Let me tell you - looking for a rental farm is like trying to find a unicorn. I don't think it's because we're picky, because really, we're not. Okay, maybe I am a little bit in that I want an OLD farmhouse. Not a farmhouse someone built a few years ago when they bought some acreage. And I'm picky in that I have to like the home owners. I know, why?! Because I'm a freak like that. I don't know what my problem is but I've found that anytime we've rented from people I felt 'off' about it hasn't worked out. The last three people we've rented from we really liked and became friends with. We will always have a relationship with those people and I'm so grateful that they came into our lives and that we were fortunate enough to get into a business deal - such as rental property is - with people like them. I guess maybe I've been spoiled? Or unrealistic? Or both probably. But the fact of the matter is, I want to like the people we rent from. We found a couple we thought were fantastic, totally got what we wanted to do with the house/land and even came up with ideas we could collaborate on together which were fabulous. When we went to look at the farm however, it was beyond awful. And I'm very open minded. It wasn't a place we could have children living in, even temporarily and it crushed us. Then we've found all the 'farmhouses' without land, and the farm land without a house, etc... and we found a beyond wonderful farmhouse not farm from here that was everything we wanted and more, but the homeowners were so completely unprofessional in the way they verbally attacked their current tenants infront of potential ones that it was uncomfortable. They had no respect for the house or land they owned and couldn't understand their 'hick' neighbours and the animals they kept. It breaks my heart everytime I realize that so many of the people who are owners of 100's of acres at a time are basically just sitting on it until a company offers them the big $$$ to sell it to them for development site. Then we wonder why the future or farming, and thus food in general, is doomed. Their needs to be some responsibility about who's allowed to buy up big lots and what they're allowed to do with it. Then again, I think all current agriculturally zoned land should be green belted. It's the necessary thing to do. <br />
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So it's been a little bit impossible and a lot disappointing. Hopefully it all works out the way it's supposed to, but perhaps because we're going through a lot of changes in the Pretties household I'm just not sure what way that is right now. Renting is a hard world when no one wants to rent to families with children, or pets of any kind. Not to mention the average price of monthly rent has gone up approximately $500 since we moved into this house less than a year ago. Ouch. Obviously this isn't great blog material, but sometimes things just need to be aired out in the open. I so much want to be on a farm doing things that give me daily blog fodder, I love blogging and I miss blogging, but the only thing I want to blog about is our chickens, what great farm activity we did, what's growing, what's not, etc... instead of 'Went to look a farm today - no dice' every day of the week. No one wants to read that, and I don't want to type it. I feel like there's a place we're supposed to be in in this point of our lives and we aren't there and I'm not sure why, or how to get there. I feel like I'm constantly using the life GPS and receiving the 'Cannot find exact location...' error and can't find anywhere that sells a paper map to my destination. Waahhhh... <br />
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On the other hand, meet the ladies:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W4ZggfowiWg/Th8uw3fS1gI/AAAAAAAABHw/qTrNMzYME7o/s1600/roo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W4ZggfowiWg/Th8uw3fS1gI/AAAAAAAABHw/qTrNMzYME7o/s320/roo1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I think they were 5 weeks old in the picture. They're now almost 12 weeks old and big huge fluff balls of fabulousness. They live a happy life in our backyard and our neighbours love them. Part of the reason we're uber sad to leave, this will likely end our chicken keeping for a little while. But they have been SO much fun. And completely do NOT smell. At all. Seriously, my guinea pig smelled worse by far. The little pretties are completely in love with them, and unfortunately they are completely in love with the fluffy orange tabby, Wilma. They think she's the big chicken. Clearly we would have some survival issues on a real farm ;) So that's been a nice spot light for us this summer. We have a friend with a farm who will happily taken them temporarily until we can have them back again, so they'll always been taken care of. Any one considering chickens should totally go for it though, they are as enjoyable a pet as a cat or a dog (we have both) and are less noisy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hopefully they'll be a blog post soon about the new farm we're moving too. Crossing our fingers and our toes, and buying our lottery tickets ;) Hope everyone's enjoying some gorgeous weather today like we are!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-8847577478758246752011-03-29T23:22:00.000-04:002011-03-29T23:22:29.935-04:00I Have Given Birth - Again!Not really. Well, really, but not really in the sense that I went off and had another unannounced baby ;) Really in the sense that the heirloom cherry tomatoes and black tomatoes have sprouted! I've had them in their Jiffy pots for maybe a week now (I'm trying not to obsess over them, that usually leads to destruction) with their little baggies-come-greenhouses on sitting in our south facing windows on the landing. I decided I'd mostly ignored them long enough and that I could sneak a peak at what was going on in there, and low and behold, little spouts! I am SO proud, it's like giving birth all over again! However, I had written labels nicely on the pots so I would know which ones were cherries and which ones were regular so that I could plant them together accordingly come warmer weather. I noticed today that all the condensation from their greenhouses has washed the majority of those 'markers' off. I have no idea who is who. Crap. Hopefully I can sort them out when they have, say, more than one miniscule leaf poking out of the ground.<br />
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Woohoo!!!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-31357058472920983362011-03-24T19:08:00.000-04:002011-03-24T19:08:27.804-04:00HotDog! Get Your HotDog Here!Or so Animal Control told me this morning ;) Some kindly fellow knew we wanted HotDog more than he did and turned him in late lastnight and we picked him up early this morning. SO relieved, words cannot even say!! Thanks for listening to me whine lastnight though. Yay!!<div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-15169633811048642402011-03-24T00:57:00.000-04:002011-03-24T00:57:21.235-04:00Anyone Seen A Hotdog?Oh please, oh please, oh please say you have!!!<br />
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Today we ended up with a completely FREAK snow storm that resulted in a snow day. A snow day in Canada is a big deal. Seriously. So we had a lot of snow. We had blizzard like conditions upon arrival home from work tonight. It was disgusting. It was freezing. It was starting to freezing rain. And our sweet little Hotdog went out for a bathroom break. And noticed someone left the gate open for him. Unfortunately Mr. Pretties didn't put two and two together for almost an hour. We've spent the last three hours combing the frozen tundra like neighbourhood to no avail.<br />
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I hadn't realized, but realize quite well now, that Hotdog was actually our fifth child. We've lost cats before, and cats are smart, cats will come home on their own if they're able. They'll catch a mouse if they're hungry and they'll outwit any human/dog/car, so although I do worry, it's not necessarily the end of the world. Except for the time our cat Pickle got out and got attacked by a new neighbourhood beast of a dog and died. That was actually the end of the world. I'm still dying inside over that. But dogs don't know how to take care of themselves. Specifically Hotdog is a miniature dachshund who is afraid to go on his leash and as a by-product has no interest in going for neighbourhood walks. Thusly, he is lost after moseying two houses away. <br />
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The thought of him out there alone, cold and scared is literally teetering on the edge of self implosion. It actually completely explains the phrase 'I just can't handle the thought' because really, I can't handle the thought, any thought, that doesn't involve Hotdog sleeping in his warm bed with his dachshund lovie. This is the dog that shivers when it's cooler than 20 degrees in the house. It's -3 tonight. The snow is twice as deep as he is tall. I honestly don't think we'll ever see him again. The kids are going to be absolutely crushed in the morning when they wake up and he's not there.<br />
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I said to Mr. Pretties I just don't think I can go on without him in our lives, he's like trying to live without an arm or a leg (if arms or legs constantly stood right infront of where you were trying to walk at any given time and barked maniacally at any sound that could possibly be someone knocking on a door within a 50 block radius) and even though people DO go on to live without arms, or legs, or both, I don't want to. <br />
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We adopted a puppy before Hotdog, a basset named Turnip who we adored, but who came to us unknowingly with Parvo and within six weeks had to put him to sleep. It killed us. Hotdog lit up our lives again, he made the hurt not so bad and helped us heal. And now he's gone. The big city snow plows are up and down our street every half hour which is ripping me apart, he's either going to freeze, get run over, get buried in a snowbank or get found by a family who wants to keep him for themselves. Of all the scenarios, if it came down to it I would choose a new family for him so long as he was healthy and happy. Tomorrow I'll put out all the calls to the shelters, vets, and pop up signs.<br />
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I knew we loved Hotdog and that he was family, but I didn't realize how impaired we'd feel without his presence. Just knowing he's not in the house somewhere makes it so silent and lonely. Above all, Hotdog was a fabulous companion. Who really liked to ruin my stuff. A lot. But I still loved him. Even that time he wrecked my brand new, more-than-I'd-Tell-Mr-Pretties-I-Paid-For sheets. <br />
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Here's hoping for a miracle, because that's what it's going to take to get our weiner back. I absolutely dread the thought of having to deal with the reality that he wont be back, ever, and having to pack up his stuff because it's too painful to bare. The thought alone makes my insides feel all slithery. I'm not even being dramatic. At all. Okay I am, but it's how I work through the pain. <div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-53676045320874492972011-03-14T17:15:00.002-04:002011-03-15T01:31:27.165-04:00What goes around comes around...Or so it's seems... <br />
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Mr. Pretties and I looked at an old farmhouse last spring (scare alert: a year ago to the EXACT date) and had a month long debate about it (No joke - a MONTH. LONG. DEBATE. I wouldn't suggest it personally) because it was at a time when Mr. Pretties didn't need to be close to work anymore and my job was fairly disposable at the time. We also needed more bedrooms. Come to think of it, we still need more bedrooms... Oh, and it was 120 years old. And a farm. Those should have really been the only two factors going on. Seriously, based on that alone I think we would have made the right choice. Instead, since I was in near-end pregnancy nothing-doing phase and couldn't grasp a two hour away moving situation we decided to move exactly 11 houses away from our current one, to a house with twice as many bedrooms and a full attic. It's old. It has charm. The basement floods. The dirt in the yard is equal parts non-fertile soil and what I'm fairly sure is imitation soil. While I can't say that I don't like the house, I do, it's had a hard life and no one loved it. I take a fair amount of pity on it and help it esthetically where ever I can. But last week just did me in. An unsuspecting mouse found it's way into our new mattress. And died. I believe this crossed about 200 lines for me. Let me just say, I don't have a problem with mice in general. I will wrestle the cat for one if it's caught and put it back outside (where it promptly comes back inside no doubt). I even think on a cute scale they score about an 8. However, when I go out of my way to be respectful of them and the mouse community does something like shacks up in MY bed and then DIES?! Oh no. We're through there buck-o. So these small things are what I use as moving ammo/moving motivation. I also hate the neighbourhood - but that could just be me... <br />
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Okay so where were we here? Oh right. The House. With a capital H. For 'Hell yeah!' because it's awesome. And, because, house starts with an H.... moving right along here... so I was doing my nightly house search online (I do this EVERY night. I figure anything good will pop up and be gone right away so I stay on it) and I was reading an ad about an old Heritage Home in Olde Rural London and thought 'Hmm... that sounds about right...' and went to view the pictures. They all looked so nice, very 1880's typical, but something about them seemed familiar. Until I got to the picture of the outside of the house (who posts the outside house picture last anyway?) and nearly fell out of my chair. While screaming 'My House!!! My House is Back!!!! Mr. Pretties did you hear me??? My House is BAAACCCKKKKK!!!' in my outside voice. I love this house. I. Love. This. House. I Love. This House. It doesn't matter how you say it!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tGahWxJ33wQ/TX75B3JQmzI/AAAAAAAABHY/0Huinj0CQT4/s1600/2530al2_19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" q6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-tGahWxJ33wQ/TX75B3JQmzI/AAAAAAAABHY/0Huinj0CQT4/s1600/2530al2_19.jpg" /></a></div><br />
(it's had work done - it no long looks so scary and abandoned) <br />
It's like my kindred spirit, but instead of my skin and bones it has brick and mortar. Which I'm cool with. It's in the country. It's surrounded by corn (which I have a small anxiety inducing concern about with the Littles - however I think electric fencing will solve it) It has an old barn. It has an old chicken coop. It has old farm fencing. It has an already tilled vegetable garden that probably has REAL soil in it. Did I mention it's old? And charming? And has TWO staircases?! You know, for those times when you wake up and are all 'Hmm... which stairs should I take today? Newspaper or kitchen first?' Or for when the kids are burning off energy, they could run down one set and back up the other and do like hamster wheel exercises. Please note I sad said 'could' not 'can' because if that actually happened they'd be outside in the pasture faster than they could even say hamster. It has mainfloor laundry. Even the kitchen is nice and I find that most old houses have crappy renovated-in-the-70s kitchens. This has a renovated in the 70s kitchen, but they used classic wood for the cupboards, painted the rest white, kept the hardwood throughout the entire house, and put in new counter tops. That makes it entirely acceptable. Did I mention the main staircase is curved? <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bkQhbBhjHpY/TX75e4xkZSI/AAAAAAAABHc/2pg7mqxB3JY/s1600/8338gd6_19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" q6="true" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-bkQhbBhjHpY/TX75e4xkZSI/AAAAAAAABHc/2pg7mqxB3JY/s1600/8338gd6_19.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(I love that they labelled the picture, just incase there was any confusion about exactly this picture was about...)</div>And it has a veranda. It might also have Coyotes. Two words for that though. Electric. Fence. Amen. Wait, that was three. Oh well... But there's this stickler of a dilemma. I work <em>here</em>. Two hours away from <em>there</em>. I cannot drive to work everyday. I would have to quit my job on the whim that I would find one just like it in London. Which may not be so... But part of me doesn't care.... We have to decide soon though. Unfortunately it's the same realtor we dealt with last year and he already thinks/knows that we're mental and is learly that we're wanting back in LoL I don't blame him. I'll bring him a box of chocolates. Or 100. Before I quit my job ;) Did I mention the school bus stop is at the bottom of our driveway? Or that I ordered chicks last week? Or that I'm afraid of squirrels? Uh... never mind the last bit. No one needs to know about that. <br />
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So hopefully we wont have another month long 'discussion' about this house. Mr. Pretties is actually a lot more open to the option this year than he was last. Something about me telling him 1,000 times that we should have moved since, and that he's agreed every time. I think he's seen the light. Or got tired of hearing about it. And chickens. And pink Wellies. Or maybe he's tired of hauling all four pretties everyday to school twice ;) A bus stop at the end of the driveway does sound pretty sweet... unless you take my neurosis into account, and then it's just one more thing to worry about, you know, because bus accidents are so much more common than car accidents...<div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-49179282360770831462011-03-11T15:15:00.000-05:002011-03-11T15:15:51.198-05:00Antique All The Way...The Pretties want to go rural.<br />
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I'll give you a minute to digest that morsel of information.<br />
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You good? Excellent!<br />
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After a year long hiatus from the blog, and approximately 300,000 life changes (including, but not limited to, a new 2010 baby girl<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-W1kFPBke6-k/TXqCPF_ZPcI/AAAAAAAABFs/vWRifZr3QXM/s1600/Hannah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="229" q6="true" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-W1kFPBke6-k/TXqCPF_ZPcI/AAAAAAAABFs/vWRifZr3QXM/s320/Hannah.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Mr. Pretties retiring, moving houses, and going back to work) we've (meaning, I've, because Mr. Pretties is a lot life tofu in that he will adapt to most things that I want to do. Which is awesome. Clearly) decided that with being aware of where our food comes from and the quality of it's life has lead us to want to not only know where it lives, but want to live nearby. I don't think we want to take on raising our own meat (beyond the odd chicken), simply because we don't have the knowledge, the money (lol), or the man power, but would love the opportunity to live in the same community and join a local CSA that allows for farm visitation, volunteer time on the farm, etc... I think that would be awesome and all around 'right', if there is such a thing. Although I don't altogether love the part about eating animals in general, it appears to be a fact of life for us, and any part I can play in supporting those who give their animals a happy, quality, fairly natural life would be fabulous.<br />
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We'd (I'd) also really like to try my hand at raising various things too. I'm not saying we're going to get rich, or break even, but I've been doing tons of research this past year (as in our Google browers now only has the capability of showing my farm related entries, it doesn't know any other exist anymore...) and a few things that've really caught my eye (and heart, most of my brain waves, and most of my very being, to name a few) have been alpacas as fibre animals, angora rabbits for fibre and show, bees, and Jersey Giant chickens.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sEXI7IPK_d4/TXqBv4upfUI/AAAAAAAABFk/rxo08h0Rv2o/s1600/jerseygiant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" q6="true" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sEXI7IPK_d4/TXqBv4upfUI/AAAAAAAABFk/rxo08h0Rv2o/s320/jerseygiant.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">How giant is a Jersey Giant? Glad you asked. Here's come vintage perspective for you:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jy683Z-ksMw/TXqCFa-9XuI/AAAAAAAABFo/sUkwiyy_op4/s1600/vintagegiant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" q6="true" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jy683Z-ksMw/TXqCFa-9XuI/AAAAAAAABFo/sUkwiyy_op4/s1600/vintagegiant.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div> I love the idea of caring for heritage breeds and planting heirloom/heritage fruits and vegetables in our garden (why wouldn't I? Who doesn't love an antique veggie seed?!). I know part of me is very much in love with the romanticism of swinging a basket in the sun while collecting fresh eggs, but I strongly believe a much larger part is in love with spending the day mucking out stalls, making trails through the snow to bring my animals food and water, and for providing them with a good life while they provide for us as well. It would be a great trade off. <br />
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With that all said, these few, poorly worded paragraphs have taken me three days to complete. I'm not joking. Did I mention I'd also love to write a few children's books? I figure if I start right now I might have them finished sometime in the 30th century. If I type fast.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-34457965748484406192009-12-11T12:14:00.001-05:002009-12-11T12:14:25.911-05:00Let is snow, let is snow, let is snow…<p align="center">Or not…</p> <p align="center">And a snowy good morning to you all!!!  </p> <p align="center">Today we’re seeing the very <em>first </em>fat flakes of snow this winter, and c’mon, we live in CANADA!  Despite being Canadian however, I don’t <em>do</em> winter.  I don’t <em>do</em> cold weather, and I don’t <em>do </em>mounds of brown slushy much that has spewed itself over every walking service from my door to the car and back.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.wunderground.com/data/wximagenew/c/charlesimages/748.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.wunderground.com/blog/picolat/comment.html%3Fentrynum%3D3%26tstamp%3D&usg=__Ah8cwaj29hktOS7TuU0i5QRk50U=&h=457&w=640&sz=83&hl=en&start=2&um=1&tbnid=ugiXox4zyM_6VM:&tbnh=98&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dreal%2Bsnowflakes%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GGLL_enCA331CA331%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="748" border="0" alt="748" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SyJ97c3B5oI/AAAAAAAABFE/TK63eAL31xc/748%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="175" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Don’t get me wrong, a big snowfall can be a wonderful thing, say, when you have no where to go, no pressing errands to do, and can curl up on the couch with a fluffy warm blanket, a cup of steamy tea in your favorite chipped cup, and the fireplace roaring (or in our case, being completely silent. For some reason gas fireplaces don’t <em>do</em> the roaring business. Unfortunate really.) while you watch tufts of  white magic (that sounds like it might be a code word for a drug.  If it is. Disregard reference) flutter silently from the sky. I think the silence in which these mass piles of snow fall are what makes it amazing.  Let’s examine that thought shall we? (come, please? It’ll do my brain good), rain for instance gives us the whole relaxation package with it’s sleep inducing sound effects on the roof, but essentially as soon as it falls it disappears down the sewer gone from our lives (Usually.  Unless you’re in our city this past summer, then it’s actually filling up your basement and calling your insurance broker letting them know it’s time put some new ‘clauses’ in your policy, however, that’s a whole ‘nother post), like it was never there and an hour later it might be completely dried up and in it’s place a rainbow.  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://lorelle.files.wordpress.com/2008/12/snowfall-backlawn.jpg&imgrefurl=http://lorelle.wordpress.com/category/blog-babble/feed/&usg=__uNuWfZih2kw7oAyMdH2cjT62GIQ=&h=653&w=490&sz=114&hl=en&start=34&um=1&tbnid=idkgymJDHNrWiM:&tbnh=138&tbnw=104&prev=/images%3Fq%3DSnowfall%2Bantique%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GGLL_enCA331CA331%26sa%3DN%26start%3D20%26um%3D1"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="houseinsnowback" border="0" alt="houseinsnowback" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SyJ97j5jNlI/AAAAAAAABFI/tZF7aDy_rZA/houseinsnowback%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Our fluffy friend snow on the other hand,is busy stacking itself up 3’ high and lasting for what <em>must </em>be no less than 10 years, make’s no sounds at all.  Nothing. Maybe that’s part of the magic.  When you were a child would  a snow day have been as fabulous if you’d tossed and turned listening to the 200,000 tons of snow coming down all night? Wasn’t it the best to expect nothing other than another day of trudging through the snow to school and walking around with soaked jeans all day (because you were too cool to wear snow pants or appropriate foot wear in grade 8.  Oh wait, was that just me? ) and waking up to white.  And more white.  Rubbing your eyes, giving yourself a little peppy tap in the face to wake up, and realize this isn’t an early morning delusion but that the  entire street (block, town, etc…) was covered in thick blankets of white with more coming down and knowing you can snuggle back down in your duvet and doze back off?</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.memeticians.com/2008/12/18/SnowDay.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.memeticians.com/2008/12/&usg=__DibV9SNBaAjMJZfhYtwRioJeI6I=&h=600&w=800&sz=68&hl=en&start=4&um=1&tbnid=ObMopgLIge-TMM:&tbnh=107&tbnw=143&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dsnow%2Bday%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GGLL_enCA331CA331%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="SnowDay" border="0" alt="SnowDay" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SyJ97zX7NcI/AAAAAAAABFM/_Tg1Ba1FsvU/SnowDay%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a>   </p> <p align="center">That is the very best kind of snow.  Unfortunately it usually has a life expectancy of 48 hours before it’s plowed, salted, sanded and shoveled into submission, turning that white magic into goopy brown gravel encrusted masses that pile up on the side walks, park lots, and most importantly, my kitchen floor. </p> <p align="center"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="dirty_snow" border="0" alt="dirty_snow" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SyJ98MGtnxI/AAAAAAAABFQ/uHDTQKZOEzg/dirty_snow%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /> </p> <p align="center"> And then it freezes.  And the everytime you walk out the back door you manage to slip and land on your rear because you managed to walk across the only dime sized patch of ice not salted to death by Mr. Pretties.  Oh.  I guess that’s just me again.  See what I’m telling you? Winter and I don’t get along.  The world would be a better place if we woke up to those magical mornings covered snow, enjoyed the day off and then have Mother Natural give the snow a call, something like ‘Okay Snow Flakes, listen up, the town has to start living again, let’s move up and out, mission completed!’ And off it trots to the next unsuspecting town.  No brown much an all the wonderfulness of a beautiful white day.  See what I’m saying?</p> <p align="center">Sorry you had to listen to a weather forcast today, but I had to get it out there.  And really, it’s related to this blog because if we weren’t recipients of ‘the cold north’ syndrome we’d have garage sales and antique markets ALL year. Yeah. Not just, say, 6 months of it.  I try not to think about it because I’m really (REALLY) going through Aberfoyle withdrawal right now.  If I want new treasures I have to hunt the thrift stores which all of a sudden have huge mark ups, and, I’ve gone back to work so with Mr. Pretties and I working opposite shifts, there isn’t much thrifting time.  I know, right?  *tear* or scavenge Kijiji, but it’s been slow going on here lately.  I did however score a box of vintage dented Christmas balls for which I was STOKED (not so much stoked about the price. At $3 EACH.  But I REALLY wanted some. And The LLP has already smashed one. I cried. Just saying. And yes I know I shouldn’t have put them on the tree at all knowing the LPs are loving redecorating it about 2 million times an hour).  I found some 1920’s Christmas lights with fabric cords which I thought were absolutely adorable (not to be plugged in ofcourse…  some how I don’t think burning the house down is the way to go this year…) but the seller wanted $40 per 8 light string.  I’m not sure, but I’m fairly certain Mr. Pretties would lost his stuff if I told him I was buying 8 Christmas lights that couldn’t actually be lit for $40.  It’s just a hunch…</p> <p align="center">How’re all, your holiday plans going out there?  I can’t wait to see everyone’s Christmas House Tour photos in all the tours coming up, I know Rhoda at Southern Hospitality started one yesterday and the Nester at The Nesting Place is having on next week, they’re so much fun to look at, everyone has such great ideas on how to decorate outside the box!    </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-55222727231872920562009-10-19T16:49:00.001-04:002009-10-19T16:55:00.523-04:00Funky Junk’s Saturday Nite Special…<p align="center">Hi all your clever creaters out there this afternoon!  While surfing this black hole we call the internet (do you ever just get sucked right in? The Vintage spot in Etsy could kill HOURS for me) and came across <a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/"><strong>Funky Junk Interiors</strong></a> and she’s hosting a Saturday Nite Special (tonight) so grab a Mr. Linky and link up, or check out everyone else’s clever junk creations!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/2009/10/linky-party-today-introducing-change-my.html"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="satnite150" border="0" alt="satnite150" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/StzQ5O_vxZI/AAAAAAAABE8/TtUNSnlejWI/satnite150%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="154" height="228" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Let’s see what you’ve been up to this week!!!</p> <p align="center">ALSO</p> <p align="center">Flea Market Style is having a favorite find Mr. Linky party today and are giving away this sweet honey</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://fleamarketstylemag.blogspot.com/2009/10/join-im-flea-marketeer-party.html"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="coffebag_large" border="0" alt="coffebag_large" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/StzSI8w4KRI/AAAAAAAABFA/rAs8kwhCKJ8/coffebag_large%5B3%5D.png?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center">How much fun are Mr. Linky parties I ask you?! I love finding other blogs I didn’t know existed (hello, black hole??? In a good way obviously… well good way to me, bad way to Mr. Pretties but I digress…) and seeing what awesome ideas everyone comes up with, there never seems to be a low supply of creativity in blogland so get clicking :)</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-68211986107632139822009-10-14T11:11:00.001-04:002009-10-14T11:11:03.285-04:00Happy White Wednesday!<p align="center">Good morning girlies, how’s it?  We’re doing another rendition of Faded Charm’s fabulous White Wednesday</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="White wednesday 2" border="0" alt="White wednesday 2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/StXp8ZETLhI/AAAAAAAABEE/kU4OoxE6sFM/White%20wednesday%202%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="108" height="154" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Pop on by and see what white everyone else has going on this morning (afternoon?).</p> <p align="center">I’ll be honest right now, this is a recycled WW because my camera is on loan until tomorrow, so I was forced to scour the memory card for some white ;)  There’s so many things I want to share with you all that it’s killing me to have to share ‘reruns’ today.  Not to worry, it just means Thrify Thursday will be better.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/StXp9FQh1VI/AAAAAAAABEI/0_oNcwTwOk8/s1600-h/Camera%20Pictures%20593%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Camera Pictures 593" border="0" alt="Camera Pictures 593" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/StXp-dSSUtI/AAAAAAAABEM/atj-IAK0QEo/Camera%20Pictures%20593_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="186" /></a> </p> <p align="center">On the left is an old piece of architectural salvage that we (I) picked out of the trash last winter.  This thing weighs a ton, no joke, and has made a fabulous plant stand, lamp stand, and currently, an aquarium stand.  It’s one flaw is that it’s missing a piece of it’s fourth leg so it’s best stood in a corner.  I still like it.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/StXp-36i6HI/AAAAAAAABEQ/vO741zvsDSM/s1600-h/Camera%20Pictures%20004%5B8%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Camera Pictures 004" border="0" alt="Camera Pictures 004" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/StXp_eMXP7I/AAAAAAAABEY/ld4j4_Gnkfw/Camera%20Pictures%20004_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Our freebie dresser from some sweet friends who were going to Sally Ann her a few summers ago.  She’s got a before and after on the blog somewhere.  She’s our front hall dresser now and sweet as a button.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/StXp_vc-zOI/AAAAAAAABEc/40_jYS4Z000/s1600-h/Camera%20Pictures%20013%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Camera Pictures 013" border="0" alt="Camera Pictures 013" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/StXqACWntwI/AAAAAAAABEg/EVRgRSimpiI/Camera%20Pictures%20013_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="center"></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center">Not a fabulous photo (and wrongly time stamped I might add) but this washstand is the first old piece Mr. Pretties and I ever bought.  It used to have doors.  The drawer used to work.  We aren’t going to revisit why neither of those things happen now.  I’m sure I’ve blogged it before.  But even still, after all these flaws and six years, I still love her and will always find a place for her to go.  Please don’t mind the mess, we were storing quite a bit of furniture in our bedroom while we got some painting done ;)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/StXqAm0ibdI/AAAAAAAABEk/evnVzSAhTdY/s1600-h/frenchy1%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="frenchy1" border="0" alt="frenchy1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/StXqA2ZaGOI/AAAAAAAABEo/N7YM-ai3NVU/frenchy1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="center">One of the most gorgeous dressers I’ve ever seen.  My great friend Jess took this dresser from the rough and turned it into a piece of sheer french decadence.  No surprise it was snapped up in a mighty hurry along with it’s matching tallboy and vanity.  Her work is really so fabulous, she should open a shop!</p> <p>And this guy is a soon-to-be White Wednesday participant, he’s coming home tomorrow night and going in for a makeover.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/StXqBHk7gBI/AAAAAAAABEs/nuGWmHmMk24/s1600-h/5154a5a_20%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="5154a5a_20" border="0" alt="5154a5a_20" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/StXqBjL027I/AAAAAAAABEw/6lOagxq0b0E/5154a5a_20_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="center">We’ll see how that goes, but I have great visions of this guy turning out fabulously handsome (or into a girl, once a piece is shabbied, does that automatically make it female? Probably, eh?) And happily last weeks White Wednesday dresser was sold this weekend so she’ll be delivered to her new home Friday night.  There really is nothing better than working really hard to make something beautiful and unique and have someone really, really love it.  Also walking around your house telling you how cute everything is doesn’t hurt either.  I love it when people ‘get it’.</p> <p align="center">I can’t wait to see what everyone else has dug up for today, I’m always amazed at how you all can keep WW looking fresh and new week after week!</p> <p align="center">See you tomorrow with some thrifty finds!</p> <p align="center">XO</p> <p align="center">Jenn</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-45194977976728233902009-10-07T13:30:00.001-04:002009-10-07T13:46:48.345-04:00White Wednesday<p align="center">Happy wonderfully white Wednesday friends! With another round of  <a href="http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/"><strong>Faded Charm’s White Wednesday</strong></a> I’m going to share some of my favorite white kitchen inspiration that I’ve collected here and there.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SszQHplRGzI/AAAAAAAABDY/kVazFxw7YqI/s1600-h/shabby-chic-coffee-table_lg%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SszQH1FFsEI/AAAAAAAABDc/c1izcGxcdTQ/shabby-chic-coffee-table_lg_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="center">One of the sweetest vignettes from <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/"><strong>HGTV</strong></a> I am so in love with that bird, those books, and the rust old box behind it all.  What is it about these worn and rusted pieces that just feel so cozy?</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SszQIGCS6XI/AAAAAAAABDg/2JEgrDa9h78/s1600-h/Kitchen-Shabby-Pink-Green-HTOURSS0507-de-47494399%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Kitchen-Shabby-Pink-Green-HTOURSS0507-de-47494399" border="0" alt="Kitchen-Shabby-Pink-Green-HTOURSS0507-de-47494399" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SszQJdOIZcI/AAAAAAAABDk/oOPM8RAKtcs/Kitchen-Shabby-Pink-Green-HTOURSS0507-de-47494399_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="192" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center">I am so sorry, but I can’t find the sites I got these from, I tried retracing my steps (aka Googling Shabby/Distressed/Antique Kitchen images) so if anyone knows please let me know so I can link them up :)  </p> <p align="center">But truly, how adorable is that pink enamelware paired up with chippy white and cream? Yum! This photo is courtesy of<strong> </strong><a href="CountryLiving.com"><strong>Country Living,</strong></a> which is just one of my guilty pleasures.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SszQKmg0nTI/AAAAAAAABDo/KI73l5Eex2M/s1600-h/Kitchen-sink-cabinet-HTOURS0505-de-30735471-28289817%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Kitchen-sink-cabinet-HTOURS0505-de-30735471-28289817" border="0" alt="Kitchen-sink-cabinet-HTOURS0505-de-30735471-28289817" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SszQKySD4cI/AAAAAAAABDs/aqQf9NipDF0/Kitchen-sink-cabinet-HTOURS0505-de-30735471-28289817_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="192" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Those cupboards I love more than is natural for any living thing to love an inanimate object.  Seriously.  Mr. Pretties would drop dead if he came home to cupboards like that, but they make me swoon…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SszQLWWrtjI/AAAAAAAABDw/vPOQd1DogiU/s1600-h/Shabby%20Chic%20Kitchen%20-%20Coastal%20Living%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Shabby Chic Kitchen - Coastal Living" border="0" alt="Shabby Chic Kitchen - Coastal Living" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SszQL7mvRyI/AAAAAAAABD0/WH_9pf5VfhU/Shabby%20Chic%20Kitchen%20-%20Coastal%20Living_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center">This is such a fabulously eclectic mix, that old scuffy farm table paired with antique balloon back chairs, married to pink chandies, french throw pillows, and even some mod fruit baskets.  This all works so well, it’s eye candy to the max.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SszQMGb50uI/AAAAAAAABD4/_plOz8STWX4/s1600-h/Kitchen-sink-HTOURS0605-de-35534365%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Kitchen-sink-HTOURS0605-de-35534365" border="0" alt="Kitchen-sink-HTOURS0605-de-35534365" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SszQMqNr9_I/AAAAAAAABD8/qMWDb_PaMUE/Kitchen-sink-HTOURS0605-de-35534365_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="192" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Look at that sink.  Are you absorbing it’s fabulousness? Talk about a time saver, when you’re done washing the dishes, you can hope in and take a bath! Kidding. Sort of.  And check those old glass cupboards? There is nothing I like better than those old glass cupboards with the latches, they’re just so sweet and wonderful, nothing can beat that.  Of course then we’d have to stop allowing clutter to accumulate in our cupboards.  Does anyone else have that problem or is it just us?</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://restyledhome.blogspot.com/2008/07/pretty-little-playhouse.html"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="322 Terrace 018" border="0" alt="322 Terrace 018" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SszQMwzcXoI/AAAAAAAABEA/AGbQ4lx0k64/322%20Terrace%20018%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center">And for the most wonderful touch of childhood white whimsy click that little square of sweetness above to visit the rest of Sophie’s playhouse at <a href="http://restyledhome.blogspot.com/"><strong>Restyled Home</strong></a> if you haven’t already<strong>.</strong>  Not only do I want to get the LPs one,  I want two for myself. *Love*</p> <p align="center">And lastly, if you’d like to see an amazing house make over from shabby (bad) to white, elegant and wonderful, pop over to <a href="http://theoldpaintedcottage.blogspot.com/2009/08/cottage8-behind-scenes.html"><strong>The Old Painted Cottage,</strong></a> it’s delish, you wont regret it!</p> <p align="center">So I’m going to get on my way now and see what other white treasures are out there this morning! I’m sure you girls have put on another wonderful show again today, chock full of inspiration ;)</p> <p align="center">XO</p> <p align="center">Jenn</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-73747909532850321902009-10-06T10:33:00.001-04:002009-10-06T12:50:47.667-04:00Tattered Tuesday<p align="center">How’s it girlies? Everyone get themselves a get themselves a cup of a cozy beverage this morning? I hope so, I’m certainly enjoying this spot of tea on this rather chilly morning!</p> <p align="center">So… a few weekends ago Mr. Pretties and I attended the Christie Antique show – which is big guns in Ontario.  For whatever reason we’d never attended before (could it be because the idea of taking the three LPs to an antique show garners images of small raging bulls in a very small china shop?) but this year the stars aligned and we were on our way!  To be honest, the enormity of it is a little over whelming.  But it was pretty amazing, so many birds of a feather, some unique and wonderful curiosities!  I took my camera with the full intentional of photographing everything in sight to share with you, but the weirdest thing happened, when I got there and got out my camera I felt completely awkward and like everyone in the entire conservation area was starring at me and thinking ‘she can’t possibly think it’s okay to take pictures here, can she?’</p> <p align="center">So I casually snapped this one photo, but to my chagrin I couldn’t get cloes enough to the owner to find out a name of this booth or the shop it came from, it had SUCH lovely stuff, even half way through the show!  She the most darling little tiny leather baby shoes from 1909 that I was tempted to buy, but didn’t, because then I’d have to explain to Mr. Pretties why I spent $20 on two 2” craps of worn leather.  I wasn’t in the mood that day, remember, overwhelmed (and frequently overwhelm causes migraines).  So this is the one photo I took:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SstVJ3NUVXI/AAAAAAAABCg/PXZ6s1i2mAE/s1600-h/Camera%20Pictures%20001%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Camera Pictures 001" border="0" alt="Camera Pictures 001" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SstVKNDw1bI/AAAAAAAABCk/Q6TXPyy9Dqk/Camera%20Pictures%20001_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="center">It was just so romantically shabby and delicious!</p> <p align="center">One of the first booths we stopped in at Christie was the booth owned by<strong> </strong><a href="http://www.tatteredandtorn.ca/"><strong>Tattered and Torn</strong></a> (not the song by Slipknot, either) She’s at both Christie shows each year as well at the <a href="http://www.southworksantiques.com/main.cfm?CFID=263268&CFTOKEN=9c4359448634a38c-2A3780A5-B585-70B9-9DCEEDAE9EA7B50D"><strong>Southworks Antique Mall</strong></a> in Cambridge, Ontario.</p> <p align="center">Here are some of her photos of items she had at Christie this year that’re just yummy!</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SstVKkJn0mI/AAAAAAAABCo/4nhYcQb-4l4/s1600-h/Aimage2%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Aimage2" border="0" alt="Aimage2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SstVK4VQMlI/AAAAAAAABCs/bmsjo7zxsUw/Aimage2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/Sst1ZTITafI/AAAAAAAABDQ/04tW613y9Y4/s1600-h/Aimage7%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Aimage7" border="0" alt="Aimage7" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/Sst1Z38dqDI/AAAAAAAABDU/ZeGm0NQrrjg/Aimage7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SstVLbQxayI/AAAAAAAABCw/pvHZ2287pd0/s1600-h/Aimage5%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Aimage5" border="0" alt="Aimage5" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SstVLnvsxrI/AAAAAAAABC0/b0KIcxlx2-c/Aimage5_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SstVL75HerI/AAAAAAAABC4/LyPF4yLNTYw/s1600-h/Aimage6%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Aimage6" border="0" alt="Aimage6" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SstVMQfH-YI/AAAAAAAABC8/ov7hpOFVXPE/Aimage6_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SstVMj19ABI/AAAAAAAABDA/a6ZfSHM99B0/s1600-h/Aimage8%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Aimage8" border="0" alt="Aimage8" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SstVNMV2BfI/AAAAAAAABDE/ABMMEgPsVSI/Aimage8_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="164" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center">And just as an FYI, this is what my retirement looks like:</p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SstVNQFhhyI/AAAAAAAABDI/vunqBX3Y00A/s1600-h/truckload%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="truckload" border="0" alt="truckload" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SstVNk2OTVI/AAAAAAAABDM/Tpq3-cfmKgM/truckload_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="center">That right there gals, it my dream.  A truck loaded front to back with fabulous treasures.  That may actually be more furniture than I currently have in my house right now… and believe me, we can’t move in my house so there’s a lot of it!</p> <p align="center">What antique show or fleas have you really enjoyed in the past?  I would love to make a trip to Brimfield, Bonanza and some of the other American ones one day.  The french fleas and Portobello Road are on my list as well.  I swear I came across a popular blog along my travels (I think maybe it was linked to Friday Flea Market?) that was actually organizing a trip to Italy to go to the open air markets.  Can you imagine?! The price was quite reasonable as well, but there is no way on God’s green earth I could talk Mr. Pretties into funding a $2000+ trip across the world to bring more stuff home!</p> <p align="center">XO</p> <p align="center">Jenn</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-53003198348519446342009-10-05T13:28:00.001-04:002009-10-05T14:21:12.540-04:00Junkin’ Monday…<p align="center"><a href="http://niceandeasyantiques.blogspot.com/2009/10/junkin-monday-5.html"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="junkin' button" border="0" alt="junkin' button" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/Sso5F730SYI/AAAAAAAABCc/WMlVXKMcHvo/junkin%27%20button%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Courtesy of <a href="http://niceandeasyantiques.blogspot.com/"><strong>Nice and Easy Antiques</strong></a> at the Cottage Charm and Family Inspiration blog, we’re going to start doing Junkin Monday!</p> <p align="center">How are all you gals doing this morning?  Hope you all had a very fall weekend and maybe did some treasure hunting as we’re all want to do?  Hopefully your Sunday’s weather was more cooperative than ours ;)  Sunday couldn’t decide between warm and sunny, or freezing with torrential down pours…  naturally as we pulled into the parking lot (field?) at Aberfoyle to visit our friends who were selling that day, it decided on freezing with torrential down pours…  Oy vey!</p> <p align="center">Southern Hospitality is done Thrifty Treasures Monday for this season, so I think we’re going to do a ‘before and after’ thread, except that I don’t have the real before pictures, so we’re going to do a ‘almost done and after’ posting instead ;) Hopefully that works for you all.  </p> <p align="center">We picked this depression era dresser up about eight (!) weeks ago and while it has lots of beautiful detailing, it also had lots (and LOTS) of thick glossy orange paint with an over coat of thick, drippy brown oil paint. Yum. The top needed to be chipped off, one inch at a time, no amount of sanding or stripper would do it (hey there, get that head out of the gutter! and believe you me, if I could find a stripper who could have stripped that puppy faster I would have!).  So after many man hours spent chipping, stripping, sanding, and several good coats of a very adhesive primer, we ended up with this little girl who showed her face on White Wednesday:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsosxLoH-WI/AAAAAAAABB0/ArtQxVVUJbY/s1600-h/IMG_4145%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4145" border="0" alt="IMG_4145" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsosyXs0lxI/AAAAAAAABB4/XQ_J42DChWU/IMG_4145_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center">After this week did a few more light sandings, then added a couple coats of a custom blended antique morning cream high resistance paint, varnished the top with a satin varnish (non shiney), gave the entire body and mirror a hand rubbed coat of paste wax to absorb damage, and lined the top two drawers with sweet 1940’s sheet music love songs, and sealed them (c’mon folks, we don’t need to be sporting love songs on our knickers now do we?) up.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsosymUILQI/AAAAAAAABB8/fSRpYM6_B7k/s1600-h/IMG_4154%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4154" border="0" alt="IMG_4154" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/Ssos0KqLsQI/AAAAAAAABCA/XDiPRR8_qBs/IMG_4154_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/Ssos0f8VwQI/AAAAAAAABCE/oiiUu286JDg/s1600-h/IMG_4155%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4155" border="0" alt="IMG_4155" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/Ssos01rXfrI/AAAAAAAABCI/clwpIAHQRbU/IMG_4155_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/Ssos1XfF1RI/AAAAAAAABCM/XRcB5PpWctQ/s1600-h/IMG_4161%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4161" border="0" alt="IMG_4161" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/Ssos1iIns7I/AAAAAAAABCQ/Hoduvqy5pQ0/IMG_4161_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="center">  Now this sweetheart is read to begin her new life somewhere else (or in my dining room… since we’re pretty partial to her… she can stay if she doesn’t meet anyone’s fancy on Kijiji)</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/Ssos166PyyI/AAAAAAAABCU/YxLSd8dJVBI/s1600-h/IMG_4166%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4166" border="0" alt="IMG_4166" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/Ssos2BNHpfI/AAAAAAAABCY/ZQ6XAViiUMM/IMG_4166_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center">I kid you not, Mr Pretties and I, and the three LPs all cram into this room to eat supper each night, the ambiance is so much nicer than the kitchen table.  Drop leafs are a god send when your dining room (closet?) has a space deficiency ;)</p> <p align="center">So what were you all up to this weekend, do tell! Are you fortunate enough to live in an area that has year round garage sales? Oh how I would love that (along with year round warmth and sunshine… and lack of snow…). </p> <p align="center">In addition, while walking home from school with the LPs this afternoon I spotted an old wooden vintage dollhouse.  In the trash.  And I scooped it up. In broad day light. With my children present.  Oh, and I’m not ashamed…  We’ll talk about that on White Wednesday, or maybe Junkin’ Monday next week ;)</p> <p align="center">Thanks for stopping by MMPretties, can’t wait to poke around blogland today to see what’s what with all of you :)</p> <p align="center">XO</p> <p align="center">Jenn</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-37783600082345379972009-09-30T16:31:00.001-04:002009-09-30T16:31:15.525-04:00Welcome to White Wednesday #1<p align="center">Good afternoon gals! Hopefully it’s a good one wherever you’re popping in from, it’s pretty grey and drizzly over here in Southern Ontario, so not so good on our home front!</p> <p align="center">Today we’re going to partake in <a href="http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/2009/09/white-wednesday-15.html">Faded Charm’s</a> White Wednesday (#15 for them, #1 for us here at The Pretties) posting, which I lurve because in the last few months not much in our house is anything but white ;)  Mr. Pretties says it’s like living in a hospital… Erm… I guess that could be so, if hospitals are now sporting chippy lead paint laden items, which I doubt they are.  Honestly, after all these years, he still doesn’t get it ;) </p> <p align="center">So on with the show we will!  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsO__ntSnRI/AAAAAAAABA8/vai6jOqeZXs/s1600-h/IMG_4140%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4140" border="0" alt="IMG_4140" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsO__4QY7mI/AAAAAAAABBA/q-pyKPOLgjU/IMG_4140_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center">An old shabby birdcage, no bird lives here, but it’s so fun to have around the house, I think it’s lived in every room atleast once.</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsPAAVNgH1I/AAAAAAAABBE/Qjw4XrzpKG0/s1600-h/IMG_4142%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4142" border="0" alt="IMG_4142" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsPAA4yWkhI/AAAAAAAABBI/t3kWyfHA2hE/IMG_4142_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="center">The detail on the columns holding up our cozy verandah, flaked with dirt and perfectly crazed white paint…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsPABfFVmSI/AAAAAAAABBM/tWufNl1v8s4/s1600-h/IMG_4143%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4143" border="0" alt="IMG_4143" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsPABswQYlI/AAAAAAAABBQ/-lLGlU-WzJ4/IMG_4143_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center">An old vintage rocker waiting for someone to come over and take a seat… in the mean time it will keep company with what’s left of this seasons flowers…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsPACLcr9MI/AAAAAAAABBU/HXHkCkv1s2k/s1600-h/IMG_4147%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4147" border="0" alt="IMG_4147" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsPACVnNnEI/AAAAAAAABBY/THBVQqoKAIE/IMG_4147_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="center">What used to be white, is now yellowed with age, old vintage love songs faded with time…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsPAC3IUtDI/AAAAAAAABBc/wpujDbiXink/s1600-h/IMG_4148%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4148" border="0" alt="IMG_4148" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsPADR__z1I/AAAAAAAABBg/MuR9BU39kXA/IMG_4148_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Weathered paint like this can’t be reproduced, one seasons of hard Ontario winters and summers filled will children’s comings and goings can give this kind of sweetness…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsPAD7fFm6I/AAAAAAAABBk/pkGaErlLuiQ/s1600-h/IMG_4146%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4146" border="0" alt="IMG_4146" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsPAEAePJaI/AAAAAAAABBo/tL_G3FuB22Y/IMG_4146_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Rows of luscious vintage linen pillowcases with some of the most wonderful crocheted lace and lovingly embroidered hems, how delish to have them out drying on the line, collecting it’s warm rays…</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsPAEUMdrSI/AAAAAAAABBs/OcwbkDk_TyM/s1600-h/IMG_4145%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4145" border="0" alt="IMG_4145" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsPAEl0eg8I/AAAAAAAABBw/mRMdWkw9OFQ/IMG_4145_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center">And lastly, an old depression era dresser patiently waiting for the return of it’s hardware and mirror after it was given a new leash on life, soon she will be up for sale to live out her days in the adoration of others…</p> <p align="center">Happy White Wednesday!!!</p> <p align="center">XO</p> <p align="center">Jenn</p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-7999808929663638722009-09-29T17:45:00.001-04:002009-09-29T17:45:39.153-04:00Thrifty Treasure Monday!<p align="center">Good Morning Folks! How are you all doing out their in bloggy land? Hand a thrifty weekend some of you?  I hope so as we're grabbing onto the tail of Rhoda's Thrifty Treasure Monday Mr. Linky party - the last of this thrifting season so it's a finale!! If you're like me and the next best thing to grabbing yourself some fab treasures is looking at others found treasures head over to Rhoda's blog at <a href="http://southernhospitalityblog.com/pretty-practical-and-pure-pleasure-all-for-11-35/"><font color="#ff80c0">Southern Hospitality</font></a> to check it out!!!</p> <p align="center">We're find garage sale-ing in Southern Ontario is really not so hot this year (Much like the summer…)!  We started the season full blast, we were up before the birds, grabbed out local papers, mapped out routes, and grabbed ourselves some pieces of marvelousness.  Oh wait, that last part didn't seem to happen for us...  Even our dear friends who sell at Canada's oldest and largest antique market (Aka. <a href="http://www.aberfoyle-antiques.com/index.html">Aberfoyle Antique Market</a>) are finding that finding stock is definitely not as plentiful as last year, or previous years, if not completely impossible! Could there be a shortage of junk?! Thoughts like that bring back plans to head over the border and take a visit to <a href="http://www.brimfieldshow.com/">Brimfield</a>, but I feel certain Mr. Pretties would not covet that plan quite as much as I would... What do you think guys?</p> <p align="center">Thank all things junk worthy that some dear soul invented Kijiji as that's where we get all our thrifty finds, along with splits and splots from the local thrift and benevolent shop that always have some little bits for a quarter or so - that's the kind of deal that gives you a good old fashioned adrenaline rush, isn't it girls?!</p> <p align="center">On Saturday (and Friday, but that's another story involving Mapquests inability to give accurate directions, or my inability to read them...) we headed out to Welland to pick up 35 old window sashes, Mr. Pretties thought I was kidding when I told him we needed to make a 75 minute trip one way to pick up old windows. </p> <p align="center"> Haha, he should know better than that! I plan to use them as green houses/garden conservatories and tables - SO fun! The nice gentleman was selling these sweethearts for that big fat price tag of 71 cents each.  Yes, less than a dollar.  At the market they generally fetch $10 each, more if they're in as fine condition as these that also include all the latches, and hinges complete with the screws ;)  We managed to bring the first 20 home, we're going back Friday to grab the remaining 15 and then heading to Brantford to grab a dozen 120 year old wavy glass windows that will be a really fun find, and a thrifty treasure at  $1.66 each.  I really don't know what I'll do with those guys, but I'm sure I can find something...  I even though if they're the right size we could replace a couple of the outer cupboards in our kitchen with two of the wavy glass sashes and put some fab vintage hardware on them.</p> <p align="center">So here's the first part of our window stash:</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsJ_9LOHhXI/AAAAAAAABAM/Ti_ulhmqKIs/s1600-h/IMG_4136%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4136" border="0" alt="IMG_4136" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsJ_9dpEAyI/AAAAAAAABAQ/pHoY-yuoqL0/IMG_4136_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center">I don't even want to think about the amount of spiders Mr. Pretties had to vacuum out of the car following this trip *shudder* but there they are!  </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsJ_96nyMDI/AAAAAAAABAc/u4tiAhB_Do8/s1600-h/IMG_4137%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4137" border="0" alt="IMG_4137" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsJ_-desKgI/AAAAAAAABAg/sHCFTMBXWw4/IMG_4137_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a> </p> <p align="center">The best part is, we're currently negotiating a move into a bigger house, which means we'd get to move them all AGAIN! Isn't that the best?</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsJ_-uuSOVI/AAAAAAAABAk/GhrAw9Vlt5Q/s1600-h/IMG_4130%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4130" border="0" alt="IMG_4130" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsJ_-9H1mkI/AAAAAAAABAo/1VcUMdLoNAQ/IMG_4130_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244" /></a></p> <p align="center">This entire mantlescape (like tablescape but on a mantle, that’s okay right?) is all thrifted recently! </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsJ__acRNwI/AAAAAAAABAs/DodOkny5uYk/s1600-h/IMG_4134%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4134" border="0" alt="IMG_4134" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsJ__qeAnkI/AAAAAAAABAw/-Y791A-9cso/IMG_4134_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="center">I snagged this set of four Arcoroc pink Depression Glass dishes for $2.00, the Crown 1950’s canning jars were $.50 a piece, the shabby lamp was $1.00, the enormous cutlery tray (I think it may actually be for tools…) was on it’s way to Aberfoyle with our friends but I scooped it up first and got a great day – FREE! It’s in the middle of becoming white as you can see ;)  This piece of salvage that looks like a mini barbell </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsKAAJqcB_I/AAAAAAAABA0/lWeG03bKy38/s1600-h/IMG_4135%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4135" border="0" alt="IMG_4135" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SsKAAgQ1bgI/AAAAAAAABA4/4X8Favz7XTY/IMG_4135_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="center">came from the <a href="http://antiqueshowscanada.com/">Christie Antique Show</a> that Mr. Pretties and I attended for the first time ever (and maybe the last, it was crazy!!!) and I think it’s from a porch, but at $4.00 it was my one and only souvenir from Christie and I love it’s chippy, dirty goodness! And lastly is an old glassless window frame that’s chippy and crankly and always seems to find a place of prominence around here.</p> <p align="center">So gals, what did you thrift this week/month/year? We all want to know about it!!!  Myself especially since we'll be getting about 500 months of winter anytime now and wont even recognize a garage sale by next spring, help a winter burdened girl out!</p> <p align="center">Cheers! </p> <p align="center">XO Jenn ;) </p> <div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-1085378230916255602009-07-26T21:14:00.002-04:002009-07-26T21:38:01.198-04:00So Many New Loves...<div align="center">It's funny how your blog interests can change over time, isn't it? This time last year (Oh! Hey! Meaghan-Marie Pretties is now official 1 year old!) I read blogs from my mommy site, and would find the occasional gem through their favorites. I still read most of those blogs like I do the morning paper, but now I'm finding so much inspiration through these fabulous shabby/cottage/junk blogs that I'm starting to panic about what where I'm going to find 'junk' for my decor come the cold weather... I guess we'll go with this old saying that my great grandmother used to so:</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">"Never trouble trouble 'til trouble troubles you, for if you trouble trouble, it'll surely trouble you..." You get the jist of it ;)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">So for those of you who don't analyze and memorize my blog list down the side (Ofcourse I know you all do since no one around here has a life, kids, or junking to do or anything... kidding) I thought I'd note some of my new and regular favs!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.abeachcottage.com/my_weblog/">A Beach Cottage </a></div><div align="center"> A fabulous blog by Sarah Down Under in Australia, totally fresh and definitely adorable! I've also now convinced Mr. Pretties we need to make a move to Australia because of this blog... and she's my hero for proving your house can be cottage white chic, <em>and </em>you can keep the kids!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://salvagechic.blogspot.com/">Diary of A Mad Antiquer </a></div><div align="center">A fun, funny, down to earth blog by a salvage chic store owner whom I live vicarously through ;) Definitely a keeping it real antique blog</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://southernhospitality-rhoda.blogspot.com/">Southern Hospitality</a> </div><div align="center"> Such an sweet blog! Great ideas, AND Rhonda hosts Today's Thrifty Treasures Mr. Linky parties!!! SO fun, what's better than a weekend of treasures? Seeing what everyone else got as treasures!!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://niceandeasyantiques.blogspot.com/">Cottage Charm and Family Inspiration</a> </div><div align="center"> I love this blog, Marcella is so sweet and her and her sisters shop Nice and Easy Antiques is fab!!! It really bugs me that we have them on our blog roll, but Mr. Blog Feed wont show that it's updated regularly - not once every three months!!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="http://redshedantiques.blogspot.com/">Red Shed Antiques</a> -</div><div align="center">Is a new one for me and I'm loving it, and am crazy jealous over A) her store and B) her blogroll, there appears to be TONS of fabulous blogs that would appeal to me, I'm almost afraid to start clicking on them. Isn't that the black hole Twitterers are always talking about getting sucked into? Doesn't once have to limit their favs in order to, I don't know, live? Dilemas, dilemas... kidding. Obviously so many have so many huge issues that I feel bad joking about stuff like that.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Mr. Pretties and his awesome BIL picked up a sweet 1940's bulbous legged dresser that was made for shabbying lastnight, I now have three lined up to finish and decide if they stay with us or go... I have one that's ready to leave, it's out of my system I just need to photograph it and list it. Maybe tomorrow, right? I'll have pictures for sure, I just hope I can get 'befores' of this new dresser before I start on it because it is SO awful. It's streaky brown oil paint covered in drips, splotches and painted on hair... Mmm... it will be SO fabbity fab when it's done though!</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">That's all! Remember folks, practice safe blogging (and blog reading), and keep an eye out for those black holes!!! Mr. Pretties has gone in to the clinic to have his leg looked at so I think I'll have a quite evening of catching up with some reading (of the paper variety).</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Cheers!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-53515787707059766032009-07-24T10:02:00.011-04:002009-07-24T10:52:35.605-04:00Lamest Non-Posting Reason... Ever...<div align="center">My keyboard irritates me.<br /></div><div align="center">Yeah. That's what I said. LBP knocked the keyboard off my desk a few weeks ago and buggered it, the right half of the keyboard had developed some severe attitude after the fall, but after a few weeks of extensive physical therapy (aka my pounding the keys) it seems to be recuperating nicely. Or something. But in the mean time I had stopped blogging, emailing, or anything that required more than two lines of typing at a time, since that generally took me 40 minutes to accomplish. In the last few days however, the keyboard (or Q-bert as BLP would call it) has made much desirable progress and I can almost type like a normal person again ;) So perhaps I may resume blogging now :)<br /></div><div align="center">PS. Please don't ask why we didn't just purchase a new keyboard for a whopping $5. It's not worth it. (To ask, not to buy a new one).<br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center">Since I'm still waiting on my new camera (Again. Don't. Ask.) I'll share some pictures that were taken a few weeks ago of our messy bedroom with some of our garage sale-ing treasures painted up, and some before/afters. Mr. Pretties is hopefully picking up a really pretty 1930's bulbous legged dresser for a makeover, and perhaps a sell, so we'll see!<br /></div><div align="center">Here we go<br /></div><div align="center">Before:<br /></div><div align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362028661686451522" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SmnAqJdIvUI/AAAAAAAAA_E/efgCy7di10Y/s320/7975m94_20.jpg" /> After:</div><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362029266352990898" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SmnBNWA36rI/AAAAAAAAA_M/v8CD8Nbk_F8/s320/IMG_4002.JPG" /></p><p align="center">Before:</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 243px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362029759818198130" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SmnBqEUJbHI/AAAAAAAAA_U/71EjlGEuNDE/s320/dresser.bmp" /><br /><p align="center"> After (Not distressed yet and missing glass hardware):</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362030681436043218" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SmnCftm9t9I/AAAAAAAAA_c/QRPKiwlmry8/s320/IMG_4009.JPG" /><br /><p align="center"> My $5 nightstand - it used to be one side of a 20's or 30's vanity, dovetailed and everthing!<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362031564235380530" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SmnDTGSulzI/AAAAAAAAA_k/vD9cRSk6pPs/s320/IMG_4003.JPG" /><br />The old black washstand (our first purchase ever that is totally non-functional now) painted 'Penelope Pink', and an old Eastlake chair we bought at Aberfoyle that's in the middle of receiving a black and white toile seat cushion in place of the digustingness that used to be there. Let's not even talk about it. Seriously. So ignore the hanging fabric under the chair, it was a test run ;)</p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362032751184297378" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SmnEYMBZvaI/AAAAAAAAA_s/BGiIFoiNAgY/s320/DSCI1993.JPG" /><br /><p align="center">And lastly that $20 dresser from the cancer fundraiser that we made over, sitting happily in our bedroom. My only qualm with the dresser is the drawers weigh a TON. I have a hard time sliding the drawers shut they weigh so much! Oy!</p><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362033984835834754" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SmnFf_u2U4I/AAAAAAAAA_0/Lqpusz-30Nc/s320/DSCI1992.JPG" /><br /><br /><div align="center">Also, we acquired a new member of our family last week. As a general rule, I don't like birds. I think it has something to do with not being a morning person and the birds outside my window at 5am... I don't know... But they weren't a pet that generally inspired the typing monkeys in my brain to feel 'Aww....' more like a 'Meh...' so it came as a big surprise to Mr. Pretties when I requested this as a birthday gift:</div><p align="center"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362036436870204210" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SmnHuuRZizI/AAAAAAAAA_8/TlggyaiJA9w/s320/bird.jpg" /><br />Eggwin, the peach faced lovebird. Who just happens to be defect and missing two toes on one foot and there for was a great deal ;) He's so fun! He knows up to 'step up' on your finger, sit on your shoulder, and is totally not noisey at all unless we've hung him outside to catch some air and he sees the birds at the birdfeeder :) I was afraid since he was parent fed and raised that we were in for a nasty bird and long months of training before we could handle him, but that's not the case at all! He never nips and is so, so sweet! The LPs love him to death, I had no idea a child could enjoy a bird so much. The cats aren't thrilled, but atleast they've completely ignored him, aside from looking at him once in a while if he's tweeting (?). Best of all he probably wont learn to talk, so I wont have to lock him in the closet when company comes for fear of him repeating four letter explivies that he may, or may not have heard around the house. <div align="center"> </div><div align="center">What have you all been up to out there in blogland?? Just because I haven't been writing doesn't mean I haven't been reading, I'm loving everyone's projects, trash come treasures, and everything inbetween. What did people do before blogging?</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"> </div><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-37999381224504705582009-06-18T18:24:00.004-04:002009-06-18T19:04:35.582-04:00All Aboard...<div align="center">...The emotional <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">train wreck</span> that is ;)</div><br /><div align="center">I don't know if it's just the time of year, just me, or just the crazies that so obviously live inside my head (oh wait, are we not supposed to acknowledge our personal brain cavity crazies?) but this week has just been one on going, round trip <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">excursion</span> on the emotion train! This pretty much has nothing to do with anything I ever talk about, but since it's my blog I guess I'm allowed to post about what I want (right?) so here we go.</div><br /><div align="center">First it started with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">BLP</span> finishing preschool. I know, right? All I did was spend the last eight or so months crabbing about show and share, coordinated shoe laces, and fundraising, I should be euphoric! But as I said before, everything was cool right up until pick up time when reality gave be a good strong back hand in the form of 'hey! this is the last time Meaghan will be small enough to be in this class... no more picking up lunches, plucking paintings of the drying rack, no more little purple car with her name on it from the coat room...' and next thing I know I'm madly trying to keep my composure long enough for Meaghan to say good bye to her teachers, empty her art folder, grab the painted titled 'Meaghan's last painting at preschool' (Thanks! Thanks so much, I was doing so well with my composure until this point...) and then go through the little class album to make sure there weren't any more pictures of her that I missed. I made it to the car and around the corner before I turned into a blathering idiot. Mr. Pretties was dumb founded. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Ofcourse</span> he shouldn't be, this is me, hello! That took a couple days to settle itself in my system and it was off to summer time mode - <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">woohoo</span>!</div><br /><div align="center">Until I logged onto the Children's Place site. I'm taking the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">BLPs</span> summer clothes shopping this weekend and knew they had the monster sale on, so wanted to see what they had because I try to shop for the girls all at one store, being either Old Navy, Children's Place, or Please Mum. I was adding up my purchases when I see the 'Fall Fashion' and 'Back to school' or some such thing and then it starts again. It's only 10 or so weeks until <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">BLP</span> starts kindergarten. Big girl school. And Emma starts preschool. It's so cliche, but I remember Meaghan being born like it was yesterday (fortunately the rest of my body does not hold that memory like it was yesterday), I remember Emma being born like it was yesterday, and I certainly remember Ethan being born like it was yesterday and in 7 weeks time he'll be turning 1 year old! It's like time's been traveling at a normal pace up until five years ago and it's just flown by ever since. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Ofcourse</span> this snow balls into the whole 'My kids are growing up, next they'll be in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">highschool</span>, college, married, and having children of their own... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">OMG</span>!' along with the smaller '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Omg</span>, we get report cards this year, parent teacher interviews, evening school plays, what if the kids are mean to her, etc... etc...' which is enough unto it's own for sure. But then comes a bigger issue, one that's sort of always there but not thought of too often. It's not always a well known fact that Mr. Pretties is 25+ years older than I am. This works fine for us, obviously, but there is always the looming thought that it's entirely possible that he will die before I do. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Ofcourse</span> in any marriage any one person is likely to pass on before the other, it's human nature, right? But generally (not always) the likely hood is a healthy 50/50, in our case the scales are slightly tipped. This makes me sad for any number of reasons, he's an excellent father, he definitely has his flaws (lets not go there) but he always seems to have an abundance of time to play pretend with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">LPs</span>, hide and seek, explain all the little wonders of our world, call to talk to them on the phone from work, and do a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">plethora</span> of selfless things <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">inorder</span> to see that the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">LPs</span> have the things in life to make them happy. He's also an exceptionally easy person to talk to, vent to, and sort problems out with (unless he happens to be that particular problem, then not so much) and to some extent I feel the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">LPs</span> will be missing out on a lot in their future years if he's not there. I could go on and on, and yes, we obviously knew this was an 'issue' when we got married, but nothing ever prepares you for anything until you have children. </div><br /><div align="center">In addition we're taking Meaghan in to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">ENT</span> (Ears, Nose and Throat) to have her tonsils and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">adenoids</span> checked out, she's had a bought of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">tonsillitis</span> on and off for a while, and her <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">speech</span> therapist is now thinking that a large part of the reason that she is miss pronouncing words is due to her exceptionally enlarged T and As, so the possibility of having them removed is high. I know that's totally not a big deal, it's basically out-patient day surgery I think, but just the mere thought of the whole ordeal makes me want to run and hide. If it were Emma I would be sad that she had to have it, but because it's Meaghan it's a huge deal because she is just SO, SO sensitive, I'm afraid she'll be entirely <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">traumatized</span> by the entire event. </div><br /><div align="center">So as you can see, something as simple as preschool ending has set off a whole series of emotional events. Well I can't blame the hormones exclusively, I think a big part of it has to do with just finishing The Time Travellers Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (which me being the rock dweller I am, have just realized there is now a movie, which I must watch).</div><br /><div align="center"></div><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Time-Travelers-Wife-Audrey-Niffenegger/dp/015602943X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245366119&sr=1-1"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348806964386833938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 208px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SjrHmExpphI/AAAAAAAAA-s/lM3MtAsWiow/s320/time.bmp" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">Which when you read it will make no sense to you what-so-ever, because things like that only make sense in my own brain. Clearly. And no, I don't get any kick backs from Amazon.</div><br /><div align="center">Sorry to dump this all out there in the blog-o-sphere, but as a result I feel marginally better!</div><br /><div align="center">I think to an extent all moms go through this emotional bit with kids starting/finishing school, some more than others. I hope. There's a knock at the door, let's hope it's not the men with the white coats...</div><div align="center"> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-58461506809572014352009-06-17T20:19:00.004-04:002009-06-17T21:04:01.958-04:00Curiousities?<div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Thanks to my 'Antiquing for Dummies' book I now know that back in the day (centuries ago) etc... there was no such thing as 'antiques' but there were '<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">curiosities</span>', and thus the 'curio' cabinet was born, to house your <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">curiosities</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ofcourse</span>! Very interesting (to me. obviously) I love little tidbits of info like that!</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">Things haven't been overly eventful in the Pretties household lately. We've got some family in town visiting from Bermuda, so we're going to stop in and see them Friday morning and have lunch with Aunt Pretties, so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">that'll</span> be nice. We went to a BBQ this past Sunday which was super fun, this might be a scary thought to some of you out there, but, there is another Jenn. Not just like your class list 'Jenn A, Jenn C, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">JenniferZ</span>, etc...) no, there's another me, and her name is Jess. She loves <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Aberfoyle</span> almost as much as I do, and on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Kijiji</span> we often pick out the same things to buy (fortunately, this hasn't turned into an issue because we're both so sweet and nice. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Hahahaha</span>) and our kids are similar in age. It's a nice set up, I like it, I like it a lot! Her husband is also a bit older than her, and Mr. Pretties is definitely older than I am, so we don't feel like freaks on display when we go there for a visit which is super nice. Plus this means I have someone to go antiquing/junking/garage <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">saling</span> with who doesn't whine, complain, and generally make a nuisance of themselves. It's a blessing. Unfortunately we live 40 minutes apart so we don't get to do it regularly. Thank god for email and free long distance plans ;)</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">We haven't even bought much around here! We picked up that dresser I posted about a few days ago, it's adorable <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">ofcourse</span> but Mr. Pretties and I are at moot point right now. He wants to leave it the way it is (stained and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">au</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">naturel</span>) and I want to paint it. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Ofcourse</span>. So now it's sitting on our back deck because I have no ambition to deal with finding it a place to go (all furniture purchases require an entire household shuffle <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">in order</span> to find an appropriate space for anything), eventually Mr. Pretties will see this and digress about the paint, I'll just wait him out. We're also supposed to go pick this circa 1930's table up this weekend:</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348459150950293666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SjmLQqwUYKI/AAAAAAAAA-k/UHxVFomrdX0/s320/30stable.bmp" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">We don't need another table (I'm selling our round <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">pedestal</span> to make room) but something about it just speaks to me. I think I'm a huge fan of anything 1920-1940, it's all just so adorable! So hopefully that pick up works out (you never know with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Kijiji</span> sales)</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Other than that, it's been pretty quiet. Mr. Pretties is on vacation this coming week so hopefully we'll get in some day trips and stuff with the girls (and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">LBP</span>), and if luck holds out <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">there'll</span> be a new camera as well. Because if there isn't, I'm not going anywhere. Since the introduction of the digital camera it's become <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">imperative</span> to have a camera on all outings <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">in order</span> to document them, if this is not possible then we can't go out. Sad, eh? I better check out a self help book for that situation... </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">I think everyone else out there in home decor/junking/antiquing/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">shabbying</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">blogland</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">must've</span> known about <a href="http://southernhospitality-rhoda.blogspot.com/">Southern Hospitality</a> and Rhoda's <a href="http://southernhospitality-rhoda.blogspot.com/2009/06/more-thrifty-finds.html">Tuesday Thrifty Treasure Finds</a> Mr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Linky</span> parties! If there is anything I enjoy more than junking/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">thrifting</span>/garage <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">saling</span>/antiquing, it's reading about other people doing it and seeing what they found! I cannot believe this existed and I had no idea. Believe you me, when we're back in digital photography land, Meaghan-Marie's will be right in there on that thrifty party, I LOVE doing show and tell (ask Mr. Pretties. He on the other hand regards show and tell as an old estranged smelly uncle. Take that as you will) and many family members and friends (I say many because I'd like to believe there are many...) have been forced to endure show and tell at my house, it's a genetic illness. Seriously. My grandma does it, my aunt does it, I believe my father even does it (in his own way), and I never really 'got it' until we had our own house (by our own house I mean someone <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">else's</span> house that we happen to live in. Yeah.) and stuff that I wanted people to see. So, yeah, if you've been under a rock like me and didn't know this existed - enjoy! And if you did - What the heck?! Someone should have thrown a little info this way... *Sigh*</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">This weekend is going to be a garage <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">saling</span>/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Aberfoyling</span> extravaganza so I should have something to share then :)</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-91199071797171081902009-06-11T14:36:00.010-04:002009-06-11T15:12:39.352-04:00Blanket Anyone?<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">I found my way back to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Etsy</span> this morning and I can't believe I forgot how much I love it!! I think I might even re-open Meaghan-Marie's again for the summer (I don't know, for some reason I'm only <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">clippie</span> inspired during the pleasant weather...), I see Michael's has some fabulously fun spring/summer themed ribbon on sale this week, and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">LP's</span> are running low on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">clippies</span>, so I think I'll hop to it. </div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">And like most people now that the warmer (I say warmer, not warm, because so far warm weather has forgotten to show up thus far...) weather has arrived and I have an extreme need for knitting a blanket. What's that? That's only me? Figures. That could be a normal statement (minus the summer part) for most, except for the part where I don't know how to knit. Huh. Okay, I can knit basics (you know, adding a few rows here, taking a few away there, ending up with something even Grandma can't sort out) but I can't cast on/off or do anything that looks pretty. So, I'm going to teach myself to knit, and knit well. In the summer. With <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">handspun</span> wool because I can't ever just do anything normal. I know when I tell Mr. Pretties this he's going to be all 'Why don't you just go to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Wal</span> Mart?! Why does it have to be wool? Why hand spun? Why is the sky blue? and Where are my keys?' you know, the usual. But sometimes he just doesn't get it, I have to be different (or so I tell myself). As I was browsing through <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Etsy</span> I saw this hand spun beauty:</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=22286240&ref=sr_list_12&&ga_search_query=yarn&ga_search_type=supplies&ga_page=4&order=date_desc&includes[]=tags&includes[]=title"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346142292984948418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 208px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SjFQFyQPZsI/AAAAAAAAA9U/gG_MidOE2VI/s320/roving.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">Isn't that gorgeous? Like butterflies, fresh cut grass, daffodils and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">pansies</span> all mixed together? I can already imagine how wonderful it feels!! And doesn't this look fun?!</div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346143290386268370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SjFQ_13PwNI/AAAAAAAAA9c/DSZZxZFL3G4/s320/il_430xN.71593013" border="0" /> <div align="center">Now I'm searching out a pattern (do you use 'patterns' for knitting?) <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">that'll</span> make a neat blanket, not just an 80's style afghan. We'll see how this pans out, if not, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">everyone's</span> getting scarves (or what I'll be calling scarves) for Christmas this year ;) Let's all cross out fingers because no one wants that.</div><p align="center"><br />This hole wool/roving/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">handspun</span> deal might actually fit into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">TNLP</span> (the new life plan) that we're currently planning. I've had an epiphany and it involves things like this:</p><br /><br /><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346144053178926610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 250px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SjFRsPfMBhI/AAAAAAAAA9k/wJIrHqD3FUI/s320/house.jpg" border="0" />Or</p><p align="center"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346144135466478994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 256px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SjFRxCCEbZI/AAAAAAAAA9s/mSrFAaNGWRM/s320/house2.jpg" border="0" />I'm not sure which 'theme' we're going with for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">TNLP</span>, but one of this should do it. It also involves things like this:</p><p align="center"><a href="http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.westernfolklife.org/weblogs/artists/dufurrenac/2005/12/katie%2520and%2520chickens%25203.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.westernfolklife.org/weblogs/artists/dufurrenac/2006/01/&usg=__EztjjEuvEkBCaGQe653dQXriato=&h=376&w=680&sz=119&hl=en&start=76&um=1&tbnid=EBZsjI2vNljGbM:&tbnh=77&tbnw=139&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dchickens%26ndsp%3D20%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GGLL_enCA331%26sa%3DN%26start%3D60%26um%3D1"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346145339917320434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 177px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SjFS3I9hwPI/AAAAAAAAA90/ImG2FjrMqKc/s320/katie%2520and%2520chickens%25203.jpg" border="0" /></a>(Note: Don't Google chickens... it's not pleasant... and this photo is linked to it's original site.)</p><p align="center">And things of this nature. We're thinking we need to move out on to some land, plant some fruits/veggies and have ourselves some chickens ;) <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Ofcourse</span> this will only work in a completely adorable little town where everyone knows your name (sing it with me now!) <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Harrowsmith</span> Country Living is the magazine you see at the check out counter at the mercantile (yeah, a mercantile would be way great) and where we live in an adorable old farmhouse with a huge veranda, great stairs and a scullery :) Obviously the plan needs some work, but it's a big deal for us and we're going to bust rear to make it happen. Hopefully. Soon. No doubt you'll be forced to listen to me blahing more about <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">TNLP</span> in the near future. Sorry.<br /></p><p align="center">Our latest find in the shabby/antique side of things is this little guy:</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346146529760030418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 265px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SjFT8ZeIrtI/AAAAAAAAA98/EHhNIC1zTIg/s320/7975m94_20.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">For $30 I'm crossing my fingers that the seller keeps his word and doesn't sell it before Saturday morning when we can pick it up. I'm doubtful to say the least, but we can hope! It'll be another cutie for the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">LP's</span> room. Or my room. Or whatever, who cares where it goes, it's sweet I'll find it a home :) </p><p align="center">I came across this picture while cleaning up our memory card, I think it sums up our year end preschool trip a few weeks ago:</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346149291168789026" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 210px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SjFWdIhSciI/AAAAAAAAA-M/LC0hubWJTJg/s320/DSCI1963.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">Have a happy Thursday!!!<br /></p><p align="center"> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-42628735707257973962009-06-09T16:54:00.008-04:002009-06-09T17:55:15.926-04:00I Was NOT MIA This Time!<div><div><div><div><div><div>We have been sans <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">internet</span> and phone for four weeks. FOUR. WEEKS. Painful. Do you know what life is like without <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kijiji</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">MapQuest</span>, 411.ca, and Google? I wont even tell you, it's far too dreadful. I had to go garage <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">saling</span>, stop going places I don't know how to get to (FYI, that's a lot of places), use a big yellow phone book, and go weeks wondering about various things, recipes, home remedies, etc... The phone I don't mind not having, I am not a phone personality. At all. There are very few people I enjoy talking on the phone to, mostly because on phone <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">convo</span> involves more discussion between me at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">LP's</span> than me and the unfortunate soul on the other end. That, and I'm a phone-o-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">phobe</span> ;) Mr. Pretties makes the phone calls in this house... </div><br /><div>What a month. I spent days with thoughts popping into my head like '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Omg</span>! I wonder if Wendy got her referral from Korea, I might have missed it!!' or 'I wonder how little Gabby's doing, and how Cam's dealing with preschool coming to an end' and 'I wonder what new words <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Mamalicious</span> has added to her vernacular, that I must then in turn add to mine??' I'm all caught up now though, whew!</div><br /><br /><div>I've been enjoying the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Aberfoyle</span> season to the max, and if I were a smart individual my seasons pass would have paid for itself by now... except for the part where I didn't get one... I know. But I'm also finding that the weather a few short 20 minutes away is almost always extremely different than here, which is frustrating when you don't have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Weathernetwork</span>.ca or the Weather channel! We went at the beginning of the month and I think we're just all now recovering from the hypothermia we got from the frigid temperatures and excessive wind! No joke it was 25 here, a lovely balmy Sunday morning, we pile into the car in our <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">capris</span> and T's (I did bring our spring jackets because it does tend to be slightly windy there due to the open fields) only to get there, get out of the car and have my nose immediately start running and my lips turn blue! I was the only one who braved it that day, Mr. Pretties and the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">littles</span> stayed in the car while I did a run through. The second time we went was alright, not too extreme either way, but still a bit chilly (we've been having pathetic weather here lately... someone needs to page summer weather ASAP) and then this past Sunday I dressed us all in two layers and packed out winter jackets because it was 16 here and windy like mad. We get to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Aberfoyle</span>, and, surprise! it was 23, Sunday, and not a whip of wind in site. Seriously. I don't know why I've never noticed in the past, but it's a little crazy!!! Then again I find <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Aberfoyle</span> usually has 1 of 3 weather options: Raining and miserable, cold and windy, or stinking hot. Usually one of the first two though, what's up with that?!</div><br /><br /><br /><div>We drove by a church sale last weekend and did a walk through, and found this ugly guy:</div><br /><br /><br /><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345438458397987426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/Si7P9OGGEmI/AAAAAAAAA8g/ncSJ_3OPnA4/s320/DSCI1990.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div>He was painted the worst brown you can imagine. It's no wonder that after Mr. Pretties and I left the sale (without him) that when we decided we could use it after all and went back four hours later at the end of the sale, he was still there for $20. Obviously he couldn't stay like that, that was out of the question! But he's a well made fellow, dovetailed <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">throughtout</span>, keyholes galore (that I happened to find a key for at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Aberfoyle</span>!), hand planed sides, and the original back. After introducing him to a fresh can of French Cream paint and a little hand distressing I think he looks far more attractive, and maybe even worth the $20 price tag <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">LoL</span> It's funny what a different a little colour makes! Plus, he holds as many clothes as our enormous long dresser did! I especially love the wee knicker drawers at the top, something about that just strikes me as fab!. Here he is all spiffied up in our bedroom(PS. I just went to take a better photo, dropped my pink camera and now it needs to go in to be repaired. Crap):</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345444446954623970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/Si7VZzNQk-I/AAAAAAAAA8w/yfT0g9Wd7m0/s320/4918689972.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div>We also just bought that chair beside the fireplace. I'm in desperate need of chairs (Or so I tell myself. And my 18 other chairs in my house...) just because it was the right colour, kind of interesting, and because I have a problem (mostly because I have a problem. Obviously).</div><br /><br /><br /><div>I did a redo of the previously black washstand, it is no Penelope Pink (as in white, but let's pretend it's pink) and I picked up an old <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Eastlake</span> chair at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Aberfoyle</span> last weekend that I'm recovering the seat in a B&W <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">toile</span> (I was just testing the fabric out in this picture... it's going to be a balloon top, so ignore all the extra fabric in there, and up close that chair is MEGA cool, all carved and detailed. I hate it when I take <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">sucky</span> pictures AND break my camera so I can't fix them). <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345443001770386386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/Si7UFrefI9I/AAAAAAAAA8o/9u0J1LBLnkQ/s320/DSCI1993.JPG" border="0" />Oh I painted our old depression era dresser too, but alas, since I just managed to kill my fairly new camera, I can't photograph it today. Ignore all the crap in my bedroom too. It's currently the 'catch all' for the extra furniture in our house ;) We need to switch some rooms around, but it hasn't happened yet. </div><br /><br /><br /><div>Preschool was done on May 27<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">th</span>, no one thought to inform me that the last day of school (I suppose it may only apply to grades like Preschool, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Kindegarten</span>, graduations, etc...) is as emotionally stressful as the first. Thanks guys. I was all about the last day of school, sweet, no more rushing around, baking cupcakes, etc... and then it came. And then I realized 'Hey! This is the last time we'll be in here, the last time we collect our snack and back pack, the last time I grab a painting of the easel (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Incase</span> you haven't noticed, I'm HUGE on 'lasts' they kill me)' and after I managed to get out the door and to the car I had myself a wee cry. Mr. Pretties has himself a large laugh. Go figure. But it makes sense if you think about, the first day of school is monumental, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">omg</span>, my child is going to school/grade/etc... but then the last day is like '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Omg</span>... my child is too old for -----' it's like another step away from babyhood... I know <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">kindy</span> and preschool aren't that far apart, but I'm just an emotional fool ;) At first I was totally disappointed that the preschool wasn't doing a graduation like some of the other ones (as in the one that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">LLP</span> is going to this year) but now I'm <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">greatful</span>, I don't need to attend an event coordinated simply to make me cry like a baby <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">LoL</span> God help us next year...</div><br /><br /><br /><div>This was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">BLP</span> on the first day of school and the last day, and yes, those are even the same pants! Trust me, she's changed SO much in just a short time :(</div><br /><div></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/Si7WlqhrntI/AAAAAAAAA9A/n-j-AQo-xJs/s1600-h/Megschool1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345445750294421202" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 243px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/Si7WlqhrntI/AAAAAAAAA9A/n-j-AQo-xJs/s320/Megschool1.jpg" border="0" /></a> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/Si7Y5zhkZwI/AAAAAAAAA9I/YrLUOWN18Wo/s1600-h/DSCI1987.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345448295330506498" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/Si7Y5zhkZwI/AAAAAAAAA9I/YrLUOWN18Wo/s320/DSCI1987.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a id="myphotolink" href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4123935&id=683325073"></a><a id="myphotolink" href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=4123935&id=683325073"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-2814337810812878462009-04-30T23:21:00.003-04:002009-04-30T23:40:58.681-04:00Dresser Love - Status Complete<div align="center"> </div><div align="center">... Or cotton candy meets grunge.<br /></div><div align="center"><br/>The LP's dresser was completed (mostly, I still want to rub antique medium over the pink to age it a bit more) yesterday and I'm pretty happy with the way it turned out. I promise it's not nearly as 'Barbie' in person, I think the flash makes the pink more vibrant or something. I'm thinking of putting some pink on one of the 'knobs' on the mirror cradle to pull the pink up, but we'll see. I also have to paste wax it, but you get the idea. </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br/>Before:<br/></div><div align="center"> </div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330694323761468402" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SfpuPoX-U_I/AAAAAAAAA8I/6AV7Dw3GlaA/s320/dresserbefore2.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330694779656379266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SfpuqKtym4I/AAAAAAAAA8Y/1IJudnvs1wk/s320/dresserbefore1.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center">After (The original 'Dresser Love' is the inbetween):</p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330691970421393394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SfpsGpf-h_I/AAAAAAAAA7g/aaKQ4repN3Y/s320/dresserdone1.jpg" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330691972306510322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SfpsGwhbIfI/AAAAAAAAA7o/2bYMX0E_XIc/s320/dresserdone2.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330691976241727714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SfpsG_LpyOI/AAAAAAAAA7w/6aUJUoEK1xg/s320/Dresserdone3.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330691974425861074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SfpsG4at29I/AAAAAAAAA74/rkuF2v-H1UE/s320/Dresserdone4.jpg" border="0" /></div><p align="center">The drawers are pink inside as well and will have pink toile paper podged to the bottoms, because, you know, <em>everyone</em> invests time looking in the bottom of their drawers, especially 2.5 year olds and 4 year olds... </p><p align="center"> </p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-31993019657929795542009-04-29T16:48:00.004-04:002009-04-30T13:42:05.330-04:00Pretty Scary...<div align="center">... or don't do projects in front of a mirror...</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />I have to do the vast majority of my 'projects' outside because we share our basement with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">landpeople</span> and are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">relegated</span> to one room for laundry and storage. This wouldn't be a problem aside from the fact that A) Our laundry abode doesn't afford us any windows for ventilation and B) Mr. Pretties doesn't so much love having pink spray paint on his work uniform... so mostly I go outside. This morning Mr. Pretties helped me haul out the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">LP's</span> big dresser, a little dresser, and my washstand that weighs more than both combined, I swear! I was ready for some work during <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">naptime</span>!</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />As you may remember, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">LP's</span> dresser has a swing mirror on top. I decided not to remove the mirror because it's a pain to put back together. I got the pink drawers all distressed and put back in and started working on the little dresser beside it. here I am all sanding away right, into it when I think I hear something, maybe someone coming up behind me. I'm a paranoid person by nature (Mr. Pretties can attest, he <em>never</em> comes up behind me because I scream like a banshee every. freaking. time.), which is made worse when I can't hear what's going on (believe it or not, a sander does not allow for good audio control...) around me. So I turn around to see if maybe the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">landpeople</span> have made their way into the backyard when my gaze is met by the most ungodly looking girl with wild greying hair, pasty looking face and horrified eyes. Needless to say an accident of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">bathroomical</span> proportions nearly took place. </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />Until, that is, I realized that the frightful girl I was having heart palpitations about was actually my reflection. My reflection in which both my hair and my face are covered in white crap from sanding. I'm <em>such</em> a <strong>huge </strong>dork it's unreal. If that weren't bad enough, five minutes later I did the exact same thing again... </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />What's the old saying?</div><div align="center">"<em>Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me</em>"? </div><div align="center"><br />What does that say for me? Shame on me squared because I'm scared of my own reflection!?</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><br />I think I've finally reached the toxic level of breathing in lead paint particles...</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-62687246220459055532009-04-28T20:15:00.005-04:002009-04-30T13:42:05.333-04:00Can You Hold?<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">... Or my furniture fetish (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ie</span>. sickness) has reached a new level...<br /></div><div align="center">Mr. Pretties usually phones home on his lunch to see how <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">everyone's</span> doing, and, <em>obviously</em>, because the tremendous pain of being apart from me for more eight hours at a time is far too much for one human to bare. Clearly. You might not want to cross reference that with Mr. Pretties though, you know, because he gets <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">embarrassed</span> about stuff like that. Or something. Anyways... so as I'm hosting an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">intriguing</span> discussion of what kinds of diapers I've changed this afternoon, who threw what in the aquarium, and whether or not I think Wilma might not be feeling well since she's been boycotting the bed all day (yeah, there might be something deathly wrong with your cat if it decides not to nap for the entire day...) I spied these sweet little things:</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329901873280823186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 154px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/Sfedg8SXr5I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/ItaUN7vFb0o/s320/pinkspindles.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">MmmHmm</span>... those are in fact pink antique spindles/balusters. For $5. Seriously? What a steal! So in the middle of my self diagnoses of Wilma's imaginary ailments our conversation (or non-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">versation</span> as it were) took the following turn:</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><strong>Jenn:</strong> <span style="color:#333333;">What would you say if I told you I was going to buy pink spindles?'</span></div><div align="center"><strong>Mr. Pretties:</strong> Pink what?</div><div align="center"><strong>Jenn:</strong> Pink spindles, you know, like when you have a railing and then you have the up and down things (Mr. Pretties requires these kinds of in depth descriptions)?</div><div align="center"><strong>Mr. Pretties:</strong> Uh huh...</div><div align="center"><strong>Jenn:</strong> Yeah those are spindles, someone on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Kijiji</span> is selling four of them for $5! AND they're.... pink!!</div><div align="center"><strong>Mr. Pretties:</strong> Pink spindles? No railing? Maybe a table top?</div><div align="center"><strong>Jenn:</strong> No... just spindles...</div><div align="center"><strong>Mr. Pretties:</strong> Why would you want to buy just the spindles?!</div><div align="center"><strong>Jenn:</strong> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Umm</span>... because they're pink?</div><div align="center"><strong>Mr. Pretties:</strong> So?</div><div align="center"><strong>Jenn:</strong> They're super cute... and pink!</div><div align="center"><strong>Mr. Pretties</strong>: But what would you do with them?!</div><div align="center"><strong>Jenn:</strong> I don't know... who cares, they're pink...</div><div align="center"><strong>Mr. Pretties:</strong> You would buy them even though you don't know what to do with them?</div><div align="center"><strong>Jenn:</strong> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">MmmHmm</span>... I'm sure I'd find a use for them sooner or later, maybe for now I could just stand them up in the corner and appreciate their pinkness?</div><div align="center"><strong>Mr. Pretties:</strong> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Uhh</span>... can you hold for a second?</div><div align="center"><strong>Jenn:</strong> Sure... why?</div><div align="center"><strong>Mr. Pretties:</strong> I need to make a phone call... do you have the number there for the FUNNY FARM?! Seriously?! Pink spindles?! You're making me sick I have to hang up now... I'll see you when I get home *over <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">exaggerated</span> sigh* pink spindles...</div><div align="center"><strong>Jenn:</strong> Well let's just check <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Ebay</span> here... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Ahh</span> yes... spindles $73.26 shabby baluster pink set of four $34.98 o---</div><div align="center"><strong>Mr. Pretties:</strong> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Ohhhh</span>... you didn't say you were going to buy them to sell them! Okay I get it now!</div><div align="center">Jenn: Sell them?! I'm not going to sell them!!! Are you crazy?!</div><div align="center"><strong>Mr. Pretties:</strong> Bye...</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center">Obviously by <em>'I don't know what I'd do with them'</em> I meant <em>'I don't know what I'd do with them because there are so many options to choose from!</em>' Seriously. They could be table legs, they could be cut down for those cute baluster candle holders, but I adore the point ends, so that wouldn't work. A window table? Yes! An old window table, those can be the legs, that would be fab! There we go, got it all figured out ;)</div><br /><div align="center">I guess lusting after pink spindles <em>is</em> a little far fetched, but that's me, take me as I am. Or something...</div><div align="center"></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1943852803480676900.post-80379740056408300062009-04-27T20:30:00.004-04:002009-04-30T13:42:05.336-04:00Glorious Aberfoyle Season...<div align="center">... Or has anyone seen Mr. Pretties?</div><br /><br /><div align="center">Sunday kicked off my very favorite time of year, it's what I like to call '<a href="http://www.aberfoyle-antiques.com/"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Aberfoyle</span></a> Season'. The weather man predicted a lovely balmy day of 26 degrees of sunshine and a beautiful blue cloudless sky for Sunday. What arrived however was a chilly 13 degrees of grey grisly clouds, and cold misting rain. Jerk. But rain or shine I was going, even if it meant I was fondling Duncan <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Phyfe's</span> while holding a blue and pink <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">polk</span>-a-dot umbrella ;) As it happened it wasn't 'misting' quite enough for that to be necessary.</div><div align="center"><br />Although it was a quieter day (most opening days are, people forget that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Aberfoyle</span> opens that weekend, because, you know, they have lives or something. For shame...) and due to the weather the majority of the visiting vendors cancelled their spots, so the visiting section was a little worse for the wear. However there seemed to have been new permanent vendors with some fabulous stuff and the prices were amazing! I brought my camera with me with the thought of taking pictures to both discuss with my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Aberfoyle</span> buddy as well as to post here, but I brought out my camera and people started to stare, followed by me feeling like a huge dork... so I slowly put my camera back in my bag, people started turning back around and I went on my way. Next time, I promise. </div><div align="center"><br />As much as I enjoy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Kijiji</span> I hate having to route through the mounds of tacky floral couches, lease-to-own <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">livingroom</span> sets, and Grandma's old kitchen table from 1970 with the co-ordinating teal sparkly chairs to get to the real goodies. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Aberfoyle</span> is like a Brita filter in that it keeps out all the crap and gets right to the treasures. I could spend all day mauling <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">everyone's</span> items (get your head out of that gutter, you know what I mean!!), sniffy drawers, and asking Mr. Pretties why he doesn't make more money... kidding... sort of... anyways... it's great because it's not like the low end flea markets where you see the same things 50 times at different booths, everyone has something wonderful and unique to offer, and it's not like the high end antique shops that have wonderful tradition items that you'd have to sell your soul and that of all of your offspring in order to afford one of their pieces (this by no means means that all antique shops are like this) because the prices are reasonable, and if they're not they're always open for bartering! The prices entice me because you get the rush of a good deal on an awesome piece, but you also pay enough that it's still important to you and means something. Does that even make sense? That might just be me actually... <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Hmm</span>...</div><div align="center"><br />I generally am not a big purchaser (I purchase regularly, just not bug purchaes, or a lot of little ones at the same time) at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Aberfoyle</span> (This is where Mr. Pretties income comes in... kidding.) but when I do purchase something it's because it's something that catches me the right way, *insert animal shelter analogy here - it's just like that puppy with the sad eyes that you can't leave behind* and it must come home with me because we have a 'connection'. I don't know if I've ever shared this theory with anyone other than Mr. Pretties, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">this'll</span> sound out there, but I always wonder when this happens if it's because maybe in another life I owned this item, or one like it and my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">subconscious</span> remembers and makes this connection. Weird, I know.</div><div align="center"><br />This week it was an old spice cupboard that is crap condition, smells like a smelly green walnut from a barn, and a door that has swelled indefinitely open (unless I plane the side) and opens with a skeleton key I don't have. A real winner, eh? </div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329538945915866546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SfZTbyfszbI/AAAAAAAAA64/JYV02OI7tLE/s320/DSCI0247.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329538953130423490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SfZTcNXyNMI/AAAAAAAAA7A/ZqwPP8Sqwq8/s320/DSCI0248.JPG" border="0" /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329538956155994658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SfZTcYpIwiI/AAAAAAAAA7I/ClnBM1lw8Us/s320/DSCI0250.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center"></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329538954427044306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_QNdcpoPmKWk/SfZTcSM7EdI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/-anSaAuqZ00/s320/DSCI0256.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"><br />What I see though is a terribly characteristic piece covered in wonderful naturally chipped and crackled paint, with fab moulding on the top, a key hole in the door, and a great hand written note inside the door about how many pounds <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">each pot</span>/pail/bowl in this farmer wife's home holds, and how much sugar to add to the pail of cherries :) It reminds me of the cupboard from the book 'Indian in The Cupboard' which has stuck with me so maybe that's why I had to pluck this up out of the rain and bring it home to shed it's <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">leady</span> paint everywhere ;) No idea what I'm going to do with it, but I'll do something. I have another small old cupboard that's quirky and I just love it!<br /><br />Next Saturday (the 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">nd</span>) from 7-4 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Aberfoyle</span> is having their first Spring Special with loads of visiting vendors, vendors from out of town, and general <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">fabulousness</span>, as well as the open market 8-5 Sunday. It's an <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Aberfoyle</span> weekend! Or you could just look it up at <a href="http://www.aberfoyle-antiques.com/">www.aberfoyle-antiques.com</a> ;)<br /></p><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">ETA: The cupboard door does infact close now... it was swollen from a combination of the side crack and the rain yesterday, apparently a day airing out in the warm sun (I can only handle so much 'ou de fruit farm' for so long while trying to sleep) did it some good because the door fits nicely now. However, it may never open again... why can't I just leave things alone?!</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Did you read this post? Yes? Excellent. COMMENTS!
Yours Prettily,
Jenn</div>Jennhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10633343755836405966noreply@blogger.com1