Down the Poppytrail Path

Down the Poppytrail Path...

Most of my followers wouldn't know that my very first business and dip into vintage was in the early 1990's when my youngest was just toddling.  My older two were in school. The name was The Calico Cow Ice Cream, Antiques and Decor.  I knew nothing about ice cream, antiques or how to run a business, but I'm a quick learner and had a lot of ambition and guts. 

I happened upon a vintage ice cream fountain in Knoxville, Iowa, and purchased it for $200.00.  It was a gem, really, but did need some work to get it operational. It broke down frequently as well. My landlord was more than generous in the very affordable rent, too! A very kind older gentleman who was eager to see something in his vacant building and who doesn't love ice cream, right?  Just one of many who have helped me on my way.

Not without problems and a small budget, plus having a little with me day in and day out, it was open for just a little over a year.  The final straw was when this same little climbed up to the sink and quickly grabbed the cap to the disinfecting solution...with one, teeny tiny drop of solution left in it.  It all happened so fast. Needless to say, she instantly got sick, and I had to take her to the ER.  

I loved my little shop and my first foray into small biz ownership, getting to use my love of decorating and finding my love of vintage.  But I loved my little girl and bigs much more and the time invested took me away from them and the life my hubs and I were building.  The time was not right so I closed. I have only great memories of my time doing this and it sparked my love of small business, entrepreneurship, AND vintage...

During this time though, I purchased my first vintage collectible, which was a piece of California Pottery, Poppytrail by Metlox, Green Rooster pattern. You can find more information here.  

I've since added to my collection, and I love it to this day never tiring of it. Many years later, I was at the Majestic Lion Antique Mall in Des Moines, Iowa (now closed) and I was getting ready to leave.  However, I had a strong feeling to go right, rather than to the left to leave.  So, I followed my instincts...my heart was palpitating (I am NOT exaggerating!) took another turn into a booth and low and behold, there was a huge collection of them. I quickly called my friend Barb, whom I purchased my very first piece from (she had consigned it with me) and she helped me figure out a price to purchase it all.  I was giddy and could NOT get over the pull I felt in my being.  

It was much later, and I was watching yet another episode of The Waltons, my all-time favorite show and I noticed for the first time, out of all the times I'd watched this show, a piece of the Poppytrail to the side of the sink. I had a piece just like it.  Enjoy a snippet of The Kitchen, Part 2 here.

To say I was elated was an understatement. If I could have picked a time that I'd like to have lived in, it would have been the 30's-40's. I always wanted to home-keep, have a large family and the Walton home...well, let's just say I live in a similar style farmhouse today. It was the home of my childhood dreams. The family of my childhood dreams. 

Walton's Photo Credit: Google search

I've always believed that a person could manifest the life they desired.  Not that it would be an easy path without obstacles but, 'going in the direction of your dreams' has always resonated with me. I also believe this is a God thing. 

This friends, is the life I imagined.  My INSPIRED Life where dreams to come true. 

Photos of Poppytrail pottery are from my own collection.

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Travel inspires me to be better!

 

We've had the pleasure of getting to do some traveling this year and I have many who want to know about the trip we just took out East. I thought I'd use this platform to share most of it with you.  I'll post a few times, breaking it down in a manageable way, throwing a few photos in here and there.

Firstly, though, I hope by sharing, it encourages you to get out and travel.  A day or long weekend trip, a few miles or several thousand.  It doesn't matter.  Make the time to do it.  I find it inspiring, transformational, energizing and refreshing. And home always feels better when you get back. 

Remember this tree and 
its beautiful color. Peoria

This trip I'm going to share has been a couple of years in the "saving".  When I started planning it, after Steve and I decided which direction we would be heading, I quickly realized that it was going to need to be three weeks long.  We had two sets of family we wanted to stop and see along the way and spend a couple of days with each.  Other than that, we had no specific time frame or scheduled events until the last week.  And there was no real 'planning' to be had, as we like to start, stop and stay as the mood or area inspires us.  The only thing on the agenda, after the family visits was Iowa to the East Coast for harbor hopping or bust.

We left home on Wednesday, October 12th, stayed overnight in Peoria, Illinois (a destination in and of itself) and arrived in Amelia, Ohio on Thursday evening, at the home of my cousin, Cathy, and her hubby, Marc.  Just outside of Cincinnati, they have a lovely, comfortable home in a little area of in-town acreages. 

A meal, a sleep and then we hit the road on Friday a.m. for breakfast in Cincinnati and a little site-seeing.  We ate breakfast in a cool, upscale, but nothing frivolous, restaurant right by the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge spanning the Ohio River and connecting Ohio to Kentucky, A Taste of Belgium at The Banks. I'm all about the atmosphere of a place first and foremost.  I would not consider myself a

Beltucky

 food snob, but if I were, the food here would fit the bill, as well. Goetta Hash and authentic Belgium waffles were on the menu. We ordered Bier Cheese & Pretzels to share (YUMMO), Steve had the Goetta Hash and Cathy had the Beltucky.  I think I had my usual, scrambled eggs and fixin's and a pumpkin hard cider. It was more 'brunch' time, than breakfast, I must add. The first cider of many on this trip.  

The last time we visited, Cathy took us into a really neat area of Kentucky. We made our way back into a different area of Kentucky on Saturday...more about that later.

Who remembers WKRP in Cincinnati?  It's still a 'thing' there.  The cities claim to fame, maybe?  Oh, maybe it's the Bengals, or the Reds? I don't know.  What I do know is that they have pretty impressive sporting arenas and areas dedicated to the tourism that comes into the area.  

This is the suspension bridge that connects Kentucky   and Ohio. We'll drive over another Roebling Bridge   as we make our way, eventually, through New York   City...how do you think we did?

My cousin, Cathy and I in front of the famous sign. 
 The weather was picture perfect

Next stop, Findlay Market.  A rough and tumble area of Cincinnati, but full of character with cool eateries and shops.  A farmer's market on steroids, I guess you might call it. Fresh meat, seafood, baked goods and more. Butchers and deli's that have been there for generations. Artists, makers, creatives, etc. call this area home. Permanent entities, open on the regular with the area bursting at the seams come the weekend.  Can I just say I loved everything about it?  EVERYTHING.

The sites, the sounds, the makeup of the area...the inhabitants.  It kind of has the feel of New Orleans, only on a very miniscule level. Cathy said it's pretty rough there after dark.

A nice Mexican dinner, where I had the first of many fish taco meals that I'd try on this trip. We ended the day over conversation at Cathy and Marc's. We were pooped.  

SATURDAY, October 15th

On Saturday, we found ourselves lazing around a bit, with coffee and chit-chat. Soon, we were off to Augusta, Kentucky, the hometown of George Clooney.  His parents still live there and his Aunt Rosemary's home is now a Museum, of which we toured.  She lived there until her death a few years ago.  The drive was beautiful, as we got off the highway and took a less traveled country road.  We drove alongside the river until we came to the ferry, to which we drove onto and ferried across to Augusta.  What a delightful and charming town.  A river town.  There's just something special about a river town, don't you agree?  

We were hungry and quickly went into another trendy, hip place, Beehive Augusta Tavern.  As I said earlier, atmosphere sets the tone, and this did not disappoint.  We were seated upstairs in this 1796 Landmark.  There is so much history here.  Click on the link I shared above for the Beehive and then click on the MORE tab, then click on history. 

 After a scrumptious, yet not ordinary meal, we perused the quaint shops housed in 300-year-old buildings before heading to the Rosemary Clooney Museum. Huge fans of White Christmas, the movie, Cathy and I were enamored with the costumes and memorabilia from several of Rosemary's movies.

Cathy new that the Clooney family still resided in the area and that Mrs. Clooney, George's mom, had an antique shop.  Well, it turns out that the one shop we didn't go in was hers.  We thought it was a gallery.  So, I high tailed it back over to see what it was all about and enjoyed a delightful conversation with Nina Clooney.  A darling lady, very tiny, but a real beauty.  Heck, I didn't ask her a thing about ol' George, we talked shop. Turns out we had a bit in common😊 

Rosemary Clooney Home,
now museum

Nina Clooney

My Cousin, Cathy and I
in front of the Sisters display. We learned 
that Vera Allen passed away
at a young age from Anorexia

Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye's
costumes

Steve and I with my cousin Cathy and her hubs, Marc

Thanks for coming along on the first leg of our adventure.  There's so much more to share.  Please leave a comment and share if you would.  I like to know your thoughts, too.  Have you traveled?  What has been your favorite place so far? Where would you go back to again?  Are you inspired and energized by traveling?  Our next leg takes us to the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia and Maryland.
Beth

Doobie Brothers...sixty, inspired and freedom.

My husband, Steve turned sixty two weeks ago and I follow him in a few weeks.  I loved my 50's and look forward to what my sixties bring on.  

This past Sunday, August 22nd, we did our stint at the Iowa State Fair, where we've volunteered at the Cultural Center (CC).  We thoroughly enjoy it.  This time, everyone we spoke to had come from out of state; Texas and Colorado, or had not been to the fair since their youth.  We brought out the map, marked where they currently were, and then tipped them off to where "we" felt the highlights of the fair were.  My to go spots, after they spent time in the CC: Agricultural Building, Bill Riley Stage, Pioneer Hall, Fabrics and Threads, etc.  Steve points them in the direction of the animals and machinery.  

While in the CC, I enjoy all the exhibits and vote for my favorite miniature display.  If I know of anyone entering exhibits, I try to find their work, specifically.  Kudos to those who enter...there are a lot of creative and artistic people out there.  I've always thought I'd enter, but I never have.  I think the quilts are some of the most beautiful works of art there is. The patterns, colors, quality-superb.  

After our four hour stint, we then start off by going our separate ways, see above.  We meet up, usually at the Bill Riley stage, food in hand for a quick bite and rest.  Then, we're off again, doing our thing, saving the spots we both want to go to together.  We had several hours to kill until the concert we were going to that evening.  We took the sky glider up to the hill, visited Grandfather's Barn and the artists in residence in that location.  There were many enjoying the beautiful day, sitting at shaded bistro tables with a glass of wine.  There were jewelry makers, potters and painters doing selling their pieces.  Remarkable, each one.  We took the sky glider back down, grabbed a bite to eat, then went to the concert.

As I mentioned before, we are at the ripe old age of SIXTY!  Yes, I'm saying it loud and pointed.  How did we get here?  What does this new milestone mean and how does it feel.  One day at a time.  A new freedom comes with age but, it doesn't feel any different.  Freedom...

Leading up to the concert, I surmised it'd be an older demographic.  Hands down. I was not incorrect.  I'd say we were some of the younger ones.  Seriously!  There were quite a few walkers, wheelchairs, and canes assisting this crowd with getting around.  At 72 years old, the Doobie Brothers

have been playing and singing for 50+years.  They sounded exactly the same. It was a great concert.  

I consider myself an observationist...my spell check tells me that it's not even a word. I looked it up, it doesn't really appear to be an official word, but, remember my use of freedom...I'm using it here. Anyway, I do like to observe and people watching is one of my fave things to do at the fair.  Anywhere really, when I take the time to do it. And, people at the fair are some of the most interesting characters you'll find anywhere.  I always wonder why people would wear white shorts/pants to the fair? High heels?  Dressy clothes?  I digress.

So, back to the concert.  There was an older-than-me gentleman that I had been observing.  He was in his late seventies, early eighties, I'd guess.  He was bent at the waist a bit, used a cane and had a little wobble to his step.  He walked past us a couple of times.  The last time I observed him, he was hobbling down the stairs.  Seriously, it was difficult for him. But, he made it, stood in front of the stairs on the platform, placed his cane on the garbage cane beside him, so it was close and wouldn't fall.  Right then, right there, he was in his element.  A man of 20 again.  He was singing and playing the air guitar. His age disappeared from his face.  No one but he and the band and his memories.  

In observing this man, my whole evening was made.  Two songs, that was all he had in him...or maybe it was all he needed. Or, maybe it was the two songs that meant the most to him.  The songs he wanted to hear before they left.  He grabbed his cane, turned around and motioned for someone to come down from the seats behind him.  She came down, and they left, beating the traffic besides.  

It was a spectacular day into evening with the Doobie Brothers, sixty, inspired and freedom!

Contemplating Over Coffee

I’m sitting at Bakers Square having coffee following a good breakfast. I’m treating myself today...prior to a day filled with Christmas shopping. In front of me sat a table full of men. 10-12 of them. I contemplate, over coffee, how they may know each other. What brings them together today; If they meet weekly, monthly, annually?  Classmates? Previous co-workers?  Men’s benevolent group?  

Retirees, no doubt. Their dress, gray or non existent hair, and character-filled faces tell the story. Some haven’t uttered a word...observers. A few carry the conversation...the outspoken “leaders”. They all chuckle. And, true to their character, the observer’s chuckles are subdued; the later, more boisterous. Then, there’s always those in the middle. Neither quiet observers, nor outspoken “leaders”. A nod in agreement. A clipped sentence. Speaking only when they have something meaningful to share. Something of substance. Not earth shattering, but not bobble-headed, either. 

I’m inspired by the ones in the middle, as I contemplate over coffee today. 

Getting the itch?

I’ve posed this question on my INSTA page, #burlapandroses. 

Are you getting the itch to decorate for fall?  What inspires you?  

Fall is my absolute favorite time of the year. The colors, the bounty of harvest, cool, crisp air. Hayrides and pumpkin patches. Rusty colors of fall leaves. 

I’m more interested in baking and homekeeping in the fall. Cooking seems simpler; crockpot soups and stews and roasts make it so. 

I have to admit, I am getting the bug...it’s just a bit too early for decorating for me, though. 

The photo is from an Insta page I follow; #kindredvintage. If this festive and inviting porch doesn’t inspire you, I don’t know what will. It’s got my creative thoughts flowing. 

Where do you find inspiration?

For me...anywhere, anytime, anything. 

Where do you find inspiration?

For me...anywhere, anytime, anything. 

It’s August 2nd and it’s a beautiful day!

Wowza!  This is a picture perfect summer day in Iowa. Low humidity makes it so. A gentle   breeze helps. The pretty blue sky with             floating clouds adds much to the beauty. It’s.  just delightful all the way around. 

I find inspiration comes in many forms. A       scent, a flower, a bird. Songs inspire.              Laughter inspires.  A memory inspires. 

But, kindness and generosity, a thoughtful    word or gesture inspire me most. Inspire me  to be better. To do better. To want better...for those I love most, my community and the     world at large.

A Facebook post today was truly an inspiration. It made me happy. It made me think about what I’d do in a similar situation. Would I have done something or nothing at all?  I’d like to think I’d have done something. I’ve gotten to be a blessing to others in different ways. As I am blessed in so many ways, I want to be a blessing to others,too. 

Did you know, or have you heard it said, that if you don’t accept another’s help, you’re keeping them from using their gift to be a blessing?

Taking help from others can be difficult. I’ve struggled with it. But, knowing how good it makes me feel when I’m able to bless someone else, and after hearing it described in this way, I’m much more accepting of help. 

Life is full of blessings. Sometimes, events and happenings cloud our perspective. I try really hard to concentrate on the blessings in life. Big ones, but mostly a series of small ones that make up this thing called life. 

I’m inspired to find, create, look for ways I can be a blessing to others. I encourage you to join me in this. 

Please feel free to use these hashtags if you hear and share a story. 

#alittlegoodnewstoday

#iammypeopleskeeper

#whatcanonepersondo

#iminspiredtobeaninspiration

#burlapandrosesmyinspiredlife

I’m all about inspiring others, especially women.

I posed a couple questions to my IG followers 

this morning and want to continue this 

conversation onto My Inspired Life. 

There’s so much beauty and goodness in our 

world. It inspires me every.single.day. to read 

positive and healthy living stories on my FB feed#goodpeopledoinggoodthings

#iammypeopleskeeper

#whatcanonepersondo

are my hashtags that I use when sharing good 

news and stories. Feel free to use them, too. 

Please share with me and my blog followers 

some ways you inspire and encourage others. 

Big ways, little ways, out loud and in private. 

If you don’t actively engage in this way, I 

“encourage” you to do so. 

Because, we can all use a “little good” today 🙌🏻

PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENT HERE 

ON THE BLOG 

Homekeeping at Crooked Hedge Farm

Summer is quickly upon us and the temps here in Iowa have been excruciating, to say the least.  It's perfect for the corn (especially sweet corn) as the saying goes, "knee high by the 4th of July".  In many areas, I'd guess this is true, however, eastern Iowa experienced 100 year floods early this spring, and I'm afraid many fields have not even been planted yet, nor will be.  It's been a difficult time for our farmers.  

In amongst the heated days, I've spent much of my time the past week in my garden beds.  They were, and some still are, a disaster.  When I had the time to get in them, it was either raining or unseasonably cold.  Even though it was hot, I seemed to get quite a bit done and felt real good by days end.  There's just something about getting in a good day's work...you're tired; and I mean tired.  A very good tired. 

This week, it's all about prepping for my monthly occasional sale this weekend.  But, before that, we CELEBRATE!  The 4th of July is this week, too, and although I'm not a real big holiday decorator, I have pulled out a few things in my stache of goods.  It doesn't take much, to add a few pieces to your everyday decor to look festive and in the mood for the holiday.  

Our annual outing is to the parade in a neighboring town.  It's always a nice one and we always seem to get our same spot...nice and shady.  I do love a great parade and the 4th of July ones are my absolute fave. YOURS?

The one thing about the summer holidays; Memorial Day to Labor Day, the red, white and blue theme works all season long.  Again, a few additions here and there.  A take away, like Uncle Sam, over there, and your simple easy decorating works.

In this photo, I have a vintage, stand-alone, flower box that sits front and center on my front porch.  Filled to overflowing with annuals, I added a flag that will stay in year 'round, actually.  Uncle Sam adds to the 4th of July spirit and I have a cut-up piece of a South Dakota license plate that fit in perfectly.  Both Uncle Sam and the plate will come out after this weekend.  The rusty, crusty flower stays up all summer, too.  I've had it for several years and I never tire of it.  Made by a local gal pal who runs her own business, I've bought and sold many of her pieces through Burlap & Roses over the years.

I've found another local biz to get my own designs cut, now, so I'll be selling them at B&R starting this weekend.


This display is found in my home.  The large platter is a piece out of a set of Pfaltzgraff.  Love lives here, is a tin tray that I picked up for $5 bucks at Dollar General.  I could not pass it up and it fits perfectly behind the vintage beaded daisies, placed in vintage apothecary jars.  Their little tops sit in front.  I like how this turned out.

Let's just say it's "as fresh as a daisy" in its appeal.  Nothing fancy.  Nothing over-the-top.  Simple in design, clean and fresh.  

I'm inspired by many things.  What inspires you?  A color, flower, barn or building?  Good people doing good things?  Tell me about what INSPIRES you.

A few years ago, a gentleman in Indianola came into my shop and offered to let me and my biz partner come into a home he was going to demolish and get out what we wanted.  As I was walking around the outside, I asked him what his plans were for the surrounding landscape bushes and plants.  He said they'd be destroyed.  

I jumped on that and we saved quite a few of the Hydrangea bushes.  I'm happy to say, mine all survived and have done very well.  

I went out today and got another bunch to replace the original bouquet.  They are lush and vibrant.  I quick made this display using vintage flash cards, old "collectors' stamps and the creamy hued Hydrangeas. 

Bits and pieces come together to make great vignettes with very little time or money spent.  Shop your home...your garden, heck event the garage.  One never knows what you'll find. 

Our lighted flag is slightly swaying today in the mild breeze. It hangs in its rightful place of honor at our front steps, on the old round porch post.  

I've place a solar light in one of our planters that keeps it lit at night so we don't have to take it down daily.  

I think our flag is very pretty.  

RED.WHITE.BLUE!

What are your 4th of July plans?  How do you celebrate?  Please share with me some of your traditions or new things you're trying.  A recipe?  An outing?  Picnic?  Leave it in the comments section on this post.  It makes it fun for me and everyone who reads it. 

Happy 4th of July...and REMEMBER, 

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE 

Burlap & Roses at Crooked Hedge Farm is open this Friday and Saturday, July 5th and 6th from 10:00-5:00.  4500 G76 Hwy., New Virginia, Iowa 50210

You can always SHOP with me on my ETSY store.  Open 24/7 for your shopping convenience. Just click on the link and you'll be taken to my site.  

You can follow me on Instagram: Burlap & Roses

it's Christmas morning...

We've hit a new 'normal' as far as Christmas goes.  No little ones at home to ready the place for Santa to visit, no one at home now, to celebrate Christmas morning with.  They all have their own homes and little ones.  So, what does this new normal look like? BLAH! How does it feel?  Lonely, at best.

Everything is just 'off'.  We celebrated very early for our family this year. Recognizing that a lot of families do this, but, it was new for us.  Kind of threw me off from the get go.  It was a great time together.  Not dismissing that, but overall, it just threw off the balance.  The BIG hoorah!

Now that our kids are grown and have families of their own, their schedules have multiplied to get everyone in.  They are now doing the crazed, "gotta get to everyone's house" dance.  I'm glad those days are over.  But, it does leave a loneliness that we've never really felt before.  A new normal.

So, our Christmas Eve was spent in the quiet of our home relaxing and watching Christmas movies, while snacking.  No meal, just snacks, and adult ones at that.  Good quality cheeses, pickled asparagus and gourmet olives to name a few.  It was nice relaxing and enjoying the quiet.  But, it was a bit blah!  

So, we did what we wanted and opened our gifts from each other.  It started with new p.j.'s.  Then, we said, oh, let's open a couple more...then, what the heck, let's open all of them.  And we did.  

When my head finally hit the pillow, I laid there thinking of the first Christmas so long ago.  I think I was searching for the 'real' meaning.  Something of substance now that I could really focus on what it's really all about.  So, I laid there and envisioned what it must have been like.  The trudge, the fear, the angst of having a baby born in a barn.  Knowing that you were going to give birth to a king, knowing the way in which you were 'with child', the scorn of the world upon you.  Strange but all-knowing at the same time.

What must it have been like for the Shepherd's?  The Angels?  How did the inn-keepers feel after they found out what they had done? 

So, I fell asleep with visions of Jesus birth.  I awoke with the same.  Then this came across my Facebook page and I thought, this is what I want to share. I was inspired to share it with you.  

I think this will be my new normal... and, it's been here all along. Merry Christmas from me to you.  Beth

First-timers to our farm

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It's a super day here in the rolling countryside of Warren County, Iowa.  It's brisk, yet the sunshine is deceiving.  It warms the sunroom, from which I post today.

I had some gal pals over this past Sunday.  They were first timers to our farm, and wanted a tour.  We've been here for eight years.  We've worked on many reno projects, and still have some to do.  I love to show off what we've worked so hard on.  Here's just a few snipets.  Enjoy!

the girly room in the house...for our granddaughter

Fabric~my inspiration piece for the room

a wall in our master bath

lace valances in the master bedroom

vintage wire basket turned light fixture

close up of the fall bounty display. i love the colors in the vintage enamel ware. the gourds were grown in our garden

looking on into the sitting room from the dining room

     small mirrored sconce refreshed with Websters Chalk Paint Powder and black paint i had on hand

more from the girly room

i really love these paintings and colors blend in perfectly with the inspiration chair fabric

close up

close up

the wall art changed out and a new lamp

ceramic birds...i love birds

a plaque in the guest bath...have you discovered your passion?

Sunshine and snow in the same day...

It's so pretty out today.  The sun is shining bright beautiful.  Snow is creeping in to our area later today.  I can take snow...when the sun is shining.

It's the gray and bleak that seeps into my conscience and brings me down.  I.need.the.sun. 

Last year at this time, my hubs and I got to spend two weeks in Santa Barbara, California.  My father and his wife treated us to great accommodations, fun sight seeing, wonderful food and an all around fantab time.  Forever grateful! 

And, did I mention the sun?  Sunshine, sand and water...a great combo.  I instantly feel healthier and want to eat fruit and drink water with lemon. 

If it snows today...so be it.  We've had a beautifully mild winter so far.  Lots of sunshiny days have moved us that much closer to spring and I'll be inspired by that thought!

A Fantab Idea

Most anyone who's remotely 'close' to me knows that I'm a magazine junkie.  BIG TIME!  I was chatting with some new found friends, via Burlap & Roses, over coffee the other day and our conversation lead to this topic.

I have stacks and stacks of magazine clippings of photos of homes, rooms, decor, design ideas, etc.  The one thing about doing that, that I don't like is it's not a good and fair way to 'share' the magazine.  Some will be re-sold at Burlap & Roses at a great discount.  Others will be donated to the library, a nursing home, trading with friends, etc.  Sooooo...

One of the gals said, "just take a picture" of the picture, then save it on your computer.  BRILLIANT, I say.  So, when I couldn't sleep last night (up 'til 4 a.m.) I did just that.  Went through my stacks of magazines (in an effort to organize and clean up the piles), took photos of the things I wanted to "keep" and filed them away under my Home and Garden Decor file on my computer.  I will keep them there, AND I plan to share them on PINTEREST...to share the LOVE!  If you'd like to follow me on Pinterest, just click on the highlighted PINTEREST that I've provided.  If you're knew to Pinterest and would like to be invited to join, just let me know by providing me your email address.  I'll help you geet started.  Can you say EYE CANDY?  ; )

Inspiration is the key word here...you won't be disappointed!

golden glow

As I awoke this morning and looked out the window overlooking the rolling 

countryside, a golden glow left me speechless.  It was beautiful.  

A great start to an even better day ahead.  A Golden Glow kind of day...

make it the best day yet and ENJOY!

off to a great start...day 3 of 2012

happy new year, friends.  it's day 3 of 2012 and i'm off to a good start.  the 2nd day of the year was spent working on my books...prepping for tax time.  it felt good to see the year in review...what sold, what didn't do so hot, just where i need to go this year with burlap & roses. 

and, on a personal level, i know where i want to go, too.  more family and friends, taking time for i and my hubs, hoping to get a little travel in too.  what about you...

share your thoughts with me here and may all your ideas and plans come to be.

Whatever your dreams...

I saw this posting today on Facebook.  I like it...

"Whatever you do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius and power and magic in it….Thinking is easy, acting is difficult, and to put one’s thoughts into action is the most difficult thing in the world." ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

What do you dream to do?  Have?  Be?  Start planning today, your dreams will be reality sooner than you think.  


Be Inspired, Be an Inspiration!

Tricked out apartment...Burlap & Roses style

Our youngest daughter graduated from college last December and acquired full-time employment at Honey Creek Resort  on Lake Rathbun near Centerville, Iowa, where she had interned the previous summer.  

Excitement ensued as she and I spent a couple days apartment shopping.  We found the perfect place and Mackenzy graciously let me trick out her apartment with items from Burlap & Roses... and a few pieces from home, too.  

Her main room is one open area, so we set out to make a couple "defined" areas.  Above left, we set up a small bar area, complete with the once "used as a check out counter" cabinet.  One side has doors to hold extra supplies and an area for mixing drinks.  On top, we added a vintage tablecloth, folded into a triangle shape in the red/black and cream color scheme.  Two black iron stools offer add'l seating when entertaining guests.  The wall board in the back was picked up at a garage sale Mackenzy and I went to years ago.  It's the perfect backdrop for the "bar" area and she's personalized it with her photos and art.  

In the living area, a loveseat, slip covered in cream, signifies the seating area.  The side and coffee tables came from Burlap & Roses, New Virginia.  The black armoir has been used in various places in our home, and is a great addition to the living room in the apartment.

In the photo to the left, on what was a huge blank white wall, we hung a vintage, handmade quilt, which warmed up the space and gave it a punch of color...which was needed.  


The magazine rack came out of inventory, too.  the pillows were re-used from home.

In the picture to the right, the artwork, tweaked by repainting what was pink and changing it to a deep red and then using glitter on the mouth, makes for a unique and modern look to the otherwise, vintage pieces.  Below the painting, another piece from the inventory at Burlap & Roses.

Mackenzy utilizes a black Love Sac chair and a leopard patterned butterfly chair for additional seating. 

A vintage red faux leather chair can be brought to the seating area if more is needed.  Otherwise, it sits just outside the opening to her kitchen.  On the other side of the doorway, Mackenzy has situated another black iron stool with her laptop computer stand...another great "spot" for her when she's working on her photography, chatting on FB or surfing the net.                                          

Moving on to her bedroom area, a vintage iron bed, bedside tables, lamps and small loveseat make their home in this space.  Blending vintage and new, Mackenzy found the bedspread (first) and everything else just matched up perfectly.

The side table and magazine rack are from Burlap & Roses

This dresser made its way to a small alcove in the corner.  This piece, too, has been in use throughout the years in our home.  Painted cream and shabbied up, it's stood the test of time.

Mackenzy's middle name is Grace, named after her Great Grandma Grace, who passed away just 4 days before she was born.  These vintage letters were just the right thing for the built in shelf at the landing of the stairway.  She's added other pieces around it and it's turned out to be a real cute area. 

The apartment turned out so cute and is just perfect for Mackenzy's laid back, comfortable and inviting style.  She's quite at home there and it's a great place to come home to.  Being thrifty is in, quite charming and definitely offers a unique and customized style, and is INSPIRING.  

Do you have an INSPIRED space to share?  Please share your photos with me and your story at:  myfrontporch4500@yahoo.com.  I may feature you in one of my future blog postings.