A Grand Flag, Indeed. . .

Retirement affords one with the gift of time!
For many years, 
I've wanted to do something "more" for Flag Day!

This year, On Crooked Creek,
I'm paying tribute to our Grand Old Flag 
along with honoring two of my former students 
now serving in the U. S. Marine Corp.

I've chosen the Entry Hall On Crooked Creek
for A Grand Old Flag themed vignette.

I began by decorating my Victorian chalkboard
with the Red, White and Blue and a phrase dear to my heart
from the lyrics to You're  A Grand Old Flag.

Red and white gingham checked ribbon, 
blue faux hydrangeas and a 4~inch American Flag 
greet our family and friends upon arrival On Crooked Creek. 

To set the tone for this Flag Day vignette, 
I angled a small American Flag with a slight drape.

Then, I placed my white lidded urns
atop the flag to ground the vignette.

Since both of my students photos are the same size,
I chose "Mr. Ed's" copy of Book Of Worship For U.S. Forces,
as a riser to vary the heights.  

A vintage cream ware USA vase 
holds an arrangement of red faux hydrangeas
and three 4~inch U.S. American Flags.

Having recently received my male students photo

upon his graduation from Boot Camp, 

a quick shopping trip was needed to find a suitable frame.

Using a beaded napkin ring,
I added a decorative touch to the sconces.

The photo above is an heirloom from "Mr. Ed's" Grandmother.

I adore how the couple 'giving thanks' for their bountiful harvest

looks down upon my students photos.

For an added touch of blue, I place an acrylic paperweight 

next to the vintage counter check holder.

This is the view of A Grand Old Flag tribute On Crooked Creek 

as you enter from the Kitchen to the Entry Hall.

A visual reminder for me to pray daily for

Matthew Bradley, my favorite male U. S. Marine. . .

and for Kaley Binford, my favorite female U.S. Marine. . .

as they serve our Country striving daily to make this 

"The home of the free and the brave",

under A Grand Flag, Indeed. . .

Until next time. . .

Simplistic Hues. . .

While we're waiting for Spring to arrive 
here On Crooked Creek,
 I did a simple re~arrange of the built~in hutch and buffet.

Simplistic Hues. . .

Soft sage greens combined with creamy ivory
and pristine whites awaiting to welcome Spring.

Pristine white vintage feminine dinner plates
combined with our everyday white porcelain 
fit nicely on the contrasting black wrought iron plate stand.

Crystal salt and pepper shakers await use on a petite green tray.
Due to unseasonably cool temperatures,
our bowls have been used more for soups than cereal 
in the past few weeks here On Crooked Creek.

Sorry, I couldn't hide the over~cast skies in this photo, dear ones.

Staining the pine box, 
made by "Mr. Ed", a honey oak brings warmth to our dining area 
harmonizing nicely with our dining room furnishings.
The delicate embroidery of soft buttery yellow hues
gives me hope that more Seasonable days are soon approaching.
Paying homage to the Robin's that frequent our feeders,
I added this Robin's Egg hued creamer to enhance 
the idea that Spring is in the air. 

I filled the box to the brim
with my ever growing collection of scalloped cream ware dishes.
Just a piece, or two, of Bordallo Pinheiro 
keeps the vignette from becoming too stark.

On Crooked Creek,
simplistic hues ease the long awaiting of Springs arrival!


Until next time. . .


* * * * * * *FYI* * * * * * *
To view above the open shelf of this built~in china cabinet
see a past post Coloring My World. . .(here)!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

On Crooked Creek will be joining

www.betweennapsontheporch.net

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch

for Metamorphosis Monday!

Be sure to visit

for you’ll come away

filled with amazing inspirations

for use in your own home décor!

Pretty Peat Pots!

When it's time to divine those plants from your Garden 
or begin some Garden seeds anew,
why not 'pretty~up' your peat pots? ? ?

Before. . . 

These plain 3~inch peat pots 
were purchased at our local Wal~Mart.

. . .After!

Wanting to set a unique presentation display 
for my upcoming talk on Herbs~Edible Plants,(here) 
I remembered some adorable Easter decorations
made by Donna @ The Decorated House(here).

* * * * * * * Tutorial * * * * * * *
I began by painting the peat pots 
with various shades of creamy ivory and soft muted gray.
Some of the coffee filters 
were dipped to tip the tops for a finished appeal.

Once the paint and coffee filters were dried,
I folded a coffee filter in half.

I remember very little from Home Economics 101,
but did some cutting to ease the ruffle of the coffee filter
to better fit the peat pot!

When I had determined the correct size needed,
I removed the remainder of the coffee filter 
and hot glued into place.

Embellishing with  some satin ruffled sage green ribbon
to mimic the coffee filter ruffle gives a finished look to one set.

The next set of five gray peat pots 
needed to harmonize with the chosen color palette 
for my presentation.

Black and white gingham checked ribbon
accentuates the green herb seed packets rather nicely!


Although my presentation for my circle group was Herbs,
I chose to decorate a few pots with flower seeds, as well.

In preparation for an upcoming Tea On Crooked Creek,
I chose a feminine color palette of creamy ivory, green and pink.

To creamy ivory peat pots,
I added chartreuse with white polka dot grosgrain ribbon,
then hot glue a taupe and white vintage button in the center.

My choice of  Zinna flower seed hues are
Envy (chartreuse), Purity (creamy ivory) 
and Dahlia Purple (Pink).

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Most all the supplies were already "on~hand".
My only expense ~ less than $2  for the each package of peat pots!

Amazing what a few packets of seeds,
some inexpensive peat pots splashed 
with paint and embellishments in an afternoon 
can do to transform your Garden or dining table 
into a work of Art!


Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creek will be joining

www.stonegable.blog.com

Yvonne @ StoneGable for

Tutorials Tips and Tidbits!

Thyme To Bloom. . .

Dear Ones,
I do apologize for not having been around to visit!!!
During this past week, I gave my presentation titled,
Herbs ~ Edible Plants to my JOY Circle group!

Whew!!!
It was a lot of preparation 
getting all those peat pots painted and decorated,
but I adore the finished appearance of my presentation table!!! 

I began this journey 
with the make~over of my son's lil' red wagon(here).

The night before my presentation,
I set up a mock table in the lower level Family Room 
On Crooked Creek!

To allow the herbs to have center attention,
I kept my backgrounds light and neutral.

A vintage white damask table cloth hides the folding card table.
Next, I placed an ecru linen table cloth 
at an angle for added interest.
Atop both tablecloths, 
I place a tan linen runner giving more contrast and depth!

Placing these herb embroidered dishtowels 
inside the wagon keeps the chassis  from being visible.

Placed inside the decorated peat pots 
are various herb seed packets for display!

I adore using these wooden crates made by "Mr. Ed" !!!

These two wooden crates, stacked atop one another, 
serve a duo~purpose during the evening!
The top crate holds decorative peat pots with flower seeds
while the bottom crate holds the pamphlets for the group!
(You'll be seeing those cute little peat pots in an upcoming Tea On Crooked Creek!)

Near the handle of the Shabby Chic Wagon,
are three empty peat pots which will be planted with
a Basil, a Chive and a Thyme for demonstration purposes!

Our JOY Circle group,
 will also be tasting Herb Butter made using the Onion Chive!
I've placed a vintage cream ware oval serving platter and bowl
atop yet another herb embroidered tea towel to hold
crackers and Lemon Chive Butter!

Harvested and dried lavendar from two Seasons past
will adorn the table and scent the air with its heady fragrance!

I added some garden tools 
and my garden gloves, freshly washed, to the wooden crates!

During the course of my presentation,
my intent was to aid my JOY Circle Sisters
in choosing what herbs to try, 
give them a guide for making choices of which herbs to use,
how to use herbs~ be it for beauty, cooking or fragrances
and where to plant those herbs for optimum enJOYment!

All~in~all, I count the presentation a success!
Several ladies commented 
on how much they enjoyed my display!

In the very near future,
I'll be showing you, through a tutorial, 
how I decorated these peat pots for my presentation.

Now, I've some catching~up to do!
Thank you for your patience 
while I was pre~occupied with my presentation.

Potting aside,
now is the Thyme To Bloom. . . 


Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creek will be joining

www.astrollthrulife.net

Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for
Inspire Me Tuesday!

And. . .

Debra @ Common Ground for
Be Inspired Friday!

Be sure to visit

for you’ll come away

filled with amazing inspirations

for use in your own home décor!