The simple pleasures of home shine brighter
when the spirit of God intertwines our hearts
with His gentle Joy.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Lightening Up For Spring!

Lightening up for Spring continues with the built~in china cabinet On Crooked Creek.



Streams of sunlight warm and brighten the dining area allowing for a timely decor change.

Before . . .


Fall and Spring are the two main seasons of change On Crooked Creek. Silver makes its shining appearance early in the Fall to aid in the reflection of light as the days shorten.

. . . After


Pastel hued floral china coffee and tea sets arrive early in the Spring . As our days begin to lengthen, we find On Crooked Creek our entertaining, once again, begins after winters solstice.




This year as I began to "work my magic" with my extensive coffee and tea set displays, I added several dessert and decorative plates behind the collections to soften and lighten the interior of the cabinet.


A gift from dearest of friends, this soft white with delicate pink roses is my favorite coffee set. I placed two dessert plates behind to help camouflage the wall paper. Stacked high are the remainder of the dessert plates and saucers, serving as risers to heighten the stacked cups,adding visual interest. My Mother~in~laws hand embroidered cocktail (tea) napkin repeats the colors and softens the hard edges of the wood shelving. A soft spray of faux
roses and vines fills in the dark corners with Spring florals. 


This Easter tea set, another gift, is from my Illinois pen pal. It rests on an egg shaped tray. The tea pot, creamer and sugar all have egg shapes and share the same color palette as the coffee set. I used reticulated, decorative, cream, I. Godinger and Co. salad plates to showcase this adorable tea set. By using the same napkin and Spring florals, a continual flow follows across the entirety of the upper shelf.






Because the center shelf doesn't have the same height clearance, it won't allow for a plate background or a coffee pot. Not a problem! I accept this challenge as an opportunity to showcase some of my acquired vintage glassware. Pink depression era ~ Buttons and Bows ~ pitcher, sugar and creamer combined with a pink Fostoria creamer.


Odds and ends, of sorts, of blue vintage glassware. Fruit compote, bon bon compote and a lonely depression glass sugar bowl. This shelf also displays the various tea cups from my heirloom collection. A harmonious blending of styles from both my Mother and Mother~in~law.


The lower shelf is the perfect place to display my continually growing  Turquoise Blue and cream Homer Laughlin Epicure China. Dinner plates, bowls, cups and saucers, sugar bowl ~ all of which will be used soon and frequently On Crooked Creek.




The final coffee set displayed is one Made in German Democratic Republic. White decorative vintage plates are the perfect size for my two and three tier plate racks. The proximity of  these items allows for quick access for Spring entertaining On Crooked Creek.


Behind the closed doors of the lower cabinets are all the other various Spring serving pieces!


The top shelf houses the extra pieces of my Homer Laughlin collection, coffee and tea cups and saucers to the above sets. . . and finally my Christmas dessert plates. White china and crystal glass individual floral vases, salt cellars, individual cup cake stands and a toast rack.



The bottom shelf  holds larger crystal and vintage heirloom Spring serving bowls and trays, a punch bowl complete with cups and ladle, a set of stemware and crystal dinner bells.

The two drawers above these doors contain cloth napkins and napkin rings ( on the left) ~ decorative seasonal linen dish cloths (on the right).

Fall  ~  to  ~  Spring . . . 





Silver  ~  to  ~  China. . .







One thing remains the same On Crooked Creek. . .




Seasons change . . . and so do I!


On Crooked Creek is joining our gracious hostess Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphosis Monday. Be sure to stop by for a visit and be inspired to make changes in your own home decor.




Until next time. . .


Monday, March 7, 2011

One Year Anniversary!

One crosses many milestones as they experience the journey of life. Our One Year Anniversary was a memorable milestone for "Mr. Ed" and I.



Most young couples spend their first year of marriage together. Not the case for this newlywed couple. You see, March 27, 1970, 
I sent Ed away on a Greyhound Bus.

I vowed not to let him see me cry. I remember standing there trembling on the inside.

As the bus turned the corner, I felt my whole world had just left with him. I remember getting into the car, lying my head onto the steering wheel and just letting the floodgates flow.

Ed had just left for the Induction Center in Kansas City.


When I was graduating from High School, "Mr. Ed" was graduating from Basic Training.

The following morning, I boarded a TWA flight for Fork Polk, Louisiana.

By evening, I would be re~united with my husband.




During his first furlough from the U. S. Army,
we celebrated our One Year Anniversary!


We drove to Kansas City and saw the opening of the movie Funny Girl starring my all time favorite Barbara Streisand at Glenwood Manor.

We spent the night, ate year old wedding cake and exchanged gifts. I gifted him with a Timex watch.

His gift to me. . .this French Couple porcelain busts.

During our many military moves, the male bust was broken beyond repair, leaving the female bust alone, for the better part of twenty years.



Shortly after our Fortieth Wedding Anniversary,
on our Annual Trout Fishing Trip to Bennett Spring State Park,
I spotted a lonely porcelain male bust on a high shelf at the Heartland Antique Mall in Lebanon, Missouri.

As I carefully removed him from the shelf and turned him over ~ the same insignia was on his blue felted base. An exact match to the base of my female busts. 

I cradled him close as I carried him to the cash register where he was wrapped in layers of tissue.

Again, I stood there trembling on the inside. My heart was racing as I begin to think of a reunion, of sorts, for my lone bust.



Arriving On Crooked Creek, 
I placed the male bust on the shelf ~ along with the once lonely female porcelain bust.

Twenty years she waited, alone, to be reunited with her mate. More than twenty years I, too waited, for "Mr. Ed" to finally come home.

A journey that has led us through many milestones. 


The experience of life's journey continues for "Mr. Ed" and I
. . .On Crooked Creek.




I'm joining hostess Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday! Be sure to stop by and see all the lovely table tops blog land ladies have prepared for your viewing pleasure!


Until next time. . .

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Spring Evolves On Crooked Creek. . .

Blossom~by~blossom Spring evolves On Crooked Creek. . .



This past week, I was on the hunt for a small natural element wreath. Earlier in the year, I purchased a twig wreath with a miniature bird's nest. Thinking at the time, it would work on my wreath stand come Spring. I found two twig wreaths at Michael's. . .but they were a bit more than I was willing to pay. Goodwill wreaths were affordable, but had seen better days. So~o~o~. . . I stopped in at a local Antique Shop~ Roadhouse Antiques where I found a soft pastel hued floral wreath. Not at all what I had envisioned; however the hues were perfect for the season.



Inspiration comes from a variety of sources. Sometimes, it comes from a change of decor, a make~over, a move to a new home, a remodeling, or as in this case. . .a change of Season.

Springs official arrival is still a few weeks away. Each morning this week, I've awakened to the chirping of bird's outside my windows. Dear ones, there is no better alarm clock than the joyful singing of bird's to these ears! Thus, the motivation for the change to the entry hall On Crooked Creek. . .our fine~feathered friends.





A Spring cloche displaying a nest is under the watchful eye of both gender of birds. Their characteristic expressions indicates a puzzling dilemma. The golden bird statutes atop walnut pedestals were a recent purchase at Memories of Home Winter Sale @ 50% off!




Angel of Miracles depicts how gently we are held during the difficult situations of life. This is one of my favorite Willow Tree collectibles. Notice how the shoulders are rounded to help cradle the fallen bird between the cupped hands. Ever so gently the angel holds the bird, as not to damage or cause pain in any form.







My newest Willow Tree collectible is titled Happiness! This figurine is an embodiment of pure joy with bluebirds perched on outstretched arms ~ it reads FREE to sing, laugh, dance. . .create.



Spring a time for new beginnings.
                                                                    A freshness of the air and soul!


Until next time. . .



I'm linking to A Spring Cloche Party with our gracious hostess Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life. Join in the festivities and come away inspired with a freshness of ideas for your own home decor.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Lower Level Living. . .

Seems as if we spend a great deal of time in the lower level living On Crooked Creek than in years past. Contributed in part, to the Studio where I spend many of my days creating and designing. "Mr.Ed", also, has various hobbies which he pursues on the lower level, as well. 

So~o~o. . .I've been doing a lot of photographing and tweaking of our living areas.

 BEFORE. . .
Christmas On Crooked Creek 2010!


Several close friends and I have chatted about a bug going around "our town".  .  . a "cleaning bug" to be more specific. At first thought, we all decided it was caused by the near 70 degree weather we were experiencing. Not a common factor on the prairie. Maybe it was the onset of Spring cleaning with our spring~like temperatures. Whatever caused "the bug", it sure has made a difference in the appearance of lower level living On Crooked Creek!

. . .AFTER!
The "Cleaning Bug" 2011!

Our son and daughter~in~law were a great help in assisting me to pull off a huge surprise for "Mr. Ed" this year for Christmas. We replaced his remote control color T.V. with a new flat screen T.V. Yes! I know everyone else has one. . .but dear hubby didn't. Now he does.





At first, we tried watching T.V. from the gentleman's dresser. I don't know if it was the tree or the hat box, but I always seemed to be distracted!




Double Dresser in Dining Room.




Double Dresser
Across from Couch.


That "cleaning bug" really took hold of me. . .and I moved the double dresser from the dining area and placed it across the room from the couch.



A Comforting Reading Chair.

The Lodge Tree that we usually kept out all year long . . . now has a new home under the staircase and will remain there until Christmas On Crooked Creek. In it's place is an upholstered rocking chair and pillow that belonged to my beloved mother.

In keeping with the decor of the lower level, I added a few Trout Fishing accessories. . .

Wooden Trout, Cattails and a set of Coasters.


A pair of Candlesticks!







Now when I take a break from the Studio. . .or "Mr.Ed" wants some weekend warrior sports viewing, the distractions are minimal.


I can't guarantee that "the cleaning bug" won't visit you. . .
                                                       but one thing I can be assured of. . .







On Crooked Creek. . .
                                      There are always distractions!

I'm joining hostess Susan @ Between Naps On the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday! Please stop by and visit all the inspiring and creative projects the ladies of blog land have been preparing for your viewing pleasure!


Until next time. . .