One man's junk

is now my treasure.  I've been helping my cousins go through Aunt Helen's house, and brought home a few things they were throwing out.  We took a very large crucifix and other religious items the boys offered to Carole.  When delivering them, I mentioned to her that her bedroom is starting to look like a chapel.

 

This was a screened trough she was filling with corn for the deer, hasn't been used in several years since her boys blocked the steep steps to the back yard.  It was at the curb!  After lining the bottom with two layers of landscape fabric, I see a coat of white or bright blue chipped paint with Creeping Jenny and Vinca vines cascading.

 

My grandparents were from Italy and Poland, all came with nothing.  The only time there was a gift given was when they became citizens.   As time went on and the children became adults, that frugality stayed with them and rarely was anything purchased that was not necessary. 

 

So my mom's and her sister's rhinestone jewelry, rarely worn, are now with me.  The only glamorous items they owned.  Even when they could afford a little splurge, their parents' way of life was still a great influence, and if anyone got a gift or new shoes, it was the children.  Back then, mothers sacrificed all for their children.  It was understood that bringing a life into the world required 15 years of selflessness and total devotion, the absolute and most important task on earth.  So for me to own what must have made them feel as beautiful outside as they were inside, is a privilege.

 

I have Baba's and Nona's pearl collars that dressed their plain sweaters, and the other pieces were mom's.  When in today's world we get what we want, and credit cards make it all possible, can you imagine how meaningful it was for a woman back then to own a few special pieces?  So although they are costume jewelry and tossed aside by others, I can see how important and treasured this jewelry was.

 

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Shades of black

Am I the only one that is getting a notice stating a low threat virus is blocked every time I visit a blogger page?

To anonymous Carole, YES!  The Linen Sampler in Niles Ohio was a wonderful shop.  Loved visiting, probably my favorite.  A close second was Friends Count in Cortland Ohio, and runner up was Count on Cindy in Boardman/Canfield. 

For Amanda, I can't contact you, but wanted to clarify the paint samples.  The paper swatches at the store for stains are tiny compared to those for paint. You can have almost any paint color swatch mixed in a sample jar, but not for exterior stain.  Some do, but not the brands that the painter recommended for quality.  SW and Cabot can only be purchased in gallons.  That's an expensive test!

 

 Benjamin Moore may offer stain samples, but they sold my sister the wrong paint for her house.  Even after the painter questioned the new product (Advance) they insisted it was the latest and greatest for applying over oil based exterior paint.  It started peeling off in sheets within a year and we called, emailed, they did nothing.  The product was new and now is labeled for interior only. Too late.  Was it the clerk's fault?  No.  The store's OWNER is the person she and the painter spoke with. I was so ticked that they did not even offer new primer or paint or come out to look at the house, especially since the fault lies with the store, that I refuse to purchase their products.  Her house is a mess and she does not have the money for a remedy and new paint job. 

 

Almost every intense stain I've seen in photos has been on a saltbox, not our house style, but still doable. Black houses sound evil don't they?  But it's not a deep glossy black, the stain is soft and weathers.  If nothing else works out, I may just opt for it.  After seeing these (and all the others I've saved) I am leaning heavily.  For your viewing pleasure, here's a few of my favorites from Pinterest. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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As small as a bird or as big as a house,

the color is always a problem with me.

Hello folks.  Been down my aunt's house with her sons, sorting through the household.  I am uncomfortable at times, because she was vibrant a week ago and we have been dismantling her house already.  I know people that have left everything as is for a year until they were ready, some remove it all days later.  Maybe that's easier to do, before the shock wears off and emotions muddle the task.  She had removed much over the years to make it easier when the time came, and her sons are thankful for that. 

 

Also been playing with the stain colors again.  I like the color but would prefer it be darker.  I am really irked by the paint companies not offering sample sizes (or even quarts) for customers to test on their house without spending a fortune.  Sherwin Williams guaranteed to match the Cabot color, they didn't come close, and failed to tell me that was the last day of the 30% off sale.  When I walked in the next morning I was shocked to pay almost $60 for a gallon.  But the painter's estimate came in lower than I expected so I'm very relieved.

 

 As for stitching, I did not like the yellow bird on the blue and started another on the flax Belfast.  I haven't given up on the blue just yet.  The bottom area is stitched in 924 which I'm removing.  The yellow bird may look better with a softer neutral there.  I think there are times when introducing a color that doesn't work may be because of color in another area.  Does that make sense?

Whenever in doubt, I freeze.  Solid.  I stare at it for way too long, trying to visualize a change, which accomplishes nothing. 

 

Hope the week is going well.

 

Thanks for visiting.

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Chirp

Hello people.  How has your weekend been?  I saw a post about a new season, Sprinter.  The spring that can't let go of winter.  We had 4" the day of the funeral, and it snowed again this morning.

 

 I want to thank everyone for the kind words of sympathy. The mass for my aunt was very nice and we gathered the rest of the day to celebrate her life and reconnect as cousins.  We learned that Aunt Helen knew.  She did.  She made a few comments the day before that looking back on, were intuitive.  There is also evidence that she awoke during the night, combed her hair, put her dentures in, and went back to bed in a perfect position with hands across her chest holding her blanket.  They say that some people can sense it, others not.  There is no way to know if that's true.  And although she is reunited with family now, I am still having a difficult time. 

 

So what's up with stitching?  Tweets.  I just love those hearts and decided to make a few more and if I do not want to display any more needlework, I will offer for sale. 

 

This piece of gorgeous dusty blue was to be a pastoral scene sampler.  I thought the blue would make a beautiful background of blue sky.  Ain't happening.  This was from a fabulous shop in Niles Ohio years ago.  Good price huh?  I decided to try a goldfinch with its striking yellow body and black wings, even though the proportion and shape won't be correct.   Close enough!  Not sure which DMC would be best. 

 

It is not easy to cut into a larger piece of linen, always been a problem for me.  But the only large projects I am keeping charts for would not be using this fabric.  No regrets.

 

Another painter came for an estimate.  We have always had a crew do the entire house in one day.  This outfit will use a cleaner, do some sanding, apply two coats to the front, all taking a full week.  I can just imagine the difference in cost.  We never had issues with the weathered wood being recoated before and don't know if I want or need the additional prep, nor am I comfortable with a washer being used on the brittle siding.  But he is highly recommended.  We shall see.  He also agreed with me that the dark bronze windows have a  reddish purple cast and need to be painted more of a neutral brown.

 

Hope your week starts swell!

Thanks for visiting.

 

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Threes

Some people believe events happen in threes, especially deaths.  That has always been the case with our very small family.  The last three were my sister in law, mother, and mother in law within a month.   Before that is was Aunt Kay, my father, and Aunt Sugar within 6 months. 

 

My only remaining aunt passed away early Thursday morning.   Although her passing was unexpected, it was peaceful and without illness or suffering which is a blessing, and for that everyone is grateful.  We are all devastated at losing her and the last family member of that generation.  Now my sister is the oldest, my brother second.  As you can imagine, everyone is remembering the losses that came in threes.  And the odd fact of the threes, is that the first was always unexpected, in their sleep, as was this.  She was my mom's youngest sister, who at 92 did not have a bag or wrinkle on her sweet face, but always a smile.  I can't believe she is gone.

 

We made the trip to pick up our gallon of stain that afternoon, and just missed being in a dangerous situation.  On the route we traveled, a suspected drive by shooter was being followed by police when the suspect started shooting out his back window into the police cruiser.  State police got involved and the person attempting to kill the officer died at the hospital after a shoot out.  Ten minutes earlier we were at that location.

 

It will snow again tonight, and really, does it matter? 

 

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Breakfast

on another snow day.  They have been coming several times a day, eating the corn, and then staring at the doors until I give them more.  We're going through 50# every few days.  Soon they will have sprouts and greenery to munch on.  Our swamp of a yard is completely torn up.

The broken leg is healing in a deformed position, she is starting to put a little weight on it.  The limp is pronounced and she is easy to spot in a crowd.  But then again, when you see them several times a day, you get to know who's who by the color of their coat, face, and slight markings.  She keeps to herself somewhat and is with another group off to the right.

Taking a long ride this afternoon to the closest Cabot stain dealer, hoping to find what I'm looking for.  Lowe's carries the brand and has the deck stain in store, but not willing to order the siding stain.

 

Have a great day!  My sister is.  Her appetite is back and she is showered and dressed and so happy to be feeling better.

 

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