Monday, April 14, 2008

New colors...

What is it about spring sunshine that makes you want to bring some color into your life?


On Friday, a friend stopped by my house hoping I had time to chat and pick up her newsletter. She is a member of my quilt group and had to miss the last evening. It was enjoyable to sit and have a cup of coffee and talk. She mentioned needing a certain kind of fabric and did I know if that existed. It did but is no longer in any collections but I have some. I told her she could buy a piece of mine and she also bought a couple fat quarters of other fabrics. My fabric stash is like a little shop. She was thrilled I had the exact fabric she needed and told me she would be back in a little while with money to pay me. She arrived back on her bicycle not only with the money but a bouquet of flowers saying just because I was always such a nice person.


Needless to say, I think SHE is the nice person and looks at the pretty tulips and hyacinths. My living room smells very sweet today as they are opening. Fingers crossed Jos is okay with them but so far, so good...


We did more decluttering and sorting this weekend. I wanted to gather some "garden junk" to take up to Cranberry Cottage for a new project which I will tell you more about later in the late spring. We finally can cross off another project that has been on my list for some time. This end table is a butler tray that we received one year in a Christmas packet from my husband's company. It is lightweight and handy for a quick extra table which I used often even in the garden. But I wanted a new end table and could not find anything I liked. So out came the butler tray temporarily. We did like it but it was very cheap looking. The wood did not have a nice finish. It was rough and had a reddish~orange color to it.


I really thought it could be made to look much better by sanding it and putting a palissander wood stain on it. Three coats later and we are very happy with the results. What a difference it has made from the first photo to this one. I took a photo similar the one before we stained it for you to see the difference. I really think it looks much smarter now standing beside the chair.


I am off to the airport tomorrow morning in rush hour traffic to pick up my mother and step father. I have my fingers crossed that it won't be too bad a drive. Thankfully, Jos has decided to take me first and then go to work.

16 comments:

Elizabethd said...

That looks so good Heidi.
You must be so excited at having your mother to visit, I hope you have a really lovely time together.

Anonymous said...

Lovely flowers, Heidi! The table looks much better with its new coat of paint.

Have a lovely visit with your mother and step father!

xo,
Lynda

Andylynne said...

As we write today you must have already picked your mom up and be headed back home. Have a wonderful visit, and keep us poseted as you can. What a sweet friend you have,the flowers are beautiful. Why do they seem to smell sweeter when they are a gift? Your table has an elegant new lease on life. You mom is going to visit and spring is finaly here. I suspect your going to have a very good week. Oh and tell Jos God Bless if he sneezes :)

Carolien said...

Your butler tray looks great, Heidi! Well done.

Have a nice 'first' day with your mother and stepfather, it must be nice to greet them at the airport!

Hugs, Carolien

Rhondi said...

Hi Heidi
I am sure you will have a great time with your mom. When families are so far apart those times when you can get together are so precious.
The table looks really nice and I think I can almost smell the hyacinths from here!
Enjoy the day
Hugs Rhondi

Mary said...

Thanks so much for the nice e-mail - will write you soon.
Know today is special - thought about mom all night as she made that long familiar journey across the pond, and wished I was with her!!

Know she will love all the things you've done around your charming home since the last visit. You gals are going to have so much fun.

My love to you all - enjoy every fleeting moment, and try to give us a glimpse when you have time.

Mandie said...

Hi! I love your "new" table! Glad to hear Gramma and George got there ok. Zoe is home sick today, so I am looking after her. I'll be posting soon!

love you!

TeresaB said...

Heidi, enjoy your time with your mother and step-father. I'm sure you're both going to have a fabulous time.

The flowers from your friend are so pretty. I love that combination.

Reginas Cottage said...

Hello Heidi
Your table looks wonderful!
Have a nice time with your mother
and stepfather.
Beautiful flowers.
Hugs Regina

Nancy said...

I can tell you, the flowers are beautiful and the room does smell good. The table looks like new.
I am happy to be here now and will enjoy my time with you Heidi and Jos.
Love you, Mom

Pondside said...

The table is lovely - looks entirely different. Have a wonderful visit with your mum!

Mary said...

Just me stopping by to say I'm so happy mom and G arrived safely. Know you all need to catch up on sleep the first few days, then you'll be refreshed, renewed and ready to gallivant!!

Hope you are feeling OK Heidi - bet mom brought US goodies to cheer you up! I can imagine she'll be filling those now empty suitcases with plenty of Dutch treasures to bring back.

Here's to wonderful days together.
Hugs to you both.

Off shortly to see Jasmin's choral concert in the auditorium of the arts center in downtown Raleigh - should be fun. Maybe Bob and I will stop at the Irish pub on the way home - it's such a beautiful evening here.

Ragged Roses said...

Gorgeous flowers Heidi, I love the scent of hyacinths. The table looks much better now, well done for thinking of that. Hope you're having a wonderful time with your mother.
Kimx

BittersweetPunkin said...

Heidi your flowers are beautiful and I hope you have a wonderful visit!
Hugs,
Robin

Anonymous said...

Hello Heidi, you've made a great job of the butler's table...it looks fab now...and aren't flowers a lovely gift?. I can almost smell those hyacinths...those blue ones are my favourite colour.
Margaret and Noreen

Anonymous said...

Hallo Heidie,
Via via kwam ik op jouw blog terecht. Zo veel leuk dingen gezien. Het leukste is dat ik ook het boek Country diary of an Edwardian lady heb. Gekocht tijdens een rommelmarktje in een klein kerkje in Wales !! Alleen daarom al prachtig. Op onze wc- deur heb ik een schoolbord geschilderd en daar schrijf ik elke maand de verjaardagen etc. op maar ook altijd een spreukje uit dat boek. Leuk he !!
Groetjes, Janneke