Fresh Start

Its that time of year when we all seem to want a fresh coat of paint, or make a change of some kind, inside and out. I like to freshen things up but not lose the character in the process. Rust and wrinkles...its all good!

Last summer I found this Decoware bread box in the bargain bin at an antique mall in Wadena MN. I paid just $4 for it. Add two cans of spray paint, antique ivory for the inside and sage green for the outside, and for around 10 bucks I have what I call a "treasure" and my kids call "dead people junk". Jon patiently took me to 4 different stores looking for the perfect paint color...we didn't find it (it exists only in my mind). The doors are so fun, inside and out so we kept them original and painted the rest. Jon was the one who put on the final coats, it kept running for me, with all the furniture and ski's he has sprayed he is pretty much the master when it comes to laying down a smooth finish.

Pretty fun huh?!? When I shut and open the doors it makes the sweetest little "ting" sound. My Grma Brown had a bread box and it reminds me of the one that sat on her counter. Mine will live in my sewing room.
This is my other New Year fresh start. For the 1st time I am trying a sourdough starter. I had bubbles after the 3rd day and after a week I baked my fist loaf of sourdough bread. It didn't have the sour flavor I was expecting, but it was good non the less, so I'm letting it do its thing for another week and see if that improves the tang. Rust and wrinkles, ting and tang, its all a good "fresh start" to my year!

In the Parlor with the Candlestick

Everyone has their own signal that spring is here and summer is on its way. For me it is Zion Lutheran in town having their annual thrift sale that supports their youth group. It was held last Saturday. Grace and I go every year, when Randi lived around here she went. Some years Jon goes with. We usually find a treasure or two. Jon found a 1966 Schwinn bike, the handle bars have been changed so he will be on the look out for some that are original.

This was one of my finds, and to be honest when I saw it I thought "uffda just how much ugly can I put up with?...$3 for the lamp and 50 cents for the shade...alot of ugly...I guess." I had a flash back of Jon on occasion sitting the recliner that is not "his" chair reaching up and turning on a pretend lamp so he could see his laptop. Then he says something like "I forgot we don't have lamp here". I know the guy is just plain fun...never a dull moment. Anywho the ugly was even more bearable when they threw in the shade for free. I was home less than 10 minuets and Avery took the tin snips after the leaves before I could get the before picture, just trust me we all agreed they had to go along with the 4 inch plastic tube . Once we had it all stripped down Ave said it looked like a life size game piece from "Clue".

Jon bought a new finial and spray painted both pieces ivory. It was a bit to bright so I antiqued it with some deft oil that had a finish in it. I started off rubbing it on with a rag but went to just pouring some in my gloved hand, smeared, and when it was almost tacky then I rubbed some off with the rag.

The kids say it still looks like a pineapple, I say not bad for 3 bucks and some parts.
Now Jon can see things in a whole new light;)