Farm Animals in French Country Decor

Somewhere deep in my DNA I have the Farmer/Shepherd gene that has been dormant for many years. When I was growing up my dad always kept a few beef cattle at the farmhouse, but we weren't allowed to name them or pet them because well, you know why...  So, next best thing is to just collect cows and sheep to decorate with in my vintage Cottage, Farmhouse, and French Country decor.

Autumn Entry

I thought I'd share what's happening here in the entry hall this Fall. Nothing too different, just some subtle changes with some leaves added to the white basket of hydrangeas, and the terrarium/lantern now has a candle and some Fall foliage instead of my two sheep. Some of these pics were shared at Marty's last Friday, but I hadn't posted them here yet. So, just in case you missed seeing them.

My moss covered initial "O" made by my sis for me for Christmas last year.

(thought I'd better explain, no, it's not a zero)

It's been hanging here all year, I just love it!

One of my real pumpkins landed in the cast iron urn along with a few bittersweet vines. This urn usually sits on the entry console with a faux flower arrangement, but I brought in another arrangement that I've had for awhile, just for a little change up.

Almost impossible to see,

but my little concrete squirrel is sitting on top of an old book stack 

with a few clay pots, happily munching on acorns.

An old print of  "The Angelus" by Millet, 

brings in the earthy tones of Autumn.

And it's just not Fall without a chipmunk or two...or three.

(This little guy is one of my vintage Lefton figurines)

We had rain and another cool front come through...

aahhhhh, it's really feeling like Fall!

I'm joining in on these weekly parties:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Inspiration Exchange at Ella Claire

DIY by Design

From My Front Porch to Yours

House Party at No Minimalist Here

Daily Cup of Mrs.Olson

TTT at Stone Gable

The Charm of Home

French Country Cottage

Timewashed

Shabby Art Boutique

Tonight is your LAST CHANCE

xoxo,

Today's Sponsor

Shabby Cottage Chic

Dogs, Teapots, and other Fall Randomness

Fall will be over before we know it. Let's face it, as soon as the carved jack-o-lanterns find their way to the curb we'll all be thinking Christmas. (OK, maybe not decorating, but definitely thinking) I'm always ready for whatever new season is coming up, but before I trade out all my orange for some evergreens and Holly berries I wanted to share some of the little things I love that are in my lower level sitting area. Just a few random dog figurines and some squirrel teapots.

When I was really little my grandmother had a three tiered corner shelf with animal figurines. Each time I visited, she would lift me up and we would admire and discuss each one. That is one of my earliest memories...she started my love for little things.

Tea for One with it's own cup.

...and an old Japanese Majolica teapot that I adore.

and here's a sneak peek at what I did yesterday...

can you guess?

it's one of my Fall traditions.

see you tomorrow,

xoxo,

Sweet Spring Bookends

I've had these oh-so-sweet little vintage chalk bookends for the last 5 years or so, and even though I've photographed them before, for some reason they've just never made it into a blog post.

 I was smitten with the little children's faces that reminded me of vintage Hummel characters. I imagine they are from the 40's by the look of their sticker on the bottom, and the fact that they are chalk and maybe plaster of Paris. (and that means so very easily chipped)

The little girl appears to be very shy, and she's holding a basket of baby chicks.

 While the little boy is snuggling  a load of bunnies.

Aren't they just adorable?

I have them downstairs in my shabby seating area.

(say that fast 3 times)

And I have to tell you, I've fallen in love with Pic Monkey. It's everything (well almost everything) that we found in Picnik, and hopefully they will expand once they can. I was able to do the little banner with the text on it (the first photo) there and watermark my photo. Super easy! You'll find the ability to do the transparent banner  under the header of "overlays" then to "geometric shapes". Much easier to navigate than any other photo editing site. yay!!

I'm joining these fun parties this week:

TableTop Tuesday at A Stroll thru Life

Knick of Time Tuedsay

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Share the Love Wednesday at Very Merry Vintage Style

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Primp Your Stuff

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Hope to see you back here Thursday for
Vintage Inspiration
"anything vintage or vintage inspired."

If you haven't entered the Give Away from

Cottage in the Oaks,

then just click here

Daune has some great things chosen for you!

And don't forget to check out Monday Marketplace
that will be up all week.
Lot's of great links for Etsy and Online Boutique Items.

OK, have a great week, everyone!

xoxo,

Collections Show and Tell

I have a lot of "collections", but one of my favorites

I keep all together on my studio shelf.

And now that I think of it, my chipmunk and squirrel collection

probably has been around the longest of anything that I collect.

Today I'm joining Suzanne over at Privet and Holly

for her Collections Show and Tell Party this week.

These little cuties usually spend their time here on the shelf,

but come Fall, they scamper around the house

hiding in many of my Fall vignettes.

It's about time to start dusting them off and watching them find

a temporary new spot.

This is one of my favorites, a new paper mache box,

that my daughter bought for me several years ago.

Some of the stuffed variety...

A birthday card from a few years ago,

Salt and pepper shakers,

creeping (not creepy) chipmunk planter from Japan,

Most of the figurines are vintage Lefton.

love the detail...

a Japanese Majolica planter,

These two on my front porch started it all.

A very old chalkware bank,

and a silver art deco/modern piece from my older daughter.

Hey!... what's this?

Sorry it's blurry, I grabbed this photo quick.

We have an abundance of both squirrels and chipmunks.

I feed the birds so they enjoy the leftovers.

The kitties would love to "enjoy" them.

Hope you'll join Suzanne for the linky party starting Tuesday July 26.

see ya there!

and Marty for Table Top Tuesday

and Kristin for Tuesday Treasures

links on sidebar buttons

 

love,