Cows, chickens, and dogs...

I went to visit back home where I grew up recently and I had to stop and enjoy the farm animals... in the paintings.  It is the perfect way to enjoy them.  Unlike how I grew up, I didn't step in a cow pie..

or have any unpleasant scents accompanying my view.

Like a lot of you, I have so admired the cow paintings I have been seeing in blogland lately.

So, I thought I would share some really nice ones from my original charming home. 

Roosters are not forgotten...

back home they have quite a collection...

and unlike in my youth, their isn't any crowing to wake me or startled chickens when I step in the coop to gather eggs.

Now the paintings that truly tug at my heart are the true friends.... the hunting dogs.

The beloved pets...,

once again I so wish I could see them.  I would reach down and give them a pat.

Oh, the tales we have of our beloved pets...

the childish mischief they got into with us, just like a best friend. 

Did you have a beloved pet or farm animal?

Sherry

I will link this to:

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Open House Thursday at No Minimalist Here

Roosters, Toile, and a Sunflower

I am joining Shelia at Note Songs for her Rooster and Chick party.  I wanted to reprise a post I did last year with a rooster.  This, without a doubt, is the most searched post that I have had.  Undoubtedly, the rooster is a very popular home decor theme. 

The rooster plates are from TJ Maxx. 

The toile is Waverly, I believe it is called Country Life.  The pewter is Wilton Armetale.

The reason I think this post has been hit through the search engine so much wasn't really my doing.  It was this picture I posted along with it.  A reader had asked how to turn her all-white kitchen into French Country.

How to turn an all-white kitchen into a French Country kitchen.

From white to wonderful in 4 easy steps.  

1. Painted the wall light yellow.


2. Added a toile window treatment.


3. Put a rooster and sunflowers on the island.


4. Added wrought iron bar stools in oil rubbed bronze.

I have seen many people with white walls wondering what to do with them.  I thought this was such an easy and simple transformation  that I would share it.  Article written by Mark McCauley ASID.  Here is the link to read the whole article. Photo and article found at http://www.hgtv.com.

You could take most decorating styles and break down at least four key items that make a space always say it is a certain style.  Now, going beyond that and adding even more detail is what makes it yours.  Hope that helps!
Please join Shelia for the Rooster and Chick party.
She would be glad to have you.

Sherry

Barnyard Bash Tablescape

I am joining Happier Than a Pig in Mud for a Barnyard Bash.  I was so inspired by the Rooster Party at Bella Vista that I came upon some rooster dishes and I had to get them. 

Aren't these pretty.  I just love the colors in them.

Here is the dinner plate.  The dishes are by Maxcera and the pattern is Orange Rooster.

I had a little wire rooster and I filled it with faux fruit.

The glasses were on clearance from Pier 1.

The napkins were on clearance at Pier 1 too.  

I will link to:

Barnyard Bash at Happier Than a Pig in Mud

Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch

Go over  and visit these ladies for some inspiration.

Rooster Tea

I have a new little tea pot I am showing off today for tea.  I have it set up on my newly remodel chest I am using as a sideboard.

This little tea pot is by Maxcera the pattern is King Rooster.  

Here, I turned the sugar around to the back side.  The front has the rooster on it and that is the same for the creamer.

The mugs are really large.  Inside the top rim is a little sunflower hanging down in your cup.

All of it sits on top of a rooster table runner.

As for the tiered dessert stand, one of these days I will make some food to go on it but today I just have faux fruit.

I will link to:

Tea Time Tuesday at Lady Katherine Tea Parlor

Tea Time Tuesday at Rose Chintz Cottage

Tea Cup Tuesday at Martha's Favorites

Tuesday Tea for Two at The Plumed Pen

Tea Pot and Tea Things Tuesday  at The Silken Purse

Tea Pot and Tea Things Tuesday at Breath of Fresh Air

Tea Cup Tuesday at Artful Affrimations

Please join all these lovely ladies for some tea.

Carnival Glass

For quick refreshment I have this great pass through above my kitchen sink that looks out into the new addition.  This used to be a window that looked out into the back yard, but now it is a serving area.  I have put a rooster and a candle here from one of my last tablescapes and fixed up a tray of iced tea.

The iced tea is being served in some antique carnival glass.  August makes me want to put more warm colors in my decorating.  The carnival glass is perfect with it's orange hue.  The carnival glass is also second time around to me, it was my Great-Grandmother's.

I take centerpieces off of my tablescapes often and leave them in this window ledge for a few weeks.  It is a nice way to change up the view and they are always seasonal and fun to look at.  

I will link to these parties:

Tea Time Tuesday at Lady Katherine Tea Parlor.

Tea Cup Tuesday at Martha's Favorites.

Tuesday Tea for Two at The Plumed Pen.

Three or More Tuesday at The Gypsy's Corner.

Table Top Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life.

2nd Time Around at A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words.

Vintage Thingie Thursday at The Colorado Lady.

Please join these ladies to see what wonderful ideas are shared.