Russian Tea Set

I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for my first tablescape for Tablescape Thursday.

In 1999, Husband and I went on our first two week Evangelical mission trip---to Russia. It was literally a life changing event for us. More on that at another time.

While we were there we were able to shop in down town Moscow, as well as see the sights. I found this cute little tea set in a shop and couldn't resist. I had to hand carry it home on the airplane. They had packed it neatly in a brown box which was tied up with string. I was afraid something would break, but all the pieces survived.

The set is for six, including cake plates. Today I've only set the table for two.



The tiny little dish in the center of the cake plate is actually a tea bag caddy. Waste not!



The sugar bowl is almost as big and the tea pot.





"Don't you think that Daisies are the friendliest flower?" Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail.



Enjoy your tea!

Little Dresser Re-do

First Time for Me! I'm joining the Met Monday with Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch.

Husband and I found this little beauty of a dresser at a garage sale. We paid $5! We had already found and refinished a dresser for Daughter's bedroom but who can resist a bargain! I'll post that dresser make-over next week.



It had quite a bit of damage to the top. The handles were tarnished and very outdated.



I had enterd Glidden Paints online giveaway back in June. They were sending a free quart of paint, in whatever color you chose, to all who signed up. I chose "Marshmallow" in an eggshell finish. I purchased Deglosser to use on most of the dresser, but the top had to be sanded down with an electric sander.



Reasdy for paint.



Two coats of paint.




Three coats of paint. Then I applied paste wax and buffed it off.



The little pulls were $1.29 each at Home Depot. They are a combination of brushed steel and bronze in a starburst pattern.



I'm very happy with the results. It will go up to Son's room and the little dresser in there will come out to the garage for freshening up.

So to recap: dresser $5
paint free
deglasser $8
pulls $15.48

Total $$28.48
Good Price!

Thanks for looking.

Pitter Patter of Doggy Feet

We added a new member to the family on August 10. This is Rerun, a 4 year old German Shepherd, Husky, Wolf mix. He has the best manners. Housebroken, loves to ride in the car, doesn't bother other dogs or cats. The best manners. And he loves to be hugged and brushed and walked.



What a good boy!



Of course the cat has ruled the house for 4 years, all alone. He's had some adjusting to do. But now they hang out together, though they aren't best friends yet.

And just in time for both Son and Daughter to go back to school. Husband and I are back to the empty nest.

I just finished posting and went to look for Rerun. Couldn't find him in his usual sleeping spots. Then I found him!



I guess he does have one vice! He figures if the cat can, so should he!

Cats out of the Bag!

One day last June, I bet Daughter she couldn't get the cat in her purse, even though the purse was big enough. The cat, Spartacus, is 4 years old and weighs 22 pounds. He doesn't like to be held. But she managed to get the cat in the bag. And I had to pay for the purse!

Garage Sale and Future Projects

We finally had our garage sale on Saturday. Both Son and Daughter came home from college for the summer and piled all their belongings in the garage. Because there was already stacks of stuff, more things piled up and nothing was put away. It looked like the tide had come in and dropped all this flotsam and jetsam on the beach.
The first step was to clean the garage. Then we tagged and organized. Early Saturday morning we put it all out on the driveway. We placed "Garage Sale" signs on one of the cars parked out at the main cross road.
When we were finished, four hours later, we loaded all the leftovers in my Jeep and took it down to the Goodwill Donation Station.


This is all thats left, Son's Army gear and the contents of his apartment.

And of course this little beauty. Husband bought this table and five chairs, with one leaf, at a garage sale last month. The idea is to refinish it.

First it will have to be stripped. Then primed and painted. I'd like to paint it black. But I could also see it painted white and the little shell details colored with gold rub and buff.

Here's the pile of chairs. They would look nice painted white, with blue striped fabric. What do you think? Let me know.

I also have several dressers to redo as well.

Hope your Sunday was blessed. Husband and I were at Tuolumne Community Church where he spoke about his job as a Missionary and upcoming opportunities. It was great to be in a different church and meet new people.