Enough is Enough Plate Collection

When do you say, “Enough is enough?”   I am asking myself that question.  You see I have a few plates, blue and white ones. I guess I should call it a plate collection

 The first place I  hung some plates in this house was in our sunroom above the windows.

My plate collection began quite unintentionally the first time I used plates for decor on our walls.  That was in our family room in the early 90’s.   I think I had about 5 or 6 plates, a couple of which I stole from our everyday Blue Willow china. Then we moved to Pennsylvania, which was garage sale heaven and I began to find blue and white plates everywhere that were so cheap, sometimes only 25 cents.  And so my collection began.

After the sunroom I hung smaller ones in the kitchen above the cabinets, just the perfect size for bread and butter or salad plates.

                                   
                          They don’t go all the way around yet, but they’re getting there.

                                               
                                             Then I put some on the dining room walls.

 As I began to get more plates I went back to the kitchen and started to hang them in other places: the wall where the phone used to be.  The blue willow plate on the left side hides the phone connection.

When I removed the top of the hutch it gave me an extra wall in my kitchen, so I began to hang them in a random way. As you can see there is still room for more.

The other day I was wondering how many plates I have hanging on the wall, so I counted them. What is your guess?  30?  40?   If you guessed any of those numbers you would be wrong. I am embarrassed to say I have 81 plates hanging on my walls!!

I guess I have to say “enough is enough”

Do you have something you have collected that maybe it’s time to say, “Enough is enough?”

                                                                     Rhondi xo

My Kitchen Window

In every home we have lived in I have always had a window at the kitchen sink.  Sometimes it has been a lovely view, sometimes just the house next door.  But no matter the view I always make it something pretty to look at and I often change the look. 

These little birds are back in the kitchen again. 

sitting on a tray on the kitchen island

It's spring and so that means daffodils and yellow. I love yellow because it is such a cheerful color.

I like the way the light comes through the kitchen window at various times throughout the day.

Most of the blue glass is put away for now.

Daffodils smile at me.

Some fake daisies fill a yellow vase and brighten the countertop. 

One of my roosters gets a place of honor.

Little chickens find a place to roost beside the hellebores.

In the morning my kitchen is quite dark, until the sun slowly works its way around to that side of the house.

Ruth Bell Graham, Billy Graham's wife had a sign above her kitchen sink that said,

"Divine service performed here three times daily."

I like that.  I am not just washing the dishes and preparing meals I am doing something that pleases God and blesses my family.

I love my kitchen window and I have a saying above my kitchen window too.

Rhondi xo

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for cardinals. I want to tell you a story about them but first let me show you these wooden cardinals I got at a yard sale for 50 cents each. They are even signed by the artist!

When I brought them inside I wasn't sure where to put them. There was some discussion among the flock as to where they wanted to be.

It was decided that 2 would be on the windowsill in the kitchen and have a view outside. My little ceramic cardinal was glad to have some company!
One nestled in among the teapots in the corner on the kitchen counter.
The other three decided they'd like to be near the TV. Even though their team (The Cardinals, he he) isn't in the playoffs they wanted to watch the games!

So my new acquistions are all settled in. Now let me tell you a story.
This happened a long time ago when my husband was concerned about losing his job. I was sitting out on our patio, talking to God about the job situation. Well actually I was probably complaining to Him! We always put bird seed out for the birds, but this particular day I also put some seed scattered along the low stone wall that surrounded our patio. While I watched, several cardinals came over, landed on the stone wall and began to peck at all the seed I had put out. I enjoy watching the birds, especially the cardinals, just because of their brilliant color.
As I sat there watching , I thought about how I provided food for the birds every day. Usually the food was in the feeder but today there was food in a different spot and there was lots of it. It was then that I had a revelation. I think that it was God showing me. Just as I provided for the birds every day, God will provide for my needs. But here was the bigger lesson from watching the birds. Those cardinals had always got food from the feeder and today there was a new source of provision for them, from a place where there had never been food before. But what the cardinals didn't know was that I had a huge bag of seed inside, so when that seed was all gone I had plenty more for them. It was like God said to me, "I have an unlimited supply too. Just enjoy what you have today and when tomorrow comes I'll provide."
So today I am thankful for a God who provides and for that unforgettable lesson I learned from watching the birds.
What are you thankful for today?
Rhondi

What Is It?

There’s a new chicken who’s come to live at our house. No it’s not me. I’ve been around for a long time.

What does Rhondi need with another chicken? Aren’t there enough of us? She’s got me to hold soups and casseroles.

Are you a pitcher? Because if you are we don’t really need you here because that is my job.

Have you guys seen the new chicken?

Well we know it’s not salt and peppers because that’s our job.

Here she comes so let’s make her feel welcome.
She seems very proud of those colorful tail feathers.
Yes, very proud

Well this new chicken must be of some use because Rhondi never buys anything unless it’s useful.
Do you know what this chicken is?
Rhondi xo

Green And White Inside And Out

As I was cleaning our green and white guest bathroom this morning I glanced out the window this is what I saw. I abandoned my cleaning job for a moment and went outside with my camera.

Everywhere I looked it was green and white.

Green and white is such a fresh clean combination. I like a bathroom to be crisp and fresh looking and green and white gives me the look I want. I bought this print from Karen's Etsy shop just because I loved it and when it arrived I knew it would be perfect in our green and white bathroom. Every time I look at the picture I can almost smell the fresh air.This past winter I freshened up the bathroom a bit with a coat of light moss green paint, white trim, new lighting fixtures and a mirror. We had those ugly make up lights, all round a large mirror. The lights came down and 2 simple chrome ones went up in their place and I took an old mirror I had and hung it over the double sink. What a transformation for very little money. I forgot to take a "before" picture!

Recently I added a shelf above the window.Lace on the curtains softens the look.I finally found a use for these brackets that I've saved forever. A battenburg lace shower curtain from a yard sale years ago came out of the linen closet.Then I arranged a few things on the shelf, mostly stuff I had around the house plus two new white pitchers from T J Maxx.

Here is a close up of the top of the mirror. I love the classic lines of it. I got this at a church rummage sale back in PA. It was an ugly brown at the time.

It's not a very large bathroom so this was the best shot I could get.Whenever I walk down the hall and glance into the bathroom , this is what I see. Green and white , inside and out! I love it!

Hope your week is off to a good start.

Rhondi xo