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It is late afternoon here on the front porch. Before the sun disappears for the night, I thought I'd snap a picture of the dresser that I got from Goodwill. It used to be white and that was nice for a while until I pictured it being red. The next day, the paint brush came out and the dresser's days of being white are done. Although I really need to gather up some pumpkins and make fall happen on the porch, I'm enjoying this red dresser with summer's leftovers just the way it is.
I have always had an affection for mis-matched, vintage dishes. Of course, if they are floral gems, I love them all the more! Even the ones with little chips and blemishes "speak" to me. I bring them home often as they can usually be bought for very few dollars and used for so many things. These sweet dishes fill our dining room cabinet to the brim. I love to set our table using the different patterns and also enjoy stacking them on the buffet. They can't be ignored when they are invitingly displayed. Life is too short not to use your pretty dishes every day! 
Sometimes I feel like I've hit the jackpot when I find something at a yard sale. My sister and I stumbled upon an awesome one last Saturday. She scored several vintagy things for her home. I spotted this red tole tray propped on a table with some Christmas decorations on top of it. My heart did a little skip and a jump and I tried not to say "oh... oh" out loud as I scooped it up before someone else did. Isn't it wonderful? It is red AND yellow and meant for our dining room table! I am a very happy camper! 
I tried to get a new pretty picture today of our 2 year old dachshund, Maggie. She just wasn't in the mood. When I tied her new fall "bandana" around her neck, she thought that meant she was getting to go for a walk. Unfortunately for her, I wasn't interested in taking her at that time. I had a fully charged camera ready for action! I was determined to capture her cuteness. As soon as I turned on the digi however, Maggie dropped her ears down low just pitifully and made a "depressed" face. No amount of prompting could get her to cooperate. I told her that Mommy wanted to share a picture of her on her blog, but she wasn't impressed!
Before Maggie joined our family, we had recently gone through the painfully sad experience of putting our other 16 year old dachshund down due to his kidney failure. That was one of the saddest moments of my life. I really wasn't ready to get another dog until my daughter persuaded me to do so. She picked Maggie out from a breeder's internet site and I just couldn't tell her no. I'm SO glad that I didn't and Maggie has helped tremendously with the loss of our other "baby".
I will share some older pictures that I have of her and try again another day. She is the most loving dog in the world, of course, and truly a family blessing. We bought her from a breeder in Washington and yes, I admit this, had her flown across the country! She flew on Delta to join our family, which included Marley, our Aussie-mix from the SPCA. That was such an exciting event ~ waiting on the plane to land and actually seeing her face-to-face for the very first time! She was so cute with her little white streak on her head! Maggie is very bow-legged and isn't able to beg on her back legs like a normal dachshund. She always gets her way with wanting to be picked up and carried by simply "fainting" on her back and wagging her tail in anticipation.
Maggie is the sweetest soul living here at Daisy Cottage. Every day she gives away her kisses and hugs so freely and every day I am thankful that she literally "flew" into our lives! Even if she doesn't want to model for Mommy anymore. ;-)
My hubby gave me the most wonderful birthday present back in June ~ he installed wainscoting in our neglected hall bath. He also dropped a sink into an oak sideboard that we had bought years ago for our anniversary and transformed it into a vanity. He did an amazing job!
I didn't know which "direction" I wanted this bath to go as far as decor. Did I want to display my collection of pretty tole trays in there? I played with the idea of having a "doggie" theme and gathered up all of my dog books and figurines to see if I liked that. I didn't. Being the flower addict that I am, I thought about repeating the idea and hanging up the stack of floral pictures that had been patiently waiting for their "spot". Hmmm... what to do, what to do?
As luck would have it, while yard saling with my sister, I found a vintage picture of an old-fashioned girl for $2! Without hesitation, she claimed her place of distinction in our hall bath. I put my copy of "Old Fashioned Girl" by Louisa May Alcott on the ledge under the picture and added "Little Women" and other old books that I have collected. I'll be adding more "layers" but I just love how our hall bath has been transformed. Thank you dear hubby for my awesome birthday present!! 
