The Dust Has Settled!

Since arriving On Crooked Creektt 13 years ago,
"Mr. Ed" and I have changed nearly e v e r y t h i n g 
in this 1970's Ranch Style House!

Our most recent project was replacing the original to the home's
dark marbled "tiger~eye" hued ceramic tile 
that had been inlaid with black grout.

Not only does this make our Entry Hall even darker than it already is. . .
several of the tiles had broken and the grout was continually coming out!

At one point, 
I even purchased an inexpensive throw rug to hide the tile
and lighten the Entry Hall. 

Having $aved a bit of money this past year,
when "Mr. Ed" asked how I wanted to use the extra ca$h,
I didn't hesitate one bit. . .new tile for the Entry Hall!!!


So~o~o. . .
off to our local Lowe's Home Improvement Store we went!

I knew these smaller 6 inch ceramic tiles with mosaic tile inserts 
would be perfect placed on a diagonal in the small 4' X 5' space.
The glass mosaic tiles would reflect the light within the space
and give much needed illumination to our dark Entry Hall.

H o w e v e r,
no more than did we begin with this project
than the unforeseeable events begin to take place.

While the Roman Stone Noce (Made in Italy) 6 inch tiles were perfect ,
the glass mosaic tile inserts are not approved for floor installation.

So~o~o. . .
after two calls from the Installation Officer at Lowe's,
and upon her suggestion,
"Mr. Ed" and I found a suitable replacement for the glass mosaic.

And so~o~o, 
the demolition begins. . .

first,
the necessary boarding is put down. . .

then,
for proper positioning the pattern is laid into place. . .

finally,
the adhesive is administered and the actually tiling begins!

Half way there. . .

and that's a wrap for Day #1!

The installers highly recommended allowing the tiles to "set"
overnight and returned the next day to fill in with the grout.

Note to self. . .
never, never, never give approval of the finished job 
while the black tarps are still atop the carpeting!!!

The next morning,
I placed a call to the Installation officer at Lowe's.
I simply stated the problem and told her this work was unacceptable.

The Installation Office made a visit to our home
and completely agreed with us that this was not acceptable workmanship.


So~o~o. . .
what began on June 30th has now been corrected. . . 

with satisfactory results. . .#7 weeks later!

With patience and perseverance. . .
there's a lighter, brighter and more cohesive appearance 
to On Crooked Creektt's Entry Hall!

"Mr. Ed" and I had hoped to have already replaced 
the "PoPcorn" hued walls with Sherwin~Williams Sand Beach.
That is our next project in finalizing this Entry Hall makeover.

At the present, we are waiting to seal the grout.
Once that has been done, we will proceed with paint!

Ah~h~h. . .the joys of home ownership!!!


Until next time. . .

A Mid~Summer Evening. . .

A mid~Summer evening On Crooked Creektt's front porch.

We have been so~o~o fortunate this year
to have had cooler temperatures and additional rainfall.

However, the inpatients that were planted late Spring
became root~bound and were no longer blooming.

This weekend, "Mr. Ed" and I moved two of our potted plants 
from the back deck to the front porch 
to fill in until the Autumnal plants arrive locally.

Both are "new to us" planting varieties. . .
The first is called a "Firecracker Plant".

What attracted me to this plant was the vibrant orange blossoms!!!
Upon closer visual investigation,
I was quite intrigued with the cactus appearing shaft at the base of the bloom.

The glossy green leaves are almost artificial looking. . .
did you notice that I have a visitor on the front porch this evening???

The second plant is an "African Queen" fern.

I purchased this plant solely for its "Drought Resistance" properties.

No matter how often I "tease" this plant, 
its fronds don't turn downward. 
You do "tease" your plants, don't you???

Of course,
when I move the plants, I also move the out~of~doors decor.
A bunny pair from the back deck now greet visitors On Crooked Creektt.

These bunnies are such an adorable pair!
It appears that one is whispering in the others ear.


The view our guests see as they arrive . . .

the view from the Entry Hall as we greet our guests On Crooked Creektt.

All has been "switched" from one setting, the back deck

to another, the front porch 

for the sole purpose of enjoying a Mid~Summer Evening On Crooked Creektt.

Until next time. . .

* * * * * * * FYI * * * * * * *

My Dad's 88th Birthday . . .June 2010.

Dear Ones,

It is with a grateful heart that I "Thank You" for the prayers on my Dad's behalf.

He has taken two hard falls in two weeks.

At our visit this week, it is evident that his body is weakening daily.

My heart is breaking watching him suffer, be in pain 

and the rapidly decline in "quality of life" that he continues to endure.

We will continue to travel as often as is possible 

to spend as much time as we can to be with him.

It is my hope that the visits from "Mr. Ed" and I will, somehow

ease his transition from this life to the next.

Fondly,

Pat

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

A Blogland Tour. . .

Dear Ones,
I have not been linking to any parties. . .
My father's failing health is taking my priorities at the present time.
So~o~o. . . I had no idea that a Tour in the Land of Blog was taking place.
That is, until my dear friend, Ann @  A Sentimental Life tagged me to join in!

Somehow, I sense that Ann knew I needed a diversion.
Thank you, dear one, for tagging me for A Blogland Tour. . .

*) How I got started?
As is the same for many of you,
my Church Family is the extended family gifted to me by my Heavenly Father.

I had become quite dissatisfied with the choice of magazines available
when several of my favorites were no longer in publication
or had changed contributing editors, which changes the focus of the magazine.

My dear friend, Glenda had mentioned that I check out some blogs.
Ladies, I didn't even know what a Blog was.
But, Glenda told me that one of my Choir Members, 
also my Circle Sister had a Blog and that I should have a visit.

It soon became a ritual every Monday morning,
I poured an ample helping of Dark Colombian Coffee
and began my day with  Pammie Jo and Friends.
It is Pam, who encouraged me to use a blog as an outlet for my creative writing.

Chancel Choir July 2009

My friend, Pam, is pictured in the second row to your right, 

at the end (yellow top).

I am seated in the front row to your left, 

second from the end (green top and denim plants).

**) What Am I Working On Now?

As stated above, 

my main priority is to spend as much time as possible

with my Dad who lives 3 1/2 hours away.

My Dad, Mac, and I on his 91st Birthday 2013.

In addition to making numerous trips across 54 Highway each month,

"Mr. Ed" and I are currently in the process 

of replacing the  original dark ceramic "tiger eye" with black grout

in the Entry Hall of our 1970's Ranch Style Home.

Before. . .July 2014.

Also, we are busily creating and designing merchandise for our

Bits 'n Pieces Booth as we prepare to participate in the 

20th Annual Unique Antique Market ~ Fall Show~.

The above photos are a few taken of our single vendor booth

for the 20th Annual Unique Antique Market ~ Spring Show~.

***) How Does My Work Differ From Others?

I enjoy creating vignettes within my home

utilizing a blend of heirlooms and newly acquired accessories.

I had an interest in Art during my Junior High School years.

Having already received private tutoring for two years prior on Bb Clarinet, 

I was given an alternative to choose between the two electives.

With a deep passion for instrumental and vocal music, Band won my choice.

I continue to participate in our Church Chancel and Liturgical Choirs.

I still own and practice my Bb Clarinet.

Combined Chancel and Liturgical Choirs

Palm Sunday 2014.

(Second from the left, front row)

However, my MoMa purchased a still life watercolor 

of an up and coming Art Student during my childhood by Friedlinger J.

which always intrigued me. 

To this very day, I can not draw a straight line, 

but I have always had an eye for arranging items within a limited space.

The heirloom still life watercolor sits atop my refrigerator 

in On Crooked Creektt's Galley Style Kitchen.

As I listen to Classical Piano Music, the inner artistry flows from my soul 

and is outwardly reflected within my home decor.

My canvas is my home.

****) Why Do I Write? /

****) Why Do I Create What I Do?

Prior to my retirement,
I was employed at our local Antique and Gift Shop
as Design Assistant and Window Dresser.
The tutorials of creating and designing a vignette 
are for my many close friends and loyal customers who follow my blog.

I love decorating my home during my favorite seasons and holidays.
I adore the awakening that Spring brings to the Prairie,
however, my favorite season is Autumn! 

Easter and Christmas are my favorite holidays. 
Being December born, I love snow and hanging high the holly throughout
both the upper and lower levels On Crooked Creektt!

*****) How Does My Writing Process Work?

The main objectives of my writing process are to encourage, 

inspire and uplift my followers and readers.

As I share challenges since leaving our "dream home" 
and continuing our journey On Crooked Creektt,
it is my hope that, together, we will be able to overcome obstacles 
we face in making our homes comforting and inviting.

As I continue to interject my Traditional Style Decor within my blog,
editing collections, expanding favorite collections and beginning new collections
it is still the friendships that I will cherish most in The Land of Blog.

So~o~o. . . that the  Blogland Tour will continue,

I must pass it on to 3!

Amy @ All Things Home
" I am a home school mama,
wanna be farm girl,
and a lover of timeless trasures." Amy.

Photo courtesy All Things Home.

Brooke @ Creative Country Mom's Garden
" I collect vintage roses and enjoy a cottage, 
grandma's-style, rambling mess of a garden...
but I would not have it any other way!" Brooke

Photo courtesy Creative Country Mom's Garden.

Christine @ Rustic and Refined 

"Sharing creativity, decorating,

Tablescapes and DIY." Christine

Photo courtesy Rustic and Refined.

be it noted that you have been tagged to participate in A Blogland Tour!



Until next time. . .