[Edit...Just her from Mindy--she will get me more photos soon! Check back!]

As you well may know, Facebook is a wonderful resource that helps us keep up with the goings on of Friends, Family, and even Favorite Stores....Anyway; a friend (my great-great-uncle's daughter-in-law.....) posted on my wall photos from her niece Mindy's kitchen remodel. I got in contact with Mindy, again through Facebook--that took me a while, initially Facebook wouldn't let me message or friend her....Either way, I finally got in contact with her, and she allowed me to share these photos with you!






Here is one more shot of the beautiful after in her bright, beautiful budget-reno kitchen!
  

It's truly amazing what a little bit of paint can do!

Sorry for being so late posting! Here are some vintage images free to use! (Original Source Here)

 In my neck of the woods--if you desperately need a turkey and the stores are sold out, you can attempt to do as this young lad is doing--lasso one up! Last year on Thanksgiving Day we counted 12 wild turkeys in the backyard flying around--in the suburbs no less!

 Apparently the creator of this postcard knew that in 2010 it may become taboo to wish someone a Merry Christmas or Happy Thanksgiving--so he got prepared for a "Happy Holidays" Card.... 4th of July Check.....Thanksgiving Check......Assorted Summer Fruits Check.....Seemingly foolish he left of Easter Eggs, Shamrocks, and any other holiday you can come up with!

 This must have been an early mock-up cover for the Weekly World News--Giant Alien Turkey Responsible for the first Thanksgiving....!

Oh--here is a quick and EASY recipe for a delicious Stuffing/Dressing.....

3 Boxes Reduced Sodium Chicken Flavored Stove Top Stuffing
1 Can Whole Berry Ocean Spray Cranberry Sauce
1 Can Pear Halves in Lite Syrup, roughly chopped
3/4 cup Water
3/4 cup White Wine--something you'd drink by itself--not 'cooking wine'
1/2 Cup Butter or Margarine
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
A few sprigs rosemary, stems removed (optional)

In the first pan, add cranberry sauce, pears with juice, and half of the butter. Bring to boil. Stir to incorporate butter/fruit mixture--try not to break up the cranberries. Add 2 boxes of stuffing mix. Stir mixture, remove from heat and cover to keep warm.

Meanwhile, In a second pan add water, wine, rosemary (optional), and the rest of the butter. Bring to boil. Stir occasionally. Add 3rd box of stuffing. Mix well. Season with Black Pepper.

Now, fold both the cranberry stuffing in with the white-wine rosemary stuffing--fold gently. This creates a beautiful two-toned effect. You'll be able to see the berries and bits of pear and rosemary throughout!

This is really delicious and takes about 10 min. to make. Serve it up in a vintage Jadite mixing bowl for true Shabby French Cottage style! This should serve 12, but I'd plan on 6-8 because people will want seconds!

I don't recommend using this to actually stuff a turkey. If you must serve it from the turkey, cook them separately, then add the stuffing.

 Make sure you have your children change out of their Sunday Best before they go out and hunt dinner....this image almost makes me want tofurky...


This poor turkey has no idea that two sweetly dressed children are about to attack him as he strolls oh so merrily down the lane! If you are a Turkey I'd be on the look--for a boy in a blue sailor suite and a girl in a pink overcoat that looks like she's already gotten hold of the Easter Bunny!

Happy Thanksgiving All!

I finally got my deck painted last week-end! Let me know what you think! I love comments! I also love for you to follow me! I hope you enjoy!


I went with a white-on-white overall theme, pulling in hits of color through plants, accessories, and galvanized tin.


Of course, there is plenty of crusty, chippy, cast-iron furniture--softened with some outdoor pillows.


Faux birds, birdhouses, plants, and a large garden finial round out this corner.


French flower buckets and galvanized pails full of flowers.


A lovely teacart ready to serve up a drink or two!


I love the chippy patina of the table and plateau mirror.


Crystal and mercury glass decanters, a vintage silver tray, fluted stemware, and a miniature rose bush in a white urn make a beautiful vignette.


Lush ivy grows with beautiful weathered shutters peeking through.


Mums make an appearance sprouting from the tops of vintage French flower buckets.



Have a seat; we can while away the hours enjoying the beautiful 70 degree November weather!


I pulled all these accessories from around the house! No need for anything new other than paint.



Nearly everything came from yard sales, antiques shoppes, or thrift stores. An exception is the tea cart--it came from a big-box store (not sure where). This was a birthday present--it was originally shiny and black--I couldn't leave it that way--so out came the white spray paint!





I hope you've enjoyed your visit! Be sure to check back soon! Lots more to share! Christmas is coming!

A lovely vintage pink, white, and aqua Christmas is a feast for your eyes! FYI--the beautiful pink fabric is a re-purposed shower curtain!

Brenda's refreshing combination of pink, aqua, and spring green certainly will find a place in my home this Christmas.


I adore her crusty, uber patinafied shabby garden furniture. This is the real deal antique cast-iron variety plucked straight from her back yard. If it doesn't sell soon, she'll probably take it back home.

Christmas isn't complete without copious amounts of glitter, Putz-style houses, and bottle brush trees!

The Christmas tree is covered in Waterford, and other blown glass ornaments. Vintage velvet pillows sit in as understudies for gifts! Hint Hint--these would make a great present for me!

I love this desk. Brenda bought it a few years ago for her booth, but her mother-in-law really wanted it, so to her house it went. Just recently her mother-in-law decided to part with it, so Brenda gladly took it back to showcase in her space!

She, too, shares my love for mercury glass. No home should be without it!

I love these knitted Christmas balls! I have matching stockings hanging in a another friends booth here, too!


There are of course, plenty of ornaments to go around! I have boxes and boxes of vintage Shiny Brite ornaments to bring it, hopefully they'll make an appearance by Friday!



Here vignettes are just stunning. She takes such simple items and works a masterpiece.




She gave me a beautiful wreath similar to this last year--it has  pink and silver bow and has little handmade paper flowers she made from old dress patterns.



Here is a great example of non-Christmas decor blending harmoniously with all the festive accouterments.

I love this bed!

Hope you've enjoyed this! Photos from Through The Garden Gate gussied up for the Holidays coming soon! Plus maybe even some photos of my house all ready for Christmas! Enjoy! I'd love to hear what you think of her decor!