A SATURDAY SURPRISE...

We were on the quest 

for a spray can of white chalk paint.

  We went to every paint store in town 

and no one carried chalk paint 

in a spray can. 

 We finally found an Ace Hardware 

that did 

but they were all sold out of white. 

 No thank you, 

cream will not do.

We have been wanting 

a smaller island in the kitchen. 

 As you well know by now,

 we have had a few 

and none have worked. 

 The working part of the kitchen (above)

 is pretty small

 in comparison to the whole kitchen 

and nothing has seemed to work out.

  I've been trying to get

 the Captain to take a trip to Ikea 

for the longest time...

...as I love

 the Ikea sideboard we have 

but he firmly believed that 

we wouldn't find anything

 we liked there.

So, by chance, 

we stopped into our local consignment shop 

and he picked out this 

cute little number and 

guess what, folks? 

 It is an original Ikea product! 

and that is why 

we want the spray can of chalk paint.

  So this is the simple story 

of the Saturday surprise. 

 I got to go to Michael's 

(who was also out of white chalk spray paint)

 but who can leave Michael's 

empty handed? Right...

...and I came away with 

these two little sweet things

 and we went on to Home Depot

 where we did find the paint, 

and then to In-N-Out Burger

 where we had dinner, 

and you know 

how happy that

 makes me.

I can't wait 

to get the little island painted 

and put in place 

which means there will be a few changes,

 yet again,

 in the kitchen.

Besides dreaming about the kitchen, 

I have put a couple of touches of fall

 in the parlor.

  The velvet pumpkins, 

along with some faux ones, 

sit on the marble table

 in front of the settee. 

 It looks pretty at night 

with the lamp lit 

in the background.

The mantle 

gets the honor this autumn

 of showing off the garland 

which has been adorned with 

sunflowers and zinnias 

that have been dried 

throughout the summer.

I pulled this old Christmas wreath 

out of the closet 

and after removing the red bow 

and adding a few of the dried flowers, 

it is a close match 

for the garland.

I love

 the earthy look and feel

of it all.

  
(I am fully aware that red candles are not what is called for here, but they were all I had, and I am not known for my patience when something needs to get done NOW!!)

"September

 is dressing herself in 

showy dahlias and splendid marigolds and

 starry zinnias."

Hugh MacMillan

Here is Santa #4. 

 I tried a little 

different approach on him and 

changed up the color 

of his coat...

...I'm not sure if I am liking it.

  In my mind, 

Santa is always wearing red. 

 That is just the way it is 

and has always been.

Maybe

 we will just call him 

Father Christmas.

Have a great week.

...Judy...

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