Cindy Lou...I,I,I Love You!

Every now and then I find an antique that seems so unlikely that it is overlooked by other shoppers.

Then again maybe it's just my weird taste and nobody likes it. 

I found Cindy Lou (yeah, I name my animal antiques. We name our cars too. Ruby and Max. But that's another story) for $15. She's about 18 inches tall and is an old plaster carnival prize.

Most of those old chalk ware pieces have garish colors or goofy grinning cartoon faces. But Cindy Lou looked like a sophisticated and serious lady. I just had to have her!!

Every room needs a statement piece. Don't you think? I just love a few large whimsical items displayed in a home. It gives the home a heartbeat and pizazz!

I once knew a real pig named Cindy Lou...it was the sweetest little thing!

But gosh, the house seems so un-sparkley when the holiday decor comes down doesn't it?

In some ways it feels good to have an empty clean slate...

Although "clean" is a relative term. I keep finding Christmas doo dads hidden in every nook and cranny, like my snowballs and feather tree ornaments. Do you see them here? Where's Waldo?!

 And another lucky find lately was this little painting. For $3.99. Yes, it is an actual oil painting. And it is very old. It must be a knock off. It must! I can't imagine a dutch master painting being in a thrift store!! And if it is a knock off, kudos to the talent individual. I can almost read the signature...I need to research it. Maybe it's worth a fortune! Keep your fingers crossed for me! 

Here's the corner desk...patiently waiting for inspiration.

And lastly here's the new mirror I bought with some xmas money I recieved. It weighs a ton, so I'll need to bribe my better half to help me get it hung up there.

I guess next is spring stuff right? Hard to think about that when it's 30 degrees outside. But you know me...I have to change things up constantly. In between making dinner and folding laundry...

Hugs

~Linsey

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Love and Marriage

I have never decorated for Valentine's day. 

But this year, while sifting though old Christmas ornaments, I found something that made me feel sentimental and warm and fuzzy. Something perfect for a fun little Valentine's Day tree.

See the little heart ornaments on the tree? Those little flimsy hearts are so special to me! When I met my husband he was in graduate school and I was still in college. From day one we were head over heels in love I tell ya! He lived in Houston. I lived in Fort Worth. We dated long distance, driving back and forth on weekends, for 3 years. 

He had his own apartment, and I remember asking him if he was going to put up a Christmas tree for himself. Of course being a bachelor he wasn't.

I was so sad  to think of us apart and him coming home to a cold empty apartment each day.

So I secretly went to W-mart and bought him a little tree, and those heart ornaments, a few strands of lights and two stockings. I decorated his apartment while he was at work and surprised him with it.  I have a picture of it somewhere in a box, maybe I can find it and come add it to this post later. He said he turned that tree on everyday when he got home.

And so began our life together of me decorating our nest...and him putting up with the constant nesting. Haha!


Here we are...14 years ago.

"Ooooh... Kissy kissy face!"

 That's what I say to my little girls when we see someone kiss in a movie and they hide their faces and giggle and say "Gross!!!" 

Sometimes hubby grabs me in the middle of the kitchen while I'm unloading the dishwasher and gives me a big long kiss in front of them. The best part is grossing out the kids. Although I know they secretly love it. 

Seeing parents who love each other is the greatest gift a parent can give a child. I know how much I loved seeing my own parents break out in an impromptu slow dance and kiss in the kitchen when an "oldie" came on the radio.

 Things I have learned about love and marriage so far...

Let go of the little things. 

Make a list of your own flaws when you find yourself dwelling on theirs.

Start new family traditions together.  

And most importantly...

make time for fun together!

Then.

And now.

Lots has changed in our lives in 14 years. But when I see these little hearts I know that what matters most has not.

Happy Nesting little lovebirds!

oxoxox

Linsey

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New (Old) Goodies for YOU!

I've been adding some new stuff to The Farmhouse Porch Etsy Shop today!

I just wanted to do a quick post for all you online shoppers. Christmas break was such a fun filled whirlwind this year! Does it feel like it's over in the blink of an eye to you? Every year I feel like it races through like a runaway train. 

I really neglected my blog this season. It was nice to ignore the computer for a few weeks and focus on family and fun. 

 I'm excited to be part of 2 upcoming home project tours with all of my favorite blogging gals, one in January and the other Valentine's week. So stay tuned for that. I'm also working on a  post about my new pet pig. She never moves and requires no food. And I think she's about 75 years old. Are you intrigued?

Here are some of the news things for sale in my online shop

Click here to go to the Farmhouse Porch Etsy Shop

Thanks for looking friends, and Happy New Year to you!

~Linsey