A Metamorphosis-Blue Monday

Welcome to Metamorphosis Monday hosted by Susan from Between Naps on the Porch and Blue Monday hosted by Sally at Smiling Sally. Several months ago, I read a post from Cottage Magpie about making pillows in 10 steps. I finally got the courage to try out the process with some leftover fabric from my bedroom valances. Miraculously, they turned out just great. Thank you, Angela, for the instructions.

I used Waverly's Nassau Vine Toile in blue, of course.
I made two14 inch pillows with piping- no less- for the bed. Now I am anxious to find a matching check to make a couple more -one for the bed and another to put on a chair.

To see her instructions, click here.
Visit Between Naps on the Porch for more Metamorphosis Monday participants as well as Smiling Sally for more Blue Monday blogs.

A Painting for Pink Saturday

It's another Pink Saturday at Applejack Lane. For this edition, I want to share a painting on my dining room wall. My mother-in-law bought it at an estate auction over thirty years ago for very little, but I am enjoying it so very much!

Visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for more Pink Saturday participants.

Something To Crow About

Applejack Lane has joined a Rooster Party. Thanks, Barb, for the invitation. Here are a few of my crowing friends.

My country kitchen hosts this fine fellow amidst some strawberries on the pie safe...
and a serving dish lingers nearby...
a rooster rug underfoot...a small painting on the wall...
a suncatcher for the window...
and a blue milk glass specimen stands guard in the dining room.
But my favorite one has to be the hand made weather vane my dad had out in the yard at the family farm.
Visit Barb at Bella Vista for more participants in the Rooster Party.

Sunflower Daze

Here at Applejack Lane, autumn is approaching fast, and my sunflower days are numbered.

Visit Mary at Little Red House for more Mosaic Monday participants

It's a Real Blue Monday

It's a real Blue Monday here at Applejack Lane. My Electrolux kicked the bucket. Any suggestions?


Join Smiling Sally for more Blue Monday participants.

Put On a Happy Face!

It's Outdoor Wednesday time here at Applejack Lane. This week I want to share my sunflower garden that is in full bloom. I just love their happy faces!


Many of the shorter variety has multi-heads...
while some are pale...


and some a bit deeper yellow.


A visitor comes calling now and then.




Visit Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for more Outdoor Wednesday participants.

Gertrude and Luther

It's another Pink Saturday here at Applejack Lane. Today, we have Gertrude and Luther examining my pink hydrangea at the corner of the house. I can tell by their eyes that they are plotting some kind of mischief!

Visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for more Pink Saturday participants.

Dancing Paper Dolls

It's another Outdoor Wednesday at Applejack Lane, and I thought I would take you to the middle school where I taught before I retired five years ago.

Outside, my classroom window, I could see these dancing paper dolls. This is a metal sculpture created by local metal artist Willie Ferguson.


Why are they dancing?

School started today for all the teachers in our county, and the children will be coming back next week!


I'm dancing, too! I don't have to go back any more!

Visit Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for more participants in Outdoor Wednesday.

Blue Monday at Applejack Lane

Thanks for stopping by Applejack Lane for another Blue Monday. Since I just finished cleaning off the buffet and polished the tea service, things look a little presentable to show our pair of Bristol vases and blue banquet lamp. Actually, they belonged to my mother-in-law, and we are very proud to have them in our home today.


A close up picture of one vase...

and now a picture to show the pair together.

I think this banquet lamp is my favorite one in the house.

Join Smiling Sally for more Blue Monday participants.

The King of Plows

It's another Outdoor Wednesday, and I thought I would take you by one of the sculptural designs in our town.

This giant plow sits at the entrance of a feed company and livestock market.

It would take a giant of a man like Paul Bunyan to operate this fellow.

It's marked John Deer-Syracuse just like its smaller counterpart.


And a nice sign in John Deere green and yellow gives credit to the designer, benefactor, and horticulturist.


Join Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for more Outdoor Wednesday participants.

A Little Blue Slipper

Welcome to Blue Monday! Today, I want to share my latest church yard sale find. This is my little blue daisy and button glass slipper I found to add to my blue collectibles. The mold appears very crisp and sharp so I am hoping this is a good piece!


For more Blue Monday participants, visit Smiling Sally.

August 3 Is a Very, Very Special Day!

It didn't seem that long ago when Stuart was 1.

And only last year, Stuart was 2.


But now, he's all grown up, and Stuart is 3 years old!

Here he is with his mother with a Thomas the Train shirt...
and reading special birthday greetings is one of his favorite things to do.

But his Cars birthday cake that his mother made was very special indeed.


He just couldn't wait until it was time to cut his special cake!


Happy Birthday, Stuart!!!

A Day With Ben and Meredith

And whose feet do you think these might be standing in the middle of the lawn at Applejack Lane?
Why, they belong to cousins Ben and Meredith who came to visit from Richmond on Saturday while their dad John and Guy went to play golf at the Waynesboro Country Club.

David brought Timmy and Burt out to have play time with Ben and Meredith.

We had a little light lunch out on the patio...

before we headed in to Gypsy Hill Park to find the trolley.

Here are Leslie, Meredith, Shirley, Ben, and Granddad Hal waiting on the park bench for the trolley to pick them up.
Here comes the Lady Rebecca.
After a 30 minute jaunt around the downtown area, we were off and did some of our own site seeing.

Timmy and Burt got an hour so of zzz's while the kids were off site seeing.

When we got home, we had a little country barbecue.

There were trees for Ben to climb...



and Meredith, who couldn't be outdone by Brother Ben, found her own to conquer.


Meredith and Burt pose for a parting shot.

Burt thinks Meredith is so funny and nice!

Ben tries to turn Burt into a bunny.

Who wants ice cream cake for dessert?

What a great way to end our visit with our Richmond cousins-Leslie, Shirley, Hal, John, Ben, and Meredith-with a summer family picture!


We hope they will return to Applejack Lane real soon!