WHEN IS A TOOLBOX NOT A TOOLBOX????

For a while now my husband and I have picked up old toolboxes when we have seen unusual ones.  I have one like the top tool chest box and I have several like the green one.  We have a couple similar to the last one as well.  The thing we love about antique toolboxes is that we have never found two the same.  Most are handmade by whoever needed them for their specific needs.

I have seen them repurposed as shelves, flower holders and many other things.  My husband collects them for his workshop to go with his antique tools, I on the other hand, repurpose them for the house, so when we find one we both like it can be a battle of wills.

Last year we found this beauty in an Antique Fair.  It has been in my husband's shop since then.  Last week I was out in the shop and it caught my eye.  Today I lovingly brought him tea and cookies in the shop and stole it right out from under him.  He struggled at first but he gave in and he really loves it on our utility storage cupboard.  It is perfect for my oils and vinegars and it holds the antique measuring cups I received from my Grandmother perfectly.

I filled them with coffee cups and the other hold the tea utensils.  My little vintage Big Ben clock looks smashing with the dark green wood.

Hanging above is a chimney pipe rack which I hung my new pots and pans from.  Above is a Couscousier.  I watched Nigella Lawson's cooking program and she has one just like it which her sister brought her from Turkey.  She uses it for everything.  I never dreamed I would find one but amazingly I picked this one up in Value Village for $9.00 I could not believe it.  I just adore it shape and it fit perfect on top of the rack.

This is my newest aquisition.  I found her in HomeSense.  She is Kuan Yin the goddess of Mercy and Friend to Mankind.  She is very large, over 19" high and she looks gorgeous in my Hippie Bohemian bathroom.  I fell in love with the colour of her lips and the overall tone and shape.

Well, that is the news for today.  I am going down now to feed the pups it has been warm outside today and they have been running around enjoying the sun so they are extra hungry.

blessings & bliss

VINTAGE VALENTINE'S IN PICTURES

I came across these adorable vintage Valentine photos today.  I do not know if they were taken just for family Valentines or for sale purposes but they are adorable.

Love this one, I would like to wear this cute outfit for Valentine's Day, adore the hat!

How cut are these.  Sweethearts getting their photos done to express their love.

What better way to ask your honey to Be Your Valentine.

The little cupid photos were very popular.  I really like they way they coloured the black and white photos back then.

Oh how cute!  I just love those chubby little hands and that sweetie dressed all grown up with that huge bouquet of flowers.

Even celebrity kids got in the act.  Remember Spanky and Our Gang.  Before my time but I have seen the reruns.

I just adore this one I think it is my favourite.  Those balloons.  I am thinking of dressing my babies up as little cherubs....well, we'll see how that goes!

ABANDONED BEAUTIES

A century home in a neighbouring town was demolished last week to make way for a Lowes Store.  This was one of the homes of the original settlers of the town and because there were 3 other homes from the same family it was not designated as a Heritage Home and even though the developer promised to move it , it came down.  That just broke my heart.

Unfortunately this happens more often than not.  Instead of rescuing these magnificent structures it is easier and cheaper to destroy them.

When I pass an abandoned home ( I hate that word, it means unwanted, neglected, of no use) I do not see the crumbling facade, broken windows and overgrown property.

I see the life that was.  The families who grew up there, the happiness that once was.  The children who played in the yard and ran up the stairs when called for dinner.  The evening spent sitting on the porch watching the sunset.  The love that vibrated from within the walls of these amazing homes.  It always makes me so sad to see these homes.  They still stand tall and elegant, refusing to fall on their own, waiting for someone to bring the life back within their walls.

We have lovingly restored our 240 year old farmhouse and I swear she smiles at us everytime we do something to improve her.  When we bought her the people who put in an offer after ours were going to tear her down.

The next time you pass one of these magestic homes don't look at it like an old abandoned house look at it like the beautiful home it was and with a little love could still be.

TICKLE YOU TASTEBUDS THURSDAY!!!

Thought I would brighten up your day with some absolutely yummmmm cakes.  Some impressively decorated others so easy you will want to make them today.  Like this scrumpcious Strawberries and Cream cake for THE KITCHEN MCCABE complete with little cupcaes just in case you run out of cake.

If  you are feeling ambitious, here are a couple of showstoppers.  Can you imagine going to a Tea Party and these on the table, I would not want to eat them , well maybe just a piece.

And these!  That dress is the most beautiful cake I have ever seen.  The French apartment is incredible and would I love to make the ship for my hubbies birthday, I won't ,but it would be amazing.

This VANNILA RASPBERRY CAKE form SOUL KITCHEN blog is mouthwatering, now this I could make.

This NO BAKE STRAWBERRY CAKE form RINCON CONCINA blog is the kind of thing my Great Grandmother made in the summers.  Easy, no fuss and simply delicious.

These adorable ROSE CUPCAKES from THE VELVETEEN BAKER are so pretty I am going to try this technique this weekend.

I will leave you with this delectable vision in chocolate and vanilla.  My birthday is in April and I am making myself this!!!!!

THE BEGINNING OF THE VALENTINE BLITZ.....YUMMMM!!!!!

Valentine's Day is only a few weeks away so I have decided to do a Blog Blitz.  I will be blogging about all kinds of Valentine desserts, gifts, crafts and traditions until the big day.  Love this cake!

I think that Valentine desserts are my favourite of all the seasons.  I love the red and white and I adore anything with hearts.  You can make a simple cupcake with candy hearts or get elaborate and make a real show stopper.

I am kind of into mini cakes right now.  These CHOCOLATE COVERED STRAWBERRY CAKES from SUGAR HERO BLOG  are gorgeous and actually quite easy.  Stop over this is a delicious blog.

Look at this!  the LOVE IS ALL AROUND CAKE ROLL from CLEOBUTTERA BLOG is so pretty.  Pop over for directions on how to make this beauty.

How about some cute cookies?  These are little pieces of art but you can ice some heart shaped cookies and glitter them which is really quite lovely.

Now this cake you may not believe but it is the simpliest most delicious thing you will ever make!  I have been making this for years in one form or another.  It was a dessert I had as a child and trust me you will not be sorry if you try this one.  If you don't want to make it in cake form you can layer it in a pan and decorate the top.  This whole sinfully delicious creation consists of Christie Chocolate Wafer Cookies and Whipping Cream, that is it, then of course, the decorations.

For instuctions to make this amazingly scrumpcious dessert go to SWEET AND CRUNCHY BLOG. This is a must try.

So this is day one.  I am very excited to share all of the incredible ideas I have found and have used in the past with you.  Hope you like them!