Living Room Redo in Process

I have been waiting for a new sofa.

I've bought second hand and poor quality for years.
We counted that we've had 5 sofas in the past 5 years.

You know I love a bargain, but bargins without good quality

are not bargains.  They are a mess!

So, Mr. H said we could spend the bonus money on what I want. 

It's gray.  It is comfy.

I was afraid the gray would not work 

with the beige walls so I got a rug to pull it all together. 

It worked.

I'm gonna paint the rocker ivory to brighten up 

the room a bit. 

I'll have to get some wall art with some white,

beige and gray.  I'm looking for a seascape.

I moved the H and the birdcage.

I pulled it together with some of my pitchers. 

I bought the plant stand from a friend/vendor at our local flea market. 

She always gives me a deal.

My house has something from her booth in every room.

I sold a plant stand that I loved, similar to this 

while I had the shop.  I let someone (a friend) take 

it home to try before she bought and I was never paid. 

In our small town, I see her often.

I am always so embarresed.  She doesn't seem to care in the least.

As everything, this room is a work in progress.

Wall art, a painted chair, a painted coffee table and we'll be set for a while.

Putting life into a room, gives me joy!
I need a little bit on this gloomy day.

Hugs and Kisses,

The Whistle Stop Cafe

Mr. H says, "We're taking a day trip anywhere you want to go."

I chose Juliette, GA, 

a tiny little railroad town, 

home of the Whistle Stop Cafe

in the movie, Fried Green Tomatoes. 

Honestly, a mere stop in the road,

this is what we first saw when we first turned the corner.

Please don't tell anyone you saw this in GA.

Not everyone is "White Trash," as portrayed on 

The Jerry Springer Show.

There was not a parking spot to be found on the pig-path road 

leading to the Whistle Stop.

I snapped this picture as we crossed over the small bridge.

I have to say, a railroad town is close to my heart. 

Scouting for a location, Barbara Ling, production designer found Juliette in Monroe County, Georgia, a town that was nearly deserted. The building chosen to be the Whistle Stop Café was formerly an antiques and hardware store. It was redesigned as a cafe, with a horse-shoe shaped counter to allow for optimal camera angles.

Expecting a long wait, Mr. H. takes a seat on the bench in front of The Whistle Stop.

The food was down-home country cooking.

The tea was sweet,

and the fried green tomatoes were the best I have ever put in my mouth.

I had country fried steak, collard greens with pepper vinegar, and garlic mashed potatoes.

Mr. H had a hamburger.  The best he said he had ever put in his mouth.

After the release of the film, Juliette saw an influx of tourists and, with John Avnet's encouragement, locals opened The Whistle Stop Café, recreated to mirror the film set. "Whistle Stop Café" is now a registered trademark.

Gift and Antique Shops line the street.

As my mama would say, the town is only a "stone's throw,"

from one end to the other. 

There is certainly no need for a traffic light.

Juliette was a bustling railroad community during the early 1900s. Over time, the railroad industry declined, and Juliette was nearly forgotten until 1991 when movie producers for the film "Fried Green Tomatoes" discovered Juliette and reconstructed the existing buildings into the fictional community of Whistle Stop.

The out-house or privy stands right smack in the middle of town.

My granddaddy's was a two-seater, 

but not nearly as pretty.

A little old man, sat in front of the Opera House

and played some bluegrass music.

The door is what I was most attracted to.

There was lots of rusty, crusty,

and chippy, shabby.

I half-way expected to see a rooster cross the road.

I took pictures of all the building structures,

some probably originals and some not.

The antique shops were typical

shabby chic, a little old and new,

and some new made from old.

The Whistle Stop Cafe is 

one of the most well-kept secrets

in Central Georgia

and just a hop, skip and a jump 

from home. 

And I didn't have to rob the bank to get there. 

Gas $25

Meal $35

A road trip with Mr. H

PRICELESS!

Bonnie:)

However, there was a bank robbery

this morning before we left town, 

only a block away from our house. 

A Mid-Life Moment???

This time last week I was in Nashville. 

Tonight I'm somewhat melancholy for many reasons, 

some of which I can not express. 

I've never believed much in 

what people call "A mid-life crisis."

I mean, who really knows when mid-life is?

However, I'm beginning to understand more 

what that means, at least for me. 

All that once felt new, 

is beginning to feel old. 

That's okay when we're talking about old scales, old tins, 

old crates and old boxes.

I love the old, repurposed, cleaned, dusted, 

painted and usable again.

We work so hard to make the old look new, 

but why the new look old?

We do that, don't we?

I know, I do.

Sometimes, I honestly can't tell which is which.

Is this really old or new?

On the closest observation, I can't see what is the real thing

and what is not. 

Do you find it easy to see what is truly hidden

behind the gloss and shine?

Now days, I look closer at other women.

How old is she?

I know I'm rambling.

Just feeling like I need a do-over.

I look around and see women who are older than I. 

Through my eyes they look flawless, without lines, 

tucked, trimmed and toned. 

And, I feel weather-worn, sun-aged, and saggy.

So many products out three to add flavor. 

We can choose

hot or mild

sweet or sour.

Some women are called HOT!

Some of are sweet!

Some of us are neither.

At least that's how I feel today.

Sometimes I feel like I've been grounded, pounded, 

and poured-

into a mold that others want for me, 

or into a pair of pants that no longer fit

-or both.

Am I having a mid-life moment?

Granny would say, grab that apron over 

there and let's get to work.

I honestly believe that age is an attitude.

I feel 35, in my head, that is. 

Why do I look 64 and in my body feel 74???

while I am almost 54???

I need to grab an apron and get to work,

lose 50 pounds, of which 20 of that 

I carry on my shoulders.

Need to lose some of this weight-

emotional and physical.

The above photos were taken 

at Marche Artisan Foods

where we had Saturday brunch.

I had a veggie quiche

and yummy french toast. 

Yes, both!

It's been a tough week!

Maybe I'll feel and look younger in the morning.

Have a good weekend,

Bonnie

A Cottage Bathroom

My daughter and son-in-law 

wanted to turn their bathroom

into a cottage-bath.

I am linking with Coastal Charm Linky Party,
click on the following link and have a look around.

Cottage Wide Plank Bathroom Walls

I played around with Picmonkey

to create the look of yester-years.

Troy, my SIL, can google anything

and it's done in a weekend. 

He planked the walls and spray-painted them.

He had the repurposed wooden shelves 

custom made for their small space

by an Etsy shop.

The baskets are great for holding and hiding

His and Hers.

Bottles and mercury glass are always great accent pieces,

and are practical for holding cotton balls
and Q-tips.

It was hard to get the lighting right

with no window,but I hope you get the idea
of what a great finished project this turned out to be.

The next step is a barn door.

Enjoying some Coastal Charm Today.

Bonnie:)

Please go to the following and "LIKE"
my article

Lessons Learned While Raising My Parents

(Please pardon the grammar.  Some errors occurred in editing.)

Any Ideas on How to Hang Wood Slats?

I had this vision, as you know.

This is as far as I've gotten. 

I'm certainly not done.  

I want horizontal and not vertical

because I need it to serve as a headboard. 

These were wood slats from an oak floor.

They are heaaaaavy!

I'm thinking I'm gonna repaint and distress the white 

and use only the 4 slats.

We'll see. 

I got very discouraged because the glue got 

evvvvverrrrryyyyywhere.

Ugh!  One big mess!

Could only get the four to adhere.

I'm certainly not a woodworker.  

Will keep trying. 

Any ideas on how to hang this

massive chunk of wood?

Hope your day has been a day of rest.

I sat with my little lady today 

and she had a stroke.  

Not sure if she's gonna make it.  

Makes me sad.

Prayers for this Sweet Family, 

Bonnie