Where Should I Put These?

My Son went snow camping last weekend at Lochleven Lake in the Sierra's (Northern California). He sent pictures from his phone but they wouldn't transfer to my computer (sniff, sniff)

ANYWAY. . .

Hiking on one of the days they came across a pile of these, pulled from downed poles due to the heavy snow.

The colors are amazing, one is wonderful turquoise green, the other is clear.  My Son's buddy got a beautiful deep garnet red one (sniff, sniff). 





The poles have a wonderful rusted patina with the added bonus of being threaded.  I've toyed with the idea of having my son make me two more of his amazing light poles so I could put them in the yard.




Maybe on either side of the fountain?



So many possibilities, I've never been so excited and so stumped at the same time.  They are so cool, I want to display them in a way to do justice to their beauty and I suck at tablescaping! I'll shut up now and show you the other pic's I took.  But . . . . I would LOVE input on how you would display them.  I drool over all the amazing tablescapes in Blogland but mine NEVER seem to look as good, at least to me!

And, as always; I am so thankful for all the comments and visits.  I would be honored if you would consider following my little blog.  I'm joining Courtney at French Country Cottage for the Blogger Block Part.  Courtney's theme is Shabby Summer Cottage.  I think my patined Insulators would be amazing in Summer Cottage Garden.  Come join all the fun at http://www.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/

LeRae

My Path Lights ~ He Fixed Them!



Two years ago when I removed the front lawn in favor of a front yard garden, I installed low voltage path lights.  They are wonderful, they add just the right amount of light to the slate path and are great ambiance at night.  Problem is, after two years of heat and cold the plastic pieces that screw onto the bottom of the lights so they can be stuck into the ground were snapping off. I was very frustrated!  I tried several "fixes" (see the little piece of rebar in the bottom right of the picture?) but nothing allowed the electrical cord to come out of the fixture.  I was venting my frustration to my son, he asked if he could take a look at them.  I said "sure", which really meant "your going to fix them??"

Plastic piece that goes into the ground
and (used to) screw onto the bottom
of the light so it would stand upright
in the ground.

End of plastic piece that used to screw
to the light.  The "screw" part
snapped off.

Two days later he came to me with these.  A short piece of galvanized pipe with a hole drilled in the end of the power cord, and short bolt on adapter that will screw to the bottom of the light and then with the little screw attach to the galvanized pipe that will then be pounded into the ground.  I was amazed!  They work great!  The light stay upright, now matter how many times the dogs or grand babies bump into them.  They won't snap off due to heat or cold.  I was so happy I think I did a dance and then hugged him really hard!  I am so proud of him.  He fixed my path lights ~ one small thing that makes me very happy.

Thanks so much for stopping by, I cherish all your visits and read every comment.  I would be honored if you would consider following me.  Until next time . . .

LeRae

P.S.  I'm linking to Kim at Savvy Southern Style for WOW Us Wednesdays http://www.savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/ and to Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Fridays http://www.frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/.  Be sure to drop by these wonderful Blogs and join all the inspiration.

Home! The Best Place on Earth

I am so fortunate that my favorite (only) son loves to be home!  At 17 he still says "I love you Mom" everyday. He spent the day at the lake with friends and was wiped out, but wanted to stay up and watch a movie with me.  So I watched the movie and watched him, the dogs and cats sleep. 

He is also quite the engineer, tomorrow I'll show the idea he and a friend created to repair my low voltage path lights.

Children and pets -- make my heart happy!

LeRae

THIS A GOOD DAY!

For the past few months life at Chez Nathanael has been a little tense.  My Husband and I were victims of the employment economy in California and while prepared; we didn't anticipate the length of time it would take for both of us to become re-employed.  The good news is; after much prayer and loads of paperwork, we get to keep our home!  Praise God!

To celebrate I took a trip to my favorite GW location - and it was a good day there too!

Really neat cork board for my office $3.00.  The bunny hopped right into my cart, and for $3.00 I said he could stay!  The brass ball - my mom calls them "A Nice", when you asked "what is that" she responds "oh, that's Nice".  So a "Nice" for (again $3.00) seeing a theme?  The fleur de lis was only .99 and I thought would be nice for tablescaping - when I learn how.  I spend hours studying the amazing tablescapes in blogland.  Maybe I could get Marty from "A Stroll Thru Life" to come do some for me, hers are always amazing. 

But the piece de resistance is the Coach Bag for $4.25!  Sold!! I love vintage Coach and it's in great shape.  Happy Day!  Even the rain and cold of Northern Caliornia can't dampen my mood or my spirits

Thanks for dropping by to visit, it's always such a pleasure.  I love your comments and read each and every one! 

I'm linking up with Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays.
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.blogspot.com/

Thanks again

LeRae

Be Back Shortly

Sorry for my silence last couple of weeks.  Within a day of each other my Chihuahua Daschund mix puppy was hit by a van ~ he's home (4 days in the hospital) on massive antibiotics and pain reliever, but needs 3 times a week bandage changes at the vet The VERY next day, my youngest Daughter dislocated her patella (knee cap) Ambulance ride to the ER, knee cap returned to right spot but she's on crutches with a brace from hip to ankle for 6 to 8 weeks.

So, I'm nursing my babies back to health . . .I'll be back soon, I promise!  I'll still drop in from time to time, checking out all the amazing inspiration in Blog Land.

As Always

LeRae

What Would You Do???

Look what I found!!  About a month ago, I was at a meeting, we had a better than expected turn out so I went into the storage area to get chairs.  Sitting alone in a corner was this beauty! Minus the Cat ~ who will not get off!  I was giddy, I looked it all over (quickly) I was supposed to be getting chairs, and resolved to call the Facility Manager and ask if they were throwing him out.  I decided it has to be a "guy" he weighs a ton and is SOLID wood.

Next morning I promptly called to speak with the Manager - let's condense the next month to phone calls about every other day, leaving messages, you get the idea. 

Well, last night was the meeting again, in the middle of the meeting I get a note from the Building Manager!  I can HAVE the cubbies, they were throwing them out, but if I want the old junkie thing I can have it.  Meeting adjourned!!  (Not really) but 2 long hours later I convinced two gentlemen to load him into my truck and I went straight home.  My husband was not so thrilled with my find.  I believe his exact words were "you've got to be kidding me??!!" NOPE!!  Thank you Ms Funky Junk, I see the beauty in this ole guy!

What would you do with him??  The possibilities are endless and swirling in my head.  In my closet for shoes, NO!!! I will not hide the yummi~ness in the closet.  In the pantry for staples???  Hmmmmm . . . Don't you love all my "helpers"  I literally was screaming at the Shepherd to "sit and stay" so I could take pictures, they love the flash!

Maybe I'll put him under here for more storage in the Kitchen

He will need a little TLC, a really good cleaning out and washing; then some sanding and painting; since his previous life was spent as a shoe rack in a bowling alley.

What would you do with him???  I'm open to suggestions!

And, as always . . . thanks so much for stopping by for a visit.  I cherish the company!

LeRae

Does Anyone Remember . . .

A week or so ago I stumbled across a wonderful blog -- a couple redoing an old barn, making it their "new" home.  I LOVED their pine floors and wanted to show them to my DH, but I can't remember the blog name, and like a dummy I didn't bookmark the page.  I do remember the Bloggess called her DH "The Cowboy" . . . can you help?  I would really appreciate it and then I might be able to "show" my DH what our floors could look like, he's having trouble visualizing stained pine, thinks it would be too soft ~ with critters and kids.

Anyway, if anyone knows, please drop me comment or an e-mail.

Thank you so very much!

And . . . as always,

I love having you stop by for a visit.

LeRae