The Delightful Eclectic Abode

Question about comments and getting back to readers

 

've been blogging for a little over a year now and there is so much to learn. I'm taking baby steps. I haven't gotten the comment part of it down yet.  Comments on this "little ole blog" are the best gift! 

 

t means that you are actually reading what I have written and you have responded with a question or an observation.

 

 

ou might have dropped by to thank me for visiting your blog and leaving a comment.  Something I have written might have resonated with you or you might make a comment about one of my photographs.

 

**This week I've vowed to begin learning to use the manual controls of my camera so my hope is to share something beautiful with you.**

 

aybe you dropped by to see how NOT to decorate.  As you can see, I do have a sense of humor and most often the self-deprecating kind (I've been blessed with the ability to laugh at myself.) 

 

Comments are feedback that provide valuable information to me. I'm in the baby stages of this blogging journey and want to develop my voice. 

Image: Baby Link

 

This blog was created to share my love of gardening, making a home, and a place to share everyday happenings.  It's also a place where I would love to connect to you, the reader ( I actually have a few people who now read my blog, at least I hope you do).

 

This is the place where I can become more computer literate and hopefully learn to use more fonts and create a better blog design.

 

I read and respond to all of your comments.  What is the best way to hear from me?  Is it preferable to respond by e-mail?  Do all of you bloggers respond to everyone who reads or just people who ask relevant questions? 

 

It's important for me to acknowledge when someone visits and leaves a comment.  I know that when I visit blogs I love to hear back from the author but I DON'T get OFFENDED if I don't hear from you.  We all have homes and families to attend to.

Time is important in all of our lives and many people don't have the time to get back to everyone.  We all lead busy lives.

 

I'd love to get the conversation going about commenting on blogs, personal e-mails or responding directly in the comments section. 

 

What are your thoughts?   Please let me know.

Thanks so much for visiting! 

 

Sunday drive and roadside treasures

unday afternoon, enjoying a drive in the Camero and picking up treasures by the roadside.  Today was the perfect day for a drive in the country.

 

 

 

My husband is so proud of this car.  He worked for 32 years at General Motors and retired earlier than expected due to the troubles that GM experienced.  As part of his retirement package, he received a voucher to put towards this car.  It gives me great pleasure to see him so happy.  I love taking drives with him in this beautiful car.

 

 

We weren't prepared financially for him to retire early so he has retired to another full-time occupation.

 

n the side of the road we noticed a pile of stuff with a few people going through it.  We turned the car around and spotted a couple of items that looked promising. 

 

 

couple was cleaning out their garage and they placed unwanted items alongside the road for people to take.

 

This is what we found.

 

Isn't this little chair adorable?  I'm sure I'll find a place for it in the garden.  I think this chair would be a great spot for a pretty pot of flowers.

 

Hmmm.....maybe a different shade of paint?

Look at this nice little ottoman.  It's in excellent condition.

 

The best part is it can be used for storage.  Haven't decided if I will keep it this way for awhile or cover it with different fabric. Dave and I have been talking about getting a little ottoman to use with our swivel rockers in our 5th wheel camper.  Hmmm....there it was on the roadside waiting for us to arrive and give it a home.

 

While perusing different blogs, someone demonstrated how to redo an ottoman and add tufting.  I think I need to keep a notepad and jot down all the wonderful blogs with DIY projects that I would like to try. 

 

If you are wondering what the large fonts are all about, go visit Claudia at Mockingbird Hill Cottage.  She discovered a wonderful blog called The Daily Drop Cap.  Jessica Hische, an illustrator and designer, has posted an illustrative initial capital letter daily (since 2009) that you can use - for free - in your personal blog posts. They are not for commercial use. (~Claudia, Mockingbird Hill Cottage)

 

Thanks Claudia for sharing this wonderful website.  I believe in synchronicity.  Today I was having a discussion with someone about the need to be more creative with font styles on my blog.  While visiting  Claudia's space there it was, her posting about fonts.

 

It's funny, I've had some wonderful experiences with synchronicity this past week.

Comments are the best gift!  I read every comment and usually respond within the comments section.  I also respond by e-mail.

Blooms, Birds, Cats, Dogs and a Cozy Evening Fire

It's Saturday, March 24th and this is the view from my big bow window in my living room.

Spring in Michigan has arrived about 6 weeks earlier than usual.  We have enjoyed temperatures all week in the mid 80's.  My neighborhood has lots of ornamental trees, Magnolia, Dogwood, and Weeping Cherries.  The landscape went from brown to green this week and it's been simply glorious!

The beautiful pear tree in my backyard is in full bloom.  A Robin has been hanging around looking for a place to nest.

 

The weather has been gorgeous all week.  Neighbors have been out walking and visiting with each other.

 

My neighbor across the street had to put one of his beloved Golden Retriever's down because he was filled with cancer and couldn't walk or eat anymore. His wife said he slept on the floor next to Harley the last day of his life.

 

He was so full of grief that he went out several days later and got Chester.  His children thought it was too soon, but he said he had to pour all of that grief and all of that love into something positive. He felt that is what his soul needed.

 

Meet Chester.

He's adorable and he reminds me of a little toddler.  After all, he is a baby.  He tumbles and flops all over the place!

 

I love my neighborhood!  It's a friendly place filled with people who walk, ride their bikes, wave and chat with each other.  We have met so many wonderful people while out walking our dogs.  We care for one another.  When someone is down because they have lost a loved one or a beloved pet the neighbors reach out to each other.

 

My neighbor Jay said his heart was touched deeply by all the cards he received from neighbors who expressed their sadness and support when he had to put his beloved Harley down.

 

Every day I feel so blessed for my home and my lovely neighborhood.  It's the people that make my home so nice.  You see, I'm a very social person.  I like to take walks and chat for a few minutes with my neighbors.  I care about people because I believe we are all connected.

 

Today the weather changed from warm and sunny to gray and cold.  The temperature is in the low 60's but there is a chill in the air.

 

We have a young woodpecker who is enjoying the suet feeder.

A gorgeous red Cardinal hiding in the apple tree.  Suddenly both birds quickly fly away!  I turn around and notice I have a visitor on my fence.

This is the prettiest sweetest cat, but I don't want her hanging around my bird feeder.  I try to shoo her away, but she won't go.

She's got her eye on the bird feeder.  I know what will work.  I'll let my dogs out!  Kayla is curious about cats and tolerates them.  Kensie does NOT like cats.  He thinks they are like squirrels and he's always patrolling our yard for squirrels.

Princess hiding in between the Arborvitae.  Doesn't she have the prettiest face?  She looks like she is airbrushed.

Open door let Kensie out.

Cat is terrified and leaves.  Check out those defensive claws!

So.... our weather went from sunny and warm.....

To a cozy Saturday evening sitting by the fire with a cup of Java.  My favorite cup from Savannah Georgia.  Do you have a favorite mug?

 

Do you have dogs and cats that are able to live together comfortably?  I sure wish Kensie liked cats because my neighbor doesn't want her cat anymore and she is less than one year old.  Princess is beautiful but I want the spring birds and bunnies to be able to raise their young without worrying about ending up in the cat's mouth!

 

I hope you were able to follow my story.  Have a lovely weekend.

 

Comments are the best gift!  I read every comment and usually respond within the comments section.  I also respond by e-mail.

 

 

Hello!  Welcome to the Delightful Eclectic Abode!  This is the place where I share my love of gardening, decorating, DIY and daily living adventures! 

No, this isn't my home. This is a home that I admire in a little town near my house.  I love taking drives to historic towns to look at all the pretty houses and admire the historic architecture.

 

 

This is where I live with my husband Dave and 2 adorable Shih Tzus.

 

 

Come on in..... and meet the residents.

 

 

This is me and my name is Sandy.  I'm the one with all the ideas and I drive my husband crazy because when one project is finished, I'm on to the next new project.  He says it drives him crazy, but I know he really likes coming along for the ride because it keeps life interesting. As long as my projects don't keep him from enjoying Camero driving season, he's happy.

 

 

This is my husband Dave, my soul-mate and best friend.  He's an awesome guy that really knows how to work with power tools!  He just got a new compressor and air gun so look out Dave!  My mind is spinning with all the project possibilities!

 

Meet Kensie (on the left) Kensie's my little patrol dog.  He's always on the alert for squirrels and any stray cats roaming our yard. 

 

Kayla, the one on the right, is my little snuggle girl.  She love's to sit on my lap and take naps. 

 

Here are a few of my vintage collections.  I'm a relatively new collector of old things.

 

This little china cabinet holds some of my treasures.  My mom gave me a Fire King platter a few years ago and I was instantly smitten with the beautiful translucent shade of green!  I'm always on the hunt for the real deal and authentic Fire King!

 

 

Collecting vintage scales is a new interest of mine.  I have two scales.  My husband thinks this is enough. 

 

 

 

 

Since I work outside the home full-time, I usually post a couple of times per week.  After all, it's important to have balance and I don't want to cheat my husband out of quality time together.

 

I've always been a road side scavenger and love to find things to re-purpose!  Garage sale and gardening season are ready to start so come along and join me on this journey!

 

Spring Mantel

Today I'm giving it another try.  If you have visited me before, you know that I am challenged when it comes to design so thanks for joining me on this adventure.  I absolutely love Emily's blog 52 mantels!  Last night I put a posting together to link-up to the space on her blog where we can showcase our mantel displays and get inspiration from other bloggers.

 

It was late, and I was sleepy and trying to hurry. To my dismay, I accidentally erased the whole posting!  I don't have access to the computer with all my photos right now,  so please don't be disappointed if you have seen these photos before.  I'll add to this posting when I get home this evening because I have added some gladiolas and some fresh flowers (they may not look so good after today).  I've had the flowers since Sunday.

 

This red accent wall has to go soon!  It's been this way for at least 5 years so I'm ready for a change.  The plan is to paint the fireplace white?  What do you think? 

This fireplace is very challenging to decorate. It either looks too sparse or too cluttered.

 

 

EVENING UPDATE AS PROMISED  Okay, if you were interested enough to come back and see the mantel with some fresh flowers, here are a few photos.

 

The gladiolas were purchased at Pier One on sale for $2.29 each.  This is a good price considering the original price for each stem was $9.00.

 

 

I've learned my lesson about posting something on my blog.  Never be in a hurry and make sure I hit the save button!

 

I would love to hear from you so please leave a comment.  I usually answer in the comments section and sometimes will respond by e-mail. I also love visiting anyone who comments so leave your URL and I'll pop on over and leave a comment there too.

Thanks for stopping by!