Saying Goodbye To The Coffee Pot

Passing by this landmark today on the way to visit my Mom, I couldn't help but get a lump in my throat. It recently closed it's doors for good. Here's a local newspaper article about it.

Like so many others that grew up in this part of Maine, a tradition was to pick up a Coffee Pot sandwich, and head to nearby Cascade Park for an impromptu picnic. Well, in the summer anyway.

Generations of families have grown up on this sandwich, and yet the memory of enjoying them together, seems even more significant than the actual sandwich itself. Much like the summer day a couple years ago when I ran into my uncle while standing in line waiting for a Coffee Pot. For perspective, we live 80 miles apart. Although unplanned, we instinctively knew our chance meeting called for a trip to Cascade Park together. Henri captured a couple memories of that day for us.

My uncle, never missing an opportunity to tease me, was checking to see if I missed smoking, a habit I had quit 20 years prior.

He already knew I didn't. But today, driving past The Coffee Pot, I recognized it, as something I will always miss. And, they didn't even serve coffee.

Progress In Our Basement Studio Redo

Here's a 'before' shot of one wall of our basement where our utility sink and a dehumidifier reside. Notice the lovely black drain near the floor, but hey, it's a basement! There's also a mirror there on the wall, that was covered in birch bark and moss that has seen much better days.

The 'after' shot of the same space. Although, I still need to paint the floor, I found a solution to cover the plumbing.

The pair of gold painted, wooden candleholders were just 50 cents from Goodwill.

And this sweet little towel rack with 3 hooks that was a recent Christmas present.

The mirror is now adorned with sea shells. And . . . mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the worst mirror photographer of all?

So far, I'm very pleased with the new look. And using just what I already have on hand, this little corner came to a grand total of 50 cents!

Candice Olson May Have Chico...But I Have My Henri

Unless you're a watcher of HGTV, this title will be lost on you. Chico is the electrician that interior designer extraordinare, Candice Olson, has install all her fabulous lighting in her room designs. He also has a ponytail. So does my Henri.

Today, at Goodwill, I scored a gorgeous hanging lantern that Henri has installed for me in our basement studio space that I am in the process of adding some much needed atmosphere to. The lantern has a lovely bronze patina.

And the most gorgeous clear seeded glass on all four sides.

And the price for this lantern was under $15!

When It Snows Here

I get to capture pretty scenes with my camera.

And every once in a while, brush the snow off our tiny deck with a broom.

It's also a good time to load up on carbs.

Especially when you can use the oven to provide even more warmth on a winter day.

When you know someone will appreciate it when they finally get to come back in.

As much as I appreciate what he does for us, every single time it snows here.

Shabby Art Perfect For Tea Time

Using up some of my toile fabric and stencils I had an idea to make some wall art.

Trying to decide what to use for contrast, I pulled out this shabby pink fabric with names of exotic teas written in gold script, that I had all but forgotten about.

Zigzag is the only fancy stitch my sewing machine will do. Good thing I'm going for shabby.

I just love these scissors.




And, I like the way the reverse side of the toile adds another shabby dimension to the focal point.

The finished piece is mounted on an old masonite white board. I just used a staple gun to attach the fabric to the back of the board.

At project finish, it was time for a cup of tea.

Shabby Art from scraps I already had on hand.

Hey Naked Lady On A Horse

You KNOW my weakness.

But that was LAST year.

And THIS year I refuse to give in.

Silly truffle . . . trying so hard to get my attention . . . lalalalalalala I can't hear you!

Block By Block

Using only what I have on hand, my challenge is to redo our basement pottery studio to give it a more artistic vibe instead of the makeshift laundry, storage, catch-all place it has become. I plan to use some of my toile fabric to divide out the laundry space.

And block by block, I will be attempting to transform the walls

into the look of stone, by continuing to apply this pattern of shading which is going to take FOREVER, but will be so worth it.

I have plenty of sea shells and gold paint in my arsenal of "things I already have on hand."

So I will take every opportunity to use whatever else I find as I go along.

I've been so consumed with my prep work and clearing out the past few days, I forgot to take 'before' pictures, so I will just have to show you what I accomplish as I go along.