Dairy Inspired Cloche

Most of my readers know we are a bit farm and cow obsessed at our home, in the nicest way of course ; )





With the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair starting this week in Toronto, Ontario, I was inspired to create a dairy themed cloche centerpiece for our kitchen. We have always attended 'The Royal' (Canada's most prominent agricultural event held indoors for two weeks every November) but it is even more fun for us now because our oldest son participated in the dairy show last year, and will be participating in the beef show this year.





For this centerpiece, I used a black wire cloche on a white platter. Because the cloche is tall, I added a vintage wooden spool to raise the old milk bottle with the embossed 'Brampton Jerseys' label. A white Holstein Dairy show ribbon and vintage brass cow tags, and a trio of little milk/cream bottles complete the centerpiece. My son thought it was crazy that I wanted to use a white ribbon because they are 3rd place, when I could have used 1st place red ribbons. It's all about the colour, baby.





We have put away all our Halloween decorations and I'm enjoying this simple look in the kitchen. This centerpiece, the Keady Livestock and Farmer's Market sign, and my barn photos will be the backdrop to many conversations our family will have around this farmhouse table in the next few weeks. A bit of farm love in suburbia!




Thanks to the many blogs I read, including Marty's at A Stroll Thru Life, I had the courage to attempt this little arrangement using items I already had on hand quickly after work today. Marty said just about anything could go under a cloche. If you question your decorating skills, as I often do, or think you don't have the items it takes to put together a little vignette, you may miss out on the pleasure of adding some personality or seasonal fun to your home. Look around your home, take inspiration from others, and just go for it. Happy November!

I'm joining...
Fall Cloche Party at A Stroll Thru Life
White Wednesday at Faded Charm
WOW Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Charm

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Dairy Inspired Cloche

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Oval Plates-or Platters

I don't usually have luck at the thrift store, but when I stopped in last week I found four vintage oval plates, or maybe they would be called platters.





They look like restaurant ware that you might find in an old diner, but I'm not really sure. I love that they are oval and have a simple grey band around the edge. 



The marking on the back says 'Steelite Made in England" and they are fairly heavy. Would these be ironstone or china? Whatever they are, I think they were a good deal at $1.99 each, and I'm happy to add them to my dish collection.

I'm sharing with...
 Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

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Oval Plates-or Platters

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The DIY Club and 31 Days of Spray Paint Party

I'm joining The DIY Club's 31 Days of Spray Paint Party.






I used spray paint to change these barn stars from Christmas decor to beachy blue accents here. Love my Krylon Blue Ocean Breeze!





I'm linking up to the 31 days of Spray Paint Party at the diy club where the top 10 projects will be featured and keeping my fingers crossed to win the 6 pack of Krylon paint. 'Cause a diy'er can never have too much spray paint!

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The DIY Club and 31 Days of Spray Paint Party

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Our Laundry Room

We are fortunate to have a laundry room on the second floor near our bedrooms.





Our laundry room is quite small, with no windows, six white overhead cupboards, white 8" ceramic tile floors and a laundry sink. It is decorated with a favourite cross-stitch series that I stitched many years ago.





Cross-stitch may not be a popular choice for decor but these are special to me. I think it is important to surround yourself with things you love. 





My washboard collection (is 3 considered a collection?) adds some of my favourite elements ~wood, metal and vintage glass~ to this room.





The vintage Canadian graphics on the boards really appeal to me. Worn and weathered.





Two still have their original glass (the smaller one is well used and I found the larger one in new condition at an old hardware store.)





The third washboard has a metal face. {Blurry photo alert: I have trouble sometimes with my glasses/vision and my viewfinder.)





We added a large rod for hanging shirts right out of the dryer, and as a place to hang wet items (there is actually more clearance between the wall/washboards and hanging clothes than it appears.)





I would love to have a small shelf between the cabinets and the mess of electrical and vent. We have more than enough storage, so the shelf would simply be for display. I would also love to change out the plastic laundry tub for a stainless sink and new faucet at some point too. Our laundry room is simple and on the small side, but certainly functional. Laundry is very much a shared chore between hubby and I and our favourite part is only having to take a few steps to put clean laundry away in the bedrooms. Do you think a shelf would work in that tricky spot?


I'm linking with...
Farmhouse Friday at LaurieAnna's Vintage Home
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Tuesday's Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

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Our Laundry Room

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Vintage Cow Tags and Early Fall Centerpiece

Cows and Fall just seem to go together around here so I decided to make a quick centrepiece to incorporate my newest etsy find and celebrate early fall.



We are full into Fall Fair time with both of our boys in 4-H clubs (Dairy, Beef, Rabbit and Tractor.) Our family loves cows and farm related items and when I found these vintage brass numbered cow tags on Etsy I had to buy them. I think I have found a new collection!



I tried to find 97 and 99 for the birth years of our boys, but settled on 77 and 99.


The cow tags are surprisingly heavy and so different from the plastic versions used now. I especially like that the numbers are engraved.



The cow tags are displayed on a square white platter with a simple wood berry wreath in Autumn colours, a pillar candle and some pine cones.



Two large pinecones I bought last year add a natural element and more Fall colour. I love the wavy glass and bronze finish on the pair of lanterns.



I removed the white table runner and if I can find some burlap I would love to make a more rustic runner for Fall.



I will be sharing a tablescape using parts of this centerpiece later in the week. Have you started to add any fall vignettes to your home?

I'm linking with...
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm
Table Top Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Fall Nesting Party at The Inspired Room
Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground
Saturday Night Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Fall in Love link party at Modern Country Style

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Simple White Dishes

White dishes are my choice when it comes to dinnerware.



I am always inspired when I see pretty colours and patterns in tablescapes but over the past few years I switched to white. I love how it looks when I open our dish cupboard. Our boys are young teens now and don't need plastic, but I do keep some plastic cups in a basket in another cabinet for visiting great-nieces and great-nephews.



Our everday dishes were replaced two years ago when I bought three 16-piece sets of simple white Corelle. They aren't expensive high-end names like Pottery Barn or Williams-Sonoma, but Corelle fits our budget and will still be easily replaced if a few break in years to come. They are also sturdy enough for teens and a dishwasher. Or teens emptying the dishwasher ;)



On our last trip to St. Jacobs I visited the Corelle factory store and they had a deal on individual pieces if you bought more than 10. We go through large plates and cereal bowls really quickly so I stocked up on extras (for us and my sister.)


We also have 24 white caterer's plates that I use for large buffets and casual family get togethers because they are sturdy and are cheaper than continually buying paper plates.


Two years ago I also picked up four boxed sets, for a total of 16 place settings (PC from RealCanadian Superstore $10 x 4 boxes) for sit down dinners when I don't want to use the 'good' china. Actually, when I bought this set, I didn't have 'good' china. These have a bit more modern look.

White is not the right choice for everyone, but I love it and we certainly have lots! I also have some collected pieces that are not white and I'm always keeping an eye out for lovely pieces. The best part for me is that it was all bought very inexpensively. Are you a pattern and color or an all white dinnerware type?

I'm linking to
White Wednesday at Faded Charm
Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

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Simple White Dishes

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Aqua Crown Canning Jars ~ The lids

On my recent collections post, I had some comments and emails asking about the lids of my aqua crown canning jars.



The lids are original to the Crown mason jars and most came with the three piece lids -one zinc ring, one matching glass seal with the crown logo, and a rubber seal ring.



The jars are really old and have bubbles inside the glass and their shape is not always uniform (a few of them are lopsided and even though a bunch are qt. they are slightly different heights.)



I broke two of the largest ones I had two years ago and actually gave some away before I realized they were something I wanted to collect. For more of the hydrangeas and our dining room changes, click here.



Did you catch the peek of our new ladder find? Or new old ladder find. It is in new condition but I'm not sure if it is old.



I found it at Habitat Restore in Owen Sound, Ontario while browsing with my sil. I asked if it was for sale and the guy said 'sure, $10.' Uh, sold. Love the galvanized support pieces.





And just for fun, sepia in Picasa.






I love my collection of mason jars, the aqua Crown, clear glass Crown and even a few with the wire/glass lid tops. If you would like to see more posts on my jars, check here and here and here.



 I hope this answers the questions I received and I hope you have a great weekend (long weekend here in Ontario.)



I'm linking up with SNS at Funky Junk Interiors 'cause I hate missing Donna's great party!

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Aqua Crown Canning Jars ~ The lids

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Collections

I'm sharing my collections today and joining Suzanne at Privet and Holly, where bloggers are sharing their collections this week.



Suzanne said "I'd love to peek in your window and see what you collect.....or to hear what things you hold dear to your heart."  These are my favourite collections ~lots of pictures and few words today.



Vintage Mason Jars ~especially aqua ones!










  White pitchers, White dinnerware, dishes and platters, Vintage table linens with lace and crochet details in whites. 

















Galvanized pails and watering cans



 



Washboards ~ only 4 but I love them.



 Thanks for stopping by and I hope you get a chance to see the other links at Privet and Holly. You definitely want to read Suzanne's lovely insight into collections. What do you collect?


I'm also linking up to WOW us Wednesday's at Savvy Southern Style

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Collections

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