Fun Finds

Last Friday's thifting adventures left me feeling like I'd hit the jackpot.

It was all about metal office supplies.

First off I found this amazing Royalmetal armchair in very good condition.

I was very excited about the chair.  I have an arm-less version that has become my favorite chair in the house to use.  I have a feeling it may be replaced by this one.

At this point I thought I had found the find of the day . . . surprisingly I was wrong.

In the same store I happened across two metal letter sorters and a metal card file.

All three I think will come in very handing in my studio.

I love how the desktop version has a place for little labels.

After the thrift store, I picked up my girls and we went to a huge church sale.  I have never seen anything like it before.  Room after room of goodies to look over and at the very end a gym full of furniture.

Which is where if found the day's jackpot.

A metal desk . . . 

(sorry for the photo, this thing is heavy and must wait for hubby to help me carry it in the house - - just ignore my messy garage)

And a metal side board.  Both for fifteen dollars.

I just about fainted.

I have been looking and looking for a metal desk to use in my studio space so you can imagine my excitement.

Together with the side board I think my little studio space may become a little crowded but I am hoping it will all work out and I can enjoy all the storage space they offer.

All in all, it was a fantastic day of thrifiting for me.  One of which that doesn't happen very often.

How about you.

Any jackpot moments?

A Hankering For . . . Summertime Refreshments

Summertime offers some of my favorite foods and I'm looking forward to enjoying them all very soon.

First off lets talk grilling!

I'm a big fan a grilling.  

So much so that oftentimes the oven doesn't get used in weeks.  Here at Happy at Home we have actually switch from a traditional grill to a smoker . . . and let me tell you it is AMAZING.  I had my doubts when Hubby started talking about getting one but now I get it . . . and use it all the time.

I'm looking forward to some annual favorites like . . . 

Mouth Watering Steak

(my hubbies specialty)

Source

Simple and Delicious Grilled Chicken

Source

Tender and Spicy Ribs

Source

And of course . . . Juicy, Messy Burgers

Source

So much more can be grilled though,

My personal favorite . . . 

Grilled Pizza

Source

Buttery Corn on the Cob

Source

I've found a few new recipes I'm very excited to try out.

Like  Grilled BBQ Pork Roast

Source

And branching out into grilling veggies and fruit which would be new to us . . . 

Grilled Asparagus

Source

Sliced Potatoes

Source

Grilled Pineapple

Source

Grilled Fruit Kabobs

Source

Moving away from the grill . . . there are so many other yummy summertime dishes I'm looking forward too.

Like fruit salad

Source

Cold Slaw

Source

Pasta Salad

Source

My personal favorite, Cobb Salad with Strawberries

Source

BLT's

Wonderful Watermelon

(can't get enough)

Source

And last but definitely my kiddos favorite . . . Homemade Ice Cream

Source

What yummy Summertime Refreshment have you been hankering for?

Robin

Sitting Pretty On The Porch

Good Morning!

Last week I put the finishing touches on my summer porch decorations and I have been enjoying the next look ever since.

It's one of my favorite places to sit and relax.  The room over looks my garden and the park beyond our fence line.

I brought in a old piano bench to use as a coffee table.

And filled a twig basket with my favorite spring flowers ... Pansies!

Ikea lantern make the space fun to use after the sun goes down too!  The perfect place to do a little reading on my Kindle Fire (which by the way, I love, love, love.)

The comfy sofa is covered with a hot pink quilt to help tone down the floral print I feel is a little too much.  I love how it brightens up the space with a punch of color - perfect for summer.

I still have to make some pillow covers, but keeping up the weeding in the garden has become a full time job after all the rain we have received the past two weeks.

Shelby definitely approves.  

It's become her favorite spot to keep her eye on the things and take naps.

On one side of the sofa, I place a small side table that was once used in the living room.

On top, another pot of pansies and a pretty glass box I found at the thrift store.

Below, a candle and a handful of vintage books I hope to find time to read this summer.

Off to the side, I've placed two of my favorite summertime potted plants in pink - Geraniums are so cheerful I think.

Especially this two toned variety!

On the opposite side of the sofa I placed a small shelf and a another side table.

On the floor sits an asparagus fern that I've somehow managed to keep alive since last summer - - I'm so proud of myself (house plants and I don't typically get along so well)

I filled the small shelves with a mixture of fun things I enjoy.

Like a small twig basket filled with you guessed it . .  . pansies.  

Their starting to look like they need to be replaced soon, but I'm hoping to get another couple weeks out of them.

Also added a wire basket, peat pots and vintage gardening tools.

This collection has started to take off much to my delight.

On the small side table I've added a pretty saucer to hold my splurge item for the year.

New outdoor candles.

The indoor, wax type ones can't hold up to the heat this space gets come mid summer.

I'm hoping this plastic, waterproof version works better.

I have been very pleased with them at night, they give off a wonderful glow and turn on automatically for five hours each night.

I picked them up at Target in the garden section just in case your thinking you need to get yourself some.

Oh and before you go, here's the view from my spot on the sofa!  

Pretty right.

If you happen to stop by this summer, Shelby will be saving you a spot!

Have a wonderful day and I'll talk to you soon,

Robin

Linked to:
Be Inspired
The Scoop
Amaze Me Monday
Simple and Sweet Fridays
Tweak It Tuesday

Windowsill Plants

There is just nothing more summertime-like than a pretty plant set on a kitchen windowsill.

  It's such a homey, pretty look.

While I was trying to figure out how to decorate this space for the summer I happened to plop two plants over there just to get them out of the way for a little while and I had an "ahh, haa" moment.

Why complicate things when simple will do.

Since I had originally thought these plants would be scattered around the house I didn't worry to much about matching the urns I placed them in.  Now I sort of wish they were more matchy-matchy.  

Last year I had such good luck with two asparagus ferns that I bought in the spring I decided to try a couple more plants to see if they would work well as house plants.  I ended up with two, new to me plants.

The first one is called "Stonecrop".  It's a sedum and should get tiny purple flowers on it when it blooms.

I think it's very pretty and am hoping it does when for a house plant.

The second plant I picked up is called "Golddust".

I love how it spills over the sides of the urn and it's pretty yellow flowers.

Any new houseplants in your home?

bye now,

Robin

Fun Finds

I almost feel as if I've already done this post for the week with my Flea Market Finds but I did find a few items locally that have me excited so I've decided to go ahead and share them today like normal.

First up, a set of four pretty floral black and white plates. 

They caught my attention right away.  I love the design.

Next a fun red birdcage.

It's not vintage at all but I love the shape and the color.

I have it resting on a newly purchase crocheted table runner.

I am obsessed with these lately (my sister keeps joking that happens to all of us once were 40!)

The design itself is very pretty and I love that it's a very white color instead of the typical off white.

And last but not least, my favorite find of the week . . . this iron and glass candle holder.

Isn't it pretty?

I love it's unique design.

Also love how bold it feels in my dinning room.  It really pops out at you.

I have found it the perfect item to add to my desk vignette under my farm sign.

It's like it was made just for me.  LOL.

I may be keeping this arrangement for a while.  It's one of my favorites.

Any plans for some treasure hunting of your own?

The girls and I are going to look for a few garage sales today and then stop by a church sale.  Well, if the rain holds out that is!

Wish us luck!

Robin