Where Rustic Living Meets Refined Elegance

Monday, June 7, 2010

FINALLY!!!

Well today after 4 years, 4 months and 1 day we finally passed our final inspection and this barn is now recognized through the County as an approved single family dwelling. (insert fireworks here) I can't believe we did it.

Yesterday morning the Cowboy and I went out to his family's ranch (where a lot of our stuff has been in storage) and loaded up a ton of stuff.  Mostly kitchen stuff, that's what I've missed the most.  So today I have been unpacking, washing, drying and sorting.  I have to admit the mice had a lot of fun with my stuff.  Nothing ruined.  Really good stuff was packed and sealed but some of the dishes, well I'm a little shocked at to where those guys can get to when they want.
In the bottom of one box I unwrapped this wine glass to find it stuffed full.
Paper, cotton, string and a lotta mouse poo...
Some mouse had made a perfect little home for a few winters.

I have to admit I didn't realize just how much stuff I have until I started getting it all out.  And I regret to say I'm only about half way through! Most things I have service for 8 and some for 12.  Although I do have a couple of sets of silver to serve 20 and one set of plates to serve up to 40.  I know, crazy. Even though this house is almost double than our last I can honestly say I'm wondering where it's all going to go.   My daughter came in and as I was saying that I think I need to have a garage sale and unload some of this stuff she reminded me that we haven't entertained in 4 years and when I do I'll wish I had it all.  Thank goodness for the voice of reason.
I love white ironstone and porcelain dishes! 
I love vintage stuff but when I buy new stuff I usually buy at least two of something (when setting a large table I like to have the same dishes at each end so food doesn't have to be passed all the way around).  Looking at the pictures doesn't look like too much.  I should have taken a picture of the whole kitchen, it was covered!  
A few pitchers.
I also love vintage Pyrex for food storage.  I really don't like tupperware or plastic dishes in the fridge so I started collecting this stuff years ago.  And now that they (whoever "they" are) have figured that it's toxic to microwave in plastic containers I'm really happy to have so much of this.  I have a lot more in storage but I have to say I do like that I have a dish for every size leftover.
Ok a girls gotta have cake pedestals!  I'd forgotten about a couple of these and am now wondering what others I have that I've forgotten about.
A few glasses and some more white dishes. 
Boy did I miss these wine glasses!
And a little silver!  Oh how I have missed the silver!! Love, love, love vintage silver!!  The waffle maker in the front was my grandmothers.  It was a wedding present in 1934 and it still works like a dream.
I also love hotel silver or anything for serving.  I found these large plate covers for a quarter a piece at a swapmeet.  Came home and found that I had vintage ironstone plates that fit them exactly! What are the chances?
This is one of my favorite pieces.  I found the glass bowl at Goodwill for 2 dollars.  Then later I found this lamp base and the ceiling attachment for a chandelier and put them together and hung beads from the rings where the chains should attach and Voila!  The perfect stand for this bowl.  I have used this as a large ice bucket, as a salad bowl and to hold towels.  I actually found another bowl a year ago at the swapmeet and am now looking for more parts to make another base then I'll have two.
We also brought home some miscellaneous frames, mirrors and brackets.  As I was furiously loading things into the truck the Cowboy kept saying "Don't take anything unless you know where it's going to go".  I keep telling him that I have to have everything in the house so that I can see what I've got and figure out where everything is supposed to go.  He kept rolling his eyes but I just kept throwing stuff in as fast as I could.  When he said "No more, the trucks full"  I grabbed some more stuff and kept going.  He said "You know that's gotta sit on your lap and it could have a mouse in it".  I said "I don't care, if he's still in there when we get home he'll have to help wash and put away".  We made it home but the mice were gone.
It's been a busy day all by myself.

10 comments:

  1. I'm so excited for you. I remember the week we got to finally move into our home as well, and I was able to unpack my treasures. It is so much fun. I LOVE your dishes!!!! Please when you get some time, take more pictures of the inside of the house all done up. I can't wait to enjoy it with you.
    Have a wonderful time!

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  2. Congrats on finally getting to move in!
    I love all your dishes and glassware, I want to come shopping at your house :)

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  3. Lovely dishes and glassware, thanks for sharing!!!
    Daphne

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  4. I think the reason that hotel vintage silver is hard to find is because you have all of it!!!!

    I love that you kept loading that truck even after the eye rolling started!

    Rhonda

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  5. Okay, I am dying over your frames and all the great stuff on your table - I am thinking of all the ways I could lift...I mean...ahem...borrow them! I could dive head first into the box - can't wait to see them all spread out in your home... :-)

    Elizabeth

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  6. Congratulations!!! You have got some great stuff. Loved unpacking with you. What fun you are going to have rediscovering it all.

    ~jermaine~

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  7. girl, you just done gone shopping in your own home ...
    I remember once storing away all of my ironstone ...
    it was pure bliss to unpack!!!!

    savour the moment with a red wine in those goblets!

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  8. What a gorgeous collection! Congrats on your new status!

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  9. Wow girl! You've got your work cut out for you!!!
    Have a great time nesting (without the mice) and congrats on your official approval!

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  10. Hi ya Lady- LOVE!!!! your pictures (hurry with more - pleeeasssee.)You & cowboy sure have a knack @ making cool things, if you decide you have to much "stuff" you can sell it to all of us on etsy :)(patiently hoping ;) Great style - keep up the good work and keep on writing.

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