Must Be Present To Win

New sign I have hanging in my kitchen. I stenciled it as a reminder to not let so many moments go by unnoticed.

 I confess, I've been doing that a lot lately.

 Not being fully present. 

Preoccupied. 

Distracted. 

Annoyed almost.

I know what I gotta do. I just gotta do it.

Breathe in and out. 

What a concept.

My nervous eye tic that shows up every fall is making an unwelcome appearance already.  That too is my physical reminder that I've got too much on my proverbial plate and to step back and reflect on the carefree summer moments that could (and should) linger into fall here in west Michigan. 

A few more sunsets need to be enjoyed. At least another handful of Paddle board rides, and plenty of bike riding will be my excuse to ease into fall and guard my schedule from becoming unbearable.

I love the change of seasons around here. I can't wait for football games, tailgating and backyard campfires, but I am also sad to say good-bye to summer traditions, like camping, garage sales, beach and pool days and our monthly tradition of shopping at Allegan's Antique Fair. We'll hit it for one more time next month, but Sunday was probably the nicest day-weather wise that we've ever experienced. Just perfect!

Of course I had to take lots of pics of the booth display of my 'designer crush' once again. I promised her I'm not a creeper or stalker, but her vignettes are truly artistic in my book.You can find her on FB at "Diane Passi"-Floral Design and Antiques.

ppassi@aol.com

Can you just picture having a barn themed/rustic wedding if she were to stage it?

 {Playing around with the filter on my "Photoscape". Below- So fun!}

 Seriously....this is ART!

With the sun shining down, a cool breeze blowing and the smell of elephant ears, there weren't many booths that day that didn't seem to be calling my name.

I snapped a picture of this dresser there that day because I just saw it posted somewhere (can't remember where) for winning a DIY contest through some newspaper or magazine. Maybe it was a knock off of the one that won, but I loved this idea. Using an overhead projector to transfer an image and then to fill in the design with free hand painting.

Isn't that sweet?

 With all the gawking and envying I did that, I still managed to get some vintage bargains to resell in my booth.  We also hit a few Allegan garage sales that morning to add some more fun finds to my stash.

 Some of the items need some TLC and are sitting in my garage waiting for some attention, but others, I already brought to Not So Shabby and are patiently waiting to make your acquaintance.
Hudsonville Creamery Wire Basket-$35 (Sells in the Pottery Barn magazine for $99).
I have two.

I also dropped of 6 more planked style signs.  Get 'em while they're hot. I can't keep 'em in stock. They make great housewarming or b-day gifts. 

 More faux metal letters

I couldn't part with this baby. Bought if from a vendor at Allegan who said she had it proudly displayed in her house for quite a while. Now it's in my kitchen making me smile-helping to explain to my teenage girls who haze me for my wrinkles and sags, the reasons why I look a little 'worn' .  :)