from flatland to the mountains

Adirondack State Park boundary sign

Exactly 5 years ago I posted about our rural country home in Western NY. A quaint 100 year old four-square farmhouse . We just loved it!

Well, we've traded it in....for a woodsy home in the beautiful Adirondack mountains. We live inside the state park boundary, called the 'blue line'.

our vintage bottle collection

colbalt blue bottles

Here is our latest collection of cool vintage bottles that we found in our 50 year old farm pit. I showed in an earlier post how these are rescued bottles dug from the ground (here) and how we did it. Here are some that we've decorated our window sills with.  They look great on sunny days and I just love their soothing glow.  I just can't bring myself to sell these bottles in my Etsy shops yet...

my treasure hunting philosophy

my pile of barn sale loot

Just thought I'd share some items from my treasure hunting hoard this past weekend.  I headed to one of my favorite go-to summertime country barn sales...the prices there are so great, and my car trunk was full to the brim.

house DIY: sweet surprise behind wall

100 year old clapboard

 This labor day weekend my husband was working on replacing some of the vinyl siding along our kitchen deck.  When he pulled off the vinyl strapping, he found 100 year old clapboard from when our farmhouse was built.  We discovered that the house was originally painted a slate blue...so neat.

i'm dreaming of a white kitchen

Ever since I saw that sweet chic flick 'Something's Gotta Give', I've been in love with white kitchens. And I know I'm not the only one. 

From what I've read, it seems that after the movie came out designers all over the country were doing white kitchen makeovers... Diane's white beach house kitchen was a big hit!

who says shoes don't grow on trees?

sneaker trees of lyndonville, new york

Have you ever seen a shoe tree? 

I hadn't until my husband took me to see one a few miles from our home. What a sight, dozens and dozens of shoes just dangling like fruits on a vine from not just one tree, but FOUR trees....

using old enamelware pots & pans

enamelware bowl with apples

If you like to collect vintage kitchenware, you'll just love old enamelware pots & pans.  They are a fun collectible that won't break your budget and are readily available at most antique markets.  I love them because they are lightweight, non-breakable and have an old farmhouse appeal.  Plus they look nostalgic  displayed on shelves and old kitchen cupboards. 

dug bottles: another man's trash is our treasure

aqua ball mason jar

On our property, hidden back in the woods, we have an old farm glass pit dating from the earlier part of this century. The first time my hubby showed it to me I could hardly contain my excitement, one look and I could just see all the treasures waiting to be found.

I was mostly stoked about all those old bottles! Gems!