Thursday, December 31, 2015

Out with the old, In with the new

Well, here it is the end of another year. As I age, time seems to zip along a lot faster.
Fireworks have begun and I'll be glad when they are done in about 6 hours or so.
No champagne for me tonight, as I twisted too much and pulled not enough and the cork broke off right near the end. Sheesh!  I've not done this before and watched a couple of you tube videos and it seemed/looked really easy, but like I said I'm pretty sure I twisted too much, it's not the cork's fault. I just put the bottle back in the fridge.  I read that you can bring the bottle up to room temp and the cork should pop out on it's own. Tomorrow I'll give it a try.

Christmas is pretty much down, everything boxed back up. I did that this morning. I wanted to get a couple of stearilte storage tubs with lids, and didn't expect to see them at Publix, but there they were and they were buy one get one free, so I ended up paying $5.40 each, which is a good deal. The lids snap shut too.

Yesterday while out doing errands, I first stopped at Salvation Army to see if they had a table to use for my sewing machine, they didn't. After going to Home Depot for three things, I decided to head on out to Good Will thrift store. I almost didn't go, as I just didn't feel like it, but at the last minute decided to go ahead. Well, I did a quick glance at the jewelry, for beads, etc. to use with crafts, then headed to the back to see if they had a desk or something. Lo and behold, there was a sewing table with an old Kenmore sewing machine.  No price. So, I found a young man and asked him if I could buy just the table without the machine, and what would the price be. $19.88.  I said I'll take it. We unhooked the machine finally from the table, I paid for it, then drove around back and he loaded it into my van.  I was tickled pink, as it is 'solid' pine and heavy. It will go right in the wall space between two arches in the living room.  I just had to figure out what to do with the little cabinet that is there right now, and finally thought of a place, out in the caravan, where it will store picture frames.

Below is a picture of it with the two storage tubs. I don't think I'll be able to screw my new little machine down to the drop down piece in the table, but that's ok.  It's small enough to store elsewhere and light enough to carry when needed.



 Now for some end of the year blooms. 
Azaleas


 
Bahinia, scented white orchid tree


 Buddleia ~ smells like honey


Callisia fragrans ~ smells so sweet and these are starting to bloom all over the property.

Hibiscus


An unknown creeper


Lemon grass with sage in the foreground.


First two roses are Paul McCartney roses.  They smell wonderful!!!!!



This is an unknown rose covering the back little storage shed and my potting area which I haven't worked in in at least three years now.


 The next three photos are of unknown roses.  They came without name tags.




Well, that's it for 2015 from Plum Cottage. I think I'll be taking some time off from blogging to do some projects around here. I want to do them before the heat and humidity really crank up again. So, I'll be posting only now and then.

Thank you for your friendship, encouragement and prayers. They and you are much appreciated.

May you all have a wonderful 2016.

Love, hugs & prayers ~ FlowerLady

29 comments:

Recycled Cottage & Garden said...

I hope your New Year is filled with much joy!

Morning's Minion said...

How would we manage without our thrift store finds? The sewing table looks like a sturdy one--those with the fold out flap are so nice to use in a small room.
Your flowers are lovely. My son and DIL in south Florida have told me of yards decorated with Christmas lights draped around palm trees--I have a hard time visualizing that, but flowers in December would be a treat.

Rebecca said...

Oh, I'm sad to read that you might be a little scarce in the blogging world for awhile..... Please hurry back.

Happy New Year, Lorraine ♥

Ruth Hiebert said...

Happy New Year.I trust that with each passing day you will feel the nearness of God in some special way.

Nancy J said...

A beautiful table for your new sewing machine, what a treasure. Lovely flowers, as always. Happy New Year Greetings to you for 2016,may you have good health, happiness, sunshine, a little rain now and then, and friends, last but so important. Hugs and all good wishes. XXX

Tante Mali said...

Happy, happy, happy New Year and all my best
Elisabeth

Jessica Jarrell said...

Happy New Year! I wish my Christmas stuff was down, sigh. Maybe tomorrow? Ha ha. That was an amazing find on the sewing table, wow! I love Goodwill :-) I love all the flowers, like always. I wish we had some, although my very confused tulips have started to sprout. Yikes. I hope you had a wonderful holiday FlowerLady! Have a great weekend!

Connie in Hartwood said...

Glimpses of your warm garden always make me smile ... it's a like a peek into a crystal ball, as my roses hibernate during winter. Great buy on the sewing table! We will be sorting and culling Christmas decorations this year, organizing the ones we use and giving away/donating the ones we don't. Two of my daughters have already called Dibs on some of it.

Glad to spend time in your world, and looking forward to whatever we share in 2016. Happy New Year, dear FlowerLady!
Connie

Jane said...

Happy New Year, Rainey! I pray that it will be a prosperous one for you! Great find at Goodwill!

Hugs
Jane

Janice said...

Beautiful blooms, and I can just smell that Buddleia!
We've been waiting for cooler weather to tackle some chores too, although it seems as though it will never come. I'm so ready for a respite from the garden.
I'm looking forward to visiting Plum Cottage in 2016. Take care...Janice

Janneke said...

I wish you a Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year full of joy! I´m always impressed by the beautiful tropical blooms you show us.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Rainey, that is a beautiful sewing cabinet! I would have taken the machine as well...I'm a pig that way. I adore sewing machines, spinning wheels, etc. Basically anything that runs by my hands.
Happy New Year to you; may you be blessed with good health and happiness this year.

CraveCute said...

Happy New Year! Enjoy your other projects!

Mrs. E said...

Happy New Year! May all your blooms be beautiful and/or fragrant, all of your projects a success, and above all--may you enjoy each and every day.

June said...

How wonderful to have such gorgeous blooms this time of year! They made my whole day looking at them (you lucky, lucky girl :)

I really think you scored big on the sewing cabinet Lorraine. I'm so glad you decided to go ahead and go to the thrift store. I loved that you do just what I do when I go to the thrift store, and that is to look at the costume jewelry to use in my crafting. Sometimes you can find some really pretty things.

I'm so glad to read that you had a lovely Christmas with family. I'm thankful to read that you have so many loving people in your life.
I want to wish you a wonderful 2016 Lorraine!

sending hugs...

Debra Howard said...

HappyNew Year! Sounds like you have a great start to the new year (not counting the cork lol)

Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow said...

What a nice find in regards to your table and hopefully your cork popped out the next day! :)

Deb J. in Utah said...

The sewing table is a great find! We also are big thrift store fans and head over to check out our local Goodwill stores often! Happy New Year. May 2016 hold many good things in store for you. Love from AZ! As usual, your flowers are beautiful.

Eggs In My Pocket said...

What a wonderful sewing machine cabinet! So glad you found one for the right price! Your flowers are so lovely! Here's wishing you a very happy and peaceful New Year!

Yesteryear Embroideries said...

Beautiful blossoms and how wonderful that you found the perfect sewing machine cabinet! Wishing you a happy and peaceful new year!

Deborah Montgomery said...

Happy New Year to you! Those flowers are so beautiful; it's hard to believe from where I sit that there's flowers like that anywhere right now. All gray and wet and snow-y here. Such a beautiful sight to see all those pretties.
And how great to get a solid wood table for less than a cheap chipboard one they sell in the stores these days. Hoping you'll have many happy hours sewing at it.
Enjoy your break. I hope you don't stay away too long! Blessings, Deborah

Kit said...

Have a wonderful New Year my friend! Nice purchases. :) Kit

A Joyful Cottage said...

Oh, now, aren't you just so glad you made that trip out to Goodwill? What a beautiful sewing table and at an amazing price! Well done, my friend. Your flowers are so beautiful, Rainey. Thank you for sharing photos of them. Such a nice change from the snow here. More falling right now. Beauty in a different, COLD, way. :-) Hugs, Nancy

Maryann said...

Happy New Year! What a terrific find with that sewing table. Salvation Army is one of my favorites, they have Family Day on Wednesday here, which mean 1/2 off on all clothing. (it's a great time to find things to send to the grands) I love your flowers always, I have a few knock out roses still blooming here, have had crazy warm weather, which I have been enjoying. Enjoy your blogging break, hope to see you back soon.

Darcie said...

A very Happy New Year to you! May 2016 be a truly wonderful year for you. Enjoy your blogging break...know you will be missed, and know we will anxiously await for your return post.

Leslie Kimel said...

Happy New Year, and good luck with all your projects. I can't wait to see what cool stuff you are up to!

Melanie said...

What a lovely sewing table you found at Goodwill! I love that store.

Hope your new year is off to a good start and that you're enjoying your blogging break.

BeachGypsy said...

And thank YOU for your sweet friendship this year, my new friend! Love seeing whats blooming your way...quite a bit here... I was out looking at all the flowers yesterday. The camellias are in full bloom now.. One of my favorites

Unknown said...

Wishing you well for 2016! Your flowers are so lovely and it is always a joy to see them.
- Kate