Antique Gun

Hi everyone. My name is Nathan, Francine insisted i be writing this post so i could better explain this wonderful find of ours. It is a very old, double barrel 12 gauge shotgun. I got it in an online auction and was ecstatic when i won it.

Right now we have it displayed on top of the tv cabinet in our bedroom, along with a beautiful bird box and a small old print. 

I love the double hammers, they are called "rabbit ear" hammers cause they stick out above the gun like a bunnies ears stick out. 

 A view staring down the barrels, of course it was unloaded just so no one thinks im a crazy person.

 A picture with the barrels open. You can kind of see the makers engraving where it is open, it reads "Neumann Bros."

Another view with it open, you can see some of the checkering on the stock in this one. 

I know there are many who would not consider a gun a work of art, but in my opinion the craftsmanship and detail it took to make this really peaked my interest. I appreciate the effort it took to create this and consider it a masterpiece. Here is hoping a few of you liked it as much as i do. Thanks!

To see more of Nathans Collections ... go to his blog below 

(Nates Necessities)

4 Dollars & a Little Paint

Yesterday we sold at a local flea market ... I was able to get rid of approx 5 yrs of things I had no use for any more or any room for :) But I couldn't help but look around and bring some treasures home ... I deserved it ... after all I did get rid of a lot of useless crap stealing space in my home. Out with the old and in with the new :D Ok now that I'm done trying to justify buying more things, I thought I would share one of the little treasures I found. A cute set of prints.

I didn't find them like this ...I found them like this ...

I was really drawn to these little prints.  I thought they were so sweet.  What I wasn't drawn to was the little gold specks all around the frame.  I thought to myself ...If I can get a deal on these, I can repaint the frames. I asked the lady how much. She said  $5 ... they are really old. How about $4. Well I bet your thinking she said yes ... and you would be right. So I took these cuties home.

The little gold flecks just had to go. So today I painted them the perfect shade of white and lightly distressed them.

So what do you think? At $2 each and a little paint ...I'm loven them.

The other treasure I found well .... that's for another day.

         
  

         

              

Spice up the Brownies

Turn box brownies into something extra special.

Here is how I spiced up these yummy box brownies. I started with  2 boxes of Betty Crocker dark chocolate family size brownie mix. I followed the directions on the back of the box ...then I added 1 extra egg, a 1/2 cup of  chopped walnuts , a 1/2 cup of mini semi sweet chocolate chip morsles and 1/4 tsp cinnamon. I put them in a 9.5 x 11.5 disposable pan and baked them for approx 1 hr. Let cool for 15 min then cut into squares with a plastic butter knife ...I find the plastic knifes seem to cut warm brownies the best. Sprinkle powder sugar over top and serve warm with vanilla ice cream or wait for them to cool and eat them all by themselves . If you want a slightly thinner brownie use a 9X13" pan and reduce baking time approx 8-10 min.

 If you give these a try let me know how you like em.

       

                 

Living room brightens up

Here is my living room now.

Below is how it started.

then to this

Even after lightning the walls it just seemed to dark ... it didn't feel like me.

I knew I need to bring in a touch of today in with my love of vintage. I wanted a fresher look. So here is what I did. down with the lace curtains. I think seeing the wood behind them just made them look dirty. I hung simple panels w darker braid accents.  I replaced the lamps but ...I'm still looking for just the right ones.  I switched out my grandmothers picture with a large gold mirror. Grandmas lovely ornate picture will find a home in another room. 

I had the chair recovered with a lovely toile fabric.

I also updated the rug. I am currently looking for a unique coffee table ... one that won't take up as much space. I'm sure you can tell this is a very small room approx 11.5' x 14'. I want to  replace the side tables with a miss matched set , I also considered painting them with chalk paint. (any suggestions on color?) 

I love the ethereal look and feel of the room now.  It is so much more me now.

  Click here for updated photos