rusty and chipping...

Happy White Wednesday! The weather has been so beautiful here the last few days so I decided it was time to share my rusty old whites that I haul out each year onto my deck. They were my Mom's and I remember how excited she would get when my Dad would drag them out of the shed each Spring. She would love to look out her kitchen window and see this beauty full of flowers... Do you think the flower pot is too big? I intended to bring home a few things for the bottom shelf from the shop yesterday but I was soooo busy I did not have time! I did manage to grab a pink watering can on the way out that I had for sale on the porch (but it is still in my car). I love the color of these Geraniums...

My husband offered to give this a fresh coat of paint since it was all rusty and chipping ~ I sweetly said thank you but it is supposed to look like that but would love your help on a piece or two or three that I have waiting to go in the shop!! Now the next photo is of a little bistro set that my Mom scored at an estate sale in Wayland. I remember her patiently waiting for my Dad to get home from work so they could go back for it.. Isn't it wonderful! Unfortunately I just might have to take Jim up on his painting offer on this sweet set... I had it out during the party after Jake's confirmation. My brother Dave was enjoying some apps and when he got up to get some more I noticed a faint white lattice design on the back of his black jeans! (Sorry again Dave!) Now tell me all you clever, creative bloggers how can I keep the old rusty and chipping wonderfulness (word?) and still have them be used... Should I lose the wonderful old patina with a fresh coat of paint (then there would be the whole color choice thing) or perhaps spray them with a clear coat to protect the next guest from an unwelcome pattern on their behind? Now my deck is not big so I usually just keep two chairs at the table and stack two to the side... I always enjoy looking at all the beautiful and inviting tables that you all seem to have the knack for setting. That is not an easy task for me but I have put it on my list of things to work on, perhaps over the winter. I did try yesterday because I wanted to show you what I got in the mail last week... Remember when I won the giveaway from Sandi at Wayside Treasures? It was packaged so prettily I hated to open it!! Look at the beautiful garden markers Sandi made... I am sure you have all visited Sandi's beautiful blog but if you haven't yet you are in for a big treat! Just look at some of the eye candy she shares...

She knows that if I lived closer this beauty would be mine!! She is a busy bee with an online shop, Etsy shop and has booth space too creating lovely treasures like these...

She takes the loveliest photos and has used them in her beautiful blog header... Sandi is always entertaining and her blog is a beautiful place to visit, especially on White Wednesday! Thanks again Sandi for my lovely garden markers!! Thank you Kathleen of Faded Charm for hosting my favorite day of the week! Many thanks to you for stopping by today ~ please take some time and go say hi to Sandi and have fun enjoying all the other wonderful whites at Kathleen's!

P.S. I forgot to tell you that Sandi is featured in the latest issue of Porch Magazine ~ take a peek here to read all about it!!