A couple of weeks ago I had a phone call from
my dearest girlfriend - who lives in Brisbane.
She is coming to stay for 3 nights
I can't wait to see her again and have a catch up.
I've got lots planned for us to do!
Angela and I met at school when we were both 10
and that's over 60 years ago!
Then we went away to boarding school together!
Then we went away to boarding school together!
I decided it's time to spruce up the guest room
in readiness for her visit.
My husband asked quizzically
'is the Queen coming' - no she's my best friend silly!
Ange was matron of honour at our wedding
45 years ago this April.
Boys just don't get it sometimes....
Not quite a 'make-over' but a few new things
to make her stay as comfortable as possible.
Wallace Cotton in Newmarket stock
beautiful cotton bed linen and I chose
two pairs of these self striped sheets.
I also bought some cans of Annie Sloan chalk paint
to paint the dressing table and nightstand.
Recently my friend Mary of the beautiful blog
posted about the re-do of her French table here.
The colour is French Linen which I'm painting
on a base of Old White and then rubbed over
with a coating of Soft Wax.
I'm sure most of you are familiar with this paint already.
I have been meaning to do it for ages and
what with working and spending lots of time in my garden
the DIY was put on the back burner yet again.
Thank you Mary, your post was the catalyst I needed
to get started!
I'l post photos next weekend hopefully.
We received some very sad news last night
one of our dear yachting friends has died at 68yrs.
It's so sad because we were looking forward to
sailing with Dave and his wife Mary once
our boat 'Seamist' is back in the water.
Life can change so unexpectedly.
Please keep this family in your prayers - thank you.
Now for my big announcement!
The winner of my Grow Your Blog Giveaway is
#29 drawn by Random.org
#29 drawn by Random.org
Faye of The Blessed Hearth
Congratulations Faye, I am emailing you now!
A very big thank you to Vicki
for hosting 2015 Grow your Blog party!
Vicki you deserve a medal.
Thank you.
A very big thank you to Vicki
for hosting 2015 Grow your Blog party!
Vicki you deserve a medal.
Thank you.
I'm joining Karen for Sunlit Sunday
and
Judith for Mosaic Monday
Thank you all for reading my blog
and for your warm comments.
Take care and
be kind to one another
Merci à bientôt
Shane
Hello dear Shane, thanks so much for the chance to enter your beautiful giveaway & congrats to the winner. That is such lovely news that your friend is coming to stay. Do post the makeover with the chalk paint when you have finished please ... I am keen to have a go with chalk paint myself so am very interested. Have a lovely week my friend x0x0x0
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful, Shane, you and your friend will have so much fun!
ReplyDeleteThe new cotton bed linen look elegant and comfortable... And your mosaics are again full of happiness and sunshine!
Have a lovely week ahead!
How very nice to have an old friend to stay. You will have lots to catch up with1
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have your special friend coming to visit, and you must be enjoying getting ready for her. I will also be interested in the chalk paint, as I have a can of it here, plus the wax, and can't get the courage to start! So sorry you have lost a friend too - very sad, and far too young.
ReplyDeletexxx
Oh Shane I am so sorry for the death of your yachting friend. But on the other side I understand your excitement about the visit of your Brisbane friend. I had my first trial with Annie Sloan chalkpaint a few months ago, I painted two chairs and more will follow when I have time.....
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to try chalk paint, so I will be interested in your results. Waxing over the top should give a nice smooth finish.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your lucky winner!
xo,
Deb
Oh Shane.. How wonderful!! I so seldom win that I was shocked.. Thank you so much and to the hostess of the Grow your own Blog... We are in the midst of a big blizzard here in Eastern Canada and this made my day bright.. smile. A lot of my friends are using the chalk paint and making some wonderful projects.. Can't wait to see the Queen's room.. smile.. xo
ReplyDeleteCompany coming is a great reason to spruce things up. I will look forward to your photos of the makeover. I'm very sorry to hear of your dear friend's passing and pray you will be comforted. Faye lives an hour and a half away from me! I'm so excited she won your give away. How neat that I won your other recent giveaway and we live in the same province! She will be delighted I'm sure. Blessings to you. Hugs. Pam
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to have a long-life friend visit! Isn't it funny how a man views such things. The sunlit path to she store looks very inviting! Sorry for the recent loss of your friend. You'll have to drink a toast to him when you are back out sailing again.
ReplyDeleteOh Shane, I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending prayers for sure.
ReplyDeleteAh, I do the same thing, when guests are coming, I kick into gear and finish up projects and fluffing of rooms!! It's the best push you can get!!
Oh, you will have so much fun. My friend is here from Chicago and we've been having a ball! She is the friend who went to Paris with me.
Much love, Rhonda
Congrats to the winner of your beautiful giveaway Shane! How really wonderful to get some girlfriend time with a special friend. I have heard of the Annie Sloan paints. Lovely photos. So sorry to hear of your friend's unexpected passing. Thoughts and prayers to family and friends.
ReplyDeleteHave a fun when your friend gets there. Looking forward to seeing your finished painting project. Sorry for the loss of your friend. Prayers for the family. Have a blessed day. Madeline
ReplyDeleteHi Shane,
ReplyDeleteYour new sheets look fresh and so comfortable! And I like seeing all the little glimpses of your life there. I hope you have a wonderful time with your old friend, and so sorry for the loss of another friend.
Wishing you a wonderful reunion with your dear friend. Don't forget the pictures!
ReplyDeleteHello Shane, I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. Life is precious and never more so than when we lose someone we love.
ReplyDeleteHow fun to have a friend come to stay. The new bedding is pretty and I'm looking forward to seeing the results of the chalk paint.
Congrats to your blog giveaway winner!
Have a wonderful week.
How exciting to get a visit from an old friend! The room looks beautiful, and I love the cotton linen! Have a marvellous time with your friend Shane! Bx
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful and exciting to have your friend coming for a visit. Everything is looking quite nice in preparation.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to learn that you lost another friend.
Sorry to read about the loss of your friend.
ReplyDeleteI know you and your guest are enjoying your time together
Congratulations to the winner of the giveaway!
Have a great week.
Dearest Shane,
ReplyDeleteYou are so right about life can change so unexpectedly and I'm sure keeping Dave's wife Mary and their family in my prayers!
As for your dear friend coming to stay for 3 days; I know that feeling. My dear friend whom I met at age 7, is coming from The Netherlands to stay with us for one week early May. That is also 57 years of friendship and we both lost our first husband about one year apart from each other and in January we both lost our Moms... So many coincidences but maybe for a reason.
Enjoy your special time together.
Hugs,
Mariette
A lovely make over and congrats to your giveaway. Sad about your friend, it knocks you sideways doesn't it. Hugs Shirley
ReplyDeleteMy dear Shane, I am so sorry to hear about your friend...please know you will be in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to sweet Faye - she is a blessed winner. Hugs to you, my friend!
I am so sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time with your friend. You'll have a lot to catch up on, and relive old times spent together during your school days. I love to revamp bedrooms putting in place pretty little bits & pieces, and nice new bed linen. We have had some very cold weather, but only sprinklings of snow. During the past week we had sun & blue sky so it didn't seem quite so cold.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait for spring. Your photo collage are so pretty as always. Congratulations to the winner of your gift.
Wow, you've been friends for 60 years? That is amazing! I love how you're taking care of the guest bedroom for her :)
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear about your and his family's loss! I'll be keeping them in my thoughts in this difficult time.
Your friend will really appreciate everything you are doing to make her feel welcome. Your "refresh" sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAwww...have fun with your friend and I'm sorry about your sailing buddy!
ReplyDeleteSo sad...
(((hug)))
Shane... Sometimes It does take the promise of a friend's visit to get us up and moving, doesn't it? You made lovely choices and I am sure she will be comfortable and cozy during her stay. Sympathy to all on the loss of your sailing friend. I experienced the same last week and am heartbroken for my lifelong friend's family and his wide circle of friends. Peace and comfort...Susan
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry about the loss of your friend. I am sending good thoughts and hugs to you. Hope that spending some time with your other friend gives you some comfort. xx
ReplyDeleteOh dear Shane, I'm so sorry for your loss... Take care. But how wonderful to be welcoming your dear friend soon. Wishing you both a precious time together. Beautiful photo collages by the way! Sending you hugs and prayers, xx Wendy of AppleApricot
ReplyDeleteHaha, no guys don't get it. Your friend will appreciate how you've spruced up the guest room though.
ReplyDeleteSo sad about your friend, my condolences Shane.
Thank you for linking to Mosaic Monday.
Well for the fact that you have such a dear friend coming round for a visit is certainly cheerful news and yet on the heels if that you have had the passing away of another friends. My favorite word...cherish, we need to cherish all, every day, the best that we can~
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely time with your friend Shane!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to the lucky winner of your giveaway!
Madelief x
What a lovely post to read about your preparations for your friend to come to stay. The room will look beautiful-what gorgeous bedlinen!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes
Alison
farmhousetraditions.blogspot.co.uk
Dearest Shane,
ReplyDeleteHow sweet that your oldest and dearest friend is coming for a visit! Your guest room looks wonderful and I am sure she will be very comfortable and pampered during her stay. Congratulations to the lucky winner of your give-away, too! I am very sorry to hear of your friend's passing. So very sad. Sending loving thoughts and prayers to you and the family. Wishing you a lovely visit with your dear friend and hope you share some of your good times with us! Hugs xo Karen
It is fun to spruce up a room for company coming. I hope the visit is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your winner, Shane. Now, that's spreading around some sunshine!
ReplyDelete