Cows, chickens, and dogs...

I went to visit back home where I grew up recently and I had to stop and enjoy the farm animals... in the paintings.  It is the perfect way to enjoy them.  Unlike how I grew up, I didn't step in a cow pie..

or have any unpleasant scents accompanying my view.

Like a lot of you, I have so admired the cow paintings I have been seeing in blogland lately.

So, I thought I would share some really nice ones from my original charming home. 

Roosters are not forgotten...

back home they have quite a collection...

and unlike in my youth, their isn't any crowing to wake me or startled chickens when I step in the coop to gather eggs.

Now the paintings that truly tug at my heart are the true friends.... the hunting dogs.

The beloved pets...,

once again I so wish I could see them.  I would reach down and give them a pat.

Oh, the tales we have of our beloved pets...

the childish mischief they got into with us, just like a best friend. 

Did you have a beloved pet or farm animal?

Sherry

I will link this to:

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Open House Thursday at No Minimalist Here

Roosters, Toile, and a Sunflower

I am joining Shelia at Note Songs for her Rooster and Chick party.  I wanted to reprise a post I did last year with a rooster.  This, without a doubt, is the most searched post that I have had.  Undoubtedly, the rooster is a very popular home decor theme. 

The rooster plates are from TJ Maxx. 

The toile is Waverly, I believe it is called Country Life.  The pewter is Wilton Armetale.

The reason I think this post has been hit through the search engine so much wasn't really my doing.  It was this picture I posted along with it.  A reader had asked how to turn her all-white kitchen into French Country.

How to turn an all-white kitchen into a French Country kitchen.

From white to wonderful in 4 easy steps.  

1. Painted the wall light yellow.
2. Added a toile window treatment.
3. Put a rooster and sunflowers on the island.
4. Added wrought iron bar stools in oil rubbed bronze.

I have seen many people with white walls wondering what to do with them.  I thought this was such an easy and simple transformation  that I would share it.  Article written by Mark McCauley ASID.  Here is the link to read the whole article. Photo and article found at http://www.hgtv.com.

You could take most decorating styles and break down at least four key items that make a space always say it is a certain style.  Now, going beyond that and adding even more detail is what makes it yours.  Hope that helps!
Please join Shelia for the Rooster and Chick party.
She would be glad to have you.

Sherry