Monday, June 14, 2010

The Re-do Has Been Done

A while back, Jackie and I went to an estate auction. It was a farm estate belonging to a single never-been-married gentleman. He had lots of old stuff!! So naturally when he passed on, his brothers and sisters were the inheritors of his estate, so they put it up for sale to the highest bidder. There were several things I jotted down the lot numbers to bid on but the one I wanted the most was # 173!

An old primitive hand made pie safe. Yep it was the one thing that really caught my eye…but it also caught the eyes of others there too. Oh yes it did. I found myself in a bidding war. But in the end I was the high bidder, thanks to the older man who saw that I really wanted this piece. The blue color screamed at me. This is the way it looked, very much unloved. During its last years it must have spent its time outside in the barn…

I wanted to keep the blue color but to my dismay it was very dry and was flaking off so bad that we had to remove it, hoping it did not have any lead in it. We also had to remove all of the old screen from the door and the side air holes. After removing the paint completely I found a close match to the color…Kilz "Erie Canal".

I brushed a very light coat on, let it cure, and then took my "mouse" sander to distress it up a little. I finished it with a hand rubbed walnut paste wax by Howard.
I did not replace the screens as I wanted to stack old quilts on the shelves and I can see them better without the screen. I like how it turned out. Someone else likes it too.

Marina has found a nice soft spot to hide as she naps the afternoon away.

Yep I’m cat sitting at my house while Holly and Richard are in Arkansas for vacation with his parents at Greer’s Ferry Lake. Fun in the sun, boating, swimming, fishing…all those fun things you do went you rent a townhouse on the lake for a week.
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On another note: a BIG thank you goes to Lindsay at Southern Cinderella for a sweet award she presented to me today~ A Simply Southern Blog Award. Pretty fitting huh?


In reception of this award I have to answer this question:
"In your opinion, what makes a person a true southerner?"
Here is my answer...

Well of course you have to be born in the south or at the very least been raised most of your life here. You have to eat grits, turnips, collards, fried chicken, fried squash, and of course fried green tomatoes. You must drink sweet tea with lemons and have that sweet southern drawl in your words which include Y’all and Ain't . But most important is your generosity and kindness…neighbors helping neighbors… from cooking food to share with a family who has lost a love one to the giving of your time and money to others. Southern is slow and easy with warm smiles, helping hands and loving hearts. It’s called southern hospitality! Now I reckon that pretty much explains what a true southern is. Now I got to get off this do-hicky and get busy cleaning so I can fix some supper!  **Now I know you are smilin’ like a goat in a briar patch?

Thank you Lindsay…my sweet Southern friend. Now I’m passing this on to some of my southern friends…

1* Sandi at Whistlestop Cafe Cooking

2* Char at ramblins

3* Sandra at Sandra Lundy Photography

All of these lovely ladies are from the good old southern state of Alabama!

From a true southern with a warm heart and lots of love… Have a great day my friends!

23 comments:

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

What a wonderful makeover. Looks great with all the quilts and sweet little Marina so cozy. Loved your description of a Southerner. I was born in Mississippi and lived in TX/LA all my life. Used to work in downtown NO before heading overseas. Who know I would be in the Middle East for so long. Yikes! Best wishes to you for the week ahead. :) Tammy

Christa said...

Hi Cora,
I love how you finished the pie cabinet, you did a wonderful job. I think I actually like your finish better than the original. Great job.
Oh How I wish I could have been there at the auction, that is right up my alley.
I just moved to Tennessee from California almost 2 years ago and I do love the southern hospitality that you speak of and all the beauty around me. It's like living in another country. I love it!
Thank you for a wonderful post.

Warm Country blessings to you,

Christa

Cindy said...

Cora the pie safe..oh my it looks great in the color that you painted it.Sometimes it's okay to take off the old..and give it some extra lovin for it to last for another generation!! lol

Just think...someday..someone could be holding her breath during an auction for that old pie safe!!

From on esouthern gal to another..Cindy from Rick-Rack and Gingham

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

What a lovely cabinet :) Great place for the kitty to cat-nap!

Michelle said...

3 of my favorite things...old pie cabinets, kitty cats, and quilts! Stunning!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful job....but I expect nothing less from you...you always do beautiful work. Wonder if Jackie will let the cat stay???? lol

Julie Harward said...

I so love your new treasure, it's so perfect and the finish here is just right! I love the cat in it too...very cute! :D

The Old Parsonage said...

Oh Cora

I love your new old pie safe. And that's a fab photo with Marina all snug and cozy.

I love your Southern Hospitality.
Leann

Char said...

what a sweetie you are!!! i love being southern and all the things that make us so, not only our slower paced confidence but the food, the family love and the wonderful land.

enjoy your visit.

ps - i adore that pie safe!! great re-do

Angie Berry ~ Berry Homespun Primitives said...

Ah girlfriend... I LOVE IT!! I've been waiting very patiently for these pictures! Hee hee! Thanks to the older man, you now have a beautiful piece of furniture. I love how you've transformed it! That is a wonderful shade of blue-grey. I also love the way you have it displayed with your quilts and treasures. Such a cute picture of Marina. That cracks me up that she knows a good quilt when she sees one!

You definitely deserve this award! You are full of generosity and kindness… warm smiles, helping hands and loving heart!! That's why I love you so, my dear friend! =]

Twyla and Lindsey said...

Oh, I love it! I love that style and you did a beautiful job on it. I love the quilts stacked inside and the kitty is too cute! Congratulations on your award! Have a nice week! Twyla

Cindy said...

Cora, that cabinet is amazing, and I have to say I love hollys table/hutch. I think it turned out beautiful. take care and congrats on your award, you are a true southern belle.

Tara said...

What a score! I love the original paint color too, but your makeover looks just gorgeous! How cute that your kitty is all curled up in there! I hope you are enjoying your vacation and congratulations on your award!

amelia said...

looks fantastic! I recently redid an old pie safe, I wish that I had taken before pictures!

Traci said...

Lovin' your hutch re-do! Fantastic work and color!

Mary @ Neat and Tidy said...

Your cupboard is wonderful! I'm glad you hung in there and were able to buy it. Love the way you have decorated it; you have such a talent!

Manda said...

That shelf is gorgeous... what a great piece to have.
You transformed it into complete loveliness.

Holly said...

Thats my baby girl!!! Love the pie safe!

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

That looks just wonderful...and your kitty just tops it off! What a fabulous re-do!!!

christina said...

i have missed you!
this is a great find. i adore the colors you chose, to redo it.
i have a pie safe and i just cherish it, with all my heart.
congrats on the award.
xo

Southern Cinderella said...

I LOVE what you've done with the pie cabinet!! It looks fabulous! Have a great day with family!!

Susan said...

Cora, you did a beautiful job on that cabinet! What a find! I love how Marina is so cozy on top of the quilt! My Sassy does the same thing on my towel rack storage thing-y when I'm taking a shower. Then she likes to lick my feet when I step out to dry. She's silly.

Cheyenne said...

What a treasure you got! It's beautiful-the makeover looks fantastic. I love, love the quilts tucked inside....