Thursday, February 4, 2010

Let The Spring Cleaning Begin!

Hi Sweet Girlies and Happy FRIDAY!




I know I've talked about starting the Spring Cleaning FOREVER....but now I'm really getting down to it.  I'm patting myself on the back and if I could jump up and down I really would!


Do you remember the old Bea Arthur show called Maude?  Every time I think about jumping up and down I remember her saying if she did that she'd get two black eyes........that was years ago and it still makes me laugh.



Ok......as long as I'm walking down memory lane....the other hilarious line I'll always remember was from Cheers.  Cliff was sitting on his little barstool when Norm walked in.  Cliff said "What's shakin, Norm"..........Norm's response?  "Four cheeks and two chins"......Yep, still funny!



Oh brother, I should learn not to do my posts when I'm really tired and a bit loopy....NO, I DO NOT drink....just fatigue goofy.



Anyway.........as I've said the cottage is pretty beensie and I LOVE to collect.  I don't think I'll EVER stop.  There still have to be some great thrifty finds out there, right?


I had my overflow of extra things in a cupboard that was too small and disorganized.  I had to be careful every time I opened the doors that nothing would fall out and break.


I wanted more space.....Enter the hall closet.  It was under used.  There just isn't enough room at Bellamere Cottage for any spaces that aren't fully used so I painted it and added some shelving.



Yipppeee!  Now I have a spot to store all of those extra finds until I use them.


I know.....you're thinking...........good gravy, does this girl have enough junk?


Yep, that's exactly what my Hubbs says each time I come home with a bag.

"MORE china"?






 
When my Mum passed away I inherited some of her china too....and some of her other things I can't bear to part with.  That big blue stone?  My Mum's.  She loved it...gotta hang onto that.....Lots of her plates.....her little Creamer and Sugar that she always put on the table when we had tea.    :-)





  
 The little burgandy box on the top shelf was one of the first gifts my hubby gave to me.

I pick up lucky pennies and that little thing is full of them.  It plays music...Isn't that sweet?





  
 I don't know what the things on the left are actually called, but I call them cottage ware....I have spot all planned for them.





  
 Years ago I collected loads of jadeite....and a little bit of depression glass.  At that time the depression glass was a bit more expensive so I decided to keep it when I pared down a bit.  Hard to believe, I know.  Anyway, I sold allllll of my jadeite for a song at my garage sale.  Nuts.  I sure wish I had it now.  And, I'm left with these lousy salt and pepper shakers.    :-)





  
 Hanging the cups on the edge of the shelf saved lots of space.




And there are a few of my pitchers......I couldn't believe how many I have.......There are still lots of them all over the cottage.







  
 Oh how I love plates.........that's why I have to stack them under things all around the house.   :-)







  
  I moved all of my books to the cupboard where the china was originally....That is sooo much better.



Several months ago I blogged about buying one of those little two level grocery carts.....well, let me tell you, that came in realllly handy.  Much easier to cart all my dishes to the sink for the big WASH....   :-)




And, I didn't break anything this time.  Oh, now that's good news for a change.




Ok, my sweet girlie friends.......I'd better go get some sleep.




I hope you're all well...........I'm going to try to post as much as I can, but I'm not going to be able to visit as much as I want to.....gotta get this cleaning thing done!



I miss you!
You're the very best.



Huggies and lovies,

Spencer









27 comments:

  1. Spencer dearest,
    You have a GREAT COLLECTION! WOW! I have never ever seen such a vast collection...I sure missed you! Have a successful cleaning spree!! Bisous, Anita

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  2. Hi Spencer,
    If I had all that beautiful stuff I would find a place to store it too! What a great idea and how beautiful it looks. I call mine a "prop closet," It's where I go to sometimes just look and other times to get an decorating idea or some inspiration.
    Ah, how we love stuff!

    hugs
    Sissie

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  3. Hi Spencer! LOVED your post, and think we are similar creatures when it comes to "collecting"! I can't even THINK about what I left during the move.. But I just can't stop from bringing more things HOME again! Your collection of china and various glasswares is beautiful, and it looks like you've done a nice job of organizing them! Yes, I think you SHOULD give yourself a good pat on the back! As for Maude, I loved her, but I loved All In the Family even more! Both shows had me laughing till I was in tears, really!.. Have a nice weekend! ((hugs)) ~tina

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  4. Well, seeing as you're cleaning, and your Jadite collection is gone, and I happen to have a nice set of Jadite canisters, and you have some lousy salt and pepper shakers --- I'd be happy to take them off your hands!!!

    They're very pretty -- along with so much more that you have there. Oh how I'd love to spend a day cleaning your china with you and just looking and oooing and ahhhing over all the pretty stuff.

    Good luck!

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  5. Your dishes look so fabulous. I must confess - a little bee cream and sugar caught my eye. Just adorable. I'm a dish fiend too and I'm running out of spots for storage. I'm using the sunroom and the garage. But I have a hall closet that might be better. I'm going to have to work on that. Thank you for showing off all your pretties!

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  6. All of your dishes are just gorgeous. I just love the way you have found a place to store and enjoy them. My dish cupboards don't look nearly as organized. You did a great job. Hugs, Marty

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  7. Spencer amor how I love your posts :) Thank you for sharing all this beauty today! I laughed at your sitcom memmories...so happy I am not the only one that has those lol But chiquie you are truly after my heart with all your beautiful dishes...I so believe that you can never have too many...I just came home with a lovely gravy boat with roses yesterday :) I have been collecting beautiful dishes since I was about 14 and have a few heirloom pieces from my Ita and mama...I would love to see your collections in person one day :) I was blowing up each page and oohing and aahhing :) just gorgeous! Now when you are done with your cleaning, care to visit and help with mine ;) Besos, Rose

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  8. Spencer, please come help me! You are an organizing guru! Love what you did. I need your help. I'm up for air for the next two days, and I want you to know I've missed you.

    XO,

    Sheila :-)

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  9. Your china closet is delightful Spencer. I'm on the same kind of quest right now, to sort through my "stuff" because I'm running out of room!
    Hugs,
    Dawn

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  10. Wow, do you have a collection! Love all your pretty dishes. I've been looking at the glassware at Goodwill when I'm looking for treasures but so far haven't picked up any cups. I do love the detail and the flowers.

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  11. Well I would say you have quite the collection going there! I use a double closet in an extra bedroom for all my "stuff"...it is packed! Guess we all love our dishes!

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  12. You go, girl. Just look what a great job you did. And, we can never have too much dish storage.

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  13. You are so organized, Spencer...I just pile mine in the armoire and hope they stay put! Great idea with the cups as they do take up a good deal of room. Have a great weekend, you can kick back now that the dish closet is all organized!

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  14. Thanks for showing us your wonderful collection - so many pretty things. What a great idea converting the closet for storage.

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  15. Oh Spencer, I so get you! I am the same way about 'stuff' and hubs says the same thing about my 'stuff'. You have a lovely collection of old dishware and china. I'm feeling a bit covetess over here. I could come over and help you clean and maybe take a little of it off your hands...whatta ya say?
    hugs

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  16. Nice that you are getting organized, Spencer. I enlarged the pics to see your dishes since I am a dishaholic. Lovely dishes and cups!...Christine

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  17. Spencer dearest! Thank you for coming to visit and have a slice of French bread! Now you go and have a good cleaning time! I too love to clean and arrange things in my home! Bisous ma belle! Anita

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  18. WOW! You may actually have more than I do! And I have a lot!! Looks great. Time to shake up the place for spring! ENJOY!
    Hugs, Lisa

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  19. Oh Spence! I just want to dig through that lovely closet and see all the beautiful things inside! How fun:>)

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  20. My precious Spencer,
    Having you attend my little dancin' bash is so special and complete. Seeing you is always a highlight for me!!! I AM DONE SPENCER! I JUST FINISHED ANOTHER LAST ASSIGNMENT YESTERDAY and this is it. I want to now clean my house, organize my books, draw, write, and entertain!!! Dance in your heart always my dearest....I can still move like the old days, but when my time comes to completely hang up my shoes, I will still dance in my heart! And when we get up to our eternal home.....WHEW! Let the dance begin...

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  21. Spencer, it looks fantastic. All you gotta do is open up that door and take a look at the eye candy.

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  22. Wonderful dishes! As a matter of fact: wonderful collection!!
    Glad I hopped onto your lovely blog...

    Have a sweet day,
    Saskia

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  23. I wouldn't part with any of it either. My girls tell me "but Mom, you don't use that, and if I had it I would use it!" That's how I lose some of things. The girls! Hmmm....

    I found out something you might want to try, as far house cleaning goes. :) Well, what you do is decide to paint every single room, including the ceilings and the woodwork!! Yes.

    Every single thing has to get pack and moved and of course you wash and clean everything, even the backs of pictures..silk plants get dunked in hot soapy water and quickly rinsed...and after it is all done...you have new carpet installed...and there you are. The best Spring cleaning ever! That's what I did.

    Or...you could move to another house I suppose.

    Really, it works!
    Hugs,
    Mona

    p.s. of course you'll be dead AND broke or as they say...dead broke! (also like I am..)
    More hugs!

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  24. Spencer, you had quite a project to clean all of those fabulous pieces! I love the green depression glass, too.

    xx

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  25. Hi Spencer. I've been ooohing and aaahing your collection! I really enjoyed everything you shared with us. Thank you for leaving such a sweet comment on my curio cabinet redo. :) I really appreciate it.
    Have a wonderful evening.
    Sandra

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  26. You have quite the china collection! And so neatly displayed too! I'm already thinking of spring cleaning too even though spring seems so far away! There's too much snow on the ground so it must be wishful thinking altho who would wishfully think of cleaning? Gotta give my head a shake!

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  27. I love love love ALL your china and glass bit and pieces. Each cream and sugar and teacup so beautiful! And what a wonderful use for a hall closet! I need to go and read more of your past posts.

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Sweet and dear little Chickies....thank you so much for your comments. I read each and every one. I always try to make a return visit........sometimes I fail miserably... but you're alllll soooo special to me!

Many, many hugs!
Spencer