Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Summertime Mantle & Input Please


July, America's Birthday Month

As I prepped for the annual Bates Independence Day Lobster Bake, I decided it was the perfect time to change up the mantle.  All I had to do was a little tweaking to go from Spring to Summer.  In honor of the red, white and blue, I went with my version of a patriotic summertime theme.  Here's the mantle as it was all dressed up for Spring.



A few quick changes, and viola, the Summertime mantle.

I took away a few things, and added some, including the beautiful flag my Dad made me, handcarved to boot. 


Also, you'll note the lobster, which really is a salt and shaker holder my nephew Pat and his girlfriend Ashley gave me on last 4th of July. I took the salt and pepper out of his arms and moved him from the pantry to the mantle. He makes me laugh.



Then I spied my Jeter bobblehead (Garrett had just glued him back together after a terrible mishap) and thought the 'boys of summer' would be a perfect addition.  Poor Jeter lost part of his cheek and it was unrepairable (is that a word?). I'll have to do a little flesh color paint job on the poor boy. Baseball can be rough.


I kept things on the mantle that had gold, silver, blue or red and also kept my big Ireland print because, well....because it usually hangs out there. Plus, the houses are very Summery colors, don't you think. Again, not sure if Summery is a word, but it is today on Mercantile Muse.

My mantle extends a bit to the top of my bookcase, which is where Uncle Sam landed. Yup, you guessed it. My Dad made him too. He's quite the folk artist don't ya think?  Uncle Sam reigning high above all else. Perfect spot.


As you can see, I added some beads. Our 'neighbors-in-laws' Emile and Carol gave us a bunch when we saw them just before the 4th. I think they made a pretty big statement for a small detail.

Please ignore any dust that is still visible. That's life, right?


Do you have anything in your home that you change out for the season? This is really the first year that I've been doing the mantle change-a-roo and it's been fun. It's a nice change since it's one of the first things you see when you walk into our house. I'll keep the mantle like this for at least the rest of the month and maybe the entire Summer, unless I'm feeling a need for another change. Variety is the spice the of life, after all.

Photo Challenge Input

I was overwhelmed with the positive response to the potential photo challenge.  You guys are totally on board which makes me happy. I really appreciate your input and more is welcome. I'm thinking, instead of so many days 'straight', which can be hard for a lot of people to keep up with, probably 3 days a week for 4 weeks? How does that sound?  Perhaps Mondays, Wednesdays, and Friday's? It will probably begin next Monday. If that's what I settle on, I'll be outlining all the info on the challenge at the end of this week. How does that sound? I've got a few good ideas for topics, but if you've got any I'd be happy to consider them. Feel free to share. 

Check That Off the List

I was able to get all four photographs that I featured yesterday, listed and up for sale in Bates Mercantile Co., our etsy shop. Yay for me. Darn it all, I just love checking things off the list (hey, that reminds me- I still have a 'how do you juggle it all' post to write for Kristen at Milo & Molly....can I just say, not always well!!!). When I actually get to cross things off the list it makes me happy as a clam. I'd like to know where the heck that saying came from...has there been a study on the happiness of clams and I don't know about it? Did someone interview them about their state of mind and word spread across the world about the Bliss of Bivalves? Just wondrin'. Back to the subject at hand, and in case you're interested, you can find the new photographs for sale here.

On another note about yesterday's post, I told you the story of a little pebble from France making it's way to me in the mail. The sender, Cari-Jane, told a much better version on her blog yesterday. One little beach pebble spreading happiness the world over. I wonder if he's related to the clam?

Here's hoping you have a great day. You've already made mine super just by being here.

Ciao for now,






12 comments:

  1. Hey Pam...I like the idea of a few times a week over a few weeks....much easier to manage. I'll miss the first week, unless I can upload while away from home...but can play catch up if needed. :)

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    1. I think that's what I'll go with for that reason....easier to manage for those who want to participate. If I start next week, you won't have too much to catch up on and maybe you'll luck out and have good wifi.

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  2. I like that idea. Spreadign it out seems easier to keep up with.

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  3. Hi Pam!
    Your decorations are lovely! I love the US flag your dad made and the porcelain container on the left!
    We don't have a fireplace, so no mantle. I wish we did though - I would decorate to my heart's content :)
    Have a terrific day!

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    1. Thanks Duni. I can't say it's 'much' of a mantle', but it's a mantle. Construct a better mantle is on the 'wish' list. It's not very deep so I am limited to what will fit. But at least it's some kind of mantle over the woodstove.

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  4. Hmm, I used to be much more house proud , fresh flowers all the time, much more styled, tidy....and would switch decorations around. Now I'm just focrssed on finding homes for things. We still don't have homes for wedding presents so will have to solve that problem before I get to changing vignettes around the house!

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    1. oh there is nothing like fresh flowers. i love it when the yard/garden cooperates and gives me things to cut. However, right now, it's mostly daylilies and i don't think they'd last very long in a vase. Well Andrea, with Mr. Man ruling the roost, I'm not surprised that your focused on finding homes for things. And wedding presents...what fun! but I do remember, ahem, kinda/sorta since it was 24 years ago, that feeling of 'where am i going to put this?' because we started our married life in a studio aparment over friend's garage. Not a lot of storage for the things you acquire as a newly married couple. Good luck with that one sister.

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  5. P.s ideas for photo challenge...low light shots, portraits, landscapes. Architectural, still life...???

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    1. I knew I could count on you guys for some good ideas.

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  6. How lovely! Your mantle is just gorgeous! Enjoy the rest of the week, Kellie xx

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    1. Thanks Kel. It's on the 'whimsical' side, but isn't that how summer is supposed to be. I'm not sure I'll last all summer with it, I'd love to change it up come August with some bright colors, like those on your latest pillows/cushions. They are fabulous!

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You comments make my day. Thanks for taking the time to visit Mercantile Muse and for commenting. I really appreciate it. ~Pam

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