Another redo and a Log Cabin Adventure

Before

Can you believe I'm posting twice in one weekend? Well there are some things that I wanted to share with you and an experience that I had yesterday that some how lightened my heart and reminded me of how much I love life and how wonderful it is to be with the people I love and to be

healthy and able to craft and create.

I hadn't planned to decorate much for the 4th of July. Brother helped me put up the banners last year and decorate the porch and I just didn't have it in me to do it without him this year.

I found this box just before the Holiday last year and I liked the painting but it was just to bright for me. I distressed it his morning and I will display it with my other decorating. I like it better this way.

I went to an estate sale yesterday; I was amazed to find my self traveling down a wooded path to an old two story log home. It had stone fireplaces and and a stone smoke house. It was nestled in a cool enchanted forest that wrapped me in an aura of peace and tranquility. This house was full of some of the most beautiful primitive antiques that I have ever seen. Each table, bench and stepback  cupboard sat in it's proper place in time, magically arranged as it would have been too hundred years ago. The opened casement windows brought in the freshness of the cool quiet forest and and the essence of the mysteries of nature.  

Everything was for sale and and I cannot describe the many, many beautiful pieces that were there and I cannot deny that more than once I felt the threat of tears as I thought of anything being disturbed in this place. It is the home Roy Wilder, a very colorful gentleman in N.C. history. I will write more about him in a later post. 

  

I purchased this flag at the sale and later found that it dates to the first world war. These flags were displayed in homes in honor of family members that were fighting in the war and the tradition has continued since. A blue star was added for each soldier in the family and if a loved one was lost the star was outlined in gold embroidery. Thankfully this flag has only blue stars. I noticed how some of the stars were so neatly appliqued.

 

While other stars were just more or less tacked in place.

 

Then I realized that this flag most likely has been used for generations. It has 16 stars and the lady that so neatly appliqued the stars at the top of the flag may have no longer been living in WWII  and later wars but just the same someone kept the tradition and added a star each time a family member went to war.

Then I knew that I would decorate for the 4th of July, and I would remember Brother joking about how he had to hurry with the decorating because he had to get out and about to let everyone in town know that if they wanted pumpkins to display for Halloween they'd better start getting them right away or else between myself and my neighbor Mrs. R there would be none to be found as we two would use them all. 

It's right that I should celebrate and be thankful for the bravery of our armed forces. I have been so fortunate that all of our family members came home safely to their families.

I will always remember that Brother's birthday was July 24th and that he died in the month of July but I am so thankful for the years and the love that we shared.

This coverlet also came from the Wilder estate, it was one of many in his collection. It has some damage mostly along the edges which can be taken care of by adding a hem. I love the colors and I will cherish this always. I also left with a rocker and an old walker spinning wheel. I'll post pictures of these  later as I have to find a place to display it. The visit to the Wilder estate was like stepping back in time and it was indeed a joyful healing experience. 

Blessed Be Friends.