Over the Top Patio Furniture

This patio furniture arrived in my yard....left there by an anonymous person. 

It is really "over the top". ... Reminiscent of the Italian tole chandeliers.   

 Originally it was used poolside.  

I think it has potential to be used in an interior space.

The set is so large including the 3-seater couch and 3 single chairs

Recovering would be all it needed and it would be a fairly simple "do it yourself" project.

The more I look at it....the more I like it!

Country Auctions Large and Small

I am addicted to going to auctions.  I can hardly contain my anticipation when I'm about to
attend one.  Small Auctions, Large Auctions....no matter.  I love them all!

 This is an auction house in a charming village on the East End of Long Island that handles quality antiques, paintings, Americana, sporting lots and generally high-end merchandise.

This is early morning at a Country Farm Auction near my home,
before most people have arrived for viewing
Even at a small auction there is plenty to choose from and you will probably
find something you just have to have.
  I Just Had To Have This! 

 Back to my charming little auction house.....
Here are some of the items displayed that were for sale recently.

 This wonderful auction house has both high and low end auctions.  The high end items are displayed in the building and shown on a screen in the tent. 
When they have a discovery auction the items are sold under the tent.

 Most auction houses will usually let you view the items several days before the auction

If it is a catalog auction you will find the item number attached to the item.

You can learn a lot by attending an auction and I guarantee, you will see things you have never seen before.  Many auction attendees are very knowledgeable and

willing to share what they've learned over the years

So, find out when there is a local auction
in your area and have a blast!

Lighting in the Garden

Our Friend Jenn from Arcadian Lighting Blog has agreed to do a guest post about "Lighting in the Garden"....one of my favorite subjects.

Hi all! I’m Jennifer and I write for Arcadian Lighting, a site that chronicles the work of top interior designers and lighting trends around the world. I've been writing about home decor since graduating university and have loved it ever since. I'm addicted to patterned fabrics, Jonathan Adler, chaise lounges, old doors, milk glass jars, antiques, and chandeliers. Small Holdings Farm gives me tons of inspiration when it comes to gardening and home decor, and I feel honoured to be guest posting about lighting in the garden.

Outdoor lighting can completely transform a garden space - it can be used to add dimension, highlight specific features, and provide overall ambience. Outdoor lanterns, pendant lights and even lamps are all great options for lighting in the garden, and here's how to optimize their effects.

 Certified Lighting via

Solar-powered dome-shaped planters that light up are not only visually appealing but they also pull double-duty as mod vessels in the garden.

Ornamental danglers via
Rehearsal Dinner Guide:
Hanging lanterns always look striking outdoors - when strung from the branches of a stately tree by thick strands of ribbon they become dreamy.

bridesmaid.com via

Create pretty DIY outdoor lighting with mason jars - fill with an inch of sand and drop small tea lights in. Secure to a fence and illuminate the yard in soft candlelight.

Pottery Barn via

Today there's a wide choice of fun lights on strings that mimic everything from mini outdoor lanterns to wire birds. They can be hung in trees, along fences or around a patio.

Mydeco.com via

Who knew a lamp in a garden could look so good? Available as floor models as well as table lamps, they really bring the feel of the indoors out.

Erinn V Style via

Oversized hanging paper lanterns create soothing ambient light for a casual dinner party or even just simply lounging around the garden.

HomeBlogDesign.com via

Individual light fixtures, such as these downsized lanterns, are subtle and understated, the perfect addition to a more modest setting.

Sensible Solar Power via

Outdoor spotlights can be used to accentuate tall trees and architectural details like stone walls, while a well-lit front entrance is both eye-catching as well as safe.

Content provided by Arcadian Lighting, a site that specializes in top quality lighting fixtures at extremely affordable prices. If you like this post, be sure to stop by the Arcadian home
decor blog and let us know you saw us here!
Thank you Jenn for the wonderful and inspired post....Sherron

Our Summer Barn Opening is Around the Corner

Friday Only   August 26th   10am - 3pm

Free Gift with Every Purchase....

From our Bath & Body Department
We appreciate your business and would like to thank 
all our customers for their continued loyalty. 
 As a special "Thank You" , you may choose a 
Free Bath & Body product with your purchase!

The Barn is Filled with New & Interesting Merchandise

Take a Peek Below

Decorator Items -  Odd & Unusual - Our Specialty

Painted Furniture - Original Paint & Painted by ME

Many Varieties of Vintage Glass Jars, Bottles & Jugs

Garden Decor, Planters, Rusty Metal etc....all things to make your Garden Beautiful

Garden Carts, Wagons & Wheel Barrows

Planters, Bird Baths & Feeders, Garden Benches, Adirondack Chairs etc.

Many Sizes and Varieties of Vintage Signs....Wood and Metal

Our New Summer Scents - Small Holdings Farm 100% Soy Hand Poured Candles

Come on Down and Visit Us ....

We will be serving Cookies & Punch 
Throughout the Day!

Looking Forward to Seeing You.....Sherron

For More Details About the Sale go to www.smallholdingsfarm.com

A Sweet Little Boys Sailing Essay

I just had to share this sweet essay with you!

My friends 9 year old grandson needed to write an essay for a sailing contest at the Breakwater Yacht Club

He did end up winning one of the 5 prizes for 

1 week of free sailing lessons.

 This is what he wrote

Dear Breakwater Yacht Club:  My name is Sam & I live in Southampton.  Before I could even swim my Gram would take me to Sebonic Inlet & we would spend the day.  Quite often we would "ride the tide"

We would also just bob around on a boogie board for hours.  I remember I was afraid of the seaweed, as we floated along.  Gram told me it was Mermaid hair and so then it became fun to find different "hair" colors.  The first time I saw Periwinkles it was there as we walked along the dock searching for crabs.  We watched the motorboats, kayaks and sailboats go by and so I have always enjoyed the water.  My Mom is a gardener and traded her work for a 32' sailboat that is up on blocks in our yard.  I was given a small sailboat by one of her friends and I would like to learn to sail it.  This past winter I went with my Mom to Boating Safety.  

I was not old enough to be certified but the instructor said next year I could be her assistant & take the tests, too.  A local fisherman often takes me fishing and I have been scalloping and crabbing. 

Please consider me for one of the scholarships as I know the water will be a lifetime love for me and it will be so helpful and fun, too.  Thank you for offering this program

Sincerely, Sam ------

A Little Boys Sweet Essay

I just thought this essay was so adorable I had to share it

Trouble Free Gardens on a Budget "Part Three"

Who says Weeds Can't be Beautiful!!

Look at this wonderful tall plant....with the yellow flowers at the top....I think it's great!

Several of these have sprung up in front of my gardens by the barn.  I knew they were going to be great so I left them alone.  I think they are around 12 feet tall. 

My friend Gloria says it is called Mullein

I have several different color Hydrangea plants and several different types.  It helps to add interest to the garden when you have the same plant in several varieties.

 These are a variety called Lace Cap.  The blooms are entirely different and don't last as long

I also wanted to show you two of my Rose of Sharon that have just started to bloom this very morning

A few years ago I had a great idea that 

didn't cost me a penny. 

 We have a large barn roof that sends sheets of water down when it rains and washes out the driveway and the grasses below.  I started to collect rocks to make what I call my waterfall.  It took about 2 years to collect these rocks.  Every time I went out, I would look for rocks.  My husband thought I was completely nuts!

Some days I got 2 or 3.  Other times I would come home with a dozen.  You'd be surprised where you find rocks if you are really looking for them.  It really wasn't any work and it was a lot of fun.  Now my husband thinks I flood the upper driveway with this invention....I don't think that's true, but he is convinced....