Sunday, April 28, 2013

Death in The Potting Shed.......................


NO, it's not an Agatha Christie novel you missed!
It's more a tale of metal fatigue - it occurs to 
treasures which have seen much better days 
and just can't hold up any longer! 


See her there, lounging in the old wicker chair, draped in a burlap wrap? (The potting shed awaits a good clean-out. Once the pollen has finally disappeared the garden knick knacks can go outside again).
Senorita Chandelier started life in Spain, many years ago, and over time her arms and curvy bits aged and weakened - kinda like ours I guess! Preventative medicine obviously had not been done.
Thinking this would be the year I could take her to a spa lamp repair shop for a check up and makeover, when lifting her last week, her metal bits started to fall apart, break off, and sadly she collapsed before my eyes. Deciding it would be such a costly job to bring her back, I collected her lovely cut-glass crystals, and a couple of bronze 'feathers' from her headdress, before sending her 'bones' to a better place.


Do you love crystals as I do? Not wanting to hide them 
away, I've piled them on a crystal plate for now 
and am displaying them on the coffee table.



etcetera - an amazing book by Australian 
stylist Sibella Court, one of my favorites 
when it comes to decorating with "the old and much-loved".  
This book is a work of art itself - I purchased it a couple 
of years back at Anthropologie.


Again, many thank yous to you, dear blog friends, 
regarding my dear mother-in-law, your good wishes 
and prayers are so appreciated.
 Yesterday we spent time with her in the 
rehab facility near Philadelphia - sadly she did not 
seem to know us, but hopefully she heard the loving 
words we whispered into her ear. 
Sorry - behind with comments due to travel and the busy 
weekend - will catch up with you soon! 

12 comments:

  1. Your treasures are amazing . . . we all should have such a fine potting shed :)

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  2. I have a couple of chandies like that, awaiting a place to hang. Hopefully mine will not crumble when I lift them out of the box!

    I am so sorry to hear about your mother-in-law. Sending you both hugs,
    Penny

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  3. Hearing is the last faculty to go. Your loved one will hear all you say to her.

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  4. Shame about the senorita but she looks fine piled high on the crystal plate. Perhaps you could make bits of her into decorations for your Christmas tree?

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  5. I can see you have a lot of treasures in your potting shed, I know you will enjoy the process of dusting them off and finding places in your garden again this spring. Senorita Chandelier may be gone but she still lives on in your home on that pretty plate!

    I'm glad you were able to spend time with Bob's mother. I hope she improves as much as can be. I know she is much loved.

    XO,
    Jane

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  6. That's too bad your chandelier fell apart but the beautiful crystals are worth keeping and displaying. I hope your mother-in-law improves. It is so difficult to see them in declining health. Hugs, Pamela

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  7. I LOVE those chandelier crystals and the bronze feathers. What a lovely stash to have sparkling in your home somewhere. I have a couple of crystals and am always on the lookout for more of them.

    Glad you are home. I'm sure your MIL felt the love in your voices and your presence. Who knows what cognizance lingers, unexpressed.

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  8. It was an exquisite chandelier Mary.
    A shame it won't be hanging gracefully from the ceiling, but you have waved your creative wand and made a beautiful vignette on the crystal platter.
    I will keep my eye out for 'Etcetera' - sounds lovely.

    Sorry to hear about Bob's mother - it's a difficult time I know.
    Thinking of you all and sending love and hugs.
    Shane ♥

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  9. I too would have saved the lovely crystals and feathers Mary.
    I missed your last post, but I was thinking of you over the weekend and hoping that Mom in Law had improved. I too am sure she would have felt the love surrounding her...

    (By the way, I know those plants will thrive and give you a superb display over the coming weeks !)
    Lots of love
    Rose H
    xx

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  10. Oh dear, well I could go shopping in your shed... :) I'm glad to hear that your mother-in-law was doing better, and I'll keep her in my prayers. Would love to meet you this week, I have missed you!! Have a nice day! Vanessa

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  11. Good Afternoon Mary, I am sorry to hear that Senorita Chandelier has passed her sell by date, but at least she has been rescued and her best parts now recline on a beautiful platter.... that sounds a little macabre!
    Seriously, the chandelier looks like she was a beauty.
    I love how you store your things in a potting shed....I feel I should come over and rummage around to see what I can find.
    I am sorry to hear about your mother in law, we are all thinking of you.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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  12. Oh dear! What a hard trip to have to take and then the chandelier falls apart too. I would have done the same, as the crystals and feathers are so beautiful just sitting there for your enjoyment.

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