Do rainy days make you happy? Sometimes I like the rain, but not when it continues day-after-day, week-after-week, without a single peek at the sun. One Saturday morning just a few weeks ago, our day began with a shroud of clouds and drizzling rain that seemed to mirror the gray feelings inside me. Enough with the rain already!
On this drizzly day Mr. OTN and I decided to “escape” from home. We escaped our lists, our piles, our things-to-do . . . and spent the day just JUNKING.
As we walked down Main Street of a quaint old town Mr. OTN caught sight of this wonderful vintage strawberry crate all alone on the sidewalk. It caught his eye, not because it was something he’d like for himself, but because he knows me . . . and he knew it was something that would delight me.
I have childhood memories of a strawberry crate much like this one. One week in summer. One long, hot week picking strawberries. In between the strawberry fights and sweet berry juice running down my chin, it was the hardest work I’d ever experienced. In fact, it was probably the only REAL work this city child experienced. But I was motivated to do the work in order to earn spending money for our family trip to California.
And what did I do with my hard earned $14.00? I bought a souvenir gift for each of my friends. I was quite proud of myself . . . but not proud enough to go back to the strawberry fields again the next year. Like I said, it was HARD work!
While Mr. OTN was making the purchase I was already making plans in my head for what I would do with this weathered and rusty old crate.
Once back home I began by laying down tablecloth and table runners, then lined my crate with vintage lace.
I filled it with everything needed for a dinner with the one who knew that this strawberry crate would bring sunshine to my day and warm me from the inside out.
I tucked in a few floral branches to remind me that Spring is right around the corner . . .
. . . and as I prepared to take some pictures, the sun broke through the clouds . . .
. . . turning one gloomy, drizzly day into a day filled with bright happiness!
Blessings,
FrugalCraftyHome, Dwellings
VMG206, BeBetsy,TuesdaysAtOurHome,
I don’t know that a strawberry crate ever looked so good, Patti! : ) You decorated it beautifully. There is just something about the old wood, the beautiful linens and your very pretty dishes that work so well together.
That’s a nice memory and a wonderful find. I love how you are using it.
Hi Patti … great strawberry tray … so rustic with leather, metal and time-worn wood. You have it displayed so nicely too. I bet you are glad that you and Mr. OTN went shopping.
Blessings,
Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures
Beautiful project! The crate looks nice.
Thanks for sharing.
Hope to see you on my blog:)
What a gorgeous basket….such a sweet hubby you have…the box and him, are both keepers!
I love this! And I love you and Mr. OTN for thinking of you!
What a wonderful find! I love the patina of aged wood.
Other peoples junk is often someone else’s treasure. The strawberry tray looks wonderful and so effective, it is a work of art on it’s own.Great job, I am on a mission to find one for myself.It’s a pity you are not around to work your magic on it. Thankyou
Patti,
I must tell you I was so side~tracked by your video and testimony (About Me),
that I honestly forgot why I had come to your blog. I had to return to Common Ground
to be reminded that three times, yes three times in my busy week, I’d been intriqued
by your photography and blog title! I have been blessed with your testimony, dear one(s).
The story here about the strawberry crate is priceless.
“Mr. Ed” and I often chug the “to do” list and frequent our favorite Antique Mall for inspiration, as well!
Thank you for reminding us that sunshine follows the rain. . .and joy comes after the pain!
Blessing to you and Mr. OTN as you witness for the Glory of God in your lives and the lives of others.
Fondly,
Pat
Love your strawberry crate and what you’ve filled it with!
Wonderful to have you at Seasonal Sundays!
– Alma, the Tablescaper
I am adoring your strawberry crate and the egg plate inside! The lace and flatware combine beautifully with the pretty plate for a marvelous vignette.
Isn’t it great when you find something that brings back such memories? I love that. You made a lovely vignette with it. Thank you so much for joining the History & Home link party this week, I hope you’ll join again on Tuesday! -Dawn @ We Call It Junkin.com
Just beautiful Patti, I love all the elements you’ve combined. You have taught your husband well!
Gorgeous!! I love the feeling you have created here!! The collection of items is beautiful and the photos are very pretty as well!
Lovely post. Love the story and the pictures. The arrangement is just the sort I love.
Love this sweet vignette in the strawberry basket…beautiful and creative.
Patti, I love it! I picked strawberries and cherries as a teen. I enjoyed cherry picking much more that strawberries. You are right. It is hard work. This crate is so unique. Love the leather on the side and you filled it so nicely! I do like the rain, but I could not live where it rained constantly. Here it rains, but the sun always comes out and shines afterwards. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
This is a beautiful look. So romantic.
Sherry
Oh, yes, Patti – it’s awesome! You’ve styled it beautifully!
I appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
Kathy
OH My! pretty arrangements of vintage items.. Love the sterling piece.. i have so many old pices of sterling silver items from my grandmother… Thanks for the inspiration.
Hugs
Maria
Hi Patti, what a wonderful strawberry carrier, love how you have it styled with the lace tablecloth and touches of green! so pretty!
LOVE IT! And your pictures are AMAZING!!!
Patti, your strawberry crate is so charming! I just love the pretty vignette you created. It was snowy and grey here today, too. I appreciated the reminder that ‘real’ spring is coming 🙂
Jeanette
What a sweet story to read first thing in the morning.
I never knew there were strawberry crates. I only picked strawberries once with my sister and little boy so we could make jam.
Love your vignette . . . love the nostalgia.
Patti,
I LOVE this cute crate and really love how you are using it. Come by and grab my featured button for your blog. Yes…you have been featured at my party today.
Blessings,
Linda
Thanks so much for sharing with Adorned From Above’s Link Party.
Have a great week.
Debi and Charly
Just beautiful!!!
Patti, What a perfectly lovely Spring vignette! You have a talent! I love the strawberry crate! I’m so glad you shared this little “pick-me-up” with us on Twirl and Take a Bow! ~Tammy
Sweet story to go along with this sweet vignette. Love the crate and how you dressed it up. Your hubby sounds like a keeper, for sure. Visiting from Cozy Little House. Have a great week!
You did that old strawberry crate wonderful justice, so gorgeous how you dressed it to look so inviting. I love old carriers like that. We make several different styles and shapes of “trugs” as they’re called sometimes. I love making them to look old. We use old pallet wood most of the time. The old wood just looks like it has a story to tell. Glad you found it, was meant for you. Nice your hubs knew you’d love it. Glad also you and your hubs went to do something fun you both enjoy.
When we lived in MT we’d go antiquing quite often. Helena was full of wonderful stores and we’d go down to Belgrade, Bozeman, up to Great Falls, wherever we knew about antique stores, always looking for more to explore. There were even a few around the little town that was our address, Townsend. We lived 24 miles east of Townsend on Canyon Ferry Lake.
We’d go antiquing and junking in Bowling Green when we moved to KY. Here there isn’t much in way of antique stores at all and they aren’t open that much. So we stay home and make our own stuff, more fun. Loved your post. Happy Spring days
What a treasure, Patti, and how sweet that your hubby spied it for you! I love that way you dressed it up for spring. Thank you for linking up to the Swing Into Spring party.
Hi Patty, Love the strawberry crate and the way you have it decorated. We are in the middle of strawberry season here in central Florida.
xx,
Sherry