Artsy Matilda by Cheri: And now for something entirely DIFFERENT

So .... My husband and I went to an auction with Tammy and we scored this really old and ratty dining room table for $2.50!

Two dollars and fifty cents! Yes, we did!

Poor thing was beaten to a pulp ... it was probably very nice in its day. It weighs a ton! Paul used it for a work table for a while when we first got it home ... but that is not what I was thinking it was for. I came home one day to find his scooter atop the table being worked on. Boys and girls do not think alike! NO THEY DO NOT!

So, as you can see, it's getting a coat of chalk paint - Emile to be precise. That was my plan --- a scooter on top? GAAAAHHHH!

So while it was drying I took pictures of my beautiful azaleas! I LOVE the color of the blooms! The locals call these honeysuckle azaleas. I just call them orange. :-)

So this morning I began something I've wanted to do for about 15 years! I began painting this $2.50 table with the brightest funkiest colors I could find. I have had the best time EVER today ... just me on the front porch with my paints, MAC, music and fresh air! FABULOUS!!

This crazy blue tape kept peeling off the original layer of paint. Crazy stuff! But who cares! There is plenty of paint, right? So fun ...

Pandora is truly my friend! Good times!

I wonder if the neighbors had ear plugs in? HA! I sang along, loud! How else can you sing along?

And I made a fabulous mess. That is my favorite things to do. When my children we young the best times we ever had were making messes!

A mess I tell you! Delicious abandonment. Been a long time!

But this table is going to be one happy place to have dinner! We usually have dinner on the veranda during the summer here. It's delightful outside in the mountains most of the summer. This porch is covered and since winter is over, we clean it off, plant flowers, make food, invite friend and life is good!

But first I have to finish this! I have barely scratched the surface ... but I had more fun painting this today than I've had in ages! Such a wild life I lead~yeah!

So, while this was drying and I was preparing for the clean up mission, I took more pictures, this time of the front garden ... iris and more iris. I love them!

Japanese iris ... so petite and precious!

Big Purple gorgeous Iris. Scrumptious!

I really enjoy the flowers and plants. This year everything is up and out so early. We are in bliss around here!

And every day includes a gift. I thought mine was spending an entire day doing art --- but my friend Janine brought me these. Do you know what they are?