Kindred Spirits?

Good day and Happy Independence Day to each and every one of you! I hope that you really enjoy your 4th of July weekend, and take some time to remember why we celebrate this day, and even if you don’t live in the states remember how wonderful your nation is to you. We are so blessed to live in a wonderful world. That wonderful world starts with us in our home with our loved ones and friends.

           “We must be free not because we claim freedom, but because we practice it.”                  –  William Faulkner

                  Do you believe in Kindred Spirits? 

“Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. It’s splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.”

– Lucy Maud Montgomery (Anne of Green Gables)

I just love this saying, it sums up how I feel when I meet someone for the first time and know that I have met them before, and very often I get this vibe just by visiting a blog or having someone visit mine and leaving a comment. I think that it is a true blessing that we have such marvelous technology to link us to the world. I have met sweet friends from France, Australia, England, The Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Canada, USA, and  right in my own back yard. I would had never had the pleasure to meet them without becoming a blogger. I am so glad that I did because their friendship is dear to me and a great treasure.

Jo and Jann

I am so excited to share with you my experience of meeting someone almost right in my own back yard. That someone is Jann Olsen from the blog Have a Cup with Mrs. Olsen. If you don’t know Jann yet take the time to check out her amazing blog, and for those of you who do know her I’m sure you know just what I am talking about. She is a lovely, kind, fun-loving and beautiful lady, with a heart of gold.  Her blog only shows a little about just how talented she is. When I first visited Jann’s blog I felt like I had known her forever. Jann just lives about 45 minutes away from me and I had the privilege of attending a Meet and Greet blogging party at her lovely home in Alpine, Utah last Saturday afternoon. I want to share with you some photos of Jann’s lovely curated home but before I do I want you to meet two new bloggers and one new Instagram lady that I meet there. Now I am following their lovely blogs, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Oh yes, when I follow someone I follow them all the way!

                From left to right. Paula from Pollyanna Reinvents, Joanne from Instagram,   Me,  Jann from Have a Cup with Mrs. Olson, and Trina from Tea Time with Trina. Anne a friend of Jann’s was also with us, she was the one taking the pictures. Now I have 5 lovely new friends and 2 great blogs to follow. Here are a few pictures from the gorgeous luncheon that Jann made.

That is Anne at the end of the table. Look at that beautiful feast. Jann and I are up snapping pictures.

Yup there she is clicking away. Look at her beautiful decor behind her. She has got TALENT my friends.

Are you ready? Welcome to Mrs. Olson’s house!

Front entrance

Her house was totally decked out for the 4th. Here is what you see as you enter through the front door.

Sitting Room

Talk about chippy delight!

Sitting in her great room are these fabulous chippy shelves. Look at her amazing curtains.

Also in her great room is this great coffee table made out of burlap with an old wooden box and an American flag made out of yoyos.

Look at this amazing mantle, so summery and a salute to our nations birthday.

I fell in love with this darling display in her hallway.

Down stairs we go . . .

As you go down the stairs to Jann’s basement off to the left is a theater room, a huge screen and soft comfy sectional. for watching movies with the family.  Look how she has it decorated. Love this pizza sign.

Does this great hutch take you back to the day’s of yesteryear?

In the down stairs bathroom is this beautiful old chest made into a sink vanity. There is Trina peeking around the corner. I love the black and white tile!

Here is Jann’s family room. This is where she entertains her big family. Don’t you just love this old incubator and vintage suitcases?

This room is so light and bright and it’s even in the basement. Doesn’t it look fun? Here is whats on the other side of the red leather love seat.

This is her second kitchen! It is all done in such a great cottage look.

Now these next few pictures made my heart skip a beat. I love this farmhouse sink.

Jann has several of these great old chippy hutches decked out. She loves the cherry theme. You can tell that she has been collecting for many years. She just knows right where to put things in her vignettes. They are amazing.

It just gets better and better. I love all of this chippiness. I’m almost into heart failure right now so I had better end before I can’t finish this post. lol  From here you go into her studio, which is amazing! Because of a linky party going on at My Desert Cottage I won’t be showing these. I don’t want to give away any of Jann;s surprises that she has for that day. The party starts on July 11, 2015, so go and see where Jann makes all of her wonderful things for her home, and see many more of the places that us bloggers create.

I have almost recovered now so I had better say my goodbyes. Just a quick thank you to Jann and all of here hard work getting her house and food prepared for us bloggers (There was NO DUST anywhere). lol Thank you to Trina that treated us all with a pie to take home, special thanks to Anne who helped Jann prepare. Thanks to all of you sweet bloggers that came and had the pleasure to meet you, and to all the bloggers that came to Jann’s Meet and Greet on-line, I loved your posts and getting to know you better.

Do you believe in Kindred Spirits now?

Happy Birthday USA!

I will be at these amazing parties this week, come and join me!

Monday

Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings-the heart of our home

Inspiration Monday Party @ What Meegan Makes

Make It Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House

Show and Share @ Coastal Charm

Something to talk about @Karen’s Upon the Hill

Inspire me Monday @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Tuesday

The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Farm

Trash to Treasures Tuesday @ Kammy’s Korner

Roses of Inspiration @ The Enchanting Rose

Let’s talk Vintage @ Bella Rosa Antiques

Wednesday

What’s It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants

Vintage Inspiration Party @ My Salvaged Treasure

Before and After Wedensday @The Dedicated House

Thursday

Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch to Yours

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Cup with Mrs. Olson

Share your Style @ The Essence of Home

Blog Hop @ Katherine’s Corner

Idea Box @ Mila’s Little Thing’s

Friday

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Shabbilicious Friday Link Party @ Shabby Art Boutique

Home Sweet Home Party @ The Charm of home

Anythings Blue Friday @ The Dedicated House

Home Matters Linky Party @ Life with Lorelai

Saturday

Pretty Pintastic Party @ Seeking Lavender Lane

Upcycled Linky Party @ Funky Junk

Sunday

Sunday’s at Home @ Thoughts from Alice

Silver Pennies Sunday @ Silver Pennies