. . . Cabin & Cottage

Weekend For Grownups~A Book, Recipe, Movie, & A Few Garden Shots

2012-05-27T13:39:00.002-06:00

We had our big family weekend last week. This long weekend is for relaxation and a real stay-cation, starting out with a trip to the home center where I found this New Cottage Style book on the shelf. I've been getting a few fun ideas, and that little getaway feeling in snatches of perusal between light chores. No big chores this weekend please!

Lots of sunshine even if it's a little too breezy for my taste. We're in the high 80's.

Here's a few sample pages.

This rustic room made me long for a vacation beach house somewhere. I love all the open storage and rough walls. And look to the left by the door. The switch plate is totally exposed! Almost like my own little home sweet home! haha!

Love the tile floor. Beautiful, and such easy maintenance.

There are no architectural pieces like this for miles and miles and miles and miles around here. Not at all New Mexico style, but how wonderful!

We tried out a new recipe from Ina Garten's book yesterday with great success!

It's time for lighter summer fare, and this salad was utterly simple and delicious. You might want to try it.

We also took in a movie during the week that was perfectly delightful. But I had to caution my young friends that the movie is for MATURE AUDIENCES. All the actors are in their seventies.

If you would like to read a NY Times article about it you will find it HERE. I loved it and will be seeing it again and again. Sweet, humourous, and with wonderful depth, about world travelers of a certain age from all walks of life who meet at an unexpected turn in their respective journeys. Maybe you still have time left to find it this weekend!

The secret garden gate has been in full costume for a couple of weeks now and already has a few secrets tucked inside, as I found when I was snapping a few shots.

This patient mother was already banished from our other patio recently. Even wasps have to find a place to live. But she picks all the best ones!

I hope you're having a fine time this weekend whether you're at home or away!

So nice that you stopped by!

Jacqueline

Join the PINK PARTY!~Happy Birthday Pink Saturday!

2012-05-25T19:04:00.008-06:00

Is there a better color for a party than pink? Well, that depends on who you talk to. But getting ready for Pink Saturday's Fourth Birthday got me feeling more festive than ever!

Time to get out all the fun pink stuff, pink stripes, and pink lemonade.

Ruffly pink blooms and sweets from the sweet shoppe. . . .

Bon Fete!

Congratulations Beverly!

Here's to many more
Pink Saturdays!
(And a happy Pink Saturday to you too!)

Jacqueline

Letting Go Of May

2012-05-24T17:39:00.004-06:00

Our roses have rewarded us well this year after what I have to say has been minimal attention. It's just a shame that they won't continue to bloom in such profusion for long. All of the first blooms have been deadheaded. Something we have never consistently done. We will feed them again (another first), and see what is to come.

Summer has crept up on us. After what seemed like an eternal wait for spring, it appears that she's passing us by. I have found that the enjoyment of spring can last much longer when you read blogs because it arrives so late for some of you in the north. The spring flowering has just continued to unfold online. I think for pretty much all of you now it's full bloom. So here is a little celebration to make the seasonal transition!

The holiday weekend here will be a good time for us to say goodbye to the early sweetness, and greet the coming season with open arms. I'm looking forward to a summer full of understated adventure. Not quite with the abandon of youngsters breaking free from schedules and classrooms. But with the pure sense of possibility that hot weather always brings. . . .

Rose strewn china and linen helps extend the blooming season!

We had these roses in pots on the patio for a couple of seasons. Now that they have been planted in the garden they are really taking off!

I hope your last week of May is full of sweetness!

Jacqueline

Join me at

My Romantic Home

Show & Tell

Between Naps on the Porch

Tablescape Thursday

Romancing The Dining Room

2012-05-22T15:16:00.009-06:00

There's nothing like soft focus, backlighting, and roses for romancing just about anything. But I've also been wanting to lighten things up in my dining room.

I love farmhouse style, and would die for an enormous eat in kitchen instead of what I've got. But I'll just have to use my imagination.

Since the room is small, I took almost everything off of the walls to make the space seem less busy. A freshly painted vintage frame lightens things up. The shutters were moved from against the left wall to the corner, further opening up the space. I plan to gradually add more white painted finishes. But don't hold your breath. . . .

Before

The room breathes so much better now.

Left of the new frame is the business side of the room. People often laugh when they see a photo of what is here. What else is there to do? In the past I have tried different obvious things to camouflage the switchplates. But this corner of the wall is a high movement area, and is better left free. There are some things we just choose to live with. With all due respect to you male designers out there, there is no way around the fact that some "practical" man is responsible. So much for romance. . . .

Vintage Quaker lace.

This is how my vintage high chair usually looks, but it gets dressed differently now and then. . .

A little Italian sconce adds romance.

The chippy pink bench gets moved around a lot.

It feels so good to lighten things up for the summer!

Thanks for stopping by for a look.

I'm hooking up over at

Kathleen's for White Wednesday.

And Kim's for WOW Us Wednesdays.

Debra's for Vintage Inspiration

Courtney's French Country Cottage

Donna's Funky Junk Interiors

Between Naps on the Porch~Metamorphosis Monday

See you there!

Jacqueline

Endless Weekend

2012-05-21T10:32:00.005-06:00

(AP photo)

This was our weekend for the annular eclipse. A perfect view in Albuquerque. "Annular" refers to a perfect ring. And everything about the event was perfect.

Our family gathering for a graduation weekend culminated in the spectacular event on the last day. Just before sundown. Young and old, faces to the sky in anticipation. We made our filters like kids doing a third grade project, and then oooh-ed and aaaw-ed together.

It was the perfect endless weekend for kicking off an endless summer.

One of the new youngsters in the family tried to climb a large tree and fell back awkwardly onto the lawn. I let out a good laugh. The nine year old turned to me and said, "I've never had a grown-up laugh when I fell out of a tree." I was thinking, "And I've never heard a child your age hear a horse whinny and ask 'what was that?'" Who would guess that these days simply being outside could be an adventure.

My bunch of roses is from Costco. Sweet small blooms. And I have to use the word perfect again for the weather. Our usual clear skies, and the days a perfect temperature. A cooling breeze wafting in for perfect sleeping weather. . . .

Today feels more Monday than usual.

We're exhausted! But in a good way.

I hope your week is off to an awesome and shining start!

Jacqueline

Join me at

The Charm of Home

Home Sweet Home

Before The Guests Come

2012-05-19T11:52:00.010-06:00

I'm taking a few leisure moments in the garden before the guests come. We scurry around for days like crazy rabbits getting things ready for a house full. We have another graduation this weekend. And it's a natural time for the family to gather.

The roses are blooming right on cue. I'm looking forward to sitting down to enjoy them. But for now everything seems so still, and in graceful suspension.

It's a nice ritual getting the rooms ready. Freshening the linen.

Nothing is too precious. Just a mix and match of what's handy. Often something vintage and homey.

It will all soon be a joyous mess! And so the lovely stillness always strikes me as I pause in my work to enjoy the quiet moment. . . .

We'll have lilies soon!

Lovely color, but this bush has misshapen blooms.

How's your weekend going?

I hope you're taking time to smell the roses!

Jacqueline

Join me at

Between Naps on the Porch

Metamorphosis Monday

Back in the Day

2012-05-16T18:22:00.012-06:00

There's something very 1930's to me about a dishpan. I don't know why that object in particular. But for me it conjures up the Waltons, Edna Spaulding in Places in the Heart, and my own grandmother. She was still using a dishpan even into the sixties.

A dishpan is just so practical. Both before a meal and after. Today I used it to carry my dishes out on the lawn. After they've been used, they can go right back in again. I could even pour hot water in it and wash them.

Life was hard in those days, but in many ways I think folks might have been smarter then. . . .

I think this cloth is late thirties/early forties.

Vintage Americana glassware by Fostoria.

Vintage ironstone bowls, pitcher, and enamelware dishpan.

Vintage hand crochet napkins peaking like whipped cream in a soda glass.

Love this cookbook from the Savannah bakery "Back in the Day." It's SO vintage!

Vintage basket patterned quilt. I didn't have a centerpiece, and this makes a nice backdrop for everything.

My vintage Belgian duvet cover as an underskirt again.

Wedgewood Hedge Rose dinner plates, and white majolica salads.

I hope you enjoyed going "Back in the Day" with me!

And I hope your week is going great!

Jacqueline

Join me at

Between Naps on the Porch

Chippy & Shabby Time

2012-05-15T16:56:00.001-06:00

Sometimes I just need a little chippy and shabby time. Today it's out on the lawn. This old Russell Wright chair is on its last legs and now just romances the garden. The last time she was here my MIL took one look at this chair and pretty much missed the point. But it wasn't wearing tulips then. . . .

I don't suppose she would like the metal box much better.

But pink tulips are a bit more universal.

And here's a pile of decorating books to please almost everyone.

Chippy & shabby time anyone?

I'm sure there's more at

Faded Charm.

Time for White Wednesday!

See you there!

Jacqueline

China, Red Tulips, & Lace

2012-05-14T14:56:00.003-06:00

Beautiful red tulips arrived yesterday. So I brought them out for a portrait in the sun.

Well, under a shade tree, actually. They are dressed up and ready, with a few bits of china and a little froth of linen for company.

A few vintage things out in the open air without anything modern to distract you can take you worlds away.

You can imagine you're living in a little French village, for instance.

Or conjure up a gathered trousseau from a century ago. . . .

Where shall we go tomorrow?

Enjoy your travels!

Jacqueline

Join me at

French Country Cottage

Feathered Nest Friday

My Romantic Home

Show & Tell

Happy Mother's Day!

2012-05-12T21:16:00.006-06:00

Mother's Day is a day of looking forward and backward on days intertwined. A ribbon of time all rolled out and folded back in on itself again. I hope it's a happy one for you! I am lucky enough to be somebody's mother and grandmother. And I'm so grateful that I have been for such a very long time now, so wonderfully blest . . . .

My Mother and Grandmothers are all gone. But I have the most wonderful MIL, Jane, to send sweet greetings to. She's ninety-two years young.

(The newest roses!)

Happy Mom's Day Jane,

Erin, Shanti, Shari, Em, Amy, and Maddy!

And to all of you too!

Jacqueline

Take It Outside~Cabin & Cottage Patio Living

2012-05-12T08:55:00.010-06:00

Today's montage is a collection of ways to dress up a season outdoors. Spring here is calming down, leveling out, and gliding into its last few weeks with a little more grace. Starting with a little lunch right on our front doorstoop, and moving on to other past settings in the yard or on the porch and patio for enjoying life at home in the open air. . . .

A little cafe lunch on the tiny front porch bancos.

Dessert and coffee at twilight.

I like changing up this cushioned metal patio "sofa" all season long. Mornings are especially nice on the east patio.

Time out under the eaves.

A bit of porch dressing for tea.

Vintage fabrics feature big in this small corner.

Supper in the cool of the day along the stucco garden wall under a canopy of leaves.

Celebrating garden style in the center patio.

Dining in seclusion.

A blue rose tea for cooling off outside.

I love perking up this patio with inexpensive thrift store finds like this cheery vintage coverlet. The look changes often.

Dressed up or down, a glorious season on the patio has begun!

Salute!

Jacqueline

Join me at
House in the Roses
Cottage Monday
Between Naps on the Porch
Metamorphosis Monday
A Stroll Thru Life
Table Top Tuesday
Savvy Southern Style
Wow Us Wednesday
A Southern Daydreamer
Outdoor Wednesday

Pretty Cool Pink Stuff

2012-05-11T09:20:00.007-06:00

I've lined up some fun stuff that I've come across in the last week that I want to share with you!

I've known for some time what a schizophrenic decorating style I have. It takes on multiple personalities. One of them loves English cottage style, all rosy and chintzy, and lately, with pale pink stripes! The closest I've come to achieving this look so far has been isolated to my decked out summer patio. . . .

Pin only from source: LexingtonCompany.com

But I would love this pale pink striped couch from the cottage collection at Lexington Co UK! All sinky and yummy. OOOOOOOOHH!

Pin only from source: BallardDesigns.com

Maybe you've seen these recycled library bundles from Ballard Designs! I love the different French pastel pages. Unfortunately "bundle" refers to the COST as well! But I'd love to copy the covers!

Pin only from source: Summerland Cottage Studio

And just look at this fun post from Summerland Cottage Studio, and her hand dyed lace! Scrumptious! Click here for the link.

Pin only from source: Summerland Cottage Studio

This week on the newsstand (Barnes & Noble) I picked up this fat special design issue of British Country Living! One of the first articles is a reprint of an article I referred you to on one of my recent white porch posts here. Yay!!!

Remember this?

Now it's back! This issue has smaller dimensions than the regular issues and is more like a book. You'll love it! It's packed FULL!

Remember it's BRITISH CL!

Finally, just look at what I stumbled across at the USPO! That's right the Post Office! When I was mailing off my ugly manila envelopes for Mother's Day I saw what I might have had instead.

YUMMY! Maybe they were meant for Mother's Day, but I grabbed up a bunch of boxes and mailers for future gift mailing. I'm sure they won't last long.

I'm linking to

How Sweet the Sound for

Pink Saturday!

I hope your weekend is wonderful!

Jacqueline

Mother's Day Brunch

2012-05-09T19:54:00.006-06:00

I must have been feeling exuberant when I planned this table because it has much more color than is customary for me. I think I will try this tablecloth again with all white dishes on top. But today I'm loving the green patterned bowls from Anthropologie.

I've been using this color scheme on the patio all season, but I think my camera is intensifying and isolating the rose color here. It feels much more toned down in person. But the combination is certainly cheery!

Hydrangeas center the scene until we all sit down for food and conversation.

This patio will soon be too hot for much of the day, but for spring we are enjoying a bit of a garden theme here.

I like the organic nature of these hand painted bowls. The shape is uneven and has a pleasing heft and flow to it. They are perfect for a substantial cold salad.

Large damask lap napkins are vintage monogrammed linen.

A few garden seeds in flower frogs serve as favors, and gift cards from Simply Shabby Chic stand in for place cards.

The table cover is a vintage fifties cotton print layered over a couple of others for padding and a little flirty underskirt.

Such a wonderful time of year! And perfect weather for a lovely Mother's Day brunch.

A vintage McCoy cachepot for the flowers, and bistro glassware by Williams-Sonoma.

It's so nice to have you gathered around the table!

Stop by anytime!

I hope you're working up an appetite for a wonderful weekend!

Jacqueline

Join me at

Between Naps On The Porch

Tablescape Thursday

The Charm of Home~Home Sweet Home

My Romantic Home~Show & Tell

PINK SATURDAY

How Sweet the Sound

Fresh Linen

2012-05-08T16:23:00.007-06:00

I've been freshening up some of my stored vintage linens. I try to keep them rotating and make sure they each have their day in the sun. I like the look of them in their changing stacks and piles. Coverlets, quilts, and spreads just need a quick fold. But there's always a bit of ironing that can be done. Always.

But that's the good news! I never feel like I have to iron a thing. It's all for fun and relaxation. If it's not your thing, I just can't explain what a relaxing pleasure it is. Some of you have told me you feel the same way about pressing linens as I do. For some of us it's just what we do, like others paint furniture or bake a cake or garden. Only there's not a single thing to clean up afterwards! I never even put the ironing board away. It's already right where it belongs. . . .

Old laundry marks are just so beautiful.

It's time for White Wednesday at Faded Charm!

and Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage!

See you there!

Jacqueline

A Taste For Vintage

2012-05-07T17:23:00.010-06:00

One of the things that I enjoy about vintage fabrics, besides their cheery prints, is the ability to entirely change the look and mood of a space. I think of individual pieces that I have in my collection, and I get a sort of craving for them. A bit like you would for, say, chocolate ice cream, or lemon pound cake. Once you get the idea in your head it just won't go away until you indulge the whim.

I get that impulse for this vintage rose runner at least a couple of times a year and go looking for it. It's the sort of item that stands on its own. In fact, it really only blends well for me with a white background. It's as though it wants all the limelight. So once in a while I let it have its own way. . . .

So that's what's on my table top this Tuesday.

I hope your week is starting out sweet!

Jacqueline

Join me at

A Stroll Thru Life~Tabletop Tuesday

Knick of Time Tuesday

Savvy Southern Style~WOW Us Wednesday

Common Ground~Vintage Inspiration

Bride's Dream Roses

2012-05-06T18:42:00.008-06:00

I hardly recognize my own blog. This is my garden. And these are my roses. To you it may seem like a small thing. But this is the first spring of my entire life that I have spent so much time working in my own garden. And I am no spring chicken, my dears. Cluck, cluck.

These pink babies are "Bride's Dream" and arrived from the nursery just today along with a couple of foxglove plants.

These two blooms broke off on the trip home, so they get to be our first cut roses of the season.

"Camelot Lavender" foxglove. My DH tells me these grow along the roadside in Oregon. Imagine!

This nearly spent rose bloomed while we were gone, as did just a few others. Now we can settle in and watch the show!

"Camelot Rose" foxglove.

I did manage to uncover a metal name tag for this rose called "Candy Stripe." Can that be right? I've never seen stripes on the few roses from this bush before.

More coming on. We'll see.

This sweet bush was the first to bloom. I posted the first bud before our graduation trip.

I'm realizing that you have to have tons of bushes to really have a cutting garden, and also bushes that keep blooming throughout the summer. But what a joy just a tiny garden can bring. I never want to go inside!

There are tons of these floribundas coming on.

Thanks so much for all your kind congratulations to our graduating son. We had a wonderful family celebration. After a whole day on our own with a three and a five year old we're a lot more limber than when we left! Haha! Have a wonderful week!

Jacqueline

Join me at

The House In The Roses

Cottage Monday

Between Naps on the Porch

Metamorphosis Monday

A Southern Daydreamer

Outdoor Wednesday

A Little Brown House

2012-05-04T15:20:00.001-06:00

I'm far away from home as I post this, attending my son's college graduation. He is a family man with a wife and a couple of children of his own. It's been a long and challenging road, and we are proud like only parents can be proud I suppose.

The crossroads of life always make me pause and look forward and back. I remember a time when it was so hard to leave a new baby with someone else for very long, for instance. And that was a great long time ago.

But as I strolled through the yard taking pictures before leaving, I realized that I had a similar hesitance to part with a budding garden. The roses are just beginning to open, and we don't want to miss a thing.

But I'm a homebody and always hate leaving home behind. Still, it won't be for long.

I've been enjoying tremendously the premiere issue of ROMANTIC PRAIRIE STYLE magazine. Page fifteen has a poem that struck me with delight called MY HOME, by Ella Wheeler Wilcox:

This is the place that I love the best,

A little brown house, like a ground-birds nest,

Hid among grasses, and vines, and trees,

Summer retreat of the birds and bees.

Far from the city's dust and heat, I get but sounds and odors sweet.

Who can wonder I love to stay,

Week after week, here hidden away,

In this sly nook that I love the best--

This little brown house like a ground-bird's nest?

The wash.

The first open bud of spring on Monday.

Tuesday. When I saw little green critters, I swooped them out for another photo.

The rose unfurling. . . .

It's time for "name that plant."

A happy accident!

The evolution of the garden gate vine.

So nice for you to come visit the garden!

There should be a few lovely roses when we get back.

I'll keep you posted. . . .

Happy weekend!

Jacqueline

It's time for

Pink Saturday

at How Sweet the Sound

Spring Tablescapes

2012-05-03T08:10:00.006-06:00

A delicate Haviland Limoges china pattern is perfect for a spring table. But all of my pastels and florals come out of the cabinets and dressers this time of year.

Laid on a pale pink tablecloth of Madeira linen, this setting is a little dressy. Sweet details like the rose cutlery, and a lace trimmed napkins keep it soft.

Mixing patterns and textures liven up a different table set with yet another Limoges pattern. The lacy foundation keeps things light and breezy, while the vintage glass bowls add sparkle. Salad plates from Anthropologie provide a subtle punch of color.

White on white napkins are also vintage.

Just a touch of brown transferware in these few china accessories coordinates with the salad plates, and serves as a low key centerpiece.

Is there a better time of year for a bit of frothy lace?

I only have a few pieces of this cheery vintage Knowles floral china. But I think it's the happiest pattern I own. The background is a yummy creamy ivory. The vintage creamware bowls are similar in tone, and warm up all the whites.

Another lacy cloth is laid over a vintage pink Bates spread which both highlights the pretty pattern in the lace, and lets through a suggestion of color. I also just like the look and feel of layered linens at the table. A solid linen napkin tones down the lace.

More china accessories on an ironstone platter serve as a centerpiece here.

It's time for me to pull out all my flowery vintage print tablecloths. I don't think I would be exaggerating if I said a spring table requires almost nothing else! But just in case, a few springy teacups and saucers are set up and ready for tea time.

These are such busy May days. So many final exams, and graduations, and spring recitals. A small pause at lovely little table can make any simple ceremony a sweet celebration.

Thanks so much for stopping by during such busy days!

Jacqueline

Join me at

Between Naps on the Porch

Tablescape Thursday

The Charm of Home~Home Sweet Home

My Romantic Home~Show & Tell

Chiffon Ruffles, and Roses

2012-05-01T20:20:00.007-06:00

I don't know the name of my vintage teacup by Paragon. Someone always asks, because she is always turning heads. I inherited the cup minus the saucer, but no one cares. Like a beauty at the ball, she will always find a dancing partner.

The real star today is supposed to be the luscious vintage ruffled chiffon pillow sham I uncovered at a thrift store. Another single gal. But when you have what it takes, you fit in anywhere. Here she is right at home with chic Rachell Ashwell bedding.

Samples like this are very expensive to reproduce. Think Bella Notte bedding. But this refined lady had a $4.99 price tag. I wonder where her sister ended up! No matter. She's found good company to coze down with here.

The white quilt is also a thrift store find.

My springtime quilt is Summer Hill, and the coordinating pillow cases are many seasons ago Ralph Lauren from, you guessed it, the thrift store. But as you can see everyone is getting along just fine and having a wonderful time together.

As you can see it's just a bed of roses around here!

The perfect way to start (or end) a May Day!

Ruffles and Roses to you too!

Jacqueline

Join me at

Faded Charm~White Wednesday

French Country Cottage~Feathered Nest Friday

Common Ground~Vintage Inspiration Friday

Savvy City Farmer~Thrift'n on a Thursday

On the Veranda

2012-04-30T19:22:00.003-06:00

I always think of a veranda as a much grander affair than our two small porches are. Yet they are still pleasant enough for taking in the air, and covered enough to have a little protection for furniture. One can enjoy a gentle drizzle from beneath the eaves, but a real downpour would drive us indoors. A few cushions make it comfortable on the old wooden church pew for taking coffee in the morning or after a meal. Here, in seclusion, we are surrounded by birdsong, a few shade loving plants, and in the cool hours of the day we enjoy a bit of shuffling through the paper or a magazine. . . .

Today I've been enjoying the long awaited Romantic Prairie Style magazine out here. A cozy porch is perfect for reading about blogging friends, studying gorgeous photos, and just savoring a wonderful style. I'm so excited it's finally here! It's just jam packed gorgeousness!

Without a handy window ledge, the porch is a good place for rooting my Swedish Ivy.

So nice for you to hang out with me on my little veranda today!

Stop by any time!

Jacqueline

Join me at

Between Naps on the Porch

Saturday Nite Special

A Queen Anne Victorian in NY

2012-04-29T11:01:00.003-06:00

All photos copyright of Neil Grabowsky of Through The Lens Studios, Montclair, N.J.

These are the beautiful rooms of Xenia (pronounced "Sane-ya") of the blog Collar City Brownstone. Xenia's blog chronicles the restoration of her Queen Anne Victorian Home in Troy, New York. I was blown away by how massive and beautiful this home is when I first laid eyes on it. I wanted to be sure you had a chance to visit Xenia's blog, and to get a glimpse of her wonderful style and this impressive space for yourself! You just won't believe it. . . .

Photo copyright of Neil Grabowsky of Through The Lens Studios

Troy, New York

I hope you'll stop by and say hello to Xenia at her blog

Collar City Brownstone.

Happy Browsing!

Jacqueline

Join me at

Savvy Southern Style~WOW US Wednesday

Weekend Garden Report: Pink & Sunny With A Chance of Flowers

2012-04-28T12:38:00.003-06:00

You've heard of a victory garden. Well, this one is a survival garden. And it's the plants that have been doing the "surviving". (Mr. Cottage just gave me instructions to NOT mention his name in this post! (*wink*))

This is your big chance to offer input, oh succcessful gardeners of the world! Kindly identify this mercifully resilient desert bush which has bloomed so jubilantly this year. It stood up and took notice of our mere presence in the back yard this season, and cheers us on each time we venture outdoors. Now this I call positive reinforcement!

The roses are offerering their own reward by showing vigorous growth after an early spring pruning. When they emerge from the bud maybe you will recognize one or two, as we are not on a first name basis with them ourselves.

The vines have just errupted with tiny green leaves and lend the garden wall the appearance of a giant ogre in some fairy story. One in which the hairy monster will soon transform itself into an enchanted doorway. Thank goodness this change takes place without any assistance fom us!

Okay. Just an eensy bit of credit taking here. We planted a baby snowball bush last summer, and these are its first blooms! (There are about dozen.)

Periwinkle? And a few early cherries.

Thanks so much for helping us get our silver bells and cockle shells and pretty maids all in a row!

. . . And so, how does YOUR garden grow?

I'm off to check on the beanstalks!

Happy Pink Saturday!

Visit Beverly's here for more PINK!

Jacqueline

I'd Rather Be Blue

2012-04-27T12:15:00.005-06:00

I'd rather be blue, thinkin of you, . . . than happy with s-o-m-e-b-o-d-y else. I think Fanny Brice may have messed some people up there. But love can be confusing. Sort of like the spring we're having. One day you're blissed out on the lawn, and the next it's chilly and your market umbrella is up a tree. Who knew the wind would rage while we were sleeping? So today, I'd rather be blue. Savin' pink for tomorrow. . . .

Jazzy blues, moody blues. . . .

Who says blues can't be cheery?

Happy Monday everyone!

Jacqueline

Join me at

House In the Roses

Cottage Monday

Safari Tablescape

2012-04-25T17:22:00.018-06:00

It's easy for me to get a little theatrical where Africa is concerned. But I only meant to celebrate the arrival of the warm season here in the high desert. We can play with a tropical theme, but the air stays dry and more comfortable than that. Under the shade of trees, and with a little breeze, you can imagine you hear the surf, or will yourself a little closer to the Indian Ocean. . . .

Salad plates are melamine from Pottery Barn where you can find a whole bunch more of this theme-y stuff. They definitely have that backyard party vibe.

The tropics call for white. And lots of it!

I wanted languid and drapey.

The plate has two print versions. The script made me a little giddy.

Shell season is back! A pedestal inside a bowl of shells gives me the height I want for the centerpiece. Stack plates, or serve a big yummy dish!

This safari cookbook by Yvonne Short is full of all kinds of inspiration for menus, settings, and outdoor tables.

This is as wild as the animals are getting today.

An antique wire store display shelf works as a makeshift sideboard to eliminate steps to the house.

Vintage map case.

Did anyone think to bring the gramophone. . . ?

So much for table-escaping this week!

Thanks for coming along!

Jacqueline

Join me at

Between Naps On the Porch

Rooted In Thyme

The Charm of Home

P.S. Will you be seeing Casablanca on the big screen where you are this week?

P.P.S Sweet Judy just passed this award on to me.... Thanks so much Judy!

I'm answering ten questions about myself:

1)My favorite color: ah, I don't have only one, sorry. But look around this post and you'll see some of them. 2) favorite animal: birds. especially gold finches and Canadian geese. 3) Fav # 11. 4)non alcoholic drink: diet coke (which right now I rarely drink) 5) Facebook? or Twitter? Hate FB, haven't done Twitter 6) passion: arranging space 7)giving? or receiving?: giving, I have everything. 8)fav pattern: stripes. 9) Fav day of the week: Friday night. 10)Flower: hollyhock..

My five sunshine blogger buddies are:

Olive, Cindy, Wendy, Michele, & Jeanetteann

These ladies are ALWAYS spreading sunshine all over the bloggerhood.

Ya'll can answer the questions & pass it on if you want!.

Dish Racks

2012-04-24T11:47:00.004-06:00

When I first began collecting, I could never find a vintage wire dish rack at the price I wanted. It seems like years went by in which I would occasionally see one hanging in a shop and would pine away for it because it made no sense to pay the price when kids needed shoes. And lets face it. There are TONS of handy ways to put a spiffy rack to good use, including drying dishes on it. But it never quite reached beyond mere emotional need. So I waited.

When my days of prowling thrift stores and fleamarkets took off, I was glad I had delayed. That's not to say that these little darlings are easy to find. But when they turn up, they are usually at a fraction of the cost that you find in a shop. I still only have a few.

Here they are leading happy lives of symmetry and order, and cradling some of my favorite white kitchen things. . . .

Like nearly everybody else I also like to collect very old canning jars.

Patented in August of 1915 just after WWI started.

We're almost ninety degrees today, and I'm having a hard time taking care of business. It feels like the weekend, and all I want to do is flit around looking for more great stuff. Spring fever? I do feel a little hot. . . .

Join me at

Faded Charm~White Wednesday

Savvy Southern Style~ Wow Us Wednesdays

Common Ground~Vintage Inspiration

Jacqueline