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Thursday, January 10, 2013

A Few Favorites of the Year










If it's for no other benefit, a blog is a pretty terrific way of looking back over the past year to see where you've been. Quite literally. There was never a time before "blog" that I chronicled my life's journeys, thoughts, likes, and lifestyle quite like I do now. Not only does it keep a visual record of your pastimes, but it also makes you clean up your act a little too! (At least for what meets the camera's eye!)




 I perused my files and chose things that leapt out to make me happy. Simple household items of daily utility and a certain vintage or quality that capture my ideal.




My ideal changes regularly. For years of our lives our ideals are made up of wants, needs, and desires. Of accumulations of things we think we want and need. Later it's about distillation, refinement, and passing on or simply getting rid of the unessential in whatever burdensome form it may take.




It's not necessarily an age thing. I've always known people to admire who live life at the essential level from an early age, undistracted by too much stuff. Without too much on their schedule, in their closets, or on their minds.









I will always require a big linen closet and lots of shelves and drawers, a china cabinet or two, and room for books. But I'll be looking for a lot more open space to move and breathe in in the year ahead. . . .

































































Here's to good food, a warm hearth, and all the comforts of home in the year ahead! 

Happy Weekend!

Jacqueline
  

 
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31 comments:

  1. Boy was this blog post a treat for the eyes! So mant pretty things! The linen with the crocheted butterfly in the corner is amazing!!

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  2. Jacqueline, I always love what your eyes see. Always the one where I say, why didn't I think of that. But, I never do. You photos always make me happy..Happy Thursday..Judy

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  3. Ditto the above two comment. Jacqueline, your images fill my senses. Definitely a feast for the eyes. It's going to be a great year ahead.

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  4. I don't know which are my favorites. I think the buttons, wicker basket with lovely white liner and most of all the truck. My husband paints a lot of trucks (oil paintings, not the vehicles) and would so love to own an old truck. Alas, no space and the salt air would eat it up.

    What a beautiful year you had.

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  5. You'll be looking for more space in the year ahead? There? Or elsewhere? Just making sure.

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  6. Hi J,
    A ditto on blogging giving you a good look back at a year... seeing pics of your own life is like seeing it all fresh.
    What a lovely year you had, and I have loved coming along for the ride:-) I wish you a great year ahead, filled with the good things:-)
    Hugs,
    Bella

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  7. What a treat looking back at some of your beautiful images from the past year. I love the idea of pairing down and simplifying, it is a constant challenge though, because there are so many wonderful things in the world!

    Cindy

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  8. OOOh,I did so enjoy these beautiful pic. That is a beautiful home,I could imagine it filled with lace and linen and lots of cream and white. x

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  9. Beautiful images! You're right - it is so nice to look back on all the photos of things that brought us enjoyment throughout the year.

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  10. Oh, I'm drooling looking at your gorgeous vignettes! Thank you for the lovelies before I go to bed!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  11. Oh...How dreamy! I love roses, lace, butterflies, porcelaine...all the pretty items you have featured in your post.
    Thank you for sharing a lovely stroll through your beautiful home.
    Blessings,
    Carolynn xx

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  12. A flood of lovelies!!! So beautiful, thank you for this my dear!

    Hugs,

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  13. My favorite shots of yours are the pillowcases and linens. Seeing the sweet baby things made me miss the baby years.

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  14. I always love your pictures, but that butterfly linen is to die for. So sweet and precious.
    Cindy

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  15. I can certainly see why these are favorites. Love that butterfly linen. It's all beautiful. You have excellent taste.

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  16. Your so right about looking back at the year. I realize what a full year of experiences I had.

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  17. Always enjoy your posts...this one too, but absolutely adore that pink rose table cloth!!! Have a lovely day...pat

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  18. What gorgeous photos!! I love all your simple sweet things. I am a new follower.

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  19. Loved the look back ~ and don't think I missed any of the original posts! Your photos and narratives are worth converting to a book as a keepsake.

    I think of all the blogs I follow, you're one of the essentials.
    Here's to many wonders days of open space in 2013 ~ with some linens and china thrown in as needed (**

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  20. You have some beautiful linens I can see why you'd want to keep them. The thought that blogging helps clean up out act cracked me up because I can so relate.
    Thanks for sharing this beautiful post.

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  21. What a gorgeous post that just inspires and encourages. I find I am enjoying less as more and feeling that's enough.
    I love all your wonderful pics that share your loved treasures. Your posts are always a perfect part of a day.

    Hugs for a special weekend.
    CM

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  22. Beautiful photos and subjects, Jacqueline! I'm getting a new (to me) camera any day now and am looking forward to experimenting with it. I love the roses in the white pitcher. And you're right--I am glad to be blogging because it helps me to remember what all we've done around here!

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  23. What a wonderful post!
    So many of these treasures remind me of my Mom, thank you for stirring up great memories! She loved collecting classic reds and blues for her kitchen!

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  24. Well said!! and beautiful photography, as always!! You even make toilet paper look lovely! I agree whole heartedly with your sentiments of wanting space this year. I was pretty minimalistic for most of my life--in large part due to little money to buy "things" with, but that was ok. Then I started looking at blogs. That'll fill ya' with a bit of lust for the lovelies. And then I did the "space at an antique mall" thing. I accumulated way too much stuff and am still digging out. And with the Oregon gray fog just on the tree tops closing me in, I badly need "breathing space"!!! Oh, and I was browsing the Pottery Barn catalog--saw some baskets (one of my loves) and there was a lovely set called the "Jacqueline baskets"!!

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  25. I borrowed your idea of edging my waste basket with one of my vintage linens this year and it's truly one of my favs. So simple, yet it makes me smile each week when I empty the trash! Gracias!

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  26. Happy New Year, Jacqueline!

    I have just spent about twenty minutes catching up with you!

    Your images are amazing! The posts featuring the scripted print coffee filters, and knitting have inspired me!

    I "live" the concept of rustic and refined so that post was a total hug!
    ~Lynne
    w/L.

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  27. I thoroughly enjoyed this post, everything crisp but elegant and pretty.

    Blessings

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  28. such an amazing blog
    congratulations honey!!!
    =D

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  29. What a wonderful post full of lovely pictures! I thoroughly enjoyed looking at this post! Thanks for sharing this! =)

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  30. These pictures are so lovely. Your home is full of beauty at every turn.
    I love the whites with bits of color folded in...so pretty.

    Pat

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  31. What a beautiful retrospective of the loveliness in your life, Jacqueline. I hope to divest myself of things too this year. When it comes to possessions, I must learn to "Refine and select".

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