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Thursday, June 19, 2014

Portraits of the Ordinary





Sometimes there can be no adequate picture. But an image or two is what I have conditioned you for, so I offer a few. This is what you come home to after a journey. And in this case it was a pleasing one. 




The impromptu summer parties can seem endless, as they should. My people know they can make a call and come right over. I am only too glad when young folks want to fit us in.





The party laces were snatched and stowed before the passing storm. (And then there was a weekend of camping in the woods.) The curtains have a kind of jumbled romance here, as in a photo of an unmade bed. You know the ones I mean. 





And after it's all over one is left with the many echoes. Sometimes loud in absence.




And only ordinary things remain. You know what I mean?




The first thing I did was to stop into my usual fleamarket. Remember these? I saw them advertised (was it as much as five years ago?) and never found them. Simple bottled water with the lacy details that have me already planning the next soiree! 





And something even sweeter. . . vintage pillow slips with lovely trim. I don't do much with red. I almost passed these up. But just look! Nothing could whisper "cottage" more than these. They won't take much more wear, so maybe I will just display them for awhile and remember this lovely summer when they first appeared.





As I gathered up inside the market I began to catch the lovely scent of rain. The one you often get here in the desert when moisture first hits the dusty ground. A delicious smell, full of promise and longing. The aroma of so many summers that have passed and that have come back to visit you again. It is the thing that I spoke of at the beginning. What I want to share with you for which I have no photo. . . . The perfume of a summer that is with us once again. There is no picture. But I know that you know just what I mean . . . .



I hope the loveliest season is ahead for you.

Jacqueline




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35 comments:

  1. I always love to drop in to see what lovelies you are displaying and you never disappoint.

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  2. I, too, love the summer rain! Thanks for the lovely photos!
    xo Kathleen

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  4. What a beautiful, summery collection of photos! So cool and peaceful. Loved it!

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  5. Beautiful finds Jacqueline!
    I know what you mean about things you can't get a picture of. That is what summer is to me, not just the smells, but even more so the sounds. First it's the birds singing all day, then come the crickets in the evening, followed by the locusts on hot summer days, and lastly the tree frogs, which usually come in August and sing at night until frost in October. None of these things can be captured in a picture, but always remain in the heart and soul.
    Cindy

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  6. Lovely linens again Jacqueline... Those lacy water bottles are gorgeous as well!
    Have a great weekend!

    Wanda

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  7. Spring was a late arrival here in Montreal, but I have been busy doing all the prep work for that magical summer season. The flowers are all planted, back deck freshened with a new coat of paint, and though there is still a tinge of coolness in the air- the promise of summer is there. I know exactly what you mean!

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  8. Such lovely frothy laces, including the bottles! Love the bowl of dried roses and the vintage linens. A swoon-worthy post indeed. We're having a strange late Spring here. Sometimes Summer like weather and then it reverses back to April's. But, the grass is lush and green, the trees are wearing their leafy branches and everywhere is that magicical feel that only almost Summer can conjure up. Love this time of year! Enjoy your day.

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  11. Sorry Jacqueline ..Im new at this and am trying to add my pic to the blog.....I will try again
    thank you Lorraine
    Lets see if this works..

    Love your blog ~

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  12. Lace, children, rain, summer. . .you've totally captured the essence, Jacqueline!

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  13. So much elegance and beauty...thank you for sharing:)

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  14. I have wanted those evian bottles but have never found them. Lucky you! Your dried roses in the vase are almost more lovely than the live blooms. I know what you mean about the echos..we just had a house full with all kids home and friends for a cocktail party. Their present always here in my heart. I miss them but embrace the quiet that I treasure.

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  15. Lovely as always. You have a beautiful way of weaving words with images, Jacqueline. A friend gave me one of the Evan bottles the year they were sold. She brought it from France. Just discovered a French wine that is sold in a beautiful bottle with a rose motif on the base and the same type of little glass stopper so the bottle can be used again and again. Have you seen it?

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  16. I am so in love with the airy summer feeling that comes when I look at this! I love your pinks -- I need to dry some of our wedding flowers. And I have pillowcases similar to those -- made, of course, by my grandmother. How did find time, I wonder, to do such intricate tatting when she was a farm wife? But she did. Simply lovely.

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  18. Ordinary things do make restful photoe

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  19. Love all your treasures. The pillow cases are gorgeous. I love old linens.
    I am your newest follower

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  20. Man, lady, you sure have an incredible way with words. Seriously. You need to write books - pretty little snippets with pretty pictures like your blog. I am telling you every coffee table would want to have one on it, beginning with mine.

    Wow, you have magic in you. ♥

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  21. You make ordinary look quite beautiful really! I love roses even the ordinary ones, they can't be anything but romantic. We do a lot of ordinary around here but, the funniest thing is in a house full of guys they really like my fancy desserts and I have turned all of them into tea drinkers!
    Sherry

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  22. So lovely Jaqueline.
    Yes, I know what you mean.
    simplicity, relaxation ,friends and good cheer.
    long summer days.
    Enjoy..
    happy weekend.
    val xx

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  25. Jacqueline you have captured so much beauty in t his post. I always enjoy reading and seeing what you find. We are moving into our new house!!!! Next week, check our updates.

    Cynthia

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  26. You, my dear, can make anything look beautiful...and one of the prettiest beds I've ever seen was unmade and sooo romantic..(wait...was Johnny Depp in it..??)

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  27. Lovely sentiments to go with your beautiful images.
    Debbie

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  28. Oh charming, even at the start & end of a gathering & journey. Charming!
    Kari

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  29. Lovely images and words - yes, sometimes the echoes are loud after a beautiful day with loved ones. Love the laces heaped in the basket and those pillow cases are darling. I remember that special scent of rain in the desert when I lived in Tucson. It is strangely bittersweet. Hugs xo Karen

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  30. Beautiful linens with beautiful embroidery work.Love the pretty bottles.Happy week end to you.Hope to see you in mine too.Love sujatha..:):)

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  31. Always lovely photos!

    You have a great summer too!

    tot

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  32. I read this on my phone and forgot to comment...
    Such a beautifully worded post, so romantic.. yes the ordinary moments are the sweetest... the basket of lace panels after the party, pitter patter!!
    those Evian bottles, OMG wow, I never knew... to die for cute!!
    Hugs!

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  33. such a sweet post of words and pictures!!

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  34. Such pretties, one of my favorite things are vintage pillow cases with crochet edges and embroidery and you found a great set.

    Hugs, Lynnie

    www.cottagegalstyle.com

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  35. I do love these photos - you've captured the beauty of simplicity in your home beautifully - love the gathering of the lacy curtains and tablecoths - those bottles are fantastic - I've enjoyed my visit - have a blessed day,
    Kathy

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