What I Did Last Summer . . . , and a WINNER!

Well, it's not over yet, but it's about time to start looking back again like we did when we wrote those first essays at the beginning of school each year. I must admit that my summers have gotten a lot more exciting than when I was a schoolgirl! But I suppose I am also much more into the simple pleasures of life than I was then. It's fun to wait by the tracks for the local train with a four year old ready for her first ride, for instance. And exciting when it finally arrives!

Everybody sporting their new school shoes. . . .  A whole lot cuter that the saddle oxfords I got to wear! (Half of you have no idea what I'm talking about. . . )

While we're waiting for the next big thing, we have a little time for learning new skills. . . .

A glimpse at what lies just next to the tracks can bring you a fresh perspective on life. But looking just a little beyond can give you big ideas. . . . Our next adventure took us to the very top of that mountain!

Wanna take a flight somewhere with ten of your best friends? Take a ride on the tram!

This time waiting for the tram car to arrive. . . .

Leaving the city behind. . . .

Here's a glimpse of the corner of the world I live in!

Fifteen minutes later, and you inhabit a whole different (and cooler) world. . . .  

(The peak farthest out in the haze out there is where we had our next big adventure camping.)

  It's time to get in those last licks of summer! Like a dripping ice cream cone, it's disappearing fast! Thanks so much for peeking at my summer essay!

Jacqueline

* Thank you so much for all the wonderful comments on my August tablescape! I'm happy to announce that the winner of the beautiful 1994 August Victoria Magazine is Pamela from playingwithmycamera in New Brunswick, CA. I wish I had a copy for each of you! 

Congratulations Pam! 

Join me at

Between Naps on the Porch~Metamorphosis Monday

Seedy, Weedy, Woodsy August

It's still bright and hot here, but it's no question that we are now turning toward another season. I love summer, and so it makes me a little melancholy. But the end of summer is really one of our best times of the year, and especially out on the patio.

Tablescapes this time of year take on a different tone and color for me. My weedy arrangements are more in character. The ambers feel more at home, and the greens turn to olive. 

I use this tablecloth only at the end of summer when the fields are full of sunflowers and ripened grass. Everything is still green and beautiful, but the colors have taken on a more golden glow.

We just spent some time in the woods. A wonderful thing to do in August. The kids love gathering acorns, and wildflowers are everywhere. Getting into nature made me think of my Audubon prints, and wanting to use them on a table.

These scripty napkins are perfect with my tablecloth too.

But if I were using a plain tablecloth, these vintage prints would make nice place mats or markers this time of year. I wouldn't use the originals, of course. Since they came in sheets in a box, they are easy to reproduce on a copier. 

I'm not ready for full-on fall decor, and these prints seem more transitional to me with their colorful birds, and still green leaves.

A mix of vintage white china quiets the palette.

But I enjoy the off whites better this late in the season, as in this oatmeal colored homespun tea cloth.

It's the perfect time of year for a wheat motif on the teapot too!

My white Royal Albert creamer and sugar bowl is trimmed with gold, and makes for a nice transition. As much as I hate letting go of the warm season that I love, I have also had thoughts of the pleasures that lie ahead. . . .

Even though it's already the middle of August, I have just started peeking into my old August issues of Victoria Magazine for inspiration. They have some of my favorite covers with their suggestion of bounty and rich color. This one is from 1998.

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The covers were inspiration for the color and botanical tone of  my tablescape. I need that gorgeous french print quilt though!

And did you hear me mention a GIVEAWAY?

 I found that I have two issues of this beautiful cover from 1994! That's almost twenty years ago folks! That's a long time ago, but just have a look at how classic cottage style can be in the following pages from this issue.

Let me know in a comment if you would like to enter to win a copy. I will draw a winner next week! Good luck!

(UPDATE! The winner has been announced!! Click here . . .)

I hope you're enjoying a lovely amber August. . . .

I love to hear from you!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Jacqueline

Join me at

Savvy Southern Style ~ Wow Us Wednesday

Between Naps on the Porch~Tablescape Thursday

Common Ground~Be Inspired

French Country Cottage~Feathered Nest Friday

My Romantic Home~Home Sweet Home

Shabby Art Boutique~Shabbilicious Friday

The Charm of Home~Home Sweet Home

Quiet Affinities & White Linen

It's hard for me to imagine, but I know there are those of you whose heart doesn't beat any faster at the sight of vintage eyelet, snowy handmade lace, and cutwork pillow covers. For you, linens are kinda pretty, but not that much to fuss about. . . .

And then there are those of us who share these quiet affinities. The inexplicable awes. The surprising touch points of mutual  appreciation. Even across continents.

Call it google, ogle, or what you will. We connect.

As in some widely broadcast secret code, we get the message.

Linens are us.

The pretty little baby bonnet featured here, and a bundle of darling baby gowns came to me from Jeanette O'Donnell of Australia. She is author of the beautiful blog Heirloom Treasures , which you will want to visit, and a fellow linen lover and wonderful seamstress. If it weren't for our blogs, and our mutual love of linens, we would never have become acquainted. 

Thanks again Jeanette!

Sharing the white linen love . . . 

Cooking, crafting, gardening, or what have you, its so nice sharing the quiet affinities with all of you!

Thanks so much for taking time to stop by!

Jacqueline

Join me at

Timewashed for Blissful Whites Wednesday!

Ivy & Elephants~What's It Wednesday