Celebrating Grey

Ever since Michelle started her Grey Dey Thursday party I've been wanting to join in. I love the color, and have a big pile of French and Nordic books to prove it. But I would never have realized how quiet a part gray plays in my daily life and how much I would have to look for it!

The hue is like a reliable steadfast friend. A little taken for granted, but beloved just the same.

Supportive of so many things.

Gracious and unassuming.

Often barely there. . . .

Its subtle beauty underlies many of my favorite things. 

It was worth the hunt to go looking for it.

I especially love its weathered presence in quiet corners.

Its stalwart utility. . . .

Ever present, aged or new.

Pleasing in print.

Or stealing softly through the landscape of nature.

Containing endless possibilities.

Bringing beauty. . . 

Even as it weathers silently away. . . .

Happy Grey Dey Thursday friends!

Click here for more . . . .

Cheerio 'til next time!

Jacqueline

Also join me at

The Charm of Home~Home Sweet Home

My Romantic Home~Show & Tell

Starting Out White

Like a clean slate, I'm starting the week off with white. People often describe white rooms as calming, but it's an energizing color for me. It's clarifying and helps me think and organize for the day or week.

And yes, it's quiet. Opening up your eyes to white soothes you while it wakes you up at the same time.

The coffee table got piled even higher over the weekend. I picked up Christina Strutt's (Cabbages & Roses) A Guide to Natural Housekeeping as much for the photos as for the sensible advice. In the intro she refers to herself as an "eco worrier", but one might describe her more as an eco warrior! I have yet to read it, but I skimmed the "Caring for antiques" section and already learned that storing silverware with a piece of chalk tucked in prevents tarnishing.

While doing a little of my own housekeeping I couldn't help but notice the play of white textures in this corner. The knitted pillow covers have just been washed and are ready to put back on the pillows. Folks think that the down side of living with white is that it shows dirt. But that's a good thing! You can have things clean more often. But believe me, I am no housecleaning nut.

It's so much easier to toss something into the wash than to keep cleaning upholstery. Especially with cats and kids!

A little white still life cheers me up. . .

I also wanted to show you the soft damask dinner napkins with a family monogram that I found yesterday. Seven for three dollars. . . .  Now, who could walk past that!?

I hope you enjoy this fresh new week. Always so much to do!

Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a word with me!

 I am still working at getting back to all of you.

Jacqueline

Join me at

TIMEWASHED~Blissful Whites Wednesday

French Country Cottage~Feathered Nest Friday

Common Ground~Be Inspired

Vintage Valentines

Ah, the season of love! Now, I know that traditional Valentines are red, but my taste runs more to pink, so I was happy to come across these lovely vintage cards in my rambles yesterday. To top it all off, I came home from my jaunts to find a lovely French flower bucket full of pink roses in the house! I think we're getting a little jump ahead of the big day.

I'd say that these examples are very old, if not quite antique, and I love the embossed flowers and flourishes of the time.

Just a nod to the occasion is all that usually makes its appearance around here. Oh yes! And probably some pretty sweets too. . . .

A butterfly and hollyhocks for this little Victorian fellow. . . .

And old-fashioned sentiments.

So glad you came by!

I hope there's a cheery weekend ahead for you!

Jacqueline

Join me at

Savvy Southern Style~Wow Us Wednesday

Shabby Art Boutique~Shabbilicious Friday

Old Habits Die Hard

Can it ever be too sunny? Especially in winter? I admit that I am a sun worshipper, but not in the conventional sense. You will never find me tanning on the beach in a bathing suit, for instance. But I would find it challenging to live away from a climate that didn't have lots of sunshine every day. I love curling up in a sunny window like a lazy cat during at least three seasons of the year.

It really was too sunny in my sitting room for photos. (I had to edit out more than I kept.) But it's a great spot for a read on a winter afternoon. And maybe you could use some New Mexico sunshine!

You can see my piles of books and magazines here. (The table always looks this way.) As much as I enjoy being online, I still prefer a photo on a real page instead. Reading and online surfing are mostly two different things to me. (I bought a Kindle a long time ago and have never used it... Does this mean that I am just old?) I thought I would show you what's piled up on my coffee table, and what I'm enjoying offline right now since I have made such an investment in it. Print can be very expensive these days! 

Susan's (susanbranch.com) book is delightful as many of you know! I am loving reading her new book.

I will be spending time with The Goldfinch. All 771 pages of it!

It's fun coming across blogging friends in magazines. The articles seem to be little potent capsules of both the person and their blog. One can take a page and literally pin it for inspiration if you wish. I love June's (laughingwithangels.blogspot.com) feature in the current issue of Where Women Create.

And Dore's (burlapluxe.blogspot.com) in the current issue of Artful Blogging magazine.

(from Artful Blogging)

Jeannette's (creatingalifenow.blogspot.com) images are just captivating to me in print in the same issue.

(from Artful Blogging)

(from Artful Blogging)

Our local corner cafe just closed down the magazine section that they used to make available for browsing to patrons, and they are putting in more outlets for electronic devices instead. That's a good thing I suppose. But thank goodness there is also a bookstore and newsstand right next door!

Thanks so much for stopping by for a visit!

Wishing you lots of sunny days ahead!

(The groundhog always sees his shadow around here!)

Jacqueline 

Join me at

Timewashed~Blissful Whites Wednesday

French Country Cottage~Feathered Nest Friday