Random Still Life

It was one of those weeks that I sort of pushed myself through. Tax time and bill paying. Things piling up on the table. A week of wondering and fretting and sadness. A lot of staring at the walls. . . .

Sometimes there is just so little to be done. Or too much. So I decided to at least change what I was looking at. Not in a big way, but enough to cheer myself up.

This pretty empty frame sits in the middle of everything in my dining room. I haven't changed it up much since I put it here, but I've thought how I would like to hang a platter in the middle of it, and this week I found just the one! White of course.

The botanicals were already here. ( I hung a boxwood wreath from a gauzy ribbon right over them in the middle of the frame during the holidays.) But then I thought of these postcard prints that I gifted at Christmas. I kept some for myself of course, not knowing what I would do with them. There are twenty two different crowned animal characters in a booklet, but I used mostly the birds. Just tucked in.

I also worked on a blackboard project that isn't quite finished that you can see the top of here in the jumble of things. 

Don't we need a little "still-life" in life once in awhile?

Front

And FYI, the back

So nice that you stopped by!

Here it is almost the weekend again.

Carry on. . . .

Jacqueline

Join me at

Timewashed~Blissful Whites Wednesday

No Minimalist Here~Open House Party

Shabby Art Boutique~Sabbilicious Friday

French Country Cottage~Feathered Nest Friday

The Charm of Home~Home Sweet Home

Common Ground~Be Inspired

My Romantic Home~Show & Tell

Lilacs & English Garden China

The English Garden referred to here is this ironstone china pattern on the table. It seemed the best compliment to my somewhat weather beaten lilacs that I wanted to feature today.

Our New Mexico garden resembles the English version very little. Our lilac bushes are in the shade of large trees on adjacent property that have overpowered them in recent years. We are in a drought, had a recent windy freeze, and our bushes are no doubt in need of a good pruning.

What this all adds up to is disappointment. We have only a few sad blooms. I kept mentally reaching for lines from my favorite Keats poem which don't really apply at all, but which match my attitude about the whole affair:

The weariness, the fever, and the fret . . .

Where youth grows pale, and spectre-thin, and dies; (Ode to a Nightingale).

It's the blooms that have met too early an end in this case. And though spindly and sparse they're getting their day in the sun anyway (which you can see an awful lot of here!).

A little tea and coffee on the veranda anyone?

There are just a few more coming on, but this small creamer and pitcher are the whole of the blooms from three small bushes.

A few layered linens remind me of an English cottage too!

We always get our market umbrellas up early in spring, and it's really the best time of year on the patios before the hot weather sets in.

I hope you have a wonderful spring weekend ahead!

Jacqueline

Join me at

Between Naps on the Porch~Tablescape Thursday

Common Ground~Be Inspired

Rosegarden in Malevik~Saturday Show Off

The Charm of Home~Home Sweet Home

Linens in a Sunny Window

Sometimes as I pass through a room on my way to some task, it just hits me. The sunshine streaming through a window and casting something in a fabulous new light. 

What can you do but stop in your tracks a moment, before it's gone forever? 

A basket full of delicate linen can have that effect on me. 

I'm never really far from my infatuation. But I'm sure spring fever has a lot to do with it today. 

I admit to also being a tad under the influence of Pretty Pastel Style, by Selina Lake. Have you seen it? Even taken even in small doses it can definitely feed the fever. . . .

"Colours are moody, Colours are personal. Colours--like names or scents--carry all kinds of associations. Pastels are no exception." (Introduction) And what could be more perfect for spring?

Okay. Back to work!

Have a sweet week ahead!

Jacqueline

I'm sharing at

Timewashed~Blissful Whites Wednesday

French Country Cottage~Feathered Nest Friday

My Romantic Home~Show & Tell

More Cottagey Shop Stuff

My little shop corner is leaning toward a bit of a bridal look this month. Maybe I'm influenced by a family wedding taking place in May. But who am I kidding? I'll make any excuse for stocking up on white!

This pair of fab chippy floor standing wrought iron candelabras would look darling at a garden wedding, no?  They adjust in height, and can also orient in a straight line.

A repro print in vintage photo frame makes a nice tray. (Sold)

We're showing a little more lace in this corner too.

This creamware tureen is far from pristine, but would be darling for flowers. My MIL used to keep one of these in the middle of her table with stamps and a pen knife inside for bill paying. She called it her "office." 

I've been using that decorative tape from the craft store to hang botanical prints everywhere. What room can't use another pretty rose? You don 't even need a frame!

A cheery striped polished cotton curtain panel, fully lined. Twenty-four inches wide and about four feet high with pleats at the top. It might make some lovely garden pillows. We decided to include a bit of info with the featured linens since there have been inquiries. YAY!! And they're easy to ship thanks to Vintage Market & Design! (at this link.)

This vintage pom pom chenille spread is as soft and worn as it looks, and priced as a "cutter." (Sold)

(Tablecloth, sold.)

Don't you love these creamy darling rose motif tea napkins? The crochet extends around the entire napkin with a rose in each corner!  (6x8 folded) (No longer available.)

Pillowcase pair with allover cross-stitch, and oh so cottagey! (Sold)

A silver toast caddy makes a fine letter and card holder for all those wedding invitations! (Sold)

Gorgeous rose etched crystal goblets. Can you feel a bridal shower party coming on?

Wouldn't this be a sweet dress for a wee little flower girl? (Size 2/3) (Sold)

Oh, so fun to have you peeking in!

So glad you came by!

 Hope you're having a fabulous weekend!

Jacqueline