Je Vais en Voyage

This morning I am leaving on a short vacation; I am driving up to Carmel, California to spend a week with my Sister. I will be back with my regular posts next week when I return. I hope everyone has a wonderful, creative, and interesting week. Au revoir!




photo: curtesy of Google



'Sizzlin' Pink!

This is a little seating area in the street-side border in front of the house. I placed the bench here so people walking by could sit and relax for a bit; it is amazing how many times I come out and see someone sitting  here enjoying the day. You can see my wonderful stone pillars which are original to the house and the stone wall my husband built...he jokingly called it, 'Adrienne's Wall', a play on words after the famous Hadrian's Wall in England.

But what really captures your eye this time of year is the blooming Loropetalum, 'Sizzlin' Pink'. It's pretty fringe-like flowers last for quite a few weeks and  and are followed by burgundy foliage that adds interest to the area just about all year long. Next to bloom here...pink climbing roses. As you can tell I love all shades of pink in the garden!

I hope you enjoyed your touch of pink for the day.

                 

   

This post was linked to: http://howsweetthesound.typepad.com/ , http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/,
http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/ , http://www.anoregoncottage.com/, http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/ 



Ode to Martha

A few days ago I shared with you some cachepots that I made from Martha Stewart containers, because of their color, I knew I wanted to put them in the kitchen and I found the perfect spot...the shelf  below the windows in the eating area. I am calling this vignette my, 'Ode to Martha' because I also included some of her covered dishes. I have other pieces of her whiteware ~ who doesn't,  but there just wasn't room to include them...maybe some other time.

Oh! One disclaimer, the beautiful french inspired casserole dish in the middle was picked up at Marshall's and is not one of Martha's pieces but I think that they all fit together nicely.

Is there anything prettier, or fresher than blue and white? Well maybe...but it certainly is a lovely combination.



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Un Petit Quelque Chose

~

~ March ~

Comes in like a lion...

...and out like a lamb.

Front garden, Spring 2010

Won't you come and sit with me a spell...

This post has been linked to: http://tracys-trinkets-treasures.blogspot.com/, http://alittleofthisandthat2.blogspot.com/

Plaisirs Simples ~ Cachepots

Last month I fell into temptation and bought some of Martha Stewart's cupcake stands; I mean who could help it they are so adorable and they came in these incredibly cute boxes. In fact at the time I thought...was I really buying them for the cupcake stands or because I couldn't resist the boxes. An added bonus is that Martha Stewart's signature blue also matches the blue fabric I have used for the window treatments in my kitchen.

 What was I to do; I had to use these boxes somehow. So...I  gathered  some embellishments (I love embellishments):  a very pretty braided trim, matching tassels, some ribbon, a little florist moss and put it all together...

...and made cachepots, perfect for a little topiary tree. I made two but I only photographed one. Now, just where should I put them? Come back next time and see

do you think Martha would approve?




This post has been linked to: http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/, http://alittleofthisandthat2.blogspot.com/, http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/

As Good as Old

Last week in a storage shed I happened on this little scale. I don't remember where I got it; how long it has been here; or how it got to be such a horrible color but...I though if I could make it old again it would look very nice in the kitchen. so I got together some materials I would need and begin.

One of my favorite colors for this type of project is Camouflage paint, I have used it a lot, especially in the garden to add patina to objects. It has a matte finish and is an odd color somewhere between black and brown, it does a really good job of adding depth without seeming too harsh. After taping off the face of the scale ~ I love it's rusted and encrusted finish...I sprayed it; when that dried I added a few touches of  gold and black paint, mainly to add definition to the edges.

Voila...now this little scale is almost as good as old and it makes a very nice addition to my kitchen. I think that I really like going back in time.

My Meyer lemon trees are loaded with fruit, if you look closely you will see a few rain drops on these leaves. I think it is time to make a Lemon Meringue Pie.

Anymore time travelers out there?




This post has been linked to: http://myromantichome.blogspot.com/, http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/, http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/, http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/, http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/

Un Petit Quelque Chose ~ Dreaming of Spring

The other day while working in the garden between rain showers, I spotted this little cherub and he definitely seemed to be lost in a daydream...nesting birds, butterflies, buzzing bees, gentle rain, warmer days, blue skies, sunshine, and flowers... I think he was dreaming of Spring!

And what about you...have you been dreaming of Spring?




This post has been linked to: http://alittleofthisandthat2.blogspot.com/

Un Plaisir Attendu ~ An Expected Pleasure

Every year in February my magnolia trees start out the month leafless; the flower buds just starting to form...

...at first there isn't much to see, quickly this magically changes until the trees are covered with the fuzzy buds waiting to unfold...

...in all their magnificent beauty!

Then for a few weeks they light up the late winter landscape with their flowers while the new leaves gradually appear.

This is an expected pleasure, but my, such a wondrous one!

I hope your garden is filled with expected pleasures, especially as Spring grows near.





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