Monday, November 30, 2009

Versatility

You know I love, love, love a beat up, well worn kitchen table. You can just tell that this table is used for just about everything. Pictures are painted here, bills are paid here, food is loved here. I'm certain that the chairs get moved out of the way regularly for obvious things like rolling out dough and just as often for less obvious things like cutting out patterns & stamping fabric.
Cottage Living

Treasure Hunt

Somehow, somewhere, almost all of our teaspoons have disappeared. We realized one night as the table was being set for dinner that our everyday set of utensils was down to only 3 spoons. I suspect the youngest of our bunch. What she's done with them, I don't know.

Now the last time we purchased everyday silverware, it was hard. We were on a tight budget and the options in our price range where few. It took quite a bit of research and some compromise. Now we are on a tighter budget and I don't have the desire to do so much research in this area at this time.

This time around, I'm taking the easy way. We are thrifting spoons. I'm a little excited about it. Today my two eldest girls searched through a box of spoons at a thrift store and came up with 10 beauties for $2 total. They are pleased that we now have fancy spoons along with a spoon from Denny's, a spoon from United Airlines and even one with the initial B which suits one of them well. I am happy that the job is done.

They had so much fun doing it, I think our collection is sure to keep growing.
The Selby via sfgirlbybay

Friday, November 27, 2009

More

If yesterday's feast left you culinarily inspired and hungry for more of such meals, visit Sunday Suppers today.
Karen Mordechai

Thursday, November 26, 2009

For You

I'd bring you these flowers were I your guest today for dinner and at the table when it was my turn to say what I'm thankful for, I'd simply say "a lot" because it just seems most accurate. Enjoy your day.
Martha Stewart

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Collected

This print by knitalatte from Resurrection Fern is fantastic. So are all the rest.

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Checking In

Are you hosting? What's your tabletop scheme?

I usually go a little crazy trying to get the perfect table. I'm a guest this year but if it where here, I'd be keeping it simple. Something like this, feathers for sure, stamped in either brown or a deep purple on an heavy, natural linen colored, muslin type fabric and hemmed into napkins. It's a little strange for me to not be rushing around trying to get everything just right but I sure am enjoying it. My main concern is what to wear and that's more than enough.

Monday, November 23, 2009

To Do

It's a short week. I lose focus fast. I need a list.

1. Menu and groceries.
2. Finish couch in bedroom.
3. Clean office.
4. Mop floors.
5. Work on drapes for the dining room.

*Note to self- Work in order, NO skipping ahead!

Friday, November 20, 2009

It's Not Just A Phase

The moon is one of my favorite things. I don't feel like photography captures it's true beauty but I do love these pieces of the phases of the moon. A lot.
Art.com

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Tell Tale

What says alot about a person? Why, the number of books they own, the titles of those books and the way in which they are stored. I'm partial to stacks, lots and lots of stacks.
Domino

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Things I Want

A house in the country. One we'll have to drive a distance to get to. The furniture will have dust covers and I'll have to head over early to open up the house for the family. We'll stay for the summers. We'll have dinner parties there to open and close the season and invite our friends for long weekends. Sometimes we'll head over just for a weekend as a special treat. It will be dreamy.
Martha Stewart via Absolutely Beautiful Things

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Cozy

Oh, the color combinations here. I adore the blue with the orangy reds. Such a warm space.
Dave Coote via Bromeliad

Monday, November 16, 2009

ReVisiting

We've broached this subject before but I feel it's important to reiterate my love for the art work of Viv Strauss.

Friday, November 13, 2009

Daydreaming

In one of my most often reoccurring fantasies, I am the buyer for our local public library and I ensure for all people like me that the good books with lots of beautiful pictures and the ones with detailed instructions on how to make stuff are always in supply. It's a perfect world.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Completed Project

Here it is! Basic Industry Sewing Class Project #1! You might remember that I set out to copy a JCrew look so I've added a leather belt and a cardigan to make up my ensemble today. This is the first time I've worn the skirt. I'm very pleased. I'm sure that in no time at all I will own this skirt in many different fabrics. It's inevitable. It's how I shop, find something I like that fits (hard to do, I'm tall) and then buy one in every color then wear it until it wears out and start all over again.

Change of Plans

Oh, thank goodness Husband hasn't built the backyard guest house/shed yet! I wonder, do we have the room for one like this? I feel I just have to have it. Can you imagine? How fun.
via Interior Divide

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Bright Spot

Love these colorful coat racks. Imagine coming in from a dreary day to hang your coat and umbrella here. Wouldn't it be nice?
Urban Outfitters

Rain

It's supposed to rain here today. I love the rain. I may have mentioned this before. In our house, we all love the rain. We watch the forecast and look forward to these days, planning our menu around it (chili tonight). We open up the windows as soon as we hear it start so that we can hear it and smell it. The kids have the day off from school today which is even better. We are going to work together to finally get that winter garden in before the rain starts and then do what we like most, baking, eating, movies and nothing else at all.
via Pink Lemonade Design

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Wants, Needs, Desires

I can't stop thinking about these drapes. I have 25 yards of cloud blue twill fabric in my office from an abandoned project that could be put to good use in my dining room in just this fashion.
Miles Redd via Little Green Notebook

Monday, November 09, 2009

The Weekend in Review

I am so pleased with the treasures I found this weekend. 6 dozen vintage wooden spools of thread. Some of them still even have thread and the colors of those threads are so beautiful. A book of campfire song book published in 1939 and my most favorite, 2 yards of "The Emperor's Garden", a vintage (I think) Waverly fabric. I'm working hard to learn more about it. If you can give me some direction, please do. I can't tell you how much I love it.

Sunday, November 08, 2009

A Request

There's a little guy who needs some Christmas cheer early this year (read more here). Please add a stop to the post office to your list of errands.

Address your holiday card to:
Noah Biorkman
1141 Fountain View Circle
South Lyon, Mi 48178

*Update (4-09-10)- this wish has been granted. Please do not send any more cards.

Visual

I can imagine myself sitting here looking out the window as the landscape flies past. My destination, a museum where I will wander admiring beautiful things in quiet and then ride back thinking about all I'd seen. I've ridden a train once long ago. I don't remember what it was like. I'd like to do it again. It seems so romantically academic. Besides, I really love to look at the scenery on trips and that's so hard to do when you are driving.
Sarah Maingot via Bliss

Friday, November 06, 2009

Try This at Home

This might be a fun way to keep the weekly dinner menu and even the grocery list.
via Black.White.Yellow

Thursday, November 05, 2009

Making it Mine

This room is beautiful but to make it mine I'd trade the wood art piece for the black cabinet and the chairs shown for the blue armless (I don't like arms on chairs).

*I'm going through a leather upholstery stage. More on that later.
Jayson Home and Garden, Domino, Gemma Comas

Wednesday, November 04, 2009

Wednesday Morning Memo

Dearest (imaginary) Personal Assistant,
I've got a busy work day today. Lots of deadlines. Please hold my calls and if you could get started on the list I've left on your desk, I'd be eternally grateful. Thank you.
Living Etc

Tuesday, November 03, 2009

Light as a Feather

Captured on film, printed on paper, adorning a wrist, or worn in the hair. Even on clothes, I can't get enough of them.
Miles of Light, Verabel, FeatherBrain

Monday, November 02, 2009

Fall Back

I'm tired. It was a busy weekend plus the time change. This looks like all I'd like to see today, given the choice. There is no choice though. Time to get going!

Sunday, November 01, 2009

This Will Do

This blanket is handstiched from vintage Indian fabrics, each one is unique (perfect).
Jayson Home and Garden

Pastimes

I'd love it if this space were mine. I'd curl up there on that tufted couch with a blanket and start reading the stack of books. Truth be told, I'd pick up were I left off on any one of those books because I usually have 3-5 going at any given time.

That's how I plan to spend my fall/winter season, catching up on reading. I've been neglecting it so. I've just started Rosemary's Baby. I found a copy of it at the thrift store. I hear it referenced so much, I really should know something about it. So soon, I will.
Southern Accents