Craving spring... faux tulips...a thrifted vase... and why I love Rachel Ashwell...

(click any photos to enlarge)

Okay, I'm really craving a big dose of spring right about now!

Ignore that pink poinsettia that screams Christmas and winter! Instead, focus on the tulips that are beckoning, "Come on spring! We're ready for you!"


Okay, so they're fake tulips, but I don't care... They remind me of spring, and since I'm at the tail end of a cold & snowy New England January, anything that makes me think of warm sunshine and spending time outside is okay in my book...

In addition to the tulips, I got out my Rachel Ashwell 'Simply Shabby Chic' Rosalie tablecloth (it also reminds me of all things spring-like!)... This tablecloth was one of my earliest purchases when I started getting into the shabby-cottage look...

Not only do I love Rachel Ashwell's home decor items (I just splurged on a shower curtain that I'll show you in an upcoming post), I also love her philosophy regarding decorating and life in general... She says, "Perfection is too daunting." Four such powerful words!! She also embraces the "rumpled style," as she calls it, and as you can tell from the tablecloth in the photos, I have no problem enbracing that style either!

Another early "cottage" purchase was this junktique vase. The bottom is marked E.O. Brody Co. M5000 Cleveland, O. U.S.A. It's very similar to this one that I just found on-line while researching the E.O. Brody Co.

So here's to... the anticipation of spring... the acceptance of faux flowers... the fun of thrifting... and the love of Rachel Ashwell's 'rumpled' style and 'perfection' philosophy!


Donna

Vntage Cherry Plates and Comfort Food...

Isn't this the sweetest little plate?


Just look how it dresses up this serving of tuna from last night's supper...


Now tuna salad might be able to stand on its own over the summer, but during the cold New England winters there's nothing like pairing it with a bowl of hot vegetable soup... Mmm mmmm good... Comfort food for sure...


Now back to these little dishes... The pattern is so adorable, but what really makes them sweet is that they were my Nana's! There's a large serving dish and 4 smaller lunch plates. (Ooops - there used to be four. I accidentally broke one in the early 80's. Have I ever mentioned what a butter-fingers I am?)

This is my Nana, who had the best taste when it came to picking out dishes and china (you can read my post about her china & hutch here)... I love this (late 50's) photo of my Nana sitting in her sparkling kitchen. I have the best childhood memories of Sunday dinners in that kitchen. I'll bet those cherry plates were stored in the hoosier cabinet right next to her!

At this angle, you can really see the unique scalloped edges on all of the plates...

The leaves are raised on one corner of each plate...

... and the cherries are also dimensional.

I have no idea how old these plates were... I'm assuming my Nana bought them some time between the 1920's and 1950's. The large serving dish has "401 ITALY" on the back; all of the smaller plates just say ITALY.

I'm so fortunate to have so many wonderful memories of my Nana, and to actually own pieces that she bought for her 'vintage cottage' years ago... (I love you, Nana!)

"EBTKS" Tuna Salad

Whenever I make tuna salad, I make a large batch for my family (tuna, chopped onion, chopped celery, Miracle Whip, pepper, and sometimes hard-boiled egg)... I also love that version, but I usually make a smaller batch of "Everything But The Kitchen Sink" Tuna Salad for me (my family thinks I go a bit overboard with the ingredients, but I love it!)

My EBTKS Tuna Salad: Tuna, chopped onion, chopped celery, chopped green olives w/pimentos, chopped dill pickles, mayo, pepper, and a bit of horseradish sauce for a little bite!!

Happy Friday, everyone!!

Donna

The early bird gets the...

... shaft!!! Our first robins arrived over the weekend, just in time for the nastiest weather of the season...


(click to enlarge photos)

"Mr. Robin, what on earth were you thinking, migrating back to New England in January!?!?" (I left this pic very large so you can see Mr. Robin, perched on the heated birdbath, if you click to enlarge the photo... Just follow the arrow!) I seem to remember as a kid that robins were considered one of the first signs of spring, but I've noticed over the past several years that they've been arriving earlier and earlier!


"Oh, no, Little Wren - not you, too!!! You've arrived in the middle of a snowstorm, and spring, with its abundance of insects, is nowhere in sight!"



"So find Mr. Robin and see if you two can cuddle together and keep warm until you find mates!"

Now here's a bird that looks right at home in the New England winter!

"Hello, Mr. Nuthatch!! I see you've spotted the crumbled suet cake I sprinkled over the feeder for you!"

Sweet, gentle mourning doves... They are such timid, beautiful birds. Usually when they spot me with my camera, they're gone... But this little guy must have been hungry because he just kept on eating after he spotted me.

"Hello, little junco! Although I won't miss winter, I will definitely miss you when you're gone... So we'll make the most of the next couple of months, until the longer days and warmer temps tell you it's time to spread your wings and fly away."

This little black-capped chickadee looks camouflaged amongst the seed and suet!

They are such feisty, brave little birds... They come right onto the deck in the summer to drink from the small birdbath we keep there... (ahhhh, summer... what a sweet word!!!)

It seems as though every time I glanced toward the dining room window while getting supper ready, I'd see a different bird at the feeder. So I grabbed my camera and within a short period of time got photos of all these guys. Blue jays and cardinals were also there, but they never came back once I had my camera in hand (Murphy's law)...

This is the first year we've had the screen feeder set up right outside the dining room window and I absolutely love it. Number one, I can fill it right through the window... no more trudging through the snow; and Number two, I get to watch these feathered friends up close and personal!! Another thing to be grateful for!

Donna

Simple pleasures... Lemonade award... and Tag...

I feel like I've been gone forever! Between dentist, doctor, and vet visits, it's been hectic around here. But I did get a chance to pop into TJ Maxx today to pick up my favorite foaming hand soap. I wish there was a way to send scents and aromas through the Internet because these smell sooooooo good!


I'm going to use Pineapple Violet in the kitchen and Mandarin in the bathroom... Simple 'sweet-scented' pleasures.....

Lemonade award!!!

I received this Lemonade Award from Renee at Cottage Lifestyle and from Tracey at At Home on the Ridge... Wow, thank you both so much! Please be sure to pop over to Renee's and Tracey's blogs... You will definitely enjoy your visit!

What this award is about... Bloggers who show great attitude and gratitude. (Thank you again, Renee and Tracey!!!)

What you have to do...Upon receiving The Lemonade Award, you also pass it on to other bloggers who you think show great attitude and gratitude.Here are the rules:

1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 8 blogs which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
3. Link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award

I'd like to extend this award to the list of bloggers who appear in my sidebar. It's always such a pleasure to visit you, to read about what's going on in your lives, and to 'ooh' and 'aaaah' over the photographs you share on your blogs... Thank you all so much!

Tag - I'm it!!!!

Stephanie at Lulu's Cottage and Jean at A Romantic Country Home have tagged me to play a little game....


I need to share 7 or 8 random or weird facts about myself... Be sure to visit their blogs to see the weird/random facts they shared!!! Okay, here goes...

1) I'm a white-knuckled flyer. I've flown quite a bit in my life, but I've never gotten comfortable with it (and I doubt I ever will).

2) On the other hand, I love driving. And ever since Delilah joined the family (our Garmin GPS unit), there's no fear of getting lost... Just give me the open roads! (Delilah was named after the Plain White T's song that was a mega-hit during the spring/summer that we bought our GPS.)

3) I am a worrier. I worry about everything. All it leads to is stress and grey hairs, so I try not to worry, but unfortunately it comes naturally.. (Not worrying is so much easier said than done)...

4) I feel like a caged tiger when winter arrives because I miss being outside so much. It gets really cold here in New England and I'm afraid I'm not much of a snow lover... I admire its beauty, but I don't like being outside in it... (So right about now, I'm anxiously awaiting spring!)

5) My favorite snack is popcorn (buttered, unfortunately); my favorite types of movies are romantic comedies, and my favorite type of books are mysteries...

6) I am really torn about painting the woodwork around the windows in our dining room and living room. I absolutely love the look of white painted wood, so I don't know what is holding me back... Will that be a 2009 project? The jury is still out...

7) I've had three distinct home decorating styles over the years -1) modern/contemporary with lots of black leather sofas, chrome/glass tables, and arc lamps ; 2) primitive with dark stained furniture, sturbridge plaid sofas, wing chairs, braided rugs and stenciled walls; and 3) my shabby/cottage style... Will there ever be a 4th? I'd have to say, "Never say never!" (But seriously, right now I can't even imagine what I would ever switch to... other than maybe introducing some brighter colors into our white-on-white color scheme!!)

8) I love McDonald's iced coffee (Newman's Own) - even in sub-zero New England temps! (Yes, it's that good!)

I know I'm supposed to tag some other blogs, but I'd like to open this up to anyone who would like to participate! It will be fun reading everyone else's random/weird facts!!

Donna

(who is waiting to see how much snow today's storm is going to dump on us!)

Stripes and Flowers - Pink, of course!

Spotty asked if he could show you this little throw that we use on our loveseat.


It's fitting that he should show it to you since it covers up the slipcovered seating area that's all pulled from "pussyfooting" kitty claws...


I found this at a second-hand shop when I switched over from prim to cottage...


It's actually a reversible, ruffled baby crib comforter... (I don't remember sweet little crib comforters like this back when my girls were babies!!)

I have always loved stripes and florals together, and the colors in this comforter are cottage perfect!!

I think I'd use it even if I wasn't trying to hide kitty damage!

Be sure to visit Beverly at How Sweet the Sound to see her Pink Saturday post and to find a list of all the other pink-loving bloggers who are participating in today's Pink Saturday!!

Donna

Windows, now and then....

Bedroom winter....


Bedroom autumn....


Living Room winter...

Living Room autumn....

Dining Room winter....

Dining Room Autumn...

Family Room patio door winter....

Family Room patio door autumn...

Windowseat winter...

Windowseat autumn...

Family Room winter...

Family Room autumn...

Stay warm, everyone!!

Donna

Old Man Winter vs. the Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer

As promised, here are a few photos of the most recent snow Old Man Winter bestowed on beautiful New England...

Thank goodness this isn't one of them! This was taken after our January 23, 2005 blizzard... brrr... it's coming up on that 4 year anniversary... I definitely don't want a repeat of that storm!

But the following photos are from our most recent snowstorms, and I was able to find some summer photos taken from about the same vantage point... (What a difference six months makes!)


The birdhouse wears a white powdered roof while the trellis to the left pokes above the snow...


The same scene this past summer (the flamingos flew south to our shed for the winter!)...


I poked my head out the family room slider long enough to snap this picture of the shed and tree house... Trust me, it's as COLD as it looks!

Oh, sweet greens of spring and summer... Just knowing you're but months away keeps me going through our long New England winter!

Nary a Sammy in sight on squirrel gulch today...

But it won't be long before they're once again sunning themselves on warm spring days....

Little garden angel, do you miss the spring blossoms and the sweet song of the wrens?

Not to worry... Before long your little friends will be back to raise a new family in the wren cottage just beyond the fence...

And now, just a few more random photos of the beautiful snowfalls we've been treated to....

Out the family room sliders...

The back yard....

The mulberry tree by the back fence, along with the snow covered bistro set...

... and the flowering cherry tree in our side yard... The squirrels worked tirelessly to enlarge the birdhouse entrance so they often use it during winter storms....

If you live in a snow region, stay warm!!! And if you don't, you're probably either really envious right about now - or you're thanking your lucky stars that you can just walk out your front door in a t-shirt and drive off to do errands...

...(As opposed to bundling up in coat, scarf, gloves, & hat, brushing off your car, scraping ice off your windshield, and running the defroster before heading out. And it's EXTRA fun if you get to do all the bundling of little ones in the winter time - especially for very short errands... Oh, gosh, I remember those days like they were yesterday!)

Donna

(who, although she really does appreciate the beauty Old Man WINTER sends our way, is still anxiously awaiting the Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of SUMMER!!!!)