{Garden, Home and Party} Celebrating the season with a party!

15 Wednesday May 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Decorating, Entertaining, Flowers, House and Home

Tags

Garden: Spring is truly magical, with the seemingly overnight transformation of our outdoor surroundings from austere to vibrant. I marvel at how quickly the yard can burst with color, including large doses of every shade of green. I’ve shared with you how work in my garden always makes me happy. I understand not everyone shares my enthusiasm, but those of you that delight in planting summer flowers or bulbs, understand the joy the warmer, longer days can bring the avid gardener.

I planted hydrangea in the urn to the left of the door, it’s the softest pink. Most of the flowers in the front yard are white or blue. Pink was my nod to the fresh innocence of spring. I’m such a dare devil with color, lol.

When the warm weather visits we spend a lot of time in our backyard. {Sorry about the glare on this image below, even though it was overcast, it was still very bright, one of the things I like best about spring}.

I know this spring has had issues…like snow in late April in some parts of the U.S., but when it’s perfect weather-wise, do you enjoy the great outdoors?

Home: Some of the steps I take around the house to seasonalize for spring:This time of year, with the addition of a few extra hours of daylight, the windows are open more often, the woolen throws are carefully stored and I put out some birds nests I’ve collected over the years. {I only take the ones that are vacated by the family of wren, sparrows and hummingbirds}. I’ve found most of them in our yard, and I love the intricate construction of each one.

I have a lot of roses in my garden, but surprisingly the ones that provide a constant source of flowers for cutting are the hardy, shrub Iceberg roses and my Eden climbing rose. I love bringing fresh flowers into our home all spring and summer.

I love the color of these orchids (above), a gift from a friend. They look like spring to me, along with the twig planter, it almost reminds me of a nest.

Fresh fruit is another way to give a room a touch of spring.

…and finally, I bring out my little bronze birds to remind me spring is in the air.

Party: I like to cook, I find it to be a creative outlet. Mr. B and I don’t usually eat large meals during the week. My work schedule facilitates simple menus for the weekday meal. By entertaining friends and family, I’m able to try new recipes with the added bonus of trying out new table settings (another passion). Spring swings the door wide open with possibilities and options for mixing things up in the table setting department.

I use this white planter (which you can barely see in this picture) outdoors when it’s not providing me with plenty of maiden- hair fern and ivy for a table arrangement. I buy small pots of seasonal flowers and plug them in where needed. It’s an inexpensive way to dress the table with natures best work.

So are you ready? Share some of your favorite ways to enjoy the season…

I’ll be eager to see what you’ve been up to.

Note: Due to my blog being hosted by WordPress.com, Inlinkz has you click on the icon below to insert your link. Sorry for the extra step. ~and~ a huge thank you to my friend Victoria “Restoring our 1890 Victorian” for helping me with this.

I’ll be linking up with Savvy Southern Style: Wow us Wednesday

~and~ Stone Gable: Turtorials Tips and Tidbits

{Garden} Made with love – link party at Victoria’s

14 Tuesday May 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Family, Flowers, Gardening, Gardens, House and Home, Renovating

≈ 20 Comments

Tags

Gardening

Victoria, over at Restoring our 1890 Victorian, really stumped with her Linky party theme, “Made with Love”. This isn’t because I haven’t put love into nearly everything I do, especially where family and friends are concerned, it’s that I wasn’t sure I had photographs that I could use to document this project “made with love”.

So at the risk of seeming to be in a landscape/garden rut, the most recent project that seemed viable to the topic, one that I knew I gave a lot of thought, energy and love to, was planning and planting the front yard of our youngest son, Kevin and his wife, Sarah.

I apologize for not taking “before” pictures of the jumble of ivy and juniper…the landscape was so grim it never occurred to me. This is the yard prior to the final removal of the odd shaped bushes and a struggling ornamental plum (the tree in this picture).

(above & below) the left side of the steps are a garden I planted late last year, we mirrored the style for the larger portion of the front yard. The Iceberg roses and Santa Barbara Daisies have doubled in size

The newlyweds recently purchased an older home. This older home had been owned by an elderly gentleman, whose wife had passed away some time before. When he passed, his children put the house on the market. The yard had been “maintained” by a mow, blow and go kind of guy. Salvageable shrubs had been hedged into misshapen boxes and other odd shapes not natural to the plant world. Many of the plants were overgrown beyond trimming to any effect.

(above) The plants with the white flowers are the Iceberg roses…they will put on a couple of feet of height over the summer. There will not be very much ground exposed once the grasses and other plants fill in.

(above) the green on the front of the house is the espaliered apple…it should be very happy in its new home.

The majority of the front yard is a slope that meets the sidewalk. It was covered in runaway ivy and low growing juniper and because the slope was neglected the two varieties married and intermingled into a mess, complete with spider webs and weeds.

(above) Sarah and her mom bought some slate stepping stones and we planted Thyme ground cover. Once that fills in she can cut thyme for cooking and enjoy a lush, green lawn of an herb that has a small purple flower, when in bloom.

Just before the wedding in December, Sarah’s mom paid her gardener to rip out the entire mess. I began planning for the new yard in February and with the help of Jose (my gardener extraordinaire) we installed the finished plant list in April.

Planning took some time since Sarah and Kevin wanted a California/Santa Barbara look. Translation: Olive trees, grasses, lavender, white Iceberg shrub roses, Penstemon and other perennials. The space at the front of the house was begging for something showy and structured. We selected an espaliered apple. We asked Jose to make sure the sprinklers were in good working order, since we didn’t want the hundreds of dollars in plant material to shrivel up in the upcoming warm weather. That ended up involving hours of work! He amended the soil and planted.

Next will be some work in the back yard, although we have worked on some areas already…Sarah recently re-planted the herb/vegetable garden we installed last year and the space under the trees has been an inviting respite from hot sun since they first moved in.

Any and all involvement has been made with love. ♥ Check out the linky party at Restoring our 1890 Victorian

I can guarantee, you will be entertained!

~and~ because this garden makes me happy I’m joining Ricki Jill at Art @ Home for her linky party ~and~ Fishtail Cottage for her Garden Party

{GHP} Happy Mother’s Day

08 Wednesday May 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Family, Holidays

≈ 20 Comments

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Mother's Day

My mother passed away 3 years ago, it’s hard to believe it’s already been that long! Still, I’m getting great joy in watching our oldest son and his darling wife raise our granddaughter. It’s the circle of life and there’s nothing quite as satisfying to me as seeing them nurture and teach the sweet toddler.

On this upcoming Mother’s Day, I wish all of you a much-deserved day of love and adoration, and a fun day with family. If you are fortunate enough to still have a mom to visit and celebrate with, cherish the time.

These are things that remind me of my mom…Thank you, Mom!

for introducing me to the love and joy of gardening

for supporting my hobbies and interests

for always being at my side through good and bad

for helping me out of a few jams

for all the time we spent together, talking, laughing and reminiscing

for sharing my love of antique searching

for making childhood fun and filled of love

I miss you mom.

Happy Mother’s Day this coming Sunday.♥

Reminder—next week I invite you to join me in celebration of spring! Link up your favorites about the season, the garden, home and or party you take pleasure in during this time of year! See you Wednesday, May 15th.

{Garden} Progress update on New Year’s goals

01 Wednesday May 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Flowers, Gardening, Gardens, Maintenance

≈ 29 Comments

Tags

Gardening

HAPPY MAY DAY!

Sometime in early January I posted about my “goals” for the year. I used this word to avoid the utter sense of failure I experience when I’ve set the usual “resolutions” and then dropped the ball within the first month of the new year. This year I was determined to set realistic “goals” for myself and keep them in my thoughts to achieve some measure of success. How did that work out, you ask? Well, it’s only May 1st, but I would give myself a solid B for achieving 2 of the 3 goals so far.

If you’re interested in reading the post visit me HERE, otherwise, here is a bit of proof of my work towards accomplishing at least 1 of the 3 goals. Goal #2. Plans for the Garden :: As I explained in my previous post, I have regularly worked in my garden, but in recent years, only to maintain it. I had really dropped the ball where adding new “bones” to the space was concerned. The pictures I had taken for blog purposes revealed lots of bare spots and some much needed updating. {You really can see your yard, or rooms in your home, more objectively by taking a picture and looking at it}

Our house is stucco on all sides, except for the front where we had stone applied some years ago. I’m sure there are stucco walls that are smooth and somewhat attractive, that is not what we have in our 1968 Southern California tract house. Which is why I’ve have ivy growing on many of the walls. In our side yard there is a particularly large expanse of stucco and the wall happens to get full sun. I had always thought about planting something that could be espaliered. My trusty nursery suggested White Lady Banks rose so I’m giving it a go. Don’t judge Lady Banks just yet. I’ve only planted her this past weekend. But with time, I’ve been promised she’ll grow and will at least break up (figuratively) some of the stucco wall.

I’ve got a David Austin ‘Heritage’ and an Iceberg rose growing in front of Lady Banks, she should enjoy their company while she puts on growth.

Iceberg are so easy and provide the best white blooms nearly 9 months of the year around here.

The other roses in this area of the yard are French Lace

~and~

a Burgundy Simplicity rose. They both put their best face forward in spring, but perform well all summer long.

Last year I discovered that by planting my herbs in pots I could avoid the little slug holes that plagued all of my basil and flat leaf parsley.

The patio bed was revamped a couple of years ago, but even with the Iceberg roses and climbers, Cecile Brunner and Eden, the rest of the bed needed some interest. This spring I was able to buy foxglove in color packs (a smaller, 6-pack of starts). The ‘foxy’ variety will last most of the summer and could be coaxed into blooming again next spring if I could tolerate the stage where they look so sad. They are up and strong and about to burst into a full riot of beauty. (Please pardon the boxwood, they are transplants and have been over hedged. I’m hoping this summer they will recover and be lush and green once again).

The back corner of our yard is deep shade most of the time so in 2011 we decided to throw in the towel on trying to grow grass and instead had our gardener create a pea gravel patio. The corner plants never did much since the trees that create the shade sucked the nutrients from the soil and water was a problem since the soil was filled with roots and little else. We have moved 3 sizable concrete pots to that corner and my hope is to plant them with a Japanese maple, Annabelle hydrangea (Thanks, Keri! Ivy Clad posted the best information on this hydrangea) and possibly a Camellia japonica in white. This is a work in progress so I’ll have to follow up with a future post on my progress.

Under the kitchen bay window, on our patio, we have had 2 large concrete oval pots. Last year I planted white azalea ‘Alaska’ and white ivy geranium…

and this year, the ivy geranium won. The white azalea have been moved to a more suitable spot in the garden and the white ivy geranium are having a party.

The formal garden is still under renovation. It needs plants that can tolerate massive roots from our neighbor’s beautiful Alder tree. I love their tree but it does wreak havoc with the planting beds. I continue to amend the soil and hope for the best. The Sally Holmes climbing rose is happy on the fence and the roses in each of the boxwood framed openings seem fairly happy. I had to replace one of the hybrid teas with a Romantica ‘Bolero’ this past spring. I’m have frequent chats with the rose, encouraging it to grow up big and strong.

The last addition so far is a favorite for Mr. B. I bought and hung a bird feeder. We get a lot of really interesting birds in our yard and Mr. B loves to watch their antics. I hung it outside of our kitchen window and I must confess, it’s been fun to watch the variety of hungry birds.

Have you begun to work in your garden yet? Spring has sure taken its time arriving here in California.

I’m linked to: The Polohouse {Favorites on the First}~and~

Savvy Southern Style {Wow us Wednesdays}

~and~ Stone Gable {Tutorials Tips and Tidbits}

~and~ Ricki Jill at Art @ Home: My Happy List

In two weeks, May 15th, I’m hosting my very first Linky party. I’m celebrating all things SPRING! I hope you’ll join me with your favorite things about this season…your gardening tips and projects, the touches you add to your home as the weather warms and your favorite recipes, table settings and entertaining ideas for SPRING, or really just anything you’d like to post. I hope you’ll join me, I think we’ll have fun.

{Home} Study, Library, Den…a name for a cozy corner?

24 Wednesday Apr 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Architectural elements, House and Home, Study/Office

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

den, library, study

Things that Inspire recently did a post about studies and libraries and what the technical differences are. It was fun to read and to see the architectural detailing and furnishings that technically define each room as a den, library, study, etc. Be sure to visit Holly’s site, you will find plenty of beauty and inspiration.

Since a study, library or den, by most definitions, would be what I describe as my favorite room in the house, I thought I’d share some rooms that I’ve recently pinned and consider cozy and inviting.

Kelly, over at Talk of the House recently shared this room, furnished with black and white checked everything. I love this room because by using one pattern it feels like a ‘neutral’. It’s a relaxing room because of the black and white check.

The above room could be considered the ‘den’ since it screams cozy to me. The books, overstuffed sofa and Jack Russell terrier invite me in. But, since there are bookcases, I suppose I could accept a descriptive of ‘library’ just as easily and family room or den.

The room below would qualify as a study were it not for the fact that it might be a spot within a larger room, maybe a living room. I see an upholstered chair or sofa just to the right of the desk. I like the wall gallery above the desk, it gives definition to the space and adds interest, don’t you think?

The warm wood, antique books, hunt scene painting, fireplace and Persian rug are ingredients I consider essential components of a wonderful library and/or den. There’s a TV so I believe this would most probably qualify as a den. (Mark D. Sikes)

The room below is a favorite because I love being able to see what’s going on outside when I’m reading or working on the computer. The windows at ceiling level create a tree house ambiance. I could envision a nap in the alcove, after my work is finished, of course!

(Eric Taylor Photography}

Now this is a study! I love the French doors and and built-in bookcase.

{source}

{Jennings & Gates: Notes from a Virginia Country House}

{Splendid Sass}

{source}

Pottery Barn called this command center. Looks efficient, doesn’t it?

{source}

A study with focus. I know I’d probably not get very much done here…I’d be daydreaming out the window a majority of the time, but I like the simplicity of the space.

{source}

Another Mark D. Sikes design. I love the beams, the book cases, the view and the fireplace…this room seems to have it all (except a television, which might be a good thing).

{source}

Do you have a favorite cozy corner in your home? What do you call it?

{Home} Walk-in beauty and organization

17 Wednesday Apr 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Architectural elements, House and Home

≈ 29 Comments

Tags

walk-in closets, walk-in pantry

I have had a walk-in pantry and a walk-in closet, once in my life, not in the same place. I would say that besides a breakfast room, a walk in closet is second on my dream house wish list. Would it be greedy to wish for a walk-in closet, walk-in pantry and a breakfast room? {As a very good friend used to say, “If you’re going to dream, dream big!”}

So while perusing the ultimate resource for stimulating ideas, Pinterest, I re-pinned a few and thought I share those that had me at the door to their splendor…

I might as well start with the most elaborate of the lot…I’m not sure I have that many pairs of shoes but it would be so nice to see all of your shoe choices with one glance.

I would definitely want a chest of drawers in the walk in closet…

{Design Chic}

This is small but I like the quasi vanity at the back of the closet.

{Dream House via Pinterest}

Lighting would be crucial, I love the idea of the glass doors keeping things orderly.

{Pinterest}

I know this is a man’s closet, but I like the layout and it would be nice to have my favorite design books at my fingertips.

{Design Chic}

A jewelry drawer would be fabulous!

{Better Homes and Gardens}

and finally, to decorate any blank wall in your walk-in closet you could do this…note: I think I have a Tiffany Bag hanging around, I’d have to ask Chanel and Hermes for a bag! lol

{Pinterest}

There is equal interest in a walk-in pantry for my kitchen, again, it doesn’t have to be huge, but boy, would it be nice…

I love the way this door looks like cabinetry in the kitchen but serves as the door to the walk-in pantry!

{Better Homes and Gardens}

A pantry behind a sliding door is very cool, it looks like the ‘fridge is in the pantry, not sure about that feature, wouldn’t that be inconvenient? Maybe its the back-up refrigerator.

{Design Chic}

This is something we didn’t add when we remodeled our kitchen, and I realize it’s a little off topic as far as walk-in pantries go, but maybe you can imagine this drawer would be located inside a walk-in pantry…{Griege}

Again, sliding doors, and as you can see this walk-in pantry doesn’t take much space…maybe if we add the breakfast room we can incorporate a space like this.

{Pinterest}

I’m not sure you can see it well in this image, but there’s a really great door on this pantry with leaded glass. The pantry is waiting for me to load it with all my stuff.

{Pinterest}

This one is so well accessorized, it almost looks like a small butler’s pantry.

{Pinterest}

Maybe if I had a bank of cupboards like this I wouldn’t need a walk-in pantry, although there would have to be solid doors, my pantry never seems view-worthy!

{Design Chic}

Do you have a walk-in closet and/or pantry? Do you consider it one of the major benefits of your home? [I think I know the answer to that last question, but I'd still love to hear from you]. ♥

I’m visiting the Wow us Wednesday linky party over at Savvy Southern Style.

Victoria is giving away a fabulous trowel for the garden enthusiasts, like me…HERE

{GHP} My Best Find Ever

09 Tuesday Apr 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Antiques, Collections & Accessories, House and Home

≈ 24 Comments

Tags

collections

When Victoria, over at Restoring our 1890 Victorian, invited me to play lead guitar for her Linky party, I was thrilled. Victoria will be Lead Singer and Danielle of Storypiece will be on drums. Playing with blog friends is so much fun. Then reality set in, what was my favorite find?! I’ve always loved scouring flea markets, antique stores, and thrift stores for treasures. Since I’m now more mature (read: older) I have amassed a lot of good stuff from these excursions. So what would win the beauty contest as the best thing I’ve ever found?

I thought and debated with myself…I had recently done a post on homes becoming the scrapbook of your life and figured I could use that post to link my finds. Then I decided to work on my creativity, “let’s not become lazy where your blog is concerned, Karen!” and I came up with a recurring theme with my inventory of “treasures”…TRAYS, specifically silver trays, but pretty much any tray that strikes my fancy. Trays have always been a draw for me, as evidenced in my two previous posts on the topic HERE & HERE.

I have been given a couple of trays by family members and a particular favorite tray came from a friend (she found it for me on one of her excursions)…but most of my stash comes from bumping into the odd tray at consignment, antique or thrift stores, the prices have one thing in common, they have been rock bottom for all of the useful benefits they can provide the willing owner (moi).

Both the tray above and below belonged to my mother-in-law. I was honored when she gave them to me a few years before she passed away.

This tray (below) is hammered silver and coincidentally has a B monogram, our last name starts with a B. Our friends know us well…we love this tray!

I bought the larger tray at a flea market last year, but the tray in front is a trophy tray I purchased in 1999 in Oxford, England. Such a find, and a great reminder of the fun we had as a family while visiting England during Christmas.

This Sheffield tray came from a favorite antique store in San Clemente, Stanford Court. It was cheap because it was missing a foot {I love footed trays} but a visit to Normandy Metal Finishers remedied that for me for only about the price I paid for the tray. It remained a bargain…

I’m now using the tray in the reading room. It holds a couple of antique books, one of the little nests I’ve found in our yard, and an orchid.

This silver plate was found at a consignment store for $25. I love the detailing

Recently I stumbled upon this little, and I do mean tiny, tray. I couldn’t resist. Look at the detailing on this cutie…

Another recent find…wait, am I overboard on this collection? No, can’t be, one can never have too many trays, right?

There’s always a holy grail of trays I’m in search of, the impossible find, and this is it…

{source}

If you know where I can pick up one of these beauties for, oh say, $25 let me know!

Join me over at Victoria’s place…it should be fun finding out what surprise “find” Victoria recently acquired and some of the treasures other collectors have discovered.

Wait until you see what Victoria has to share! Visit Restoring our 1890 Victorian.

Wait there’s more…I’ve visiting Art@Home for her “My Happy List” party, and Savvy Southern Style for Wow us Wednesdays, Stop by.

{GHP} It’s all about the packaging

03 Wednesday Apr 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Misc

≈ 21 Comments

Tags

continers

I have always ~~been a sucker for~~ appreciated pretty packaging. I have learned, sometimes the hard way, that the item within isn’t always all that I had hoped for but I am drawn to items that are well packaged.

The inspiration for this post came by way of one of my favorite sites, Heather Bullard ⁄ Lifestyle, in her recent post about some small, wooden boxes she found at Target in their dollar bins. (Sorry I missed these). She did an amazing job photographing the boxes filled with eggs from her hens. I was taken by the beautiful photography (always) but it struck me that something as simple as eggs could look so appealing. Note: Heather and her team publish Souvenir magazine. It’s filled with great ideas.

That got me thinking about some of the creative packaging you stumble upon while perusing the internet. Jenny Steffens Hobick, a talented cook hosts an entertaining blog site, created this box of homemade cookies and other goodies. By placing them in cello bags with pink ribbon and polka dot tissue, the contents look like they could have been packaged by a high-end specialty boutique. Anyone would be pleased with this sweet package.

Another example of something as simple as a red/purple onion, made to look like art. I realize none of us would wrap our onions in antique pages from a book or newspaper before use, but you can see how pretty they look. {Helena Bernard Photography via tumblr Love French Bulldogs}

Who doesn’t love a French baguette? This display conveys to me that these are fresh-out-of-the-oven and I can nearly taste the fresh creamery butter and melt-in-your-mouth flavor of a baguette. {source}

{source}

Even these little individual pies are tempting, I might want the entire crate of hand pies!

{source}

Note to self, make some of this vinegar for possible hostess gifts during raspberry season.

Isn’t this bottle with the pop lid stopper cute?

{source}

Don’t you wonder what is within the delicate wrapping of the lace doilies?

{source}

Just in time for Easter, I believe these Mod Podge eggs could be created using the plastic, open-able eggs you can find everywhere right now. Throw some M&M’s in these and I’m in happyland.

{source}

The oak barrels used to age wine have always been a favorite, they are usually French oak and I do enjoy a glass of the contents from time to time.

{source}

Are you drawn to attractive packaging?

I’m visiting with Ricki Jill over at Art@Home, join me.

{GHP} Easter Greetings from Austin

31 Sunday Mar 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Easter, Family, Holidays

≈ 13 Comments

Tags

Easter, Spring

{source}

Hi Friends,

{source}

I’m enjoying Easter with our oldest son, his lovely wife and our darling granddaughter. Spring has sprung in Austin.

I hope you’re enjoying warm weather and all of the excitement and joy of spring.

{source}

{source~two images above}

I’ll be back on Wednesday, I look forward to seeing you then.

Happy Easter & Happy Spring ♥

{GHP} A few of my favorite sites [friends] in blogland

27 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by Karen B. in House and Home, Misc

≈ 17 Comments

Tags

Blogs to love

If you’re anything like me you’ve got more blog sites to read and follow than you ever imagined. Like the back-up on our DVR recorder (of TV programs), I start feeling like the homework assignments are piling up and I’m behind. I’m a huge fan of an article on time management written by William Oncken Jr. and Donald L. Wass, “Management Time: Who’s Got the Monkey?” published in Harvard Business Review in 1974*. I can’t stand to have the monkey on my back…if I have an assignment, even one I love, i.e. gardening, reading blog sites, etc., (self-imposed or otherwise) I’m happiest once I’ve caught up with all of it. Does that happen to you?

Lately I have too many pulls on my time. I’ve informed Mr. B that my television viewing will include fewer programs and he can start watching some of the recorded TV shows on his own. I’ve become more discerning where my blog reading is concerned as well, but I confess, it has been more challenging than paring down my television viewing. The reason is the producers and actors on TV aren’t my friends! Silly? Maybe, but when I’ve received comments from fellow bloggers, I’m so appreciative, and I immediately feel a sense of loyalty to read their posts and comment, as time permits. If you manage a blog, you’ll understand.

As time continues to evaporate, I’m attempting to be more selective with my blog-reading. I’ve noticed there are several sites that seem like a present waiting to be opened. When I receive an email in my inbox that they have a new post waiting for me, I’m actually excited. I can hardly wait to click over and read what’s new in their world. So, not to minimize any of my other must-read blog sites, here is a list of some of my favorites, they are always entertaining. I won’t give them their due with my summary of each, but I can tell you this, you won’t be disappointed if you take the time to click over to their site.

Tone on Tone, Loi :: I clicked a link to Tone on Tone via Velvet Linen several months ago. Loi’s site never ceases to wow me with the beauty of his home, and the furnishings sold at their (his and Thomas’) antiques store. He features incredible photographs of some of the homes of friends and always shares entertaining ideas and inspires his readers. I should also add, he is generous with his time and almost always leaves thoughtful and fun comments on my blog site.

tone on tone 5th and State, Debra :: I can’t remember where I found the link to 5th and State, but I know it was sometime around the holidays the year I discovered the talented Debra. She has three stores in the Chicago area, is a landscape designer and leads tours through England, and still manages to post incredible pictures of her trips and ideas for landscape and outdoor space as well as some beautiful interior designs. When I get a comment from Debra I feel like I’m hearing from a dear friend!

christmas showhouse 5th and state For the Love of a House, Joan :: I cannot remember where I found this site either (it should actually be considered a ticket to an ongoing class on how to transform a historic, run down house into a beautiful, warm and inviting home. Dan and Joan are a husband and wife team that have created a fabulous home. They both approach each project with such thoughtful creative spirit, and offer inspiring ideas. Be sure to visit each room she has links for. Oh, and she’s had lunch with Bunny Williams, how cool is that? Joan often provides lists of her “must haves”. I would have to rate the items I’ve tried as 5 star tips!

Other must-read sites I’ve mentioned before: Victoria Elizabeth Barnes, French Kissed, Adventures of Tartanscot, Design Chic, Slim Paley…I love them all! A new blog I’m enjoying is written by my friend Whitney, her blog, Sandpaper and Silly Putty, is fresh, filled with creative ideas, and always inspires me.

You can see how this time-crunch problem developed. So many lovely and talented bloggers, so little time!

I don’t think Mary had these time related issues, do you?

This doesn’t mean I won’t discover new blog sites to love…its like window shopping, you sometimes find something you aren’t sure you can live without. You can subscribe, it’s free, and you can always unsubscribe if you don’t find yourself in sync with what they’re all about.

Blogging is such a pleasurable adventure, don’t you agree?

I’m off to Austin to spend Easter with my granddaughter, oh, and her parents! See you when I return. Have a glorious Easter and may spring provide plenty of sunshine for your celebration. Karen ♥

Garden, Home & Party

{Garden, Home and Party} Celebrating the season with a party!

{Garden} Made with love – link party at Victoria’s

{GHP} Happy Mother’s Day

{Garden} Progress update on New Year’s goals

{Home} Study, Library, Den…a name for a cozy corner?

{Home} Walk-in beauty and organization

{GHP} My Best Find Ever

{GHP} It’s all about the packaging

{GHP} Easter Greetings from Austin

{GHP} A few of my favorite sites [friends] in blogland

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