As we embark on MONTH TWO of a new year, wait, how is that possible?  Time needs to slow down for just a bit…right?

 National Geographic ~ the groundhog

My mind has been racing with thoughts of things to do…from work to pleasure…I can’t seem to make it slip into neutral long enough for me to focus.  Does that ever happen to you?  You no sooner think of one thing then your mind races to a new topic and before you know it you’re lost in new ideas, forgetting the good idea you just had.  No, I don’t think I’m suffering from early-onset dementia, why do you ask?

Source unknown, but this is the best of both worlds in my mind—a castle cottage.

1.

So, since it’s Groundhog Day and I’m certain I’ve experienced the above condition before, and because it’s our youngest son’s birthday, {it’s cliché to say it seems like only yesterday he was a tow-headed toddler following his big brother around the house, but I’m just saying…}, I’m providing images of things I like and rooms Kevin might like.  This isn’t a cohesive, all-one-idea kind of post, it’s an all over the place, like this and that kind of post.  {It’s okay if you skip your visit with me today…it might be contagious and you’ll be out of focus if you continue}.

 Veranda Magazine

Southern Accents, 2004

2.

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Maybe this is a purge of images that have been intriguing but not really part of a larger subset of rooms.  In any event, I hope you will return when I’m on topic.  Thank you for your patience.

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Better Homes and Garden  Some of my thoughts are towards planting for spring and a December wedding for Kevin and his darling fiance, Sarah.

Brides Magazine

Have a very Happy Birthday, Kevin!

May your beer brewing be successful.

I think I need a nap…

I’m visiting Sherry’s Open House at No Minimalist Here

My friend, Jermaine has planned the most exciting trip and invites anyone interested in visiting Paris for an insiders shopping and dining vacation.  Visit French Kissed for details.

http://french-kissed.com/archives/11592

NOTE:  I AM HAVING SOME SERIOUS WORDPRESS/SERVER ISSUES.  I’VE BEEN TOLD IT’S FIXED BUT I APOLOGIZE IN ADVANCE IF YOU’VE HAD PROBLEMS ACCESSING MY POSTS OR LEAVING COMMENTS.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.

I waffle on the topic of symmetry because I see great examples of both symmetrical and asymmetrical gardens, furniture layouts, kitchen cupboard arrangements and accessories.  I guess most of the time I’m most comfortable with symmetry, but there’s always an exception.

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 This (above) garden vista is symmetrical for the most part.  The astilbe on the left and pittisporum shurb on the right are pretty and asymmetrical.  The posts on the gate invite you into the formal garden space, so pretty.

Designer, Mary McDonald (via Veranda Magazine) says,

“I always like to pair very symmetrical elements with something that’s asymmetrical, because the symmetry cleans up the asymmetrical parts and keeps them from getting too crazy….You always want to make sure when you’re putting together a tablescape for a vignette that’s symmetrical…that you have groups of all different heights, because that creates an artistic sense of release.”

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It’s my birthday tomorrow and I knew I wanted to celebrate with you!  I thought I’d post some of my favorite rooms (accumulated from my favorite blog sites, which accumulated them from their favorite blog sites, no doubt).

Barclay Butera

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I would post the number of rooms that correlate with my age but I’m afraid your (and my) computer would crash from the size and number of picture files so…since my birthday is on the 27^th of this month, I’ll show you 27 of my favorite rooms.

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Randy Boyd

Cote de Texas

Some of the images have appeared in earlier posts because I love the room(s) so much but that’s okay, right?  It’s my birthday and I can be repetitive.

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Sorry, many of these images have been in my files since before my awareness of the importance of  providing credit and links.

Southern Accents

In the spirit of 27 Dresses (did you see that movie?), and my birthday on the 27^th day of January I hope you enjoy.

Kristen Panitch

Jill Brinson

griege

House Beautiful {Slim Paley}

French Kissed

for the love of a house

SMW adventures of tartanscot

Badgley via Elle Decor

Douglas Friedman

Randy Boyd via Romantic Homes

Birch & Lily

adventures of tartanscot

Traditional Home

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Thanks for making this a very fun birthday.  I appreciate each and every reader, comment-leaver or not.

I’m visiting Sherry at No Minimalist Here, stop by.

I’ve read a couple of posts from some of my favorite blog sites indicating a return to the popularity of equine accessories in the home.  This is welcome news to me.  I have always enjoyed the country house look that a nice hunt scene etching or re-strike gives a room.

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via – Sir Raymond Greene by Alfred James Munnings (1919)

Our home used to be filled with hunt scene art and horse paraphernalia…which created interest from our youngest son’s friend years ago.  Steven {Kevin’s friend} asked me, after looking around our family room, if I owned a horse.  LOL!  I did ride horses as a teen and my aunt owned a horse but a pony was the one gift Santa never brought me!

It truly baffles me as to why I enjoy the “look” but I guess it may remind me of my youth, coupled with the romance I’ve imagined tied to English manor houses and hunts and feasts in the forest while out of doors, i.e.  Gosford Park.  I know, I’ve been watching too many English period-series and movies!  Downton Abbey, is the latest addiction.

Ralph Lauren has always included country accessories that often included equestrian details.

5th and State

Diamond Baratta Design via Dovecote

 Hollister Hovey

For me, the touches of equestrian art and accessories are classic and timeless, but I do remember seeing a commercial recently that implied that the look might be akin to grandma’s overly sweet nicknacks.  I say, if you love it and don’t over do it, go for it, make it yours!

(above) Amanda Nisbit design

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William Hodgins design via

I love the painting above.  This room is inviting and calming to me…the glow of the fire and button tuck upholstered pieces speaks of comfort and relaxation.

And if you prefer to keep your love of horses to accessories only, there’s always a Hermes scarf and pair of riding boots!  At the end of the long day you can place your Scotch/rocks or your cup of tea on these thoroughbred coasters.

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The chair above, with the stirrup adornment was at a recent design market…the chair looks comfortable, doesn’t it?  Too much?

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Hope you’ve had fun with the horses and me…anybody up for a ride on a carousel?

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/equestrian-deco-156082

dog under table

As a Southern California girl, born and raised, I accept that “seasons”, in the traditional sense of the word, don’t exist for our neck of the woods.

So, as a flexible person who accepts and adapts, I delight in the little changes—longer days in the spring/summer; cooler nights in the late fall and winter.  I’m giddy when it rains and the temps dip into the forties at night during the winter months and I literally dance during the foggy mornings that clear to cool and somewhat crisp days of early spring.

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That said, winter is a favorite.  I’ve always identified with Rhoda Morgenstern’s sentiment (Mary Tyler Moore Show), “I moved to Minneapolis from Brooklyn, it’s colder, I figured I’d keep better”.  I love fall/winter clothes; turtlenecks, scarves, wool jackets/blazers and warm boots.

Winter 2011/2012 has been fairly warm and dry.  We had a little smattering of rain recently, but not enough to be overly excited.  I confess, I’m a little bit bummed.

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So, I’ve been losing myself in my files of images of warm, cozy room, fire ablaze, thoughts of a good book and frost on the window pane (which never happens here anyway, but I have an active imagination!).

Pamela Pierce Designs

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House Beautiful

Veranda

For those of you in colder climates I wish you a warm fireplace and plenty of hot cocoa.  For those of you who enjoy warm weather and wonder why I’m whining, I’m sorry.  Happy Winter!

I’ve linked up over at No Minimalist Here…stop by and see what creative bloggers are sharing and with The Tablescaper…very fun.

I am finally reupholstering our loveseat that sits in the reading room/library.  The fabric has faded beyond the “worn, but welcome” look, which is kind of sad because I really liked the fabric when it first went on.

 Such a sad state this little love seat is in.  It was originally a crisp, casual linen-like plaid.

Once it became clear that I was going to be able to do this project I started looking at blogs and magazines with a discerning eye towards styles.

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I gave some thought to button tuck for the back, but decided that it seemed a little formal for the room.

 I’m fortunate enough to have an outstanding upholstery team.  Home Creations in Aliso Viejo, California does amazing work and are so customer friendly.  They can redesign almost anything and with the help of my friend, Carla, we came up with a re-do that should be a welcome change for the room.

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I did decide on a tight back sofa, instead of the 2 cushion loose-back the sofa is now.  I also decided that since the loveseat didn’t have a skirt I’d add wooden legs, similar to the ones shown above.

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Joan and Dan at for the love of a house always wow me with their design sensibility, so I visited their site for some ideas.  Their living room sofa has arms and legs similar to what I’m going to have changed on my loveseat, thank you Joan.

Country Living

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I believe I’m going to change the back to a very subtle camel back.  I like the look of this one (above).  The skirt and lack of arms on this little sofa made me think it was a bed when I first looked at it.  I do think it would be charming in a bedroom even though its a bit too fussy for my house.

 you can’t see our window seat cushion that well, but it has rotted from sun damage and will also receive new upholstery.

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I also want to use nail heads on the sofa arms, similar to this (above).

As you can see by the first image in this post, the sofa was a traditional, rolled-arm; loose back and seat cushion loveseat.  Clearly, the loveseat had seen better days.  Our reading room receives an inordinate amount of sunshine; we believe we’ve helped cut some of the sun by extending the overhang just outside the bay window, which shades the room a little more {fingers crossed}.

 Pottery Barn

I’m not sure about the arm on this sofa in the Landon Collection…I like the width but the slopping angle might not be right  for my reading room.

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I mostly posted this image because I like the British art above…how fun is that?

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I really like the higher back of this sofa but I don’t think I can afford this much change to the loveseat.

This phase of the project will include reupholstering the sofa and the window seat.  I hope to add a seat cushion to the Windsor chair and pillows for the window seat in the third and final phase of ‘rennovation library’.

I’ll be sure to post the pictures once the sofa and window seat cushions are returned.  Do you have a favorite style sofa? 

I’m visiting over at Tablescaper, visit this site for some great ideas!

Sunday is Hubby’s (Lyn) birthday.  Those Capricorn’s seem to always have it together and in his case, are always calm.

 Ewan McGregor via 

[Trust me, I don’t read daily astrological predictions and actually BELIEVE them but there does seem to be a thread of truth to many of the characterizations made about the various birth signs, don’t you think?]

No, Lyn doesn’t look like Ewan McGregor but he is half Scottish and I thought this captured the essence of his Scottishness (is that a word, probably not)

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When we met Lyn drove a BMW he had purchased in Germany and brought home with him…it was similar to this but tan in color.

 That said, there are certain rooms where design is concerned that remind me of Lyn and most of them I absolutely love…I’ve addressed my fondness for more masculine, tailored room design HERE.

 I’ve used this image before, Glen Feshie Lodge via Elle Decor some years ago.  It is truly one of my favorite rooms, mixed plaids and worn Persian rugs…if I could duplicate this room in my own home I would do it.  I realize I live in California and it may not be the ideal setting for our climate but it’s still an all time favorite…oh, and I know Lyn likes this room too!

Library of Darin Geise via

This room reflects the lodge but there is something so inviting about a great leather wing back chair with a warm wool throw close at hand and a fire in the grate of a aging brick fireplace.

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Does there seem to be a recurring theme here?  As Lyn likes to remind me, “plaid is your favorite color”.

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See, I can do bright and cheerful.  I have this house tagged as a home in Sun Valley which may explain the bright white light, reflecting the white snow, streaming through the windows.

Ralph Lauren – Fall 2011

As I’ve mentioned before, no one does ‘it’ better than Ralph Lauren for me.  The richness of his rooms gets me every time.

…more of RL – Fall 2011

I’ve always liked this desk style but wondered about its practicality…where’s a drawer to keep the unsightly stuff?

via Carol Glasser via Southern Accents (years ago)

I’ve always been drawn to this house and have kept the pages from the magazine in my files for years.  Joni at Cote de Texas called Carol Glasser’s home in Houston as a “perfect house”…I agree.   There is something inviting and warm and timeless in this room’s details.

So, back to Lyn’s birthday…he loves coffee.  He claims it stems from living in Germany where he first enjoyed truly great coffee.  During our 39 years (yes, I was a child bride) of married bliss we have owned many coffee machines and now own a drip machine and a Breville espresso maker.  I confess, he’s influenced me and I only like coffee that is full bodied and flavorful.  The kitchen below would appeal to Lyn since there is plenty of room for this restaurant sized espresso machine.

via decorpad

via decorpad

…and I’m only partially kidding when I say he’d probably be able to justify an espresso maker in the bathroom!  Fortunately, our bathroom barely has room for all of the essentials let alone such a luxury as an espresso maker.

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To close, Lyn enjoys his leather…what man doesn’t right?  The above David August items are a little out of our budget but the iPad case is pretty cool.

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I wish you a good weekend and a very happy birthday wish to my husband.

On New Year’s Eve we hosted a party of 8 (including us).  This group of dear friends has celebrated this holiday, and several others, throughout the year with great success.  It’s a party of 4 couples that share a history of our children growing up together, life in the same neighborhood and just a magical connection that seems to work.  There are always lots of laughs and plenty of lively discussions but the bottom line is that we have so much fun when we’re all together.  Do you have friends and/or family like that?

Since it was my turn to host the event (we used to do a progressive dinner but have all decided it’s easier to stay in one person’s home and allow each couple to bring appetizer, soup and/or salad, and dessert, with the hosting couple providing the main menu) and because I was recovering from a glorious Christmas with son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter from Austin, I decided to keep the menu relatively easy, thanks to Pioneer Woman! (I love so many of her recipes).

I thought I’d share the recipes with you since they turned out to be very tasty and very make-ahead simple, as well as my table setting for the meal.  I realize we’re all a little “over” the holiday themed decorations and table settings but I want to share this since I believe it adds something to the story…and because I don’t have any original photos of my two recipes I’m providing.  ~side note:  I have signed up for a photography class in late February, maybe there will be better photography associated with my site in the future~

Herb Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Preserves

Added by Ree on September 15, 2011 in Main Courses, Pork

Prep Time 5 Minutes ~ notice the prep time?  How great is that?

Cook Time 15 Minutes Servings 12 Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

2 whole Pork Tenderloins

Salt And Pepper, to taste

8 Tablespoons Herbs De Provence (more If needed)

1 cup Preserves (fig, Peach, Plum) ~ I used fig.

1 cup Water ~ I used 1 tablespoon of water, in a previous run on the recipe I found 1 cup to make the fig preserves too watery.

1 Tablespoon Vinegar

Preparation Instructions

Preheat oven to 425. Season pork tenderloins liberally with salt and pepper, then with Herbs de Provence, pressing to get the herbs to adhere to the pork ~I did this in advance and put the tenderloins in the ‘fridge covered; I took them out about 2 hours before they were to go in the oven.

Place the pork on a rack or in a large skillet ~I used a large skillet~ and roast in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes (or until no longer pink; 165 degrees from the thickest portion of the tenderloin) ~it took my oven 25 minutes, it may have  been because my tenderloins were quite large. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes.

While the pork is resting, combine preserves, water, and vinegar in a small pan and bring to a simmer ~I did this in advance and left it in a small pan on the stove, reheated it just before serving.

Slice pork into thick pieces, then spoon the sauce/glaze over the slices. Serve with mashed potatoes, grits…anything you’d like!

I also made my old standard “Scalloped Potatoes” that can be made a day ahead and reheated (after bringing to room temperature) just before serving.

Yukon Gold Gratin

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Ingredients:

• 3 ½ pounds medium Yukon Gold or russet potatoes, peeled
• and cut into 1/8” slices ~ I use my knife, if you have a Mandoline
• it will make the task easier
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 cups chicken broth*
• 2 cups heavy cream* ~ or half and half, but the cooking time
• may have to be adjusted to allow the half and half to cook down
• Salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

Preparation Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400°.  Butter a 9 x 13 baking dish.

Sprinkle garlic over bottom of dish.  Arrange ¼ of the potatoes in dish.

Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Continue with layers until you’ve used all

potatoes, seasoning liberally with salt and pepper between each layer.

Pour broth, then cream and sprinkle with salt, pepper and dot with butter.

Cover and cook for 1 hour 15 minutes.  Uncover and bake for an additional

30 minutes or until someone golden on top.  At this point if you’re serving the dish the next day, cover and

refrigerate; preheat oven to 350° and bake for 30 minutes (if room temperature), 45 minutes if cold.

*I have used less than 2 cups of each broth and cream, I allow the broth and cream, combined, to come up to about the halfway point on the baking dish, or a little higher before covering and

cooking.  Also, if you are feeling especially daring, you can add cheese of choice to the layers and/or the top of the dish.  I will say the cream and broth creates a very nice cheesy texture to the dish without the cheese.

I served the meal with fresh green beans that had been blanched and seasoned.  Pretty easy and always a hit…try this menu  for one of your winter parties, I think you and your guests will enjoy!

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First on my “Dream List ~ 2012″ for our home is tackling the library, sometimes referred to as the reading room.

Those dear sweet blog-friends that follow me regularly may remember my repainting the room and giving it a mini-makeover HERE.  The upholstery work was on the list but the funds weren’t in the designated envelop!

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So, thanks to my “birthday group” girlfriends I’ve been given the fabric of choice for the small loveseat as well as the window seat.  Lyn (Hubby) has agreed the labor can be my January birthday gift, and since I’m not good with delayed gratification I hope to have the entire project finished by the end of January, wish me luck.

{Aerie}

I don’t have images of the fabrics I’ve selected yet, so I thought I would give you all some library love from the images I’ve collected of book lined spaces in homes.  I must say, as I sat in my library yesterday visualizing the finished sofa and window seat, I could totally visualize ceiling to floor book cases in the room.  That’s not going to happen but it would be really pretty!

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Michael Smith

House Beautiful

Pieter Estersohn

Jane Moore

If I installed a secret door it would lead to the garage, don’t think that would be too great.

{via Slim Paley}

{via the adventures of tartanscot}

and the piece de resistance…

…an ‘authors’ wall…how cool is that? Wouldn’t that be a fun addition to a library?

And while we’re on the topic, did you get any good books this Christmas?  Do you have an ‘to do’ renovations on your list for 2012?

While visiting Kyle and Jamie in Austin this past November I was asked to assist with arranging and ultimately hanging a variety of frames to form a gallery of what would be pictures of our sweet, and first granddaughter.

This family gallery (Schuyler Samperton) is appealing with its predominantly black and white gallery and the contrasting lone pair of red baby shoes.

The arrangement of a series of like items is always distinctive…the doggie approves! (Allesandra Branca)

Clean lines and architectural prints (Veranda Magazine) give a tailored feel to this room.  I love the simplicity of this arrangement.

DIL thought it wise to determine the arrangement and hang them, knowing this would provide the added incentive to get the pictures sized, printed and in the frames…a clever bit of self-motivation I believe.

The mirror in this grouping reflects light and adds interest to the random sketches (Beth Webb, Atlanta)

This is clearly a store gallery, the use of the plates is a favorite accessory in a gallery (An Enchanted Home)

(An Enchanted Home)

K & J had done an excellent job of selecting frames that coordinated and complimented each other for their family gallery and the gallery was to hang in an area of their dining room that could have proven a challenge for any sizable art.  For me, that’s part of the beauty of a wall gallery, filling a difficult space with a few of my favorite things.

another view of the same shop…the symmetry of this gallery and it’s shelves, plates and art is especially effective.

A useful and creative way to fill a large wall…the silver frames adorning the antique botanical prints, as well as the more ornate, silver frames on the mirrors truly makes this room pop!

The wall bust and the convex mirror is so effective in this display.

We achieved a pleasing grouping and I would have taken a picture but the pictures weren’t in the frames by my visits end, the unveiling will have to wait for my next visit.

(Things that Inspire)

Meanwhile, it made me notice wall galleries in several files that I have and I thought I’d share some of my favorites with you.

A long otherwise boring hallway benefits from the art in ‘floating art frames’…

…same with the walls of a stair case…great place for a wall gallery, don’t you agree? (Lonny Magazine)

(Natasha Louise King)

(Natural Elements)

I have always loved the interest wall galleries add to any given space.

Is it just me, or does this corner gallery remind you of Hermes boxes with the burnt orange paint and black trim?

(Martha Stewart)

(Pasadena Design House)

(Velvet & Linen)

Do you have a favorite display of framed art in your home?  I’d love to hear from you.

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