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Garden, Home & Party

~ My love of gardening, making home comfortable and entertaining friends and family.

Garden, Home & Party

Monthly Archives: March 2013

{GHP} Easter Greetings from Austin

31 Sunday Mar 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Easter, Family, Holidays

≈ 13 Comments

Tags

Easter, Spring

love french bulldogs tumblr nest{source}

Hi Friends,

tumblr_misf6aWIsH1qefrmxo1_250{source}

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

texas

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

.Good Life of Design providenceltddesign{source}

stonegable{source}

tumblr inspired design, pink tulips{source}

tumblr that inspirational girl{source}

tumblr tiny white daisies1tumblr_tinywhite daisies{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

≈ 18 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?

DilbertLately 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.

tm21As 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 1Tone on Tone Antiquestone on tone5th 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!

5th and state tulipstrip to england 5th and statechristmas house 5th and statechristmas showhouse 5th and stateFor 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!

for the love of a house1for the love of a house kitchenfor the love of a house reading room

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!

Downton Abbey season 1 via tartanscotI 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 ♥

{Home, Garden} Flower arranging, in a vase or in the garden

20 Wednesday Mar 2013

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

≈ 18 Comments

Tags

Spring flowers

1a-tumblr_fresh as a daisy{1}

Those of  us that enjoy our gardens, especially in the U.S., are still anticipating the full glory of spring.  I thought I’d provide you with a little inspiration by sharing some pretty flower arrangements for you to enjoy.  Some are simple and some are elaborate, all are beautiful [i.m.h.o].

1-tumblr fresh as a daisy gate{2}

…come along, through the magical gate that will place us squarely in spring on the other side…

2a-tumblr fresh as a...{3}

Where can I find fuchsia’s this color?

2-fresh as a daisy fuschia{4}

wouldn’t I love a hedge of hydrangea like this…

3-frsh as a daisy{5}

and ranunculus this color?

4-ranuculas fresh as a daisy{6}

5-tumblr fresh as a daisy pool{7}

Oh, how I wish I lived where lilacs would grow.

6-tumblr fresh as a daisy tray{8}

7-tumblr fresh as a daisy{9}

8-tumblr fresh as...{10}

This color (below) is one of Ina Garten’s favorites…

9-tumblr fresh as a daisy1{11}

10-tumblr fresh as a daisy3{12}

11-tumblr fresh as a daisy2{13}

12-tumblr a gift wrapped life{14}

I’m not sure what kind of bulb this is but it’s pretty even before it blooms.

13-tumblr love french bulldogs{15}

Spring’s bounty, flowering branches, pussy willow and some kind of seed pod.

14-tumblr looking for rainbows in the mirror.{16}

And for my final floral contestant…possibly a wedding prop, dancing in one direction, dining in the other.  Either way, I love the rusty old bicycle used for the flowers.

15-tumblrlooking for rainbows in the moonlight{17}

Source:  1-13, Tumblr Fresh as a Daisy; 14, Tumblr A Gift Wrapped Life; 15, Tumblr Love French Bulldogs; 16-17, Tumblr Looking for Rainbows in the Moonlight

Spring will be here (in the U.S.) any time now, in fact we’ve been teased with some warm days.  Wait for it, it will give us all a lift of spirits and a new level of energy.  ♥ Karen

I’m joining Savvy Southern Style for her Wow Us Wednesday and on Thursday, Stone Gable, Tutorials Tips and Tidbits

{GHP} Happy St. Patrick’s Day

17 Sunday Mar 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Holidays, Travel

≈ 22 Comments

Tags

St. Patrick's Day

I’d like to invite you to drop by my house this morning, Sunday, March 17th,

St. Patrick’s Day…

tumblr the fuller view{1}

We’ll travel through the countryside of Ireland, I’ll drive…

tumblr_mgp36vwHd51r8r03ko1_1280{2}

tumblr_mglwimtU1T1qa9omho1_1280{3}

We’ll stop and visit a few of the stately homes…

Note:  This post is pure fantasy.  As it turns out this lovely structure (below) is located in Wales {thanks, Rosemary}

Photograph by:  Gareth Hughes

tumblr_mauuoxiN5U1rydqpho1_400{4}

maybe even visit one that offer tours…

tumblr the fuller view2{5}

connoisseur tumblr{6}

connoisseur{7}

the fullerview{8}

tumblr the fuller view1{9}

Since the weather is pleasant, I suggest we have lunch at an old church that has been converted into a restaurant.

wasping{10}

The courtyard of the church has a lovely outdoor dining spot…

tumblr simplypix{11}

if it starts to rain we can eat in the sun room, equally lovely…

tumblr_mhmlqaTtwy1qd8ajzo1_500{12}

We have to try the restaurant’s specialty St. Paddy’s Day beverage, “Liquid Luck”…

tumblr looking for rainbows in the mirror liquid luck.{13}

Remind me to show you a favorite little tree house on the way back…

3-tumblr tree house, looking for rainbows in the moonlight{14}

Here’s the key…

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA{15}

I know we’ll have fun visiting, enjoying lunch and laughing…I can’t think of a better way to spend the day! ♥ Karen

♣Happy St. Patrick’s Day♣

Source: {1, 5, 8, 9 – tumblr The Fullerview; 2, 3, 10, 12 – tumblr Wasping through the Countryside; 4, 6, 7 – tumblr Connoisseur; 11 – tumblr Simply Pix; 13, 14 – tumblr Looking for Rainbows in the Moonlight, 15 – tumblr Lavender Colored Glasses}

{Home} The scrapbook of your life

13 Wednesday Mar 2013

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

≈ 24 Comments

Tags

accessories

For a home to hold great appeal and interest for me it has to have a personality.  In fact, my friend Linda recently read a quote from a designer, “I like to surround myself with things I love because I feel that my home is like a scrapbook of my life”.  This sums it up nicely.  That is where the personality of a home comes in.  When done well, a home reads like a scrapbook of where someone has been, their interests, their history and their pursuits.

1 - splendid sass paintings and silver{source}

I’ve lectured posted on this topic before {HERE and HERE}, but I think we’re currently in the midst of a design trend that embraces the use of reclaimed, recycled and antique (previously owned) pieces and I couldn’t be happier for it.  For me personally, it’s the ideal way to go ‘green’.

2-simple accessorizing3-decorating with collectables griege{source}

Some of the treasures we love to accessorize with have gotten pricey, even when you can find it on eBay, but if you’re lucky, you have a few items handed down through family.  Those are my favorites, although I’m not opposed to adding to the collection by a decade long search of each antique shop or thrift store I encounter on vacations.

Notice the wallpaper (below)…it looks to be antique newsprint, and that mirror, I can only imagine those that stole a glance at themselves as they passed it in a hallway or bedroom!

4-eloquence inc griege{source}

5-beach chic90design chic 1.22.13{source}

My father-in-law left us his binoculars in their original black leather case, the smaller pair were from a friend of my mother’s.  All rest on the antique French coat rack in our hallway…at the ready for bird watching {joke}.

Karen's binoculars

I believe furniture made from reclaimed woods can be found for reasonable prices, but I’ve seen some that out pace an antique, pricing wise.

bathroom splendid sass{I think the above image is Restoration Hardware, but the antique prints make the wall sconces, mirrors, hanging light and vanity all look vintage or antique}

cote de texas amy howard{Amy Howard via Cote de Texas}

9-if i forget thee1, tumblr10-tortoise-shell-boxes-l{tumblr}

11-tumblr nellyuniquetime{tumblr}

12-tumblr that inspirational g.{tumblr}

13-wasping through the countryside{tumblr

A closing post of a much loved blog site, Henhurst Interiors, 2.7.13 featured this quote “People who collect out of love are exempt from the dictates that govern traditional design, for there are no rules for true lovers.” – Rose Tarlow in The Private House ♥ Phyllis, we’ll miss you, I hope you will return to your blog sometime in the not too distant future.

{Party} Meatloaf, recipe variations

06 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Food, House and Home, Recipes

≈ 23 Comments

Tags

Meatloaf

As I mentioned in my Valentine’s Dinner post, meatloaf, especially in the winter months, is a comfort food…for some, not for me.  It is one of Mr. B’s favorite meals and it used to be a favorite of my father’s.  I can remember mom making a huge meatloaf and then we would eat meatloaf sandwiches for a couple of days after she served the beast.

559_1770_Meatloaf{1770 House Meatloaf ~ Ina Garten, Foolproof}

Years ago, when my mom fixed meatloaf for Mr. B (shortly after we were married) on our drive home he said, “why don’t you ever fix meatloaf?”  To which I stated, “because I don’t really care for it”…yep, I can be selfish that way.  After giving it some thought I decided maybe it was my mom’s meatloaf that I really didn’t like (bless you, mom) so I began trying meatloaf recipes from a wide array of sources.

nancy's daily dish via the enchanted home{source}

6-Hunting-2Bcharlotte moss1{Charlotte Moss}

I hit upon a recipe that I was certain couldn’t be rivaled in a 2001 Bon Appetit.  The March issue featured a meatloaf called “Red-Onion Meat Loaf“.  Since Mr. B loved red onion and I didn’t mind it I figured I’d give it a go.  It’s a delicious recipe and I’ve given you the link so that you can easily print it and try it yourself.

3-Fauteuil-de-style-Louis-XV-et-assiettes-en-faience-fin-XIXe-a-decor-de-gibier-d-eau_carrousel_gallery_xl5-grieg winter table{source}

Then, a few years ago we were watching Bobby Flay’s Throw Down, on Food TV.  He threw down for a meatloaf cook-off with the Collucci brothers of Hyannis, Mass.  They have been serving their meatloaf recipe for generations at the Collucci’s 4 Brothers Bistro & Last Resort.  I seem to remember that Bobby lost the throw down, but it was his recipe that sounded best to Mr. B. and I.  I’ve been making the recipe ever since…until Ian Garten’s new Foolproof cookbook had a recipe for 1770 House meatloaf.  I had to try it.  It’s delicious but Mr. B, and fortunately, I agree that Bobby Flay’s recipe still wins our cravings, hands down.

4-france, table setting7=lisa luby ryan 3table{source}

Click on the link for each recipe and give them a try if you and yours love meat loaf.  I’ve included table settings to jazz things up a bit.  Hey, if you’re going to eat you have to set the table, right?

8=martha stewart, photo by maura mcevoy{Martha Stewart ~ photo by Maura McEvoy}

9-NaturalXmas4 The Table 12.4.11

Do you like meatloaf?  If you have a wonderful recipe, I’d love to borrow it.  I’m always searching for the next “best” meatloaf ever for my honey!

{Happy 40th Anniversary, Mr. B}

{Home} Take a load off

01 Friday Mar 2013

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

≈ 27 Comments

Tags

furniture

Chairs…we all have at least a few of them where we live, right?  A couple of my best friends make a hobby of collecting them.  I confess, I’ve become more fascinated with chairs and their overall design of late and if it weren’t for the fact that there isn’t one square inch of space left in our home, I could see myself buying a few of the beauties I’ve posted here.

1-CIMG2401{Possibly my favorite chair…the ottoman makes this a ideal spot for me to relax and read.  The room is a south-facing room so it’s usually light and warm in the winter months}

2-_thumb[3]{I have more than one version of the chair above, I love the wood wings on the chair and the slope of the back}

3-ad splendid willow 1.25.13{The chairs on either side of the fireplace are inviting and appear to be comfortable}

4-BWC Living Room Inspiration 4{The leather and nail head wing back chair above is something I think could fit in almost anywhere—it’s got a wing-back look but doesn’t have the bulk of a wing back chair}

It was a great coincidence for me that I had started a folder of pictures of chairs in anticipation of writing a post about the topic.  Alison of The Polohouse invited her readers to join her “Favorites on the First” with talk of chairs.
{I love it when the planets align!}

5-circa interiors designer heather smith via heirlooom philosophy 2.5.13{Circa designs via heirloom philosophy}

6-Club Chair2{This club chair came from a consignment store years ago, it’s been recovered more than once, this Ralph Lauren fabric is the latest.  The chair is very comfortable, just ask Madison (our dog) who spends most of her day in it!}

7-pinterest via polohouse 2.7.13{I love this chair (above) with the flannel plaid on the front and the leather on the back}

8-HCH65B9_mj{Wicker is always a classic and while the back on this one could use a cushion, in my opinion, its a very pretty chair}

9-Belgian Pearls, 1.17.13a Philipp Vogt{Belgian Pearls}

This version of a wing back chair was an instant favorite with the overstuffed seat and nail heads…

10-Lydia chair from verellen, henhurst interiors 12.11.12{Lydia Chair via Henhurst Interiors}

11-Carrie-Hayden{sigh}

I love a chair with details, like above and below.

Gregorius Pineo via TG Interiors 2.12.13{Gregorius Pineo via T&G Interiors}

Judy Moore via cote de texas{Jane Moore via Cote de Texas}

I like the added beauty of wood and linen or leather on a chair.

saldino bedroom{John Saladino}

Sitting-Area-Traditional-Home{Traditional Home}

Do you have a favorite chair?  Do you like down-filled cushions? I’m always happy to hear from you!

March's Linky Party 3/1,2,3

I’m linking to Alison’s [The Polohouse] Favorites on the First…have a look.

Recent Posts: Garden, Home & Party

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A little this and that

The color of autumn

Wall Art Inspiration for our bungalow

Project Design: Outdoor Living Spaces

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