Happy December everyone!  We had a wonderful Thanksgiving week with family.  I caught a bug and as a result I’m so behind with my Christmas ‘to do’ list.  Being laid up I’ve had time to be inspired by all of the creative forces in blogland and I’ve decided to keep it simple this year.  I’m sharing a few images of my own home last year and showing you the inspiration for this year.

Last year I hung this rustic garland over our french doors in the dining room.  I think I’ll do that again.  The silver colored snowflakes were purchased at Crate & Barrel’s after Christmas sale a few years back.

Each year I’ve had a centerpiece made for our dining room table using the bronze deer I picked up while on vacation in Aspen years ago.  This year I’m going to try to make it myself using fresh greens, I’ll let you know how it goes.  🙂

Our kitchen bay window usually has some kind of live plant, last year I adorned an ivy wreath with some frosted red berries (faux).  I’m not sure what I’ll put in the window this year.  I have a nice container with english ivy in it and I may just add a few cyclamen and be done.

I found this stag graphic on The Graphic Fairy and printed him on vellum using sepia colored print, then I placed him over some old sheet music I had to create this deer vignette.  The deer are antiques I’ve collected over the years.  I’m not sure where I’ll display him this year.

Here is how our tree has looked the last 2 years. I believe it will look pretty much the same this year.  If you’ve ever thought about dramatically changing the look of your tree, what do you do with all the ornaments you’ve collected along the way, not to mention the expense of buying mostly new, right?

So here are some simple rooms I’ve admired.  They look understated but still seem very Christmasey to me…in a grown up way.

I know this image has been around a long time…sadly I no longer have the source (let me know if you do, please) But the unadorned cedar garland, and the wonderful fresh flower arrangement are beautiful to me.  I like the simple silver ornaments in the stacks of little pots.  The stone animal and the bulbs sprouting in the concrete bowl, all create the mood I’d like to strive for.

How simply lovely is this room.  Yes, I know, the chandelier and overall room design makes it a great room no matter what season it is, but you have to admit, this is a classic case of less being a whole lot more.

{via}

A Christmas tree, a wreath and a cozy feel to this room makes it complete for me.  {By the way, we are empty nesters, if I had youngsters at home I’d be decking the halls with all the glitter and popcorn garlands I could lay may hands on!} 🙂

{via}

If you’ve read my blog for any time, you know that English country style pulls at my heart strings.  This room is one of my favorites.

{via}

I’m loving this trend towards natural, even a little rustic, ways of setting the table.  The tree slices really lend themselves to the mood of Christmas and this table.  What do you think?

{via}

I plan on baking pumpkin bread to give to friends and neighbors.

I guess getting a late start has slowed my pace a bit, just a bit.  I want to keep it simple this year, not go over the top and enjoy good friends and family.

How are decorating for the holidays this year?  

I have loved horses as for long as I can remember.  Maybe most little girls go through an infatuation with horses.  I attribute my interest to a great book and a sweet aunt.  I read Black Beauty when I was 9 years old.  After reading that book I dedicated my search at our public library to all stories that revolved around horses.  When I was 12, my Aunt Gail came to live with us in California, moving here from Ohio.  She only stayed with us about a year, long enough to get a job and save enough money to rent her own apartment. She was an avid horse enthusiast and rider, and later saved to buy her own horse, which I was privileged to ride most weekends in my early teens.

{This is my youngest granddaughter, Fae, on an “unicorn” for her first birthday, maybe this ride will plant the seed and she’ll love horses too! —the pretty blonde girl is Fae’s mommy, my sweet daughter-in-law, and the redhead is moi}

I never lost my enthusiasm for horses and after visiting England for the first time, equine influences were stronger than ever.  That’s when I started decorating our home to reflect my perception of a English country home.

{via tumblr}

It’s no surprise that I am always drawn to a bit of a lodge-look style, with the hunt scene pictures, antlers and a few accessories to carry the feeling of country living in England. 🙂

{Elle Decor ~ photo by Roger Davies}

I must have lived in England in a former life.

{Antony Childs Country House ~ House & Garden; 1992 ~ photo William Waldron}

One of my favorite blog sites is The Polohouse.  The talented Alison has decorated her home in a style that I copy am inspired by.  If you have any interest in traditional decor, coupled with lovely, often antique, accessories, be sure to visit her.

{via}

Many rooms that capture my attention have a country feel to them.  Often the rooms are those of a manor house someplace.  Since I don’t see a manor house in my immediate future {read: ever}, I search out rooms that anyone would love, no horse riding or butler necessary.

An example is this beautiful room designed by Suzanne Rheinstein for a Virginia homeowner.  The paintings are the only nod to possible interest in horses.  The room is simple and elegant, while still inviting.  Virginia’s Hunt Country homes, when featured in magazines or online, seem to be a great source [this side of the pond] for all things equine.

{House Beautiful}

{via}

xxx

{photo Pieter Estersohn}

The room below is a favorite. It’s neutral palate appeals to me and there’s enough of a modern feel to the light infused room that I can visualize this room as a happy place to be whether in a California home or an English country house.

{Elle Decor ~ designer Kerry Joyce ~ photo Roger Davies}

This is the Salt House Inn in Cape Cod.  Don’t you love the painting? I do! 🙂

{via}

This warm, inviting room is from a designer Joni at Cote de Texas featured.  I would love wood paneling like this in a library.  Los Angeles designer, Schuyler Samperton.

{via}

Here is my main equine related painting.  Not the best photograph, but I do love the painting.  I found it in an antique store in San Juan Capistrano.  There are other small items that remind me of my love of horses. {sofa is on the list to be reupholstered in the new year}

Happy November!  Do you like equine influenced decor?  Did you have an affinity for horses when you were young?

For those of you who are first time visitors—we live in Southern California.  We’re in the 4th year of a drought.  It’s serious.  I posted some early research on plants that are drought tolerant.  To be honest, I haven’t plunged into planting because the garden seems dismal to me right now and I’m optimistic that El Niño will rescue us from this depressing condition!

That said, I’ve soldiered on in my quest for drought tolerant plant material that I could live with.  I’m not a fan of a desert landscape and my goal was to find plants that could almost mimic an English garden, but not require much water.  Before you laugh so hard you can’t read the rest of my post, there are a surprising number, of what I consider lush, green, blooming plants, that would lend beauty to any garden and they aren’t very thirsty.

I’m going to start with two plants that Cindy of the fabulous Rough Luxe blog left with me in comments.  She followed up with a post on her drought tolerant garden, located in California, that requires very little irrigation.  The two plants she recommended are incredible and will be the first things I buy for the back yard when I order.  They are Nepeta Faassenii

This beauty requires full sun or morning sun, afternoon shade and works for zones 4-9. It blooms late spring to late summer—that works for me.  It’s considered waterwise.  Maybe it will impart some wisdom to the plants around it. 🙂

The second plant that Cindy recommended and I like the looks of is Teucrium

Teucrium chamaedrys -This evergreen or deciduous subshrub is grown for its attractive, dark green aromatic foliage and its light pink to deep purple flowers, which blossom in summer and early fall. This garden workhorse can be used in troughs, containers, low hedges, knot gardens, rock gardens, or as edging…encouraging, right?  But wait, there’s more…

This is a plant we used in our landscape jobs a lot.  It was for those who wanted pretty flowers but didn’t want to do very much work in their garden.  Mexican Sage.  The great thing about this plant is that you can trim it back if it gets too big for surrounding garden and it happily returns within a matter of a few weeks, blooming and happy. (Note: this is Southern California conditions, no frost here).

You may be wondering what I’m going to do for contrast in the color palate, since I have selected pinks and purples so far.  I hope that my Iceberg shrub roses (white) can continue thriving (so far, so good).

The next plant on my list is Yarrow (achillea) which comes in a variety of colors.  Good in zones 3-9.  The appeal for this plant, besides its low water needs, is that you can divide it every few years and make more plants for other areas of your garden and it attracts butterflies.  The plant that gives back! 🙂

 {via}

A surprise to me as far as drought tolerant plants is the Alstroemeria.  I buy these flowers as filler from Trader Joe’s.  They come in a wide variety of color and are planted from a bulb (similar to day lily) and bloom every summer.  Zones 6-7 and 9-10.  For those with deer issues, they are deer resistant.  They require part sun/sun.

{via}

The final installment for this drought busting plant list is Belleza Gaura.  It’s easy to grow, full sun loving and drought friendly

{via}

If you’re in a drought plagued area,  you may be interested in some tips from Dave of Dave’s Garden.  I’ve been saving dishwater and using it around the garden as a result of his suggestion.  Happy gardening wherever you are.

All Vintage Garden Graphics via Fairy Graphics

Hello my friends!  Happy Wednesday!  Today I am offering a copy of Dear Carolina, by Kristy Woodson Harvey.  As you may remember, I posted a review last week.

To add to the giveaway fun, I’m going to share some pretty rooms (indoors and out) that I consider a worthy location for a good read.  In addition to sitting to read a book, I enjoy Audible, which provides me with an unabridged version of almost any book in downloadable form. For me, that means on weekends, when I have garden work or household chores, I can listen to the book while multi-tasking.  I understand most public libraries have CD copies of books as well, if multitasking is essential in your world. 🙂

Let’s start with this French farmhouse…everything about it says “relax, stay awhile” to me.  I’d select the chair with the ottoman for a reading break, but that’s just me.

While we’re talking ottomans, doesn’t this corner appeal to you?  Plenty of natural light, a throw and extra pillow at your disposal.  I might fall asleep before completing one chapter in this chair! {It’s been known to happen}

{John Bessler Photo}

There’s nothing like a corner library to invite one to sit and read awhile.  This one is a favorite for its display, art-lighting and books.

{unknown}

Is that a fire in the fireplace?  I sometimes wish I lived in a colder climate where a fireplace would be required daily…like England, maybe? 🙂  This is a beautiful American Farmhouse featured some time ago by Joni over at Cote de Texas.

{via}

Now this is pure luxury.  Can you imagine the prunish skin you’d have after a relaxing bath and a good book here?  Still, such an elegant place to bathe and read!

{via}

Since summer vacation is on the horizon, the one time when most of us can relax and catch up with one of the twenty books you’ve put on your list of “must read”.  I feel my blood pressure going down just looking at the image!

{Kristen O’Brien Photo}

I can’t quite resist the allure of a room with a fire in the grate.  I see myself settling in with a cup of tea and my current book.

{via}

This time of year, once the weather entices you to be outdoors, this setting is lush and green and fun for unwinding with your book.

{via}

Now for the fun part.  I have a copy of Dear Carolina to giveaway.  All you have to do is leave a comment and tell me your favorite spot to read.  Indoors, outdoors, at the beach, in a mountain cabin, whatever.  Mr. B. will be blindfolded and randomly select a winner from names in a basket.  I’ll announce the winner next week.  Good luck, Dear Carolina is a wonderful story and I think you’ll love it.  Now I can’t wait for Kristy’s second novel!

Where do you like to read?

 The big event is here…this is a recap of our home this Christmas.  Enjoy your holiday!

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas…you are the icing on the buche de noël, the sprinkles on the sugar cookies, the unexpected gift of blogland friendship!

I debated even posting this, or anything for that matter.  But decided I owed it to my 10 loyal readers to fess up…I’ve lost my creativity.  I can’t find it.  I’ve contacted Holmes and Watson but he’s busy and really feels this is a case that is simply too boring for his skill set.  Great minds must be stimulated!

I mentioned the idea of quitting the blog business to one of my loyal readers (my sweet daughter in law, Sarah) and she reminded me that I said the exact same thing last year around this time.

The truth is, I’ve tried to alter my attitude towards summer and I’ve certainly had a fun one this year.  [Babysitting our 3 1/2 year old granddaughter for 8 days was a highlight]

Still, in my heart I really hate do not care for the heat of summer (I know its me, its not the season, its me).  I play a waiting game of tolerance until late October, early November, when signs of autumn arrive here in sunny, Southern California.

So without further whining…I’m taking a break.  Tack it on to the already 2 week break I’ve enjoyed and I’ll do my best to return sometime in September. Meanwhile, I hope you’ll return to read whatever I come up with.  I am still always fascinated by anything to do with home enhancement, and take great pleasure in reading so many of the great posts that appear in my mailbox almost daily.  In addition, I have grown quite fond of all of you…my virtual BFF’s.  🙂

xoxo,

Karen