{Party} Autumn entertaining ideas and an easy recipe

09 Tuesday Oct 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Dessert, Entertaining, Halloween, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, House and Home, Recipes, Simple Meals for the Avid Cook

≈ 12 Comments

Tags

Apple Tart

I may have mentioned that I like to entertain, and cook. {I guess it wouldn’t be a very fun party if food wasn’t involved} The problem is this, I really, really like simple recipes and preferably recipes that can be made in advance when I entertain.

{Jenny Steffens Hobick}

Fall entertaining is especially fun and I enjoy some of the ideas I have ~~stolen~~ borrowed from very creative people across blog land. Jenny Steffens Hobick is one of my favorite sites for entertaining menus and table settings. She and her family recently moved, and with a baby, her recipes are practical and simple but her presentation is always beautiful and many can be made ahead of time. As you can see from the table setting above, simple but stylish tablescapes are the standard with her. If you’re interested in cooking, visit Jenny.

Another favorite site for delicious and healthy recipes is Marina over at Yummy Mummy Kitchen. Marina makes every dish she serves look appetizing and pretty on the plate, and her recipes are almost always lean towards healthy, although you’d never suspect it by the fabulous flavors each recipe provides. One more creative blog site to visit and borrow from when planning a menu for family and friends. I’ve you’ve never visited Yummy Mummy Kitchen I urge you to have a look.

{Yummy Mummy Kitchen}

Autumn table settings appeal to me partly because you can use natures bounty from the farm, {wish I lived on one}, the surrounding outdoors, or your market. Pomegranates, apples, leaves, acorns, nuts, gourds, mums and the ever-traditional pumpkin can all be arranged in any combination to create a beautiful and festive table.

~ Recipes from Yummy Mummy Kitchen and Jenny Steffens Hobick will be featured in an upcoming post ~

If you are planning a party that requires an invitation there are a variety of papers you can purchase that can be printed on a home laser jet printer. We have the good fortune of living near a Paper Source store, where there are more options than I can think of ideas for, but it’s sure fun to mix and match the various papers with inserts and envelopes.This is an invitation I made when a few years back I hosted my friend, Cayley’s birthday luncheon. She enjoys an autumn birthday, so brown tones seemed fitting.

{Victoria Magazine}

{via}

If you are planning a Halloween extravaganza, wouldn’t it be fun to have Hubby or a friend dress up like a butler and serve beverages for guests?

{via}

The table setting below is interesting and doesn’t follow the typical fall standards, bust out and try some of the new colored vegetables with your flowers and candles the next time you entertain. It’s fun to think outside the box sometimes (the rule-follower, ‘fraidy cat said).

{via}

So, on to a great recipe…

Pioneer Woman posted a recipe for a “Quick Easy and Yummy Apple Tart” What’s not to love about this, right? But since I ~~insist~~ usually test recipes that I offer, I tried it. It is beyond really simple and it turns out {and tastes} as good as Ree’s picture looks, without stress or strain in the making. Rather than make you copy and paste the recipe, since I can’t figure out how to create a “printable copy” on my blog, I’ve given you the link, PW not only makes printing this recipe easy, she gives you a step by step pictorial tutorial on how to make this yummy dessert.

{Pioneer Woman Cooks}

If your weather hasn’t changed yet, or like a few of my blog friends, you live where it is just changing seasons to spring, you may want to move your party outdoors.

{tumblr}

Even the birds are into the season!

I hope Autumn will bring you plenty of fun meals with family and friends.

♥ Karen

{GHP} A visit to Bainbridge Island, Washington, Part I

04 Thursday Oct 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Travel

≈ 16 Comments

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Bloedel Reserve

I recently took a trip to visit my dear friend Linda (and her husband, Tom) on Bainbridge Island. I’ve visited before with Hubby, but this was mostly a girl’s trip. Gretchen (Linda’s sister) and I flew up mid-September and were thrilled to escape the last days of a heat wave that had swept our usually-mild climate out, and ushered in temps and humidity resembling Houston!

We arrived to a glorious 70 degree afternoon with lows expected in the high fifties. Ahhh, this is what the week before fall should feel like.

Linda had a flexible itinerary for us and the first day had early morning shopping on the Island and then a much anticipated visit to the Bloedel Reserve. Created by Prentice Bloedel (son of a prominent lumber company owner) and his wife, Virginia, the couple lived on the 150 acre property from 1951 until 1986. The pair worked with landscape architects, Thomas Church, Richard Haag, Fujitaro Kubota and Iain Robertson, but the overall vision was that of Mr. Bloedel. The grounds and house are more beautiful in person than any photograph can capture, but I wanted to share a few of the images with you. If you ever get to Seattle and care to take the ferry to Bainbridge Island, this is a worthwhile stop.

Linda is on the left, I’m on the right. Since it was such a sunny day (unusual for Seattle surrounds, right?) the hats were useful.

The walkway up to the front door of the house was shaded, but the home is lovely and there is a tour available (free with your admission to the grounds) of the downstairs.

The front lawn slopes to a pretty pond, where, the day we visited, several Canada Geese (Goose?) were enjoying the mild weather.

This is the back of the house…the view from the back is…The property was donated by the Bloedel’s to the University of Washington in 1970.

The side of the house provided one more spot to relax while absorbing the beauty of the grounds.

The Canada geese followed us around to the back of the house to keep an eye on us as we sat admiring the view of the sound.

This reflecting pond is a calming space and the general area where, upon their death, Virginia and Prentice were buried

More than half of the 150 acres are left untouched as second growth forest. Prentice believed that the serenity of the natural habitat was a place people could “gain wellness”.

There is an abundance of teak benches in various spots off many of the trails. They invite you to sit and smell the forest, so to speak.

When trees are toppled by storms or high winds, the Bloedel allows them to remain and new trees sprout up from the deep roots. This old tree root almost looked like a sculpture of a spider web. My photograph doesn’t do it justice.

In deeply shaded locations lichen and moss cover this fallen tree trunk.

The Bloedel’s planted a moss garden with dozens of varieties of mosses. Volunteer ferns crop up and you’ve got a beautiful sea of green.

There is a Japanese inspired tea house complete with zen sand area but I failed to get a photo due to the afternoon shade.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this little escape.

If you want to read more about the Bloedel follow the link.

{Home} Fall around the house

02 Tuesday Oct 2012

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

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

Autumn decorating

So its onward and upward…we’re on a march to cooler temperatures, warm cider, glow from a fireplace, and a general theme of cozy around our house. Comfort foods and a recipe or two will come in a later post.

I wanted to share some ideas for the little touches you can add to your home to embrace the season…if you’re more of a flip flops, warm weather loving person, that’s okay. I understand, sort of.

It doesn’t take much to create a feel of the season with just a bit of bounty from Mother Nature. Pumpkins come in so many colors these days, even my orange hating friends can find a pumpkin that works for them. But a throw draped over a chair, careful placement of a few candlesticks and/or votive candles and a few branches of turning leaves can create an inviting vignette for the season.

The pewter sugar bowl holds faux Pottery Barn acorns because there aren’t many oak trees in our neck of the woods and even if there were, the squirrels would beat me to the stash. {they look pretty real don’t they?}

During this time of year my nesting instincts take over. I want to add a few accessories to the mix. When spring/summer comes I’m always ready to shed the extra items that feel good from October to late February.

I placed a nest I found abandoned in our backyard in a pewter porridge bowl, the feathers were also found on a walk nearby, the quail eggs are real, but purchased from a store called Urban Gardener.

I love that so many creative people have taken the pumpkin way out of the box…this white pumpkin has been stamped with insects and other critters, appropriately creepy for Halloween.

{via}

Ralph Lauren (above) does fall better than most, love that man!

I don’t have a library like this and my dining room table wouldn’t fit in this space, but don’t you love the idea of dining in the library…especially for the cooler months.

Martha Stewart (above) always has some fantastic ideas for the season, no matter which season we’re talking about. {I wouldn’t want to eat each meal at a picnic table, would you, but the centerpiece and the picnic benches are attractive.}

{Pottery Barn}

RL with his bold bed linens, calico print and plaid. I’m probably too cautious to veer out of our solid sheet selection, but I admit, it looks inviting for a bed to crawl into after a blustery day.

{tumblr:That Inspirational Girl)

Fall and winter are nature’s way of urging us to relax, smell the cocoa and read a book. For me that equates to some serious time in a chair, feet up, throw over legs (if it’s cool enough).

~or~

You could pack a picnic and brave the cold…

{via} Don’t you love the inviting look of this outdoor table setting?

If you’re lucky enough to have an outdoor fireplace, what better time to use it?

{via}

So, are you with me {except my good friend in PA 🙂} ready to pick up a few pumpkins, throw on a turtleneck and enjoy the season at home?

I’m headed over to No Minimalist Here, she’s hosting another one of her Open House Parties.

{Home} It’s the little things

27 Thursday Sep 2012

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

≈ 18 Comments

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accessories

If you have followed my blog for any amount of time you may have noticed that I do like accessories. I find that when I view rooms, whether in a magazine or online, I zero in on the accessories.

I’ve been known to get tired of them (accessories) when they start to feel more like clutter than enhancement, but for me it’s the little things that can make a room, add interest, invite me to sit and stay awhile. It’s an ever-changing interior landscape that I have fun wit.

I prefer accessories with a story, like, “oh, I picked this up when we visited __________”[fill in the blank], or, “my kind, old neighbor gave them to me”. These stories make a room feel like a home (as opposed to just a ‘house’), don’t you agree?

The “little things” can also be adding something small, but new, to a room. New throw pillows, a new-found horse statue, complete with acquisition story, an used coffee table book from Friends of the Library.

My friend recently had new pillows made for her living room, the yellow Pierre Deux-like fabric livens up and enhances everything in the room, great job, Linda.

We used to call Linda the “vignette queen” because of her talents with arranging items. Another example of her skill is this little vignette that she has in her master bath in their home on Bainbridge Island. More of Linda’s house and this magical island next month!

The lavender, painting, jars for soaps and such, all together make such a pretty spot in her bathroom.

The smallest item can be something that draws you to a particular area in a room.

I discovered this little horse statue at a flea market I attended with my future daughter-in-law, I will always remember that fun day when I see this…stories such as this I like to weave into my own home accessorizing and enjoy hearing about from other homeowners.

We are fortunate to have a used book store inside our library. I’ve found a lot of old books there for usually less than $5.00. The little bronze Scottie dog was a gift from my friend Carla.

There are few table tops in my home that don’t have some kind of vignette.

This flower man statue was a birthday present years ago from my friends of the birthday group, the little pewter sugar cellar with greens came from my friend, Gretchen. These accents have spent time in nearly every living space in our home. For me that is the fun of mixing things up.

I bought this antique side board some years ago before one of my favorite sources for antiques went away, Bill (Kottler’s Antiques) retired, darn! The Napoleon Staffordshire statue, which had been repaired before I purchased it, was made into a lamp by Custom House Lighting. Napolean was recently relocated from our family room to the dining room for the fall/winter months—he needed a vacation.

Even the French coat rack in the entry can’t escape, The binoculars in the old leather case were my father-in-law’s, the small pair next to the case were given to my mother by a dear friend, I ultimately inherited them. The antique riding cap was acquired on one of the many antiquing trips Carla and I used to make before I rejoined the corporate world of full time work. The Pendleton wool blanket, while new, is a favorite since, with it’s carrying strap, it seems vintage (a Christmas gift from our oldest son and family).

The kitchen is a room that often goes UN-accessorized, yet I’ve seen designers hang paintings in kitchens with great success. Our kitchen doesn’t have the wall space for more than one painting, but I did manage to put a small, silver antique horse (that I had made into a accent lamp) next to the stove.

There are design stores that use accessories within the vignettes they stage. I know that I am always drawn to each detail of this kind of marketing and I would guess it helps them sell the furniture.

Mary Ann of Classic Casual Home posted about a design studio, Elizabeth Benefield, that did a beautiful job of staging. (Below).

~and~

I always delight in the stories many bloggers share. It’s fun to hear how they acquired some of the pieces featured in their homes.

This sweet statue has a great story behind it finding its way into my blog-friend, Victoria’s home. {If you’ve never visited Victoria Elizabeth Barnes blog you are in for a treat, she and her husband are renovating a 1890 Victorian home outside Philadelphia. Her posts are witty and entertaining}

I am forever seeking inspiration and ideas for accessories. I enjoy changing them up by season and when the creative mood hits me. I revisit certain blogs for a seemingly unending supply of decorative inspiration and one of my all-time favorites is for the love of a house. Joan and Dan renovated a historic home in New Hampshire, this after moving from Texas! If you enjoy a good before and after you will thoroughly enjoy the ongoing tale of their work on this home.

Joan used to own an antique store and each item in their home has a story, the memories of acquisition are wonderful treasures for those of us with an interest in home decor.

One of my other favorites for accessory placement inspiration is Charles Faudree. In his book “Details” he provides ideas by the area you are specifically in need of help with…mantels, walls, table top, etc.

Charles Faudree is the king of French and English rooms of this style. I especially love his Cavalier Spaniels that appear in so many of his rooms. Pets, for some, are the ultimate accessory {guilty as charged}. Side note: I met him once at a book signing and he is such a nice, Southern gentleman.

Do you enjoy accessories or do you prefer the clean lines of “less is more”? It’s the little things in life, never the giant issues, that provide contentment, right?

{Home} Time for a “pretty rooms” fix

25 Tuesday Sep 2012

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

≈ 9 Comments

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pretty rooms

I was sorry to miss “Favorites on the First” over at The Polohouse. I was on vacation and otherwise occupied with a 21-month old granddaughter…no complaints here! Alison always hosts such fun monthly “favorites”.

I’ve been delivering posts that are more subject-specific since returning from vacation and even I’m bored with that! {I guess it could be argued that all posts are subject-specific, but I just miss looking at pretty rooms, no specific topic or even particular focus}.

It’s time to feast our eyes on beauty, plain and simple (in my humble opinion) and these are some of my newer found “favorites”, and a couple of returning great rooms that I could look at daily and still find reason to be inspired somehow.

I hope you enjoy this frivolous interlude of well designed/decorated spaces and the accessories that inspire me…

This room/space had me at wood paneled walls and ceiling. The chandelier and eclectic accessories create interest.

{Atlanta Homes Magazine}

Old world rooms always draw my interest, don’t you wish they still made arched doorways with this kind of detailing?

{source}

Any room with books says “comfortable and inviting” to me. In fact I enjoy finding a library of sorts in unexpected places.

{source}

I’m looking for an entry rug similar to this, any shopping tips?

{source}

Vintage painting and beautiful furnishings, wow.

{source}

This sun room is so pretty, love the windows and doors.

{source}

My apologies to those who are put off by antlers. I understand, but I do like the lodge-look, even old European style they impart.

{source}

This Jane Moore kitchen has been on a couple of my “favorite” blog sites lately, but I absolutely love the room and it’s non-structured, non-typical kitchen design.

{source and Cote de Texas}

When Southern Accents magazine was still published I became an avid fan of Dan Carithers style…I used to be able to pick his rooms out of any magazine. He’s now retired but his style is timeless and will remain close to my heart.

{Dan Carithers}

There are so many features in this smallish space that draw my attention. The little lamp, the comfy chairs and the table are all inviting and great use of a small dining area off the kitchen.

{Better Homes and Gardens}

I would love stone walls in a kitchen!

{Elle Decor}

This tub is a favorite and I like the closet doors, I’d have to work on keeping order to my closet with these doors, but it would be worth it.

{source}

The headboards and the chest are appealing, not to mention the botanics above each bed.

{Design Chic}

Another small space but I really like the transferware grouping on the wall and a wingback in the kitchen is such a great idea…why not really be comfortable when you dine?

{source}

I realize I couldn’t really allow the vines on our house to grow indoors, but I like the rustic look for this, don’t you?

{Garden & Gun Magazine}

This is the best ever kitchen chandelier!

{New England Home}

Joan and Dan’s house (for the love of a house) is one I can revisit weekly, they have such a great house and the way Joan pulls her incredible collections together makes it my favorite example of how to accessorize any room.

{for the love of a house}

I’ve always liked this kitchen and the marble counter and back splash.

{Traditional Home Magazine}

If we EVER add a kitchen eating area, this is the image I’ll show the contractor. Love it!

{Velvet & Linen}

I hope you enjoyed seeing some new and returning favorite rooms. Do you revisit certain images for inspiration from magazines, design books or Pinterest?

{GHP} 10 Things I love about fall, I mean, Autumn

20 Thursday Sep 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Collections & Accessories, Decorating, Entertaining, Fall Entertaining and Decorations, Holiday/Seasonal cooking, House and Home, Traditions

≈ 24 Comments

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greeting fall

Before I provide you with 10 things I love about the ~~fall~~ autumn season, I want you to know I’m a bit of a crazy when it comes fall. The season has always made me giddy with anticipation, maybe it stems from the whole back-to-school thrill I felt when returning the first day of school, seeing classmates I hadn’t seen over summer and sporting a new frock, not to mention the newly sharpened pencils and the fresh PeeChee folders and crisp, college-lined three-hole punch notebook paper.

Why am I telling you 10 reasons I like this time of year, whether you want to hear them or not? I was inspired by Melissa over at The Inspired Room. She hosts an Annual Fall Nesting party every year and I jump on the bandwagon because I know I’ll be surrounded by like-minded fall-season~~-fanatics~~ enthusiasts just like me and I’ll pick up a lot of great ideas for seasonal entertaining and décor.

So here goes, in no particular order because the way I see it each thing I love about autumn receives an equal share of my admiration…

1. Cooler days. A relative term since I live in Southern California however, it’s the little things, like a 10 degree difference that make my day.

{tumblr, the Steward}

Sometimes we even manage a little rain, nothing huge but still, it always makes me happy to know the plants are being gently cleaned of their summer dust.

{source}

2. Fire in the fireplace. We have a wood burning fireplace and it’s one of my favorite things in life. If I lived in the U.K. I would probably need a fire every day.

(above) a match holder I found years ago, love the acorn pattern to it.

{source}

{Carla’s coal burning fireplace ~ gas operated} * I apologize for the darkness of this photo.

3. The holidays. This time of year I begin to plan for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I’m not as big a fan of Halloween, other than it’s the time of year the goblins arrive, bag in hand, that marks the beginning of cooler weather for us. {Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing small children dressed for the holiday, I just have never gotten totally wrapped up in “Halloween” decorations or costumes — curmudgeon, no, why do you ask?

{Martha Stewart}

{griege blog}

{Southern Accents}

4. Turtlenecks. I know, how can that be a favorite? Easy, I hate my neck and am always happy I can wear scarves and turtlenecks this time of year.

{I don’t think I’ve ever pulled off “attitude” like the turtleneck-clad model below, but I do like her Donna Karan outfit}

5. Extra blankets. I’ve been known to sleep with windows open year round and it always feels good to have the extra weight of a blanket on me. Fortunately Hubby feels the same.

#5 and #6 should have been combined, but I do believe they are not mutually exclusive.

6. Flannel sheets. TMI? We love flannel sheets in the winter months.
Shorter days. This is the one item I reluctantly list because there is a part of me that truly appreciates the longer days of summer. That said, I enjoy getting home from work, having something comforting to eat and enjoying the darkness of the evening while sitting in front of the fire watching TV, catching up on email. We bought our flannel sheets from Lands End and they are so cozy.

7. Entertaining. I’ve had many conversations with friends who enjoy entertaining, about how much easier it is to entertain in the cooler months. When I entertain in the summer, yes the menu can be easier (BBQ, salads, etc.) but not necessarily. The “things to do” list is always longer in the summer i.e. windows should be clean, garden tended, patio furniture clean and so on. Once the time changes the outdoor factor goes away.

{my friend, Cayley always sets a beautiful fall table}

8. Apples. I enjoy fresh apples year round but there are so many delicious recipes using apples and there’s nothing like a piece of apple pie to help reinforce the season.

Have any of you ever tried these individual pie in a jar recipes?

9. Long, hot baths. No further explanation needed, right?

10. Fall foliage. You know, the leaves the plants the berries that crop up on so many deciduous plants. It draws thousands to the East coast annually…there must be something to it.

Talk to me, do you find yourself dreading fall, holding on to that last warm summer day, or do you get a burst of energy from the cooler season? It’s okay, I can take it, let me know.

I’m joining Kate at Centsational Girl for her fall link party. She is featuring mantles but said any fall post could join!

…and Alison at The Polohouse, for her Favorites on the First.

{Garden} Birdsong in the garden

18 Tuesday Sep 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Collections & Accessories, Flowers, Gardening, Gardens, House and Home, Outdoor living

≈ 18 Comments

Tags

birds in the garden

I’ve talked about angels in the garden and thought I’d share a few bird tales, for good measure.

{John James Audubon}

We mostly avoid pesticides of any kind in our yard and are rewarded with plenty of bird sightings. We’ve had brightly colored birds, and even enjoyed a wren family that moved into a bird house in the garden. They returned later that same year and raised a second family. Unfortunately the post that held their home rotted and we’ve not replaced it, so we haven’t seen them lately. There are several birds that use our bath facilities and we thoroughly enjoy seeing them nibbling unwanted insects off the roses.

Unfortunately we have crows hanging around the neighborhood as well, none in our back yard but they definitely perch on the light post in front of our house. My only objection to them is their predatory habits where baby birds are concerned.

The hummingbirds are plentiful and mainly enjoy the lavender, Penstemon and Lakeview Jasmine tree we have in the knot garden.

{The Angelonia attracts hummingbirds}

As I’ve mentioned before, I really don’t want to get too heavy handed with the garden art as our yard is really compact and Hubby has commented he doesn’t want our home to start resembling the cliché for “old” folk’s homes. But a little metal bird here and there sort of makes up for the brevity of the visits we experience with the real thing.

As I was looking at plant lists that attract birds it turns out, quite by accident, that we have several plants that naturally entice birds into the garden. Here is a very partial list: Oakleaf hydrangea, privet ‘ligustrom’, gaura, columbine, boxwood and lots of trees.

{This variety of lavender, ‘goodwin creek’ attracts hummingbirds and butterflies}

{The Lakeview Jasmine tree is in the upper right corner of this photograph, it’s hard to see due to the espaliered star jasmine}

I particularly enjoy rusty birds…

We may be shopping for new digs for our little wren family, what do you think of these?

{Dovecote}

~or~

{Songbird House}

Does your yard attract birds? I know some of you live in regions that probably have such amazing birds. Maybe I need to get some binoculars and a book on birds!

I’m over at Tracie’s Garden Party, stop by for a visit.

{Home and Garden} Home away from home

13 Thursday Sep 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Cottages, Decorating, House and Home

≈ 18 Comments

Tags

Cottage in the Cotswolds

For as long as I’ve been married to Hubby (which is a very long time), we’ve joked talked about living in England, at least for a few years. We’ve vacationed in England several times, always feeling like we’re visiting home away from home.
Inspired by a recent series of posts by Mona of Providence Ltd. Deisgn on her virtual cottage plans [here, here and here], I decided to create a virtual cottage in the Cotswolds for my files. You never know what opportunity waits around the bend.

{Providence Ltd. Interior Design}

I had the good fortune to visit the Cotswold area in 1995 with two of my closest friends. For me it is one of the most beautiful areas of England.

The area is served by the market towns of Moreton-in-Marsh, Chipping Campden (a personal favorite), Stow-on-the-Wold and Winchcombe, and the larger villages of Broadway, Blockley and Burton-on-the-Water, all of which provide good shopping and other amenities for everyday needs.

I fell in love with Chipping Campden and that is where I’ll find my “virtual” cottage. It will be exactly as I imagine…

Maybe it will be on one of the waterways through town,

or have a fabulous vista.

I imagine the entry to be slightly smaller than the one below, but with a Dutch door, lantern and room enough for a table to throw mail and keys on.

I will probably go with a neutral palate in the country but I’ll have plenty of warm, colorful throws and seasonal pillows to brighten the space.

{House Beautiful}

My Cotswolds cottage will have a stone fireplace (above) or something like this (below)…

{Griege}

As you walk out of the living room you’ll pass through a hallway to the kitchen, along the way you’ll undoubtedly encounter the occasional antique table with a few old pieces on display…

{source: Tone on Tone} If you love Swedish antiques and accessories, a visit to Tone on Tone is essential.

Loi writes a very entertaining blog as well.

The kitchen will serve double duty as a place to cook as well as dine. The chandelier will give it some casual formality.

…and off the kitchen there will be a little sun room, with a banquet where you can enjoy a quiet corner to read the paper and sip some tea…oh yes, there’s tea, plenty of tea.

{Heather Bullard}

There will be trays doing double duty to keep the smallish kitchen orderly.

{tumblr}

The master bedroom will have a reading corner (above), I know I’ll enjoy the sun streaming in the French doors with a good book and cup of tea and a throw, it will be very cozy.

…and since this IS my home away from home, I’ll need lots of bookcases to house the books I’ll get to read so the wall of our bed will provide the headboard and bookcase storage.

This is the guest bedroom, please join us for regular visits!

I know the grandchild(ren) will be visiting us so I will make sure we have plenty of sleeping space for her (and more?).

With spare time a great soaking tub will be a necessity.

Hubby and I will have to share a single sink, but that’s okay, we’ll be on vacation.

The guest bathroom will be on the smaller size as well.

I’ll have to have a garden bench…English cottage gardens are my favorite.

There will be a mudroom where I can store the great French mirror I picked up at a sale…

{Atelier de Campagne}

…as well as some storage for vases and cache pots ready for flower arrangements.

{Providence Ltd. Interior Design}

Do you think it’s premature to pack my bags?

If you were to buy/build a home away from home, where would it be?

Speaking of luggage and such…I’m visiting my long time friend, Linda on Bainbridge Island, Washington. This post is being published without me (I placed it in the queue) but I will not have access to a computer until my return on Tuesday. If you comment, thank you so much, I’ll reply Tuesday. Have a wonderful weekend. I hope to have some great pictures and stories to share about this pretty spot on the Pacific Northwest.

{Garden} Angels in the garden

11 Tuesday Sep 2012

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

≈ 16 Comments

Tags

summer living

I’ve never wanted to go overboard with any one item in the yard. I like collections but my yard is small and I didn’t want it to become cluttered with garden art. Then, the other day while strolling through the yard I noticed I have more than a couple of angels and a few birds in the garden art department.

Hopefully, they aren’t too blatantly obvious but more a natural accent and fairly subtle.

So how did this happen, you’re asking? It started innocently enough with this plaque given to me by my friend Carla in honor of my grandmother’s passing. I’ve always liked it and it’s gotten nice and mossy on the wall in the back yard, surrounded by ivy.

Next angel to move in was this fountain, which is no longer a fountain but a planter. A friend of mine owned a great little shop on Balboa Island and she gave me this fountain for a “friendly” price. The sound of the fountain forced me to plant it instead of keeping it as a fountain. The sound of the steady stream of water wasn’t the soothing trickle I’d hoped for…more like a little boy peeing.

The fountain/planter is now planted with white impatiens and sweet potato vine, I’m thinking I need to go back to pink impatiens and fern.

This little angel caught my eye because I could see her sitting on my garden bench. My gardener broke her neck by accident one time, but we were able to give her epoxy surgery and repair her.

Above is her newest home in the formal garden, below is where she used to sit in the side yard.

This next angel is something I picked up in Rosarito Beach, Mexico…what was I thinking?…I’m really getting carried away with angels but these were all bought over a period of 25 years.

This door knocker was a gift, I’ve hung it on the patio post and looking at this photograph it’s kind of creepy looking. She looks mad and her eyes definitely frighten me.

I’m going to show you some birds next week…bet you can’t wait!

P.S. I also know that a dear friend (who shall not be named) hates angel statues. Fortunately she is still my friend.

I’m visiting Fishtail Cottage Garden Party, stop by for some great garden inspiration.

{Garden, Home and Party} It’s still summer (technically) and the livin’ is easy

06 Thursday Sep 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Entertaining, Gardening, Outdoor living

≈ 21 Comments

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seasons

Note: My vacation-starved brain gave information that I believe was confusing about son#1. No surprise, I can start typing full-speed and things get away from me. (Read: I don’t proof read as thoroughly as I should) so…to clear things up. Son $1 is married to a wonderful woman, they live in Austin and best of all, they have a daughter. Since she is our first grandchild, we’re a little over the moon when around her. Son #2 is engaged to be married December 1, 2012. We are thrilled with his choice for our second DIL to be joining our family. I raised 2 sons, if you have male children you will undoubtedly understand how great it is to be welcoming some girls into the family…a little balance.

And for those who asked for pictures…here’s one on the carrousel during Olivia’s visit. We didn’t get to the big carrousel we intended to (time flew) but we managed the little one and Olivia loved it.

She looks unsure, but we got off and she immediately wanted to ride again.

So on to the topic at hand…summer’s end in sight

It’s nice to be back. There is nothing like a little vacation to give you a healthy perspective on what’s important to you. When you’re bogged down with work and life, feeling less than imaginative/creative, blog posts can become a bit of a chore…if you have a blog, you undoubtedly understand where I’m coming from. How do some of you post daily? I’m always wowed.

Time away made me realize that I choose to blog, no one holds a gun to my head, I don’t have sponsors or advertisers, so this is strictly something I want to do or I’d retire. That kind of revelation is helpful.

So, it’s still summer here in California and I thought I’d share some summer fun, including the table setting a friend of mine created for a dinner we attended. Per usual, my photography of said table isn’t ideal. The light was beginning to fade and my point and shoot, when held by a person who has had a glass of Chardonnay, tends to blur. But in any event, Wendy really did a great job with the table. It defines summer here in Southern California.

My friend Wendy hosted one of our “birthday” dinners and created this fun table setting using Lori Mitchell figures, a vast Waterford bowl and floating faux shell candles, and all manner of summer themed accessories. The Waterford bowl had beach sand and sea glass in the bottom, then floating on top were floating shell candles. It was soothing to imagine the calming influence of the ocean.

Since I’ve dedicated myself to improving my attitude about summer, I started thinking about what things I’ll miss once summer is in the rear view mirror and fall is starting to show promise. [Sincere apologies to my blog friends that live where it gets bitter cold and miserable in the winter months, I understand your desire to put the breaks on the whole fall/winter build up]

1. Leaving doors and windows open. Alright, my friends that live in Southern California are now saying, “we leave our doors and windows open nearly year round”. I do too, but it’s all relative. There is something wonderful about a cool breeze that slips into your home on a summer’s day. Oh, and for anyone new to my site, no, these are not my front doors but boy do I wish they were!

2. I’ll miss the outdoors, not because I don’t venture out once the season changes, but there is something energizing about spring and summer flora and fauna. It changes weekly with a regular show of new blossoms and seasonal growth.

The explosion of roses that comes with spring/summer…and no, not my house (below).

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Eden climbing rose

Nasturtium

Did you know you can eat nasturtium? They have a slightly peppery flavor and are so pretty on salads.

I purchased this willow plant support (above) to give a clematis (below) a home, unfortunately the clematis didn’t return this spring as hoped. So I planted ivy geranium, giving the clematis more time and low and behold, the ivy geranium decided it was very happy and would take over the willow support. I’ll miss this display this fall/winter.

Romantica rose, ‘Guy de Maupassant’

I will definitely miss this rose. This isn’t it’s best day but it normally is the closest thing I have to peonies.

Morning Glory

I’ll miss my over-grown morning glory, on the other side of my fence that threatens to take over the entire garden.

3. I’ll miss outdoor dining. Although the image of the beach table and chairs reminds me of the line in the movie When Harry Met Sally, where she says she (Sally) and her boyfriend had said they were happy they weren’t married with children because it meant they could have sex on the kitchen floor or fly off to Rome at a moments notice, when Harry asks, and did you? She says, no, not once and the floor was cold Mexican tile. I love the fact that we live near enough to the ocean that I can drive down MacArthur Blvd. and see it when I want but we never go to the beach. Crazy, huh?

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4. I’ll miss summer food. There is something fun about eating light, fresh food off the grill. Once it’s chilly outside and the night comes at about 5:00 p.m. it’s all about comfort food for me. I have to exercise my will power where portions are concerned so I don’t balloon up during the cooler months!

{A Toile Tale}… This is a really great site (new to me). If you want to be inspired with great table settings and beautiful garden ideas, visit Linda at A Toile Tale. The above recipe is a big hit with my friends and family and really works well during the summer months.

…and I had to close with a very pretty table setting that for me says summer.

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So tell me, are you ready for the change in season yet? I understand for some it’s never time. I admire those that worship the warm days, and understand {sort of} but as a crazy red head I just can’t get “into” the heat of the longer days…keep it below 75 degrees and I’m in heaven.

I’ve missed you, hope you are all doing well.

xo,

Karen

Garden, Home & Party

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

{Party} Autumn entertaining ideas and an easy recipe

{GHP} A visit to Bainbridge Island, Washington, Part I

{Home} Fall around the house

{Home} It’s the little things

{Home} Time for a “pretty rooms” fix

{GHP} 10 Things I love about fall, I mean, Autumn

{Garden} Birdsong in the garden

{Home and Garden} Home away from home

{Garden} Angels in the garden

{Garden, Home and Party} It’s still summer (technically) and the livin’ is easy