The Front Porch

The front porch is an American "invention" or idea. I don't think it is established anywhere else in the world, but certainly started and adapted to the American way of life.

I think most of us think of the front porch pretty much like the one in the picture above - cozy, lots of wicker or wrought iron with cushions or, at least, comfy furniture. Sipping a glass of lemonade on a hot summer afternoon. Maybe sandwiches or cookies on a plate. Then we'd certainly have the requisite flowers adorning the area. Perhaps geraniums, wisteria, climbing roses. Most likely there would be white posts and columns with a colored ceiling or floor. Maybe your dog or cat lazing around. Aaaaah, I can picture it now. Pillows and throws on chairs or settees along with a favorite book. If you're very lucky you'd have a porch swing to rock back and forth on while lazing on during this warm afternoon.

Front porches can be different things to different people, but to all of us it is just a nostalgic part of our lives growning up . Mine now happens to have a concrete floor but I do have railings and a beautiful birdhouse chime hanging out there. I have a red wood bench that will probably get another coat of paint soon - maybe white. I have 2 adirondack chairs, an outdoor rug and some pictures hanging on a wall. There are a couple of urns filled with (oh, horrors!) silk hydrangeas in them. (That way they can stay out all year round and still add a bit of color in this dry and cold climate in the winter desert.) I even have a little plaque hanging on the wall out there that says "I only count the sunny days." All in all, it is a peaceful area and a reminder of the great American invention called "The Front Porch."

It also "calls" to passersby who wave and say "hi" to us when we are out there. The front porch seems to have gone the way of the dinosaur in some areas but I believe it is coming back. That way perhaps it'll bring a little graciousness and civility into our lives once more as families and friends and soon-to-be-friends congregate there.

Happy Front Porching!! :-)

My Favorite "PINK" House!

Today I'm featuring the first in a looooooong series of beautiful homes I've seen in my books. I purchased this book in 1988 when we still lived in California because of this house only. It's one of the most unique homes I've ever seen because back in the 80s not many people painted their homes pink - unless, of course, they lived in Berkeley, Calif. :-)

But this is an old family estate in the east somewhere. The grounds are lush and green and the owners have kept it in beautiful condition. I could put many more pictures on of this home but this is all I'm going to do today. Just look at how beautiful the gardens are and the wonderful old architecture of early 20th century.

The bedroom is more orangey pink but isn't it just the kind of bedroom you'd like to curl up in with a good book by the fire?! Oh my, how blessed those people are to have this gorgeous home.

Another Day, Another Apron!

Okay, I admit it. I've gone crazy for pretty aprons. Here is one I made today. I'm going to try selling it but if not, I'll give it to a friend. It really is adorable for kitchen use or just "hanging" it around.

I've been thinking lately about some of the pretty blogs I've seen. There are thousands on the web and I've only seen a few of them. (I don't have a lot of time to browse.) But anyway, I've come up with something I'm going to start doing because, mainly, I love it. I'm going to start doing some vignettes on this blog. I have several decorating books of stunning homes I could feature and I could also picture some of my own vignettes around my home. I have a lot of them! But starting tomorrow I'll be looking for pretty ones to share.

I might even share a very special chili recipe with a picture of the chili. You probably don't want to miss this one. It is the best chili ever.

Newest Shabby Apron

This is one of my 5 top all time fabrics. It's a Cyrus Clark shabby roses fabric and I have very little of it left. And since they are out of business it is no longer available. Sighhhhhhhhh.........

So I made this little apron and put it on ebay to sell. If it doesn't I won't be unhappy because I love it so much. But I might also give it as a gift to some deserving person.

I love aprons and wear one when I cook. (Haven't I told you before how I feel about aprons?) Hmmmm....... But my favorite is an old butcher's apron that is sturdy canvas. I wear nice ones when someone comes over to visit. But I just love flowery roses ones.

Most of the pictures I have of my grandma and great grandma have them wearing aprons. Aprons were used to dry dishes, kids hands and faces, carrying potatoes in and green beans picked out of the field just to be snapped for the night's meal. Yes, I remember them. I make mine pretty but utilitarian and useful.

But I've even been known to put them on a peg in my kitchen to just stare at because they're so lovely - "eye candy" for me and my friends. Try one. I know you'll fall in love with them also.

My Daughter's Shower!!!!!

About a year ago I decided to add some "pretty pictures" to my bathroom. I couldn't find the shabby chic border I wanted so I improvised. I emailed and received permission from a well known artist, who paints fantastic roses, to copy her art onto some card stock and use as a "border" in my bathroom. I didn't want to buy frames and put up pictures - way to expensive these days - so I just used that "Fun Tack" and put them up there with no frames. It turned out really well until my daughter came to visit. ;-)

She and her hubby came for a couple of days. She was cold and decided to take a hot shower in the guest bathroom. Well, when I went in there afterwards the cards were either off the wall on the floor or countertop or the ink had run on the card distorting some beyond salvation! Well, I told daughter about it but it wasn't a big deal so I removed them.

Then I found a pink toile border that was very inexpensive and looked like it was a Waverly so I grabbed it up from the internet. (Hah.....Let's see her steam that off the wall!!) Jack and I put it up last week but I still had some of those pretty cards left over and I loved them so I stuck them back up with some more "Fun Tack" - easy to use and removes without a trace of it on the walls.

This is the end result for those who may want to do it also. It really is a cheap and pretty way to decorate the bathroom.

Oh, and ignore the shadows on the photos. I'm not taking the pictures over again!!!