Friday, February 25, 2011

Kindness


Plant a seed of friendship.  Reap a bouquet of happiness.-L. Kaufman

And this is exactly what has happened to me in the wonderful world of blogging.
Taking a moment to give a shout out to 3 very kind blogging friends.

I'm so honored to have my blog featured on Brenda's Cozy Little House this week. She is such a delightful person.  And needless to say, her awesome blog is full of beautiful photos.  She really does have a "cozy little house."


My sweet friend Viola from Along a Widowed Road gave me the nicest shout out. I don't even remember how I stumbled across her blog, but her story moved me and I've been a fan ever since.  She has an incredible spirit and is an excellent story teller.

Laura from Finding Home mentioned she had a monogrammed hankie and was so sweet to offer it to someone with the initial.  
My closest friends have "C" names. I couldn't keep silent. She was so kind to send it to me!  Just look how beautifully she wrapped it, complete with little tag.




It was very hard to decide which friend to send it to.  I almost tore it in half.  Just kidding.  It's headed to someone who happens to be experiencing a difficult time right now.  This is going to be the perfect "pick me up" gift. 


Happy Pink Saturday! 
Joining the party over at How Sweet the Sound.


And now I'm headed out to my favorite city.



 Savannah is calling my name. 

See ya next week!





 

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Banana Bread and Heartstrings


  Can anything pull at your heart more than children?
  
This morning I made sure to stand here.
While taking a walk with my 5 year old last evening, we discussed the route his bus takes every day.  I wait with him every morning on the front porch.  What he didn't know is I stand at the window and watch as his bus circles back by.  It's a melancholy moment for me.  So I said to him, "Do you know mommy watches you ride by on the bus every morning?"  This thrilled him.  He gave me specific instructions to look at the first window on the bus because that's where he sits (as if I didn't know.)  I don't think there will ever be another morning when I'm not standing at the big window with every single shutter open.  I even had breakfast here today.

Normally breakfast is on the go.  But I'm savoring the moments.  You see, I have a 20 year old too.  Yep, you read right. And another child in between who is 12.  The oldest is in college.  She's busy in her own world now, being independent.  The 12 year old still needs me but doesn't want anyone to know it.  He certainly doesn't want me to walk him to the bus although I have waved at him a few times. (I think he liked it but would never admit it.)
There were a few overripe bananas laying around yesterday so I decided to make banana bread.  
This morning I wanted to enjoy it. Nothing fancy, just making the most of the moment.  






EASY BANANA BREAD

Read more about it at www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,174,144187-255202,00.html
Content Copyright © 2011 Cooks.com - All rights reserved.
1 1/2 c. self-rising flour
3 bananas, mashed
2 eggs
1/2 stick butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. sugar
Cream together butter, eggs and sugar until smooth. Add bananas and vanilla; beat well. Mix in flour. Bake at 325 degrees for about 1 hour or until golden brown.

Posting to Rednesday at It's a Very Cherry World
Wow us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch
Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home


Today is an ordinary day but I'm taking time to be thankful for extraordinary blessings.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Sectionals That Are Pretty

Rue
Sectionals can be functional but not always pretty. We love to entertain so I've always thought a sectional would be a great piece to have.  But I could never get past the boxy-ness of them.   Until now...
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 Who knew a sectional could be so pretty?

Side note- Welcoming my buddy to blogging! She is having a Paula Deen cookbook giveaway. Go follow her at Kitchen Hospitality for your chance to win!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Bella Rosa Antiques



On the B List this week is...
 



And what could be prettier for Pink Saturday 
over at How Sweet the Sound than this pretty blog?


It is full of lovely little treasures.




Planning an evening at the opera?  If so, you might want to stop by the Bella Rosa Antiques Shop and grab you a pair of these-




Meet the very pretty Jillian.  Isn't she just the picture of loveliness?
Maybe it's the red hair (of which I'm partial to since I am a mother of a red head.)  Red heads have an advantage over the rest of us.  They possess an auroa when they enter the room.  I wonder if that's how she gets such good deals?  Let's talk to her and find out.

So what is your secret to finding so many fabulous antiques, Jillian?
"Well, besides having an “eagle eye” and patience, I’d say the best way to find antiques is to go where the dealers are. They’ve done most of the hard work already! Sure you’ll pay retail but sometimes you can find deals with vendors who like to buy a lot and sell quickly (slightly cheaper) to make room for more. I can run off (for some Mommy free time) to an antique mall and move as quickly as possible through the dealer’s booths. By now, I know who buys what I like and spend more time in their spaces."


What's the best or single most important piece of advice you can give us on finding antiques?
"Buy what makes your heart go pitter patter. At least, this is how I find inventory for Bella Rosa. I can actually hear myself thinking “ooooh yeah! and “there it is!” as I quickly pick up my latest find and add it to my growing pile. It did take me awhile to get into a groove for the website but now I know what people like. If you’re interested in trying out antiques for the first time, it is simple. You’ve heard it before, BUY WHAT YOU LOVE. It really works.  You’ll find a way to incorporate you new found treasure into your décor or collections. If you have a shop like me and an item does not sell, you have an antique that you liked from the start."


Do you have a difficult time parting with your finds and not keeping them in your own home?  "Believe it or not, not too often. I think I have become unattached. Being surrounded by my finds all of the time is enough for me. I enjoy each piece for a little while and it goes off to a new home. Then I find more and the cycle continues.  I tend to sell the pretty things and collect some of my basics like LuRay dinnerware and antique books. I’m also very nostalgic and hang onto things that were once owned by a relative or a friend."

Will we ever get a peek inside your home?
 "I have shown the inside of my house on occasion. More so when I had my first blog, Jillian’s Pages. I am not crazy about my décor even though friends and family say they like it!. If it were up to me, I’d redo many of our rooms as soon as possible but since I’m sharing it with Dear Hubs I have to be patient.  We moved in five years ago and I think the first renovation on the 70’s kitchen wore him out. Plus, watching a toddler is very time consuming!"



Go follow her blog here! You will be delighted with beautiful antiques and stories like this:



"This pair of toe shoes is one of my most valued treasures. I wore them on stage during The Nutcracker, to dance a Fairy Doll Waltz, and a pageant or two.
Plus all of the dance classes and rehearsals."


"I remember sewing the ribbons on myself in high school, excited with the anticipation of breaking in a new pair of toe shoes.
Nothing could make me feel more graceful or more beautiful than when I was dancing "en Pointe."
Very special shoes, indeed."

And a very special blog...

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Wouldn't you love to win this-

There's a pretty blog out there, Mariondee-Designs, who is having a pretty giveaway.
  
Just look at Maryann's handiwork-

I told her to pick me but I'll be nice and pass the word on so you can have a chance to win too!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Architectural Arches



Arches. 
Not the golden ones.
(One of my reasons to blog is to have a diversion from chicken nuggets.)

I'm talking about these-
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And these from House Beautiful...



One of the first things that drew me to our last house (The Brownsfield) was the architectural elements.  Lots of arches. I love for an element to be repeated. 



 Arches don't always have to be on walls.  Arched windows and doors are pretty too.
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 Coco Cozy featured this beautiful house back in April of 2009.  Love all the trim work.



Linking to Share the Love Wednesday at Very Merry Vintage Style
and Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home.

Did you know they are offering 50 chicken nuggets for $9.99 at the "Golden Arches?"
Don't tell the kids.