Lace and Sunshine

A little lace

It couldn't be more gorgeous out. It's about 84f, a little humidity, but a lovely breeze that is just heavenly moving the air around.  The barn across the street is looking especially wonderful today, surrounded by queen anne's lace in full bloom. 

The field on the other side of the barn has even more queen anne's lace, blooming as far as the eye can see. So pretty swaying in the breeze.

Other etsians (people with shop on etsy :)love queen anne's lace as much as me, like PineandMain, offering these lovely Steubenville Fruit Bowls.





Copyright PineandMain, 2011

And this dreamy photo by Cottagelightstudio.


Copyright Cottaglightstudio, 2011

 Or these lovely note cards by paperinkandearth.



Copyright paperinkandearth, 2011


Look at this fantastic watch, the creation of purplepetalstudio! LOVE this idea.



Copyright purplepetalstudio, 2011



I love the way the same thing can inspire so many different and varied creations.

Sunshine

There's been a lot of sun lately, and I'm loving it after the long winter and the seriously wet spring that wouldn't give way to summer until July. I am loving every minute of it.  I finished the weeding in the east garden and as promised, here's some pictures of the garden complete with mulch. As I mentioned, will still have some trim and siding to finish on that side, so it doesn't have the best back drop. Luckily, the blooming rose of sharon distracts attention for the unfinished stuff.

Before Weeding and Mulch

After Weeding and Mulch

Better? Right? Well, I mean, other than the dead lawn. Every one's lawns are crunchy here at the moment. The trade off for lots and lots of hot sun.

The piece de resistance though........the rose of sharon. Saucer sized hibiscus. So very pretty indeed.  I took the first one in the evening two nights ago.  The second, just a few moments ago in the glorious sunshine.



Copyright Pamela J. Bates, 2011



Our plans for the day include laundry (what a perfect day for line drying!), yard work, and perhaps we'll get those office shelves up. If not, 'tomorrow is another day'.

What are you plans? Is it sunny where you are or are you trying to avoid the raindrops?

Have a great Saturday in your corner of the world.





Flowers for You

Floral Comeback

On my stop at the antique store the other day when I found the botanical print for Bates Mercantile Co., I also came away with something for myself. A silk floral pillowcase.  So sweet.  I've always loved floral prints. You know, the ones that used to be splashed all over the pages of Victoria Magazine before it's demise (and recent return). I was an avid reader and I still have stacks of old issues in my attic. If Victoria is making a comeback, maybe that means floral is too as it seems to have fallen out of favor with many 'in the know'. Whether it is or isn't 'in style', it's happily making an appearance in my home.

To me, a floral like this is classic. It can be mixed with all types of styles- bohemian, elegant, country, or Paris apartment chic. It never goes out of style, though others may disagree. It's romantic. Does romance ever go out of style? 

Here's some pretty floral items I found on etsy. Just in time for the new floral revolution!



Copyright TheGreedySeagull 2011



I found these utterly 80s Lord & Taylor shoes in TheGreedySeagull's shop. Love 'em. Not sure I could pull them off, but they're 'all that and more' when it comes to floral.

Just look at this bowl from DownEastAttic (quick shout out to my neighbor to the north....Hello Portland!).  Oh-so-pretty and just love the handles.



Copyright DownEastAttic 2011



And the things I could do with this vintage queen sheet (pillow case, duvet cover, curtains, a throw, chair cover.......the list goes on) from thisOtherthing.



Copyright thisOtherthing 2011

And if you don't think you can pull of the shoes either (though I think they would even look pretty just sitting on the floor next to a vanity), how about these earrings from isheshop.



Copyright isheshop 2011



And here's a little number from Bates Mercantile Co.  So sweet, I can hardly stand it.




Copyright BatesMercantileCo. 2011


So, what do you think about chintz and floral trends in general? Are they an on and off again trend, or are the classic and here to stay?

More flowers tomorrow when I show the 'after' pictures of my east garden, complete with my now blooming Rose of Sharon.

For now, I leave you with last night's Sunset Meadows sky taken by the G-man himself.  I was busy in the pool. Hey, somebody has to do it.

A lovely soft glow.

Enjoy your Friday. What plans do you have for the weekend? I'm just hoping we are able to get my office shelves up. That alone will make me happy.

Have a great day in your corner of the world.



Blueberry Heaven

This Morning

My neighbor Joanie is a special education teacher most of the year, but in the summer she works at the Salt Box Farm tending to and selling the blueberries. We like this because.........well because we reap the benefits too. 

This morning, thanks to Joanie, I made one of my favorites. Blueberry muffins.

Hot out of the oven!

Looking good enough to eat and oh so pretty on my Aunt Doris' platter. Took a a tip from Pioneer Woman and displayed the muffins on a white platter.

And a white plate.

Seriously, the butter just melted in!

Can't wait any longer! The jury is in. Delicious.

The best thing is...............

There's more in the oven and I still have enough blueberries to make another batch. Thanks Joanie and thanks to Colleen (whoever you are) for posting on allrecipes. I didn't do the cinnamon topping. Just sprinkled a little sugar on top before baking. Pefecto.

Next time I'll take another tip from Pioneer Woman......don't shoot the food so close!

Last Night

Mom emailed last night to let me know if looked like a nice sunset. Glad she did, as I might have missed it (had popped in for a break from weeding out back and found her message). Just lovely.

Sunset Meadows.

Thursday again. Weekend is almost here. Can you hear it calling?

Unexpected Lessons

On my way home from a meeting the other day, I stopped at a local antique store that's about a mile from our house. It's filled with booths and each is unique in what they offer so there is always something interesting waiting. One booth had a display of antique botanical prints. I thought they were lovely. Brought one home with me and it's now available in our etsy store, Bates Mercantile Co. 

When I got home I started to research this book plate print.

Here's the learning part: I was able to attribute this illustration to one of the most famous and acclaimed botanical artists, Pierre-Antoine Poiteau (1766-1854). Poiteau it seems (according to wikipedia), began his career as a gardener and worked in kitchen gardens and for the Parisian market gardeners for sometime before being appointed garçon jardinier in 1790 at the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle of Paris.  There he studied botany and art, and was sent to Santo Domingo to further his work in botany but was arrested as soon as he stepped foot on the island because he didn't have the proper papers. Talk about drama? 

He then went to Haiti and became the head of a new botanical garden there, but alas, he was basically working for nothing. Yet, it was where he met Pierre Jean François Turpin (also a botanist and considered one of the premier botanical illustrators of his time), who he would later collaborate with and publish  Flora Parisiensis secundum systema sexuale deposita et plantarum circa Lutetiam sponte nascentium descriptiones, icones....Did you get all that?

I found out even more than wikipedia had to offer. I scoured the Internet. Here's one thing that set him apart.........Poiteau worked with French printer Langlois, and because of Langlois' printing process, Poiteau was was able to express the most wonderfully realistic pictures of fruit, like the Belle Bauce that I found. Poiteau was, not only regarded as an artist, but contributed to the science of botany through the mere accuracy of his works. He was a member of many scientific societies, and even eventually directed the museum of natural history. Poiteau was credited with even discovering numerous species of plants and animals, and even created some families (cyclanthae, for example). They were such renaissance men back then.

To think I wouldn't have known any of this had I not made a quick stop on my way home from the meeting.  I LOVE the history of antiques. There is always something to learn. 

It's Wednesday......go learn something new!

Me? Irresistibly Sweet?

That's not exactly how I'd describe myself, but that's how Jamie over at My Favorite Things blog described Mercantile Muse when she gave us this fun award! Woohoo, my first blog award. It's actually just a fun way to get to know me a little better. Thanks Jamie!


So the gist of the award is this, I have to:

*Share 7 things about myself

and

*Share the love by awarding 7 other bloggers the Irresistibly Sweet Blog Award!

About me:

1. I have crooked fingers. Both hands. We're talking weird crooked-they kind of have a 'swoop' towards each other. Very unique. My sister has them, my niece has them and my nephew have them. They came from my Gram, Beatrice Dignam (nee Bracewell). She's on the left in this picture taken in 1918 in England and carried back to my grandfather who was away in the war (a friend who was on leave brought it  back to him). Gram is with two of her three sisters- Flo and Dora. Love Gram's necklace. I don't know if her sisters had the crooked fingers too.

2. I am addicted to M*A*S*H and LOVE Alan Alda, and Hawkeye too. Gar got me tickets to a sold out book tour Alan Alda was doing a couple of years ago and he was just what I expected. Gar shares my M*A*S*H love. If you haven't read his book Never Have Your Dog Stuffed, read it. Great memoir of growing up in an acting family, though it's not all happy and funny. What memoir is?

3. I am a rocker chic. That's not to say our music collection doesn't include Pavarotti, because it does. I was a punk rocker chic in college, still am in my heart. Turn on some Billy Idol and Steve Stevens (one of THE best guitarists ever), and you've got me when you hit play.




4. I'm an American mutt- Italian, Irish, English and I think even a little Scottish thrown in there too for good measure.  This is my great grandmother on my mother's side.....my Grandma Cocciardi's (nee mcguinness) mom Catherine McGuinness (nee Horan).

5. I went to college in the Bronx at the College of Mount Saint Vincent and my classmates and I are known as 'Mounties'.  We're known as Nuts too, but we prefer Mounties. Got a problem with that? Here we are at Stratton Mountain, with a couple Mountie sisters in the mix for the hell of it.

6. I am the youngest of 5 children (and knew all my grandparents- I know that will make it 8, but hey, it's my award.)









That's Brother Mike- It's his B-day today........Happy Birthday Big Bro!! And Brother Bill (with his daughter Maddie). And the Three Sisters (me, Dianne and Gloria). No  chronological order for those pics. :)

7. I always wanted to be on Broadway. I think it was all those years of Marie Patent and her Seacoast Civic Dance Company, and that I like to sing. Still love to dance and sing. But don't think I'm heading to Broadway anytime soon.  Though I am always forcing someone to take a spin around the floor with me, like my niece 'Carolina' (she's really Caroline, but I call her Carolina) a few years ago.  If there is music on, I'm bound to be dancing and singing.



Enough about me, but feel free to share 7 things about yourself. And here are my 7 blog picks:

Kerry at Seventy Tree

Lori at Automatism

Jane at Finding Fabulous

Tarissa at Pixel Berry Pie Designs

Laura at Design Share

Jill at My Printastic Designs

Bianca at Goodnightlittlespoon

I always wanted to give an Oscar speech, so here it goes....... Cry, cry. Wipe tears with tissue. Sniffle. "I'd like to thank Jamie at My Favorite Things, and shop owner of Madi's Treasures for being the first to recognize the Irresistible Sweetness of Mercantile Muse. I couldn't have come this far without her support."

Have a great Tuesday in your world.

Monday, Monday

Wouldn't Sunday be so much better if Monday wasn't to follow? Anybody on that bandwagon except me? 

We did enjoy the day, but you just want it to last forever. Watered the gardens and happened to find my rose bush out back blooming again, beneath the poke weed. I think the shade from the poke weed was making it happy this week.

You can see some of the poke weed in the foreground, bottom right. Those green pods will turn into purple berries that the blue birds LOVE come fall.

I weeded for most of the afternoon. Never got beyond the small east flower garden, which wasn't even really looking like a flower garden. The grass next to it is toast from the heat. (Seriously, the earth was like concrete from the heat and lack of rain.) And the only place grass was growing was in the flower garden. Why is that?

Please note: lots of crab grass and weeds in the garden.

Yes, we still have siding to finish on the east side of the house. Eventually, when we get the mudroom built, it will happen. Someday. For now, it's kind of an ugly backdrop for the garden, but there are worse things in life.

Went as far as I could and then, like the lawn, I was toast. It was still hot. But got most of this little flower garden weeded.  Will attack the rest later.

I know it's hard to tell, but there are way less weeds in this garden now. Promise. The wheelbarrow is full. I've only the far end to finish. Then another round of mulch. I'll take a picture after the mulch as I'm sure that will make it look much, much better. Plus, the Rose of Sharon at the end is about to burst into full bloom. That will be a show!

I know you'd never guess (wink, wink), but with the heat we've had, there have been some really wonderful sunsets this week. Last night was no exception.

It started off so soft and pretty.

It quickly went to hot summer sunset.

Always a lovely way to end the day.

From my from my perfectly imperfect weed-ridden garden, dead-grass corner of the world to your corner of the world, have a marvelous Monday.

Where does the day go?

It's Sunday and it's almost 1pm. Haven't gotten a ton done yet......breakfast,dishes, some Bates Mercantile Co. stuff for etsy, took the trash out, but not much else. The bed isn't even made. Ah well, who cares, it's Sunday!

A quick post so I can get outside to weed and enjoy the glorious sun and pool.

Yesterday we took a ride, just to feel some air moving. Passed these horses on Frying Pan Lane (isn't that a great road name?) and wanted to get a shot. I usually make Gar stop at the side of the road so I can talk to them for a minute. Yesterday there was a guy on a motorcycle behind us. He came out of nowhere and was behind us too close, so Gar didn't want to pull over quick and stop short in front of the guy. So all you get is this driveby shot. It makes me smile though, because both horses look like they're in the same exact position and because you can see part of me in the rearview mirror!

They're usually more than happy to saunter over to the fence for a chat.

Spent time in the yard yesterday........ well, mostly the pool, but I did get this shot of my Stella D'Oro lily before I hopped in.

Wish me luck on the weeding.......it's a jungle out there.

Happy Sunday. Relax and enjoy it, for tomorrow is Monday.



A MidSummer's Break

We're in the midst of heatwave here. Yesterday, the thermometer reach 100F in the shade by noon. By the time the sun came around, it reached 110F. Hour and a half later, it was reaching toward 120F.   Of course, that was with direct sunlight on it. Regardless, it was hot.

It would have been unbearable if it hadn't been for the pool.  Bookclub Martha (really Carey) stopped by for a little dip once the shade had come around.

Don't ask why we have the noodles framing our faces. Let's just say it was the heat getting to us.

The swimming continued for hours to come, when Gerry and Sandee, two of the neighborhoodlums came over to cool off. I'm not sure how cool we got because the pool was like a sauna, but it still felt good.

Another hot one today and I'm about to do another round of watering the gardens. I thought it would be a good time for a winter interlude for your cooling pleasure.

Doesn't look nearly as fun covered in snow, does it?

The forsythia giving in to the weight of the snow.

Lucan leaping through the snow in the woods out back.

 Lucan leaping through the snow in the field across the street.

Currently, there is no leaping going on. A lot of panting, but no leaping.

Have a great Saturday where you are!

Tornado Alley..........ok, it's just my office

My office.......literally my 'little corner of the world'.......was out of control yesterday. Now I can be messy when I work, but it was looking even beyond my usual messy workplace.

Seriously. A mess. Papers everywhere. Stacks of who knows what. Wires dangling from behind my desk. Drawers open. Need I say more?

The saving grace was .......Can we talk?.........I got such a great deal yard sale-ing last weekend. I found a super duper plastic-yet-sturdy file cabinet on wheels. I just needed to take the time to move things from the box on the floor (to the left of my desk), to the new 'Caddie Boy'. That way, instead of dragging the box out of the corner when I need to get into a file, I can ROLL the file cabinet out. It rolls SO easily.

So I started to clean and organize.

I know, it doesn't look so hot in progress.

It is better, but still - I hate those obnoxious wires.

Aha, an idea..............I'll hang one of gram grams old table cloths to hide them!

No unsightly wires!!!!

The Caddie Boy fit like it was made for the space!!! Woohoo!

It now holds all the files that were shoved into the black box which was half the size.  And..........

It has a secret drawer up top that now holds my Bamboo computer pencil and pad. This makes me happy because it used to sit on top of the hard drive and I was always worried I was going to kick it off while crossing my legs.

There's more to do, but it is at least looking more organized.  I moved the 'black box' to the right of my desk and that now holds my etsy stuff.

Yes, that is one blank and boring wall in front of me. And not too much to the side either. The one in front is going to hold some shelves. I hemmed and hawed about that, since my pantry shelves are open, did I want more open shelving. I decided that was the easiest solution, and that you wouldn't really see it from the rest of the living room (my office is in the far corner) because the big screen TV will hide it. Also, Gar has these awesome industrial brackets downstairs that are just looking for something to do.

As far as the wall to the side, I'm planning on coming up with some display system for my artwork and things that inspire me when I'm creating.  Anything would be better than my current system.

Do you have a display system that works? Bulletin board? Plate rail? I'm thinking some sort of horizontal 'clothes line of sorts' (twine perhaps?) at different levels, and that I can hang artwork and inspiration off of with clothes pins or office clips.

Any suggestions welcome.

Hotter than Hades here. Can't complain. I'm inside with the hound and there is AC running. Gar, however, is right in the thick of it building a foundation, in the heat, with no shade. Oy. Vay. I'm feeling for him.

Have a wonderful Friday in your little corner of the world. I'm off to soak everything outside so it can survive the heat of the day. Did the same thing yesterday morning and had to do another round in afternoon because everything was wilted already. 

I know when I step out, it's going to be like walking into an oven. The thermometer is in the shade and it's already over 90 at 10 a.m. Phew.

Have I told you lately that I love my pool?