Champagne? Yes please.

The Champagne Ladies

Last night was Book Club. Well, let's be honest here. It started out as a bookclub but it quickly turned into much more.  Books fell to the wayside for more important things, like friendship, awesome food and yes, champagne.

The great thing about Book Club/Champagne Ladies is that we all know how to cook.

That's Martha on the right (really Carey, but she's more Martha than Martha), Kath/Soy Goddess is next to her, then me, and last but not least is Pearl (really Laurel, but she's big on pearls, hence the name). And of course, you all know lucan who is nudging in on our photo shoot. 

Back to the food.........Kath was going to bring something sweet, but Martha told her forget it. She was bringing something sweet. So Kath (who owns the most wonderful restaurant- Blue Moon Evolution- that's all about local food) brought the most gorgeous fresh figs and cheese. A day without cheese is like a day without sunshine to me.  This picture doesn't do justice to either the cheese or the figs. 

As always, the food was so good. I made the pressed potatoes I featured here a couple of weeks ago. If you didn't catch it then, I suggest you check out the recipe. Super easy and everyone who tries them, goes back for a second helping.  Pearl made the most divine nicoise salad with fresh grilled sushi grade tuna steak. Heaven. I only wish the light was better so you could see really just how gorgeous this salad was.

Better focus and the right camera setting might help too.

Let me prefice what I'm going to say with Martha can really bake.  Martha, however, was busy selling real estate yesterday, so she swung by Apple Annie's Orchard and picked up a pie. Now, don't me wrong, the pie was good, but Apple Annie's could stand a pie crust lesson from my pal Martha. Not a patch on hers. That of course, does not mean that we didn't eat it.

And yes, we drank champagne too. You gotta live large.

Why Martha is Martha

Martha had on the sweetest cardigan last night which I commented on as soon as she walked in the door. She said, let me tell you a little story about this cardigan. Apparently, it used to have some scrolly embelishment thingy on the front that was getting all frayed. Well, Martha cut it off and, though she was careful, nicked a couple of tiny holes in it. That didn't deter her. She found these lovely flower embelishments at Joann Fabric for $1.49 each.

She stitched them on over the holes, and viola. New sweater for Martha.

It's a good thing.

Freeform Friday

Whenever the Champagne Ladies get together, we often end up dancing. We're just a bunch of dancing fools and if the right songs comes on, we're up and moving, wherever we may be. Last night it was our living room.  Pearl played YouTube DJ and we were a moving and a groovin'. That's just how we roll.

Here's a little something to get your Friday groovin'. Personally, I love anyone who can work an 'I pity the fool' into as song. And I especially love it when C. Lo hits that note. The change in your pocket would be enough for me C. Lo, as long as you keep singing like that. If you're reading the Muse via email, click here and sing along.

Go ahead and dance. You know you want to.

No big plans for the weekend. Just hoping the sun stays out like this. What about you? What's up in your corner of the world?

Make it a good one.

Over and out,



Gray, Rainy Thursday

copyright Ashely Pahl

No Sun Today, Thank Goodness for Favorite Finds

Though I can't complain considering the weather the rest of the week, today is an ugly day. A day made for your wellies.

It's also a day when I need another cuppa tea.

No sun makes it hard to wake up. Add to that the fact that I'm a night owl, not an early bird and you'll understand whey I need another cuppa tea, and something bright to put a little pep in my step.

Here's some bright happy favorite finds from fellow etsy shop owners. Check it out....you might need your sun glasses.

1. Happy new blue flower braclet, from a vintage piece. by beevintageredux   

2. One of my favorites, it's a big one for my Mom to sing to any new babies.  And how can that paper cut postcard not brighten your day? How does she do that without making a mess of the paper?  by ashleypahl

3. Love Matryoshkas, they're just colorful and cute. by sewZinski 

4. Foxy Loxy, pudding and pie, little fellow makes me smile.

by Red Tile Studio

5. Pow! Sapphire blue, in a purse. Love. by milloo

6. Frida Kahlo inspired. She's one of my favorite artists- colorful and surreal, and sometimes macabre and this is a lovely 'ode to Frida'. by SuzannesStudio

7. Check out the pom poms and lace on this fun cuff,

love color mixed with black accents.  by lindecise

8. Elephants might usually be gray, but not this one.  by honestworks

9. Did I say I love color against black already? 

Fun, happy, swirly whirly.  by sometimesiswirl 

Walk With No Pictures

I was trying to beat the rain yesterday, so I didn't download pictures of my camera to make room for field walk shots from last night. Plus, I just didn't feel like having something in my other hand.  Good thing. Got to the top of the hill with the hound, three deer just waiting for us. Two good size does, and one smaller kiddo.  (Can you believe I didn't have my camera to capture them?) Both mommas looked up with their ears perked up and checked us out. The little one didn't notice us until Lucan noticed them and started making a 'I'm gonna get you' kind of fuss. I was very glad I had both hands to hang onto the leash as the three of them bounced off into the woods with their white tails wagging.  Exactly why we keep him on the leash until we get to the top of the hill to see what's down in the lower end.

Other than that, it was pretty quiet in the field last night.  Just one biggo dragonfly scooting around with his tail tucked under, which looked pretty funny. I did find one feather and if I had to guess I'd say it was from the red tail hawk that hangs out there. It's very downy soft, so not a full grown feather. It's now in the nest with my other feather finds.

That's it in my part of the world, what's happening in yours? Got any sun?

Make it a great day, and take a moment to check out the colorful shops featured in today's favorite finds.

Thanks for being here.

Inspired: Design

photo by Catherine Gratwicke

Inspired: Design. HOME INTERIORS.

I have a very ecclectic taste in design, which is evidenced in the things we sell in our etsy shop, Bates Mercantile Co. My loves range from neutrals to brights, vintage to new, french country to modern, classic and rustic, industrial to romantic. Throw in a heaping dose of bohemian flair for good measure and balance.  These interiors and accents speak to me, all for different reasons.

Reasons:

1. That fabulous wood table/chairs and mobile/chandelier love (I never would have thought of that, and it seems such an obvious way to display those wonderful glass globes- even without lighting incorporated). 

 2. That headboard! Wow, what a color. That bedspread. Wow, what color. And I love the juxtaposition of the bright, modern colors with the aged mirror. 

3. The Flora Doora, a sack for your flowers you can hang on any door or wall.....it is lined with plastic so you can fill with water. Smart and very pretty. 4. The bohemian casual but worldly comfort of that couch and pillows. 

5. Gorgeous staircase.

6. A bed to stay in all day. I don't think I'd get up. 

7. This artist's home makes what others would see as 'needing to be painted', simply beautiful. The ceiling has a touch of sadness, but when combined with the other pops of color in the room, it makes me happy. 

It's all about style. 

Take A Walk With Us

We have really lucked out weather-wise this week. Though we may see rain later, right now the sun is shining just like it was yesterday for our walk.

I think my favorite shot from yesterday's walk is the much maligned dandelion, looking so very pretty. Would you have known that little pop of sunshine was a dandelion?  Really, not sure where the geese where going......they were flying North and were missing the other half of the V formation.  It made me chuckle to myself.

Sunset Meadows

Did you get a chance to sneak away from your desk yesterday? What did you do?

Enjoy this day no matter where you are, and as my friend Kath would say........

Bright blessings,

PS- I finally designed some Mercantile Muse buttons, and they are on the new 'Muse Buttons' page. Grab them from there if you'd like one for your website.  FYI- I will be adding more sizes.

FREE Blog Background And Take A Walk With Us

Designs on My Mind

I'm currently doing a blog design/set up for my friend Susie, and we haven't quite found the right background yet. We will. That said, I have blog backgrounds on the brain, and now you can have it on your blog.  Ribbon Weave is a free blog background you can use for your blog.  Very pretty combination of pinks ribbons and woven turquoise shades. I tried it on the Muse and it looked nifty. I'm sure it will look lovely on your blog too.



Just right click and save to your computer and upload in Blogger (or whatever blog platform you're on). Via blogger, go to template design, choose background, and upload image. It's best used centered, but you can try it anyway you like. Thanks for being here.

Another Beautiful Day: Take a Walk With Us

The hound and I were off the field last night. He was being a bit cheeky.... running away from me, not listening (selective hearing)......you know the gig if you have a dog. Despite his antics, it was a lovely walk.

Sun shining bright, greener than green grass. Dew droplets shinging in the light. Milkweed that looked like slivers of glass.  Butterfly perfectly posing.

I hope you had as nice an end to your day yesterday.

Sunset Meadows

I turned around in the field, and the sun was glinting off one of the barn windows. Doesn't it look like it's on the barn? Love it. 

The sun saying goodbye.

I do hope you have a wonderful Tuesday.  Mine is chock full. My desk is a mess and my list is long including marketing for 3D clients and shipping a pretty Shakespeare Country plate out.  What do you have on the books today?

A big shout out to everyone who has been so great in leaving the most thoughtful and kind comments. It really makes my day.

Ciao for now.



About me, follow and recap.

Fall Shop Spotlight & Giveaway

Hi guys.  I'm very excited to be in the 'spotlight' today over at Life By The Book and would like to thank Kristen for the feature. The spotlight features a 'little more about me' and a Giveaway of a Bates Mercantile Co. printable of your choice, so check it out right here if you want to be entered to win.  While you're at it, stop by Kristen's etsy shop ByTheBook Paper and see the neat stuff she makes, like these:

I think I'm being followed

A lovely collection of things from Mercantile Muse followers. So awesome.

1.the cutest clothespin bag ever by hopeandjoyhome 

2. shabby chic key pennant/banner by madistreasures  3. shades of blue bracelet by meljoycreations 

4. triptict painting by paintbrushedboutique  5. vintage jar opener by touchevintage  6. vintage trunk by harrismarkshome  7. summer in parris tote bag by notwithoutannette  8. gold chain necklace by retrorevivalboutique  9.  pillow case dress by timeandagainshop 10. cork magnets by lizziejoedesigns 

11. hello tags by susanwilliamsdesigns

Sunday Recap

This is pretty much what my Sunday looked like.

Simple because it really needs to be done, I spent what was a pretty nice day in the basement.  It's one big ugly mess.  I didn't get very far. Because, as I mentioned, it's one big mess.  It's a work in progress, but at least the big basement clean up/out is underway. I'll post more pictures when the progress I've made is more apparent than it is right now.

Finally saw the neighbors at the end of the day. It was a quiet weekend in the neighborhood. We all ended up in Tom and Joan's driveway watching the sun go down. When I got back across the street I grabbed the camera.......

Sunset Meadows

......and captured these.

This sunset went on and on and on. 

This morning, there sun was making the dew on the grass sparkle.

I loved the way it highlighted each little droplet of dew.

I hope that you have a fantastic beginning to the week. Enjoy your Monday, wherever you are.

Ta ta for now.....

You Win Some, You Lose Some

The Winner/s of Hello Notecard Sets

Being the kind of gal I am, and being that there were only two entrants to our giveaway, I'm going to send both Kristen (from By The Book Paper) and Kimberly (a giveaway lovin' momma) 2 sets of our Hello Chevron Note cards.

Congratulations ladies, and thanks for playing. Next time I'll do my best to make entering a little bit easier (thanks to Magda for info on rafflecopter).

So, I will be emailing both of you K & K, to get your mailing addresses.

Again, thanks for being here and for participating in the giveaway.

Keep your eyes open gang, there's more to come!

The Losers

That would be me yesterday, with a capital L. Just one of those days.  First off, on my way to Target to get dog food, I think I hit a chipmunk. Yes, I am one of those people who swerve for even the littlest animals. Couldn't bear to look back, but I don't think he made it. Secondly, I lost a $20 bill at Target.

But here's the good part. I confirmed I lost the $20 bill when I pulled into the sweetest little vintage store French Door Antiques. I know that doesn't sound good, but the loveliest lady, Katherine Pelletier, was working in the store and I mentioned I'd just lost a $20. She got on her cell phone and called Target. Now, they had not seen hide nor hair of it (hopefully someone who really needed it found it), but the point is that meeting nice people is more important than money.Then I realized I actually had met Katherine years before when I worked at the Chamber of Commerce and that we had a mutual friend. Beyond that, French Door Antiques where she was working was really wonderful. More bad news though, I brought my camera with me like I always do in case there is something I want to capture (did I say the store was lovely?), but I had forgot to take the memory card out of the card reader and put it back into camera. AND, though I thought I was recording to clipboard, and I see the pictures on the camera, it will not let me copy them to the card so I can't retrieve them today. Oh boy. The fun continues.

So, dear ladies of French Door Antiques, I do apologize and I will be back in soon to get pictures of your wonderful store that I can actually post. This place really gave me my French Country fix I've been needing this week.

In the meantime, I couldn't leave without these things.

A sweet little rusted wafer tin that still had some of its paper wrapper all around, with a different picture on each side. 

For now, it's going to hold somethings in my pantry.



A pretty little silk and lace hankie holder.

AND, a little victorian die cut image of a ship. Ever so cute.

The best though, the most interesting piece, is something I bought for Gar. I couldn't leave without it. It was labeled periscope. 

After a little research, the best we can tell is that it is the prism end of a tank periscope from WWII.  We both love it. It's now sitting on the mantle. I placed a coin and a feather underneath..........see how they're reflected in the prism? Just too cool.

There was a ton of great stuff at French Door Antiques.........glass, ironstone, lingerie, tea cups, garden accessories, furniture, pottery, dresser sets, pictures, the most awesome perpetual calendar and more.  Honestly, they've been open for a year and I'm not sure why on earth I hadn't stopped in yet. So glad I did.  I will most definitely be back soon and as I said, I'll be better prepared with the memory card actually in the camera.

Sunset Meadows

Yesterday wasn't all bad. When I got home we were greeted on Skype by my godson.....it was his first birthday on friday and he was having a party. Another Dublin family party via skype. Call me Martha, but it's a good thing.

And then, this.............. 

Well, I'm off to clean the basement. I'm actually looking forward to getting things cleaned and organized down there.

Have a great Sunday in your part of the world.  Thanks for listening to my 'silly Saturday' rant and thanks for being here.



bon samedi/happy saturday

Bonjour mon ami

Ugly day here. Again. So, I'll do some more dreaming of French Country style. Enjoy.

Gorgeous burlap tablecloth made by Courtney at my French Country Cottage.  When I get a new sewing maching, I am making this.

via FrenchCountryCottage

Love the combination of indoor and outdoor things. Great styling.

via ateliercampagne

Lovely chair makeover.

via DreamyWhites

Small, sweet touch.

via Bates Mercantile Co.

OK, the little dish is really english, but vintage ironstone goes with just about any country decor.

Did you see our latest printable, in the spirit of French Country dreaming?

Check it out here.

So many images to get lost in on the internet.  Funny thing is, my number one dream is to go back to Rome and see much more of Italy. Now, if we could find a little place there, and deck it out in French Country style, that would be dreamy. What are you day dreaming about this Saturday?

Stay tuned tomorrow, as I'll announce the winner of our giveaway.

I'm off to Target for dog food. Wish me luck in not getting lost or the basement will never get cleaned.

Have a great day wherever you are.