A Simple Thought For The Day

via EmilyMcDowellDraws

Good Reminder

I came across this the other day and aboslutley LOVE it. Don't we all need to remember this now and then? Consider yourself reminded.

via EmilyMcDowellDraws

Day 4 of ElleMoss 21 Day Photo Challenge: Rainbow

Since there has been no sun, and it's finding it hard to get out from behind the clouds and rain, no rainbows here.

Luckily I captured this Rainbow of Yarn last month at the farmers market.

Holy moly! Did anyone else notice it was Thursday?  Big project underway in this house. Think good thoughts for the Gman's new venture which he's been working hard on and is almost ready to launch. More soon. Promise.

See you on the flip side,

How Do I Love Thee?

Does A Free Printable Sound Like Love?

Because you're all so nice, I wanted to give you a free printable to download in time for Valentine's Day.  20 days and counting.

I think you guys are the best. My followers are always doing nice things, like mentioning Mercantile Muse and Bates Mercantile Co. on their blogs, linking to to the Muse, including the Muse on your sidebar, pinning, stumbling, facebooking and tweeting. Never mind simply following and leaving the sweetest comments. I appreciate it all. I really do appreciate it.

So, for you and your loved one, my take on the classic Browning poem. Utterly romantic with lace and a pretty peony, which is from an illustration I'm working on. Check out the homemade washi tape I used on the envelope (all I did was use double sided tape on a piece of one of my designs. Cut it out, stick. Easy peasy and a nice touch on the envelope, don't you think?). 

All you have to do is click the picture below and you can download the pdf.

via Mercantile Muse

You can also 'right' click on the picture above to save the image file to your computer and print.  'How Do I Love Thee?' has two cards per page, in case you happen to be playing the field, and can be folded to 4.25 x 5.5.

Feel free to share a link to this post and spread the love!

CAUTION: You're Time Is Running Out

Just throwing out one more reminder that our current giveaway ends tonight. So, if you like the 'Louis Louis in Pink' print, be sure you've entered for the drawing.

via BatesMercantileCo.

After all, someone has to win. Shouldn't it be you?

Have a lovely Thursday.  All is quiet on the East Coast front. Well, until tonight when we're supposed to get an overnight messy, wintry mix. 

Going with the flow,

Oh Deer, Another Holiday Freebie

Where's The Party?

Hi gang. Are you having a holiday party this year? This design is sure to get you in the mood. It's a free printable for you to use.

It features a deer dressed to the nines and a spot for all your party invite info.

You can either click right on the image below and save to your computer and print, or download the pdf here. Either way, it's four to an 8.5 x 11 sheet. Print as many as you need!

And of course, have fun at the party.

Sunset Meadows

The weather has been unseasonably and wonderfully warm. So it has been a mission to get to the field this week. There have been some clouds however, but they broke yesterday to make way for a pretty sunset.

I'm going to head over a little earlier than usual today, simply because the coyotes were absolutely freaky last night and they were hanging in my field. I so not need to run into them. Deer are one thing, coyotes another. A before dusk jaunt in the field will be the mission today.

Have a great day and I'll see you on the flip side.

Inspired: Design

Bohemian Meets French Country

My design tastes are quite varied and eclectic.  Just about any of my tastes are, be it music, books, movies, and even people for that matter.

I tend to have a love for anything bohemian, but as noted before, also love french country. What's a girl to do?

Combine the two of course.

Here's some things I found that I really love for various reasons. First, from the web.

1. via lou,boosandshoes.  Love: the combination of old (table and pictures) and new (chairs), arrangement and choice of pictures, the unexpected and on-matching color of the chairs.

2. I could not source this photo (this drives me crazy!!!).  Love: the color!!!, the tile, the tub and the light from the window.

3. via minasdecorandfashion. Love: the cozy feel, the pillows, the worn chairs, the urn.

4. via housebeautiful.  Love: the coffee table, the seating arrangement, the different fabrics, the modern-ish paintings with old world furniture styling.

5. via elledecor. Love: the dark wood walls, the paintings covering the walls, that round flokati chair, the hanging spheres.

From etsy.

This pillow.............

via joliemarche

..........I have a thing for birds.

These chairs from my friend Susie's shop.................

via harrismarkshome

.........the textured linen, the rattan seat backs, the unexpected gingham, the chalk paint.

This tin with more birds...............

via canalsidestudio

..........wonderful chinoiserie style.

The first thing I ever remember really 'buying' myself, that was an investment at the time, was a wonderful lamp I still have and love to this day. I think I was probably in about 7th grade and used my baby sitting money to buy it. I remember it cost $20 at Zayers.  Beautiful green and blue peacock design. Guess that Bohemian, french thing started way back when.

What about you? What way is your design style leaning? Do you still have a piece you bought years ago that continues to reflect your style.

I better snap a picture of that lamp in good light for all of you.

If you haven't entered our current giveaway, get on it!

Have a great Thursday. Just think- tomorrow is Friday, but first, seize the day.

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.

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?