Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Christmas Gold




Just a few quick pictures from our dining room before all the festivities. :)

I've had the sheer golden tablecloth for several years, but this is the first time I've used it. The dinner plates are Wedgwood, and the salad plates are Noritake; both belonged to my mother. The bone-handled knives and German silver spoons were antique store finds. We never got a sterling flatware set when we were married, but I have enjoyed collecting old flatware. Other collections include tole trays hanging on the wall, and milk glass in the corner cupboard. The cut glass pieces on the painted chest are part of my mother's collection. I guess collecting runs in the family. :)






Saturday, December 24, 2011

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Mosaic Monday: Christmas Gold



It seems that Christmas brings out the magpie in me. Glitter-encrusted faux fruit are nestled in a cut-crystal bowl that belonged to my mother, with a rope of beads flowing over the top. Golden faux hydrangeas sit atop the painted chest in the red dining room in our little red house. Warmed by the southern light that pours into the room, everything shines all the more. It's beginning to feel like Christmas here. How about in your house?

Please note: there will be no Mosaic Monday next week. If I don't see you before Christmas, have a wonderful holiday!

Here are the instructions to join today's post:
1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post. The post may be about any subject you wish. The only stipulation is that it include a collage, or mosaic of photos.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.
That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

Thank you for sharing your beautiful images with all of us at Mosaic Monday!  

1. A Garden of Threads  22. Molly [frolicking felines]  43. Crafty Gardener, Canada  
2. Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook  23. Lorrie  44. Gina, Art and Alfalfa  
3. Kim,USA  24. Cindy @ Custom Comforts  45. Snap @ Twisty Lane  
4. InaSandbox  25. My Christmas Trees  46. rain  
5. Bernie in Australia  26. Dominique's Desk  47. Cass @ That Old House  
6. A Back Porch Departure  27. Black Eyed Susans Kitchen  48. Brenda-DownMemory  
7. Christmas Home Tour  28. Rajesh, India  49. My Little Home and Garden  
8. {oc cottage}  29. Christmas Village  50. A Cupcake Christmas  
9. ellen b  30. QMM  51. Patricia  
10. Pondside - Christmas Memory  31. Milk & Cookies for Santa  52. Cassie  
11. Sands-Becky  32. Christmas in the Living Room  53. Leslie  
12. Lavender Dreams  33. Life Among Mountains  54. Moss Love  
13. Cathy  34. Pat ~ Mille Fiori Favoriti  55. Sall's Country Life  
14. Lavender Cottage  35. Roberta  56. My Third Eye  
15. Rajesh, India  36. Rosie,mygardenhaven  57. Vintage Wonderland Under Glass  
16. A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson  37. Teacup-in-the-garden  58. Special Moments In Time  
17. Yael - HomeGardenDiggers  38. Mary Tingsgrove, KY  59. xmas helper  
18. Riet, Holland  39. eileen  60. aima  
19. Extravagance @ My Place to Yours  40. Life Images by Jill  61. xmas tree  
20. Sweet Nothings  41. Wandering Thought  62. frosty palm tree  
21. The Cottage Wren  42. Gillyweed.. Gift Wrapping  63. NHGarden  

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Christmas Reflections



It's beginning to feel a bit more like Christmas here. My good blogging friend Kate told me to do a little decorating, and listen to some Christmas music, and I would begin to feel better. And I do.




My husband brought me four armloads of red and white tulips, and some Godiva chocolates. Oh, how I love this man! Just seeing them as I walk through the room makes me feel better.




My children came home for the weekend, and we started on our Christmas decorations. The old and well-loved traditions help to bring a sense of peace, especially in this year that has, at times, seemed like one sadness after another. And while the sadness is still there, the quiet joy of the season is there, too.




Another blogging friend, Georgianna, told me that quiet reflection is as valuable as festive celebration. So that's where I am at the moment -- doing a little decorating, listening to a few Christmas songs, eating a little chocolate, and reflecting on how fortunate I am to have such wonderful and caring family and friends. Including you, my dear blogging friends. Thank you for listening, thank you for caring, thank you for your comments, encouragement and prayers for someone you have never even met.

Wishing you much love and laughter as you prepare for this Christmas season. xoxo

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Mosaic Monday: Snowy Beauty



While I don't really look forward to snowy weather, I do appreciate how beautiful it can be, and I always hope for a little dusting around the holidays. So I guess I can call this another white Christmas mosaic. I'm so sorry it's rather small. I have to admit that I'm not really feeling Christmas too much yet. In fact, I'm in a bit of a funk. Just thought I'd put that out there. I know that the holidays can be difficult for some people, and that sometimes the stress of trying to make the perfect storybook Christmas instead just makes us depressed. So I'm going to take a moment to look around and appreciate the beauty all around me. I'm going to take one day at a time, and see where that leads me. Hopefully, it will lead me to a merry Christmas. :)

Here are the instructions to join today's post:
1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post. The post may be about any subject you wish. The only stipulation is that it include a collage, or mosaic of photos.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.
That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

Thank you for sharing your beautiful images with all of us at Mosaic Monday!  

1. Gillyweed.. Christmas Fruit Decor  22. Life Images by Jill  43. Roberta  
2. BAD washcloth. BAD.  23. Sweet Nothings  44. Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook  
3. Lavender Dreams  24. Gina, Art and Alfalfa  45. QMM  
4. Rajesh, India  25. Christmas Primitives  46. Dawn Treader Sweden  
5. Black Eyed Susans Kitchen  26. Sall's Country Life  47. The Cottage Wren  
6. Eileen  27. Mountain Breaths  48. The Cottage Wren  
7. ellen b  28. Christmas Sideboard  49. My Third Eye  
8. Lavender Cottage  29. 3 Bloggers Enjoy a C!hristmas Party  50. The French Hutch Christmas Open House  
9. Home is Where the Boat Is  30. the french tangerine  51. Pretty in Pink and More...  
10. My Little Home and Garden  31. Riet, Holland  52. xmas traditions  
11. Pat@Back Porch Musings  32. Lorrie  53. Echarlotte  
12. Kim,USA  33. Becky  54. Twiggy  
13. Mary, MI  34. Rosie,mygardenhaven  55. Crafty Gardener, Canada  
14. Podso  35. Bernie in Australia  56. JBigg's Christmas Carolers  
15. ldh  36. Ranu, India  57. Nature's Christmas Greeting  
16. InaSandbox  37. Très Julie  58. Patricia  
17. Wandering Thought  38. Julie @ Color Chic  59. Leslie's Tree  
18. Cathy  39. Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson  60. Countdown to Christmas  
19. Snap @ Twisty Lane  40. In The Christmas Spirit @ My Cozy Corner  61. Sheila  
20. That Country Place  41. Teacup-in-the-garden  62. Pondside  
21. Pat ~ Mille Fiori Favoriti  42. Tina´s PicStory  63. Holiday Shopping  

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Mosaic Monday: White Christmas



First of all, thank you all for your comments on my last post. Your thoughts and prayers are so greatly appreciated! There was a great outpouring of love and support from our church and our community this weekend, as the two families buried their sons. We are all striving to hold them close, and remember them in this busy season. I cannot imagine how difficult it will be for them.

As for my mosaic today, it's a repeat of one from years past. While my little red house lends itself to the traditional Christmas colors, sometimes I feel the need for something cleaner and calmer. Something a little quieter, more muted. Here is my version of a white Christmas. :)

Here are the instructions to join today's post:
1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post. The post may be about any subject you wish. The only stipulation is that it include a collage, or mosaic of photos.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.
That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

Thank you for sharing your beautiful images with all of us at Mosaic Monday!  

1. QMM  21. Life Among Mountains  41. Rosie,mygardenhaven  
2. NYC at Christmas  22. The French Hutch Choirs of Angels  42. Neighbour Goods Market  
3. Carol@ My Painting Room  23. Sweet Nothings  43. Gillyweed...Chevron Patterns  
4. Lavender Dreams  24. Molly (scenes of a frosty morn)  44. Wandering Thought  
5. A Montana Life  25. Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook  45. Crafty Gardener, Canada  
6. Vee  26. Life Images by Jill  46. Rohit Sareen  
7. Eileen  27. The 12 Trees of Christmas  47. Sheila  
8. Black Eyed Susans Kitchen  28. Mosaic: An Indian Bazaar  48. Gina, Art and Alfalfa  
9. InaSandbox  29. O Tannenbaum  49. Brenda-DownMemory  
10. Rajesh, India  30. Podso  50. Pondside - Love, The Gift of the Season  
11. Winter Sideboard  31. dharma owl  51. Early Christmas  
12. Dab of This and That  32. Ingmarie We/Refugium  52. Christmas: Chapter One  
13. Mountain Breaths  33. Teacup-in-the-garden  53. Cass at That Old House  
14. frosty mosaic  34. How to Make a Christmas Pin @ My Cozy Corner  54. Roberta  
15. Cathy  35. Mary KY/USA  55. Leslie  
16. Kim, USA  36. Dawn Treader Sweden  56. Mary, MI  
17. A Garden of Threads  37. {oc cottage}  57. mama g  
18. Old Fashioned Christmas Inspiration  38. Tina´s PicStory  58. Ptat~ Mille Fiori Favoriti  
19. Bernie in Australia  39. Synnöve  59. Fishtail Cottage  
20. Dreamy Blue Bedroom  40. Yael - HomeGardenDiggers  

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Please Remember



This has been a very sad week for us -- two young men, who went all through grammar school and high school with my daughter, were killed in a car crash on Monday afternoon. One leaves a father, mother and older sister; the other leaves a father, mother and seven younger siblings. If you can, please remember them, their families, our schools and our town in your prayers. We are devastated.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Mosaic Monday: Bone-a- Fide Bandanas



Do you have any dogs (or dog-lovers) on your Christmas list this year? What do you get for the dog who has everything? How about something bright and colorful and personalized with their name?

I had the opportunity to meet earlier this week with Nicole, owner of Bone-a-Fide Bandanas. Nicole is the daughter of my dear friend Robin. She is a smart, capable, savvy 21-year-old with her own business, making personalized bandanas and blankets for the canine set. She has been in business for about a year now, traveling to craft fairs around the state and building her website.

The idea for the business began with the simple bandanas that are given out with a visit to the dog groomer. Nicole thought to improve on the idea by personalizing them, and adding a clean edging with threads in colors that compliment the fabrics. She offers an ever-changing variety of fabrics, too -- everything from camo to cards to chili peppers, and much more. There are also fabrics for major holidays. You can see a few of her Christmas bandanas in one of the photos above.

Modeling a few of Nicole's creations here is Riley, her Jack Russell terrier. The bandanas come in five different sizes, to fit everything from a Chihuahua to a Bernese Mountain dog. In case you were wondering, the photos were taken in Robin's beautiful house. I will have to do another post on that soon. ;)

Best of all, for readers of Little Red House, Nicole is offering 20% off your total order through December 31st. Just use the code REDHOUSE. You may request gift packaging (bone patterned organza bag) by including the word "gift" in the text box which appears with each bandana listed in your shopping cart.

Check out Bone-a-Fide Bandanas for all the doggies on your Christmas list!

Here are the instructions to join today's post:
1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post. The post may be about any subject you wish. The only stipulation is that it include a collage, or mosaic of photos.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.
That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

Thank you for sharing your beautiful images with all of us at Mosaic Monday!  

1. Christmas 2010 @ My Cozy Corner  22. Hyacinths For the Soul  43. Très Julie  
2. Chorizo Con Huevos - Buen Provecho!  23. Lucky Find @ My Place to Yours  44. Synnöve  
3. My Little Home and Garden  24. genie~va~usa  45. My Third Eye  
4. podso  25. Rajesh, India  46. Coloring Outside the Lines  
5. Lavender Dreams  26. Advent Tablesetting  47. Wandering Thought  
6. Black Eyed Susans Kitchen  27. Mary, MI  48. LindyLouMac in Italy - Olive Harvest  
7. A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson  28. At home  49. Dawn Treader Sweden  
8. Eileen  29. Ingmarie We/Refugium  50. suzyq-atthefarmhouse  
9. Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook  30. A Montana Life  51. Autumn Holiday Inspiration  
10. Home is Where the Boat is~  31. Gina, Art and Alfalfa  52. Gillyweed  
11. Life Images by Jill  32. Sheila  53. Thrifted Collectibles  
12. Lavender Cottage  33. Katalin  54. RobinfromCA  
13. The Cottage Wren  34. Pondside - The Season Begins  55. Mary KY/USA  
14. At-Home Activity Basket  35. Roberta  56. Leslie  
15. Pat ~ Mille Fiori Favoriti  36. Teacup-in-the-garden  57. Freshen Your Landscape  
16. InaSandbox  37. Twiggy  58. Yael - HomeGardenDiggers  
17. ldh  38. Pearls and Lace Thursday  59. Sherry  
18. QMM  39. La Rive ~ Tassels  60. Shirleys World Blue Skies and Horses  
19. Life Among Mountains  40. Bernie in Australia  61. Carola Nativity Gallery  
20. Crave!  41. Tina´s PicStory  62. Nature Trail  
21. Cathy  42. COAL for Christmas, bj's  63. Sweet Pea, A vintage Shasta  

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Mosaic Monday: Christmas Cards






This is a somewhat unusual mosaic, but I thought I would show you what I have been working on for the past week -- Christmas cards for my portrait photography business. They are all designed to be printed as 5"x7" flat cards. Two of the designs are made for ornate die cut shaped cards.

Most of the digital papers used here are from Sarah Gardner Photography. The vintage frames and tape are from Florabella. The red bird in card #2 is from The Graphics Fairy.

I will be printing the first card as our family Christmas card this year. And can I tell you a little secret? I have never been this early with my Christmas cards. In fact, some years they just don't get done at all... ;)

Here are the instructions to join today's post:
1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post. The post may be about any subject you wish. The only stipulation is that it include a collage, or mosaic of photos.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.
That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.


Thank you for sharing your beautiful images with all of us at Mosaic Monday!  

1. Yellow Historic Home  22. Julie @ Color Chic  43. The Cottage Wren  
2. Pat@Back Porch Musings  23. As Time Goes By  44. Wandering Thought  
3. eileen  24. Bernie in Australia  45. Whims n Whispers  
4. InaSandbox  25. Pamela Gordon  46. Gina, Art and Alfalfa  
5. Black Eyed Susans Kitchen  26. Katalin  47. QMM  
6. Rajesh, India  27. Mary, MI  48. Faux gingerbread houses  
7. Carol @ There's Always Thyme to Cook  28. Our Thanksgiving Feast @ My Cozy Corner  49. Brenda  
8. Lavender Dreams  29. Lorrie  50. Books & Bear Corner  
9. ellen b  30. Thanksgiving non-traditional  51. The French Hutch Thinking of You At Thanksgiving  
10. ldh  31. Life Among Mountains  52. Gingerbread Houses  
11. Molly [red, yellow, orange]  32. Hyacinths for the Soul  53. Kansas City Murals  
12. Snap @ Twisty Lane  33. Christmas Village  54. Roberta  
13. Pat ~ Mille Fiori Favoriti  34. Teacup-in-the-garden  55. dharma owl  
14. Lavender Cottage  35. Pondside - A Cosy Start to the Season  56. Puna@LifeSignatures  
15. Life Images by Jill  36. Très Julie  57. Dixon Hill  
16. Terri@Lakewood Manor  37. Ingmarie We/Refugium  58. Reached My Limit!  
17. Mosaic Magic  38. Tina´s PicStory  59. A Montana Life  
18. Transferware Heaven @ My Place to Yours  39. DJ  60. Dragonfly Garden  
19. {oc cottage}  40. Mary KY/USA  61. Sherry  
20. Shirleys World Miss Ellie  41. Synnöve  62. Carrie - Oak Rise Cottage  
21. Cathy  42. Dawn Treader Sweden  63. Gifts @Edwards Granddaughter  

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Mosaic Monday: A Facelift



OK, so you didn't really think it was me getting the facelift, did you? Not that I wouldn't mind donating an extra chin or two to charity, you know. In fact, now that I look back on the sanctimonious attitude I took toward plastic surgery in my thirties, I shake my head in sorrow. Oh, if only I knew. Nowadays, having a forehead you could bounce a bullet off of doesn't sound like such a horrible thing... lol

Anyway, as you can see, it was our Little Red House getting the much-needed facelift. I actually shudder to show you the before pictures. How truly hideous! The path was pathetic to begin with, but with the tree roots pushing it awry, well... it was dangerous as well as ugly.

It was so exciting to watch the transformation, though, day to day. (Yes, I need to get a life.) I can't tell you how happy we were to simply see the shape of the new path dug out. And as it started to take shape, we became even more ecstatic. Now, we are absolutely giddy to simply walk on it, and find a dozen excuses a day to do so. :)

Here are the instructions to join today's post:
1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post. The post may be about any subject you wish. The only stipulation is that it include a collage, or mosaic of photos.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.
That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Our Daily Bread


circa 1860, found at a local antiques store last month. See you all on Sunday night, for Mosaic Monday. :)

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Mosaic Monday: Something Pretty



First of all, thank you so much for all your sweet comments earlier in the week. Things are getting back to normal around here slowly but surely. It's so strange to be even partially without power. All the little things you take for granted -- like light switches and washing machines and cable modems -- are all suddenly useless. I don't think I have ever really appreciated how very difficult life must have been before the advent of electricity. ;)

I wanted my mosaic this week to be cheerful and pretty, so here is a group of flowers from my flickr set My Flower Faves. I have been getting the urge to shoot flowers lately, so I think I may have to see what my supermarket has in stock tomorrow. Yes, I know that I am perverse about enjoying the seasons while they last. I just feel as though I've had an overload of leaves and pumpkins. I need a little something girly. You understand, right?

Here are the instructions to join today's post:
1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post. The post may be about any subject you wish. The only stipulation is that it include a collage, or mosaic of photos.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.
That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

October Snow



It started on Saturday. I was at my favorite bakery, Cocoluxe, with my dear friend Robin. We were sitting at a table by the window when we saw the first flakes appear. As you can see, the maple trees were still aflame with autumn color.




At first it looked beautiful -- a patchwork quilt of green grass, autumn color, and white snow. For the past three years running, we have had our first snow in late October. Those others were just a dusting, and soon melted, but this one was different.




As the morning progressed, the snow began to accumulate, and I began to hear our small town's emergency sirens go off several times.

Then we lost power.




We have a generator which runs our furnace, well pump, sump pump and kitchen and den lights. The generator kicked in, and I breathed a sigh of relief. At least our pipes would not freeze and our cellar would not flood. My husband had been in Washington D.C. and was scheduled to fly into Newark on Saturday afternoon. He took the train instead, which was probably a good thing. Newark was pretty much shut down by late afternoon. By early evening, we had around 4-5 inches of snow.

Power returned around 2:00 am Sunday. We cheered. But then it went off again at 8:30 am. And it stayed off for the next four days. I spent most of Monday trying to reach someone (anyone) at our propane supplier, to supply the generator. And I went through internet withdrawal. ;)




We were very lucky. We had a warm and dry house. And even though this huge branch came down on our deck, it did not break anything. Driving around on Sunday, we viewed hundreds of downed tree branches, hanging wires and swollen streams. Roads were closed to through traffic, and getting around town entailed several detours and a thorough knowledge of the back roads. Schools and businesses were closed. A few of our surrounding towns cancelled Halloween.

And I ate way too much Halloween candy.

So, how was your week?

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Of Beets and Baskets, and Belles de Boskoop



My kitchen windows look out over the deck and the garden. At this time of year, the afternoon light slants in warmly, casting shadows over the vintage cherry table that originally stood in my mother's dining room.




I always keep autumn flowers here, to brighten the room as the days grow shorter. I love these reds and golds and browns, warm and cheerful colors that compliment the painted cabinets. In fact, I respond instinctively to these colors. So when I saw these heirloom golden beets in the supermarket yesterday, I brought them home simply because they were so beautiful.

And the first thing I did was to plop them in this wire basket and start taking photographs. lol




I added a few heirloom apples as well. I know that heirlooms are treasured for their flavor and vigorous growing habits, but I think I would buy them simply because of their names -- William's Pride, Cox's Orange Pippen, Belle de Boskoop. :)




And finally, wire baskets. I cannot resist them. I love their mixture of beauty and utility. And they are fabulous photo props, n'cest pas? ;)

Do you have plans for the weekend? I hesitate to even type this out loud, but we may be expecting a little s-n-o-w.

Yikes. I am so not ready.

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Mosaic Monday: Landscapes of New Jersey



I've got an old school mosaic for you today -- made at Big Huge Labs from one of my flickr sets called "my landscape faves." I feel like that is cheating, but it's been a busy weekend. :)

Despite it's nickname as the "Garden State," my home state of New Jersey tends to get a bad rap as the home of the idiots from the television show Jersey Shore, or for the ugliness of the New Jersey Turnpike.

I beg to differ.

With the exception of the sunset in the first row, which was taken down the shore, every other image in this mosaic was photographed within ten minutes from our little red house.

I ♥ New Jersey.

Here are the instructions to join today's post:
1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post. The post may be about any subject you wish. The only stipulation is that it include a collage, or mosaic of photos.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate inlinkz box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.
That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

Thank you for sharing your beautiful images with all of us at Mosaic Monday!  

1. Fishtail Cottage  23. Cathy  45. Shirleys World Animals  
2. Home is Where the Boat is~  24. Bernie in Australia  46. Tina´s PicStory  
3. eileen  25. Ash Tree Cottage  47. Crafty Gardener, Canada  
4. Wandering Thought  26. Lorrie  48. Rural Revival  
5. A Garden of Threads  27. Pat ~ Mille Fiori Favoriti  49. Dawn Treader Sweden  
6. Black Eyed Susans Kitchen  28. Katalin:)  50. eye of the beholder  
7. My Little Home and Garden  29. Autumn Harvest~  51. Cestohowa, Texas  
8. Lavender Dreams  30. Karen, A Scrapbook of Inspiration  52. Savoring Time in the Kitchen  
9. Ebie, CA  31. Sheila  53. Michelle at Rosebudquilting  
10. InaSandbox  32. Riet, Holland  54. QMM  
11. ldh  33. The Charm of Home  55. Autumn Morning  
12. BailiwickStudio  34. Kim,USA  56. Suzy  
13. Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson  35. Teacup-in-the-garden  57. 1960s Paris Knits  
14. The French Hutch Kirkwood Mansion Tour  36. Elaine  58. Views Of Audubon Park, New Orleans  
15. Custom Comforts  37. Pondside - A Giveaway  59. Cass at That Old House  
16. Life Images by Jill  38. Jackie's life in Surrey, UK  60. Roberta  
17. Carol @There's Always Thyme to Cook  39. Millie  61. Barefoot in Lavender  
18. Dab of This and That  40. Sweet Nothings  62. A Musing Potpourri  
19. Snap @ Twisty Lane  41. Yael  63. Color Chic  
20. Lavender Cottage  42. Tassels Twigs and Tastebuds ~Veronica  64. NHGarden  
21. {oc cottage}  43. Très Julie  
22. Rajesh, India  44. Halloween Party  

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

Friday, October 21, 2011

In Which I Return to the Scene of the Crime



First of all, let me say that I have been a good little girl. I haven't been to the thrift store since April or May. In fact, my favorite thrift store moved into a larger building over the summer, and this week was the first time I had been there to check it out.





And wow, what a difference! Where before it had been housed in the basement of a very small church, it is now in a large, bright and airy room with lots of space to show off all the great things for sale.




As you walk in the door, there is a large table filled with all the housewares that I love -- dishes and trays and lamps and candlesticks -- and everything is styled beautifully. In fact, it almost looks like an upscale home decor shop. But with really good prices. ;)





So what did I get? I got this beautiful Wedgwood covered casserole dish, for $8. Yes, as you have probably guessed, I'm a sucker for covered dishes. And this was just the perfect color to go in my kitchen.

So now I have to make up for lost time at the thrift store, right? I have my eye on a small tea set and a Victorian chair... ;)