Monday, July 23, 2012

La Belle Cloche



Ah.......cloches.

 What is it about them we love so much?






Is it the mystery behind the container?

The intrigue of the "you can look, but don't touch?"

Whatever the reason - cloches make
the perfect display case.







Designing with one can be as simple as housing a potted plant
on burlap, inside an old shabby copper tray.








La belle cloche.......the beautiful bell

With humble beginnings....made of heavy glass
in a dome shape - used to protect seedlings....


Has become one of the best design elements in
our beautifully designed world.

It comes in many sizes and materials and has many uses.

(But my favorite is still the original use of simply housing a plant.)

Vive la cloche!


Please join the fun over at Marty's 
A Stroll Through Life
Cloche Linky Party!




Also linking:








 





Amazing Blue Sky




At the end of the day yesterday I went to check the birdbath and hummingbird feeder....and found my husband taking photos of the sky.

I am so glad he did, for I was on warp -speed all weekend and hadn't even noticed what a beautiful sky it was - a true blessing.

This isn't an award winning sunset or anything - it is just awesome cloud formation, taken by my wonderful husband from our backyard late in the day yesterday.






It's just too pretty not to share.




Joining Sally today.



Sunday, July 22, 2012

Bless This House









An Irish Blessing

May you always have
walls for the winds,
a roof for the rain,
tea beside the fire,
laughter to cheer you,
and those you love near you.



I wish this for all of you today and always.


~Michele

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

JULY CARD PARTY






A Haven for Vee



My theme for the Note Card Party this month
 is pink flowers.






Original post here.







Original post here.








Original post here.









Original post here



Thanks for stopping by!

Tea on the Patio






I posted about our covered patio wicker furniture makeover yesterday.

It was a perfect segue to sharing a simple little tea with you
out here on the patio today!







We had milder temps a few days ago
making it tolerable enough for a lovely little respite.

Though it stays cooler & shadier back here behind the house
 until later in the afternoon, it's still been too hot mostly.











A tablecloth, a lace covered tray, tea, pound cake with
strawberries & cream - just delightful!







Antique silver & china always make things seem more special.

Add sweet lace vintage linens and we're set for a party!
















This is one of my treasured tea sets.
I've the pot, sugar, 4 dessert plates, 4 teacups & 4 saucers.
This sweet antique china is truly paper thin and so delicate.

It is so thin that when held up to the light
 one can clearly see the marker's mark stamp on the bottom.













These sweet vintage silverplated sugar tongs
were a gift from my older sister.

I use them all the time.

(The tongs aren't tarnished, that's just a reflection.)












I left a little bit of tea in the bottom of my cup to show
the hexagonal shape at the base of the teacup.

The same shape is on the saucer, teapot & sugar bowl and their lids.










As always, thanks for visiting!
Linking:
Teacup Tuesday - Terri and  Teacup Tuesday - Martha

Monday, July 16, 2012

Patio Wicker Furniture Makeover


Today I'm sharing our "new to us" patio
 Craiglist vintage wicker furniture.

We bought a love seat & two matching chairs.

They were a great price, but needed some love!




"BEFORE" PIC

Here it is "staged" because it had been too humid & hot to paint.
We waited for a break in weather before fixing.....
yet wanted needed had to use it!

So here it is in all its befugly glory!
"Befugly" is my new made up word.
It means ugly, before it is made beautiful.

~~~Befugly and Afteriful~~~

Ya stayin' with me so far, gang?

Ahem.

OK, we were discussing furniture, yes?

I have absolutely no idea why I put that piece of old driftwood inside the table like that.
Please just ignore it when I do crazy things like that. Just pretend you don't notice.

Kinda like when you pretend you don't notice that there is a confusion in stripes in pillows going on in my little zen world?



Behold: a better way to spray paint!

Use an air compressor!

Gives a powerful, cleaner and much more controlled spray.
One may use liquid paint of any kind- giving one a frugal custom painting ability for a fraction of the cost of spray paint!

(Not even taking into account how much using those aerosal cans hurt fingers, paint getting all over the place and giving you little coverage for a spending a whole lotta dough.....then there's the Oxzone thing, and well the list is long enough to get my point here.)






Bright purple sprayer For The Win!












Here is my wonderful and DH managing
the spraying process around here.

He never complains when asked to spray paint
and it seems as though I always have something
I wish to have painted.

Thanks, hon!

(He's a keeper, this one.)





First coat: the primer.

No rolling of the eyes or giggling or feeling bad for us
 because our garage is so messy.

It gets used.
A lot.

(It is what it is.)
And it is gonna stay messy as long as we live. Here.













 
Here they are (below) all finished up- clean & fresh!

This is the room in "normal" fashion
when tea isn't in session.

On the left is a bit of the white sheer curtain pulled back
"framing" the pic. I should have stood somewhere else
to avoid it in the shot - but wanted to get the full shebang.


The potting bench we've had for years and it really gets used for gardening....
One of these days I will fill it with eye candy
 and give it its own pretty staged blog post.
But not till it cools off, it's too danged hot.




 



The new round rug is indoor/outdoor, spray washable and very soft.


The two wicker tables I've had from earlier thrifting!
I have shared them before.



 

Sunbrella pillows.

Definately worth the extra cost!




 


 
And here is one of the wicker chairs
all dressed up for a girlie tea!


 




Laura Ashley cushions x 4 - GW scored treasures! WHOO HOO!

Had them purchased, washed, dried and put out
 in the zen room fastern' you could say

 "Put the kettle on!"



 
Linking:


 



{Primp}



Friday, July 13, 2012

Pink Around Nest & WINNER!





I really love pink.

It's fun to look about the nest each week
 to pick pink bits to share with you.


This whimsical teapot incorporates
 some of my favorite things:

Tea china, pink floral chintz, a kitty, a soft pillow
(It's easy to forget this is actually a real teapot!)









I found this little pitcher set on a thrifting outing the other day.









Pretty pink Hydrangea from our garden
 is always a welcome sight around here!









Our bright pink potted Impatients are bouncing back
from the 2 weeks of high temps, finally.

Every garden spot needs some colour!

We don't have much left anymore in the gardens
but was able to protect these
 by keeping them under the porch roof, at least.








Last but certainly not least, as promised-
we have a random generator winner
for my 2 teabag holders giveaway!


CONGRATS GOES OUT TO

 ~~~~KERIN~~~~
from the blog





Thanks for all who commented & entered the drawing!

Your visits and comments mean the world to me!
Have a wonderful weekend!



(Had to post early due to plans.)

HAPPY PINK SATURDAY!