EMILY

OK, so I watched a couple of episodes of Design Star this season, maybe the last 3 and was delighted when Emily won.  She is quirky and enthusiastic and a stylist by profession.  Last night I watched her special "Secrets from a Stylist" and I liked it.  I really, really liked it.  Did any of you watch...what did you think?  I honestly think it was the first thing on HGTV that has intrigued me in years, now it remains to be seen if it will ever emerge as a weekly show.

Stay tuned ( as they say in TVland).

Janet

Bloggers Beware

First off....where did the last week go?  We went to Vermont for the weekend, it started raining Saturday afternoon and it didn't stop until this morning.  Too bad about that area rug my son washed for me and hung on the deck.  It may be dry in time for Christmas.  Come to think of it, where did the entire summer go?  It was so hot and humid here for so long that all I did was whine about it and now it is over...insert more whining.

Here is where the Bloggers Beware part comes in.  I have been trying to meet Susie Q @ Rabbit Run Cottage since I started blogging almost 3 years ago.  Each time we come close to agreeing on time and place something comes up to stop us, so gutsy me invited myself to the Country Living Fair in Ohio in late September.  Sue is being a very good sport about having some weirdo show up at her house for the weekend.  She is actually being super welcoming and I so appreciate it.  I can't wait to meet her and her family.  So remember, be careful who you are nice to, they just might show up.

Off to bed with a new library book.

Janet

PS. How will  I fit all those gourds in my carry on??

Moved...

The new cabinet got moved downstairs to the dining room where it looks much better.  Now filled with assorted dishes it looks right at home in the Bistro du Soleil.

 I sure wish I could design beautiful vignettes like so many of you can and I certainly wish I could take some artsy pictures to show off my rooms. Tweaking, it's all about tweaking, right?  Maybe a decorating/photography course should be in my future.

Later,
Janet

Newburyport Window Boxes

Just a couple of windowboxes I shot on State Street while in Newburyport a few days ago.  Love the combination of colors and textures.

Later,
Janet

Yard sale bargain

I am not a big yard sale maven, believing that I have enough "stuff" already and really feeling that I need to pare down to prepare for my "Golden Years" which seem to be approaching rather quickly. Last Saturday we were on the way to a cookout at our son's house when we spotted a lovely scrubbed pine armoire at a yard sale in our neighborhood.  Hubbie wanted to stop and look at it and I explained I had absolutely no place for such a piece as much as I loved it ( and had no idea it was only $75.), but he insisted we stop.  While I was able to resist the armoire...I really DO NOT have any space for it, Hubbie wanted this piece for the upstairs hall for book overflow.  I know it is just the top to a hutch and the original idea was to put some short Edwardian style legs on it  to make it less awkward.  However, what you don't see in the picture is the bathroom light switch which is just above the top of the cabinet, so no legs.  It will remain an amputee.  Now, I am thinking maybe I should swap it out for the glass doored oak "bookcase" that is in my dining room. That one is the same height, but a bit shallower.  It is pretty heavy, so I think I have only one chance to move it, if you know what I mean.  Even that one chance involves getting a son over here to help. Maybe I need to go to Lowe's and see if they even have the legs I need and how tall they are...so I ponder.  Ever do that?

Later,
Janet

Ready to dry

The hydrangeas have been lovely this year and they about the only thing that has not succumbed to this humid, hot summer.  But alas, they are changing color and getting leathery, signs that it is time to bring them in to dry for the autumn season.  I cut them and put them in just an inch or so of water and when the water evaporates, they are perfectly dried.  Then I add them to baskets or vases r whatever to enjoy in their new incarnation.  Do you have hydrangeas?  Do you dry them?  What do you do with them when dry?  I need some new ideas.

Later,
Janet


Later

Apricots

The local apricots have been so very delicious this year...sweet, run down your chin juicy with just a hint of fuzz on the skin.  I cannot get enough of them.  Better hurry though as I think the season is just about over.  I think I need to make an apricot turnover with some puff pastry and a scoop of vanilla ice cream, want to share?

Later,
Janet

HAVE YOU HEARD??

 The HGTV Dream Home 2011 is being built in Vermont.  That's right ....Stowe Vermont, home to  Mount Mansfield, skiing, summer fun, autumn leaf peeping and the Von Trapp Family Lodge.  Also close to the Ben and Jerry factory and Green Mountain Coffee Roasters.  I really think a native Vermonter should win this one, so why not me??  Check out the link to the announcement and Stowe.


When I win we will have a giant decorating/cooking/eating party in the heart of the Green Mountains...wanna come?  And yes, I am sure there will be a big write up in the Stowe Reporter ( an inside joke!!)

Later,
Janet

Return to BowerBird

This is BowerBird a very cute shop in Peterborough New Hampshire.  I first visited here with my friend Mary from A Breath of Fresh Air in the beginning of July.  I was a bit rushed for time, but wanted to come back. While planning our trip to Southern Vermont I decided that we would take the long way and stop in Peterborough for a lunch/ antique stop.  We actually ate in Nashua because we were starving due to a late start.  But I insisted that I get to Bowerbird and Bob took pictures around town while I browsed and took my own pictures for you!  I didn't buy anything because I am pretty frugal and I don't need more stuff, even pretty stuff!  Enjoy the pretty vignettes.

Why does Blogger have a new photo adding feature?  I was just getting used to the old one...progress, maybe I am just too old for it??

Later,
Janet