Watermelon Brunch

It's definitely time for watermelons at this point in the summer.  They are so juicy and good for you.  There's something about the sweetness and summer that work together like their meant to be.









The sunflowers are bursting out everywhere in our plot for them!








The zinnias grown from seed continue to delight.










Summer's palette of greens, pinks, yellows and purples adorn the table.


















My favorite vintage plates paired with the watermelon slices.














I didn't know that lizards 'show their money' in their legs right before they do in their throats!  But this fellow sure did.









Jan

A Summer Twist

How many furniture arrangements can I get out of this room?   There's always something being moved around in here.  It's a hard working room that doubles as the living/family room.  I have been excited about it this new version.  The sofas are sitting at a right angle together.  There's something so inviting and relaxing with sofas at right angles.  It feels like a new room.






There are few dogs laying around.




I have had the painting with the flowers for a long while now.  It just didn't seem to fit in how I thought it would in the past.  With the sofas rearranged it left this spot between the two sofas for the fabric covered table.




I had just a bit of fabric left over from the pillows that work so well for a runner on the green chest.  That's the green chest I never showed you.  I couldn't decide what color I want to paint it, or rather what color I want it to be.  Maybe an elf painter will come down the chimney and paint it for me....and decide what color!!  Blue or green??  What's your opinion?












I have started drying hydrangeas and they are on the mantel with a little of everything right now.  A very vintage painting and sketch along with a print.  It's a very collected look.  It's a more is more look!








 The colors from the tablecloth and the pillows on the sofa are the same as the floral painting.

 The smaller painting of the cottage, to the right of the floral painting, was an absolute must for this corner but I knew the size was an issue.  Using the mirror that had previously been living on the fireplace mantel, I sat the mirror on the green chest and placed the cottage painting in front of the mirror.  Instantly the smaller painting was given more importance and the mirror framed it so well.  The mirror made the petite painting an important piece as well!



Zinnias and roses.




There was no way they were not going to be in the photo.  Jacques had a new haircut and Layla wasn't going to allow him to take all the attention.




So I give up!



The chairs sit on this end of the room that looks out on the backyard.






Jan

Guest Bedroom

Are you in the mood for an English trip today?  Maybe?  It's good to take a trip or two to get away.


Yes Ma'am we have been awaiting your arrival.  Your room is ready for you.



I know our humble cottage is not what you are accustomed to but all your basic needs will be tended to.



I was bold enough to have tea and fruit out for you in your room.  I turned the bed down if you desire to rest.



You can rest your tray on the table by the doorway to put it out of your way when you are finished M'lady.












It's raining right now but as typical in the summer months, it will last a short while and be finished soon.  I provided a little light reading as well, ma'am.


















Dinner will be served at 7:00 this evening.  You will find it in the formal dining room.  There will be a choice of entrees and appetizers for your consideration.  Will that be all Ma'am?




Whom do you choose as your butler during your stay with us?   Mr. Molesley?




Or Thomas Barrow?




Or would you rather for old time's sake prefer Mr. Carson?




After all Mr. Carson and Mrs. Hughes have a small cottage.......




Could this be theirs?




After the rain you might enjoy a walk on the grounds.  The sunflowers are blooming and are
 impossible to ignore.




Even a few lilies are blooming.




Jan

Summers Ago

The crickets were loud but you could hear a car in the distance.  It was cooler for a night in July, a whole lot cooler.  I didn't want to go in but to stay outside and breathe in the evening air.  It had been hot for a long time already and this was a surprise. (If you want a more emotional experience, Forrest Gump Soundtrack pairs well with this post.)

The sunflowers were all turned toward the east, always ready for the morning sun.  This evening was a quick and temporary respite from the thick, wet and hot air.  The cooler night air made me nostalgic and I felt a tug pulling me to memories of when I was a young girl.  Like the simple act of sitting outside on the porch on a July night.  The lightening bugs were dancing in the yard as they had all my life.







Summers ago.....We had no air conditioning and were used to being hot all the time. Mama fussed about our shorts being so short.  I was baby sitting, listening to Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, Seasons In The Sun....over and over.  My brother was listening to Chicago.  Country music just wasn't cool.  Sunday lunch was always a big meal that we looked forward to.  Mama would cook all morning before church while singing the gospel hymns as loud as she could.

My friends and I went to the creek many summers.  We would daydream about when we married one day and what kind of guy we would marry.  I had a feeling there would be many husbands for a couple of them.  I wasn't wrong....

Another friend had married her sweetheart at such a young age.  He was her everything and gave her what she had been seeking all her life.  She loved him with all her heart.  Then one day it ended with such a sadness that was unbearable.  She met him so many Summers ago.....







Oh how I wish I could go back and just watch and listen to them.  To all of them.












Don't we all wish that?  To visit with them, to see them.  To hear their voice once again.  Just one more time...




So many Summers ago.....



Jan

Zinnias, Dahlias and Apples

I hope you had a good July 4th.  We do have so much to be thankful for living in our country.



I have been putting together our guest bedroom.  It was used as a guitar/music room for a good while.  Thankfully it is back to being a real bedroom again.





It's close to being through and I hope to share it with your very soon.





It's roses and dusty pink striped wallpaper.  It was originally my daughter's bedroom.





I am figuring out the bedding and have to hang a few pieces of art.  Well, I mean decorative wall accessories!









Yes, I see that naked light bulb without a shade.  But you see the apples are eaten now and the flowers are passed their peak.  So there's no redoing this photo!  I told you that it's really real here!




Jan