Tuesday, February 16, 2016

SMALL CHANGES...










Did you notice 
the new picture and poem 
on my header?

I'm tipping my hat
 to what 
this time of year 
should look like. 

 In reality though, 
this is what today 
looks like
 outside my office car window...






I'm not complaining at all...
who would complain 
about an abundance of blue skies 
and strings of cotton clouds 
and the soft feel of spring in the air?...
it is just that
 we in California 
were promised that this winter 
would be different; 
that El Nino 
would swoop in and quench our thirst,
 and for awhile that was true,
 but now it seems 
that our "Sprinter"
 has returned.




Sprinter:  A mix of spring and winter



For those of you 
not familiar with my terminology, 
you can read about it
 here.






I snapped this picture
 a few weeks ago 
when El Nino was
 putting his best foot forward.

  A small gaggle of geese 
foraging along side the road.





 They put me in mind 
of this wonderful decoy 
that I have had for 
many years...






...so out he came 
to grace the dining room table 
along with a pair of candlesticks 
my dad made for us 
sometime ago.







Speaking of the dining room...
at Thanksgiving
 when I took the above picture, 
my eye went immediately 
from the black and white checks 
on the chairs
 to what would it look like
 if they were carried
 up to the window...






...this
 is what it looks like
 in the morning light...






...and now 
at night time. 

 Small changes can really make a difference.






The Captain surprised me
 with this little cupboard 
the other day 
and I painted it with
 Miss Mustard Seed's milk paint
 in French Enamel.

 It is the first time 
I have used her paint line 
and it may become a favorite of mine.

 I am anxious to do
 a bigger piece of furniture.






In my mind,
 I need a little more practice 
in the fine art of "distressing",
 using this paint,
 but that will come 
in time.






Many years ago, 
I grew a sweet potato vine. 
 It was really beautiful 
and I was quite proud of it.

 I seem to have better luck 
with real plants
 when they grow in plain water.

  A while ago, 
I was cleaning out 
the basket of veggies
 and found this yam 
just starting to sprout. 
 I was ready
 to toss it 
but stuck it in a jar of water instead 
to see what would happen. 
 A little later,
 the original sprout just fell off 
and the leaves were tiny and dry looking. 
 I kind of forgot about it 
after that but
 when I noticed again, 
it was starting to look healthier.

 Will keep you posted
 on its progress.






Again,
 I'm trying my hand at 
another paint-by-number picture 
from Country Living magazine.

 A beautiful spring subject
 that I'm hoping to finish
before the lilacs bloom.

 Will keep you up-to-date 
as to the progress of this
 as well.






I just received 
this darling linen
 primitive spring double pocket 
from the etsy shop of 1871Farmhouse.

 I have a special place
 in mind for it 
but couldn't resist 
sharing it right now.
 Christine has some beautiful pieces 
and I really love it.






My sister
 is coming to visit 
for a few days 
so have added 
a small nose-gay 
beside the bed 
to welcome her.






I found this pretty dish 
in a thrift store 
and thought it was a good reminder
 of President's Day.






Even though, 
weather wise,
 things aren't going 
quite as planned...






...I cannot
 tell a lie...






This is some 
beautiful weather 
we are having 
today.



...Judy...






I'm sending special thanks 
to Sandi at Rose Chintz Cottage 
for featuring my mantle post at
 No Place Like Home last week.

 I appreciate if so much, Sandi. 



Sharing today with:



































14 comments:

  1. Dear Judy:
    I love your photos of your home which looks like a warm and charming retreat!
    The Canadian guess look so pretty in the snow. I love your country furniture and that plate is sure cute! Abraham Lincoln would have like it! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Love your little changes, Judy! Our weather is wacky this year, too. At Christmas it was 60 degrees, this past weekend it was ten below and then today it was 60 degrees again. Go figure!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Lovely post, Judy---so much to read and enjoy. I think we are all having somewhat strange winters. Although we have been in a deep freeze for the past few weeks here in the Midwest, it was quite mild for a long time and my spring bulbs don't do well if they don't get that true coldness. We'll see in another 2 months. Love your yam--it's so fun to experiment.

    Your small changes are beautiful. The cabinet, perfect. I'm not really experienced with chalk or milk paint but I've done a few pieces. Yes, practice makes perfect. Can't wait to find some new things when the weather gets warmer. And your curtains...love! I need to add some checks and plaids, I've been stuck with florals for too long.

    Again, a nice newsy post and pleasant chat! :)

    Jane

    P.S. Wondering about the paint by numbers. They are in Country Living magazine? Haven't got it in so long. Do you print it out? Curious. Looks so fun and relaxing.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I know just how you feel...it is in the high 80's here this week...no sign of winter or rain. Darn! It is like we have summer now year around and it is really devastating to the plant life.

    I just started a new sweet potato vine, the last one was lovely for a couple of months. They are really fun to grow.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Judy,
    We are having a thaw right now which is great! Today it is 7 degrees Celsius which is 44.6 Fahrenheit. That's mild for here on the Island this time of year. Love the Canadian geese and your little lambs. You always write an interesting post. Thanks for sharing with us.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  6. Well there is going to be no Spring only Summer around here. I wish we would get back to the norm. What happened to El Nino? They seem to always get it wrong, but they say it will most likely be here in March - we'll see.

    Loved your post - beautiful pictures.
    Enjoy your weekend. I understand that we will be getting a little rain, probable just a mist. LOL

    Mary

    ReplyDelete
  7. No winter for me....but not quite spring, either! It's been very warm (80's) but I know we'll have one more freeze by Easter so I don't dare go out and plant anything yet. Mother Nature and her tricks.
    Love the addition of the checked curtain!
    Lovely post, Judy... I feel like we just had a good visit at your place.
    xoxo, T.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Judy, the lambs in the snow photo is just precious and the goose decoy looks wonderful on your table. So glad you carried on the checked theme to your window, it looks so nice. Love the wall cabinet too, beveled mirror and all. The cherry plate is perfect for Geo Washington's b-day!
    Always enjoy your posts, have a great rest of your week!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love your header. Just the thing for this time of the year. And your photos of outdoors are fabulous. I just love love love your house - it is so very pretty. The checks look fabulous. I have been thinking of changing some of my curtains to checks lately. I use white lace curtains at almost every windows and I love them so - but I suppose if I change them to checks I can always put the lace ones back whenever I want. My kitchen is mint and white and a bit of pine green - wonder what color checks I should use in there - I don't think I want green though. Maybe yellow? That would go well in the dining room too - as the chairs are a soft yellow. So many choices. The cherry plate is so very sweet - and your goose is wonderful. Enjoy the Sprinter - I always loved that spring came so early when we lied in CA - I miss that - we are slated for at least 20 more days of rain - we've had over 4 inches in 5 days. Checking feet and fingers for webs.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lovely post Judy,
    you did a good job on the new cupboard ... looks great.
    The check on the window is lovely.
    Hope you have a nice time with your sister..
    would love to see you on Instagram.! you would love it.. you have so much to show us.
    happy weekend.
    val xx

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your home reminds me of our old farmstead....built back in 1848. I really miss that place.
    The valances look great in your dining room, Judy! And you did a wonderful job with the chalk paint on the cupboard! LOVE it!!
    Nice post.
    Have a grand weekend.
    Debbie
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  12. I just love coming to your house Judy! I love the checks---in the window as well as the chairs. It love what you did with the little cabinet your husband found. The blue is lovely.

    I was hoping that you all would have a real winter there as well. We finally got a winter here this year and we had about 3' of snow fall, but could sure use more. We are hoping now, that it comes in the form of rain to fill our reservoir.
    I hope you have a great weekend Judy.

    ReplyDelete
  13. ohh what great pictures!!!!
    Sunny greetings
    Antje

    ReplyDelete
  14. I am totally in love with your dining room...so cozy and homey.
    I love your new header, too...
    Enjoyed this whole post very much.
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are so special to me...Judy