SUMMER RAMBLINGS...

Nothing 

says summer to me 

as much as the early morning sun 

shining through the parlor windows, 

filtered by the lace curtains 

and highlighting a piece of 

great-grandmother's 

ironstone...

It is warm enough 

to allow the screen door

 to take in the soft breezes

 and still cool enough

 to enjoy them.

 Of course,

 this won't last long but,

 for now, 

it is how it is 

on the second day 

of summer.

Now that we are experiencing 

a new beginning, 

I am trying my hand at

 growing a small live plant

 inside the Cottage.

  It is called 

"China Doll" 

and it is a 

very dainty, airy and vulnerable 

little thing. 

 I was assured 

it was very easy to grow 

and since I've now administered to it 

for about a month,

 and it is still flourishing, 

that still remains 

to be seen.

I have added 

some dried herbs 

to the old settle bench. 

 I ordered the 

Sweet Annie from The Flower Patch, (here), 

but the lavender

 and the rosemary

 are home grown.

I managed to complete 

the dried 

sunflower wreath...

...and am pleased 

with its rustic and earthy 

addition to 

the dining room.

We attended 

the annual antique show

 that is held at the 

Prospector's Nursery

 every year.

 Before I show you 

the treasures we were lucky to find,

 I'll tell you a little bit 

about the location.

The nursery

 is located about

 half way between 

Grass Valley and Nevada City.

  It is a large property 

that sits on wooded grounds

 and is covered by

 a bright and open sky.

There are plenty 

of places for 

gatherings of sun loving plants

 and shade lovers

 nestled under the 

pines and cedar trees...

...and overlooking it all

 is a very large and well appointed 

gift shop.

 Someday 

I will share pictures of the inside. 

 There is always something for everyone

 but it is especially a 

treasure trove for French Country lovers.

 During the 

Christmas season 

it is a 

sight to behold.

These are the wonderful,

 and colorful, 

items that we walked away with.

 I have no intentions 

of changing anything 

about any of them. 

 I especially love 

the twisted wire 

that is attached to the chairs 

to steady them.

They might not be 

to every ones tastes,

 but I have perfect spots

 picked out for each 

and they will

 make a statement.

I finally finished 

my latest paint-by-number piece

 from Country Living.

  It will have 

a perfect place to be displayed soon,

 one which I

 never even thought of

 when I started it.

This is the same spot

 I've shown before 

with just the horses.

 Today

 on the way home from the office 

we spotted these little families

 on their way 

to join the herd 

and find their own

 summer adventure.

I hope you enjoyed

 these summer ramblings.

...Judy...

Sharing today at:

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