BARE BONES...

Hello Everyone. 

 It's good to be back.

 I want you to know that 

I've kept up with all of you

 as best I could...

 ...although I didn't always

 leave comments.

We have been 

busy around here 

for the past 

couple of weeks 

and...

...I'm sorry to say

that we haven't 

finished 

anything!

Hope you all had 

a festive 4th of July.

 This was Kai's first

 with us 

and he wasn't feeling the love! 

 He has found 

a safe haven 

under the table and between the chairs

 and now he retreats there 

whenever something bothers him.

 It is a little dark 

and that is how he likes it. 

 He doesn't care 

that it makes for a 

blurry photo.

We are having

 beautiful summer weather here

 in the foothills. 

 It has been hot,

 but the breezes are constantly moving

 the trees 

so it is really 

quite comfortable.

Even though, 

after twelve years, 

I am not participating in 

the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer

 this weekend in San Francisco,

 we are going up on Sunday 

to cheer Tami

over the finish line.

By now,

 you might have suspected

the pictures I am showing

 are the 

bare bones

 of a particular project 

we have been working on.

 I normally don't like

 to share anything

 until it is finished,

 but I wanted to get back in touch, 

so this is how 

I choose to do it.

I hope 

you are as excited

 to see it all together 

as I am to show you.

 As the project is moving along, 

we are finding great enjoyment in it,

and that may be the reason 

why

 it 

is 

taking 

so 

long!

So 

that's my story and

 I'm sticking

 to it...

...slow 

and 

steady!

...Judy...

Sharing today at:

Dishing It & Digging It Link Party

BTTCG at Bernideens

No Place Like Home at Rose Chintz Cottage

Share Your Style Link Party

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

COTTAGE AMERICA...

W e l c o m e   T o...

C O T T A G E   A M E R I C A

She has put

 on her cape 

and called forth 

her super powers

 to bring some patriotic color

 to the front porch and beyond,

 just in time for

 the grand

 celebration of summer.

But, 

it wouldn't be 

a grand celebration 

without one important element.

 So, once again, 

we bring you the 

Grand Illumination...

...a little more refined this year 

with touches of 

eyelet lace.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few 

added touches to 

the dining room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I will be taking 

a little "staycation" 

from blogging 

here at Cottage America

 to focus on 

some unfinished projects...

...a small preview 

of something new 

to share with you 

soon.

"Summertime is

 always the best of 

what might be."

Charles Bowden

Hope 

you all have

 a safe and wonderful 4th of July

 and to our Canadian friends...

Happy Canada Day...

See you soon.

...Judy...

Join me for something cool at:

Dishing It & Digging It Link Party

BTTCG at Bernideen's

No Place Like Home at Rose Chintz Cottage

Share Your Style Link Party

Feathered Nest Fridays at French Country Cottage

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:

Dishing It & Digging It Link Party

BTTCG at Bernideen's

No Place Like Home at Rose Chintz Cottage

Share Your Style Link Party

Feathered Nest Fridays at French Country Cottage