What I'm Reading in January

Mary Kay Andrews is one of my favorite authors, due to her choice of southern locations and humor in her stories. I just finished HISSY FIT and it did not disappoint me. Cute and fun, a young woman in the interior design business is busy with a Greek revival mansion when  life begins to happen to her. Many interesting details about the rehabing of the mansion. As always, Mary Kay Andrews includes quirky characters to interact with the young designer.

I am also reading a Dorothea Benton Frank book called The Land of Mango Sunsets.

It takes place in Manhattan, NY and  Sullivan's Island, SC. The main character is a 40 something single lady who can't quite find her comfortable place in the world. Great characters, funny, odd and entertaining. I don't like all Frank's books, I read one recently ( I can't remember what one, now) that I couldn't get past the first chapter because I didn't like the main character, but this one's a good read. I read for ENJOYMENT and this one makes the grade. I want to go to Sullivan's Island!

                           

This Kate Jacobs book was interesting, but not fantastic. I usually just don't mention books that I don't think are really, really good, but I did like the yarn shop setting. I am not a knitter, but I found it an interesting venue.Several women of different ages and backgrounds come together in the beginning in an uncomfortable knitting group in a yarn shop. They develop relationships as they spend time together, and there are lots of storylines. The story was good, but the characters could have really been developed more. I just didn't care about them. There are two more sequels of this book, if it strikes your fancy.

Julia Roberts was supposed to star in and produce this, and as of the summer of 2010, it still was not out, nor any other stars listed. Maybe it will be a better movie.

Recent GW Finds

I am anxious for lilac bloom time, so I can cut some beautiful blooms to go with these dishes I found at GW.

I selected 4 each of salad plates, bowls and mugs. I think it will make a nice breakfast tablescape with some lavender color to bring out the blooks on the plates. Maybe lilac checkered napkins, or some lilac toile, or both!  Is there such a thing as lilac colored toile? I'll have to do some investigation. Each item was 49 cents! And they look like they have never been used.

The spoons I found recently at an antique store. I got them because they have DD #2's initial on them. She said, " SO.... do I get to take them home?" I agreed, "Yes, when I'm dead!' Lots of eye rolling. They are in the cream pitcher now, that is used for coffee spoons on the counter. Mostly the DDs argue about who is going to HAVE to take my old stuff someday. Brats!

At the same GW the same week, I also found these glass salad plates, again, not a mark on them, and this nice silver tray. Tray 99 cents. Plates 49 cents.

I like the open work on this tray.

I couldn't believe the squirel book ends! I laughed, because I just missed National Squirel Day, when I was looking for odd calendar holidays! But I got them anyway...... $2.99 each!  My my what cheap entertainment.

 

Blue and White Table

Today I am using my everyday dishes for a tablescape. Like me, they clean up pretty good for a special occasion! 

The brand is Dansk and the pattern is called Bistro Cafe Parisian. I got them at Tuesday Morning a few years ago, and they have been good, strong dishes.

Here's the salad/luncheon plate added. The twig chargers were a Christmas present from World Market.

Next I added a little flowered plate and  napkin and little napkin holders I made from beads.

The glasses are Fostoria Virginia.

I am joining Tablescape Thursday today.

Two Snow Days for the Teacher.... A Seasonal Thing

Ok, you gotta know the teacher loves the snow days as much as the kids. Got the call at 5:30 am, but the dogs had already gotten me up at  5:00 am, the usual time to go outside and then  eat. So, after two cups of wonderful vanilla caramel coffee, and two hours on the computer, we were all ready to go back to bed. The dogs sleep on this old loveseat and keep one eye on me while I am on the computer.

As soon as I said, "Let's go back to bed," they were ready. I like agreeable companions. In order left to right, Tilly, Oscar, and Roxy.

I stayed in my pj's until 2:00 pm! But I did get a lot done. I played wtih dishes and made a list of what I need for some different table settings. I did lots of  laundry AND put it away. (yes I did, Mama)

The only reason I got dressed was because, I must admit, I have a hard tiime staying home all day in the winter. I think it is something about not supposed to be out on the streets, and I just have to get out and try it. But first a walk around the back yard.

In the summer when I can work in the yard all day, I don't leave the place for a couple of days at a time. Oh, summer......  

So, after getting dressed, I drove over to Mama's house, and filled her bird feeders for her. Then I went to BB&B, Pier One, and Michael's, as they are all lined up in a row. I didn't buy a thing! Oh, well, I tried.

Today is ANOTHER snow day.... really? Up at the usual 5:00 am, etc. Checked the library online to see if any books I am waiting on are in yet, of course not.  I have some good cranberry orange bread just out of  the breadmaker, smelling good.

A walk outside to see if there is anything new.

Looks like we got about 8-9 inches of snow total.

Tilly's path is about covered over.

I have already called a teacher friend to see if we should go to an antique store today. I could scrub floors, clean the basement, or something else boring...... naaaahhhh.

Milk Glass and Blue

I change out my hutch for Christmas, Halloween, and green spring/summer and blue winter. I am glad to have the  rich, full Christmas things put away, and simple milk glass and some blue to look at.

I have picked up all my milk glass at garage sales, antique stores  and  thrift stores. It has always been really cheap, until Eddie Ross declared it to be wonderful, now the antique stores are putting big prices on it!

This cake stand looks pretty good with a big chocolate cake on it! (of course a big chocolate cake looks good on a paper plate!)

I am joining Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday.