Queen Anne's Table

Time for a cool, neutral table, with crisp white napkins, white ironstone and Queen Anne's Lace for a bouquet.

A little secret... I actually like starching and ironing napkins and tablecloths. They look so nice all starchy!

Place mats from Kohl's.

Dinner plates are Gibson, salad plates are Pfaltzgraff  Weave. 

I set my table and then went out to pick the Queen Anne's Lace. It grows along the roads and in the fields.

 I live in the suburbs, encroaching on farm land.

Isn't that sky beautiful?

I am joining Kim at

and
Susan at

Office Redo

The thing I like best about summer vacation ( besides not getting up at 5:30 am) is the time for tearing into projects. Here's some before and afters of my home office:

After:

Before:

Pretty bland, huh? 

I darkened up the walls a little with Valspar Frappe.

I lived with sub flooring( yes, I ripped up the carpet) for a few months until I could get Pergo type flooring put in. I should have gotten a photo of that.   NOT

I didn't realize what a difference the curtains would make. So much warmer!

Country Curtains made these, as I couldn't find any black  buffalo check fabric anywhere.                             ( I didn't look too hard)

This  shelf is a leftover of Daughter #1 bedroom. We put it up when we moved in. Plant hanger brackets painted white and a narrow shelf. It is really good for knick knacks without taking up any room space. She had it filled with little china figurines and stuffed animals.

I have little china dogs, photos, and some of MY toys. (they are antiques now, boo hoo!)

My globe is a thrift store find, all metal, one dollar!

I love Raggedy Ann dolls, but have really pared down my collection and only kept a few.

My constant companions in the office are  Oscar the wiennie dog 

 and Oliver, my little Parrot. Oliver is blogging friends with Kiwi and Pearl Angel over at
 2 Birdies and a B.

Plastic sheeting is a necessary evil behind Oliver's cage, as the more he likes his food, the more he slings it.           ( Think fresh strawberries or blueberries on the walls)

A new table for his cage was a Walmart put together. I did it too! Took me two hours ( A to B, B to Q?)

Underneath the table is a little slotted box I picked up at a garage sale. I added playing cards, poker chips, the old viewmaster and discs for it.

I still need something for this area above the chair, I have some ideas.

I tore into the closet too. It is 

 full of tablescape stuff. Tablecloths, napkins in the plastic boxes, and extra table top stuff that won't fit in the hutch or pantry.

I am joining Susan at

for Metamorphosis Monday,

 Kim at Savvy Southern Style for

 and 

at No Minimalist Here

Rich, Luscious RED

I am in love with red geraniums this year for some reason. When I found this tablecloth thrifting, I thought "add geraniums". 

I did this tablescape at 6:30 in the morning, cause it is so stinkin hot any other time of day.  I wonder if any neighbors are watching saying " craaaaazy lady". Who sets the table at 6:30 am and takes it down at 7:00 am, and no food and no guests? If anyone watching were bloggers, then they would understand. 

I am joining Kim at  Savvy Southern Style for 

and Susan at

for Tablescape Thursday.

Colorful 4th of July

Aren't the colors of our nation's birthday just perfect? Rich, brilliant colors. Photos outside make it better too. 

Looks are deceiving....it looks cool and shady in that green, green grass. But it was 101 degrees when I did this!

Grouping  of red geraniums and  centerpiece of vase with flags, stars and sparklies. 

Directions to make this centerpiece here.

Poor Roxy, she would not go in the house, in this heat, while I was messing with  tablescape. 

I mean, she sees dishes, tablecloth, silver rattling, SURELY there will be food! Poor Roxy!

I am joining 

for Tablescape Thursday

and

Little Pot Garden

I love to have little nooks in the yard to discover as you walk around. This is my little pot garden in the shade. It has been my favorite area lately with 100 + temps. I have been working outside in the mornings or evenings only, and coming in every half hour or so, or I get wet in the sprinkler! 

It gets about 2-3 hours of sun a day. 

There is heuchera, lirope, green and gold sedum

...purple heuchera, creeping jenny,  fuzzy lambs ears and red petunias. 

Do you wet plant areas down before you take photos? I like the way it deepens all the colors and textures. The fence was wet when I started taking photos, and by the time I finished, it was dry already.

I am joining

and

 Fishtail Cottage for