Hello friends old and new who may stop by here.

DON'T FORGET.......................I am now posting on my new blog A BREATH OF FRESH AIR - http://abreathoffreshair-mary.blogspot.com/ as I'm unable to upload anymore photos on this original blog.

Hope you will stop by and visit me soon. Lots to share........home, garden, antiques, vintage, worldwide travels...........and the bits and bobs which make up everyday life!

Look forward to seeing you over at A Breath of Fresh Air.

Please visit my new blog..........

Good Morning dear friends.
No, as you can see, no images to share here as my ongoing problems with Google/Picasa storage continues.

BIG NEWS is...........I've started a new blog, at least for the time being, and will be posting news and images there. I'd love for you to visit me as I have lots to share with you as I get nearer to my African safari trip in May. I may not post as often but I just cannot stop cold turkey........the addiction must be in the blood after all these years!

My new blog is titled A BREATH OF FRESH AIR and hopefully it will be just that. Hope to see you soon and thanks again for all your recent comments and help tips.

Africa ~ The Journal

I plan to keep a daily journal while in Africa. Of course I hope to take a lot of photos, but a little journal with hard copy words will be a back up, an old-fashioned way of keeping up with day to day highlights. Several hours during the middle of the day, between game drives, I think writing will be a pleasant pastime....................and something I need to get used to again with no laptop at hand. I'm also taking my box of watercolor pencils and a few markers, and will try to render sketches when I see something that catches my eye. I'm no artist but no harm in trying to draw little items of interest to add some color to my journal.

Do you have any tips for me regarding sketching? I have friends whose journals have delightful drawings on the pages. It seems just a few well-placed lines and curves turn into palm trees, sailboats, street scenes, mountain ranges and meadows. Perhaps the secret is not to try too hard........just a smidgen of detail with a light washed color to give the eye the idea of a cheetah up a tree, an elephant plodding through the grasses, and the green delta stretching out from the camp with hippos bathing in the muddy waters.

BUT..........please, please cameras don't fail me. Photos will definitely show more than any sketches I can bring back from such a huge adventure.

I'm not certain in which direction my blog will go from hereon out. Right now my laptop is at the 'doctor'. Hopefully the virus it caught while I was trying desperately to find a solution to the photo upload problem will be cured! I'm quite enjoying my time away from the computer........I'm doing some much-needed household chores to ready for a new season, also a little decorating consisting mostly of moving things around, and some gardening, sewing and crafting.

Many thanks BUT more questions.............

Look how bland my poor blog looks. No photos still! Can't even participate in Pink Saturday today!

I certainly appreciate all the kind responses to my question regarding having to purchase additional storage for photos used on a Blogger blog. Typepad works differently I believe because you pay a monthly fee to own a Typepad blog, and maybe their photo storage is included at no extra charge.

I understand, and perhaps someone with more knowledge of the ins and outs of Google/Blogger/Picasa will correct me if I'm wrong, that even though you have your pictures stored in MY PICTURES on your computer, as I do, but have opted to use Google's PICASA for storage, once you upload your photos, they go automatically to PICASA where they are also stored in a safe place for backing up photos. However, that free storage space is just 1GB for use on your blog (and G-mail account if you use it). Once you have tapped out that free storage space you have to purchase additional space from Google. There are several tiers, e.g. 80GB cost $20 annually which isn't too bad. It can be self-renewing and they send an e-mail just before the year is up to ask what you want to do about renewing storage. All the storage you've paid for ends within 12 months, it is not carried over, so if you don't renew or buy another amount, you can no longer upload photos on your blog!

I've purchased more storage again (my third year of doing this because I do take/store/use a lot of photos for my blog) BUT, Google apparently does a very sad job in keeping up with migrating that storage to the Picasa account thereby causing everything to come to a halt when you want to load photos to your blog! They take your money, show your storage amount in your account, say you may have to wait 24 hours, but don't move it into Picasa, and then become impossible to reach. I have been waiting 8 days! There is no way you can communicate with customer NO-service at Google! No phone support, and from my hours of searching, no way to send an e-mail directly to anyone who can help. You are directed constantly to Help Forums and there you will see the frustration and disgust of hundreds of Blogger users such as myself.

Why you may ask, can you not delete photos from the Picasa albums to free up space? You supposedly can do this, BUT then the photos are also DELETED from your blog if you've posted them! This means anyone reading back through your blog will see blank squares instead of pictures.

OK, next question for you great blogging friends. If you use Typepad, are you pleased with it? Do they store your photos for free? I'm seriously contemplating switching which will of course mean starting an entirely new blog. Meanwhile, watch this space, and IF Google wakes up and loads my paid storage I will be back with photos of my new treasure hunting finds, Spring blossoms, and more about my upcoming African safari!

Brushes with Frustration

HAPPY PATRICK'S DAY

According to a magazine layout with this image, these words made sense........" Still life arrangements of decorative pieces add character and beauty......................"

When I saw a group of old silver-backed brushes at SuzAnna's Antiques recently ~ in Jeannie of Uniquitiques booth ~ I took a photo of them thinking them lovely and wondering what stories they could tell!

When I came home and looked at my photos after uploading, I saw the brushes again and decided their old silver backs really were beautiful. The etched borders, repousse work depicting tiny roses and leaves, monograms GWH, FEL, HGB, the soft natural bristles, all mean these do have a history going back long before blow dryers and flat irons!

So I returned and purchased the brushes thanks to Jeannie giving me a bargain price for all five. They are displayed in this equally old ironstone bowl.

OK Blogger friends.................what's with Google's storage problem with Picasa? It's been 5 long days since I purchased more annual storage from Google and still I can't load any pictures to my blog (these above were in a draft so already loaded). The max time for storage renewal is supposedly 24 hours but obviously that is not true.

Anyone else out there having a similar problem? I do see dozens of complaints such as mine in the Google help forums. People are so frustrated, tempers are flaring, Google is being called nasty names. Where do you store your photos to upload to your blog? Can anyone give me a good alternative to Picasa please.

Heaven forbid.....can my blogging days be coming to an end?

Woodland walk...........

This is what I could have used today - a calming woodland walk! No, my weekend company (family visiting from Arizona) didn't drive me crazy, but Google certainly did!! Have you experienced the same problem......trying to get Google to upload your purchased photo storage via Picasa? I cannot add any photos as yet, despite having purchased storage a couple of weeks ago and again 2 days ago. Have you had this problem?



I actually took these photos early last week after dropping DH at the airport and coming back to walk in the woods and a nearby park. As you can see, Carolina blue sky and budding trees displayed squirrel nests..........Canada geese were starting their Spring mating rituals...........

...............and best of all, a beautiful Blue Heron was visiting the pond!

He (she?) looked this way and then that way, standing for the longest time on the deck railing, scanning the water for a fishy breakfast I'm sure.

It's obvious that there was little green in the woods that morning, however they were still beautiful. Squirrels scurried through the leaves and up the grey tree trunks. A large red-tailed hawk flew overhead and landed high in a wizened oak, making its high-pitched call. Three black crows cawed noisily, telling the tiny rodents in the undergrowth to watch out.

Now, a week later, following several warm, sunny days, a little light rain and no freezing nights, I'm almost certain a return visit this week will be quite different. The swelling buds may be bursting, showing peeks of lime green..........that fresh, new green that almost hurts the eye because it is so vibrant. I notice the male Cardinals are already singing very early in the morning even here in my garden. Today I saw one take a seed from the feeder and carry it to a waiting female standing on the wrought iron table.............I believe Nature's dance of life is underway. Yes, with the clocks springing forward today, the daffodils swaying in the breeze, and the bright green spears of bluebell leaves suddenly pushing upward all around the garden, I can assure you, even without pictures, Spring time is imminent here in the Carolinas!

Bent Creek trail ~ early March 2010.

More Tempting Tulips for Pink Saturday

Tulip time has arrived ~ and bunches of pink tulips have been airlifted from Holland to my local Trader Joe's. I found these as I shopped for other favorites such as fresh veggies and fruits, goat cheese, an artisinal French baguette, Greek yogurt, and of course some wine.

I love to have them close by as I work in the kitchen. Do you know that tulip stems continue to grow when placed in water? These little beauties were in a short tight bunch when I purchased them. I've already trimmed them twice but they're growing rapidly once again.

These are peeking out from a wall planter by the front door, and I must admit, are faux tulips - nice ones purchased at Pottery Barn a few years back. I bring these out only in Spring when real tulips are blooming. I do not buy many faux flowers however must say these look really great in a place where it would be difficult to keep live flowers.
The front porch is awaiting a good clean up and rearrangement after the wind and snow of Winter.

Stop by to see Beverly at How Sweet the Sound - lots more pink to enjoy!

Reposted from 2009 - I'm still on Spring Break!

Words of Spring

During my little blog break while family are visiting from Arizona, as promised I'm reposting a couple of articles from another Spring. Enjoy!!

Sometimes the small meanings or pleasures in life appear in simple words right in front of you. Such as words on pebbles like these.

GRACE..............MOON..................

..........RIVER....................REST

I always put a few flat stones in the birdbaths as the smaller visitors like to stand on them while they drink. I love this idea using pebbles and will make some to arrange in my birdbaths...............
WELCOME...............WING......
SONG........MELODY........
........NATURE

These were written in permanent ink, great idea, and something we can all create, writing words we love and which have personal meaning. I've seen expensive ones which were actually carved, this idea is much better, less expensive, and you can choose your words. What a fun outdoor project for kids old enough to use a permanent marker. Younger children could be given washable ones and still have a good time!

Penning those words outside in the garden would be satisfying. Make yourself a cup of tea, sit back, pen in hand with your pebbles close by. Be inspired by the birdsong which is now quite raucous with the arrival of Spring. Grasp the words that seem to fall from the Springtime air. Time perhaps to organize the garden seating...............

.............wash the windows to remove the Winter grime left as a reminder of those months of snow and rain...........

........dust off those spider webs and shine up the shutters........

................get ready to hang fun signs, clean birdhouses.............and make your outdoor space, no matter how large or small, a comfortable, exciting place to spend an hour or so close to Nature as the days warm.

Be sure to stop at your favorite thrift shop where you can find inexpensive outdoor things to make your garden not just about plants. Besides statuary, bird feeders, bird houses and bird baths, I've added mirrors, trellises, an old bicycle with basket for flowers, a stack of discarded chipped plates will soon edge a flower bed and a pile of old bricks will be turned into something interesting.

All images taken at SUZANNA'S ANTIQUES in Raleigh, North Carolina, where you will find everything whimsical for YOUR garden.

Spring Break

Company's coming!

I have to get the laptop off my desk - oops! I mean dining room table!

I'll be reposting a couple of older Spring posts during the week, reason being, my fun-loving brother-in-law John, and his delightful wife, Mary, will be visiting from Arizona. The 'Sullivan boys' love to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Our big, noisy, very green downtown parade will be held Saturday, ahead of March 17, so we're hoping for sunshine and blue skies...............along with Irish food and Irish boys who, I'm certain, will be drinking green beer!

Seek the unexpected....

If you shop retailers such as TJMaxx, Marshall's and HomeGoods, you know what to expect. Those of us who have trawled these aisles for years, have found the good, bad and often the really ugly, be it clothing or household items. Those stores have often been lifesavers though and we have found great bargains.......from leather bags and trendy jackets, to fabulous dishes and good olive oil.

While my DH shopped for socks a few days back at a local TJMaxx, I checked the book section which, as you may have noticed, has now become smaller and is limited to mostly cookbooks. I almost yelled aloud when, between some brightly colored notepads and boxes of Thank You cards, I found this 'book', so not TJMaxx! Imagine my surprise, an old yellowed sheaf of pages, wrinkled and stained edges, tied with jute string, the way I like my books. Oh how I wished there were more hidden. The cashier, an elderly French speaking Lebanese lady, wanted to steal it from me.........she swooned as I did, and wanted to know how I decorated my home. She planned to look for more books like this but I know she won't tell me if she finds any........you can bet they'll be going home with her.

I don't shop these retail shops as much these days. I think treasure hunting in antiques malls, flea markets and thrift shops have become much more exciting. I was however thrilled to find this book........one never knows what's hidden on a shelf so always seek the unexpected.

Daffodils from Trader Joe's.

Welcome Carolee to SuzAnna's

There's a fun new dealer at SuzAnna's Antiques.......her name is Carolee and she may have kissed the Blarney Stone because she's traveled in Ireland, home of her ancestors. Yesterday, while she was setting up her treasures in this corner space, we chatted non-stop as the Irish and English often do, but at the same time I was eyeing her framed art, especially the print of yet another English country scene...............with sheep!

The other 'sheep in English meadows' paintings I showed you recently on SuzAnna's wall, stayed in my mind, and one of you told me I needed to go back and buy one if it reminded me so much of home. Of course the prettiest one had been sold to some lucky person. Always remember, if you see something you love get it before someone else snaps it up!

Carolee must have known I was coming................for there, hanging centre stage on her wall was my 'sheep in English meadow' painting, an old starting to crumble in the corner print, in the perfect refurbished old gold French looking frame. I love the sky, the river, the thatched stone farm cottage, the man in his crude little flat-bottomed punt.................and the flock of grazing sheep in the water meadow.

This charming print came home with me, thanks to Carolee's generous discount, and looks lovely here in the dining room. Looking over at it I can visualize the Devon countryside where I grew up................and remember how especially beautiful it was when I was there last Spring.

Do you hang art which brings back memories of your home?

Tulip Pink Saturday

Happy PINK SATURDAY to all.

Yes, it's tulip time......................perhaps not in the garden yet, but at your local florist or grocery store bunches of fresh, pretty tulips have arrived.

I found the pale pink blooms at my local Trader Joe's and the darker pink at a grocery store ~ love them mixed together sharing their lime green leaves.

My tulip post is dedicated to all the bloggers who are still digging out from this chilly Winter's snow. Hopefully this breath of Spring will warm you today. Have a wonderful weekend.

Stop over to visit our charming Beverly at How Sweet The Sound today, her list of participants in Pink Saturday is huge!

Wearing o' the Green.......

It's a sad state of affairs........looking out beyond my front porch at a garden almost totally devoid of green. I'm hoping Nature will soon kick start Spring. This long, unusually cold Winter in the southeast has turned just about everything to shades of brown and tan. Although I love neutral shades, I do prefer an abundance of green in the garden.

Recent visit to SuzAnna's Antiques had me checking out the greens. I loved the old painted mini dresser - a child's perhaps - the faded yellow and green colors reminded me of jonquils soon to be sprouting through the soil.

Then there were the beautiful paintings hanging on a green wall. Pastoral scenes, reminding me of the rolling farmlands of England where sheep gather in flocks across the always green landscape and, at this time of year, start lambing. Last Spring during my visit home, I was thrilled to see so many lambs in the lush green fields......it was the prettiest Spring I could ever remember.

I know that soon with warming days and shorter nights, with snowfalls a memory and bird songs louder, Spring will arrive dressed in a thousand shades of green - I often wonder how many greens there really are, don't you?

So, here's to Spring. It's time to come out of hiding, to lift our spirits, to bring us blooms, soft breezes, gentle showers.....................to paint the landscape green again.

And the Spring arose on the garden faire,

Like the spirit of love felt everywhere;

And each flower and herb on earth's dark breast

Rose from the dreams of its wintry rest.

.......................................................Shelley.

Paper Roses.........

.............no these are the real thing after they've faded and dried.

Do you dry your rose bouquets? I know I've told you before that I've been adding mine to this "JARDIN" pot for some time now. The latest ones were these pretty white fresh looking blooms standing in the silver jug............................

As soon as the blooms were fully open and before the petals started to drop, I removed the bunch from the water, stripped the leaves and tied the stems with string. I hung the bunch upside down near the hearth (we burn a log fire nightly during the Winter) and after a few days the blooms were dried.

Different species of the rose apparently decide to live their second life in different ways. Some do not really open, instead their tiny buds stay tightly closed. Others open partially and happily display their ruffled edges. The white ones opened fully and look more like creamy linen fabric. They remind me of flowers created for pins or hat decorations. I love the way the roses look once dried........faded and vintage.

Dried White Roses

Beauty of the beach..............

Why images of the beach today? When it's still cold and windy, snuggling by the hearth seems much more appropriate on the last day of February. Where did February go by the way?

Yesterday I was getting a pedicure, just relaxing as the massage rollers in the chair crept around my back doing something which hopefully is good for old bones. As an angel named Kim scrubbed my feet with sweet smelling salts, my mind drifted away to the beach. Walking in the sand is certainly as good if not better for feet than a pedicure.......and you get scenery with it, beautiful ocean views with waves and pelicans, shells and sandpipers.

If you grew up at the shore as I did, going to the beach was part of everyday life.............you took a left out of school instead of a right toward home, and ended up on the sand looking across the blue bay toward the English Channel and France. Really didn't matter whether it was an early Summer afternoon or a cold, wet Winter day........it was always a perfect beach to a child's eyes.

I love the beach, and my feet do too. I'm past those days of lying in the sun, or eating soggy sandwiches scattered with sand. I love to kick off my sandals and walk along the shore, stopping to gather shells, dip my toes in the cold water where the foam rolls in frothy rills, feel the gritty sand smoothing my soles and heels....................Nature's pedicure, the best.

All images taken at North Carolina's Atlantic Beach ~ looking toward home across the pond.

I promised a winner today....................

......................and it is Sarah, whose delightful blog Hyacinths For The Soul always makes me breathe in deeply hoping to get a whiff of the hyacinths' beautiful perfume. Blue ones are my favorite. My DH dug down deep in the silver jug and pulled out Sarah's name.

Each of you should be the winner because you care enough to take time to read my blog even after three long years! I try not to be repetitious or boring. I like to share photos of the lovely things of life I notice on an ordinary day, or perhaps while on a trip to a new and exciting place. My camera has become my good friend, I do not venture far without it these days.

Thanks for sharing my three year blogging anniversary. Perhaps this year I'll get to meet more of you in person, always fun. I hope to keep things going, sharing lots of pretty things from the local antiques emporiums, thrift shops, flea markets. With warmer weather coming I know I'll be relying on Mother Nature to provide lots of color photos after this often white Winter. Then I'll share my African safari trip with you when I return in late May............that will be a wonderful experience and I hope to have really great photos to show you.

Congratulations Sarah - please e-mail your address and I'll pop your little parcel in the mail next week.

Giveaway time almost here....

Don't forget.....................I'll be drawing the name of the winner of my little anniversary (three years - 800 posts) giveaway gift tomorrow. Please leave a comment on my February 18 post if you would like your name added.