Let's Celebrate ~ and a gift to the winner!

Just realized, yesterday's post was my 100th.................definitely time for a little celebration!!!!!!!!

Where does time go? Just six months ago I had a great circle of friends, some from childhood and school days in England, some in other states who were once neighbors and now pen pals, some who have been my support group right here in Raleigh for the 30 years I've lived here. All my long time friends are precious but now I also have a second circle..........all of you, my great blog friends who have visited me often and left helpful, funny, and admiring comments. I am enjoying sharing my interests in decorating, gardening, cooking and traveling with each one of you. In turn, I'm thrilled to read about your interesting lives in so many different parts of the world, including the USA, Canada, S. America, British Isles, France, Germany, Holland, Australia, S. Africa, Morocco, and Scandinavia.

To celebrate, I would love to share these gifts with one of you. When you stop by this post leave me a comment and I'll put your name in the hat. Drawing will be held toward the end of August - kids will be in school, "dog days" will hopefully have cooled somewhat, thoughts of Fall will be starting, and new projects will beckon.

The parcel will include two October issues (1994/1996) of the original VICTORIA magazine to inspire you - a generous yard of an "almost vintage" English rose patterned polished cotton fabric (enough for a pillow) - a sweet little English bone china dish with painted roses - a dainty real vintage hankie - a vintage (1908) rose "penny post card" - some English tassel trim - and a French blank book to write down your inspirations for Fall decorating and art projects.

Will look forward to hearing from you and entering your name in the drawing.

"Oh Suzanna's, what treasures you have to share"

In my mind it's much cooler. I must tell myself this so I can go "treasure hunting" at SuzAnna's again - see those smiling gals at the bottom of my sidebar! The parking area is parched dry, the dust swirls up in pink clouds as you pull in, the sun beats down on the outdoor area crammed with garden treasures to delight the eye. A patio umbrella draped with netting sheltering vintage wicker chairs, a gigantic bird feeder handcrafted from old wood with tin ceiling tile for a roof - still waiting for the price to drop on that one, I want it! Tables, benches, shutters, doors, birdbaths, potting tables, planters......so much to see, too much to take in with the sun beating down. Let's quickly peek inside where, although still very warm, the fans are purring, ruffling the vintage gown hanging in the corner; making the birdcages sway gently above our heads, the gals offer chilled water, and the crystals dangling from the chandeliers make one anxious for a cool shower on returning home.

The white items look refreshing - cool metal, white roses, flowery china, old creamy vintage painted wood.

Singing the blues........thoughts of oceans, seasides, clear skies, swimming pools, deep lakes, ponds, ice cubes, tarnished silver and pewter. I need to snap up that cake plate when I return - hope it's still there.

Well yes, red is hardly cool on a 95 degree afternoon, but mixed with the brown transfer ware, pretty painted roses, and with a little old crystal thrown in, it works - and everything is lovely.

Away with that fur collar - faux I'm hoping - please hide it in the back room until the Fall, it's making me so hot just looking at it! But how about that fabulous dresser with the triple mirror, such vintage elegance, could work in the cottage guestroom don't you think?

My quick visit to SuzAnna's on Friday was not enough - must get back, perhaps this afternoon if I slap on some sunscreen, a hat, and can find my way through that swirling dust!

August in the Garden

Despite the torrid heat - here we have 100 degree days forecast for the entire week ahead - Nature still shines and sends us little gifts to decorate the parched garden. This dragonfly stopped by to rest on the rusty iron obelisk. Yesterday while watering, and without the camera unfortunately, I was surprised by a hummingbird who flew into the spray from my hose as if trying to cool off - then alighted on a branch right over my head and proceeded to do a mini preen before taking off. This was especially thrilling to me - it was a special gift to see the teeny weeny bird so close.

The flowers are struggling to survive. We water as often as possible by hand, the city only permits sprinklers three days a week now we're on restrictions. By the end of the sizzling afternoon the potted plants are drooping - a quick shower from the watering can perks them up and these beautiful colors - don't you just love pink and yellow together - glimmer as the sun drops lower in the sky.

This is a pretty verbena with mixed colors on each flower head - it seems to thrive in the sun.My hanging Boston Ferns are OK despite looking somewhat forlorn when I arrived home from the last trip! Trimmed off all the dry, burned fronds, soaked them well, then mist daily with a spray bottle - add a little Miracle Gro to the water - and I see some new growth starting.
Stopped at SuzAnna's Antiques yesterday (more pics later of that fabulous place) and was presented with this sweet wooden robin for my garden. He's minding the coleus and petunias, both still going strong as they love the heat.

So, it's still quite pretty out there and I'm grateful for all that Nature continues to give to make each day in the garden so beautiful.

Inspiration Friday ~~~~ Summer Dining

Dog days of Summer are here ~~~~ oppressive, humid, sticky ~~~~ just darned HOT!

Dining al fresco is hardly fun ~~~~ beating off mosquitoes, filling smoky citronella torches - do they really work? not in my garden I fear - exposed limbs covered in OFF, wiping one's delicate brow, whacking at flies who want to share the Summer salads and lemonade. But soon, very soon, all will change and we'll have a cool spell ~~~~ we WILL dine outside again, enjoying light luncheons, revelling in Tuscan style late evening dinners, laughing with friends, drinking red wine, and ending with iced Limoncello.

Here is my inspiration outdoor garden dining spot for today - looks so cool and inviting.

~~ Chilled soup ~~

Pea and mint risotto - another easy and delicious dish perfect for Summer.

Fresh fruits ~~~ a French style tarte ~~~ a lemon sponge ~~~ a taste of chocolate

~~ perfect desserts ~~

How sweet is this ~ I could easily end a lovely evening here.

Wherever you dine this weekend may it be enjoyable.

Fresh Blueberries ~~~~ Let's Bake

Today was very hot however baking still seemed the thing to do with that huge box of magnificent blueberries - they're showing up at bargain prices now. Walked early with DH then prepared the blueberry cobbler. Loved this new recipe from Cooks Illustrated - biscuits have a little crunch with the added cornmeal.

Also made a traditional Tuscan Bread Salad - had some Ciabatta to use up and plenty of just picked from the garden tomatoes and basil. Tossed with cubed fresh mozzarella, a little minced garlic, freshly ground pepper, pinch of sea salt, and good fruity olive oil. Chill and serve. So Italian!

This all came together as a great Summer lunch - DH, granddaughter and I moved it into the screened gazebo after taking these pics - needed the cool breeze of the life saving ceiling fan!

Yum, gotta add a scoop of French Vanilla ice cream of course!

Italian peasant salad and Southern fruit dessert - way to go on a 95 degree day in North Carolina!

History Lessons

Pleasant weekend trip to visit family in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, and West Virginia, stopping in Harpers Ferry where history comes alive among the quaint buildings climbing up the hillside above the river. This small town witnessed the first successful American railroad, John Brown's attack on slavery, and the largest surrender of federal troops during the Civil War.

The heat was intense - the local population disrobed and headed for the Shenandoah River where they cooled their heels kayaking and tubing....................such sensible country folk. Appomattox Court House, Virginia - 1865 Civil War surrender site of Gen. Robert E. Lee.

The village, originally called Clover Hill, was a settlement of small houses around the Tavern which was the stopping off point on the main Richmond-Lynchburg Stage Road.

The Plunkett-Meeks Store

The Woodson Law OfficeThe original Clover Hill Tavern
Beautiful Virginia countryside.

Inspiration Friday ~~~~~~~ Going Green

My harvest from the garden last evening...........the tomatoes are really coming in fast and furious now; the European cucumbers (two kinds - Holland and Pepinex) are fabulous; stringless, tender haricots verts still hanging in there and giving us so many wonderful meals - a little Italian parsley just snipped too. What more could one want for a fresh, garden grown, just picked, green supper.

Leaving early this morning for a weekend road trip to Virginia and W. Virginia ~ taking Jasmin along for a history lesson ~ Charlottesville, Monticello, Harper's Ferry, and will visit family in Grottoes, VA in the Shenandoah Valley. Hoping to find some cottagey shops along the way, perhaps pick up something quaint or interesting.....................far too long since I've had time to go treasure hunting.

Wonderful weekend to each of you - hope to catch up with everyone next week!