Inspiration Friday ~ ROSES

I really believe that the last roses of Summer are struggling in my parched garden - this Peace rose is the only near perfect bloom left and, unless we have some rain soon, I fear there will not be a flush of Fall flowers. As of this week, our water restrictions are so severe, we have to just about give up on keeping anything going.

Well, for our hats we can rely on silk roses - this one's so pretty.

After all they say...........a rose is a rose...........I won't argue with that statement.

Just love these photos of beautiful pale pink roses - perhaps next year mine will do better and I will have bunches to fill my pretty vases.

These roses are sent with love and thanks to a special friend who not only loves roses, her name is Rose - and she will know who I mean. A smile coming your way right now - cheer up, and enjoy each day knowing you are special to so many people.

Ochre and Cerulean Blue

I love these colors together - the ochre shades of Fall foliage mingled with Cerulean ocean blues. I love the pre-Raphaelite ladies, thick red tresses, folds and gathers of a silk and velvet dress, calm countenance displaying thoughts of...............only she knows!

I made this wall hanging with tags this past weekend. The words read "Only your heart knows what is precious" ~ I feel this is true for each of us.

When life gives you cucumbers!

When life gives you cucumbers..........................................................................make Green Gazpacho!

Disappointments come easily when the garden doesn't live up to expectations - the good years are always discussed lovingly. "Remember the year we were still picking a ton of green tomatoes in October when the first frost was expected?" The poor years, such as this one, are best forgotten, except for cucumbers, well we did pick several pounds of tender haricot verts, but the tomatoes and peppers were disappointing. However, those European cucumbers - all grown from seeds - despite almost no rain, but enough hose water to make us quake in our shoes when the water bill arrives any day now, THESE cucumbers, wow! Bright green, yellow green, a few short and stubby, others as long as baseball bats, some even curved into alphabetical letters - they just keep coming and they are so good - small seeds, sweet, even tender skins.

If you enjoy the better known tomato based red Gazpacho, you may enjoy trying this one for a change. We actually like this one better and tonight, after it's well chilled, we'll enjoy a bowl along with our salmon Caesar salad. Today was another scorcher so anything light and cool is welcome sustenance.

GREEN GAZPACHO

4-5 medium European style cucumbers, peeled, any large seeds removed

1 medium sweet onion, such as Vidalia, cut into chunks

1 red bell pepper and 1 orange or yellow bell pepper, seeded, deribbed and cut into small chunks

1 medium jalapeno pepper seeded, deribbed and chopped

3 large cloves of garlic, minced

4 slices of day old Italian style bread such as Ciabatta, cut into cubes

3/4 cup good quality olive oil

Several sprigs of fresh mint

Juice of one lemon

Salt to taste

Croutons and parsley to garnish

Puree the cucumbers in a food processor until completely liquid, pour into a large bowl. Pulse the onion in food processor until coarsely chopped and add to cucumbers. Pulse peppers until coarse and add to bowl. Place jalapeno, bread cubes, garlic and mint in processor and slowly add olive oil through the feed tube until everything is well blended into a paste. Add to bowl with lemon juice, salt, one cup of ice water and a couple of ice cubes. Stir well and refrigerate at least 3 hours. Stir again, soup should be thick but if too thick add more ice water. Ladle into glass bowls pre-chilled in the freezer. Top with croutons, finely chopped parsley and a drizzle of olive oil. Keeps well refrigerated for a couple of days - 6/8 servings.

To all the school children

UNDAY MORNING

Sometimes we grownups need the company of the young. Their innocence brings back times when we too were full of promise and great expectations of life ahead. Before realities of how life truly is set in, we skipped through Summer vacation with no sense of hours passing, no cares about being too hot, or too wet. Meal times, bed times were not scheduled. Life was beautiful and we took each minute as it was given to us, a small gem to handle as we wished, not realizing that it would be gone in less than an instant, never to return.

This lovely Sunday morning shared with my granddaughter Jasmin has been special and her granddad is now driving her home. Last evening we went out for dinner then home to spend a couple of hours watching a movie - granddad made the popcorn. She requested a "proper breakfast" which included her favorite maple and brown sugar oatmeal, scrambled eggs and bacon, and as a treat, these fresh buttery croissants. We were able to relax and just enjoy each other, chatting about our lovely Summer together.

School starts tomorrow. The early morning rush will not be here in my house, she and her mom will be facing that, just as so many of you young moms across the country. I don't envy you, but I've been there too. I admire you, each and every one, readying your precious children for the day, sending them off out of your sight, confident they will stay safe, wishing and hoping that they make the right decisions.

My thoughts and love go out to each of you as school begins - moms, dads, and the many grandparents who are often the caregivers..........................and to all the wonderful children. May it be a great school year for everyone.

Bouquets especially for the MOMS!

Join my garden friends

Elephants have not invaded my garden. Families of hungry grey squirrels have, along with bunnies, chipmunks, raccoons, foxes, bats and birds. They are all hungry and looking for food to fatten themselves up now or store in nooks and crannies for Winter. This severe drought in the Southeastern states has really taken a toll on the berry producing plants and the nut bearing trees. We spend a small fortune keeping the feeders full and tossing out fruits and nuts because we care about these animals and birds, they are what keep our garden alive. We even forgive them for pecking the ripening tomatoes.....................but which one of you picked and hauled off my lovely purple eggplants? This I really want to know!

This whimsical wallpaper with jovial clowns is called Circus Toile by Schumacher - I found it in Victoria's "Decorating with Wallpaper" book - yesterday's $2 bargain at the used bookshop.

These lovelies do not steal, they offer food, and provide a resting place on a hot Summer day.

Although the color is fading from the Summer garden, soon, with some rain, the goldenrod will bloom next to chrysanthemums and asters.........perhaps the Japanese anemones will waft tall in the Fall air. The hydrangeas are turning that fabulous chartreuse green and grey as they begin to dry to everlasting..............well for a year or so anyway before they crumble in the air when gently touched. The cat keeps watch...........when it's not sleeping.

My favorite rabbit causes little damage - unless you trip over him on the front steps.

And the leaves will turn and fall once again as Nature continues her dance of the seasons. Waiting out the days in anticipation of a brilliant Fall...........see pumpkins in the shops so can't be much longer, can it?

Creativity unleashed

If you are not familiar with amazing artist Sandra Evertson go quickly to her blog. Not only will she amaze you with her creativity, she shares wonderful pieces of art for you to download, such as this femme fatale from a 1930's Paris cabaret show no doubt. My return to playing with paper and running with scissors happened when I started scrapbooking ten years ago. Since then I have enjoyed making cards and tags, illustrating travel journals, altering books, and trying my hand at other creative endeavors which have turned "our office/computer room" into "my studio". Well I do let DH in now and then!

My version of this "lady" was fun to do, especially as it was for my art pal in Washington State. She is another glamorous, artistic, and very creative woman, so I really felt she would connect immediately. I made a pocket on the reverse to tuck in some tags.

Sandra is a contributor to Romantic Homes magazine - see her latest article in the October issue just out. She creates collages from vintage ephemera, has written several books on paper crafting, and her work is often showcased, along with her line of rubber stamps, in Somerset Studio magazine and other Stampington publications.

I'm just thrilled when I find creative women who really live their dream and then share their beautiful creations with us. Perhaps you know a creative someone you would enjoy sharing with us. As they say, the more the merrier!

Summertime continues

UMMER IS STILL WITH US......

......but I'm really waiting for Fall. Are you, like me, ready for a change in the weather? How I long for a cool morning - waking up feeling rested and full of energy to start the day. The cooler weather will inspire me to get going on new art, decorating and sewing projects. Then perhaps, when I awake to that first morning with a slight chill in the air, I'll take a roller and brush to a few walls........when I get all that painting paraphernalia down from the attic!

Plan to paint a lovely old sewing machine table to use by the bed in place of this fabric draped round table - think I have finally found the right color. I'm so enjoying my chalky grey blue bedroom walls - with the unrelentless heat of this Summer in the South, this color is definitely calming.

These dried roses have stayed looking quite pretty, however I would love to try making the fabulous "coffee filter" roses being shown by Crystal at Fariebees and Cindy at Romantic Home. Perhaps the onset of Fall, cooler days, and a few found hours will inspire me.

Hey, let's celebrate, come on.......................

Starting today with the drawing for my giveaway - such fun. So grateful to all of you who entered by leaving kind comments on my 100th post - hopefully I can keep going and share more interesting things with you. As many of you know - especially the Anglophiles out there - I'll be "crossing the pond" in October, first time since starting my blog, so will take plenty of photos of cottages and such to share with you.

So, a celebration is in order............................

I do love hats, especially vintage looking hats - here's a few of my Summer ones. The two gimp braid hats were custom made by a designer friend and I just love them. The tan one I wear a lot in Summer as it looks almost like a straw hat - the cream one comes in handy for weddings and such. The cinnamon color one with pretty roses is amazing - light as a feather fabric (stuffed with tissues for this pic) - found in a quaint little hat shop in Tiberon, CA when visiting a few years ago. All these hats flatten and pack easily - nice to tuck in luggage when traveling - never know when a wet or windy day of sightseeing may need a hat.

Oh my gosh, I'm digressing and making this a fashion post instead of a fanfare for the WINNER!

......................who is........................... Mary at http://isabellascloset.blogspot.com/

Congratulations dear Mary - hope you will enjoy the little gifts.

Please e-mail me with your mailing address. I'll get the parcel in the mail this week.

So, hats off to Mary. This is such fun and I won't wait for the 200th post, I'll plan another giveaway long before then - already have a new idea in mind for some special items to share. All you artistic "crafty" gals - you know who you are - will love it......... so keep watching.

Again, thanks for visiting me. I love hearing from my wonderful circle of friends and sharing in all your varied interests. Hope this will be a great week...........and don't forget your hat!

For Inspiration Friday - Romance in Art

My last post included the beautiful painting "The Soul of the Rose" by John William Waterhouse (1849-1917). Several people, including Rowan (visit her to see beautiful English countryside and more), have mentioned how they love that painting so I thought I'd include a few more of his well known works. I too love these paintings. Waterhouse was an English Pre-Raphaelite painter most famous for his paintings of female characters from mythology and literature. He belonged to the later phase of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood which was formed in 1848 - a year of numerous uprisings in Europe - in order to reintroduce the high principles and "innocence" of Renaissance art as practiced prior to the master Raphael.

These women all look cool and collected - the wind and water settings, the diaphanous gowns, the streaming hair.

"DESTINY"

~1900 Oil on Canvas~

Towneley hall Art Gallery, Burnley, England

"OPHELIA"

~ 1894 Oil on Canvas ~

Private Collection

"BOREUS"

~ 1903 Oil on Canvas ~

Private Collection

"THE LADY OF SHALOTT"

~ 1888 Oil on Canvas ~
The Tate Gallery, London

~ Such romantic women ~

Hope this is a fabulous weekend for you.

"Giveaway" reminder

LAST CALL for my giveaway!

If you go to my post of August 6 you will see the details of the giveaway celebrating my 100th post. If you would like a chance to win these little gifts but haven't entered yet, please leave a comment on that post so I can put your name in the hat for the drawing. I plan to do this on Monday, August 20 (edited - forgot have Grand Jury Monday so will do this on Sunday and will post the name of the winner that morning).

Meanwhile, do take time to stop and smell the roses ~ Summer will soon be ending but the roses are just beautiful now ~ they usually do well around here until early Fall.

I love this painting, The Soul of the Rose by John William Waterhouse (1849-1917) - her hair, the exquisite fabric, and of course the roses.

Here are the gifts I'm sharing - including the English rose fabric, rose painted dish and rose card.

Remember ~~~~~~

Best Mac & Cheese ever!

My 10 y.o. granddaughter begged me again last last week - several times - to please, please, please make the "posh mac & cheese" for lunch before she returns to school this month. This particular recipe from a British supermarket magazine (Sainsbury's) is touted as being, quote, "fit to serve the Queen" and I have to agree - even though I doubt Her Majesty will be sitting at my table any day soon! So this morning we grated three cheeses (cheddar, gruyere and parmigiano reggiano) and set to work - this is definitely not the type of mac & cheese you get in a box at the grocery store - it's the grown up version of the kids' favorite.

The first pic shows the magazine version - beautiful and delicious to say the least.

This pic shows our version, it's a little darker because we made our breadcrumb topping from whole wheat bread rather than white - doesn't that make a somewhat high calorie/high fat dish just that tiny bit more nutritious!!!!? Everything else is the basically the same - mini penne pasta being a little more elegant than macaroni - and juicy sliced tomatoes from the garden rather than those rather chewy little cherry tomatoes suggested in the recipe.

Yum - here we enjoyed our mac & cheese along with a mixed green salad - I really do think that even the Queen would have enjoyed this lunch in our gazebo!

On the treasure trail at SuzAnna's again!

Remember the blue cake plate I showed you recently - well there it was on my return last week, still waiting for a place in some old English gal's home where she can display her "fancy cakes" at tea time. It's Royal Albert's Enchantment (love that word) pattern, dated 1950 - but in perfect condition.



While visiting my fave treasure place again (twice in one week - and they're only open 4 days, Thurs-Sun.) I found these "must haves". Another neat painted sign - I adore anything made from LINEN - tablecloths, napkins, placemats, clothes...............and someday, when I come across affordable ones, I really want a set of linen sheets, ooooh! I hear they're fabulous!

The unusual painted drawer, from an old dresser perhaps, curved on one side with a lovely curved handle (I lined it with wallpaper) is now holding rubber stamping inks and embossing powders - just a different container for ordinary items.

This sweet creamy white compote dish caught my eye and I'll find many different uses for it - again in perfect condition.

Before leaving SuzAnna's I snapped a few more pics of interesting treasures - I couldn't bring them all home unfortunately, but hopefully someone else did.


Here is the patio umbrella with the gauzy "curtains", what a great idea. Loved that look, especially on the stifling three digit day.

Susie found this amazing mini claw foot tub - old but in mint condition - how adorable is this! Would be perfect in a secret garden corner along with an outdoor shower, lots of ferns and shade plants in all the green hues - an oasis from the heat!


And lastly, that fabulous tin roofed BIG bird feeder I really want - will it ever go on sale? Of course it would also be a squirrel feeder if filled with seed I guess. I just love the way it looks and could use it on my outdoor table to hold condiments - when it's cool enough to eat outside again!

This is my "Inspiration Friday" post. Hope you have treasure hunting on your "to do" list this weekend, and that you have a fabulous place like SuzAnna's somewhere close by.