On HGTV it's so simple....and quick!!!

Very sorry, right now you would not be welcomed into the cottage, despite this sign inside my front door. I'd love to entertain you, would have the tea tray ready................but not while the painting is still underway and the entire house appears to be coated in a fine white dust, quite embarrassing! Remember those painful words 'Spring cleaning'? There will be plenty of this required in the next few weeks! Why is it jobs always take longer than estimated? The ceiling makeover (removing the texture, repairing some areas, waiting for the drying process....and more waiting, then two coats of paint) took a day and a half more than expected.............but it looks super nice now, smooth and so clean. Actual painting of walls underway now and a helper appeared as 'Superman' is behind schedule!

Are you like me, do you find it hard to get much accomplished when there are strangers working in the house? I always feel I have to be offering drinks, snacks, lunch, afternoon tea.........perhaps this is why they fall behind schedule........I'm too hospitable!

The upstairs is still inaccessible as the stairwell is being painted now, so today I'm trying to do useful odds and ends. First, ironing the holiday table linens which are still in a pile and have been ignored far too long. Making Magical Leek Broth (those of you who've read 'French Women Don't Get Fat' are familiar with this!) for my supper as dh is out of town, and then perhaps run a dust cloth over the cloudy dining room table.
Just paint rollers whooshing upstairs, and two paint splattered guys talking about beach music and religion - after all this is North Carolina!

Decorating notes for a quiet day.

Found a sample piece of burlap - tied it around a candle with twine - I like it.

Filled a vintage zinc topped canning jar with shredded music - this came as filler in a recent package from sweet Joy at The Hope Jar - I'm loving my scarf Joy, and the Paris and crown tags.

Looking for more old books to add to this pile in my bedroom.
Thinking about and coveting these rather expensive vintage glass knobs snuggled up at SuzAnna's Antiques last week - would be perfect to hang my burnout velvet bedroom curtains but I'd need so many for the bay window.

Organizing altered art supplies.

Tea tray linen cloth I embroidered at age twelve - used at special afternoon teas.

A quick note of thanks to all who left a Birthday greeting for my special cousin, Sue. Your messages crossed the pond and brightened her day.

Let the painting begin........

Rushed through breakfast as it will be a busy morning................

...................painting starting today. I've always done the interior painting but as this big job involves getting the texture off the bedroom ceiling and painting the stairwell, I'm leaving it all to Superman Bruce who comes highly recommended. I feel thoroughly spoiled - but meanwhile will supply mugs of coffee with almond biscotti, afternoon tea and Belgian chocolate biscuits, and moral support while he's up on the ladders rather than me!

Love this color - contrasts well with woods and natural materials.

Tall peeling wooden door - lovely colors.

This week at SuzAnna's Antiques.

Peeling and chipped but still lovely old painted wood.

SuzAnna's Antiques.
My natural stone bowl holding potpourri - soft paint colors with a little persimmon accent.
A cream painted and decoupaged terracotta pot - one of many I've decorated.