Grateful For

Hello All!  This has been a strange week with highs and lows.  I celebrated a birthday.   It just so happened that my new glasses, a sure sign of the passing of another year, were ready to be picked up on the day.

I had to finally admit to myself that I needed new glasses (and progressive lenses at that) as it was getting too frustrating to keep lifting them up to read small or fine print.  Luckily, lenses have come a long way since my mother's day when you could see the telltale line going across the middle.  When I put on my new glasses, I felt so thankful and grateful.  The frames of my old ones had warped so they sat crookedly on my face and  the arms were bent out of shape too.  It just felt fantastic to have glasses that sat properly and securely and to have the proper prescription too.  There was a really good sale at the optometrist's at the time which made the prescription, while still very expensive, not horrifically out of reach.  I used the points from my glasses towards getting a pair of sneakers.

Yes, I am finally at an age where comfort trumps fashion!  They are my first new pair of sneakers in 15 years.  And I have to say, they are incredibly comfortable.  It was a bit odd at first walking around in a pair of flat shoes but the ease and comfort have me sold.

And finally, birthday flowers from Monsieur.  He is getting a hip implant tomorrow.  The first attempt a year ago was a disaster with the surgeon breaking his femur into 5 pieces.  The second attempt will be performed by a new surgical team.  We are hoping and praying that all goes well.  Please send lots of positive thoughts his way!  I am going to do my best to keep up with blogging but, if it is a little quiet around here for a while, it will be because I am busy going to the hospital.  Otherwise, I will "see" you on the flip side.

I am linking up with Share Your Cup.

Keeping House

When I was a little girl, I loved to play house.  Did you play this game?  I don't love it quite so much now.  I am not a "Clean Nazi" by any stretch of the imagination but I am not fond of living in a sty either.  The problem is that I live with someone who has to be the messiest person on the planet.  I guess I should have known what I was in for when we were dating and I would visit his bachelor pad.  He told me that he used to lie in bed and watch his friend Ms. Spider make her daily circuit back and forth across the ceiling going from web to another.  I know spiders help keep the insect population under control but, between you and me, they give me the creeps.  I prefer them outdoors rather than hanging over my head.  Sometimes, I wonder if I will make it to a happy old age and be like the elderly couple below:

Thrifted vintage sweetness.  If you have any information on the elderly couple, please let me know.



Then I think of the decades  and decades of cleaning that faces me and I begin to feel a little alarmed.  I would like to end up like this but a bit less wrinkled:

Thrifted vintage Quebec folk art



I think I need to call in the big guns.  I was so thrilled when I found out that Williams-Sonoma carries my best friend, Bar Keeper's Friend.  I'd heard about it from other vintage loving bloggers who use it to clean off years of grime off things like vintage Pyrex.
 

I panic when my supply begins to run low as the Williams-Sonoma near my home is constantly selling out of it.  And no, this isn't an infomercial for the stuff.  I use it and I have no idea what's in it but it's like magic.  I think part of being able to complete a job successfully is having the right tools.  And having good looking tools is a bonus.  Lately I have been obsessing over Kaufmann Mercantile.  Why have I never heard of this mecca before?

Kaufmann Mercantile Enamel Dust Pan & Hand Broom

One of their slogans is "Products That Will Outlast You."  Whoa!  Those are fighting words.  And no, this isn't an infomercial for Kaufmann either.  The shipping to Canada is quite hefty and so, for the moment, I can only ogle the dust pan.   I asked one of my best friends once how she dealt with the housekeeping.  I've always remembered her answer which was 1) Forget about attaining perfection and be happy with "good enough" and 2) Get a housekeeper.  Haha, I think the second option is out of the question or rather has already been taken care of because I AM the housekeeper.  Tell me, do you live with a messy person?  How do you deal with it?

I am linking up with Apron Thrift Girl, A Stroll Thru Life, A Living Space, Sir Thrift A Lot, Ivy and Elephants and Thrifty Groove.

 

 

Summer Dreaming

The weather reports say that this is a record breaking summer.   Hot summer days put me in mind of travelling, especially the leisurely sort of travelling of yesteryear.  While out and about this weekend, I spied something on the "free pile" that made me stop and take a second look.  For some reason, I've always hankered after a vintage train case.  There is something so very ladylike about carrying a train case while stepping forth on one's travels, preferably via first class on a locomotive or luxury liner.

Do you remember the movie, "Out of Africa"?  After I saw it, I was obsessed with the Edwardian safari look.  This train case makes me think of exotic travel to foreign lands and gazing at wondrous, wild animals.

I think, though, it is better to turn one's thoughts to cooler climes and things that evoke cooler temperatures.  I do find that I tend towards the colour white during the summer months.  I picked up a little white Wedgwood vase which is to be seen below on the left.  I admit that I have a great fondness towards white vases.  There is something so serenely classical about them.

The Wedgwood vase joins my collection of Kosta Boda snowballs and other white china pieces.  Looking at this mantel top, I realized that I simply cannot resist vintage Scandinavian art glass, especially the snowballs and pick them up whenever I'm out "saling".  Just looking at them makes me think of frosty, chilly snow.  Here's a Swedish polar bear gamboling with a couple of snowballs.

Even this pair of Swedish glass giraffes, those denizens of the hot savannah plain, make me think of ice and snow especially when rendered in glass.

What are you dreaming of this summer?

I'm linking up with Her Library Adventures, Apron Thrift Girl, Southern Hospitality, A Stroll Thru Life, Coastal Charm, Knick of Time, Ivy and Elephants and Thrifty Groove.

Valentine's Day In the Park with Pink Pyrex and Pink Shoes - Fashion Meets Housewares #2

Do you think that there is an age when pink is no longer appropriate?  I grew up with a bedroom decorated in pink as my mother thought that it was suitable for a girl.  Then, typically, I rebelled and cast aside pink for many a long year.  I longed for Ikea furnishings, loud music with tortured lyrics and black leather.  With Valentine's Day fast approaching I realized that pink has been steathily creeping back in to my life.  First, in the form of vintage pink Pyrex.  After all, who can resist vintage flamingo pink Pyrex?  And then, as luck would have it, I was out and about shopping with my mother when I spied these amazing Rupert Sanderson shoes in pink!  My mother was so very gracious as to give them to me as a gift. I suspect that she still believes that pink is suitable for a daughter, no matter that said daughter is a little girl in her eyes only.



Rupert Sanderson Shoes, Pink Daisy Pyrex Casserole Dish

It's not possible to get enough of vintage pink Pyrex mixing bowls especially when heaped with hydrangeas.  


Rupert Sanderson Shoes, Pink Gooseberry Pyrex

Even if you are many years beyond the age of five but are still young at heart, there is always a place in one's life for pink shoes.  And there is nothing saccharine or infantile about these shoes with the high slender heel and top stitching. 

And new shoes mean scrambling through my vintage dresser for that perfect outfit.  Yes, my taste has swung back from the new and the modern to the tried and the true, especially if it comes with Art Deco styling and old pulls that have that instantly recognizable, impossible to duplicate patina.

But, with the weather still inclement, what to do for Valentine's Day, especially something that involves pink shoes and when one is on a budget?  Nothing for it but to have a little picnic in the park at home.

Of course the wondrous shoes get kicked off but still kept close to hand so that they can be suitably admired by oneself and one's beloved.



And future outings are planned over a celebratory glass or two, all of which involve the wearing of pink shoes.

As the saying goes, I'm in the pink!

I've heard that Google Friend Connect will be disappearing soon for those who aren't on Blogger.  If you are on a different platform besides Blogger, you can still follow me through Networked Blogs.  The simplest route may be to suscribe through email.    More than anything, I want to remain in contact with all the lovely people I've met through L'Heure Bleue At Home so have finally caved and am on Facebook as well.

I'm linking up with A Stroll Thru Life, Knick of Time, Cozy Home Scenes, French Country Cottage, My Romantic Home and  Type A Decorating,

New Year, New Favourites

I adore making discoveries that become new favourites, don't you?  It's like stumbling upon a treasure when you were just ambling along without any thought of being on a treasure hunt.  I've been an appreciative fan of Duchy Originals food products for some time but it's only available here during the holiday season at a high end store in town.  I saw this jar of Damson Preserve whilst out Christmas shopping and decided to try it with only a vague idea of what a damson was.  All I knew was that it had a marvellously Victorian ring to it, so much more romantic than prosaic fruit jam.

Apparently, damsons are a type of plum.  And how wonderfully plummy it is.  Fruity with that right hint of tartness and without that cloying sweetness which is the pitfall of many a jam.  On a snowy day with an icy windy blowing, there is something deeply comforting about toasting up a slice of good bread and topping it off with your favourite whatever.



Did you treat yourself to any Boxing Day goodies?  I picked up this tea cozy at Chapters.  Just perfect for a pot of tea.

I adore the thick wool felt and cheerful simple red stitched stars.  Although, perhaps I just like saying "tea cozy."

What kitchen would be complete without a good knife set?  I was so very fortunate to receive a knife set for Christmas.  I had no idea how having really sharp knives would make such a difference with food preparation.  And, I am fascinated with how they are neatly displayed and organized.  As someone who was not born with the "neat and tidy" gene, something that comes to me inherently organized is a wondrous thing.

And, of course, I must mention my new wooden chopping board which is exceptionally large and exceptionally heavy.  It was a gift and an absolute delight.  Again I had no idea what a difference having a large work surface for food preparation would make in the kitchen.

New favourites, new discoveries.  I think I'm off to a good start.

I'm linking up with A Beach Cottage, A Stroll Thru Life, My Romantic Home, French Country Cottage, Type A Decorating.

Deck The Halls

One of the aspects I love about Christmas is revisiting the "old" and seeing it with new, delighted eyes.  By that, I mean the ceremony of unpacking old, beloved decorations and, with the appropriate gravitas, arranging and rearranging them.  There is something magical about pulling aside layers of tissue and then unveiling a treasure trove of glitter and sparkle, especially at this time of year.

And I must declare an overwhelming fondness for jingle bells at any time of the year.

Of course, displaying little vintage wooden toys is perfectly acceptable at Christmas time, even if one is well beyond the age when whirling toys brought hours of amusement.  Admittedly, they still do.

Even though the days are shorter now and darkness falls swiftly, there is a delight in turning on twinkling lights and watching the reflected glow.

House and home is transformed into a winter wonderland.

All that is needed now is the company of loved ones.



I'm linking up with My Romantic Home, At the Picket Fence, The Charm of Home, Common Ground, French Country Cottage, Knick of Time, A Stroll Thru Life, Ivy and Elephants.

Snow Queen

With a certain degree of humility, I admit that I am a scaredy cat when it comes to spiders, creepy-crawlies and other forms of life with multitudinous legs, eyes and antennae.  What does this have to do home decor?  Well, there is a secondhand shop that I was curious to pay a visit.  The shop is a hoarder's dream or a hoarding nightmare, depending on which side of the fence one happens to be standing.  It was a home that had been turned into a junkshop.  There was scant lighting and, when I reached out to turn on some lights, I found that the switches were broken.  Items were perched precariously on top of each other right to the ceiling.  I could make out the vague forms of couches, coffee table and dining table under the mountainous mounds of clutter.  I attempted to pull out a vase piled several feet high on the couch and started an avalanche of junk towards me.  Horrified at the thought of my early demise buried under a landslide of dusty junk, I shoved the vase back with one hand and stopped the avalanche with the other hand.  Defeated and not a little unnerved by the cobwebs festooning the ceiling, I backed away.  Luckily, this tale ends happily as I spied a milk glass vase under the dining table.  I hugged it to me for dear life and ran for the door as if Cerberus was nipping at my feet.

I must say that this vase is quickly becoming a favourite of mine.  A half hour spent scraping off 60 years worth of dirt and the vase now glows in all of its snowy, queenly glory.  The opaque milkiness goes with any colour scheme and the clean Art Deco lines still look modern and fresh.

Best of all, the milky whiteness segues neatly into the frosty, silvery tones that I tend towards as the days grow colder and Christmas draws ever closer.

There is nothing like being surprised with a bunch of flowers from a certain someone, "just because", and the tall purple blooms with their white centers are the perfect counterfoil to the vase and to other twinkly delights.

There is nothing like thoughtful, kind deeds done "just because" and for which I am very grateful.  Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American friends.

I'm linking up to My Romantic Home, At the Picket Fence, The Charm of Home, Common Ground, French Country Cottage, Thrifty Groove, A Stroll Thru Life, In the Knick of Time, Ivy and Elephants. 

Playing Miss Chatelaine

I have only come lately to the delights of flower arranging.   Forgive the pun but yes, I am a late bloomer.  For many years, I thought that faffing around with flowers was an unneccessary indulgence.  And as adamant as I was that it was an accomplishment more suited to the Victorian age, I am now a most fervent convert.  There is something so supremely meditative about choosing what blooms will delight my senses the most and then the careful, or in my inexperienced case, the not so careful arranging in a suitable vessel. 

I do realize that carnations have a humble reputation as being cheap and ubiquitous but, at $3.50 for a large bunch at the local flower shop, I didn't mind.  And I  found something quite charming in their pink frilly unpretentiousness.

And humble or not, a perfect bloom can elevate something quite simple and mundane to the level of the sublime.  

Ordinarily, I am not the most serene of persons as I am easily flustered but the cool composure inherent in the silky petals makes me feel wonderfully serene and  ladylike as I indulge in arranging and rearranging bouquets of flowers. 

I admit now that, in this rough and tumble world, this particular accomplishment of the Chatelaine of the home to be a most worthy one indeed.

 Linking up to A Beach Cottage, Between Naps On The Porch, My Romantic Home and Serenity Now.

Heart Of A Dragon

Do you remember the lyrics to this lullaby?

Hush, little baby, don't say a word. Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird
And if that mockingbird won't sing, Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring
And if that diamond ring turns brass, Papa's gonna buy you a looking glass

Whenever Father's Day rolls around, I find myself thinking of what my father has given me instead of what I should give him.  For example, one time, as I was putting together my home office, I thought that I needed something imposing and majestic that would gaze at my office protectively and give me the necessary verve to do my work.  But what?  For some reason, I thought of the masses of fairy tales and stories that my father used to read to me as a child.  So, naturally, I asked my father for a dragon.  Really, I had no idea what this dragon would look like and didn't think my father would be able to find me one that wasn't a stuffed toy when, one day, he telephoned me and said he had something for me.  It was my very own dragon.

And it was every bit as majestic, beautiful and imposing as I dreamed it would be.

Now I am thinking that, next time, I will ask for my very own knight in shining armour on a beautiful horse.

And, every time I look at it, I think of a father who was asked by his daughter to find her a dragon and without a word, found her heart's desire.

I am linking up to A Stroll Thru Life,  A Beach Cottage and Free Pretty Things.



The Princess and Her Bath

I have heard it said that the kitchen is the heart of the home.  And while I don't disagree with the idea that the kitchen nourishes the heart, I do think that the bathroom runs a close second in importance as it nourishes the soul.  At the end of a long day caught up in the hurly burly of the world's doings, surely there is nothing better than to soak in a tub of life giving water.  Along this vein, I have been obsessing over Pottery Barn's Petaluma Double Sink Console although not necessarily the console itself but what is underneath it.  Namely, I have been obsessing over the gigantic apothecary jars and the 10 million cotton buds (also known as Q-Tips in North America) one of them contains and all the other necessaries for one's toilette. 

Luckily, I came across some large size vintage Crown mason jars, one of which is an Imperial (!) pint, recently.  And so I came up with my own version of those apothecary jars due to the fact that I didn't think I could  fit such large jars in my bathroom and, secondly, 10 million cotton buds is a lot of boxes of cotton buds to buy.  I think an Imperial pint's worth is more than satisfactory.

And really, is there nothing more divine, more decadent and luxurious than a mile high stack of cloudlike towels tied with grosgrain ribbon?

Your Highness, your bath awaits.
I'm linking up to A Beach Cottage and Good Life Wednesdays.

Neptune's Goblet

Do you indulge in frivolous daydreams?  Please say yes!  I do.  Sometimes, I let my mind meander down funny little alleyways.  For example, there are times when I wonder to myself, “If Neptune were to indulge in a celebratory libation, how would he do it?”  Would he just open his mouth like a fish and let the waters of the ocean pour in?  But I think that, if he did drink anything, he would need a kingly vessel and I think I have just the one (and possibly another one for his wife).

It has shells impressed on the sides and very regal garlands.   It came all the way from France but I prefer to think that it was found washed up on a sea shore.

And I know that when there is Very Important Work To Do and laundry and vacuuming, it may be a tad silly to indulge in musings and imaginings.  But whenever I sip from this regal goblet, I think to myself,  “How delightful, how positively delicious it is that I am drinking from Neptune’s Goblet!”

I am linking up to A Beach Cottage and Good Life Wednesdays.

Someone To Watch Over Me

When it comes to Mother’s Day, I am at a loss.  My mother is at an age where she has all she needs and is disinclined to take in any more stuff, thank you very much.  As I ponder Mother’s Day, I am fast coming to the conclusion that the mothering instinct is everywhere.  It is there when one cares for a friend laid low, tends the earth or cares for what goes into the oceans of the world.  Or, even if one doesn’t have children of the two-legged variety, it is there in full force if one’s babies are of the four-legged, tailed variety.  They do say that a picture is worth a thousand words so I’ll just have to let these photographs say it all.

And I must say that, no matter how far I roam, it is a great comfort to know that somewhere in this wide world, there is someone to watch over me.



I am linking up with A Beach Cottage and Good Life Wednesdays.

Being Ruby is doing a giveaway of her beautiful artwork. Take a peek!