tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90277753373151063142024-03-12T17:09:40.867-07:00humayrarumaysahorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comBlogger291125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-50219190194882001652012-08-19T11:54:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:46.900-07:00snapshot...<div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center">topiary shadow</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ymbqrDhLAOc/UDE4zPMAyLI/AAAAAAAAHT8/ChGAGkgwIBU/s1600/Sunlight+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ymbqrDhLAOc/UDE4zPMAyLI/AAAAAAAAHT8/ChGAGkgwIBU/s640/Sunlight+007.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-1623008559434142712012-08-17T07:40:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:46.940-07:00whiskey barrel orb - the tutorial<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br />To start, you'll need <em>three</em> discarded whiskey barrel rings! As you can see, the top ring is in pretty rough shape, but that will work just fine for the finished orb.<br />For this project you will need: a drill, several drill bits, a clamp, nuts, washers and screws.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-icvecE2xRqY/UCljCG9ACCI/AAAAAAAAHMo/oCY5bQXzClc/s1600/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-icvecE2xRqY/UCljCG9ACCI/AAAAAAAAHMo/oCY5bQXzClc/s640/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+063.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If your rings have nails poking out of them, simply reverse-pound them out using a hammer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MIT71Ip6fBs/UCljEXgWpcI/AAAAAAAAHMw/ERxWiQO4EYU/s1600/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MIT71Ip6fBs/UCljEXgWpcI/AAAAAAAAHMw/ERxWiQO4EYU/s640/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+064.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Often the bands will have some dents or damage like this...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6e6meKv_mTQ/UCljF_AJjhI/AAAAAAAAHM4/ZNdKaBZpT2U/s1600/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6e6meKv_mTQ/UCljF_AJjhI/AAAAAAAAHM4/ZNdKaBZpT2U/s640/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+065.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">you can pound the dents out with a hammer too. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c_5CTbO3T0s/UCljRsaHZyI/AAAAAAAAHNE/i-Vwb3NMmso/s1600/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c_5CTbO3T0s/UCljRsaHZyI/AAAAAAAAHNE/i-Vwb3NMmso/s640/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+067.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes the rings will be "out of round" and you will want to re-shape them back to round.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0yG9GQyWH60/UCljT3192iI/AAAAAAAAHNM/3OmvqFipiYU/s1600/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0yG9GQyWH60/UCljT3192iI/AAAAAAAAHNM/3OmvqFipiYU/s640/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+069.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I love the rusty patina and the rivets. (For the record, Dan does <em>not</em> wear nail polish- that's my thumb! ;) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kcpyg17JtCs/UCljV2OpOkI/AAAAAAAAHNU/y35-slnDe_8/s1600/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kcpyg17JtCs/UCljV2OpOkI/AAAAAAAAHNU/y35-slnDe_8/s640/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+072.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">You'll need some nuts, washers and screws.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H4h5Q8zL2bw/UCuxdp6tdDI/AAAAAAAAHSQ/7sue3oCx46c/s1600/orb+and+terrace+table+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H4h5Q8zL2bw/UCuxdp6tdDI/AAAAAAAAHSQ/7sue3oCx46c/s640/orb+and+terrace+table+012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">You'll need two sets of the following (one set for the top and one for the bottom) from left to right: </div><div style="text-align: center;">a nut, a lock- washer, a washer, and a screw.</div><div style="text-align: center;">We like to use pieces that aren't galvanized so that they will patinate/rust and blend in with the orb. (Or you can always dab a bit of <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2011/07/ten-house-things-i-cant-live-without.html" target="_blank">burnt umber paint</a> on new screws to make them blend.) Old is great if you have them.</div><div style="text-align: center;">You'll also need a drill bit that is <em>slightly larger</em> than the diameter of your screw.</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-duMtuZnIYFI/UCljsE8u7tI/AAAAAAAAHOI/TWas0zYwHqc/s1600/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-duMtuZnIYFI/UCljsE8u7tI/AAAAAAAAHOI/TWas0zYwHqc/s640/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+083.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Play with the rings to find just the right "sweet spot" where they go together and form the best shape.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G1heNSmx8Zk/UCljZsU6f6I/AAAAAAAAHNc/ElrJq8NLLXg/s1600/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G1heNSmx8Zk/UCljZsU6f6I/AAAAAAAAHNc/ElrJq8NLLXg/s640/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+074.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Clamp the placement of your final choice. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(Dan loves old tools and finds wonderful pieces at garage/estate/barn sales.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6XWiOhxXg0/UCljcAEBNnI/AAAAAAAAHNk/ybm2Mk2vUMk/s1600/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-q6XWiOhxXg0/UCljcAEBNnI/AAAAAAAAHNk/ybm2Mk2vUMk/s640/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+077.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A pilot hole is your friend! Start by drilling a hole using a smaller drill bit than your larger bit. Drill through all three rings.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-og9jw4PAXIs/UClj2kPQKtI/AAAAAAAAHOg/B-6apnYbTeA/s1600/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-og9jw4PAXIs/UClj2kPQKtI/AAAAAAAAHOg/B-6apnYbTeA/s640/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+087.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Now, using your larger bit drill through the pilot hole to make the hole the right size for the attachment screw. This can be a very slow process, so take your time. You have to apply a bit of pressure on the drill to get it to go through the iron.<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--_JeWunfDkk/UCljmAJiTRI/AAAAAAAAHN8/w36_VLm4p5Y/s1600/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--_JeWunfDkk/UCljmAJiTRI/AAAAAAAAHN8/w36_VLm4p5Y/s640/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+080.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Insert one screw in the newly drilled hole, then add a washer, then a lock-washer and finish with the nut. Tighten, but leave loose enough to be able to adjust the rings. Turn the orb over, adjust the rings for final alignment, clamp your placement and drill using the same process as above. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Insert second set of screw, washer, lock-washer and nut and tighten <em>both</em> ends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qHelPk0VJaQ/UCljv016XzI/AAAAAAAAHOQ/V_pMl5c7UN0/s1600/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+084.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qHelPk0VJaQ/UCljv016XzI/AAAAAAAAHOQ/V_pMl5c7UN0/s640/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+084.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hey wait... how did <em>that</em> get in here?! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Gooooo</em> <em><span style="color: #b45f06;">Longhorns</span>!!</em> :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aGgK3-CEv3k/UCljx_mlG9I/AAAAAAAAHOY/y2BN5fvnutA/s1600/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aGgK3-CEv3k/UCljx_mlG9I/AAAAAAAAHOY/y2BN5fvnutA/s400/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+085.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Ta-Dah!!</em> <br />That's it! See how easy that was!! <span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>(says the helper-girl holding the camera ;)</em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PcfYh9LiP1c/UClj8h6yLuI/AAAAAAAAHOw/4Xx87EvMWRI/s1600/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PcfYh9LiP1c/UClj8h6yLuI/AAAAAAAAHOw/4Xx87EvMWRI/s640/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+089.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Or... </em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you own a drill press you can also use it to make three holes at once! Just use a little 3-in-1 oil/cutting lubricant and press slowly to drill the holes.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--jAkWZcP6F4/UClmZIYHAcI/AAAAAAAAHPE/DZMEoMFa190/s1600/orb+and+terrace+table+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--jAkWZcP6F4/UClmZIYHAcI/AAAAAAAAHPE/DZMEoMFa190/s640/orb+and+terrace+table+002.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> An orb in the garden.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I know some of you "eagle eyes" noticed that <em>this</em> orb has <strong>four rings</strong> instead of three. This orb was a graduate level project! The fourth ring was smaller than the three that form the main orb, so Dan cut iron "spacers" from a small pipe and added them to each side of the gap on the fourth ring- it almost floats inside the main orb- tres cool! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XklCU5HY4Os/UClogtfhWHI/AAAAAAAAHQo/hQK_lDNfyhk/s1600/orb+and+terrace+table+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XklCU5HY4Os/UClogtfhWHI/AAAAAAAAHQo/hQK_lDNfyhk/s640/orb+and+terrace+table+025.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you make an orb be sure to send us a picture of <em><strong>your </strong></em>orb and how you used it- <br />they also look great <em>indoors</em>!<br /> I'll add your photos to this post. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-89166955541134510412012-08-12T09:54:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:46.957-07:00theTerrace up close<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br />The terrace is located on the east side of the house off of the barn room. <br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>[No, the barn room is <em>not</em> finished, so <em>please</em> don't ask! :) My part is done, but Dan has projects to complete as does my fabulous (and on her way to becoming famous, i.e. busy) seamstress who will sew the curtains. Nothing has changed in the room in four months. All I can say is you'll see it when you see it, </strong></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>and I have <em>no idea</em> when that will be . <em>xx </em>]</strong></span><br />When we purchased the house the terrace didn't exist, well, technically <em>half</em> of it did. Half of the current space was used as access to the barn door of the original livestock barn. I'll do a post soon on the making of the terrace so you can see how it call came to be. The terrace was initially completed last Spring; however, Hurricane Irene (last August) did some damage to the stone wall and it wasn't repaired until the middle of this past June. It has only been in the last month that the terrace as fully come together. My vision for it was that it would be a very monochromatic, natural space that blended in with the environment and looked and felt completely different than the other three porches that are attached to the farmhouse. Right after it was completed a worker at the house told me he felt like he was on vacation when standing on the terrace. <em>Perfect</em>.... that was <u>exactly</u><em> </em>the feeling<em> </em>I was hoping for! The three porches on the house are all covered, so this is the one space where we can sit at night and look up and see the whole star-filled sky (and shooting stars!) We also have dinner here quite often.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dNEieJTqR_s/UCQRhDCo2qI/AAAAAAAAG20/GsMeEuDBbuk/s1600/Terrace+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dNEieJTqR_s/UCQRhDCo2qI/AAAAAAAAG20/GsMeEuDBbuk/s640/Terrace+023.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We brought the vintage iron table base with us from Dallas. It was a curb-side requisition. In its previous life it was a trash can older! After Dallas switched to the mandatory plastic rolling trash cans, people would place these old iron stands at the curb for our monthly "bulk trash collection." All I saw was "treasure!" Dan and I knew the pick-up schedules for various neighborhoods and would go "junking" as we called it each month. <em>Oh, the finds we made!</em> One month (and it just happened to be a month I was redoing a bed in the backyard) we picked up a truck load (literally) of plants someone else had dug up and discarded for pick up. We adopted them all. I had a small collection of these iron bases (Dan and I both love all things old iron;) but, sadly had to leave all but two when we moved here. The other base is on the back porch with a piece of antique marble as its top. Very recently we added a thick wood top to this base using 3" planks taken from the barn during the renovation. <br />The table is topped with a collection of items, all but one, brought with us from our last home. A large (6-1/2 foot) antique green shutter that used to stand in our den in Texas holds court on the table (no, it is not attached to the wall). It shares the space with an antique green glazed terracotta baluster from Singapore used as a candlestick, an antique concrete finial that used to sit at my front door, an antique lightning rod (part of another collection that graced my old cutting garden), a white vintage garden pot and <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2009/10/fun-finds-and-matthew-mead-too.html" target="_blank">an industrial wire-container found here in New Hampshire</a> that holds an asparagus fern.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lPiSMVZ2Fz0/UCQ4CauQ7iI/AAAAAAAAHDI/rLxAUmgf8JY/s1600/Terrace+130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" kda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lPiSMVZ2Fz0/UCQ4CauQ7iI/AAAAAAAAHDI/rLxAUmgf8JY/s640/Terrace+130.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Antique iron lightning rod with copper finial and antique amethyst and green glass globes. I love how the colors in the lightening rod mimic the colors in the old shutter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-64M84P7t3zY/UCQNviPxcGI/AAAAAAAAG08/WoRCnCYirPo/s1600/TerraceMantel+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-64M84P7t3zY/UCQNviPxcGI/AAAAAAAAG08/WoRCnCYirPo/s640/TerraceMantel+029.JPG" width="386" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The weather vane on the rod is a gorgeous work of art, and this is only one of an accidental collection of vanes. The pitted iron shows a century <em>plus</em> of weather. I fell in love with my first weather vane not even knowing what it was. I found it at an estate sale years ago and bought it because I thought it was a thing of beauty. It has a red glass insert with a hand-etched star in the center. Many antique vanes had colored glass in their tail. I also have a vane with blue glass that was given to me by a complete stranger. A man at one of our garage sales in Dallas noticed my collection in the cutting garden. He said he was an antiques dealer and had a vane in storage that he would give to me when he found it. I thought that was a nice thing to say, but honestly didn't think I would see him again. Sure enough, about six months later he drove up and gave me the blue glass vane! I was absolutely blown away by his kindness. After that we would occasionally run into him at estate sales, so for <em>months</em> I carried a "thank you" note for him which I was finally able to deliver!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I surmise that the original glass broke on this vane and someone made a tin piece to take its place.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHWbTaxWfjk/UCQSNvApCDI/AAAAAAAAG3o/1g2wHUAoA0c/s1600/Terrace+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" kda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHWbTaxWfjk/UCQSNvApCDI/AAAAAAAAG3o/1g2wHUAoA0c/s640/Terrace+042.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The arrow is <em>puffy</em>, not flat, which is an unusual detail. Love the twisted center iron rod.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GVgp2oDfqSc/UCQbIyHn19I/AAAAAAAAG-A/I3SG6UUhnfQ/s1600/Terrace+243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" kda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GVgp2oDfqSc/UCQbIyHn19I/AAAAAAAAG-A/I3SG6UUhnfQ/s640/Terrace+243.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Vintage planter filled with Iresine "Purple Lady," again a hue found in the antique shutter.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zzbsqX0D4Eg/UCQNq3vEFsI/AAAAAAAAG00/indits1aoYw/s1600/TerraceMantel+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" kda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zzbsqX0D4Eg/UCQNq3vEFsI/AAAAAAAAG00/indits1aoYw/s640/TerraceMantel+024.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Antique concrete weathered finial shows the passage of many years outdoors.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aXUtCSGIk2I/UCQfqMPftBI/AAAAAAAAG_k/B3ZEb44C3wE/s1600/Terrace+256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aXUtCSGIk2I/UCQfqMPftBI/AAAAAAAAG_k/B3ZEb44C3wE/s640/Terrace+256.JPG" width="418" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The french doors open into the barn room. (We do have screens for the doors, but they reside in the basement. We have such good air flow with the other windows in the room that we haven't found that we need them.) The old lantern light fixtures above the french doors are from a favorite shop, <a href="http://www.noreast1.com/" target="_blank">Nor'East Architectural Antiques</a> in South Hampton, New Hampshire (say hi to the owner, Donna, if you visit!) We didn't alter the condition we found them in- peeling black paint over a solid brass frame. The paint is slowly coming off from exposure to snow and rain and will one day be back to the original brass. They are, <em>of course</em>, on dimmers! <br />For scale, the french doors and transoms are just under ten feet tall. The barn gray and white trim paint are both from <a href="http://www.californiapaints.com/" target="_blank">California Paints</a> and the colors can be found on my sidebar. The chimney was done in a natural stucco- no tint was added. That is an antique iron ash-removal door that you see under the table.</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4tyyA0fM1rg/UCQSctoNm6I/AAAAAAAAG4E/ZTdIq0cTr3w/s1600/Terrace+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" kda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4tyyA0fM1rg/UCQSctoNm6I/AAAAAAAAG4E/ZTdIq0cTr3w/s640/Terrace+077.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">One of a pair of antique round beaded white-painted concrete finials share each side of the french door steps with one of a pair of antique iron urns filled with "Salmon" Geraniums, Dusty Miller, variegated Vinca and Soft Rush (Juncus effusus spiralis "Twister"). On this side a vintage Japanese fishing float and marble balls that were used in antique water filtration systems keep the urn company.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VBR4Kl_Dz8o/UCQNmtTZL2I/AAAAAAAAG0s/x_7FUKsV4Yo/s1600/TerraceMantel+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="598" kda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-VBR4Kl_Dz8o/UCQNmtTZL2I/AAAAAAAAG0s/x_7FUKsV4Yo/s640/TerraceMantel+023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I always knew that I didn't want to place flower pots on the top of the wall, but after several months of living with them au naturale I felt the wall needed a <em>little something</em>. While sitting in the adiorndacks one night having a glass of wine I remembered the vintage iron farm equipment disk blades just sitting in the basement (everyone has a collection of vintage iron farm equipment disk blades, yes?!! :) and realized how perfectly they would look on the wall. We had collected these over the years - I love "round" and I love rusty iron, so they were a natural collection for me. They made the perfect planters as they have holes in the center. I <em>love</em> their low profiles and industrial feel, and how the iron plays off of the stone and the softness of the greenery. I was very skeptical about <em>anything</em> at all growing in them, but thought I would try my idea. I purchased <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001ZXNDLE?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B001ZXNDLE&linkCode=xm2&tag=forthelove005-20" target="_blank">Miracle-Gro Moisture Control potting soil</a> and Vinca minor (Myrtle Atropurpurea) and they have been happily growing for the last several months, even during stretches of 90 degree plus days!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MhtaB13UDRM/UCQN5tq8njI/AAAAAAAAG1Q/-IBh5S-yChE/s1600/TerraceMantel+040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" kda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MhtaB13UDRM/UCQN5tq8njI/AAAAAAAAG1Q/-IBh5S-yChE/s640/TerraceMantel+040.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">To my delight, they also bloom this sweet little purple flower!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5FW8UYqwIFc/UCQSYM3PpOI/AAAAAAAAG34/C3MV6XfFWhI/s1600/Terrace+070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" kda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5FW8UYqwIFc/UCQSYM3PpOI/AAAAAAAAG34/C3MV6XfFWhI/s640/Terrace+070.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Large jardinieres from Home Goods are filled in the center with Ornamental Millet (Purple Majesty), Flamingo Feather (Celosia Spicata) and Explosion grass (I love this grass), and surrounded around the edge with green potato vine (Ipomoea "Goldfinger"), blue Scaevola ("Brilliant"), and Setcreasea ("Purple Queen"). Japanese fishing floats and copper balls are scattered around the terrace to add a bit of color, patina and whimsy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ekTGj_CU9hM/UCQRWL09pSI/AAAAAAAAG2k/5bFYTW3SBfA/s1600/Terrace+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ekTGj_CU9hM/UCQRWL09pSI/AAAAAAAAG2k/5bFYTW3SBfA/s640/Terrace+005.JPG" width="438" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">These steps go to the kitchen mud room which is located between the kitchen and the barn room. The vintage pot was purchased at an estate sale <em>many</em> years ago in Dallas. Funny how things stick with you- I can perfectly describe the house and day when we found it, even though it was a good 15 years ago! It is one of my very favorite pots. Antique iron boot scraper on the left hand side of the photo was found at an antique shop in New Hampshire during the farmhouse renovation, and was set into the top step when these steps were added during the renovation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="538" kda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZGGTo1H_NpQ/UCQg9P6b62I/AAAAAAAAHBA/FIQPNetVgng/s640/Terrace+285.JPG" width="640" /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The large stone next to the planter was "borrowed" on my last trip to the Tetons with my late father. Though you can't see it in the photo, it is a beautiful stone with large bands of white and gray; I thought it was such a beautiful rock. I was going to leave it, but my father talked my nephew, Forest, (who was young and fresh out of the Army - think strong) into carrying it down the mountain for me! <br /><em>Thank you Forest!</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tYoTK4V654k/UCQR3lRSsVI/AAAAAAAAG3A/bAw2_0R7ayA/s1600/Terrace+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tYoTK4V654k/UCQR3lRSsVI/AAAAAAAAG3A/bAw2_0R7ayA/s640/Terrace+026.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Salmon Geraniums, blue Scaevola, variegated Vinca and white green-leaf Begonias share the pot. </div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y5lwqOyFJuM/UCQf6iQ2WuI/AAAAAAAAG_w/GENy8HB7Uvw/s1600/Terrace+262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" kda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y5lwqOyFJuM/UCQf6iQ2WuI/AAAAAAAAG_w/GENy8HB7Uvw/s640/Terrace+262.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The wire form is from the dearly departed Smith and Hawken. </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZGeFHriLig/UCQgALmaapI/AAAAAAAAG_4/7FtoD0JoOvw/s1600/Terrace+266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="404" kda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EZGeFHriLig/UCQgALmaapI/AAAAAAAAG_4/7FtoD0JoOvw/s640/Terrace+266.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Antique zinc dovecote.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-krV70jb1Qkk/UCQgU_V3jjI/AAAAAAAAHAU/oyl12_dg-5g/s1600/Terrace+277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-krV70jb1Qkk/UCQgU_V3jjI/AAAAAAAAHAU/oyl12_dg-5g/s640/Terrace+277.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Antique English watering can with copper sprinkler head.</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RClyGv1lJRI/UCQgLS-cd-I/AAAAAAAAHAI/BSyDYk8fvpI/s1600/Terrace+274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" kda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RClyGv1lJRI/UCQgLS-cd-I/AAAAAAAAHAI/BSyDYk8fvpI/s640/Terrace+274.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> Close up of the copper "2" indicating the can holds two gallons.</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EsEQyhJby9M/UCQgHopOcMI/AAAAAAAAHAA/zXpAC3vKWWI/s1600/Terrace+267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" kda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EsEQyhJby9M/UCQgHopOcMI/AAAAAAAAHAA/zXpAC3vKWWI/s640/Terrace+267.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Antique French iron fence piece with its black peeling paint.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pc8-86iDCt0/UCQN1fYis3I/AAAAAAAAG1I/kmsbwlEpHAA/s1600/TerraceMantel+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" kda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Pc8-86iDCt0/UCQN1fYis3I/AAAAAAAAG1I/kmsbwlEpHAA/s640/TerraceMantel+038.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Door to the kitchen mud room and granite steps to the garage and drive below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OdgVAYV_ga8/UCQ5BRVY5SI/AAAAAAAAHDQ/aBWiBRqpS6Q/s1600/Terrace+113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" kda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OdgVAYV_ga8/UCQ5BRVY5SI/AAAAAAAAHDQ/aBWiBRqpS6Q/s640/Terrace+113.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Iron urn at the french door. I love the sculptural effect of the twisty Soft Rush.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XFI8ffbONbc/UCQR8O5tVbI/AAAAAAAAG3I/ZfszU6XkBRI/s1600/Terrace+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XFI8ffbONbc/UCQR8O5tVbI/AAAAAAAAG3I/ZfszU6XkBRI/s640/Terrace+034.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2011/08/buy-of-month-adirondack-chairs.html" target="_blank">adirondack chairs</a> have proven to be a great value! They are still available at Home Depot for anyone interested. ( We winter them in the basement.) I often use the term "gravel" regarding the driveway, and terrace, but technically it is <em><strong>crushed stone</strong>. </em>Crushed stone come from a rock quarry. The stone is dynamited, then crushed to different sizes. Gravel comes from a pond or a river. <br />All the other crushed stone areas (driveway, side porch and cutting garden) are in gray stone, but here we used a tan stone that worked perfectly with the stone wall. It is also a much smaller stone than the driveway or side porch area. Black umbrella was used at a dining table on our terrace in Dallas. It is now free-standing with its iron base buried in the stone.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GHOpTUEPAVM/UCQ5Zp-vkAI/AAAAAAAAHDc/P_xtQf_fwJo/s1600/Terrace+117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" kda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GHOpTUEPAVM/UCQ5Zp-vkAI/AAAAAAAAHDc/P_xtQf_fwJo/s640/Terrace+117.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">The umbrella finial is a brass bird that started its life as an outdoor faucet handle. The faucet eventually failed and had to be removed. I thought the little bird would make <em>the perfect</em> finial for the umbrella! He makes me very happy when I spy him perched up on top.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LCv3kCfj3c0/UCQU6GZ0DfI/AAAAAAAAG5A/nnXHWpicSnE/s1600/Terrace+087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" kda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LCv3kCfj3c0/UCQU6GZ0DfI/AAAAAAAAG5A/nnXHWpicSnE/s640/Terrace+087.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The antique granite steps were originally foundation to the barn and were removed during the making of the garage. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RUgboyOpjEw/UCQ9TyfVK7I/AAAAAAAAHEo/6gXVZCqgdKo/s1600/Terrace+138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" kda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RUgboyOpjEw/UCQ9TyfVK7I/AAAAAAAAHEo/6gXVZCqgdKo/s640/Terrace+138.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Vintage Japanese fishing floats and copper balls .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7b9M_Q5Du5w/UCQausixf9I/AAAAAAAAG9Y/-O0uCB6XaXo/s1600/Terrace+221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" kda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7b9M_Q5Du5w/UCQausixf9I/AAAAAAAAG9Y/-O0uCB6XaXo/s640/Terrace+221.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Such gorgeous copper patina.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OwjVTcQGnX8/UCQayrU8dAI/AAAAAAAAG9g/RZOIdVY6JjE/s1600/Terrace+225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" kda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OwjVTcQGnX8/UCQayrU8dAI/AAAAAAAAG9g/RZOIdVY6JjE/s640/Terrace+225.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Close up of the jardinieres that flank the corners of the terrace.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3_EBz87-yLs/UCQZ9CtQ0SI/AAAAAAAAG8k/6rWy4aSSbfU/s1600/Terrace+193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" kda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3_EBz87-yLs/UCQZ9CtQ0SI/AAAAAAAAG8k/6rWy4aSSbfU/s640/Terrace+193.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view to the north. During Phase II of the barn renovation the stone wall (that originally only went to the middle of where the chimney now stands) was disassembled and moved approximately 12-feet over to make the new "terrace" space. The additional large cut granite stones were place on the top to bring the height of the wall up to code. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0XNYGOYNOOQ/UCQ54kf770I/AAAAAAAAHDk/i8KOt3HliJw/s1600/Terrace+143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" kda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0XNYGOYNOOQ/UCQ54kf770I/AAAAAAAAHDk/i8KOt3HliJw/s640/Terrace+143.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Pair of tables were "married" from items in my basement storage area (my area is decorative, as opposed to Dan's which is functional ;) I just happened to have two antique English chimney pots and a pair (though purchased separately and not matching) of vintage copper scalloped trays from India. They sit on the chimney pots and do a fine job of acting as rain gauges! I simply pour acquired water into the watering can to use later. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4d0I1zNlaI/UCQa8EcBM_I/AAAAAAAAG9s/9R5D7ClV800/s1600/Terrace+230.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" kda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q4d0I1zNlaI/UCQa8EcBM_I/AAAAAAAAG9s/9R5D7ClV800/s640/Terrace+230.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Iron orb made from old whiskey barrel rings found at our local dump! I used to also pick these up while junking in Dallas. Recycling is good! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>(Tutorial to follow)</em></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QjFWZ7Fjsnw/UCQgaZaq2PI/AAAAAAAAHAc/elfFsiKk2f4/s1600/Terrace+293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QjFWZ7Fjsnw/UCQgaZaq2PI/AAAAAAAAHAc/elfFsiKk2f4/s640/Terrace+293.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My sweet and beautiful photographer's assistant!! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-so2vUbgQrn8/UCQSU0kduvI/AAAAAAAAG3w/wTvPYaK8zlg/s1600/Terrace+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-so2vUbgQrn8/UCQSU0kduvI/AAAAAAAAG3w/wTvPYaK8zlg/s640/Terrace+063.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-84132098709114420572012-08-09T16:09:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:47.000-07:00the Terrace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e4ydtOawQFg/UCQZHB53lZI/AAAAAAAAG7U/2JdlO9TUN0A/s1600/Terrace+158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_c1xxn4="1126" height="396" kda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e4ydtOawQFg/UCQZHB53lZI/AAAAAAAAG7U/2JdlO9TUN0A/s640/Terrace+158.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A6je_XLJLeg/UCQY5TvG1pI/AAAAAAAAG7I/3JCb16ZSoww/s1600/Terrace+154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_c1xxn4="1099" height="426" kda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-A6je_XLJLeg/UCQY5TvG1pI/AAAAAAAAG7I/3JCb16ZSoww/s640/Terrace+154.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KRs7IKtO9nk/UCQZkMMfKAI/AAAAAAAAG78/gCd56TEkbUw/s1600/Terrace+176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_c1xxn4="1234" height="640" kda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KRs7IKtO9nk/UCQZkMMfKAI/AAAAAAAAG78/gCd56TEkbUw/s640/Terrace+176.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nqIjdIpJSNM/UCQo1du_yuI/AAAAAAAAHCI/ej1I2OLLY1E/s1600/Terrace+152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" kda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nqIjdIpJSNM/UCQo1du_yuI/AAAAAAAAHCI/ej1I2OLLY1E/s640/Terrace+152.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bmAi2w2jjtk/UCQSCyCzjOI/AAAAAAAAG3U/rLGP1th4MG4/s1600/Terrace+035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_c1xxn4="513" height="640" kda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bmAi2w2jjtk/UCQSCyCzjOI/AAAAAAAAG3U/rLGP1th4MG4/s640/Terrace+035.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JAZT1_ZbGFg/UCQVgkmawgI/AAAAAAAAG5U/MuuEm5gWDYo/s1600/Terrace+093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_c1xxn4="783" height="426" kda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JAZT1_ZbGFg/UCQVgkmawgI/AAAAAAAAG5U/MuuEm5gWDYo/s640/Terrace+093.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jZF4f-YfakY/UCQZLPIjtBI/AAAAAAAAG7c/2S4AvAzDqr4/s1600/Terrace+163.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_c1xxn4="1153" height="426" kda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jZF4f-YfakY/UCQZLPIjtBI/AAAAAAAAG7c/2S4AvAzDqr4/s640/Terrace+163.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Oflhkk90Xg/UCQZ4g4L-4I/AAAAAAAAG8Y/CHhysq0Y6ts/s1600/Terrace+189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_c1xxn4="1315" height="640" kda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4Oflhkk90Xg/UCQZ4g4L-4I/AAAAAAAAG8Y/CHhysq0Y6ts/s640/Terrace+189.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hpcX6s4rpF0/UCQaWRuuDCI/AAAAAAAAG84/Sl4W_hfU9OU/s1600/Terrace+216.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_c1xxn4="1396" height="426" kda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hpcX6s4rpF0/UCQaWRuuDCI/AAAAAAAAG84/Sl4W_hfU9OU/s640/Terrace+216.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UOcHzgTRARM/UCQUwy61qTI/AAAAAAAAG40/rpGMK1HpFUU/s1600/Terrace+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_c1xxn4="3837" height="426" kda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UOcHzgTRARM/UCQUwy61qTI/AAAAAAAAG40/rpGMK1HpFUU/s640/Terrace+086.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-np08UcSc7-M/UCQgijIkMgI/AAAAAAAAHAo/Cq6r8CxFCl0/s1600/Terrace+301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_c1xxn4="273" height="426" kda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-np08UcSc7-M/UCQgijIkMgI/AAAAAAAAHAo/Cq6r8CxFCl0/s640/Terrace+301.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hIMaDzczFko/UCQVkz73zxI/AAAAAAAAG5c/YI8aUQVr7Ao/s1600/Terrace+103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_c1xxn4="810" height="400" kda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hIMaDzczFko/UCQVkz73zxI/AAAAAAAAG5c/YI8aUQVr7Ao/s640/Terrace+103.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-17692278623132554222012-08-06T11:51:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:47.017-07:00the summer mantel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The summer almost got by without me showing you the mantel. Last week I saw racks of fall mums at Lowe's, if you can believe that! I'm not ready to give up summer so easily, so here's to extending the season! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As you've probably noticed, the antique French mirror is a constant on the mantel. I've had the antique hand-painted fireplace screen for almost 25 years now.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G7xTrsJAmC0/UB_7DdCtdsI/AAAAAAAAGzA/BV3Eb3qBmD0/s1600/TerraceMantel+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G7xTrsJAmC0/UB_7DdCtdsI/AAAAAAAAGzA/BV3Eb3qBmD0/s640/TerraceMantel+059.JPG" width="416" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br />I love blue and white all year long, but something about it in the summer feels so fresh. </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W6AyClqFmZw/UB_6o6HSbyI/AAAAAAAAGyU/HXvIeuiUW6E/s1600/TerraceMantel+071.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" kda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W6AyClqFmZw/UB_6o6HSbyI/AAAAAAAAGyU/HXvIeuiUW6E/s640/TerraceMantel+071.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Two antique Chinese double happiness vases share the mantel with a white African violet in a small antique iron urn, a coral fan, a piece of coral, a pair of antique mercury glass candlesticks, an antique English sterling rimmed match strike, and...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-phRxaG4RxCs/UB_629rD03I/AAAAAAAAGyk/7tqmxKWNLlM/s1600/TerraceMantel+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" kda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-phRxaG4RxCs/UB_629rD03I/AAAAAAAAGyk/7tqmxKWNLlM/s640/TerraceMantel+064.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">a sweet little nest Dan found under the maple trees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4D5lrFT1F2E/UB__G9qwNqI/AAAAAAAAGz4/widDKSBSaN0/s1600/nest+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" kda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4D5lrFT1F2E/UB__G9qwNqI/AAAAAAAAGz4/widDKSBSaN0/s640/nest+003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hope you are having a wonderful summer!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-72500176245965596162012-07-30T15:11:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:47.056-07:00a bit of the bubbly!<div style="text-align: center;"><strong>Thank you so much</strong> for<em> all</em> your lovely well-wishes for our anniversary and my birthday! </div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a wonderful day made that much more special by your sweet words...</div><div style="text-align: center;"> <em>thank you</em>!</div><div style="text-align: center;">A bit of the bubbly was enjoyed;) so I wanted to share with you a new favorite mix!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">First, an apology to those of you who don't have access to <a href="http://www.traderjoes.com/" target="_blank">Trader Joe's</a>.... TJ's is a favorite of mine and I literally researched mileage from this house to the closest TJ's before we bought (for the record it's about 22 miles away,<em> and</em> just last week moved several blocks closer, so now TJ's has their first store in New Hampshire! Yay!!) (and <span style="font-size: x-small;">FYI</span>- I see from TJ's website that they are soon to arrive in Texas! Lucky you!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Trader Joe's <em>Orange Peach Mango Juice</em> mixed with champagne is a delightful blend! <br />It's softer, somehow, than a mimosa and in each sip you get hints of all three fruits. Yummmm!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our favorite <em>mixing </em>champagne is this <a href="http://i-winereview.blogspot.com/2011/09/spanish-cava-cristalino-from-jaume.html" target="_blank">Jaume Serra Cristalino</a>, Cava Brut. (In my opinion it is a crime against Madame Clicquot to mix our favorite <a href="http://i-winereview.blogspot.com/2011/09/spanish-cava-cristalino-from-jaume.html" target="_blank">Veuve Clicquot </a>with <em>anything</em>!!) Wine & Spirits gave Cristalino Brut a 91-point rating, and at a $10- $12 price point that's a <em>very</em> good thing! I can often find it on sale for around $9, and in Dallas would find it at World Market. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DNzAB0jG_dQ/UBaYFb-QQ9I/AAAAAAAAGxE/7YEFfxV-w_g/s1600/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" eda="true" height="568" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DNzAB0jG_dQ/UBaYFb-QQ9I/AAAAAAAAGxE/7YEFfxV-w_g/s640/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+045.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, cheers to <strong><span style="font-size: large;">you</span></strong>!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">xojoan</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-78576808455242875412012-07-29T05:19:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:47.069-07:00Twenty four years ago...<div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rm_QFA1_wUY/UBDCr_IW9VI/AAAAAAAAGrc/ygfOhqtGmG0/s1600/BD+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rm_QFA1_wUY/UBDCr_IW9VI/AAAAAAAAGrc/ygfOhqtGmG0/s640/BD+014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />We cross this river when we drive home coming from the east.<br />This point on the river is about seven minutes from our house. <br />As we drive over the bridge Dan will extend his arm with his palm upraised in the form of presentation and say...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>"<strong>I give you</strong> <strong>that</strong>."</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The first couple of times he said it my head was down looking at something on my phone. He told me he didn't want me to miss the moment. It has since become a sweet ritual and it makes me stop, embrace the moment and the beauty of this special place that we now call home. It also always makes me realize how lucky I am to have Dan as my husband and best friend.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I take a deep breath, absorb the beauty and say <em>"Thank you."</em></div><div style="text-align: center;">It is always a gift. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Twenty four years ago</em> today, <span style="font-size: x-small;">my birthday</span>:), Dan and I were married in the gardens at the historic <br /><a href="http://www.columbiagorgehotel.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7&Itemid=148" target="_blank">Columbia Gorge Hotel</a> in Hood River, Oregon. <br /><br /><br />Happy Anniversary</div><div style="text-align: center;">to the man who<br /><br /> <em><strong>gives me the world</strong></em>...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>all</em> my love, j.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BA2CTHVwepU/UBDFm1B4z7I/AAAAAAAAGsk/lDMu45mBgRM/s1600/BD+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BA2CTHVwepU/UBDFm1B4z7I/AAAAAAAAGsk/lDMu45mBgRM/s640/BD+007.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-small;">this Blue Heron is a regular on the river</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-60252108543955776552012-07-26T10:35:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:47.112-07:00antique stone beehives and a granite curb update<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br />This is the entrance to our property.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LnksX8bLrYU/UBFr4bI1QZI/AAAAAAAAGvI/XB57H4Q3f7I/s1600/orb+and+terrace+table+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LnksX8bLrYU/UBFr4bI1QZI/AAAAAAAAGvI/XB57H4Q3f7I/s640/orb+and+terrace+table+033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Our antique stone walls that border the street form stone "beehives" at the entrance to the gravel drive.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TsIjWlZtvpE/UBFu8lD6AUI/AAAAAAAAGvw/tVLr9E8J8EI/s1600/orb+and+terrace+table+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TsIjWlZtvpE/UBFu8lD6AUI/AAAAAAAAGvw/tVLr9E8J8EI/s640/orb+and+terrace+table+037.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The south beehive. The <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2012/07/buried-treasure.html" target="_blank">granite curbing we discovered</a> is directly behind this beehive. The drive forks at the crest of the incline at the large hemlock tree you see in the distance. If you veer left the drive takes you to the garage, if you turn right it takes you to the front door. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N_fyfKyNzzc/UBFw3zG3zfI/AAAAAAAAGwY/GhftuXfaDIo/s1600/orb+and+terrace+table+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" sda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-N_fyfKyNzzc/UBFw3zG3zfI/AAAAAAAAGwY/GhftuXfaDIo/s640/orb+and+terrace+table+038.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Grass along the road is a Fall project, but we said that last year too;) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DaLhUkkujUk/UBFveNrZt_I/AAAAAAAAGwE/cK-Ek9IdIqg/s1600/orb+and+terrace+table+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DaLhUkkujUk/UBFveNrZt_I/AAAAAAAAGwE/cK-Ek9IdIqg/s640/orb+and+terrace+table+046.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />And speaking of <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2012/07/buried-treasure.html" target="_blank">the granite curbing</a>... its not going <em><u>anywhere</u></em>! </div><div style="text-align: center;">After discovering it we decided to take a couple of days to think about how we should handle the new found treasure (i.e. Garden A.D.D. kicked in and we were off to other projects;) When we came back to the curbing Dan decided to see how tall the stones were before we made any decisions. Good thinking. Dan dug and dug and dug. The stones are shockingly tall. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-_Um7eKe_U/UBFxuy4b4MI/AAAAAAAAGwg/Q1-zjMbvSEI/s1600/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f-_Um7eKe_U/UBFxuy4b4MI/AAAAAAAAGwg/Q1-zjMbvSEI/s640/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+104.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">18-inches tall</span> to be exact!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8i0yeYBnqf4/UBFxxOe5ptI/AAAAAAAAGwo/ctwdg_nYorg/s1600/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" sda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8i0yeYBnqf4/UBFxxOe5ptI/AAAAAAAAGwo/ctwdg_nYorg/s640/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+102.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />And approximately 7- 8 inches wide. Even if we (and, of course I mean <em>Dan </em>;) could dig both sides around the stones to get a chain around them to pull them out Big Blue wouldn't be able to lift them- they are just too heavy. It was instantly ;) decided that they will remain. We will grade the sloping terrain down to them and then dig out in front of them to expose the stone- leaving them as a curbing edge to the hydrangea bed behind them. We'll then plant grass (it will be a narrow strip) in front of them to the gravel drive. A grass border was something that Dan had really wanted and I had really wanted curbing, so those <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2009/06/if-we-had-known-then.html" target="_blank">house angels</a> gave us both what we wanted! </div><div style="text-align: center;">It definitely feels like the right decision. Even before realizing their depth it felt somehow wrong to dig them up from their intended placement. It felt like we were being grave robbers of sorts. It's the funniest thing as the curbing looks so natural there, like it was meant to be, which of course, it <em>was</em>! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J17DKFDpqIk/UBFxzEXTE9I/AAAAAAAAGww/Htw88F0sj0U/s1600/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" sda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J17DKFDpqIk/UBFxzEXTE9I/AAAAAAAAGww/Htw88F0sj0U/s640/Misc+and+Granite+Curbing+107.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-2874125561700508602012-07-14T10:16:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:47.125-07:00Buried Treasure<div style="text-align: center;">Just when I was wondering what I would post about next...! </div><div style="text-align: center;"> I have been planning to show you what we've been doing on the property this summer, but there are so many <em>works in progress</em> it was difficult to know where to start. Sometimes I feel like Dan and I have <em>gardening A.D.D</em>. We start one big project in the yard, and then... accidentally find some plantings to purchase for another bed so switch our attention to that bed, , then... we decide we need to try to access the water in an old "dug" well for irrigation purposes so we work on that project, then... I decide I don't <span style="background-color: white;">like a </span>plant in a particular spot and need to transplant it somewhere else, then... I just finished the design of my vegetable and herb garden (which is my birthday present this year and is located off the kitchen mud room steps and will be enclosed by a picket fence and the gate will have antique granite gate posts- <em>please remember that little detail for later</em>!), so we start that area only to then go <em>back</em> out front again, and work another area! See, Gardening A.D.D.!<br />I'm so grateful that Dan loves to work in the yard too. Calling what we do "gardening", while it sounds lovely really has no bearing on the blood, sweat and tears "<strong>yard work</strong>" that we really put in. On days when we are able to be in the yard we will work from morning to night fall! Coming from Texas, where to call yourself a gardener you have to be hardy stock, we are known to transplant/plant and work in the yard no matter the heat or conditions. In Dallas we planted the edge of our driveway with liriope one year and it was 104 degrees that day! And they lived!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So, here's what happened... it all started because I wanted a hole dug in a <em>specific spot</em> for a new hydrangea bush.</div><div style="text-align: center;">I purchased two <a href="http://www.endlesssummerblooms.com/en/consumer/plants/blushingbride" target="_blank">Blushing Bride Endless Summer Hydrangeas</a> to add to the two I had already planted in a wooded area we opened up this year that is at the entrance to our property. I placed the pots where I wanted them to be planted and Dan went to dig the holes. New Hampshire isn't "the granite state" for no good reason.... very rarely can you dig a hole and <em>not</em> have to use an iron pry bar to wedge some huge stone out of the hole. Hole number one, no problem. Hole number two, different story. A large stone was on one side of the hole. The pry bar wouldn't budge it, so Dan got Big Blue and using the fork attachment tried to pry out the embedded stone. No go. After making a big hole and a bigger mess even Big Blue couldn't budge the stone and I was informed I would need to reposition the pot. That was <em>not </em>welcomed news since for design/layout the perfect spot was <em>that</em> hole. It was the end of a long yard day and we were both hot, tired and a wee-bit cranky:), so I told Dan to just fill the hole back up and I would find a new placement the next day. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The next day, once again at <em>the end</em> of the day, after planting a bed of (13) junipers to anchor a perennial bed that hides the power station for our underground utilities and the electric meter ... we go back to the hydrangea bed to address the hole placement. Since the embedded stone was only in <em>part</em> of the desired hole space, I asked Dan to show me (i.e. <em>re-dig</em>:) the hole so I could look at it with the rock and decide if it was at all possible to place my hydrangea there with the rock since it was <em>the one spot</em> where I really wanted it for the perfect layout! I'm a pain, but he's used to it!<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xfMeQ-q2sMY/T_2SZwSZlzI/AAAAAAAAGow/PRIl3ymp4Lk/s1600/photo13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="478" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xfMeQ-q2sMY/T_2SZwSZlzI/AAAAAAAAGow/PRIl3ymp4Lk/s640/photo13.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">As Dan hand-digs around the embedded stone I'm using the iron pry bar to find the end of the stone so he can determine just how big it is and what we're dealing with.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FuhSZ1xL3ew/T_2SdwIiD8I/AAAAAAAAGo4/4WP8bHwr6Hk/s1600/photo9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="404" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FuhSZ1xL3ew/T_2SdwIiD8I/AAAAAAAAGo4/4WP8bHwr6Hk/s640/photo9.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />As I plunge the bar into the ground I realize the edge of the stone is straight.... not round like a natural stone should be. Whaaat?? I move the bar several inches and plunge again.... again I hit a straight side, and again. Dan shovels the top and we see that what he is shoveling is <em>also</em> straight. The realization hits us at the same moment and our heads snap up and we look at each other with saucer-shaped eyes like two five-year-olds on Christmas morning. No words, but the saucer-eye message that we were both thinking was: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em>OMG... could this be a buried granite post??!!! NO WAY</em>.</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I4_iPuvn_gU/T_2SfbWkHJI/AAAAAAAAGpA/wTcqekxtLiI/s1600/photo8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I4_iPuvn_gU/T_2SfbWkHJI/AAAAAAAAGpA/wTcqekxtLiI/s640/photo8.JPG" width="568" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />We laugh and I think how disappointed we're probably going to be, but <em>what if</em>?! What if the <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2009/06/if-we-had-known-then.html" target="_blank">house-angels</a> are at work here.... remember me wanting antique granite gate posts for my vegetable garden?! (In case you are wondering, antique posts have a different patina from freshly cut new granite posts which are easily found here at any stone yard. New posts are machine sawn whereas antique posts were hand-split and chipped to form the desired size and shape.) I really, <em>really</em> wanted the stone to come from our property and we actually do have "one" stone post in our stone pile from the barn renovation, but I needed two.)</div><div style="text-align: center;">And, I'll be damned if it doesn't appear to be a buried cut-granite post!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tQcnM3BziuQ/T_2SgoIbppI/AAAAAAAAGpI/ciTHKATSEEA/s1600/photo7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tQcnM3BziuQ/T_2SgoIbppI/AAAAAAAAGpI/ciTHKATSEEA/s1600/photo7.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8YyZs2KUNTg/T_2SiEppJYI/AAAAAAAAGpQ/4AQRDkhvbDs/s1600/photo6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8YyZs2KUNTg/T_2SiEppJYI/AAAAAAAAGpQ/4AQRDkhvbDs/s640/photo6.JPG" width="510" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">In trying to find the end of the piece Dan keeps moving Big Blue over several feet at a time. Time and time again you can hear the sound of the scoop lightly hitting and scraping a flat stone top. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m0ZNsC5jgmU/T_2SjvolDdI/AAAAAAAAGpY/nktHRRnfzwo/s1600/photo5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m0ZNsC5jgmU/T_2SjvolDdI/AAAAAAAAGpY/nktHRRnfzwo/s640/photo5.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Sb9qZYNkGQ/T_2SmjX-g4I/AAAAAAAAGpo/5QIZttQ1A14/s1600/photo2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Sb9qZYNkGQ/T_2SmjX-g4I/AAAAAAAAGpo/5QIZttQ1A14/s640/photo2.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Turns out, it <em>wasn't</em> a cut granite <em><strong>post</strong></em> after all.... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BQIRi-CKcDw/T_2SplTGFXI/AAAAAAAAGp4/EaiH48ftgp4/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BQIRi-CKcDw/T_2SplTGFXI/AAAAAAAAGp4/EaiH48ftgp4/s640/photo.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size: large;">IT WAS GRANITE CURBING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!</span> </strong> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XoR2n2ehLwI/T_2SrrdryuI/AAAAAAAAGqA/bGGH3hTwaO0/s1600/granite+curbing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XoR2n2ehLwI/T_2SrrdryuI/AAAAAAAAGqA/bGGH3hTwaO0/s640/granite+curbing.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Somehow buried (and what we wouldn't give to know how in the world <em>that</em> happened) over the 150 years since it was probably initially placed. What I haven't' mentioned yet, was while I had been wishing for some granite gate <em>posts </em>for my new vegetable garden I had also told Dan one night as we were walking the property with a glass of wine admiring our progress from that day in the yard, was that when we win the lottery:), I want to put in a cobblestone curb from the beehives to the fork in the drive! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Those "house angels" must have some<em> really</em> good hearing!</div><div style="text-align: center;">While it might seem odd that our simple farmhouse would have such grand curbing along the driveway, there is a reason for this: our house was originally part of the grand estate next door which is one of the largest, oldest and loveliest in our little town. Our farmhouse was probably the over-seers house as our house faces the estate next door and <em>not</em> the road (a feature I have always loved in houses btw!) Our next-door neighbor also has stone beehives at his entrance, and our antique maples share a continuous line making it is obvious that at one time our drive and his drive was one <em>huge</em> circular drive!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />This serendipitous discovery falls under the life lesson "be careful what you wish for"! Two days have gone by and my hydrangeas <em>still</em> aren't planted as we try to figure out what to do! It's a good "problem" to have, don't get me wrong, but 50 feet (might be more) is a <em>lot</em> of granite edging. Dan has made numerous holes along the other side of the drive and it doesn't appear to be buried there (why? was it there to begin with? and where did it go?) So, today we'll probably attempt to start digging it out! I'll let you know how it all turns out!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh, and in the days since I <em>DID</em> find a second post buried in a pile of lumber! Again... be careful what you wish for!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And, speaking of buried things on the property... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We were told by our sweet neighbor and friend, Mr. B.,(who passed away last year at 93) that there are two cars buried on our property- a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierce-Arrow" target="_blank">Pierce-Arrow</a> and a Cadillac. As it was told to us- during the Great Depression is was in poor taste to drive fancy cars so often people would just bury them :O </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We have yet to find them, but it's a fun legend none the less!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="background-color: white;">Another thing that we have buried all over the property are stones of all sizes! The first summer we lived here and as Dan learned to mow the front and back fields he spent half his time stopping to dig up stones that would catch Big Blue's mowing blade. One day while out mowing he spied the small surface of a stone <em>barely</em> peeking through the grass. It's important to note here, that this little stone <em>wasn't </em>hitting the mower blade and <em>wasn't </em>causing anybody any trouble, but Dan got a bee in his bonnet and decided it needed to come out!! He started to dig and pry the stone and by the time he realized that it wasn't a regular stone, but a <span style="font-size: large;">huge</span> stone he was committed and was then hell-bent on getting it out! <em>Men</em>!!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em>Hours</em> went by and the hole around the stone got huge trying to dig around it to get it out from the ground. I had lost interest and gone inside, so I missed Dan and Big Blue barely <em>dragging</em> the huge stone with a chain (as it was too heavy, about 1,500 lbs., for Big Blue to pick up) across the field to get it out of the way. It ended up in a front bed along the road which this year I am planting with a natural woodland look. The huge stone with its perfectly straight top makes a wonderful natural bench and cornerstone to the area!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dan learned his lesson and unless it's in the way, he now leaves stones where they are!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This view is the narrow side, the length is about twice this size!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ccFuWDXmB8/T_2SoPVtXTI/AAAAAAAAGpw/jftz4OLeqYQ/s1600/photo1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ccFuWDXmB8/T_2SoPVtXTI/AAAAAAAAGpw/jftz4OLeqYQ/s640/photo1.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Time to get back out to the <strike>salt mine </strike>rock quarry!</div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-12504203247546477552012-07-08T10:31:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:47.168-07:00a favorite detail: ceilings with a sheen<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HUuZ5s8j204/T_m_xMvlYEI/AAAAAAAAGoY/WqKJE3RqGIw/s1600/Sunlight+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" sca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HUuZ5s8j204/T_m_xMvlYEI/AAAAAAAAGoY/WqKJE3RqGIw/s640/Sunlight+023.JPG" width="472" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Twenty two years ago I went to purchase paint for our very first house. It was a little gem of a house in the beautiful old neighborhood of Eastmoreland in Portland, Oregon. I did my research and found that Benjamin Moore was the best paint available at the time. I then purchased the wrong paint sheen for the ceiling... <em>at least that is what my painter told me</em>! I had purchased Benjamin Moore's "Pearl" finish for the paint to be used on the ceiling. My painter made a big issue about me buying the "wrong" paint sheen- painters like flat on the ceiling as they think it hides a multitude of imperfections and makes their paint job look better. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Despite his protests, I had the painter paint the ceiling in one bedroom so I could look at it and decide. I could stand in the hall between this bedroom and the master bedroom and have the perfect vantage point that let me look in both bedrooms by simply turning my head; one with a sheen on the ceiling and one with the original flat paint. As my painter went on and on admonishing me for my error and how now you see all the small cracks and imperfections in the circa1939 ceiling, <em>blah, blah, blah</em>.... all I could think was: <em><strong>the ceiling with the sheen looks 2 inches taller!</strong></em> The small, rather dark room was transformed and looked beautiful as the natural light from the windows subtly danced off the ceiling. It was a mistake gone <em>good</em>! From that moment I have never used anything but <strong><a href="http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-your-home/paint-products/regal-classic-premium-interior-paint?lang=en_US&role=H#piSheen=310&advs=0&tab=2" target="_blank">Benjamin Moore's Pearl</a></strong> (which is a sheen between an eggshell and a semi-gloss) on my ceilings in all my houses (most paint lines only have flat, eggshell, semi-gloss, and gloss.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Light</span>, both natural and from lamps and chandeliers, bounces off the ceiling and creates this lovely subtle effect of life and movement in the room. I say subtle because no one walks into your home and says "Oh look, you have shiny ceilings." It's more of <em>a feel</em> than a sheen.</div><div style="text-align: center;">In our 1950's neighborhood in Dallas where all the original houses were one-story ranches I had a neighbor over and he was noting how similar in layout our houses were, <em>except</em> that my ceilings were <strong>taller</strong>!! They, of course, were not taller- it was the paint sheen that made them <em>feel</em> that way! To this day I don't think he ever really believed me that it was just the paint!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Be forewarned- painters will argue to their death about why you shouldn't use it and how you're going to see small cracks and imperfections. Stand your ground! While there might be a small amount of truth to what they say, the effect on the room by having a sheen on the ceiling FAR outweighs seeing some small cracks. You'll notice the <em>feel</em> of the room, not the imperfections- I promise!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">If you have 12 foot ceilings this sheen probably won't be of interest to you, but if you have 8 or 9 foot ceilings this little detail can be a lovely element in a room. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />I think it is important to always keep an open mind in regards to design! Some of my favorite design elements have risen out of either a mistake, or a structural issue needing to be addressed, or money (i.e. lack of funding;) ; but, if your eyes aren't open to the possibilities- even in the problems and the negative, then you might miss them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br />( to read my other favorite design details click <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/search/label/favorite%20details" target="_blank">here</a>. )</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-51327433864203980142012-07-02T08:29:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:47.181-07:00Dan's ten "house things" he can't live without...<div style="text-align: center;">I wrote about <em><span style="font-size: large;">my</span></em> ten "house things" I couldn't live without <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2011/07/ten-house-things-i-cant-live-without.html" target="_blank">here</a>, and then added ten more <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2011/08/part-ii-house-things-i-cant-live.html" target="_blank">here</a>!<br />As we approach <span style="color: red;">the 4th of July</span> I thought it would be the perfect time to show you <em>Dan's</em> ten favorite "house things" since many of them involve <em>the grill</em>! After giving it a lot of thought he said these were his choices...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">1. <span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-size: large;">Big Blue</span> </span><span style="color: black;">-</span><br />Without a doubt <span style="color: black;">Big Blue</span> is number 1 on his list!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I can't tell you how often we mention that we couldn't do everything we do around the property without Big Blue: from mowing the meadows (it even has headlights for mowing in the dark and yes, it happens :), moving <em>huge</em> pieces of granite and <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2011/05/life-is-like-box-of-chocolates.html" target="_blank"><em>huge</em> iron planters</a>, using the scoop to mix dirt for new plantings, plowing snow off of the driveway, transporting new shrubs and plantings around the property, carrying brush and yard clippings to the compost pile, using the scoop as a rain barrel, ...and on and on! Oh- and most importantly "tractor therapy" for Dan! It's a real phenomenon (I didn't make it up;) ; it's where you get on the tractor and mow and zone out and meditate on life! <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(hi MCC!)</span> <br />Big Blue is a <a href="http://agriculture.newholland.com/us/en/Pages/homepage.aspx" target="_blank">New Holland </a> four-wheel drive, 45-horse power diesel tractor. It has a 72-inch finish mower, turf tires, a scoop, adjustable forks that are interchangeable with the scoop, an 84"blade for grading the gravel drive and snow removal, and an 8-foot aerator attachment.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pqZmXkJAuLM/T-3TZJWK_OI/AAAAAAAAGlc/irYh84Ze9vA/s1600/Dan'sFavoriteThings+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pqZmXkJAuLM/T-3TZJWK_OI/AAAAAAAAGlc/irYh84Ze9vA/s640/Dan'sFavoriteThings+021.JPG" vca="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2WPvV6FAFfw/T-3UIiL_T8I/AAAAAAAAGn0/4_e1yx-5u1Y/s1600/Dan'sFavoriteThings+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2WPvV6FAFfw/T-3UIiL_T8I/AAAAAAAAGn0/4_e1yx-5u1Y/s640/Dan'sFavoriteThings+048.JPG" vca="true" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div align="center">2. <span style="font-size: large;">the workbench</span> -</div><div align="center">This workbench was in the barn when we bought the property. You can see Dan's old workbench we brought from Dallas on the right- we love our workbenches!. While this space looks a mess, it is actually pretty organized: an organized mess, if you will- but it's where all <em>the magic</em> happens! Many "shop meetings" happen around this table as we discuss ideas and pick & choose parts for different projects! The TV has cable since it is important to keep your "workers" happy so that they'll keep working during football season- just sayin'!</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJRpZrxpXgc/T-3TrwpG6OI/AAAAAAAAGmg/gMAVRpvXIlI/s1600/Dan'sFavoriteThings+067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJRpZrxpXgc/T-3TrwpG6OI/AAAAAAAAGmg/gMAVRpvXIlI/s640/Dan'sFavoriteThings+067.JPG" vca="true" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">3. <span style="font-size: large;">favorite shoes</span> - </div><div align="center">Specifically his: </div><div align="center"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WG97QU?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000WG97QU&linkCode=xm2&tag=forthelove005-20" target="_blank">Mucks</a></div><div align="center">Now, the funny part, considering how much Dan loves and wears his Mucks, is that he resisted even considering them for at least two years as I went on and on about how much I love my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00719KLOI?ie=UTF8&tag=forthelove005-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00719KLOI" target="_blank">Bogs</a>. Somewhere along the line (probably after listening to me telling him how fabulously warm my feet were when we were on some walk where it was <em>13 degrees</em> out and his poor toes were freezing) he caved and got a pair. From the first wearing he was a convert. They are super toasty for our cold New England winters and can take on the mud and muck of "mud season" with a simple washing off with a hose!</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(on a sidenote- he looks sooo cute wearing them! If I could only get him to wear a long coat he'd look<em> just like</em> Mr. Darcy walking across the moor; okay, well if you <em>squint</em> :) Dan is well aware of my love of Mr.Darcy! )</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yHJfqcQxrjk/T-3TuvoFxfI/AAAAAAAAGmo/OYziR_WGYJ8/s1600/Dan'sFavoriteThings+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yHJfqcQxrjk/T-3TuvoFxfI/AAAAAAAAGmo/OYziR_WGYJ8/s640/Dan'sFavoriteThings+072.JPG" vca="true" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">and his...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002NGBBCA?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B002NGBBCA&linkCode=xm2&tag=forthelove005-20" target="_blank">L.L. Bean leather slippers</a>!<br />He's been wearing this brand and style for years. The tie is constantly coming undone and drives me crazy, but he loves them.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f8mbbf9IC4U/T-3Tzjo-qoI/AAAAAAAAGm0/0sZxOyebGoM/s1600/Dan'sFavoriteThings+074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f8mbbf9IC4U/T-3Tzjo-qoI/AAAAAAAAGm0/0sZxOyebGoM/s640/Dan'sFavoriteThings+074.JPG" vca="true" width="640" /></a></div></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I dare say it's time for a <em>new </em>pair!<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fwdI1XJoKOk/T-3T4SIXPCI/AAAAAAAAGnE/AXR6kzTAS3c/s1600/Dan'sFavoriteThings+077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fwdI1XJoKOk/T-3T4SIXPCI/AAAAAAAAGnE/AXR6kzTAS3c/s640/Dan'sFavoriteThings+077.JPG" vca="true" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">4. <span style="font-size: large;">charcoal barbecue grill</span> -<br />In our 1950's neighborhood in Dallas all of the original houses came with permanent natural gas grills in the backyard! While I loved the gas grill for its convenience factor I was always missing the authentic flavors you get from cooking on a <em>real</em> charcoal burning grill. Purchasing a small charcoal grill made all the difference!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Our current grill is a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004REK302?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B004REK302&linkCode=xm2&tag=forthelove005-20" target="_blank">Kingsford</a> grill. Dan was very specific that I tell you <em>exactly</em> what he told me he likes about it....</div><div style="text-align: center;">First, it has a thermometer on it. Just like an oven you want to know what the temperature is <em>inside</em> the grill <em>before</em> you put food on. The grill grates are cast iron which are best because they heat up and retain the heat (think cast iron skillet). Dan uses a paper towel dipped in extra virgin olive oil (vegetable oil is fine too) and <em>extra long</em> tongs to wipe the grates right before the food goes on to keep it from sticking.<br />He loves all of the exterior shelves this grill has for holding plates, cooking utensils, timers, etc. It also has an internal shelf for indirect cooking. Yes, you are correct- the front shelf is a bit wonky; last year when <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Irene" target="_blank">hurricane Irene</a> came through she tossed the grill across the yard.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ynjmqj-hCyk/T-3TbRnWzGI/AAAAAAAAGlk/uxY5gKRt_b4/s1600/Dan'sFavoriteThings+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="566" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ynjmqj-hCyk/T-3TbRnWzGI/AAAAAAAAGlk/uxY5gKRt_b4/s640/Dan'sFavoriteThings+026.JPG" vca="true" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">5. <span style="font-size: large;">hardwood charcoal </span><span style="font-size: small;">-</span><br />Do <strong>NOT</strong>, I repeat do <strong><em>NOT</em></strong>, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, ever, EVER (did I mention <em>ever;</em>) use lighter fluid to start briquettes or quick-start briquettes which have lighter fluid already in them. <span style="font-size: large;">Ever.</span> <br />You can <em>always</em> smell and taste the lighter fluid on your cooked food. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Dan swears by this brand: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002YLOA5Y?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B002YLOA5Y&linkCode=xm2&tag=forthelove005-20" target="_blank">Cowboy Hardwood Lump Charcoal</a> .</div><div style="text-align: center;">(note: he recently purchased Trader Joe's brand and didn't care for it- it took forever to light, but it <em>did </em>retain its heat for a very long time.)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AlmZ7jEScYU/T-3TpyXQ7gI/AAAAAAAAGmY/_93--MPSzE8/s1600/Dan'sFavoriteThings+063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AlmZ7jEScYU/T-3TpyXQ7gI/AAAAAAAAGmY/_93--MPSzE8/s640/Dan'sFavoriteThings+063.JPG" vca="true" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">6. <span style="font-size: large;">charcoal chimney starter</span> -<br />If real hardwood charcoal is new to you this is how you light it.... using a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000QD5UL0?ie=UTF8&tag=forthelove005-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B000QD5UL0" target="_blank">chimney starter</a>. (My good friend <a href="http://www.barefootcontessa.com/blog.aspx" target="_blank">Ina</a> ;) taught me this years ago... I've told you we've met Ina, yes?!! :) <br />Dan uses two chimneys at the same time for maximum effect. First, you fill the top section of the chimney with your hardwood charcoal. Then, you wad a piece of newspaper and place it in the bottom section and light it. In approximately 20 minutes (about the same time it takes to heat the nasty lighter fluid briquettes) your coals are hot and you pour them into the grill.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2fcUQC2E9Hc/T-3TegjGmcI/AAAAAAAAGls/Y1nEz01zAJw/s1600/Dan'sFavoriteThings+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2fcUQC2E9Hc/T-3TegjGmcI/AAAAAAAAGls/Y1nEz01zAJw/s640/Dan'sFavoriteThings+027.JPG" vca="true" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">7. <span style="font-size: large;">grilling thermometers</span> -</div><div style="text-align: center;">I do not say this lightly when I tell you that a grilling thermometer saved our marriage :)!! Years ago when Dan was first learning to grill I would work to prepare all the other dishes and have them all come together at the same time, and Dan would waltz in with <em>under-cooked</em> chicken, or steak, or .... <em>time and time again</em>. Not good. This digital remote thermometer from Williams Sonoma saved the day and the marriage!! When looking for a link for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004IMA718?ie=UTF8&tag=forthelove005-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B004IMA718" target="_blank">this thermometer</a> I realized that there are now many more options out there since we first purchased this one years ago, so we might have to go shopping ourselves! He has also been using a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004XSC4?ie=UTF8&tag=forthelove005-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00004XSC4" target="_blank">simple instant read thermometer </a>a lot lately.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WDwkWs5qypw/T-3TgacyDoI/AAAAAAAAGl0/TgENmbeL3mo/s1600/Dan'sFavoriteThings+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WDwkWs5qypw/T-3TgacyDoI/AAAAAAAAGl0/TgENmbeL3mo/s640/Dan'sFavoriteThings+033.JPG" vca="true" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br />8. <span style="font-size: large;">beer</span> :) -</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>a.k.a.: yardman juice, stonemason juice, chef juice, lampmaker juice, football-watching juice, window-washer juice, etc... !</em></div><div style="text-align: center;">(note: to those of you with glass front refrigerators and under the design topic "how to decorate with beer bottles!" ;) I found that by turning the bottle labels around to the back of the refrigerator the bottles take on a "vintage" look! I did this by accident one day and loved the look.... sorry Coors!)<br />(on <em>another</em> note: I was thinking about this the other day- I grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and <em>every year</em> in <strong>elementary school</strong> we would take field trips to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pearl_Brewing_Company" target="_blank">Pearl Brewery</a> !! <span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>WHO OUT THERE HAS EVER HAD A PEARL BEER?!!</em></span> Yep- we'd go tour the brewery! Isn't that a hoot?! I'm guessing that wouldn't be politically correct today :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oh_pPbGby4U/T-3ThyL5JPI/AAAAAAAAGmA/VhJ3oxWT6a0/s1600/Dan'sFavoriteThings+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Oh_pPbGby4U/T-3ThyL5JPI/AAAAAAAAGmA/VhJ3oxWT6a0/s640/Dan'sFavoriteThings+037.JPG" vca="true" width="216" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">9. <span style="font-size: large;">headlamp</span> -</div><div style="text-align: center;">Dan has several of these lights: an <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005F0RKFS?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B005F0RKFS&linkCode=xm2&tag=forthelove005-20" target="_blank">Eddie Bauer</a> and an <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002MFK7H2?ie=UTF8&tag=forthelove005-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B002MFK7H2" target="_blank">Energizer</a> . They comes in super handy for all sorts of situations- like grilling after dark:), hanging chandeliers at night (are you seeing a trend here?!) , working inside of dark cabinets, etc... .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V4OHw-BMIjU/T-3Tm3AMuCI/AAAAAAAAGmQ/Ck-zyGCy4Es/s1600/Dan'sFavoriteThings+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V4OHw-BMIjU/T-3Tm3AMuCI/AAAAAAAAGmQ/Ck-zyGCy4Es/s640/Dan'sFavoriteThings+039.JPG" vca="true" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">10. <span style="font-size: large;">black licorice</span> -</div><div style="text-align: center;">Specifically <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004165GG2?ie=UTF8&tag=forthelove005-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B004165GG2" target="_blank">Darrell Lea Liquorice</a> (that is not a mis-spell; it's Austrailian- you know how they talk funny!! :):) <em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Luv all my Aussie friends!</span></em></div><div style="text-align: center;">While black is his favorite, he really likes all flavors.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: small;">We find it at Trader Joe's!</span></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YHl99McXpnQ/T-3YEJisjvI/AAAAAAAAGoE/LHe3ihzB_cc/s1600/licorice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YHl99McXpnQ/T-3YEJisjvI/AAAAAAAAGoE/LHe3ihzB_cc/s400/licorice.jpg" vca="true" width="367" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dan and I wish you all a very <span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><em>Happy 4th of July</em></span>!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-73220945718948386622012-06-19T09:10:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:47.223-07:00Living in New England: Blackflies<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>There are many aspects of life here that are so unique from other parts of the country, and I want to share those things with my family, and perhaps with you- if you have never been here. I thought it might be helpful to do some posts called : "Living in New England" that highlight quintessential New England sights, events, situations, and experiences. </em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>I also know of many people who have lived here, in New England, their entire lives and perhaps don't realize that some of the events and sights that I will describe don't happen elsewhere in the country. Or, maybe you are originally from New England, but have moved away... I hope these posts will bring back some fond memories for you. In any event, I wish to share New England with you through the eyes of this Southerner.</em></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YQopyF8XXVE/T95sWx2QWsI/AAAAAAAAGlE/MTKl5BheT90/s1600/black+fly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="466" pca="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YQopyF8XXVE/T95sWx2QWsI/AAAAAAAAGlE/MTKl5BheT90/s640/black+fly.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">image via wikipedia</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">While it is common knowledge that New England has the great fortune of having four glorious seasons throughout the year, what might be lesser known is that it also has "bug" seasons. The first bug season is the dreaded <em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_fly" target="_blank">blackfly</a></em> season- this typically runs from Mother's Day to Father's Day. These small gnat-like flies pack a mean wallop! Unlike the mosquito that sucks blood, blackflies literally slash the skin and then lap up the pooled blood. One bite can produce a welt the size of a small orange, and depending on the individual welts can last from days to weeks. These dreaded insects can cause fear even in the bravest of men!</div><div style="text-align: center;">These are nasty little buggers that have you donning <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005D5QVAA?ie=UTF8&tag=forthelove005-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B005D5QVAA" target="_blank">a net hat</a> to do gardening since they are seemingly not deterred by deet or insect repellent. </div><div style="text-align: center;">This blackfly season has been fairly mild compared to the last several years due in part to our lovely, coolish early summer. That is why when I went out to plant about a dozen new plantings a couple of evenings ago I thought I would be in and out of the garden in no time and didn't need to vaporize myself in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003AMH69I?ie=UTF8&tag=forthelove005-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B003AMH69I" target="_blank">Coleman 40% deet insect repellent</a> that we usually use in an <em>attempt</em> to keep them at bay. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Wrong.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Two bites on my eyelid later I woke up the next day to a totally swollen-shut eye! It was <em>not</em> pretty. I had to wear sunglasses for the next two days so I wouldn't scare people. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00155CUX4?ie=UTF8&tag=forthelove005-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00155CUX4" target="_blank">Benadryl</a> seemed to help. Now, after reading my next sentence half of you (Southern women) will say "well, of course you did, why wouldn't you?!", and the rest of you will think its the strangest thing you've heard today ...!<br />Being a good Southern girl I <em>did</em> put makeup on the good eye!!! :) :) </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Next up is "mosquito" season. (I can hear those of you in the South chuckling that there is a mosquito "season" since mosquito season in the South generally lasts <em>all</em> year!) We're expecting a bumper crop since we had such a rainy spring and early summer. Unlike the Southern mosquitoes that can carry off a small child ;), and by the time you go to swat them they have bitten two other people, New England mosquitoes are big and fat and slow. They too, pack a mean bite and can carry the West Nile virus and EEE, but at least you can have the satisfaction of whacking them after they do!<br />We have a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00134MOUG/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=forthelove005-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B00134MOUG" target="_blank">SkeeterVac</a> that works well to keep mosquitoes at bay around the house, but last summer we never even put it out since we didn't have a big crop. This year will probably be a different story.<br /><br />I would love to know if you've had any luck with an organic, or non-deet product to keep mosquitoes off as we head into the next bug season!<br /> <br /><br /><br /><em>(To read other "Living in New England" posts visit </em><a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/search/label/Living%20in%20New%20England" target="_blank"><em>here</em></a><em>!)</em><br /><br /><br /></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-7849575076182165132012-06-14T09:30:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:47.235-07:00snapshot...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> peony...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em> Sarah Bernhardt</em></div><div style="text-align: center;">her first year in the garden</div><div style="text-align: center;">in <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2009/06/if-we-had-known-then.html" target="_blank">this vase</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WL-0JTX8WO4/T9oNE39XZUI/AAAAAAAAGkk/M24A-2QS3G0/s1600/Peony+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" pca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WL-0JTX8WO4/T9oNE39XZUI/AAAAAAAAGkk/M24A-2QS3G0/s640/Peony+008.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jOW-YqOBGOk/T9oNK9tNoRI/AAAAAAAAGk0/5cauEsaagHg/s1600/Peony+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" pca="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jOW-YqOBGOk/T9oNK9tNoRI/AAAAAAAAGk0/5cauEsaagHg/s640/Peony+002.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">(for my Southern peeps who have no idea what that "strange thing" you are seeing in<em> the middle of June</em> on the left side of the photograph is...it's an<em> open window</em>! it's 70 degrees!)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-28627735643520517202012-06-11T10:36:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:47.278-07:00Happy Ella Day!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today is Ella Day!!!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">And here you thought it was just a regular, ol' Monday.... nope- <em>seven years ago today</em> we adopted sweet Ella (then known as "Jelly";) from the <a href="http://www.spca.org/" target="_blank">SPCA in Dallas</a>! </div><div style="text-align: center;">A year and three months prior to this date seven years ago our first pound-puppy, Kelsey, died at age 11. I was sad and missed her (still do) so much. Every time Dan and I went to our favorite Mexican food restaurant (<a href="http://herrerascafe.com/" target="_blank">Herrera's</a> on Maple for you Dallas people and, tell Nora we sent you!) I would say "Lets go to the SPCA today and look at the dogs," since it was fairly close to the restaurant. And every time, Dan would say "Really?!" and I would reply "<em>No</em>." </div><div style="text-align: center;">I just wasn't ready.</div><div style="text-align: center;">But for some reason on this day I said "Yes, <em>but just to look</em>!" </div><div style="text-align: center;">So, after lunch we walked into the SPCA, greeted all the puppies and walked to the room with the cages with the older dogs (both of our dogs have been a little over one year when we adopted them), and there she was- in the very first cage with her cellmate Olivia. She looked me right in the eye and <em>never</em> lost eye contact with me. (Making eye contact is criteria <em>one</em> for me when looking for a dog to adopt. You can't train them easily if they won't look you in the eye.) Olivia, the cellmate, was hyper- bouncing, jumping and excited and sweet, calm little Ella just sat behind her wagging and looking at me, and waited for her turn. I fell in love on the spot even though she looked <em>nothing</em> like what I had anticipated our next dog would look like- I was thinking Benji. But, here she was- another black dog like our sweet Kelsey. (btw- I have literally heard college educated people say that black dogs are inherently mean..... seriously?? I'm always surprised by how stupid some supposedly smart people can be. It <em>is</em> a fact though, that black dogs don't get adopted from shelters as quickly as other light coat dogs. I always love the unloved (house, dog), so I'm thinking that probably plays into my love of black dogs!) </div><div style="text-align: center;">Dan walked on to look at all the other dogs, but I couldn't take my eyes off of the little scrawny black dog they had dubbed "Jelly"! I suppose they named her that because when she is happy she wiggles and waggles and as they say in the south.... "It must be jelly, cuz jam don't shake like that!" We took her out of the cage and spent a long time with her and really liked her. Then.... we put her back in the cage and we went home. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Yep....</div><div style="text-align: center;"> I left her there wanting to make sure I wasn't making such a big decision on a whim (remember we were supposed to be just "looking"!) My last sighting of her that day was of a young couple standing in front of their cage. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The next morning (seven years ago <em>today</em>) we woke up and couldn't get back to the pound fast enough. I walked into the big dog room and Olivia and Jelly's cage was<em> empty</em>. <strong> My heart sank</strong>. But, after walking the isle we found them in a different cage! I scooped her up as fast as I could and never put her down until we had her home!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> As I sat with her in my lap in the lobby of the SPCA while Dan wrote the check a woman came up and told me how she had once had a doberman and what wonderful dogs they were. WHAT?? Did I just unknowingly adopt a doberman? We've always adopted mutts, so we've never even taken notice of breed dogs. I was a bit panicked for days as I had had a run in with a large, mean dobie once while jogging in my early twenties and was a bit fearful. But after a couple of days I realize that breed doesn't make a dog mean, and that no matter what she was she was sweet and precious and our life would never be the same!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> To this day we always get asked what kind of dog she is and we proudly say... <em>she's a mutt</em> from the pound! To which "Oh, those are the best kind!" is often the reply. So true! People like to offer their opinion;) as to what breeds she has in her and we have heard <em>everything</em> from doberman, <span style="background-color: white;">dachshund, pit bull, greyhound, lab, rottweiler, to Louisiana coon hound! Whatever heinz57 mix she is, if I could duplicate it and market it we could be millionaires!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ella was a stray and some kind person found her and brought her to the pound.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>To that person I am forever grateful</em>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">These are the first photos I took of her after getting her home. She didn't have a name until about a week later since I had just been "looking" the day we found her! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SxfmOJ_y8u8/T9X3yTsRFTI/AAAAAAAAGiY/LF6QphbQC3Y/s1600/saved+photos+14860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-SxfmOJ_y8u8/T9X3yTsRFTI/AAAAAAAAGiY/LF6QphbQC3Y/s400/saved+photos+14860.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />She developed kennel cough on day two and I knew she was the best girl when she would sit on the velvet sofa with a kleenex under her little dripping nose!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-drUkduJ7xIs/T9X3_P4ygLI/AAAAAAAAGig/3r5VZuev4Do/s1600/saved+photos+14862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-drUkduJ7xIs/T9X3_P4ygLI/AAAAAAAAGig/3r5VZuev4Do/s400/saved+photos+14862.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center"><br /><br /><br />Her given;) name is Ellazene! It was my great aunt's name (Southern) and I have always loved it! </div><div align="center">She actually answers to a <strong>lot</strong> of names: Ellazene, Ella, El, Sweet Potata (I've always thought her head was shaped like a sweet potato! And, yes- it's pronounced "po-tay-ta" <em><strong>:)</strong></em>, Sweet Potata Salad, Sweet Potata Salad Head, Sweet Potata Pot Pie, Love Bug, Bugs, Bugs Bunny... It might confuse a lesser dog:)</div><div align="center">She was a little over a year old when we adopted her, which makes her 8 years old today, and it was obvious she hadn't experience much in life. We have done our best to rectify that!!</div><div align="center">When we brought her home we stood on opposite sides of our backyard with the intent to have her run between us. Ella is <em>fast</em>- she runs like the wind. She easily ran to each of us, but had no idea she was supposed to stop and literally ran into us (hard) and knocked us over! After about three direct body hits she learned to slow down/stop and we learned to step out of the way! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sQwdXIRlxJU/T9X4rhsT2pI/AAAAAAAAGio/uk6EM2hW_NI/s1600/saved+photos+15136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sQwdXIRlxJU/T9X4rhsT2pI/AAAAAAAAGio/uk6EM2hW_NI/s400/saved+photos+15136.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Our sweet girl now. Loved by many and well-traveled! Ella's been to 26 states, many states multiple times! She has stepped into both the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-amOLOpeQw9Y/Tt--ra_Yz-I/AAAAAAAAE-4/qlotxy2VYkM/s1600/IMG_5220.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-amOLOpeQw9Y/Tt--ra_Yz-I/AAAAAAAAE-4/qlotxy2VYkM/s640/IMG_5220.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">all photos by me</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br />Ella loves Home Depot! Here she is visiting with her friend Lois- she loves Lois! Ella is giving Lois a "high five" and hoping that Lois has a treat on her (which she usually does!)<br />One day last month I made a quick run into this (our favorite) Home Depot, so I didn't take Ella in with me. I then let Ella out in the open field next to the fenced-in plant area of Home Depot. As Ella was out by herself in the middle of the field sniffing around I heard a voice yell.... "<em>ELLA!!!! IS THAT YOU ELLA</em>?!!" Ella whips around and sees her friend Lois who had spotted her roaming the field and recognized her! We hadn't seen Lois in a couple of months, so Ella was very happy to see her and visa versa!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xjuve4jxhGI/Tt-7mkv1pPI/AAAAAAAAE9k/uSy_CHYzttg/s1600/P1100413.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xjuve4jxhGI/Tt-7mkv1pPI/AAAAAAAAE9k/uSy_CHYzttg/s640/P1100413.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br />Ella likes to antique shop. Here she is at <a href="http://www.bowerbirdandfriends.com/" target="_blank">Bowerbird</a>- a wonderful shop in Peterborough. If you stop in tell them Ella sent you!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kdt-HnA9ez4/Tt-78fqT4AI/AAAAAAAAE98/1jXEo14H_9c/s1600/P1100466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kdt-HnA9ez4/Tt-78fqT4AI/AAAAAAAAE98/1jXEo14H_9c/s640/P1100466.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I5OgDyDUPn0/Tt-7_XwPAqI/AAAAAAAAE-E/4IbbilCIJ9w/s1600/P1100469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-I5OgDyDUPn0/Tt-7_XwPAqI/AAAAAAAAE-E/4IbbilCIJ9w/s640/P1100469.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br />Ella waits patiently while I talk to friends.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--51wE1pWynY/Tt-8DPFPGTI/AAAAAAAAE-M/9A1VVkSrcys/s1600/P1100470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--51wE1pWynY/Tt-8DPFPGTI/AAAAAAAAE-M/9A1VVkSrcys/s640/P1100470.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /> Ella <em>loves </em>riding carts. Without prompting she'll jump on a cart!<br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFmb9KyBnaM/Tt-7z8ftxeI/AAAAAAAAE90/IRDgkEcqUfQ/s1600/P1100437.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZFmb9KyBnaM/Tt-7z8ftxeI/AAAAAAAAE90/IRDgkEcqUfQ/s640/P1100437.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is Ella playing with her beau-friend Gus! Gus loves carrying sticks and <em>logs</em> around! He is a big love, and he and Ella are best buds. When Ella sees Gus she'll twirl 5- 7 times <em>fast</em>! I've been told she needs a tutu!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UseaXH-wcuQ/T9XwIqCBbII/AAAAAAAAGh4/s5QFmVLYyvA/s1600/ipone+photos+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UseaXH-wcuQ/T9XwIqCBbII/AAAAAAAAGh4/s5QFmVLYyvA/s640/ipone+photos+033.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Here they are together on a walk.... Ella deciding it's time to take Gus' stick away from him.... or try!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-brGGHUUaWKc/T9XwtiKrRVI/AAAAAAAAGiM/pka8uYX8BUg/s1600/ipone+photos+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-brGGHUUaWKc/T9XwtiKrRVI/AAAAAAAAGiM/pka8uYX8BUg/s640/ipone+photos+043.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />Ella loves the bank and toll booths as sometimes they give her cookies. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wJTaGnuTu2I/T9XuhXvDolI/AAAAAAAAGho/CIYQMV8f-Zs/s1600/WreathPhotos+120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wJTaGnuTu2I/T9XuhXvDolI/AAAAAAAAGho/CIYQMV8f-Zs/s640/WreathPhotos+120.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Ella <em>loves</em> snow and, like us, has taken to living in New Hampshire quite easily!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-llnyM4q9JQM/T9XvWjQap_I/AAAAAAAAGhw/NmVPWw6QByY/s1600/WreathPhotos+111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-llnyM4q9JQM/T9XvWjQap_I/AAAAAAAAGhw/NmVPWw6QByY/s640/WreathPhotos+111.JPG" width="492" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Ella driving! (I know I've shown this before, but it always makes me laugh!)</div><div align="center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6O6y5WYJ0zE/Tt--Z8eu7aI/AAAAAAAAE-w/apcMAXFjSG8/s1600/P1100819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6O6y5WYJ0zE/Tt--Z8eu7aI/AAAAAAAAE-w/apcMAXFjSG8/s640/P1100819.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WZbKUo1M_Qk/Tt--8WnIrcI/AAAAAAAAE_c/v7vsSYZg-yc/s1600/IMG_5245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WZbKUo1M_Qk/Tt--8WnIrcI/AAAAAAAAE_c/v7vsSYZg-yc/s640/IMG_5245.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div align="center"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A9-n8I9lGHQ/Tt-_ABy4TRI/AAAAAAAAE_k/kaJP0iam04I/s1600/IMG_5248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-A9-n8I9lGHQ/Tt-_ABy4TRI/AAAAAAAAE_k/kaJP0iam04I/s640/IMG_5248.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Ella loves Maine and running on the beach. There is usually another dog or two there to play with which makes it that much more fun!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h07O8Ef9Wvk/T9YGTTfMSqI/AAAAAAAAGjQ/wWxtnJJuxwM/s1600/saved+photos+10104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="456" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h07O8Ef9Wvk/T9YGTTfMSqI/AAAAAAAAGjQ/wWxtnJJuxwM/s640/saved+photos+10104.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Ella loves her "babies" and plays with them, but is very gentle... though sometimes after a good game of tug-a-war the babies have to go to the infirmary!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vyFTgJVy_2I/T9YJE3FwtpI/AAAAAAAAGjc/-Uuit5uKyp8/s1600/saved+photos+15546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vyFTgJVy_2I/T9YJE3FwtpI/AAAAAAAAGjc/-Uuit5uKyp8/s640/saved+photos+15546.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Ella, like her Mama, loves a bit of the bubbly too;) Here she is at the liquor store!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVAhdwULP8Q/T9YKOFzgJNI/AAAAAAAAGjk/35jBmxiU_tk/s1600/055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="478" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sVAhdwULP8Q/T9YKOFzgJNI/AAAAAAAAGjk/35jBmxiU_tk/s640/055.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If she doesn't go into Lowe's with us employees literally ask "Where's Ella?!"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kLKd8YKCwWc/Tt-9PIpATlI/AAAAAAAAE-g/enuBpYoPwGU/s1600/P1100689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kLKd8YKCwWc/Tt-9PIpATlI/AAAAAAAAE-g/enuBpYoPwGU/s640/P1100689.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Xp3r5PMLZM/Tt-_FyN9uZI/AAAAAAAAE_w/QPXRKrN1BWg/s1600/IMG_5224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_Xp3r5PMLZM/Tt-_FyN9uZI/AAAAAAAAE_w/QPXRKrN1BWg/s640/IMG_5224.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7HtVTPwHTjA/T9YKdpNRlUI/AAAAAAAAGjs/ce7z_woigaA/s1600/024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7HtVTPwHTjA/T9YKdpNRlUI/AAAAAAAAGjs/ce7z_woigaA/s640/024.JPG" width="478" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Ella has a bit of a reputation as the girl who is always wearing a different collar!:)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JeX9bF2Zukw/T9YXsPUBWiI/AAAAAAAAGj4/Zh1wSM5ohFI/s1600/collars+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JeX9bF2Zukw/T9YXsPUBWiI/AAAAAAAAGj4/Zh1wSM5ohFI/s640/collars+004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br />Here she is shopping at another favorite antique mall... </div><div style="text-align: center;">can you tell New Hampshire is <em>very</em> dog friendly?!! They love their dogs here.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IDN2l39IzQE/Tt_GNcfrQPI/AAAAAAAAFA0/gc7p6q16ntc/s1600/P1090885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="538" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IDN2l39IzQE/Tt_GNcfrQPI/AAAAAAAAFA0/gc7p6q16ntc/s640/P1090885.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lXp1WFv4L-s/Tt_GOgayQ9I/AAAAAAAAFA8/_ov9G5yEi2Q/s1600/P1090888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lXp1WFv4L-s/Tt_GOgayQ9I/AAAAAAAAFA8/_ov9G5yEi2Q/s640/P1090888.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br />Ella's a very diligent shopper, always sniffing out a bargain :)! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7RBUcRsTUlI/Tt_GPuGDk2I/AAAAAAAAFBE/iOyQg5p0BuI/s1600/P1090891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7RBUcRsTUlI/Tt_GPuGDk2I/AAAAAAAAFBE/iOyQg5p0BuI/s640/P1090891.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Ella likes to go to the dump with Dan. As you can see she's very helpful in sorting the recyclables;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CzAFhcOuQ0M/Tt_HMyXhuBI/AAAAAAAAFBU/Fy1PfW5fviQ/s1600/P1090908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CzAFhcOuQ0M/Tt_HMyXhuBI/AAAAAAAAFBU/Fy1PfW5fviQ/s640/P1090908.JPG" width="378" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br />Ella helping hold down that misbehaving peat moss bale.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dJ8eo2rjBd8/Tt_E1784I8I/AAAAAAAAFAs/ne2aOVXCF6I/s1600/P1100354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dJ8eo2rjBd8/Tt_E1784I8I/AAAAAAAAFAs/ne2aOVXCF6I/s640/P1100354.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sometimes people come to Ella's house and take pictures, but that's just fine with her. She's there to help if they need anything.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PfI6a4qGZKs/Tt_H3fS1-7I/AAAAAAAAFBc/EC2XsBCWcw4/s1600/P1090837.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PfI6a4qGZKs/Tt_H3fS1-7I/AAAAAAAAFBc/EC2XsBCWcw4/s640/P1090837.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br />It's not easy being Ella.... but some puppy has to do it!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6JDHI1ddHo0/Tt_ML8ozu2I/AAAAAAAAFCA/hMCVp1d7bBg/s1600/IMG_3734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" mda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6JDHI1ddHo0/Tt_ML8ozu2I/AAAAAAAAFCA/hMCVp1d7bBg/s640/IMG_3734.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br />This is Ella's favorite spot at the end of a wintry day.... on a fur throw in the barn room. I think she thinks it's her "birth" Mama (as opposed to her "earth" Mama, which is <u>me</u>!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ke4mN5NQa70/Tt_c7TwOCrI/AAAAAAAAFCQ/ZwCT46tVu6U/s1600/IMG_5654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" mda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ke4mN5NQa70/Tt_c7TwOCrI/AAAAAAAAFCQ/ZwCT46tVu6U/s640/IMG_5654.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>She is the best hugger and she <em>adores</em> Dan.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qn4rq2zl3ZI/T9YDXEig0-I/AAAAAAAAGi8/HL_F__XVtJw/s1600/saved+photos+1826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qn4rq2zl3ZI/T9YDXEig0-I/AAAAAAAAGi8/HL_F__XVtJw/s400/saved+photos+1826.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This is a puppy hug and there are not many things better in the whole world!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vlyHwLYTv1s/T9YEnjKav4I/AAAAAAAAGjE/wNi3aEsZ8X4/s1600/saved+photos+4174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vlyHwLYTv1s/T9YEnjKav4I/AAAAAAAAGjE/wNi3aEsZ8X4/s400/saved+photos+4174.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Ella eyeing her Mama's champagne!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wyX0MsIBiYE/T05D9tWuScI/AAAAAAAAFvI/SP5CrgQEL04/s1600/Sguest+bedroom+painting+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wyX0MsIBiYE/T05D9tWuScI/AAAAAAAAFvI/SP5CrgQEL04/s640/Sguest+bedroom+painting+038.JPG" uda="true" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's good to be Ella!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">I wish I could thank the kind person who brought Ella to the pound seven years ago. Little did they know the gift of daily <em>love and joy</em> that their action would bring to us. </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Ella sends you a wag and a wiggle!</div><div style="text-align: center;">And, I wish you a <span style="font-size: large;">Happy Ella Day</span>!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">If you read my blog you know that I am a <em>huge</em> advocate for <strong>adopting</strong> pound/shelter/rescue group dogs. I hope that if you are ever looking for a dog (even if looking for a purebred- there are many purebred rescue groups) that you will consider <strong>adopting</strong>. And, please don't rule out the older dog...</div><div style="text-align: center;">you will not regret it!</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XCX5QvHKhJo/T9YhRWNAvZI/AAAAAAAAGkI/mROAz20ghI0/s1600/saved+photos+13485.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XCX5QvHKhJo/T9YhRWNAvZI/AAAAAAAAGkI/mROAz20ghI0/s320/saved+photos+13485.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">xojoan</div></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-56338624016051368362012-06-01T10:20:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:47.296-07:00favorite collections: antique tortoiseshell boxes<div style="text-align: center;"><br />We have collected antique tortoiseshell boxes for many years. <br />I wrote about our antique tortoiseshell frames <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2010/11/everything-has-story-tortoiseshell.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<br /><br />Tortoiseshell items were popular in the mid-1800's. The world of travel was just opening up and items made from this exotic material were highly prized by the Victorians. The Victorians were<em> masters</em> of elevating useful, everyday items to things of beauty. Boxes and cases were made to hold common items like: tea, needles, sewing items and thimbles, snuff, calling cards, eye glasses, hair pins, and jewelry. Thankfully, in 1973 <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endangered_Species_Act" target="_blank">the Endangered Species Act</a> helped to save the tortoise from extinction. Today, only true <em>antique</em> items (<strong>by definition "antique" is anything <em>over 100 years old</em></strong>) can be bought and sold. Often tortoiseshell items are labeled as "faux" to allow it to be sold on such sites as ebay. Many of these items are not faux, but as with all "antiques" <em>the buyer</em> needs to be knowledgeable and to know identification signs and markings of the "antique" they are wanting to purchase. "Celluloid" tortoiseshell is also very common and I have seen it labeled as real, when it is in reality a plastic.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Small needle boxes and a larger jewelry box (in this photograph) inside an antique cabinet in <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2011/06/master-bedroom.html" target="_blank">the master bedroom</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4sFtW7yvrFc/T8bcEtDIT9I/AAAAAAAAGfg/xDJWauFM2E0/s1600/Tortoiseshell+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4sFtW7yvrFc/T8bcEtDIT9I/AAAAAAAAGfg/xDJWauFM2E0/s640/Tortoiseshell+010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TI5i-epigCU/T8bcJ1YSxWI/AAAAAAAAGfs/tF-zSI8ulGM/s1600/Tortoiseshell+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TI5i-epigCU/T8bcJ1YSxWI/AAAAAAAAGfs/tF-zSI8ulGM/s640/Tortoiseshell+014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oBtv5bh8FVM/T8bcAd2MDDI/AAAAAAAAGfY/KruUjAwnq8s/s1600/Tortoiseshell+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oBtv5bh8FVM/T8bcAd2MDDI/AAAAAAAAGfY/KruUjAwnq8s/s640/Tortoiseshell+006.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The bookcase in <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2011/08/reading-room.html" target="_blank">the reading room</a> holds the large majority of our collection. Because these pieces are generally small they work best when grouped together. This grouping shares the shelf with an antique alligator box, an antique Chinese blue and white double happiness ginger jar, an antique sepia drawing, and a piece of "brain" coral.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oCQHnx_9A58/T8bchLVnQuI/AAAAAAAAGgU/Kw8Mj6G2bws/s1600/Tortoiseshell+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oCQHnx_9A58/T8bchLVnQuI/AAAAAAAAGgU/Kw8Mj6G2bws/s640/Tortoiseshell+047.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">On the right of this shelf is a large etui configured as a sewing kit- it contains small scissors and a thimble and compartments for needles and thread. A stack of calling card cases holds one of the four needle boxes, and on the left is an eyeglass case that contains the original glasses, still inside.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eCc4HYLHecY/T8bcmHFovuI/AAAAAAAAGgc/Ui_UGpYX9xM/s1600/Tortoiseshell+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eCc4HYLHecY/T8bcmHFovuI/AAAAAAAAGgc/Ui_UGpYX9xM/s640/Tortoiseshell+058.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">19th century English sterling handled tortoiseshell <em>page turner</em>. P<span $j_uuid="72" itemprop="description">age turners were used to turn the delicate pages of antique books. The Victorians knew that the oils and dirt on their hands could damage the paper. Books were a luxury item and great care was taken to protect them</span>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqMYIRLrkVc/T8bcp3kNgvI/AAAAAAAAGgk/IVdkHOI-uCA/s1600/Tortoiseshell+072.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KqMYIRLrkVc/T8bcp3kNgvI/AAAAAAAAGgk/IVdkHOI-uCA/s640/Tortoiseshell+072.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My <span class="hw" sb_id="ms__id5599">pièce de résistance... </span> an antique British West Indies tortoiseshell box. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0tSAhlHe6zA/T8bcQtzeqBI/AAAAAAAAGf8/qdg85zHQ5IE/s1600/Tortoiseshell+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0tSAhlHe6zA/T8bcQtzeqBI/AAAAAAAAGf8/qdg85zHQ5IE/s640/Tortoiseshell+020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vD8IlIZu26Y/T8bcXIyoQhI/AAAAAAAAGgI/rldhOjSkrfY/s1600/Tortoiseshell+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" rba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vD8IlIZu26Y/T8bcXIyoQhI/AAAAAAAAGgI/rldhOjSkrfY/s640/Tortoiseshell+036.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I placed a small grouping of boxes from our collection together on a copper tray to show you how beautiful they are displayed as a whole! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-glS1DtYCM-g/T8bcujjncRI/AAAAAAAAGgs/G34Vyi--7ec/s1600/Tortoiseshell+080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" rba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-glS1DtYCM-g/T8bcujjncRI/AAAAAAAAGgs/G34Vyi--7ec/s640/Tortoiseshell+080.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Wait</span></em>..... what's that in the middle<span style="font-size: large;">????</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">That's <em>not</em> an antique tortoiseshell box.... <strong>that's my iPhone</strong>!!!! :) :) Truth be told, and try as I might, I couldn't come to love my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007N58VQA/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=forthelove005-20&link_code=as3&camp=211189&creative=373489&creativeASIN=B007N58VQA" target="_blank">Otterbox</a>. Dan loves his, but for all the reasons he loves it I didn't love mine. When I found this tortoise iPhone case my heart skipped a beat!! </div><div style="text-align: center;">You can find it on Amazon...<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005PJX4V8?ie=UTF8&tag=forthelove005-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B005PJX4V8" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong></a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--vcSWinnA3s/T8bc3CN6AJI/AAAAAAAAGhA/AaFR0yGWyxE/s1600/Tortoiseshell+086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" rba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--vcSWinnA3s/T8bc3CN6AJI/AAAAAAAAGhA/AaFR0yGWyxE/s640/Tortoiseshell+086.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Seriously... how gorgeous is that?! But, I do confess that I was a mere click away from returning it when I first got it... you see, my iPhone is <u>black</u> and this case with a black phone as the background just didn't do it. I was bummed, and then seconds before hitting the "return" button I had the idea to cut a piece of white paper to lighten up the case on my phone! It worked well, but the background was too yellow for my liking- I was trying to match my real tortoiseshell!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I tried several other papers to get to the right background color, and it turned out to be a lowly brown paper bag that proved to be <em>the perfect</em> backdrop to create the look and color of a real tortoiseshell piece!</div><div style="text-align: center;">I love that my iPhone case serves the same purpose of my antique tortoiseshell pieces... just as the Victorians did- it makes an everyday object <em>a thing of beauty</em>! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-90YJlhv4m5A/T8jqyZUru5I/AAAAAAAAGhY/hkseUtB2rP8/s1600/iphone+004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" rba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-90YJlhv4m5A/T8jqyZUru5I/AAAAAAAAGhY/hkseUtB2rP8/s640/iphone+004.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />You can click this link to see <a href="http://www.rubylane.com/shop/antiques-uncommon-treasure/ilist/,c=Antiques_Antique_Tortoise_Shell_Item,cs=Antiques:Antique+Tortoise+Shell+Items.html" target="_blank">antique tortoiseshell items</a> for sale.<br /><br /></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-63092937018138640992012-05-28T07:41:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:47.339-07:00Thank you to those who have served...<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMvvqnwPcj4/T8OKc0HqInI/AAAAAAAAGfM/afGcIu6qPe0/s1600/flag+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="488" qba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PMvvqnwPcj4/T8OKc0HqInI/AAAAAAAAGfM/afGcIu6qPe0/s640/flag+009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />I have the utmost respect and admiration for the men and women who have served our country... and those who have given the ultimate sacrifice- their lives. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I thank <em>all</em> who have served- those who have gone before and those who protect us today on this <span style="font-size: large;">Memorial Day</span>. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div align="center">I am very proud of the members of my family who served our country... </div><div align="center">My grandfather was a Navy submariner stationed at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked; </div><div align="center">My father was in the Army Air Corps and was a B-29 gunner in WWII;</div><div align="center">Dan was in the Air Force and flew F-4's and F-15's in the Air National Guard; </div><div align="center">and my nephews Ben and Forest served in the Army.</div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><em>Thank you to all who protect our freedom.</em> <br /><br /></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-71109832810223602012-05-21T06:31:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:47.351-07:00the South guest bedroom details<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Thank you</em> to those who left comments and sent emails about this guest bedroom. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The wall color is Benjamin Moore's <strong>Misty Air</strong> OC- 44 in Eggshell with White Dove trim in Latex Satin Impervo.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sW6nx_XoLPE/T7PofDio6wI/AAAAAAAAGXo/A_8C-7_o9lM/s1600/GuestBdrom+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_54aybj="2" height="640" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sW6nx_XoLPE/T7PofDio6wI/AAAAAAAAGXo/A_8C-7_o9lM/s640/GuestBdrom+069.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">View from the doorway. Upholstered cotton-velvet headboard in a moss brown was custom designed for the queen bed. This bedding ensemble was in our master bedroom in Dallas. White diamond quilted comforter and shams were made from quilting fabric from <em>JoAnn's</em>! About 14 years ago I redid the master bedroom in Dallas changing the then jewel tones to a quieter neutral. I fell in love with a diamond patterned coverlet from Peacock Alley, but it was not in my budget. Being resourceful (and frugal;) I found this simple quilting fabric and I knew I could get the look without the cost. The fabric is tough as nails and has held up beautifully over the years. Two champagne brown silk pillows flank an 18th century verdure tapestry pillow. The natural linen bed skirt (which unfortunately looks to be discontinued) is from <a href="http://www.companyc.com/home.htm" target="_blank">Company C</a>. <br />Boucle sisal rug from Pottery Barn. I was asked how the sisal/seagrass rugs hold up with dogs and I would say they are made for each other!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-citKvZsV4oU/T7PrjErZ65I/AAAAAAAAGZg/hTdJoj3wuPI/s1600/GuestBdrom+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_54aybj="3" height="640" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-citKvZsV4oU/T7PrjErZ65I/AAAAAAAAGZg/hTdJoj3wuPI/s640/GuestBdrom+044.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">English chest of drawers, circa 1850's, with ivory escutcheons.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Natural linen curtains are <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10218089/" target="_blank">Aina</a> from Ikea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_5Rq8bThCfk/T7PqC-4ZEhI/AAAAAAAAGX8/4EuBJa88c3c/s1600/GuestBdroomII+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_54aybj="4" height="640" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_5Rq8bThCfk/T7PqC-4ZEhI/AAAAAAAAGX8/4EuBJa88c3c/s640/GuestBdroomII+031.JPG" width="438" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trio of 19th century stacked mirrors. </div><div style="text-align: center;">The large mirror has a wood frame with a gilt inside edge. The Louis Philippe gilt mirror, in the middle, is French (it has a fabulous story that I need to tell you in another post) . We found the small iron "cushion" mirror in the foreground in France. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-q5aHFW6EM/T7PqM0jkPLI/AAAAAAAAGYI/ADKDwQIZKbY/s1600/GuestBdroomII+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_54aybj="5" height="640" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-q5aHFW6EM/T7PqM0jkPLI/AAAAAAAAGYI/ADKDwQIZKbY/s640/GuestBdroomII+027.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Antique glazed terracotta baluster lamp (baluster from Singapore) shares the chest with a small antique iron urn that holds an orchid, and a large shell with great natural patina.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DgQYbP_mVh0/T7PqVIhYNEI/AAAAAAAAGYY/nR6L0mR4M8U/s1600/GuestBdroomII+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_54aybj="6" height="460" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DgQYbP_mVh0/T7PqVIhYNEI/AAAAAAAAGYY/nR6L0mR4M8U/s640/GuestBdroomII+016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">French floor lamp found at <a href="http://site.uncommonlightingdallas.com/" target="_blank">Uncommon Market Lighting</a> in Dallas. Dan was just there several weeks ago and sent a photo of their new showroom and it is <em>amazing</em>. If you stop in please tell Scott and Laura that we sent you! (Once, when at a huge antique show outside of Avignon, France we ran into Scott and Laura! It's such a funny thing to run into people you know when in another country on the other side of the pond!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The finial for the lamp was made using a antique iron curtain rod finial- I loved the scale and the design for this lamp.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The antique painting and frame was discussed in another post <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2012/03/little-project-framework.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-69Y_wmgX7LY/T7PrU9bo02I/AAAAAAAAGZI/CWsSXr3c3q0/s1600/GuestBdrom+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_54aybj="7" height="426" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-69Y_wmgX7LY/T7PrU9bo02I/AAAAAAAAGZI/CWsSXr3c3q0/s640/GuestBdrom+025.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The antique French table at the side of the bed was found in Anacortes, Washington years ago. I knew it was perfect for a bedside table the second I saw it. We purchased the painted wood baluster from an old estate in Highland Park in Dallas about 20 years ago, along with about 25 more! I sold these balusters as lamps in my antiques business, but loved them so much that I kept <em>two</em> for myself all these years- this one and the one in <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2012/01/north-guest-bedroom.html" target="_blank">the North guest bedroom</a>. I find there are several "shapes" that speak to me and make me happy, and the baluster is one of them as evident by the number of them I have around the house!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">African violet sits in a small antique iron urn and shares the table top with an antique seascape that was recently "married" to the newly acquired antique gilt frame, antique Chinese blue and white pieces and an antique brass candlestick.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtfjwA0HvmI/T7Pr4_zOu9I/AAAAAAAAGZ0/wFmlA9kmA-k/s1600/GuestBdrom+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_54aybj="8" height="640" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtfjwA0HvmI/T7Pr4_zOu9I/AAAAAAAAGZ0/wFmlA9kmA-k/s640/GuestBdrom+018.JPG" width="418" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The antique Italian starburst mirror was found at the Scott show about 12 years ago. ( I owned it before they were a fad, and will own it long after the fad has gone! ) The French dealers flew in just for the show. It was once gilded, but now only faint remnants of old gilt remain. The convex mirror is an old replacement, though not original to the piece.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1gjigPoA3XE/T7PsH0tzFHI/AAAAAAAAGaI/tZv5-fH2vH4/s1600/GuestBdroomII+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_54aybj="9" height="640" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1gjigPoA3XE/T7PsH0tzFHI/AAAAAAAAGaI/tZv5-fH2vH4/s640/GuestBdroomII+008.JPG" width="430" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Close-up of the pillow made from an 18th century tapestry. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ6RWCq6pF0/T7PsKaclGsI/AAAAAAAAGaQ/4qbun5rri-I/s1600/GuestBdroomII+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_54aybj="10" height="480" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ6RWCq6pF0/T7PsKaclGsI/AAAAAAAAGaQ/4qbun5rri-I/s640/GuestBdroomII+010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Remnants of gilt... </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kNWUFYjfiy4/T7PurZNxXEI/AAAAAAAAGcg/8PHPfV7SXKI/s1600/GuestBdrom+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_54aybj="11" height="640" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kNWUFYjfiy4/T7PurZNxXEI/AAAAAAAAGcg/8PHPfV7SXKI/s640/GuestBdrom+089.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Antique Flemish bird tapestry wall hanging. The trim surrounding the piece is also antique.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I loved the feminine lines of the small antique accent chair... the chair is definitely a "she"! She is covered with a vintage alligator hide. It is the same hide as the piece used to cover the back of <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2011/01/snapshot.html" target="_blank">this chair in the reading room</a>. I was asked where I came across such a large piece- I purchased it from a antiques dealer who had intended to use it for doing a project of her own and never did, so she sold it to me!! I couldn't write the check fast enough!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OQBda4mrweI/T7Ptoi1HMyI/AAAAAAAAGb8/rPB6ERGM7xM/s1600/GuestBdrom+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_54aybj="12" height="640" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OQBda4mrweI/T7Ptoi1HMyI/AAAAAAAAGb8/rPB6ERGM7xM/s640/GuestBdrom+045.JPG" width="354" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bEyuFL8Repo/T7Qlk11hJ3I/AAAAAAAAGeU/BdaR0hbRVVo/s1600/Tapestry+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_54aybj="13" height="640" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bEyuFL8Repo/T7Qlk11hJ3I/AAAAAAAAGeU/BdaR0hbRVVo/s640/Tapestry+006.JPG" width="280" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3D6xhgF0Eas/T7PtA8b1YDI/AAAAAAAAGbc/g2BZJ72E1pU/s1600/GuestBdroomII+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_54aybj="14" height="640" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3D6xhgF0Eas/T7PtA8b1YDI/AAAAAAAAGbc/g2BZJ72E1pU/s640/GuestBdroomII+057.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Details from the French floor lamp.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FOmgwOYJ9pk/T7PsjiGvquI/AAAAAAAAGas/cLk6uSSrfRU/s1600/GuestBdroomII+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_54aybj="15" height="640" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FOmgwOYJ9pk/T7PsjiGvquI/AAAAAAAAGas/cLk6uSSrfRU/s640/GuestBdroomII+047.JPG" width="388" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I adore its original finish.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FuBwBs2pqY0/T7PsgVRYpWI/AAAAAAAAGak/GVcg_Bsiwq8/s1600/GuestBdroomII+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_54aybj="16" height="640" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FuBwBs2pqY0/T7PsgVRYpWI/AAAAAAAAGak/GVcg_Bsiwq8/s640/GuestBdroomII+044.JPG" width="292" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">View from the guest room through the hall into the master bedroom.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7VvHco-cZ0/T7QZ-RXoh3I/AAAAAAAAGdE/0S-hY8zpVws/s1600/GuestRmIII+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_54aybj="17" height="640" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7VvHco-cZ0/T7QZ-RXoh3I/AAAAAAAAGdE/0S-hY8zpVws/s640/GuestRmIII+005.JPG" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">17th century Italian sconce from a convent in Italy was found at the Scott Show in Atlanta. The dealer had literally walked off the plane from Italy with it the day before. I love its sculptural quality in the room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M28hHWqCpq8/T7QgSEkj-ZI/AAAAAAAAGdk/bmtcbBw1dPo/s1600/GRIV+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_54aybj="18" height="640" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M28hHWqCpq8/T7QgSEkj-ZI/AAAAAAAAGdk/bmtcbBw1dPo/s640/GRIV+003.JPG" width="392" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you look closely at the arm on the right you can see how the delicate piece of iron has split in the center.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uSAk2Cmr6_0/T7Pt3vnywCI/AAAAAAAAGcU/Zql89gsYMYU/s1600/GuestBdrom+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_54aybj="19" height="426" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uSAk2Cmr6_0/T7Pt3vnywCI/AAAAAAAAGcU/Zql89gsYMYU/s640/GuestBdrom+065.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wicker lampshade was on a lamp I found at a local flea market. I bought the lamp specifically to steal the shade!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kkCTlPxftE4/T7Pu0So15VI/AAAAAAAAGcs/jGm6fDqYNkk/s1600/GuestBdrom+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_54aybj="20" height="640" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kkCTlPxftE4/T7Pu0So15VI/AAAAAAAAGcs/jGm6fDqYNkk/s640/GuestBdrom+092.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">This photo helps to see how the chest of drawers and the bed sit in the room.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Chandelier is pair to the one in the other guest bedroom and was found at <a href="http://www.bowerbirdandfriends.com/" target="_blank">Bowerbird</a> in Peterborough, New Hampshire.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5V08eOCehx0/T7PtwLZKsuI/AAAAAAAAGcE/JMUrYvAU7ls/s1600/GuestBdrom+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_54aybj="21" height="640" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5V08eOCehx0/T7PtwLZKsuI/AAAAAAAAGcE/JMUrYvAU7ls/s640/GuestBdrom+054.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Closeup of the chest of drawers. This will also receive its own post... If you thought Dan was talented before, just wait until you hear <em>this</em> story!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9_LoA5_zLs/T7PolwkDkVI/AAAAAAAAGXw/OhKy3wbRaeA/s1600/GuestBdrom+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_54aybj="22" height="640" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9_LoA5_zLs/T7PolwkDkVI/AAAAAAAAGXw/OhKy3wbRaeA/s640/GuestBdrom+006.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view from the master bedroom through the hall into the guest room. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">No, it is not a bad camera angle.... the door frame is really that crooked. In an antique house that is perfectly aligned and plumb this is the <em>one</em> place where it is not! We have no answers or clues to the "why", but I have grown to love this little quirk of our antique farmhouse!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HjZNFUXR-lg/T7PoX8USIfI/AAAAAAAAGXU/bKuioTVRHVI/s1600/GuestBdrom+109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_54aybj="23" height="640" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HjZNFUXR-lg/T7PoX8USIfI/AAAAAAAAGXU/bKuioTVRHVI/s640/GuestBdrom+109.JPG" width="382" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thanks so much for being our guest; we enjoyed having you!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-75748275341341738312012-05-16T15:37:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:47.394-07:00the South guest bedroom<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sW6nx_XoLPE/T7PofDio6wI/AAAAAAAAGXo/A_8C-7_o9lM/s1600/GuestBdrom+069.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sW6nx_XoLPE/T7PofDio6wI/AAAAAAAAGXo/A_8C-7_o9lM/s640/GuestBdrom+069.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-citKvZsV4oU/T7PrjErZ65I/AAAAAAAAGZg/hTdJoj3wuPI/s1600/GuestBdrom+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-citKvZsV4oU/T7PrjErZ65I/AAAAAAAAGZg/hTdJoj3wuPI/s640/GuestBdrom+044.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_5Rq8bThCfk/T7PqC-4ZEhI/AAAAAAAAGX8/4EuBJa88c3c/s1600/GuestBdroomII+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_5Rq8bThCfk/T7PqC-4ZEhI/AAAAAAAAGX8/4EuBJa88c3c/s640/GuestBdroomII+031.JPG" width="438" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-q5aHFW6EM/T7PqM0jkPLI/AAAAAAAAGYI/ADKDwQIZKbY/s1600/GuestBdroomII+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G-q5aHFW6EM/T7PqM0jkPLI/AAAAAAAAGYI/ADKDwQIZKbY/s640/GuestBdroomII+027.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DgQYbP_mVh0/T7PqVIhYNEI/AAAAAAAAGYY/nR6L0mR4M8U/s1600/GuestBdroomII+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="460" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DgQYbP_mVh0/T7PqVIhYNEI/AAAAAAAAGYY/nR6L0mR4M8U/s640/GuestBdroomII+016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-69Y_wmgX7LY/T7PrU9bo02I/AAAAAAAAGZI/CWsSXr3c3q0/s1600/GuestBdrom+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-69Y_wmgX7LY/T7PrU9bo02I/AAAAAAAAGZI/CWsSXr3c3q0/s640/GuestBdrom+025.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtfjwA0HvmI/T7Pr4_zOu9I/AAAAAAAAGZ0/wFmlA9kmA-k/s1600/GuestBdrom+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RtfjwA0HvmI/T7Pr4_zOu9I/AAAAAAAAGZ0/wFmlA9kmA-k/s640/GuestBdrom+018.JPG" width="418" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1gjigPoA3XE/T7PsH0tzFHI/AAAAAAAAGaI/tZv5-fH2vH4/s1600/GuestBdroomII+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1gjigPoA3XE/T7PsH0tzFHI/AAAAAAAAGaI/tZv5-fH2vH4/s640/GuestBdroomII+008.JPG" width="430" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ6RWCq6pF0/T7PsKaclGsI/AAAAAAAAGaQ/4qbun5rri-I/s1600/GuestBdroomII+010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oJ6RWCq6pF0/T7PsKaclGsI/AAAAAAAAGaQ/4qbun5rri-I/s640/GuestBdroomII+010.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kNWUFYjfiy4/T7PurZNxXEI/AAAAAAAAGcg/8PHPfV7SXKI/s1600/GuestBdrom+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kNWUFYjfiy4/T7PurZNxXEI/AAAAAAAAGcg/8PHPfV7SXKI/s640/GuestBdrom+089.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OQBda4mrweI/T7Ptoi1HMyI/AAAAAAAAGb8/rPB6ERGM7xM/s1600/GuestBdrom+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OQBda4mrweI/T7Ptoi1HMyI/AAAAAAAAGb8/rPB6ERGM7xM/s640/GuestBdrom+045.JPG" width="354" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bEyuFL8Repo/T7Qlk11hJ3I/AAAAAAAAGeU/BdaR0hbRVVo/s1600/Tapestry+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bEyuFL8Repo/T7Qlk11hJ3I/AAAAAAAAGeU/BdaR0hbRVVo/s640/Tapestry+006.JPG" width="280" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3D6xhgF0Eas/T7PtA8b1YDI/AAAAAAAAGbc/g2BZJ72E1pU/s1600/GuestBdroomII+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3D6xhgF0Eas/T7PtA8b1YDI/AAAAAAAAGbc/g2BZJ72E1pU/s640/GuestBdroomII+057.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FOmgwOYJ9pk/T7PsjiGvquI/AAAAAAAAGas/cLk6uSSrfRU/s1600/GuestBdroomII+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FOmgwOYJ9pk/T7PsjiGvquI/AAAAAAAAGas/cLk6uSSrfRU/s640/GuestBdroomII+047.JPG" width="388" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FuBwBs2pqY0/T7PsgVRYpWI/AAAAAAAAGak/GVcg_Bsiwq8/s1600/GuestBdroomII+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FuBwBs2pqY0/T7PsgVRYpWI/AAAAAAAAGak/GVcg_Bsiwq8/s640/GuestBdroomII+044.JPG" width="292" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7VvHco-cZ0/T7QZ-RXoh3I/AAAAAAAAGdE/0S-hY8zpVws/s1600/GuestRmIII+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S7VvHco-cZ0/T7QZ-RXoh3I/AAAAAAAAGdE/0S-hY8zpVws/s640/GuestRmIII+005.JPG" width="416" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M28hHWqCpq8/T7QgSEkj-ZI/AAAAAAAAGdk/bmtcbBw1dPo/s1600/GRIV+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M28hHWqCpq8/T7QgSEkj-ZI/AAAAAAAAGdk/bmtcbBw1dPo/s640/GRIV+003.JPG" width="392" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uSAk2Cmr6_0/T7Pt3vnywCI/AAAAAAAAGcU/Zql89gsYMYU/s1600/GuestBdrom+065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uSAk2Cmr6_0/T7Pt3vnywCI/AAAAAAAAGcU/Zql89gsYMYU/s640/GuestBdrom+065.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kkCTlPxftE4/T7Pu0So15VI/AAAAAAAAGcs/jGm6fDqYNkk/s1600/GuestBdrom+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kkCTlPxftE4/T7Pu0So15VI/AAAAAAAAGcs/jGm6fDqYNkk/s640/GuestBdrom+092.JPG" width="424" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5V08eOCehx0/T7PtwLZKsuI/AAAAAAAAGcE/JMUrYvAU7ls/s1600/GuestBdrom+054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5V08eOCehx0/T7PtwLZKsuI/AAAAAAAAGcE/JMUrYvAU7ls/s640/GuestBdrom+054.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9_LoA5_zLs/T7PolwkDkVI/AAAAAAAAGXw/OhKy3wbRaeA/s1600/GuestBdrom+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-b9_LoA5_zLs/T7PolwkDkVI/AAAAAAAAGXw/OhKy3wbRaeA/s640/GuestBdrom+006.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HjZNFUXR-lg/T7PoX8USIfI/AAAAAAAAGXU/bKuioTVRHVI/s1600/GuestBdrom+109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" kba="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HjZNFUXR-lg/T7PoX8USIfI/AAAAAAAAGXU/bKuioTVRHVI/s640/GuestBdrom+109.JPG" width="382" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">click <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2012/05/south-guest-bedroom-details.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> to read the "details" post on this room</div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-88611817728380321452012-05-09T10:16:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:47.405-07:00a favorite detail: multiple outlets on one switch<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> I<span style="font-size: large;"> <strong>love</strong></span> lamps. Nothing makes a house feel cozier. At last count I was at 39 in the house, <em>not including</em> chandeliers, sconces and picture lights! For me, a dark house is a sad house... hence my love of lamps.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">When we renovated both the farmhouse and the barn I had the electrician <em>wire multiple outlets</em> <em>to one wall switch - </em>one receptacle of each double electrical outlet around the room, from locations where I knew I wanted to place a lamp, was wired to one wall switch. So now in the living room, bedrooms and barn room I can walk in and with one flip of a switch <em>all</em> the lamps in the room come on! (don't forget that all lamps should be on dimmers- <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002DN6U4W?ie=UTF8&tag=forthelove005-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B002DN6U4W" target="_blank">here</a>!) I have loved having this favorite detail in the house, and wanted to share it with you as I know many of you are renovating/building.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">I also wanted to share a favorite lampshade with you, as when you love lamps you also love <em>lampshades</em>! This large antique Chinese blue and white vase was made into a lamp for <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2012/01/sneak-peek.html" target="_blank">the barn room</a>. It is French wired- meaning the wiring runs down the back instead of <em>through</em> the lamp via a hole drilled in the bottom. If you drill through the bottom of a porcelain piece you then have to use a base of some sort to sit the porcelain on so that you can angle the wire out through a side exit point to make the lamp sit flat instead of <em>on </em>the wire (in this case a wooden Chinese stand would be the traditional choice.) I didn't want that traditional look on this lamp preferring a more casual feel, so the lamp was French wired and the vase sits directly on the soapstone topped antique worktable.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SnWo_pGXyzs/T6qE0p7OQzI/AAAAAAAAGWk/4tulKNcgj-E/s1600/IMG_7319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SnWo_pGXyzs/T6qE0p7OQzI/AAAAAAAAGWk/4tulKNcgj-E/s640/IMG_7319.JPG" width="476" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> This mica filigree drum lampshade is from Pottery Barn. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I panicked when I went to PB to link this to the post to find that it said "no longer available", but after calling the store I was told that they have <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/search/results.html?words=mica%20tapered%20drum%20lamp%20shade" target="_blank">these mica shades</a> in-store only. They are the same shade, but without the leaf filigree detail. I highly recommend them as the natural mica casts a beautiful light. My shade is in "champagne", but it also comes in a darker "amber" color.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pSopdyMBmlM/T6qFGUyOAmI/AAAAAAAAGW4/tUCgETWVszs/s1600/IMG_7330.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="528" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pSopdyMBmlM/T6qFGUyOAmI/AAAAAAAAGW4/tUCgETWVszs/s640/IMG_7330.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center"><br /></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-57991228600792061742012-05-04T18:39:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:47.448-07:00Come with us to Vermont, won't you?!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the<em> many</em> things I love about where we live in New Hampshire is the fact that we are only an hour and a half from Maine, <em>and</em> an hour and a half from Vermont! Yesterday we drove to <span style="font-size: large;">Vermont</span> to do a little antiquing in the small town of Chester. We like to take the back roads as much as possible to see more of the countryside of our newly adopted region, and on the way home we drove through the charming town of <a href="http://www.graftonvermont.org/" target="_blank">Grafton, Vermont</a>. We've driven through Grafton many times- it has a lovely energy and is filled with charming antique houses, many art galleries and museums. The surrounding mountains offer a warm embrace. We always feel as if we have been transported back a hundred years when we drive through. <br /><em>I thought you might like to join us?!</em></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a cool-ish 50 degrees with cloudy skies and sprinkles every now and again.... in other words, it was a lovely day!!</div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">You can't go to Vermont without seeing at least one covered bridge!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vzAI8BKHhCo/T6RifgRxGjI/AAAAAAAAGSI/7x_QyL8cSzo/s1600/DQ+Vermont+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vzAI8BKHhCo/T6RifgRxGjI/AAAAAAAAGSI/7x_QyL8cSzo/s640/DQ+Vermont+009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />This one was near the Grafton Village Cheese Company.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gLbnmzMDDoo/T6RilQLg9XI/AAAAAAAAGSQ/lyW8bUV7Lkg/s1600/DQ+Vermont+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" mea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gLbnmzMDDoo/T6RilQLg9XI/AAAAAAAAGSQ/lyW8bUV7Lkg/s640/DQ+Vermont+011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br />I'm guessing this is a sign you're not used to seeing everyday?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oc8MiasP46U/T6RiooBlIvI/AAAAAAAAGSY/-Qe4xOpxIdU/s1600/DQ+Vermont+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oc8MiasP46U/T6RiooBlIvI/AAAAAAAAGSY/-Qe4xOpxIdU/s640/DQ+Vermont+014.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gz0ccDo5IU8/T6Riraz5uDI/AAAAAAAAGSg/FWXKA-NYdBE/s1600/DQ+Vermont+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" mea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gz0ccDo5IU8/T6Riraz5uDI/AAAAAAAAGSg/FWXKA-NYdBE/s640/DQ+Vermont+016.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />I adore this house with its mountain view!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xRSpIUXH0ec/T6Rit6YzwvI/AAAAAAAAGSo/8csUD52bXJM/s1600/DQ+Vermont+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xRSpIUXH0ec/T6Rit6YzwvI/AAAAAAAAGSo/8csUD52bXJM/s640/DQ+Vermont+017.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2JJ1RYFxp-A/T6RizeBwbpI/AAAAAAAAGS8/TBTJzvPjKXQ/s1600/DQ+Vermont+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2JJ1RYFxp-A/T6RizeBwbpI/AAAAAAAAGS8/TBTJzvPjKXQ/s640/DQ+Vermont+019.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qBdXKt1m7kA/T6Ri2O8udSI/AAAAAAAAGTE/BvzTr7OSjco/s1600/DQ+Vermont+020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qBdXKt1m7kA/T6Ri2O8udSI/AAAAAAAAGTE/BvzTr7OSjco/s640/DQ+Vermont+020.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The town library.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MkpvK7IgpF8/T6RjevFsvQI/AAAAAAAAGTQ/Z0dW_5xPwSc/s1600/DQ+Vermont+021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MkpvK7IgpF8/T6RjevFsvQI/AAAAAAAAGTQ/Z0dW_5xPwSc/s640/DQ+Vermont+021.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Many small New England towns have village stores like this.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vyC8JT1aEus/T6RjibgYYdI/AAAAAAAAGTY/T23mLZGff4Q/s1600/DQ+Vermont+022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vyC8JT1aEus/T6RjibgYYdI/AAAAAAAAGTY/T23mLZGff4Q/s640/DQ+Vermont+022.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />The Grafton Inn.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0BXQvf2lHMA/T6Rjk_387NI/AAAAAAAAGTg/SPdmU21eDVc/s1600/DQ+Vermont+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0BXQvf2lHMA/T6Rjk_387NI/AAAAAAAAGTg/SPdmU21eDVc/s640/DQ+Vermont+023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPiJ2JV1OjA/T6Rj5HY4-fI/AAAAAAAAGT8/LqnIiNpHfzE/s1600/DQ+Vermont+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPiJ2JV1OjA/T6Rj5HY4-fI/AAAAAAAAGT8/LqnIiNpHfzE/s640/DQ+Vermont+026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br />The Town Offices- please notice that taxes are due this month!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p3ihe9dN7sY/T6RjmrrGuII/AAAAAAAAGTo/EzG9CDATws8/s1600/DQ+Vermont+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-p3ihe9dN7sY/T6RjmrrGuII/AAAAAAAAGTo/EzG9CDATws8/s640/DQ+Vermont+024.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br />Look what I found at this lovely home.... another Texan!!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4tP7E1UgOXI/T6RjtT6RZ3I/AAAAAAAAGTw/Bt25a58qZHE/s1600/DQ+Vermont+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4tP7E1UgOXI/T6RjtT6RZ3I/AAAAAAAAGTw/Bt25a58qZHE/s400/DQ+Vermont+025.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">This house belongs to the Justice of the Peace!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVzY8x0fFE8/T6RkAM0FiUI/AAAAAAAAGUE/T7WwkgkHOBk/s1600/DQ+Vermont+027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KVzY8x0fFE8/T6RkAM0FiUI/AAAAAAAAGUE/T7WwkgkHOBk/s640/DQ+Vermont+027.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Another covered bridge!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N4-H0vH5Tv4/T6Riw-ihgNI/AAAAAAAAGSw/nodiOU6U6qc/s1600/DQ+Vermont+018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-N4-H0vH5Tv4/T6Riw-ihgNI/AAAAAAAAGSw/nodiOU6U6qc/s640/DQ+Vermont+018.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br />Main Street.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zc6hNaklvCM/T6RkIGvskEI/AAAAAAAAGUM/0D0GZy1mcHA/s1600/DQ+Vermont+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" mea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zc6hNaklvCM/T6RkIGvskEI/AAAAAAAAGUM/0D0GZy1mcHA/s640/DQ+Vermont+029.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I <em>love</em> this truck! My dream is a red one;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5Bzk8kqFcM/T6Rk_LzDO5I/AAAAAAAAGUY/0J9co-VMwts/s1600/DQ+Vermont+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O5Bzk8kqFcM/T6Rk_LzDO5I/AAAAAAAAGUY/0J9co-VMwts/s640/DQ+Vermont+030.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not just for show, this truck is still a workhorse.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DK8Nk6rNxD4/T6RmUlUmHDI/AAAAAAAAGWA/3bunRnCdboU/s1600/DQ+Vermont+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DK8Nk6rNxD4/T6RmUlUmHDI/AAAAAAAAGWA/3bunRnCdboU/s640/DQ+Vermont+044.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sPYo4wEQddg/T6RlEFdXM3I/AAAAAAAAGUg/to4vEn7NYts/s1600/DQ+Vermont+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" mea="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sPYo4wEQddg/T6RlEFdXM3I/AAAAAAAAGUg/to4vEn7NYts/s640/DQ+Vermont+033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Loved this twig fence- it went on for a good 100+ feet.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1L3qsZojtbc/T6RlLNkB0HI/AAAAAAAAGUo/iAfoEvOLE1Y/s1600/DQ+Vermont+034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1L3qsZojtbc/T6RlLNkB0HI/AAAAAAAAGUo/iAfoEvOLE1Y/s640/DQ+Vermont+034.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AWvSgSM_Lzc/T6RlTauUo9I/AAAAAAAAGUw/xzPvTo5KCEA/s1600/DQ+Vermont+036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AWvSgSM_Lzc/T6RlTauUo9I/AAAAAAAAGUw/xzPvTo5KCEA/s640/DQ+Vermont+036.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Love the purple front door.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZY9YkTeh0zc/T6RlWwCxTrI/AAAAAAAAGU4/ZhsF-hBIAJw/s1600/DQ+Vermont+037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZY9YkTeh0zc/T6RlWwCxTrI/AAAAAAAAGU4/ZhsF-hBIAJw/s640/DQ+Vermont+037.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I love how this entire house is red, even the trim.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ox0_tk687fs/T6RlkJqOWVI/AAAAAAAAGVE/8Wn4dPCys4w/s1600/DQ+Vermont+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ox0_tk687fs/T6RlkJqOWVI/AAAAAAAAGVE/8Wn4dPCys4w/s640/DQ+Vermont+038.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JK1Ik-bQRCU/T6RmFuDg_aI/AAAAAAAAGVM/NuX7JWWYB_Y/s1600/DQ+Vermont+039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JK1Ik-bQRCU/T6RmFuDg_aI/AAAAAAAAGVM/NuX7JWWYB_Y/s640/DQ+Vermont+039.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't miss the chicken in the front walk at this house!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ULT9R79cKI/T6RmI9dZSOI/AAAAAAAAGVU/MovN8GknI0M/s1600/DQ+Vermont+041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ULT9R79cKI/T6RmI9dZSOI/AAAAAAAAGVU/MovN8GknI0M/s640/DQ+Vermont+041.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PnV9YbBcL5M/T6RmL4QNoHI/AAAAAAAAGVc/1FbLRQX9Cck/s1600/DQ+Vermont+042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PnV9YbBcL5M/T6RmL4QNoHI/AAAAAAAAGVc/1FbLRQX9Cck/s640/DQ+Vermont+042.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />This charming side porch belongs to the house above. It overlooks the river that runs through the town.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H3kmETJj314/T6RmNzGjzPI/AAAAAAAAGVk/wLljtylVTao/s1600/DQ+Vermont+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-H3kmETJj314/T6RmNzGjzPI/AAAAAAAAGVk/wLljtylVTao/s640/DQ+Vermont+045.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br />This river.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6qUKv_HR6eU/T6RmQD0MOCI/AAAAAAAAGVs/GN1g_HFs8Tw/s1600/DQ+Vermont+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" mea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6qUKv_HR6eU/T6RmQD0MOCI/AAAAAAAAGVs/GN1g_HFs8Tw/s640/DQ+Vermont+047.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We loved this antique stone wall and the stone steps going down to the river.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1SS0MUZHDr8/T6RmSVY-VpI/AAAAAAAAGV4/39TfLZfBIuk/s1600/DQ+Vermont+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" mea="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1SS0MUZHDr8/T6RmSVY-VpI/AAAAAAAAGV4/39TfLZfBIuk/s640/DQ+Vermont+049.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for coming along! Hope you enjoyed your visit to Vermont this weekend;)!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>post script...</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I hope you'll also join me on <u>Instagram</u>!! (<em>see the very bottom of the page</em>)</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><strong>I'll be posting</strong><strong> random <em>snapshots</em> at least once a day!</strong></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(username:<strong> <em>fortheloveofahouse </em></strong>)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(for those without smart phones you can also view the images at the bottom of the page!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">xojoan</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-50684258163647737732012-04-30T10:22:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:47.463-07:00a new finial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">While antiquing at the seacoast we found this small piece of white coral for $1! I knew it would make a great finial, but didn't have a specific lamp in mind. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lamp finials are like cherries on top of the proverbial cake... the final, finishing <em>detail</em>! A lamp isn't complete without them, and they can make or break a beautiful lamp. Scale, proportion, and composition are all elements to be considered.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C_okrqynxHI/T568Ueu2pjI/AAAAAAAAGQ8/papdOYWvHQw/s1600/RandomMisc+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C_okrqynxHI/T568Ueu2pjI/AAAAAAAAGQ8/papdOYWvHQw/s400/RandomMisc+019.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">When we arrived home I walked the small piece of coral around the house to see if it would work on any of our lamps, or if it was to go into the "one day" collection for future lamp finials! When I walked into <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2011/08/reading-room.html" target="_blank">the reading room</a> and saw this antique Chinese blue and white double happiness ginger jar that we made into a lamp years ago, I knew it had found its home!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rNu1uOaneL8/T5668HBg2sI/AAAAAAAAGQA/lkhsPpgH70I/s1600/RandomMisc+017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rNu1uOaneL8/T5668HBg2sI/AAAAAAAAGQA/lkhsPpgH70I/s640/RandomMisc+017.JPG" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /> <br />The shape of the coral mimics the background in the ginger jar, something I had never noticed before! I have used a lot of white coral in this room, so using the coral finial seemed like a good match.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uc8F6odwzJE/T566_qsZd5I/AAAAAAAAGQI/hRZ8AuK1nqA/s1600/RandomMisc+032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Uc8F6odwzJE/T566_qsZd5I/AAAAAAAAGQI/hRZ8AuK1nqA/s640/RandomMisc+032.JPG" width="480" /></a><br /><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A simple brass ball finial was being used prior to the coral find. The right size and height brass ball finial can sometimes be the perfect solution, but some lamps can hold their own with a more ornate finial! Since the lamp sits on a chest of drawers the brass finial was attached using an extender to raise the finial just enough to be seen from standing level. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1alR8IA0x7I/T56645F4ZcI/AAAAAAAAGP4/9KiIO-WOD7g/s1600/RandomMisc+015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1alR8IA0x7I/T56645F4ZcI/AAAAAAAAGP4/9KiIO-WOD7g/s640/RandomMisc+015.JPG" width="552" /></a></div><br /><br /> <br /><div style="text-align: center;">Dan used a table grinder to reshape the coral to fit inside the finial base.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FALoeMk8lw4/T567BcudN-I/AAAAAAAAGQQ/Lf6XAVQl7H8/s1600/RandomMisc+019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FALoeMk8lw4/T567BcudN-I/AAAAAAAAGQQ/Lf6XAVQl7H8/s640/RandomMisc+019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br />I expected to use some glue, but it was such a snug fit none was needed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LfAbY0PCH7Y/T567D-NqqFI/AAAAAAAAGQY/iXzooZIet5w/s1600/RandomMisc+023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LfAbY0PCH7Y/T567D-NqqFI/AAAAAAAAGQY/iXzooZIet5w/s640/RandomMisc+023.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">When we make lamps we like to use as many old/antique elements as possible. This ginger jar had a rather large opening at the top, so an antique brass ceiling medallion was used as the cap for the lamp- the swirl designs in the cap mimics the background design on the ginger jar.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kOFnOPQcuQw/T567FlFVq7I/AAAAAAAAGQk/YCDbYRTjmrc/s1600/RandomMisc+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kOFnOPQcuQw/T567FlFVq7I/AAAAAAAAGQk/YCDbYRTjmrc/s640/RandomMisc+033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">With a project like this we always err on the conservative side, as you can always continue to take more off, but you can't add it back on! The first several attempts at height were too tall. I lived with this height for several days before realizing that every time I walked by and saw it it reminded me of a feather sticking out of a Derby hat! Three more grindings, and....</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lggEQyCeiKo/T567Ion0YhI/AAAAAAAAGQ0/vtlzGYZl2_E/s1600/RandomMisc+044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" oda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lggEQyCeiKo/T567Ion0YhI/AAAAAAAAGQ0/vtlzGYZl2_E/s640/RandomMisc+044.JPG" width="474" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">we finally arrived at this- the perfect height!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B06JCmFWbm4/T56-44SxDJI/AAAAAAAAGRM/sFL3i2E7V-8/s1600/finial+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B06JCmFWbm4/T56-44SxDJI/AAAAAAAAGRM/sFL3i2E7V-8/s640/finial+001.JPG" width="448" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So, do all your lamps have the perfect finial?!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-8596371308503843132012-04-23T15:52:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:47.506-07:00the Spring mantel<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br />It's Spring, and I'm thinking <em>green</em>... green with a hint of turquoise!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m9u3ZyJM4g4/T5WlPUf2AMI/AAAAAAAAGOI/sRE3jySyrD4/s1600/Spring+Mantel+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m9u3ZyJM4g4/T5WlPUf2AMI/AAAAAAAAGOI/sRE3jySyrD4/s640/Spring+Mantel+026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The living room mantel is the only one of our five that I change seasonally. I thought these vintage and antique Chinese ginger jars (they were literally used to import ginger) just said "Hello Spring!" This is only a few pieces in a larger collection, but they make me happy each time I go into or pass by the living room. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W7qCtZ9_xSI/T5WldpNDwDI/AAAAAAAAGOg/wg41PJsyyJI/s1600/Spring+Mantel+030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W7qCtZ9_xSI/T5WldpNDwDI/AAAAAAAAGOg/wg41PJsyyJI/s640/Spring+Mantel+030.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /> </div><div style="text-align: center;">Several of the ginger jars still have their original clay tops, and one even has its original wicker wrapping.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zsRHF15jtM0/T5WlhzQ60pI/AAAAAAAAGOs/pxCSF4f2Xgo/s1600/Spring+Mantel+033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zsRHF15jtM0/T5WlhzQ60pI/AAAAAAAAGOs/pxCSF4f2Xgo/s640/Spring+Mantel+033.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />The ginger jars share the mantel with a vintage copper tray from India, my <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2012/01/my-twenty-year-old-topiary.html" target="_blank">twenty-year-old ivy topiary</a>, a pair of antique mercury glass candlesticks, an 1857 leather book, ...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FTNFWqaoblg/T5WlqcaBgHI/AAAAAAAAGO8/CEoXlp2W60g/s1600/Spring+Mantel+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FTNFWqaoblg/T5WlqcaBgHI/AAAAAAAAGO8/CEoXlp2W60g/s640/Spring+Mantel+043.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br />an iron bird, a piece of dried root from the property, and an antique French gilt mirror.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ryPHrNbGuhg/T5Wlv5B4pBI/AAAAAAAAGPI/Gd6xjp0iNtg/s1600/Spring+Mantel+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ryPHrNbGuhg/T5Wlv5B4pBI/AAAAAAAAGPI/Gd6xjp0iNtg/s640/Spring+Mantel+046.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /> </div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AhQGYkEJq5Q/T5WspTtIdXI/AAAAAAAAGPU/JgF6rCS1lgU/s1600/Spring+MantelI+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" oda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AhQGYkEJq5Q/T5WspTtIdXI/AAAAAAAAGPU/JgF6rCS1lgU/s640/Spring+MantelI+003.JPG" width="428" /></a></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div align="center"><br /><br />With so much going on on the mantel I placed a simple black antique tole tray, leaving it unadorned, on the coffee table.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1hlPmXEV2ws/T5Wsxr3CfMI/AAAAAAAAGPk/Zat31jH__XQ/s1600/Spring+MantelI+016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" oda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1hlPmXEV2ws/T5Wsxr3CfMI/AAAAAAAAGPk/Zat31jH__XQ/s640/Spring+MantelI+016.JPG" width="422" /></a></div><div align="center"><br /></div><div align="center"><br /><br />Today was a bit chilly, so I started a fire for you (margaritas, fires.... ohhh, the things I do for you. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I must like <em>you</em>! :)</div><div align="center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0HOS3FeBbSs/T5Wk3seXq3I/AAAAAAAAGN0/YjKGa9lf_8I/s1600/Spring+Mantel+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" oda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0HOS3FeBbSs/T5Wk3seXq3I/AAAAAAAAGN0/YjKGa9lf_8I/s640/Spring+Mantel+024.JPG" width="470" /></a><br /><br /><br /></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-74665073485511645972012-04-20T15:37:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:47.516-07:00my favorite everyday glassware....<div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br />To tell you this is my <span style="font-size: large;">favorite</span> go-to, everyday glassware is a <strong>big</strong> statement for me, as I have a "thing" for glasses. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Some people do dishes (I'm a white-dish girl, though I admit I do have a "few" other plates ;)... <br />I do <em>glassware</em>. <br />From Bacarrat to Ikea to antiques.... doesn't matter; I have them all, and <em>love</em> and <em>use</em> them all! <br /><br />These favorite glasses put me in good company, as they are also Martha's and Ina's favorite too! In fact, I first ordered these years ago from the old Martha Stewart catalog. I panicked when the catalog was discontinued until I found them at <span style="font-size: large;">CB2</span>- Crate and Barrel's hip understudy. </div><div style="text-align: center;">These are the <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.cb2.com/barware/dining/marta-barware/f1249" target="_blank"><strong>Marta</strong></a></span> glasses. </div><div style="text-align: center;">They are paper-thin, sturdy and elegant! Yes, sturdy. They are fabulous for so many drinks, and their ultra-thin lip is <em>perfect</em> for coating with salt for margaritas- just in case you were wondering;) </div><div style="text-align: center;">I buy the 18oz. Cooler size.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J5ziZxG4Wyg/T5HecGzUyBI/AAAAAAAAGNI/b1QlhWzyyAY/s1600/glasses+026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="448" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J5ziZxG4Wyg/T5HecGzUyBI/AAAAAAAAGNI/b1QlhWzyyAY/s640/glasses+026.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />Just for you :) I made a margarita to show you how wonderful they are in this glass!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oeUaX_AMa2I/T5Herjah5yI/AAAAAAAAGNo/U_B9sPRyQm8/s1600/glasses+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oeUaX_AMa2I/T5Herjah5yI/AAAAAAAAGNo/U_B9sPRyQm8/s640/glasses+050.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">With the early arrival of Spring this year (word on the street is that we are at least <em>three weeks</em> ahead of normal) and our gorgeous weather, we have been spending <strong><span style="font-size: large;">lots</span> </strong>of time out on the porches. We have coffee here in the morning and cocktails at night! So, this is where I am tonight.... on the porch with my favorite <em>everyday glass</em>, having a margarita for <strong><em>you</em></strong>!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lm_jGOk0cgI/T5HemvxD0FI/AAAAAAAAGNg/buQt3seMTJQ/s1600/glasses+038.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" qda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lm_jGOk0cgI/T5HemvxD0FI/AAAAAAAAGNg/buQt3seMTJQ/s640/glasses+038.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div align="center"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">And, speaking of <span style="font-size: large;"><em>porches....</em></span><span style="font-size: small;"> look who's porch was shown on </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong>The Huffington Post</strong> <a href="http://www.stylelist.com/2012/04/20/outdoor-decor-front-porch-ideas_n_1439152.html?ref=stylelist-home#s887514" target="_blank">Stylelist Home</a> today!!!!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy weekend!</div><div style="text-align: center;">oh, and<em> <span style="font-size: large;">Cheers</span></em>!!!</div><div style="text-align: center;">xojoan</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-84943841348834988602012-04-11T09:49:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:47.559-07:00Here's to Spring!<div style="text-align: center;">and to <em>you</em>!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ExfQZ0pwpY/T4Wyq9MWxHI/AAAAAAAAGMo/9dCQalUQ_cQ/s1600/iphone+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9ExfQZ0pwpY/T4Wyq9MWxHI/AAAAAAAAGMo/9dCQalUQ_cQ/s640/iphone+014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SgUGd47H-XI/T4WyZ0uQcAI/AAAAAAAAGMM/q8jLQpYirl8/s1600/iphone+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SgUGd47H-XI/T4WyZ0uQcAI/AAAAAAAAGMM/q8jLQpYirl8/s640/iphone+009.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sBFjEdajHNw/T4WygtUIU1I/AAAAAAAAGMU/6JCjnHx1_Q4/s1600/iphone+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" qda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sBFjEdajHNw/T4WygtUIU1I/AAAAAAAAGMU/6JCjnHx1_Q4/s640/iphone+008.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ocu0DG1iO4/T4WyldloJgI/AAAAAAAAGMg/XK4z-rFESTk/s1600/iphone+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" qda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6ocu0DG1iO4/T4WyldloJgI/AAAAAAAAGMg/XK4z-rFESTk/s640/iphone+012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">xojoan<br /></span></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9027775337315106314.post-18449123017051799072012-04-09T13:34:00.000-07:002016-04-09T20:58:47.570-07:00the chairdelier<div style="text-align: center;"><br />When designing a space I <span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em>love</em></strong></span> the <em>rush</em> of that split-second when you come up with an idea, a design, or a solution for a room and you <em>just know</em> that it's the right one!! The vintage iron chandelier that I used as a light fixture in <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2012/03/barn-mud-room.html" target="_blank">the barn mud room</a> was one of those moments for me. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I've found that going into a new space to decorate I will usually "see" 80% of the finished design (i.e. furniture placement, art, colors) and the rest comes organically after living in, and with, the room. The <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2012/03/barn-mud-room.html" target="_blank">mud room</a> between the barn room and the garage below is small, so I chose lighting that would illuminate the art I had planned for the staircase wall <em>and</em> also illuminate the stairs coming up from the garage below. Two small lamps in the antique hutch light the path from the top of the stairs into the barn room. Since the room is used as a pass through space I really only need ambient light, as opposed to "task" lighting. After using the room for several months I realized that I wanted/needed a bit more light from the window area of the room. I initially thought of putting a small table there with a lamp on it, but didn't like the idea for two reasons- one it seemed expected and two, it placed the light source a little too high for where I needed/wanted more light. <br />It was during this time that I was unpacking unused antiques/accessories from boxes that had been in the attic since we moved here into the new storage room that sits right behind the mud room. As I made one of my many trips into the storage room to unpack a box I noticed the vintage iron chandelier and then as I walked through the mud room the idea came to me to use the fixture in an unexpected way- not by hanging it, but by sitting it in a chair and wiring it as you would a lamp! By placing the light on the chair it doesn't line up with the other light sources in the room and it causes your eye to move around the space, making the room feel larger and adding interest.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N3ub6N6jSsk/T37rwn8E7KI/AAAAAAAAGKg/7Sx49wj39_s/s1600/chairdelierI+029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N3ub6N6jSsk/T37rwn8E7KI/AAAAAAAAGKg/7Sx49wj39_s/s640/chairdelierI+029.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We purchased the iron chandelier years ago from White Elephant in Dallas. I had originally wanted to hang it from one of our large trees in our backyard and light it using candles, but that project never happened. The iron itself is <em>really</em> unusual- it looks like tooled leather! The fixture was oiled, but I left the finish as I found it- with a little rust coming through.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bCrmRG4QSEY/T37sj4dgGwI/AAAAAAAAGK8/aqQozCe2Wvc/s1600/chairdelierI+025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bCrmRG4QSEY/T37sj4dgGwI/AAAAAAAAGK8/aqQozCe2Wvc/s640/chairdelierI+025.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_a5AQDyq1lI/T37svx4XqYI/AAAAAAAAGLI/dOvhj2nvVBE/s1600/chairdelierI+047.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_a5AQDyq1lI/T37svx4XqYI/AAAAAAAAGLI/dOvhj2nvVBE/s640/chairdelierI+047.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Since the light fixture would be seen from the top looking down instead of how you usually view a chandelier (from the bottom up), and because the candle holder cups were so large I knew that I would need special candle sleeves for this piece. I looked to a favorite source, <a href="http://www.beeswaxcandlecovers.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Lumiere Candles</span></a>. </div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SmDd78Nf7XA/T37sFCU5NRI/AAAAAAAAGKs/_4h8ehjoE48/s1600/chairdelierI+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SmDd78Nf7XA/T37sFCU5NRI/AAAAAAAAGKs/_4h8ehjoE48/s640/chairdelierI+003.JPG" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">I found the perfect sleeves in these <a href="http://www.candlecoverstore.com/Beeswax-Collection_c21.htm" target="_blank"><em>large diameter solid wax candle sleeves</em></a> from Lumiere. These are <em>real wax</em> sleeves (though they do make a "resin" line for higher wattage bulbs) that are custom made to each order. I have purchased real wax candle sleeves from Lumiere <em>many</em> times and have written about their quality products and good prices on the blog ( <a href="http://fortheloveofahouse.blogspot.com/2011/08/favorite-detail-real-wax-candle-sleeves.html" target="_blank">here</a>.) From all the great feedback I get from<em> you</em>, you love them as much as I do!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(<em>In case you're new to the blog- the owners, Paul and Lisa, have kindly offered a 10% off coupon for all my readers! This is a permanent coupon, with no minimum purchase! </em><em>When checking out, simply enter the coupon code</em> : <strong>FLOH</strong> <em>in the "Coupon" box and then be sure to click "apply coupon" which will re-tally your amount.</em>)</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-33B6sGAhUnU/T3sc7lEhptI/AAAAAAAAGJo/HLmZIePylVc/s1600/Chairdelier+covers+Bird+Snapshot+002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="494" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-33B6sGAhUnU/T3sc7lEhptI/AAAAAAAAGJo/HLmZIePylVc/s640/Chairdelier+covers+Bird+Snapshot+002.JPG" width="640" /></a> <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Look at those<em> gorgeous drips</em>! Since the iron candle holders had an inch lip I specified that the drips stop an inch up from the bottom for clearance. The sleeves are in "white" which I find works best for my Benjamin Moore <em>White Dove</em> trim paint color ( fyi: Lumiere's "ivory" has more yellow in it).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-io-ZGmFvOEA/T3sekU5VkDI/AAAAAAAAGKM/BE0rTNAdHZI/s1600/Chairdelier+covers+Bird+Snapshot+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="290" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-io-ZGmFvOEA/T3sekU5VkDI/AAAAAAAAGKM/BE0rTNAdHZI/s640/Chairdelier+covers+Bird+Snapshot+006.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">My very talented electrician (<em>Dan </em>;) wired <em>the chairdelier</em> (name coined by said electrician;) using thin "chandelier" electrical wire which comes out from the bottom of the piece. Thin wire holds the electrical wire in place. This photo gives you a good view of the "tooled leather" look of the iron.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xyVkO98Bo4Y/T37sN78XNvI/AAAAAAAAGK0/25S_1h7M3x4/s1600/chairdelierI+014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xyVkO98Bo4Y/T37sN78XNvI/AAAAAAAAGK0/25S_1h7M3x4/s640/chairdelierI+014.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">An old chain was added to create the illusion that I just sat a chandelier in a chair which adds a bit of whimsy to the space.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iJMEaY_a3vE/T37s0I_Xq3I/AAAAAAAAGLQ/yXleybgOf3o/s1600/chairdelierI+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nda="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iJMEaY_a3vE/T37s0I_Xq3I/AAAAAAAAGLQ/yXleybgOf3o/s640/chairdelierI+048.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Z1DXGbk6bo/T37t6MNCbBI/AAAAAAAAGLk/YQ5xqjoEI4o/s1600/chairdelierI+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nda="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_Z1DXGbk6bo/T37t6MNCbBI/AAAAAAAAGLk/YQ5xqjoEI4o/s640/chairdelierI+011.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The chairdelier uses my new favorite touch-dimmer (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004XS8Y?ie=UTF8&tag=forthelove005-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00004XS8Y" target="_blank">here</a>.) </div><div style="text-align: center;">This 3-level (low/medium/high) touch dimmer only works on <strong>metal</strong> lamps. You simply plug your metal lamp into a small box converter and then touch <em>any metal part</em> of the lamp and the dimmer activates: one tap- low, two taps- medium, and three taps- high.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n64HOVLoNhA/T38CIhH3oEI/AAAAAAAAGL4/BbDweD-uDIE/s1600/chairdelierI+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nda="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-n64HOVLoNhA/T38CIhH3oEI/AAAAAAAAGL4/BbDweD-uDIE/s640/chairdelierI+009.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jSBDfN25ze8/T37s7ecZmUI/AAAAAAAAGLY/sVPCPm9lJ00/s1600/chairdelierI+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" nda="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jSBDfN25ze8/T37s7ecZmUI/AAAAAAAAGLY/sVPCPm9lJ00/s640/chairdelierI+056.JPG" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />gotta<strong><em> <span style="font-size: large;">love</span></em></strong> the <em>rush</em>!!!<br /><br /></div>horhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01628281053694535965noreply@blogger.com