collecting — Page 52

The Unseasonal Decorator

September 27, 2011 at 10:31 am by Claudia

I know this might be a form of blasphemy in this nesting, decorating blog world….but I’m not much of a seasonal decorator. There, I’ve said it.

First of all, I don’t have much room to store that kind of thing. Furthermore, all I have to do is look out my window or, better yet, go outside, to see seasonal decorating in all its glory. Why compete? I know I’m blessed (or cursed, depending on the season) because I live in the northeast, where each season is distinct and beautiful. I’ve been trying to remember if I did more seasonal decorating when I lived in San Diego where the seasons are two: gorgeous or rainy. I don’t think I did.

I decorate the living room area for Christmas, never the rest of the house. No red, white and blue on those patriotic holidays. Maybe a fabric egg or two at Easter. I don’t change out pillows or slipcovers for the seasons, either. It’s just not my thing and besides, our little cottage is only 1200 square feet. Where would I keep all that stuff?

At this time of year, I usually buy a pumpkin or two. That’s about it. Last year, I searched high and low for white mini pumpkins. Tracie took pity on me and sent me some. This year, I was pleasantly surprised when I found some at my local market.

These and maybe a pumpkin on the porch will be the extent of my fall decorating.

I do love white mini pumpkins.

The wicker rocker is now in the bedroom. No, it hasn’t been fixed yet. Don commented more than once about how much he liked the more spacious feeling in the living room in the rocker’s absence. So I tweaked a few things in the bedroom and there you have it. The room is definitely closer to something-like-charming with the addition of the rocker. Next up: painting all the darker pieces of furniture. Maybe with chalk paint?

I found another piece of miniature pottery the other day.

A little creamer, most likely a souvenir, from Barbados. I fell in love with the colors and the design. Isn’t it sweet?

A reminder about Thursday:

I hope this will become a weekly meme. We’ll see. Share a photo from your home or yard that isn’t staged….you know, the mess that is just to the right of your staged, pretty photo. Just a quick slice of real life. I’ll put up my post on Wednesday evening and will figure out Mr. Linky before then. I know there are a lot of memes out there and it can be hard to take part because of life’s daily demands. If you feel like joining, great. If not, I’ll merrily keep on posting my reality shot every Thursday.

The button and code are on my sidebar.

Have a wonderful Tuesday.

Tiny Treasures

September 19, 2011 at 10:40 am by Claudia

Two of my former students won Emmy awards last night. Jim Parsons won his second Emmy for his great work on Big Bang Theory and Abraham Higginbotham won for Modern Family – he is a writer and producer on that wonderful show. Truthfully, both of these guys were favorites of mine who also became my friends. Couldn’t be prouder of them. I just talked with Jim today. Though, wait a minute, I don’t think I heard my name in the acceptance speech…. hmmm.

What do you think of Gladys? Gladys is either a salt or pepper shaker. She was part of that wonderful package of goodies Vintage Sue sent to me. I am so taken by anything that is tiny. And I love this particular style of figurine with the rosy cheeks, cupid’s bow mouth and vintagey look. I believe Miss Gladys is a maid and it looks as if she just took a visitor’s hat.

This guy was also in the package – another salt or pepper shaker. Love, love this face.

What is it about teeny, tiny, miniature things? They call to me. I have little things like this all over the house. Of course, I have my dollhouse and all the miniatures that go in it, but the little things that I’m talking about today aren’t that kind of miniature. They’re not to scale. They are just wee little treasures that pop out here and there amongst all the ‘big’ things around the house. They are unexpected pleasures. Are you a tiny treasure lover?

Speaking of tiny, I used the macro setting to get this photo yesterday:

He’s spun his web in my rose bush. Amazing.

Have a great Monday.

A Want Ad

September 12, 2011 at 12:01 am by Claudia

Since I have a somewhat captive audience here on the blog, may I ask a favor? If you ever see one of these bowls in your travels, please grab one for me.

This is my atmospheric mood picture.

Or maybe I decided to write about this later in the day when it was very cloudy out. I’ll leave it up to you.

I bought 4 of these bowls from a wonderful kitchen store in Woodstock several years ago. Unfortunately, 2 of them broke. I’d like to say it was all Don’s fault, but truth be told, it was due to my own clumsiness. I tried to replace them but the ladies at the shop said the manufacturer wasn’t shipping them anymore. The stamp on the bottom of the bowl says ‘Kiss That Frog.’ So, a couple of years ago, I did a Google search and contacted them. Unfortunately, they were only for sale on a wholesale basis – and I didn’t need 100 of them.

Here’s a view of the both sides. (Pardon the annoying intrusion of our binoculars in the upper left of this photo.) Isn’t the design lovely? As you can see, I’m just about to settle down with some ramen noodles.Yes, it’s true. Apparently, I’m reliving my studio apartment days when ramen was a quick, cheap meal. It still is, I’ve found.

If I had my way, I’d have about 8 or 10 of these. That way I’d have some back-ups. Because I do break things.

These bowls make me happy. Just think how happy I would be if my dear readers found some! I’d reimburse you, of course. Just file this image away in the back of your head and maybe some day you will be walking around a shop and (cue choir of angels) there it will be. You never know. Stranger things have happened.

The Unseasonal Decorator

Tiny Treasures

A Want Ad

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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