White Wednesday: Sunroom Whites

I remember about 10 weeks into White Wednesday someone made the comment that they were running out of white things to post about. And my comment to them, in joking was, "oh, just move them around to different places and no one will ever know the difference." I guess I'm following my own advice. I've realized that maybe we might have a tendency to repeat some of our "whites", but it's about how we use them, the season, and the elements in a vignette.

I love white china and ironstone, and of course my sunroom has been the subject of countless posts. But, trying to keep things fresh, I've learned just to "change things up". That's one of the reasons I love to decorate with the seasons.

During the winter this little sugar bowl and creamer held paperwhites, while now they are filled with wild violets that I dug up from my backyard. Amazing how a weed can drive me crazy for 11 months of the year, then for 1 month I'm really lovin' them.

Old and chippy picket fence gate

Several of you asked about my little "garden box" or conservatory that was in the background of my Silver Sunday post. I found it about six years ago at a local antique mall. I know that several people in the area were making them about that time. There are some pretty elaborate and BIG ones around here. I believe Brian and Meloney from the Seed Box made a few that were very large and really amazing!

The fleur de lys are hinges and the top opens at the front.

And here are more photos of some

 of my collection of white pottery.

Hull, McCoy, USA, Haeger, and some unmarked ones.

I just love them with or without plants.

And with or without cats EATing the plants...

Some of you have heard my harrowing story

 about my wicker furniture.

I seem to have a little problem with collecting it.

But what I love about the white is that it becomes a backdrop

for whatever season and color scheme I choose.

(love those yo-yos)

Right now I'm enjoying all the colors of Spring

with vintage floral quilts.

My old white door and mirror

anchor my seasonal wreaths.

Love that morning sun.

Thanks for suffering browsing through another sunroom post.

You know it won't be the last!

Only two more days to enter the GiveAway

Click Here

Still lovin' White Wednesday,

drop by and say Hi to Kathleen at Faded Charm

love,

Debra

Groundhog Love

Just wanted to wish you a little

"Groundhog" Love today!

And here's to thoughts of an early spring!

Debra

White Wednesday, Meet Lucy

If you have been visiting my blog for a while, you might have seen Miss Lucy, (as in goosey) in some of my Dining Room photos. She has a nest in my wrought iron French basket that resides on my Dining Room table. She's pretty quiet and doesn't raise much of a fuss.

She's content to watch over all the sheep that congregate there also. Miss Lucy has seen better days, as she has lost the little plastic "eyes" that she once had, and the time she spent in the elements has caused her to crack and chip in places. After all, she is just an old cardboard decoy, that men have used as "bait" for their exploits. But she found a place in my heart and she came home with me about 2 years ago, to be given a place of honor at my table.

Whatever the season or the holiday,

she receives a new "floral nest"...

And a fresh ribbon with which she celebrates.

She is a slightly odd little duck that gives me great delight.

 Here is to celebrating those things

that may seem odd to others,
(like an old beat-up cardboard decoy)

but bring us unexpected joy!

love,

Debra

Now, for more fun please visit Kathleen,

at Faded Charm

For every thing there is a season

I buy my calendars for the New Year, usually in the fall. I love picking them out, and then waiting for the day I take the old one down and put up the new one. I have said before how much I love the change of seasons. They give me something new to look forward to. I love them all. To me they have not only physical beauty in their differences, but also it is a time mentally and spiritually to think of "change".

Spring is about new life and revival

Summer is about enjoying the growth

Fall is for bringing in the harvest

Winter is for quiet, rest and contemplation

This is my calendar in the kitchen by Marjolein Bastin. I so enjoy her endearing artwork of animals and nature. Each month I look forward to see what she has painted from her own home in The Netherlands.

As I put it up recently I paid special attention

 to the quote for January.

"In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy."

William Blake 

It reminded me of the verses from Ecclesiastes.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven
A time to give birth, and a time to die; A time to plant, and a time to uproot what is planted.
A time to kill, and a time to heal; A time to tear down, and a time to build up. 
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A time to throw stones, and a time to gather stones; A time to embrace, and a time to shun embracing.
A time to search, and a time to give up as lost; A time to keep, and a time to throw away.

A time to tear apart, and a time to sew together; A time to be silent, and a time to speak. 
A time to love, and a time to hate; A time for war, and a time for peace.

God provides the seasons. Each one is new and different. I need to learn and be mindful that each season is there for a purpose, a time to learn and grow, to experience life and His Presence. I want to be fully in the moment whatever He sends my way. To embrace the days He has for me.

I used to "grade" myself on productivity. Did I get accomplished what I needed to for the day? Did I waste my time? Lately I have had a shift in thinking. Live the day for what it is... meet it fully and learn from it.

To live my life for what it is, each and every day.

These pictures of the snow were taken

Sunday afternoon out my windows...

I love to feed the birds and squirrels, and an occasional possum, rabbit, and raccoon. Look at the tracks. There are all varieties.

These two evergreen trees in the back yard of our neighbor's are home to dozens of varieties of birds. Seeing them active on a day like this is wonderful.

This is a view out my front door. I have mentioned that we live right on the edge of the city and across the street is a wildlife and nature area with a large lake. The preserve is several miles wide and probably over one mile deep. Deer are protected and flourish there. They visit frequently to dine on my hydrangeas.

So this is what we saw Friday as we sat in the kitchen. Looking out the front door here also, I used my zoom lens to get a better picture of our little friends.

At one point we counted nine deer at one time.

So, I'm enjoying the Season. Winter can be a lonely and depressing time for some, but not for me. I always look forward to those days inside. For me it is a time to "regroup", to contemplate life, and to be thankful.

Enjoy whatever "season" you are in.

Blessings,

Debra

Thanksgiving?, no wait... Christmas?

I think that I'm having symptoms of something that's going around. Are you feelin' it? Confusion, dizziness, listlessness, sweaty-ness, hyperactivity? Yes, you are? You feel "torn" and undecided? A little like Jim Carrey in the movie "Me, Myself and Irene"? ...yes, I'm talking schizophrenia here. Multiple personality disorder.
I'm talking, do I decorate for Christmas early, so I can enjoy it for a little longer, or do I stay true to my traditionalist roots and just hunker down and wait for Thanksgiving to be celebrated in a proper manner?
Ooohhh, I'm just having the worst time trying to decide!

The happy side says, "yes, go on, you know you don't have enough time after Thanksgiving and you are always in a rush." The unhappy side says. "What are you thinking? You have some wonderful vintage Turkeys and Thanksgiving decor. You've never done this before. Snap out of it!!!!"

So to try to alleviate the indecision and tug of war, I have decided to make a little compromise, just a smidgen of a compromise. I'm removing the colorful fall foliage, all the bright neon orange (I love it, but I'm ready to move on) and I'm adding in some faux evergreen, pine cones and hydrangeas. I'm on the edge, but trying to be sensitive to my love of this special holiday, Thanksgiving.

(image Martha Stewart Living)

Why, oh why, couldn't our founding fathers and government officials have realized that the last week in November is just too late for us decor people. Men, they just don't think of these important concepts!!

So I'm working toward making the transition a little easier. Usually I spend a week trying to change it all up, only to be exhausted and cranky, with a million boxes and a big mess. I'm trying to ease into it, so when November 29th gets here (when the kids go back to St. Louis) I can at least have a little "jump" on things!

I will keep the hydrangeas and the winter greenery,

 and just change out the white pumpkins

 for something more Christmas-y.

(more on this little tree later)

Living room mantle with a few vintage turkeys

and new evergreen topiaries bagged in burlap.

(my new "favorite thing")

Now tell me, how could I not give these cute fellas their "moment"?

The turkeys will probably be replaced

with a few of my Christmas churches,

and I will add some tiny twinkle lights.

Sunroom wreath that is my new header photo

Like I have said, the sunroom is the first place

in the house that feels the change of season.

Favorite quilt without the pillow

(usually, there is a cat attached)

Little vintage partridge

Kitchen centerpiece is still filled with fall pumpkins,

 but when November 29 gets here...

...out they go, with a hurricane glass,

 candle, and some holly berries replacing it.

OK, now I'm feeling better that I have opened

 up about my decorating dilemma.

But, I'm still feeling a little like Jim...

Have a great day!

Debra

p.s. No disrespect to the mental health community or anyone suffering from this problem, just a little levity here.

p.p.s. If you haven't seen the previous post on the Christmas Open House at Inspirational Home, be sure and scroll down. I will have more photos of this great store for "White Wednesday"