Vintage Valentine Vignette

I've been trying to round up some of my Valentine's Day decor and realizing a box is likely hidden underneath a stack of boxes in my storage room. I know... story of my life these last 6 or so years. I know exactly what's missing, I just don't know where it is. So I'm using a few vintage cupid pieces that were easy to get my hands on in the china closet.

All About Home Link Party #24

Hi Friends, so glad you came by!
So I had to check my calender to be sure, but gosh, next week will be February! We had snow and icy stuff a few days last week, but I was able to stay in and enjoy it the easy way. I'm ready for February and all Valentine's Day fun!

January Musings

Years ago I found the wonderful book of illustrations from Edith Holden entitled The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. And just last year our friend Jacqueline from Cabin and Cottage introduced me to the lesser known book, The Nature Notes of an Edwardian Lady which is a similar collection of watercolors and notes of the months and seasons. Both are captivating and insightful, and full of nature's beauty.

All About Home Link Party #23

Hi Friends, so glad you came by!

It's been a typical January around here, cold, wet, and cold. We haven't had a bunch of snow yet, just that miserable wind that chills you to the bone. All I want to do is sit by the fire with a hot cup of something. But I've started thinking about a little Valentine's Day fun... How about you?

January Cupboard in Candlelight

For me, January is a month for settling in for Winter. Here in the lower Midwest we do have a few beautiful warmer days during Winter, but for the most part the days are gray and cold and spitting something wet. In January I'm all about staying warm and cozy indoors. To combat the short dreary days I like to have some spaces in the house that evoke a feeling of warmth and comfort.

Cozy Winter Home Tours

Hi Friends, glad you're stopping by today as I'm joining in with some wonderful ladies who are sharing our take on a "Cozy Winter Home". After all the Christmas decor is stashed away it can look a little bare around the house. In January I'm ready for a more neutral look with soft and warm textures and spaces. Give me a cozy chair, a warm quilt or throw, a couple of squishy pillows, candles, a hot drink of something yummy, and of course a fire (if you can get one.) Our hostess, Amber from Follow the Yellow Brick Home came up with the perfect idea to get us in the mood for winter. If you came over from Marty's lovely living room decorated for winter at A Stroll Thru Life, thanks so much. Glad you're here.

Easy Neutral Decor in the Entry

This post is about 2 or 3 weeks behind schedule, since everyone is moving on to Valentine's Day decor. I think there are a lot of us who like to use our blog as a visual diary of our projects and decorating. So even though it's time to add in a little Valentine's this week, I want to share January's Entry and Dining Room with you all.

Vintage Elements on the January Baker's Rack

Before the calendar changes over to February and we find ourselves indulging in all shades of pink and rosebuds and hearts and Valentines, I'm finally able to share some of the vintage goods that I've brought together here in the Kitchen Sitting Area.

Neutral Winter Home Decor Link Party

Neutral Winter Home Decor Blog Hop

Hello Everyone, and welcome to Day 3 of the Neutral Winter Home Decor Blog Hop! If you're coming from Jaclyn's blog, Fancy Pants Mommy Company I'm so glad you're here! With all the weeks of Christmas decorating we all did, I know I was really ready for a different look around the house on January 1. I always look forward to putting all the Christmas decor snug in their tubs waiting for next season. A little space to breath and a fresh clean look is a positive way for me to start the New Year.

It's Personal...

All the Christmas decor is pretty much put away by today. I packed things up in temporary plastic tubs because it's just too cold to go out and rummage around in the garage (my seasonal decor boxes are in one area) I replaced the Christmas things with "winter" things, because, well, it's winter, and I like winter when it's not 0 degrees outside. We're having an early burst of super cold, and I'm wandering around the house with multiple layers of long underwear and thermal/fleece things. Warmth and comfort, I'm all about that right now.

Paperwhites, Fresh or Faux?

I've had this little obsession with Paperwhites for about 10 years now. There is just something so pristine and snowy fresh about a grouping of them. In the past I would buy around a hundred bulbs each season close to Halloween and start the planting process. That was the fun part, I've planted bulbs in everything from Santa Mugs to Antique Ironstone Tureens to the re-purposed clear glass jars that candles come in from Bath and Body Works. I love them and never get tired of them.

A Winter Dining Room in Neutrals

Since packing up the Christmas decor I've been bringing out my light and neutral decor pieces. In the Dining Room that meant changing out the table runner and doing something a little different on the table. 

Vintage White Suitcases Make a Comeback...

January is the month for a fresh start and a clean slate. I always look forward to a new calendar and the possibilities that the New Year brings. No matter what the previous year has held, good or bad, I thank God for His good plans for the future, and I'm grateful that we are moving forward with a positive attitude. 

(It's a Chilly) Christmas on the Front Porch

Welcome to our Home for Christmas!

I think we're all having below normal temps this last week.

Actually, it's been pretty chilly around here for the last several weeks;

chilly enough to keep me from wanting to spend time outside

 fiddling with Christmas decorations and my camera.

Valentine Birdies, a Photo Bomb, and a Winner

For me, Valentines Day signals the end of winter and the start of all things Spring in my decorating. Even though the weather sometimes doesn't agree, I put away all my evergreens and snowy winter-y things and concentrate on bringing in a few flowering faux branches, some lighter colors, and start thinking garden and seeds.

A new teapot and a bit of Toile

I have to admit, I have a few small rituals that I really enjoy. Having a few cups of hot tea in the afternoon is one of them. This last week has seen really low temps, so that just adds to the comfort level that having something "hot" to sip on can bring. I'm not a cup and saucer and "pinky in the air" type; I love a generous and heavy mug; something to wrap my hands around.

It's a Pillow Thing...and you can win!

Fall is definitely here in the MidWest and there's no better way to add some warmth and coziness to your home, than with a few fun pillows in Autumnal colors and designs. Let's just say that I have a Thing for these great graphic pillows from Elliott-Heath Designs!

The super talented Heather of Elliott-Heath Designs has been a sponsor of Common Ground since I found her wonderful pillow creations several years ago. I've had several Pillow Give-Aways with Heather, the first of many, her Sunflower Pillow, has become iconic for Late Summer decor.

I have quite a few of Heather's wonderful pillow covers, and I've purchased several for gifts too. She has beautiful and unique designs for every Holiday, Season, and Occasion. Here's my latest, just waiting for the new house and the start of the Christmas Season.

Here are just a few more designs for the Christmas and Holiday Season.

... it's the perfect time to start thinking of snuggling by the fire this Fall.

Heather has so many fun designs for Halloween and Thanksgiving, 

you'll want to check them out, too!

This is a super easy Give Away with 3 chances to win:

1. Run by Elliott-Heath on Facebook and "Like" her page. Let me know in a comment if you have done this in the past, or if you're new to the page.
2. Head over to the Elliott-Heath Etsy Shop and Pin at least 3 Pillows for one of your boards, like Fall Decor or Christmas. Then come back and leave a comment saying you did.
3. Post on your own Facebook Page about the Give Away here at Common Ground, then let me know in a comment.

Hope you'll enter to win this beautiful pillow cover,

 it's perfect for Autumn into Winter.

Give Away ends a week from today, Monday, October 20.

xoxo,

A little gift...

We spent yesterday over at the old house packing, like we have for the last several weekends, and I'm sure for the next few months... I have to say it's slow going. The house is a mess, we're working hard but the pace is just tedious. When it's quiet and I'm working by myself my mind starts to wander and I think about what was happening last year at this time. What was I doing, and what was I blogging about? What was taking up my focus, was I "happy" and appreciating each day? Did I realize that in just a few months I would be in the middle of this seeming chaos?

Today was a little sad for some reason, I took out bird seed for the locals, but there were only my two little cardinals that came down to feed. I miss the birds and even the rotten squirrels that hang around and gobble everything up. I miss my daily routine, I miss my view from the kitchen window, that kept me up on what was happening with the weather and who was hanging out at the feeder. Even though I'm looking forward to the good things that are coming, I'm realizing that it doesn't hurt to hold those things from the past close to your heart.

I looked back through my photo gallery and here are some pics from exactly a year ago today. Funny, I didn't show this little needlework piece at that time. It didn't seem all that interesting, just an unsigned little work that wasn't particularly artistic or "good". It has been hanging on my kitchen wall for at least 5 years, and I've read it many times, but today looking back and seeing it in a photo, it spoke to me in a more meaningful way.

 This is what was happening exactly a year ago, a terrible day of snow and sleet, and some hungry little critters.

See my little girl friend under the wagon?

It was really coming down and she was taking shelter from the storm.

Goldfinches, Purple finches, Wrens, and Bluebirds.

One of my sweet girls enjoying the view with me.

Just wanted to share this day with you, just wanted to share that little thought with you; that each day is indeed a gift. We might not know the importance of it at the moment, but looking back with a different perspective, we see that it truly is a blessing. And maybe, hopefully, in a year from now, I will look back at yesterday and see that day for what it really was.

If you haven't entered the Give Away with French Bleu Vintage, then click here. Adrian has so many beautiful things in her store. She's giving away a $35.00 Gift Certificate and has a 25% sale going on storewide. Hope you'll run by for a vist.

 joining in on these great parties:

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Amaze Me Monday at Dwellings

Inspire Me Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House
Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Make it a special day,

xoxo,

knowing the right time...

Just wanted to check in with everyone, since my last post was on Thursday morning. We picked up the keys to the new "little house" Friday afternoon. Funny that I'm calling it "the little house". When hubbs and I first were married we lived in a gardener's cottage on my parents property...we called it "the little house".  This would be a mansion in comparison to our tiny first house. Just one big room with a little bedroom that was heated with an old time gas heater. We were so happy: we didn't care where we lived.

We did a walk-thru Friday and realized that the carpets had not been cleaned so we spent most of the day Saturday over there doing that. I've said it before and I'll say it again, gotta have my Bissell Carpet Cleaner. It's saved the day on more than one occasion. We should have been here packing, but I have a pet peeve about dirty floors...'nough said.

I had to show these pics of one of my sweet birdies that I've been feeding during all the ice and snow of the last two weeks. I grabbed the camera and caught these. The setting is off, but I wanted to share them with you, anyway. The snow is almost melted and we're supposed to have a 60 degree afternoon...yay! Anyway, I kept seed out for the little guys (Juncos and Sparrows) and some ornery squirrels, it was grand central all day around the feeders. I'm going to miss these little guys, but then again, I'll be at this house a lot because we still have packing and sorting and getting ready for a sale to do. We'll be back and forth working at both houses. Our new house is a temporary one, we have a year's lease, but we hope to have some set plans by then. 

Do you ever have an understanding of God's timing? It's hard to put into words, but I know you know what I mean. By our own thinking this wouldn't be the right timing to take a big step. Hubbs had inner ear surgery for Meniere's Disease, (he's much much better) in April, and I've had several rounds in the hospital with blood clots in my arteries next to my heart (I'm better too)...not a good time to plan several moves. But we just knew that the timing was now to get started with this transition...moving into a smaller lease house, getting rid of some of the "stuff" that's been cluttering up our lives. We had a flea market business for about 8 years, and during those years too much "stuff" came home with us. We knew that now was the time to lighten up and get freed up of some things...for some new things. Not just material; but emotional, and spiritual baggage that has held us in one place for awhile. We're starting to feel like this little bird...

This is the scripture verse that has been the center of my thoughts this last week.

Version: RSV

Isaiah 40:28-31

28. Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary, his understanding is unsearchable. 29. He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. 30. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; 31. but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

...have a good Sunday.

Joining in here:

Inspire Me at A Stroll Thru Life
The Scoop at StoneGable

xoxo,