A Relaxing Afternoon

Last weekend I was getting a little worn out at catching up on chores and by Sunday
afternoon I decided to take a little break for a cup of tea...

And browse through this wonderful old book about roses...

It was published in 1914 and given to me a few years ago by my childhood (and
adulthood) friend, Stephanie Lloyd.

I love spending leisurely time with this book.  It even has a signature by a previous owner
or gift giver that is dated 1915.  The book boasts color plates and the pictures are
wonderful.

And,  as I was having my tea and enjoying the book my eye started wandering to some
of the antique perfume bottles I have.  My mother had a very large collection of antique
perfume bottles and when I moved out to California she would often send me one for
my birthday.  There would always be a sweet note saying something like "I was looking
at this and thought you should have it".  I thought maybe you might enjoy seeing a few too.
They are all hand blown and hand painted and very old.

The long thin bottle below was carried by Greta Garbo in the movie Ninotchka in 1939.
Unfortunately, the stopper was misplaced.

It really turned out to be a very relaxing afternoon.  Tulips, roses, dried hydrangeas and
a lovely book.  Not to mention a relaxing cup of tea.

How quickly time passes.  All of a sudden evening seemed to be setting in.

I also want to mention that if you hurry there may still be room in Jermaine's French-Kissed
Paris Shopping Spree trip.  For more details visit here or click on the notice on my sidebar. 
And remember to send me a postcard!

I hope you are enjoying your week!



I am linking to Rose Vignettes
I am linking to French Country Cottage
I am linking to My Romantic Home
I am linking to The House In The Roses

Oh, What A Beautiful Morning...I Can Even See Catalina Island!

We have been having lots of rain in Southern California this past week but today was
beautiful.  In an effort to ease my eager spring fever I decided I would take a few
pictures while on my walk this morning. 
Our beautiful white flowering pear trees lost all their blossoms in the heavy wind and
rain of the last few days but the flowering plum trees are still quite lovely.

The Magnolia trees are beginning to bloom...

Some of the spring flowers are also beginning to blossoms too. Like this Calla Lily and
Bird of Paradise.  You can still see the raindrops...

After the walk I met a friend for breakfast. He is leaving to go to France for a few
weeks so we decided to meet in Santa Monica because it was a glorious crystal clear
morning.  I looked toward the mountains and was surprised how snow covered they are.
They are about 2 hours away. That’s one of the wonderful things about California, you
have the Pacific Ocean on one side of you and the snow covered peaks on the other.

Here are some of the snow covered peaks...remember they are about 2 hours away...

Look, you can even see the famous Hollywood Sign below the mountains...

But I was headed to a restaurant near the Pacific Ocean. The sky and water was so
blue today...

Even though it was very early (he had to catch an early flight) people were already at
play and enjoying this beautiful clear crisp weather...

And sailing...

It was so clear you could see Catalina Island which is 26 miles across the sea! There’s
a bit of morning haze but the island can still be seen...

Those of you who used to watch the show Baywatch will recognize this beach.
This is where they filmed that show...

Looking toward Malibu...

Well, getting back to my spring fever...I have put some flowering branches in a vase and
I was hoping they would be flowering by now. But they are just beginning to bud.
Oh well, I love the branches and once the flowers bloom they will look extra beautiful...

Kathysue of Good Life of Design recently wrote a wonderful post about decorating with
branches. Her post also included some beautiful images you can view here.

Also helping with my spring fever is this lovely orchid that friends gave me when my kitty
died. It is a soft yellow that definitely speaks spring...

I also added a couple of vases of roses because they were on sale at Trader Joe’s for
only $3.99 a dozen. Who could resist!

And yes, my dried hydrangeas also remind me spring will bring fresh flowers...

What are you doing to help with your spring fever?  Do you ever decorate with flowering
branches?   I would love to hear your spring fever tips!

Textures of Autumn

All of a sudden Autumn has fallen upon Southern California.

Many leaves have already left the branches...

And are resting on the ground...

I really don’t decorate for seasons. But now and then I do add a few things here and

there to add a little interest.  Do you have a “Catch-all” table?  Well, I do and it is

directly outside of my kitchen.  I use it when I pull things out of the cupboards which

will be distributed later or to drop things at the end of the day.

As I mentioned in my last post I have had a bad cold and no energy whatsoever.
So, this year I gathered things and just put them on my “Catch-all” table until I had

more energy to distribute and add them to rooms.  But a few days ago a friend called

and was on her way over for a visit.  I really didn’t have time to move things around so

I just lit a couple of little candles. It looked very autumnal so I decided to show you my

“Catch-all” table and next time I will show you my softer autumnal lighter toned table.
Believe me, things never stay on the “Catch-all” table for long.  When these items are
not together on one table they certainly do not look quite so fall-ish.

I love autumn and I love that we are heading to my favorite holiday, Thanksgiving.
I adore pumpkins and I always look for just the ones I want and I hope they last
through Thanksgiving.  This year I enjoy the look of the Musque De Provence
pumpkin from France.

 As you can see, there are also small pumpkins and gourds on the table and inside a
willow cloche...

The delectable, crisp fall fruits...Apples, Pears, Grapes, Persimmons...

The glass cloche does not want to be outdone by the willow...

Autumn is certainly a season of texture...

The Autumn Hydrangia in all it's beautiful glory...



I hope you have a wonderful week and enjoy the cool weather.