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

Please Meet Metal Sculptor Dick Lanne

I recently introduced you to artist Jennifer Lanne in a post here. In that post I mentioned
her talented husband artist Dick Lanne and promised I would soon be showing you some
of his wonderful and unique work. Dick Lanne is a metal sculptor...

Dick is a blacksmith and each metal sculpture is molded, melded and contorted out of old
stock, iron, strapping, pitchforks and farm found tools. Here are a few more of his unique
and handsome pieces...

Dick Lanne forges each iron piece using vintage tools...

High heat and anvils in a proper primitive manner without the use of electricity...
(here you can almost feel the heat)...

His blacksmith shop is located in an old barn attached to the pig-pen and house which is
inhabited by a pair of 700 pound English Saddleback hogs!

Dick Lanne is mainly a self-taught blacksmith with some knowledge passed down from
an old family friend, as well as numerous books and personal study.

In the near future I am also hoping to show you more of their wonderful farm.  You can
visit Jennifer's delightful blog here to see more of both Dick's and Jennifer's work.

It is always such a pleasure to meet new and creative people. This time it's been fun
showing art work that is very masculine and primitive and yet very current.

I want to thank my friend Stephanie Lloyd for introducing me to the wonderful work of
Jennifer and Dick Lanne. Stephanie is back to blogging again (thank goodness because
she is so talented) and you can find her lovely blog here.  Just click on her "My Blog" tab.

Have a wonderful week.

(All photos courtesy of Jennifer Lanne)

Please Meet Artist Jennifer Lanne

This past year I was introduced to the wonderful  work of artist Jennifer Lanne.  I have
been awestruck by her beautiful and amazing paintings.

The person who brought Jennifer to my attention was my friend Stephanie Lloyd.  You
see, she and Jennifer are also friends in upstate New York.

Jennifer and her husband Dick Lanne, also an amazing artist, live on an old farm where
the house dates back to the late 1700's.  Her studio is in their centuries old barn with
views of orchards, farmland and her beloved animals...chickens, roosters, pigs and
goats to name a few.  I'm quite certain these artist's creativity is fueled by the beautiful
and inspiring surroundings and environment.

Jennifer has been featured in the magazine Where Women Create and also Country
Living magazine.  She is going to be featured in a coming issue of Where Women Cook
where you will be invited into her home and kitchen and see some of her fabulous
cookie art!  I will also be giving you a peek at that in a future post.

But today I want to show you a few of her amazing and beautiful paintings...

 

 

Dick Lanne is an artist in metal works.  His art of blacksmithing forged sculptural
displays for many of Jennifer's paintings which creates the perfect marriage of metal and
canvas.  I am also hoping to be able to show you more of his work in a future post.

They truly are a creative couple...

Stephanie Lloyd's beautiful home holds a wonderful collection of Jennifer's work
including entire walls that Jennifer has painted as murals.  Stunning!

And paintings...

As you can see from the picture above, Jennifer is absolutely adorable!!!  But, don't
think for one minute that this beautiful artistic woman is a shrinking violet...

I will be showing you more of Jennifer's studio and home and animals in future posts.
In the meantime please take a look at her wonderful site HERE.  You can see more
of her paintings and read her charming blog.

I hope you are all having a wonderful week.

(Photo of Jennifer and Dick Lanne from Country Living magazine)

(All other photos courtesy of Jennifer Lanne and Stephanie Lloyd)

My Spring Fever Continues!

Well, the weather has certainly cooperated with my Spring Fever!  We have had
beautiful sunny warm days in Southern California with temperatures around 80!
Believe me, this is not the normal weather for this time of year, we are usually in the
50's and 60’s.  However, I have been totally enjoying this burst of early spring to
feed my spring fever.

Recently I visited a wonderful antique store named A Beautiful Mess and had a lovely
conversation with the owner, Kymberely Fraser of 3 Fine Grains.  If you are in
the Southern California area I know you will enjoy a visit to A Beautiful Mess in Agoura. 
I only wish I had had my camera with me. Next time, for sure!  It is a very lovely store.

Because it was such gorgeous weather I also spent some time outdoors in Malibu. I
guess everyone else decided to do the exact same thing.  It was so nice to see so many
people out playing in the sand and surf.

The famous Malibu Pier...

Even though the surf was mellow the surfers lined up waiting for the next wave...

The Lifeguard patroled the beach...

The red sand of the Malibu cliffs was showing a little green...

Children were frolicking in the sand and sea...

Bright colorful umbrellas were making an appearance...

But just turn your head in the other direction and you are reminded that it is still January
and this spring fever will soon disappear for another few weeks...

Later, I went to visit a friend and passed by a park where many people were also

enjoying the beautiful weather...

Playing soccer...

A baseball game...

Yes, all signs of spring!

I also saw four Monarch butterflies but didn’t have my camera ready...definitely a sign of
spring!  And,  I think the birds are beginning to get their summer cottages ready...

Yes, I definitely have spring fever.  However, I know this will be short-lived because
temperatures will fall back to normal in a few days.  They say that next month is going to
be very rainy for us.  Oh well, spring will follow and we will all be enjoying the gorgeous
weather again.

I hope you have a wonderful week.

PS... Please know that even if you haven't heard from me I am reading your blogs. 
I have been working long hours on a project and also, my kitty (who is 27 years
old!) has been very ill for the last week so I have not had the time to leave comments.
But please know that I have been reading and enjoying your blogs.  You will start
hearing from me again soon.  Thanks so much for understanding.