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Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Fallin' for Fall

What's It Wednesday #43


Only recently I have fallen in love with fall. It all started with a bowl that once belonged to my dear grandmother. 

Recently I pulled out this wonderful bowl that my Uncle Freddie won at a Carnival when he was 11 years old circa 1952. Every year my uncle would win several of these wonderful glass pieces for his mother and his grandmother. We now know these iridescent and highly collectible pieces as "Carnival Glass". 

What struck me most, when pulling out this bowl, was the color. This bowl started the inspiration that led me to decorate our home for the Fall. I found some wonderful fall scented potpourri and I was off to decorate the rest of the house.



So I decided to build on the colors reflected in the bowl. This center piece was the perfect addition to my great-grandmother's dining room table. 



 As I starting building on the colors of Fall I remembered a peacock lamp, my grandmother made when I was little girl. So I whipped it out, tucked the electrical cord inside and placed her gingerly at the end of the table.
Once I found a place for my grandmother's peacock I knew I I needed to find Fall plates. I headed to Marshall's and found these delightful plates and bowls.


Birdcages are my weakness. I added Fall foliage, a black bird and a white pumpkin. I just love white pumpkins.

Then I couldn't decide which pumpkin to get because they were all beautiful. I passed the responsibility off to my five year son and asked him which pumpkins we should get. He said all of them. He was no help. I fell in love with the materials as well as the textures of these beautiful squash-like gourds.




While at the grocery store I picked up some more Fall colors and textures in the fruit, vegetables, and fall bouquets.

I kept the breakfast table simple with white accents. I felt that my mother's china trimmed in silver was perfect. She has had this set since the mid-60s. It's still one of our favorites. The white ceramic pumpkin was ideal for the center piece.


These glass pumpkins, made to look like mercury glass, were the ideal addition to the Baker's Rack in the breakfast nook. 





I guess that you can never have too many pumpkins. That's my story and I am sticking to it. Actually, I just think I have a new Fall obsession, but please don't tell anyone. 

My son, Sebastian, said the house is really cool and that Thanksgiving must be coming. That just warmed my heart so I have decided the Fall is just as wonderful as summer and now it's official, I have fallen in love with Fall.

What do you love about Fall?


xoxoxoxo
Paula


Ivy and Elephants

Fall Party

 Thank you all for all that you do to inspire others! I know I am inspired each and every week by each and every one of you. 

HERE ARE THIS WEEK'S FABULOUS FEATURES.

These lovely bronze and copper chalkboard trays can be found at The Sepia Puppy

Check out this beautiful Cotton Pickin' basket of beautiful hydrangeas at Blue Creek Home

I am over the moon that Vanna is back. Please visit our dear friend at Delusions of Grandeur. <winks>
This beautiful Fall tablescape is a must see at Our Prairie Home

You will be amazed at A Girl and a Brush

This painted vintage was the perfect touch at The Concrete Cottage

We are partying with these fine folks.

Sunday
Seasonal Sunday @ The Tablescaper
Sunday's Best Party @ My 1929 Charmer
It's Party Time @ It's So Very Cheri

Monday
Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage
Pink Hippo Party @ Pinkapotamus
Amaze Me Monday @ Dittle Dattle
Making The World Cuter Monday @ Making The World Cuter
Bedazzle me Monday @Everything Under the Moon
Creative Mondays @ Judy H-J's Thoughts - A Twinless Twin
Show Me What You Got @ Our Delightful Home
Just A Party with My Peeps @ How to Nest for Less
Cowgirl Up @ The Farmhouse Porch
It's Show Off Monday @ Kampen Lane
Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House

Tuesday 
Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm 
Time to Shine @ A Diamond in the Stuff 
Tuesday Cuppa Tea@ Antiques and Teacups
Table Top Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life 
Talent Tuesday @ Vintage Wanna Bee
Twice Owned Tuesday @ Creating a House of Grace
Tuesday Link Party @ A Bowl Full of Lemons
Knick of Time Tuesday @ Knick of Time
Tuesday's Treasures @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
Anything Goes @ Type A
Club G.W. @ Charm Bracelet Diva 
Show Me What Ya Got@Not JUST a Housewife
Inspiration Board @ Homework
Rock 'N Share @ The Shady Porch
Be Inspired @ Elizabeth & Co.


Wednesday 
What's It Wednesdays @ Ivy & Elephants
Works for Me Wednesday @ We are THAT Family
Primp Your Stuff Wednesday @ Primp
White Wednesday @ Faded Charm
Wednesday Link Party @ Very Merry Vintage Style
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style 
Show and Tell @ Blue Cricket Design
Open House Party @ No Minimalist Here
Create and Share @ Trendy Treehouse
Link It Up Wednesday @ Junk in Their Trunk
Sugar & Spice @ Seven Thirty Three
Show & Share @ Southern Lovely
Time for a Party @ DIY Home Decor & Other Creative Projects

Thursday
Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch to Yours
Time Travel Thursday @ Brambleberry Cottage 
Catch a Glimpse Thursday @ A Glimpse Inside
Creative Things Thursday @ The Vintage Farmhouse
Vintage Thingie Thursday @ The Coloradolady
Pearls and Lace Thursday @ Faith, Grace, and Crafts
Pin'Inspirational Thursday @ The ArtsyGirl Connection
Thrifty Thursday @ Tales from Bloggeritaville
Cute & Creative @ Dumpster Diva
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Coffee & Conversation @ Passionately Perfect
Thrift'n On a Thursday @ Savvy City Farmer
Debbiedoo's Newbie Party @ Debbiedoo's
Thursday Favorite Things @ Katherine's Corner
Home and Garden Thursday @ A Delightsome Life
Creative Thursday @ Michelle's Tasty Creations and Crafty Ideas
Passion Parade Link Soiree @ Petites Passions

Friday
Air Your Laundry Friday @ Freckled Laundry
Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Fridays Unfolded @ Stuff and Nonsense
Vintage Inspiration Friday @ Common Ground
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Inspiration Friday @ At The Picket Fence
Flaunt it Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring Decorating
Feature Yourself Friday@ Finger Prints on the Fridge
Farmhouse Friday @ LaurieAnna's Vintage Home
Thrifty Things Friday @ The Thrifty Groove
Potpourri Party @ 2805
Happy Hour Friday @ Craft Berry Bush

Saturday
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk Interiors
Say G'Day Linky Party @ Natasha in Oz
Saturday Show Off @ The Rose Garden in Malevik

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Kitchen Aids - Then and Now

What's It Wednesday #42


We kitchen divas love our gadgets. Kitchen appliances and various aids just makes life a bit easier when it comes to entertaining and daily food preparation. I love my electric teapot. When I use to see them on my favorite British television soap opera (Eastenders) many years ago, I could not wait for them to start selling in the U.S. As an avid tea drinker, it was on top of my list of "must haves".

However, once in while I do miss the whistle from the stove top kettle. It just brings back such found memories.

The Kitchen divas of yore, like my great-grandmother Helen, also sported the latest teapots of their day. Helen loved her gadgets and always kept up with the latest trends in what ever was new fangled for the house. I don't actually use her teapot but I do keep it on display in the kitchen along with some of her other goodies and my grandmother's as well.

The children of today don't know anything about how we got ice before they were miraculous placed in the doors of refrigerators. I actually don't care to use ice makers at all. 

Does anyone, other than me, remember this doohickey? First of all, this was a fun way to get ice and secondly, I have to tell you, for some reason ice tasted so much better coming out of this metal tray. Your cool drink took on a completely different personality with these marvelous ice cubes they yielded. I am so glad I kept my grandmother's ice trays. Beside, they are kind of cute.

Nowadays, a four slice toaster is common place and makes toasting quite convenient. As much as we pay for a "good" toaster  these days, it could never take the place of the toasters of yesteryear.

The best part of my grandmother's Sears and Roebuck toaster was that the toast would fly up, quite high, from the toaster. I would peer slightly over the counter waiting for the toast to fly. It is my understanding that the  adults didn't particularly care for flying toast. Now we have expensive boring toasters. 

I am not much of a baker, but I do use my mixer mostly for kneading East Indian flat breads called rotis. This includes parathas, chapatis, and my all time favorite, naan. 

My mother tells me that my great-aunt used this mixer to make the most delicious cakes, cookies, pies, and breads. My grand-mother had a large pink sunbeam mixer and I could not wait to lick the homemade cake batter from the bowl and the beaters. 

It is my understanding that when this mixer came out, having 10 or 12-speeds was a major plus in a kitchen appliance. 

Music is a major part of my cooking routine. I tend to play classical musical during breakfast and jazz pretty much anytime. I love foreign music as well. Boleros when cooking Cuban food, Zen music when cooking Thai, Chinese, or Japanese cuisine, Bhangra when preparing East Indian dishes, and Ska when cooking a down home Caribbean meal. 


My fondest memories of Helen was of her singing along to her Admiral radio in her amazing kitchen. Sometimes she would even stop and dance a bit as she would twirl me around. Music was an essential part of her food preparation. Now, it is mine as well. 

Ok Kitchen Divas, what are some Kitchen Aids that you remember growing up?

xoxoxo

Paula



Ivy and Elephants

 Thank you all for all that you do to inspire others! I know I am inspired each and every week by each and every one of you. 

Here are this week's fabulous features.

Janet from The Decorating Diaries created this beautiful french door from a cabinet door she found.

Helen from Helen's Decor struck gold with this Chippendale find. 

Just get ready to fall in love with Shannon's enamelware at
 Southern Belle with Northern Roots

Laurie's Turkish prayer rug was a major score at Heaven's Walk

Lee Caroline features these wonderful upcycled lightbulbs at A world of Inspiration

Go on a relaxing tour of a beautiful sleeping porch while visiting At Home on the Bay

Ok fabulous people it's your turn.


Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Cannon Cottage Birthday

What's It Wednesday #41

Our family dodged Tropical Storm Isaac as we headed to Jamaica to celebrate our son Sebastian's 5th birthday. Cannon Cottage became our home away from home and the place that made a birthday very special. The location of this tropical getaway is midway between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios in Silver Sands Estates, Trelawny. 

The entrance to Cannon Cottage is elegant and inviting. The landscaping is absolutely gorgeous and reminds you that you are indeed in the tropics. At the top of the stairs is a beautiful terrace that welcomes you to relax and take a gentle swing in the hammock. We found ourselves spending every meal looking out onto the gorgeous Caribbean Sea from the terrace. This is where we sang a joyful "Happy Birthday" song to our darling Sebastian.

This wonderful villa has three beautifully decorated en suite bedrooms. The back facade is just as beautiful as the front of this amazing beach villa. 


As the name implies, there are beautiful cannons strategically placed on the property evoking part of the rich history of Jamaica as they elicit wonderful conversations.

As you walk through the back gardens, you come upon this beautiful mural which depicts the strength of women through it's cultural interpretation. This beautiful piece of art also reflects the strength and passion of the owner, Karen Sangster, of Cannon Cottage

This private Jacuzzi and it's beautiful waterfall, sits in the middle of fabulous tropical folliage. 

The pristine fine sand beach is less then a minute walk from the front door of the Cannon Cottage. This is where we actually enjoyed the breezes of Tropical Storm Isaac as it headed towards South Florida. 


Being a kid a heart and having a love of nature I embarked on a new adventure every day. Every nook and cranny yielded a new surprise. 

This gazebo sits at the edge of Silver Sands Beach. A place to contemplate the good and to pray for those being effected by Tropical Storm then later Hurricane Isaac.


The location of the villa is perfect. It is only 40 minutes away from  Ocho Rios. This was the perfect place to go and satisfy my need to be in the middle of amazing trees, tropical foliage, and to be able to play in the rivers and waterfalls. 


I could have not named these falls better myself. Next to Dunn's River Falls, Turtle River Falls and Gardens in Ocho Rios is one of my favorite natural landscapes of Jamaica. When I was a little girl, this beautiful mountain-side botanical garden was known as Carinosa Gardens.  


Hubby and I loved sitting on the bench in the middle of the water fall. It was the best seat in the house.


 I have a weakness for beautiful gingers. If only mine were this luscious. 


Sebastian ready to play in the cold river water and waterfalls.
Off the beaten path is One Love Waterfalls which is a local swimming favorite that turned out to be my son's favorite place to swim, play and meet new friends. 



Daily picnics on the beach and the building of sand castles are what made this 5 year old's birthday fun and memorable. Enjoying it with family and friends is what made it special. 

What are your fondest birthday memories?


Ivy and Elephants

 Thank you all for all that you do to inspire others! I know I am inspired each and every week by each and every one of you. 

Here are this week's fabulous features.

Fun August decor at Forever Decorating

This vintage calendar is delightful at Design Till it Shines

Gorgeous French Decor at Jennelise Rose

Amazing storage box at Wesens Art

"Decayed Elegance" with a beautiful art at One Creative Couple

Vintage pharmaceuticals at From Generation to Generation



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Gratitude is the Memory of the Heart ~ French Proverb ~ We are so grateful that you stopped by ~ Please visit again soon! ~ Much Love, Patricia and Paula