Down the Rabbit Hole

Autumnal Bliss!

 

Autumn has made her grand entrance and a definite chill is in the air. The frost crept in one night on icy feet and now my dear garden does sleep.  My angel trumpet is still beautiful and is gracefully nodding and perfuming the air with the most heavenly scent. It is usually the first to go in a frost, but somehow she was spared!  Already there are dreams and plans for next spring with more excitement than ever.  So many catalogs and gardening books to look over!  What joy a garden brings, indeed!  Meanwhile, I have been busy in my studio creating.

 
A toile apron for a dear friend.

 

Tassels are being made with these sweet birds! The tutorial is on the side bar if you would like to see how these are made.  The tray and doily are thrift store finds.

 

This sweet Alice was found at an antique store for a song.  The real Alice is in the photo behind her. The crystal shaker was bought to hold glittery fairy dust! 

I could not contain myself when I found these lovely old books, well over one hundred years old.  The little lady sitting on top of them was lovingly made by my dear friend Paula at Southern Rose Cottage .  This is Paula's new blog and such a treat for the eyes!  I am especially fond of the sweet birds she makes. 

He hangs from a lamp on my painting desk and cheers my heart every day!

 

The tole tray above was found at a thrift store, it just sang to me.  The flowery mess you see above is the deconstruction of thrift store flowers! Millinery flowers are impossible to find around here so I thought I would make my own and use antique jewelry, silk ribbon and such.  More of that at a later time! 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend filled with many blessings!  

Calm and deep peace, on this high wold;

And on these dews that drench the furze,

And all the silvery gossamers

That twinkle into green and gold.

Calm and still light on yon great plain

That sweeps with all it's autumn bowers;

And crowded farms and lessening towers,

To mingle with the bounding main.

Tennyson

 

Bonjour!

Hello dear friends!  I have meant to get this post up a lot sooner but again I had computer problems. I have visited a lot of you on my laptop but have been unable to leave a comment due to a very touchy keypad but will follow up today! So many beautiful posts from everyone that I am in awe! You all are great! I will try to keep this post short and then work on my next regular post! 

Paris was absolutely beautiful and I must say my favorite.  Such beauty in this city and the details of the buildings...

just breathtaking.  The people were so nice.  The men were such gentlemen.  I do plan on returning when we have more time!  I did not use my camera too much while there for fear that I might "miss" something!  We were there for only two days so we had to travel at lightening speed with two sick ones.  My husband and my friend Maria came down with an awful flu. 

Of course we visited the Louvre!  The highlight of my trip!!!

To actually see the masterpieces that I have seen only in photographs, in person for the first time was quite emotional. 

This guy is hanging in my laundry room at home! On a much smaller scale that is!  I did not realize that the original is this big! 

Beautiful statues...

So much to take in in one day!

One of the many beautiful ceilings at the Louvre. 

 

There were so many quaint cafe's in Paris.  We stopped quite a few times a day to rest and sample the food!  Great restaurants for dinner both nights.  Actually, all the meals were exquisite!

Tiny cars!!!

We flew into France but took the "chunnel" out.  Here are what the trains look like for those of you who have never seen them.  I was a little unnerved at first at the thought of traveling under water but it was nothing!  

I do hope you have enjoyed this little peek into my trip!   I want to thank everyone for their kind comments and emails.  I have met so many wonderful friends through blogging that have so touched my life with their beauty, creativity and kind ways.  I am so excited about blogging again and will try get another post up right away!

If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.-Ernest Hemingway

Hello!

Hello dear friends!  I am back and ready to start blogging again. I took a little bit of a break and I have had so many emails of encouragement that have so touched me that I just couldn't stay away any longer! I have been very busy getting our house ready to put on the market and I have also been house hunting for our new home amongst other things.  I have so missed blogging and all of my friends in blog land.   I thought I would start  where I left off and show a few photographs of our trip to England.  Such a beautiful country...with so much history!

I took this photograph in the little town of Salisbury.  The swans were so elegant, we caught them eating lunch. They would bob their heads under the water in unison, while swimming against the stream and bring up fish.

Of course we had to visit Stone Henge! There were such sweet sounding birds like I have never heard before flying all around the stones. Little daisies were growing everywhere along the walkway. I picked a few and pressed them!

We went to quite a few museums.  A young man was painting this in pastels outside of The National Gallery. I just could not bear the thought of the rain washing this away! 

Gorgeous flowers everywhere! I love having fresh flowers when at home and these were so tempting but...I was traveling. 

This photograph was taken outside of Buckingham Palace.  I would love this in my backyard!  

 Me, outside of a very old pub.

England was so beautiful and I got to see one of my oldest and dearest friends while there! We ate at a very unique Belgian restaurant and were served by monks! So many great places to eat! Nobu was a favorite. (Robert De Niro's restaurant)

I will post France next and then I will get on with my normal blogging! I am so happy to be back and look forward to hearing from everyone! I found a little something on the Internet not too long ago about The Art of Traveling and think it most fitting.  Here is the link:  The Art of Traveling

I hope everyone has a beautiful and lovely weekend!

"No Spring nor Summer Beauty hath such grace
As I have seen in one Autumnal face."
-   John Donne

I'm Back!

 

Hello!  I have been away for quite some time, traveling and then coming home with the flu/strep throat. (the sickest I have been in years)  I am so excited to be posting finally!!!  I cannot wait to visit everyone over the weekend and see what has been happening in each little corner of blogland. 

My trip was wonderful.  I loved each country for very different reasons.  I will start with Ireland and then post in a few days about England and then France.  We stayed on the Irish sea at the most wonderful old hotel, The Royal Marine.  Ireland is so beautiful, and as green as I imagined, we are definitely going back to spend more time traveling up North and West!  

 

This was definitely the nicest place we stayed at while in Europe.

We flew into Dublin in the dark so I was so excited to get up the next morning and see Ireland This is the view looking out to the Irish Sea from our balcony at about 5 AM. 

 

An old church to the right. 

 

St. Patrick's Day parade.  People were there from all over the world.

 

A Leprechaunn...my husband!  The hair color matched his perfect!

 

Outside of a restaurant where we ate...the food was fabulous.

 

The people in Ireland were just lovely and friendly.  All of the street signs are in Irish and English, but it is hard, I am sad to say, to find anyone who speaks Irish.  We traveled to Cork by train and did a little sight seeing.

 

We had to see the Blarney Castle and kiss the Blarney Stone...

The view from the top is breathtaking!

 

This is the Blarney stone and yes, it is a long way down.  They hold you upside down and your head goes in under.  No, I did not kiss it...  

There were so many beautiful old churches in Ireland and so many spires dotting the countryside as we traveled by train.

I couldn't leave Ireland without visiting Enya's castle! 

 

And Bono's home...

 

The four of us standing at the gate. (Tim, me, Maria, and Rob)

Well, dear friends, I hope you have enjoyed this little peek of my trip.  I hope to write more within the next few days!  I have missed you all and will be visiting you this weekend! 

 

Ireland is where strange tales begin
and happy endings are possible.

~Charles Haughey

As sure as the shamrocks are growing in the land which the Irish all love, as sure as the lakes of Killarney reflect the blue heavens above - as sure as the warmhearted Irish all pay honor to Saint Patrick too, I’m wishing you “top o’the morning” and happiness, always, for you.

 

See You Soon!

I am hoping this finds everyone well!  I am stopping in to say I have been away and will be away till the end of the month!  I am so looking forward to getting back and catching up with everyone.  I have had problems posting comments on some blogs due to, I think, a computer virus and so I have given the computer a rest for the past few weeks.  (frustrating...)   We are house hunting and trying to get the house we are in ready to show.  I have also been working in the gardens and enjoying the lovely spring weather we have had for the past week.  When I return I hope to have many photos to share.  I hope you all have a wonderful St. Patrick's Day!

Blessings,
Selia

I know not by what methods rare,
But this I know:  God answers prayer.
I know not if the blessing sought
Will come in just the guise I thought.
I leave my prayer to Him alone
Whose will is wiser than my own.

~Eliza M. Hickok

Dreams of Ireland...

Raeann of Lady Farmer Parables is the winner of my last give away!  Congratulations Raeann!   Just email me your address and let me know which tassel you like and I will ship the package out right away!  I am just blown away by all of the sweet comments.  You all are wonderful and brighten my day in so many ways!

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day!  Now that it is over, I am so looking forward to St. Patrick's Day!  It is also my husband's birthday and since this is a big one (40) we are spending it in Ireland!  We are both Irish and are so looking forward to spending time there.  We will also be traveling to England and France.  I plan on taking a lot of photographs, be prepared!  ;O)     
We have a new member of our family!

His name is Seamus Flynn and he has already stolen my heart.  He is three months old,  has reddish hair and amber eyes.  (Sorry for the blurry photo but he will not sit still for too long)  His name should have been Rowdy Red...He has kept me very busy, indeed.  I have stolen away  while he naps,  to the sewing room and have been making these:

Shoe sachets filled with lavender.  I love lavender and have an abundance that I harvested last year.  My sewing room smells divine...
I have also been working on a little doll.

She is quite small.  I will show you more of her once I have finished her clothes! 
I hope you all have a lovely week and I will leave you with this quote:

Finish each day and be done with it.  You have done what you could.  Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can.  Tomorrow is a new day; you shall begin it well and serenely...
~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Another Give-away!

I just had a birthday and my blogging one year anniversary!  Thank you to all of my dear friends (and family) near and far that have been so generous for my birthday!  (I have not been able to post for a bit because my computer crashed.)  My husband, knowing my gardener's heart, loves to surprise me with flowers around my birthday.  I love having fresh cut flowers in the house and usually try to have them in every room throughout the growing season...but in the winter, as the flowers sleep in my garden, I have to depend on the local market for a little indulgence ever so often.  There is such emotion and beauty in fresh cut flowers, they just make my soul sing!  Here are a few photo's that I would like to share with all of my sweet friends.

Roses in my studio.

To keep flowers fresh longer, add a little 7-up or Sprite (lowers PH level) to the water and to counteract the bacteria that the sugar may cause add a little chlorine. 

Flowers in the bedroom.

Lilies on the piano.
 
Okay, I know it is parsley but I still think it looks pretty in the refrigerator!  I love opening up the door and seeing flowers or herbs sitting in a little jar!  

Roses on the tub.  I had a wire rack across the tub that just did not quite fit (too small)  so I thought and thought about what I could do...I asked a friend where she bought hers and she said her husband made it.  Well, it came to me that when I bought my antique dining room table, I was given an insert that did not fit.  It now fits perfectly across the tub!  I try to be frugal and I love to use what I already have. 

I said in my previous post that I would put up a tassel tutorial and have another give away.  The tutorial will be posted this afternoon.   I have been blogging for one year as of January 29!!!  I will be giving away another tassel and charm, with the winner's initial,  and a couple of little surprises!  It is my way of saying thank you to all of my dear reader's that come here. 


I use a little Swarovski crystal and a fresh water pearl  on the bottom of the initial.

The back of the charm.

Just leave a comment to be entered.  I will be announcing the winner Tuesday February 17.  Good luck! 

Flowers have a mysterious and subtle influence upon the feelings, not unlike some strains of music.  They relax the tenseness of the mind. They dissolve its rigor.

~  Henry Ward Beecher

 
 

The Winner is...

Lady Laurie of Rose Cottage!!!  Congratulations to Laurie!  Just send me an email with your address and pick whichever tassel you like the best.  I want to thank each and every one for their sweet comments!  I wish I could send you all a tassel!   I  have had so much fun with this that I think I will have another give away at the end of the month, which is my one year blogging anniversary!  I have had several emails and requests from friends to show how I make these and I am going to put together a post on that soon!   Here are some more that I have made:
 
The seahorse tassel is rather large ~ 12 inches long,  not including the ribbon it hangs by.  When I picked up the seahorse and told my husband I was going to make a tassel out of it, he shook his head, but now it is his favorite. 

I made this one out of a salt shaker.   There are a number of things you can use to make tassels with!
I also want to share a photo of these little peach cookies I made.

I got the recipe from Medena of Cafe Chocolada.   My husband had a fit over these.  I altered the recipe just a little and added rum and almond flavoring in the filling.  I also used a little more flour than suggested.   I used a clove for the peach stem and some leaves off a vine outside.  Aren't they adorable!? 
I have been busy  planning my garden for spring.  I don't know about you but I am so ready for Spring to be here!  I am hoping to plant all heirloom plants by seed this time.  I have been busy sitting by the fire, looking through my gardening books and drawing out the plans!  I do love all aspects of gardening...the planning and planting! 
I hope you all have a lovely weekend and stay warm!

If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?
~Percy Bysshe Shelley

Tassel Give Away!

Hello, Dear Friends!  I have been busy making tassels for the past two days!  I just love creating these.  I keep finding more and more things to make into tassels.  They are really fun and easy to make.  I have so much extra ribbon and trim, and thought this would put that to good use.  I think these will make nice little gifts.  Let me know what you think! 

My son's love this one the best.  I made it in the spirit of one of my favorite movies ~ Amélie. 

I found ribbon that exactly matches the sea foam green paint of the little bird house.  I added the antique prism to the bottom. 

~Bird in a nest ~
If you would like to see more of the tassels that I have made just click the tab titled  "Creating..." on the right side bar.  I will be putting more up as I make them. 

I have been touched by the kindness and sweet comments of so many in this land of blog, that I am having a give away!  Just leave a comment on this post and you will be entered to win a tassel ~ on Friday, January 16,  I will announce the winner!  

Amélie is a shy young woman with a pronounced taste for all life's small pleasures : immersing one's hand in a sack of grain, cracking the crust of a crème brulée with the back of a teaspoon or skipping stones on the Canal St-Martin. 

~*~*~* From the movie Amélie*~*~*~

Happy New Year!

(My Christmas present from my sweet husband!!!)


I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Years!  Ours was wonderful!  My husband surprised me with this lovely Victrola!  It was owned by one family and came with all of the original paperwork and records!  I was shocked at how loud it is.  I have wanted one for years.

(Bella in the kitchen, anxiously waiting for food to drop on the floor)   
We had a nice Christmas dinner with just the five of us.  (My son's girlfriend included)  I was inspired by Clarice's dinner menu, from Storybook Woods, and cooked a Pork tenderloin with a red wine and wild cherry sauce, Mushroom soup(from my sidebar recipes), Squash souffle, spinach and a mixed green salad with Gorgonzola cheese and strawberries, yeast rolls and an Easter Pie.  I will try and post the Pork tenderloin recipe soon, it was delicious and simple.  I made a variation of this recipe one year, except with a goose.  Yesterday, we had the traditional black-eyed peas and turnip greens, which turned out very nice.
 
I was so excited to win this lovely necklace from dear LuLu of Coastal Sister's !!!  I have worn it everyday and just love it!  LuLu makes the most exquisite jewelry and was so kind and generous and made me earrings to match!  The tag and wrapping were so pretty also!  Stop by and visit her and her wonderful  blog Coastal Sister's and  her etsy shop Coastal Sister's Shop .

LuLu enclosed this sweet rabbit card from a very talented artist Amber Alexander. Thank  you again dear LuLu for everything! 
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
With the new year, comes hope and fresh beginnings.  I always get a little introspective and think about what I want out of life, goals, changes, etc.  The week after Christmas I was so busy organizing and re-decorating.  I stood in my laundry room one day and thought, "Why have I never decorated this room?  I am in here so much and this is pitiful!" I think of the house as an extension of oneself.  I like to walk through, ever so often and look at my house through the eyes of a stranger and think "What does this house say about the people who live here?"   Needless to say the laundry room did not speak well.   The builder put wire shelving through out the house and I, or should I say my husband, has gradually put in wooden shelves that are so much prettier.

(Before with wire shelving already ripped out.)

(After ~ with new wooden shelves and trim.  Didn't my husband do a wonderful job!? )
I painted the walls and put up a new bronze light fixture and curtains.


I put everything in pretty containers used rub-ons to make the bottles look etched.


I wrapped all of those unsightly cords in a pretty silk cord cover. It is more pleasing to do laundry now that it is more organized and I can actually reach everything.  Before the shelves were so high up.  ???  I think the  people who worked on this house were very tall, indeed. 
Well dear friends, it is time to get busy. I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Isn't it true that a pleasant house makes winter more poetic, and doesn't winter add to the poetry of the house?
~Gaston Bachelard