Friday, August 31, 2012

The Sweet Art of Jessie Wilcox Smith

 
When I think of the sweetest
illustrations of motherhood, I
think Jessie Wilcox Smith.
Here she captures so beautifully,
a mother's gentle soothing,
calming  soft pats,
lulling her baby to sleep.
 
Have a blessed day.....Dee Dee
 

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Down By The Seashore......

 
.......where life is a
little easier.
Ocean treasures
left
on the shore,
natures gifts to
adore....
 
Have a sweet ole' late summer day.....Dee Dee
 

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

It's Been A While....

 
With all the sewing I've been doing
lately, my pencils and watercolors
have been gathering dust.
 
It was a real nice feeling
to pick up my "artist pen" today
and experience my
creative juices churning.......
 
 
My grandchildren are often
my subjects,
  Now and
then I capture a bit of their
personalities when I draw.
This is her serious look
before breaking into a big
smile and some adorable
giggles.
 
Blessings for all.....Dee Dee
 

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Baby Crowns

They are handmade
by a sweet expectant
mother.
Made with love by her,
using sparkling lace threads......
 
 
and white cotton lace.....
They are so adorable, and will soon adorn
the precious head of her newborn
baby girl.....my granddaughter.
 
Have a blessed day!  Dee Dee

Monday, August 27, 2012

Rainy Day Sewing

I found green washable linen
in my nicer fabric stash
and made another decorative
tea towel.  This one will go
in my kitchen, for display only,
for now.
 
I know, it's  like no other
pear you've seen before. You
are seeing my humble efforts
in  making a pear applique.
Using scraps of fabric on hand,
I'm really pleased at how it
turned out.
 
Again, I doubled the fabric,
using green linen on one side,
and a beige/tan on the other side.
 
 
I had enough scrap fabric to add
a nice black and white trim.
 
 
A tropical storm Isaac in the
area,  the rains came  down
off and on all day.
I,  rather contentedly
sat at my beloved,
old but faithful, sewing
machine. 
 
Have a beautiful day!  Dee Dee

Sunday, August 26, 2012

Oh What A Beautiful Morning!

In the sunlight of late summer.....
 
Beautiful Oleander
helps  us celebrate
the days of this
lavish season.
Exquisite renderings of
nature's splendor.
 
Have a blessed Lord's day!  Dee Dee
 

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Tea Towel

 
One of my favorite places
to shop is Anthropologie.
I especially like things for
the kitchen and tableware.
Many of their items, much
desired by me,  are a
bit too pricey. Sometimes
I begin analyzing and
deciding if I can make it  myself.
 Such was my
reasoning on one recent occasion.
I love their tea towels with
appliques. They are fabulous!
 As you can see,
 I've made a fancy
"decorative" tea towel
 of my own,
beginning with one lone
bird applique.
 
 
Happily, it wasn't hard
to do....I can make more!
 Now, the sky's the limit
I'm thinking.
 
 
I've used a pretty yellow fabric....scraps
from pillows I made last summer.....this
little bird will brighten any  kitchen....
 
 
Never throw the scraps away,
I always say.....and I have plenty more.
 
  I've used a lovely washable linen
and doubled the fabric, hiding
 the bits of embroidery threads.
 
Looks like I'll be purchasing
more of that linen.  My mind is
brain-storming more
tea-towel design ideas.....
 
Have a sweet ole' day!  Dee Dee
 

Friday, August 24, 2012

Watching And Waiting

Ever wander where the
wildlife go to for shelter?
With a storm brewing
in the Caribbean and headed
up through the
Gulf of Mexico....all of us
natives to Florida
 
are watching and waiting.
This large Egret seems to
have a worried look.
Last tropical weather
report shows
the path of the storm still
uncertain.
So, we watch and wait
and pray.
Have a blessed day.   Dee Dee

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Storm On The Way

Perhaps many of you are aware
that a very large storm,
named Isaac,  is headed
toward Tampa Florida.
Unfortunately,
Tampa  is very close to my home.
Having lived here for a number
of years, we've  become accustomed
to August's  hurricane season.
It is unpredictable, to say the least.
 
High winds and lots of rain will
be upon us soon.....and so we begin
preparing  for the worst, hoping for
the best.
Sadly, the garden will suffer
for we can only do so much.
Our large potted plants  will be
tucked beneath  tropical plants
shielding  them from the winds.
Lawn chairs, bistro table,
 and umbrellas
 will be brought onto the porch.
If the warnings are for a direct hit,
we will evacuate!
 The Crape Myrtles along
with other flowering shrubs,
will most likely receive storm damage.
 
Shown here, a potted Mandevilla,
beautifully blooming and at it's peak.
The blooms are in three different
shades of pink. My pride and joy, hopefully it survives
Isaac's wrath.
 
Thankfully in His care......Dee Dee
click on photo to enlarge 

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

I Spy Something Pink

I played that little game as a child
taught it to my children, and they
in turn taught it to their children.....

I spy Crape Myrtle blooms
peeking over the White
Bird of Paradise fronds......
Although late in in the season, it is
still quite lovely to see.

I spy the Crape Myrtle blooms
although I am distracted by the
pink Hibiscus winding it's way
all through my tropical plants....


Midday is not the best time to
take photos.  Today, however,
the skies were overcast and the
sun was covered over with clouds
periodically....it was then I snapped
the photos.  It is deceiving the size
of the plants.  The "Hibiscus
Fountain Tree" nestled amongst
large tropicals, is reaching over
ten feet high.

When first planted, it grew and
appeared as a floral fountain.
Years of Florida's sunshine and
rains and our allowing it to grow
at random......
it is, what it is now, reaching for
the heavens and in full bloom.

Have a blessed day!  Dee Dee
click twice on photos to enlarge

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Summer Whites

Lovely white images captured
through  the years  in our
cottage garden....


"Summertime, and the liviing is easy
fish are jumpin' and the cotton is ripe......."

Have a sweet ole' day.... Dee Dee

Monday, August 20, 2012

Accessories

It just crept up on me.....the desk was
"out of control" with all sorts of
clutter. Things I wanted to read, things to do,
notes.....etc. Somehow, it was not a priority to organize
the desk area , until now.
Looking at the beautiful results,
I've asked myself.....why oh why until now? 

With everything in it's proper place,
I started with a clean slate to decorate.  I brought
out a few decorator magazines and have
created a thing of beauty....or so it seems to me
and the Mister.
  

We  couldn't be more pleased with the results.

 There is much more
space and everything needed,  has a designated location.


Funny, how one small group of accessories
gave a theme to the area.  In keeping with
a more masculine look......
I placed vintage writing tools on the desk.

I spy a bit of dust  on this
old bottle of writing ink.....not surprised
for they've been in storage a while.

Have a beautiful day, everyone!  Dee Dee

Sunday, August 19, 2012

Promises


Do not be anxious about anything,
but in everything by prayer and 
petition, with thanksgiving, present
your request to God. And the peace
of God which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phillipians 4:6-7

Do not conform any longer to the
pattern of this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of
your mind. Then you will be able to
test what God's will is,
His good and pleasing perfect will.
Romans l2:2

Have a blessed Lord's day.....Dee Dee

Saturday, August 18, 2012

Before The Pool

Before the pool
our garden......
 We had a  patio
  surrounded with
all sorts of lovely flowers.
Large oak trees gave much
needed shade.
 On a lower limb of a tree,
 hung an old  shabby white
bird house with a copper roof.

With the help of Photoshop,
 my "Monet" like garden
 impression.

Have a beautiful weekend, everyone!  Dee Dee
click on paintings to enlarge

Friday, August 17, 2012

Tea At Downton

They're English, after all.....
So one might expect to see them
having tea 
at Downton Abbey.

Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham
is often seen pouring tea,

and often times enjoys a lovely tea
 outside.....What proper lady would
ever allow sun on her face?

On occasion she has the company of
Cora Crawley, Countess of Grantham.
You've guessed by now that
I continue watching
Season 1 of Downton Abbey
on Netflix....taking my time.
I like the movie is shown in
episodes.

I suppose It's obvious
I'm influenced somewhat
by these Downton ladies.
While watching an episode tonight,
I began thinking of all the
niceties that go along with tea.
Elegant  tea dishes.....
And of course
delicious  scones and deserts.
And, I do so love
having tea ......it means sweet
 unhurried conversation
with the ones your with.
Talk a little, take a small bite,
 talk a little more,
sip tea.....
Ever notice how ladies are
totally engaged in tea party conversation?

Have a blessed day!  Dee Dee

Thursday, August 16, 2012

The Calm Before The Storm

We rode out to the island
late this evening, hoping to
see one of Florida's beautiful sunsets.
The park ranger motioned us
through the gate, informing
us we'd just missed the show,
 the sun having set moments earlier.
We drove toward the
Gulf waters, all the while
looking upward at
beautiful and peaceful skies.
We had missed the
 "sun ball"
dropping into the waters,
but the atmospheric conditions
had made for a lovely sunset.

"Look behind us!"
 the Mister exclaimed.
He had seen the brilliant colors
reflecting in the car's  rear view mirror.
We had missed the
sun setting,
but  were now privileged
in seeing a developing
thunderous storm!
My first reaction 
to the spectacle,
 was one of complete
 amazement.
With my camera clicking off
one photo after another,
we watched
  brilliant lightening flashes
throughout
the massive formation of clouds.
  Beneath the
cloud mass, we could see bright
lightening  bolts
darting  toward the ground.
What we were
witnessing was stunning.
On our drive back home,
the Mister and I concluded
 it had been our good fortune
to have witnessed,
almost simultaneously,
 the calm before the storm.

Have a sweet ole' day!  Dee Dee
click on photos to enlarge

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Dear Anna,
Only an Alcott girl would believe the cure
for sadness lies in reading a painstaking
recitation of the joys of others........


The day was incomplete without you,
though I think you are just where
you need to be now and speak with
pride of your good works. Your prime
place in Paradise has long been assured,
and now you are just fluffing the pillows.
If only I can work on earning my
 spot now.....
I intend to be there at your side.
Yours ever,
L.

So enjoying .....
The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott

Have a beautiful day!  Dee Dee

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

For Fans Of Louisa May Alcott

Fist Novelist Kelly McNees
mixes fact and fiction,
imaging a love affair that would
threaten Louisa's writing career-
and inspire the story of Jo and
Laurie in Little Women.
Stuck in small town
New Hampshire in 1855, Louisa
finds herself torn between
a love that takes her by surprise
and her dreams as a writer in Boston.

I enjoyed Ms McNees' writing
and book-marked certain pages to reflect
back on words like these at
another time.....

She wondered if God had put
Fanny Kemble in her path at
this moment to remind her that
life held the promise of unlimited
and surprising joys, if only one
had the courage to pursue them.

"That is why we have laws.
Without them, the country
becomes the sum of its citizens
impulses. We must make sure
the law represents the best of us,
what we should always strive to be."

A think a lovely summer read.....Dee Dee

Monday, August 13, 2012

Cool and Refreshing?

I collected shells
back in the winter. 
Our beaches were covered with
tourist come our way
to escape the cold.

I placed the shells on the bistro table
 and there they've remained.
I wish I could say the pool
is cool and refreshing.....
It is not.
Temps remaining  in the high 90s
have given us bath tub warm
pool waters.
This is the
season for lying in peaceful places
and  it is here
I do my comfortable and carefree
day dreaming.

Have a sweet ole' day.......Dee Dee

Sunday, August 12, 2012

Disappointed In The Movies These Days?


Have you been to the movies lately,
and have you been  disappointed?
A lovely scene from
How Green Was My Valley
with Maureen O'Hara and
young Roddy McDowell.
  No making fun
of,  or insulting
Christians in those days.
It was
an acceptable thing..... prayer
and worship.
I don't mind telling you how
I feel about the movies
produced now days.
They are so bad,
that 
they've made me a big fan of
Turner Classic Movies
and Netflix.
It is there I can find lovely movies
with great story lines,
and very fine actors and actresses.
(John Wayne-Maureen O'Hara
in The Quiet Man)

There are
no subliminal messages
in the dialogue,
 no political agendas,
no bad language
and no embarassing scenes
in any of my
movie selections.

I'm just thinkin'....... Dee Dee

I'm Just Thinkin'.....

"Come along inside....
We'll see if tea and buns can
make the world a better place."
~The Wind in the Willows

I'm just thinkin'......

Praying for our nation......Dee Dee

Saturday, August 11, 2012

For Baby Girl Emalynn....

I love
baby girl
dresses
with tiny
embroidered
pink
flowers.


Precious little girl grandchild
is due soon, and I
have finished crocheting


her sweet pink and blue
blanket, in plenty of time.

Emalynn
She
knew that
she was formed
by God's hands
dreamed up
in His heart and
placed in
this world
for a purpose.

Hope your having a beautiful day!  Dee Dee

Friday, August 10, 2012

Summer's Fresh Fruit

A healthy idea and
a hot weather treat.
I seldom
 do baking
during the hot
 summer
 days.
Today I prepared 
fresh seasonal fruit
and splashed them
with sweetened cream....
Life is good these
lazy days of summer..... 
Have a sweet ole' day, everyone! Dee Dee

Thursday, August 9, 2012

Violets

I wasn't familiar with this
type of Violet when my
sweet friend presented them
to me on my birthday
back in June.

I thought they might last
a week and that would be
the last of them.

So I placed them on the porch,
in filtered sunlight.....and
watered them once a week.

Let me just say,
they've  been blooming
up-a-storm!
As you can see, they've
come in from the porch for
a while and now sit proudly
on a table inside our cottage. 

"You are the only person who
loves me in the world," said Elizabeth.
"When you talk to me, I smell
Violets."
~L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Windy Poplars

Have a sweet ole' day, everyone!  Dee Dee