Poland Meets England

     What started out as a simple breakfast morphed within one minute to what I thought was a pretty little barscape.
     I cooked my oats (1 min. 30 seconds) placed them in a bowl with a Polish Pottery plate underneath to catch the spills.  Already had out my lovely April Cornell placemat, and plopped down at the bar for a quick breakfast.  I saw how pretty it looked so I grabbed the camera, and here it is, my one minute barscape.

Simple food and simple table was delicious and pretty.

Linda

Polish Pottery - Home Goods

Placemat - April Cornell at Tuesday Morning

Silverware - Home Goods

I am joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch http://betweennapsontheporch.net//

April Cornell is In The House

     Recently the April Cornell website had a half-off sale.  I stocked up with table runners, placemats and napkins.  But the buying spree did not stop there.  I discovered that Tuesday Morning carries quite a bit of April Cornell products, so I ventured out to several of the Tuesday Morning stores in the St. Louis area.  I've got a lot of new linens to play with.

I had no visitors this weekend, but decided to do a tablescape anyhow.  I can use it next weekend.

But first, I brought in a new/old piece of furniture to the house, an old 1960's maple buffet.  I had it painted and the glass doors removed.  Check it out.  I LOVE IT.

     Once I got the hutch put together and the dishes in it, I decided to do a tablescape, even though no guests for the weekend. 

View from the loft.

White plates are Gibson, Flowered plates are Home Goods find, and the small flower plates and bowls are Cindy Crawford for JCP.

Napkins from Kohls.  Table Runner April Cornell.  Lantern antique a friend gave me.

The table was bought when I first married, in 1986.  It is a heavy wood, and it was stained cherry.  Over time my taste has changed and no longer like the cherry wood stain.  I got up the nerve to paint it navy blue.  I sanded down the table to try and get the gloss off and then stained and rubbed it down.  It's given it an updated look.  And I love blue.

This weekend was quite boring, compared to most.  The neighbor dog, whom I call "Daisy" came by to visit our three dogs.  She's lab and has such energy and happiness, runs and leaps in the air and is always looking for someone to play with her.  I laughed so hard when she grabbed this big stick and wanted to play fetch.  And she loves to lay in the creek.

Rick was working on a parking area for the Ozark Trail users down the road from my house, so I ran by to bring him some sausage, rolls and coffee.  I threw a few logs around.  I guess a little help is better than no help.

If you are a trail biker, hiker, or equestrian, please visit the Ozark Trail in Missouri.  It has a fabulous website to guide you and is maintained by volunteers. 

 am linking this tablescape to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch, Tablescape Thursday http://betweennapsontheporch.net/your-beautiful-summertime-tablescapes-the-205th-tablescape-thursday/








Linda

Porch Play

I am linking this tablescape to Susan at Between Naps on the Porch, Tablescape Thursday http://betweennapsontheporch.net/your-beautiful-summertime-tablescapes-the-205th-tablescape-thursday/

Last evening I threw together a quick simple table on the screen porch.  I mixed my Polish Pottery with rooster plates and added a little red and black to the table.  There is not a lot going on in the table but just enough to make it useable and darling.  Viewing this pictures has got me thinking I need something hanging on that brick wall.

French coffe sounds good right about now. 

A friend gave me this rooster and he has made his rounds about the house.  The potted geraniums on the porch are suffering from neglect. 

Red bamboo place mats.  From the huge basket of napkins I own, not one set of white napkins.  This setting screams for white.  Yellow will have to do.  On the upside, they do match the chair coverings.

I covet this Polish pottery plate.  I only have four.   I buy them at TJMaxx and Marshall and Home Goods, but have only found plates twice.  I should have bought them all when I had the opportunity. 

This table would be a nice setting for an appetizer, glass of wine, dessert and French coffee.

Splash of color in the corner with the flowers.

I love the sound of windchimes.  After viewing pictures of porches with the blue ceiling, I'm pondering the idea for my porch.

I read and appreciate all comments.  Thanks for popping in.

Linda

 

Pack Drive Ride

     A few weeks ago I decided to chronicle the procees I go through some days to ride my Horse Dolly, which is stabled most of the time at a friend's home, which is about three miles from my house.  My family's weekend home and her family's home are located in the Mark Twain Forest in Stelleville, Mo.
 
     I like to take the scenic route, which is the trail behind my house, down the forest service road, down the blacktop a short way, down the gravel road two miles to her gate, River Oaks Ranch.

     So here goes "The Process".    One needs plenty of hydration during a hot ride.  Sometimes we have a little dehydration before the rehydration.

     Go through the tack room and try hard to not forget anything and load it into the Kawasaki Mule.

     This Mule is a BEAST!  It will take me anywhere I need to go.

     Drive past my house.

       Pass the old barn/cabin.

     Cross the creek over the old wooden bridge.

     Onto the trail.  My trail signs are named after horses we've owned and loved.  A good friend's daughter made them for me.

     Pass the Wagon Trail.  An old wagon trail runs through my property. 

     Down the Forest Service Road.  No problem.  I can get around that log.

     Now a short trip down the blacktop road. 

     Turn at the gravel road, Lower Narrows, to River Oaks Ranch.

     Fetch Dolly.  Yes, she's looking good.  See those Amber eyes?

Finally, I'm on the horse.

     Hooked up with riding buddies and we rode back to my house, via Ozark Trail. 

      Now, it's nap time.

Linda

Lunch at My Place

     After lunching downtown last week, I made my regular stroll into one of my favorite stores downtown Edwardsville, Beyond Timbuktu.  Near the entrance were several "bed spreads" made in India.  They are made of a very thin cotton and work well as a light tablecloth.  So . . . please enjoy my latest tablescape with the star of the table the cloth.

     I like the pattern of the dinner plate with this cloth.  This is one busy table.  I like the Lenox salad dishes with this look.  Never did I imagine purple water glasses and red wine glasses would look so pretty together.  This tablecloth seems to pull them together.

     The water pitcher was given to me by a friend who knows of my love of dishes. 

     These plates have an Italian flare but are made in China.  The wood chargers are the only chargers I own and they seem to work well with every setting.

     I bought this dining set along with other pieces of furniture that existed when purchasing this home.  It's a nice heavy French set.

     Next week my work friends and I will speed to my house (only five min. from work) and throw together a nice salad for lunch.  We all chip in and help prepare, eat fast, do a quick clean up and rush back.  We have an hour lunch and are able to get it done.  It's rushed, but we enjoy it.  I love serving my friends. 

     It's been a while since I've blogged but ready to jump back in.

     I am joining Tablescape Thursday with Susan at Between Naps on the Porch. 
                                                             http://betweennapsontheporch.net//
Linda