all I can manage ...

Lately, I feel like about all I can manage is to get one decent picture to post on Instagram each day.

One of the challenges on Instagram this week was to show a favorite gift and another was to show something vintage so I combined the two hashtags and created this collage.

The gift I wanted to showcase was the candlesticks

which were a wedding present nearly 45 years ago 

and probably the only gift from our 1971 wedding that I still have.

The candlesticks definitely qualify for the vintage hashtag as do the linens I used for the table setting.

Lovely Rita of Panoply sent me the gorgeous vintage tablecloth and the wonderful striped napkins - at least that's how I use them.

Rita could not have chose a better tablecloth for our house.

Another day, sweet Ana of A Petite Cottage challenged me on Instagram to show teacups and pitchers and I combined it with the hashtag - #brightwhitewednesday.

The little cast iron pig is one of my favorite tchotchkes

and I love him paired with vintage linens from a friend.

Yesterday sweeping the porch was literally the only thing I managed to do.

Today I worked in the garden,

and I managed to capture a "selfie" in the garden mirror.

I actually did a fun project in the garden this morning, but that will be for another post.

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Join me at Thoughts of Home Thursday hosted by Stacey of Poofing the Pillows.

Oh, the wonders!

I don't remember when I first read the book, 84 Charing Cross Road, but I immediately loved the concept of strangers corresponding for years and developing a comfortable friendship.

If you are not familiar with the story, it is written by New Yorker Helene Hanff about the 20 year correspondence she maintained with Frank Doel, the chief buyer of Marks & Co antiquarian booksellers in London, England.

Recently, I realized that through blogging and Instagram, I have formed relationships not unlike the friendship of Helene Hanff and Frank Doel.

On Wednesday, I saw this picture on Instagram with the following message

Despite having a female dog, I had no answers, but through Instagram, I have become friends with the lovely @pmacaulay who is a bit of a dog whisperer so I left the following comment.

Soon I saw that Shelley of @peoniesandtumbleweedblog had left me a comment.

And not far below that comment, I saw that Patricia had seen my comment and responded just as I knew she would do.

Next was Shelley's response to Patricia

followed by Patricia thanking me for getting her involved.

The conversation ended with Shelley's comment to both Patricia and me.

@peoniesandtumbleweedsblog is absolutely correct that we truly do have an amazing community

and I love the daily connections with friends made through social media.

Patricia and I were connected once again as I put these fun towels in Steve's kitchen today (they photographed much nicer on the baker's rack) because she lovingly chose them for me to fit my primary color palette and love of the ocean.

I also connected with Karen of The Feral Turtle today when I spotted this grouping of little red hearts in the entry. 

Karen sent me the hearts and these cool Asian discs (along with other fun Christmas decor) in the Christmas Ornament Exchange organized by Vicki of Life on Willie Mae Lane.

That connection led me to Vera of Row Homes and Cobblestones

as I placed a little creature in the vignette because she inspired my collection of mice.

As I write this, Steve is making a lovely prime rib dinner which will be served on these beautiful Pfaltzgraff Pistoulet dishes which were a gift from Kris of Junk Chic Cottage.

Mary Alice of Chateau Chic and @chateau.chic has no idea that we made a connection today, but this gorgeous mantel vignette I saw on her blog this morning led to my using stars on my mantel this afternoon.

Random connections and inspiration

with sweet people from all around the world are why I love blogging and Instagram.

Just as Helene Hanff and Frank Doel never met, and I might never meet my blogging or IG friends, but oh, the wonders of social media.

Thanks to all my blogging friends for connections ... friendships ... ideas ... and so much more.

What Am I Doing?

Those of you who are on Instagram are most likely familiar with the hashtag #widn which stands for What I'm Doing Now.

I am not working on any projects, but I am keeping busy.

Every single day I post one photo on Instagram.

I have begun to bring fall into my decor

now that it is officially the season.

My rain boots haven't been out of the closet in years and I hope that setting them out with flowers might actually entice rain.

I met a new friend, Renee of Joy in Every Season, for lunch

and she brought me a gorgeous vintage tablecloth.

Do you think it works with my color palette?

Vicky of Life of Willie Mae Lane posted about a book of her Instagram pics she made on Chatbooks 

so I made one for myself.

It was fun, easy and an inexpensive

method of printing some of my favorite pictures.

This Saturday, I am taking a felting class and I wanted to make something for each of my classmates.

I thought a little bag (filled with chocolate for sustenance) would be nice for taking home our creations - assuming that they are small.

I brought some of my fall decor down from the attic,

but this is all I had time to set out before it just got too hot and we had to run down to the ocean to cool off.

Well, that's what I have been doing- what are you up to?

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Join me at

Rooted in Thyme for Simple & Sweet Fridays

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson for Share Your Cup