February in the garden . . .

It has been gorgeous most of the month of February

and we have enjoyed spending time outdoors.

I allot a little time each day clearing weeds and planting.

And, I am enjoying just basking in the sun on our garden chaises.

The hanging window in the garden still had a Valentine's message so it got an update.

I love that this quote references the garden, but is really about attitude.

I have no idea what plant produces these gorgeous flowers. 

I am sure that the birds planted it for me and I certainly am not going to complain,

The sun is shining on the last day of February

and I am now off to an ocean front restaurant to meet my college roommate and her husband for lunch.

I'll return to the garden after lunch,

but not to sit and enjoy myself.

The weeds in this poor sad section of the garden will be tackled and if time allows, the side yard will be cleaned up.

We welcome March and we hope it comes in like a lion with a few big rainstorms.

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Join me for

  Talk of the Town hosted by Betsy of My Salvaged Treasures


Wow Us Wednesdays hosted by Kim of Savvy Southern Style

Life doesn't have to be perfect . . .

I don't make New Year's resolutions and I don't choose a word for the year,

but when I came across the quote, "Life doesn't have to be perfect to be wonderful", I thought it would make a good motto for 2016.

So, what have I been up to in this imperfect, but WONDERFUL life I lead?

Mainly, I have been changing everything around from Christmas to everyday decor.

The dining room shelf turned white.

I stole a bunch of quilts from a cabinet in the living room and added them to the guest room ladder.

And of course one moves triggers another so new vignettes adorn the shelves in this skinny cabinet

and I spruced it up with a little ivy wreath.

My little shopping cart is now in the living room filled with a portion of my letter collection ( I have an addiction) and I discovered that an old wire crate fits on the bottom as a second shelf.

The ivy wreath didn't last long in the living room - the tall white cabinet in the entry needed a little color.

Everyone wondered why I would move my new red cart from it's spot in the entry, but it was just a tad too big.

My grandpa's rocker, spruced it up with some hearts I made the other day, takes up very little space.

Steve's kitchen got an update with a tall metal stool and then an unplanned change this afternoon.

I yanked a cord that got twisted around one of the shelves and then CRASH!

Not much survived, but I only lost 2 old treasures.

Even with the disaster in the kitchen (definitely not perfect) it's still a wonderful world.

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Share Your Cup

French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Friday

Layer Upon Layer

The other day we were kayaking in the late afternoon

 and for the first time in months, I was not stripped down to my bathing suit, but dressed in layers (I had even thrown in a sweatshirt "just in case")

and it got me thinking about how fall is all about layers.

Our days are still warm, but the night comes earlier and the evenings are cooler so both my clothing and decor get layers at this time of year.

In summer, I want uncluttered surfaces, but this time of year I frequently use a tablecloth and even my centerpieces are layered for color and texture.

In the summer, when Steve takes a nap, he uses this throw beneath him to catch errant sand,

but when fall arrives, we use it at night to keep our legs warm when we sit by the fire.

The mantel is another spot that is layered this season.

I usually keep vignettes off to the sides, but my latest design has dried branches strewn across the mantel.

Leaves, candles, books, clocks, etc. are layered to add height and interest.

My little red ladder is layered

with fall decor

as is my garden ladder.

This ladder was in the guest room, but it got booted outside when I found a shorter one and I love it in the garden because it allows for color at different heights.

 An extra quilt is added to the bed and a throw rug covers the now cold floors.

In the summer, I don't have time for crafts, but with the sun setting earlier I need something to keep my hands busy when watching movies

so my craft supplies become part of the decor.

I add layers to cozy up my house -

what's your fall decorating trick?

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Spindle & Rye for Blogger Link Love

Cozy Little House for Tweak It Tuesday

Sand & Sisal for Inspire Me Monday

Change Happens

Change, constant change, is Steve's major complaint about me!

But, change happens sometimes when you are not expecting it.

Until last week, the guest room looked like this.

Our daughter has been staying with us during the week since October, but KC moved back to the Bay Area and took much of her decor/furniture with her.

I spent the last few days putting together the room because we have a special guest coming this week.

In my old age, I am realizing that I don't need to always be purchasing new items

so my goal for the room was to spend no money and only use things I had on hand.

The checkered shams are an old IKEA purchase and the white quilt was on our bed until last summer.

A favorite quilt adorns the foot of the bed complimented by pillows that have been used on our bed, on the window seat in the dining room, on the living room sofa and even outside on the chaises.

The little stool at the foot of the bed is one of several pieces KC returned to me after stealing it when she moved to town.

Among the things KC left behind were the navy suede headboard on the bed and her IKEA dresser - it's old, but does the trick for now.

My original plan was shelves and baskets on this wall, but I decided that "less is more" and I asked my resident artist for paintings.

The chair was a cheap Tuesday Morning purchase that I love tucking into empty corners.

While KC was with us, this little table served as a night stand, but I had other ideas for next to the bed so the table fills a space between the windows - Steve added one of my favorite truck paintings.

I have always wanted to use a ladder for shelves and finally I have the perfect spot.

Originally we hung a painting over the bed, but it was overwhelming

so an old screen hangs above the bed and a little bag for candy (empty for now or Lulu would try to get it) awaits our guest who will arrive on Friday.

 Steve's most recent painting hangs above a table I moved into the bedroom from the living room.

I am eagerly awaiting my cousin Vicki's arrival

as is Lulu - although she might be waiting for KC to come home.

I am happy with the room and pleased with myself that I didn't buy anything except flowers

and fresh flowers are a change that Steve can handle!

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Head on over to My Salvaged Treasures for the Vintage Inspiration Party