Driven to Distraction, er Relaxation.

(A Tree I drew for Father's Day Gift; My Daughter's Eyes)

I had grand illusions of  really keeping up with this blog – I really want to grow it and I know the way to do that is to have lots of fresh and relevant posts.

 (Some lovely, but sullen looking Black Eyed Susans; My daughter exhibiting Joy)

But alas, Summer has kicked in. The kids are out of school, the weather has been enticing me to come play, the yard has been begging me for some attention. End result, not too much attention to the blog.

 (My husband and kids.)

So what I thought I would do is just share a quick photo essay of my last week. I have been taking pictures and fiddling with them in Instagram and am loving the results. 

What do you think?

(A gorgeous prairie vista we discovered while driving in the country; a recent Laughing Frog Studio Creation)

(The magnificent sky we see here in the prairie)

Hopefully next week I will have time to post something with some real substance. 

Until then, enjoy yourself, your family and your environment.

Vintage Globes

Vintage globes have such a depth to them.

With one fell swoop they add charm, nostalgia, intelligence, movement, color, height & depth, and plenty of interest.

There are several types of globes, but the most common types are the terrestrial globes (earth/land globe) and celestial globes (stars in the sky). A terrestrial globe is what we all usually think of when we think of globes with a predominantly aqua color (since the earth is over 70% water) and various shapes of other colors. A celestial globe tends to be in darker tones to represent the nights sky and show all of the positions of the stars and constellations.

(In case you were wondering the final type of globe is a virtual globe but as this is viewed on a computer, it has no place in vintage décor!)

As globes are quite collectible you might want to find out the age of your globe. This a a fantastic sight to visit to do just that. http://www.1worldglobes.com/historyglobes.htm. I used this site and found my globe to be ca. 1991. Boy, 1991 seems like yesterday, but it was 21 years ago. Sheez!

Here are a few ideas for how to display and honor your vintage globe.

1. Put them on a table or bookshelf amongst books of all types.

 From Country Living

2. Add to a display atop a large wardrobe or cabinet.

From BHG

From Time Worn Style

 

From Your Design Partner

3. Who says they have to sit on a table??!

  From Ilseacke

4. Group them for maximum impact.

 

 From Lovely Design

From Real Simple

5. Create something new and unusual. I like the idea of unusual displays.

 

From myrevelment

 

 From BHG

Do you have a unique way to show off or use your globe(s)? Leave a comment and link and share your creativity!

Instagram = Instaglam!

I just discovered Instagram.

I don't really know anything about it, just downloaded the app and started using it.

Wow! That's all I have to say. 

Just take a look at these ordinary, sometimes mundane photos before. Then look at what amazing photos they are afterwards! Total insta-glam make-over!

Angel

 

Angel Before

 

Pride

 Pride Before

Awe

 Awe Before

Oops

 Oops Before

Lavender

 Lavender Before

Heaven on the Horizon 

 

 Heaven on the Horizon Before

Swings

 Swings Before

Enough Said.

Bluebird

About 10 years ago we moved from Riverside to Batavia. Both towns are suburbs of Chicago, but Batavia is decidedly less urban and congested and it literally borders on farmlands.

Riverside was a amazing as it was thoroughly and delightfully canopied by the century-old trees. This was the vision of Frederick Law Olmsted, the Landscape Architect who planned the suburban community of Riverside in the late 1860s. Riverside was one of the first planned communities in the United States. You might recognize some of Olmsted's work if you have ever traveled to Central Park or Prospect Park in NYC, the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC or one of the numerous college campuses he designed. His creations were blissfully organic and relaxing as the vegetation was designed to block out the harsh realities of the bustles of life and the flow of his map of streets resembled that of a meandering stream.

With that being said about the beauty of Riverside and its antique trees, birds were not seen in abundance - at least not near the houses in which I lived. The converse can be said about where I live now in Batavia. I live in the new part of Batavia (yeah, I know I am one of "those" people) so there are only small trees plopped throughout what is essentially prairie. As a result of these trees being young and small, I am able to see the birds as they sit on their perches or fly to their nests. Also since the area is less congested, I have the melodic pleasure of hearing the birds as well!

I see all kinds of birds Robins, Cardinals, Finches, etc. I also see ducks, geese, blue heron, Red Tailed Hawks and even Sandhill Cranes. (Did you know that when ducks and geese fly overhead the flapping of their wings makes a squeaking noise like a wheel that needs grease?)But what I don't ever see are Bluebirds. I am not really sure why. Are they not native to these parts? Do they not like prairies and waterways? Do they prefer mountains and woods? I don't know.

So today I am searching for Bluebirds as a way to bring the elusive creature into my home. I thought I would share with you some of the wonderful decor and accessories I have found on etsy.

I love the look of this antique planter with subtle hues of blues and yellows. I think the addition of the soft pink roses are just perfect to soften the concerned look of this bird. This sweet planter is available form Bombshell Kittens.

OMG! A real life miniature nest with a bluebird in it! Divine! I am a sucker for miniatures! Available from Got Crow Creations.

 

This is a unique take on the Bluebird form - very folk art feel to it. This is a set of primitive bluebirds taking up residence in an old boot! Very clever. Available from Rabbit Hollow Prims.

Finally, I love this pair of original paintings. One of the bird and the other of the nest with gorgeous blue eggs. This set is available from The Painted Sky. You should check out her work, it is amazing!

Now like a bird shopping trees for the best place to build a nest, let me decide which might be best for my home.

Summer Break - Day One

Today is the first day of Summer for my youngest child. He goes to an independent school that is not in or near the neighborhood. He thought he was so lucky that he got out of school on May 31. All the kids in the neighborhood don't get out until June 7. Hhhhmmm, you see the problem.


But bless his little heart. This is the child who just cannot find anything to do on his own. He is a social creature to the max! But he has spent the day building with Legos, watching Minecraft (computer game) videos on YouTube, shooting some hoops and now riding his bike.

Stay tuned for an upcoming post about his apprenticeship as a baby (laughing) frog!

Vintage Photo Greeting Cards

I have some fun greeting cards I wanna share with you.

I have had them for ages, but they have been buried in my virtual store and hard to find. So today is the day to highlight them.

I am drawn very strongly to vintage photos, well actually to any photos. But vintage photos really transport you to another time and place much like a good book does. I love all the details. Obviously the dress is usually quite different as well as the decor or the cars etc. But there is often something else different about old photos; there is a simplicity of life that comes through. Life wasn't so chock full of "things" or "gadgets". It was a time more about people, family, hard work, etc. Some how that comes through in vintage photos.

Well, anyhow, I digress a bit. Let me share with you the two greeting cards I have made out of some of my favorite old photos.

Cowgirl Chic by bronc22000
Design unique custom greeting cards at zazzle.com.

This cowgirl card reads "Do these shoes make my calves look big?" The inside is blank.

Gossip Circle by bronc22000
Browse more Coffe Cards

On the inside, this gossip card reads "What's the gossip at your end of the block?"

If you like either of these cards, you can click on them and be taken to Zazzle where you can order as many as you  like.

I have a stockpile of other old photos that are just waiting for their time to be made into greeting cards, so check back again!

Simple Beauty

As I prepare for a day of painting and photo shoots of recently acquired merchandise, I take the dog out to do his "business". While out walking and waiting for  him to do his "business" I take a minute to literally smell the Roses. 

These climbing Roses were acquired via Freecycle about 3 years ago and transplanted in this perfect sunny spot. They sure have been happy here and the let me know it every year in the late spring. Thank you Roses. 

While the dog is still finding the perfect place to do his "business", I decide to walk the property and see what other lovely plants are letting me know that they are happy. I find that many are happy this sunny day. My blackberries are happy as well and will be providing a bounty of gifts in several weeks. You see, wherever there is a flower a berry will "magically" appear. And they are delish! Maybe we will make some homemade vanilla ice cream to go with them!

Around the other side of the property, I could barely get through the gate as the Willow was literally greeting me with "open arms" her branches were reaching everywhere. Luckily she is forgiving and bent to let me through, though she did pat my shoulders in affection.

Finally I found some Vinca and some Lavender spending their day together in perfect harmony. 

I think i love this Lavender picture more than any!

 

Enjoy your day where ever you are and remember, "Stop and Smell the Roses" literally or figuratively. 

This post is being shared on Jennifer Rizzo's blog linky party.Go there to see some more wonderful gardens, you will really enjoy it!

Mid Week Treasures

I know that many antiques/style blogs have some sort of a weekly posting of recent finds. They are usually on Fridays and are titled "Fridays Finds" or something like that.

My reality, however,  is that I am a mom who drives carpool both ways on Fridays. Fridays are not good shopping days for me since it usually takes me a day or two to clear it out of the back of the car. So I am gonna post my finds as I find them.

Today is an absolutely glorious day in the far western Chicago suburbs. Great day for all thew windows down, the sunroof open and tunes blastin'! Its gotta be about 75 degrees, no humidity and very few clouds. Just perfect! So today was a shopping day for me.

I am so excited about my finds today....so many possibilities. They don't necessarily work together as a unit, but they will work in other vignettes I have planned for the 3 French Hens Market next month.

I love this white metal table. I wonder the history? I imagine it as something with a medical background, but not for sure. 

The wooden wash table is something I have been coveting for years in various antiques stores. We shall see if I ever do sell it or if it will continue to dwell with me.

The tall glass cloche type jar with glass lid is really piquing my creativity, perhaps too much as I cannot decide exactly what to do with it! Yikes. 

Finally the book is just darling. It is a 1911 book entitled "Daudet's Tartarin de Tarascon". I bought this book for my mom's Guest House near Round Top in Texas. (Click here if you would like to see the guest house called Petite Maison) The house has a French theme. I told her she needs some antique French books in the house for the guests to peruse. As its not easy to find French books in America, imagine my excitement. I shall mail it to her today!

I am sharing this "Mid Week Treasures" post with the linky party at A Ruffled Nest - check out her site, it is A-MAZING!