Happy Friday

Just a little bit of sunshine...

to brighten your day. Happy Friday, dear bloggers! :)

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Happy Valentine's Day

"I love you not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you. I love you not only for what you have made of yourself, but for what you are making of me. I love you for the part of me that you bring out."

Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Happy Valentine's Day, dear bloggers !

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Please join me for Mosaic Monday this week. Mr. Linky will be up by 9:30pm Sunday. :)

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Mosaic Monday: Missing the Deck

Despite my recorded joy in snow days, I have to say that I'm really starting to miss dining on the deck. :)

These photos are from last summer -- a little luncheon table to celebrate the warm weather. I keep telling myself that the days are getting just a little longer and a little warmer as each week passes. Before I know it, I'll be filling the pots on my deck.

Right?

RIGHT?

Now let's have some mosaic fun! Here are the instructions:

1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.
That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline.net. I can't wait to see your mosaics! Here is Mr. Linky:

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Where Did All This Blue Come From?

I just made a discovery -- I have a lot of blue transferware! Because my dining room is red, I tend to collect and display red transferware.

But as I was scrounging through my cupboards yesterday for something different to display on my dining room dresser, I realized that a lot of blue had found it's way into the Little Red House.

A few pieces are from my mother, including the blue spongeware pitcher, and several blue willow plates.

This little blue and white pottery cup (above) was my mother's, too.

I bought this antique platter (above) on Ebay last year.

There are some reproduction Spode dinner plates here as well. I just can't seem to resist buying a few when I see them in HomeGoods. :)

And I guess they are starting to add up, because apparently I have enough to make quite a large display.

This pitcher belonged to my mother, too. Imagine my delight when I found a miniature version (in one of the photos above) in the thrift store.

As some of you know, I collect silverplate pitchers and gravy boats as well. And I think they go nicely here with the blue and white.

This antique plate which belonged to my mother, is my favorite. I found it a few years ago when cleaning out one of our closets.

Which gives you an idea of the kind of housekeeper I am.

A very bad one. ;)

Edited to add: I am linking this post to Paula Grace's Timeless Tuesday. She always has wonderful design advice, so go and visit -- you'll be glad you did. :)

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Everything Old Is New Again

By now, most of you will have appreciated the fact that I have, ahem, a slight problem with collecting dishes.

I may have a few more dishes than I know what to do with.

But that's where repurposing comes in, right? Bone dishes make wonderful ring holders. I have also used saucers as soap dishes, and platters as back splashes behind my kitchen faucet.

Everything old is new again. :)

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Please join me for Mosaic Monday -- Mr. Linky will be up by 9:30pm Sunday. I look forward to seeing all your wonderful and creative mosaics.

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I'm a Little Flower Bud

I've been suffering from a surfeit of writer's block lately -- not knowing what to write about, or where to turn my camera. All the snow, and some major cabin fever, were both getting me down.

I've also been thinking about my upcoming empty nest, and trying to see a way forward for the years ahead. It sounds silly to ask: "What will I do with the rest of my life?"

But I guess that has been on my mind lately, too.

I used to be a fitness instructor, but had to give that up for health reasons. I have also worked as a copy editor but that was so long ago it seems like another life.

What will I do now?

(I almost feel like I'm a flower in bud, waiting to feel the sun. Gosh that sounds stupid, doesn't it?)

I'd like to do something with photography, but I'm not sure that there is much money in stock photography sales, and I don't see myself starting a portrait business. I'm just not comfortable with my level of expertise in that area yet. Maybe with a little more practice...

So I've been thinking about creating an internet photography course for decorating and gardening bloggers. I have learned so much about that sort of photography in my years of blogging, and I think I might have some experience to share.

I'm actually a little nervous writing about it -- does it sound totally ridiculous? Maybe I should just go down to the local supermarket and fill out an application...

So, anyway, that's where my conflicted brain is right now. Anybody have any good advice?

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Sorry about missing Mosaic Monday last week, but you can see what a mental wreck I've been... :) Please join me for Mosaic Monday next week. (March 8th) Mr. Linky will be up by 8:30pm Sunday. Looking forward to seeing your work! :)

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Mosaic Monday: Mother's Day Wishes

One mosaic, two ways today. I made the mosaic above using Photoshop. I matted and framed it below using Big Huge Labs. I wish all of you a very happy Mother's Day!

Now let's have some mosaic fun! Here are the instructions:
1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post.
2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.
That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline.net. I can't wait to see your mosaics! Here is Mr. Linky:

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