common ground

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Chirp, chirp

You know how they say "a little birdie told me"...?

well, my little birdie has a message he wants to share with everyone.

He's a sweet little birdie with a smile on his face,

but he's sad cause he's having a hard time leaving comments.

So many blog friends where he's tried to leave comments.

Those that have word verification,

have been a real bummer for the last day or two.

I haven't had word verification for over a year, maybe longer.

Blogger is doing a great job on filtering spam. trust me...

99.9 percent of the looney tunes are filtered out!

and on another note...

thanks for all the sweet comments on my new blog header.

After the shock and upset of Picnik calling it quits,

I've spent hours and hours looking for alternatives,

(those of you who are Picnik addicts like me

are having advanced withdrawal.)

Picasa seems to be a contender, but I'm still fussy and fumey.

If you have issues, (and who doesn't) just Google your questions,

there are some great tutorials out there.

xoxo,

Valentine Pendants in the Etsy Shop

Here are just a few fun pieces for Valentine's Day

that I have listed in my Etsy Shop,

The Petite Boutique

If you have an idea for something special,

just email me or convo me at my Etsy Shop.

XOXO,

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The weather here in southern Missouri is pretty changeable. Cold, mild, cold again. But we have had enough warmer days that some of our shrubs and bushes became a little confused and thought Spring was on it's way.

So that gave me the itch to change up my mantel. I still had my faux Amaryllis in my Wolff Pottery from Christmas, so it was time for them to go and bring in some budding branches. (faux budding branches, that it)

And while I was at it, I thought my little Country French Couple

might feel at home there too.

I love their sweet rosebud confection, pastel attire.

If you look closely you can see they are missing a few fingers between them,

but I love them anyway.

They are a large pair, over a foot tall, and that's good size for these.

So between a few budding branches and my little French couple

my mantle is taking on hints of early Spring and just a little romance.

It's only January, so I'm sure we have some nasty weather ahead,

but what's the harm of dreaming of an early Spring...?

Joining in for

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Primp Your Stuff Wednesday at Primp

Table Top Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life

Share the Love Wednesday at Very Merry Vintage Style

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Good Life Wednesdays at A Beach Cottage

Knick of Time Tuesdays at Knick of Time Interiors

House Party at No Minimalist Here

Farmhouse Friday at LaurieAnnas

xoxo,

Monday, January 23, 2012

Just a little L-O-V-E

Not long ago after perusing some old Victoria Magazines, I found a wonderful image again in the February 1999 edition. Victoria never gets old or outdated, they are always lovely and classic. I knew once I saw it that I wanted to put my own "take" on it, so I used what I had on hand; tags and romantic elements to say "LOVE" in a very special Valentine-y way.

Old stamps

vintage buttons

Millinery flowers

faux pearls

L-O-V-E

I had so much fun putting this together...

I'm joining in for these great parties:

Copy Cat Challenge

Metamorphosis Monday

A new linky party, Simply Klassic Sundays

Hope you're off to a wonderful week,

xoxo,

Friday, January 20, 2012

Heart Shaped Happiness

Don't they say the quickest way to a man's heart is through his stomach?

So how about a little heart shaped tummy love...

home made iced sugar cookies...

Source: savvymode.com via Debra on Pinterest

Le Creuset has some adorable ramekins

Source: images.google.com via Debra on Pinterest

I'm thinkin' I need some...

Source: images.google.com via Debra on Pinterest

but if you don't have those,

how about some jam filled cookies...

Source: images.google.com via Debra on Pinterest

or ice cream sandwiches...

Source: images.google.com via Debra on Pinterest

even these will do...

Source: image

good grief, heart shaped cherry pie...

Source: meetthedubiens.com via Debra on Pinterest

macaroons...I'm losin' it folks...

Source: thisnext.com via Debra on Pinterest

I don't know if this is some sort of red velvet,

but I'll take my chances...

Source: sprinklebakes.com via Debra on Pinterest

and Heart Shaped Marshmallows...

Source: bestfriendsforfrosting.com via Debra on Pinterest

can you tell I did this on an empty stomach?

Just letting you know that

Vintage Inspiration Friday

is still going,

come link up if you haven't yet.

just scroll down to the next post.

xoxo,

Vintage Inspiration Friday # 73 Cooking the French Way

Take a look at these images and see if you can guess

what's been inspiring me this week for

Vintage Inspiration Friday...

Apartment Therapy

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Debra on Pinterest

Source: images.google.com via Debra on Pinterest

What do each of these images have in common...

can you guess?

It's what has me on this fooding, eating, cooking, kick...

Well, a couple of years ago the St. Louis kids and I were hitting the antique malls when what do you think my son-in-law spied...?

you got it, a vintage Le Creuset dutch oven. (They've been around since 1925, and still made in a small town in France.) Now, I knew what they were, but the bug just hadn't bitten me yet. Clearly he had found something fabulous. He was thrilled and made a mad dash for the checkout!
So then fast forward, and each time we go up to visit, there it sets with a prominent spot on their large gas stove. "Do you really use this?" I asked my daughter. "MOM...at almost every meal!" OK, excuse me, I'm not hip or trendy enough in the kitchen. But it did get me thinking, and I was a Crock Pot Queen in the day. So for Christmas this year this was my "one thing" that was a must for a Christmas present... and hurray...that's what I got!!