Friday, March 7, 2008

Catching Up

Do you ever wondered where time goes? I do, especially lately. How did it get to be Friday?

My house is starting to feel normal again and I'm excited about several new additions.

The new couch arrived…
… as did an oversized chair with a coffee table-sized ottoman.
Penny Carlson sent me a gorgeous house re-warming present.
Did you know Penny adds a butterfly to each piece? Her signature touch has a meaning behind it. Her mother loved butterflies.To honor her memory, she adds a china butterflies with her initials on it to each piece.
Everyday, more of the old, and in some cases antique, pieces are back in place, too. The fretwork I found years ago at a New York City stoop sale once again spans the doorway between the bedroom and the sitting area/library.
My watercolors are back on the staircase wall.
The freshly washed and starched crocheted edgings (thanks Ruth!)...
are once again in place on the kitchen cabinet shelves.
Even the tiny Goebels woodchuck has found his way back on top of a book cabinet in my office.Unfortunately, I still can’t find the right cord for my scanner, my favorite cutting board, and about two-dozen other can’t-live-without essentials I am learning to live without!

MYSTERY PROJECT UPDATE: Good News! The second draft of Part 1 is done and was handed in earlier this week. The new editor will be out of town all next week and had promised to send me her comments on it before she leaves.

Last night, an e-mail arrived that made my day:
“I read the Part 1 manuscript and I like it! First, this tone is great. I think the organization is working. I love the sidebars. Kudos to you—this is looking great!"

What’s Next? The second draft of the introduction, then it’s on to revising Part 2. I wrote the text based on photos editor #1 chose. The new editor changed most of the photos, so substantial rewriting is required.

SHARING THE LOVE: I'm also excited to say (belatedly) I was one of the four winners of Adla's Vintage Delights' One World, One Heart giveaway. Isn't the purse notepad great? Knitters should be sure not to miss her February 26th post. There are photos of two tiny miniature chicks that are positively irresistible.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST: I'd like to thank Brook at The Home That Love Built for the Sweet As Sugar award and Sioban of Vintage Mosaic Boutique for the You Make My Day award. Thanks ladies, much appreciated!

And, to everyone who has left me a comment in the last few weeks, I promise I will get back to you soon.

*** BLOG DU JOUR ***
I’ve been meaning to share Poppy Lane with all of you who haven’t visited this delightful Tasmanian blog. Scroll down and enjoy Kali’s photos of everything from vintage china and fabrics to flowers and fauna (I love the brushtail possum pix!).

30 comments:

Paris Rags Romance said...

I'm sure your happy to get your home in order! I love those water colors, did you paint them? This is one form of painting I have never even tried! I will have to one day. Yours are so pretty. I loved the dish from Penny too. How sweet and kind she is. The part about the butterfly really touches your heart. Lovely post. Till later! Kimberly

Natasha Burns said...

Your new furniture is lovely Barbara!
Penny's mosaic piece is beautiful, I love the butterfly she adds to each piece.
Thanks for sharing the blog du jour, it's a wonderful blog I had never seen before and she's in th next state down from here!

Free Art Printables said...

Everything looks great! It must feel great to put everything away and in it's place! I'm glad the book project is going well. It's always nice to recieve kudos for a job well done! :)
Jen R

Dianne said...

Hi Barbara,
I know you are so happy to have all your pretties back in place and I love your new furniture and the colors you chose. Does Belgium have a NEW SPOT to rest now..new sofa maybe...!!!!
What a lovely home you have and the piece from Penny is so charming.My favorite is your little woodchuck. So Adorable!!

NeereAnDear said...

Well barbara I have to say that we have similar tastes... I love your new couch... I have one almost identical except it't in a taupe stripe ... no chair though... and I was going to ask is that Italian Pottery? I have a few pieces... limited edition that look similar.. though I believe yours are more detailed... but a lot of pottery can look similar and it may not be Italian ...

your home looks lovely... I too am curious.. who did the watercolors?? Love the mosaic..very sweet of Penny to present you with a house warming gift..

HUGS

JO

Ruth Welter said...

Hi Barbara, I think my earlier post might not have gone through...might be in the blogland abyss somewhere so , the second time is probably a charm.

I really like your couch and chair, they remind me of the colors of my bedroom and bathroom walls, I love that pale blue.

Congrats on the progress of your mystery project, it sounds like all is going well in that department. Enjoy your new furnishings and having your house back together again.

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Hi Barbara!
Glad you like your re-house warming gift! I love your new furniture. Especially the oversized coffee table ottoman. I have been thinking about one of those for a long time.

Glad TMP is coming along - great email about it! Well, I am off to check out the blog du jour!
Penny

Southern Heart said...

Everything is looking just beautiful!

Anonymous said...

How wonderful to get your home back in order again. I love the furniture and the oversize chair looks so comfortable.

It's a treat to browse all the little details in your home as well as all the great links to new sites you mentioned.

Have a great weekend!

Kali said...

Dear Barbara ~ thanks so much for mentioning my blog here on your wonderful site.
I am so chuffed, and it's made my day :)

You certainly have a very beautiful home, filled with gorgeous things!

Thanks again, Kali :)

Kathryn Bechen said...

Hi Barbara,

Love your new oversized chair and the sofa too. And the fretwork--ah!!

Best. Kathryn

Kathryn Bechen said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
THE HOME THAT LOVE BUILT said...

Looks nice and fresh Barbara. I like it and I noticed your knitting something pretty in pink.
Thanks for sharing your cozy home with us.
XO
Brook

cjan said...

Hi Barbara,
I love your new furniture and with your new floors you must feel like you're in a new home...
What method do you use to attach your lace to the shelves in your kitchen?? I have some that I put on with tacks, but the boards are sooo hard, the tacks will hardly push into the boards. I had thought of putting velcro on them but wonder if they would hold.

So happy you have been able to take the time in your busy schedule to get your home the way you like it.
Hugs,
jan

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Hi Barbara,
I love your new couch and chair. I especially love the oversized ottoman/coffee table. I have been thinking about getting one of those for a while now.

I am so glad you like your house re-warming present. I had fun making it for you!
Penny

A Romantic Porch said...

Your home is looking so pretty. xo Rachel

Susie Q said...

Your new furniture is simply lovely and the treasure from dear Penny is...well...it is a WOW! I have always loved how she adds a butterfly in each piece. She is a treasure in herself.

Thank you, as always, for your blog du jour! I always love finding new and interesting people and places to visit!

Hugs,
Sue

Niesz Vintage Home said...

Great new furniture pieces! I love the size of that ottoman.
Your fretwork is lovely and so is your house re-warming gift...how thoughtful.

I hope all goes smoothly with part 2 of your mystery project. Sounds like a lot of work.

Have a great week,
Kimberly :)

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Congrats on getting things in order. Looks lovely! And how sweet to get a mosaic piece from Penny, that's awesome.

Rhoda

Catherine said...

Love the new furniture~especially the over ~ sized chair & ottamen!!
I also LOVE the blue~willow mosaic gift from Penny! I am an avid blue willow collector~ I love that she adds a butterfly to all her pieces in memory of her mom, makes her pieces of art even more of a tresure! Enjoy your new look !
Cat

Barbara said...

I think I will take the over sized chair, looks great to relax in. I like the sofa too.

Very artistic watercolours colourful too.

The edging is really sweet and goes so well with your home.

Barbara said...

Not a trick question at all. One is taken in Switzerland and one in France. All the others are England. No it is not the aeroplane, that was on the tarmac at some tiny airport in Kent in 1961. It's the airport I talk of in my Spain post that did not have a run way.

Siobhan said...

Hi Barbara,

I love your new couch, works well in your home.

You are very welcome for the you make my day award..you deserve it! :)

Siobhan xo

CIELO said...

How beautiful everything looks! Your new couch is lovely, it puts a cheerful note to the room..

Have a nice day

cielo

Tutti Chic said...

Isn't it such a good feeling to get your home back in order?? Your neew furniture looks comfy & fresh & penny's gorgeous mosaic right at home there~she is so very talented & sweet! The butterfly touch is beautiful....congrats on your success with your project too! :) chris

Anonymous said...

Good Morning Barbara!

What a fun post this was! I love it all! Your new furniture is wonderful - your watercolors are heavenly - Penny's present is PRECIOUS (we love Penny) and the fretwork is fabulous! I really enjoyed this peek into your beautiful home. I'm so glad you are getting settled in AND that your Mystery Project is coming along so nicely. Yea Barbara!

xo,
Kim

Donna said...

Love your furniture ~ you have a wonderful home, and Penny's piece is beautiful too (love Penny's work)! Love your artwork too!
Congrats on your awards!
Have a good day!
Donna

Gail McCormack said...

Your home certainly is coming together very nicely, love your new pieces. I must visit the blog du jour.
I'm having a celebration giveaway and would love you to enter
Have a great weekend

Susan Tuttle said...

I love your new furniture and the gorgeous creation from Penny - how special! The lace trim adds the perfect, feminine touch.

Congratulations on the unfolding of your book - sounds like all is going super well.

Warmly,
Susan
xo

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Everything is looking so cozy and beautiful! I love Penny's work, and the butterfly adds that special touch, doesn't it? (she's such a sweet artist,too!)
xoLidy