Getting Cozy ....

It's hot and humid again, but we had a couple cool days last week that started me thinking of Fall.    I sat on the sofa in the den and read with a throw to keep me warm.  

I love getting cozy for autumn, whether an extra blanket at the bottom of the bed, or a throw on the sofa.

All images from Houzz

Up From the Basement

I've had a dozen things on my end table while I've been redecorating my living room.    I finally settled on this antique scale which I had in a box in the basement.

Almost done the room .... well almost done, in an ongoing sense!

It says "Welcome"

The "Welcome" to your home starts at the front door.

I'm in the process of painting my front door.  I started at the beginning of summer, got the primer and first coat on and then was stopped by all the humidity we've been having this summer.  The paint never seemed to dry!

Every day I leave and enter by my front door ..... and I hate being in the middle of an unfinished project this length of time.  

So ... here's some great front doors that are finished!

Cheery Yellow -

Regal Blue -

Natural Wood -

Pretty, calm blue -

Classic Black -

A punch of red -

White ... a nice bright clean welcome -

An then one with definite personality!!!

Repurposing for a footstool

I needed a new footstool for the den.   I was using the one from the living room, but recently I had it recovered and in the process it is too high to be comfortable with the sofa in the den.

I had bought a sewing machine in a cabinet with my first pay from my first 'real' job in 1972.   The machine is long gone, but the stool is still here.

I took it out to my brother's on the weekend and had him cut the legs down 3 1/2 inches. (Thanks Bruce), then brought it home, found some upholstery fabric in the basement and recovered it.

Perfect ... now I can put my feet up and read or watch TV.

An English Cottage

I watched "The Holiday" with Cameron Diaz and Jude Law last night.   But the real star for me was the English cottage Cameron stayed in.   It wasn't even a real cottage, just a stage ... but if it was, I could just move in and love it.

The rooms are scrumptious .... cozy, warm, soooooo English.  I LOVE this kitchen.

a cozy library ....

Even without Jude Law ... a fabulous bedroom ....

I love English cottages.   Couldn't you just move in to one of these:

Ahhhh ... my fantasy ... a cottage in England.   So Jane Austen.

Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner

AND THE WINNER of the polka dot bowls is .....

Grace @ Sense and Simplicity

I'll get in touch with Grace and send them off.  I think they will look perfect in her newly updated kitched.

Give Away and 100th Post

I started blogging last August.   I'm not a very technical person, but I started following blogs and thought "I can do this too".

I have found blogging to be inspiring in so many ways .... it incents me to keep going on my list of to do's;  it's a log of all I've done in the past year; and the people I have met on-line are wonderful ..... full of suggestions, encouragement and ideas.

I'm never going to be one of the 'big' bloggers, but the thrill of just one comment keeps me going.

Here's my list for happy blogging:

1.  Show lots of pictures ... that's what I look for when I check out other blogs.
2.  Make comments when you visit a blog .... I love getting them so I am sure others do too.
3.  Only make constructive comments ... it's amazing some of the comments I've read .... why be mean?   There is a reason your Mother always said "if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all"
4.  When you find a blog you like, check out the list of blogs they follow... they probably have the same aesthetic, and you'll like it too.

So THANKS for all your comments ... I'll be dropping in on your site soon ... so feel free to visit whenever you can.

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In celebration of my 100th post, I'm having a give away!

I found these cute blue grey bowls with dots.    I LOVE polke dots.  If you would like to win them, leave me a comment (one per person) and I'll let you know who won on Thursday.

Shipping only to Canada and the continental US.