CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

We are lucky enough to live on the farm my husband's grandfather homesteaded. He bought the first parcel July 5, 1912, so what else could we do but hold a centennial party!

Grandpa John was quite a man. He worked for tree conservation, fought to bring electricity to the farmers, worked to bring in the local hospital, and belonged to and worked tirelessly in many organizations, among them, the VFW, Granges, soil conservation districts and more. 

He immigrated to this country in 1905 at the age of 14 1/2. By 1912 he bought his first 20 acres, by 1917 he was fighting for this country. We honored him this weekend with a party that almost all his living relatives came to. 

What a legacy!

 An incredible article in the Seattle newspaper circa 1961

 One of his many obituaries. 

He was proud to serve!

Because he was one of the first tree farmers in the country, promoting sustainable and responsible harvesting, we thought it appropriate to use a piece of one of his trees and mark some of the rings with major events. We have his birth in 1890 and his great great grandchildren's birth in 2008 and everything in between!

We couldn't leave out the little guy who marks all our celebrations!

We had archival papers, like the document when he became a U.S. citizen, enlarged, then displayed them on the wall for guests to read.

The table holds towels and water shoes and badminton rackets for games in the pool!

 The bar!

 Our signature drink was a lemon drop, with four simple syrups to flavor them, mint, rosemary, rose and lavender.

Long tables set up for dining, we added votives as the evening wore on.

Comfortable seating around the pool. I caught one of the cows eating my roses earlier in the day!

The day before and the day after it rained, but the day of was sunny and beautiful! 

We displayed both the Italian and American flag to honor his heritage and his new country! 

What a wonderful day.

DINING ROOM PROGRESS

If you have been following my progress on my dining room, you know it has been kind of slow going. I wanted to get it just right so I am taking my time. I ordered about eight swatches for the curtains and all the panels twice before getting the color right. I think you'll like it!

I also found an amazing pair of Italian candle sconces at a store downtown, they are just beautiful. 

 My plan is to be able to dine by candlelight!

 The blue curtains are perfect!

 It's hard to see because I cannot get a photo of both sconces in one shot, but they are on either side of the large bay window.

 The color of the little blue birds in the chinoiserie wallpaper are the exact color of the curtains.

patio update!

I love the look of long drapes on an outdoor patio. They not only block the hot late afternoon sun, but they look beautiful when there is a gentle breeze. So, I decided to put some up! Of course I did not want to spend the money for curtains and rods and installation that I have seen in the design magazines, so I did it myself. The rods are from overstock.com and they are very good quality, here is the link.

www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Bold-Pole-90-to-144-inch-Adjustable-Curtain-Rod-Set/4224989/product.html

I bought two sets because the span is so long and I wanted good support.

The curtains are from Ikea, I think they were $19 a panel! Then I took extra wooden rings I had laying around and spray painted them black and they work great.

Here are some photos of the finished product with a few garden shots as well!

The curtains separate these spaces and make the covered area look like a room. 

 The pots look so good with just one statement plant. Very elegant. The chartreuse smoke bush is amazing. I went a little crazy on these, they pair beautifully with the pale pink David Austin rose, Eglantyne.

 So pretty!

These three pots have one Hydrangea in them, so simple and beautiful.

I LOVE A PARADE

There is nothing like a hometown parade. The kids on bikes, the drill teams, the horses, the princesses and of course the very best, the veterans. Our little town has many parades throughout the year and I have to admit I haven't been for a while. Time to go celebrate a little Americana!

The veterans always bring a lump to my throat, why is that? Maybe it is the way the look, so proud and patriotic, it is my favorite part of the parade.

Have a wonderful fourth, eat lots of great food, talk about our amazing country and be safe!

Pool Time

The citrus green pillows and towels are just the touch needed to complete the look on my terrace. It is fresh and soothing at the same time. 

The Elfin Thyme is filling in beautifully. By the end of summer the lines between the stone should be solid.

Rockin' Robin

My daughter Robin and son-in-law John built a beautiful home three years ago. It is classic brick with a two story center and wings on either side. It has been wonderful watching my daughter's decorating style develop over the past few years.

She is fearless in her use of color.

 Her home is dramatic and has a great sense of her family. She uses photographs liberally as artwork throughout the house with style. The twins rooms are filled with pattern and color and they are divine. Let's have a look!

 This is the playroom, the blue is so bright and primary, which children love. My favorite thing is the wire strung on the wall that the twins artwork is hung on.

 A play kitchen and giant blackboard add to the fun!

 LOLA'S ROOM

 Each of the twins has a book rack hung on the wall to display their favorite books. These are like pieces of art in themselves.

 Lola's room is painted a smokey lavender and it is so soothing. The prints are from a children's book. Lola is all about ballet and they are perfect for her.

 Are these adorable or what?

Above her bed.

The opposite side of the room, a set of old Bobbsey Twin Books.

JACK'S ROOM

 Jack's room is a beautiful shade of blue with an airplane and globe motif. 

 A large map and reading couch for story time. 

 Jack's book rack, I love it!

 Mom framed all the artwork in both rooms, it makes it original and personal.

 Globes and an antique lamp base.

 More globes and the noise canceler, aka, the fan.

 This is the little formal living room. It is warm and inviting, the deep brown is a rich, wonderful color.

 The mantle.

 Another view.

 Kitty is very comfortable.

 The master bedroom is a wonderful cocoon, the curtains let the light filter through softly and it is lovely.

 Simple and precious!

 There is a sandbox hidden in there, painted black to blend in. You can have all the accouterments your children need and still have beautiful gardens!

 A talented man her husband is!

 A lovely bar...

 on a wonderful stainless steel cart.

 The view from the kitchen. There is nothing better than an old barn!