The simple pleasures of home shine brighter
when the spirit of God intertwines our hearts
with His gentle Joy.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Time On My Hands. . .

Early in the Spring,  time on my hands ~ a luxury one seldom affords ~ allowed me to explore an idea I've had for the past two years!

Storage is in abundance On Crooked Creek!
So~o~. . . one thought was to open up the cabinet of my grandmother's hutch and showcase some of my seasonal dishes.



Wall space is nearly non~existent in our small dining area. The china hutch swallows the entire wall area, but I adore having my mother's china where I see it daily.


More than just the pear motif door knob or an occasional seasonal decorative accessory; I wanted to open the door of this cabinet and display an eye~appealing vignette.



Spring Break is one of the times when I literary empty and clean each cupboard, drawer and shelf in my kitchen. Once this cabinet was emptied and shelves dusted. . .the creativity kicked into overdrive!



My expanding Homer Laughlin Epicure Turquoise collection was moved into a convenient location for use in the built~in china cabinet. This space formerly held my cherished coffee sets. With this space vacant, I could now set the stage for a delightful Spring display.


This streamlined, simplistic coffee set was the first one "Mr. Ed" and I purchased in downtown Hanau, W. Germany. Its slender spout is excellent for pouring coffee. The motif is soft purple and black on bone white porcelain china. I placed my single Bordallo Pinheiro dinner plate as a backdrop for the coffee pot creamer and sugar bowl. The bottom shelf holds the matching dessert plates and saucers along with an asparagus lidded jar found at a local Flea Market. I adore how the hand crocheted variegated purple doily adds a layer of softness.



The cabbage tureen was a wedding gift to "Mr. Ed" and I. A handmade ceramic from the 1970's era. The original was broken during one of our military moves. This is a replacement found in 1990 at an Antique Shop in Louisburg, Kansas.


To the bottom shelf, I added the four Bordallo Pinheiro salad/dessert plates placed in a wide photo easel. Four Green Leaf Majolica by Suzanne Nicoll bread plates rest atop a wrought iron plate stand. Perched on the stacked plates is the figurine "Giving Thanks". Two more hand crocheted cotton lace doilies add needed softness and color. The addition of faux asparagus spears tied with raffia and crystal salt and pepper shakers complete the bottom shelf.


These kitchen items added seasonal hues and textural appeal to the open door cabinet. I moved the matching salad/dessert plates, saucers and cups to the built~in china cabinet.


Draping these two linen dishtowels over the open door continues the seasonal color theme and softens the wood tones. Can you guess my favorite tea towel???


The completed look of what was once a lovely idea has now become a vision to behold in our dining area On Crooked Creek. I think the addition of the open door is something I could get use to.

From this. . .


                                                                          To this. . . 

To this. . .



On Crooked Creek too much time on my hands could be. . . a good thing!




I'll be joining our gracious hostess Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphosis Monday. Susan has been doing an intense home office make~over. Stop by and be inspired to begin a change in your own home decor!



Until next time. . .

Friday, May 13, 2011

Record Breaking High!

Spring temperatures on the Prairie are totally unpredictable. In one week . . . 7 days. . .we went from the lows of 33 degrees to a record breaking high of 100 degrees!



During the earlier part of the week, I warmed up our dining room table with a vibrant French Country color scheme. I adore reds,  golds and greens in my home decor!



Pots of faux yellow primrose and  zinnias combined with my creamy hued pears fill the crown wrought iron tray creating a low centerpiece and setting the color scheme for this tablescape. A single green pear adds character to the back of the tray, as well!



A Golden hued tablecloth with red and green vines mimics the red peppers on my dinnerware.



The striped floral reverse side of the scalloped place mat brings the Provence style to this tablescape. Dinner plate, dessert/salad plate and salad/soup bowl are flanked by my Rostfrei flatware. A purchase from our years of life on the German Economy. We adore it's wooden handles and rugged, relaxed countryside appeal.



A simple napkin fluffing. . .gathered into my rustic, metal dragonfly napkin rings fills in the voided areas around the base of the centerpiece tray and add softness to the setting.



The addition of bee stemware brings a touch of the French Country Garden to our dining table.



However; after a second glance, the bee stemware seems to be competing for its place of presence with the dragonfly napkin ring.




Bee stemware is switched for clear glass water goblets.



A completed look of color and warmth. . . just in time to experience the record breaking high 100 degree temperatures on the Prairie.


Ah ~ h ~ h, perhaps the soup bowl will become an
                     I C E   C R E A M bowl. . .just for today!


Until next time. . .




On Crooked Creek is joining our gracious hostess, Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for  Tablescape Thursday. Please visit BNOTP and be inspired to create a memorable dining experience for your own home decor!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Charming Gardeners. . .

The Entry Hall On Crooked Creek is donning a gardening theme for the month of May! Here on the Prairie, anything planted before Mother's Day is subject to a short life. Many times in the past nine years, we've experienced more than one trip back to the greenhouse!



This lovely Greenhouse was purchased years ago in a darling little Flower Shop. Originally priced @ $110.00. . .I patiently waited until an after Christmas markdown and was jubilant at paying $65.00!!! Most of the year it resides on the lower level On Crooked Creek . . . but every once in a while . . . I cart it up the steps and showcase it in my home decor.



I adore the soft creamy tones and rubbed golden accents that make their way into the crevices of the twisted iron detailing! The gabled roof was one of the features that sold me on this piece! This year, I'm joining it with a few more of my Willow Tree Angels!




Angel of the Garden was one of the very first in my now abundant collection. Her rusty shovel is so reminiscent of "Mr. Ed's" appearance when he's gardening On Crooked Creek.
She is joined by the Angel of Caring (sitting angel) which reminds me to s l o w down during the gardening months and enjoy all of Nature. Lastly, is the angel cradling the cat! Titled With Affection, this angel looks much like Maurice and I as we gaze out the patio doors onto the calming hues of our back yard!



This darling pair is perched on a W E L C O M E stone complete with hints of moss. A fitting greeting for the Entry Hall.





Just a single, miniature, potted rose bush is all that was needed to enhance this restful theme.




Sheets of faux moss are layered atop of the inserted planting trays. A softer look On Crooked Creek's entry.



Quietly is the final Willow Tree angle statue in this sweet, inviting entry. The perfect accent with the passing of Mother's Day. My concrete urn is filled with faux boxwood sprigs to complete this gardening theme On Crooked Creek.


Let us be grateful to people who make us happy;
they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.

                                                        ~ Marcel Proust

Country Home September 2002


Until next time. . .


Just a Note:
Dear Ones,
Thank you to all who expressed their concern during my extended absence. I'm still getting accustomed to the proper protocol in blog land and didn't realize I needed to let you know that I was overbooked from the end of April through mid May. Please forgive my oversight.
Fondly,
Pat




I'm linking to one of my favorite memes with our gracious hostess, Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life, for Table Top Tuesday. Please stop by and visit all that the blog land ladies have prepared for your viewing pleasure!

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Mr. MacGregor's Garden. . .

Perhaps it's because I'm a child of the original Disney movie era. . .or my love of bunnies. . .or reading to children and making their stories come alive to bring them into the joy of reading; whatever. . . I fell head~over~heels in love with this bunny collection!!!




I must confess, Thumper, from Disney's movie Bambi, was my first Bunny Love. I had to have been eight or nine years old at the time, but I was smitten with him. His antics, laugh and smile captured my heart. I remember asking my parents for a real live bunny for my birthday that year. I got a quick, "No!"

Needless to say, five years ago, at a local TJ MAXX. . .I was mesmerised by this little fellow. My heart and head went right back to my childhood memories of Thumper. Only this little guy with his carrots and green overalls made me swoon! Without hesitation. . .I placed him in my cart. At $6.99, I felt I could splurge a bit that day!



Looking at him in my cart, the stories of Flopsy, Mopsy and Cottontail came to mind from Beatrix Potter's  The Tales of Peter Rabbit in Mr.  MacGregor's Garden. My favorite children's book during Eater and Spring is The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams. So, already, I was trying to figure out how I would display my newest treasure On Crooked Creek. . .when I turned the corner and saw this!!!




Now ladies, being married to a once farm boy, the mother of sons and the combination of my Bunny Love. . .I was nearly paralyzed at this vision. I gently lifted him up and was terrified when I saw his original price tag. Even TJ MAXX price was out of my price range! I was heart broken.

Rounding yet another corner, I found this adorable couple! Reminded me of the love that "Mr. Ed" and I share. Country Boy and the City Girl combination for sure. Price tag only $7.99!!! Could it be that I would be able to leave with two new Bunny Loves on the same day?


These two separate bunny statutes combined were less the the one larger statue. Still sorrowful that I couldn't bring him home, I settled for these two to add to my all white collection already residing On Crooked Creek.



Confused? No need, I'll explain!

Wouldn't it be wonderful to tell you all that I was able to return shortly and make the purchase of my coveted bunny. It would, I agree; however when I returned, all the bunny statutes were sold. Discouraged, I had resolved to enjoy the statutes I already had.

So~o~o. . .for many years it's just been these two wonderful statues that add to the whimsical enjoyment On Crooked Creek during the Easter and Spring celebrations. When they aren't on display they sit atop the shelves in my art Studio.



This past winter, when "Mr. Ed" and I were out doing our Antique Mall and Flea Market shopping. . . I spotted this treasured find from the showcase window as we were pulling into the parking lot. I, literally, used all the restraint I had NOT to bolt for the door of the store.
Can you even imagine my joy when I picked him up, no flaws, . . .turned him over. . .and saw the $14.99 price tag? ? ?

AND. . .when I reached the check-out counter, I learned that this vendor was giving 20% OFF everything in her booth that day. Bunny Love rang for a grand total of  $11.99!  All three statutes are now proudly displayed on the entry hall table!



In my newest Bunny Love statute's cabbage bowl are a set of insulators made into carrot place card holders that I purchased @ Country Bumpkins in Wichita, Kansas. I love the grooved texture and the yarn tops. Such a cute accessory !

The watering cans are part of a collection. Many years ago, I was ill and had several surgeries. My co~workers sent flowers to our home. Being in the Spring of the year, their bouquets came in the watering cans. In keeping with the Mr. MacGregor theme, are the addition of faux carrots. Faux Spring daffodils and primrose add a lightness with a soft yellow hue. Last year, I ordered the squares of faux moss from The Country House catalog. It fits nicely under the statutes and adds the greenness we are all craving after this past dreary winter.


When Bunny Love isn't donning his striking appearance at the front entry On Crooked Creek, he resides in the art Studio on the lower level. There he must keep a watchful eye over the basket of faux pink tulips.



Oh, I do hope you've enjoyed visiting On Crooked Creek today. I've enjoyed sharing my Bunny Love collection with you. Are there more bunnies you ask? Time will tell, dear ones. Time will tell!


On Crooked Creek will be linking to Metamorphosis Monday  @ Between Naps On the Porch with our sweet hostess Susan. Susan is creating a wonderful home office space in what was once her son's bedroom. She's made amazing progress despite some huge hurdles in home remodeling! Be sure to visit and see all the amazing MM that blog land ladies have prepared for your viewing pleasure.






remember...
 to visit our sweet hostess Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life 
for Table Top Tuesday. Inspiration abounds with this weekly meme!


Until next time. . .

Monday, April 4, 2011

Favorite Cupboard ? ? ?

On Crooked Creek is excited to join our sweet hostess Shelia @ Note Songs for her second Heart of the Home Party! This time her party request is to show a favorite cupboard in our kitchen.




Since moving On Crooked Creek I have been blessed with a built~in China Cabinet. This special cabinet changes twice annually with it's interior contents. The exterior shelf changes numerous times throughout the year. 



The addition of our kitchen wallpaper was added a few years ago. I wanted desperately to paint the cabinet similar to the treatment we had given the kitchen cabinets On Crooked Creek. "Mr. Ed" on the other hand, loves wood and loathes painting it. . .so, this was our compromise.

To view the painted kitchen cabinets On Crooked Creek in its entirety you can visit the first Heart of the Home Party  hosted by Shelia @ Note Songs by clicking on the listed link:
http://oncrookedcreekct.blogspot.com/2010/10/heart-of-home.html .
Or by clicking on the kitchen photo on the sidebar just above ABOUT ME!
At the present time we are donning our Spring attire of my intense coffee and tea set collections in their soft pastel hues. Come Fall we will once again bring back our silver with all of its shine and sparkle!

China Cabinet Spring Decor. . .



. . .China Cabinet Fall Decor.


My various coffee and tea sets are a vast collection from our travels during our military career and those gifted by family and friends. With their delicate floral pastel hues, Spring is the perfect time of year for them to be showcased.



Left ~

 







 
~ Right.



My very favorite coffee set is from dearest friends. Pink roses were the flower of choice for our wedding and our friends knowingly chose this set to remind us of the love that "Mr. Ed" and I have for one another.



In the early years of our correspondence, my pen pals and I made a choice of gifting one another with birthday and seasonal gifts. This is an egg shaped Easter Tea Set from my Illinois pen pal. The pastel hues are similar to my coffee set, making this the tea set of choice to share the top shelf of the cabinet. In addition is my favorite heirloom tea cup and saucer from my dearly beloved Mother~in~law.



The middle shelf houses my collection of vintage pink depression glass Buttons and Bows and Fostoria. Tea cups without saucers fill in the void spaces with the addition of pattern and texture.



In keeping with a vintage glass theme, the right side of the cabinet showcases my singular blue glassware assortment. Fruit compote, bon bon compote and aqua marine depression glass sugar bowl; all heirlooms from my beloved MoMa and Mother~in~law. Again, heirloom tea cups and saucers add visual interest.



My continually growing vintage Homer Laughlin Epicure turquoise blue and cream china dinnerware is located on the bottom shelf for easy accessibility! This set is used frequently with Spring entertaining On Crooked Creek.




My final coffee set to be included with this china cabinet is Made in German Democratic Republic. I adore the addition of tulips along with the pink roses. What brought about this purchase was the shape of the pot and its being, authentic "Communist China".  "Mr. Ed" and I made this purchase in the later 1970's before the dismantle of The Berlin Wall.



The open display or counter top of this built~in China Cabinet changes more frequently than does the upper and lower cabinets.


A past Fall counter top display. . .



 Deck the Halls Party 2010. . .




 Let It Snow! . . .  On Crooked Creek





. . . a recent Spring counter top display.

An early Spring counter top display featuring my limited collection of Bordallo Pinheiro Portugal majolica dinnerware. My evolving collection currently consist of one dinner plate and four saucers. Quickly becoming a favorite On Crooked Creek, I am always on the hunt for more.
 





Behind the closed doors of the lower cabinet are the various Spring serving pieces!


The top shelf houses the additional Homer Laughlin collection, coffee and tea cups and saucers and my Christmas dessert and salad plates. White china and crystal glass individual bud vases, salt cellars, individual cupcake stands and a toast rack.




The bottom shelf holds larger crystal and vintage heirloom Spring serving bowls and trays, a punch bowl complete with cups and ladle, a set of stemware and crystal dinner bells.




The two drawers of this built~in are constantly put to work. The drawer on the left holds my napkins and napkin rings. The drawer on the right holds my seasonal towels. I switch out the towels on my oven door frequently. . .as you can see. . .this drawer is overflowing with lovely towels!





 





I hope you enjoyed yourself today On Crooked Creek as we peeked inside my favorite cupboard. I appreciate dear Shelia @ Note Songs for hosting this delightful Heart of the Home Party and hope you will visit other participants. Inspirations abound wherever blog land ladies gather.

Until next time. . .