Not Quite Vintage

woof, woof, wag, wag

You know what is making me smile lately? My two westie friend neighbors. I love it when I drive down the alley and they rush out their doggie door because they heard my car (any car really, I just choose to believe they know my car and are coming out to see me specifically).

They are the sweetest of puppies. I have a soft spot for westies because I had one growing up (Miss Moray). I love how they tilt their heads when you talk to them like they are really listening. I even love their spunk and tendency to be a bit hard-headed.

These sisters (same litter) aren't even a year old yet. They never stop moving - hence the reason you never see both of their faces in one picture frame. It is all tails wagging, bodies jumping and kiss giving through the fence.

And they are even sporting new westie hair cuts!

It is such a nice way to arrive home. Someday, I will get a puppy of my very own...

Goodbye Country Home

So many magazines are closing shop: ME Home Companion, Cottage Living (one of my very favorite magazines, I have been a subscriber from the start... and no, Southern Living is NOT a good substitute), Domino and Cottage Living. As a professed magazine-aholic, I am getting really sad. What am I going to do every month as my mailbox gets emptier and emptier?

 
A couple weeks ago I got the final issue of Country Home and am happy to say they went out with a really nice issue. I pulled some inspiration from the pages yesterday while sitting in the late afternoon sun. Here is what I found:

I have painted stairs (really steep painted stairs) going down into my basement, but the stencil and pattern are a bit more old fashioned and the paint is much darker. They are looking a bit worn, maybe I need to update them.

Something about this room makes me want to relax on the sofa and read a book. Plus I love the pear fabric pillow on the sofa.

I am in love with the budget kitchen makeover... even if it is still out of my budget. Someday. Oh, the whiteware and yellowware bowls, the subway tile, the ball jars, the sink, the vintage scale...

Not only do the dishes look yummy, but I love the packaging.

And lastly, I think this recipe is going into my spring rotation. MMMM ginger.

Anyone else finding inspiration from the magazines and catalogs in your mailbox? Any suggestions on magazines worth taking a look at... I think I am going to go through withdrawal.

recharging

I have been trying to write a post all week, but the words just aren’t coming. February was crazy busy with deadlines and when March came, I was left tired and feeling uncreative. I have a partially finished overdue quilt block for Katie on my sewing machine, a messy craft area and a long list of to dos. But I had to take a break, even if it was unintentional.

I have been trying to recharge and refocus this week and hope to be back at the crafting this weekend and blogging next week. For now, here are a few in progress pictures of my current crochet project – about the only creativity I have been taking part of over the past few weeks because I can easily pick it up while vegging out on the sofa.

Till next week my friends. Have a great weekend.