Anyone besides me getting stir crazy? Today the Country Girl side of me kicked in, and I stole Renaissance Man away from the office long enough to take a quick drive out to the farm where we're (still) planning to build a new-to-look-old farmhouse. Someday... this will be our snowy-day view from the porch. This farm is only about a 10-minute drive from the century-old house we renovated—and currently live in—but the minute I step onto the property, it's like stepping into an entirely new world. My spirit calms... and time stands still. I'll have to remember this flat rock come Springtime. It's the perfect place for a tablescape, don't you think? It reminds me of ... Keep Reading...
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QUICK-CHANGE WINTER TABLESCAPE: From Fancy-Pants to Casual
Brrrrrrrr A few weeks ago when I did this fancy-pants Winter tablescape, I had no idea Old Man Winter was still planning to stop by for a visit. He'd thrown some chilly days our way, but mostly he was MIA—until this week. First came the ice... (almost an inch of it!) ... and then the snow. Since so many of us are tucked inside on these cold days, it seems like the perfect time to quick-change the "over the top" dishes in my last tablescape and replace them with a look that's comfy-casual. Check out the changes: Wood-look charger Wood napkin rings Plaid linen napkins Everyday Mikasa "Italian Countryside" dinner plate Trade in the pearl-handled flatware Favorite ... Keep Reading...
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Do Mardi Gras and Creative Caring go together?
Today is Mardi Gras. I'm not a fan. You'd think having once lived in Louisiana for six years, the celebration might have "taken" with me, but it didn't. In my view, the best thing about Mardi Gras was my girls getting a few days off from school! Otherwise, I just never got into the parades and parties—even the family-friendly ones. For starters, this color combo does not do it for me. YUCK! Although, I must admit: the history of the colors is interesting... The official Mardi Gras colors were chosen in 1872 to honor the visiting Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia whose house colors were purple, green and gold. Purple symbolizes Justice. Green symbolizes Faith. Gold ... Keep Reading...
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The Result: Cleaning my vintage silk treasure
When it comes to vintage linens made of SILK, every linen collector I've ever known has taken the same approach: Love 'em "as is"—or leave 'em behind We all know cleaning vintage silk is best left to the professionals... and we know the likelihood of getting out all of those vintage stains is slim. So when I recently discovered Mama's Miracle Linen Soak, I was intrigued to read that it was okay to use with silk. Really? I've been looking for years for a product that would clean vintage silk—and it didn't exist—and so in my downsizing I got rid of almost every little piece of silk I owned. But I did still have one little silk treasure I could try to clean... Although I'm not a fan of faux ... Keep Reading...
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Valentine’s Day Tablescape Inspiration
Just a quick post to send a little Valentine's Day love your way... while my little silk treasure is soaking. I'll let you know how that goes—hopefully tomorrow. This inspiration board includes some of my favorite Valentine tablescapes from years past. To see the original tablescapes, just click on these links. Key and pearls; green goblet: With Thoughts of Spring: A Valentine's Day Tablescape Cherubs; heart ornament: A Nod to St. Valentine Dancers: Shadow Dancing with St. Valentine Feather boa and lace: Lavished and Adored During this love-focused season, please join me... ... Keep Reading...
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New Gal in Town: Restoration Linen Cleaner has competition!
This is a post I NEVER thought I'd write. If you're a regular here (thank you for that!), you know I have a thing for vintage linens. I even wrote an entire series on How to Care for Vintage Linens & Lace. Many times I've recommended to you my favorite all-time cleaner for vintage linens: Restoration Linen Cleaner. And many of you took my advice... and got your dirty old linens cleaned up and back into circulation. Still glad about that, aren't you? Well, I recently came across a new linen care product: Mama's Miracle Linen Soak. The "behind the scenes" story appealed to my sentimental side because Shelley Stewart, the face behind Mama's Miracle, is simply a daughter continuing—and sharing—her ... Keep Reading...
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Eye catches value in 19th-century painting
Two things I love: auctions—and cathedrals It's no wonder this story caught my eye... I'll give you the abbreviated version, but if you want to read the long one, it's right HERE. In 2013, Christie's sold this oil painting of Salisbury Cathedral from the Meadows for $5,212, believing it to be painted by a follower of famed artist John Constable. A mere 569 days later, it was sold again, this time by Sotheby's—for $5.2 million How can that be? Although the rest of the story has yet to be written, it seems that what some in the art world are calling a "gargantuan gaffe" by Christie's was discovered by staff at Sotheby's. According to the Sotheby's website, the canvas was heavily ... Keep Reading...
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The Promise of an Early Spring
I don't know what the ol' groundhog saw where you live, but here in East Tennessee, he did NOT see his shadow... so an early Spring is on the way! I say... Bring it on! Did you know... Although they spend most of their time on—or under—the ground, groundhogs (also called woodchucks) can climb trees! Here's one Renaissance Man and I discovered at our farm in August 2012. Can you believe I waited this long to show you? It was definitely a first for us! If you're curious about other little-known groundhog facts, check out THIS site. Some of them are kinda sweet... So tell me... Will Spring be coming early to your neck of the ... Keep Reading...
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SPEAK LOVE this Valentine’s Day
Words... Those multi-faceted expressions we use to communicate. We choose them carefully spew them carelessly use them to build up—and tear down absorb the ones that hurt us—and replay them in our minds over...and over...and over tend to forget their power Words leave lasting impressions. Remember the last time someone said something that hurt you? Of course you do. For the past few years, many of you wonderful My Place to Yours readers have participated in the Valentine Project for the girls we serve at Hope Unlimited for Children—girls who only knew violence, exploitation, and abandonment before coming to Hope. Love was not spoken to them. That's why at Hope we SPEAK LOVE into their ... Keep Reading...
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A Snow Woman Tablescape: Silver and Gold
Snow fell for a lot of us this week. Still falling for some of you? We only got a dusting, but I sure did love watching it come down. Snug inside my old house, it seemed the perfect time for a Winter-themed tablescape. Silver and gold and *icy* clear glass with touches of white set the stage atop a simple linen tea cloth. I chose a favorite snow woman from my collection to anchor the "centerpiece" spot on the table... ... and chunky swirl-design candles (that mimic the swirl on the dinner plates) add a warm glow on an otherwise gray day. The little Lenox "Hanover" demitasse cups and saucers were an afterthought, but a tiny taste of something warm seems just the thing to break the chill on ... Keep Reading...
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Order in Repetition… It’s good for the soul
I'm a person who craves order. Granted, sometimes I'm the only one who can see the order amidst the chaos, but it's my version of order nonetheless! That's probably why I find repetition of forms to be relaxing. If you do, too... then sit back and relax with me! (By the way, clicking any picture will take you to the original post if something catches your eye.) I was surprised the other day to read about a street kid who craves order, too—just like me. No, he's not one of the former street kids we serve in Brazil, but a full-out, still-living-on-the-streets, already-served-time-in-prison street kid. He's 12 years old. I'm sharing his story at Pursuing Dirty Faith. I hope ... Keep Reading...
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The End of Life As We Know It (A Reprisal)
This post first appeared here January 16, 2012. It's time to give myself a check-up on how I'm doing. Perhaps you'll benefit, too. . . . Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr. I can't help but wonder ... Is the opposite true, too? Is it possible that life in its truest and best form actually BEGINS the day we stop being silent about things that matter? The day we give voice to someone who has none ... When we value the life stories that came before ours ... ... and let the generation after ours be born to tell theirs. When we stop worrying about awkward situations and show hands-on caring to people whose futures are ... Keep Reading...
