Mosaic Monday: Winter at Natirar

We took a walk on Saturday at our favorite park, Natirar.  It was cold and snowy, but beautiful all the same.  All told, we got about four inches of snow -- just enough to make the scenery lovely, but not enough to be a major headache.  :)

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That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline.net

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

Mosaic Monday: Merry Christmas

Our mantel at Christmas has been the same every year since my kids were little.  It's a tradition they will not allow me to change, no matter how much I need to stretch my creative wings.  I'm just happy they are both home with us to celebrate the season.  From our house to yours -- a very merry Christmas, and much joy in the coming year!  xoxo

Here are the instructions to join today's post:
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That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline.net

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

Mosaic Monday: Society6

I've been in a purple fog lately.  Not the mental health kind, the photo editing kind.  :)

 A lot of you who visit here come for the garden photos.  But you may not know that I also have a small portrait photography business, and an etsy shop, selling fine art prints and calendars.  And now, I've just opened a society6 shop, featuring some of the photos you see in the mosaic above.  In addition to selling fine art prints and canvases, the shop also includes iphone cases, laptop and ipad skins, and pillows.

Nature photography has always been my first love, and photo editing has taken the place of pastels and charcoals for me.  I love to open Photoshop and get creative.  Thus, my purple fog.  :)

If you have some time, I would be so grateful if you could stop by the shop and share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter, or pin something you like on Pinterest.  There are FB, Twitter and Pinterest icons on each image page.  Thanks so much!

Here are the instructions to join today's post:
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2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
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That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline.net

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

Mosaic Monday: Architect's Garden, Part IV

I'm back with more photos from my visit to the Architect's Garden, in Pottersville, NJ.  This is the pool house, which includes an attached conservatory.  The conservatory is filled with the usual accoutrements of planting -- clay pots and plant markers -- as well as a plethora of wonderfully quirky antiques.  The owners have a design firm, Tendenze Design, which includes architectural and interior design as well as landscape architecture services.  When my friend Toni and I visited as part of the Garden Conservancy's Open Days program, we spent a great deal of time wandering through the conservatory, in awe of all the fabulous pieces.  My favorite was the beautiful white tureen, although I also loved the black iron classical urns.  And I would love to have that antique lantern electrified and hanging above my kitchen table.  :)

Here are the instructions to join today's post:
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That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline.net

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

Mosaic Monday: In The Spirit

I was going to post some more photos from The Architect's Garden.  Truly I was.  And then, when I was looking through my archives, I came across these photos from my dining room last Christmas.  I am really not one of those organized, cheerful Martha Stewart types who puts all her Christmas decorations up on Thanksgiving weekend.  I'm more like one of those people who says, "Oh crap, I'd better get some decorations up before the season is over!"  But I thought maybe posting these pictures would help get me in the mood...  :)

So here you are.  I'm trying my best not to say "Bah, humbug."  Oh, and in case anyone is interested, the painted chest is from HomeGoods, the lamp is thrifted, and most of the cut glass belonged to my mother.  The milk glass and tole trays are all my fault.  Happy December.  ;)

Here are the instructions to join today's post:
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That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline.net

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

Mosaic Monday: More Architect's Garden

As promised, here is the third part of my visit to the Architect's Garden in Pottersville, New Jersey.  These photos show the front of the house and part of the potager.  The bones of this extensive garden are so beautiful, with the paths of belgian block and the extensive collection of boxwood.

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That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline.net

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

Thank you for sharing your beautiful images with all of us at Mosaic Monday!  

Happy Thanksgiving

Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!  xoxo

Mosaic Monday: Architect's Garden, Part II

It seems like so long ago that I started writing about the Architect's Garden, which I visited this summer as part of the Garden Conservancy's Open Days program.  Here is part two of my posts.  I still have more photos from this amazing garden -- maybe next week.  :)

When the current owners bought the land, it was the site of a dairy farm.  They renovated the barns to create an original and beautiful home, and laid out several acres of gardens, using stone walls, gravel and box hedges to delineate several garden rooms.  I would love to see the garden in winter.  I suspect that it is quite beautiful, even without flowers.  As we wandered through, I couldn't resist taking some pictures of the tools that were scattered around.  They, too, have a certain beauty all their own.

For my blogging friends in the United States, I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!  :)

Here are the instructions to join today's post:
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And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

Mosaic Monday: After the Storm

First of all, thank you all for your kind words of concern.  Your messages were a bright spot in my days!  We weathered the storm very well, although sadly that was not the case for many in parts of New Jersey and New York state, as well as others across the eastern seaboard.  I think Sandy will be remembered for many years to come.

I've got a set of autumn images here today, taken a few years ago on one of those magical mornings where the sun tries to break through the mist.  I've made them up into twelve 5x7 calendar pages.  The calendars are available in my etsy shop.  I'd also love to give away one calendar free, so leave a comment on this post and I'll have a drawing, winner to be announced next week.  :)

I wondered if I should make this post about the storm.  I did actually take some photos of the destruction here.  But in the end, I couldn't bring myself to post them.  It's just so sad to see the large number of beautiful old trees uprooted and broken.  Some people in my town are still without power, a full two weeks after the storm.  And we are the lucky ones.  So many people have nothing.

Thank you again for your well wishes and good thoughts and prayers.  They are so greatly appreciated.  And thank you, too, to all members of our armed services and their families on this Veteran's Day.  I am in awe of your selfless service to our country.

Here are the instructions to join today's post:
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That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline.net

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

Greetings From Sandy

As a result of Hurricane Sandy, we are unfortunately still without Internet service and power. Compared with others in Sandy's path, we are blessed. My home state of New Jersey has been devastated in places, almost beyond belief. We are working to get our generator up and running, which will provide heat and running water here at out Little Red House. However, with only my phone to provide Internet service, I will have to cancel Mosaic Monday this week. Please say a prayer or send some good vibes our way.

Thanks so much!  Hope to be back online by next weekend. xoxo

Mosaic Monday: Waiting For the Storm

By now you will have heard that here on the east coast of the United States, we are waiting for the storm of the century, or "Frankenstorm," or whatever clever moniker the TV weathermen think up.  At any rate, I'm not sure how many of us will have power over the next few days, and I'm feeling the need to nest...  Thus, my offering today -- books and roses, which are my go-to comfort items.  :)

For those of you who use Photoshop or any other photo-editing program that works with layers, these images were edited with textures from Jessica Drossin, found here, Faded Glory Vintage Actions by Jude, found here. and Victorian Papers by Sarah Gardner, similar found here.

For those of you in the path of the storm, stay safe.  For those of you watching from afar, please send us a few prayers or some good vibes.  We will probably need them.  :)

Here are the instructions to join today's post:
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That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline.net

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.

Mosaic Monday: Architect's Garden Part I

I'm very proud to live in New Jersey, where our state's nickname is "The Garden State."  Every year I love to visit the gardens that are open as part of The Garden Conservancy's Open Days program.  This garden is called The Architect's Garden.  I have visited it in year's past, and have always been in love with the bones of the garden -- it's beautiful stone walls and gravel paths.  Paired with some wonderful antique garden ornaments and boxwood hedges, these architectural elements help to create strong outdoor rooms.

I have at least two more posts full of photos from this garden, so stay tuned for more.  :)

Here are the instructions to join today's post:
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2. Once it is published, click on the title of the post. This will lead you to the static link for your post. The static link is the page with only that post on it. Copy the url from your browser at the top of the page.
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6. Please link back to this Mosaic Monday post so that your readers can find other wonderful mosaics.

That's all there is to it! It's always a good idea to then check and see if your link is working. If you have any questions, feel free to email me: mrcarroll(at)optonline.net

And a quick reminder: if you would like to join Mosaic Monday but don't know quite where to start, there is a tutorial on mosaic-making on my sidebar. Just scroll down, and click on the small blue mosaic.