Cheers

Although the leaves are turning here in New Jersey and things are beginning to look distinctly orange, I'm still getting some beautiful pink dahlias from the forgotten tubers I planted this spring.

And because I didn't stake them properly, they are all blooming with their faces on the floor of the deck, so I've been cutting them and bringing them inside to enjoy.

And because I'm a lunatic, that enjoyment involves finding the perfect little silverplated pitcher and painted tole tray to style them, and taking way too many photographs of them when I should be doing laundry or straightening the mud room.

Anyway, I hope they bring as much cheer to you as they have to me. Happy Wednesday, dear bloggers! :)

Mosaic Monday: Decorating for Fall

Just a little fall primping for Mosaic Monday this week. :)

This is a small credenza in our kitchen, all decked out for fall. The tole container and the wooden painted rooster plate came from HomeGoods a few years ago. Silk flowers and sheaf of wheat are from Michaels, and the small ceramic rooster was a gift from my friend Robin. The pair of bird prints hanging above the credenza came from an area rummage sale.

Happy fall!

Now let's have some mosaic fun! Here are the instructions:

1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post.
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.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
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. I can't wait to see your mosaics! Here is Mr. Linky:

Wonder and Humility

"It is a wholesome and necessary thing for us to turn again to the earth and in the contemplation of her beauties to know of wonder and humility."

Rachel Carson

Wishing you worlds of wonder this weekend, dear bloggers. Please join me for Mosaic Monday. Mr. Linky will be up by 8:30pm Sunday night.

Tablescape Thursday: Autumn Luncheon

It's beginning to feel like autumn here in New Jersey, although I could stand the temperatures to be a bit cooler. The fields are filled with goldenrod, though, and the sun slants at a different angle in the sky, and the farm stands are filled with corn and tomatoes and zucchini. So I put together a small lunch for my friend Toni Anne.

A flowered tablecloth from Ralph Lauren set the stage with it's autumn hues, and made a nice backdrop for the simplicity of creamware serving dishes and pitchers.

You've all seen my dishes by Atelier at Home, and my assortment of thrift store and antique flatware before. :)

Napkins are cotton damask, with antique silver napkin rings that I love to leave in their untarnished state. Goblets are pressed glass, and belonged to my mother, as did the creamware pitcher holding goldenrod, queen anne's lace, chrysanthemums and dried seed pods.

Lunch included a salad of mixed greens with yellow pear tomatoes from the farm stand,

and orzo salad with roasted cherry tomatoes, zucchini and corn. This was a sort of fly-by-the- seat-of-your-pants creation, and I'm proud to say that it turned out quite tasty. In fact, I ate the leftovers for breakfast the next morning. lol

Many thanks to our wonderful Tablescape Thursday hostess, Susan! For more lovely tables, please visit Susan at Between Naps on the Porch.

Mosaic Monday: Red and White

I was really stumped about a mosaic subject this week. I've done so many flowers, and landscapes... Finally, I just decided to keep it simple. This is Little Red House, after all. ;)

What's your favorite color?

Now let's have some mosaic fun! Here are the instructions:

1. Publish your Mosaic Monday post.
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.
3. Paste the url into the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
4. Type your name in the appropriate Mr. Linky box in this post.
5. Click on "Enter."
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. I can't wait to see your mosaics! Here is Mr. Linky:

Hi there

Hi there! I look forward to seeing you all at Mosaic Monday. Mr. Linky will be up by 8:30pm Sunday night. :)

Have a great weekend, dear bloggers!

I Ask You

Back in August, when my favorite thrift store had a one-day summer sale, I spied a silver-plated carving set that was made in Germany. I looked at it for a few minutes, and ultimately put it back. The store closed for the rest of August, and the carving set was pushed to the back of my mind.

The store opened again this fall, and I stayed away for a few weeks. But then, I caved. I took a ride out to the store on Tuesday, and lo and behold my carving set was still there. :)

My friend, Robin, will be chuckling when she reads this. She was with me in August, when I drooled over the set and then decided not to purchase them. But seriously, look at the decorative carving on this set. Is it not beautiful? Could you resist this?

I ask you.