From walks for coffee to quiet moments and everything in between
Good Monday morning friends, did you have a nice weekend? It was a very quiet weekend here, which was lovely because the past month we have had contractors in the house from 7 -5. Between the noise from that and three barking dogs each time someone opens a door, it is a little, no make that a lot noisy .
Friday we made cocktails and wound down on the front porch before picking up Mexican take-out. Then I finished my latest book and went to bed early. Saturday morning we walked to the village to get a few things at the farmers market and some coffee and hot chocolate for the walk home. Once home I tried to do a little clean up of the house. At this point it is futile because there is still a lot of work left to do, sanding, painting, counters, lights, grouting, etc, that will create more dust and mess. But it makes me feel good to see it dust free if only for a day.
Then we spent two hours in the yard picking up pinecones, magnolia leaves and fallen limbs only for a storm to blow up just as we finished and create an even bigger mess. At one point the wind was blowing so hard it looked like it was raining pinecones and sticks. Needless to say it was back out to the yard on Sunday morning for a little vitamin d and another clean up.
The bags of pinecones have my wheels turning for Christmas crafts. This year I want to make a garland of pinecones for the door along with an addition 3 wreaths, cinnamon pinecones and maybe even some bleached pinecones.
I cannot believe this is the last week of July. Can you? Where did summer go? In the shops and on Pinterest it is already Fall so get ready for an onslaught of pumpkin spice. I’ve already seen Halloween candy and decorations if you can believe that. I cannot wait for Fall, it is my favorite season and I love, love, love, pumpkin spice anything(except latte). I am looking forward to baking pumpkin bread, pumpkin cake, muffins and whatever else I can think of so stay tuned for that.
It is going to be another busy week here, they are sealing the floors in the kitchen and then grouting. On the 29th the washer/dryer and ovens arrive along with our temporary refrigerator. Wednesday I am headed to High Point to looks for dining room chairs, hopefully nothing else will catch my eye.
5 Finds
H&M has been my “go to” place for dresses this summer. I love the silhouettes, patterns and the great prices. I wanted to order this dress but it is sold out in my size, maybe they have it in yours.
Are you looking for some interesting drinking glasses? PB has some beautiful hob nail drinking glasses on sale this week and they come in a rainbow of colors, my favorites are the cobalt blur, the sage and the clear.
Blue and white is beautiful for the holidays and this stemware would look fabulous on your holiday table.
I just started reading The Riveria House.

Image A Simple Plate
I am making this Tuscan Artichoke Salad for dinner this evening, I can almost taste it now it looks so good.
In Case You Missed It
Weekend Meanderings with Kim, I and Juliet.
I hope that you have a wonderful week my friends. Before you go, please share with me a recipe that you made this weekend or an adventure that you had.
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It’s been much too hot here for my liking.
William, it has been here too! I am ready for cool nights and crisp mornings.
Oh my gosh – I love that pine cone wreath! Thank you for the Monday musings. It’s a nice way to start the weekl.
Thank you Anna! IT is so easy to make I thought I would share it now so people have time to gather the cones.
I AM NOT READY FOR FALL!
WE HAVE BARELY HAD NICE DAYS!
WHO SAYS GLOBAL WARMING IS NOT HERE?
I RECALL WHEN I WAS LITTLE THEY WERE WORRIED ABOUT THE OZONE LAYER AND HERE IT IS………
YOU READ A LOT I THINK YOU SAID YOU DO NOT WATCH TV?
THATS GOOD AS THERE IS NOT MUCH OUT THERE THAT IS WORTH WATCHING WITH SO MANY CHANNELS.YOUR KITCHEN WILL BE WORTH THE WAIT!
XXX
Elizabeth the weather has been so strange all over. IT is so hot here and we are getting so much rain that I am ready for cooler days. I am sorry that you are not having a very good summer.
Yes, I read a lot, and not I do not watch tv. Occasionally I will watch a movie but almost never tv.
I cannot wait for my kitchen, I really have no problem waiting, I am very patient and adaptable.
I hope that you had a wonderful birthday!
My husband and I visited family in Kentucky and then attended the Haven Blog Conference! We had a fabulous time! Hope you have a great week!