Rose Vignettes

Little Change Makes a Big Difference...

2012-01-26T17:50:00.005-07:00

To me that is.

This is how our living room looks all the time. See the love seat under the window?
It is a warm, cozy room. I love it. But!
When we do the Christmas decorations, every year, that love seat must be moved into the
garage. The tree always goes in the window.
This is not my husband's favorite part of Christmas!
So when the tree goes down the love seat comes back in...

Until this year.

We tried something new... I moved the club chairs under the window and left the
love seat out altogether.
I liked the view. Lighter, more open and cleaner.

But then there was this big open, empty divide in the room.

From this angle the room still didn't look balanced.

These are a few pictures of the entry way, just to give you an idea or feel of the room.
So I left it this way for a few days. Just looking at it and thinking....
and then DING!

It occurred to me... split the chairs up!
TAAA DA!
I loved it! Hubs loved it!

We are currently living with it and making a final decision on how and if we for
sure want to get rid of the love seat. I'm pretty sure we do.

SO?

Wanna buy a cute little love seat?

I'm joining this parties:

Honey at 2805 for Potpourri Friday

Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Fridays

Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Little Extravagances

2012-01-25T18:03:00.001-07:00

Right before the holidays I was in Anthropology with my daughter shopping for gifts. I didn't pick anything up for anyone else... but I did pick this little candle up. It smelled so wonderful! I couldn't pass it up. I put it away and saved it just "in case" I needed to have an unexpected gift for someone. Well, I didn't need it for anyone else... but I decided that I needed it today.

Wonderful aromatherapy courtesy of retail therapy!

Good Morning Sunshine

2012-01-22T17:24:00.008-07:00

Saturday we had my mom over for breakfast.

It is always fun to take a simple meal and make it special.

So I thought it would be fun to try a new recipe.

Holiday Brunch Bake

1 lb. bulk pork sausage
1 (8oz) can crescent rolls
1 cup grated mozzarella or Monterey Jack Cheese
4 eggs beaten
3/4 cupmilk
1/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper

Crumble sausage in a medium-size skillet: cook over medium heat until brown, stirring occasionally. Drain well. Grease 13 x9 x 2-inch baking dish and line bottom with crescent rolls, firmly pressing perforations to seal. Sprinkle with sausage and cheese.

Combine eggs, milk salt and pepper, beat well and pour over sausage and cheese.

Bake at 425 for 20 minutes.

Salt and pepper to taste. We all gave it 2 thumbs up.

We also had:

fruit salad

pink grapefruit juice

and coffee.

A delicious start to a weekend!

I'm linking to:

The House in the roses for Show off your cottage Monday

The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays

It Was A Productive Weekend

2012-01-16T18:48:00.008-07:00

I'm not sure if I ever shared this or not... but I have two character traits that are in constant conflict. I'm a perfectionist and a procrastinator. This is a really bad combination. I have a really bad habit of putting off the big project that needs to be done for many small ones. I'm not lazy... I just want to make sure that I can finish some thing perfectly, or I will put it off and put it off.
On the flip side of that... I want everything to be perfect. sigh.... I can never have both.

So, to me, I think a wonderful weekend is when I feel like I got a lot accomplished.
This weekend was one of those weekends!

Friday night I finished Sarah's Key
by Tatiana de Rosnay.

This was a great book.
I had never heard of or read about the Velodrome d'Hiver roundup that happened in Paris in July of 1942. It was horrifying. It was fasinating. I would definitely recommend it.

Saturday morning we got up and pulled weeds in the front yard and I got all

of the rose bushes pruned back for the spring.

Saturday afternoon I painted my nails (toes and fingers) Now this is no big deal for most... but my nails are such a mess right now. It took a lot of work to get them looking this good. You can still see the ridges from the gel nails. Probably another 2 months and they'll be back to normal.
I do love this color though. OPI "The Color To Watch"

Sunday we went to Low's and got some flowers and got them all potted and planted in the raised bed. Isn't that a gorgeous color?!

Sunday night I got to finish this awesome read.
Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back
by Todd Burpo

This was wonderful! I loved it. Again, I would definitely recommend it.

Finally... I found a lavender rose! Pretty darn excited about this.
It's a Hybrid Tea Rose and it is called Moonlight Magic.

It is soaking and will be planted tomorrow after work.

So! What is the big project that I need to start and finish?

I need to go through the craft room!

UGH!

What are you putting off?

I'm joining Cielo for Show off your Cottage Monday

Just A Charming Little Old Hutch

2012-01-09T17:38:00.008-07:00

I know you probably think it is just about time!
But we finally got the Christmas decorations down and put away. Sweet Daughter was here until last Wednesday so this past weekend was the first weekend that we had to dedicate to getting the house back in order. I'm okay with that though. I love Christmas and I love our time with the Sweet Daughter.
And truthfully... I hate packing it all away.

At any rate, it is done now and that includes the dishes. I don't know about you, but my hutch never goes back the same way. I'm not sure why but this is how it turned out this time.

Did I ever show you the details on this little hutch?

If you look closely you'll see that this little gem is completely hand made and hand fitted.
That means that each piece was made to specifically fit each other.

Even the nails are hand made little wooden pegs.
There probably is not another one like it any where.

This is the very top of the hutch. As you can see it has some very unusual fittings. Both corners have these odd pieces of wood fitted into them.
You can see some of the old burn marks as well in the top.

Odd grooves above and below the permanent shelves. By the way, I did not paint the inside of this blue. I bought it that way. It may not be original but it is VERY old.

More odd fittings. See the strips of wood?
At one time I thought that this may have been some sort of kitchen cabinet that had been re-designed. But after many years of looking at it.... I now think that it must have been some sort of display piece for a store of some kind. Although there are no labels on it at all. Just some illegible notes on the back.

Here's a closer look at the hand work.

Just look at the patina that wood has! I would never paint this little darling. It only stands a slight 5ft tall but it is VERY heavy! I bought it at a little place in Glendale AZ about 10 years ago. The lady didn't know much about the piece except that it probably came from the Midwest.

Truthfully, that's all I know.
What do you all think? Any ideas?

I'm linking to TableTop Tuesday at Marty's Stroll Thru Life!

Fresh-Cut Friday #17 Carnation January Flower of the Month

2012-01-05T18:00:00.002-07:00

(google free image search)
Carnations or Snowdrops are considered the standard flowers for the month of January.
Both are lovely...but Snowdrops are a little hard to find around here. So I went with an
old tried and true favorite!
The Carnation

Fascination, Distinction and Love!
That is the primary message you would be sending with the gift of Carnations.

Believed, by the first Christians, to have first bloomed after
Mary wept as her son carried the cross.
It is one of the first cultivated flowers on earth.

This classic beauty comes in lots of shades of pink, yellow, red and peach. But, here's a trick. Take a bunch of white Carnations, and place them in a glass of water, drop a few drops of food color in ( your choice, blue would have been fun with this arrangement)
and let it stand over night. The next morning you will have a lovely variegated blossom.

It has a strong spicy fragrance, kind of like cloves, with blooms that are long lasting.

I first fell in love with Carnations when I was in high school. Every year at Valentine's Day the Booster Club would sell Carnations to raise money for athletics. It was the costume to gift and receive as many flowers as possible. Kind of my generations version of "friend-ing".
I rarely got very many...but it was a fun day none the less as single flowers were hand delivered to recipients in their classes all day long. My best friend Pam and I would always make sure that we each got at least one.

Next month's flower is the Primrose or the Violet!

I'm linking with:
The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home
2805 for Potpourri Friday

So now it's your turn! Let's see you pretty arrangements.

Fancy Nails!

2012-01-03T19:45:00.001-07:00

Are you loving the new jewelry top coats?
These are my New Year's nails.
OPI Susie and the Life Guard with a double top coat of Traffic Stopper Copper by OPI for Sephora..... FUN!

I would highly recommend the top coat. It dried quickly without staying soft for a long time. The high reflecting glitter is also awesome for camouflaging damage caused after acrylic nails are removed (which is what I love).

And The Winner Is.....

2012-01-02T06:02:00.004-07:00

First of all: I wish that I could have a prize for all of my readers and followers. Especially those that stick around even though I take a break every now and then. But unfortunately ... I just can't do that. So please know that I cherish each one of you. I know that there are so many blogs that you could read... and yet you choose to come by and say hi to me. Wow! I think that makes me the winner. Thank you!!

So that brings us to Second of all: There were a lot of entries and the only fair thing to do was to put all the names in a pot and draw one winner. As I promised, if you posted about it, or were a follower your name was entered again. So with out further ado...
The winner is...

Melissa at Those Northern Skies
Congratulations!

There are going to be more giveaways.
I promise!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2012-01-01T08:24:00.007-07:00

I hope you all have had a wonderful New Year's!

It has been a busy season for us here. Lot's of family! So I hope you will forgive my absence the last two weeks...

I will be announcing tomorrow who won the the copy of Christmas Cottage Journal and the year's subscription. You still have a chance to win. Just sign up (here) before midnight tonight.

A reminder: Fresh-Cut Friday is still going on and it will be this Friday.

The Flower of the month is the Carnation. I hope you will be able to join in with any (not necessarily carnations) pretty arrangements that you may.

Jesus is The Reason

2011-12-23T17:42:00.001-07:00

Let us not forget.

A Meeting of the Lit n Latte' Book Club

2011-12-20T19:19:00.007-07:00

Last night was our official Christmas gathering for the Lit-N-Latte' Book Club.

Nothing fancy... just FUN!

I filled my little Snowman with hot water and served a variety of teas, cocoa,
cider and, of course, a pot of coffee with some Italian Sweet Cream.

I got to use my new Spode Winter's Eve dishes...
got them at Tuesday Morning...Love them!

One of the ladies brought homemade
mini cherry cheesecakes. (dee-lish)

I thought that I would show you some of our family room...

I received a beautiful Match box earlier this year from
Ginger of Glitter and Roses...

Doesn't it look great in the wreath?

I think that I mentioned that in years past we would have a tree in this room as well as the formal living room. We broke it up this year and did one big tree.

I'm ok with it.
But I will probably be more okay with it when I don't have to take
2 full size trees down this year.

Warm Winter Wishes!

Of course the ladies each took a gift home. I have to say...

I love my book club. If you have the time... start or join one. It is so easy!

Don't forget about my Subscription to Cottage Give Away...Click here!

Christmas Reading

2011-12-18T19:32:00.001-07:00

Do you love a good Christmas read? I sure do.

I'm currently reading Snow Angel by Glenn Beck and enjoying it thoroughly!

What's on your stack?

Wish Me A Merry Christmas

2011-12-14T20:28:00.000-07:00

Have you seen anyone wearing a button that says it's okay to wish me Merry Christmas?

Is it just me or is that the saddest thing you have ever heard?
Really? I have to tell you that it is okay?

Do you feel like your being antagonistic if someone says "Happy Holidays" and you reply
"Merry Christmas!"

All I have to say is... "Where's the tolerance?"

At least Target has a big banner that says Merry Christmas this year.
JCPenny still has Bell Ringers for Salvation Army.

If you would like to use my image...please do!
Merry Christmas!

P.S. If you would like to buy a button to wear... click here!

Double Fudge Brownie Mix in a Jar

2011-12-13T17:00:00.002-07:00

A very easy and fun gift idea.

And a deeeee-lish recipe for brownies!

Now who wouldn't love to receive this?

Fudge Brownie Mix

2 cups sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1 cup chocolate chips

Mix or layer all the ingredients together and store in an air-tight container.

Attach to the jar:

1 cup butter or margarine, softened 4 eggs 1 package of the Double-Fudge Brownie Mix

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Grease a 12 by 9 inch pan. In the large bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the Fudge Brownie Mix and continue to beat the mixture until it is smooth. Spread the mixture into the greased pan, and bake for 40 to 50 minutes.

More Give Aways!!!! And The Big Winner!

2011-12-12T17:38:00.012-07:00

Ladies and Germs we have a winner.

Sweet Bee from Sweet Bee Cottage is our winner.....

If you didn't win... don't be sad...

~*~

We have another give away right here at Rose Vignettes.

GIVE AWAY #2

This one is even more spectacular! It includes a one year subscription to Cottage Magazine plus this Christmas edition of Cottage.

Your gonna have to do a little more for this one.
Here's how you win.... any one or combination of the following will get you entered again and again.

1. simply leave me a comment on this post that you would like to win. That's it.

But if you want more chances then...

2. become a follower or let me know that you are already a follower.

3. share this give-away and provide a link to this specific post on your blog and let me know.

Good Luck!

I'm joining:

Honey at 2805: Potpourri Party

Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home

Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday

Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Alison at Stuff and Nonsense for Fridays Unfolded

Sherry at No Minimalist Here for her Open House Party

Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday

Cozy Christmas Cottage Tour

2011-12-08T12:24:00.009-07:00

That's our living room!

I'm joining:

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country cottage

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Home Sweet Home at the Charm of Home

Our Christmas Tree

2011-12-07T20:49:00.000-07:00

That's it! Just one 9ft tree.

I'm joining Honey at 2805 for the Blogger's Block Christmas Tree Party

Winter Roses

2011-12-06T18:32:00.005-07:00

The cold weather has been so good for our roses! I wish you could smell them.

Just a little bit of rose heaven.

Nell Hill Christmas Give Away

2011-12-04T14:08:00.003-07:00

Just a quick reminder...

There is still time to leave me a comment.

You can leave one on this post or on the original give away post (here) to

have a chance to win a copy of Nell Hill's O Christmas Tree.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Fresh-Cut Friday #16 Poinsettia December Flower of the Month

2011-12-01T17:31:00.016-07:00

Welcome to Fresh-Cut Friday Holiday style!

December's flower is the Poinsettia.
Actually there are several beautiful flowers that are considered December's flower. It just depends where you look, who you ask and which one you like the best.

I picked this one up at Safeway... a little pricey at $29.99 ...
but it is huge and very full.
And you are worth it!

It really is gorgeous. Called a Marbled Poinsettia, you can see why.

Variegated pinks, greens and whites.

Shall we have a Poin-se-TEA-a Tea?

Now, sit down with me...

Just we three.

A sweet for you and a treat for me.

A lovely break after a hard day of work!

Which begs the Question: Are they poisonous? Well, I looked it up on Snopes....

Read what it says here.

Okay! Now it's your turn... Please make sure that you add a link from your post back to my post. That way we all get to enjoy the pretty arrangements.

Don't forget to sign up for the Give away in the post below.

I'm joining:

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country cottage

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Potpourri Party Friday at 2805

Home Sweet Home at the Charm of Home

Whats Up? A Give Away, That's What!

2011-11-30T18:03:00.006-07:00

Well, for one: This Friday is Fresh-Cut Friday! I will have the linky up tomorrow night.
Probably around 8ish. I hope you will share your holiday arrangements!

Second: Our Christmas tree is here! I'm so excited.

We will be decorating this weekend. YAY! Everything is done, we just have the tree left.

And finally: the first of 2 giveaways. Just leave me a comment letting me know you would love to have this beautiful Nell Hill Christmas book.

So in a nutshell ... There you have it!

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-23T19:55:00.002-07:00

From our little cottage to yours!

Easy Fabric Pumpkin Tutorial

2011-11-22T16:37:00.008-07:00

If you have been anywhere in blog land you have probably seen these darling little punkins'.
AND I know that there are other tutorial's too. I thought I would show you my little project just in case you haven't seen them. Our ladies bible study made them a couple of nights ago and I just thought that they were so darn cute! Plus they are CHEAP!

Here's what you need:
3) circles of fabric
a bag of beans (probably a 5lb bag would be enough)
some stems from your old pumpkins
some leftover silk leaves
some floral stems
needle and thread
fabric glue

(mine are 10" 12" and 16")

You can get this in the silk floral area of your craft store.

Stitch a fast running stitch all the way around the circle.
Don't fret with this to much. It won't matter.

Gather and fill with beans. Tie the loose ends together.

Stitch the top closed ... nice and tight.

Using your fabric glue, attach your stem and leaf. I put a rubber band around the whole thing to hold it in place until it dried. I also took my wire stem and wrapped it around a pencil to create a little tendril. I then stuck it in the top of the pumpkins (2 each).

Thank you to the creative and crafty ladies of North Phoenix Baptist Church
Women's Bible Study for this fun little project.

2011-11-17T20:11:00.003-07:00

Just in case you were thinking of quitting...

A Jar for Pickels!

2011-11-13T13:03:00.002-07:00

My mom wanted to know what I wanted for my birthday.
I had already been thinking about it....

I want your old pickle jar.

And my mom,
(who would give me just about anything if she thought it would make me happy)
found it, cleaned it up and polished for me.

I love the detail on it! It is perfect on my kitchen counter.

I love it!

Thank you Mom!