Ever Lovely blog

Simple style and a great view

2012-02-10T10:04:00.000-08:00

1930s Style Vintage Nautical Outfit Inspiration

2012-02-05T15:10:00.000-08:00

I was searching for photos of elephants and came across this elegant outfit. A white nautical skirt paired with a navy striped sweater. It's perfect but might need a splash of color, maybe a red hat? Love the lighting in this photo and all of the animals.

Nordic Country White Sleigh Decor

2012-01-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

{via}

How about an antique sleigh in your living room? Any child would love it. All the shades of white make this room airy and bright. I especially like the loveseat and chair with gold trim. The hemp rug adds an earthy touch. Judging by the railing outside the window this may be an apartment, but it could also be anywhere in the countryside.

Dutch bed nook - Carl Larrson style

2012-01-21T07:33:00.000-08:00

{via}

Bliss is sitting in a rocking chair while warming your toes by an old wood stove...right next to your bed nook.

Beautiful european style hedge

2012-01-20T14:06:00.000-08:00

A combination of cypress trees and purple verbena make for a stunning view along this driveway to Peter Janke's garden. I found this on pinterest and clicked over to The Garden Wanderer's blog. They have lots of wonderful garden photos.

Colonial Vegetable Garden

2012-01-19T17:42:00.000-08:00

A year or so ago we visited a public flower garden that included a few old farmhouses and this charming colonial garden. I took lots of pictures to add to my dream garden inspiration files. When you get tired from gardening there is place to sit and drink some sweet tea. Or a tall glass of lemonade (see the citrus trees around the fence line).

Positano

2012-01-17T20:13:00.000-08:00

I snapped this picture of Positano last Fall as we were waiting for our bus back to Sorrento. The bus ride to and from Positano reminded me of The road to Hana. But it was definitely worth it :)

Pretty Tiffany Blue Pantry

2012-01-16T08:30:00.000-08:00

The aqua blue turns this pantry from ordinary to extraordinary! And the FLOR rug is a great idea. I found this at Dina's blog called "Honey & Fitz". Check out her "Before and After" gallery for more great inspiration.

Primitive Child's Bed & Dollhouse

2012-01-15T10:48:00.000-08:00

{via}

This antique child's bed and dollhouse are so darling!

The Prettiest Place in the Country

2012-01-10T18:58:00.000-08:00

{via vintagerosegarden}

Farm & Ranch and National Geographic are two magazines you can always count on at my grandparent's house. Farm & Ranch has a feature called "Prettiest Place in the Country" and we'd always joke about how we should submit Grandma and Grandpa's farm for that column.

This picture could be called "Prettiest Place in the English Countryside". The lighting and subject matter are perfect!

Wear a bow in your hair

2012-01-05T18:28:00.000-08:00

{via}

Denim Skirt Outfit idea - via Gwyneth

2012-01-04T12:22:00.000-08:00

{via}

Spinning

2011-12-29T08:49:00.000-08:00

{via}

Why does a simple life seem so magical? Here's a few things that come to mind when thinking of simple living (it's different for every person):

cooking from scratch
eating fresh fruits/vegetables/unprocessed food
letting go of materialism
limiting tv, internet, mobile usage..does anyone write letters these days? :)
gardening
learning new skills (new language, sewing, DIY projects)
meaningful relationships

Alcove bed

2011-12-16T16:44:00.000-08:00

{via}

I want to grab a book and cuppa tea and hop into this picture.

Saint Lucia Day

2011-12-13T11:11:00.000-08:00

Happy Saint Lucia Day! (Art by Carl Larrson)

Little House on the Prairie interior

2011-12-10T17:27:00.000-08:00

{via}

I have always dreamed of living in a log cabin, isn't this perfect? Whoever painted the Trompe l'oeil did a wonderful job.

Easy Holiday Gift Idea #1 - Hot Chocolate

2011-12-01T08:50:00.000-08:00

This is a great gift for someone who loves hot chocolate, if I do say so myself. I bought this tin at Sam's Club (I forget the price but it was around $9.99-$12.99). Around this time of year you will see lots of holiday gift baskets for sale. I saw several hot chocolate type baskets at Marshall's (some made by Starbucks and some generic label). Usually these will include mugs / single or double serving of hot cocoa / bag of marshmallows and fancy wrapping.

Now I think everyone already has their own mug...and the best thing about this tin is that it contains 56 servings!! Yes, that means you will be making hot cocoa for a long long time. I used to make my cocoa from the recipe on the back of the Hershey's cocoa powder box and then a few months ago happened to see this at the store. I love it! Yum!

(p.s. I do not have any sponsors and this is my personal opinion)

Elegant baby shower inspiration

2011-11-18T20:37:00.000-08:00

Here are some pretty pictures of baby shower table decor I've been inspired by...

{via}

{via Friday's child}

{via Anca's kitchen}

I'm helping organize a baby shower and we're going with a "fall/autumn theme" (colors & desserts - apple crisp/candied apples/pumpkin bundt cake, etc).

Beautiful Norwegian Sweaters

2011-10-29T18:19:00.000-07:00

Keep warm this winter with a beautiful Norwegian knit sweater. I love all the little details. These pictures remind me of Victoria magazine with a dash of Anthropologie. Found here.

Back from Vacation

2011-10-26T18:57:00.000-07:00

I'm glad to be back! Back to my own comfy bed, a kitchen where I can cook my own food, my pitiful little garden, a washer and dryer, etc, etc. Yes, I mentioned a washer and dryer because we were only able to locate a laundromat halfway through the trip and do laundry once (we went back the next night and sadly found it wasn't open 24 hours). When we got to Italy we filled the up the bathtub and hand-washed a few more things. I told my sister some people take a bucket and plunger and do laundry that way while on the road.

We spent the first few days in London, then went by train to Paris, caught a plane to Italy and then flew back home from London. I tagged along with my sister and her family and traveling with a toddler is always quite an adventure!

I bought my first macaron at McDonald's in Paris. Then we went to La Duree and got several more. I finally understand why bloggers can go on and on about these yummy macarons!

Marie Antoinette's Hamlet

2011-10-18T23:20:00.001-07:00

This cute hamlet is my dream farm!

French Style

2011-10-10T13:32:00.000-07:00

I'm headed for Europe tomorrow so that means lots of last minute packing (and re-packing after I think up some more genius outfit ideas).

It is always tricky trying to predict the weather. I keep checking the 10 day weather forecast and hopefully it will stay in the 60s.

Isn't this lady darling? Trench found here.

My travel wardrobe has quite a few striped shirts. What can I say...I love striped shirts - especially if they look even remotely French. From here.

Fall Picnic

2011-10-03T09:33:00.000-07:00

image source

Floral Friday

2011-09-30T14:30:00.000-07:00

Today was a flowery day :) We went to a nearby park that has many different varieties of pretty roses.

I wore a thrifted orchid print skirt - I'm attempting to wear a totally different outfit from my closet everyday. It's been said that most of us wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time...it's so true. I could probably get rid of 98% of my wardrobe and just wear salwar kameez and be happy. They might just be the most comfortable clothes in the world.

Apple Crisp and a Sunset

2011-09-26T16:46:00.000-07:00

Last night brought us a beautiful sunset so I ran outside with my camera to try and capture it.

This morning I baked an apple crisp and the house filled with scents of nutmeg, clove, cinnamon and apples. Apple crisp and whipped cream makes a delicious breakfast.

Blueberry Pie

2011-09-20T05:45:00.000-07:00

I made my favorite blueberry pie last night and it's basically the easiest pie ever since you don't have to peel or cut any fruit. Top with home-made whip cream (no cool whip in this house) and you're good to go!

Notice the apples in the picture...at first I was going to make apple pie then I realized we didn't have any sugar. And then blueberries at Sam's club looked pretty appealing :) It was pretty much a no-brainer.

Minimalist bedroom inspiration

2011-09-16T19:21:00.000-07:00

I love everything about this bedroom...exposed brick walls, platform wooden floor, beautiful curtained canopy bed. Dreamy! It brings to mind a medieval castle.

image source

Winter

2011-08-17T10:39:00.000-07:00

Today after lunch I planted some Gardenia bushes. They aren't blooming but I'm hoping to see some buds soon.

p.s. Is it too early to be thinking about winter? I'm looking forward to fall and cooler weather.

Happy Birthday Mom

2011-08-13T15:43:00.000-07:00

~ Happy Birthday Mom ~

(This isn't a picture of her but I thought it was a pretty cake photo).

A Lady getting ready to paint

2011-08-04T19:24:00.000-07:00

I love the brushwork in this painting - and also what she is wearing. When it gets cooler I am going to try plein air painting.

Wish I knew who the artist was...there was no artist's name on the site where I found the image.

image source

Classic Travel Chic

2011-07-09T19:20:00.000-07:00

Do you remember when it was the norm to "dress up" to fly on an airplane? When I was little I remember my Dad always wore a suit jacket whenever he flew off on his business trips. And when Mom took us kids to the airport to meet friends or family...we knew we better be wearing a nice outfit!

I've been trying to make an effort to pack less "stuff" with every trip I take. So instead of arriving at the airport in a mess, I hope to look like the picture above...effortless and happy!

image source

Country Wisteria Vine

2011-05-15T10:28:00.000-07:00

The wisteria is growing over the old smokehouse onto the grapevine.

I just love how pretty wisteria looks, and even better...there are white and pink plants as well as the purple shade.

Happy Lei Day ( May Day )

2011-05-01T09:51:00.000-07:00

Happy Lei Day! My talented Mom crafted this floral vine crown in about 30 seconds flat. She added some daffodils and grape hyacinths for color. This natural floral crown is a lovely idea for a fairy or woodland wedding. (Having a flower garden in your yard always comes in handy).

I am wearing one of my favorite Edwardian dresses. If you can't make it to an estate sale, ebay always has pretty white cotton lawn dresses.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend...

Happy Spring!

2011-04-17T12:40:00.000-07:00

Isn't this picture beautiful? I love the colors of jacob sheep and the contrast of the pasture.

image source

White Lace Jane Austen Lawn Dress - Vintage Textile

2011-04-02T07:34:00.000-07:00

Isn't this cotton dress exquisite? I think so, anyways. It would be a lovely wedding dress! If you have an extra $1400 - it's for sale over at Vintage Textile. They say it's from the 1820's and neoclassical style. I call it a Jane Austen dress only because it has a slight empire waistline.

Almost looks like an old fashioned nightgown

~Beautiful frock details~

Gardening shortcuts - My Earthbox experiment

2011-03-29T09:04:00.000-07:00

tomato & basil

Ever since I saw an Earthbox advertisement showing 8-10 foot plants growing out of control, I have been dying to try it out! Wouldn't it be nice to plant your veggies and have them magically grow to produce a big harvest without having to do a lot of hard work? (Well of course that would be grand).

one of the heirlooms

sugar snap peas

My vegetable gardening usually involves lots of weeding in 90+ degree weather, and my neatly planted rows eventually turn into a jungle.

So...could this gardening container be the ticket to my success? (ha ha). This year I finally purchased five boxes and transplanted my seedlings as well as store bought vegetables. So far I have planted 3 kinds of heirloom tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, cilantro, green pepper, basil, parsley, sugar snap peas, and yellow squash.

I am happy to say that so far the plants look good. I went away for a weekend and when I came back it seemed like the plants had doubled in size. Maybe their roots finally touched the fertilizer...

parsley

View near Cathedral Cove, NZ

2011-03-13T21:24:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken on the way to Cathedral's Cove (from our trip to NZ last year). I didn't do much research about how you get to some of the beaches...so most of the time we were hiking all over the creation just to get to the beach!! (some of which happened to be very secluded and off a very long well-beaten trail path). But then once we got there, it was so beautiful that you couldn't complain.

Lavender plants

2011-02-13T20:02:00.001-08:00

Today I was fortunate to find english lavender plants on sale for 50% off. I quickly brought home 30 or so. In my mind I had visions of something similar to the picture above :)

I plan to use some of the flowers when I get around to making soap.

image source

Lovely floating lanterns

2011-01-16T14:23:00.000-08:00

Isn't this picture beautiful? Over 1,000 candlelit paper lanterns get released into the waters at twilight during Honolulu's Toro Nagashi ceremony to honor loved ones who have passed away. The writing on the inside of the lanterns are personal messages.

found via Hawaii Magazine

Saint Lucia dress

2010-12-13T07:57:00.000-08:00

MoAD NZ Art & Design Week

2010-11-21T18:00:00.000-08:00

We caught this design show in Auckland on it's final day. Everything there was very unique and interesting!

Painting by Nicola Gibbons. Her website is here (under construction).

Lamps by Workroom Design – Douglas Snelling and Rebecca Snelling (father & daughter). Visit their website here.

Furniture & clocks by Timothy John. My sister & brother in law knew this designer - that's how we ended up even knowing about the event. Visit their website here to see much better pictures. I took these pictures with my phone.

A cool mirror...this designer has slipped my mind.

Official list of exhibitors:
Annie Smits Sandano – PRINT ARTIST
Cheryl Sils - JEWELLERY DESIGNER
Chris Metcalfe – PRODUCT DESIGNER
Corinna Hoseason – CERAMIC ARTIST
Daniel Rose – PHOTOGRAPHER
David Beazley – PAINTER
Dawn McCarthy – CERAMIC ARTIST
Drus Dryden – Sensitive Boyfriend – PRODUCT DESIGNER
Emily Andrews – PHOTOGRAPHER
Ilse Marie Erl – JEWELLERY DESIGNER
Ingrid Anderson – TEXTILE DESIGNER
John Pusateri + Auckland Print Studio – PROFESSIONAL PRINT + PUBLISHING STUDIO
Kate Barton – JEWELLERY DESIGNER
Kate McIntyre – CERAMIC ARTIST
Mark Seeney - FURNITURE DESIGNER
Martin Horspool - OBJECT DESIGNER
Michael Craig – PHOTOGRAPHER
Nicola Gibbons – PAINTER
Richard Wiles (Carry Corp) – ACCESSORY DESIGNER
Rob Tucker – PAINTER
Scott Facer - FURNITURE DESIGNER
Simon Gamble – FURNITURE DESIGNER
The Boiler Room – FURNITURE DESIGN
Timothy John – FURNITURE DESIGN
Union Design – FURNITURE DESIGN
Workroom Design – FURNITURE/LIGHTING DESIGN

cupcake shop snack

2010-11-06T19:27:00.000-07:00

My sister's pretty cupcake (above). Mine below, all chocolate. The shop let us use pretty vintage plates to sit our cupcakes on. I wish I could find pretty plates like these at our local thrift store.

It's amazing how many cupcakeries (is that a word?) have opened in the past few years.

Modern chicken coop

2010-10-26T08:07:00.000-07:00

I was flipping through Dwell magazine this morning and saw this neat modern chicken coop. More pictures can be found at dwell.com/slideshow.

weekend

2010-10-05T06:47:00.000-07:00

This was a lovely tree lined path.

english weekend table

2010-09-05T20:03:00.000-07:00

Everything about this picture looks perfect to me. (Found via Vogue).

a day at the beach

2010-08-31T19:12:00.000-07:00

It's very relaxing when you're at the beach. I found a pretty shell in the water, but when I took it out to get a closer look - I could see a little crab leg sticking out...so back into the ocean it went.

Sandy's Victorian Fairytale Cottage

2010-07-26T07:46:00.000-07:00

I visited my sister a few weeks ago and she gave me a newspaper article she had clipped and saved for me. Sandy has renovated an old hunting cabin and turned it into a lovely & so charming victorian style cottage retreat. I love it!

Read her lovely shabby blog here. The online article can be found here.

Sandy crossing a creek to get to the cottage.

She covered her books with pretty shabby paper.

Love this porch. I have those boots, too :)

Who doesn't dream of a cabin in the woods?

This is my dream bedroom.

Country nightgown

2010-07-22T07:44:00.000-07:00

White nightgown from drawingroom on etsy. Crisp white cotton reminds me of summer.

Midsummer's Flower Vine Hair Wreath

2010-07-07T12:59:00.001-07:00

This simple flower crown reminds me of Midsummer. Didn't Kirsten (American Girl) wear one?

If you have a craft store near you, it is simple to make.

You will need vine wrapped wire, silk flowers, ribbons, wire cutter and a hot glue gun.

Below is a close-up of the flowers I used. They were on sale for a few dollars.

Doesn't the vine look like a little bird's nest :)

I wove the pink flowers with the vine, but the white flowers should be glued on so they don't fall out.

Then I tied on two pieces of pink satin ribbon.

I have plenty of materials left over to make many more crowns so the cost probably comes to $1 or under.

If your little girl is having a fairy or princess themed party (or even a tea party), this is a pretty party favor to make.

Or if you are a grown-up like me, you can make one for yourself :)

Linking up to Tea Rose Home. Stop by Sachiko's lovely blog and see what the other ladies' created...

Wordless Wednesday - Smelling the roses

2010-06-02T18:47:00.000-07:00

Find more Wordless Wednesday here

Gardenias in the garden

2010-05-17T15:46:00.000-07:00

There are a few gardenias blooming so I put one in my bedroom. It smells heavenly and is a wonderful air freshener. We had a lightning and thunderstorm but the sun is back out again.

Happy Lei Day

2010-05-01T08:19:00.000-07:00

Happy May day and Happy Lei day! I took this picture last year of lei's that were for my sister's wedding. I just love the smell of gardenia, pikake (jasmine), plumeria and tuberose. We have two plumeria trees here but there was a bad frost last year so I hope they come back to life.

and here is one of my favorite yet very simple desserts...custard pie from Zippys!! :o)

Have a lovely day!

edwardian dress

2010-04-30T12:12:00.000-07:00

This is an Edwardian dress I got in the mail the other day. I really love it although I'm not sure when it will fit me in the waist. Women must have been itty bitty back then. Might have to wear a shawl with it so I can leave a few buttons undone :)

ruffles

2010-04-23T10:18:00.000-07:00

etsy image source

I could be on etsy all day just looking through all of the beautiful vintage clothing.

orange blossoms

2010-04-11T18:20:00.000-07:00

The air outside my door is filled with orange blossoms. It really is a wonderful perfume.

image via Snippet & Ink

outdoor canopy

2010-04-03T13:07:00.000-07:00

The perfect place for a nap!

image source

Tea Dress

2010-03-25T06:27:00.000-07:00

I love dresses like these. White linen, lace, possibly victorian...and very old.

almost Spring

2010-03-14T11:25:00.000-07:00

This dress is from the Ralph Lauren Spring 2010 collection. I like it because it's feminine and reminds me of a dress my Grandma might have worn back in the '40s on the farm. I wish they sold more dresses like this in normal department stores.

otherwordly

2010-03-04T06:56:00.000-08:00

Look at the sunlight streaming in this picture...is it Spring yet?

I've been meaning to build a swing that will hold 2-3 people because I know of a perfect spot by the creek, getting roses to climb up the sides would be tricky though.

I've always wanted an old-fashioned bicycle with a wicker basket.

I love these photographs by Rodney Smith. Check out his portfolio at http://www.rodneysmith.com/

pretty outdoor wedding photos

2010-03-02T13:28:00.000-08:00

my sister's beautiful wedding photographed by StyleIsh.com

I love the outdoors

Whimiscal Lucien Wedding Dress by Claire Pettibone

Dresses in Cold Mountain

2010-02-25T13:02:00.000-08:00

Nicole looks lovely in these dresses. Even when she is working on her raised gardens beds, she looks like she stepped out of a Boden ad. This goes to show you can wear a high neckline and still be beautiful!

Cold Mountain is one of my favorite books, although I don't necessarily care for the ending...

I especially love the big bow on this dress. Am wondering about her hair though, it doesn't seem very period correct. Didn't women wear their hair up unless they were young girls? I do want to have a daugerreotype made though...now I just need a civil war type dress.

vintage-y wedding dress

2010-02-23T13:27:00.000-08:00

An elegant wedding dress...

Wear flowers in your hair everyday

I actually have this blouse from Anthropologie. It had a big hole in it so I got it for $3.

(images from Eliza Magazine & via Becky Hill Photography)

bright star

2010-02-17T14:40:00.000-08:00

There is a lot of beautiful cinematography in this movie. When I look at this picture, I see my sister who is currently across the seas living in New Zealand.

The actress is frequently sewing something through out the film and it has inspired me to start sewing again.

"My Brilliant Career" is another one of Jane Campion's movies that I like. (Nevermind that it was made 30 years ago).

tree house in the woods

2010-02-08T14:28:00.000-08:00

Who doesn't love a tree house? I think this one is in Sweden. I'm dreaming of summer time...we might get 20 more inches of snow and yes we already have nearly 3 feet of it from this weekend :-)

chores in the snow

2010-02-06T08:59:00.000-08:00

I ventured out and fed the sheep this morning. At first the snow came up to my knees but then in some parts it had drifted so it was almost up to my waist.

blizzard 2010

Blizzard...30" of snow

2010-02-04T12:15:00.001-08:00

image from allposters

Snow started falling this morning and by tomorrow we'll have up to 30" inches of snow. In the space of 7 days that's 3 different snowstorms. It's starting to feel like the long winter over here but luckily we have lots of supplies as well as electricity and running water so I can't complain.

Some things I recommend for a blizzard are:

friends & family - so you don't get too bored
down comforter - to keep you warm if the electricity goes out
wood stove or fireplace - it's so relaxing!
stocked pantry - you'll need some good food after shoveling all day
a good book
patience - for when said friends & family get on your nerves, ha ha just kidding
your brain - stay indoors and off the roads when it is obviously hazardous

I'm glad to be safe at home, snug as a bug. From the windows I can see the winds blowing snow every which way. Now where is that "Bright Star" dvd....

The Young Victoria

2010-01-19T13:45:00.000-08:00

I'm looking forward to seeing this movie about Queen Victoria...mostly for the dresses, scenery & beautiful sets!

Vintage Textiles' Tea Dresses

2010-01-12T09:49:00.000-08:00

Beautiful vintage dresses from www.vintagetextile.com

I love this first dress, even though it is $1,250! The hand-embroidery is just exquisite.

porch curtains

2010-01-06T16:52:00.000-08:00

photo from Country Living magazine

Porch curtains are an easy and inexpensive way to add elegance to your porch. We use sheer curtain panels and hang them up during the warmer months. They look so pretty floating with the breeze.

I am already looking forward to Spring as it seems like we are in the middle of "The Long Winter". Luckily I have a few herb potted plants to tide me over until I can get my garden started. (And lots of seed/nursery catalogs).

just because...

2009-12-30T07:09:00.000-08:00

I love Carl Larsson's artwork. This one is called "Lisbeth's New Hat".

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-28T07:43:00.001-08:00

The day after Christmas we had Challah french toast as inspired by the picture on Chelsea's Frolic blog. We also went shopping and it took us 2 1/2 hours to get to the mall because everyone else had the same idea, although Orlando is usually pretty busy.

On Christmas Day we went to a resort at Universal and had the Christmas buffet. I think we stayed there about 2 hours trying to get our money's worth. Santa Claus, Shrek & Fiona, and Shaggy and Scooby Doo were making the rounds at everyone's table. (Even though at our table, we were all "grown-ups", ha ha).

Then we went and saw the Avatar movie in Imax 3-D, which I recommend! I bet that will be 2010's most popular Halloween costume.

Tomorrow I'm heading home. The weekend before Christmas we had nearly 2 feet of snow, but luckily it all melted.

english countryside

2009-12-08T09:24:00.000-08:00

Photo of Yorkshire

Pretty English Countryside Wedding Inspiration Board by Kelly Oshiro Events

Who wouldn't want to go visit the English Countryside? Ok, so maybe I have been watching too many Jane Austen movies.

Let's see...cream tea & scones, bluebell woodlands, rose covered cottages, moors, country pubs, formal English gardens, the list goes on and on.

miniature J. Crew

2009-11-25T06:18:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone has a lovely Thanksgiving! I am going to leave work early to beat the traffic.

lefse

2009-11-20T14:48:00.001-08:00

Yum!!!

I think that lefse deserves a post! As kids, we looked forward to our Grandma making it around Christmas time or whenever all the relatives got together. She still makes it once in awhile. My great grandparents came over from Norway as newlyweds and settled in Minnesota and Montana.

Anyhow, lefse is a Norwegian flat bread that is very similar to crepes. Grandma makes it with leftover mashed potatoes and fries them on a skillet. She uses Great Grandma's recipe I think.

When it's fresh off the skillet you layer it with butter and sprinkle on cinnamon and sugar. Then you roll it up and take a bite. It is so good, I promise!

During the winter we'd never miss a chance to sled down the hill at Grandma and Grandpa's farm. They have a creek that divides the property so you have to gauge how far up the hill to go otherwise you might end up soaking wet. If all else failed you could always bail off the sled and try to fish it out the creek downstream where it was shallower.

Grandpa would take us across the creek by way of a manure spreader that he would hitch to his tractor. It sounds gross but usually the manure spreader was pretty clean, ha ha. Sometimes we'd help him feed the cows that were out in the pasture by throwing out the bales while he drove the tractor. (You know on a farm you have to do chores first before you play). Then he would show us how it was done, heading down the hill face-first on the Red flyer sled!

Inevitably someone would get tired so we'd all come back indoors to the farmhouse (which is heated by an oil stove and woodstove...so it's always cozy), peel off our snowsuits and boots and head to the kitchen for some fresh lefse and hot chocolate.

My sister and I are having Thanksgiving dinner with Grandma and Grandpa next week so hopefully we can make some lefse with her. I'll have to get her secret recipe :o)

I want to live here...

2009-11-18T13:00:00.000-08:00

This looks like somewhere Heidi might have lived...

pink cameos

2009-11-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

I found these cameos on etsy. I especially like the cameo pins that you can put your hair up with.

Cameo pin: etsy seller greatbarbarian

Cameo hairpin: etsy seller proteales

safari

2009-11-11T07:19:00.000-08:00

It has always been a dream of mine to go on a safari. Africa is so beautiful! I also really like the safari tents where you get to sleep in a misquito netted bed.

You can always stay home and set up a tent like the one below in your backyard.

Or go to MaryJane's organic farm in Idaho...

1943 by Shabby Apple

2009-11-10T06:21:00.001-08:00

I was looking at the Shabby Apple website again and found these two dresses. They are simple yet elegant. And I love those shoes.

out in the country

2009-11-09T13:23:00.000-08:00

happy birthday, me

2009-11-03T19:15:00.001-08:00

Another year, another birthday :o)

Luckily I already have everything I need, although I do tend to daydream from time to time...

image via the lovely blog "Absolutely Beautiful Things"

p.s. I have been super busy this past while so even though I might have visited your blog, I have not been commenting as much

tutus

2009-10-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

image source

C & A hawaiian wedding

2009-10-26T18:57:00.000-07:00

after the wedding ceremony it was twilight which made some pretty silhouettes

The lovely bride & groom

a close-up of the chrysanthemum & carnation flower balls the bridesmaids held

image credit to my cousin P for the first two pictures

getting ready for the wedding

2009-10-23T12:54:00.000-07:00

image from stylisheventsblog

My sister's wedding is this evening! Last night we were trying to make a flower ball where you stick carnations onto a floral ball but we did one and then nearly ran out of flowers (and we were supposed to make 6 of them). That is going to be the bridesmaid's bouquets and they are going to hang from our wrists by a silver ribbon. So today we are going to get the ornament size floral ball and buy more carnations.

Yesterday we had the bridal shower and I made oreo truffles. They are soooo good. All you do is take a package of oreos and put them in a blender until they are a fine powder. Next, mix in a package of softened cream cheese and chill for 40 minutes. Then dip in semi sweet chocolate and let harden on wax paper for about 15 minutes.

I peeked at the wedding menu last night and it looks delicious. One of the courses has kiwi salmon since my brother in law is a kiwi. And I think spied creme brulee.

Hawai'i

2009-10-21T11:35:00.001-07:00

We went from this:

to beautiful Hawai'i for my sister's wedding

this picture below is at Ala Moana Beach, you can Diamond head in the background if you look closely

The weather over here is lovely as usual and I've been enjoying spam musubi, poke, poi and lots of papaya! Still have to get a plate lunch, manapua and lau laus while I am here.

apple picking art

2009-10-14T14:23:00.000-07:00

1st painting: "Picking Apples" by Arthur John Elsley

2nd painting: "The Apple Gatherers" by Frederick Morgan

images from AllPosters

tea length long white skirts

2009-10-09T06:40:00.000-07:00

first image from Victoria's Secret

second image source

bridal updos

2009-10-07T05:50:00.000-07:00

Here is some inspiration for bridal updos. I am going to be a bridesmaid in about two weeks and the bride said "soft waves in an updo or partly up". Although my a hair is naturally curly I think I am going to use hot rollers.

dream canopy bed

2009-10-03T14:26:00.000-07:00

I found my dream canopy bed on a beach in Cancun. If you had some carpentry skills it doesn't seem like it would be hard to build. Maybe someday...

Dresses from films

2009-10-01T08:17:00.000-07:00

Alice in Wonderland

Marie Antoinette

I enjoy films that are set it a different century because of all the pretty clothes they wear and their elaborate hairstyles. I'm especially fond of Jane Austen movies, mostly because I just love empire dresses.

baby G

2009-09-30T06:07:00.001-07:00

Happy Birthday baby G. She is my new niece that was born this morning. I'm pretty excited to go and see her this weekend!! She is around 8 pounds 12 oz and looks a lot like her big sis.

These pictures are from www.belleheir.com a lovely shop that sells vintage children's clothing. How sweet is that crochet dress! (I want one in my size).

Sand Art

2009-09-29T13:19:00.000-07:00

Amazing sand art by Kseniya Simonova...I had never heard of this type of art before but it's pretty neat!

http://http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=518XP8prwZo

colors of Cancun

2009-09-23T17:01:00.001-07:00

This is how blue the water was, without help from photoshop.

Here is a canal at a mall across the street from our hotel.

And this the view I had while sitting in the back of the golf cart when we were on La Isla Mujeres.

Happy Birthday Dad

2009-09-21T07:23:00.000-07:00

Hau'oli la hanau Dad! He turns 60 today.

I spent the weekend in Cancun so I hope to post some pictures of the beach. (Internet connection was not very reliable) But the water was beautiful! We went to Isla Mujeres one day and drove a golf cart around the island and stopped to go snorkeling. It was perfect because the water was clear and it was not crowded at all.

(picture of our hotel...yes the water is really that blue)

vintage looking dresses from Sierra Brooke

2009-09-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

I love these dresses from Sierra Brooke, espeically the button detailing. They also remind me of "Mad Men".

stockholm waterfront

2009-09-16T05:03:00.000-07:00

image by Henrik Trygg

a lovely nap

2009-09-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday C

2009-09-13T11:41:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to my younger sister C. She is getting married in Hawaii in October so we are all looking forward to it!!

Here is her lovely wedding blog: Wahine To Wed

Una and the seashells

2009-09-06T19:28:00.001-07:00

This beautiful watercolor print is by picturebookstudios. She has an etsy shop here.

Una is a character of a book she illustrated. This lady's artwork is just exquisite!

Happy birthday J

2009-09-04T08:18:00.000-07:00

Happy birthday to my dear older sister, J. I'll actually see her this weekend as she is coming up for a business trip. And then next weekend we are all going to Las Vegas :)

How pretty is this gift packaging? These pictures are from a lovely blog by Danni of ohhellofriend

I love going to her blog, she always has lots of beautiful things.

Swedish summer

2009-09-02T14:48:00.000-07:00

Head on over to elseachelsea's photostream on flickr . I have been enjoying her colorful pictures of her time spent in Sweden.

She also has a lovely blog: frolic