A Minimalist?

I don't think I have ever been

accused of being a minimalist!

More likely.. I often don't know when to stop...

maybe that's why the over the top styling

of Victoriana has always engaged my soul...

(click photos to enlarge)

Though,  after the holidays

when most of the glitter is swept away...

I like to pause

and keep things to a minimum

a quietness...

Then as the spring begins again

the decorating

begins again... slowly

organically...

Right before Christmas,

I painted this little dresser in the Dining Room..

100 year old houses are not known for their closet space,

so this is my linen closet...

(my husband finds it very odd I keep a dresser in the dining room :-)

Are you ever sold,  just by the color name on the paint chip?

This is Ralph Lauren's "Deep Cream"

I love the name... and the color...

I am in love with the little dresser again...

The creamy new paint

drew out the details...

told it's secrets...

 shared a glimpse of it's history...

Perched on top

I have freed my little iron bird from his cloche...

Though he still sits in the same nest of potpourri...

The only Christmas I have kept out

is my white glittered house...

It's simplicity spoke of winter

more than Christmas...

And...  I couldn't resist a bit of glitter :-)

Even as a minimalist

I am Victorian at heart :-))

Tonight I will be joining the fun at...

Tabletop Tuesdays come say hi to Marty!

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

and

White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Thanks for visiting me today!

The Lazy Days of Winter...

I have to admit...

I have been so lazy since Christmas.

It does this to me every year,

From the first of semi-warm days of spring

till the last chilly days of fall

 the garden keeps me busy!

Then the holidays are there

and you know how busy that is!

After Christmas...

I am always eager to put all the holiday pretties away,

keep the tabletop displays to a minimum

and hybernate a bit...

(click photos to enlarge)

So it was a huge surprise today

to see Primroses in the garden center...

Maybe I over slept a bit

 like Rip Van Winkle...

No, it really is only the first week of January!

Our snowy season has yet to truly begin,

But,  who could resist their bright faces?

I bought just one,

A cheery pot of Primsoses

may be just what I need to get my blood moving again :-)

Today I will be joining the fun at...

Pink Saturday

and

Saturday Show Off

Thanks for stopping by today!

My Parade of Roses 2011

Happy New Year!!!

(click photos to enlarge)

I thought I would start this year

with a ROSE PARADE...

Going through photos of the past summer

has been a great way to spend this very frigid morning..

Dreaming of this summer's garden

is the perfect way to shake the winter blahs

and warm my heart :-)

Gertrude Jekyll

My lovely English lady

Gertrude Jekyll was the first to bloom

and my most reliable bloomer,

besides she smells incredible...

The climbing Cecile Brunner's tiny blooms

 on the other hand

bloomed for only a brief moment...

The delight of the first small summers bouquet...

Burgundy Iceberg

Burgundy Iceberg was new to the garden this year,

I love her cottage style in the mixed beds...

Roses just to play with...

Roses to float...

Just for J...

Ballerina Rose

The wild and casual style of

the Ballerina rose

speaks of lazy summer days...

Abundance...

Enchanted Evening

Enchanted Evening was also new this year,

she is a favorite!

She had a rough time in the wet spring,

I hope she makes it through the winter...

Eden

I think the Eden rose is perfectly named,

She takes my breath away

every time I see her...

Queen Elizabeth

I don't think there is a stronger lady

than the Queen Elizabeth Rose

she bloomed till the first snow...

I can't wait for the garden catalogs

to show up in my mailbox:-)

Come get your girlie girl on

and join Pink Saturday

Thanks for stopping by today!