I do love starting the new year on a tidy and bright note! We had our own "boxing day" on New Years day and everything is stowed upstairs. I scrubbed the old oak table and laid my "New Years" white tablecloth with gold stars on the table and put a limited amount of decor on top. The sun has been shining for several days and it's so uplifting!
The old wing chair has it's spot back.. and the little antique lamp.. I do enjoy the coziness of the chair and lamp there and it brings light to the living room.
I could not get a good photo of the pink Hyacinth in the bright light on our dining table.. I had to bring it and put it on the piano for better light. Oh my goodness.. you should smell the exotic aroma of this flower!
This flower is bringing such joyful pleasure to our home.
I'm nearly done with my "Vanessa" hot pad. I am going to fold the corners in and sew it together so it's doubled. I'll show you how I do it.. when I get to that point. I've had several requests for the Diagonal Crochet pattern. I've sent the PDF out to 3 or 4 people. If you want it - leave your email in your comment and I'll be happy to send it to you. It makes a really fun blanket or scarf.
I will be going swimming with Gracie today. It's fun to swim when the sun is shining like this.. the water sparkles and is so pretty. I have some FUN news! I am going on a trip to New Orleans with my daughter and 2 sisters in April. I was text/chatting with my friend Kris from Simplify blog and she'll be in New Orleans some of the days that I will and we plan to meet for lunch! How cool is that? We've already been comparing notes on which restaurants to go to and other fun things to do there. If you have New Orleans tips, please let me know. OK.. must pack my swim bag and have some lunch before I head to the pool.
Do you have any exciting travel plans for 2015?
((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Oh your home is always so lovely, no matter the season. I adore those flowers! The hot pad is so pretty. Do you plan to do any knitting this year? ((hugs)) to you sweet friend.
ReplyDeleteYour home is colorful and cozy. I never did get too much cleaning done, except the kids room which was very necessary due to all the cat hair and dust. Yusef arrives Sunday morning and I can't keep Jingles off his bed. I lived in Slidell (40 minutes from NO) for many years and worked in downtown New Orleans before coming to Kuwait, but can't remember a dang thing. Val from YarniGras is in Slidell and she could give you all kinds of tips. http://yarnigras.blogspot.com/ She and I have been blog friends for years and then were able to meet in person summer before last when we took Yusef to college. We will be going to Jerusalem at the end of February. :) Tell Gracie hi! Best wishes, Tammy
ReplyDeleteThis wintery sunshine has been so awesome, hasn't it! It really is energizing! However, I am holding out until the 6th to put away the Christmas tree....maybe. You do inspire me, Teresa! xx
ReplyDeleteI always love seeing your dining room. It's so light, bright and pretty. Your living room looks cozy and colorful. Great home! How exciting about your New Orleans trip! My daughter and I spent about a week there last June. Some highlights you might enjoy.....there's a yarn shop in the French Quarter called the "Quarter Stitch" and right across the street is a weaver. We had a lot of fun visiting Rhonda at the weaving shop. She's really sweet, weaves beautiful rugs and has lots of adorable kitties. She recommended a restaurant called, "Stanley" that is on a corner right on Jackson Square. We had the best eggs, corned beef and potatoes we've ever had. The meat was really tender and it was all smothered in Hollandaise sauce. Yum! If you go there, get a window seat facing the cathedral. It's a beautiful and entertaining view. We also enjoyed venturing to the outskirts of the French Quarter where there were less tourists and it smelled a lot better. I've heard that the Garden District is wonderful to see. We missed it on this trip. Avoid Bourbon Street if you can and especially if it's hot....it smells HORRIBLE! We had a wonderful time at a bed and breakfast called, "Dansereau House" about 30 minutes from the French Quarter. Gorgeous home and a wonderful inn keeper. She's also a Cordon Bleu Chef. We also enjoyed visiting "Oak Alley" plantation. Have a wonderful time! :-) And, happy new year!
ReplyDeleteI love swimming in sunlit water as well, it's magical isn't it. Your table looks wonderful in the sunlight as well. It's such a pleasure to clear everything away in January isn't it. The windows onto your table are wonderful, all that marvellous light. No wonder you find it uplifting. Enjoy your swim. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteWell, I love NOLA. Been twice and can't wait to visit again. Enjoy the food! So many places to eat and enjoy. LOVE the Laura Plantation. So much history and so very "real" as compared to other plantation houses. Breakfast at Cafe Du Monde is a must, as is a ride on a streetcar.
ReplyDeleteYour home is just so beautiful and reflects so much joy Happy New Year to you, full of love, peace and joy.
ReplyDeleteStephanie
Everything looks so bright and cheerful.
ReplyDeleteChristmas is fun but it's nice to get back to regular living.
I can just imagine the fragrance from the pretty hyacinth. . . yum!
All your lovely crocheted items remind be so much of Lucy's place (http://attic24.typepad.com/). You guys should get together on day.
Your home is looking wonderful Teresa. I love your diagonal crochet and I was touched by the sweet things you told us about Vanessa. Those books look delightful....there is no doubt Vanessa was a highly talented artist.
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoy many more sunny days in January.
Jacquie x
I always love the coziness of your farmhouse Teresa. I'm imagining the smell of the flowers-they're beautiful. How fun to get to meet Kris in New Orleans. I would love to meet her in person, her blog is so much fun. I hope you and Gracie had a good swim in the sparkling water. We've had snow skies for a few days but once in while the blue sky will take over the the sun shines on the snow. That is pretty. Have a lovely evening Teres.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Betsy
Hi Teresa, that sunshine is so lovely to see :) And your hyacinth is blooming lovely too!
ReplyDeleteJillxo
Sounds like you have 2015 well under way already! The sun has been shining here too but it has been COLD with a NE wind blowing. What fun to go on a trip and meet up with a fellow blogger... a few years back I traveled to Toronto and was able to meet up with someone and it was a lot fun!
ReplyDelete~Chris
I am so excited about your trip and to think you will be able to meet Kris in person is so much fun. I am a bit jealous as you will be together in a city I have always wanted to visit. I am thrilled for both of you.
ReplyDeleteHugs to you Teresa,
Meredith
Love your dining room's look! Looks like a pleasant place to hang out!
ReplyDeleteI was so excited to learn that we will both be in New Orleans at the same time Teresa! I have been looking forward to our trip for a long time, but now there is added excitement, to get to finally meet you!
ReplyDeleteYour hyacinth are gorgeous! I love their heady scent! It's always nice to have the house clean, and a new year ahead of us.
XO Kris
Happy New year! It sounds like you have a great start! I don't have any travel plans. I will have to live through you this year. lol. Your hot pad is so pretty! I love the colors. As always your home looks so comfy.
ReplyDeleteYour dining room looks SO pretty with all the gorgeous sunlight streaming through the windows and your living room blankets make me think of wonderful spring! New Orleans sounds great! I know you'll have a great time there and I look forward to seeing pictures of the South! As far as travel plans for us, I think we'll be doing just daytrips--but you never know:)
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Aimee
Happy new year, you have such a beautiful home it looks so warm and cozy. We have a trip to Holland booked with our daughter in April so far.
ReplyDeleteYour lovely card and heart has arrived this morning - thank you so so much Teresa! I love them both. The little heart will hang all year round in my living room, it is far too special to put away!
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful to have you as a blogging friend!!
Helenxx
What an absolutely beautiful home you have Teresa - I don't think I would ever move from that chair if I came to visit! My pink hyacinths are also filling up the house with their delicious scent - makes me dream of getting out in the garden and watching things starting to grow very soon. Please could you send me a pdf for that pattern - it looks so effective and would be he perfect stashbuster for my ever growing basket of odds and ends? Lovely to meet you and a happy new year x Jane
ReplyDeletehello Teresa you are looking very ship shape. I still have it all to do. I don't generally take decorations down until 5th. Pretty hyacinth. Hope you enjoyed your swim. I would also like the pattern please. It is so pretty. I hope I've not commented twice! Head still a bit fuzzy. Hugs Anne x
ReplyDeleteSO happy you are going to New Orleans. I d HAVE to visit Tia at Pitbulls and Parolees.
ReplyDeleteI love your cheerful home. Hurt my knee..may have to swim for a bit. Ohhh but that first plunge
That is going to be so happy . A trip to New Orleans with all the art and creative atmosphere there and to top it of you will meet Kris? How wonderful ... I'm jealous ( in a positive way) and so happy for you my dear friend.
ReplyDeleteYou're going to love New Orleans. My only suggestion is for you and your companions to just stand on a corner on Bourbon Street and listen/watch. Fantastic music and colorful characters everywhere.
ReplyDeleteThe sun really is so uplifting! After days and days of grey and rain the sun has returned, and it makes me so happy! Your trip to New orleans sounds so exciting! I know you are looking forward to it. I really hope to make a trip out to Portland this year. It has been on my list for too long.
ReplyDelete