Monday photo of the week - Relaxing by the fire

Both of these guys share the same chair. 

Actually Mr. CJ is just happy that Regan lets him sit there, too.

 We've already had several fires this year.

First one last Thursday.

Another last night.

I love to watch the dancing flames.

Listen to the crackle of the wood.

Smell the scent of oak and pinion.

Feel the heat.

Relaxing.

Hope your week is just like that  - relaxing. 

Thanks for dropping by. I appreciate your visit and love your comments.

A Raven's Tale Halloween Tablescape

The Raven

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of someone gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
" 'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door;
Only this, and nothing more."

And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me---filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating,
" 'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door,
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door.
This it is, and nothing more."

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is, I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you." Here I opened wide the door;---
Darkness there, and nothing more.

  .....Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven, of the saintly days of yore.
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door.
Perched upon a bust of Pallas, just above my chamber door,
Perched, and sat, and nothing more......

Edgar Allan Poe 1845

 Blood red napkin rings.. creepily ensnaring the white napkin below the neck

Gothic black flatware with which to dine

 Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
"Though thy crest be shorn and shaven thou," I said, "art sure no craven,
Ghastly, grim, and ancient raven, wandering from the nightly shore.
Tell me what the lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore."
Quoth the raven, "Nevermore."

 I see a spider has taken a liking to Lucrezia's crystal goblet

Even a spot for the poet should he choose to grace us with his presence

A bit of blood red drink to wet your whistle

The blood red drinks flash their glow onto the mirrored placemats

And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming.
And the lamplight o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted---nevermore!

Cast:

 Tablecloth and napkins - hotel linens

Napkin rings - World Market

Dinner plate - Midnight Trellis by Home Essentials

Salad - Matceramica, Portugal

Flatware - Horchow

Crystal - Mikasa Parklane

Mirrored Placemats - gifts from MIL approx 33 years ago

Bottle candleholders - Napa Style

Bottles - McPherson Cellars, Lubbock, Texas

Crows, Spanish moss, spiders - Dollar Tree

Small pumpkins place card holders - Michaels

Poetry - Edgar Allan Poe

Thanks so much for dropping in. I am honored by your comments and time spent here. I'll be linking up to Tablescape Thursday's at the Porch. CYA there!!!

Monday Photo of the Week - aaah, my laptop is back!

Life is back to normal. We had a bit of a setback last week. But all is well that ends well. 

Last Sunday Toshiba resources was happy to announce that my hard drive was failing, 

did I want to back up?

Did I want to back up?

Seriously? 

Ya think?

So I backed it all up. (I will not divulge the last back up, no need to incriminate oneself!)

Then I also manually backed everything up onto the external drive. 

You can never be too safe, can you?

Then, on to finding the restore disks.

Oh yeah, didn't make those when ol' Toshi was new.

Didn't make those a year later either.

Tuesday night I was praying.

Eventually Toshi squeezed them out, one by one, with lots of praying and saying OK to each and every "your hard drive is failing" message.

After much sourcing for someone to replace the hard drive. 

Our hardware super human at work said he would. 

Can you spell R-E-L-I-E-F?

So I let him. 

Since the cost was just he price of buying a new hard drive.. it took 3 days.

Friday afternoon at 5:15 I took Toshi back home.

Then, with a new OS, I restored my data, re-installed the printer, set up the wireless, installed the work environment, Photo Shop software, Bernina embroidery software, Lifestyles die-cutting software, looked to replace the Toshiba resources (they really need an easier website, cause I can't find them!!),

and restored my favorites. 

Life is good.

Thank you Chad, you are my life saver!

Finally the bedroom gets drapes!! The rest is still in progress.

I finally did it! Two years ago I saw these drapes at Ballard's Designs.

I pondered. I mulled. I debated.

I asked on my blog.

I ordered drapes!

3 years with a window over our head (there is no other spot for the bed).

I know the drapes are covering part of the window. I'm okay with that. 

I also hung them up just beneath the ceiling to visually raise the height of the ceiling.

The table was my mother in law's. I think it has to be about 65 years old, but I like the airiness of the piece in front of the window. Only one rocker will stay.. the other has a home elsewhere when the we can decide on the fabric for the new chair in the living room. (totally convoluted I know)

I love this old Howe treadle machine! The shoe plates are some of my favorite pieces and they remind me of a very special lady, who I'd like to be more like! Thanks Gayle.

All the junk decor pieces are displayed on these shelves in our bedroom. Lots of family pictures (ooh just found out that is bad feng shui. Oh well. And I need to declutter. And we still need new nightstands. And that blasted ceiling fan is history when I can find a ceiling hugger light I like.

I have fabric ordered from Ballard's to recover the neckroll pillow and to accent the smaller embroidered one. My mom crocheted the bedspread. Those pillow slips were part of my mother's dowry. Did you know that bed and table linens usually sported the wife's maiden initials?

Thanks for droppin in.. I appreciate your visit, leave a comment so I can visit you back. 

Regan is getting back to his nap now...

Nuts about you darlin' tablescape

I set this table for just the two of us to celebrate my sweet husband's yearly joyous commemoration of his birth.

Setting up our dining experience in a corner under some trees made it seem a bit secluded and special.

The placemat is a juxtaposition to the delicate crochet lace of the tablecloth.

Simple table decor - a nut tree, candles and a spoofed up pumpkin!

A mix of dishes keeps the setting from being too far out of my cowboy's comfort range!

Cute corn husk covered pumpkins for some fun in the bowl.

My favorite silverplate, the viney placemat, brown transferware, texture via the white plate.. so many favorites!

One craft pumpkin, some antique white craft paint, dirty water (paint and lots of water) to settle in the brush strokes of the white paint, some velvet leaves and a plaid ribbon. You can do this too!

Wooden candleholder form the coffee table topped off with a votive holder and a candle.

Tarnished sterling.. salt and pepper dressed in their finest.

So mad there were only 3 left.. I LOVE these bowls. 

I love this tablecloth. So much. Mom's handiwork was always so exquisite.

.Our favorite handblown goblets..

It takes a lot of nuts (and one big one) to cover a styrofoam tree. I recommend brown spray paint on the tree first! Then don't use low temp hot glue.. Just sayin...

The rosemary in the pot gives off such a wonderful scent when you brush up against it. Love white pumpkins.. love them. yes i really think i love them. 

Ralph just does the best fabrics! Love his napkins.

I hope you enjoyed our little fete a deux to celebrate a special understated event.

Cast:

White matelasse - vintage

Crochet tablecloth - my mom

Placemats - Pier One

Dinner plate - Zrike Wildlife

Salad - Wedgewood Windsor

Bowl - Wal Mart

Goblets - Hand blown in France, from Santa Fe

Silver - Old Company Plate

Salt and Pepper - vintage

Napkins - Ralph Lauren Brookfield Print

Craft pumpkin, ribbon, styrofoam tree - Michaels

Thanks for dropping in. I am honored by your visit. I'd love to visit you back, leaving a comment will let me do that easily. Thanks!

Linking up with Susan's Tablescape Thursday.. cya there!