Friday, December 28, 2018

Top 10 French Country Posts for 2018


A new year, a time to reflect on the past year and plan for the future. 
Here are ten of your favorite French Country posts from 2018.

To read more about each post, just click on the link and enjoy. 


Find out why I went dumpster diving for a little piece of history.


Craving something calming, simple and elegant?
Let there by white.


My Favorite Haunts
You never know what you might find at an estate or yard sale.


It All Started with a French Tablecloth
Ah, the colors of Provence.


A Spring Refresh in the Dining Room
It can never come too early for me.


Early summer blooms.


Scary News - Our Cabin Wrecked!
(not my favorite post)
Such an upsetting and scary incident.


I vote for cozy!


Snug and safe for the season.


Simple, natural elegance.


To all my Blogger Friends, Happy New Year!

***



Friday, December 21, 2018

Christmas Toys and Nostalgic Memories

When we were kids, Christmas was all about toys. 
Waking up in the morning and finding Santa had left us
 a glorious pile of brightly wrapped presents.


Then playing with them all day and showing anyone who visited all of our loot.


I wasn't that much into dolls or toys but I loved stuffed animals 
and could probably still tell you each one's name. 
I also remember getting my first camera -- it was a Polaroid! 
And each year, my sister and I always got matching PJs.


Of course, my favorite toy was Teddy, a little brown bear given to me by my Aunt Hilda 
on the day I was born. (second bear from left below) 
I also loved the mechanical bear that drank a Coca Cola or was it a Root Beer but he's long gone.

Ron had a special bear too named Geebee. (far left) We both still have our childhood bears
along with a couple of newcomers. 


Ron still loves to collect toys and other items from the 1950s when he was a kid. 


Christmas definitely meant toys!
Do you remember any of these from Ron's collection?


I guess some things never change no matter how old you are.
Ron says these things from an earlier era remind him of a happy time in his life. 


He's fashioned a room in our basement that is a museum of sorts.
Not only does he have a nice collection of toys but also a few collectibles from that era.
Remember green stamps?




For us, Christmas is a time of nostalgic memories. 
Most of all I remember
Dad trying to recite Twas A Night Before Christmas and getting it all messed up,
Mom singing Silent Night in her deep, clear voice,
and my big sister showing me how to place the icicles just so on the tree.

Oh, and devouring Mom's nut rolls (my sister makes them now --
the yummy tradition lives on!

Special memories, but really, when you're in first grade, it's all about the toys!

So from our family to yours, 
we wish you a very Merry Christmas 
and whatever electronic toy is in your letter to Santa!
Have fun!

***

Friday, December 14, 2018

My Love Story in the Governor's Mansion

It's always fun to tour old mansions but it's a real treat
when you get to visit the governor's residence.

Besides its fascinating history,
this mansion has a romantic story most people don't know about.
More about that later.

Completed in 1908, it was a family residence for a Denver pioneer named Walter Cheesman.
In 1923 Charles Boettcher purchased it and later donated the mansion 
to the state of Colorado to serve as the governor's residence. 

The late Georgian Revival mansion is grand and stately
and sits atop a hill facing the Rocky Mountains.


We lined up at the impressive entrance to take the free holiday tour. 


The mansion was decorated for the holidays with a period theme in each room.


I had hoped we would see where the families actually lived but the tour was limited
to the main floor where we got to see the state dining room and the great hall.

Two of my favorite details were the gorgeous ceilings


and the hand-turned wood staircase.


There was even a bar (gift shop) just inside the front door.
How convenient Gov!
We were told it had been the gentlemen's smoking room
and was now decorated in a 1940s style with a nod to Aspen's J-Bar. 


One of the rooms recognized famous women of early years in Colorado.
I especially liked the Christmas tree with photos of some of these courageous women.


I felt right at home wearing my 1920s hat and faux leopard jacket. 


The piano (far right) in this old-world room was signed by Liberace.


This breathtaking chandelier once hung in the White House in 1876
when President Grant celebrated America's centennial and the year
Colorado was admitted to the Union. 


So you're probably wondering about that romantic story I mentioned earlier.
Let me tell you what happened.

Twenty-eight years ago there was a special event at the governor's mansion.
A photographer was covering the event for his TV station
and a woman was there with a school group.
They said hello and 28 years later we're still together.
Meant to be. 


The governor's mansion will always be a special place to us.

***

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Just subscribe in the upper right column of this page.
You can also follow my Pinterest boards to see all my favorite photos.
Thanks so much!!

***

Linking with:
Little FarmsteadDwellingsBetween Naps on the PorchStone Gable,
A Stroll Thru LifeDesignthusiasmA Delightsome Life21 Rosemary Lane,
Follow the Yellow Brick HomeFrench Country Cottage

Friday, December 7, 2018

My French Country Christmas Dining Room

Welcome to my French Country Christmas dining room and kitchen.
Last week I showed you My French Country Christmas living room.
Now, I'd like to share my French Country Christmas dining room and kitchen.

Adding a few little holiday touches is all it takes to bring the season into my dining room.


There was enough extra garland left over from the living room mantel
to drape the old farmhouse mantel in the dining room.
Tip:  I've since learned you're supposed to soak the garland in water
before using it so it doesn't dry out. 


In one corner of the dining room,
I propped an old sled like the one I had as a kid. 


This lovely garden statue Ron gave me for Christmas last year looks festive 
in his Santa hat and string of red wooden beads. 


I love the candle-glow against my white ironstone collection.
These battery-operated twinkly lights from Lowe's 
make it easy to highlight certain areas where you can't plug in. 


Then just a few special pieces tucked here and there.
The trophy reads The Young Farmers "Best Sheep in Show 1942"
and the shaggy sheep is a sweet complement to the trophy.







Now, on to the French Country Christmas kitchen . . . 

Because our galley kitchen is quite small, I keep the holiday decorations simple and sweet. 






Wishing you a wonderful Christmas!


Friday, November 30, 2018

My French Country Christmas

Happy December and Welcome to my French Country Christmas!

This year, I'm keeping it simple and natural with a touch of ethereal. 
Very French Country. 


Welcome my friends to our Colorado Christmas!

Outside, the front porch feels festive with black metal lanterns from the patio 
filled with bulbs and greenery and topped with red ribbons.


In the foyer I created a simple vignette with a painted table
and a white ironstone pitcher. A touch of boxwood is very French. 


Leaning against the foyer wall is a rustic wreath found at a thrift store.
This beautiful wreath adds natural texture to the space. 


Please come on into our living room.


This is our second year without an actual Christmas tree
and we've decided we don't miss it.
It feels good to pare down on the decorations and keep it simple.

However, I couldn't pass up this artificial tree under two feet tall from Michaels.
I added a few twinkly lights and some miniature bulbs.


Arranged on a stack of old books to give it some height, 
the tree was then placed atop a table draped with a vintage linen.
I love the natural look of the burlap and plaid ribbon.


I used our old string of twinkly lights to fashion
a "tree of lights" framing the tiny Christmas tree in our front window . 


I placed a French market basket under the tree stuffed with teddy bears, worn books, 
lavender and a vintage embroidered cloth. A simple French Country vignette. 


The tree is next to our fireplace.
I've always wanted a long cedar garland for the mantel. 
I'm in love with the natural look of the garland, 
dotted with some candles, antlers and pine cones. 


Twinkly lights are reflected in the large mirror above the mantel
creating an dreamy ethereal ambiance.


A flickering fire makes for a cozy room
and natural woods bring that French Country feel home.


So glad you stopped by for a holiday visit.
Hope to see you next week when I share my
French Country Christmas dining room and kitchen.


From the road to our mountain cabin, we wish you all a wonderful holiday season.


***

If you enjoyed your visit I'd love for you to follow me by email.
Just subscribe in the upper right column of this page.
You can also follow my Pinterest boards to see all my favorite photos
Thanks so much!!

***

Linking with:
Little FarmsteadDwellingsThe Dedicated HouseStone Gable,
A Stroll Thru LifeDesignthusiasmA Delightsome Life21 Rosemary Lane,
Follow the Yellow Brick HomeFrench Country Cottage