The rain is tap-tapping very lightly (and oh, so sweetly) on my roof. We have had very hot temperatures here and little rain to speak of.
My outdoor spaces are covered in Crepe Myrtle blossoms, sodden and messy. But I will not not mind cleaning it up, as the rain is so needed and the sound on my roof always provides music to my ears.
I will say that I feel somewhat “vindicated.” An odd word to use, I suppose. By Cath Kidston’s “In Print” book. Andrea sent it to me just a week or so ago.
Why, you ask, this feeling of vindication? Well, I have the predilection of adding quilts to the surfaces of most anything. The back of a couch or chair, for instance. Or a table.
And I rarely see decorating books currently doing this. Or even blogs. (Please, if you use quilts in this way, send me the link!)
Once while visiting my oldest daughter in another state, we were discussing the predicament of her rather “brown” living room. She has a lovely home, but, unlike her mother, seems a bit afraid of color.
I suggested she throw some of the quilts I’d sewn for her over the couch or hang one on the wall, as I’m prone to do. She gave me this slightly baffled look. “Mother,” she said. “I can’t hang a quilt on the wall.” But why, I of course asked her. “I just can’t,” she said, and that was the end of that.
Of course that was before patchwork quilts became popular at Pottery Barn. She may be changing her tune.
The moment I felt “vindicated”, for wont of a better word, was when I read the chapter on Patchwork in Cath Kidston’s book.
“Patchwork quilts,” she writes, “I find irresistible. For years they have been a minimalist’s nightmare, being evocative of cute country cottages.”
She goes on to say that she finds them ideal for throwing over the backs of chairs or sofas to brighten up a bland room.”
YES!
You can ask my pets why soft patchwork is so important in our home’s decorating scheme. But they’re likely snoozing away on one of the quilts, and don’t want to be bothered by such inanities.
And speaking of color, look what just came in the mail. Kathy from Sweet Up-North Mornings sent me this gift, because she knows how much I love the color red. Thanks, Kathy!
So now for this weeks Welcome Wagon Friday selections.
A Breath Of Fresh Air is Mary’s blog. She wrote Across The Pond for three years. She is a transplanted Brit whose 47 years of journeying back and forth across the wide Atlantic Ocean has kept her busy, and made her life interesting. Mary recently returned from a trip to Africa, and has delightful photos of this beautiful place. And, I might add, all of which are truly phenomenal.
Fern Valley Farm is Elissa’s blog. She lives on a beautiful island in Maine. (Be still my envious heart!) She strives to create a home for her family that is not only beautiful, but a comfortable and relaxing retreat. She loves creating, decorating, gardening and learning. All on a budget. (Oh my, we love the sound of that!)
Cabin And Cottage is Jacqueline’s blog. She also has a shop in New Mexico by the same name. She has a penchant for showing scenes from movies in her sidebar, which I find brings back memories of some of my very favorites. One of which is “Places In The Heart” with Sally Field. I will never tire of that one from the 1980s.
In her first post back on April 4, 2010, Jacqueline writes: “Of all places to celebrate things quintessentially cottage, our town is one of the least likely. We have neither the classic architecture, nor the picture book garden.”
She goes on to say: “But cottage revolves in every direction: from rustic to romantic, classic to modern, country to city, all American to European (we love French), east coast to west, and everything in-between.”
I couldn’t agree more, Jacqueline!
Please stop by and visit these blogs to welcome them. Tell them that no matter where they might live, we want to embrace them into the fold and take a peek inside their homes.
Perhaps a pitcher of iced tea or a bottle of wine will sweeten the visit. (And maybe you shall go back home to your own blog just the slightest bit tipsy!)
Love your blog!
Oh, I so hope some of that rain comes in my direction! I need a break from watering my lawn and garden. I can’t believe the previous owners didn’t install a sprinkler system… I’m thinking this is the year that we will!
My morning was spent picking the bag worm’s “pine cone looking pod thingies” off my cedars… yuck!
Well, I’m in for the afternoon so I’ll go take a look at the “newbies”.
Talk to you soon;)
Bunny Jean
Brenda, you know I love your quilts and all the wonderful color in your home. I love welcome wagon Friday and I just checked out the first one and will now go to the second one. I am already a follower of cabin and cottage.
I could’t help but check out the link at the top of your blog “Help for Heather”. What a beautiful young woman.
That sure hit home as I just posted about my son-in-law’s need for a kidney transplant.
Hopefully they will both get their much needed transplants soon!
Talk to you soon
Bunny Jean
hello, I love your blog !!!!! your plants, your yard, it’s wonderful. I love the color red is my favorite …
add you to visit you more often
Best regards
the thing i love about decorating is that whatever makes a person happy should be the very way they decorate. who wants to decorate and not be happy in their rooms? LOL Not me.
I LOVE quilts, and have a quilt top still waiting for me to quilt… someday.
Thank you for the Welcome Wagon links, Brenda – I’m off to visit them!
Hugs,
Zuzu
Brenda I just love the photos of your home. All the happy bright colors are such a joy to see and I adore your little pups in some of the pictures. What sweet faces!
I also copied the link for Heather to my blogs and Facebook…my prayers are with them for their miracle…
Tina xo
Well, Brenda, I LOVE my quilts, and use them wherever I feel I need some added texture or color, or warmth in the winter. I’ve admired your sweet home and your use of such pretty colors, and your quilts. Glad Cath and Pottery Barn finally caught on, you trend setter you!!
Thanks for the intros to some fun-sounding blogs. I’ll take some time to visit them!
XO
Heidi – Heart and Home
PS, your patio looks wonderful! What a great spot to sit and enjoy the outdoors.
There is nothing quite as lovely as the sound of raindrops hitting the rooftop after a long period of hot and humid days. We have been in the mid to upper 90s for twelve straight days. Last night we finally got some showers. I just stood in the doorway and watched it coming down. A beautiful sight indeed.
I always enjoy your welcome wagon posts. I’m off to do some visiting.
Quilts are always so warm and welcoming. Thanks for the reminder, I need to find one.
I’m happy that you are getting some rain, Brenda, and hope that it brings some cooler temps. It is miserable to get anything done outside when it is so hot and muggy. We had a couple of days where it hit ninety and I just stayed inside like a recluse. Your garden and patio are looking wonderful, though.
I adore quilts. I had several old ones and they became worse for the wear as we used them. Try as a might to just display them, the kids loved to cuddle in them and that was more important. I have newer ones now and I love the splash of color here and there!
Will check out your recommended blogs, as always!
xoxo
Janie
I’ve actually used a quilt as a table cloth in a pinch before. Someone asked what I did with all my blankets in today posting…you where they went. I just giggled as they move around the house, each find a special home on the back of a couch or chair. I see nothing crazy about this at all.
Off to see who’s new on the block.
Always such a sweet treat to visit your garden and cozy home.
About the rain. We have had more than our fair share here in the Chicagoland area. I can send you some….
Kate xoxoxoxoxo
Wow, you home is like a little retreat. So quaint and very charming. Looks like there is a story for everything that went into it. I love that!
Thanks for stopping by my blog, you are welcome anytime. I’m going to add myself to your follower list so I drool and dream. I hope that’s okay, I have a problem with dreaming and drooling!
Take care,
Lisa
Hi Brenda,
I love quilts too, and have several vintage ones! And it looks like your cute little pup likes them, too! Your outdoor area is just so pretty! Thanks so much for visiting
I have a fairly modern home and I love quilts, especially old ones. Few things feel as cozy. Thank you for your kind words about our loss. I appreciate it. Have a giveaway going on now, if you like mexican bingo stop by.
Again, thank you.
I’m not sure how you pick your blogs for your Welcome Wagon, but I found an interesting one called “Food, Fun & Farm Life in East Africa”
http://foodfunfarm.blogspot.com/
Very interesting to read about her life in Africa.
I love your beautiful quilts, Brenda~ so cozy and such a fun way to change up a room!
Wow, you do love color, especially red! It’s one of my favorite colors. I’ve so enjoyed peeking into your home. Your backyard area is absolutely gorgeous. It looks even more beautiful after the rain.
I really like your Welcome Wagon Friday feature because I enjoy discovering great new blogs. Also, love, love, love your pets on your sidebar. So cute.
I always love dropping by and visiting all your lovely quilts…they make any day sunnier.;p
Brenda, your home is always so cheerful, bright, and inviting, both because of the decor and those adorable fur babies that appear in many of your photos! I think you should attach a link of this blogpost via email to Cath Kidston. I’ll bet she’d love to use photos of your beautiful home in if she has another book in the works!! Glad you got some much needed rain. Your patio is just gorgeous. I really love it… Donna
Oh thank you for listing all these wonderful blogs…I always love coming over to visit you…your images make me sooooo happy. Thank you for the congrats on RH…but I have not seen it yet!!! Lots of people are mentioning it and it is killing me…we usually do not get the new issue until long after you guys do in the US. I guess I will just have to wait a little longer. xoxoxoox
Hi,
Just wanted to comment that Country Living and Country Home magazine used quilts on couches tables and lots of places in the issues during the 90′s.
We got rain in the middle of the night and nothing is more soothing than hearing the pitter patter of the drops on the roof.
Brenda, I am with you on loving quilts. There is something very special about those old pieces. If only they could speak.
I will have to share some of mine soon, too.
I love the glimpses of your beautiful home. It is lovely!!
xoxo
becky
Brenda,
Back to Ebay I guess, and I have my eye on JC Penny’s!!!!! 
I am still trying to find some quilt for my coach, I sent back that other one….no go! I need to find a red/white like you have, just a basic quilt…I am afraid I am going to have to find someone to make one…they are very hard to find in Arizona…..as far as antique ones go…..:) I think you do a excellent job in decorating….I for one want to copy you!!!!
Brenda, wonderful selections! Mary’s is one of my most favorite blogs to visit. Her photos of Africa are beyond amazing. I feel as if I got to go along on this fabulous adventure. Her photo journaling is stellar!
I’m off to visit your other selections. An island in Maine ~ wow! And scenes from old movies ~ I’m on my way. ~ sarah
Hi Brenda! I’m catching up on my blog reading. I’m with you, I love quilts too! So does Bentley and my hubby too. They are everywhere in our cottage, on the backs of chairs, on sofas, on beds and in the hammock! The perfect decorating accessory! Oh, and I also like to hang them on the wall too.
Lots of love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo
HI Brenda
I use quilts all over my house! Will have to show you tomorrow. I live in a log cabin and am in the process of making it cozy for the last 5 years! lol…..I even keep a quilt on my porch swings…I love Red and White or Red/blue/pink Cath Kidston look!
Your cottage is adorable and so is your blog!
xoxo
Diane