Brenda

Blogger Spotlight Home Tour: A Rosy Note

May 19, 2013 By Brenda

There are but a handful of bloggers I know that are artists with a camera in their hand. But Tricia, of A Rosy Note, is indubitably one of them.

Her photography is beyond stunning.

I can only imagine sitting in this chair, looking about at the soft, tranquil setting of her home.

I have never seen one photo on her blog that was not sheer perfection.

Tricia creates magic. It’s as simple as that.

I couldn’t put into words exactly what it is about Tricia’s photos that speaks to me so.

I just know she has the ability to capture what is good and wholesome about this world.

And then gives them to us like a gift.

I hope you have enjoyed this little journey of just a few of Tricia’s photos. To experience even more, head over to A Rosy Note, and settle in for a feast for the eyes.

Filed Under: Blogger Spotlight Home Tour, decorating, Flowers, Photography, vignettes Tagged With: A Rosy Note, feature, photography 9 Comments

Sweet As A Candy

May 18, 2013 By Brenda

I was just nosing about the web and found such pretty things on Heart Handmade UK.

Me oh my…

I am utterly smitten…

With what she’s done with the simplest of things…

And made them look so sweet and pretty…

How easy is this? Tear magazine pages out and put them in a frame…

I want to climb into the photo and sit down and talk to her about all this…

Because it is just irrisistible…

And colorful and oh so cheerful to gaze at…

I see one photo and think: Oh that’s my favorite one…

Until I see another…

Just look at her simple jars full of crafties…

And the spotty curtains she made…

And the door she covered with paper…

I find her home enchanting. I can’t wait to visit again!

Filed Under: cozy tablescapes, crafts, decorating, decoupage, Link love, Organizing, Using Color, vignettes Tagged With: decorating, Heart And Home UK, link love 19 Comments

Debuts And Deja Vus

May 17, 2013 By Brenda

(A post by Contributor Poppy from Poppyview…)

One cold winter afternoon, while wandering around the thickly populated blogosphere, I suddenly stopped in my tracks, as I found myself standing in front of the the cutest, most colourful house I had ever seen in the land!

cozylittehouse.com

I immediately felt at home, identifying with its cottage-y, farmhouse feel, where cows and chickens lived harmoniously among primary pigments printed on crockery, quilts, artwork, and fabrics. Polka dots, checks, stripes and floral patterns featuring red, my favourite colour, had me doing double takes; this could easily be my house, I gasped!

My red rooms

I needed to find out who was behind all this serious fun and flair! First, I went into marathon mode and read her beautiful blog from first post to last! Then, I visited every day and felt like I was getting to know this very honest and humble lady.

source

From helpful tips on bettering one’s blog, to eloquent excerpts on personal experiences, I was so intrigued that I wanted to tell her how her simple and whimsical style had made me smile, (after collecting my jaw from the floor, that is!).

So, I wrote Miss Brenda a long letter, telling her just that: how much I had admired her cozy little house, and if she had the time, I would love for her to visit mine – a new blog, barely a week old!

Welcome!

Of course, being the sweet soul that she is, Brenda wrote back right away, boosting my confidence, cheering me on and giving me valuable advice. She extended her hospitality by introducing Poppy View to her many devoted readers, on her very unique Welcome Wagon Fridays, a kind and generous invitation.

Poppy View debuted on my daughter’s birthday, May 18th, 2012. A few days ago, Brenda asked me if I would consider becoming a regular contributor here, at this warm and wonderful space. Needless to say, I was ecstatic! And so, today, I thought it most fitting to celebrate Poppy View’s one year anniversary, here at Brenda’s cozy little house, which for me, has been more of a home, as its gracious hostess always takes care of her guests, in the most attentive and delightful ways.

In addition, I’d like to thank everyone who visits Poppy View. Reading, commenting and simply saying, ‘hello’, are treasured gifts and your presence inspires me to joyfully communicate to you, colourful creations, in pictures and words, from my own little house, in the hilly fields, of the pretty, Cretan countryside.

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Until next time,

Poppy

I’m a Greek-Canadian, born and raised in Toronto, currently living on the island of Crete, where we’ve just finished building our home in a quaint little village in the countryside. POPPY VIEW was created to share my ideas of house and home, a few thoughts here and there on life and hopefully make some new friends along the way. Drop in anytime!

Filed Under: Contributor Post, cozy tablescapes, decorating, Flowers, gardening, Using Color, vignettes Tagged With: Contributor Poppyview 18 Comments

Welcome Wagon Friday 5/17/13

May 17, 2013 By Brenda

Okay, let’s welcome three new bloggers to Blog Land.

Up for you this week I have…

Looks Like White…

Oh, I know all of you love this look. And this…

Circle Of Pine Trees…

And what a truly beautiful circle of pines she has to look out on.

Love My Simple Home…

A pretty new office all set up for blogging.

Okay, you know the drill. Let’s visit these ladies and welcome them to our friendly little community.

Filed Under: decorating, Flowers, nature, Welcome Wagon Friday Tagged With: new bloggers, Welcome Wagon Friday 5/17/13 2 Comments

A Calm Day After A Thunder Storm

May 16, 2013 By Brenda

It rained all night. I looked out the window this morning, and the flowers are drooping a little under the night of storms.

It is quiet outside now. Just the sound of the birds.

I have the whole day to stay in today. My favorite kind of day.

The way the weather has been here lately, warm one day and cold the next, I may end up with a quilt in my favorite chair with the dogs settled around me.

Light some candles.

Maybe spend some time in the front bedroom that serves as my office. For months now, I’ve been putting things in there when I didn’t feel like finding a good place for it, and it’s piling up. I’m tired of seeing the disarray.

Right now I’m going to head to the kitchen and fix some coffee. One of my joys of the morning. And sip it while I read email in the living room.

And see what the rest of the day has in store. Because it’s far too muddy to go outside and take photos, or pull a few weeds that may have cropped up.

What have you got on your agenda today? Anything exciting?

Filed Under: birds, candles, coffee bars, Flowers, quilts Tagged With: birds, flowers, quilts, rain 23 Comments

All Fall Down…

May 15, 2013 By Brenda

I walked down the street to see how the empty lot looked. Well, I knew it wouldn’t be very interesting. But the bull dozers and semis have left. And it’s done.

And so here it is. Nothing remarkable or anything.

I worry some about the trees that got scraped in the process. But hopefully they’ll be all right.

It’s funny how I house I vaguely remember now has hold of my attention so.

I took some photos of other houses to show you what’s along this block.

Mostly just little two bedroom one bath houses. But they hold character you don’t often see in newer neighborhoods.

And characters, period. There’s this man who never ever mows his yard. Yet flowers thrust through the scraggly weeds and reach toward the sun to bloom.

Probably just weeds that bloom. But they are pretty weeds.

I have only seen him outside once in nearly two years.

The white house is where the Navy medic currently lives for a little while longer.

And the house next to him. They always have roses.

Just a little neighborhood near a university. People who I don’t know for the most part. But share a block with. People who have lives and worries and histories and houses that simply happen to be in this spot.

And now an empty lot, clean and smooth. The debris all taken away. That once upon a time was home to an elderly woman and many cats. Some will remember her and bring her up in idle conversation once in awhile. But now, she and the cats and the house are gone.

And it is simply an empty space ready for a new beginning.

Filed Under: Flowers, gardening, Photography Tagged With: flowers, neighborhoo houses 27 Comments

Decorating & DIY Coupons

May 14, 2013 By Brenda

We all love a deal. Money is tight for most everyone these days. So we wait to find coupons, discounts, online deals. Here are a few to get you started on that new decorating or DIY project.