jonesing for spring

February 16, 2016

The below zero temperatures here in Connecticut have caused me to have many day dreams about spring!

I thought things might start looking a little like spring at Terrain (one of my fave stores) and, on a recent visit, I was not disappointed. The winter displays are starting to be replaced with some touches of the next season. Taking a little time to visit the store with a friend is not only inspiring, but a great way to forget about the winter blahs – if only for a short time!

Here are some favorite things from my visit! Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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in the pink

October 16, 2015

For Friday field trip today, I am sharing a sweet little pink pumpkin arrangement. You know I love putting flowers or plants in pumpkins! Aren’t these cute for each place setting at a breast cancer charity event?

I used little baby boo pumpkins – you know, the little white ones? I started by painting each pink. I just used regular flat, latex house paint. After they were dry, I cut the tops off and cleaned the inside. I used a little soaked floral foam inside each pumpkin and stuck my pink zinnas in it.

Simple and adorable!

Try other colors based on the theme of your event or the decor in your home. Or, maybe make some in fall colors for your Thanksgiving table!

I hope I have inspired you to create a little pumpkin arrangement of your own!

Have a wonderful weekend! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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celebrate fall with flowers in a pumpkin

September 25, 2015

It has been somewhat of a tradition for me to use the end of the season flowers from my garden for a flower display in a pumpkin. Each year, once fall arrives, I use the few flowers left in my garden to create an arrangement in a white pumpkin.

I guess it is my way of admitting it is, in fact, fall! Usually, the only blooms left in my garden are a few burgundy mums – planted to match the color of my front door – in the front yard and a few small white accent flowers in a couple of my potted arrangements.

This year I used a mini pumpkin for my arrangement since there are so few flowers left! I just hollowed out a mini boo and added an old flower frog for the flowers. If you create one, just remember that pumpkins are not always water tight. It is a good idea to trim a disposable plastic cup to line the inside of the pumpkin as a safe guard, before adding any water. The flowers can be added directly in the plastic cup or, some flower foam can be added and saturated inside the cup first.

An easy and fun way to celebrate the start of the new season!

Thanks for stopping by for Friday field trip!

Have a fabulous weekend! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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summer sculpture showcase

September 4, 2015

Today we are visiting a sculpture garden in the historic district of Old Lyme, Connecticut. Sculptures placed over the 4.5 acres of property of artist Gilbert Boro make up the Summer Sculpture Showcase available for viewing by the public.

Over 90 large-scale, abstract sculptural works, inspired by nature and created by a number of artists – including Boro – make up the showcase, located adjacent to the Lyme Academy of Fine Art.

I was lucky enough to meet Boro, his private residence located amid the landscaped garden, on the afternoon I took a leisurely stroll through the exhibit. Speaking with him, it was clear art was his passion.

There is certainly something for everyone in the garden –an interesting assortment of sculpture created in a number of different styles and materials.

Easily accessible off Exit 70 of Interstate 95, the Showcase is a great summer stop. It is open to the public without charge from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, through September 13th.

I hope you enjoyed today’s Friday field trip.

Have a wonderful holiday weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

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diy garden wrapping paper

August 18, 2015

I very often create my own wrapping paper; particularly when I have a vision of something specific in my mind. This was the case with the tomato wrapping paper I made recently for a thank you gift I was giving a friend.

The gift was a book on heirloom tomatoes and I had a vision of a graphic of a tomato on brown paper. I knew I needed to make it! I decided on a classic potato print and set to work. I cut a couple notches into one half of a potato – that would be the main part of the tomato. I used the other half of the potato to make some greens for the top. Simple!

I printed it in two parts. First, the red in a random pattern on brown paper large enough to accommodate the book I was wrapping. After that was dry, I printed the second part – the green. Great! Exactly what I had hoped for! And, I would add tie it up with some natural raffia for my final touch!

I hope I have inspired you to create some fun wrapping paper this summer! ;)

Thanks for stopping by! Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Sand & Sisal.

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diy nautical flag garden stones

August 11, 2015

I think we have all painted garden stones in our day. If not, you should have! They are so fun to make and look so cute in the garden or as a paperweight. Today, I am showing you how to create some stones for your garden that have more of a ‘beach’ vibe than the typically decorated stones – a batch of nautical plant markers boasting the shapes of signal flags!

They are so simple, yet so fun to make! The only thing you will need to make up some of these marine inspired cuties are some paint markers and some smooth stones! I used Sharpie brand medium point oil based paint markers. I love these markers because they totally eliminate the mess of paint and brushes but create the same result. And, the best part is that they come in a set that contains the exact colors needed for nautical flags! They should call it ‘signal flag set’ or ‘nautical color set.’ Thanks for that Sharpie!

These flags are used internationally as signals for ships at sea. Each flag represents a letter.

Stones painted with nautical flags also make great table markers at a beach wedding or a really nice addition to a gift of potted sea grass or beach roses. Make up the recipients initials in signal flags and add them to the potted plant!

I am sure you have said to yourself by now “This is a super activity for kids.” It sure is! Not only can children learn some basic seamanship with this craft, but it is pretty easy to incorporate a math lesson as well!

Another fun idea for the kids, is to have them make up some nautical ‘x’s’ and ‘o’s’ with some small rocks; using them for a game of tic-tac-toe in the sand! Fun!

I hope I have inspired you to make some nautical flag stones for your own garden or as a way to add some ‘beachyness’ to your décor…make up the name of your boat or the name of your favorite beach! Have fun with it!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Sand & Sisal and Coastal Charm.

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antique chair in the garden

August 7, 2015

My furniture redos can usually be placed in the coastal decor category, don’t you think? I love anything beachy and my furniture creations usually reflect my taste. Well, today I am taking a little departure from the beach inspired look and going with more of an antique vibe.

The reason for this departure is that I found an old, antique child’s chair and I wanted to keep it true to form.Because the seat was in perfect shape, I started by cleaning it up and leaving it in tact. Next, I did a few repairs. Then, I began to paint the piece pink, thinking I would create something for a child’s room. After thinking about it for a while, I decided the chair was much better suited to be a garden ornament. Wouldn’t it look great holding some potted plants? So, I changed my direction and decided to paint it a dark neutral to play as a backdrop for some pretty garden flowers.

I chose Annie Sloan Graphite for the chair and painted it in two coats. I did some light distressing and then added a coat of Annie Sloan Dark Wax.

I happened to be visiting my friend Phyllis (you know Phyllis, the one with the ‘park’ yard?) and she ‘styled’ it using some of her plants so I could get some ‘after’ photos. (I plan on giving the chair to a friend who also has a gorgeous yard – maybe she will let me take a photo when it settles into its new home!)

Thanks for joining me on Friday field trip to check out my antique chair find. Have a marvelous weekend!

Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with French Country Cottage.

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dusk in the garden

July 10, 2015

At the beach or in the garden, the light at dusk is my favorite light of the day.

I am enjoying the opportunity to explore a yard I haven’t seen before at this glorious time of day.

And, today for Friday field trip, I am sharing my visit with you.

Many would have found the challenge of creating a pleasing landscape in a sloping yard with plenty of trees and ledge as too much to handle.

That is not the case with the owners of this yard! If the abundance of shade presented a challenge, it is not evident to anyone who visits this beautiful and imaginative space.

The details are lovely and there are plenty of unique features.

I think one of my favorite aspects of the garden spaces is that where many may have used white, (on a pair of Adirondack chairs, planters, garden shelves, fence) this couple chose to use black as a ‘go-to’ color. The use of the darker color brings a sense of richness to the design.

I hope you have enjoyed a few glimpses of this lovely space today on Friday field trip. Thanks for stopping by.

Have a wonderful weekend and remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Nancherrow, The Shabby Nest, French Country Cottage, and Craftberry Bush.

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baby robins are born

June 23, 2015

How was your Father’s Day weekend? As I suspect it is for most gals that have lost their dads, Father’s Day is kind of sad for me. When my children were small, I was wonderfully distracted by helping them with festivities to celebrate their dad. As they get older; not so much.

This year, I had a wonderful distraction. Over the past weekend, I was able to watch a new dad take care of his two babies! The dad I am referring to is a father robin and he has been caring for his two little newborn birds in a nearby primrose bush!

The little newborns are so cute – in an ugly sort of way, of course. I will have another 10 days or so before they leave the nest and I am enjoying the show! Both parents are frantically back and forth to the nest, feeding the little tikes.

When the parents are away from the nest, the babies stay very still and look like they are hiding. Instinctively, I think they must stay still for protection. As soon as the parents come close, the little ones have their mouths wide open and are ready to accept the next morsel!

You may have seen the Instagram video (click here and click follow to see Instagram postings) I posted a couple of days ago with the actual birth – it took the little babies a good part of the day to peck through the shells. When they were done, the father cleared the broken shell pieces out of the nest. (Dad on clean up? Doesn’t really translate to most human families lol!)

Because of the position of the nest, I have had a really easy time viewing the process…the best of any other year. I sneak peeks occasionally, when the parents are off on their food quests. The next milestone for me will be to see the babies open their eyes – this should happen in a day or two!

I hope you enjoyed seeing this year’s Father’s Day tribute. ;)

Thanks for stopping by. Remember to take pleasure in simple things, Jackie

Sharing with Sand & Sisal, Coastal Charm, and Elizabeth & Co.

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country living magazine fair 2015

June 9, 2015

I am so lucky. I get the chance to attend the best fair ever! The Country Living Magazine Fair is held in four spots across the U.S. each year and one of the locations is the Northeast!

The Dutchess County Fairgrounds are located in Rhinebeck, New York and each year, for three days in the beginning of June, it is host to the Country Living Magazine Fair.

The Rhinebeck countryside pleasure in simple things blog

Driving through the Rhinebeck, NY countryside.

This venue is amazing. Think lush, green grass and beautiful landscaping – with views of rolling hills. Think real, (not portable) nicely maintained restrooms. Think great food. (maybe a delicious chicken lemongrass salad for lunch?) Think free parking. Yes, it is amazing.

The Fair provides tons of great inspiration and shopping, seminars and demonstrations, and a chance to meet the magazine’s editors as well as some fun celebrities.

So, as I attempt to settle down from my busy weekend exploring the Country Living Fair and the community of Rhinebeck with friends, I am sharing some of my weekend inspiration with you.

I hope you enjoy these few photos from my weekend. You can also find some additional photos on Facebook by clicking here or on Instagram by clicking here.