A weekend getaway

This past weekend we went to one of my favorite spots on the planet, Lake Barkley. About 3.5 hours down the Western Kentucky Parkway you'll find an outdoor paradise. The general area is known as Land Between the Lakes, which is comprised of two lakes - Lake Barkley which is 57,920 acres and Kentucky Lake which boasts the longest shore line of any man made lake in the world. The 170,000 acre area in between the lakes is managed by the USDA and offers tons of outdoor activities. You can read more about the area here.We went so the boys (husband and son) could ride dirt bikes on the 100 miles of trails at Turkey Bay.

It was pretty grey and gloomy and managed to rain every day we were there, but I didn't care. I come to relax and read and I can do that with or without sun.

These are shots from the balcony of our room at the lodge. You'll notice here the lake is at low stage for the winter.

Here's what the rooms look like inside (photo from ky.gov).

We could see the Marina from our room. All the houseboats are tucked away for winter time.

Today I'm joining Outdoor Wednesday. I'll post more about our trip through out the week.

Red Treasure

This is a photo of the area that divides our tv room and kitchen. When we first moved to this house I didn't really have an idea of what I wanted to display here as the shelves are rather narrow, but the longer we are here the more it's becoming a nook of history.

The vase on the top shelf is from my mother and father in law which was purchased on a recent trip to China. The vase on the bottom shelf is from Japan purchased during my Uncle's trip there during his tour while in the Navy. The wooden clock was my maternal Grandmothers and the anniversary clock was a gift from my sister.

My newest addition is this water carafe from my Aunt Helen. Here's a description from her email below.

"It is an antique water carafe that is not often seen anymore in antique shops. In their day, they were used to place water on a bedside table for a guest to have water at night or for a sick family member for use as a water supply or for use in taking medications. This one is a rather "dressed up" one and I hope you enjoy it. I am not sure of the date it was made, but it has been in my possession for 33 years and it was an antique when I bought it at a little antique shop in Washington, Kentucky, close to Mayesville in the same area as the ladies desk I gave your Dad.

By way of information, Washington and Mayesville were the earliest settlements in that area of Kentucky, located on a trail that led from the Ohio River into the Blue Licks country. Early settlers disembarked there from river boats on which they had come down the Ohio from Pittsburg and points east to settle in Kentucky.

Where your carafe fits into the date line of antiquity I have no idea, but you might find it in one of the books on antique glassware. "

I can never out describe my Aunt Helen. She is a treasure trove of history and a gem. I am sure if born 50 years later, she would be a blogger too.

Today I'm joining Ruby Tuesday and Tabletop Tuesday. Please take a look at the other great posts there too!

Shades of Spring

Sometimes we think of Spring in only colors of pastels, bright pinks and greens and maybe nautical flavors of navy, red and gold. For this display, I used a more mild side of spring with muted shades of ivory, browns and blues. Then I punched it up with a cute red & white accent.

I love these bird salt and pepper shakers.

This layer of cream and bamboo plate, with light blue salad plate and a bird nest for accent is accompanied by a Victorian Easter chocolate bar.

Here you see a long shot of the table. I added a red and white napkin under the blue plate to punch it up and then I added red and white ribbon onto the blue note cards. I really like the combination of the blue, brown and red and hope you'll think of mixing up your spring colors too!

Booth Updates

You may have noticed in my post on Monday that I changed around the china cabinet for Easter.

I love these bunny sucker covers - what a way to dress up your lollipop!

I really like the way it turned out with all the yellow, orange and pastel colors. Do you have your Easter decor out at home yet?

Spring May Make Here After All!

Friday after work I came home to sunny skies and a balmy 53 degrees. Squelching the urge to throw on shorts and a tee shirt, I did head outside in the yard with my camera and a few friends to see if these warm temps were reflected in any of my bulbs.

I had luck discovering the daffodils peeking out around the main stairs to our front door.

And next to my urns there were some signs of spring.

Under the coverage of a tulip poplar there were some big shoots of life emerging from the moss.

Finally around back under leaves some more daffodils were found.Here is a picture of my helper this Friday evening. She's gotten so big!
Her interest in nature subsided when the cat joined us on the photoshoot!

You can see from the bottom right of this photo, our old Lab Thunder mostly stays by my side these days.

He has no interest in the puppy or the cat.
A few more photos of Miss Madison discovering she cannot get down off the rock creek wall that lines our driveway.

Yes, I think we are all ready for spring.

Today I am joining Susan over at Between Naps on the Porch

for another Met Monday.

More Entry Ideas

Following Monday's post of my entry makeover, I thought you might enjoy some more photos of entry way ideas for your home. While some of these accessories may not be practical for the everyday home, I know my savvy blogger friends can adapt what you already have around your lovely abode to modify the idea. All photos were from TraditionalHome.com.

Spring Foyer

A return to blog land which has been long over due! I have been enjoying everyone else's blog posts these past weeks while making some changes to our home and adding new inventory for spring at the booth. I have a lot of new ideas, projects and pretties to share in the upcoming weeks. For now a few thoughts about the hallway, entryway or foyer.

Wikipedia defines an entryway as "a hall that is generally located at the front entrance of a house. An entryway often has a coat closet, and usually has linoleum or tile flooring rather than carpet, making it an easy-to-clean transition space between the outdoor and indoor areas."

And foyer as "foyer in a house is usually a small entry area or room by the front door. Other public rooms such as the living room, dining room, and family room typically attach to it, along with any main stairway. It was initially intended as an "airlock", separating the fireplace-heated rooms from the (colder, in winter) front entrance, where cold air infiltration made for cold drafts and low temperatures. It is commonly used for outer garment and umbrella storage for both residents and guests."

Seems like the same thing to me. Most of the time we call it our front hallway.

Whether you call it an entry way, foyer, or hall, mine had been one bare naked lady since the Christmas decor was packed away. Since we are all desperate for spring, I decided to pull out a few pieces to perk up this spot for the next few weeks till I can display the Easter items.

This white hobnail cake stand was given to me as a Christmas gift many years ago by my younger sister and is one of my favorite pieces.

A closer shot of the blue vases. I like the blue and white with the forsythia yellow against the yellow walls of the foyer.

I'm participating in Susan's Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch.