Additional Blog Location

Hi Guys,

In addition to this blogspot, I will be putting my decorating tips...all that I love and all that I am...on my Pinterest Boards: www.pinterest.com. I have a vast array of places, spaces, foods, animals...everything that I love at my fingertips there.

Please ask me for an invitation at: BasiaAnn@aol.com

Pinterest is FREE.

Any questions and comments can be sent to me at the above email address.

Please check it out. You may even want to start your own Pinning.

That's my tip for today.

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Let Your Walls Tell a Story

My Mother's Antique Mirror

Hi Guys,

When you go looking for something to hang on your walls, look for something that has meaning to you, tells a story, or evokes a special memory.

This is a crewel embroidery picture I spent months making.

I have crewel and cross stitch pictures that my relatives and I have made and framed over the years.

When my son was in high school, he painted a beautiful water color picture. I can still remember him working on it. I hung it above the bed in the guest room so our guests can admire it.

This is the beautiful water color painted my son made in high school.

An antique mirror hangs in the front hall. I remember that mirror from my childhood. Mom had it in her house in Iowa, and it moved out here with her. When she passed away, it became mine.

My sons and husband are all wonderful photographers. I loved so many of their photos that I had to put up photo shelves to hold them all. I change them out often so I have different ones to admire. Each one has a special meaning to me.

My son took this picture of an old abandoned house.

I will try to relate their stories in their captions.

This is the path to the right of the above house.

My son photographed this dragon fly, then made some origami dragonflies to hang next to it.

When decorating your walls, try to choose something that tells a story. Buy a shadow box if you want to display baby clothes or shoes, or special items that you have collected and have sentimental value. Frame photographs or needle work. Hang quilts. Whatever it is, it should be something that makes you smile.

That's my tip for today.              

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A photo that my husband took of our instruments.

My husband and I made several CD's over the past few years. We framed the covers and hung them in the music room.

Small family photos displayed on a sofa table in our living room

Flowers Blooming Around My House

Geraniums and Vinca Vine

Hi Guys,

Lilli

It's been a while since I last talked to you. We have a new member of the family. She is a Papillon/Chihuahua mix, and her name is Lilli. She is almost three months old and won't get any larger than four pounds. Gracie and Zippy are warming up to her, but she keeps everybody hopping.

Black and White Throw Pillow

I purchased some new throw pillows this summer for my family room. They are very contemporary black and white striped which fits in perfectly with the gray walls and red sofa.

Orange Day Lilies

Pansies on the Tea Cart

Double Day Lily

Echinacea

Our garden is in full bloom. I've included pictures of the hostas, lilies, pansies, geraniums, and honeysuckle that are in bloom. I am so fortunate to have a large yard and plenty of help with my plantings from my son and husband.

Lilies and Hostas in the Shade Garden

Variegated Hosta in Shade Garden 

Mandevilla on the Deck

Back yard lilies in the Morning Sun

Black Eyed Susans

Honeysuckle 

Day Lilies

Please enjoy the photos and maybe you will get some ideas for plantings in your own yard.

That's my tip for today.

Lily Garden

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Keeping Organized

My Closet

Hi Guys,

I ordered some new summer tops and when they arrived today, I realized I didn't have any hangers to hang them on. I completely forgot about my rule...when I buy something new, something old has to go to a charity. So today I am going to clean out my closets and my drawers to make room for my new things. Following this rule gives deserving people gently used clothing and shoes, plus provides much needed hangers for my new purchases.

This rule not only applies to clothing and shoes, but to furniture. If your home seems crammed full of furniture, perhaps you can donate a chair, table, sofa, or anything that is just sitting there that no one uses anymore. There are a lot of organizations that will take your gently used clothing and furniture--some even have a home pick-up service.

If you feel like you want to sell your things instead of donating them, have a garage sale, try to sell them on Ebay, or put an ad in your local paper.

Whether you decide to donate or sell your items, get them out of your house and keep it organized--Don't be a pack-rat!

Two Full Drawers

Well, I'd better get started clearing out my closets and drawers.

That's my tip for today.

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Bring the Outside In

Rhodendrons in Margarita Glasses

Mandevilla in Wine Glass

Hi Guys,

As part of spring decorating, I like to bring some of the spring flowers blooming in my yard into the house. I don't worry about using traditional vases. Although traditional vases are  perfectly appropriate and beautiful, I like to use other glass objects and containers to hold my spring blooms.

Flower Sndaes

I used handblown Margarita glasses to hold purple and white Rhododendrons. They look like raspberry and vanilla sundaes.

A wine glass served as the vase for two Mandevilla blossoms.

I used an actual sundae glass to hold one Zinnia. The color looks like peach sorbet.

Zinnia in a Sundae Glass

Finally, I used a juice glass to hold a Peony and some little white flowers.

I put them all down the center of my kitchen table. It makes a lovely centerpiece and is so simple to do.

These are just a few examples of bringing the outside in.

Peony in Juice Glass

Go out into your yard and see what you can find that is in bloom. Use your imagination and find something interesting to use as your "vase."

If you can't find anything in your own yard, perhaps a neighbor will give you permission to cut one of their flowers. It only takes one to make a big impact.

That's my tip for today.

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Simple Centerpiece

Decorating for Spring

Mantle in Family Room

Hi Guys,

It's been a long, cold winter here in New England. The weather is supposed to be getting better next week, so I finally got into the mood to start decorating for spring.

Empty Bowl on Coffee Table

The first thing I did was put away all my pine cone arrangements until next winter. I emptied the bowls and trays and will soon remove the pine cones from my flower arrangements. I left the bowls and trays empty. I like the minimalist look in the spring and summer. It makes the rooms seem cooler and more airy.

If you have heavy draperies, you may want to switch them out for sheers during the spring and summer seasons. The same goes for your bedding. If you have a dark, heavy comforter, you will want to change it to a lighter one.

Dark rugs can be rolled up and stored. Replace them with something light like a Sisal, or just leave your floors bare.

I removed the hurricane candles from the mantle in the family room. I plan to make some springy pillows for the sofa in the family room and the living room.

Pictures of Ocean

I changed the pictures in the hallway. I framed and arranged four pictures of the ocean that were taken the last time we were in Maine.

I changed the flower arrangement in the front entry from Orchids to Irises. I put away the glass pine trees and deer and replaced them with crystal birds, a bud vase, and some clay apples and pear that my son made when he was a child.

I brought out my brass bunnies and put two on one of the end tables in the living room.

Irises in the Entry

I bought some Mandevilla plants for the deck and pansies for the front porch and birdbath.
I hung a basket of Impatiens by the front door.

Pansies in Birdbath

Mandevilla and Pansies on Deck

Impatiens on Front Porch

These are easy changes that can really lighten up your home for the coming months. Try to do at least one or two of the things I suggested. Embrace the spring season. It is so beautiful.

That's my tip for today.

Pansies on the Front Porch

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Looking for Signs of Spring Part 2

Pansies on our Picnic Table

Hi Guys,

Rhododendron Bush

Blue Violets

Well, it's been a while since I went out looking for signs of spring. Last night my husband, dogs, and I walked around our neighborhood, and we found an abundance of beauty.

Magnolia Tree

Tulips

We saw trees, bushes, tulips, daffodils, violets, and many other spring flowers in full bloom. I am thankful that we did not have the damaging weather in the Northeast that they had in the South. My heart goes out to all those who have been affected by the floods and tornadoes, and I hope their recovery will be swift.

Pink Rose Bush

Apple Trees

Perhaps those of you who have not yet experienced spring will derive a moment of joy from my photos. It's hard to believe that just four months ago we had 79 inches of snow covering the landscape. Just look at it now!

Today's tip isn't about decorating, but about experiencing the beauty of Mother Nature. Take some time to walk around your neighborhood and look for the beauty that surrounds your little piece of the planet.

Forsythia Bushes

Daffodils

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Magnolia Flowers

Azalea Bushes

Andromeda Bush