Fall fun in Vermont!

I just got home from a fabulous girlfriend trip to Vermont and beyond (beyond will be another post). 

I went with Teri and Sue, sister-friends since grade and high school. We stayed in a camp
on Lake Dunmore. I Learned from November's Country Living magazine (page 52)
 that location generally dictates what a 2nd home dwelling is called.
In New England and the Adirondacks, it is a camp. In the West,
South and Midwest, it is called a cabin  and along the coast
 or Great Lakes, it is a cottage (who knew). 

The best part of Vermont is most all the roads are just two lane and they have very few freeway

type roads. Also, we were told, no billboards! Around every bend, it looks just like the
postcards you've seen, Sometimes it is green, sometimes the colors of fall or winter bare.

This video shows some of what we saw. We arrived on Sept 29 and didn't see the leaves we were hoping for but by the end of our visit Oct 7, the colors were gorgeous. Sorry the pics do 
not do  them justice. The dialog is weak too but enjoy the view.

We visited too many small towns to mention but several displayed these darling
"leaf people", especially Brandon, VT, a darling town, south of our Lake.

 A few other sites in Brandon. We had a fabulous lunch at this French cafe and enjoyed
the shops. Met a few fabulous artists.




Here are the three of us in a leaf peeping selfie groupie). Melin, Teri and Sue, besties forever!

 
The farther North and the deeper into the mountains we went, the prettier the colors, especially in Stowe! The
hillsides look like a fall patchwork quilt.

  A few of the sites in Stowe. We arrived late in the day but the colors did not disappoint. They were breathtaking! 

 This is our beautiful Lake Dunmore!

As we said goodbye to Vermont, we had to make one more stop at this darling country store
who had the best homemade fudge with salted caramel and they ship!

 All photos are taken with my iPhone. If you want a fun fall vacation, consider
visiting Vermont. We are so glad we did.
Melin

Susan Branch at Apple Farm

I flew to Los Angeles this spring to spend a glorious week with my 

bestie,  assistant WE buyer-promoter-slave and sister, Linda Howard. 

We spent some time catching up,seeing my extended family, the beach,

 etc, then set out on a girlfriend's adventure to SOL. 

I had really only been through  San Luis Obispo and never stayed.

Our drive up the coast was fun. We stopped and explored (SHOPPED)

 in Arroyo Grande, a small town we both love. We could hardly wait 

to get to the Apple Farm Inn, so we didn't stay long.

I LOVED everything about the Inn, especially the flowers! I tried to do

 what the sign says. I am a rule follower, for the most part. 

The Inn is charming and the staff could not have been more welcoming and fun. 

They greeted us with wine and cookies and more.  Our room was close 

to the reception area...convenient!

They have a wonderful gift shop (more shopping) and tables with decor

 set  up all over the Inn for purchase, plus it was so springy!

The exciting person that brought us here is our beloved Susan Branch!

We could hardly wait to see her, hear her, be near her and talk to her. 

I know it sounds like we could be stalkers but we admire her  work and have all her

  books and just know she loves us as much as we love her (she really does)!

Once we checked in and received our wrist bands, we were invited 

to enjoy delicious treats and lemonade. It was very classy!

We met many like minded women, who are lovers of all things SB (like us).

We chatted and met others who saw her with us in Pasadena too.

It wasn't long before there she was in all her cuteness!

Don't you just love her outfit! 

Linda is just to the left of her left hand in this pic.

She is a true GIRLFRIEND (just like her book) and seemed as excited to

see us as we were to see her. She spoke for a bit then

opened it up for questions from us...FUN!

Here are the three of us in the traditional girlfriend signing pose.

She is so very generous and spends some quality time with each and 

every one of us. Susan is signing a very special Christmas print

of hers that Linda was generous to gift me. I will display it 

every Christmas to remind me of my two dear friends.

She signed our books too in her loving hand.

It was a magical trip from the start to the very end. We antiqued along 

our way home. Ate at many of my favorite restaurants too.

How blessed am I to have these two incredible 

woman that I call FRIEND?

The pictures were taken by me with my iPhone, and the husband's 

of Susan Branch (Joe) & Laura Lindsay.

Wishing you a spring adventure or two!

Melin

xoxo

Valentine's Day Party ~ Make Your Own Pizza

Happy Valentine's Day!

I celebrated Valentine's Day with four great friends for lunch today.

We had a make your own pizza lunch. Everyone brought a few toppings to share

and I had www.traderjoes.com pizza dough and many cheeses.

 I used my pink dishes (http://www.justglass.com/documents/articles/inhouse/arcoroc.html) 

that I have been collecting, why not? See some of the bowl of toppings here. 

This is Charlene, isn't she cute?

We got quite creative and Benecia the veggie lover did fine!

So did Pat... a yummy pizza! I made mine with dried fig and gorgonzola.

Jbo (Jennifer) came up with a nice refreshing cocktail on the fly...Cava, cranberry juice

and an orange slice. It was deliciously perfect with the pizza! 

B and I tasting our fabulous creations with layers and layers of goodness.

Charlene and Jbo pose with their pizzas and drink.

Pat made us a trifle with angel food cake and berries...heavenly light!

Doesn't she show off the dishes like a cute pro?

We had a sweet bar for tasting and for taking home to share. You could put

 treats in a small plastic heart or in a wee bag. We had a few retro 

candies from our childhoods...red hots and convo hearts!

Our table was set with a mix of pinks, reds and white!

I have to show my french hutch dressed up for Valentine's Day!

The girls helped clean up, so it was easy, start to finish and I have

hung up my cheery cherry apron for today.

Wishing you lots of love, today and every day.

Melin

xoxo

New Antique Hutch

I spent this past weekend painting the inside of this French antique hutch

WE bought from a designer friend, shout out to Shelley McGinity

 of Kiski Design & Construction, Inc.

I am not a painter at all but it felt good to accomplish this easy task. 

It took many coats of Antique White to cover the Sky Blue!

My big reward came today, when I got to add a few pieces of collections, 

family favorites and a few touches of fall.

I started with Granny's Hall Jewel Tea Autumn Leaf mix. I love this because

Granny had it although I don't think any of this was actually her's.

I thrifted this gorgeous hand painted fall plate and the love the old 

Hallmark Thanksgiving turkey S&P, even if they are plastic.

This turkey platter was my Mommy's from the 50's. We ate every Thanksgiving turkey

off this platter. I am so grateful to have used this platter for my

family, as well, and it will go to my older daughter.  

So that is what I have been up to for fun! 

Please share you recent projects with us for inspiration.

Wishing you and yours a blessed

Thanksgiving.

Melin

xoxo

Finally Fall

I know it is just October but it has been so warm that I thought fall would never come to

 our mountains. It is here now in all it's glory. I have not been taking pics of the trees but

I thought I would share a few of my fall decor.

I used a tin from my web store (sorry, it is sold out for this year already) for my base. 

The faux sunflowers, leaves and gourds are from Hobby Lobby. 

Are you as glad as I am that sunflowers are back in vogue? 

My squirrels are vintage finds. My mom had some like these when I was growing up. 

Am I the only one buying back their childhood memories? 

The birdies are still available at Wren Elizabeth Gifts. You can find them here http://www.wrenelizabethgifts.com/item_1753/Small-Birds.htm.

The best place I have found for pumpkins this season are at Trader Joe's! I bought the gnarly green one above and the pretty Cinderella below for only $5.99 each! These are big and make great front porch decorations. While you are there, pick up a couple of bunches of sunflowers for $3.99 a bunch.

I love to mix faux, dried and real finds, especially in the fall. Don't you just love

 the colors of Indian corn?

We went to this pumpkin patch with our local kids and had a ball.

I have never seen a pile of pumpkins this big.

Happy fall!

Melin

xoxo

Lovely Lilacs

Here in my mountain town, it is lilac time! WE have more blooms this year than ever

 thanks to an abundance of snow and rain WE received.  

They are so prolific, just walking near the bushes is a treat for the senses...scent and colors 

delight. What a gift from Mother Nature! All WE have to do is cut off the 

pretty flowers. I brought in handfuls this morning and had fun selecting containers of all sorts.

I love to use my milk glass collection whenever possible and it adds a feminine touch with the ruffles.

For a more modern touch, use a piece of mercury glass. My little pixie is fun (and a bit naughty).

Tin containers add a simple country look. They are especially fun in a kitchen. Set one near your sink, so you can enjoy the scent while you work. The candle is here when the blooms fade.

 I just love this look! I bought a few different flower cup and saucers at a yard sale for tea

 parties with our grand-angels. Perfect for a flower display as well. 

Our newest birdie and nest is sweeter with lilacs.

What container would you choose from your own collections for yard flowers?

Do you say li-lack or li-lock? I love li-lacks!

Melin

xoxo