Poison Control for Dogs in the Garden

I live in a dog friendly neighborhood. When one of our canine neighbors goes outdoors, I can hear him woofing softly for everyone else to come out and play. Without fail, at least one other mutt will rise to the challenge and con his owner into letting him out where both dogs will commence to barking like crazy. If there are other dogs in their respective yards, it'll become a barkfest of epic

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Herbs That Help You Sleep

Don't underestimate the value of a good night's sleep. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has just released a pretty alarming article that suggests that over a third of adults get less sleep than they should. Lack of sleep makes people . . . well, stupid. It affects cognitive skills and physical response times. If you don't want to go through life groggy, slow witted and stumble-footed, there

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Sherborne England....Observations

Feeling like I am in a fairy tale, the English countryside is this beautiful.
It's a chilly, damp, early spring with fresh crisp green everywhere, which magically highlights the stone in this ancient village.

Old Sherborne Castle's original owner was Sir Walter Raleigh, damaged by Cromwell's men and later destroyed by Parliament, it's stark beauty is hauntingly surreal

Sir Raleigh built a new home now known as Sherborne Castle. The Digby family currently resides here since their ancestors purchased it in the 1760's. Portions of the castle are open to the public

For a great non-fiction read. The story of Jane Digby;  a woman born to excessive wealth and privilege who abandons everything; her family, wealth and strict social protocol of the era for fearless adventure and a 'scandalous' romance. Her story would shock today's society.

Let's go........
My eyes are drawn to the architecture, the small details of paint colors, the shape of an exterior lamp, ancient building materials, and on and on is where my focus lies.

Most of the in-town structures were constructed from the 1300 to 1600's. If we took away the new window and the gutter, this home would appear as it has for centuries. Even a small sampling of the original roof remains

The patterns, particularly the top ridge, the columns and the high gloss door

A less threatening pattern at the top. Take note of the window mullions, hand cut stone.

Carved stone entrance pediment with columns....centuries old. Love to stand back and imagine all those that passed

I am usually here in late summer when flowers are everywhere. The beauty of this time of year is the rich honey colored stones stark beauty, unadorned, brings the structures to center stage

Love this, lose the single shrub

"The Doors of Sherborne".........could sound like an old book title.........the stories of what lies beyond

PERFECTION! Take a good look at this OIL based paint, it is practically mirror like. In the US the ban on oil based paints has taken off and is official in most states. It's fumes are considered hazardous and a minor pollutant. This makes me crazy; oil paint? What about cigarettes?!
contemplating a smuggling ring.....are you in?

Many doors have the wooden piece at the base to deflect water and I am liking it. Love the glass, it adds light while lending privacy.........."quite clevah" as the British would say

Ever have coffee from a 'French Press?' Forgot how completely easy this is to make and the coffee is rich and creamy, will be pulling mine back out when I get home

A medieval entrance to the main streets of town. Legend has it that the "most despicable of criminals" were hung from this spot. Look at all the yummy architectural details beyond

Door to a school from the 1300's

Charming Tudor with original lead windows. From age, they are a bit crooked but that just adds to it's charm! Love the national save and preserve mentality.

This centerpiece of the market began as a monk's wash center......remember, all and anyone affiliated with the church, had the dough

Notice the carved stone vault ceiling?

Love the story of this stunning building. Built in 1440 and signed off by Henry VIII, it's use today is as originally intended, an 'Almshouse' for the elderly and the poor of town. If selected they will have free care by turning over their few worldly possessions. Currently run by private charities.

Let's go in........I knocked on the entrance door and the head matron, effusively apologetic, asked if i would "be so kind to come with notice and she would be happy to take me around." She wanted to tidy a bit first.........And by and large that gracious and kind demeanor permeates the culture

Stunning isn't it? Look at the tile flooring, red and black squares, yes original and intact

A side entrance. Yes again, an original door AND original (i know i keep saying that...sorry)  hinges and hardware. The wood of the door is one solid board, imagine the size of the tree

Remember the Digby's? No, they do not own this pub. However, they were and are so influential the name appears everywhere.
Note the sign saying "free house?" This means they are not beholden to any one brewery and can sell any beer they choose. Increasingly becoming rare as it is a more costly alternative

Crazy for the framing used on most signage

Classical  sign, 'fish and chips'. Again there is that gorgeous oil based paint. 

Personally great design is about contrasts; in the garden, indoors and outdoors. The gloss of the paint with it's subtle formality is a stark contrast to the rough, age-worn stone. These opposites perfectly compliment each other. Until my smuggling ring is up and running, you can use a high gloss water based paint on doors, sills and shutters.......another benefit? Easy to clean. 

Heading "home" the days are flying by........have a great week..... Cheers!

A very special friend crafts 'one-of-a-pair' lamps from found objects. These are old clock roman numerals turned lamps

contact;  sarah@scentimentalgardens.com

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I won this adorable doll!

And I owe it all to KAREN from:  http://primitiveenglishcottage.blogspot.com/

She also has a selling blog:  http://oldecottageprimitives.blogspot.com/ 
So go on over to both her blogs and visit.

And here’s the wonderful package I found in the mail yesterday – all the way from Kilburn – Derby United Kingdom!
I blocked out my address for reasons we all know – one can’t ever be too safe on the internet.

 
Inside was a sweet note card and my gift was all wrapped in pretty blue tissue paper.

And here’s my adorable Primitive Faceless Doll – she was bigger than I thought when I finally got her. Look at her darling Prim Onsberg dress…so cute!
THANK YOU KAREN – I love it!

 

I want to invite all of you over to my Popular Selling Blog and visit all the wonderful talented artists over there.

In the last few days I added 4 new members. Do you know the membership is up to 88. It was one year February 13th.
Thank you to everyone who has joined and if anyone else out there wants to be listed just let me know – it’s easy – I do all the work and it’s FREE.
http://popularsellingblogs.blogspot.com/

 

Wishing I could say there’s a lot going on here but there isn’t – just waiting for Winter to wrap up so I can feel like getting some Spring things out. While there’s snow on the ground the flowers and such are staying packed away.

 

We have been going to our Wellness Center for well over a month now and I’m loving the Warm Water Pool Exercise classes – it feels so good letting the weightless feel of being in the water wash over you. I feel pretty good after the session is over in my lower back/hips but soon the pain comes back…but for a little while it feels so darned good. We have one of the finest centers in Southeast Wisconsin.

Maybe my next post will have something interesting.
Enjoy the rest of your week.

Karen

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Tomato Garden Tips and Tricks - Take it From the Tomato

A tomato isn't an herb, but I've used more than my fair share of these red juicy globes to flavor and beautify everything from soups to appetizers. If you have an herb garden, chances are that there is going to be a tomato garden on your property this summer too. I won't repeat any basic planting instructions here because you can find them on almost any gardening site. I will offer a few quick

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CSN Giveaway Winner!

Congratulations to Entry #47

Kelly

"I want to organize some books!"

Kelly, I hope you can find some bookends or shelves to help you with your spring project!

I thought that it would be interesting to read what other people had planned for their spring projects...and it was...but I think it backfired!

For every idea I read, it reminded me of all the other things I need to accomplish this spring! Will it motivate me? Or inspire me to crawl into bed with a movie and ignore the world?? Only time will tell, I suppose!

Thanks for playing, everyone!

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Virtual Tour of Jefferson's Monticello

One catalog I forgot to include in my last post is for Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. They sell seeds online and have an interesting site you should take a few minutes to explore: The Jefferson Monticello

I visited Monticello a few years ago. It was overcast and drizzling, but the grounds were still beautiful. The house itself is a must see (especially the conservatory) if you're ever near

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