The simple pleasures of home shine brighter
when the spirit of God intertwines our hearts
with His gentle Joy.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Sunflowers In The Kitchen!

Sometime between Father's Day and the Fourth of July the Sunflower Patch On Crooked Creek is full, lush and ready for an explosion of golden blooms. I have to be the luckiest lady on this side of the Prairie. As soon as the Sunflowers planted by "Mr. Ed" begin to open in all their glory ~ those same golden blooms begin to show their glorious heads on the indoors, as well! 





Sunflowers in the Kitchen. . .

Arriving On Crooked Creek, many of the Country decor items began making a subtle change to a more Traditional flavor. Wanting to create a relaxing and compassionate environment, we chose to go with a French Country decor for the kitchen / dining room.

Let's start in the kitchen, shall we?



In every successful relationship, there must be a sense of balance. Such is true for "Mr. Ed" and I. "Mr. Ed" is quite the character ~ me~ not so much. However; when I spotted this ruffled, three tiered, April Cornell Sunflower apron at our nearby TJ Maxx, I couldn't resist! But ~ when "Mr. Ed" and I go shopping, he becomes Mr. Penny Wise! So ~ instead of placing the apron in the cart ~I put it on! YES, I did!!! Right there ~ in the store~ and pushed my cart over to "Mr. Ed" for his approval. Ladies, the smile on his face. . . priceless!




Linens have always been a weakness of mine. The sensory feeling of fabric gives me inspiration. These Sunflower tea towels were purchased in a Kansas Sampler store during our Kansas City Anniversary trip. I adore the vibrant red hue and the way it brings the same shade from the wallpaper around the room.


The Sunflower salt and pepper shakers were a gift from my Pennsylvania Pen Pal shortly after our arrival On Crooked Creek!




I purchased the matching oil vessel and filled it with dish washing liquid, instead. Appears that I need to refill it now!




Sunflowers in the Dining Room. . .

Atop the hutch hangs my favorite Sunflower print which is surrounded by the addition of a few faux silk Sunflowers.  



 I adore my wicker half~basket at the end of the dining room hutch. Such an interesting French Country design piece to place seasonal gatherings in for display. These faux Sunflowers are almost as lovely as the ones that grow On Crooked Creek. A vision to behold!


The Sunflower  stained glass pane was a gift of Christmas past from our son and daughter ~ in ~law. It hangs in front of the stationary patio door beckoning those Sunflowers from the garden to come indoors.


The olive jar holds silken realistically appearing Sunflowers. For this Summer tablescape, I chose brown scalloped place mats, my European wooden handled rustic flatware, golden pepper dinnerware ~ and my new April CornellSunflower napkins held with wooden brown and red beaded napkin rings. The addition of my huge faux pears will make the transition of the seasons from Summer into Fall.




This adorable Sunflower is hand painted on a piece of slate. A sweet gift from a former co~worker and friend. Memories flow over me each season that I bring it out for display. This year it graces our table. . . reminding me of the numerous lunch periods we shared in conversation and laughter!



While the Summer of 2011, On Crooked Creek, has been sweltering with triple digit temperatures numbering in the excess of 46 days ~ the  Sunflowers still managed to survive. The Sunflowers grown by "Mr. Ed" are now rapidly fading away; however the Sunflower decor will continue to thrive until the onset of Thanksgiving.


Until next time. . .

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Lazy Sunday Afternoon.

What's On The Menu? 7


Lazy Sunday afternoon for me On Crooked Creek. "Mr. Ed" is off to a local horseshoe pitching tournament. . . Maurice is cat napping on the lower level. A perfect combination for a pampering tea time.

Menu:

Fresh Strawberries & Fresh Raspberries
Mixed Berry Yogurt
Strawberry Muffin
Freshly Brewed Raspberry Tea

Morning coffee is black, full bodied, robust brewed ~
                                                 but afternoon is Tea Time On Crooked Creek!


Using my Tea Drop Hot Tea Maker, I begin with a clean tea pot, cold water and 1/8 cup of Lipton's Loose Leaf Tea, divided equally into the basket.



Add 1/8 cup loose leaf Raspberry Tea, divided equally into the basket. Place atop the Lipton Tea.

Apricot Tea, Raspberry Tea and Creme Brulee Coffee.




Finish with 1 teaspoon of sugar to enhance the flavor or the raspberries!




In 3 to 5 minutes, freshly brewed hot Raspberry Tea!



Raspberry Tea served up fresh with a hot from the oven  Strawberry Muffin.


A lazy Sunday afternoon. . .

                                                   On Crooked Creek!




Until next time. . .



http://www.stonegable.blogspot.com/
http://stonegable.blogspot.com/2011/08/on-menu-monday-week-of-august-22-2011.html
On Crooked Creek is joining our gracious hostess, Yvonne StoneGable for On The Menu Monday. Make yourself a cup of tea and join us for all the menu, recipe and tip inspirations!


FYI:

"Mr. Ed" earned Fourth Place in the local horseshoe pitching tournament. Well done!

Shopping The House...

Shopping the house just became much more convenient On Crooked Creek. . . come on over an see this amazing guest room closet make over I've been visualizing for years!!! Still a work~in~progress!


For years, I've been asking "Mr. Ed" to help me do a re~arrange of the guest room closet. I recently worked for an antiques,  home decor and gift shop and made some rather nice purchases with my employee discountHoweverall of those gorgeous decor items were always located on the lower level in plastic tubs. So~o~o. . . whenever I was re~arranging seasonal vignettes, I had to make numerous trips up and down the stairs. Now, I can make a short trip down the hall way and shop the house!!!



Let's begin with the top shelf and work our way down, shall we? Being 5 ft. 2. . . I'm continually climbing on a two~step ladder On Crooked Creek to reach the shelves that most of you have no difficulty accessing. Most of the time I put items in this height range that I will seldom use.

Here's the before of that top shelf. . .



The top shelf containing stuffed bears, seasonal blankets and clothing stored in cardboard boxes. Stacked atop of those boxes were the seasonal pillows that change with the seasons On Crooked Creek.

Now for the top shelf after . . .




Those seasonal pillows and throws are easily within my arm, hand and tip~toe reach! Beyond them on the right are two seasonal clothing boxes stacked one on top of the other.  The box on the left holds vintage  chenille bedspreads. When the time comes for change, I'll call on "Mr.Ed" the resident handyman!

Now it's time for the hanging clothing on the left side of the closet. This is where I hang those items fresh from the laundry until sufficient time for ironing!  Yeah, right. Amazing how all those blouses and shirts fit into the Master Bedroom closet. . .ironed or not!

Before hanging space . . .


Finally, the vision I had of hanging those seasonal runners and tablecloths On Crooked Creek! Does anyone have any idea how wonderful it is to see~at~a~glance and locate the needed items for setting a lovely table? Oh, how marvelous this is!!!

Hanging shelf space after . . .




The hanging clothing on the right side of the closet is my newer seasonal clothing . The plan this next year is to really get through those boxes and donate apparel I no longer wear! In time, those boxes will disappear!

Again, the before . . .


I am now able to organize my Miche purse shells where I can easily access the cover change to co~ordinate with my wardrobe. 

The visionary after . . .



Economically speaking, I didn't spend a dime on the storage solution components for the housing of the home decor items. Some of these were already in this closet. . . the others were brought in, empty, from the Master Bedroom closet! My only cost was the man (and woman) power to lug them from one room to the next! Ladies, that "Mr. Ed" is a keeper!!!

Empty storage components. . .





Configuring all the components, basically trial~and~error, until we achieved the necessary proper arrangement to store the home decor accessories.  The flow of the shelves allows me to get a treasured Garden at Vetheuil 1881 Claude Monet print up off the floor and onto the wall until needed!!!

Filled component storage. . .


 








The bottom, or floor space, of the closet was filled with extra chandelier and lamp shades, a lonely lamp, my MoMa's cedar chest and seasonal shoe storage boxes.

Floor before. . .






The patio chair cushions have already been packed away due to our continued triple digit heat. The yoga mat is ready for quick  availability with the upcoming Fall session!

Floor after . . .





Years in the thought process. One afternoon of re~arranging. Seeing this when you open the double bi~fold doors of the guest room closet. A vision come to view!



Shopping the House. . .On Crooked Creek!


Until next time. . .

Monday, August 15, 2011

Sunflowers In The Entry!

I live in Kansas.
I was born in Kansas.
I was reared in Kansas.
I was wed in Kansas.
. . . and when I die. . . please Lord, let it too, be in Kansas.


My favorite flower ~ is the Sunflower.
                                  Kansas State Flower.



Each year, On Crooked Creek, as soon as the stalks in "Mr. Ed's" Sunflower Patch begin to head ~ Sunflowers emerge profoundly throughout our Ranch Style home decor.


 A large faux Sunflower swag adorns the top of  the vintage hat rack as you enter On Crooked Creek. I commissioned a local artist in South East Kansas to paint Sunflowers on the mirror gifted to me by a dear friend.


I adore the rustic charm of the berries, burnished leaves and the curly twigs intermingled with the brown, gold and olive green hued ribbon.


This whimsical pair of wooden pedestal Sunflowers don rustic tin heads and raffia bows. The Mayer China EST. 1881 restaurant bowl makes an unusual accessory to hold a ring of vintage keys.



This windmill oil painting repeating the Sunflower swag hues is very dear to "Mr. Ed" and I. The artist is the mother of one of "Mr.Ed's" classmates. Signed F  McQuitty.( the F faces to the left ~ not the right as the font here shows.)



This simple, ruffled, linen table runner was made by April Turner of The Added Touch. April is the daughter of Debbie Futhey @ Memories of Home. One of my favorite local unique home decor shops.


All throughout the  month of  August I'll be highlighting the Sunflowers indoors ~ and ~ outdoors On Crooked Creek. The Sunflowers on the sidebar are those grown in our Sunflower Patch by the Master Gardener, "Mr. Ed". You can view this season's bountiful Sunflowers in Welcome to Our Patch http://oncrookedcreekct.blogspot.com/2011/07/welcome-to-our-patch.html.

Kansas
       Sunflowers
                 On Crooked Creek. . . life is good!


Until next time. . .



On Crooked Creek is joining our dear hostess Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Table Top Tuesday!Inspiration abounds throughout blog land and some of the best talents will be showcased @ Marty's.