Travel anywhere, everywhere . . . . . . . . .

As of May this year I have visited 40 of the 195 countries in the world on six continents.
 This of course means I have a lot more to visit if the opportunity ever arrives!

Antarctica, the seventh continent, is not owned by any country and, as
most of you know, I have traveled to that distant outpost also.
So, 40 countries and all seven continents has involved a lot of travel,
much of it during the past 10 years.

It has not always been easy going - adventure and expedition travel should
 probably be done early in life when the body is in peak condition - but it has
 been rewarding, a lot of fun, and more than educational in so many ways.
  I'm always encouraging young people to travel and see this amazing world 
while they are in their prime. Sadly, the way life is planned for most of us, 
spare time and money are not always available to the young for that type
 of travel. When I see their eyes light up as I expound on places where I've
 ventured, such as Africa, Western Australia, sub-Antarctic Islands of New
 Zealand, and Antarctica, I tell them to be patient in their youth. . . . . . . start 
making plans, save money in a separate travel account, hold on to their
 dreams of seeing the world, but don't leave it too late! 
Their world map may be blank right now. . . . . . . . . . 

. . . . . . . . . . but it will be waiting for them to mark the countries and continents

 they visit, and they should go as soon as they can. 

I'll be traveling in the coming days - not on an expedition or overseas adventure - just
  a short domestic trip this time. 

Hoping for a lot of fun whilst celebrating our granddaughter Jasmin's 21st Birthday

 in one of America's favorite cities. . . . . . . . think great jazz, breakfast beignets, 

trolley cars, antiques, riverboats, humidity, unusual cemeteries, and even voodoo!!!
I know you'll guess this destination easily.

Hope to have some good photos to share with you later.

Adding a little color to life ~ my living room makeover. . . . . . . .

Confession time again!  

I was not happy with the white slip covers I had dyed earlier
 this year. In fact I was downright depressed.

I expected medium grey and they were more like dark, dull, dreary navy, 

appearing almost black in the evening light. This room is dark to begin
 with as it faces due north with no direct sun, despite a wall of windows.

The longer I looked at them the more I knew they had to go!
Needed to replace that old, too heavy to move, sleeper-sofa anyway. It was
 donated to a family who could use it . . . . . . . and we shopped for a warm
 mid-grey velvet traditional English roll arm sofa and found this one from
 Drexel Heritage.

So, over the summer months I was busy making some changes to my
 living room at the cottage. . . . . . . . . . . .and new upholstery started here!

The previous 'shabby white' slip covered chairs have been reupholstered.

I shopped for a good quality fabric for my big, comfy easy chair and footstool,

as this chair (Henredon) gets a lot of use.

I knew I wanted to put blues with the grey velvet and am still amazed

 at myself for choosing an animal print which I had not considered.

 When I found this print it was not the classic colorway for a leopard print. 

 In grey-blue/black on a natural creamy background, it just leapt out at me!

 I fell for it, especially as it's an excellent quality fabric.

I bought a yard and took it to the furniture store where the sofa was displayed,

and my decision was made - it was to be my fun print in the room.

When it comes to decor and changing things one lives with day after day, it takes

 a leap of faith. . . . . . . . .especially these days, the ones I call the 'trendy days' in
decorating, fashion, food, whatever. So many choices in everything, but little really 
built to last.

~ Daylight ~

I know indigo blue is 'trending' and I do love it, however I didn't want anything 
that dark. I knew the blues I was searching for were the ocean colors,
 aquamarine, turquoise, teal, Aegean, cerulean.
 Gold goes well with these shades whether in mirrors, picture frames, pillows,
 lamps and other accessories, all of which I already have.

~ Evening light ~

I know my style is eclectic. I enjoy a mix of traditional, a touch of industrial,
older inherited bits and bobs from grandmother and mother, small
 antiques especially from France, with thrift shop finds, and Anthropologie dishes
 and candles thrown in.

Where does one start making changes when living in a small, older home?

We may not be in this house forever, it's that aging thing which hangs over 

people in our group, so we hesitate to do much more requiring major remodeling 

and huge expense. Now it's more basic upkeep with some refreshing of space
 and elements.

So, these changes initially revolved around the sofa. I wanted a new one which

 didn't require slip covers, was open to the floor for easy cleaning (Swiffer I love you),
 was elegant but comfy, velvet, and grey. It also had to fit our small space.

My new pillows are an eclectic mix and probably will change now and then

 with the season.

The two large grey ones on the sofa I had made from a length of beautiful

 cut velvet fabric purchased from a dealer at ScreenDoor in Asheville, NC 

several years ago. The blue velvet edged in linen was a great find at
 HomeGoods, the gold toile with ribbon trim I made a long time ago.
 The plain grey velvet on my leopard chair is from IKEA some years back. 
The fabulous bright gold velvet Jacobean print I found recently at World Market
  - personally I think it makes the room, and all who've seen it have
 commented on it.
To top things off I found the cozy fringed throw in the perfect color
 at HomeGoods.

Another view - I was trying different pillow combos!

My other chair, Chippendale style, (Bob, has his leather recliner)

then needed to be clothed in one of those lovely blues.

  The fabric I chose is a heavy chenille velvet and I'm really pleased with how that

 chair turned out. It too is quite old, but made by Hickory here in North Carolina,

and will probably hold up longer than me! 

I've now had a couple more pillows made with leftover chenille fabric
including this neat little roll pillow for my back.

The space is a lot different from the previous look which I'd grown
 a bit tired of, and those white slip covers were so much work!
I do love color and enjoyed pulling the room together
with this new look.

What do you think? 
Should I paint the walls, add a rug? 
We do actually add a hearth rug in winter.
Should I hang more art above the sofa?
Feedback is always appreciated.

I'm not aiming for 'house beautiful' - just cottage comfortable
where I feel content watching a movie, reading a book, knitting
 on a winter evening.
So far it's all working for me. Just bring on the chilly evenings. . . . .I can't 
wait to light a roaring fire in the hearth.

Scribble Picnic. . . . . . .TOY

box of traditional, 

wooden alphabet blocks. 

 The most fun learning toy ever!

Michael challenged us with the theme TOY for SCRIBBLE PICNIC today.

The word invokes fond memories of beloved favorites of many years ago. 

 Mine were the blocks, a stuffed monkey named 'Chimpy', and of course my dollies

 whom I loved to sew clothes for with the help of my dressmaker mother.

Come 'picnic' with us today to see what our group has come up with, perhaps

 you'll see some of your own favorite toys!