Puttering: Mosaic Monday

On Saturday morning I awoke feeling curiously unsettled about how to spend my day. There were the usual weekend chores to accomplish - laundry, bathrooms, a quick vacuum and dusting - but if I focus, I can accomplish that in the morning. I didn't focus. Instead, I puttered.

I recently saw a photo in Canadian House and Home that featured a mass of brass candlesticks. Hmm, I thought. I have lots of brass candlesticks, somewhere. A little rummaging in the cupboard revealed a box full, somewhat tarnished.  I gave them a bit of polish, and stuck them on the mantle.

Away went the red dishes, in the hutch since the end of November. We used them most recently for Valentine's Day. They've been replaced by delicate, mostly floral teacups, reminiscent of the gardening season to come. 

An overgrown, root-bound fern has been relegated to the patio until I decide what to do with it. In its place I brought up the old tea cart from the basement, and set the silver tray with an embroidered cloth sent from England by Barbara of Small Moments, my china teapot, an orphaned crystal creamer holding coffee spoons, and a crystal cream and sugar set.

All that remains is to make some scones, and have tea!

I removed the plate gallery from the dining room wall. I've been wanting something a little more streamlined there, and haven't found what I'd like yet. But I filled and patched all the nail holes from the plates, hung a temporary picture there and quite like the simpler look. 

Three hyacinth bulbs bloomed over the weekend. They are on the dining room table, filling the room with wonderful fragrance. I laid the tablecloth crocheted by Tim's grandmother years ago over the wood and set the pot of hyacinths atop.

By mid-afternoon, the house was clean and tidy, and felt airy. So lovely. Satisfying.  

In the mornings now, it's not utterly dark. The chilly air streams in through the open window and I hear early bird songs as I awaken. There's a lightness in the air and energy as the earth's northern hemisphere slowly tips towards the sun. Are you feeling it, too?

Linking with Mosaic Monday, hosted by Maggie of Normandy Life.   

Just a Touch of Fall

A little house fluffing over the weekend had me thinking of a better way to organize the earrings I wear often. I tend to leave them on the bathroom windowsill or on the top of my jewelry box. 

A few pieces of blue and white (one from Spain, one from Holland, both gifts from children), a thrifted consomme cup and an old blue willow cup from Japan play nicely together on a silver tray. 

"Height is needed," thought I. So a crystal vase filled with hydrangeas that will dry in situ was added. One cup holds my opera length strand of pearls, the other my watches. The driftwood stick is something I pulled out of a coat pocket - bits and pieces often come home from a walk. 
 

The sun streams through the window, highlighting the varying shades of petals. 

There. One corner of the house has a little touch of fall. How's it going around your place?