SUMMER'S HERE

I've no time to write much but had to share the beauty of one of our first magnolia blossoms.

Can't you just smell the fragrance

Billye's swing is suspended from a branch of a magnolia and is amid all the weeds and debris

                                

Miss Magnolia enjoys her swing and watching Mama do the yard work

THE ALLURE OF SIDEWALKS

    In the 13+ years of owning a dog, my daughter has never requested to walk the dog.  'Go for a walk', yes, but 'be responsible for the dog', never.  The other day, Billye brought me Socks' leash so we headed out the door.  The 3 of us walked around the block and Billye held on to the leash without dropping it once!  (Previously, a trek of this distance would mean the leash got dropped no fewer than 10 times.)

Those of you who know us, know this is a red letter day.  

The beauty of spring and the allure of sidewalks.  Yet another reason we are so happy in our new home here on Hawthorne Avenue.

BEFORE & AFTER: MAGNOLIA BEDROOM

    I just came across these photos the other day and was struck by the transformation.  What do you think?

BEFORE
February 2011

AFTER
December 2012

I've been told this 2nd story room on the north side of the house was used as the family room by the previous owners.  It is now my daughter's bedroom.

BEFORE:
2011

AFTER
December 2012

A NEW JOB

    Miss Magnolia has a new job.  

Taking out the garbage is easier when the trash bag is smaller.

ANOTHER PORCH PARTY

  Wicker swing up

Cooler full

 Fruit and cheese fresh

 Drinks poured

Friends present

Cheers!

Fine china, good silver, crowd of people....nice but unnecessary.

  

Comfortable surroundings, pleasant evening, party of three

......Miss Magnolia, Barney and Me !

(smile)

~Just one such gathering among several prior and many more to come

THE BEAUTY OF REFRACTION

    On Sunday morning my daughter and I discovered the beauty of refraction.  As the mid morning sun shone through the antique glass in the front door sidelights, a beautiful pattern adorned my newly painted dining room wall. 

Nature's artwork.  This will be an added bonus to having a leisurely breakfast in the dining room.

 















Ahhh, the beauty of refraction.

PRETTY IN PINK

I've been doing a bit of shopping (not yet buying) for fabrics to finish some rooms.  

Fortunately for me, several fabric stores in the area are having significant summer sales.

MISS MAGNOLIA'S BEDROOM

Needlepoint pillow covers

A lovely linen fabric for dust ruffles on twin beds

I'm so pleased with the Powder blush pink walls and how the white fireplace stands out

"PINK IS FOR GIRLS"

AND SHE WAS SWINGIN'

   A friend gave Miss Magnolia a hammock swing for her big trees on Hawthorne Avenue.  We hung it from a porch swing hook last weekend.

And she was swingin'.....

IMPROMPTU FRONT PORCH PARTY

   It was Friday evening.  The weather was pleasant.  We felt like a having a porch party.

A quick trip to the neighborhood wine shop ...

Miss Magnolia tries "Mama's beer".....

                                                                   

and likes it !

Miss Magnolia loves a party and, apparently, hard cider too.

ANOTHER MAGNOLIA MOMENT

As on numerous other ocassions......Livin' the life Magnolia

OUTSIDE MISS MAGNOLIA'S ROOM

Today, outside Miss Magnolia's bedroom window...

MY WEEKEND

     Despite spending 22 of the 48 weekend hours working on the porch this past weekend,  I simply adore my front porch on Hawthorne Avenue.  After a full day's work Saturday we enjoyed an evening on the porch during a thunderstorm.  Cold beer, hard cider, diet Coke, pizza and good company made it all the more pleasant.

    Picture the house with these colors....

Rockport Gray on the stucco

Magenta on the door

White trim

Cape Blue ceiling

Gunmetal Gray on the floor

Despite its state of disrepair, the porch suits Miss Magnolia just fine.

   

MISS MAGNOLIA

Miss Magnolia enjoys a new magazine and a drink amidst the 3rd floor drywall dust.

NEW WINDOWS

    While the new construction windows have been installed there are several replacement windows yet to be set.  Wallace took delivery of the remainder of the windows last week.  

The delivery practically filled the dining room

A couple days later all but the full reveal doors have been installed.

Master bedroom (the Christmas wreath hangs on the outside)

Billye's room (See the magnolias outside her windows)

Looking up from the library window

AND MEANWHILE...

Miss Magnolia enjoys her screened porch off the kitchen

LIVIN' THE LIFE MAGNOLIA

Wicker chair   $89.00

Home and Garden magazine $3.99

Diet Cokes with ice and a straw   $2.50

Spring day  $0.00

Livin' the Life Magnolia   PRICELESS !!!