Everyday Living

Simple + Southern Sunday No. 42

~ Simple + Southern Sunday

 “Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭119:1-2‬ ‭sss241-1 “Your love never fails,  it never gives up,  never runs out on me!
Higher than the mountains that I face, stronger than the power of the grave,
constant in the trial and the change…one thing remains“
Christa Black-Gifford, Brian Johnson & Jeremy Riddle
3  “‘Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.”
‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭32:17‬ ‭s3 We were in awe of this sunset over the North Sea last week while traveling the British Isles! s2 I can imagine living in this thatched cottage in the countryside of England!5 Saturday evening in the garden!IMG_0843 Our precious great nephew, Benji, celebrating his third birthday!  He was kinda excited!2 The world’s longest yardsale begins in Gadsden, AL (our hometown) and travels to Addison, Michigan for a total of 690 miles!1 Dusk settling over our city! s1  Maine lobster baked in shell with mushroom cream sauce and crispy Parmesan!s4 Built by William the Conqueror over one thousand years ago, the remains of Corfe Castle in Dorset County England.  We so enjoyed spending time among the ancient ruins!3 Better late than never!  Our okra is finally producing!IMG_0876 “He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭53:7‬ ‭

 “I was glad when they said to me,
‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’”
Psalm 122:1
final-closer-both-1 Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Mod Vintage Life, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, My Romantic Home, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, Alabama Women Bloggers, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, The Turquoise Home, My Flagstaff Home, In The New House, Natasha in Oz, Vintage Refined, Karens Up On The Hill, Grammie Time

Designer Spotlight: Betty Lou Phillips • Passion & Panache

~ Decorating, Designer Spotlight

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God
is an everlasting rock.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭26:3-4‬ ‭

With the relentless heat here in the Deep South, chances are, we could melt really soon.  Ok, not really…but I feel like we could all use a day indoors in the comforts of our home…and air conditioner!  I’m thinking it’s time to put our feet up, sip a tall glass of sweet iced tea, and have something similar to thumbing through a decorating magazine!  As I have often said, I love and collect books!  I have a huge collection of decorating books of favorite designers!  One of my favorites is Betty Lou Phillips who has a passion for French and Italian design.  Not only are the photos breathtaking, but she explains the styling in the context of history.  She has authored thirteen design books!

Got your tea and ottoman nearby?  Let’s take a look…

(You can click on each picture for the original source)

mae

1 A beautiful entrance with antique gilt-edged mirrors and a silk covered settee!  Fine craftsmanship and artfully layered color transformed an ordinary space into an 18th century chateau!A welcoming foyer with a diverse grouping of altar sticks and an antique tapestry!  A barrel vault ceiling with pendants cast warm light on a gallery with 19th century Italian settees!ILS What is not to love about this living space – warm wood walls, beamed ceiling, stone fireplace, and that red leather chair!!! An elegant living space (salon)!   As a pianist, the heirloom piano grabs my attention!  Attention to detail…pearl trim on a lamp shade, collection of sterling frames filled with family photos, a table skirt caught with rosettes combine to create a memorable setting! A comfortable sitting area in a master bedroom! The accessories really make a room sing!  A great mix of pattern! Hand-woven tapestries play an important role in French interiors!FYDP Gray Venetian plaster walls, an assortment of hurricanes and candlesticks, and twin chandeliers provide ambiance for this dining room! Formal space with spider back chairs and sparkling chandelier! The stone archway in this Italian villa sets the stage for a unique dining room.  The early 19th century dining table set with individual pizzas invites you to have a seat!CDCThe perfectly appointed kitchen with the piece de resistance-La Cornue range!
 White marble…black granite…stainless steel create timeless design! A classic Italian kitchen with beautiful alder cabinets!  I love the handcrafted Italian words adorning the backsplash!BA A lovely setting to start your day!A breakfast room awash with French influences. The chandelier and most of the accessories are very old!
 Lots of light streaming in this country French breakfast space!sleep A guest room dressed in blue and white toile! An iron bed dominates this spacious master suite! Neutral shades with pattern and texture dress this calming and dreamy bedroom!EB What lady would not love this perfect dressing area? An elegant master bath dressed in white marble, matching pedestals, and crystal chandelier! Wouldn’t you enjoy a soak in this feminine space?read A hand painted canvas adorns the ceiling of this study with its walnut paneled walls and his and her chairs!  Love the animal rug!Collage Ok, magazine time is over…guess we can all go brave the sweltering heat now!

pam closing

Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Mod Vintage Life, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, My Romantic Home, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, Alabama Women Bloggers, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, The Turquoise Home, My Flagstaff Home, In The New House, Natasha in Oz, Vintage Refined, Karens Up On The Hill, Grammie Time

Tablescape Tuesday: Pops o’ Color!

~ Food & Entertaining, Recipes, Tablescape Tuesday

“May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you”
Jude 1:2

Today, we are going to take you back to last summer on our old patio!  It is hard to believe that we have been at this blogging thing for a whole year!  That means 52 tablescapes!  The colors in this one are just happy!  Enjoy!

  (Make sure you scroll all the way down for a sweet treat!)I have always loved the crisp look of blue and white mixed with a sunny yellow.  The dinner plates are “Willow” by Johnson Brothers.  The tablecloth was my first linen purchase as a new bride forty-one years ago.  Placemats add texture and were found at TJ Maxx.Katy’s Nana grew these glorious zinnias in her garden!The stemware was ordered from Horchow and they remain a favoriteSeveral years back, my Sunday School class took an outing to the Botanical Gardens in Huntsville, AL where I found these sweet hand painted clay pots used as my napkin holders.  “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver”
Proverbs‬ ‭25‬:‭11‬ 

Fresh from the oven, Lemon Rosemary Shortbread with a tall glass of sweet tea.  Butch and I love this recipe! 

Thanks for visiting with us on our patio!

Lemon Rosemary Shortbread
3/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons fresh minced rosemary
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
In a medium bowl, beat butter and sugar at a medium-high speed with a mixer until creamy. Add lemon zest and rosemary, beating until combined.  In a small bowl combine flour and salt.  Gradually add to butter mixture, beating until combined.  Shape mixture into 2 (10-inch) logs; wrap in plastic wrap and chill for 1 hour.  Preheat oven to 350.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper.  Unwrap dough, and cut into 1/3 inch-thick slices.  Bake for 11 minutes or until edges are lightly browned.  Let cool on pans for 2 minutes.  Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks.  Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

This post originally appeared here:  Summer’s Happy Ending

pam closing

Linking with Pieced Pastimes, Silver Pennies, Life on Lakeshore Drive, Thoughts From Alice, Mod Vintage Life, Coastal Charm, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, The Dedicated House, Dwellings-Heart of Your Home, Savvy Southern Style, Ivy and Elephants, French Country Cottage, From My Front Porch To Yours, Stone Gable, Confessions of a Plate Addict, Worthing Court, Between Naps on the Porch, Cedar Hill Farmhouse, A Stroll Thru Life, The Charm of Home, Cornerstone Confessions, A Delightsome Life, Imparting Grace, Posed Perfection, Katherines Corner, My Romantic Home, Rooted In Thyme, Share Your Cup, The Enchanting Rose, Alabama Women Bloggers, 21 Rosemary Lane, Northern Nesting, Cozy Little House, Rattlebridge Farm, The Turquoise Home, My Flagstaff Home, In The New House, Natasha in Oz, Vintage Refined, Karens Up On The Hill, Grammie Time