God's Hand in our Suffering

If you have followed P.F. for over two years, you know I have been pretty open about how hard life can be. Life has it's deserts, it's wandering in the wilderness periods - those times when, for believers our faith can be very shaken, if not rattled to it's core.

We are feeling very blessed in this home as of late - like this wilderness period is finally coming to a close. There is much relief and much rejoicing going on in these four walls.

At the same time in the last 48 hours, 3 different people I care for have shared with me their own current "wilderness" situations. I have been moved and have this longing in my heart to pray without ceasing for them. God has truly softened my heart to those around me - in the last couple years it has been so hard for me to see beyond my own pain and stress.

Anyways. I praise Him that He can mold us and change us, ever conforming us to be more and more like Jesus. I know, we don't all share the same faith, some do, some don't, some don't "subscribe" to any but lately, I have been growing so much by listening to this pastor. I thought, there might be someone who would enjoy this, someone who could be blessed by this as much as I was. This is part one of a four part series this church did on the Ruth of the Bible.

3 Down, So Many to Go!

What's worse?

A kitchen that looks like your life, lunch and laundry and everything in between exploded all over it (never mind the rest of the house)?

Or a phone call during the life, lunch, laundry (and I forgot to mention two naked children in the kitchen sink getting their baths, toes and fingernails cut and bangs trimmed) from a fellow blogger saying she was in the area and could we meet?

Hmmmm, let me guess.

Follow me here.

See, Mom and a friend had a big sale this weekend at this friends farmhouse about 12 minutes from here. And a fellow blogger was coming to Kankakee which is a good, good hike but we had talked about meeting since she would be within 100 miles-ish. I thought, if anything we would be meeting at the sale Friday night, I never saw her so I figured, understandably so, that two hours to come to a "sale" might be a bit much. Chicagoland traffic-n-all.

I get this call all the time from a weird number with and "8" in it. A few times between Friday night and Saturday morning I got a call from a number with that familiar "8" so - like a dumb butt, I ignored it.

Until JOEL'S phone rang Saturday during the life, laundry and lunch - it was my Mom, "_______ is here! (at the sale) and she wants you to pop on over!" Then it dawned on me, the similarity between the stalker, weird phone call number and this bloggers phone number!!!

"8"

What? No make up, still in pj's, trimming little toe nails and twenty minutes before naptime, life, lunch and laundry to be done, with hubby in the middle of a carpentry project - But what are you gonna say, "Sorry, babe. Next time?" I think not. So, I invited _____ and her gang over to the Parisienne Farmhouse. Hung up the phone and was like Cinderella on steroids! You never saw my gimpy, pregnant hips move so fast.

ALL HANDS ON DECK!!!

Hubby was ordered to put down the saw, homemade pizza mess cleaned up, kids we herded off to bed, hairs and toe nails cleaned up, bra and mascara put on, kitchen floor crud mopped, hmmm, ceiling fan blades are filthy with no time to clean them so turn it on (you can't see the dirt when it's going round and round), everyone's sheets were in the dryer so the beds had to get made...

All this for who you ask?

Why, the ever conservative, farm living, food growing, Congress calling, hilarious, NASCAR and Junior lovin'...JONI FROM OLD CENTENNIAL FARMHOUSE!!!!!

Oh my gosh, thankfully they first stopped for lunch or all my dirty secrets would have been known (as if they aren't now that I have told you why a stye my house was on Saturday afternoon!). I directed them into town and stood out in the driveway to wave them in - it was Joni, her darling sister Mary with the cool jeans, let's see, I believe her sister's two daughters and a friend! And let me tell you something - not only is Joni my kind of blogger - I could hang out with her all day! What a doll! She is JUST like she is on her blog and better! The chickens latched on to her right away, Aidan took her hand and in the most darling fashion gave her a tour of the house room by room, his legos and other creations and Amélie let her hold her like she was her Aunt or something!

L-R, Joni, Amélie, Moi, Aidan & Mary

When you come to my town you HAVE to visit at least one resale shop (we have so many) so, I call my friend who was getting ready to close up for the day and said we were coming over with a car load. It was fun and she had good stuff too! I hope Joni posts some of her finds.

Our visit was short and sweet but I must say, it was so wonderful to meet her, her sister (who I found out is a lurker on the P.F.) and the girls! So, here is the rule, no matter how crazy it is, or what I am in the middle of, I love impromptu guests from near or far - so Bloggerbeans, if you are in the area, have a layover at O'Hare or Milwaukee and would like to come over for a meal, cup of coffee or trip to a local resale shop - PLEASE let me know!!!!!! I have had the honor and meeting Homemaker Ang, Anne Marie and Joni of Old Centennial and...I would love to meet you too!

The Final Stretch...

Pardon the use of the word "I" in this post - sometimes I re-read these things and can't stand how I come off like the biggest ego-maniac!!!!

The faux copper tin ceiling that led to the meltdown.

...or should I say, STRETCHING?

The beginning of the wrap up here in Pregoland.

THANK HEAVEN!

I love pregnancy it just does not love me. I swear they should do medical studies on me or something - I am like a freak of nature. From week 6 on, if it's not one thing with me, it's another. Oh, if I could be like some ladies I know, all warm and gentle with pregnancy. Graceful and non-complaining. No puking and so full of, "Oh, I Love being pregnant!"

Gag.

I am not really an "if I could do it all over again" person - not much for dwelling on the past, after all, I love me some Miss Scarlett and we all know her mantra, "Tomorrow is another day!" HOWEVER - sometimes I wonder if I had not waited to long to start a family if I would fair these pregnancies a little better. I got married so young (20) and waited TEN years to have a baby. After 2.5 grueling pregnancies and my head over heals love with Motherhood, I wonder if our culture doesn't have the whole thing pretty messed up. I bet I could have done this a little better at 21. Hmmmmm....then when would I have taken all those trips to Paris???

Anywhoo - this is really just a post to complain but then the minute I start I feel guilty because I am so blessed, I think about getting pregnant and it happens (by the Grace of God) but I tell you what, those 3 months of puking all day long, the dreadful, gimping hip pain, the tail bone pain, the complete trashing of the pelvic floor and all it's proper functions, the fire breathing dragon heart burn, the golf ball feeling in my throat that has me back to puking twice a day...well, it's all getting a little old. Not to mention the sluggard like, complete and utter lack of energy. (Better yet, maybe making them and chasing after them at 15 years old is an even better idea!) I miss the old Ang, the bouncing off the walls at all hours of the day Ang, the hey, today I think I'll work out, lift weights, make three pies, pull two tubs worth of weeds and make a four course meal and then want to Tango in the living room after the kids are down Ang.

OU EST ELLE?????

Where is she? Lost in Pregoland. Her boobs are starting to do that thing where they begin to wrap around the sides of her back. The expanse of her thighs - well, it's doing that east and west, third trimester thing. The old lady liver spots on her face seem to get darker every day and well, quite frankly, the gas is out of control. My diaphram is being squished like nobodies business and I don't know how many more weeks I will be able to sing at church. When you are singing the melody...mic'd and can't catch you breath you really can't HIDE it! Screeeeeeeeaaaaaaaach!

But then, I imagine little starched white clothing, warm, needy skin and milky breath not to mention that "Thank the Lord I am not pregnant!" feeling!

I remember after 28 horrible hours of drug free labor with Aidan within seconds of him being born I sat up and practically shouted, "WHEN CAN I GO HOME!" I was rearing to go! (Aidan, sadly, was not born at home, they made me go to the hospital at 17 hours, 11 later he was born. We are praying for another successful home birth this time just like Amélie's was!)

So, someone requested a belly shot and here is one (though not attractive since I was on the job with Big Daddy and the kids). He needed me on a job a few weeks ago so it was take your family to work week. That about did me in, I came home and had a little prego-hissy fit, one of those "I can't stop crying, none of my friends have to faux finish a ceiling at 7 months pregnant!" fits. It was not becoming. We got paid well to do the job and, it's got to be good for small kids to see how their daddy makes a living.

So, there it is. My fat rant. Please, please don't get me wrong. I praise God every day for this baby in my belly but sometimes you got to let it out to the girls since hubby can't really wrap his head around it.

EIGHT MORE WEEKS!

This was a job I did 7 weeks pregnant with Amélie a couple years ago and they called us back to darken up the faux stucco and bricks. Joel does very good with faux finishes but with the more artistic stuff I get called in.

Praise the Lord for well behaved children. I am sure I am spoiled because I imagine there aren't many who could take an almost 2 and 4 year old to a blue collar job site. They were SO GOOD! We did not even know they were there!

A view of the clients new bar, the additional stucco we did and the darkening all over.

Aidy-baby. What an imagination.

And finally - the belly as I try to get a handle for how much to darken up the walls. I can't believe I am putting this photo on the web! YIKES!

Today in the Kitchen - Chicken au Champagne

I feel terrible, there have been such lovely requests for the Pork Chop recipe but I did not take any photographs that evening and I do hate to post a recipe without photos. You can find it in the same book that I found this one or you can wait for me to make it again in the next couple weeks!

The book is Mireille Guiliano's infamous French Women Don't Get Fat (You can order it on my sidebar - I think) and if you don't own it, even if you weigh 115 pounds, youmust buy it. I love Mireille's books and I LOVE her name. I swear I would name my next (Lord willing) daughter Mireille if I new people would say it correctly but it's one of those names that does not sound good without a complete french accent. We can get away with Amélie but Mireille (MEHRE-RAY) is not going to fly around here...

The recipes are delightful and she writes wonderfully about something that irritates me greatly: American woman's fear of food.

In my opinion the answer to enjoying food but not looking like a roving land monster is cooking homemade food from scratch with ingredients that are as close to their original form as possible. Am I talking about butt-extender casseroles that require 3 cans of Campells soup? No way. They do serve their purpose but you will get fat eating like that all the time however, I eat lots of chocolate, jam on my toast in the morning, cream, butter, bread, olive oil like it's going out of style -almost all of that is organic or made in my own kitchen and (when not pregnant) am able to maintain a decent weight. I am not bird but I am not fat and will be darned if I am going to "fear" food or be obsessed with it to the point where I deny myself a good meal!!!

This one was a big hit and the flavor of those mushrooms, with garden sage and lemon??? Oh my goodness, I could have eaten my weight in them and I am not really a mushroom person!

So, forgive the length of this post - but it's mostly recipe. Let me know how you and your family enjoy it and I will post that Pork Chop recipe very soon - there are pork chops in my freezer as I type....

I love this photo!!! Don't you? Wish I could shoot food all day!

You will need:

4 Chicken breasts (with skin and bone) - that was a requirement I was not going to follow but I am glad I did!

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Chevril, tarragon or thyme (I grow and used thyme)

1 Shallot quartered

1 Cup champagne (and the rest to drink if you are not me...60 some odd more days...whoohoo!!!!)

Place the chicken in a roasting pan and season them, pour half a cup of the Champagne over breasts. Make a slit in each breast and insert a piece of shallot.

Place the pan under broiler, skin side DOWN, until the skin is nicely browned. Turn and broil another 5 minutes.

Remove the chicken from the broiler, baste with the pan juices and add the remaining 1/2 cup of Champagne. Adjust the over temp to 475 and bake the chicken for 30 minutes basting once or twice.

Serve over brown rice (all I had was white - I am not really a rice person per se unless its loaded with curry and tofu!). Sautéed mushrooms taste great with this dish and I would have never thought to enjoy them with Champagne - Come on, after thirty some odd years on the planet I should KNOW that Champagne goes with EVERYTHING! I would drink it dawn til dusk if I could!

I did my mushrooms with olive oil, chopped sage (still thriving in the garden), seasonings, lots of lemon juice and butter.

Mireille recommends pouring the remaining juices from the pan over the chicken and rice when served and I totally forgot to do that - it would have been good!

I can take or leave chicken...cause it's, after all...chicken but this was good, easy and the family loved it. I loved the presentation and it seems like a great dish to serve company because of how simple it is and how hearty and good it was on a cold evening.

Bon Appetit!

Une Robe pour Amélie!!!

Two posts in one day, not trying to confuse anyone, I just couldn't help it!

C'est fini!!!!

I did it! Little Mama has a dress made by...well, if she is Little Mama then that must make me...

Let's not go there.

Let's go here.

I am learning to sew or rather, read a pattern and make more than curtains and pillowcases. And it is SEW enjoyable and frustrating at the same time!

I thought I was missing some presser feet so my projects that I started a good eight weeks ago have been on the backburner but my Mom and I compared "feet" this morning over IChat...et voila! I had what I needed, but I still can't find my manual so I can't figure out the buttonfoot thing...Dommage, Aidan's sweet jammies are

99.999999999% done, they just need the decorative buttons!

But, Amélie has, as she says, une robe! Complete with my first ever zipper (after all, it is my first ever dress) AND I even "designed" and made headband for her! She wears it with such joy and pride, it's so sweet, her little countenance.

Now, I have my sights set on a dress for her Christmas Eve, Madeline (whom she loves) themed birthday brunch that retails for $79 at Janie and Jack - I found the exact fabric and I don't think it could be that difficult...could it?

The photo does not do this dress justice! When I saw it, I made and embaressing audible sound that sent the saleslady rushing over to me! It's just silk and touling (sp) so, if I made it, then, could I justify splurging on the $44 shoes and $32 purse?

I know, I know, probably not...

Move over Dorothy, your ruby slippers don't have anything on these ultra feminine, gold dusted little numbers!

LeeLee LOVES to carry a purse, this, if the stars aligned and I was able to ever buy it, would NOT go un-used. You should see her prance around church with a purse - 22 months old, it's hilarious.

But here is la robe! Brown and turquoise polka dot corduroy!

I may add a little turquoise can can underneath, she is so girly, why not...now, my friend is teaching me to knit and with my knees that hurt all the time (Joel says I will be 50% titanium by the time I am 60!), the canning, the hatred of driving in the dark in the rain...well,

I think it's official, I am becoming an old lady!

It's take your family to work week around here so I will be back to blogland in a few days! Have a blessed week!

Bring It!!!

Now, it's official.

July is a distant memory and Halloween is FINALLY over so I can stop getting laughed at by a skeleton every time I walk into Target and I can be done shielding our eyes from the demonic displays in peoples front yards! Instead now Santa can "Ho, Ho, Ho" at me - equally as irritating, I have no tolerance for Santa...

But it's all downhill from here. Fifty some odd days and the "most wonderful time of the year." I am no scrooge. I love "The Holidays" - I am still enthralled by the glitter and glamour, the hot chocolate, I still cry every time I hear "Oh Holy night" and I am still so in love with the Man who was a baby born in a manger.

Emmanuel, God with Us!!!

Keeper of the Home - Menu Planning

How do you keep two, soon three, little chickens and a hungry hubby happy?

Keep the food coming.

There are few things has frustrating to me as not knowing what to make for dinner. When I find myself unprepared it's as if my brain shuts down. Every memory of every meal I know how to make and have ever made goes - POOF! Out the window. I get stressed as hungry eyes stare at me or Big Daddy starts rooting around in the cupboard ready to eat a piece of bread with ketchup (which, I swear is how he would eat were I not on the planet).

There are two ways to keep this problem at bay. Number one "Put Up or Shut Up" - (no, I have not forgotten to do my follow up post but I am ALMOST done and I really want to wait to "show off" my new pantry all stacked with canned goods and delights), Number Two: Menu Planning.

By putting up food and having soups and lasagnas and such in your freezer you won't be caught off guard on those days when errands keep you out 'til 4, or that sewing or hot glue gun project is strewn all over the place or work has your running late. By planning a menu, everyone can have something to look forward to, your shopping will be more deliberate and you will find yourself wanting to try new things more often.

Because my shopping habits are let's say- inconvenient. I don't often run to the store. By inconvenient I mean my desire for hormone free meat and dairy and organic produce. We do grow what we can and shop our local farm stand but I have yet to take the time to find a beef farmer in the area and the farm down the road wants $3.50 for a dozen eggs!!!! What is up with that??

I end up driving over an hour round trip when it's time to stock up and if I don't plan a menu I go into a panic grabbing everything I "think" we may need in the next two and a half weeks. With small kids wanting Trader Joe's balloons, announcing they have to pee and fighting traffic and crowds this can get a little stressful. But not so much if I plan a menu.

What a privilege we mothers have, even if our kids are grown.

We can give them that gift of a warm and fruitful kitchen.

We can give them the gift of pure family time around the table.

No TV, no talk radio. We can give them memories of tastes and smells that will stay with them for a lifetime. We can comfort them when they come home from college or with a new spouse on their arm, we can give them memories of a mother with a servants heart.

An apron is not a janitors uniform. It's a garment of honor.

What a gift we can give our husbands; out there working for us and fighting for us. We can create an atmosphere of warmth and love. It's not being sentenced to the kitchen - a simple attitude change can fix that. Consider that you GET to be the one who provides him with a warm meal. Even if it's just the two of you. Put a few plates down, plan a few microwave-free meals, sit down, poor a glass of wine and DINE together!!!

Try a menu next week. Monday morning before you shop, settle the kids down with a fun, (but not messy) art project, pull out your favorite cookbooks, pour a hot cup of tea or coffee and get lost in the wonder of new recipes and herbs that you have not experimented with in awhile. You may be amazed at the fresh perspective you can find, perhaps turning the dreaded question of "What's for dinner" into an unveiling of something you have never tried before.

One of our items this week was Pork Chops with Apples - delightfully studded with cloves and broiled with imported Swiss and brown sugar and butter. So easy and oh my goodness, how cozy and how perfect for fall.

It's 4:10!!!! and I'd better hop off the computer and check the menu - yikes, a few photos and time on blogger and where does the time go???

Bon Appetit.

Comme des Quoi????? Comme des Garçons

I'm fascinated by the Japanese fashion scene
Just an American girl, in the Tokyo streets
My boyfriend bought me a Hysteric Glamour shirt
They're hard to find in the states, got me feeling couture
What's that you got on? Is it Comme des Garcons?
Vivienne Westwood can't go wrong, mixed up with second hand clothes
Flipped the landscape when Nigo made A Bathing Ape
I got expensive taste (oh, well) guess I better save up!

The other day the strangest thing happened.

We had a lovely family day (no, that is not the strange part), we made breakfast and then took the chickens to our local antique mall. Gotta break 'em in early - ya know?

I remember our antique mall as a child. I remember the little nooks and crannies, the vintage baby dolls, textiles, the careful mauvering between the displays and the rare occasion when my Mom would get to purchase something. One of those somethings was passed on to me and I still wear it on my right hand ring finger.

Aidan and Amélie were in their glory, Aidan on the lookout for vintage Lincoln Logs (of which he is obsessed with as we are on book 5 on the Little House on the Prairie Series) and Amélie wanted to take every rubbery, funky little naked babydoll home with her. Joel, while not a collector of anything except knives is happy to roam with us and thankfully appreciates it all.

I was scouring the booths floor to ceiling with an eagle eye, looking for what, I don't know. I sure wasn't looking for what I found.

Fashionistas - hold on to your laptops!!!

My eyes roamed depression glass, rhinestones and gilded mirrors when suddenly, they were completely arrested on a gorgeous, classic, woven, oh my gosh that would look so classic with jeans, a cami and high heels - jacket!

At first I thought it was vintage, I expected it to have an old label and "that smell" that vintage clothing has. After all, it was hanging in an antique mall in the boon-dock suburbs of Chicago.

NEVER IN MY WILDEST DREAMS DID I IMAGINE THE TAG WOULD SAY:

Comme des What????

Are you kidding me?

Comme des Garçons at an antique store in the sticks?

I almost screamed. Then I saw the price, clutched the jacket to my breast and gasped words I never say,

"Joel, you HAVE to buy this for me!"

For TWENTY TWO DOLLARS how could he not???

Now, let's be real. My wardrobe is a modest collection of 7 year old Nordstrom goodies, lots of Target and a few killer pieces from Paris from 5 years ago. I am not a big shopper, I am notoriously cheap. I do however like nice purses and quality shoes. Two things that when made poorly, I think can totally ruin an outfit.

I only read the fashion magazines and keep a slight handle on the fashion scene so I don't turn into a frumpy housewife. Those things happen if we girls don't keep a little currant knowledge as to what is going on out there. If you don't, pretty soon you are wearing Mom jeans, swearing you don't have time for makeup and insisting you look good in hubbies sweatshirts ...NOT in this house!!!!

I love fashion but my taste is impossible to maintain on one modest income. Sometimes, I feel like I have given up on the way I REALLY would like to dress.

This jacket, could in fact be no big deal (aside from the fact that it is beautiful!) but, I googled a few pieces from the 2009 collection and a simple, wool shrug was going for $650.00. So, I am thinking, this, even if it's a few years old, is a pretty good find. And, I don't think Junya Watanabe has been with Comme des Garçon for that many years so it can't be that old!

Anyways, the Parisienne in me is thrilled and the Farmgirl is shocked that she found this piece clear our here and not on some swanky North Shore garage sale. What do you think? Calling all with fashion knowledge - aside from the fact that I love it, was this a great find OR WHAT?

I think I might wait to wear it til I am back in my size 6 jeans, maybe I will save for a gorgeous new pair of high heals and save the whole ensemble for our first hot date after "le troisieme" is born.

On ne jamais sais.

PS - Bon Anniversaire Parisienne Farmgirl, 4 years, 500 posts and counting!!!!

A Little Levity to Start Our Week-

This is a recent family favorite - yes, we are that family that watches You Tube clips and laughs til we cry when we get together. It never fails. Someone always has a funny YouTube clip to share. Nic and Vic, we thought of you with this one.

This one came via email from Farm Girl Cyn - I, swear it's funnier each time. And the rest of this guys material is family friendly and much of it is just as hilarious...or more so (Cletis take the Reel makes my husband cry and gasp for breath at the same time!!! Miss Nada - Bet Jason would do the same!)

...And you thought "Christian Comedian" was oxy-moronic.

A Free Weekend...

And so much to do...

I have hundreds of wedding photos to edit, a mountain of laundry, baptism photos to mail, more applesauce to do before they rot, jalapenos to can, hair to wash and a 40th birthday dinner in the city to go to this evening.

It always works out that when you have free time there is always something to do and it doesn't help that I am a terrible procrastinator. For example, instead of working on the wedding photos yesterday I made myself and Amélie a skirt.

Someday, I will grow up and set my priorities...for now, I will try to chip away at my list but not at the expense of family time.

Here is wishing you a wonderful weekend.

Don't be too busy.

Busyness is an epidemic...not a virtue.

A Room with a View - Part I

No, this is not another design post.

It's rainy, 34 degrees and in a word: horrible.

Time to take a hot bath, wear our pajamas for the day, dump Chanel No. 5 head to toe and feel romantic and cozy.

There are very few movies as romantic as the "old" Merchant Ivory film, "A Room with a View." ...aside from Rhett (my heart, my heart) Butler it contains the most romantic on screen kiss...

Winter is coming and I do hate it so...I thought, what fun to watch some movies ...through out the next couple months I will try to find some on You Tube so we can watch them together. So break open a Bordeaux (or perhaps more apropos with this film a big, red Montelpuciano ) and enjoy this subtle look at falling in love.

I will be hosting this film in segments but, it really belongs on any Parisienne Farmgirl follower's movie shelf. I fell in love with this movie as a teen, my Dad bought it for me as it was Princess Diana's favorite movie.

Like a book club, we will comment on each segment....

Et Voila...

A Room with a View, Part's One, (Two and Three too!)

Design on a Centime - La Salle de Sejour

A view from the staircase. A riot of color. Cozy and hopefully, a little chic too.

Here we go again.
About 5 years ago I decided to give my "style" a name, especially since at the time I was doing a lot more design and furniture painting for clients.

Parisienne Farmhouse
"Pied-á-Terre to Maison des Pierres Chic"

I loved that style name then, in fact I shouted out when the thought plopped into my mind and I love it now. This room is about 4 years in the making and definitely falls under: "Parisienne Farmhouse". We have been in this house for about seven years and about four years ago I had finally scrapped everything we had started with and began to head in the direction of the photos you will see below.

There was not a specific room in a magazine or book that inspired me, instead with our living room I went with colors that I love. I wanted it to be cozy and inviting, a little funky, a little formal and then a little ratty too with chipped and worn furniture. People walk in and are surprised at my decision to paint and hang bright blue crystals from my chandelier and the splashes of orange and a bright green couch also surprise.

This is where I am "at" right now. Though my heart completely flip flops at the "Gustavian Swedish" meets "Tailored Monochromatic Versailles" but I am not ready to scrap this room and start over. (King Gustav reigned in Sweden while Marie Antoinette reigned at Versailles and the two styles I think compliment each other quite well). I am not quite sure what to do with my love for those two looks. Sure I could remove the paprika colored toile curtains and slipcover all my furniture with drop clothes for an affordable start...but I can't bring myself to do it yet. I have decided to keep my eyes open for the next couple years and if affordable pieces come along that can gently take the room in that direction I am open to that and would be thrilled to start adding those beautiful muted grays, blues, creams and off whites. But like I said, I am nowhere near that look right now. I love everything in this room (except my horrible curtain rods and hardware and lack of rug...I think a neutral sisal would look sa-weet!).

As always, these "Design on a Centime" posts are meant to inspire. But, I post them ever so humbly. There is so much design talent on the internet - one could easily be intimidated into never sharing...

We live on a VERY modest budget and in the last 18 months there has been 'nil budget for design. Still, there is no excuse for ugly, dull, boring homes these days. We live in an age with a resale shop and garage sale on every corner. You do however, have to have patience if you are going to design on a centime (dime) and sometimes you have to set your pride aside as a room sits partly bare as you wait to hit the jackpot. And let me tell you, you never know when you will hit the jackpot.

Vintage/Shabby Chic/Antique/Parisienne Farmhouse/Cottage...all these styles, when done with care are very economical in that you can 99.9% of the time get your money back and most of the time you can make more when you turn around and sell a particular item. These kind of furnishings acru in value and for the most part do not depreciate. On the other hand, walk into your typical furniture store be it high end or one of those horrible "no payments til 2099" stores, buy a living room set and put it out on your garage sale four years later and you are going to loose money...a lot of money.

I am repeating text from other design posts but I am very blessed in that Joel and I are on the same page as far as our furnishings go. We are not big "loungers". I get no pressure to have a big sofa or sectionals. As the family grows that may change - it's a smaller room by today's standards (high 200's or 300ish square feet) and a sectional would ruin it! Our king size bed meets our sectional/family snuggle area needs anyways!

These are not the best photos - chickens running around and me with a runny nose, but I hope you find a bit of inspiration. I will, as requested post prices (and location found) to show you that you really can design an entire room for probably the cost of a new furniture store sofa!

Et voila...

Oh, I would commit highway robbery for a real fireplace. This one however, I found at the wonderful Amish Auction, Shipshewana in Indiana. The auctioneer saw me coming a mile away and started the bidding way to high but I did get it for $75. The mirror I found around the corner at a junk shop, it is delightfully corroding, $30. The frame on the floor brings in the orangy, coral thing I have going on again and I found it at a garage sale for $5. I love that little robins egg blue dresser thingy - We found it one morning at a local park's antique sale for $25. It stores a hoard of Gourmet and french "Maison et Decor" magazines.

This is one of my least favorite parts of the room. I do love the table on a table thing but the photographs need to be redone (Amélie is NOT well represented). The black table was $5 at a garage sale the first year we were married, it really is a rickety [iece of junk but it's cute and holds Shakespeare's entire works, a birthday gift from Joel a few years ago. The larger table underneath is just another 1970's yucky thing from an estate sale in town. It has two marble inserts and was $25. I painted it a couple different layers and then antiqued it.

The candlesticks are from Paris circa 1910. They must be from a church because they are three sided with each member of the holy family on each side. I used to have these wonderful, funky, yellow and white candles in them but alas, things do get broken when you have small children. I got them from a friend (Kerry!) whose taste is beyond amazing).

This cabinet holds the TV we don't watch (but for NASCAR). I got it for $50 at a barn sale down the road, it's been stripped but I actually like the finish as is for now. We were told it's from a nearby home that was done in a castle theme - thus the cool "coat of arms" on the from. We took the back off so the TV would have room.

The moulding in this room used to be purple. That is the best way to describe it. You know that redish/purple color that some women get their hair done in? That color that is NOT found in nature? Yeah, that one. Well, I had found the wall color and done the walls and was totally smitten when I inquired to hubby if I could dry brush the trim. He said (God bless him), "Go for it." Much of it is not original to the house in this room anyways, I mean look at the seam - you DON'T cut crown moulding like THAT! Dugh. I love the uniformity of trim that matches the walls and it is showing up slowly but surely in the other room of our home.

I found the young QEII plate at a gift shop for $14, 13 years ago and Joel bought me the Queen Mary plate for my birthday - it's so old - how cool is it???

This old hutch was a 1970's nightmare when I found it at the same barn sale two years ago. It was brown and speckled like 70's wooden furniture is and it was missing the glass in one door so I got a deal - HA! I would have taken the glass out anyways, the thing that sold me (for $80) was the little chicken wire. My inspiration for the painting of it was that Veranda magazine from a few years ago, you know, that to die for edition with the Belgiun Chateau.

If I could I would panel then entire room and paint it like those lovely paneled walls but for now was thrilled to have figured out how to get that look. A mon avis, (in my opinion) this cabinet looks like something straight out of a container shipped over from France. In fact - back when Aidan took French lessons (read: the economic good old days) his French teacher came over (native) and freaked out cause her parents have an old cabinet in their home that she insisted looked just like this one. I was beaming.

The turquoise table on the left would also fall under the "Farmhouse" aspect of P.F. in that it is chipping and not hardly worth a thing - I found it down the street at a garage sale for $5. The Eiffel Tower usually resides in my garden (Target $25) but has been inside for the last year for a little "Anthropologie" flair. I decorate it with greens, peacock feathers and ornaments for Christmas.

The Parisian water colors have been gathered for the last 10 years for Chicagoland antique stores.

This little hutch, well, it's veneer is chipping and no matter what skeleton key I try I can't get it open but do love it. The burled wood and shape add a sense of formality. Last year I painted a friends kitchen cabinets as she was closing her Chicago boutique - she let me pick a truckload of stuff to barter and despite it's condition I could not resist this sweet little piece. Someday I will find the right key and it will serve a much needed storage function.

These lamps were also part of the barter. I had had the orange lampshades from a garage sale sitting FOR YEARS in a closet and then for my birthday last year mom gave me a pile of orange tassels...et voila. A little hot glue and the lampshades could finally serve a purpose. One seems to be painted gold on the inside and I NEVER remember to paint the other one to match.

As you know from my bedroom post, I love naked statues - what can I say? I only have a couple, it's a bit odd I know, but I love them. And I LOVE Venus de Milo. When I went to the Louvre years ago I was on a mission, La Jaconde (Mona Lisa), Victoire de Samonthrace (Winged Victory) and Venus de Milo. This miniature is an vintage museum gift shoppe repro. It was in Mom's old store forever til it finally became mine.

One of the first things I do in every home I go into is scan the book cases. You can learn so much about someone by scanning their book titles. Mine are a dead giveaway: Royalty, Old Hollywood, History, Historic Women, Gardening...

Though I plan to start posting on "Collections" you can't get away from my royal souvenir collection when visiting our living room. The bell commemorates the wedding of "my" beloved princess and the cup the coronation of the queen. The taler cup in the first of these two photos is of King Edward who abdicated to marry Mrs. Simpson.

Part of the barter. Italian, plaster and old and a good two and half feet in size. Need I say more?

This serene picture was my great gramma's. I love this picture so much I can just stare and stare and it. It has so many layers...the scene goes back so far. If I could just transport myself there...POOF!

I do collect old Shakespeare books. I love that man and this little display is a favorite in the room for me. The ratty suitcase I got at a garage sale YEARS ago. The little picture was a gift on Mom's birthday pile to me this year - from her living room, I have always loved it.

I also love cast iron book ends - I have two sets. One shy of a collection. Are we in agreement that three of anything makes a collection? Well, these are "The Thinker" and I found them for $5 at an auction 6 years ago. They make up my own self titled "classic works of art collection" - I have that Venus de Milo statue, another of Botecelli's Venus rising from the water and these Rodin's!

The Gone with the Wind was a gift from a friend at church years back who knew how obsessed I am with that movie. It is a first edition. A must read, oh-so-good.

My darling chickens, a little bookcase of matches (one is upside down) and more cast iron bookends. These found at that local park antique sale. $45. If there is something else I am crazy for - it's peacocks. Actually, last year if you paid attention they became very trendy and Anthropologie ran with it. My ego was bruised...that was MY idea way before it was theirs I thought! LOL!

The books are Whittiers poems - the ones against slavery will move you to tears and a Catholic prayer book I found at a Paris flea market - full of little scraps of paper, photographs and other treasures that meant something to someone long ago. Circa 1865.

Again, it was a killer morning at that antique park sale. I found this pair of alabaster based lamps WITH THE WONDERFULLY RATTY SHADES for $95. Now, $95 for two lamps was a bit of a stretch for me but they are delightful and if I was a person of means I would not have batted an eye at paying $95 for those lampshades ALONE!

The framed women is of no significance. I hate storebought, new frames - even though the room is plagued with them. I found this one the other day at a junk shop and plunked it down right here waiting for a sepia colored Amélie.

The top of the "TV" cab. Those hated frames, a decorated box with a lock of Aidans baby hair hiding inside and a cool, greco/roman looking lamp from the Salvation Army $24. There are peacock feathers (of course) in the Hagar Pottery vased arrangement.

Up close and personal : Shakespeare and the Holy Family.

There's another peacock! A little frame/ornament from Target and above it, a $12 plate from the antique store in my Gramma's rural mapdot town.

Not the same jackpot morning as mentioned multiple times above but the same park sale two years before. A 1970's Kelly green loveseat. I painted it - I was inspired by the sofa in the "Eurotrash" girl's article in Country Living a few years back.

I painted it in a wild rush 12 hours before a Christmas party so I did not take the time to sand it properly - it needs to be redone which is why the arms are a bit more worn than I would like them to be. It WAS in perfect condition til Aidan, when two years old decided to paint his nails while sitting on it. He did a great job with his nails but did get it all over the couch. I guess for $250 I can't complain...

The piece de resistance of the entire room. The sofa that brought Anne Marie and I together! (LOL!) Craigslist...you won't believe this...$175. It is, as wonderful as it looks and my be the nicest piece of furniture we own.

This giant thing was in a clients garage. I was painting...of all things, a palm tree in her teenage daughters room when we got to talking about our homes. I mentioned my chandelier collection and she mentioned she had one in the garage that was her aunts, it wasn't her style but she wanted it to go to a good home. She asked if I would take $50 off her mural bill. BONJOUR??? You bet I would and did! I painted the crystals blue with glass paint just for the fun of it.

The paint job I am most proud of.

When my friends shop was up and running I painted a ton of furniture for her and every time I would drop off a load I would, I am afraid to say, covet these Louis XV chairs. The yellow is the exact color of the living room ceiling and at the time I had NO pieces of furniture like them. They were from an antique shop in Paris, so she was told, and they were priced $1200.00 for the pair. Hefty I know, but she was down on Lincoln and Belmont and could often get away with prices like that. They never sold, so apparently, not often enough and we bartered them for some of my painted pieces - and NOT for $1200 worth either. The footstool is from a junk shop in town, $8 (we have a ton of junk shops) and I covered it with my beloved paprika colored toile and some of that orange tassle from Mom.

Everything in our home is very linear. Our living room alone had, at the time of this purchase, three doorway or passage ways and 6 windows (Joel has thankfully, since walled up a doorway that stood where the teal hutch is now). I so badly wanted a ROUND coffee table. I walked into a family friend's shop one morning as she was unpacking this rattan glass topped table and without thinking said, "I'll take it." It was $150. Aidan recently broke the glass by throwing a ball at the chandelier, a crystal fell and cracked it. So yes, that is packing tape you see. We have yet to replace it.

The peacock tin is a gift from Joel as we perused a junk shop one morning ($12) and the stack of books underneath is from the Marché aux Puces de Vanves in Paris. They are about the old masters. 6 Euro. The basked is my Ravinia picnic basket - I love a woven basket like that under my glisty chandelier.

So there it is. A tour of our living room. Every in process, ever changing...ever with my son riding his tricyle thru it and Princess Pants chasing after him on the tractor. Serpentining the furniture.

Ever full of love (and soon to hold a baby swing!!!)

Thank you for your time!

Other photo credits: Veranda magazine and Country Living.

I Think I May be Ill-

Am I missing something???

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VICTORIA!!!

Forgive my severe brevity (I am up to my eyeballs in canning Apple Butter, Peach Honey and planning church worship for this weekend - this minute post is no reflection on my affection for this dear woman!!!) but please join me in wishing my darling Sister (in law) a wonderful and blessed Happy Birthday!

Visit her wonderful blogs full of Political and Spiritual Insight and Homemade Gluten Free Wonders!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VICTORIA!

Hope to IChat later tonight!

I LOVE YOU!

Parisienne Farmgirl Homemade Herbal Shampoo

In the spirit of my personal "Put Up or Shut Up" campaign I have been making my own shampoo. It's one of those things that I hate to run out for and this year I have been focusing on weaning our family off the use of products with parabens and other undesirables in them. I figure if you want to keep the wrinkles at bay with high tech skin care you aren't going to get away from parabens -n- stuff but for the most part we have rid our toilette of them.

I had switched to a paraben free organic shampoo and conditioner for $7 a bottle but again, I would run out and have to head out to a specific store to find them. I know $7 a bottle is not alot for many people when it comes to their hair but honestly, washing my hair is one of the areas I have always been pretty cheap...It helps my justify twenty dollar mascara!

After a few weeks of the heavenly smell of this shampoo you will wonder how you ever lathered up with all those chemicals but here is my disclaimer - This shampoo leaves a different feel than you are used to. Sort of a "thick" feeling. For many this will be appreciated because most of us like our hair the day after washing it, once it has a days worth of product in it and it's a little dirty. This is very nice for wavy hair as it keeps it's shape when styling, My hair is not curly but it's not straight and it's crazy thick, I am interested to know how it works on all hair types. I am wondering if it would weigh thinner hair down?

Here is an analogy - if you have made the decision to nix boxed and processed food from your life you get to the point where you can actually taste the chemicals in that kind of food can't you? I have noticed a similar occurrence with the homemade shampoo - As a guest recently I lathered up with what was in someones shower and the chemicals and the smells of what used to be considered by me to be an acceptable shampoo were astonishing. It is truly amazing how we can retrain our our taste buds, noses and bodies for that matter to prefer what is natural and healthy.

You can cut a bit of that "thick" feeling by rinsing your hair with white distilled vinegar - don't worry, the smell immediately goes away upon rinsing. Vinegar makes in incredible conditioner. You can rinse twice with vinegar if you want but do it BEFORE you shave your legs or you will burn like crazy as it rinses away...and DON'T get it in your eyes. I use about one cup.

You can make this shampoo for pennies and not sacrifice your hair in the meantime. It smells so very good and if you tend a garden it is a lovely way to use those herbs before the frost arrives or grab some in the produce cooler section the next time you are out.

There are many recipes to be found on the Internet, some add glycerin and other ingredients but this is what I have come up with after experimenting with a few.

Enjoy!

You will need:

2 Cups Water -

Some prefer distilled, I have tried both and did not notice a difference.

1 1/2 cups Castille Soap -

Castille soap is natural and made from olives. The most popular bottle at the health food stores is very expensive and is made by some creepy, cultish Dr. Bronner. I hate to send my money that way but out here in the boon dock suburbs of Chicago it's all I could find. I know Trader Joe's sells their own brand and it's much cheaper. I plan to buy that next time and add my own lavender oil to it. If you click on the link in the first sentence you will find a very good deal.

A strainer

An empty bottle

Your favorite herbs -

My latest bottle was made with Rosemary and Lemon Balm.

Steep the water and herbs over low heat for 20-30 minutes. Strain and add to the Castille Soap...et voila. Homemade herbal shampoo. It works as a lovely shower gel (my next project is homemade soap) but you won't want to use it as a bubble bath as the Castille soap lathers but does not make good bubbles.

BTW - I did make my own toothpaste for awhile to avoid the junk they sell at the stores but I just could not get into it. I love to brush my teeth and never found myself looking forward to it. We have gone back to the incredible Jason toothpaste. Expensive but safe and healthy.

I have had incredible results with making my own laundry detergent. LOVE IT! It's all over the Internet but I may post about that soon. We girls got to save our pennies don't we?

I'd rather spend it in Paris...wouldn't you??

The "Vacation"

I will attempt to not write a book...and there is a slideshow down at the bottom if you don't have time to read about our adventure! The song is just a favorite of Joel's and mine right now.

We left with high hopes Monday morning of relaxation, nature and specifically to grow closer as a family and closer to God.

I had been cooking like a MADWOMAN to save money on the trip, Joel had been working 15 hour days - the Jeep was (as you will see) LOADED down. We looked like the Beverly Hillbillies but we were ready for a good time.

The ride turned stressful as winds whipped across the highway and Joel struggled to drive, our kids refused to fall asleep and the closer we got to "The Door" the worse the weather became.

Thankfully Joel, at the last minute had suggested I throw in the bathing suits just in case we ended up at a hotel. Genius. Because we did. It was so horrible and blustery and raining when we pulled into Fish Creek there was no way we could pitch a tent a mere 200 yards from Lake Michigan (bayside). So, we checked in to a modest hotel in town and then went to inform the park that we would be there tomorrow, weather permitting. They allowed us to drive thru to see our campsite and we went straight back to the hotel to go swimming. Upon entering the room something seemed fishy and when the bathroom light would not go on we looked at each other - the power was out!!!

Thankfully the pool had skylights. Our hotel was frantically trying to get their generators working - night was coming. We swam for a good hour and then, stomachs growling decided to go to my favorite restaurant. J.J.'s La Puerta. I love that place so much it's ridiculous. We mentioned this to a hotel employee and she mentioned that J.J.'s was closed because it had BURNED! WHAT??? I almost cried. No camping, no kids napped, no sunshine, no J.J.'s. No electricity.

Not good.

We thought we had better venture out to find a place to eat, I had made food but it was to be heated over a firepit, not eaten cold in a hotel room. Fish Creek was without power so we drove to Sister Bay, the closest town with juice. With horrible blowing, weather and rain and waves smashing into the shore we went from restaurant to restaurant looking for a place to eat. The entire county had been "invaded" by the surf and turf crowd - honestly, we were the YOUNGEST people for miles and every place I ran into had at least a 40 minute wait. We ventured on. Only to find a road closed with emergency vehiciles, we turned down another county road, starving and frustrated and I shouted out to Joel, "There's a deer!" - He kept driving. I said in again as deer number two began to cross the road, "There's a deer!!!" - He kept driving! Finally I YELLED, "Joel there are THREE DEER!!! ARE YOU GOING TO STOP!!!!" Thankfully, he did. He said he did not even see them.

Finally, we decided that we went through all that just to end up going to the Piggly Wiggly for a bag of chips. It would be salsa and cold beans in the dark hotel room for dinner. When we got back to the hotel a huge tree was down in the parking lot and we wondered how we would ever manage bedtime without Amélie's beloved white noise machine and with such wound up children. Not to mention Aidan was responding to the stress by being a sassy, bratty, unbelievable little thing.

I rigged a sheet hanging from the cupboard and a towel bar to give her a little privacy when she was in her crib and we drug the table and chairs into the hallway which had emergency lights and "enjoyed" our dinner out there! The hotel had given us candles for our room.

We ate and amused those who walked by at our ingenuity and decided to all go to bed in the pitch black at 8pm. The kids were so good and went down without any problems - which they usually do but I did not know what to expect all in the same room with everything that had happened. Around 8:20 I rolled over to see the clock radio flashing.

Thank goodness.

The next morning we went to the campgrounds, the winds had slowed from 30 mph to 24 so we thought we might brave it. When I checked us in the counter girl announced that the park was still without power. A bummer for hanging our Christmas lights and it would be more than a bummer that night when the temps hit 32 degrees. We were really counting on using our little space heater.

We checked in and went for breakfast at Al Johnson's - came back and set up camp. Joel stepped in a pile of what really appeared to be human...ca ca and I thought he was finally going to have a breakdown. For over 24 hours NOTHING had gone right and Aidan's behavior on top of it was bringing everyone to their breaking point.

And then... the sun broke through the trees and everything began to work out. By late afternoon the wind slowed down to a manageable speed. We threw rocks (Aidan's main priority for the entire trip), we made fires (after many rounds of soggy, expensive firewood), we window shopped (Amélie got a purse!), cooked out, walked in the woods, enjoyed nature and did, in fact grow closer to each other and I hope closer to God by learning to show patience in all situations.

It began utterly horrible and ended, not perfect but, as a good time for the four of us. We learned a few things (like, we NEED a Suberban) and made some good memories. I don't think Aidan will forget this vacation - reading his beloved "Little House on the Prairie" around our campfire...all in all it was a cozy time and did end up being what we needed even if Mom and Dad found no "rest."

Wednesday morning we woke cool but warm enough to survive in our tent. Aidan's brand new air matress had sank to the ground in the middle of the night so he was cozy warm in between Joel and I. Amélie was the first to awaken and I rolled over to see her standing in the crib requesting "MeeMee's" - I brought her into bed with us and she snuggled in. Her sparkling eyes looked up at me and you could see it all coming together for her in her mind as she said, smiling,

"Camping."

We're Back...

Not wanting to let the world know our exact location I kept it on the low-down in Blogland that we were taking off for a little family vacation (we used that word for the kids' sake).

We just rolled into town, back from Door Country. No, we didn't stay at the Thorp House this year (see side bar) -- we camped.

Yes, it was cold this week.

Yes, we all slept in a tent and it was 32 degrees at night.

Yes, you remember correctly, I am almost 6 months pregnant.

Yes, I am crazy.

Yes, now I am starting a jar on top of the fridge for a trip that involves a BIKINI!

More to come.

Introducing...

P.R. le Troisieme

I have never had an ultra sound before but my new midwife does them S.O.P.

Amazing.

Darned if this profile does not look JUST like Aidan's. I have a video but I am not too handy at the new IMovie like I used to be the old one. Julee, call me.

If I can figure it out I will add it to this post.

Four more months. We can not wait to meet this little, darling blessing!!!!

Easy Virtue!

I don't feel like removing the feature just yet so scroll all the way to the bottom to push pause on the music. Merci.

Boy oh Boy do I have a movie recommendation for you!

First, my disclaimer: When we search for a movies on the shelves of Blockbuster we very rarely pick your big Hollywood films. We are often drawn to foreign films and anything with those little "laurel wreath" award thingys catches our eyes. Our tastes compliment each other as I enjoy many "guy movies" like James Bond and Hubby enjoys a good subtitled flick and he might not want you to know this but Sense and Sensibility is one of his favorite films!!!

I sent Joel out the other night and held my breath - we are 99% on the same page with movies but the problem is there are so few good ones out there I did not want him to come home with something lame or too "blow 'em up".

Instead he picked the funniest movie we have seen in a long time; Easy Virtue. HILARIOUS! Especially if you love Brits and their wicked humor. The entire movie if you pay attention is a jab at them from the outdoor sportsman activities to the over- cooked unrecognizable vegetables. Did I mention it is HILARIOUS? At one point we were grabbing each others forearms with tears streaming down our faces in laughter. (Again, my disclaimer is my sense of humor is...well...not mainstream). Anyhoo - Here is the trailer and even if you find it dreadful the costumes worn by Jessic Beal are TO DIE FOR and have convinced me yet again that I was born in the wrong decade (what would I give to wear my red lips every day with a head full of pin curls????) and, well, let's face it...can a girl get enough Colin Firth?

Positively NOT.

A Family Morning of Apples and More

Answer to Old Centennial's question in the comment box:

Joni, We picked Macintosh apples and in a couple weeks will pick Empire (they are not ready yet). I froze 11 quarts of applesauce, made a large 10" apple pie and will hopefully get a gallon or two of apple cider vinegar from the scraps all from the bushel. Hubby drinks it every day and swears by it! Even U-pick is so stinking expensive around here but I hope to do another 2 bushel.

I am thinking about posting a "how to" on applesauce even though it's already all over the web, I grew up on it and all across the Midwest the girls in my family are putting it up as I type...

...Got a big wedding to shoot tomorrow so maybe next week....

Wellies. So popular in this house and with many names...

Wellie-bops, les bottes....

LeeLee was happy to eat whatever she could get her hands on.

Found a new editing tech for when Momma is looking a little haggard!

Even with my "signature reds" the hair was greasy and I was feelin' fat. This new editing button may be a new fav.

The boys.

How can dirty fingernails be cute?

Speaking of cute...you should have seen it on the dancefloor 14 years ago...

The schedule for Big Daddy is non-stop these days.

An answer to prayer which I really need to blog about but oh, the toll on a family when Daddy is not around. The kids and I find ourselves running on fumes by the end of the day without having him walk in the door for dinner. His presence energizes us in a way I don't think we realized until recently.

He finished a job this morning and knowing how badly I wanted to put a dent in the applesauce he called and said that he was done and we could run out to the orchard if I wanted to before he began the next job. Sans makeup and all our us were still in our jammies we dashed upstairs and got ready for Daddy to pull in the driveway!

What a time we had. Family time. So very precious especially since he would be gone for dinner and bedtime. You have got to carve out family time when the schedule gets filled. I was so proud that Joel did that for us this morning.

After we saw him off for work I did a little over a bushel of applesauce, whew. With "help."

I need to carve out time for a massage!!!

Mon Jardin et le fin d'été...

Je suis un peu triste...j'aime mon jardin et je déteste l'hiver...

Voila mon jardin et tout son colour á le fin de l'été.

Color is hanging on...even this late in September.

Blue eyes more handsome than any flower.

Savez-vous planter les choux...ils sont faux, ils sont faux. (Should I give a prize if you "get" this?) I removed my crispy, half dead "toonies" and opted for some mums and cabbage. I really don't care for mums but they were trés cheap and say "late summer." Can you tell I refuse to say the "f" word yet?

Letting the purple bean pods dry for next years seeds.

How to disguise ugly outdoor children's furniture. They loved it.

Terra Cotta. I don't have alot and could never get enough.

One of my favorite looks in the garden is roses with herbs. Roses with lavender, Roses with Ladies Mantle and Roses with Sage as seen here. If I could plow the entire thing under and start all over it the combination of roses with herbs would be my first choice

Entrez-vous.

Gravel path lined with Thyme. Again, something I could never have enough of (pun intended!)

Gardening shoes for pregnant ladies with ultra flat feet. SO UGLY I KNOW!

Got Leeks?

Aidan's new trick. Jumping out of the giant burning bush. We are headed into an entire new chapter of boyhood. I am holding on for dear life.

No words.

It took 7 years but I FINALLY have "Love Lies Bleeding" aside from my Purple Globe Thistle...well, they are both so unique.

An old mirror reflects my waterfall so you can enjoy it coming or going. Yes, I should have windexed it before the photos but there are a lot of things I "should" do.

I am thrilled about this late color. We have a very nice amount of it this year. Years of strategy are finally paying off.

The main path.

Black Opal and Sweet Basil.

Concrete Coleus.

Long Shadows and the Wellies. (Worn before my feet began to ache.)

Flagstone terrace...and the neighbor's car in the background...ugh.

It's been mentioned in posts long since past but this is the fountain we found for forty dollars a few years ago. Still unbelievable. I am trying to convince dear husband to bring it into the front porch for the winter. He has choice words for me every time I bring it up...and reminds me what life will be like for us if he has to have hernea surgery again. :)

Thank you for strolling thru my late summer garden. I am going to enjoy it until the last petal falls...