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Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Oh, Shiny Things!

My camera is still A.W.O.L.


Luckily Howard has a camera, and although it is big and scary,
and weighs a ton, this morning he kindly showed me how to use it . . . .

You, my blogger friends, are guinea pigs for my first foray
into picture taking using a big-boy camera.  I apologize in advance!  This could get ugly.
Do not sue me for any retinal damage; you have been warned.

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 (Fanfare and flourish here.)
I hereby declare this a day for Pretty Things.

Among the prettiest: those roses Howard sent me for Valentine's Day.
They are the most gorgeous true red, and not fully opened yet so they'll last a good many days.

How beautiful; nothing we fashion can touch Nature's style.
But we'll give it a shot.
Let's move those roses out of the kitchen -- we'll lop off their skinny legs and plop them
into a favorite rose bowl -- and then we'll decide what to do with them.


  Out of the kitchen you go!
 As long as today is Pretty Things Day. . .
what could be prettier than things that cost only a dollar?
 
 I always think that being cheap inexpensive just makes something more attractive.
Ladies, do not tell this to my husband.  Or yours.

If there weren't already a Dollar Tree around the corner from That Old House, I'd have to invent one.
Look at what hopped into my cart on my last visit a few weeks ago:
Mirror-and-ruby-glass votive holders.
I mean, really!
Eureka!
Red and shiny.
I wanted to take their glamour shots last night, in the dark,
but I didn't know how to use the camera then.
(Yes, I hear the wise cracks:  "And you still don't!"
Which of course is perfectly true.)

Now we know that red Valentine's roses pair perfectly with shiny candleholders from Dollar Tree.

But we knew that all along, now, didn't we?
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And as a good deli man in New York City might say: "And vat else?"
Why, tea!
Or coffee, in this case.  Ssshhh, don't tell.


It's Tuesday, and tea parties have cropped up in blogger land like dandelions in our spring lawn.


Ah . . . now this is bliss.

 A pot of good black coffee, some pretty shiny things, several new decorating books
I treated myself to before Christmas, and the time to enjoy it all
and let the tension headaches of the past two weeks fade away.
 That's a vintage Wedgwood Patrician mold cup and saucer, in the Bognor design.
Embossed and hand painted.

 Howard's Mom gave me the white coffee pot.
And you know where the votive holder came from!

 Books to dream over, and the pillow my sister Peg made for me last winter.  Perfect.

I'll share the bliss with the Snowman family inhabiting the mantel.

I like to hold over holiday reds and snowmen until the end of February.
 They do brighten bleak winter days!
 And the snowmen just look so darn silly that I can't resist them.

I'll be back.  After I have my coffee.
I'm afraid I've only set out a cup for one today.
 Go get your own!  -- Cass


My friend Tam at The Gypsy's Corner hosts Three Or More Tuesday.   Click here to visit.  
I've got more than 3 Dollar Tree votives to contribute.  But you will ADORE what Tam is sharing!

Marty at A Stroll Through Life hosts Tabletop Tuesday.    Visit Marty here!
I am sure you will find gorgeous tabletops to swoon for!  And Marty is sponsoring a giveaway and I won't tell you what it is but it involves BLUE AND WHITE.  On second thought, don't go there . . . too much competition!  :-)

Linda at Coastal Charm hosts Nifty Thrifty Tuesday  Check it out here!
There is nothing like Thrifty to fire me up!  And Linda's got some giveaway teases for you, too.

And dear Lady Katherine and her Tea Time Tuesday party!  Click here to visit this charming lady.   She's got a most amazing Valentine's tea set in a gazebo, and she herself looks all windblown and rather "come hither" -- so go thither and see for yourself!



24 comments:

  1. Cass. Wonderful photographs, I wish I was half as talented! We share the same taste in books! You have a beautiful home, wish I could visit and have a nice cuppa with you!

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  2. You have turned into a professional photographer before our eyes! Such beautiful roses and such fine photography. I can't wait to see more of your pretty things through the eyes of your new camera.

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  3. Wonderful photographs! Those candle votives are to die for. How come I never see all the treasures you find at the Dollar Tree. I think I will have to make sure I get there on a weekly basis! :)
    Maureen

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  4. Great looking votive holders... I haven't stopped by in far too long. What happened to your camera?

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  5. Oh how pretty. Love your roses and the table set for coffee with good books is fabulous. Your room is so pretty. I would love to sit there and just enjoy. Thanks for joining TTT and thanks for the shoutout about the Giveaway. Hugs, Marty

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  6. Those roses are breathtakingly beautiful! Your photographs are amazing.

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  7. Wow, what beautiful photos! You should make greeting cards out of those roses! I need a "big boy" camera!

    I'll be right over for coffee!

    Mary

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  8. LOVE those votives!

    I've actually MADE that style of votive and by the time you buy the glass container, the glass, the mirrors, the grout - - - you have A LOT more than $1/votive IN THEM - - - and mine, at least, were NOT as pretty as those.

    You go girl!

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  9. What a cute post. Love the "Go get your own". See I did read the whole thing....lol....The roses are just gorgeous and I had a great time visiting you.

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  10. Beautiful roses! You are doing a great job using the camera. :)

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  11. You are a great student, because your photos are very, very nice. Good color (especially in those red roses ... which are incredibly challenging to get right). I love the fact that you brought a pot of coffee to the tea party. :)

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  12. You did a great job with the BIG GIRL camera! Those roses are beautiful...and you had me at black coffee! Diana

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  13. Loverly. Roses are beautiful and I like how you arranged them.

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  14. Great Post today!! I love everything....the photos, the roses, the snow people, the votives, the mantel, the chair, the side table and lamp, crocheted linen on the table. I WANT TO MOVE IN WITH YOU!! I love your style AND your house. sigh....

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  15. Wow, Cass! The pictures are wonderful. The roses look gorgeous.

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  16. Beautiful photos Cass..and I'll get my own coffee girl you can have the tea..It just makes me run to the out house ha ha!!I have missed you my Dear friend..Hugs and smiles Gloria

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  17. Cass,

    Your roses (and photographs) are beautiful. The mirror-and-ruby-glass votive holders exquisite. I adore your sense of humor Cass! I hope one day we can meet up.

    Your Friend,
    Deborah

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  18. Now your pics look outstanding...beautiful red roses and I love that rose bowl.

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  19. Beautiful roses. I love your candle holders and how they reflect the light.That little pillow is so cute, and true.

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  20. I'm so with you on the fireplace. Lovely table with beautiful flowers as your centerpiece.

    Angelo H

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  21. It will be perfect for tea party. You are a great student, because your photos are nice. Good color, especially in those red roses which are incredibly challenging to get right.

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  22. You seemed to handle the big boy camera very well considering it was your first time shooting on a new camera! Really great clarity in the rose photos really beautiful. You have a good eye for layout which shows in your photography. Having a good eye can be the difference between what makes a great photographer and just an average one even if they technically are on the same skill level.

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