For the Love of Pergolas

If I could do one thing to the outside of our house, I would add another pergola. They just add so much interest to a house. A pergola with a red brick patio underneath would just be too much to ask for, but I can dream can't I? I am working on the small pergola that we have. No, I am not building one just adding a little something. Our pergola is not painted white, how nice would that be? None of these pergolas are ours. I borrowed them from the Internet.

I do not even want a hot tub ,but if it meant another pergola, bring it on.

They say if you are going to dream, then dream big. This would be my dream back yard. The house is a bit big, but I guess if I had to take it I would. Does it come with a maid, because I can not imagine cleaning it. The window cleaning alone would be exhausting!

I love how they draped fabric over the roof for some much needed shade. It does not have a brick patio, so this one will just not do.

Sewing can be Fun

Last summer I got reacquainted with my sewing machine. In the past I would take it out to sew new valances or a pillow or two. Last summer however I started making fun things. It started with a hobo style handbag I made for myself from a Simplicity pattern. Then I started making the hobo bags for gifts. That led to making cute little accessories to go with the bags. It all kind of snowballed. Now I have a small box I keep all the extra fun things in. If I need a gift in a hurry I can always go there first.

You can see that one is a checkbook cover, now that I see it, I may just use it myself. There is a small purse that can be used to hold a gift card and a key chain with a a small pocket that can hold some emergency money. I have a feeling the sewing machine may be coming out again, soon.

Thanks Dad !

I hope that you will not mind a few more pictures of my deck. I never usually do anything to this side, but I am on a roll. It is just a small little section, but I love little nooks and crannies. The flag has been there for years, I must say it has done well for all the horrible weather we have in Rhode Island. The flowers are on sale at the local garden shop, I think one more trip and I will be done for the season.

I love the look of white on white. But,the black pot adds that little bit of contrast. I really did not plan any of this, it all just sort of fell together.

The reason it fell together is because my father dropped the table and two chairs off the other day. I am not sure what I did to deserve it, but I love the way it looks, in this usually neglected part of the deck. I did not even see the light from the lamp when I took the picture, but I like the way it looks. Sad thing is that I took the picture at 5:00 in the evening and there was a bit of thunder off in the distance and that put a quick end to all of my outside fun for the day.

Wonderful Weekend

Have a wonderful Weekend! Happy Father's Day!

Block Island, Rhode Island 2006

The Dishes Will Have to Wait!

It happened again ...this time while I was doing the dishes. There it was on the kitchen counter, an empty box. The box that my checks come in was just lying there, waiting to be put in the recycle bin. What was I thinking, I could put pretty pretty paper on it and use it for something! The dishes will have to wait. This had to be done and done quickly.



In less than an hour the box was covered, now what was I going to do with it? The dishes are still in the sink and the water is now cold. That is alright because it happens a lot.

The artists trading cards I made a few weeks ago were still in a pile at the end of the counter. It seems they are a perfect fit to the newly covered box.

The artist trading card in the picture below is titled "Ocean State" because that is the nick name of the state I call home. The biggest little state in the union, Rhode Island.

Basil Basil Basil Basil

I planted basil for the first time last year, it was such a success that I bought more last week. Most of the basil was planted in a large container, but I had a couple of plants leftover so I put some in this clay pot. That just wasn't enough so I tied a piece of red gingham fabric around the top and popped this basil sign in the dirt. We make a lot of grilled pizzas in the summer and I love fresh basil on mine. I really enjoy going outside and picking a few pieces of basil instead of going to the market and paying $3.oo a bunch. I really liked how the pot came out, so I went to Jo Ann's and bought a few more signs, they were 1/2 off $1.99 For about $10.00 I made three more. I think they will make nice gifts. I know my Mom will just love one.

Is it hot or is it just Me?

I guess it is official, it is hot! Sure, the weatherman gets it right this time. I hope everyone is finding ways to stay cool. Our air conditioner and ceiling fans have been running almost non stop since Saturday. I have been drinking lots of water and by the way so have my plants. I have been watering in the morning and evening. I even moved them to shady areas on the deck. I hope they all make it.


When I went to get the paper today I bought two ice cream treats. I do not remember the last time I hand picked ice cream treats right from the store freezer. The kind of freezer that has all the ice cream treats from your childhood priced to sell individually. When I was young we always had the ice cream truck go through our neighborhood during the summer. Can you remember how fast you would run to get that ice cream? My kids never had the ice cream truck make a daily visit to our house. We live in the rural area of town. Do they know what they missed?



In the top left hand corner of the first picture there are two cans of peaches. I was going to make a peach cobbler today but I ate the ice cream treat instead. I will admit I was not disappointed by my choice of treats, it was very good. I want to make the cobbler later this week.