International Family and a '73' Bernina

Hello ~

It's a beautiful gray and white snowy day at the cottage.  The sea is out there...somewhere beyond the many layers of the marsh...in the mist and fog.

Today I'd like to introduce you to an old and faithful friend.
My vintage Bernina.  We go way back.  She's not pretty or fancy anymore but she has good bones and comes from a good family in Switzerland. Bernina.

She was a big purchase when first married and has sewn many curtains, pillows, little girl dresses and now quilts for those little girl's (and boy's) babies! 

Still in her original red case with a Bekins sticker.  She's well traveled too.  From coast to coast ~ California to Massachusetts.

and original red sewing box.

I'll think she'll be around for a long, long time!

Happy Weekend ~

Thanks for stopping by!

Roberta

Jeanne d'Arc February

Pre-order now for some Spring and Easter inspiration!

Sunday Comfort

A beautiful sunny and really cold Sunday makes for good picture taking inside.  (I'll bet you thought I was going to say cooking.)  Finally, an entire day to stay warm and comfy with no place to rush off to. 

Feels good to putter around...take some photos and putter some more.  See how the red keeps creeping
in?   I can't resist a vintage French towel with some red.  Especially a monogrammed one with my initials!  This one is a favorite and Christmas gift from a good friend.

                                 Took the time to set up the tripod for these photos.

This one was taken later when the sun had gone down so I needed the chandelier for light.  It's tough to take pictures with the glare from the window or lights on my beautiful framed French letters.  I still don't know how to remedy that.  (Open to suggestions please:)

The crock came out of an old family barn.  Uncle Joe was a milkman and as kids we were lucky to have the best of both worlds,  the beach and the farm.  I love the rustic milk crate because my daughter's name is Bethany and Rosehurst is such a pretty name for a dairy.

I made the awning in stripes for a French Cafe vibe in the kitchen.

Ikea has some pretty fabric by the yard! (yup, that's a spring rod!)

 Thinking about some Sunday comfort food ~ whole wheat pasta with plenty of garlic, olive oil and parmigiano cheese.   hmmm

 

I really love curtains hung like this in the kitchen!   So homey and spring rods are the best invention! This is where I keep the trash can hidden.   I can't do much else with this space since I have to be able to open the cabinet door.

And, my new favorite Portuguese cookbook. It has stunning pictures, a little history and some great recipes which I have not yet tried. I bought it for the beautiful cover and I love it.  Tessa Kiros has other cookbooks which look wonderful too!

                         Well, that's my idea of a comfy winter's day.  So glad you've stopped by!

                                                                              YUM!
                                                                                XO

Happy New Year!

                                 Let's hope it's a good one my friends!

xoRoberta

the new babe and a peaceful christmas

She is the sweetest babe and such a joy and blessing at 10 weeks.  The most wonderful Christmas present of all and visiting from Oregon with my youngest daughter and son-in-law..

PEACE ON EARTH

 a yearly visit from Jack Frost,

   a French Champagne basket which is my favorite 2011 flea market find for only $5.00 ~

                                
                           and a vintage ornament chandelier.

                                So much to be thankful for.

                           So many blessings in 2011.

Hurricane Hydrangeas

Hello Everyone!  Just waiting out Irene at a friend's home after boarding up windows on the waterside of the cottage. 

 While the guys were doing their thing I picked up around the yard and cut hydrangea blooms that would surely not have been intact after the winds and rains. 

The trick is to cut them when they are firm to the touch and I always have great success with them drying beautifully. 

Since I didn't have much choice, they were picked at different stages and are spread around the house in glasses with a little water hoping for the best!

Wishing you all the best of luck with your hydrangeas!!  (and with Irene)

xoRoberta

Love & Hidden Treasures in Topanga Canyon

 It was great to be with the kiddos and grandkiddos on their turf for a change.  While in Los Angeles visiting my sweet new Russi*n granddaughter, we drove to Topanga Canyon to a horse farm where Ali and Beth joined a homeschooling group to ride horses and get to know them for their gentle and healing qualities.  I loved it in the Canyon.  So peaceful and beautiful!  The 'Love' sign and vibe here brought me back to the 70's!

Her bonding with Mommy and Papa has gone extremely well in the first month and such a blessing to see such love among the three of them already.  Ali recently told one of her Russi*n teachers that

'she has a mommy and daddy now'.  She's one lucky little girl and so are her parents.

While in Topanga Canyon we passed the cutest place and couldn't resist turning around!

It went on forever with a lot of outdoor space.  The beauty of southern California!

  'Petticoat Junction!'

The stone wave sculpture at the bottom of pic would have come home with me had it not been so heavy!

It looked like Hidden Treasures has been around since the 70's and had EVERYTHING from Victorian to Early Cowboy to Elvis and Marilyn and of course the fabulous Hippie era!

 Ali had a blast with the vintage sunglasses.  Too bad we left those heart ones behind!

If you ever find yourself on the twisting canyon roads of Topanga, look for Hidden Treasures.  It was delightful!

baby beach bums

I'm in NC with the boys!

tatooed babies

what does this one remind you of?

 love the motion in this one

 the cling-on child.  has been since he was born and of course I don't mind a bit.

the super, duper imaginitive child and the perfect dog

cherub

love these sugar sandy beaches, clear warm waters and beach baby bums