Singles or Pairs? ? ?

Why,
        oh why, 
               do I do it  e v e r y t i m e ? ? ?

Inevitably,
     e v e r y t i m e,
                           I find either the 
                             creamer o r the lidded sugar bowl.

It's not often that I find a matching pair.

I absolutely adore this vintage pattern dinnerware.


It's soft, subtle creamy ivory hue. . .

it's la' petite oval design. . . 

makes my heart ^sigh^ !


I began collecting these ethereal pieces of dinnerware just last year.

Each time "Mr. Ed" and I peruse the Antique and Flea Markets,
I search for additional pieces!

So~o~o. . .
                    for now, 
                           I'll be content with the beginnings
                                     of a new collection On Crooked Creektt!

Ever watchful in the near future for the matching creamer to appear.

Inevitably hopeful that it will surface     
                     and take this lidded sugar bowl 
                                       from a single to a pair!


Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creektt will be joining. . .

Christine @ Rustic and Refined for Table It!

And. . .

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphosis Monday!

And. . .

Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday!

And. . .

Jody and Stan @ Rooted In Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays!

Be sure to visit each of these amazing host and hostesses 

for inspiring decor ideas for your own home!

Through The Garden Gate. . .

Seating more than "Mr. Ed" and I,
in our petite Dining Room On Crooked Creektt,
can be an e x t r e m e l y challenging.

However,
that does not deter us from enjoying family dinners, 
gatherings and entertaining in our 1970's Ranch Style Home.

One of my favorite homemaking tasks
is to set an inviting tablescape for the family and friends
that frequent our home.

I'm sharing a tablescape from my gently retired original blog. . .
On Crooked Creek. 

It is my hope that you, dear friends and followers,
will continue to experience the journey of life
On Crooked Creektt (Take Two).

I began this simplistic Garden themed tablescape 
by using a heirloom vintage white damask tablecloth.

Next,
I placed the natural organza linen hued square table topper
on a diagonal. 

The softness of this billowing fabric adds dimension and texture to this tablescape 
relaxing the atmosphere within the Traditional setting.

Scrunching the points of each corner between the place settings 
allows for the highlighting of the embroidered motif.

One of my frequently used circular orange floral scalloped place mats
brings a dash of vibrant hues reflecting the plantings through the Garden Gate.

Bubble glass everyday stemware will suffice as our water goblets.
My delicate rose etched crystal liqueurs will hold a 'sparkling' refreshing drink.

Placing a triple folded napkin atop the dinnerware
balances the color palette throughout the the tablescape.

The menu tucked within also serves as a place card
and a memento of the evenings cuisine.

The unique centerpiece consisting of a cauliflower tea pot surrounded by statuary lidded urns invokes a whimsical ambiance. 

On Crooked Creektt's Gardens Gingersnap and Creamy Ivory Tea Rose buds
combined with wisps of Purple Salvia fill petite white scalloped bud vases
 extending the centerpiece with continuing colorful hues.

Everyday porcelain white dinnerware 
combined with Oneida flatware keep clean~up to a minimum, 
allowing "Mr. Ed" and I to linger around the table 
or to stroll through the Gardens On Crooked Creektt alongside our guests.


Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creektt will be joining

Christine @ Rustic and Refined for Table It!

And. . .

Brooke @ Creative County Mom for Home Sweet Garden!

And. . .

Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday!

And. . .

Jody and Stan @ Rooted In Thyme for Simple and Sweet Fridays!

Be sure to visit each of these amazing host and hostesses 

for inspiring decor ideas for your own home!

The Dust Has Settled!

Since arriving On Crooked Creektt 13 years ago,
"Mr. Ed" and I have changed nearly e v e r y t h i n g 
in this 1970's Ranch Style House!

Our most recent project was replacing the original to the home's
dark marbled "tiger~eye" hued ceramic tile 
that had been inlaid with black grout.

Not only does this make our Entry Hall even darker than it already is. . .
several of the tiles had broken and the grout was continually coming out!

At one point, 
I even purchased an inexpensive throw rug to hide the tile
and lighten the Entry Hall. 

Having $aved a bit of money this past year,
when "Mr. Ed" asked how I wanted to use the extra ca$h,
I didn't hesitate one bit. . .new tile for the Entry Hall!!!


So~o~o. . .
off to our local Lowe's Home Improvement Store we went!

I knew these smaller 6 inch ceramic tiles with mosaic tile inserts 
would be perfect placed on a diagonal in the small 4' X 5' space.
The glass mosaic tiles would reflect the light within the space
and give much needed illumination to our dark Entry Hall.

H o w e v e r,
no more than did we begin with this project
than the unforeseeable events begin to take place.

While the Roman Stone Noce (Made in Italy) 6 inch tiles were perfect ,
the glass mosaic tile inserts are not approved for floor installation.

So~o~o. . .
after two calls from the Installation Officer at Lowe's,
and upon her suggestion,
"Mr. Ed" and I found a suitable replacement for the glass mosaic.

And so~o~o, 
the demolition begins. . .

first,
the necessary boarding is put down. . .

then,
for proper positioning the pattern is laid into place. . .

finally,
the adhesive is administered and the actually tiling begins!

Half way there. . .

and that's a wrap for Day #1!

The installers highly recommended allowing the tiles to "set"
overnight and returned the next day to fill in with the grout.

Note to self. . .
never, never, never give approval of the finished job 
while the black tarps are still atop the carpeting!!!

The next morning,
I placed a call to the Installation officer at Lowe's.
I simply stated the problem and told her this work was unacceptable.

The Installation Office made a visit to our home
and completely agreed with us that this was not acceptable workmanship.


So~o~o. . .
what began on June 30th has now been corrected. . . 

with satisfactory results. . .#7 weeks later!

With patience and perseverance. . .
there's a lighter, brighter and more cohesive appearance 
to On Crooked Creektt's Entry Hall!

"Mr. Ed" and I had hoped to have already replaced 
the "PoPcorn" hued walls with Sherwin~Williams Sand Beach.
That is our next project in finalizing this Entry Hall makeover.

At the present, we are waiting to seal the grout.
Once that has been done, we will proceed with paint!

Ah~h~h. . .the joys of home ownership!!!


Until next time. . .

A Mid~Summer Evening. . .

A mid~Summer evening On Crooked Creektt's front porch.

We have been so~o~o fortunate this year
to have had cooler temperatures and additional rainfall.

However, the inpatients that were planted late Spring
became root~bound and were no longer blooming.

This weekend, "Mr. Ed" and I moved two of our potted plants 
from the back deck to the front porch 
to fill in until the Autumnal plants arrive locally.

Both are "new to us" planting varieties. . .
The first is called a "Firecracker Plant".

What attracted me to this plant was the vibrant orange blossoms!!!
Upon closer visual investigation,
I was quite intrigued with the cactus appearing shaft at the base of the bloom.

The glossy green leaves are almost artificial looking. . .
did you notice that I have a visitor on the front porch this evening???

The second plant is an "African Queen" fern.

I purchased this plant solely for its "Drought Resistance" properties.

No matter how often I "tease" this plant, 
its fronds don't turn downward. 
You do "tease" your plants, don't you???

Of course,
when I move the plants, I also move the out~of~doors decor.
A bunny pair from the back deck now greet visitors On Crooked Creektt.

These bunnies are such an adorable pair!
It appears that one is whispering in the others ear.


The view our guests see as they arrive . . .

the view from the Entry Hall as we greet our guests On Crooked Creektt.

All has been "switched" from one setting, the back deck

to another, the front porch 

for the sole purpose of enjoying a Mid~Summer Evening On Crooked Creektt.

Until next time. . .

* * * * * * * FYI * * * * * * *

My Dad's 88th Birthday . . .June 2010.

Dear Ones,

It is with a grateful heart that I "Thank You" for the prayers on my Dad's behalf.

He has taken two hard falls in two weeks.

At our visit this week, it is evident that his body is weakening daily.

My heart is breaking watching him suffer, be in pain 

and the rapidly decline in "quality of life" that he continues to endure.

We will continue to travel as often as is possible 

to spend as much time as we can to be with him.

It is my hope that the visits from "Mr. Ed" and I will, somehow

ease his transition from this life to the next.

Fondly,

Pat

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *