"The Vintage Table"

Jacqueline deMontravel and the editors of Romantic Homes Magazine just released a new book titled "The Vintage Table". Like everything Romantic Homes does, this too is a wonderful book they've put together. They have complied pictures of tables & kitchen vignettes of the homes they have photographed for their magazine. It is a great little book, and what is so special to me, is not only am I included in the book and listed as one of the "Homeowners", but some of my friends are as well, including my buddy Ruthie and her daughter, Susan. Because the Romantic Homes office is located close to Country Roads, we often "loan" them items from our store. It was greatly appreciated that we also received credit in the "Resource" section. I love all the little vignettes featured in the book. There is a photo that is close to my heart that the book. While Jacqueline and Jamie (who is so sweet, and an awesome photographer) were at my home taking photos, they took one of this little, old blue & cream pitcher that was given to me as a child by my grandmother. It's cracked, missing the handle and the verse on it starts off with, "I'M A LEFT HANDED PITCHER MADE SPECIALLY FOR YOU". It is so nice to see something you love so much published in a book. Can't exactly explain why, but it just feels good. My old blue harvest table pops up in a few pictures as well, along with other "stuff" I have in my house. Speaking of Romantic Homes Magazine, in the current issue that is out now, Ted & Gloria Hill's home is featured. They have been dealers at Country Roads for a very long time. I've been to her house several times, and believe me, it is filled with lots and lots of "eye candy"! If you are into this world of "junkin" and have a chance, this new book, The Vintage Table", is worth you time.

Romantic Homes Magazine

So,the new August issue of Romantic Homes magazine is out. It is the one that has my house in it (that's not it on the cover). I remember when I was asked to have my house be in the magazine. I kept telling Jacqueline it isn't an old house, it's just a track house in a regular neighborhood. I was so nervous the day of the photo shoot, but both Jacqueline and the photographer Jaimee were so cool and easy going. I relaxed right away. I get uncomfortable with a lot of attention, so this whole magazine thing isn't exactly easy for me. The real reason I did it was so everyone would know about Country Roads. After all, so many of the things in my house came from Country Roads. It's weird to see your home in a magazine in newstands all over the place. I bought four issues today at the grocery store. I wanted to put an issue in each keepsake suitcases I have for Riley and Morgan. The checker asked me "why" I was buying so many copies of the same magazine. I shyly said, "my house is in it". Then she wanted to see "where" the article was, which held up the line behind me while I showed her. But she did ask about the store, my true motivation. When I first saw the magazine, I looked at the pictures in amazement. Jaimee is an awesome photographer, the photos came out so nice. This journey in life is always interesting to me and never boring, and now I have a magazine showing everyone where I sleep at night. . . kind of strange, you know?

Romantic Homes Magazine & New Grass!

Today turned out to be a really nice day. I was really stressed about it at first because Romantic Homes magazine was coming out to do a photo shoot of my house. I know I've got some cool stuff, but I always assume so does everyone else. My house is like the painting that is never done. I always have more than one project going on, and before one is finished, I've added another. Jacqueline and her photographer were great and made me feel so much more at ease. Jacqueline brought the flowers above over with her, and their "Vroom" book is doing another edition, where a couple of my table settings (which I think is what the book will be about, table settings)may be featured. It was fun to help gather different items with her for each of those shots. I've never, ever thought of my home as "magazine material", but their excitement over the house eased my nervousness! The issue that my house will be in won't be out until early next year, I'm looking forward to it.

I'm kind of obsessed with having a "green" front lawn. I have no idea what happened to my front lawn, but it has been dying a slow death and its been really depressing to me. I kept telling my kids, "I've never had a dead lawn in my entire life". I know that sounds trite, especially with so many important things going on in our world today. Anyway, I was concerned it would look bad with Romantic Homes coming to the house. Bryce dug out the lawn on Sunday, and Brande ordered the sod on Monday. The problem was it couldn't be delivered until today! The girls from the magazine were cool about it, and actually I had let that issue go before they arrived myself. As Bryce and Brande put my new grass in today, working side by side, it just meant a great deal to me. Something I'll always remember as I look at my new front lawn! As I said, it was just one of those days that was different from the rest, and really nice, and I am grateful to have had a day like today. . . thanks everyone!