Blogspot - Recipe Scratch Rusia

I love spring cleaning.  I'm sure that sounds nutty, but I do.  Remember when we moved out of our house for our new addition?  I said, "I love packing."  And again when we moved back in, I said, "I love moving and unpacking."  It is all in the same vein for me - that fresh start, new project feeling.  Cleaning up and cleaning out.  I just love the feeling I get of physically working and cleaning, not to mention the lightness it brings to our house. Our home works very hard for us - entertaining, family time, play dates, nightly dinners, big and little holidays - so keeping it in good order helps us to live fully.  We've all had those issues in our home that make us feel like "we can't have anyone over until..." or "we can't enjoy the backyard until..."  I never want any of those reasons to keep us from fully living and enjoying - having friends for dinner, family time in the backyard, relaxing on the porch with wine in the evening...

We've done our typical 4th of July decorating - adding flags everywhere.  It is such a small touch, but when sprinkled throughout, has such a big impact!  I absolutely love how festive it makes our home feel. The 4th of July Sale 25% off the 4th of July Collection in my store, use code : 4thSale > We've had some nice rain showers lately that have put my Annabelle hydrangeas on the ground, so I took the opportunity to bring some inside.  Emma took my photo while I added some flags to an arrangement : ) I put the hydrangea arrangement in our living room on the antique chest that houses our Christmas ornaments.   Cottage Stripe Pillows, $38-46 I love the combination of the flags + our antique ship painting.  It makes our living room feel like it belongs on Nantucket... for a moment.  Then I step outside to 95 degree weather and remember we live in Kansas!  Shop the 4th of July Sale for 25% off the entire collection >

Summer The older I get, the less concerned I am about trends and the latest, in general. Instead I want our home to feel gracious, comfortable, and tried and true. I like pretty things. Remember pretty? During the summertime, I like our lives to stand still and away from the rest of the world. I think of that quintessential summer cottage that sits at the end of a shady lane somewhere, maybe next to the water, that is removed from time. I think of bare feet in the grass playing under the cherry tree, the smell of fresh laundry, lush green backyards with rose-scented air, over-stuffed beds with crisp white sheets layered with small print linens, slow mornings spent piddling in the kitchen and late sunset dinners on the patio. The Garden Home Collection feels like this to me. It is a classic combination of blues and greens with hints of lilac and peony pink. I have baskets full of potted plants (thanks to Tessa of Nine and Sixteen for the inspiration), and cheerful stripes and checks th...