Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Wednesday Gratitude #31, and Blue and Brown at Heart and Home


“To educate yourself for the feeling of gratitude means to take nothing for granted, but to always seek out and value the kind that will stand behind the action. Nothing that is done for you is a matter of course. Everything originates in a will for the good, which is directed at you. Train yourself never to put off the word or action for the expression of gratitude.” -Albert Schweitzer

Thank you for being here for
 Wednesday Gratitude!


Today I'm thankful
for the slight chill  in the air this evening, as the weather turns to Fall.
I'm thankful for the sun streaming through the windows late in the afternoon,
and the long shadows and changing leaves.

But, I'm not ready to redecorate the living room for autumn, not yet.
It's still warm and summery during the day.



I'm thankful I have extra space in my house
to store all these very important accessories!

A few Fall-ish items are just what's needed
 to ease us into the season.



And, since I'm joining Cindy's Blue and Brown party today,
there's some of that around, too.

Blue and white are the basics in this house.
I love the combination, and it works so well with just about any other color.
It's only natural to add a little brown, for Fall.


I collected a bunch of orbs for the mantel.
What are they for?
Does it really matter?
I like the way they look!



Their spherical shape is echoed
in this bunch of dried Love-In-The-Mist.
I gathered these in my garden
and left them on the hammock in the sun to dry.



Brown leather cushions
 and a striped woven table runner say "Fall" to me.
I'm leaving the painted sisal rug in here for a few more weeks.
(For the how to go HERE)

It's too early to bring in the dark wool one,
but soon enough we'll be glad for the extra warmth on our feet!
Year round, white candles are a staple in this house,
I always keep plenty on hand.


I love using lots of cushions to make things nice and cozy!
I whipped up these burlap ones this weekend.

They have a knife edge with a double row of black top-stitching.
I decided not to monogram them, but may change my mind.
For now I think they look nice just the way they are.
Sometimes simple is best, in my opinion.


Speaking of simple:
Here's Maggie, in one of her favorite spots.
I wonder what she's thinking about?


She's probably thankful for her sunny nap-spot,
 her bowl of food, and the bacon-flavored treats she gets when she's good.

At least, those are the things I'd be thankful for, if I were her.

As for me, I appreciate all the pleasure I get from this home,
 the joy I feel making it warm and cozy,
and the happy anticipation I have for the coming season.

Until next time
XO
Heidi

Linking to Cindy's Cottage Instincts, for the Great Blue and Brown party.
Thanks, Cindy!


13 comments:

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Really like your touches of Fall decor..Pretty!
Hope you are having a great week.

vignette design said...

What a beautiful post Heidi! Reminding us to appreciate our world around us. I think that's what Maggie is doing! Love all your pre-fall touches. The burlap pillows are so cute as are your orbs. Wishing now I bought those lichen covered orbs today. But I did go in and get the Bordeaux clock....Thanks for hosting Wednesday Gratitude. Always good to spend the afternoon with you my friend! xo Delores

nanniepannie said...

Hey Heidi,
I'm joining you for the first time. Love your blog and your post.
Hope you'll come see me.

Jane said...

I love the small touches of Autumn you are bringing into your home, while maintaining and celebrating Summer's warmth! And that bunch of dried Love-in-the-Mist....to die for! I want some of that!!! Thank you for hosting Wednesday Gratitude....I love getting to participate in this link-up!

Have a great day!

Jane

Sherry said...

Thank you for sharing your warm and welcoming home. I will have to take some time to look at the other blue and brown day posts. I love the burlap cushions. I have made a few things with burlap lately and have had a great time with it. I always enjoy reading your gratitude post. We all need to stop and thing about what blessings we have each day. Thanks for hosting this day.

Richella Parham said...

I just tried to leave a comment complimenting you on your beautiful spaces and telling you that I had tried to leave a comment a few days ago when I got an error message. . . and when I hit "Publish" I got the same error message again! I'm so sorry about that. I'm trying again this time.

Love your blue! You just can't go wrong with blue and white, in my opinion.

Aaron {the girl with the boy's name} said...

Thanks for your sweet comment about my budget guest room. Your home is beautiful and you are obciously very talented! I love those burlap pillows, perfectly simple. Thanks again.
-Aaron

Sarah @ Modern Country Style said...

I'm really impressed with your double row of stitching.It really adds something extra special to those cushions.

Apron Senorita said...

I'm singing your blessings!! Yeah for extra storage room. I know how precious that can be. The kids and I are leasing a house but it doesn't have the space we were used to. It might be God's way of having me clean house more often. I hate housework!! Love to sew but hate to sweep. (LOL)

I can hear the smile in your words and I'm happy to feel your anticipation to the new season in life.

Take care friend,
Yoli :)

Sue said...

Your home is beautiful. Our pup sleeps on the back of the sofa and there is no wall there...I'm always afraid she will fall off and break a leg!

I love the orbs. I have some too and I am always drawn to them in the stores. Why is that?

Allison said...

Heidi - This is a very beautiful post and your home is gorgeous! Maggie is adorable and looks so content there on the sofa. The word "thankful" is one of my favorite words. I love your list of some very simple things to be thanful for that bring us happiness. I am also admiring your burlap pillows. Oh, how I wish I could sew. Those are perfect...nice and simple and classic. Have a good rest of the week.

Anita @ GoingALittleCoastal said...

Your room is lovely. I love the cushions you made. The texture of burlap is so great. Also love the large glass jar filled with the twiggy balls.

cindy said...

You have a beautiful room! So peaceful, and the touches of brown for the fall fit perfectly with your blue and white color scheme. Love those pillows too....

Thanks for sharing with the Great B&B blog bonanza!