The Blue Hour

This photo of driftwood and candles was taken at the blue hour.

Wikipedia states the blue hour comes from the French expression l'heure bleue, which refers to the period of twilight each morning and evening where there is neither full daylight nor complete darkness. The time is considered special because of the quality of the light at this time of day.

I'm linking to:
My 3 Boybarians - Sweet Shot Tuesday

Kitchen: Phase 1 and Photo Tips

I decided to paint the kitchen walls with Sherwin Williams in Sea Salt.  I love it!  It's light with just a whisper of color, and my blue and white plates pop against this color.

I still want to paint the cabinets white, but I'll wait until it warms up so I can sand the doors outside.

The next two photos were taken before the walls were painted.

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch has an excellent post about photo tips that have changed my life.  I'm not kidding.  I have struggled with taking indoor photos; they always turn out so dark no matter how much I play with the settings.  Susan at BNOTP has some must read, easy to understand photo tips. 

Are you wondering how you're going to edit your photos once Picnik goes away?  I've been a little concerned, but I figured the big girls (the experienced bloggers) would tell us what our options are; and that's exactly what's happening.  The following links are some of the blogs I've stumbled across that have written about our photo editing options once Picnik goes away.


Between Naps on the Porch
Centsational Girl 
Southern Hospitality

I'm linking to:
Evolution of Style
Funky Junk Interiors
Thistlewood Farm

Driftwood and Candles

When I saw this ad in a magazine, I knew I had the perfect piece of driftwood in the yard.  I went out in the garden during a January thaw and grabbed this piece of driftwood.  

I love the driftwood and candles from this inspiration photo.

I'm linking to

A Stroll Thru Life

Beyond the Picket Fence 

Coastal Charm 
Craftberry Bush

Debbiedoos Magazine Copy Cat Challenge

The 36th Avenue
The Shabby Creek Cottage - Transformation Thursday

House of Hepworths - Hookin Up with HOH

Saved by Suzy - House Party

2805 - Potpourri Friday
Addicted to Decorating - Addicts (not so) Anonymous Party
At the Picket Fence - Inspiration Friday
Chic On A Shoestring – Flaunt It Friday
Common Ground - Vintage Inspiration Friday
Faith, Trust and a Little Pixie Dust - Fabulous Friday Linky Party
Finding Fabulous - Frugalicious Friday
French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Friday
Miss Mustard Seed - Furniture Feature Friday
Modern Country Style - Paint Please Link Party
My Repurposed Life - Catch as Catch Can Party
My Romantic Home - Show And Tell Friday
Redoux - What Have You Redone
Remodelaholic - Anonymous
Tatertots & Jello - Weekend Wrap Up Party
The Charm of Home - Home Sweet Home
The Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday

A Day in the Life of a Cat

A day in the life of Smokey Bear.

Catching some sunshine and zzzzzzz's. 

One of Smokey's favorite places is high on top the hutch.

 A good stretch.

Take time to smell the flowers.  This is why I use faux plants.

I'm linking to:

My 3 Boybarians - Sweet Shot Tuesday

Weekly Photo--Cuties

I hope to improve my photography; therefore, I'm going to try to submit a weekly photo to Sweet Shot Tuesdays at My 3 Boybarians.

Kitchen Update

I submitted the following question to Betsy Speert's Blog:

Dear Betsy, 
We live in a rustic cottage and the kitchen is a dark cave.  I'd like to paint the walls and cabinets white.  Do you have a favorite paint and color for painting kitchens? 

Betsy had some excellent ideas.  To see what paint and color Betsy recommended, go to Betsy Speert's Blog.  You'll be inspired by her blog and answers to other decorating questions. 

Do you think I should paint my cabinets and walls white?

Thanks for visiting.

Thank You

This campaign dresser is my personal favorite project from 2011, and it also got the most features.

I'd like to thank everyone that featured this dresser the first time I posted it and also the year end features.

Visit these blogs and be ready to be inspired.

Featured at:

Addicted to Decorating
Beneath My Heart
Better After
Craptastic
Decor & Harmony

Hi Sugarplum
Mod Vintage Life 
Primitive and Proper

Salvage Savvy
Southern Hospitality
Social Salutations

Southern Hospitality
The 36th Avenue 
West Furniture Revival

Painting the Kitchen

We live in a charming, rustic cottage (i.e, it needs a lot of work).  The kitchen is a dark cave.  Part of the reason the kitchen is dark is that it's on the north side of the house and the ceiling in the kitchen is 7 feet.

I  bought a a small sample of paint yesterday and painted to the left of the window.  I think I like it!

I've been thinking about painting the kitchen for a long time and have decided to paint the walls and the cupboards.  I feel a need to lighten and brighten this year.

I submitted the following question to Betsy Speert's Blog:

Dear Betsy, 
We live in a rustic cottage and the kitchen is a dark cave.  I'd like to paint the walls and cabinets white.  Do you have a favorite paint and color for painting kitchens? 

Betsy had some excellent ideas.  To see what paint and color Betsy recommended, go to Betsy Speert's Blog.   You'll be inspired by her blog and answers to other decorating questions. 

Do you think I should paint my cabinets and walls white?

I'm linking to The Nester Home Goal Party.