CHEZ FIFI

LITTLE GARDEN SHED

 

 

I took a few days off (3 to be exact) from the magazine business and celebrated the new year by building the little shed I needed for storage. Of course, I didn't want just an ordinary shed but something that would look as it had always been there.  

It's on the concrete pad (which I used as the base) on the other side of the guest house. I had saved the old window, door, and copper awning when I demolished the garage. So glad I did! 

The little shed is build with plywood painted to look old (like the "planks" in the guest house.) 

I also saved the leftover pavers from the courtyard and used them to do the shed's floor. As for the interior I have to find the right pieces but must remind myself that it is a STORAGE shed NOT a little house and MUST not think "decorating".....hum......that's going to be tough!

I know you are going to ask so here you go: The little "nest" in the right corner is made from Spanish moss and the little egg isn't real. it's just for looks. The old sign over the door came from a junk shop (about 20 years ago!!) and the mirror came from a flea market in France. The sweet stone cherub was a gift.

The roof is tin but it's hard to see. I will have to take a photo. Still have to paint the back and add little shutters and curtains to the window (in the back.)

On to the "furnishing" part soon..................................

NEW YEAR WISHES..........

All we need is peace and...........love...................

I didn't take the photos or wrote the lines. They were sent to me. If animals can do this, so can we, humans, do. Don't you agree?    

Polar Bear: I come in Peace  
  
Norbert Rosing's striking images of a wild polar bear coming upon 
tethered sled dogs in the wilds of Canada 's Hudson Bay. 

The photographer was sure that he was going to see the end of his dogs

when the polar bear wandered in.  

It's hard to believe that this polar bear only needed to hug someone! 

The Polar Bear returned every night that week to play with the dogs. 

May you always have love to share, 
Health to spare, and friends that care........

These are my wishes for you.

Happy New Year to each and every one,

with much love,

      

LOOKING AHEAD.....

One of the weird thing about the magazine business is that we are always thinking way ahead. I am already into spring and summer. Fortunately since I live in Florida the weather is usually quite compatible with the warmer seasons. I say "usually" because this morning it was only 37 degrees, which for those of  us who live in old houses is quite uncomfortable because they were not built with cold temperatures in mind (not much insulation.) So, I put on my warmest clothes: a long sleeve t-shirt and a cozy cashmere sweater --acquired last year from a secondhand shop-- a pair of corduroy pants, socks, and boots. Then topped it all with the warmest robe I own and sat at the computer with a hot water bottle on my lap...... 

I know, you are saying "stop whining already! We have been dealing with a blizzard and mountains of snow!!" You are right. But believe me, last night was cold, in fact it was a "Three-cat-night" as the kitties snuggled up under the covers as close to me as they could get.

Anyway, this brings me right back to the days to come when little eggs are about to hatch....

 
.......the Texas blue bonnets spread in blue waves......... 

 

.........roses clamber up arbors........................

 .......................................sheep graze  peacefully............................
 

...........fuzzy baby owls discover their night world..............

.............bunny rabbits munch on fresh pansies.......................
 

..........and we can air linens..........

 ...........and clothes in the sunshine...............

 
  
 ...........or hide among nature in a sheltered spot...................

............or lunch under blossoming trees.........................
 

...............and in pretty gardens...................

(above & below photos and styling by Sunday Hendrickson)

.....even play house in a gypsy wagon.(if lucky enough to have one!)............

.......it's the time for little girls to wear their finest dresses...........

and for big girls to delight in new spring collections, thanks to magicians like the ever romantic Ralph Lauren..............

 

LOVE that blouse...maybe one day.......but for now I can dream.......

(all Ralph Lauren 2010 spring collection photos by Marcio Madeira)

I could go on forever...but, before I say good night I have a request for a project I am working on: 

Would anyone living in the following areas  Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and/orTexas, please email me local recipes and photos of homes with a farmhouse/prarie style?

Thank you so much for doing that. I look forward to your help.

Until next time..................

               

 
  

VARIATIONS ON A THEME.........

I KNOW IT'S SNOWY (TO SAY THE LEAST) AND COLD FOR MOST OF YOU SO I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT ENJOY SOME PRETTY FLOWERS TO "WARM" YOU UP...............

...........IT DOESN'T MATTER WHICH FLOWERS YOU PREFER ONE THING IS CERTAIN: FLOWERS MAKE ANY SPOT COME ALIVE EVEN MORE SO IN THE DEAD OF WINTER. AND, YOU DON'T HAVE TO STICK TO ORDINARY VASES. PICK WHATEVER YOU LIKE FOR CONTAINERS: JARS, GLASSES, URNS, BOTTLES, BASKETS, BUCKETS.....THE SKY IS THE LIMIT.......

  

 

  

AND WHEN YOUR BOOMS ARE PAST THEIR PRIME DON'T FORGET TO DRY THEM. ADD A FEW DROPS OF FAVORITE ESSENTIAL OIL TO MAKE A LONG LASTING POTPOURRI.........

               

IN THE EVENT YOU NEED A BIT MORE ENCOURAGEMENT TO DREAM OF SUNNY AND BALMY DAYS HERE ARE A FEW MORE ENTICEMENTS.......

 
FEELING BETTER YET? IF NOT, "SWAY" A WHILE.......................   

 
 
  

 
 
 

A FEW MORE DAYS......

.....BEFORE WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR. HOPEFULLY IT WILL BRING YOU LOVE & HAPPINESS, HEALTH AND.....MUCH LESS STRESS..............

IF YOU ARE GOING TO ENTERTAIN FOR NEW YEAR 'S EVE YOU MIGHT LIKE SOME OF THE FOLLOWING IDEAS FOR YOUR TABLE AND YOUR HOME............

 

A LITTLE CROWN STREWN WITH PEARLS ADDS A REGAL TOUCH...........

A TIER PEDESTAL ALLOWS TO CREATE A HEARTFELT DISPLAY.............................

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS COME IN HANDY FOR ADDING A GLAMOROUS AND FESTIVE TOUCH TO NAPKINS.................

.......AND NATURE FINDS A HOME IN A TWIG BALL FILLED WITH FLOWERS, A BIT OF GREEN, TWIRLING RIBBON AND LITTLE DOVES..............

..... HEARTS LET EVERYONE KNOW YOU CARE.............DRESS THEM UP WITH RIBBON...

............PINE CONES...........................

.........AND FOLIAGE................

..............ADD THEM TO THE BACK OF CHAIRS......

 ................ANY HEART IS ALWAYS IN STYLE, ANYTIME OF THE YEAR.........

 ..BECAUSE LOVE IS ALWAYS IN SEASON...........