Name that Designer

Dearest blog friends, can you help me?

I really like these two images and haven't a clue

as to whom the designers or photographers were?

Please help me identify them so that I may give them proper credit for their amazing work.

If I recall correctly the top image was on the cover of Southern Accents several years ago.

Anyone have a back issue that can look this up?

(Things that Inspire, I'm counting on you for this one--there are intaglios!)

Now, the twin beds with the bookcase--how great is that! I know several of you have featured this on your blogs, but for the life of me, I can't remember who did this work.

(Oh, and for those interested: The brunch was wonderful. We had sausage and egg quiche, cream cheese danish, pineapple, honeydew, strawberries, grapes, shrimp and grits, pumpkin bread, assorted juices including tomato, orange, and pomegranate--and of course hot, hot coffee! I'm so sorry I didn't take one picture. I did good just to have the table set. Wish you could have seen it. I used china from the late 1800's, etched crystal, old sterling flatware and white linen. I broke a coffee cup. Boo. Oh, well. I say USE IT! What good is it sitting in a cabinet or drawer?)

UPDATE:
Thank you, Rindy, for helping me to identify the first photograph.
"The designer is Jackye Lanham. It was the cover of the Jan/Feb 2006 issue. I just happened to have my copy out! Rindy"

Now, what about the twin bedroom shot?

The Brunch Bunch

Who doesn't adore a fabulous brunch?

Ham biscuits, sweet cakes, homemade preserves, grits and gravy!

Mr. Green and I will be hosting brunch tomorrow.

Do you have any breakfast favorites that you like to serve?

I'm looking for a few more ideas to fill in the menu.

I'd like to hear what you'd serve.

I hope your weekend will be filled with hot coffee, warm conversation

and the dearest of friends!

(Photo credit: Brooke Slezak, Beth Dreiling Hontzas, & Southern Living)

The Royal Abbey

Several of you were exactly right! I was inside the glorious Westminster Abbey! More specifically, I sat in the choir stalls for a service (see photo below). It was absolutely beautiful. What a glorious place to worship!

Westminster Abbey is steeped in more than a thousand years of history. Benedictine monks first came to this site in the middle of the tenth century, establishing a tradition of daily worship which continues to this day.

The Abbey has been the coronation church since 1066 and is the final resting place of seventeen monarchs.

The present church, begun by Henry III in 1245, is one of the most important Gothic buildings in the country, with the medieval shrine of an Anglo-Saxon saint still at its heart.

A treasure house of paintings, stained glass, pavements, textiles and other artefacts, Westminster Abbey is also the place where some of the most significant people in the nation's history are buried or commemorated. Taken as a whole the tombs and memorials comprise the most significant single collection of monumental sculpture anywhere in the United Kingdom.

The Library and Muniment Room houses the important (and growing) collections of archives, printed books and manuscripts belonging to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, providing a centre for their study and for research into all aspects of the Abbey's long and varied history.

(the above information provided by the official Westminster Abbey website: http://www.westminster-abbey.org)

(AP image of Elizabeth II Coronation)

Westminster Abbey was also the location of the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Turn your speakers on.

Can You Guess...

(Getty image)

Can you guess where I have been?

It was marvelous!

Let's hear your guesses. The more specific, the better.

Hope you all had a happy Christmas and a most wonderful New Year!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Friends, this truly is the most wonderful time of year. Each year, I struggle with how to decorate. Do I keep things simple? I think of how humble the very first Christmas must have been. My mind then thinks, "Wait a minute, we are celebrating the birth of the King of Kings!"

Seriously, sometimes I do good just to have a tree and a wreath on the door.

In my heart, I long for "lush and over-the-top".

I want my home and life to reflect the LOVE that was given to ALL OF US so many years ago

(thank you fabulous Becky Luigart-Stayner)

Wether you have a Charlie Brown tree, a elaborate "magazine worthy" production or a Menorah (love to you Joni and Renee), just remember that

God truly loves each and every one of YOU!

While you are going down your blog roll today and throughout the season, you may want to enjoy one of my favorite musical programs: The Sound of Majesty. I try to listen to it every day, but often miss the radio broadcast. Thankfully, you may listen to it online at any time. Please click on the link and then click "listen". My house may not be magazine worthy in decoration, but let me just say, the music playing is majestic!

Humm, wonder if I could get Tartanscot on my calendar for next year?

This fellow really knows how to decorate for Christmas--

and any other time of year for that matter!

I just adore hearing from all of you.

Please leave me a comment about what The Season means to you, your friends and family.

I look forward to hearing about your decorations and traditions.

A House that Needs a Party

Have you ever seen a house that just needs to have a party? Well, here's one for you.

The coats are being taken.

(Side note: Meg at Pigtown Design, this is what I envisioned for your office foyer!)

The trays are passed.

There is a bountiful spread covering the table--and fabulous china too!

Relaxing after dinner.

Lively post-party conversation in the kitchen.

Off to sleep after a delightful evening...

to rise in the morning for a swim...

and a walk.

I hope this Monday brings your much happiness--and maybe a party invitation in the mail!

Didn't that house need some life in it? It looks like it was made for entertaining.

How about hosting at your house? Anyone having a great Christmas party at home this year?

Oh, and if you want to host a party in this house, you can. It's for sale, just under 4 million.

(thanks MLS for the photos)

Hot Tips!

All too often, we feel like we have to be "nice and polite" to everyone. Unfortunately, for our own safety, we just can't. (Southern gals: you know what I'm talking about!) Have you ever seen someone creepy in the elevator at the mall? Guess what, you don't have to get in!

I had the absolute pleasure of hearing a police detective speak at a lecture on personal safety. The 22-year veteran of police work gave so many helpful tips.

Please take the time to read all of these. They might keep you or a loved one safe. Feel free to email this list as well. (Send them a link, or cut and paste)

(All photos found on Google Images. Obviously, I chose some of them just so you could have a few giggles while dealing with such serious subject matter.)

1. Look under the car before approaching the vehicle. Also, take notice of what types of vehicles are parked on either side. Vans and SUV's are used most in abductions.

2. Don't go to your car if you see a male sitting in the passenger seat of cars on either side of you.

3. Don't place your purse or wallet in the shopping cart buggy.

4. Strap your children into their car seats AFTER you have entered and LOCKED the car doors. Do this even if it means you have to lean over the seats to do so.

5. Follow your instincts. If you feel funny about a situation, pay attention.

YOU are trying to tell YOU something.

6. Avoid carrying a purse. Instead, put your credit card, keys, cell phone in your front pockets.

7. If you do carry a purse, carry it on your shoulder, securing it under your arm. Don't carry the purse with the strap across you body.

8. Also, don't have children carry their backpacks as they are designed with both arms through the straps. Only carry it on one shoulder. Otherwise a child can be snatched by the handle on the pack or by the pack itself.

9. Carry a small flashlight and knife in your pocket. You'd find it very helpful if you were in a trunk!

10. If someone is in a car and ask you a question/gets your attention, DO NOT approach their car.

11. Go small with everything. Keep your valuables to a minimum. Think money clip.

12. Don't put anything into your purse that you want to keep. When it's gone, it's gone.

13. Travel in pair or larger groups.

14. Females: don't go out alone at night. Period.

15. The worst criminals are the BEST con artist.

16. While jogging, don't wear headphones or earbuds. You've disabled one of your senses that could keep you safe. How would you hear someone approaching you from behind? Take your dog--the bigger the better!

17. Keep what is precious close to you. Never let children out of your reach.

18. Scream and yell. The panic button on your car might help, but so many people just ignore car and house alarms.

19. Know where you parked. Don't use the remote to light up your car--and unlock it. Someone who's been watching you may be waiting for just this moment. What if they get to the car before you do?

20. Don't hesitate to call 911. They are there to help. It is easier to prevent a crime than to solve one.

21. Go to public restrooms in pairs or groups. (Also good advice for younger boys too.)

22. Wear a one piece swimsuit to the beach.

23. If a person is "checking you out" for more than 5 seconds, watch out. They are truly sizing you up. If you feel threatened-KEEP EYE CONTACT. They will know you can identify them and that you are not a submissive victim.

24. Have your keys in your hand when in the parking lot. A long key can serve as a stabbing tool if necessary.

25. Have a buddy over for coffee when you have a service person inside your home.

26. You don't have to open your door to anyone. If you haven't called the cable company, power company, etc., be suspicious!

27. Don't allow a stranger into a 6' radius of you or your children. Keep your distance.

28. Wear shoes you can run in when you go shopping or out on the town--no Manolos girls!

Use your God-given common sense.

BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS.

If something doesn't seem right, it probably isn't!

Feel free to post any other tips you may have in the comments section. Knowledge is power.

I care about all of you and want you to be safe.