An Evening with Charlotte York--Kristin Davis

Have you heard about Kristin Davis' new clothing line?  Humm...  I wonder if it will be very Charlottesque?  I'll find out in a few weeks.  I'll be attending a fashion show debuting the collection.  I'll be sure to fill you in and let you know if she's as cute in person as she seems to be on the television.   Oh, and I'll let  you know about the clothes too!

Are You Blackberried out?

Honestly, I need to know?  Are you sick of the Blackberry Farm pictures?  I took over a hundred while I was there.  I dare not show you all of them!  I'd have to change my blog's name!

If you want to see more, LEAVE A COMMENT and let me know specifics.  If you don't want to see any more and want me to move on, LEAVE A COMMENT.  I aim to please.  

I Have Been Tagged!

I have been tagged by precious Kappa Prep from Monograms and Manicures.  There's just something so sweet about Kappa.  I think of her as my little preppy blog sister. 

Here goes: 

1.  I love going to the dentist.  I have been fortunate never to have had any dental issues, therefore the experience is always pleasant.  

  

2.  I can't stand Wasabi in any form.

3.  I adore Colgate Total toothpaste--paste or gel.

4.  I live in an old house that uses skeleton keys.

5.  I pride myself on being a light packer.

6.  I adore hats.  Anyone want to join me in a revival of the chapeau?

7.  I've never broken a bone.

Now for the folks I'm going to tag:

(By the way, there's no pressure from this Granny--play along only if you want to or have the time.  Some bloggers just aren't into games of tag.  We're just happy you stopped by!)

1.  Urban Grace

2.  Simply Seleta

3.  My Notting Hill

I'm Back to Normal, whatever that is!

I'm back to my usual self.  Thank you all so much for your kind comments.  They made me feel much better.  

Let me just say, one can survive on Gatorade and saltines for several days.  Now I'm thinking coffee and biscuits! 

Update on The Shack by William Paul Young

If you are interested in The Shack, I have updated my post about the book.  Click HERE and you will be taken directly to the update.

Granny's Turned Greener!

So sorry, my dear friends.  Granny has been sick!  I must have gotten a rotten apple!  I'll be back to my normal posting self before you know it.  Thanks for hanging in there!

Farm Fantasy Part III--the master suite

Ahhh!  The master bedroom.  Lovely and relaxing.  The walls are chocolate brown.  This room shows contrast to perfection.    

Here's a little closer view of the great lamp and the walls/ceilings.  Note that the ceilings are planks and the crown moulding is rather simple.  Look at how the curtain rod was hung as well. 

There is a door to the left that leads to a private porch with rockers.  The double doors lead to the bathroom and walk in closet.  To the right of the fireplace is an amazing secretary.  Why didn't I get a picture of that?  Oh, well.  I suppose I'll have to just go back!

Shall we have a collective gasp over the bathroom?  I adore this!  Just look at how the mirrors were addressed.  Isn't that great!  The natural light and view are hardly obstructed.  (Oh, and the VIEW!!!!!)

Don't you just want to run you hands over this surface!  Another thing to note--gray grout--so smart!  Timeless.  This bath would be stylish in 1925 or 2025.

Could you soak in this tub for an hour or what?  Note the discrete flat screen at the foot of the tub too.  The shower is to the right--and would hold six people.  Huge.  It did have double everything--two rain shower heads, two hand showers, etc.  

This picture is just a little bonus.  This is the window out of my room upstairs.  You saw the rest of this suite in the first Blackberry post.  Who couldn't curl up here?  And look at that view!

Of everything that you have seen, what do you like the most?  Have you seen anything that turned you off?  I'd like to hear it all.  

We have more to see.  I'll keep you posted this week!

Farm Fantasy Part II

Here is the second bedroom upstairs.  I want to point out a rather interesting use of bookcases.  If you'll notice there are actually six different bookcases behind the bed.  They are white, brown and black across the top and the opposite across the bottom.  Style Court was discussing how to artfully place books just today.  The one problem I have with the set up shown below is that I'm a reader.   The books are all covered in white paper--no titles to be found.  I'd have to at least pencil the titles onto the spines.

Don't you just adore the headboard's shape?   

This is what you'd see if you were sitting in the wing chair (featured in the previous photo).

That's a TV and small coffee maker to the far right.  Why go to the kitchen for coffee?

The doors to the left lead to another great bathroom.

This picture really doesn't do the space justice.  I wish you could see the wall sconces up close.  The feature "old style" bulbs (or lamps if you want to be "design correct").  I appreciate the fact that each bathroom had different hardware.  The designers thought of it as a home, not a hotel.  Also, there were flowers (primarily from the garden) in every room in local pottery vases.  

Here is a glimpse of the shower and the walk-in closet to the right.  

My Fabulous Fun Filled Farm Fantasy Trip

Let's begin our trip to the country (Walland, TN to be exact) at the Farmhouse at Blackberry Farm:

Here is the sitting area of my bedroom. We had plenty of space. These pictures don't do the square footage justice. The round table you see to the left is at least 48".

This is my bedroom...opposite the king sized bed is an incredible window seat with wall lamps.  The bed linens were heavenly--everything was top notch in quality.  They had my favorite--goose down pillows--no need to even ask for them.

Here's my bathroom.  It was so relaxing.   What you can't see in the photo is the make-up vanity, shower or toilet area--all just as lovely as what you are seeing here.  (Aveda products, for those of you who are interested.  The Spa is an Aveda Destination Spa too).

A close up of one of the sinks.  Beautiful pine floors throughout the house, including the bathrooms.  You can see just a hint of the floor here.
I have so much more to share with you.  There are two more bedrooms and baths--and the rest of the farm!  Feel free to ask me about specifics.  I'll be happy to customize my post according to what you are truly interested in seeing.  More later...

IKE Brings Us Together!

My heart is warmed to read just how concerned one blogger is for another.  

I was reading the comments on Cote de Texas and was so refreshed by everyone's concern for Joni in Texas.

Also, see The Rauths.  Her in-laws may have water all in there home!  Bless them.  It doesn't look good from the photographs.  

On a much lighter note, please check out Southern Inspirations.  We both have somewhat of a theme going with our "rural" inspired design posts.  If you like my Farm pictures, you'll like her barn pictures as well.

I suppose one reason we all choose to blog is simply to connect with others. Keep up the love everyone--isn't it great! Hope everyone is having a safe and happy weekend.     

Guess What's Coming?

Prepare yourselves.  Next week you will finally get to see my Blackberry Farm pictures.  I hope you will feel like you were there!

Have a great weekend and here's a teaser:

This is what we found in the kitchen next to the sink.  How come all I find at home is a pile of dishes?

Reason to Carry On

Romans 8:28

28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

(This is a hard truth to accept, especially when we think of the horrors that occurred on September 11th.)  

Romans 8:35

35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.

37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Thank you, God, for always being with us.)

Gasp!

Would you look at this kitchen! I think it is incredible. I found this picture on the Country Living web site, with no credit given.
I wonder who did the design work. I am smitten!

I'm Ready to go Back!

The lovely Blackberry Farm, again...

This is The Barn.  Every night, this is where you go for dinner.  Did I mention that we averaged a three hour meal--every night!  Each bite I took was wonderful.  How does apricot sorbet sound?  

The interior design work all over Blackberry was just perfect.  It is my understanding that all of the newer buildings were designed with Suzanne Kasler and the Blackberry Design Group.  Be sure to check out this months issue of Southern Accents magazine.  They have put together a beautiful spread on Blackberry--a visual treat.  

It's actually a bit strange seeing the interior of The Barn all lit up.  In the evenings, it's just the chandelier and candlelight--and stunning!

Here's another tidbit for you:  You don't have to stay at Blackberry Farm to enjoy dining at The Barn.  You may make reservations just to savor the cuisine!  Bon appetite indeed!

Didn't She carry Herself Well?

Navajo Now?

Trivial question to the Southern fashionistas out there...

Can you wear your Navajo's after Labor Day? 

My take on it is that if the shoe is trimmed in white, it's a no-no.

If  you have darker colors and the weather is still hot as blue blazes, go ahead and wear them!

What's your take on this oh, so not important matter?

Thank you, thank you very much!

I won an award! How honored I feel. Thanks so very much to Tickled Pink.

She is such a kind blogger.  I enjoy reading her inspiring and fun post.  

When you accept this award, there are a few rules that go along with it. They are as follows:

1. Put the logo on your blog
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you
3. Nominate at least 7 other blogs 

(well, I can't do 7 just now, but I've got a start with 4!)
4. Add links to those blogs on yours
5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs

Here are my picks:

Pearls and Grace-she IS an angel, I promise!  (She's having a baby and may not be updating just now.)

Cote de Texas-this gal has great taste.  I'd hire her any day.  If she ever has a book sale.  I'm there!

Shabby Princess-funny, funny, spunky gal.  A treat to read.

The Rauths-so sweet, kind and enjoyable.  

I encourage you to go visit these other blogs, if you don't frequent them already.  It's this great networking that opens us up to new friends and fun reads!

Ahhhhh!

I STILL haven't downloaded my Blackberry Farm pictures! I'm so sorry! I know that there are several of you itching to see them. I PROMISE a HUGE post as soon as I get them onto the computer! In the mean time, here are two.
The pond and mushrooms.

They grow the mushrooms onsite. It's a fascinating, time consuming process. They cut logs, soak them, drill holes in the logs, and place spores in the holes. When a whitish fungus appears--you'll have delicious mushrooms in about a week!

Hope yall had a great Labor Day Weekend!