Saturday, July 4, 2009

Lunch on the porch, among other things

We were blessed with the most wonderful weather today here in Maryland. It’s a balmy 81 degrees with low humidity and a bewitching breeze.

It really is that sort of breeze; I kid you not. It’s toying with me as I write this post in the living room with the deep windowsills.

We’re staying close to home today, and for those of you who know me, you’ll understand why. For those who are new to this blog, I welcome you! It’s always good to see new faces and I’m so glad you stopped back.

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I have been totally crushing on these textures and overlays that I discovered through fellow blogger, Mary of In a Soft Light. All of the pictures in this post have been processed with something from the Florabella collection. I’ve been in a sort of dreamy netherworld lately and this processing is lending itself well to how I feel.

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I should be working on the photo album that I’m making for a friend but what am I doing? Playing with textures is what I’m doing! It’s just so much fun. To amuse myself even further, I had lunch today on our little back porch with George and Blackie.

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George was thrilled to have been invited.

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{This is a pussy called Miss Moppet. She thinks she has heard a mouse!}

Quick, name that book! Or just name the writer. Yes, it’s who you think it is.

 

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Back to lunch then, shall we?

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Today I’m having watermelon salad accompanied by a glass of chardonnay. It’s Rodney Strong’s Chalk Hill. Yum.

The salad took less than 5 minutes to prepare. [Recipe here].

I love sitting out on this porch in the early afternoon. The sun doesn’t hit it hard until later in the day allowing me to sit in the shade . . . or if it’s raining one of those soft rains that I love, I’m safe from the weather.

I have a lot of hanging baskets and potted flowers and plants on this porch because it’s got great light.

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I think this planter is really cool but when I first brought it home, my husband didn’t agree. I could tell by the look he gave it.

That’s when I knew it was perfect.

Oh, one more thing before I go, ok?

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Would you

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? ? ?

Come back and visit, okay?

Don’t just

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I bought a new pendant at my friend’s shop.

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

Hope you’re having a wonderful holiday, those of you who live in the States!

The book quote is from [here].

Synonyms for the word ‘Beautiful’ can be found [here]..

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Have an amazing time! Great post by the way. I like the photograph of the Watermelon salad, it looks really good!

Mary said...

Ooo, I LOVE both begonia pix -- gorgeous! Have a great day. :)

Unknown said...

Love the shot of the watermelon salad and wine...it rather looks like a painting...from a sun drenched table...in Tuscany...sorry, I am just a tad bit dreamy here today. It is a little bit more warm down this way than you have it, but the AC is off and the breezeis definitely blowing. Hoping you are having a wonderful day, my friend.

Sarah Anne said...

I think I just might go buy a watermelon now. My sisters will love having a seed spitting contest, and I'll admit it. I just might enjoy it too. :)

Happy 4th!

Cloudia said...

What a perfect, professional, personable post!
Just delightful, like your personality that you showcase to our joy here at your blog. Seems you are having a perfect Waikiki weekend - and I ought know!

Aloha my friend!

ps: Ka Makani (the wind) is a beguiling creaure indeed-

Comfort Spiral

Annie said...

Good to stop by and catch up again Kate...your comments about going away and coming back again to look at what you have done remind me of when I do patchwork...I have to walk away for a while and then see how it hits me when I come back again!

Lunch on the porch, and that watermelon salad ...sounds good.

ELK said...

kate will I ever learn to use textures? yours are beautiful ~i enjoyed seeing them1

Woman in a Window said...

I'll have to visit the home of those textures. Wow. Soothing. And is there a breeze everywhere today? Everywhere I go someone's commenting on it and here it is almost cool enough to pass for early fall. Lovely.

Mental P Mama said...

Rodney Strong. OMG I'll be seeing you soon;)

Leenie said...

Really like the new header. The photos sure say "summer."

Anonymous said...

Cute pendants... and I like the planter too... Hubby would not, so I would buy it too... hee hee hee

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Anonymous said...

I love your texture work. Really. And I want to go walk on that beach...

Cindy said...

Happy 4th. Delightful photos. Love that one of George.

Jo Whitehurst said...

Love the ethereal quality of the photos! Happy 4th!

Char said...

the florabella products are so great. I've been loving them.

beautiful work.

abb said...

Lovely, just lovely...

Owen said...

Hi from France... many thanks for your visit today and many comments on some earlier posts... glad you liked the border collie, he was lots of fun... happy fourth weekend ! This is quite post you did here, between a scrumptious salad and wine, flowers, pendants... wow, it's got it all... ! :-D

Daryl said...

YUMMMMM .. and pretty .. and I am coveting that new necklace ... see you soon!

Anonymous said...

Am I wrong, or is there something you are not telling us ? Is the hubby not doing well?I noticed he did not have lunch on the porch with you. I just sense that something is not quite right. Lovely pics and I love the necklace.I would love one like it. Doris

Teachinfourth said...

Very nice images, CG. I have also used the Snapfish site to create a book before. I, too, was impressed.

Country Girl said...

You are all so encouraging. Thank you so much for your wonderful comments.
Elk, of course you will. You'll get it.
Cloudia, you are beguiling with your p words!
And Doris, I thought you knew. My husband has brain cancer. I wrote a post about it and you can find it in my sidebar under "a rough time". He just finished his 8th cycle of chemo this week. It was bad.

~ C.G.

Deb said...

Your photogaphs are always so refreshing and crisp. The textures only add another layer of excellance. really...so stop blushing already.

I heard the fireworks all around us but we were in bed by 9 watching the race. What can I say, we are old farts.

Terri said...

Your photos are stunning! Love them!

I also love the planter it is so unique...just beautiful!

I am hoping to have alot of flowers, planters, hanging baskets etc...next spring/summer... I may buy a couple this year..but next year I am going all out on our landscaping/flower beds..etc..

I think it does sooo much for a home!

Have a great week
Hugs
Terri

ThisIsMe said...

Hi, browsing blogs today and came across yours. I LOVE the photos. I do poetry portraits and wish I had the talent to take pictures. All I seem to be able to do is write. I will be back. Your photos are gorgeous.

Sarah said...

What a lovely lunch...and good company too!

Tess Kincaid said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours today, Kate.

Thanks for the watermelon salad recipe. I'm takin' it back to WM with me.

Sue said...

It looked like a wonderful day...George really looked in to relaxing....and I love the pendent necklace...so cute...

Andrea said...

You do the most amazing things with pictures! I love the new blog picture. As a fellow Marylander, I have to ask if that's a local beach?

Hilary said...

Oh these look great. . like a soft chalk drawing. The watermelon pic is especially lovely.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Love that dreamy softness, which you've given your photos. Love it!

'Aunt Amelia'

FireLight said...

Indeed it is THE STORY OF MISS MOPPET by Beatrix Potter. I just love her stories. And because you love George, I am sure you do as we do...read that darling face and know exactly what he is saying! It is one of our favorite pastimes here in the morning with or cups of tea (me) & coffee (hubby)...while we study the three dogs and particularly the cat, Deusey (because she is one!). She vocalizes and we interpret...constant entertainment. She is usally fussing at us, "Now you know I like to eat at 5:30 sharp-you are late! Next I watch the birds at the feeder. This one needs more seed and more birds!"

Gorgeous garden and fabulous photos as usual, Kate! (I made a response to your last post at my place...thanks for stopping by!)