Wednesday, February 29, 2012

I’ve missed you

I can’t believe I haven’t written since Sunday. Have you missed me? (Because I’ve missed you). I hadn’t taken any photos at all since this weekend when my friends were visiting, so today I made myself pick up the camera and I walked around the house and took 34 photos, most of which were trash.


I’m just being honest here. This is about as exciting as it gets here on the hill.


These are the ones I’ll share with you today.



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Some little flowers I put in a vase in the upstairs bathroom for my guests.


I think you should have fresh flowers when guests come to spend the night.


Well, that and plenty of good food, some wine, fresh sheets . . .





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It’s raining but it’s not pouring. I took this photo standing in the upstairs hallway.




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Then I walked a few steps over to the staircase, and I see that someone is waiting for me at the bottom.


Flashback ~




Here he is at the top of the stairs, taken almost two years ago . . .


I want a perfect soul




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Flowers in the kitchen.


Which reminds me . . .


Earlier this month, a person introducing herself as Ree Drummond’s assistant e-mailed me to tell me that Ree wanted to send me one of her new cookbooks. She wondered if I’d like it autographed, as well.

I was pretty surprised, and terribly flattered, and told her I would absolutely love a copy. I have Ree’s first cookbook, which is beautiful, and when this one came in the mail last week, I was even more impressed than I was with the first.




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This is a gorgeous cookbook. The recipes are simple, delicious-looking, and so easy to follow with their step-by-step pictures (all taken by Ree). What a huge project this must have been for her to complete.




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And I love the autograph.



: : :


On another note, I was saddened to hear about the death of Davy Jones today and have just finished watching the tribute on the nightly news. I was 10 years old and living in Margate, NJ when the Monkees first aired in 1966. I absolutely loved that show and had a bit of a crush on Micky Dolenz (when all my other friends were in the Davy Jones’ camp).  I hadn’t realized that in 1967, the Monkees sold more albums than the Beatles and the Rolling Stones combined.


They were huge back then.


Here’s the intro from the first season of the TV show. This is a blast from the past.




.

Thanks for stopping by today. Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

123 Signature[5]

43 comments:

Country Gal said...

Beautiful photos ! yes a real shame about the death of Davey Jones I loved the Monkeys ! Did you know that Google Friend Connect is disappearing I have all about it on my post as do many other bloggers . I just though I would give you a heads up so that you dont loose your followers ! If you have wordpress, .com or another type of blog addy Blogspot may be safe but no one knows for sure tons of bloggers are switching to a follower Linky site!
Yup not much goes on here either ! have a good day !

Reena said...

Yeh, raining all day. Makes me feel a bit lazy. Cleaning up photo files doesn't make it any better. And then what is all this about Friend Connect. Ugh!

Robyn said...

How LUCKY for you to get a signed cookbook sent to you from PW! I asked for one for my birthday. I have her 1st cookbook and use it often.

Today my favorite photos are the flowers.

Country Girl said...

Very lucky, Robyn, yes ~

~ C.G.

Donna Boucher said...

Great minds think alike...and apparently take the SAME PICTURES!! hahaha~

Deb said...

it was so sad about Davy Jones too young...I remember him as my first crush when I was 6 or 7 years old...

Mental P Mama said...

Rainy and sloshy snow here. Dreary. But, all is well. And you have that awesome new cookbook. Even Ree knows how sweet you are, too!

Gail said...

Any one would feel welcome in your home, you have a warm heart.

Great pictures...again!

No, I had not heard about Davy Jones, sad to know. I loved the Monkees.

Hilary said...

Yes, I think plenty of good food, wine, and fresh sheets should do it.
And I love the photo of George at the top of the stairs......just one of my faves.

Caroline said...

I am sad about Davy too :( I loved loved loved him when I was a wee lass in the 70's! The Monkees was my favorite show growing up...I rarely missed an episode.

Anyway...how cool about the cookbook! You lucky duck. Enjoy that!! BTW...that last photos is freaking beautiful!!!

Low Tide High Style said...

Of course we've missed you! And very cool to be hand selected to receive one of her cookbooks...and the autograph is very fitting. I hadn't even heard the sad news about Davy Jones, but I too loved the Monkees!

Kat :)

Cloudia said...

Margate NJ!

Fellow LUCY Friend!!!!!!!!

See, you take the every day
spin it into GOLD.

So what if most of it is chaff?


MARGATE!!! Can't get over that!



Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral

>< } } ( ° >

Stickhorsecowgirls said...

Lucky you--I can't wait to see the new cookbook! And yes, it was sad to hear of Davy Jones passing. I think I was in Jr. High or early HS when they came onto the scene.

I've checked into the wheatbelly diet--just wondering how painful it would be to go cold turkey. A friend made pizza with cauliflower crust this week and said it was quite good --it was a recipe she found on Pinterest.

Lisa Sall - Sall's Country Life said...

Fresh flowers in February, your guests must have been special! I chuckled at the shot of George at the bottom of the stairs (and waiting for your walk in the flashback post) that is so like our Max, always waiting and watching our every move! Where would we be without our loyal and faithful companion? Too sad about Davey Jones. 66 is too young! and how about his poor wife at 30 something? Enjoyed your post today almost as much as you're gonna enjoy that great cookbook - hah!!!

Cheryl said...

Beautiful flowers today!!
I, too, was sad about Davy Jones.... I'm a Believer... Daydream Believer.... Such great memories!
Enjoy your new cookbook. Ree is coming to Boston. I am hoping to get up there to listen to her and get an autographed book.
Is it snowing tonight?

Rain said...

I got a feeling even your junk pics would be treasures! Love these!

GailO said...

Stopping by to say hi! I love seeing the photos you grabbed just walking around the house...they are beautiful and possibly my favorite kind of photo:) I ran around taking pics of the snow because I hadn't taken any pictures all day today but compared to yours mine are really uninteresting!

I was just looking at that cookbook in a bookstore recently...How great to have it signed to you specially! Will be waiting to see pics of everything you cook from it:)

Oh my favorite Monkee was Peter:) I can remember that their album was one of the first I ever owned...

Bluebird49 said...

Hey--an autographed copy from Ree--now you se why I call you Sparkle-Girl!! :)

Maybe you've been a little melancholy since your company left--I know you enjoyed having them. It's hard to get back in the groove when friends leave. But--that does not excuse you from your un-bloggi-ness of late! I missed you.....and you don't take any crappy pictures!

thecatalanway said...

Thanks for that Monkey clip - my favourite was Mike - the moody one. Somethings never change in my taste!
We used to rush home on a Saturday to watch - I was 9 in 1966 - just the right age for a crush. Don't they look innocent?
Love the George waiting at the bottom of the stairs but can't see the one of him two years ago at the top:(
Yes to flowers in the guest room but I sometimes fail here as they are so expensive in the shops and I don't have my old garden to go out and find my own. Must put that righ this summer and grow flowers on the terrace.
Yes I missed you!
Happy cooking!

Kate x

Dawson Cattle Company said...

those are lovely photos. ree will be in our state this month and i am planning to get the new book. how exciting that you got one in the mail. lovely post as always!

Kerri Farley said...

WOW Kate!! Very cool that you got the cookbook!!

LOVE the picture of the rain falling outside the window ..... that is pure beauty!

Very sad about Davy Jones :(

Mary said...

I LOVE that photo looking out the window -- gorgeous!!! I love it when you take pictures around the house.

And how cool is it that Ree sent you an autographed cookbook?! Next thing you know she will be inviting you to the ranch for the weekend... ;)

Still dark and rainy here today... Definitely not vacuuming weather! Maybe by this afternoon I will get to it. In the meantime, I'm singing Daydream Believer in my head... xoxo

Daryl said...

Sweet Kate .. I did miss you, I was about to send out a search party ... and now I feel horrible that I didnt have flowers when you stayed the night ...

The JR said...

Yes, I missed you.

Luv that flower. That is so unique and beautiful.

Kool! What a great gift to receive.

Jill of All Trades said...

As always I love your photos. Oh the cookbook, how wonderful. I was too saddened by the passing of Davy Jones. We (my bro, sis and I) loved to watch their show and I still have, somewhere one of their albums. He was so young.

Have a great day! Carla

Melissa Marie Head said...

Jealous you have the PW cookbook she is one of my favorite people! I have her first cookbook and her book but not the new cookbook

sharon said...

What girl didn't like the Monkees back in the 60's. They were so dreamy! :) Davey was one of my favorite, loved Day Dream Believer.
(my daughter thought Smash Mouth sang it) love your flower pics. it's 74 degrees today and I took a walk at lunch. Lovin today!

Michelle said...

I think my very first record album was the Monkees'. What a flashback!

Michelle said...

I think my very first record album was the Monkees'. What a flashback!

Paigey said...

Love your flower photos. I used to be a huge PW fan, but not so much anymore. I was doing some internet research and found The Marlboro Woman site. She posts a compelling argument, complete with photos, that many of Ree's recipes have been lifted from church and community cookbooks. With Ree embroiled in a plagiarism scandal stemming from her Valentine's Day home school post, there's way too much evidence to ignore. Stealing recipes from church books and copying an Etsy artist just isn't cool. For more info on all this, http://bit.ly/xqtMqr http://bit.ly/x9PrAq

Lili said...

That is so cool about the cookbook Kate...congrats! Loving your flowers, so simple yet such an elegant little touch. And yes I have missed you, but I knew you were just busy having fun! xo ~Lili

BB said...

Gorgeous. So lovely to get a signed free cookbook from the fabulous Ree... (I see a little controversy noted above. Make me a little sad. In Oz we call it the Tall Poppy Syndrome - seems like its alive and well over there too.)

Your pics today make me sigh happy sighs.
:-)
BB

JaneK said...

i think the wine is more important than any of the things... but that's just me

woohoo... look who's got the attention of The Pioneer Woman! That's fun! My sister gave me her first cookbook. I love it. One of these days I'll actually cook something from it.....I'm not really a cook but sister thought I would enjoy the book all the same and I do...

TTFN

Country Girl said...

Can't agree more, Bush Babe. I've seen both of those sites that the reader recommended and find them mean-spirited and spiteful.

~ C.G.

mrs mediocrity said...

I was in the Davy camp...it's sad to think that he's gone.

I love Ree, she just cracks me up. Good for you!

Love the flowers!

Hilary said...

Aww what a lovely, thoughtful gift. Lucky you. :) And pretty pics as always. I also liked Mickey back then. I've always loved men who could make me laugh.

Maria_NJ said...

OH my gosh Kate! I love Ree!! I have been following her for awhile, she is a Diva! TV show, homeschooling kids, cookbook author, love her!! She is actually going to have a book signing in New York next month, I'm thinking of going. Were you planning on attending? So excited for you!! That was great!

altar ego said...

One of the things I love about your blog (in spite of not getting here as regularly as I used to) is that I always feel transported, if only briefly. I heart George, so my heart leaves me for a moment, your photos are lovely, your environment makes me swoon, and now I can sort of consider myself two degrees separated from Ree Drummond!

On a sadder note, my father died recently, and as we (family) reflect on his life and love of seagulls (among other things), your kindness sending me the photo for him swims to mind. Thank you again for that, and for the sweet association I have between my father and you.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

I had no idea the monkeys were that popular!.. and do you remember when Davy Jones made Marsha Brady's year with a kiss?

beth said...

whoa....that autograph. holy cow. now please tell that assistant you'd like to meet ree in person....like on her show :)

and you know what....sometimes ordinary photos from around the house are my favorites....and now i know that when i come visit you i'll get fresh flowers in my room...and fresh sheets....snort :)
xxoox

Jan's camera said...

Hi Kate, You are so lucky to get a copy of Ree's new book. I am a huge fan of hers (and yours as well). Yes, very sad about the Davey Jones. I was the same age as you when the Monkees first appeared on TV. I also liked Mickey Dolenz the best. I still enjoy listening to their music when it comes on the radio. It always brings a smile to my face.

hensintheorchard.blogspot.com said...

Hi Kate
Your photos are amazing. I am new to blogging and your newest member. I would love to pop in to visit again and feel free to visit me. I too liked the monkees my favourite song by them was I wanna be free sung by Davy. good times to you

becky up the hill said...

Yay for you getting this cookbook and having it autographed to you, that is lovely and I'm happy for you!!!