Saturday, August 2, 2014

Summer Days and Kitchen Shelves


 August is here - we're starting school on Monday and I'm wondering where the summer went.  I had a huge list of things I wanted to accomplish (refinishing the kitchen countertops being one of them) and I'm not sure I checked one item off.  At the same time, we've enjoyed every single day, spending as much time as possible outdoors and enjoying the time off.  Now I don't regret not doing anything this summer, as I know winter will be here before we know it and there will be plenty of time for indoor projects then!  I'm glad we soaked in such a fun summer. 


 When we planted our flower garden, we thought we'd enjoy endless summer bouquets in the house, but our flowers have been selling out almost every day at the stand (a wonderful problem to have), and so we only take home the flowers we can't possibly use (in other words, HUGE sunflowers).  But these were the first dahlias to bloom and since the stems were so tiny, I got to bring them home to enjoy (in a tiny little jar!).  I think these heirloom dahlias are the prettiest flower I have ever seen and I can't wait until they are all blooming in the garden and gain a little height. 


Summertime always brings about simplifying for me, and I moved some items around in our kitchen a couple months ago.  I reserved the shelves for my most favorite bowls that I also use frequently.  I've found that keeping pretty dishes on the shelves only seems to hinder me from using them, since they collect dust quickly, so mixing bowls are just perfect.  These handmade pottery bowls are a recent addition (a gift from my mother-in-law) and I absolutely adore everything about them, especially their pretty handles. 


 I hope you're enjoying a wonderful summer weekend! 

25 comments:

  1. What a lovely post and a lovely blog!
    Have a great weekend, take care....
    Love Titti

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  2. Love the look of your white pottery on the rustic shelves! Enjoy the rest of summer!

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  3. I had no idea did you ran an adorable farm stand! I have dreams of doing the same! Your stand is the cutest I've ever seen!

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  4. hope you have a great weekend too. my kids went back to school on friday.....i guess they will be ready to go by monday.

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  5. I'm sure it's been great to hang out with the girls this summer. They grow up all too soon. I didn't know you had a farm stand either. Have to catch up!
    Brenda

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  6. Oh my, the heirloom Dahlias, the colors, they're beautiful! Love the simplicity of your baking area. So pretty and useful. It's been a busy summer with the farmstand for your family. I wish I can buy those beautiful heirloom flowers and of course, fresh produce. Kathleen in Az

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  7. I can relate so much to this post. I too start school on Monday and wonder what happened to summer. It's always a bittersweet time for me. I too had a list that has very few projects checked off. I just remind myself that my 2 little girls won't remember that the dining room needed painted but they will probably remember a happy childhood.

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  8. Love your post/posts . . .
    The stoneware mixing bowls with the handles . . . love them . . .
    Please tell your MIL . . . I need some too . . .

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  9. After painting that entire fence in the spring I would say that was enough for a season ! :)

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  10. I always say ....don't let to do's get in the way of living:)
    Especially things I don't want to do:)

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  11. Wow, that flower is gorgeous! What a color! Dahlias are my favorite flower. We have them in our garden, and the orangey-gold flowers are so pretty. Our white dahlias didn't come in this year as usual. It might be time to dig up the tuber and replant it. We don't unearth our tubers because usually our winters don't get terribly cold. Do you leave yours in the ground or dig them up at the end of each season?
    Claudia

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    1. Claudia - I think we are going to dig them up, because we need to work some on our soil, and we also till. I just love them!

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  12. Andrea,
    Your beautiful pictures and decorating always inspire me. I am so glad you spent the summer days with those adorable girls--time flies way too fast. :-)

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  13. Enjoy your precious girls. I blinked and my girls are now 15 and 12. Your blog is such an inspiration to me that I am starting my own blog. I would love for you to visit at LLfarmblog.blogspot.com

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  14. Andrea I simply love your home...your are such an inspiration . Your home and life is just lovely.

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  15. These flowers are really very beautiful! Lovely post, i like your blog very much :)
    Home cleaners Eltham

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  16. I love your pottery and the wood... I love wood, I don't like plastic or lots of metal in a home...
    Looks warm and inviting!
    I hope you have a great week!
    Tammy x

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  17. Wow! I LOVE these shelves and your white bowls. I can't believe school is already going back for you. When do you're kids get out. My boys go back after labor day. Conor (our youngest) is starting kindergarten...I know I'm going to be so sad.

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  18. Your pottery bowls are lovely, Andrea! They have a rustic elegance to them, very much your style. I came upon a new blog that I think you would enjoy. Floretflowers.com is full of inspiration for heirloom flowers, although you and your Mom are doing an amazing job with your flower business, but I thought you might like to take a peek :)
    Deni

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    1. Thanks, Deni. It's so funny you would mention that blog - my mom had found it and told me about it - we love it! So inspiring.

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  19. Love the rustic bowls! I have the same glass storage containers...one large for flour and three medium for oatmeal and sugars. I've enjoyed the easy access while baking, and they go great with farmhouse decor. Do you still read messages sent to your Keeping it Cozy gmail account? I sent a message a couple of weeks ago. You have a beautiful family. Keep blogging!!! Amy H.

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    1. Dear Amy - I'm so sorry for taking so long to reply to your email. I hope to catch up on my email this weekend! Thank you so much for reading and your kind words.

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  20. Just love your shelves and the way you style them with your beautiful bowls and pretties!!

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