Hidden Magnolias

Just tripping along visiting various sites that are related to my newest obsession -- learning more about Scandinavia, specifically Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. Anyway, I kept seeing these interesting bed on various blogs and websites and thought I would share them with you. I think they are ever so interesting . Take a look..... Catalano Architects And this http://brianvandenbrink.photoshelter.com/gallery-image/BUILT-INS/G00007Ouzdf3eRqc/I0000KsyHyCpjDpU/P0000KgctNNKTJ7s And this http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/cozy-alcove-beds-142591 And this http://scandinavianfolk.blogspot.co.uk And this theessenceofthegoodlife.blogspot.com  And another 24.media.tumblr.com  And theessenceofthegoodlife.blogspot.no  This theessenceofthegoodlife.blogspot.no  Pat

At work we were talking about various TV shows we are watching and a much younger, trendier co-worker said, " I think it so cool that you like Nordic Noir." Nordic Noir?  What is that? Well, I googled it and found:  Scandinavian noir or Scandinavian crime fiction, also called Nordic Noir, is a genre comprising crime fiction written in Scandinavia with certain common characteristics, typically in a realistic style with a dark, morally complex mood. According to one critic, "Nordic crime fiction carries a more respectable cachet... than similar genre fiction produced in Britain or the US". Language, heroes and settings are three commonalities in the genre, which features plain, direct writing style without metaphor. With its roots in the ground-breaking TV dramas The Killing, Borgen, Wallander and The Bridge, Nordic Noir has become a genre in its own right, influencing screenwriters far beyond the Scandinavian Peninsula. I just love Bron/Broen (T...

For several months now I have been very conscious about what I buy. It seems like each time I look at an article of clothing, shoes, household items, etc., it has the ubiquitous tag "Made in China." So I made myself a promise -- try to buy Made in the USA . This has proven harder than it sounds. For several reasons: You have to hunt for Made in the USA items -- Nordstrom's has a Made in the USA search that will bring up various items -- but few other departments stores do. Reading through various research most department stores carry less than 2% of US made clothing.  Made in USA items are often found in the high end stores -- Neiman Marcus, Barney's, Bloomingdales's, Von Maur. Many of us don't even consider going to a high end store because of the prices. What I want is just not made here --Sure you can find socks, some jeans, men's wear, workout clothes, t-shirts and stockings, but what about clothes to wear to work? Almost nonexisten...

As we often do on Sunday afternoons, we went for a drive today and visited Acworth, GA. Driving around the various roads in the historical area, we stumbled on this beauty. The sign out front reads "James Lemon Antebellum Home ca. 1856." Immediately I was taken by it. I had to find out more. A few things I learned: James and Mary Davenport Lemon purchased 800 acres of land and built a small frame house.  Just before his marriage, their son, James Lile Lemon, expanded the house to a Carolina style, modified Plantation Plain house. After the Civil War in 1890 the two story porch was replaced with with neoclassical Doric Columns we see today. Why didn't this house get burned when Acworth was burned? Well, for 5 days in June 1864,  Maj Gen William T Sherman took over the homestead and stayed during the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain in June of 1864. Some sources say that after he left, it was used as a hospital. Capt.,Co.A,18th Ga.Inf.Regt.-CSA. One of...

Last Sunday night, even amid all sorts of horrible terrorist threats, Macy's had the lighting of the Great Tree. Now it is just called the Great Tree, but is used to be Rich's Great Tree .   This announcement made me reminisce about Rich's and about the Pink Pig. The bright Pink Pig  - complete with a pig tail on the end car - took you on a small rail trip up and over the toy department where you could gaze down at all the toys. and boy, were there toys! Sparkling lights, and decorations made the whole experience very exciting. Then you could visit Santa and tell him what you wanted for Christmas. After that, you could go to the Secret Santa room where you picked out presents for your parents and they were wrapped (in secret, of course) and you parents paid for them, using what was called then, the charge plate. The Great Tree was on the crystal bridge that joined the two Rich's buildings. And since it spanded Forsyth Street you could drive down...

Last weekend I attended a book signing/reception for a new book by Marian Carcache held in a beautiful home in Waverly, Alabama, owned by my friend Nadya. Southern homes are unique entities in the old house world. Each one has a history and distinctive style that is just not found anywhere else. I wanted to share some pictures of this lovely house with you I snagged during just before the reception. The porch is a perfect place to sit and just relax. Living Room Dining Room Antique Needlepoint Fireplace Screen A Bed Room One of the Bath Rooms Back Bed Room Kitchen A gorgeous old re-purposed hutch. Local flowers to be used for table decorations. See how perfect they are? Beautiful chandy in what I call the Little Back Room And I can't leave out the star of the show , Marian signing books on the porch. Pat