Favorite Things in September

chewy molasses chocolate chip cookies; my absolute favorite cookies :: joy the baker

an enchanting look into life on a farm in vermont  through my new favorite blog :: La Porte Rouge

this illustration :: penelope dullaghan

hand knit lambswool baby blanket; i want to snuggle up with rafael under this :: rocket and bear

watching the leaves change in our neighborhood

hearty dishes like dumplings with mushroom sauce :: design*sponge

handmade pumpkin cheesecake lip balm; smells lovely and keeps my lips soft :: long winter farm

this outfit; wonder how my post-pregnancy body will be!

determined to start a vintage brown transferware collection; it makes freshly baked gingerbread even more delicious :: a country farmhouse

long walks in the woods looking for mushrooms and acorns with my family

smokey topaz earrings made with vintage german glass; i just love these :: le petit ruban

decorating the home for the season :: herz-allerliebst

the new experience of motherhood; my most favorite september thing of all :: sarah field photography

Yesterday I was told by two different people that I shouldn't be taking my morning walks in the woods alone anymore. They convinced me with the scenario of my water breaking and being trapped waiting to be rescued, since you aren't supposed to walk once your water breaks; the danger of the cord wrapping around the baby's neck when he slips down is too big. 

So from now on, I'll be taking walks around town with the dogs. Maybe it's a good thing....maybe I'll be forced to take more creative pictures and share more of village life with you all. 

I loved reading all your guesses on the arrival date of our little boy. I wrote them all down and am so curious to see if any of you are right! (Was very happy that you all guessed him coming earlier rather than later.)

Hope you enjoyed my September favorites!

It's such an exciting time....

Birthday Card Illustration

A card for my little brother's 11th birthday, inspired by this party invitation.

It can be a great learning experience to mimic another artist's work.

When I haven't painted in a while, I like to dip my toe back in the water by copying a piece I like, as a sort of exercise.

The sun is shining so brightly here, and my belly is so round and full, like a ripe melon.

81 days til we reach my due date.

xoxo country girl

he flies with angels

This morning I was having my breakfast of toast and coffee, taking a small break from packing, perusing my favorite etsy shops. I stopped by Lovely Sweet William , and when I saw this picture, I burst into tears. I am still crying now as I write this. To me, this is a picture of our son, our little angel baby Blueberry. Flying with the angels. Smiling at me. Telling me he is happy where he is, and that everything is alright. 


I immediately bought this print. It will be placed next to the ultrasound picture we keep lovingly framed by our bed. 


I miss our baby so much.


But at least I know he is up there, flying with the angels, smiling down on us.


xoxo country girl

Treasury Share

When I have a free 1/2 hour, I like to sit down with a cup of something warm and create what's called a 'Treasury' on etsy. Treasuries are collections of beautiful items from different etsy shops, and it's become somewhat of an addiction of mine. I love finding things that seem to fit perfectly together optically, and blending colors to form a gorgeous compilation.


I thought I would share a few of them with you once in a while. 


Click on the image to see a larger version, and click on the title to go to the Treasury on etsy where you can order an item you like, or discover the shops where they are from.


September Simple :

Farmhouse :

Saffron & Rust :

Instant Vintage Collection :

Kiki Hearts These :

So many wonderful, talented etsians!


I hope you enjoyed these. Which Treasury is your favorite? Which items are calling your name? (They really like to do that, don't they?!)


Oh, and TGIF! The sun is shining here....the dogs are being mischievous...birds are at the feeder. I'm about to hop into the shower and get this glorious (albeit busy) day started.

xoxo country girl

nests in a dozen beautiful ways

With March approaching and the snow melting, birds have begun to once again fill the air with their sweet melodies. The black amsel serenades the melting-sorbet sunset again, and I know spring can't be far away.

I love the intricate weaving and secrecy of nests, and I love the shiny blue or speckled eggs inside.

I went in search of beautiful nests to share with you, and loved what I found.

:: printed card, handmade on peconic bay  ::

:: wedding favor, martha stewart weddings :: cupcake, dahlia bakery  ::

:: felted titmouse couple in handmade nest, gotcrowcreations  on etsy ::

:: nest with truffle-filled eggs, williams-sonoma  :: handblown nest bell jar, williams-sonoma  ::

:: tiny woodland terrarium robin's nest necklace, woodlandbelle  on etsy :: aqua nest tile coaster, robotcandy  on etsy ::

:: modern nest party favor project, country living  :: pussy willow nest project, martha stewart  ::

:: blue bird nest soap set, loveleesoaps  on etsy :: robin egg ornaments in nest, jenniferarndt  on etsy ::

The beauty of it all!

Though, the most lovely of all nests are those built by careful beaks of wild birds.

Those are free....and priceless.

Tonight the moon is so full and round, white and gray in a pastel evening sky.

The earth is sopping wet and so full of promise and potential.

It was so warm on my walk to the grocery store this afternoon that it seemed strange that the trees didn't have their leaves on yet.

All in due time.

So far, I've seen ten wild primulas, two earthworms, and the beginnings of snow drops in a neighbour's yard.

And I brought home the most tender head of bib lettuce....I was no less pleased than I would have been with a giant rose. It's leaves like petals, it's center a fist of delicate crisp folds.

I'm swooning over lettuce.....it must be spring!

Right now, in this moment as I sit here writing, there is a bird outside my window singing the most lovely melody as the sky grows dark. I have missed bird song this long winter!

Hubby is picking up chinese take-out.

We're cozying in for the german version of American Idol. It's very entertaining, and we have our contestant who we're hoping and calling for. This is him singing I'll Be There if you're interested!

He's had a hard life, comes from nothing, and is so talented...we hope his dreams come true.

xoxo country girl

round the house this mornin'

 

 

  

  

 

a heart appeared in my latte this morning after i poured in the espresso.

a little message of love.

newspaper hearts, pink tulips and twine, kiki with her pink piggy, and apples ready to be made into applesauce.

it's a cold, wet morning here.

i have laundry, ironing, baking on the list.

still deciding on what to bake. sweet? savory?

whatever it is, i will share it with you.

oh, and those bottles of milk and crate of organic produce will be on my doorstep any minute now.

i love thursdays, don't you?

so close to the weekend....and isn't looking forward to something almost better than when you already have it?

now i'm going to bundle up and brave the sleet and snow.

all in the name of kiki contentment.

and while i'm out there, facing the elements, i will also have something to look forward to;

thick socks, glowing heaters, a stack of cookbooks, warm applesauce...
....and a note from you.

xo country girl

country girl's free beauty marks!

I think blog sidebars are the perfect opportunity to individualize and beautify one's blog, and to let the pieces of your personality shine through. I've been having fun making buttons, or what I like to call 'beauty marks,' and would like to share them with you....FOR FREE. 


I'll be making more...and more...and more....


If you have any suggestions, let me know!


All of Country Girl's Beauty Marks are made using my original photographs and/or graphics. If you're in the mood for being fair and friendly, make these pictures a link to my blog when you add them to your sidebar.


Instructions are simple:
Click on the beauty mark you want and, while keeping image selected, drag it to your desktop.
Go to 'Customize' on your blogger account and go to 'add gadget.' Select the 'picture' option. Upload the beauty mark, and add a link to my blog if you're feeling friendly in the 'link' section by copying my address and pasting it in. Et voìla! Your blog will be sporting a cute, free button that says something about you.


Here's my first batch:

You will find these, and all those to come, by clicking the Country Girl's Free Beauty Marks button in my sidebar.


Hope you like these, and find a place for one or more in your pretty blog.

today's joy

   today, joy was found in

watercolors::a tiny cup with blue stars::  tulips::pinecones::grapefruit segments on creamy sweetened yogurt::anemones with their pretty black faces::tomatoes, lemon, onion, in a white ceramic bowl....

snow outside, pumpkins and thriving plants inside::fragrant red geraniums giving me blossoms in deep winter::hot mocca with organic raw milk::birthday preparations::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

feeling good today. feeling creative and inspired by color. feeling good about myself because i finally got out my paints and started painting again!!!! 

lets take a moment to pray for the people of haiti, that help and comfort may come to them quickly!!! prayer WORKS.

xo

the planet is sprinkled with lights

My dear ones...

First, I want to show you these two photos which I took on completely different days, but which, when I looked at them this morning, I realized are so similar. They both could be titled 'One.' They are both very simple. And they both give me a certain feeling....melancholy? Peace? Tranquility? I remember that, in both cases, I saw this one small thing flying through the enormous sky, and felt the need to capture it with my lense. I hope you like them.

Now, I want to introduce you to an artist I've discovered...whose work I absolutely LOVE: Kristiana Pärn. 

winter garden 

solitude

going together

free range chicken

feeding birds

These are just a few of the beautiful paintings/prints she has available at her etsy store. Someday, I hope to have one of her originals, painted on maple wood, hanging in our home. 

Isn't it encouraging to find someone, or something, which speaks directly to your heart? Doesn't it pick you back up off the ground when you find something precious, something beautiful, or receive kind words from someone you love, or sometimes even a perfect stranger? And then, you don't feel so alone anymore in this great big world...you feel you are a part of some unspoken community...a community of like-minded people, who dream of the same things you do, who have so much love to give just like you do, and who are hungry to share that love, and to experience love and beauty.

While talking with a friend the other day on twitter, we agreed that when being in contact with all of these great women from all different countries and continents, we had the vision of the planet being sprinkled with tiny glowing lights......those lights are you...and her...and me.....

....let's keep the planet glowing with our lights....

xo