Saturday, March 5, 2011

~DREAMY DAYS~

It's been a very quiet Saturday. I blogged and cleaned and blogged a bit more, cleaned a bit more...blah, blah, blah. You know, The Husband said that he and his staff has been complaining at the office about having cabin fever. It's hard for me to imagine people working in a high rise building in a major bustling city having cabin fever {office fever}, but I guess it happens to the best of us.
We didn't go to the lake as The Husband had a lot of paperwork to work on in our home office. It was just as well since it has been raining and snowing all day long. Although we had projects planned at the lakehouse, the weather makes it more depressing there since we are so used to enjoying outdoor time there. I keep thinking about all the work I have to do on my English flower garden and it makes me get a little catch in my throat. I'm anxious to get started.
We are having a quiet evening. A fire has been burning since this afternoon. I made bacon wrapped fillets for dinner with boiled potatoes, green beans and garlic bread. Now we are just enjoying the fire and sipping a glass of wine.

I have been playing with vignettes on my kitchen window sill. I spend SO much time in my kitchen and most of the time with my hands in hot soapy water. Say hello to Blondie in the window. :-)
Tomorrow I hope to get out for a little while, even if it is to wander around CVS looking at makeup, stocking up on clearance items, smelling candles and buying a few St. Paddy's Day decorations. I go into a trance sometimes looking at all the enticing things to buy in each aisle; scented body lotions promising miracles, paperback books that you can read in a weekend and cute greeting cards that make you laugh out loud. Do you ever get caught up in that? Maybe it's just me. Small things amuse me.
And lastly, our plans for Asheville are finalized. We are going for a week in mid May. A WHOLE week. Yay! I heard such nice things about the Biltmore and so did The Husband as he perused the Internet, so we are staying at the Residences At Biltmore which is adjacent to the estate. It is described as an "All suite hotel nestled on top of a hill outside the gates of the Biltmore Estate." We have a living room, bedroom and kitchen, which is outfitted with granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances. It sounds nicer than my own kitchen. I don't however, plan to spend much time in it. All in all, I am pretty excited.

So that has been a short synopsis of my day. I hope yours was good, too. See you next week! :-)

66 comments:

Hearts Turned said...

Hi again, Jane! Love your window vignettes...would make it much more pleasant to do those dishes!

You sound like me while I'm shopping--I LOVE spending time just browsing around...makes me happy!

Asheville sounds like a wonderful choice! I've never been there, but have heard so many good things, seen lots of beautiful photos...you'll have a wonderful time!

Hope the rest of your weekend is just perfect, my friend...

Julie

White Ironstone Cottage said...

Love all the candles
pretty post
xo
Pam

Shirl said...

Hi Blondie, Happy Pink Saturday! Thank you so much for stopping by and leaving a sweet comment. Love your pink post this week! Very pretty vignettes! I've been wanting to go to Asheville, can't decide what season to go in!
Blessings, Shirl
Shirls Rose Cottage

Debbiedoos said...

Oh Jane you are going to love Ashville. We have been there many times, and the Biltmore is fantastic. What a nice time of year to go to. I love your flowers in the window sill..they are so cheery.
Debbiedoos blogging and blabbing

LuLu Kellogg said...

Oh Jane....I love your vignettes in your window...the candlelight looks so magical!

You are going to LOVE the Biltmore Estate...take lots of pics when you go.

We are expecting torrential rains tomorrow I will be be ensconced in my studio working away and you have inspired me to light my candles tomorrow!

LuLu~*xoxo

Julie Marie said...

Hi Jane, a glass of wine by a warm fire sounds really nice right now... your flowers in your windowsill look so pretty... hope you have the rest of a nice relaxing weekend... xoxo Julie Marie

Melanie said...

Your day sounded much like mine - blogging and rearranging, nice dinner, then just relaxing.

Lucky you for getting to go to Asheville! I've never been, but I've heard it's wonderful.

By the way, I love your arrangement of flowers in the clear glass bottles in the metal "basket". Very pretty.

Lynn said...

A warm day at home in front of the fire with a glass of wine sounds great Jane! Your vaca sounds beautiful, nice to have that to look forward to:@)

Sarah said...

Jane, I'm envious of your trip to Asheville. I love that area and hope to return for a visit again sometime. The Blitmore is beautiful. Haven't stayed there, but I've heard great things about the RAB. I don't think they were there when I visited years ago.
Nice vignettes! ~ Sarah

Low Tide High Style said...

Sounds like a lovely way to spend the day Jane! And little things amuse me too, like cards and wandering around stores looking at everything. I was in Marshalls on Friday and I swear they were probably following me around. I picked things up and put them down and I wandered up and down every aisle!

I hope your weather improves soon so that you can get that beautiful garden going! And the Biltmore in spring will be gorgeous!

Kat :)

Unknown said...

Oh have fun ! Love your vignette!! The bacon fillet sounds so good ! Thanks for you sweet visit :) Happy Sunday !
Gros bisous

Rebecca said...

Hey Jane
You are welcome to stop by any time, I will put the pot on!
Sounds like a nice low key day, I went to the flea market most of the day and found some cool stuff. Nasty day though.
Blessings
Rebecca

Privet and Holly said...

Sounds like a cozy
evening, Jane! Love
that little metal
basket with your blooms.
I love the Biltmore and
can imagine that it's
gorgeous in the spring!
I was there one year
the week before Christmas
and it was wonderful.
Enjoy the rest of your
weekend!
xx Suzanne

Kerry said...

Hey Jane. Your Saturday sounds good. I spent mine pottering about the house too and taking photos for the blog! I really love the candles on your window sill :)

Diane Mars said...

Jane~ Your Saturday sounds just right for me slow things down.... oh yes it is a perfect way to spend the weekend. Your vacation sounds lovely, I just know you will have a great time!

Mary Claire said...

Jane,
Your window vignette is very pretty...love the vases! Your vacation in May sounds like a lot of fun...never been there, but Mr.CC has and he said it's wonderful. Take care:)

Blessings,
Linda

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

Love your flowers/and/candles in the Kitchen window! Just love it! Including the "peek" at Blondie-in-the-window. :-)

Your holiday sounds deeeeeeelicious!

Paula@SweetPea said...

Little things like a pretty vignette are exactly what you need to cheer yourself up on a dreery day.

You are going to have a blast in Asheville. I've heard great things about the place that you are staying. It's been way too long since we've been there and I'd love to go back.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

Well, I look forward to pictures of Asheville!

Love that basket with bottles of flowers, where did you find it?

Amy Chalmers said...

Going to the Biltmore sounds so fun! I would be in heaven on a trip like that!!

Maggie said...

Hi Jane,
Sitting by the fire sipping wine sounds like a very nice way to spend an evening.
So does spending time browsing the shelves in a favourite store.
Pop over to Normandy Life to see what we got up to yesterday!

Suzann said...

I love to put beautiful things on my kitchen window sill to look at as I putter in the kitchen, wash dishes, or cook.

I love to read greeting cards and just peacefully, and without hurry wander in the store aisles. It is a rare treat for me these days.

Enjoy your Sunday!!

Theresa said...

Hi there dear Jane, sounds a lot like my day:) It was rainy here in Georgia! I actually went to the Dollar General just to get out, left with $36 worth of stuff:)

Love your sweet pictures, the warmth of the fire while you decorated was awesome I am sure!

Have a blessed Sunday my friend! HUGS!

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

It's been a windy and now rainy weekend here, Jane. I could use a day like you had yesterday today, but I have a client to go to and one to talk to on the phone later. I do that at CVS, too, but usually I have list of things I'm supposed to be buying, before I am distracted by the other stuff!

Lori said...

Love your window sill ~ we do a little pretty in a place where we spend so much of our time. I am off today to buy some tulips as I have been wishing for spring to arrive. I went to the used book store yesterday to pick up one they had on hold for me and left with 7! Little things make me happy and all for under $20 as I had store credit. Happy Sunday. xo

Kat said...

Your window sill looks lovely, I love the flowers. You are going to have so much fun in Asheville. I've never been, but everyone I know who has just loves it. And May is probably the perfect time to go. Hope you have a wonderful week, and that your weather starts getting better. Kat

Pondside said...

We all need days like this - and your window sill is such a pretty product of a dreamy day.

High Street Cottage said...

Well, I love your Cabin Fever images :) Hope it warms up for you soon, Jane. Love seeing your reflection in the window :) xoxo tami

Brenda Pruitt said...

Oh, wish I was going with you? Can I fit in your suitcase? Doubt it. I wish I had a window to look out of. Well, I actually do. But it looks into the garden room. Yes, the small things make me quite happy. It is good thing.
Brenda

Charlene said...

Jane,

Asheville is one of my ALL TIME FAVORITE PLACES! I have done posts from past trips there. While there plan an entire day to go to The Grove Park Inn. It was built in the 1800's & is where George Vanderbilt stayed (with his mother)when he fell in love with the Asheville area & decided to build Biltmore. So many famous people have stayed there & it is steeped in history & charm. They now have a 5 star spa that is 2die4 with hot tubs that have water falling from 3 stories above (as it is built to look like a grotto) onto your neck & shoulders.... email me if you want more info. HUGS!
Charlene

La said...

Hi Jane!

Your window sill looks so sweet. WOW! For a second I thought you had a stalker taking pictures through your window. :o)

I hope you will share your trip with us. I've vacationed often in the Carolinas, but I have never been to Asheville. Everything should be coming to life by mid May.

Have a great week, Sweetie. La

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I do love your window vignette also. I have some fun stuff on my very tiny window sill so I am happy while at the sink. You will have such a great vacation in Asheville! hugs, Linda

Sue said...

Your photos are beautiful! We were lucky, yesterday's snow stopped about 20 miles north of us. We did however get (and still have) the cold temps and gray skies. We are doing the Asheville trip differently. We are spending 3 nights in Asheville, and then working our way back with stops at places we have always talked about...but never stopped to see.

We will spend a couple nights in Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg, a couple nights in the Lexington/Berea Kentucky area (Berea is supposed to be outstanding for crafts and artisians) and a night in Louisville, KY checking out horse country. I can't wait to compare notes when we both get home.

Olive said...

Jane, you will love being that close to the Biltmore Estate and May will be a fine time for the gardens there! I am so excited for you two! ♥O

Anonymous said...

Hey Jane! Talked to my son and said yep, it's snowing again! Sure hope the butterfly tees I am sending the girls will remind that Spring is definitely coming. You will love your trip to the Biltmore. It's an amazing place to visit. Take a picnic lunch to the vineyards. N.C. and Virginia have some wonderful vineyards and wineries. We went to one just last weekend checking out some wines for our wedding. Looks like both of us have weddings coming up soon with our children. My youngest (33) and his fiance have decided to have their wedding party here at the farmette. I am sure I will be a basket case before it's all over. Sorry you didn't make it to the lake this weekend but soon! xoxo

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

You know I live in Asheville, right? I hope you have time to meet for lunch maybe? If not I would understand. If you need to know the best antique places, or some great restaurants, let me know!
Hugs,
Penny

Daydream Living said...

Hi Jane!
You know when I read your posts, they always make me think, shame we don't life closer to each other, I think we would have lots to talk about, love your day to day posts. btw, you get into a trance in CV, I have that in a thrift store... funny how the mind gets a rest in a store, anyway wanted to wish you a good start of the week, hugs,
maureen x

Decor To Adore said...

Hello Blondie in the window!

My husbands mother lived for years and years in Asheville. I saw the Biltmore at Christmas, the fall, and best of all spring. I never tired of a visit there.

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

What a cozy setting! And a warm fire, And a yummy meal! What more could you want! Linda

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

I am glad that you have candles and flowers and other pretty things in your home right now . . . because this weather is crazy.

Fondly,
Glenda

xinex said...

Oh how fun to visit the Biltmore. I have never seen it except in a lot of pictures and it is gorgeous. Love your window vignette with the candles looking so magical. I cannot believe it is still snowing there. Hope you keep warm...Christine

Vicki said...

Snow, Snow go AWAY!! Asheville sounds wonderful for a week in May. I can't wait to read all about your trip. We would love to plan a vacation to that area. Last year we did OBX with my brother and his family. It was so much fun. I'm ready to head west though and explore Asheville and the mountains a bit

Pamela said...

Oh I really like your window vignette Jane! I also like what you made for dinner including the wine!!

Have a wonderful time in Asheville it is always so nice just to get away. To mix things up a bit! I would love to go away..somewhere hot!

Pamela xo

Heaven's Walk said...

You are such a cutie, Jane! :) It sounds like you had such a nice, quiet, uneventful weekend. Nothing wrong with that! :) I, too, love wandering around CVS, Walgreens, even the Dollar Store! Simple pleasures.... :) Have a great week, friend!

xoxo laurie

koralee said...

What a cozy day...I love it. Your images are beautiful...oh how I love candles!

Hugs for a great new week. xoxxo

Anonymous said...

Oh how you will love Biltmore. The gardens will be wonderful when you are there. I've only seen it in winter and it was gorgeous then, too. I am looking forward to your trip.:-)

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Love your candlelight Jane,... so pretty!!
You know I know exactly what your husband is feeling... I sometimes would be stuck at office till after midnight.. like having no life!!

Have a lovely week .. don't shop too much!!! ciao xxxx Julie

Becca Bertotti said...

Your window vignette is beautiful ... a lovely touch of Spring! And, your weekend sounds like it was wonderful ... a yummy dinner, a fire, decorating and finalizing a fun trip ... you'll love the Biltmore! I look forward to your pics! Have a great day, Becca

Anonymous said...

Hi Jane!! What a pretty window vignette. Since my hubby has retired I'm learning to browse too and don't have to buy! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Paula ~ castleandcottagesigns said...

Ahhh...the kitchen window sill, funny how one can know every little detail about one particular spot in a home, huh? I've got mine memorized! I remmeber many years ago when we were house hunting and one of the things on the top of my list was a window above the kitchen sink~ it was a must!!
Hope your getting out of the cabin Jane...hang in there spring can't be too far away!! :)
paula

Designs on 47th Street said...

Such a soothing post. I enjoyed reading about your happenings. Oh how I LOVE the Biltmore. Most recently I went during Christmas. What fun. I've also been in the spring.

I love your little window vignette.

Donna

SmilingSally said...

Whee!

What a good time you'll have in May!

Have a good week, Jane.

The Single Nester said...

Love those candleholders! I have never been to Asheville but can't wait to hear about your trip.

Mary Ann Pickett said...

That will be such a fun post to read, yours on the Biltmore! Don't forget your camera.
I have the same mercury glass votives. Candles always make everything better. Even doing the dishes.
Mary Ann

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Jane, what pretty candles reflecting in the window. You will love Asheville. Should be beautiful in May. You will love the Biltmore House and check out the wonderful antique shops.

Pam - @diy Design Fanatic said...

How wonderful that you are going to Asheville! I have been wanting to go again since we haven't been in a couple of years. Biltmore house is going to be fabulous in May. All of the flowers will be blooming! One could spend several days walking the gardens and grounds!

SLR said...

hi there fellow chicagoan! what a winter this year we've had...ugh. thanks for visiting me today, i am following you too :)
love your bottles in the metal carrier!

Jeanne Henriques said...

Jane, I can tell you love your home and it is a beautiful one. I just had a scroll thru your last few posts and enjoyed seeing your reflection in the window of the last one. I hope you had a wonderful day!!

Jeanne xx

Sharing with Sherri said...

Hi Jane, Your little vignette looks real cute! I like the jars with flowers in them in the chicken wire basket... I've been wanting to try something like that with some of my daisies for spring.

Right now though, there's a chill in the air, and your idea for a warm fire and glass of wine is sounding real good too!

Hugs, Sherri:)

The Charm of Home said...

Jane,
We go to CVS all of the time to get out of the house. Except where that is all we have to shop at here in our small town. LOL That is fantastic you are going to the Biltmore. It looks like a fabulous place to visit in May.
Sherry

Anita Diaz said...

Hey, you are coming to my neck of the woods, so to speak!! Biltmore is just fabulous and is gorgeous in May. Your dinner sounds great and what a nice relaxing evening! We don't get many of those here. Thanks for stopping by!! Take care:-)

Sonia said...

Your trip sounds exciting..I've been near Ashville but never in it..I know it is beautiful along with the Biltmore Estate..should be able to get lots of pretty pictures! I love your candlelight windowsill with the pretty bouquet of flowers..it is so dreamy!! Happy week!

Miss Bloomers

Sonny G said...

I would love to spend some time in asheville this year. Your trip sounds like a dream to me and I hope you enjoy every moment.
bring back lots of pics please..

xoxoxoxox
Sonny

Susan EvelynAndRose said...

Hi Jane,
Sounds like a typical weekend here, too. Playing with flowers inside while dreaming of outside 'spring' plans. Your trip sounds wonderful, and I had to chuckle about your musings at CVS. It's so easy to get caught up in the attractions at the drug store.
Take care,
Susan

April said...

I love what you've done with those pretty flowers and candle holders, Jane! Of course, you could make an old bucket look good! I am so excited for you about your trip...I know you won't be disappointed and I think that's such a perfect time to visit! Your accomodations sound so nice you may never want to go home, again!

Susan Freeman said...

I can spend so much time browsing through stores, even Walgreens (we don't have CVS here). My hubby just can't figure me out! The trip you two are planning to Asheville sounds just delightful!!

Lots of love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo