from Bluebird Hill

photo by Alex Mihis I have been trying to teach myself to watercolor paint since summer. It is something that I have found to be relaxing and challenging at the same time.  Between watching you tube videos on various blogs, looking closely at other artist's work and trial and error I can see an improvement in my little works of art!  ( I use that term very loosely ! ) This is a photo of a Christmas card that I did this morning.  It is a new technique for me, and I am quite happy with the way it turned out. Below are some samples of invitations I did earlier in the month. These are very simple little designs, as I have not mastered anything complicated yet! But still, it gives me great pleasure to do these for friends, and I hope they enjoy them. Putting a bit of yourself into the things you send out to others  takes courage.  None of us wants to be criticized for not being good enough.  But real friends will cheer ...

Sitting in a rocker on the porch is the ultimate summer pleasure.  Just listening to the birds and watching the hummingbirds and butterflies gives me proof that there is a divine being.   Some of my favorites are butterfly bush, for the obvious reason.  Of course who can resist roses? Hydrangeas do so well here in the south, that I have several varieties.  No fragrance, but definitely a great show!  Coneflowers and black eyed susans hold up well to any heat and do well in arrangements too. Hydrangea Coneflowers Cleome

Are you looking for a quick and satisfying meal that is different from your norm? This Fish Chowder might just what you want. Add salad, crusty bread and dinner will be ready in 1/2 hour! FISH CHOWDER 4 sliced of bacon, cut up 1 large onion, sliced thick 1 pound mild fish, skinless & boneless 4 cups thinly sliced potatoes boiling water 2 tbsp butter 1 tbsp flour 2 cups milk, scalded 1 1/2 tsp salt 1/4    tsp pepper 1/4 cup chopped parsley Put bacon pieces in large heavy saucepan. Fry until pan is well greased,  then add onion and cook 3min. Stir so it does not stick. Put fish into saucepan.  Add potato slices and cover with boiling water. Bring to boil, turn down heat and simmer, approx 15 minutes, until potatoes are tender, (fish will be in pieces) Blend butter and flour into hot milk with salt & pepper. Add to saucepan and stir.  Simmer for 5 minutes. Top with parsley and serve.

The book Cape Cod is a historical novel that follows the first settlers on the Mayflower. From Plymouth in 1620 until present time, it tells of the struggles, lives and history of 2 families throughout the generations.  How their lives are intertwined, almost always at odds, and the history and changes in the early years of America.   The book has politics, romance, war and the trials of all families. It touches on slavery and conservation of our lands and their species.  It speaks of the true natives and how we treated them. It held my attention on so many levels, that I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in learning more about our countries past as well as the entertainment of the story.

What does love mean to you? On Valentine's day, we think of love in a romantic sense.  We celebrate with flowers, candy and a date. But what about all the other days? Is love truly forever? Are there different kinds of love? I think the answers to these questions are yes and yes. When we are young, love is very physical and many times hurts.  Lust is part of it, emotions certainly a big part.  Without alot of personal history, do we really know what kind of person we need to complete us?  There is the old saying opposites attract.  That is true, however, having common interests that last longer than the lust is important, and even critical to a long & lasting love. Being with someone you like, whose company you enjoy, is a joy that cannot be underestimated.  It is important to have someone to stand by you, no matter if you are right or wrong.   They do not need to agree with you, but  care enough to let you know that they disagree ...

Miami is such a large and vibrant city. I thought of it as a tropical city, busy, and full of Art Deco buildings.  The Art Deco district is awesome, but it is so much more. There is South Beach, which is actually a different city, and mostly where those of Jewish descent reside. South Beach is where you will find the art deco, up and down the streets.  Rounded corners, and eaves over the windows, as well as the accent colors are clues.  They can be remodeled inside, but the exterior must remain true to the original, including the original signage. Of course, being so close to Cuba, there are alot of Cuban descendents.  Spanish & english are spoken equally in Miami and both are taught in the public schools.  Little Havana is a must experience while you are there. Two other wonderful areas are Coconut Grove and Coral Gables.  These are 2 residential areas that are tony and worth driving through.  Coconut Grove was one of the first su...

Pantone is one of the industry's foremost color forecasters.  This is a very big deal, because as such, they influence trends for automobiles, fabrics, appliances, clothing and just about everything else in our lives that has color. So, since I am a nature lover, I decided to see what Mother Nature shows with this vibrant shade of green.  It may give you some ideas on how to use it in your home furnishings, or your wardrobe. To take advantage of a trend, I feel it is important to analyze how long you think it will last, and most importantly, does it suit your personality. You can see in these pictures how very different the color is depending on what colors it is used with. Using neutrals and lots of white makes it fresh and almost neutral.  But it can also be used with pastels, as with the sculpture, or other brights as with the canoes.    How would it best suit your needs?

I love to travel, and walk the local neighborhoods... We recently visited Key West, and it is a very laid back city. Lots of charming neighborhoods, and all of the cottages have front gardens and fences. The gardens are loose, and the fences as different as I would imagine the owners to be.  Orchids attached to trees, and what some would consider houseplants, grow to the size of schrubs.                                                                                                                                                                         ...

I love the whiteness of the snow, fresh fallen and all sparkly.   Then, we drive through it with our cars, and it becomes dirty.  After it falls, the winter months are often cloudy and gray. I choose to plan my surroundings so there will be color all year.  I love the look of this metal art in the snow.  It draws the eye, and brightens things up. Add greenery to your landscape with fruit and berries.  It will provide food for the birds, and winter color.  The birds will stay and take care of pests the rest of the year. Gardens that have borders of green, like low hedges, provide structure to the winter garden. I also like to add features like ponds, birdbaths, fountains and benches. They all have a seasonal function, but also add interest in the winter, like this bench in the photo below.

After the holidays, I am soooo ready to return to a quieter palate in my home. Don't get me wrong, I love color.  But I prefer a neutral palate so I can change my accessories and have a completely new look. Last year I reupholstered my living room furniture with Sunbrella fabrics in a neutral cream color.  I used a twill on a chair and sofa, and a wonderful herringbone on my favorite wing chair.  With dressmaker details, like pouf buttons on the one chair back & nailheads on the wing chair, they are anything except plain or ordinary. I took all of the Christmas decorations off the mantle, and put up this wonderful old window that a friend gave me.  I like the texture of the peeling paint, a little bit of old colors showing through and the old wavy glass.   With the finials and a plant, it is just the perfect feel for my winter room.                             ...

sophia collection from Pottery Barn I am seeing some distinct trends for 2017. The colors are neutrals, used with lots of textures. Mixing periods of furnishings in the  same room. Lots of patterns, checks & plaids, florals. Leather, fur, and vintage fabrics. Lighter woods with a flat, dry finish. Rough and smooth, in fabric and woods. Pottery Barn In this photo from Pottery Barn, you'll see some indo-chinese furnishings with a shabby slipcovered chair, and  a contemporary leather sofa. It is all brought together with a calm color scheme of neutrals, with blue & coral, Notice how the artwork & accessories on the floating shelf in the background are not centered, but are  2 separate yet cohesive vignettes. Williams Sonoma  In this photo from Williams Sonoma, you'll notice a very cool and calm look.   Larger scale furnishings a nd accessories.   Again, neutrals, with blue added.     A  s...

I love the holidays.. All of the wonderful smells..cookies, candles and other goodies. All of the beautiful wrappings, bows & glitter. A real tree with icicles and vintage ornaments. Get togethers, sing alongs, The Nutcracker & Scrooge. But, best of all, people are kinder, and for the most part, happier. Let's try to keep the spirit all through the year.

I thought you might enjoy a calendar that you can use as a screen saver or print out. I will have one for every month, and I will use photos from right here at Bluebird Hill.   enjoy!

What is the art of gifts to be mailed? I have gifts that need to be sent out of town. I still want them to be pretty when they arrive, and know that I can't add the live green snippets or dimensional adornments that I would like. So, I add cards to the front of the packages and prettier flat ties, such as twine or rickrack ribbon. I try to use the same paper for each member of the family getting a gift.  That way, I don't forget to send something out in the mail! Inside the wrapping paper, I usually use a double layer of  tissue to make it more special when it is being opened!  Sometimes 2 colors or a color and pattern.