Today I will be linking up with Nita at Mod Vintage Life for Mod Mix Monday, and with Metamorphis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch.  I will be giving you a tour of the sitting area in my bedroom.  We painted the walls a medium teal and added white beadboard wainscotting.  The floors are cherry wood laminate, and I really like the contrast with the white beadboard.  I love oriental style furniture, and I recently purchased a coffee table and a chest in black lacquer with mother of pearl inlays and decorations of Geisha girls.  The two pieces were purchased months apart at different thrift stores in Greenville, Texas where I live.

Here are a few pics of these two pieces.

The settee was given to me by my sister.  It was her husband's aunt's who lived in Maryland and worked at the Pentagon. Aunt Frances was a lovely woman, I am honored to have a part of her furnishings in my home. 

I am mixing these pieces with a mid-century Safari or campaign chair.  I really had no idea that it was valuable, I just liked it.  Last week when I was browsing on 1stdibs.com, I was astounded to see a chair almost exactly like mine.  Would anyone like to guess the price of the chair that I am showing here?

Here is a link to the chair on 1stdibs.com,  http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=531422.  I contacted the dealer and he replied to my email that the chair was listed for: $9,500.00, and was designed by Arne Norell circa, 1964.  Wow!  Who knew?

Here are a few pics of my chair.

I love to have my girlfriends over and make some cocktails and entertain them in my own little art gallery and sitting room.  The art has been collected over the years at thrift stores, Goodwill, estate sales, garage sales, etc.  I hope you enjoyed my tour, and have a great Monday.

http://betweennapsontheporch.net/metamorphosis-monday/

http://www.modvintagelife.blogspot.com/2012/07/mod-mix-monday-61.html

Here are a few pics of my kitchen.  The walls are butternut from Sherwin Williams.  I bought the tea cart at an antique store in Greenville, at Antique Boutique.  The owner of the store painted it red for me. 

The black hutch was ordered from J.C. Penney, and it was hard to put together, but it serves the purpose for extra display area and storage.

The framed print over the black hutch was purchased at an estate sale in Paris, TX.  I love old prints of birds and other fowl.

The teapot lamp was purchased at a local thrift store called twice is nice.  My appliances are black, so I bought the microwave to match.



I bought the still life oil painting of fruit at Twice is Nice also.  I thought an original oil painting signed by the artist with a nice frame was very reasonable for $37.00











Summer Recipes

In the summer, I don't like to cook with the oven because it makes the house so hot.  Here is a great recipe that is good for you and doesn't require heating up the kitchen.

Summer Berry Chicken Salad.

On a bed of mixed greens, add fresh sliced strawberries, fresh blueberries,green seedless grapes, sliced nectarines, cherry tomatoes, chopped green onions, dried cranberries, sliced grilled chicken breasts, and top with grated parmesan cheese.  I bought the dressing, Wishbone Superfruit Berry Vignette.  I also bought fully cooked frozen chicken breast patties, and heated them in the microwave.  My friend, Cassandra, her daughter Alex, and my two sons Will and Paul gave it two thumbs up!! 

Another recipe that I tried is a mixed fruit smoothie.  It is good for you and very refreshing. 

Add 3 cups of frozen mixed fruit, I used mango, pineapple, peach, and strawberry medley. to a blender, add water to get it started and puree until smooth.  Then add one can of frozen white grape concentrate and a 12 ounce Sprite, puree until smooth.  Add a cup of water and 2 cups ice, puree until smooth.  Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher and stir.  I served my smoothie with a sliced peach and of course, the little paper umbrella.

Here are a few pics of my red and black, Marilyn, glam bathroom.  I found the jewelry display case and Twice is Nice, a local thrift store and added some of my vintage costume jewelry pin collection.

It has been so hot lately, and I have been looking at summer drinks on pinterest.  I came up with this concoction last night.  Take three cups frozen fruit, I used a mixture of pineapple, strawberry, peach, and mango, 1 can of frozen white grape juice concentrate, 16 oz sprite, 2 cups water, and 2 cups ice cubes.  Add the fruit one cup at a time to the blender, add some water to get it started, puree the fruit until well blended, puree the other fruit.  Then add the frozen grape juice concentrate and ice, puree until smooth, add water and sprite.  Mix well in a large pitcher.  Serve with sliced fruit as garnish.  Very cool and refreshing.  I added one shot of peach schnapps to my glass.

Gardens

I have been working in my gardens, and they have been very pretty, but the weather is getting extremely hot now.  Here are some recent pics of the front beds and the koi pond.

Here are some more fairy garden projects.

I have been making fairy gardens, and also using and repurposing junk from the garage and adding to my flower beds.  Here are some pics of my latest creations.

I have really enjoying working in my yard and garden this year.  I love my porch and it is very rewarding to see all of the progress made on the house and landscaping.  Here are some photos of the house and yard.

Park Street 4th of July Parade

Park Street 4th of July Parade. July 4th 2012.