Peace & Quiet

Hello Everyone,

     It is cloudy and cool here today but spring is advancing as so many perennials are starting to grow. I noticed on my walk this morning that the lupins that grow wild along the roadside here are starting to pop up as well. I always look forward to their return.

   It is time for a little peace and quiet so I have some tea ready in a quiet corner of our bedroom

My husband added some details to our fireplace mantel since you were here last.Did you notice the turned posts and the box above with the small pot lights. I think it adds pizazz to the mantel!

Spring tulips.

I love the soft colors of this hydrangea.

I hope you enjoy some peace and quiet in your day and have time to reflect on the blessings of  Easter.

I am joining Between Naps on the Porch today for Tablescape Thursday.

Also,joining French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday and My Romantic Home for Show & Tell .

Easter Blessings to you All!

Carolyn

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Update on Teddy and a big big thank you

Hi, this is going to be a short post. First thank you from the bottom of our hearts. I am so unbelievably touched by the kindness of your countless emails and comments. I was FLOORED and just blown away.... I think that broke a record, almost 250 comments and over 150 emails...wow!!! They were truly a bright light during a very dark two days. For those of you  who do not know what happened, click here to view the post from Wednesday to be filled in.  The latest is that we visited Teddy last night, they were able to put in an additional three drains, it was honestly really hard to see, the open wounds, the shaved body, the drains, my heart broke for poor Teddy, but he was so happy to see us and we were soooo happy to see him. Despite the pain he was in, his gentle and sweet disposition was still in check. Because there is still such a buildup of fluid, they still do not know if they can operate today, they will assess that today around 12. The two bites that were the worst tore into the muscle which is why it necessitates surgery. He is on an IV and is on heavy duty  painkillers so thankfully is comfortable and not feeling any pain. That to me is most important, just keeping the little guy comfortable. I get so mad seeing his innocent face, then thinking of how he was attacked not even seeing it coming. He is one of those dogs that just assumes everyone in the world is like him, a sweetheart and  full of kindness.
Now onto the dogs who attacked him and the owner, which so many of you have asked about. The three dogs belong to a single owner who lives about 1/4 mile away. They live on 6 acres. Belongs to a lawyer and his wife and young kids. He called me yesterday, is distraught over what happened (naturally) and you won't believe it but within an hour of what they did to Teddy, they went to another neighbors dog and killed the poor dog...this is just incredible! It is heart wrenching. Yes, the police are involved and have been from the get go. I called them immediately. They have been fabulous. My husband is friendly with our village mayor and bottom line is we are all concerned about these dogs and the threat that they are to all dogs and people around them. 
The dog owner immediately stepped up to pay the bills and whatever else is required but it goes so beyond the bills, it is safety and the fear that we all live in knowing those dogs are there. So this is still going on, but rest assured we are very much on it, and it is so tragic that it was at the sacrifice of landing Teddy in the hospital and killing another dog but something will be done. Its been a really traumatizing experience but I know Teddy is going to be OK in the end, a bit banged up and will have to stay in the hospital maybe a few days longer than originally thought, but thankfully he has such a wonderful positive attitude that i know before long he will resume his role being my walking companion, official taste tester, my kids ball chaser, and our beloved sixth family member. 
Seriously I don't remember being this touched in a very very long time as I have by your countless comments and emails.....just amazing!!!!!!! Thank you so so so much. I was saddened to hear that there were so many stories like Teddy's but inspired to hear so many happy endings too. Thank you for being there to offer support and words of friendship and compassion, it helped to brighten a very somber mood. I feel like I have been walking in a dark gray fog the last few days.  If Teddy looked better I would post a picture so for now lets just keep this image of Teddy in our hearts.....of him healthy and happy as I know he will soon be again! Promise to keep you posted! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Also I want to say that I normally try to respond to all my emails. I frankly got so many yesterday that I am a little overwhelmed. I am so touched that you took the time to write me and I did read each and every one but am juggling a lot right now ( while still getting a lot of orders out the door) plus have family coming in tomorrow for Easter so I promise I will get to them but it might be after the holiday. Thank you so much for writing.


UPDATE AS OF FRIDAY MORNING- Once again many many thanks for the barrage of kindness and well wishes, I believe that will see Teddy through this horrible ordeal. He is the best of spirits that he could be in all things considered. There is no doubt that its taken the greatest toll on me, it is so tragic just seeing him in the state he is in. Leaving him every afternoon is heart wrenching and I go through the whole cycle all over again of extreme sadness, and  incredible anger, but once I get out my good afternoon cry on the 20 minute drive home from the animal hospital I channel all that energy into staying positive however and realizing naturally that it could have been much worse, and he could have met the same fate as the other poor dog. It is a tragic situation all the way around. 


They have decided to keep the drains in for another 2 days, have gone into one of the bites and closed it up successfully and will assess the big one on the shoulder possibly on Monday.  They are keeping him comfortable, on an IV and on heavy duty painkillers/antibiotics so he is not in pain. Unfortunately he will not be home for Easter but we will make up for it when he does come home hopefully shortly after and have a nice welcome home celebration for him and serenade him with a favorite meal and some new toys. We can't wait just to give him a big hug and welcome him back to where he belongs. Thanks for your prayers, support and friendship, means THE WORLD!!!!!!
As you might imagine, I am physically, emotionally and mentally worn out. My parents are coming in today so I am going to take the weekend off to decompress from this rough week. I so miss being a part of blogland as I normally am but its not in my heart at this very minute and I know you understand. I am sure within a few days once Teddy is on the mend, and things are looking up I will be too....and we will both be on that road to recovery together. I look forward to reporting back to you on Monday! Hope you have a wonderful holiday weekend.


                        Wishing you all a wonderful Happy Easter and a Happy Passover.

                                

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Lavender Pepper Recipe

Dried Lavender Blossoms

Lavender pepper is one of those designer spice blend that's gained prominence in the last couple of years. It actually makes a very nice seasoning for beef, chicken and especially seafood. I particularly like it on shrimp. Lavender actually works surprisingly well with pepper. It offers a flowery note that stands up to the peppery bite without tasting bitter.

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Front Porch Views

This was the view from my front porch yesterday...

This is the view from my front porch today...

No, I didn't have a new deck built and bull doze down the houses across the street.

We moved.  Yes, we did.

When we bought our house almost three years ago, we knew it was a temporary thing.  We knew we would fix it up and sell it.  Remember, it was a foreclosure and needed a lot of love.

So in the next post I will tell you all about it.  It is a side of me that most of you don't know about.  It is a great story.

Welcome Home,

Penny

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Front Porch Views

This was the view from my front porch yesterday...

This is the view from my front porch today...

No, I didn't have a new deck built and bull doze down the houses across the street.

We moved.  Yes, we did.

When we bought our house almost three years ago, we knew it was a temporary thing.  We knew we would fix it up and sell it.  Remember, it was a foreclosure and needed a lot of love.

So in the next post I will tell you all about it.  It is a side of me that most of you don't know about.  It is a great story.

Welcome Home,

Penny

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Say a prayer for Teddy......

Good morning. Yesterday was a really really rough day. Really tough. Teddy was attacked by a trio of dogs, (neighbors dogs all belonging to one owner from a distance) they are I believe some kind of hybrid wolf mix, not sure but they look eerily like a pack of wolves with very tall skinny legs and long snouts....they ferociously marched onto our property and took full advantage of my precious little Teddy, who was just sitting in the grass minding his business.  We didn't realize at first how bad it was. But at the vet, after they shaved the areas that were affected, we soon realized that he had been bitten multiple times, and had received several serious deep bites all the way to the muscle. By the time we got to the vet, his fever spiked all the way past 105 and excess fluid started to build all over his little body. He was having a hard time walking and was so lethargic, it was incredibly painful to see my little buddy like that. Just writing this is so unbelievably hard. To know Teddy is to love him, everyone at the animal hospital adores him, they could not believe that despite the tremendous pain he was in, that his little tail was still wagging while we were all petting him (while he was being examined)....that's how sweet he is!

 Bottom line he is having surgery in the morning, last night his condition was too fragile, his fever too high to put him under general anesthesia,  but hopefully this morning he will be good to go. He will remain in the hospital for at least 3-4 days,  as he will have several drains and though we desperately want him home,I know that's the best place for him. The house feels eerily quiet without him. Walking into the kitchen is just not he same without him there to greet me, cooking seems boring and mundane without his curious little face at my side wanting samplers as I go along, there is no "taste tester" like Teddy, my morning walks will come to a halt as I have no interest in them if he can't be with me. I cannot imagine his amazingly sweet disposition and adorable face not here for the next four days. I am trying to channel my extreme anger and turn it into something positive for Teddy's sake. 
 I know everything will be OK. You really don't realize just how important a dog is to you, until something happens, just how much a part of your family they are until something occurs that shakes you up to your core and you realize that your family is not your family without them. Well this has really shaken me up more than words can say. Somehow, it just doesn't seem appropriate today to post about the things I normally love to post about...not when my heart is aching and is somewhere else. So today I am taking the day off. I will keep you posted. I am praying and hoping for great news today . Promise to update you tomorrow. Thank you and wishing you all a wonderful day!

Teddy, I cannot wait to see you just lounging about as you do best next to the flower beds, just "doing your thing". I love you dear sweet boy and cannot wait until you come home!

UPDATE AS OF 3:40PM.....He is comfortable, on heavy duty painkillers, stable, wagging his tail (amazing that his sweet personality shines through even while going through such trauma), they were able to put in two additional drains today, so he has a total of 3 now, they did not operate today, because his body is getting rid of the excess fluid of which is there is a great deal. They will access tomorrow how things are looking and if its a good idea to operate tomorrow. His fever is thankfully down and they are doing to do stomach xrays. We are going see him at around 6pm. Fingers crossed that all continues to go well. I cannot thank you enough for this TREMENDOUS OVERWHELMING outpouring of support, I was blown away when I came onto to see nearly 200 comments and tons of emails overflowing my email box, thank you, thank you, thank you.....they truly touched my heart. Its been a rough 24 hours and you better believe I will give you en ear full of this owner and his pack of horrendous vicious dogs and whats going on over there as soon as all this goes away...........will continue to keep you updated. I am confident he is going to be just fine. Thank you again.......

 

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oh, clothes...

...we just can't help but love you!

And we always seem to be getting something wonderful and new in at the shop...

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Happy Easter Tea

Hello Everyone,

    With the sunny days we have had lately I have been enjoying afternoon tea in our little sunroom surrounded by the happy colors of spring.

And of course some flowers and greenery add to the spring cheer.

Tulips always cheer me!

Gerbera's also add some lovely spring color.

The first blooms of spring are starting to poke through the ground.

Hope you can stay for a cup of tea!

White chocolate Easter bunny anyone?

I am so glad you stopped by for a little Easter cup of cheer!    

Today I am joining Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday

and

French Country Cottage for the  Bunny Blog Hop.   

Enjoy your Day!

Carolyn                                                           

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About Herbs

Walk Through the Garden Gate (and start an herb garden)

I ran into an old work friend at my local garden center yesterday. She was interested in planting a few herbs in her garden this season. She isn't a great herb enthusiast or a lover of the cozy cottage garden look in outdoor landscaping. She isn't a dedicated cook, either.

She shared some interesting information about herself I didn't

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Le Jardin Botanique de la Villa Thuret

The garden was created in 1857 by scientist Gustave Thuret. Photo: 3 April 2012; Cap d'Antibes, France. The third time is a charm. Well, the garden is charming and on my third trip to Cap d'Antibes, I finally visited Le Jardin Botanique de la Villa Thuret. This is not a "oh my, look at all those colorful flowers" kind of place. This garden, created in 1857 by scientist Gustave Thuret, is a collection of exotic Mediterranean trees and shrubs. The garden will intrigue those with a keen interest in botany or offer tranquility to those simply looking for a lush place to stroll.  There are "2500 individuals belonging to 1600 wild species and 145 botanical families." Every year, another 200 new species are introduced in this five acre garden. Newly-introduced plants are tested for their ability to adapt to the volcanic soil and local climate conditions. The new plants are watered for two years and only during extremely dry summers. Dead plant matter is left to drop and add humus to the soil. There's no mulching or mowing as wildflowers dot through clover and grass. Only the gravel paths are maintained to allow visitor access.  Only the main paths are well-maintained. The garden is "natural" without mowing, mulching and pruning. Dead leaves and wood are allowed to drop to add organic matter to the soil. Wildflowers dot the natural, grassy areas. A lovely peony. Being an American and accustomed to "staying on the path" I didn't venture into the grassy meadows to read the labels on the shrubs and flowers, such as peonies, agapanthus, clivia and crocosmia—nor all the plants that I can't identify! Given that we were the only visitors and everyone else had clipboards with eyes focused intensely on the plants, I had no clue as to the proper protocol. We weren't even sure if we were supposed to pay an admission fee. We walked into the open gates and saw no ticket stand. Since no one chased us down and demanded Euros, we assume that there was no charge.  For a lovely, sunny day, a leisurely stroll through the gardens was worth the trip to Cap d'Antibes. To find Jardin Thuret from the town of Antibes, we headed west along the promenade at Ponteil. We crossed Boulevard James Wylie to follow  Boulevard du Cap to Chemin Raymond. There is also an Enviro-bus that makes a circuit through the area for 1 Euro. The garden is closed on Saturday, Sunday and some holidays. Verify through the website. Crocosmia blooms beneath a grove of bamboo. Words and photos by Freda Cameron, Defining Your Home, Garden and Travel. All company or product or patented names mentioned are registered trademarks, copyrights, or patents owned by those respective companies or persons.

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