Beautiful Browns

My husband’s friend recently gave us a dozen eggs from his backyard chicken coop.  (What a great way to make us regret giving away our Easter chicks!
)

brown eggs

I couldn’t help but pause and appreciate the subtle differences in their color.

brown eggs 2

The words “I’m not a brown girl” have come out of my mouth many times, meaning that I don’t love it enough to want it on all of my walls, or on the exterior of my house.  I just love other colors far more.  However, when I see all these shades of brown together, they are beautiful to me.   It’s almost like looking at a paint swatch, but much prettier because it’s a naturally occurring variety.

brown eggs 3

This morning I am thankful for an unexpected visual treat.  It’s uplifting to appreciate the color in ordinary things.

What color have you noticed lately?

Hopeful Homemaker

Simple pleasures

I’ve always found it interesting how much comfort can be found in feeling grateful for simple things.

Today I’m thankful for the gift of fresh fruit, oranges to be exact.

sliced oranges

They looked so beautiful with juicy sections glistening in the sunlight.  I love the many shades of color.  Things like this seem so simple, but when you really look at them you realize what a composition they are in themselves.

orange slice

They tasted as sweet as they looked.  Mmm.  Not many things better than a sweet, juicy orange in the winter.

What simple thing are you thankful for today?

Verna and Kate Spain

Earlier today I posted pictures of the quilt top I’m putting together.  It’s made with Kate Spain’s new collection for Moda, titled Verna .

Well, about an hour later, Kate left a comment on the post, which was so kind of her, and although I have absolutely no idea how she found her way to my post, I do know that her comment led me directly to her website .

And I think I can say that I now have a new favorite designer to watch.

Let me back up.  A few weeks ago a new Crate & Barrel catalog came in the mail, and I devoured all the pictures, as usual.  One in particular was torn out of the catalog and kept for 2 reasons:  1.  I want these!  2.  Inspiration.

Did you see these too?  And do you like them like I do?
Loire plates
I mean, I’d like several in each color, but if I had to choose, I’d take the aqua ones.  They’re beautiful and affordable.  You can buy them individually or in sets of four.   Hello!  Can they get any cuter?

Back to Kate Spain.  You see, not only is she responsible for the gorgeous quilting fabric that I’m currently in love with, but imagine my delight when I read a few posts on her blog and discovered that SHE is the designer of those lovely Loire plates, the very plates I tore out of the catalog,  from Crate & Barrel!  She also designed these awesome melamine plates .

Wow!  I was so excited to discover that two different products which I’m so drawn to are designed by the same person.  Cute stuff!

Well, it gets even better than that.  She’s currently giving away one layer cake from the Verna collection, and some totally cute gift bags and takeout boxes for a second winner.  So hurry on over here and get in on the fun.  You have until March 20th to enter.

And thank you, thank you Kate for sharing your awesome designs!  I love them.

Hopeful Homemaker

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