DECK THE HALLS

Well kids, can you believe it's that time of year again already? I feel as though I was just putting my pumpkins and turkeys out in the autumn, and now it's time to deck the halls of the Casa du Borghese. My inspiration for my own decorating has always been a combination of old vintage pieces from my grandmothers, items that were gifted to me, and a few new pieces. All my decorations are about bringing about memories of family or friends, and past memories, and that's why I like decorating, as it brings about those memories of that person and good times past. Sort of like a little ode to that person each year, and a way of remembering them. Most years I deck out the Casa and as a regular reader will tell you, most of my friends nickname my place the Red-Light District, as my tree is decked out in nothing but all red lights and balls of all different red tones and sizes, with my clip bird collection. Not to mention all the other red all over the house. Always seems to be fitting...me and red! This year since I won't be at the Casa du Borghese but two weekends, I couldn't see spending hours hauling the big tree out, and I was very hard pressed not to. So, I curated carefully what I wanted to put out. And for many reasons, this year it seemed fitting, and I was happy with the results. Lumbersexual stopped in when I did the decorating last week, and he loved all the balls. Every year, most seem to enjoy seeing my balls all over the house, and it's the simplest thing to do. And nothing better than lights and candles. Don't you just love the glow Christmas lights on a tree can bring? Nothing easier than how cozy a home can feel at Christmas then Christmas lights and tons of candles. And when it comes to candles, my place is like a seance. I have candles lit galore. Couse, my mother always worries one day I'll go up and out like Claudia Blazedale at the La Mirage on Dynasty. This year's tour of some of the sights...

My tree usually goes up in this corner by the window, but the little tree I put in the boudoir was put in the corner this year with two antique carolers that were a gift from the The Dame.

Just some of my bottle brush collection. New, old, and most from friends and my grandmother's collection.

Old Shiny Brites and two new handsome, square bird ornaments that were a gift from the Fabulous Agnes Goldberg De-Woofs this year. They were waiting for me last time home and were quite the surprise.  THANK- YOU AGNES!!! You're such a thoughtful soul. I just had to place these with these treasured balls, since I didn't put out the tree. 

A fabulous coffee table book, and one of my favorites from the talents of Tomass Hawkke. 

My treasured Christmas Pyramid, one of three from my aunt Barbara and uncle Jack.

One of many, many bird ornaments and another from Agnes last year. This one hangs on the berry sprigs on the coffee table. I couldn't bare not to place some about.

The wall collages continue, in the hallway. A mix of black and white architectural photography and framed prints of Rene Gruau's work that I adore. 

I saw these ornaments at the farmers market one day and couldn't resist them. A local lady made these. I thought they were cool looking and love the use of wood scraps.

Some early card arrivals. I love displaying cards from friends far and near.

The butcher block island I did a small assortment of glass balls old and new, as well as all the apothecaries around the kitchen. A bell jar with bottle brushes and my treasure red earth ware vase with pine to feature some of the bird ornaments that are usually on the tree.

Nutcrackers. OUCH!

A drawer with measure spoons and such. I might have a problem with measuring utensils.

When my neighbor came over to bring my mail packages, his cat Virgil slipped in and made himself at home. quite quickly.

I even placed a few Christmas touches on the terlet in the bath. Those pink tear drops ornaments are ancient.

In the boudoir...blue balls reign supreme. And they are probably the oldest balls in the place. My grandmother loved all blue and white at Christmas.

Of course, I had to get Prancer ready for the holidays.

Some vintage bowties that were my paternal grandfathers that I placed in this shadow box.

That's the tour this year.... and some of the sights. And the lumbersexual even inspired me to try my best butch lumbersexual look for the season. But I can think of other things to swing other than a ax.

Have you decked the halls yet?

AUTUNMAL ABODE

 

The Empress had emailed a while back and told me I hadn't featured a little tour of the pied de terre recently, as I suspect with Halloween being one of my favorite times of the year, I thought I'd share some of the little touches and favorites things in the abode. With being in Harrisburg during most of the week, it has made me realize just how much I miss my abode when I'm not home. I miss the place and neighbors and friends. Like most holidays many items have a special meaning to them.

A collection of various pumpkins I enjoy. The light up blow mold and the lantern were my grandmothers from my youth.

A ceramic pumpkin my mother made when she used to do ceramics classes.

Would you believe this candle holder is actually a light covering I bought for 50 cents? Makes a great candleholder, and the vase next to it is a vase I got for $5 at a market place recently.

This little wood box and bowl was made by a friend in New Hope who does wood work. I keep my smudge sticks in the little box. I love the smell of burning cedar.

In the kitchen.....

I enjoy my kitchen since it's updates. I miss my little corner nook in the mornings taking my cofffee and it's most time where I read your blogs. Today was spent mostly making some mulled cider and a few apple dumplings

Some of the apothecary jars for autumn, and a few little white pumpkins on the bar top.

The red earthenware vases was from a very dear, departed friend, and actually belonged to the Eisenhower's, who his father he was related too. I believe he said it was in Eisenhowers study at the family farm outside of Gettysburg. 

The fun black cats were from the Mother one year.

One of my few remaining Halloween cards from my grandmother in the apothecary.

Just a few spirits!!!!

The little owl I love!!!! But it's a mystery to where it is from. I got back home this weekend and my neighbor brought over a package from outside my door. Upon opening it was this little owl with no card or such. I thank who ever sent it...was it one of you?

Where some of the magic happens!

Just found this cut glass vase for a whopping $3 at a antique market.

Odds and ends! The chair was once in my paternal grandmothers house.

In other news... I saw this Yellow Rumped Warbler in the pine trees out the bedroom windows. First time ever seeing one.

A jay out the kitchen window this morning. As one can see, our leaves have hardly started changing colors yet.

Buster is over it. On a walk, he went right through a huge cob web. He is so over Halloween me thinks.

And what's not to like about pulling in Friday afternoon and seeing Lumbersexual getting ready for a bike ride on the trails?  I had him over for dinner last night, a nice quiche and homemade chili. With dessert. I don't think he needed any bike ride today.

AUTUMNAL PIED A' TERRE

Today is one of those days it will be good to have a few hot toddies curl up on the sofa and watch horror movies all day. It is over cast, damp , a cool chill,  and raining pretty good. So before I settle in , what a better day to share what's been going on at the pied a' terre. While away, the whole places was repainted, carpets shampooed, new, lighter area rug in the living room, a new paint color and appliances in the kitchen, a new water heater, and a new tub and bathroom sink. Then I was able to come back in and do my seasonal touches I love so much that make it my sanctuary.

I love colored glass. The little vase in front was from my Buenos Aries trip from a potter. My vintage find of the compote is filled with fall delights of gourds and small pumpkins and pinecones. The old timey light up, was actually my grandmothers and is in excellent shape still. Who remembers those? It reminds me of her from when I used to stay with her when I was little.

This old vinatge find was from last year. It's a luminary or a candy basket they use to use back in the old days...and at night is actually very creepy when lit.

These old paper accordion pumpkins were a gift from the Dame.

My old Henri Bendel boxes and my little cast iron airplane! Lord knows where I got that anymore, but I love the whimsy of it.

My wall of mirrors!!!! Also come in handy so you can check your do if for some reason someone has you bent over the sofa doing the dirty!!! The little wooden sun disk was a gift to me this year at camp from the photographer guy Christopher I met. The flip side has a moon on it. I love it.

The new kitchen! 

Everything but the cabinets. I wasn't sure at first with the medium grey color...for some reason, I'm getting into greys now. But once everything was back in...I LOVED IT. The inspiration was from the front of the bar I got some time ago. The drawer fronts and doors were finished in grey, but the bar itself was against a cream wall. The grey really popped the bar out more and the art is also more visual. I sit at the table alot....so I love my little nook. 

The arrow was a gift from Daddy Warbucks from a shop here in New Hope. He thought it should be pointing to the boudoir, but that interfered with the turn style, so I hang it next to the bar. The picture next to it , is a pen drawing of inspired by Betty Page, and was done by a bear artist friend of mine, and the larger oil painting was by a lady I used to work with years ago, very intresting and colorful lady... who also happened to come here to check out my ghost disturbances I had once. She is sadly passed on.

The bigger pumpkin was also a gift from the Dame. The little one I stuffed with orange lights. Looks cool at night.The apothecaries are all filled with seasonal delights as well.

The bar is ready for another season!

These black cats were from the Mother. I placed them in the bar so they keep watch over the bar from the likes of Anne Marie from the gins and wines!!!!

A early birthday gift!!!!!! My dear, close friends who moved away from here recently stopped over before my last jaunt to the woods, and gave me these pictures. Doug did these of me when I sat for him for an art show New Hope does every year, Naked in New Hope. The three others he did- sold. When the exhibit ended, thanks to the pandemic closing the art gallery, he picked these up and decided he wanted me to have them. Immortalized in art. I wonder where my other naked bodies are hanging? I will treasure these.

A nightstand creation.

Buster doing a Dumbo impersonation. This was before he left the country house to go to stay at the city house with the ex. He called the other day and said the poor thing got a tape worm and wasn't keeping anything in or down and is now on meds...and seems to be doing much better. I told him no more dog parks...you have no idea what lurks in them.

 I have this weekend The Dame and Russel coming to visit to hang out, and then I shutter....the Mother is coming Tuesday, for a weeks visit, leading up to my birthday. So I best get all my naughtiness hidden. Last time here I accidently left out a flesh jack, and I told her it was a mini wine bottle chiller. She is probably still looking for one at BB&B..