A New Antique Store In Healdsburg

 Antiquing in Healdsburg is one of our favorite pastimes, especially in January.

Recently, we discovered a new antique store called French Market Antiques.

It's right next door to our favorite antique mall that recently closed, so it was kind of bittersweet to discover something new, yet sad to see the mall all closed up and empty.

We realized that the proprietor was actually in the mall next door and now has her own store.

Although not a lot of merchandise, what was there was very good.

I was wishing I had a place for the marble top bistro table which was very reasonably priced.

Lately I've been falling for baskets like this one, but ended up passing it up.

A beautiful green pharmacy bottle caught my eye.

A great map of Paris!

What I couldn't resist though is this French wine poster.

It is perfect for the wine country!

Although it could use a nicer frame and Mr. A wasn't happy with the water stain on the corner, I didn't care.

It now hangs in our little rental cottage!

I love antiquing in January!

French Market Antiques
226 Healdsburg Avenue
Healdsburg, California
415-306-1363

Summer Dreaming on Such a Winter's Day

"I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape - the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn't show."

~Andrew Wyeth

Last week, I got up very early in the morning when we were in Asti.

It was so cold, there was even frost on the chaises. Yes, there is beauty in this winter landscape, but I'm missing the warm months already!

Ahhh, remembering last summer....

We drove to the Russian River at the Summer Bridge later in the day to check out the river levels. It's a fisherman's "thing" to do. The river is a raging torrent!

In fact the Summer Bridge is gone.

The river last summer...

Back at the house, I noticed the Mulberry Tree has lost all it's leaves and got it's annual haircut.

Oh, how I miss those beautiful green leaves!

It's hard to believe they will grow back like last summer.

The grapevines have all been cut back, everything is bare.

They too will grow back and look just like this.

Dreaming of summer...

Cold and gray, dead or dormant, the garden is asleep.

Dreaming of summer...

It's like everything is hibernating, waiting to come alive again.

Dreaming of summer....

I'm learning to appreciate the beauty of winter, but it's hard!

Mr. A prefers winter because he is a winter steelhead fisherman.

Me? Not so much! But I'm trying!

Because Summer is my Favorite Season, I'm joining Laurie at Bargain Hunting With Laurie for Favorite Things Saturday!

I'll also be joining The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sundays!

Winter Decorating

Country Living

I have put away all the Christmas decorations and now the house feels cold and bare. Does that ever happen to you?

January can be a little daunting when it comes to decorating our homes. But now we can embrace winter decor without all the holiday themes.

Country Living

On the mantel, I leave some of the greens and then add flowering bulbs that I planted in December. This time of year I plant bulbs like hyacinths and more narcissus every two weeks to bloom in the dead of winter.

It's fun to see their roots form and the smell is wonderful when in bloom.

Country Living

Simple arrangements under glass and lots of pine cones say January to me.

This is when you can tap mother nature for lots of decorations, some of which are free!

Like branches and twigs, berries and nuts, apples and oranges.

I also appreciate the warmth of velvets, chenilles and wool throws this time of year, since January is for cuddling up and staying warm.

This is when a velvet upholstered bed layered with wool blankets just seems perfect!

Since daylight is short in January, I like having lots of candles around the house to keep things festive and relieve the winter blahs. Candles scented with cinnamon, pine, orange or even gingerbread are also nice.

And of course, there's nothing like a fire all aglow while it storms outside!

We keep logs on hand made from recycled material such as coffee. They burn clean and are safer for the environment.

To sum up:

• Remember to use natural elements, like twigs and pine cones, and winter flowering bulbs. Fruits like apples, berries or studded oranges in arrangements.
• Add a paisley wool throw, a plaid blanket or a quilt to the sofa or bed, and pile on the pillows.
• Set spicy scented candles everywhere, and light them!
• Build a fire and cozy up to winter!

It's Raining Cats and Dogs in California!

What a difference six months makes!

Above is the view from our Wine Country home on Monday morning. It rained so hard, the Russian River overflowed it's banks. Water was blowing in under the doors and the wind was incredible! We haven't seen a storm like this in California for two years.

The same view six months ago. Please, hurry up Spring!

I braved the weather to take a few pictures of the neighboring vineyard.

And saw that the wild turkeys are back!

Back in the house to dry off, warm up by the fire and sip more morning coffee.

We left around two for the two hour drive back home. It was very scary. We actually thought we were hit by lightening! But it was just static on the radio when the sky lit up. There were 65 mph winds on the Golden Gate Bridge. Apparently, the worst storm will hit tomorrow.

California is in for a very wet and stormy week!

I'm joining Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday. Please visit her for more outdoor photography.

Winter Wine Country Weekend

We went to our house in the Wine Country last weekend. It poured rain all day Saturday and in to the evening. It had been a while since we were there and it was a good thing that we went. A door in the guest house had blown open and the drapes, floor and rug were soaking wet! Also, a mouse got in and we found him under the bed!

So after we cleaned that mess up, we lit a fire.......

Opened this lovely bottle of wine and sat in the living room listening to music and the pouring rain.

I took a few pictures here and there while Mr. A put the steaks on the grill.

I love these photographs. Three out of four of our kids with their first fish. That's Melissa on the left with a trout from the Umpqua River. Alex and Aaron with their first steelhead from the Russian River!

This dining room hutch was one of our first acquisitions. It is quite rustic; a "married" piece that has made the rounds of houses in my life.

Sunday morning the rain was gone and the sky was clear. An absolutely beautiful day! We sat drinking our coffee and planning our day. Should we stop in Healdsburg for lunch? Should we go to our favorite antique store in Sebastopol? These were big decisions! I had fun capturing the morning sun streaming in while we discussed the possibilities.

Mr. A decided he had to clean up the garden and rake the leaves from the Mulberry Tree before we went anywhere. He also was obsessed with putting in a dimmer switch! I was supposed to sweep and mop up the muddy footprints.

But first I went outside with my coffee and took more pictures. This picture is looking east towards the neighboring vineyard. I can't believe all the leaves are gone from the Mulberry Tree.

The huge pack of wild turkeys are back in the vineyard too. They are so noisy and like to get in the olive trees and eat the leftover olives.

The leaves are gone from the vines and they have turned a lovely red. Absolutely beautiful! Absolutely beautiful weekend!

I'm linking up with Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for "Outdoor Wednesday." Please visit her to see all the other participants.

Friendly Village Tablescape

This is the School House. No, it's not a print, but rather a plate from the Friendly Village pattern. Johnson Bros. introduced this pattern in 1953. I found the entire set, including the soup tureen at a flea market years ago. I bought them for resale for $100, but I couldn't part with them.

I know these dishes are being produced again as I've seen them at discount stores. Mine, though are at least 50 years old. You can tell by the backstamp which says Made in England.

The dishes evoke a winter scene which lends itself to Christmas, Thanksgiving and winter table settings. I always have fun playing with these dishes. All the pieces have a different scene!

The soup bowl has a covered bridge scene in winter.

The beautiful soup tureen with it's many scenes from the Friendly Village.

Wine anyone? I'm joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Tablescape Thursday. Come and see all the different tablescapes.

Chargers: A store in Tahoe City

Dishes: The Friendly Village, Johnson Bros., vintage

Stemware: Boopie by Anchor Hocking, vintage

Napkins: French flea market

Placemats: Target