For the longest time I've been a huge fan of fresh-picked roadside wildflowers. I love their crazy, natural beauty. I'm just in awe of nature and believe that all its intricacy and variations are proof that God exists. When I gaze upon roadside flowers I appreciate the color combinations and the casual way they dot the landscape ... not like the formality of professionally arranged flowers ... but so much prettier! I was so excited this week … [Read more...]
Leroy Oakes is a beautiful forest preserve in Kane County with big red barns and historical buildings. In the early morning it's peaceful and serene. A bike and running trail winds its way through the idyllic property and this is the location where we start our long marathon training run every Saturday. As you drive down the winding road into Leroy Oakes Forest Preserve, this big red barn greets you as you reach the parking area. Every year, the … [Read more...]
Spaghetti is a staple food item in most households but in our home, Spaghetti with Tomato and Basil has become a true gourmet meal. My daughter introduced me to this famed Spaghetti with Tomato and Basil recipe from Scarpetta's restaurant in New York City where you'll pay $24 for a plate of this heavenly yumminess. Normally I don't wax on about spaghetti but this dish is truly flavorful and delicious. What's amazing is the limited ingredients … [Read more...]
When you have a house full of kids and pets, you need home decor that's both economical and provides easy living for a busy life. In our 16 years of living in this old house we've seen a variety of pets and people come and go, along with the wear and tear that accompanies an active household. One of the first things I did when moving here was to rip out all of the rose-colored carpet (all by myself, I might add!). To my pleasant surprise, I found … [Read more...]
The day I've been patiently waiting for has finally arrived! The lilac bushes are blooming and that means I can bring these delicate beauties indoors to fill our living space with their sweet fragrance. Decorating with lilacs is so easy to do because they are perhaps the easiest of flowers to arrange. Lilacs naturally spill over in a large enamelware pot. I didn't even arrange this grouping of lilacs. I took an enamel pot of water outside with … [Read more...]
Last month I shared my finds from the Kane County Flea Market, which is held the first weekend of every month. I decided I would continue to share my treasures each month from the flea market revealing what I paid for each item. I always try to find a bargain but I'm sure there will be times when I overpay for something. This month I found a few things, but not as impressive as April's flea market finds, in my opinion. It seemed like prices were … [Read more...]
One of my favorite decorating tricks is to bring fresh flowers into our farmhouse kitchen, dining room, and every other room under our metal roof! Last week the daffodils were in bloom and I brought a big bouquet of their sunshine inside. This week the flowerbeds are filled with bunches of blue ... Virginia Bluebells, that is. This beautiful-hued perennial is quite prolific, spreading itself throughout the garden a bit more each year. Excited … [Read more...]
Some people think Illinois is flat and boring but I find special beauty in the country roads, prairies, corn fields, and big blue sky. Lucky for me, I live where the suburban roads of Chicago meet the country roads of Kane County so I get the best of both the town and country ... thus the name of this blog. And if you read my blog on a somewhat regular basis, you know that I've signed up to run the Naperville Marathon with my daughter this coming … [Read more...]
Finally we're getting the rest of the open shelving added to the kitchen! I've been talking about it since before Christmas and here it is April, almost 5 months later. Better late than never and no harm was done except that my nerves were getting frazzled because I was running out of space to store my white ironstone finds. If you've been reading my previous kitchen posts, you'll remember that we didn't have anything on this wall at all. … [Read more...]
Pets provide such joy and companionship, and when they leave us it's never easy. I've had pets throughout my life. Some get sick and pass on before their time. Others stay with you for many years. Recently Donna at Funky Junk Interiors lost her beautiful black cat, Teddy. In honor of Teddy, she's hosting a blog link party in honor of pets. So in remembrance of Teddy and all our pets that bring us joy, I decided to share photos of the newest … [Read more...]
In my attempt to give our old farmhouse a legitimate farmhouse look both inside and out, I wanted to build up a collection of white ironstone. I seem to be drawn mostly to pitchers in all shapes and sizes. Large ironstone pitchers in pristine shape are quite pricey so I decided to collect a range of sizes so I wouldn't break the bank. I recently found my smaller pitchers fit quite nicely in a small, shabby cabinet that was stowed away in the … [Read more...]
My love affair with old houses began when I was in high school. It was quite unexpected, really. I was working on a very important goal at the time ... when I turned 16 I vowed to have a date every Saturday night until I graduated. That meant hair, make-up, and clothes were high on my priority list. Cupid shot me with his bow and arrow but my love intention was not a well-muscled young man ... oh no ... it was a classic beauty with great … [Read more...]
Our volatile spring weather here in Illinois has hammered an ache in my heart for the smell of dirt and fresh mown lawns. One day we suffer widespread flooding due to torrential rain, and the next day we're pummeled with snow and sleet. Mother Nature's wrathful confusion drove me to Shady Hill Gardens this weekend for some much needed relief and therapy. I simply wanted to stroll the aisles of the greenhouse to absorb the warmth and riotous … [Read more...]
The first weekend of every month is flea market weekend in Kane County, Illinois and I try to never miss it! Hundreds of vendors are spread across the local fairgrounds and it takes a few hours just to walk past them all. Known as the best in the Midwest, the Kane County Flea Market never disappoints. Some of your favorite bloggers have booths at this flea market held in St. Charles ... Jennifer Rizzo, Rosemary of Villabarnes, and Urban Farmgirl … [Read more...]
Living life where the suburbs meet the country affords me the best of both worlds. This is where I'll share decorating, cooking, shopping and more as it relates to both city and rural life. Read more >>
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