Ma(i)sonry, A Life Aesthetic

Yountville, California, located in the Napa Valley is such a quaint little town. Even at the peak of the tourist season, it was still fun to hang out and visit some stores and restaurants.The first place we discovered yesterday was Ma(i)sonry. Built in 1904 as a private residence and lovingly restored, it is now a furniture, art and wine tasting gallery.Inside, the stone walls are just gorgeous. The objects d'art and antique furniture are all unique...

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34 Years?

The other day, I was asked to photograph #1 Daughter Melissa's family. They were all dressed up for an event, the girls in their matching Ralph Lauren dresses! I took tons of pictures, but this one is my favorite. It captures a moment in time of this happy, young family.Today is Melissa's birthday. Has it really been 34 years since you were born? It seems like yesterday. How time marches on...Happy Birthday to our "Sweet Melissa!"...

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The Turkeys are Back!

A new flock of turkeys have moved in to our country house in Asti. They are young and hang together like a bunch of teenagers. I counted about ten of them. They have a habit of hanging out in front of every door of the house, pecking on the glass to get in, and they poop on the porch too. I'm not amused....So, I chased them off the porch and down the driveway.I'm hoping they get the message that they aren't welcome. Until Thanksgiving that is....

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Alfresco Dining Ideas

Cote MaisonI've been collecting inspiration photos for alfresco dining ideas. Here are just a few gathered from various sources.Cote MaisonJust a simple table in a courtyard. Of course it helps that it's in France!Cote MaisonThe stone slab and rusty metal chairs lend quite a rustic feel to this table.Who says dining alfresco has to be rustic though? The lace trimmed tablecloth and fine china lends an elegant feel to this table.Cote MaisonLately,...

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The Lone Sunflower

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow. It's what sunflowers do."--Helen KellerWe have one, lone sunflower growing in our field. A volunteer. It stands tall and proud, like a sentinel. Maureen and I were admiring it's beauty last evening, how it is in the prime of it's life, "like a person in their twenties!" we remarked. "But it's all alone...."I think seeing the lone sunflower also made us realize how lucky we are. ...

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A Provençal Tablescape for Susan at BNOTP!

It's Susan's 100th Tablescape Thursday at Between Naps on the Porch!So, I created a French Provençal table in honor of Susan.Thank you Susan for hosting Tablescape Thursday every week. I look forward to participating and also it's fun seeing what others are creating. We visited France for the first time back in 1993. Ever since, I've been in love with anything French!Especially anything Provençal like this tablecloth I found in France on my last...

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