Linens on the Line

"La Biancheria" - John Singer Sargent  Watercolor 1910


Laundry Day!

Loving all things vintage,
I especially have fond memories of
 taking the laundry down from the clothes line.

The chore itself had no great attraction
but there was something magical
about the scent of the items
after they were dried by wind and sun.

Ready to be folded and returned to their stations
 in drawers, closets and armoires,
the clothes retained that lingering outdoor scent
 that only Mother Nature can provide.

This watercolor by John Singer Sargent
 is currently part of a Sargent watercolor exhibit
 at the Brooklyn Museum.
The artist is famously known for his portraits
 of the affluent Edwardian ladies and gents of his time.

His talent went far beyond those iconic renderings.
Sometimes it is in the most simple of life's daily actions
 that creative talent may depict the greatest beauty.

There is a movement to return to the days of old,
reduce our carbon footprint and
hang the laundry once again.

Not for everyone, for certain.
But inhaling those crisp and clean scents
 are still a wonderful ending to such a perpetual chore.

Where the Turf Meets the Surf

Del Mar Race Track



Opening day at Del Mar!

It's a rite of passage for San Diegans 
and all residents of Southern California.

The racetrack was the creation of Bing Crosby.
Track plans were developed at the offices
of Warner Bros. Studio.
He left no stone unturned in its development
and his efforts are clearly visible today.

Bing even sang a song about the track:

Where the turf meets the surf
Down at old Del Mar
Take a plane
Take a train
Take a car.

There is a smile on every face
And a winner in each race
Where the turf meets the surf
At Del Mar.

And They're Off!

The facilities are magnificent.
They are a beach pebble's throw from the ocean's surf.
The thoroughbreds are spectacular
and on opening day
everyone gussies up
in his and her best finery.

Yes, casual Southern Californians do know how to
'dress the part'.

Take a look:

Del Mar - Then and Now

Allons enfants de la Patrie!

Happy Bastille Day!

Today French citizens celebrate 

the anniversary of the

'Storming of the Bastille.'

America and France

 fought for and won their respective 

freedoms from 

 18th century monarchs. 

July is the month where both countries 

celebrate their 

historic victories

from oppression.

Democracy

 then and now

is never won 

without heartbreak and 

endless determination.

Le jour de gloire est arrive !

Garden Seating

Repurposed Curbside Chair Becomes Garden Seat

Garden Seating

My sister found this abandoned chair frame by the curbside as she was driving to do some shopping.

Knowing that I could give it a new

raison d'etre

she pulled over and popped it in the back of her SUV.

Her gift arrived that same weekend

 and within hours

 it had its place in the garden.

A throw away became a one-of-a-kind container 

 for the vibrant marigolds. 

Yes, it was truly on it's 'last legs,'

but it soon had a new home

with all imperfections notwithstanding.

The folksy watermelon wreath 

and seed packet stake complete the venue.

Everything old can be new again!

Fourth of July Lessons Lived and Learned

 July 4th Welcome


Happy Birthday, America!

May everyone have a safe and blessed holiday celebration.
May we remember today and always that this country is
one-of-a-kind.

Many years back I was with a group of Parisians enjoying a lovely dinner in a wonderful restaurant in Paris.
The topic turned to the 'Etats-Unis'
(U.S.) and the negative remarks of my French dinner guests seemed endless. I did my best to 'represent' my country, but was feeling isolated in my attempts.

My dinner partner, a charming cousin of my host, leaned over and said to me,
"Don't fret about our comments.
Secretly, we would all give an eye to carry an American passport."

A lesson lived and learned.

Sum Sum Summertime

Vintage Watermelon Tabletop Collection

Sum Sum Summertime

It's the first of July and Summertime is well under way.

Mother Nature has turned the heat up throughout the country, even here in Southern California.

This is the time of year when a cool drink quenches one's thirst and makes the weather take a temporary back seat.

Here's a great Summer Cooler to try. It even tastes better when served in vintage ware such as the photo above. 

The dishes are transferware from the 1930's.

The ceramic pitcher and mugs are from the 1920's. 

Just looking at them makes you think

S U M M E R !

WATERMELON COOLER RECIPE

Serves 6 - 8

Ingredients:

• 4 cups chilled cubed & seeded watermelon
• 1/2 cup mint simple syrup (see below) to taste
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon lime zest
• 4 cups cold club soda
• Mint leaves for garnish

Directions:

Blend the watermelon in a blender until desired texture, but be sure not to liquify.

Add the lime juice and mint simple syrup.

Blend another minute.

Pour into pitcher and add club soda and lime zest.

Stir.

Let chill for 15 minutes, garnish with mint leaves and enjoy!

Mint Simple Syrup:

Add 1 cup sugar and 1/4 cup mint leaves to 1 1/2 cups water and heat until the sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool. Remove the mint leaves. Use what you need and refrigerate the rest.