For the Love of Aqua

Happiness is a perfume you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hello dear ones. I hope you all had a lovely week. Can you believe January is already half over? I must admit, I don't mind seeing it slip by because we're that much closer to spring again. Yay!

Several months ago I had mentioned how much I missed the colour aqua and teal/turquoise in my home. I think it must reflect my love of the beach and to me, it's just a feel good colour. 

Two years ago I had purchased two wheat coloured recliners to replace the two pink chairs I had and I had covered my aqua and pink floral sofa with a similar coloured cover until I find a new sofa. I was on a neutral kick and discovered that I wasn't happy with neutrals. I needed some colour and Hubby agreed.

So, began my search for some of that beloved aqua/teal/turquoise to incorporate into my living room. I began with two of these teal cushions sporting a button. 

Next I found a curvy teal glass bowl for the coffee table. 

Getting new curtain panels proved to be a real challenge. When I had my aqua and pink decor, I had pink and white lace panels on the window. Then I switched to mushroom sheers for a different look with a new paint colour on the walls. 

It took me several visits around the shops and three different orders from one particular store to finally get what I wanted. I was quite struck on the light aqua with the bird and botanical pattern. They are grommet panels and I've never had those before so I had to purchase a new rod too. It is old brasstone to match the grommets. My son put it up for me while he was home for Christmas.

The pictures make them look light blue but they really are light aqua. I still needed cushions to pull it all together and I couldn't find any that were suitable. So a dear friend offered to make pillow covers for me out of an extra curtain panel I had ordered for that. She did a lovely job and here they are. She made two square and one oblong.

Each pillow is adorned with a different botanical print and one has a bird. You all know how much I love birds! I think the pillows help pull the whole room together.

I still have a little material left over and I may do something with that too. Perhaps a runner for the mantel or one of the tables. We'll see.

There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort. ~ Jane Austen

When the sun is out, the room is flooded with light and it is just very cozy.

I still have to find a rug to replace the little one under the table and some accessories but you get the picture. I am much happier with the room now. It is more me.

I am playing with my new camera which was a Christmas gift. It is taking some getting use to. The light is streaming in and is casting a golden glow on the tea table. Whisper pink tulips lend their beauty to the table.

Now, shall we have a wee nosh? I am having crab salad in a buttery croissant; a nice change from sweets. Of which I've had too many over the holidays!

The mere chink of cups and saucers tunes the mind to happy repose. ~ George Gissing

My tea is Earl Grey which I am sipping from my Royal Albert Veronica teacup. 

The teacup was a shower gift from my mother when I got married. I love all the gold gilding adorning this beautiful teacup which also has lovely aqua blue roses on it. 

I love it when you visit and I hope you enjoyed seeing my updated room. See you on Monday for No Place Like Home. Now I'm going to put my feet up and enjoy the newest issue of Victoria magazine. Enjoy your weekend, my lovely friends! 

I am joining the following parties as well~

Mosaic Monday
Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Bernideen's BTTCG Blog Party
 Tea Cup Tuesday
 Share Your Cup Thursday
 Home Sweet Home

 Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi

No Place Like Home # 10

Winter is the time for comfort - it is the time for home. ~ Edith Sitwell

Hello and welcome dear friends to my weekly party No Place Like Home!

Well, most of my Christmas has been put away. It's always a big job and it feels good to have things back in order again. Now I can sit and relax over the winter months and remember precious moments spent with my loved ones over the holidays. They will keep me warm when the cold wind blows.

Make every day a Masterpiece! Don't think about the things you have to do. Think about the things you get to do. ~ Unknown

The other day I had tea with Anne of Green Gables. If you missed that post you may find it here. 

Anne is a delightful character and her spirit is alive and well here on Prince Edward Island. 

We enjoyed tea and a variety of sweets from my Christmas baking.

I think we ate more pie this Christmas than we ever have. Always delicious, but having dainty little treats like those above were a welcome change from pie! I think I have shared pretty much every recipe represented on the server so I won't repeat myself here today.

Now let's get to my features this week. I had a really difficult time choosing just a few posts because you all shared such wonderful and creative posts. You're all so talented! There were some posts that I wanted to feature but there was no link back to my party. Remember, if you would like to be featured, you must include a link back to No Place Like Home in your post. 

This post received the most visits.

Penny @ Penny's Vintage Home had the most clicks on her posting about transitioning from Christmas to Winter. Love this picture with the charming farm scene which is lit up with little lights!

The other features, I have broken down into categories which made my job a little easier. 

Tea Time/Tablescape
Linda @ Beautiful Ideas shared her Merry Christmas Tea. If you know me then you know I adore red transferware and Linda set hers out beautifully as well as lovely cookies and cake. But the thing that really stole my heart was her darling little deer that she found at a Christmas market in Vienna. I want one!

Recipes

A wonderful fruit crisp was shared at Thel's Kitchen. Rhubarb, blueberries, and raspberries under a crunchy oatmeal topping made a lovely New Year's Eve treat. Yum!

Home Decor
Cathy @ My 1929 Charmer shared a trip down memory lane where she gave us a peek at her wonderful decor inside her 1929 cottage. Her lovely bedroom makeover caught my eye.

Crafts
Trisha @ American Honey Home shared her snowflake ornament; simple and very pretty. This kind of craft you could leave up all winter.

Thrifting

And Penny @ Penny's Vintage Home shared her fabulous and glitzy New Years Eve wreath. Using a variety of baubles and bows, she created this wreath for very little. Makes a great statement for a party!

Thank you everyone for participating last week. 

If you have been featured then please feel free to take my button for your blog. Simply copy and paste.

Now let's see what you are creating in your home to make it a cozy place to come home to for your family, your friends, and yourself. 


Lord, this humble house we'd keep 
Sweet with play and calm with sleep. 
Help us so that we may give 
Beauty to the lives we live. 
Let Thy love and let Thy grace 
Shine upon our dwelling place. - Edgar A. Guest 

An InLinkz Link-up

Sharing from my heart ~ Sandi