Under a Blue Moon

 

I have always loved houseplants.  When I moved into my first little apartment when I was 20 years old I had an old oak dining room table that was cut down to coffee table height in the corner.  I had that table loaded down with houseplants. 

Maybe they give off a 70's vibe but I still love how they add energy to whatever decorating style to you have. 

The look I am going for is more Victorian Conservatory than 70's macrame. 

I think I have had that Philodendron for almost 20 years.  I just give it a haircut every now and then so the vines don't trail on the floor.

 
 
I just realized that off all the pictures I took the ones that turned out marginally useful are of Philodendrons.  Here is another, smaller one on top of the bookcase.

Honestly I do have other plants.

<insert disclaimer about the crummy light and less than adequate photography skills>

I was actually standing on the couch trying to take the picture above so it is a wee bit blurry. 

My efforts to photograph them weren't so successful.  Okay – here is one of a split leaf Philodendron.  That is slightly different.  Still a Philodendron and all….

 

I just went through the house and counted – we have 13 potted plants.  None of them require that much attention.  Just a weekly watering and the occasional repotting.  

In the 80's I had the most finicky Ficus.  About once every 18 months or so it would completely drop all of its leaves.  Every last one.  I would think it was most surely dead but then it would perk up and grow leaves again.  I did find out that they don't like to be moved.  If you have a spot where your Ficus is happy then just leave it there.  I have one now and I just repotted it.  I have been holding my breath ever since but so far it seems to be holding on to all its leaves. 

Other than the Ficus and the million Philodendrons we also have a huge Peace Lily in the entry way.  If you are new to houseplants that is the one to start with.  It will let you know when it needs watering by drooping dramatically but as soon as you water it the leaves all perk right back up.

We also have a huge Dracaena Massangeana that is taking over the entry way.  It's like a scene from Jumanji when you first walk into the house.

 

You know me and my love for movie sets – one that stands out is Andie McDowel's apartment in Green Card.  Have you seen that movie?  She has a fabulous rooftop conservatory in New York.  I think that is the look I am going for.  I think I might need to watch that again.

 

Thank you for all the birthday wishes on Friday.  That was a lot of fun. 

I had fully intended to take the entire day off from work but things conspired against me and I ended up working half a day anyway.  In the afternoon I took myself out to lunch and then hit up the local antique mall. 

I ended up buying an adorable letter box in the perfect green.  I love the detail work on it.  It was missing whatever was originally in the center of the medallion so I glued a glass button there.

 

I also found a pair of crocheted, monogrammed pillowcases (with an "A") that are in perfect condition. 

I was really pleased – Normally I don't find anything that I really think I need and here I found two.  Then a little further on I found a milk glass cache pot that matched one I already have so I added that to my growing pile of finds (I neglected to take a picture of it but it matches this one).

 

I had one more aisle to go down and what should I find but two perfectly peely old porch posts.  So I added them to the pile and staggered up to the checkout counter.  Actually I flagged down a nice young man that worked there and made him stagger to the counter for me.

 

Aren't they perfect?  My intent is to install them at the bottom of the lawn with birdhouses perched on top of them. 

 

 

Ahhh – the sun finally came out!  I can't tell you how lovely it is.  Yesterday I hung three bird feeders and our backyard is a frenzy of swooping and chirping.  I have all the windows thrown open so I can feel the fresh air and hear all garden sounds.

I wish I could remember the name of those daffodils.  About seven years ago I got a notion to order about eight bobillion bulbs.  They are the prettiest apricot color.  I was going to fill the new pale pink hobnail vase (courtesy of Kelly) with them but then I couldn't bear to cut too many from the front walkway. 

 

Kelly came by on Monday with bags of goodies for me.  It's always a good day when she decides to reorganize. 

She gave me the pretty hobnail vase (along with the monogrammed glass the daffodils ended up in) and a pretty tote bag.  Actually She gave a lot of other wonderful things but I wanted to show these particular items.

How cute is this tote bag?  It's made up of vintage linens and a pretty floral fabric. It looks like they used part of an embroidered, crocheted pillowcase and a crocheted drink napkin. 

Perfect for carrying around magazines or books and a great use of vintage linens.