Link Love #9!

For this link party, I had over 100 links, thank you so much for your participation! I went and visited all the links but I could not leave comments to everyone of you, I am sorry!

There is something really exciting happening at Tea Rose Home, over the next several months, but I can't share the details with you yet... because of them I have been swamped with many things and deadlines (because of my procedure and recovery, I couldn't do much for a week!) I had less computer time than usual.

I chose several creations to spotlight for today's link love.

Take a look at this beautiful Butterfly Lamp. Isn't this gorgeous? Very delicate, yet very colorful and fun, I just love to look at it.


I found another craft blogger who creats beautiful things! Princy n Paris shares how to make this sweet apron for a little girl on her blog. I love the details she added.


Happiness is 5ive shared picture of her entryway she finished. I love how she used the things she already had and made the entryway such a warm and inviting space.


Kristabell Burgeoning made an amazingly cute Toddler Cardigan. I made something similar to this when my first child was born, but her's are way better than mine.


House of Smith shared her Hall Way Sign. It turned out so cute! While I was visiting her blog, I saw other parts of her house, looks like she is one talented decorater too!


Adventures in Dress Making shared this clever tutorial. Using her collection of vintage handkerchiefs and accesorized plain tank. So creative!

And...I have a special category this time...I know Tea Rose Home is more geared towards, feminine, romantic, and ruffly stuff... BUT, there are other parts of me; fun loving jokester and a mother raising two rowdy boys.

I couldn't help but to post these two links that made me smile.

I named the category "Got Boys?"

You need to check this out, this is one cute t-shirt, don't you agree?


Monster Tissue Holder. My boys wouldn't care for my tissue holder, but I know they will definately LOVE this one.


Thank you sharing your creations and talents everyone!

Basement Bathroom

I received a nice surprise yesterday. A friend called to tell me she had seen my basement bathroom in Real-Life Kitchen and Baths – a special interest magazine by Meredith publications.

Real-Life Kitchen and Baths / Photographer - Bryan McCay
Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

For those of you who have been followers for a while, you might recognize this story as a rerun of an article which appeared in the winter 2009 edition of Better Homes and Gardens’ Kitchen and Bath Makeovers.

Real-Life Kitchen and Baths

Real-Life Kitchen and Baths / Photographer - Bryan McCay
Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

This bathroom was part of an overall basement remodel which also included a sitting area, bedroom and storage.

Better Homes and Gardens / Photographer - John Bessler
Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

Better Homes and Gardens /  Photographer - John Bessler

Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

We wanted a space which would be suitable for guests as well as serve the needs of our family. Although this bathroom is a fairly small space, we took our time planning out every detail. We began by listing everything we wanted, regardless of cost.

Real-Life Kitchen and Baths

Real-Life Kitchen and Baths / Photographer - Bryan McCay
Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

This helped us decide what was most important and where we could save money. One of the compromises we made was the shower. Our first choice was a tiled shower, complete with glass doors. Because this is a guest bathroom, we opted instead for a shower insert surrounded by tile and a shower curtain I made from Amy Butler fabric and quilting fabric.

Real-Life Kitchen and Baths

Real-Life Kitchen and Baths

We also stayed on budget by purchasing the hexagon marble floor tiles from Ebay and the towel bar, faucet, and medicine cabinet on sale from Restoration Hardware.

Real-Life Kitchen and Baths / Photographer - Bryan McCay
Stylist - Donna Talley - Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

Real-Life Kitchen and Baths / Photographer - Bryan McCay
Stylist - Donna Talley, Regional Editor and Producer for Meredith Publications

Overall, we have remained very pleased with our choices. Our family and friends seem to always ask if they can stay longer the next time they come. I guess this means all our patience and planning were well worth the effort!

Time to Celebrate ~ A Year Later~

About this time a year ago, just before school ended, my oldest boy came home with an award saying this: (you can read about this post here).

Yes, all my kids are very active with high energy, the award was perfect for him, and it made me laugh.


He received a new award for this year. He took his energy and focused on one thing. Please celebrate this with us. He was awarded for...


This cracks me up! Way to go buddy, I love you!

THE QUINTESSENTIAL ENGLISH AFTERNOON TEA ..........

Hertford has been the county town of Hertfordshire since Saxon times, and is 10 minutes away from where I live.

The town of Meryton in the Jane Austen novel, Pride and Prejudice, is thought to have been

based on Hertford.

The town centre still follows the medieval layout, with many timber framed buildings. The first mention of the town was in 673 AD. By the time of the Domesday Book, Hertford had 2 churches, 2 markets and 3 mills.
The Parliament of England temporarily moved to Hertford during the Great Plague of London in 1665.That is why the square in the town is called Parliament Square.

..... but, it is also very up to date with some lovely restaurants. This one is Cafe Rouge, Although they are a chain of restaurants, it is like you are in the depths of France when you eat or have a
drink there.

I think that the above looks very French.

This is a really lovely florist in Hertford. Their displays are very rustic with old wooden boxes,

vintage terracotta pots and many rusty items.

Farrow and Farrow is a delicatessen filled with delicious Venison, Rabbit and Kidney and Guinness pies ( I just hope that Sweeney Todd isn't lurking around there somewhere !! ) They also sell Braughing sausages, made in the local village of Braughing, and very famous in sausage circles !!

Can you see those gi-normous meringues ? !!

Now, just past the doctor's surgery, which looks very similar to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's house, Number 11 Downing Street, London, don't ya think ?.............

...... then, turn left into a little 'Jack the Ripper' alleyway, and there before you is a delightful Tea Room and garden.

Once inside, it's like being in someones Victorian parlor. Tables laid with snowy white tablecloths, beautiful china, sofas around a cast iron fireplace, old fashioned high chairs, dressers and
overmantles.

After partaking in tea, sandwiches and cake, a little stroll along the river was called for.

Over the bridge ..........

.......... and pass the weir. How delightfully English it all was ..... BUT THEN, look what greeted us on our way back to the car.......... and, I promise you all that this was absolutely true. It's a bit out of focus, as I took it quickly because I didn't want him to see me !! ..........

WHAT A WONDERFUL SIGHT TO BEHOLD !!!!!!

I just hope that it hasn't put any of you off of your breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments and continued support.

Have a lovely weekend and make sure that your trousers fit properly and there is no builders bum on show !!!! haha

Wednesday at Tea Rose Link Party No.9!

Hi there! It is the time again to get together for my link party.

I have been recovering, although I started doing things here and there alittle bit, I am taking it easy. I am sad to say this but I don't have a project to share for this week.

But, I know you wonderful people have something up in the sleeves. :)

Let's start the link party right away!

Here are the rules:

1. Please post something YOU made. It doesn't matter if it is crochet, quilt, clothing, anything would be fine. I want to see it! If you use someone's idea or patterns please give them the rightful credit.

2. Link to your specific post, that way it is easier for everybody to find and read it.

3. Please grab the "Tea Rose Home" grab button, and link back from your post. If you can mention the party in your post or place the button on your side bar, that would be great! I want more people to have a chance to come and show off their creation.


<br /><a href="http://tearosehome.blogspot.com"><img border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462799092490427250" style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 126px; height: 160px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoA01dPDcxCv9Ku09VYtszSXA0_T7FXqIzGCrwEgkVFc0iH6Odrctb37Xnb2X1S-la8wBXHBzIAuYLRqt-QdLdVoVbXgOK8JmMJuJJddy66mk2pygB_tIigOtSDA50N0l7LEbzg3Ii-M/s200/GrabButtonLinkParty.jpg" /></a><br />

Landscape Design

This time of year, I'm reminded of the other part of our farmhouse renovation...the yard. The above picture shows what the side of the house looks like today...

...this is what it looked like after the contractors left. Due to new electrical, plumbing and water lines, and grading new elevations around the entire house, we were left with a sea of dirt and gravel.

So we had to start from scratch. The yard landscaping was a project we hadn't anticipated when we set forth on our farmhouse renovation and is one that is taking time to complete.

Last summer, we put in a picket fence, front walk and stairs, and dining patio...these tasks alone took the entire summer to complete!

Here's the what the front of the house looks like today. The picket fence offers a coziness to the area around our house. We also wanted to define the area of our property that would be for gardens (inside the fence), from the part that would be more natural and simple (outside the fence).

This is what the front of the house looked like when the contractors left.

This is what the outdoor dining patio looks like today.

This is what it looked like after the contractors left. Once again, Mr. Engineer (Hubby) used all his know-how to design and build a retaining wall, level floor and two sets of stairs.

This is what our 'backyard' looked like just before we went through the renovation. The edge of the 'lawn' previously dropped off a couple of feet past the old deck (which was torn down during the remodel due to rot). The fill we had excavated from the front of the house was hauled out back to extend the lawn area.

This is what it looks like today. We planted over sixty (back breaking work!) White Simplicity hedge roses along the entire perimeter of the lawn. We have yet to rebuild the deck/balcony (this comes off from the french door in the living room)...as we're trying to enjoy summer this time around instead of always working on the house. Also, we're still deciding on some of the design elements of the balcony. I'll do a separate post on that soon.

So that's what we've done so far.

Landscape design is something I love but is not something I know. I've always loved gardens, especially old country gardens, and I love old houses with hedges and a sense of outdoor coziness. But exactly how to create that with a blank canvas completely stifled me.

Then last fall I came across Tara Dillard's beautiful blog and was overjoyed to discover that she did long distance consults! After sending her dozens of photographs of the yard, and discussing ideas over a few phone calls, she created a beautiful landscape design plan for our property.

It was just what I needed...professional vision. The plans will evolve over time, as money and time permit, but it feels really, really wonderful to have a plan. Tara's amazing gift for creating beautiful landscapes is something I truly admire. I feel quite honored and very happy that her vision will be expressed here on our property.

As we progress with our landscape projects, I'll be sure to keep you updated!