Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Be it ever so humble...

...there's no place like home! Remember this sweet little ditty? I can almost hear many of you humming it now. I have been having serious nesting tendencies this week. I moved all our living room furniture around, rearranged flowers and reworked the vignettes on my tables. To me, there is no greater bliss than this.


Perhaps I was urged on the nesting feelings after finishing this book yesterday, "How Elizabeth Barrett Browning Saved My Life" by Mameve Medwed. This was a fun book and great summer reading about a woman who owns an antique booth in an antique mall and finds she has a treasure that changes her life forever.


This has me thinking about my own love of certain quirky antiques. I collect a number of things one of which is opera glasses. I don't have very many pairs but hope to add to this collection as I find affordable ones. They look great combined with my vintage and antique books.


These are the first two pairs I bought. The underneath pair is embossed brass and such a pretty detailing which unfortunately does not show up on the photo. The second pair I bought were the ivory ones which still had their original case seen just slightly off to the right of the photo.


I received this leather and brass pair from my good friend Joni. Thanks again Joni!



"Home is the one place in all this world where hearts are sure of each other. It is the place of confidence. It is the place where we tear off that mask of guarded and suspicious coldness which the world forces us to wear in self-defense, and where we pour out the unreserved communications of full and confiding hearts. It is the spot where expressions of tenderness gush out without any sensation of awkwardness and without any dread of ridicule."

~~ Frederick W. Robertson ~~

20 comments:

Nancy said...

I so remember chasing around antique malls for a while looking for purses. That was the year 2000
when I chose dresses from 1900 as our chapter dress when I was Worthy Matron the second time in
Eastern Star. I was always looking for things for you at the time also. I remember buying you lots of hat pims many long years ago also.
Love you, Mom

Mary said...

Heidi - what beautiful words expressed by Frederick W. Robinson, thanks for sharing these.

You've been busy - and I've just finished the shower clean!! Your jogs were much more fun - know how we love changing things around and setting up interesting vignettes. Ummm, opera glasses, how quaint and lovely!!!!!

I left a more detailed comment on your last post.

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

Heidi, you have created a wonderful vignette here with those sweet opera glasses. Those are getting really expensive here in our antique stores. Your books look great for display as well.

Hope all is going great for you and yours.

Much love to Dagi and you,
Becky, Doogs and Socks

Mia said...

Your collection of opera glasses is wonderful and very decorative. I too enjoy changing things around my home, it is a great way to see ones things in a new light, so to speak. I tend to change the textiles seasonally, and am just about ready to inject a little bit of colour back into my living room after all the whiteness of the early summer. And I do agree with you, there really is no place like home.

Andylynne said...

I have enjoyed catching up on your blog. The cottage is looking wonderful and things in your world seem so very upbeat and cheerful. Life is so short and we sometimes neeed to be remined of the beautiful simple personal enjoyments we all have inside of us. Somtimes buried to deep to as to not be found.
Can't wait to read the book you posted about. Sounds like it would be a great story. I love glass eggs. What do you do with a glass egg beyond easter??? At leas the opera glasses are acceptable any time of year. But I do go on finding glass eggs, and those wonderful old croctched pot holders from the 40s & 50s. I think what we collect says so very much about what whe think and love.

Happy@Home said...

Love this post!!
I have always loved nesting and being at home. One of my favorite things to do is make vignettes and rearrange things around my home.
Until I discovered "blogland" I would have been afraid to admit that. In this fast paced world we live in it seems most people would find my interests a complete bore.
Thank God for the wonderful blogging community.
Love your opera glasses and what you have done with them.

Hugs to you,
Kim

Suzann said...

I love to rearrange furniture. I really need to spend more time doing little things like that. The book sounds like a yummy read too - I've made a note of it. I love that you collect things. We've been going to flea markets again and estate sales. So far I haven't purchased anything as I'm kind of waiting to see if anything jumps out at me. Of course I LOVE books, but I keep hearing buttons calling my name. I think I love thinking about the history behind that one wee little button has.

Ragged Roses said...

That last quote is so true Heidi! My home is truly my sanctuary and probably it is why homemaking is so important to all of us. I love your opera glasses, they are beautiful, take care and have fun
Kimxxx
How are you doing for bourbon biscuits these days?

Karen said...

What a great collection you've got started there. I just love it when I get into the nesting mode. Sounds like you've been bitten by it good the last few days. My house always feels so fresh when that happens.

Hugs - Karen

Rhonda said...

This book sounds wonderful, I just ordered a new hardback copy from half.com for 75 cents, plus postage of course.
Thanks for the recommendation

Anonymous said...

Heidi,

You have such a beautiful way with words and with decorating.

Thank you for your beautiful blog.

Melissa
Sunbonnet Cottage

Anonymous said...

Heidi,

Thank you for your words of wisdom about cooking. I need to find the 'passion' in it.

I know someday it will happen.

You are a gem.

Melissa

Anonymous said...

Heidi,

I just passed on an award to you.

You are a special and very kind person.

Thank you for all of your kind words.

Please stop by Sunbonnet Cottage to receive your award.

Many thanks.

Melissa
Sunbonnet Cottage

Heidi said...

Hi Heidi, I loved everything about this post!!! First I love the opera glasses!...what a great idea for a collection!!! And they are so easy to tuck in little "still lifes" throughout the house!...& the text & quote!!! "Home" is certainly the place I will always choose to be!...Always a pleasure to read your blog!...Heidi XO

Christine said...

OH Heidi you have such a wonderful knack for arranging things. Every inch of your home has something wonderful to look at.

Ahhh the square yo-yo's!! I remember you talking about them. Fantastic job and sooo pretty!

Betty said...

Heidi,
Seems quite awhile since I've dropped in for a visit with you..thankfully my husband is on the road to recovery from extensive surgery for blood clots in his leg....

It is such a joy to be a homemaker...re-arrange furniture in rooms and accessories...cleaning our little nests.....collect interesting items.....

Blessings to you.....Betty

angelasweby said...

Heidi,
I just love the sound of this book and will try to get hold of it. I need some reading to take away to Cyprus having now completed the second Robin Paige. Your recommendations have given me so much enjoyment, Seeing your beautiful display of opera glasses takes me back to our wonderful visit to the little fudge and antique shop where Joni bought your gift, what a wondeful combination, antiques and yummy fudge. i have not long ago finished my little piece of mint fudge, i can really make something stretch if i like it :>)
Once again, your beautiful little cameos invite us to linger and visit with you for a while :>)
Hugs, Angela

Rhondi said...

Hi Heidi
What a wonderful thing to collect, opera glasses! They must be hard to find.
My nesting urges have been stronger lately too and I've been re-arranging things. Today I took down all the plates hanging above the windows in my sewing studio and put them up on the walls in the dining room.
That book sounds like a good read.
Hugs, Rhondi

Tanya Willis Anderson said...

Oh I LOVED that book - didn't want it to end!

Tanya

Kim @ Home Is Where The Heart Is said...

What a pretty vignette!

I, too, love being at home...there's no place i'd rather be. I've been busy around my home changing up some things.

Love, Kim