Hart Hill South

Thanks Ikea

2008-12-09T12:58:00.003-06:00

I was at Ikea yesterday looking for a parking space. I found a sweet empty spot right up front but when I was about to pull in I saw this sign. I actually drove off to look for another space before I realized that I was driving a hybrid and that spot was for ME!

7 answers

2008-11-06T13:07:00.008-06:00

1. Septemberbird tagged me to write 7 random things about myself. That's pretty random so it counts as number one.

2. I'm currently reading Moon's Crossing by Barbara Croft. Sparrow gave it to me a while ago and I finally started reading it last week. I love it! The author has a genius way of seamlessly handling changes in time and location.

3. Tonight I will watch my favorite TV show, 30 Rock.

4. In my CD player - The Cars (that's a dorky fact that maybe I should not share)

5. Only 2 people read this blog (Hi!)

6. I can hear a distant train whistle from my house every night at 11:35.

7. I just drank a glass of orange/mango juice.

What to make for dinner

2008-03-11T20:15:00.002-05:00

making dinner, originally uploaded by harthillsouth.

I made this recipe from Cottage Living. I substitued udon noodles for the bow-ties and green beans for the snap peas but I have also made it according to the recipe, both ways are delish.

Clover

2007-11-28T13:03:00.000-06:00

To make up for never posting I thought I'd share this amazing poster from Crooked Letter Press. Seriously, I love this.

Favorites

2007-10-10T10:42:00.000-05:00

These are a few of my flickr favorites. I like the muted orange palette today.

Ready for Fall

2007-10-10T10:30:00.001-05:00

Matthew Mead has put up his Fall ideas and I loved this photo of his transferware - maybe I should stack all mine up for a photo shoot too?

a day in the sun

2007-08-13T12:33:00.000-05:00

This was my lunch today : red pear, wheat crackers and goat cheese with French herbs. The cheese is from Cheesy Girl a local farm that has the cutest packaging (as you can see) and makes some dynamite cheese!

It is sunny and hot hot hot today so I'm drying clothes on the line to keep the dryer from heating up the whole house. Our new AC comes on Thursday so that should help.

stickers

2007-08-01T23:54:00.001-05:00

On a whim I ordered a moo sticker book of some of my flickr shots. Now I can't wait for those sticky little buggers to get here! I'm a-quiver with anticipation!

Camouflage

2007-06-25T03:02:00.000-05:00

For Illustration Friday. Please click to view it at a better size.

Photo Finish

2007-06-19T22:55:00.000-05:00

So I'm a cheapskate. Flickr needs to deal with that. Sweetgumshade - my new home.

Kicks

2007-06-19T22:53:00.000-05:00

Somebody loves me! He bought me new shoes!

Summer Fun

2007-06-19T10:57:00.000-05:00

Oh oh oh! Matthew Mead has updated his site for summer!! Pure perfection! My favorite idea is the beverage carrier picnic (bottom right photo.) Would you like to start saving bottle boxes now and we'll use them for the 4th?

Vote now

2007-06-18T18:49:00.000-05:00

You, my loyal fans, can vote at decor8.

election day

2007-06-15T13:56:00.000-05:00

I am tickled that Holly over at decor8

chose my mood board as one of the finalists in her contest. Now all I need are some votes (hint, hint) and I might get some Amy Butler patterns that I would share with some of my loyal supporters (hint, hint).

Brothers

2007-05-18T01:08:00.001-05:00

thanks lucyellen06.

Orange you glad?

2007-05-16T09:29:00.000-05:00

I'm taking the orange package to the post office today. I am exceedingly proud of it.

Martha Stewart needs to stop

2007-05-06T09:02:00.000-05:00

making things that I don't need but want to buy. Her new crafts site is full of fun things.

Playing favorites

2007-05-05T19:55:00.000-05:00

I am weirdly attached to my Flickr favorites. These are my favorites of my favorites. Ha!

Baking

2007-05-02T18:11:00.000-05:00

As you can see, I baked bread today. If you would like to bake raspberry filled cup cakes may I suggest these?

In which we visit Denyse

2007-04-28T15:18:00.001-05:00

Home of Artist Denyse Schmidt, originally uploaded by designsponge.

Now, I know you're Denyse Schmidt fans so I wanted to point you to the tour of her home on Design*Sponge. What do you think?

In which there is a cake

2007-04-24T13:19:00.000-05:00

This is the carrot cake that was my best birthday prezzie. I live with a secret baker!

In which we outfit?

2007-04-22T01:45:00.000-05:00

I haven't been to Urban Outfitters lately, but a quick look at their website makes me think I should go check out their sale stuff. I'm especially intrigued by the parasol hanging lamp.

All images: Urban Outfitters

In which we meet the jolly postman

2007-04-18T18:02:00.000-05:00

So many packages arrived today that the postman left the mail crate. I feel so special. I opened the red package (the red stickers helped with identification.) Bliss, bliss, bliss! The train picture is currently my favorite but the rooster is also enchanting! Thank you so much. Are we up for an orange package next? I'm saving the other packages for Friday. On Friday we are planning to go see the impressionist exhibit at the museum, grill fish, and maybe buy some cut lilacs at the fancy florist. Word is currently lame so I probably won't ride but I'll spend the afternoon at the barn.

In which we see red

2007-04-16T13:15:00.001-05:00

red with shadows of leaves, originally uploaded by harthillsouth.

The package is ready - I'll mail it tomorrow.

In which we discuss a lamp

2007-04-12T09:36:00.000-05:00

This small marble lamp followed me home one day. The shade is from Ikea and doesn't really fit.

In which we flickr

2007-04-11T12:33:00.000-05:00

I like checking on all your flickr photos and your favorites. It makes me happy.

In which we blow the budget

2007-04-04T16:11:00.000-05:00

These 3 items are from Zinman's which has a lovely edited selection of things. The table has a tin top. If I had a huge house and money falling out of my pockets this is the kind of stuff I'd have.

In which we look at more flowers

2007-04-04T11:05:00.000-05:00

The Spring's first amaryllis.

The same amaryllis hanging out with a yellow columbine (who was white last year in a basket, but now that he lives in the garden wants to be yellow - strange.)

And a hollyhock - soon to be a lady in a pink skirt?

A post from the dog

2007-04-03T10:55:00.000-05:00

Lets get something straight here. I am the cute one! Don't forget it. Love, Meg

In which we realize my house may be bleak

2007-04-03T10:15:00.000-05:00

Oh look, tulips!

Oh look, a tulip hanging out with a primrose.

This photo may make my house look bleak. I prefer to think of it as spartan and restful? Featured is a cardboard picture of a European room (possibly an outdated teaching tool?) on the flip side is a scene of dutch houses and a canal. (Found at the ever-fab urban market)

Another Spartan shot. These are some lino prints I made on book pages a couple months ago. I have another book page with a guitar to add to the group.

In which we look at some photos

2007-04-03T10:03:00.000-05:00

Hey look! Ecce! (if you're in ancient Rome) It is Meg's big brother looking the part of the dapper gentledog. And a plastic dwarf examining a hill-size McCoy pot containing a baby (but to him huge) orchid.

These photos show off 3 things: 1. potted tulips 2. a small wicker chair that followed me home from the urban market. It may not remain shiny green for long. We shall see. 3. How the sweet gum tree really does grow right out of our house.

In which we discuss auction options

2007-03-27T23:47:00.000-05:00

I have long yearned to be a banjo player. This banjo is currently awaiting a new home at Madison Auction. Oh little banjo, you could come live with me! At one time I had actually decided to purchase a banjo but the little stinkers are expensive! So I figure my best bet is to hope for one lurking at an estate sale on a day when no one else feels like buying a banjo.

Our next auction find is a jeweller's desk:

Everyone join in: oooooohhh ahhhhhh. Imagine it cleaned up and in front of a sunny window with a stool for perching and lots of paints, pens and stationary in the drawers. I could make some sort of gem remark here but that would be silly.

Lastly, let us examine 3 smaller objects:

The small crock is here because it shares a photo with the jug, but that's not to say that if it followed me home I wouldn't fill it with Easter Candy and put it on the table.

The jug intrigues me with its jade interior. Depending on its actual size, I would encourage it to take up a career toting maple syrup for brunches.

This teapot joined the party due to its preppy green stripes and its photogenic qualities despite the obvious shortcomings of its photographer. Or maybe preppy teapots prefer to lurk in the shadows?

All photos from Madison Auction Service.

In which we take a look at some posters

2007-03-26T14:30:00.000-05:00

These 2 posters are by Diana Sudyka. All I can say is fab fab fab! She's done Decemberists posters before but this is for sure my favorite yet. I'd suggest browsing her whole site.

Sketches

2007-03-23T09:16:00.000-05:00

This little sketchbook cracked me up! It is from eeboo which has many other enchanting products to browse.

In which: I see the light

2007-03-22T12:00:00.000-05:00

How have I missed this site? How did I live without it? All these pics are from Matthew Mead who is an amazing stylist with a knock-out site. Recipes, crafts, and if you check out his bonus section an archive of past seasons. Have I been living in a cave?

I become happy thoughts

2007-03-21T09:07:00.000-05:00

All these adorable things (click on the pics to read the text) come from the rakuten website which is almost entirely in Japanese. This makes browsing quite the adventure, but well worth it because their stuff is fascinating.

Look here

2007-03-20T15:12:00.000-05:00

I'm still here. Just thought I'd drop by and give you some fresh things to look at:

The numbers above are birthday candle holders and in my opinion very sweet. They live here.
Here is an interesting photography lightbox you can make. I could make it too, but then Meg would tear it up.
Here is the ultimate resource for I become happy thoughts - type cuteness.

A post from the dog

2007-03-11T10:11:00.000-05:00

I've been at dog camp all week and I finally figured out how to use grandma carol's computer. Sweet! This is a baby picture of moi! I thought the world and all my fans would like to know what I looked like before I became a famous blogger.

Love, Meg

Paper cuts

2007-03-05T14:03:00.000-06:00

Jen Stark's paper sculptures are amazing! You can see tons on her site.

Play time

2007-02-27T12:17:00.000-06:00

I have things I need to photograph and show you (prints I made this weekend and sweet flea market finds) but for now I'm trapped at the office wishing that it was play time. I especially love the toys from Quiet Hours Toys. I want to live in these cottages, the dolls would just have to move out! The polar bear is a kit -- hmmmm maybe I should try my hand at bear making?

I'm ready for my closeup...

2007-02-23T20:01:00.000-06:00

Quick post -we'll see if it works :0)

2007-02-22T17:00:00.000-06:00

This blogging post thingie Will Not Defeat me! Yesterday whilst surfing, I stumbled upon some interesting places - here: http://www.willowandstone.co.uk/cornwall.asp and also here: http://www.misterrob.co.uk/ . There we will see if these links work for you~ Next post I will work on pictures too.... Today Koby and I found a teeny weenie sparrow and gave him a photo shoot. I will post his pictures tomorrow also. Must run and feed your dad.

Taking opinions

2007-02-12T11:23:00.000-06:00

I'm charmed by this little bird painting but I'm not sure if I like it enough to buy it. What do you think? It is on etsy from the seller bluebellbazaar.

Impressions of a bag

2007-02-12T11:15:00.000-06:00

I did it! Remember at the quilt show I bought an Amy Butler pattern? I spent all Saturday afternoon sewing it and it came out pretty nice. The above pics are what it looks like squished onto my office scanner. The fabric is all from our remnant box.

Crank it up

2007-02-07T23:42:00.000-06:00

Do songs sound better when they come out of an adorable retro radio?

Mail call

2007-02-07T17:57:00.000-06:00

Easter delight? In my mailbox? What a treat. My favoite is the pup in the Easter bonnet but the dressed up bunkins made me laugh so hard I couldn't breathe (Really! They're dangerous - put a warning label on those bunkins.)

Tea time

2007-02-07T11:24:00.000-06:00

The good folks at Cricket Press have printed up these adorable tea party coasters. I haven't chosen which is my favorite dress, but I'm thinking the one in front. I still haven't had my Cricket press print framed yet.

(the pic is from their etsy shop)

The scoop

2007-01-31T17:25:00.000-06:00

I'd just like to point out that my last post scooped the AP (Biden, Democratic Senator, Enters ‘08 Race By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: January 31, 2007 Filed at 5:53 p.m. ET) on the Biden story (well, in the flickr category.) I am the place for up to the minute political news.

Strange things

2007-01-31T01:00:00.001-06:00

Senator Biden at his home, originally uploaded by JoeBiden.

Joe Biden set up a Flickr account this evening. I just happened to run accross it and was the first one to veiw some of the pics. I think this is very strange and I needed to share the news.

Splish Splash

2007-01-29T13:35:00.000-06:00

This sink sets my heart on fire. Sure, if it was mine all the dirty dishes would be stacked on the floor and I'm so splashy when I wash that the wood would begin to rot in three days -- but a girl can dream. I suppose if I had a lovely mudroom I could use it to fill vases and hand wash clothes. That would be lovely and not so splashy. My dream sink resides at Baileys Home and Garden along with many other pleasing things.

2007-01-27T10:41:00.000-06:00

Another Etsy artist to check out: drinkabutter.

A post from the dog

2007-01-27T01:03:00.000-06:00

Hello world! I want to be famous! I learned how to use this computery thing so I can show you how cute I am (don't ask about the bottles). I love you world!
xoxoxox, Meg

Trendy toes

2007-01-26T20:24:00.000-06:00

After months of wishing and dreaming and trying to decide if I really needed them, I finally bought these owl keds. They are making me insanely happy! They're designed by Eleanor Grosch of Pushmepullyou Design.

Here are some of her art prints:

Jars of delight

2007-01-23T13:22:00.000-06:00

These "jars of whimsies" (from one good bumblebee) intrigue me. But I supose for $35 I could buy a jar and fill it with stuff I know I'd like instead of trusting someone else's taste.

At 9 am the fog must disappear

2007-01-17T21:44:00.000-06:00

Sometimes I think etsy is affordable art Camelot. Here are 4 things I like. What do you like? Whay aren't you guys making loads of cash with your creations?

The bird print is from ohmycavalier (of course!)

The card is from pearlmarmalade

The paper chandelier (how cool is that?) is from palindromepress

And the bowls are from Suuskeramiek

Josh Ritter

2007-01-08T15:11:00.000-06:00

This lovely poster is the missing link in my collection of Josh Ritter posters made by the folks at Aesthetic Apparatus. Maybe I will order it to commemorate Josh & Stephen Kellogg's 2/6/07 showing at the Egg. For we shall be there.

What I'd Buy

2007-01-04T10:06:00.000-06:00

The other night I had a dream that I took a trip to Stockholm. If I did go to Stockholm I'd stop in to the shop Svenst Tenn and buy a bunch of these trays.

Fabrics

2007-01-03T08:33:00.000-06:00

Have you seen Vanessa Arbuthnott's fabrics? So charming and cheery. My favorite is the one with the feathers and eggs.

try this

2006-12-14T23:00:00.000-06:00

one of my favorite places: http://www.smallmeadowpress.com/store/

--- she is taking a holiday break, and will be filling orders in early Jan.

Chirstmas List

2006-12-06T16:38:00.000-06:00

I can't think of much I need or want. But I'll try:
1. Old magazines
2. Things to make my closet smell good
3. Lime tree
4. A subscription to Domino
5. Gloves
6. Man Who Listens to Horses because apparently Word has read this book, so I think I'd better catch up.

Mail Call

2006-11-28T12:33:00.000-06:00

The package got here safely. Wow... I'm speechless! Thanks! Now I really can't wait for December to start. A small package should be arriving for each of you this week.

Yumm

2006-11-22T18:37:00.000-06:00

I'm baking mushroom polenta (Food and Wine supplied the photo - I'm still boiling the milk.) I'm leaving the milk untended on the stove to tell you about the most adorable cards in the world... what do you think? I love everything they make.

Perfection

2006-11-19T18:36:00.000-06:00

The perfect clothes: Old Town Clothing

Door knobs

2006-11-19T18:20:00.000-06:00

Candle box, cake tin and two door knobs from the British company Period Features.

Just showing off

2006-11-16T14:20:00.000-06:00

I took this picture before you visited to show you my enamel bowl. But then the film got developed after your visit! The photo came out nicely so I thought I'd show you anyway!

The mushroom hut?

2006-11-16T14:14:00.000-06:00

This is an action shot of a mushroom growing out of our roof!

Washing up

2006-11-09T08:55:00.000-06:00

Above is a tea towel from Third Drawer Down

It makes my dish towels of dancing teacups look lame.

Sigh

2006-11-08T20:45:00.000-06:00

Meg's world is turned upside down and I am lonely.

This book sculpture is by Su Blackwell.

Trip to the big city

2006-10-26T15:36:00.000-05:00

Bags packed. a

Chickens fed. a

Shirts ironed. a

All that' s left to do - go get Bessie + Buttercup....

Be there soon!

Scary Enough for Halloween

2006-10-19T09:58:00.000-05:00

I'm working on posting the horror shots of our bathroom renovation on flickr so our landlord can see what she paid for. Warning: extremely graphic images of home repair in stark black and white. View these if you want to feel better by saying "at least its not my house" (Sort of the same reason I watch the movie Wonder Boys on really bad days.)

Cottage Time

2006-10-18T13:37:00.000-05:00

This cottage in Scotland has been restored and furnished by

Papa Stour

a charming Scottish company that has many yummy items to browse. But back to this cottage... I think I need a month there gazing at the water and chasing the sheep. I love how this photo makes it seem so secluded. I also love the light blue door. N. made scones yesterday so that was my little taste of Scotland for the week.

2006-10-17T14:24:00.000-05:00

Amy Butler's patterns and fabrics are just gorgeous. Maybe she'll be at the quilt show? Speaking of the quilt show, should I be looking into getting advance tickets?

My auction picks

2006-10-17T12:15:00.000-05:00

Who thinks of making an owl into a lamp? A genius, that's who! This lamp is 1. Cute as all get out 2. Seasonally appropriate for October 3. Well, its an owl lamp, think about that..... 4. For sale.

Also for sale at the same auction:

Green lamp + huge ship topper thingy = fantastic.

(both images from the Madison Auction Service auction Oct. 21 in Deansboro.)

Chicken Palace

2006-10-16T19:21:00.000-05:00

The chickens are now happily roosting in their new, improved palace. We changed the screens with antique curved top windows, improved the other open spaces, and the door is going to be covered with shutters. I'll have to take a picture. With the heat lamp on, all 5 are sleeping up on birch branches and seem content. The first attempt looked like a cross between Rube Goldberg and Ma/Pa Kettle. This actually looks rather real. And I think I can look at it all winter. So, the free chicken sign will not be going up after all.

Travel Plans

2006-10-12T16:09:00.000-05:00

My search for rooms in Fredricksburg didn't go as well as I hoped. If you can find some better ones (maybe a bit cheaper) that would be great.

http://www.fredericksburg-lodging.com/Das-Mueller/default.asp

http://www.fredericksburg-lodging.com/Aunt-birdies/default.asp

I'm a little sick of adding pictures.

At Settler's Crossing the Pioneer cabin, the Baag House, the Von Heinrich and the Barn are all available for the day we want.

Chicken Pot Pie

2006-10-10T21:42:00.000-05:00

Recipe for Chicken Pot Pie:

1. Take a chicken

2. Put it in a pot

3. Ta da

4. Caution:

Eat the Chicken Pot Pie very quickly before it jumps back out of the pot.

The real me

2006-10-06T01:27:00.000-05:00

If I had this black dress I would wake up every morning (yes I would wear it every day) and think "This is me putting on my black silk shirtdress." Then I would walk out of the house (not wearing flip-flops and the same jeans I wore yesterday) thinking "This is me stunning my neighbors with my black silk shirtdress."

2 problems with this:
1. dress costs more than 2 months rent
2. in this fantasy I look like Kim Novak --- I'd better save the cash and wear jeans

I wish Amy Sedaris would move in next door

2006-10-06T00:51:00.000-05:00

I've loved Amy Sedaris ever since I read that she wallpapered her front hall with candy wrappers. Can I wait to get her new book? No, I don't think I can.

Vienna Teng

2006-10-02T15:15:00.001-05:00

My sister introduced me to Pandora, which introduced me to Vienna Teng, whom I now introduce to you...

By the way: correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Robert Siegal would be with me on this one - her hair? Just right.

Red and White Dahlia

2006-09-29T14:34:00.000-05:00

Red, white and yellow (originally uploaded by DorsetBirder on Flickr)

Scheepers! I'm just crazy about this red and white dahlia. Actually I might be a bit crazy about dahlias in general, but this one in particular. I love how the white looks a bit like an accident.

Too bad the only thing I can keep alive and blooming are pentas. I would be too scared to attempt a dahlia because its tragic wilting and slow death would break my heart.

Denyse Schmidt

2006-09-27T18:11:00.000-05:00

Denyse Schmidt is all that and a jar of cookies when it comes to quilting. Color, shape, form, she has it all figured out. And I bet she's an HTML wiz too. Probably even get one of these blogs right in one of her first three tries. Anyway, this, her very own tulip design, and so many many more can be found at: www.dsquilts.com/co_tulip.html

3 Easy Steps

2006-09-27T14:17:00.000-05:00

To M & A:

Step 1. Add something to this blog, I'm getting lonely.

Step 2. Go to the auction on Friday and buy these bowls.

Step 3. That's it I guess.

New Favorite

2006-09-26T16:12:00.000-05:00

Julianna Swaney is my new favorite artist of the day. Her site http://www.ohmycavalier.com/ is a dream. Love it love it love it!

Soon to be on my wall?

2006-09-22T13:45:00.000-05:00

I hinted to someone that I wanted this print from Cricket Press
We'll see if he got the hint.

Poster by Paula Schultz

2006-09-22T12:11:00.000-05:00

This poster is from the Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum. Besides having prints for sale they also host wood type printing and letterpress workshops. How fun would that be?!

Myrtle

2006-09-21T16:44:00.000-05:00

This Myrtle print is adorable but then most from this site are: http://www.printspast.com/selected_print.asp?PrintID=10580009&Return=les-fleurs-animees.htm
(the return command at the top of the page takes you back to really too much fun to mention...)

p.s. mmhmm to the blog

Calexico

2006-09-20T00:22:00.000-05:00

So last weekend we went to Austin City Limists Festival
Calexico was amazing as were The Flaming Lips
But Calexico wins on account of cute-ness.
This cool poster is from http://www.thesmallstakes.com

Hello

2006-09-20T00:15:00.000-05:00

What a gorgeous card! From http://www.papermonkeypress.com/forsale.html.

It takes patience to put an eyepatch on a bird

2006-09-20T00:04:00.000-05:00

A tiny quilt by Amy Karol http://kingpod.com/. Love the eyepatch!