A Monogrammed Life

One of my favorite monograms is this cake cloche with my grandmother's initials.

I decorated this 'T' with different kinds of moss and dressed it up with a bow and broach of my grandmothers.

The monogrammed burlap pillow (ETSY) was a gift given to us.  I like that it lends a touch of 'casualness' to the porch.

Another 'T' initial fills this space in the laundry room.

This letter 'G' was a gift for a friend.  These moss-covered letters look great on an outdoor table or hanging on a porch. 

Of course, bags to hold all of our things are monogrammed!  The napkins are embroidered with 'PICNIC' on them.

Easter baskets that we reuse each year are monogrammed with the children's names.

A very talented friend decorated this little chair for my youngest daughter when she was born.

An ecru color monogram looks sharp against white sheets.

These pillow cases were a gift from my sister and I love the 'tone on tone' monogram.  For fun, she monogrammed my husband's initials in a different font than mine!

Here is another 'tone on tone' monogram.  I love the 'white on white.'

I collect children's aprons and monogram some for my daughters.  This one is hanging on a hook in my kitchen.

This is another gift from my sister.  She did the same little fun monograms as the pillows but on these extra large towels.

In order to keep up with the children's towels in public places, why not embroider them!  These super cute, inexpensive towels are from TJMaxx.  Gift idea: wrap monogrammed towel in a pair of goggles!

This is another monogrammed apron for my youngest daughter.

Most places that monogram can add flourishes such as this one in my daughter's room.

This vintage white monogrammed pillow was found in an antique store.  It was hand-embroidered.

Another monogram pillow accents my daughter's bed.

This sweet little picnic basket was monogrammed for a friend of my daughter's.

The same friend that painted the little black chair painted my clay pot for the front porch.

In the South, it seems that folks monogram everything from candles to cars!  I love the look of the monogram and while I have posted a good bit of things in our house that are monogrammed, I don't display all of these at once.

"Historically, a monogram was used as a royal signature. Romans and Greeks used them on coins to identify their rulers. Then, in the Middle Ages, artisans began to use them to sign their work. Victorian-period high-class persons adapted the monogram for personal use as a symbol of their place in society. 


In the Victorian era, rules for monograms were quite simple and few. Female monograms had the first initial on the left, middle initial on the right, and last initial embroidered larger in the middle. But the rules are hardly simple anymore. A monogram can be playful, whimsical, flamboyant, traditional, elegant, or understated; the number of choices today is almost infinite. Many still choose to use the traditional Victorian female model, but now there is a traditional male model of first, middle, last, all in the same size, and there are numerous styles to choose from."  www.articlesbase.com

I am linking to these great parties!

Sunday Showcase
All Things Domestic
Sundae Scoop
Sister Sister Sunday
Tablescaper's Summer Sundays
Make it Yours Wednesday
Strut Your Stuff Thursday
Home and Family Friday
Show and Tell Wednesday
Feature Yourself Friday
Friday Pretties
Furniture Feature Friday
A Few of My Favorite Things Saturday
Show and Tell Friday

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Angel Oak Tree

The Angel Oak Tree is one of the oldest trees in North America.  It stands along Bohicket Road of John's Island outside Charleston, South Carolina and is thought to be over 1500 years old.  It is believed to have sprouted 1000 years before Columbus' arrival in the New World!  While the tree is now protected in a park, it is free to see!  From downtown Charleston, it is only about a 20 minute drive.  We packed a picnic and enjoyed the shade on this hot summer day! 

I am linking to Outdoor Wednesday!

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An Ice Cream Party

My niece and nephew came over for the day and brought a friend.  Since we had a total of six kids, I decided to throw a small party to celebrate their summer birthdays.  They would claim that they are a little too old for a birthday party, but who doesn't like ice cream? 

I bought these adorable bowls and pint size ice cream holders at the drug store, CVS.  They were $2 a piece!  There were many other bowls and cups for banana splits or ice cream floats, and also plates in this pattern.  The polka dot wrappers for the ice cream cones came from Michaels.  Did anyone notice my daughter's ice cream necklace?  I am crazy about these crochet necklaces from Chasing Fireflies!  We have just about collected them all!

Two flavors of ice cream, some toppings and lemonade and a big 'Happy Birthday!' made this a fun and simple party!

Join me at

Sundae Scoop

Table Top Tuesday

Tablescape Thursday

Outdoor Wednesday

Water Wednesday

Show and Tell Wednesday

Centerpiece Wednesday

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laun·dry: {noun} articles of clothing, linens, etc., that have been or are to be washed and cause this mom to grumble.

My latest find...I found this large basket at a consignment store for $17.  When I saw it, I knew exactly where to put it!

The wooden Maine Seed Co. box was found at a flea market for a couple of dollars.  I bought several and use this one to hold dryer sheets.  The seed box holds two boxes of dryer sheets and they fit perfectly!

The enamel wash bin was purchased years ago at a flea market.  I used it to wash my babies when they were tiny.  I have also used it as a beverage holder to serve ice cold drinks.

The wire basket is from Europe and was used to carry potatoes...or so I am told!  I use it to hold the clothes that need to be ironed.  I think it would be cute with a pretty liner...one day.

The galvanized container stores extra detergent out of the way.  The letters are magnets from Hobby Lobby.  They were gold, so I spray painted them white. 

While a washroom is a room having 'washbowls and other facilities', this room is just for washin'!  I bathed my babies in this sink when they outgrew the little enamel basin.  The letter 'T' was a gift from a friend.  The small Longaberger basket holds a sponge and a sink stopper out of site.

Here is my new basket!  I hung it on the cabinet to hold dirty clothes, when I need to do a quick 'pick up' of the room!  My friend says that every room needs a 'lost and found' basket.  Later, after guests have gone, I am supposed to put the items where they go!  This room has a good bit of traffic, so it should stay clean!

I recently took sewing lessons and decided to make some covers for my hangers. The one shown here is made from a little pair of pants that my daughters wore.  They make the simple wire hangers more attractive, and clothes don't slip off!

I purchased the oatmeal-colored wool rug from Tuesday Morning, and the little white stool was from the dollar bin at Target.

The vintage drying rack belonged to my parents.  It collapses for storage. 

This 1940's Hunter Zephair Fan was my grandparents.  My sisters and I would go for a week every summer to their house to attend Vacation Bible School, and I remember sitting in front of it to cool off!  It was always turned on.  It still works!

The jars were purchased at Hobby Lobby.  I removed the dark metal tops and sprayed them a light blue to add some color.

I made the blue skirt for the small table in an attempt to contribute some color to the space.  

The wooden ironing board belonged to my Granny.  I have the padded cushion to go over it, so it is still  useful! 

I believe I purchased these baskets at World Market a couple of years ago.

We added this laundry room in an unfinished basement area a few years ago because of our growing family.  The little green room off the laundry room is a mud room for our dog.  When we finished the space, I requested the Dutch door, so that some light would spill into the room.

Often, I complain about my 'Mt. Everest' pile of laundry.  I have a little black frame sitting in this room that reads:

Now the people complained about their hardships...

The rabble with them began to crave other food,

and again the Israelites started wailing and said,

"If only we had meat to eat!"  But now we have lost

our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!"

God provided the manna.  In His mercy,

"when the dew settled on the camp at night,

the manna also came down." Numbers 11:1-9

Lord, thank you for my laundry.

~

Can't you just hear me saying it?  "I never see anything but this laundry!"  I keep these words in this little space that I often dread to go, as a reminder to be so grateful...grateful for clothes to wear; for a washer and dryer; for a space to fold and mostly for this family!

I am joining these wonderful link parties here!

I have updated this post to participate in

I have edited this post to link to 'Laundry Rooms' at Some Day Crafts!

Thank you for the feature!

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