Pudding Basins

 With sunshine streaming through the windows now, it's hard to believe my last post was on our snow day.  The weather since warmed up and we've been enjoying plenty of time outdoors in the sunshine.  All of us had a major case of cabin fever - Justus and I so much that we immediately embarked on a spring project: putting in a fence around our garden!  The fence is a  time-consuming job but is essential this year with our chickens foraging around the yard during the day. 

Now you're probably wondering what a fence has to do with pudding basins... but since the fence is not presentable at the moment, I thought I'd share a recent favorite purchase.

As you know, I have a love for anything old, but occasionally something new will draw my eye too.  Such was the case with these Mason Cash pudding basins.  Although new, these are the traditional white basins, the design said to be unchanged for over a hundred years. 

 When I first saw them, I knew they would make perfect mixing bowls.  (The thought did cross my mind... A pudding basin?  What's that?)  After a little research I discovered that the bowls are called pudding basins as their original and intended purpose was, in fact, to be used to steam puddings with, the rim itself even being useful.

 I justified this purchase in my mind by listing all the reasons this would be a very functional purchase.

But, in all honestly, I was really just picturing how pretty the bowls would look lined up on my open shelves, their simplicity and classic design a perfect fit in my mind. (wink)

Have a wonderful week!  

A Snow Day

 This week we had our first snowfall of the season.  I was up before the sun (and the girls) rose, taking in the peaceful, fresh air. 

Admiring the beauty of the sun rising and glinting through the snow covered branches...

We were all outside after breakfast.  The girls had seen the snow start falling the night before and they were beyond excited, giggling and running around.

 Jillian must have spent half the day outside, making snowballs and playing.  (I spent half the day at the window, watching her and smiling to myself!) 

 Our poor hens didn't know what to think of the snow.  They spent half the day staring at the snow from their coop and clucking until they finally ventured out to enjoy the sunny day once it started to melt. 

 Happy Valentine's Day! 

Updates in the Living Room

 I've been tweaking the living room a bit the past few months, most recently replacing our two bulky club chairs purchased 10 years ago for our previous home with two smaller matching wingback chairs.  I was so excited - and so nervous - with this purchase, but couldn't be happier with the updated look.  (Not to mention the sigh of relief when Justus said he liked the chairs and declared them comfortable.)

The two new chairs are much more proportional with the size of this living room and I love the lighter look.  The room feels much so much larger now, yet still cozy.  The club chairs were moved to other rooms in the house - one in the guest room and the other in the master.

 Previously we had a 5x8 wool rug in here and I liked it so much I replaced it with an identical one sized 8x10 this time.  It's nice to have a large soft area for the girls to play, which was the reason for replacing it.  I moved the smaller one in our upstairs office/schoolroom, which was a perfect fit.  

The drapes are also new, although anybody else wouldn't be able to tell.  I purchased this linen to use in the guest room, but ended up liking the nubbier texture better than the linen I previously had in here, so I just swapped the curtains around.  It's taken nearly four years, but I now have curtains sewn for every room in the house (smile).  

I hope you're having a wonderful week so far and are staying warm and well!