Caught my eye

Hello all! How are you doing on this lovely Monday? It's sunny and warm here - quite nice, except for the ongoing construction that has been happening for the last couple of months. They are re-grading and paving all of the streets in my little town, and it is so noisy. My poor pups run around all agitated because the floor is shaking and the machines are rumbling.

Anyways, here are a few things that caught my eye from around the internet over the last week or so:

1. Red Pepper Shrimp Scampi - yum! I have qualms about eating shrimp... but doesn't this look delish?

2. I wish there was a Kinko's or a FedEx near me, because I want to make a big poster like Katie did over at Project Palermo. So pretty!

3. This home tour. Maybe I should paint my coffee table red???

4. In this house, we draw.

And that's it, for today! I hope you are having a fantastic and creative Monday.

Window envy

Now that the weather is getting warmer, and there is beautiful sunshine outside, I am really wishing I had some big windows to let in all that sun and warmth. Our house has small windows, so it's dark inside - dark enough that we often have to turn on lights in the daytime.

So, I have some serious window envy... I'm jealous of sliding doors, windows big enough to grow monster plants, and all of these window sills.

I love how this living room kind of extends out onto the porch - so pretty!

Wowza check out those cacti.

I don't even really like taking baths, but I would in this dreamy tub with plants on the window sill.

That bear beanbag chair is kind of hilarious. But I am swooning over this room and the big, lovely windows.

More plants in this well-lit studio space. Check out that monster geranium! 

All image credit: Freunde von Freunden. Clicking on the image links to the original house tour.

Reading positions

Teehee, isn't this fun? It's been floating around my Facebook feed lately, and I love it. I can so relate! Anyone know who the illustrator is?

That's right

I live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. But sometimes I am busy and forget to look outside of my door for inspiration and relaxation. Does that happen to you? It's kind of strange to work so hard and make compromises to live wherever you live, but not make the time to stop and enjoy your own backyard.

Last week I went down to Mono Lake, the huge, saline lake that I see every day - on walks with the dogs, from the front porch at my work, and in the distance when I am driving to visit friends or to run errands.

I hadn't been down to the shore of the lake in months, although it is only a few minutes away. Here was my first thought on stepping out of the car:

That's right... here is the reason I live here, hours from anywhere, in a tiny town, in the middle of nowhere. It's because of this.

 

What a fantastic place.

What sacrifices do you make to live wherever you live? Whatever the payoff is, make sure you stop and enjoy it sometimes.

All image credit: Rose Catron

Sunday Link Love

Hello all! I hope you are having a lovely weekend. I am working, once again! June is always crazy for me, but I can't complain - life is good. I will be back with new posts this week, but in the meantime, here are some fun links from around the internet to entertain you. 

This article in the Onion made me smile.

Big appetites.

What an eclectic and art-filled home.

I really like these lighted leaning bookshelves.

This DIY chalkboard calendar is so cool!

The Power of Names.

And that's it for today! I hope you are having a lovely and relaxing Sunday.

Caught my eye

When I started this blog, my goal was to update every day - thus, "A Daily Dose of Rose." Alas, lately I have been so busy that this blog is more like "An Every-Other-Daily Dose of Rose," and sometimes even "A Weekly Dose of Rose"! Sorry I haven't been checking in more - I miss posting regular updates! An any rate, there are some lovely items that have caught my eye lately from around the web.... and here they are!

1. Isn't this vintage elephant so cute? I love the stripey pattern on his back.

2. This cloud spoon rest would make teatime so nice. It's the little things, right?

3. I have always loved Sophie Blackall's work, and her whales and other sea animals are so delicate and beautiful.

4. Gah. This pine stool just floors me. Isn't it bee-yu-ta-ful???

Anything that's caught your eye lately on the internet? There is so much creativity and loveliness out there.

House Tour: Jo's Portland Home

Hi all! Today I am excited to share pictures of my friend Jo's cozy and warm Portland home.


Check out those beautiful hardwood floors! When I asked Jo to tell me a bit about her home, she had this to say:

Oh, I love telling the story of my house! My house is a 1908 farm house that has actually been moved from its original location. Portland Community College is across the street from my house and in 2004 they expanded and bulldozed a number of houses to complete the expansion. A restorer of old homes in Portland walked through the properties that were set to be bulldozed and picked out two that had unique originals - my home and the 1920's dark red craftsmen that now shares my double lot. She had both houses moved across the street to the current property and completely remodeled them with new electricity, plumbing, and windows. And she did everything sustainably - my hardwood floors are re-purposed high school gym maple floors!

My home style is "eclectic," although random is a probably a more accurate description. It's part bohemian with pieces from travels to Asia and Guatemala; part Pacific Northwest influence with items like a large piece of driftwood, images of Portland life like a prints of a bike and a local bridge, and urban homesteading inspired pieces such as posters of canning and food fermentation. My rules of thumb in bringing anything into my home are: warm colors, comfortable, and that it's cheap or "found" (Goodwill, free piles on the sidewalk, hand-me-downs from old roommates and family). 

A lot of my art is from Art from Heart, a program for people with developmental disabilities; the art the participants in the program produce is simply incredible. Also, I love Nikki McClure and April Black - two local Pacific Northwest artists - and I have a few of each of their posters. I like art that carries personal meaning for me - whether because of who the artist is or because of what the piece evokes.

Most of my furniture pieces are hand-me-downs from my family and hold special meaning for me and my long-time friends who had relationships with these pieces when they were in my parents' house when we were growing up. For example, my dining room table was at my parents' beach house on the Oregon coast during my childhood and we all have lots of memories of meals around that table. It's fun to have friends over and share these old memories! 

I will leave you with this parting shot of the outside of Jo's home. As in much of Portland, her yard is lush and beautiful, and I am sure the garden is in full bloom by now. A huge thanks to Jo for sharing her home with us today!

All image credit: Rose Catron