Me Time

WooHoo! We got that rain we ordered. Yesterday we had a little drizzle but today the thunder clouds rolled across the Delta. Thankfully because my poor yard was looking a little drab. No matter how much you water it never takes the place of a natural rain. I love rainy weather. Makes me want to listen to some good music, light some candles, and relax.

My husband is actually out of town on business. That means I'm flying solo for the next couple of days. Don't get me wrong, I adore my husband and love having him around but sometimes it's nice not to have to cook dinner, coordinate with another schedule, or agree on a television program. If I wanted I could eat a bowl of cereal for dinner. Not that I am but just having the option is nice.

So what am I going to do with all this freedom? I just returned from my work out on the Natchez Trace. And on my way home I called in an order from this new fabulous Meditarrnean restaurant I recently stumbled across. I ordered Hummus and pita bread. I'm pouring a glass of Pinot Noir and I'm going to sit back and enjoy flipping through my latest issues of Southern Lady, Southern Living, and Garden & Guns all while watching "girl" shows. No sports, no news, no action packed movies. Perhaps a little HGTV, Bravo, and the cooking channel. How do you spend your free time?

This is the best Hummus I've ever tasted in my life. The woman is Lebanese and she can make a mean lamp chop. I'm drooling thinking about it.

Does anyone else drink Pinot Noir? I have to share with those who do. If you're not familiar with Sorter Vineyards I highly recommend you try a bottle. I didn't realize how spoiled I was growing up near the California Wine Country and then attending school in the Pacific Northwest. I was use to having wineries in my backyard. Now that I'm older and have moved across country I truly appreciate a good bottle of wine without taking it for granted.

Here's the Soter Vineyard site http://www.sotervineyards.com/ They have an amazing winery located in the Willamette Valley (that's in Oregon for those who aren't familiar with Pac Northwest). Washington and Oregon produce some amazing wines if you are ever out that way. Just thought I'd share a favorite with y'all.

A Hot June Afternoon

It's a hot one y'all. I'm feeling a bit like this little guy in the photo above. Yesterday I ran only three errands and was totally wiped out. I could hear my grandmother's voice come right out my mouth, "This heat has nearly done killed me." How they lived without AC is beyond me. I stepped into a store that had their AC on the fritz (bless the souls who work there). I believe that was the most expedient shopping trip of my entire life. The cashier asked me if I wanted to be on their mailing list and I said, "Not today, ma'am. You'll have to catch me when it's a bit cooler in here." She laughed but I wasn't joking. It was just plain too hot. I saw an elderly man sitting in a chair. I thought he killed over until I saw his hand move.

Alright, so I decided to share my Martha Stewart moment with you. Is Martha Stewart a thing of the past? I don't even receive her magazine anymore. I wonder if it's still out there. Anyone still get her magazine? She was like the MacGyver of craft making. She could take a single stick and make a Thanksgiving centerpiece. Well, not to have got off the subject but I used an old welcome sign I was about to toss into the donation pile and decided to make my own wreath. What do you think? Be honest now. * Look past those filthy windows. I'm ashamed of them but again, it's just too hot to do anything about them at the moment.

This is my attempt at gardening. Well, for now. I couldn't stand leaving my house without any color. Y'all know how much I enjoy gardening. I would love to put a few beds in the front but just haven't found the time. Plus it's been too hot. So, this is my flower pots. Of course, I just had to display my bunnies. I just love bunnies. I have them all over the house. Sort of like the old lady and her cats. Last night we attended the wine mixer at the club house and spotted an adorable baby bunny. He was just the cutest thing. However, one of the neighbor's Husky was drooling as it stuck his little head through the fence. He was wanting a bunny sandwich. Thankfully baby bunny hopped over to the courtyard out of reach of this furry friend.

I snapped a quick photograph of my neighbor's porch while pulling into the garage. Isn't it just lovely? Y'all should see the backyard. It's gorgeous! I think I'll walk over and take some pictures next week. She is one of my favorite people in my neighborhood and I'm just thrilled she lives next door.

I went to the Farmer's Market today and look what I picked up. Sunflowers are one of my favorites. Something about having fresh flowers in the house makes me feel cheerful.

Before I let y'all go I wanted to share my new lamp I picked up at a thrift shop. I found the BEST thrift shop. It's not far from the house. My neighbor told me all about it and it's not even a shop. It's a warehouse! I found all sorts of really cool things. I was in need of a lamp for the living room and I just didn't like anything I saw while I was out shopping. On the way home I passed by the thrift shop and decided to turn around and check it out. It was like a gold mine. I picked this little beauty up for a fraction of what I'd pay in the stores. However, it's not that cheap plastic or glass material. It's made out of metal. I paid a whopping $24.00. Look at the top. The little Chinese charm makes the lamp.

Thank y'all for the lovely compliments regarding my new home. I'll be sure to work on the house this next week so I can share interior pictures as well. Just seems like it's taking forever to put the final touches together. Have a beautiful weekend!

My New Neighborhood

I absolutely L-O-V-E my new home and neighborhood. I just snapped a few pictures a couple of days ago so I could share with my family and friends. The neighborhood was designed by an architect from New Orleans.

My house has a great view of the fountain. In the front yard it's really relaxing to hear the water while gardening or just visiting with neighbors.

I really like the little accents like this potted plant at one corner. As I walk through the neighborhood I'm always spotting things that I didn't see before.

This is the clubhouse pool. The neighborhood is full of retiree's so the pool is always vacant. It's like my own private oasis without the maintenance. You can lounge and since there is about a million fountains it feels a bit like a resort.

This is the back view of the clubhouse. Every other Friday evening the neighbors meet and we have a wine and appetizer mixer. It's really fun and a great way to meet everyone.

This is the front of the clubhouse. It's very Southern style if you ask me. They have converted one of the rooms into a library so you can check out books. On Saturday mornings they have a group that meets for danishes and coffee for a book club. I'm thinking of attending this weekend.

We've been needing some rain. The waterline is really down. Normally the water flows under the bridge and makes for a small waterfall. It's still pretty but I do wish we had some much needed showers. Perhaps I need to do a little rain dance this afternoon.

One thing I truly enjoy about the neighborhood is that I don't have to leave the gated community to walk. There's plenty of walking trails. It's really safe and relaxing.

I have two Magnolia trees in my yard. I love them so much. My husband doesn't like picking up the leaves in the front yard but I think they are worth it. I like to snip some clippings and put them in a vase. Magnolia's are so pretty.

Hope y'all enjoyed the tour.

Fairview Inn

Hi y'all. I'm sorry I haven't been around much but it has been one thing after another around here. I'm still trying to put the final touches on the house. Every time I think I'm close to being finished I find about a million new things I need to do. However, on the bright side I'm closer to being completed than I was yesterday. I'll be posting pictures really soon.

Not to change the subject but has anyone read the book, The Help, by Kathryn Stockett? The story takes place in my new hometown of Jackson, Mississippi. The book was such a big hit that they just completed filming the movie. It hits the theaters this August.

Today my husband took me to the Fairview Inn for my birthday lunch. The Fairview was actually referenced in the book. We had a lovely brunch overlooking the gardens. I managed to snap a few pictures to share with y'all.

The Fairview Inn was built for Cyrus C. Warren. He was the owner of Warren-Goodwin Lumber Company. The house was built by the architectural firm of Spencer and Powers. The Fairview Inn was designed with a Colonial Revival style.


Sorry about the vehicles parked in the front. There was a ladies bridge club that was meeting this afternoon. I'll have to swing by one day and try to get a better picture when it's not so busy.



I love the front porches. Aren't those rockers fabulous!!!



Love the details

In 1913, the property was purchased by Felix Gunter. Mr. Gunter was the President of the Jackson Board of Trade. The property was then sold to W.E. Guild in 1921. W.E. Guild was the Treasure of the Finkbine Lumber Company.

It was the Guilds who remodeled the house and added the English gardens. The property was purchased by a handful of owners until the current owners, Peter and Tamar Sharp, purchased it in 2006.

This is the side garden










Stepping inside the foyer



The book, The Help


Gorgeous antique chandelier









Beautiful study




Look at those lamps






Look what I stumbled across. It's a Civil War chess set.


The Confederacy


I didn't have the opportunity to take pictures of the restaurant itself. There were guests dining at the time. The name of the restaurant is called, Sophia's. It's a fabulous setting and they have fantastic food. They named the restaurant after their daughter.



Look at the awesome Birthday cake


White Chocolate Cream Cake...YUMMY!!!