Inspired Gatherings Book & Midweek Musings

Hello friend! As you might know, I’m now in my 14th year of blogging. That’s a long time to be typing it out loud to you and hopefully inspiring! Way back when I started blogging I would post a few times a week, and who knew that it would turn into my job. A few years back I had thousands of posts and in trying to be more efficient I deleted many of them. Starting out on eBay back in the late 90’s is how I first became acquainted with the internet. Take a look below. Hah! This was from the book Blogging For Bliss, dating to 2007.

Back to today’s post, it’s a little bit of this and some of that. In my early blog days on Wednesdays I always published a post called “Midweek Musings” and I was thinking about perhaps starting that up again. I don’t know if you’ll read this or like this, so please let me know in the comments if a post of simple thoughts interests you. Maybe just what I’ve been up to, some favorite friends and things I’ve been buying or have my eye on.

Over the last several weeks I’ve had peonies in the house. We don’t grow them because it’s way too hot here, but I was sent some and then my husband has been finding peonies at Trader Joes. It’s been so nice while still sheltering at home to have them.

Sadly they don’t last long enough, but still there is beauty in the final days.

My long time friend Courtney of French Country Cottage sent me a copy of her latest book. It’s beautiful and I’ll share a few quick photos that I just took with my phone. I loved her first book (French Country Cottage) and this one is just as stunning! Inspired Gatherings is the title and the book is filled with lots of informal table settings and ideas for gatherings from small to large.

Courtney lives in California and traipsed all around  the state to do some beautifully styled shoots. She also has a gorgeous home and property with several outbuildings that served as backdrops.

You’ll see lots of French Country Cottage flowers utilized in her idyllic scenes and informal settings.

The greenhouse and barn are filled with her special touches like sparkly chandeliers and antique furniture. Such a dream!

Laid back lifestyle in foods with pies, cakes, nibbles and bits.

You can find Courtney’s book by clicking the link here HERE and her first book French Country Cottage HERE.

And before I head out, below are some of the pieces in my home that I receive the most emails about! The gorgeous laundry room tile is on sale right now, and the watery coastal print is on its way here. I’ll be sharing more of that soon…simply tap on the photos for more information…