Saturday, November 27, 2010

Saturday Morning


 We woke to a cold and crisp November morning.
I couldn't wait for our morning walk 
so I could try out my new camera.


This is one of my favorite old homes in our neighborhood.
  I love the old whitewashed brick and bright red doors and
the distinctive European feel to it.


I spent time trying out the settings on my new camera...
...learning to capture the details.


 Today was the first day to buy Christmas trees in our neighborhood.
When do you put your tree up?


This is Sasha....
...she is the sweet and friendly dog greeting the customers who were picking out their Christmas trees.


 This old oak chair that was lying on the ground was missing one leg.
I wanted to pull off those springs tied on the bottom
but Mr. Flea would have none of that.
I'll have to go back for them later!


And finally, I wanted to show you what I received in the mail today!
It is a sweet little angora nest brooch that I was lucky enough
to win from a Give Away at Karla's Cottage.
She included a charming handmade star ornament and 
a tiny white bottle brush tree.
 Thank you Karla!


I am asking for your opinion as I made a few changes
to my blog layout yesterday.
(with the technical help of a special friend)
You may have noticed that my margins are smaller
and my pictures are larger.

Do you like the look of it this way?

And...I'm not sure about the header...
perhaps it is just too big now.
Your feedback would be appreciated!
Any suggestions?

I hope you are enjoying your weekend!

:)

33 comments:

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

GO BACK! Get that chair! tell him I told you you had to do it! Those springs are perfect!!! I have been looking for some....and it was just laying there!!

Anne Lorys said...

Did you switch to a stretch minima template?
I heartily recommend that layout to anyone who really wants to put their photography front and center.

It all looks good!
Sounds like you're having fun!

XO,
Anne

Cheryl ~ ZanyMayd said...

Regarding the Chair, I think the Springs are calling Your name..... I Love the New Layout, I would keep it just as you have it~
Cheryl

Leo said...

Gorgeous house. I can see why it is one of your favorites. Love the red doors.

Blondie's Journal said...

Beautiful home...I thought it was yours! I would like the whole chair!! And I do like the new look of your blog! Just perfect, Laura!

XO,
Jane

Concrete Jungle said...

It's looking good perhaps your 52 could be a tad larger....looks like you will have loads of fun with the new camera - ENJOY!

Anonymous said...

That home in your neighborhood is just stunning!! Our Christmas tree usually goes up the day after Thanksgiving, but it went up a bit earlier this year :) Happy weekend to you! Xoxoxo
1942charm.blogspot.com

Vicki said...

Go back and get the springs! Love Karla's giveaway win (come enter mine if you get a second). I really like the blog changes, especially the bigger pics. Oh, and our Xmas tree is in the stand but not decorated. We needed two hands in the attic today and hubby had to work a bit. We'll get started tomorrow. Have a great week!

Tins and Treasures said...

Hi, Laura,
I do like the look of larger pictures on your blog. We will probably put up our tree tomorrow.

Have a great Sunday ~Natalie

Anne said...

Your new blog layout is lovely. I think it is nice to have a change every now and then. I just did a major change on my blog from a mosaic of small photos to a group of hand illustrations of things that are important to me. It's made it kind of personal. I'm still trying to work out how to make photos smaller on the side bar. :)
Enjoy your week,
Anne xx
P.S. Christmas tree will go up in a few days.

FRENCH LAUNDRY said...

I love the new layout. I did the same with my blog a couple of months ago and I LOVE being able to include such nice large pictures. I have a big header too, so I think yours is just right.
:-)

Have a great weekend. And our tree will go up this week.

Hugs,
Judy

Rose Garden Malevik said...

FANTASTIC HOUSE and LOVELY Photos :)

S
A
T
U
R
D
A
Y

S
H
O
W

O
F
F

at my place
Please Join it :)
Håkan ( The Roseman)

It's me said...

No christmas trees here in Holland yet !....they coming after 6 december...sint nicolaas first......that dog !!! so nice sweet dog !!! i love it !! lovely present! lovely day....love Ria...

martinealison said...

Très joli blog, j'ai eu beaucoup de plaisir à me balader parmi vos créations... je reviendrai vous voir...
Bises

Blooming Rose Musings said...

I love your new blog layout. I switched over a few months ago and have been very happy. Your banner looks great and not too large at all. My banner is too large and I have to change it but I'm just waiting until I have more time...in case I screw up!
That house is wonderful. And the red doors are especially perfect for the autumn/winter season.
I saw people driving with Christmas trees fastened to the top of their cars today. I can't believe it's already that time of year!!!

sharron said...

The new look is fabulous...love the large photos!! The new camera is fun I bet..Happy Belated Birthday and girl runnnnn don't walk to get those springs!!! Tee Hee!!!
Love the brooch too..karla is so talented!!
Blessings~

Andi's English Attic said...

I think that with your new camera we've many photo treats in store, so I welcome the bigger pics.
As we have a real tree each year (named either Sven, Bruce or Norman), I don't buy it until about 10 days before Christmas, but they've been on sale since mid November. xx

Zita said...

LOVE your new look, Laura. Bigger is better in my books and now we can admire your fabulous photos even more. Happy Sunday to you, my friend. p.s. Karla's giveaway is so sweet, love that house too and don't forget to go back and get that chair :)

Susie~From My Home To Yours said...

Laura,
Your new layout is great! But how about that new camera? Wow.....such clear and crisp pictures, just beautiful!
We bought our tree and garlands yesterday, so I'll be busy this week getting it all together.
Blessings,
Susie

trash talk said...

Love the new look. Good photography should be big...with a spotlight too if that's possible! I'm from Texas so bigger is always better in my book especially since at my age I need all the help I can get to see!
Debbie

savvycityfarmer said...

is it Saturday already ... ooops it's Sunday now.
How's my girl?

The French Bear said...

Love the new look, how did you make your pictures larger? I would love to do that!!!! I think you should have rescued the chair!!!!
Lovely gift!!! I just love to see hand made gifts, fabulous!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B

Garden Antqs Vintage said...

I like the new look of your blog. What a pretty morning walk you took. Hope you are having a great weekend, T

Yvonne - Frl. Klein said...

Dearest Laura, what a beautiful house in your neighborhood! The red doors are so great!
I wish you a happy new week,
Big Hugs,
Yvonne

Beach House 27 said...

Hi
Love the bigger photos on your blog - I've got to figure out how to do that and make a button.
Love your blog too - so nice to meet you!
I so would have taken those springs -
Enjoy this day -
Marsha

Andy's Attic said...

It is very good for your blog to have larger pictures since your photos are so lovely. I love the change. I was just thinking the other day that I like the fact that you have NOT changed your header. It is somehow comforting to see the same thing when I click to you. Looks like you are getting the feel of the new camera.
Annette (we don't do our tree till mid Dec.)

Curtains in My Tree said...

I love the Cloves Nutmeg Allspice and Pepper because I have them also. I just love that set I don't know what it is called like a flo blue onion pattern? Not sur just know it's a great set.
I like your big pictures. I love the picture of the big happy friendly dog

Janice

Sarah said...

Gorgeous photos! You are making good use of the new camera. I can see why that house is one of your favorites. Thanks for taking us along on your walk.

creekside rummager said...

I think the changes are very nice. The header brings the viewer right to it and makes it more real. The larger pics are great. Photos were very nice.

Mary Anne said...

Hi Laura:

I am rather new to your blog, but have now added you to my list of favorite blogsites because I love your content so much. As for the experimental shots of your neighborhood with your new camera........wow, loved them and that European-like home that you love....red doors, chippy white paint and all. I agree, from the outside at least, I could move right in. Are you in the Chicago area?

I will look forward to getting to know you Laura.

Jem said...

I really love the new layout - more space for your pictures to breathe :-)

I cannot wait to buy our Christmas tree - those looked lovely!

Jem xXx

Michelle Palmer said...

L-O-V-E your new look!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your little flow blue spice jars :) I have a collection of them... they find their way into my watercolor paintings~ They are the perfect colors any time of year :)
Wishing you all the best,
Michelle

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

I'm always happy to see bigger pictures! Yes, looks good.

Glad to know you enjoyed your treats. I so enjoyed meeting you at Silver Bella!