A grey day~its mild in the Northeast on this first day of February,
with a haze of fog blanketing us.
This time of year is when I love fresh flowers most.
A pitcher of pink tulips are so cheery~I can't tell you how much I love having them by the sink.
They are starting to dip down after days of standing erect~but still so lovely.
I wanted to discuss steel cut oatmeal....I thought I was buying the same McCanns oatmeal that they sell in a box~more of an instant variety. But this oatmeal needs to be cooked a day ahead of time~argh.
Yesterday I wanted oatmeal and discovered this little fact....so I had something else.
So this morning I decided to cook a batch up. It looks like little seeds inside the can~I hope it tastes good tomorrow. Even if it doesn't, I will be happy with the container to use when its empty~isn't it pretty?
My cyclamen seem to be struggling to keep their flowers. I finally trimmed them all off after I saw tiny bugs flying around them (yuck). I have some liquid fertilizer in the watering can and I won't give up on them just yet. This big sink area makes a great spot to put a few potted plants.
That neat watering can is solid brass and was hub's grandmothers.
The rest of the tulips are in the living room. My latest designer book arrived!!! It was penned by my new best friend, now blogger, designer Betsy Speert! I ordered it from Amazon for $3.99!!! Betsy told me I would love it, and she is right~I do love it. I never bought it before because I didn't like the cover image. So that leads one to believe the old adage of "don't judge a book by its cover".
This page shows a room she did for a Cape Cod show house. OMG~I still remember seeing this layout in a magazine! I loved the fabric on the ceiling and the hand painted vintage beds~Betsy knows how to nail down pretty, doesn't she?
For less than $7 I had this book delivered to my door~I know she isn't getting rich off of my purchase. The prices for older books are bargains on Amazon and the convenience is second to none.
As I snapped this pic, I glanced at my sofa~what the heck?? I took Dillon out for a long walk last night and we circled hubby's excavator and Dillon must have brushed up against some grease.
I hate when this happens....
But since we allow our dogs to sit up on the couch, I guess I can't complain.
I love that oatmeal and eat it right after I cook it. I didn't even know about waiting a day. Love the tulips. I need to get some. I see them all over blog land.
ReplyDeleteNow I know how much you love yours dogs to let them sit on the white furniture! I barely even let my kids o ha ;)
ReplyDeleteStacy
Ps...love the pink tulips in your room!
Ok, first of all,... before we even talk about the tulips, let's just take a minute and revel in that WONDERFUL sink....... i looooove it.
ReplyDeleteok, now i can look at the sweet tulips, tulip stems do not sit still, they move towards the sun, they dip down, there's something so simple and beautiful about them.
and phew!....good thing you had the little coverlet on the sofa, because most of the greasy spot is on that!
Cindy
Love that last picture Amy so cute!
ReplyDeleteNow i'm going to have to buy Betsy's book too,that is one pretty picture.
Your tulips look beautiful,love the watering can and your fire looks so welcoming,it's freezing here in the Uk,can't wait for Spring!
I have no idea what oatmeal is (let me see it when its ready to eat ;) )but the tin is pretty indeed.
x
I never heard of the oatmeal. Need to find out more. The tulips are just gorgeous. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteAmy....
ReplyDeleteFYI....
I don't get any money when someone buys my book. I was paid at the time I wrote it.
I need an agent.
I need a life.
I need to loose 8 pounds.
Oy!
Your kitchen sink area looks so pretty with your flowers and watering can beside it. I have never tried that oatmeal before, but heard it's good. I have that book already and I agree the cover and the contents do not match. It's a good one. I have the same problem with my dog dirtying up the sofa after going outside. I have to be careful to clean his feet extra well when he comes in. I hate rainy days for that very reason! Hope that grease comes out. I'd "shout it out". Works like a charm (hopefully).
ReplyDeleteYou can cook the McCanns in the same morning, it just takes thirty-five minutes. I use a similar type of oatmeal as the basis for my weekly porridge batch for the girls. One thing to keep in mind -- the oats in McCanns can go rancid. If they smell off, they are. There is no expiration date on the can, so it is impossible to tell how old it is!
ReplyDeleteNow I need to go and buy some tulips!
The tulips are so pretty. I ordered Betsy's book too, after I tried to win it on a blog giveaway and didn't I love the book, with all of the toile and patterns and color.
ReplyDeleteHi Amy I love tulips and have pink ones in my kitchen as we speak too! And love steel cut oats, they are worth the extra time, we make them in the morning a few times a week and normally it only takes about 20 to 25 minutes, but involves constant stirring.
ReplyDeleteHalf my family likes this oatmeal and half instant.....go figure.
Well, I learn something new every day. Never heard of the oatmeal. Guess I've been too busy cooking the instant kind.
ReplyDeleteTulips are beautiful! I'll try not to make you jealous but we have sunshine and 70 degree weather. I'm even seeing green grass sprout up in my yard! This is so strange for Jan/Feb.
We buy all our books from Amazon. The best!
I love the new look, I put your new button up on my blog. Things have finally calmed down and I can get back to blogging on a regular basis! I have a new look as well... Tulips are my favorite, they will look nice in that oatmeal can, once it's empty!
ReplyDeleteI use that oatmeal and never wait a day..lol...but I do make enough so I have it for a couple of days. It is wonderful displayed against your kitchen backdrop.
ReplyDeleteThat book sure makes good on the old saying about not judging a book by its cover. It is one I would look at and bypass because of the cover also.
I hate grease on things. There was an old product called Grease Relief that was the best thing I ever found for getting rid of grease. Sadly, it is nowhere to be found anymore.
Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday. xo Diana
I nearly picked up some tulips the other day but they were already looking pretty bad! Yours are very sweet and look great by your sink area.
ReplyDeleteThe book looks good! I just bought a great design book by the editor of the old Domino magazine and I am reading it cover to cover. It has some fantastic ideas in it.
Sorry about the stain. Do you know how to get it out? My dogs live on our furniture, too. The most I get is a few dirty paw prints, thankfully. Cute pups!
XO,
Jane
Hi Amy ~ I hear you on the fresh flowers! It is drab and gray here in Salt Lake City today too. We usually have so much sunshine during the winter, but it doesn't seem like it this year. I buy fresh roses at Costco every two weeks whether I need them or not during the winter...I always feel like I need them... (*_*) xo
ReplyDeleteAmy your tulips look so fresh! Thanks for the info about the book will have to look into getting it! I love her blog she is very entertaining!
ReplyDeleteIs that a pitbull on the right in the last picture? He/she looks like a cutie! We have a 1 year old pitbull and she is the sweetest thing in the world. We have also allowed her to get up on the couch. We used to let her sleep with us but she's a bed hog :)
ReplyDeleteHi Amy,
ReplyDeleteI love the photo of you and the dogs. Our kitties have free rein too, so I know what you mean.
Love your pretty tulips, mine finally died. Need some more!
I am going to have to get a copy of that book.
hugs
Sissie
i'll have to check out that book - thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteHi Amy, I just recently found your blog and have been enjoying it. I didn't care for the Irish oatmeal myself; I prefer the instant. Also, tulips continue to grow after they have been cut, and they also will tilt towards the light.
ReplyDeleteHa ha! I love the pictures of the tulips, but my heart is endeared to the photo of the dogs on the couch. Love it!
ReplyDeleteJust stopping by for the first time. Lovely tulips! .. and I make the oatmeal all the time - delicious and filling. I'm a dog-lover and can relate to the mess on the couch. I live in the Pacific Northwest - lots of rain and mud!!
ReplyDeletexx
leslie
Part of the joy of white furniture for me is the ability to wash the slipcovers! I always have a dog or two (or three) on the couch with me. I love your pink tulips..your sink is so pretty--even love your watering can!
ReplyDeleteLove that oatmeal, eat it all the time. And I got my copy of Betsy's book the other day and also wondered why did they use that picture on the cover? It's not at all indicative of what you find inside, which is fabulous! I thought my dogs were spoiled but I think yours hit the puppy lottery! *winks* Vanna
ReplyDeleteLove the tulips and how great is that sink that it has room for plants? I always want a little bit of green in the kitchen but I have no room for plants. Dillon cracks me up...look at that big fat butt. I hope the grease will come out. He looks very happy looking out the window.
ReplyDeleteMagnifique!
ReplyDeleteThe quality of your pictures get better and better with each post. I especially like the first few with the tulips up against the lace curtains.
ReplyDelete