Sleeping in a fairy tale...

Photos from the book Candice Olson on Design

Linking to Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound

A Century at the Little Creamery in Brenham, Texas, 1907–2007

I sure do miss Blue Bell ice cream. They don't sell it in Wyoming... and they didn't sell it in Virginia. That means I've been deprived of the best ice cream in the world since 1992.

You can buy this book about 100 years at the Little Creamery in Brenham, Texas, here.

Enjoying my new magazine subscription...

Hey, ya'll... I just subscribed to a little darling of a magazine, "Tea in Texas," and I really enjoyed the March/April issue.

It's got me thinking that the Old House would make a mighty fine tea room.

A subscription is $18 for 6 issues. Check it out at Tea in Texas.

If you haven't yet discovered Barbara Beery, you're in for a sweet treat...

Since I don't cook and I don't have kids, it's kind of... well... weird... that I'm so enamored by kids cooking guru Barbara Beery.

Her princess books are among some of the most gorgeous I've ever seen.

She bakes things that look like this...

And the photos in her books are just the dreamiest ever.

I hope to own all of her princess books someday.

And try all of her recipes... Even though I don't like to cook.

I want to throw pink-princess tea parties for my grown-up girlfriends.

And mermaid parties too.

This book teaches how to throw a fabulous party using organic ingredients and eco-friendly favors.

Barbara's books are available from Gibbs Smith Publishers and bookstores everywhere.

If you use this link to Amazon, a portion of your sale will go to help homeless pets and puppy-mill dogs.

If you can't get enough Barbara Beery, you should to visit her Kids Cooking blog and the super-duper fabulous Batter Up Kids Culinary Center. Be sure not to miss the cooking shop where you can by pint-sized kitchen supplies.

I hope you've enjoyed this tiny glimpse into the wonderful world of the uber-talented Barbara Beery.

You can't judge a book by its cover...

Last week when I shared one of my most loved books, Better Homes and Gardens New Decorating Book (published in 1998), I promised to take you inside this newer edition which came out in 2007.

As you can see, the cover has been updated with bright colors and contemporary rooms which one of my readers said caused her to steer clear of the book.

But as my title says, you can't judge a book by its cover.

I was skeptical too and I must admit that the first time I opened it, I was a tad nervous as I started flipping through the pages which were chock full of modern design... Not that there is anything wrong with it, but it does not speak to "me."

This room, however, makes my heart flutter...

But alas, BHG did not disappoint. This is clearly an aim-to-please-all-design-tastes book.

As I got deeper into the book, the pages began to delight my senses with rooms, furnishings and colors that were definitely screaming out to "me, me, me."

Mark my words, someday I will own one of these library ladders. I will find the perfect place for it in the Old House which has 12-foot ceilings.

I mean, be still my beating heart...

I just love the cottage-style, country, shabby goodness! I can't wait to do a cabinet like this. And those painted trash cans are just the cat's meow.

I have a bed just like this in the Old House except mine has all the spindles and it's not painted white... At least not YET.
There is certainly lots of gorgeous color...

But there is also plenty of my current obsession... WHITE...

I love the sparkle in this living room...

This photo is very "Old House" fabulous...

You can still buy both versions of the book on Amazon, only the older one you'll have to purchase used. AND, I am delighted to have discovered that BHG published several versions in between the two I bought in 1998 and 2007.

They start at only 31 cents, plus $3.99 shipping and I see one dating all the way back to 1980.

NOTE: If you access Amazon using this link, a portion of your sale will go to help homeless dogs and puppy mill rescues. It doesn't cost you a thing.

So, my little lovelies, it looks like it's time for me to go buy myself some cheap-and-used-but-still-beautiful books!

The pages are falling out...

I bought my first copy of Better Homes and Gardens New Decorating Book when it came out in 1997. I still remember the day I purchased it at Sam's Club in Chesapeake, Virignia.

I have turned to it time and time again as a source of inspiration over the years. It's been so loved that the pages are falling out.

I had a huge basket of dried hydrangeas (from the Old House yard) in my home for years. I got the idea from this photo.

The flowers became so brittle over time that I had to throw them out. I still have the basket but my cats sleep in it now.

I think the blue and white scheme is so pretty. I adore the vintage tablecloth, the painted furniture and the checkerboard floor. I will always have cobalt-blue glass in my kitchen window.

This black door makes this entry so elegant and the floor is so unique.

I don't have a daughter, but if I did, her room would look just like this. The walls are divine. The whole room is just so dreamy!

I have a quilt just like the one on the trundle. It was my grandmother's.

I also have a quilt just like the one at the foot of this bed... also my grandmother's.

This is one of my favorite photos in the book. I love the colors, the furniture, the flowers, the chandelier and the swan. (I'm not a fan of the little skirts on the chairs, however.)

This photo is very "Old House." I have a small collection of antique mixing bowls that resemble these and also a couple of Ironstone pitchers. The little milking stools have been on my wishlist for years.

A new version of the New Decorating Book came out in 2007. I will give you a glimpse inside next week.


Linked to Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

The Old House is in a new book...

I'm very excited about a wonderful book that just came out. I spent all last week reading it on my lunch hour.

This big, beautiful work is chock-full of historic photos from Hardin County, Texas. That's where I grew up and I'm a descendant of some of the Big Thicket pioneers.

Pines in the Big Thicket

Renee Hart Wells compiled these photos into a book for the Hardin County Genealogical Society. She put in so much time, effort and work into this project. This great work in historic preservation is a wonderful gift to all Texans, not just those with Hardin County roots.

The Old House is pictured on page 281 (bottom photo). The top photo is the darling old home of a relative, Ruby Herrington, which is now owned by John and Lisa Ferguson.

At the time this book was being produced, Renee didn't know about my family's historic photos. She's hoping to include them in another book in the future. Fingers crossed!

My grandfather, who was born in 1898, with his dogs, "Rock" and "Rye."

In November, Renee spent two days at the Old House scanning photos. I am very grateful for her efforts. You can see them here on Facebook.

The Old House

I found a few surprises in the book. One of my favorites is this photo of my namesake, Necel Herrington, and the Class of 1906. What a treat!

Aunt Necel is seated, third from left, on the front row

To order a copy for yourself, send $50, plus $6 S&H to the Hardin County Genealogical Society, PO Box 383, Kountze, Texas, 77625. The group is non-profit. Be sure to include your mailing address.