Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Outside, Inside

Can you blame me for going twice to this mustard field in the last week? Its been three days since my last visit and I'm already plotting ways to return today. A bridge spans over the creek, and the swallows have built a metropolis there. There are hundreds and they swoop all around you, emitting soft little peeps as they dive after the insects that drone above the water.

The mustard is so high this year. If I were to clomp around down there, it would be about two feet over my head. All this yellow, all these birds and sweet clean sky make me feel airborne too, just like those swallows. So clomping seems unseemly.


Looking North from the bridge, our house is about two miles from that clump of eucylptus.


A squirrel watched me, hanging from a new fence that keeps the cattle from creek trespassing.



I nearly stepped on this one foot long lizard, I was so intent on looking up, not down. He skittered away just in time.

A brand new winery up the highway. They planted fields of lavender and roses. Olive trees too.


I was hesitant to go inside . In overalls, boots and a sweater with a patch on it I decided to wait til I wore my Sunday best to try their wine tasting.



These are their cabernet franc grapes, just emerging.


Now we are home. The inside part. Thought you might like a gander around, and this is my pantry. If you open the doors its full of dry goods. I only have about two built in cupboards in the kitchen and so this has given me a wonderful excuse to indulge my cupboard love!
The painting above of Moonstone Beach is by Terry DeLapp, a local tonalist painter.







English cupboard in the kitchen. I know this because there are little hooks in the side with donkeys, from Clovelly, near Devon.
heee haaaw




Dining room. The wall is painted a pale robin's egg blue. Old botanicals on the wall.






Dining room again. This is the first antique I bought. I got my drivers' liscense on my 16th birthday, drove to Orange, near our house in Southern California and bought this with my babysitting money. I had borrowed my brother's convertable and brought it home sticking straight up from the back seat. I still can't believe I didn't get pulled over.






Now just so you don't think I live entirely in a Charles Dicken's novel, I do like contemporary things too. Especially craft. This rabbit is by Paulina Temmes. Paulina's things are tender and exquisite. She doesn't have a blog but does have an Etsy store:

http://www.lemmikkiapina.etsy.com/




Pottery by local Potter Paula Teplitz. Dark clay, wax process. I really don't understand how Paula makes this , I just know its beautiful. Paula shows her work at Chamber's Gallery in Cambria.



A Cathy Cullis heart with a poem about a traveller. An anniversary gift from the mister.



The back as wonderful as the front!






In pottery news, new lady and animal plates.




and beakers too.


Back outside!


xx



julie



juliewhitmorepottery.etsy.com

52 comments:

kathyd said...

i love the piece of furniture you bought yourself . what a cool story.
i love the beakers too.
great post.
xxoo
kathy

sea-blue-sky & abstracts said...

So much to love in this post Julie! The birds, sun bathed landscape, your lovely beakers on the header and also the views of your home - the larder, the paintings..... Wonderful! x

sharon said...

Your post makes me swoon Julie, and your new pieces are delish! Love everything, and thank you for sharing your wondrous nature show with us, how lucky you are to be surronded by this beauty, and it shows in your work!

Tracey Broome said...

Great tour! I love that you were buying antiques at 16, so was I. There was an old house near where I lived and I would go over and rummage through it for hours buying things like tin boxes,picture frames, mirrors, and jewelry. Half the stuff in my house now probably came from there.

Mozart's Girl said...

Dearest Julie...this post blew me away! The nature (simiar in tone to my thoughts this morning) and then the serenity and beauty of your home, paintings & stunning ceramics. I love it all so much, thank you for sending me to bed with happy dreams! Rachel xoxo

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

I have re-read your post four times. Everything is so unique and beautiful. I especially love all your pottery. I even double clicked and read the love poem on your heart. Just lovely. Great post!!!

A bird in the hand said...

OK. I'll be right over. You have what I would consider a dream home in a dream setting. Not unlike the dreams I have.... xoxo

Unknown said...

So many wonderful treasures, both inside and out.
The new plates and beakers are wonderful.

Lesley Todd said...

Wonderful new work, I wish I could have it all on my dresser! Have you ever been to Clovelly? It's an amazing little fishing village. No cars are permitted (they have to be left in a car park at the top of the hill) and they used to have donkeys to take people and things up and down the hill. So that must be why you have the donkeys on your cabinet! x

Jody Battaglia said...

Hello Julie...When I grow up I want to be you.

Have charming life fun...Jody

susanc said...

I love seeing pieces in your home - they are lovely! I love the beakers too! I see that it is your Etsy shop anniversary today! Congrats! I may have to get one of your beakers! ;)

jen storer said...

My eyeballs are spinning. But only in a good way. I love your story about the cupboard in the convertible. and that squirrel is hilarious! Its all beautiful. I am flinging handfuls of gold stars your way, julie. thank you so much for the tour. jxx

Debra said...

Your butterflies on your beakers are so cool. Their wings have such fun designs.

Thank you for visiting my blog and for your comment. I am as bad as the children, I enjoy watching the industrious ants searching for and collecting their store for winter and the nursery.

Librarian said...

The butterfly beakers are so beautiful, and so are all the other pictures. I can understand that you want to go back to those fiels again and again, they seem a magic place with all those swallows, the squirrel, the lizard, and the huge mustard plants!
Your pantry is lovely. It reminds me a little bit of this wardrobe we had in our room last year at the B&B where we stayed in the Provence, housed in a medieval building: http://s524.photobucket.com/albums/cc327/MeksPics/France%2006%202010/?action=view&current=France013.jpg

salty pebble said...

so beautiful julie x that feild of yellow and sunlight- i could see that on one of your plates ;0)
and the squirrell on the fence hehe.
your home is wonderful, i love looking at artists, creatives homes as they always are so unique and homely in a very personal way- such joy! love your vintage furniture and collections of other creaters art and ceramics. The botanical art collection is really lovely on your wall too.
oh i could spend all day and night admiring your art on ceramics! so lovely!!!! x

mamabeaks said...

thank you so much for all the beauty......... I love that mustard field. I love the glimpse of your beautiful home. Your friends pottery blends in so nicely with your own work. I love the Cathy Cullis poetry heart. I am lucky to own some of her art. And lastly, I am so happy that I was just able to purchase your barn owl beaker. I just visited etsy at the right moment. Yes, today is a good day!

Aunt Jenny said...

I never realized how much I missed mustard fields until I saw this post! You never see that here in Utah. I do miss it!!!
I have a serious case of cupboard love as well..yours are wonderful. That lady and dog plate is perfect..and the beakers too. I love your posts!!!

Parisbreakfasts said...

Thank you for inviting us inside and out!
What a trip :)
So much lovely work to admire.
It's impossible to choose whether to stay out or go in.
merci
carolg

The Cloth Shed said...

Lovely post inside your house and outside in the mustard fields.....cute squirrel too!
Your cupboards and china collection are fab and your Cathy Cullis heart is indeed wonderful both back and front...Love it all.
Julie x

dulcy said...

Julie I love this post. I don't believe I've seen fields of mustard before, and it's simply beautiful! What color! Also, thanks so much for the peek into your home. I enjoy seeing where artists live, and the art they love to collect. I adore my pottery you've made, and hopefully, I'll acquire a "lady plate" in the future..... sigh....
xo
dulcy

April said...

Such a treat to be able to take a peek inside your home..although I might have tracked in some yellow from visiting the mustard. Love the squirrel on the fence saying hello. There is surely inspiration all around you..appreciation of your surroundings, whether it be Nature or fellow artists. And when I look around our home, I appreciate the pieces of magic YOU have created. Thank-you, Julie.

Lori ann said...

dear julie,
there isn't enough to say about this post. i want to write what everyone has already said, times ten.

goodness gracious you live a charmed life. i feel so blessed to 'know' you.

enjoy those fields of gold.

Patricia Griffin Ceramics said...

I love this post! I feel like printing it out and carrying it around with me. Seriously. We share so many of the same likes and loves.... nature, birds, the mustard fields, Paula Teplitz pottery, Terry DeLapp paintings... The little heart with the poem on it is lovely, as is the Temmes bunny, old botanical prints...

Anonymous said...

I feel like you've just invited us into your home for morning coffee! You have such a beautiful home, Julie. Personal and warm with so many wonderful touches! Sigh. :)

I hope you have a lovely one,
~ Zuzu

colleen baptista said...

Thank you for the tour Julie. Your home seems as cozy and full of love as the art you create.

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

Wow I have never ever seen anything like this. How wonderful you thought to share this with us.
Love the idea of walking thru this and I love your home. It is so you! Can not believe you bought your first antique at 16...wow how cool was that to do. Wish I had that much sense when I was 16.
As always I love visiting you
Love
Maggie

laura said...

Hi julie stopped by for a visit. Love my visit its like opening up a fairy tale...Xo Laura

Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes said...

Hi Julie, what a beautiful post! Those mustard fields are stunning, are you thinking about capturing them in your beautiful pottery?

I loved the tour of the winery, and your home. Your home is lovely and the cupboards are just beautiful!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Mary

annamaria potamiti said...

Terrific post Julie- I loved traveling around and about your neighborhood! The squirrel phot is so fun! And your home- oh love it!!Beautiful treasures-xx

Vintage Fairy Tales Rebecka said...

Lovely surroundings, inside and outside!
Can't we all meet at your place and have a huge picknic!?
Have a GREAT day Julie
XX
Becky

Jacky said...

how beautiful are the fields of mustard with the swallows darting around. Looking forward to seeing your new pottery.

lilylovekin said...

I love mustard fields and swallows remind me of time I spent in Sienna, they flew in and around the old buildings there-it was wonderful. Thank you for the tour of your home, it is cozy and comfortable a place I would like to spend more time.

A time to dance said...

Your house looks lovely...I would love a good snoop I love nothing more than other peoples houses...your makes are wonderful (as always ) and the last picture is beautiful.....I let my friend drink her tea from your mug today and she was very happy...she thought it was amazing...

Sharon Lovejoy said...

Hi Julie,

Thanks for your comment on my blog posting which mentioned your early painting on tin. I've been away and am just catching up and answering people.

This posting is beyond lovely. Your new pieces are wonderful and you know I love Paula Teplitz's work. You both share your enchanting talents graciously.

All joys,

S

My Farmhouse Kitchen said...

what a charming post..i LOVED all of it..the mustard, the birds, the sky...loved seeing the cupboards...all of the inside of your home...LOVE the beakers and you know i LOVE~LOVE~LOVE the lady and animal pottery...


love seeing your sidebar...all so wonderful...

i don't know what happened...i thought i had been following you all along...me and these computers...i sometimes wonder .....

this post just made me HAPPY

me and teddy
xo

Ruth said...

What a great blog! I am a first time visitor and I found you and your lovely treasures and photographs. Started to laugh when I saw the Squirrel hanging on the wire. Thank you

Helen Philipps said...

What a wonderful post - I so enjoyed seeing all the beautiful things in it and entering into your delightful world. I love your new beakers so much, and your home and furniture, especially the very first piece you bought..! Just gorgeous.
Helen x

A Mermaid's Tale said...

Really enjoyed seeing into your home Julie. That first antique cupboard you bought - I love it that the faded paint hasn't been stripped off from inside the shelves. And your pantry cupboard is gorgeous too. x x

Laura said...

spellbindingly wonderful.

Flutterby Patch said...

I popped in to see you a few days ago Julie as I knew your colours would cheer me up after our long dreary wet month and how right I was! All that yellow! Send me some please! And those pink sweet peas, wonderful. I spend ages admiring your interesting treasures around the home and then typically forgot to leave a comment. You're right about Mr Fox and Badger discovering our duck's eggs. We see both those characters in the garden but neither of them found the eggs which really amazed us.

Gloria Freshley Art and Design said...

Hi Julie, Thanks so much for this wonderful post. The billowy mustard is gorgeous as are your new pieces! Wonderful to see snitches of your home. Such beauty there. Quite unusual for a 16-year-old to be buying antiques! Have a wonderful day. Gloria

Claire said...

Lovely post Julie, nice to have a little look around your home at all your treasures.........

I love Paula's pottery, wonderful and your beakers are beautifully crafted.

How stunning is that field of Mustard?...........

Looks like you are having some wonderful weather in your neck of the woods...........

It's pretty jolly chilly here today, but no complaints, I love Winter, brrrr........

Claire :}

Val said...

'So much to love here, but the Mustard field just does something for my soul. Beautiful.

melissa said...

dear julie,
i do so love your home and work! it's all so beautiful. thank you for your kind comments on my blog too. xx

bellaboo said...

Thanks for your visit and lovely comment.You have a beautiful home and I love your pottery! :0)

Aenne Carver said...

I love your house. The cupboard you store your pantry items in is amazing! I knew your home would be as charming and artful as your pottery!

Bonnie Crawford said...

Hi Julie! Miss you SO much! Looks like life is happy in Kim and Julie land--hooray! Love the beakers and the the portrait pieces--wonderful as usual!! Hope to see you one of these days soon!
Love, Bonnie

Mayie said...

Beautifull blog and works.

J'aime beaucoup votre travail!

This is my blog: Je suis restée à Rome.

Bue, bye!

Vicki Boster said...

Oh Julie- I have never seen anything like that mustard- so beautiful are those photos. What an amazing place to visit. Thanks for sharing that incredible walk--

Your home is absolutely just as I would have imagined it for you- every detail is so YOU and I loved seeing these photos. The picture of your pottery collection- your own works- is fabulous. I love all of your treasures- the heart is gorgeous. I loved this little peek into your cupboards and home--
Vicki

Unknown said...

Very interesting...!!

PCovi said...

I'm intrigued by you!
When I was 16...I would also have used babysitting money to buy an antique.
Your home is wonderful :) I want to come ramble around, okay?

Tracy said...

I too use a cupboard like that for dry goods! It's in my living room! I live in a 40's bungalow style house and apparently kitchen cupboards weren't high on the priority list. I'm happy to see that I'm not the only one that does this :))
Also, I'm LOVING your pottery!!! Beautiful work that makes me smile. Can't wait to see some additions to your ETSY store.

Animals who garden

Animals who garden
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