"By Invitation Only" November 2012 Post

Little did I know when we planned on posting the 1st Tuesday of each month that eventually we

would end up on Election Day in the USA.

Anyway.

Perhaps this is a lovely diversion from the non-stop political coverage, and after tonight

the entire world will know who our next president will be.

Our topic for November is one of sharing, which we all thought was appropriate with our

Thanksgiving coming at the end of this month, and Christmas holidays fast approaching.

Sharing.  I think this is what my circle of blog friends is all about.  

I love laughing over a simple thing with them, crying over their sadnesses, and finding joy in the

smallest little DIY project or the birth of a new baby in their families.

Today we are going to share with you blogs which you may not know about...yet.

Women who have enchanted us, absorbed us and interested us.

Women we think you should meet too.

painting by deborah bigeleisen

the above images capture the essence of Eleanora as I see her

soft and feminine, an interior designer in Rome, Italy,

who tells a story about the designs she highlights in her blog.

Her blog is called

Boiserie & C.

HERE

she says "interior design is a reflection of the personality,

& it becomes the hallmark of everyday living in your space."

I admire her so much, love the way she presents her blog and, therefore,

her personality.  Hop over and introduce yourself when you have a moment.

******************************************************* 

This blog may not be new to some of you, as I know many of my friends already

follow Pamela, but if it is new to you I encourage you to gift yourself with a visit

to this enchanting and wonderful woman's place in blogland.

Pamela Terry & Edward

Edward, of course, is the big lovable white shaggy dog of hers.

Pamela has just published a little book which would make a wonderful gift to

our girlfriends, mothers, sisters, daughters.  In fact, Joni @ Cote d'Texas recently did a

post about Pamela and I'm going to include some of her words here:

One of my favorite blogs is The House of Edward, written by interior designer Pamela Terry.  Pamela started her blog a year after me, so she’s been at it for over four years now.  Although she is an interior designer by trade, her blog is filled with essays instead of design pictures.   The essays cover all topics – some sad, some poignant, others  wistful, or just plain funny.  Recently, Pamela collected her favorite essays and put them in book form – accompanied by illustrations of her big fluffy white dog Edward and herself – done by Amber Alexander.  

Below, please enjoy an essay from her book.

 Be forewarned – after reading the essay you will be yearning 

to host a fall dinner party for a few dear friends:

After the Dinner Party

The guests are all gone and the dishes are done.  

The cottage speaks only in whispers now, 

in the muffled tick tock tick of the old clock in the bookcase, 

in the now and then crackle of the diminishing blaze still slightly aglow within the stone fireplace. 

 Edward dozes at my feet as I sit comfortably curled like a cat, 

deep in the arms of the orange velvet chair, 

sipping a toddy that is warm and so sweet. 

The playful personality of the midnight wind has changed since the arrival of November.  

It sounds more serious somehow, moving through the black leaves 

outside with a purpose, sending shadows through the window panes, 

muted grey dancers that silently waltz round the candlelit walls.  

I watch them move and imagine the music only they can hear.  

Surely, this is the essence of contentment.  

It had been the best sort of day.  

One spent chopping and slicing, stirring and tasting; 

a day decorated with antique china and pink flowers,

 old-fashioned music and red, red wine, 

happy dog snapping under the chairs of happy dinner guests.  

The cottage had been redolent with the cozy fragrances 

of fresh apple pie, crusty bread, boeuf bourguignon simmering in a fat red pot – 

the menu I had promised for the first truly cold weekend of autumn. 

There had been spirited talk of books and of movies, music and Christmas, 

of Italian landscapes, bagpipes and Renaissance art.  

Cooking for friends, making them welcome, is such a satisfying occupation 

at any season of the year, but especially just now.  

When the nights become longer and the temperature drops it seems that a spirit 

of merriment knocks at the door, a woodland sorcerer clad in robes of crimson leaves and cardinal feathers whose talent is pure hospitality.  

I am happy to serve as his apprentice.  

An elegant soul, he is a bit more formal than his counterparts of summer, 

those alfresco fairies of barefoot spontaneity and pink champagne. 

 No, he seems to prefer dressier occasions - richer colours, richer foods.  

He is all red roses and tapestry, mulled wine and dark chocolate - 

his candles are scented with chestnuts and pomegranate, and he hides the recordings of Debussy, preferring to fill the house with Mozart instead.  

A most convivial fellow, I highly recommend giving him free rein in your household all season long.  

I promise you shall have even more fun than your guests.

of course, you see why I adore this blog, she makes everything magical

and at this moment we need "magical."

To order her book please go HERE

To enjoy her blog please hop HERE

In the spirit of sharing why don't you tell us about a blog you love which

we may not know about?

Good idea?  Yes, I think it is.

Thank each one of you for reading our international group each month.

Sometimes we cannot all participate, but we all support each other as much

as possible.

Members of "By Invitation Only" please link up below.