Rachel is turning on the lights !

As soon as the new Rachel Ashwell book came out..... I rushed to the bookstore in Portsmouth NH, expecting a huge Ashwell display greeting me as I came thru the front door.

Did not happen.

I went to the desk and asked for the location of the new Rachel Ashwell book....

"Who?" asked the lady at the counter.

I was aghast... but then my husband had just asked me the same question... oh well it was not gonna dampen my spirit...

As I repeated my request, the counterlady began typing on the computer and responded.... "all I see is a book titled Shabby CHICK Interiors and it is back-ordered until October 3. Would you like for us to call you when it comes in?"

I still don't have my copy of the book yet...

but today I received a mass email from Rachel ... letting me know that she is turning on the lights at her 2 original stores. The store in Santa Monica re-opened Sept 12!

here is a link to her blog with the details.
http://www.rachelashwellshabbychic.blogspot.com/

I am a huge fan of Rachel's design and have used her philosophy in making our house a home.

Today I am so happy to hear of her return and wish her success.

hanging onto the last days of summer

Last week I arranged the last of summer hydrangeas into the blue willow ginger jar in our bedroom. It is so late in the season, these flowers can dry in the ginger jar, retaining their muted color well into spring.

As I began writing this post, my eye caught The Wentworth-by-the-sea hotel in the mantel picture. I love the Wentworth and its rich history. The Wentworth was built in 1874 in New Castle NH (Portsmouth) and served as an east coast resort for many years. In 1905, Teddy Roosevelt brought the peace talks between Russia and Japan to the Wentworth. These peace talks resulted in the Portsmouth Treaty and brought the end of the Russo-Japanese War. TR won a nobel peace prize for overseeing these peace talks. Sadly, during the 1980s-1990s the hotel was closed and scheduled for tear down. Yes tear down.. however, the local community founded the "Friends of the Wentworth" which eventually became the catalyst for saving this wonderful piece of history from destruction. Today, the Wentworth-by-the-sea has been totally renovated and operates as a full resort and a wonderful piece of history.

Finding myself still hanging onto the colors of a summer garden.... but knowing that here in Maine the mornings are crisper, the sun sets earlier, and believe it or not Halloween is 47 days away.

Not quite ready for pumpkins yet.... but soon.