CONGHAILE COTTAGE

CONGHAILE COTTAGE
"The love of gardening is a seed that once sown never dies" ...Gertrude Jekyll...

Translator

Saturday, September 4, 2010

"Papillon Pass Bunny Brunch"...

My Antique Limoges Lapin Box & A German Salt glazed trinket box I use for sugar(Another special gift from My Ginny, "Love you Ginny")... AND speaking of Bunnies, there was one on "My Papillon Pass" This morning!!!
"Ah Yes! It is a PERFECT DAY"...Be Sure to "WATCH&Listen to THIS VIDEO"... I Promise you will NOT be disappointed... This is a little gift from "Joanne@Seasonal Hearth and Home" (Thank you Joanne! Hugs to you!!!)
Baby Cottontail lives in my garden... I know... giving him a generous supply of carrots everyday "isn't" going to make him "want to leave THIS nest anytime soon"... "WELL, I just can't help myself"!!!
"Look at that face"... Tell me now... if he was "Hoppin down YOUR Bunny Trail"... Outside your door "Could you resist"???
NOW, this guy is a different story! Bunnies don't seem to have a population explosion here on my land because of the amount of predictors we have...BUT!!! This guy is the "CUTEST little pest EVER", there are BILLIONS of them "ALL over the PLACE", if you were to sit in my yard it's cartoon-ish how MANY of them there are... They LOVE my gardens and although my little chippy here is "eating what he should be"... I DID NOT get a picture of him "Stripping my apple tree of EVERY apple". Yes Mr Chipmunk we know it's YOU, I can smell the apple on your breath... AND YES I know you ate my rose bush to a NUB this year too. Although I WILL forgive you for that one BECAUSE it was just a compulsive thingy and you don't usually do that! BUT if you do it next year I WILL put you into therapy! 
With all the "Nibblers" out there on my "Papillon Pass" I decided to have a Bunny Brunch... I'm using "Dedham Pottery Cups&Saucers", "Pfaltzgraff Folk Art Coffee Pot", "Crabtree&Evelyn London Masons Blue&White Ironstone plates", "Bennington Pottery milk jugs", "Antique German Salt Glazed Pottery sugar(gift from Sweet Ginny)"...On the left window ledge in the picture is an "Antique carved wooden lunch bucket from Finland"(with it's original blue paint)...
My Rocking Chair is A 19th century Victorian Wakefield Rocker... We bought this treasure in the 1970s in Wells, Maine along with a carload of other similar treasures... That is when I FIRST discovered my life could NEVER be driven with a car... A "Truck" of some kind would ALWAYS have to accompany me in my travels... This particular trip was made with my old sky blue Plymouth Duster, and by the time we arrived home it was "STUFFED" with this rocker, an antique Edison crank turntable, an antique tea cart, "A PUPPY", and a rosewood love seat tied to the roof. It "RAINED" and although the love seat did just fine, my vehicle had rose red stripes for months until Hubby could scrub them off... "That Victorian Chair ROCKED all three of My Baby Boys" SO it has added "More Memories to it's Centuries of Remembrances"...
"Crabtree&Evelyn London, Masons Blue&White Stoneware"... I LOVE the color, it's actually a creamy white&blue...LOVE,LOVE,LOVE it!!! Dedham Pottery from Massachusetts is also another blue&white favorite, especially with the bunnies and crackle finish... Note that the Bennington Pottery little milk jug resembles a "Blueberry"... "I LOVE that and always use it with ALL my blue&white dishes"...To me it ALWAYS matches perfectly! "Bennington Vermont" has such fond memories of growing up. My Mom, Dad, Brother and I used to spend lots of time there... All the Bennington Pottery I own has Such Special sentimental value to it and whenever I'm mixing up a bowl of pancake batter in their unique bowl or sipping from one of their mugs I "Reminisce of Loving Days spent in Bennington with my Family"... If you ever visit Bennington Vermont I guarentee it will be a "Favorite Place", AND You WILL have to visit "Bennington Pottery" and bring home "Lots&Lots of new Treasures"!!! 

"Here is a Closeup of my Antique Handmade Belgium small Tablecloth"!!! This is one of My Favorites... AND considering, "right outside my window, at this very second there are CLOUDS of butterflies whirling around", I thought it was PERFECT for the occasion!
"Dedham Pottery", I LOVE everything about this pottery, from it's pattern to it's crackle finish!!! This stone bunny hangs out in my "Houseplants", and never gives me ANY trouble... He seems to have picked out a couple of books to his liking from my library, and some "Fine Choices they are"! The little rocker is "VERY Special to me" It was a gift from one of my Best Friends EVER Janet(Love you Janet)... It is VERY old and each part of it looks hand chiseled... LOVE IT!!!
"Outside the window"...Notice the Hummingbird Moth on the right...
"A small section of my Papillon Pass"... If you were  to meander through it and see the activity here you would see it's name is understandably apropos... I can view "These" gardens from my Library, Kitchen & Breakfast Room... "All my Close Encounters here this morning made me decide to have a Bunny Brunch"...

I'm Linking to
"Sunday Favorites@Happy to Design"
"Memory Lane Monday@Brynwood Needleworks"... 

"Fishtail Cottage"...

82 comments:

Martha said...

Your blue and white is lovely -- I love anything blue and white!

Olive said...

You are so right about the truck! Your garden is lovely. The china is beautiful. I love that bunny basket. We fight squirrels here at the yellow house all the time. Joe made tacky things to thwart them from the bird feeders. Deer eat my roses and I only have a few. Have a wonderful weekend. hugs♥olive

Joanne said...

Beautiful photos! I just love them! YOu are never going to beieve what I watched just this week:
The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Benjamin Bunny
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXEHA6-5J-M&p=A042DED6437F7977&playnext=1&index=43)
Thank you for the peek!
Joanne

Debbie said...

Oh Donna! Is it too dramatic to say that this post is enchanting? Probably so, but heck, I'll say it anyway. I love the inside AND outside views and would have missed the hummingbird moth (didn't know that there was such a thing) if you had not pointed it out.

My daughter would sure love a papillon pass at our house. She does love the butterflies.

Glad I stopped by.

Johanna Gehrlein said...

Donna, I am blown away from your garden. I can understand Baby Cottontail and Mr. Chipmunk very well - I would love to live in your garden, too. All the animals feel that your garden is a real paradise.
Greetings, Johanna

Donna said...

What gorgeous photographs! I adore your blue and white dishes, especially your display in the basket! So very creative! We have lots of nibblers in our yard, too! The bunnies totally destroyed my two rows of dill this summer, they loved it more that I do, I guess!

Sarah said...

Donna, wht fun to open my computer this morning and first thing be treated to this "Bunny Brunch." Dedham pottery has long held a spot in my heart. I've but just a few pieces, but each is treasured.
I'd welcome that little bunny too. Chipmunks aren't a problem here, but squirrels certainly are. Not only have they destroyed our beautiful Japanese Maple this past year, these rascals have chewed up our outdoor cushions.
So give me sweet little bunnies anyday. :-)
Thanks again for sharing these beautiful vignettes for my Saturday morning. ~ Sarah

Anonymous said...

Hi Donna! Oh, I don't blame you - I'd be feeding that cute little bunny too! I just never see them around our house. Mr. Chipmunk is a cutie but if he's anything like Mr. Squirrel who comes around her constantly, he's a toot! :)
Now your dishes - I love them. The little bunny box - be still my heart! Your olden linen and the tea pot are so lovely! And the rocking chair - wonderful!
You just always have the most beautiful posts!
Thank you for popping in to see me and have a wonderful weekend.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

"THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU Joanne" for the video to add!!! Giant Hugs, Donna

Ms Bingles Vintage Christmas said...

Wow, you are so lucky!
What wonderful views!
I could just get lost in your pictures!
Thank you for sharing!
Leticia

Hearts Turned said...

Everything is just so beautiful, Donna...even those pesky little critters!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Julie

Celestial Charms said...

Hi Donna,
This is my first visit to your blog, and I'm so thrilled to be here. I was thrilled to see the name of your blog as I was actually born a Connolly, and hail from NYC...although now I'm living in Texas. The grounds of your home are so beautiful. Strolling around must be such a peaceful experience. The bunny is adorable, and the chipmunk too. All of your blue and white pieces are very pretty.
Have a wonderful holiday weekend.
Maureen

The Tablescaper said...

Oh I wish I could just climb into my screen and join you. The wild animals are just amazing and your table is so inviting. I always love blue and white. This is a wonderful collection and mix.

Hope to see you at Seasonal Sundays.

- The Tablescaper

Olive said...

Donna, I am back. I adore Beatrix Potter and have a biography of her I have read twice. olive♥

GardenOfDaisies said...

OH what a wonderful post! I love Dedham bunnies! Love the way you mix and matched all the blues. And the bunny in your garden is sweet too!
Hope you are having a great weekend!!

Olivia said...

Oh my goodness this is a beautiful post so nice to discover you. The dishes are just amazing and the bunnies are too cute.
Hugs,
Olivia

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

"I'M LINKING TODAY to SEASONAL SUNDAYS @ The TABLESCAPER... PLEASE come visit EVERYONE...
http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/2010/09/seasonal-sundays-14-sun-sets-on-summer.html

Jeanne Henriques said...

Beautiuful photos...sweet bunny, how could anyone resist that gorgeous creature! A gentle soul.

Happy Sunday!!

Jeanne :)

Sue said...

What beautiful blues and whites! The patterns all flow together so well. Cute little critters, too. I don't get cute bunnies- I get moles who wreak havoc on my lawn. AAACCKKK....
~ Sue

Sue said...

I'm going to say it again...your photos should be somewhere besides a blog. I love seeing them, but your eye for "staging" is just remarkable. What is the wicker bunny over the basket?

I wish I had your view from my house...it looks like fairy land!

Diann said...

First off, what stunning photos! And all your beautiful blue and whites are just amazing! Everything looks just gorgeous!

Kathleen said...

Beautiful dishes and I love the drop leaf table. Come visit the other Connolly, Donna!

Lynn said...

Cute post, you handle the critters eating your garden much better than I do! Very pretty dishes!

Ticking and Toile said...

Hi Donna,
That post WAS enchanting! I love that little snippet of the movie. I'd love to find that film, my girls & I would really enjoy it. Your blog is really neat...aren't chipmunks just the cutest little things? I don't know that I'd be so good natured, however, if one ate my rose bush!!! :) Thanks so much for coming by.

xo,
Shellagh

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Enjoyed seeing all your blues and whites, and your garden creatures. No rabbits here (yet), but have lots of squirrels :(, couple of chipmonks, a frog that has made himself at home, and bug life that is out of control.
Hope you are enjoying your weekend.
Thanks for stopping by.

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

I am LINKING to The HOUSE in the ROSES @
http://houseinroses.blogspot.com/2010/09/show-off-your-cottage-monday.html
Come over and see how Gorgeous everything is!!!
Hugs, Donna

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

I'm LINKING with Smiling Sallys BLUE MONDAY... Come visit with everyone...@
http://smilingsally.blogspot.com/

maria said...

You have a beautiful blue and white collection.

My Blue Monday.

Entertaining Women said...

I'm a blue and white girl, too; and I adore bunnies. I find myself using them in my tablescapes and in my decorating quite often. Thank you for sharing in your charming post. Cherry Kay

Rebecca said...

I love that you're feeding the animals-I think that is so wonderful!

Lisa McDonald said...

I absolutely love blue dinnerware!

SmilingSally said...

Donna, please place the link to Blue Monday within your post and come back to link in to Mr. Linky.

Donna @ The House on the Corner said...

**Sigh**

So, so pretty Donna.....I can just imagine the beautiful, peaceful ambiance of your home and surroundings. If there was ever anything to tempt me to leave my wonderful Texas it would be to live where you do!!!

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Donna, for popping in to see my kitchen! Happy Labor Day! No, I decided not to sleep on the countertops! :)
Be a sweetie,
shelia :)

Kathy said...

Oh I just love chipmunks! We used to have more, but we have too many cats here! We do have a population explosion of squirrels though! They ate all my pears!
I am going to harvest my crabapples soon - so far no one seems interested!
Love your china and once again, you did a wonderful job arranging everything,
Kathy

Debbie said...

What a beautiful post!!! and your pictures are so wonderful!!! I love how you pulled everything together...the pics and the writing...very nice.
Debbie@houseatthelake

Marlis said...

Love your garden "pests" or is that "pets"? We have squirrels and then the neighborhood kitties that came by for a snack out the back door... Can't imagine how it gets there. LOL. I love your collections. They are amazing. Simply put - beautiful.

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

I'M LINKING TODAY to Sandi with "Tea Time Tuesday" @
http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/2010/09/welcome-to-tea-time-tuesday.html
She has the most BEAUTIFUL THINGS set up today, and everyone is waiting for you to PEEK at their beautiful things too...
Hugs, Donna

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

I'M LINKING to "Marty today"@
http://astrollthrulife.blogspot.com/2010/09/29th-table-top-tuesday.html
"STROLL on over and SEE HOW festive she has set up for fall!!! LOVE HER!!! and also there are so many WONDERFUL TABLE TOPS to visit today!!!
Hugs, Donna

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Gorgeous!! Loving all your beautiful pictures and your blog! Just found it - coming over from Table top Tuesday. New follower here! :)

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

How sweet is that little baby bunny girl..I have those dishes think I got them in the early 90's need to unpack and start using them again ha ha!! Hope your having a great Labor day without the labor ha ha!! Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

The Tablescaper said...

Your post is even more beautiful the second time I see it. Thanks so much for being a part of Seasonal Sundays.

- The Tablescaper

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Donna,
What can I say about your post? It is a delight, from the video to the china to the adorable wild life on your property! I love Beatrix Potter and all her lovely stories! I adore bunnies and chipmunks and I love your sense of humor. What a wonderful respite to sit and take tea with you! Thanks for sharing and enjoy your little critters!

Blessings,
Sandi

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Oh your little "friend" is just a little mischief isn't he!!!! Your pics are wonderful though. Your vignette is stunning. You still do some of the best vignettes I have ever seen. I love seeing how you put different things together. So beautiful. Thanks so much for linking to TTT. Hugs, Marty

sweet violets said...

Donna, thanks for your visit....I am from a small town in New York State, Ithaca.....I think it was called the Ithaca Pottery.....I still remember my mom bringing me there and how big the ovens were for firing the pottery, I was very little and the fire was pretty scary....Cleo

sweet violets said...

Its me again.....just viewed the video....I have the set....it was a special on PBS many years ago......I just loved the stories, and my daughter gifted me with the videos one year.....we also have all the books and stories she wrote....guess we are big fans!!! I will have my rabbits on parade for the barnyard bash on Friday....come visit then.....

Lori said...

To catch a hummingbird like that is amazing. I like the blue floral plates and have always like dedham pottery. Great display.

xinex said...

What a wonderful post, such beautiful photos and your garden is just lovely. I love your pottery dishes and accessories and even the critters. We have lots of chipmunks and squirrels but I have not seen a single bunny in the yard....Christine

Susan Freeman said...

What a wonderful post. So many delightful elements. Thank you!!

Love,
Susan and Bentley
xxoo

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

I'M LINKING TODAY to Tea Cup Tuesday with Martha... I HAVE TO show off my bunnies... Please come see everyone's beautiful posts @
http://www.marthasfavorites.com/2010/09/tea-cup-tuesday-no-27.html

Blondie's Journal said...

I couldn't resist feeding and loving all these little critters, even though the bunnies ate most of my veggie garden this year!! The chipmunks are definitely cute...I had to laugh when you said your yard was 'cartoonish'!!

Love your stoneware and pottery!! Very pretty and the rocker is one of a kind. I would absolutely find room for it in my car!!

Happy TT Tueaday!

xoxo
Jane

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

I'm LINKING on FRIDAY to ...
I LOVE PRETTY LITTLE THINGS
to visit more blogs featuring Friday Pretties @
http://iloveprettylittlethings.blogspot.com/2010/09/once-again-my-little-june-bug-says.html

Lynn-Teacupstitches said...

Hi Donna!
I am simply loving all your blue china and pottery! I just may have to switch my color scheme again :-)
And I love rabbits so your post was extra sweet to me! The pottery and the furry kind HA!! We have a gazillion also but only a couple chipmunks that I've seen. Those little critters run sooooo fast.
Thanks for the big smile today!!
Bunny Hugs,
Lynn

Bookie said...

I saw some different blue and whites here. Liked them all! I esp. liked that first plate...lovely.

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

I'm LINKING to ARTFUL AFIRMATIONS, TEA CUP TUESDAY! @
http://artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com/2010/09/tea-cup-tuesday-chintz.html
Come and see how "BEAUTIFUL" everyone has set up their treasures...
Hugs, Donna

Terri said...

Hello! What a lovely post!
I watched the video, I own that one, but haven't watched it since my children were little. We always loved it when "Peter" drinks from her teacup. Two years ago I was able to reach a life long wish of visiting Hill Top Farm. It was such a delight to be in Beatrix's home!
Your dishes are all beautiful, and they all look right at home together. The plates with the bunnies are fab, as well as the matching tea cups and saucers.
The photos of your gardens and furry visitors are beautiful as well.
Thank you so much for posting the video and for showing us your lovely home and china. I really enjoyed my visit.
Hugs,
Terri

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

"I'm linking to OUTDOOR WEDNESDAY@
http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/
Come and explore all the BEAUTY over at Outdoor Wednesday...
Hugs, Donna

Cindy said...

You have a very fun blog. I loved seeing the rabbit, we have many in our neighborhood, and of course the chipmunk. We have squirrels in our part of Canada, lots of them!
Hugs, Cindy

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

What a totally enchanting Tea Time post!! So charming!!

Debbie

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

"I'M LINKING today with Susan"@
http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/
PLEASE come by and see what gorgeous settings are waiting there for you to have tea!
Hugs, Donna

Denise Marie said...

what an amazing post. love what ya see out your front door and back patio too. I have many squirrel pests around here...we don't see bunnies and chimpunks but it looks like you and I love bunnies about the same. lol

found you from The Blackberry Vine.

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

"I'm LINKING to Vintage Thingy"@
http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/2010/09/vintage-thingie-thursday_08.html
Stop by and see all the "Goodies"!!!
Hugs, Donna

bj said...

Oh, my...this is a stunning post. Your dishes are just awesome and so pretty. Love the little rabbits..
Love everything shown here...great job.

Linda (More Fun Less Laundry) said...

Hi Donna, I love love love all your bunnies and the blue and white--my favorite combo I think. And those books were in my hometown library when I was a kid--they were even old then! My chipmunks get into everything, but they are soooo cute I can't resist. I did manage to get them to move out from under my kitchen doorstep, and into the rocks near the driveway. I haven't been around lately, so tomorrow I am going back to visit your recent posts! I know I will enjoy them. Linda

Marigene said...

Love all the blue and white...the bunny plates are adorable, Donna!

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

Love your dishes and your adorable, yet pesky, pests.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful post with some great memories!

Have a wonderful ViNtAgE tHiNgIe ThUrSdAy!

Sarah

Vonlipi said...

I could send you my cat Billy Bob! He's a great hunter and he LOVES chipmunks!

Lovely blue and white vignettes :)

Linda said...

What a fun time I had reading your post...I have bunnies here too, but they eat big spots in the grass and we had to figure a way to keep them out.

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

"I'M LINKING today to "SHOW&TELL FRIDAY"@
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2010/09/show-and-tell-friday_09.html
Over at "My Romantic Home"... LOVE her STYLE!!! Just Gorgeous, and You'll love EVERYONE over there... Come take a peek and stay awhile!!!
Hug, Donna

Sallie said...

This is lovely. You take wonderful photos. So, "bunny" cute.

Kate Dickerson said...

Once again, you have delighted me with the most enchanting story, as well as tablescape. I LOVE what you do! Thank you.

Vintage Home said...

...So glad I found you...i love blue!...your photos of your garden pets are adorable!...I shall follow!

Tea in Texas said...

This posting really spoke to me for I love the outdoors with the bunny and the indoors with the bunny china. The blue and white china is so very pretty the way you displayed it on your lovely wood table. I have the bunny teapot on a chair with my dog books, stuffed cats and dogs, and Snoopy. We have wild bunnies in our bushes and creek area that pop up but never near our Collie, Shelby.

Susan said...

Your natural wicker is so pretty with the lace and the blue and white china! What a romantic setting.

Donna@Conghaile Cottage said...

"I'm LINKING today with BARGAIN HUNTING @
http://bargainhuntingwithlaurie.blogspot.com/
PLEASE stop by and see what everyone is "Showing off for their FAVORITE THINGS"!!!
Hugs, Donna

Melanie {The Tiny Tudor} said...

Lovely tablescape. I so agree with you, chipmunks really are the "CUTEST little pest EVER" : )

Rhondi said...

Hi Donna
I really enjoyed the bunny brunch in your charming home. You may know that I love blue and white china so I especially enjoyed this!
Hugs, Rhondi

Julie Marie said...

Hello Donna... I popped over from Tracie's at Fishtail Cottage... your gardens are stunning and I love all the little critters!... I especially love the photo of your butterfly bush with the swallowtail and hummingbird moth... xoxo Julie Marie

Brynwood Needleworks said...

Dear Donna:
I love your post and that you and I share so many common memories! You know how much I adore blue and white dishes, too, right?

Thank you for posting your bunny memories link and for joining Memory Lane Mondays today.
Hugs from FL,
xoxo
Donna

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Hi Donna,
Your blue and white is lovely. I enjoyed looking at your wildlife photos too. The chipmunk is too cute! Have a wonderful day.

Blessings,
Sandi

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hi Donna...

My friend, this is just the sweetest post ever! I sooo enjoyed it! Of course, who could resist that darling little bunny and cute chipmunk? Hehe! Well Donna...you have done it again, my friend! You have set the most beautiful table for all of us to enjoy! You know, I only have one set of dishes in blue so I really enjoyed seeing some of your beautiful blues! I really do like the Dedham pottery...it was my first time to see it! Love, love, LOVE the little pitchers! Ohh..and the carved wooden lunch box from Finland...I would love to see more of that! Totally awesome!

Thanks so much for sharing your little furry creatures and beautiful blue and white table with us today for the Sunday Favorites party! I loved it!

Have a super Sunday, dear friend!
Chari