Welcome to Lydia McCauley's Garden of Simples Blog

The highest reward for a person's toil is not what they get from it, but what they become by it. - John Ruskin



Lydia McCauley and Kurt Scherer are owners of STONEHOUSE ARTIFACTS, offering Treasures from Colonial India. Online Here.

Our shop is located in Bellingham, Washington. We welcome you to come and visit our small estate, enjoy the grounds and share a cup of Chai.



Wednesday, November 28, 2012



+++ In the Pines +++

Years ago, while attending Berea College in Kentucky, I heard a folksong called "In the Pines".  It was so dark and sad.  I still remember the tune.  (I love songs like that for some reason.....)

Well, this grouping of items isn't sad and dark.  Oh no.  I love the play between the browns and light blue.


    

'In the Pines' by gardenofsimples

Looking Out My Back Door - original 8x10 fine art print from the award winning photographer - EastPhotographics
Franciscan cup and saucer, Silver Pine pattern, light blue off white. - EclecticBlueVintage
Vintage Cast Iron Pine Cones / Winter Holiday Woodland Decor - reclaimer
Rustic Deer Antler Buttons - PILLOW COVER in Brown Burlap by JillianReneDecor Woodland Cabin Winter Home Decor Gift for Him - JillianReneDecor
Large Filigree Earrings, Dangle Earrings Large Drop Lacy Pattern Spanish Doily Denim Blue Aqua, Turquoise, Rustic, Patina Jewelry, Boho Chic - apocketofposies
Antique Woven Chairs / American Rustic Lodge Chairs - 86home
Deer antler iphone 5 case, for men, plastic case, gadget cover, Christmas gift, under 50, coffee brown, dudes (IN STOCK) - Raceytay
Vintage Chandelier Elegant Rustic Brown Cream Wedding Gift Home Decor Print - opus81
antique cast iron fish molds - wretchedshekels
Pine Cone Earrings, Long Dangle Earrings Pinecone Christmas Silver Pewter Winter Woodland Jewelry,  Forest Nature Inspired Jewellery - apocketofposies
Brown Knit Fingerless Gloves - PurlsandIvy
Rustic Trays Set, Vintage wood trays in Brown and Blue, Autumn decor, living room, cottage chic - MeshuMaSH
Rustic Woodenware Bowl with Carved Pinecone and Pine Needles - susantique
Pine Cone lip embellishment in eco friendly tube - ForStrangeWomen
Pine Cone Tags Round Gift Tags Set of 10 - PetitePaperie
SLUGS Fleece Rain Boot Liners Leather Brown, Rustic Neutral Graphic Circle Pattern Cuff, Fall Fashion, Rainy Day Style (Med/Lg 9-11 Boot) - WithTheRain




~~~ Enjoy this day ~~~


   

Wednesday, November 21, 2012




+++ This is a partial treasury list from Etsy.com - Garden Inspired +++
Curated by Irit from MeshuMash { wonderful vintage shop in Israel }






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~~~ wishing those in the u.s. a very happy thanksgiving ~~~





Friday, November 16, 2012


+++  November Morning Walk +++

Subtle and muted colors of Autumn











~~~ visit the countryside with a friend ~~~



Thursday, November 15, 2012



+++  As the days grow darker I find myself drawn to indigo and black.  
Here are some extraordinary indigo and black offerings from extraordinary shopkeepers +++     


 

'I'll have a Bleu Christmas' by gardenofsimples

indigo to black



rustic bleu
Long Grey Fingerless Gloves, Knitted Autumn Gray Mittens, Commuter Gloves, Light Grey Mist - KnittingWonders
indigo hand dyed vintage tablecloth - enhabiten
Nine Vintage Blue Mercury Glass Christmas Ornaments  - Instant Collection - shavingkitsuppplies
Black Druzy Gold Ring - friedasophie
Raku Decorative plate and vessels set. - AuntMagdaCeramics
Venice Photography - Aged Green Balcony in Venice, Italy 8x10 Photograph - Italian Decor - Romance - rebeccaplotnick
Wheel Thrown Serving Bowl - Handmade Blue and White - MissPottery
Blue and Rust Tweed  Wrist warmers / fingerless gloves / arm warmers - LetsBacktrack
Black dress with flower applique and rhinestones, 1950s 1960s, small to medium, party, Christmas - MariaAndLouise
Canadian Rockies Sunrise Photography Print 11x14 Fine Art Northern Lights Lake Winter Mountain Landscape Photography Print. - WildWildernessPhotos
a n t i q u e shaving mirror - Harmonicajane
Winter again 1 - Snowy black and white rustic nursery wall decal winter storm snow and trees winter forest decor first snow wall decoration - mingtaphotography
primitive wooden caddy - sadieolive
Made to order : Indigo "Etoile" Feedsack Tea Towel - White on Navy Indigo & Cochineal Natural Dyed Cotton - knifeinthewater
10pc  c1890 - 1900 Warwick Flow Blue Berry Bowl Set - BoudreauCollection
collage sur carton / avec pages de livres anciens / collage on cardboard / with old book's page - tetedecaboche1965



Indigo is a color named after the blue dye derived from the plant Indigofera tinctoria and related species. The color is placed on the electromagnetic spectrum between about 420 and 450 nm in wavelength, placing it between blue and violet
The first recorded use of indigo as a color name in English was in 1289.
India is believed to be the oldest center of indigo dyeing in the Old World. It was a primary supplier of indigo dye, derived from the plant Indigofera tinctoria, to Europe as early as the Greco-Roman era. The association of India with indigo is reflected in theGreek word for the 'dye,' which was indikon (ινδικόν). The Romans used the term indicum, which passed into Italian dialect and eventually into English as the word indigo. The country of El Salvador has lately been the biggest producer of indigo.
The same indigo dye is contained in the woad plant, Isatis tinctoria, for a long time the main source of blue dye in Europe. Woad was replaced by true indigo as trade routes opened up, and both are now largely replaced by synthetic dyes. - From Wikipedia



~~~ remember the name WOAD?  ~~~


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