The routine of the morning is to find my way to the kitchen, bleary eyed, and turn on the coffee maker. I don't think that I would trade my morning cup of coffee for anything. On gazing out the window, I saw the most beautiful fog, just sitting on the snow.
The misty cool gray is such a welcome sight. It is easy on the eyes and calming to my spirit. It is such a nice diversion from the glitz and glam of the last few weeks. The bright reds and greens, the razzle, dazzle tinsel of the parties...now it is time for the neutral colors. The soft opportunities to look around without distraction and see the simple beauty of the world.
Our house is back to its state of preholiday simplicity...not really simple, just so much less color and clutter.
The neutral palette of natural wood, sea shells, the silvery gray of the aluminum collection...it all makes me so happy. On the subject of collections, and specifically collecting aluminum, I don't know is you noticed that I have a link to The Aluminist on the side of my blog. My friend Dannie Woodard has been writing about aluminum for longer than I have been collecting it. She has written two books on the subject, both having been a big help to me when I first started collecting. She now has an interesting and informative blog. Her last post was about aluminum caddies...the kind that you would use to hold magazines or newspapers. Since I have been trying to collect one tray in each motif made by Arthur Armour, I found that I could fit 8 trays in one magazine holder. A different use for the caddy, but perhaps an appropriate one?
Each of the trays is about 9" x 14" and although I love to display them on the hutch, I now have 24 trays, all the same size as the one I am showing with the snowflakes, however each tray has a different motif (picture) on it. I know of 29, and hope to find the other 5 this year. If you have ever considered collecting these vintage pieces, click on over to Dannie's blog....she is a wealth of information and as passionate about it as I am.
Getting back to the theme of neutral decor, I will be taking my cue from Mother Nature for a while. Putting together the colors that we are naturally enjoying in this season. As we all know though, Spring is just around the corner and with the advent of warmer weather, fickle Mother Nature will give us a completely different palette to play with.
This post is being linked to Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday, Little Red House for Mosaic Monday, and Smiling Sallies for Blue Monday, because if you look carefully, you will find my favorite turquoise blue in some of the pictures. Please stop by their blogs and check out the other lovely Monday posts.
♥, Susan
Nice to get back to simple days after all the hoopla :) I love your trays, very pretty in the rack, great idea!
Happy New Year!
Posted by: Carol | January 02, 2011 at 12:06 PM
I've about had it with the holiday hustle and bustle and traffic. And I don't blame you a bit about the coffee. I feel the exact same way!
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda Kula | January 02, 2011 at 12:11 PM
I love these colors, they remind me of a pretty beachy scene. Great photos! Happy New Years to you and your family.!
Posted by: Eileen | January 02, 2011 at 02:56 PM
You are so right...the fog and neutral colors are a relief to the eyes and spirit! It has been good to get back to pre-holiday decorating, cooking, and living!
Your Aluminum Collection is wonderful. I've had a few pieces through the years, but not considered collecting them. I'm way into glassware and dishes, so I have to draw the line somewhere! Love the touches of turquoise in your mosaics.
Posted by: Sue | January 02, 2011 at 03:12 PM
I'm sooo with you on the coffee. LOL. The aluminum pieces are very interesting. I need to go do some more looking at that. Nice post. Jane
Posted by: Jane F @ Atticmag | January 02, 2011 at 03:47 PM
Nice post. It is time for simplifying things after all the hoopla, but what fun hoopla! :D :D Happy New Year!
Posted by: Snap | January 02, 2011 at 03:55 PM
The aluminum is so pretty and interesting...and the turquoise is such a pretty accent color. Happy New Year!!!
Posted by: Becky | January 02, 2011 at 04:19 PM
The cool misty greys are a nice break from all the holiday glitz and flashing lights! Happy New Year :-)
Posted by: Mary | January 02, 2011 at 04:48 PM
Susan
I have a few metal trays, but I can never get mine to shine as your do. I need to check as they all have been packed away for awhile.
Happy New Year
Cathy at Cathy's Cupboard Calamity
Posted by: Cathy Farquhar | January 02, 2011 at 04:51 PM
I love aluminum. It was plentiful, vintage items, in Orlando when we lived there. I have a few left.
Beautiful. Best of luck finding your last pieces in that collection.
Posted by: Nancy | January 02, 2011 at 06:40 PM
Love the neutral tones in your pictures! Have a great week!
Posted by: Carol | January 02, 2011 at 07:23 PM
Well it was easy to de-holiday my house this year since I didn't even decorate! :-/ I did manage to buy a wreath to hang outside. Eek...I just don't know what happened to me this year. Bins and bins of Christmas decorations and not one came out. But on the bright side...clean up was a breeze! :-)
A most happy new year to you and your family! Let's make sure to get in a couple of thrifty adventures together in 2011!!
Laura xoxox
Posted by: laura @ the shorehouse | January 02, 2011 at 08:43 PM
Your aluminum trays are adorable! I would love it if you would come and link up to my new link party,
Masterpiece Monday, at my blog, Boogieboard Cottage. The link is already up, I hope you can join the party!
Happy New Year!
Mary
Posted by: Mary Jacques | January 02, 2011 at 10:30 PM
I am happy to be putting the decorations away for another year. It is nice for a short while but just too busy in the long run. Your collection of aluminum is so pretty.
Posted by: Valerie | January 03, 2011 at 04:23 AM
I love my morning coffee too.
Happy Blue Monday, Susan.
Sally
Posted by: Sally | January 03, 2011 at 06:52 AM
You have some wonderful aluminum pieces! Enjoyed your mosaics. Happy New Year!
Posted by: Diann @ The Thrifty Groove | January 03, 2011 at 09:10 AM
Great photos. Those trays are gorgeous. Happy Blue Monday.
Posted by: Donnie | January 03, 2011 at 01:19 PM
Thank you for participating in the very first Masterpiece Monday! I hope you'll come back again, it was fun having you share! Take care, Mary
Posted by: Mary Jacques | January 03, 2011 at 10:08 PM
oh how i love a good fog! and your aluminum is beautiful. thanks for sharing! :)
Posted by: mary | January 04, 2011 at 08:09 AM
I love the touches of blue you've included with the shiny aluminum. I hope the new year brings you all measure of good things and that you had a wonderful Blue Monday. Blessings...Mary
Posted by: Mary | January 04, 2011 at 08:47 AM
I purchased my first aluminum pieces at an estate sale recently, a covered casserole and a pitcher. Don't know anything about them...just liked them. Your trays a lovely. They'd also make neat chargers in a tablescape. I can just visualize the table. Thank you for sharing your new collection & for stopping by my post. Happy New Year! Cherry Kay
Posted by: CK Clifford | January 04, 2011 at 09:27 AM
Honestly, I learn something new every day. I had no idea that anyone collected aluminum, but why not? It looks great. I think there's a piece of it in my own home in storage someplace. I should get it out and put it on display. I can't even remember what exactly it is...probably a tray or a serving dish. Serving dish I think. Glad that you have things back to just the way you like them.
Posted by: Vee | January 04, 2011 at 11:20 AM
Happy New Year, Susan!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this post, and I am just fascinated with your collection. Very neat!
XO,
Sheila :-)
Posted by: Mrs. Magpie | January 04, 2011 at 08:04 PM
Hi Susan
I am still dismantling Christmas in my house...boxes everywhere! It seems to take longer to take it all down than to put it up..not sure why that happens?
The beautiful silvery grey of your wonderful aluminum collection looks so pretty among the sea shells and cool aquamarine objects you collect. The metal I love is copper, although my collection is far less than yours. I guess copper speaks to me like aluminum speaks to you. :)
Happy and healthy 2011 to you and your family!
Posted by: Pat ~ Mille Fiori Favoriti | January 05, 2011 at 08:52 AM
Happy New Year Sue! OOOOOh the aluminum.
Thanks for the lin I can't wait to visit
Posted by: Melody | January 07, 2011 at 05:55 PM