5.04.2009

Signs of Spring :: LA TE DA

I look at these photos and see another small ritual of spring:
putting the slipcover and pillows on the porch swing.

My mother would look at these photos and see something very different:
a need to bring out the iron.

She could never understand why I would prefer something with
a bit of rust , a bit of peeling paint or (Heaven Forbid!)
a bit wrinkled.

It's really quite simple .. . . they're all just additional
T E X T U R E .

I love the patina of real life.




P.S.

Mom - if you're still biting you tongue and giving me
That Look:

I can only say : LA TE DA .

_____________________________

P.P.S.

Which leads me to the question du jour:
Does that term have any meaning to anyone who didn't grow
up in the Deep South???

I see it as an old fashioned version of "Whatever!"
.... .. .. and you ??



photos copyright Judith Thibaut

11 comments:

Tristan Robin said...

whatever, huh?

I always thought of it as more sneering - more like "well, kiss your ring.

Ingrid Mida said...

A porch swing....sigh. It looks so tempting. I'd just want to lay there all afternoon reading.

I know of that expression but never heard anyone up here actually use it.

Chrisy said...

Over her in Australia 'la te da' is a term that we use for somebody who thinks they're better than others as in, "She thinks she's so 'la te da' in her new porche!"..and you move your head left ear to left shoulder and right ear to right shoulder and back to left as you say it!
Isn't it strange how sayings travel and change their meaning! ps that swing is stunning...

cotedetexas said...

I thought you were saying

L.A. ta-da liike Los Angeles, ta-da. what a dope.

pretty porch swing. I'm coming to test out the pillows.

My Castle in Spain said...

i love your swing!
mm..la te da..to me rhymes with la di da..
:-)

studioJudith said...

Fascinating ... . such different interpretations of this rather obscure little term. I must admit I haven't heard it used in a VERY long time.
Thanks for taking the time to leave your thoughts.

If you're ever in my neighborhood -
do drop by and try out the swing:
it's great for a lazy afternoon.

JJjj

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Bonjour Madame Judith!
C'est vraiment gentil de vous de venir chez moi! Thank you for the visit and kind words. Don't you just love the group, Pink Martini and that song, Hay no problema? I love your style. There are so many styles and things to showcase on our blogs, but there isn't enough time in the day to do it! I am a full time French Immersion teacher and part-time home decorater, harpist and tutor...and student! I do what I can, but I appreciate when people enjoy my blog. Please come again soon and keep up the gorgeous work. Anita

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Dear Judith,
I just saw your pictures of Lake Como; I love that place, but I have never seen photos like these...what a fairy tale. I've been to France and Italy, but never to this part of Italy. I thought that what I had seen was breathtaking; this tops it all. Merci Madame! Anita

Di Overton said...

Love those cushions. My mother could never understand why I decorated my kitchen in an aged plaster effect. She would shake her head every time she went to put the kettle on.

vicki archer said...

I like wrinkles - all sorts!! xv

nancy neva gagliano said...

la te da indeed!! head moving slightly side to side. sometimes meaning: "yah, whatever." sometimes: "well, aren't you full of yourself." then there's OOOOOLALA, as in : "ooolala, i'm so jealous of your airstream and the jaunts you take with it!!" I live in michigan now, but lived in taos for about 3 yrs ==40yrs ago....and head back for a bit almost every summer....so, la te da,& oooolala to your northern new mexico residence, as well. MY personal spiritual home!! fun to see your airstream out there in it...best2U