Pumpkin Cottage

Pumpkin Cottage
sit and visit a spell

Saturday, April 30, 2011

The Long, Long Trailer

I love Lucy and Desi so much.  Just a great way to escape.
This was last night's family movie.  

Friday, April 29, 2011

Heartbreak

My heart was broken early and often.  The first time was the deepest and from then on no one has been allowed into that depth.  Still I have loved with abandon because you will only experience the heights if you experience the depths. You have to let go.   My heartbreak has been a blessing and a window to grace.  Have I learned to protect my heart? Absolutely, not.  

Live in the moment.  Live in the joy.  Dust yourself off and put one foot in front of the other. When I was growing up my mom would allow me to play music loud and we would dance. Shake the sadness right out.  Dance until your heart is racing and you break a sweat.
My mother and I continued to dance until she couldn't dance anymore. 
Do what I do.  Listen to songs with the f-word like Cee Lo Green really loud.  Then a dose of Elvis Presley or Costello.  A little Latin flavor from Santana and round it out with a fado if you need a good cry.   See the wonder around you. 

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Feel like Baking?

Just added to my Amazon wish list.
Come on don't you just want to add
these to your collection?











Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Happy Easter


























Life is a series of hills and valleys.  I am in a valley right.

St. Francis de Sales is sustaining me.

Do not look forward to what may happen tomorrow;
the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care
of you tomorrow and every day. 
Either He will shield you from suffering, or He will give you unfailing strength
to bear it.  Be at peace, then, put aside all anxious thoughts
and imaginations, and say continually: 
"The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart
has trusted in Him and I am helped.  He is not only with me....
but in me....and I in Him."

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Alden Lane Nursery

Our visit to Alden Lane in Livermore was definitely melancholy.  The last time we were there VoVo was still alive and it wasn't the same without her.  There were times when I simply enjoyed thing more because she was with us.

It's a sensation I experience often.  Feeling very achy today, I walked ahead at the mall and then waited for Lee and the kids to catch up.  VoVo would usually walk ahead with me and we would sit and visit while the of the rest of the get along gang ambled along.  Tears threaten to come as a push down the longing in my heart.  Missing her is still very real and raw.  Maybe its because she understood my physical and emotional pain better than anyone or maybe its because Easter is just around the corner.

We brought home a Julia Child rose as a remembrance of our trip and our past visits to Alden Lane.  My mother didn't like the color yellow but she often used anise in her cooking.  The rose's licorice scent will remind me of holiday visits in my mother's kitchen where everyone gathered at her table.




















Wednesday, April 13, 2011

More Road trip Photos

My heart will always be in Northern California.  More adventures
in Redding.  Never judge a book by its cover...but we all do.
Luckily this shop was across the street from our destination Wild Thyme.


















Just enough super vignettes to be interesting.


























A Christmas time vignette captured Jacob's
attention.  This photo is a study into a child's
heart.


















Here we found  resident dachshund and kitty.

In the Middle of Spring Cleaning


















What a lovely sentiment in the middle of blooming roses.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Heading Home

We promised Jacob at least three evenings at home.  Here's a recap of our adventures so far....
San Francisco's Amoeba














Doc Martens store in San Francisco.
























Grabbing a bite to eat. 























Crown and Crumpet tearoom in Ghirardelli Square.  Simply adorable.
Holly needed a nap so we didn't stay long but definitely worth a peek.


























Home 101 in Berkeley. 
Very cute store brimming with inspiration. 














Redding, California Antique Cottage and Garden























Such a wonderful shop with a shop owner originally 
from Pasadena.   Just down the store is Joe's Giant Orange Restaurant
with large tasty Mexican, American, and Portuguese goodness.


Monday, April 4, 2011

On the Road Again

When you travel with children you have to be flexible.
Our children are accustomed to traveling and being
with primarily adults but when they are sick they are sick.
Holly's allergies were under control in the morning
but by the time we got to the fourth row of the
Alameda Flea she was miserable.  I spent most of the visit
to the Flea on the sidelines but everyone else seemed to
have a really good time.  The venue is beautiful.
For this day, the get along gang included Joe, my childhood friend, Aileen and her
boyfriend, Ed.  
If you visit the Flea, be ready for a long walk to and from the Flea (there is a shuttle)
and a a miserable traffic jam getting back to the freeway after the Flea.
It took us nearly an hour to reach the freeway.














To celebrate our 10th anniversary in September we are looking
for a ring this one was gorgeous estate jewelry.

















This clock had to come home with me.  This is just like the clock
in Aileen's mom's kitchen.  It's an icon from growing up and a great
reminder of the time we spent together.

















On to Berkeley.  Respect the minivan.  Yeah yeah.

















Castle in the Air.  We didn't now what to expect but if you live any
where  near the Bay Area you have to visit.  So much inspiration in a
intimate space. A creative fix.  Very nice people.


 There's Aileen.  We are exploring the wax seals and rubber stamps...we both found
initials we liked.  Easter craft inspirations.























One of the mini clocks came home with us.










































Aileen and Ed checking out.
Finally, Holly feels well enough for a bit of sorbet.  We were
so worried because she is normally so sparkly.

















Thank you for joining us in our adventures.

Friday, April 1, 2011

Good Goods in Visalia

Last weekend's road trip ended with this lovely find.  Good Goods.  Most of the time traveling the road less traveled is worth it.  I have to admit that I was getting worried but Lee assured me that we would be finding a jewel.  True so true.  The owner said he has lived in this gorgeous place for 41 years.  How lucky can one person be?

This is our dream property.  Room enough to roam, have a garden, raise chickens, bbq and sponsor a flea market twice a year.  Oh yes, that is my dream.


















The barn shop.  The natural light inside is amazing.

















Little garden right outside of the barn. This is inside the barn.
Me just goofing.


















How would you like to have that red cabinet in your home?
My cottage is too small but I can dream, right?

The property has loads of decorative techniques
on the floors.  Sponged checkerboard here.
Happy happy children.

















Walking right next door.

















Yes, this is another shop.  See the friendly dog on the porch.


Inside the Victorian. Isn't the trim lovely?














































See the metal doily type window covering.  Love it.
The little garden shed above.  The chalkboard was sold..

Back in the Victorian's kitchen.























Hope you enjoyed the tour.  Get ready.....ROAD TRIP starts tomorrow.