Inspiration

Inspiration is every where.  Some times inspiration is found in color.  Almost any shade of green will do.
Pumpkins inspire me.
Linens.
Quilts.
Handmade things.
Reading.
Recycling.

A Homemade Life

Goodness.  Taking a break from school means I get to read for pleasure. 
Imagine, I get to read all those books sitting on my nightstand and not
textbooks. 

The first book on my list:  A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg.

Each chapter is like a blog post with a recipe.  I am over half way through and totally vested.  Contemporary writing with a nostalgic twist.  I buy books that engage me and then read them as time permits.  This one has been calling my name for a bit.  Easy light reading with clearly defined chapters.  Good read for the train and busy mommies. 

I can not wait to try some of the recipes and it has been fun to read to Lee as we drive to the next adventure.

Saw these pair at TJMaxx.  

Autumn

Have I shared how much I love Autumn?
How I can not wait for the time change, on November 6 this year,
how I love the wind,
the leaves rustling and all the tasty goodness?

Here is how we brought a little of the outside inside. 
The pots will be used for art pens.  The plates above
the window box are DeGrazia.

Halloween Peek

Just a Halloween peek.  You will have to wait for Halloween to witness the rest. 

Preparing for the holiday season

September 1 isn't just our anniversary date, for us,  it also marks the beginning of the
holiday decorating season.
The fall flag is flying.  Autumn ready, set, go.

We are cleaning, organizing and styling the whole cottage.

This is one of my favorite ironworks that has just been collecting
dust for years.  It can be used for candles but I am going to use it
for hanging crafty supplies.

Here is the mirror we started at the end of last year. The reflection
is our clean and reorganized office.

What a difference don't you agree?

The freshly painted mirror sits about a little writing desk that I have had in my
possession for nearly 30 years.  It's a little wobbly but I love it.  My mother
gave it to me years ago for my first apartment.  The desk was gifted to her by her
first cousin Maria and her husband, Gabriel Texeira.  The couple was married for
over 60 years.  Maria wrote many of her love letters to Gabriel on
this very desk. The history of the desk alone makes it a worthy piece.
The contrast between the white paint of the mirror and darkly stained wood of the

desk is surprisingly refreshing.  Like a junior mint.  Yum.

Myrtle Creek Nursery

Myrtle Creek Nursery

Tell me this little girl doesn't have determination in her soul.

This photo was his idea.

Turtle love. 

 The gift shop.

This little kitten came bounding out of
of the gift shop to play with the kids.
This was a very good visit.

Memorial Services

Honestly, Lee and I have attended more than our share of memorial services in the last few years.

Here is some of the things we have learned:
It is important to show your respect by attending services even if you feel uncomfortable.
No one ever gets used to loss.



Honor your loved ones while they are living.
Remember birthdays.

Call periodically.

Invite friends for dinner.

Tell your friends and family you love them.

:Let Freedom Ring

September 11, 2001 - 2011

We, too, born to freedom, and believing in freedom, 
are willing to fight to maintain freedom.
We, and all others who believe as deeply as we do,
would rather die on our feet than live on our knees.
     Franklin Delano Roosevelt         


Land of the free.
Home of the Brave.

We will never forget.  God bless America.

The Vintage Marketplace

The Vintage Marketplace in Rainbow is definitely a show not to be missed.

Lee recognized this vendor with all the Halloween treats as one of our
favorites from years ago.  She used to have a shop in Riverside and we
have been wondering where she has been for years.  The last time we visited
she had three heart attacks behind her.  She now has seven heart attacks behind her.
She is a medical miracle and pure artsy sweetness. Our emails are added
to her contact list and we hope to meet again.

Not one........

But two.....dream trailers.  This second trailer is pulled by a minivan
exactly like our get-along-gang van.  Total excitement.  On the
spot decision: some day we will have a little trailer.

Our girl's favorite: Mermaids and jelly fish. 

Purple Citrus and Sweet Perfume

The author of this book, Silvena Rowe, was on The Splendid Table. You can listen to the episode's podcast. Ms. Rowe had me at the naming of her book.  She said that her father had passed at the time she was preparing this book and the title, in part, described her relationship with him.  Her father was the perfume of her life.  This statement brought tears to my eyes.

What an honor to be described as the "perfume" of your child's life.  This book should be on its way.

Women's Work

Fruits are a reoccurring favorite motif for me.  These embroidered
perfections were made by my sister, Mericia, many many years ago.
Her skill was superior.  Both the front and back were perfect.
Only an artist could shade so beautifully with changing threads.
The lace work around the edge is also hers.

These are bread basket cloths.  Homemaking is definitely an art form
and my sister was a master. Holly always says "Home Sweet Home" as
we turn the corner to go home.  The icing for our home are all the precious
treasures loving preserved.

Memorable Weekend

This morning we woke to pouring rain.  You know what we do when it rains? We all run outside and sit on the porch in our pajamas.   We close our eyes and listen to the sound of rain, thunder and lightening.  The entire family in enchanted with the prospect of rain. Holly stands at the edge of the porch with her hand in the rain.  

It stopped raining almost as fast as it started but now we are  listening to the thunder.  What a lovely end to our holiday weekend.

We cleaned out the pantry.  Everything came out, the shelves were wiped clean and repapered.  Some items were purged in favor of a little display room.  Just a few visits to the Goodwill.  All the Pyrex stayed, of course.  The clean sweep for the holidays is on....

See the chalkboard on the back of the door?
We taped off a rectangle and brushed on the chalkboard
paint years ago.  The board is used for weekly menus, for needed
grocery items, for cooking directions for young adults and for
general notes.

To memorialize the pantry cleaning event....new glass knobs were
ordered.  Can't wait to show you.

Tell me this doesn't look interesting. 

Last night Lee and I celebrated our X anniversary but only after working all day, going to Jacob's back to school night, and then going to surprise: Lowe's where Lee had Justin the window and door specialist at a ready.

You see, dear reader, I am a simple practical girl and my heart's desire for my anniversary gift was/is a screen door for our front door.  Without my knowledge, Lee had already arranged for our door to be professionally measured and been told we needed a special order size.  Of course, everything we need is made to measure and expensive. 

So my big surprise was I am going to get a security/screen door but I had to select the one I wanted.  We narrowed the choice down to three, Justin will get the pricing for all three and tomorrow we will run by Lowe's and make all the arrangements. Also, I did notice a bit of a Halloween display at Lowe's with a big blow up spider with glowing red eyes.  The little ones will like that. 

This is so exciting.   This morning I washed the front door so I am ready......Tonight and through the weekend we will celebrate with yummy food, champagne and just being together.

I believe in Miracles

Yes. Yes.  I said "I do" ten years ago today.  Yes. Yes. I had to wait until I was all grown with children to be trusted with the heart of a man that would weather whatever storm we encounter.

Thank you, my love, for providing sunshine and shade.  For being brave...in all the trials.  For praying...through good and bad times.  You, dear heart, do God's work every day and I am blessed to be a witness to your courage and love.

Thank you for being a best friend, husband and loving Daddy to all the kids.