Pumpkin Cottage

Pumpkin Cottage
sit and visit a spell

Saturday, August 31, 2013

Relationships to last a lifetime

Last weekend, Mr. Lee and I attended my 30th high school reunion.
Mr. Lee is younger and has NO interest in ever attending
a class reunion. 

Its odd, the reactions I got. 
Whatcha, doing this weekend?
Going to my 30th high school reunion.  Why?

 I have nurtured friendships since
kindergarten. The people I attended school with
were real. We were one of the largest classes at 250
strong.  Tiny.   Deeply rooted from the age of innocence.
Relationships are important and require attention.
Plus Aileen, our maid of honor, and her beau Ed
would be there.  

Friend is someone who knows all about you but
loves you anyway.
                                                 ...Anon

Remember, making gum wrapper chains?






Thursday, August 22, 2013

Mr. Lee and Other Favorite Things

For the first year I knew Mr. Lee, long
before a twinkle entered either of our eyes,
his name was "Rodj."

The retailer, where we worked,
said he could use any name he wanted.
So he did.

These are a few of my favorite things

























After our children got old enough to
speak, we started referring to each other
as Mommy and Daddy.  The older
boys had always referred to him as Lee.
The little ones were starting to choose Lee over
Daddy.
Not going to happen.


Black Sheep...ahhh, Poodle

























Mr. Lee has a bigger than
life presence.  Strangers call him:
Boss, Chief, or Jefe.  Seriously.
At first it was weird but after
16 years I understand.


Bees knees in love.



















 
It maybe out of respect or fear
but almost everyone else calls him
Mr. Lee.

So now you know. 

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Sunday at Matilda's Mouse, Valley Center

It was hot hot on Sunday in Valley Center.
No matter, so enjoyable.







































































































































































I hate to think I missed anything.
Make it a great day.


Saturday, August 17, 2013

Song of Solomon

I have found the one
whom my soul loves.

Song of Solomon 3:4


In almost everything I am a late bloomer and
a fighter.  Not backing down unless I am
beaten down. My brother, Joe, will attest,
in my younger days I would go from 0 to 60
in a split second.  Not in my defense but in
the defense of others.  My friend, Birte, would
advise, "Revenge is a dish best served cold."
She is much wiser than I. 

In love it was the same.  Finally, I listened
to my soul and not my fickle heart. Married
the one my soul loved.



 















 I am, once again,  recovering from
oral surgery.  And yet again, my beloved
is at my side.  Medicating me, feeding me, and
doting.

Let the whispers of the world be quiet.
Pray and listen to your soul's desire.

By the way, I added a button for my
Pintrest posts.  There you may find
windows to my soul.  Enjoy. 

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Work can be FUN


My Reverend Hairdo
























Work is either fun or drudgery.
It depends on your attitude.
I like fun.

      Colleen C. Barrett
      President of Southwest Airlines

Me, too.  Work is a blessing.
Being able to care and provide for
my family.

Blessing my coworkers.  With
a smile, a compassionate ear,
and a supportive heart.

Choose some fun today.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Blessed Beyond Compare

"God whispers to us in our pleasures,
speaks to us in our conscience,
 but shouts to us in our pains.
It is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world."

                                            C. S. Lewis


Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Caracol

Caracol is the Portuguese word for snail.
It sounds pretty; like moco Spanish for snot.

That's not where I was headed, any who.

We should learn from the snail:
It has devised a home that is both 
exquisite and functional. 
                            Frank Lloyd Wright



























Picket and night blooming Angel's trumpet.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Fine Romance


Enjoying a bit of reading:

Susan Branch's new book, Fine Romance.
Absolutely wonderful written as a diary
chronicling a romance and a dream trip to England.



















Crafty indulgence of CeCe Caldwell's
paints.

Mr. Lee painted our garage door and
will paint our front door.  So very
fresh.  We have been working in
the garden.  Just lovely.

Our anniversary is coming.  There
is anticipation in the air.

Visit here on Tuesday to see my
project.


Sunday, August 11, 2013

Weekend Follies

Weekend follies.


This morning I searched for
creative inspiration for weekend follies.
My friends often ask where we plan
to go on weekend.  Our intent is to try
something new each month.






















When we have a destination in
mind, I search the internet for
yarn and fabric stores, antiques,
thrift stores, food, farmers' markets.





















Our resources stem from
public radio/television, music,
blogs I follow, reading magazines.

Mr. Lee and I have
shared interests with varying
spectrums. We both read
periodicals to compliment
our individual interest.





















Fireworks sparks when our worlds
collide, a very good thing. Everything is better
when shared

In the near future we'll visit:

LA Yarnbomb at the Craft and Folk Art Museum
in Los Angeles.




Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Kindred Spirits





















Is there anything more lovely than friendship?

Maybe a tall husband....


 

“Kindred spirits are not so scarce as I used to think. 
It's splendid to find out there are so many of them in the world.”
L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Wrestling

Found this little doozing on Pintrest:

I wrestle because I wish to be loved.

Mr. Lee, Jacob and wrestler.

Girls can do anything.










































Could it be?  All we do, good or bad, 
is because we need love.  Could it be?
A hug could change lives?

The Bad Girls of the Bible  Liz Curtis Higgs



When Mark, my oldest, was little, I learned bad attention
was better than no attention. I poured on the good attention
thick.   I betcha more love would keep some of
our kids away from drugs and gangs. 


Monday, August 5, 2013

Day Two












i carry your heart with me (i carry it in
my heart) i am never without it (anywhere
i go you go,my dear; and whatever is done
by only me is your doing, my darling)
i fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet).
                            ee cummings 


I started this post the day after my 
mother passed nearly four years
ago. 

It's startling to 
wake up and know a person so
dear is really gone.

Dear Readers, 
Live each day joyfully.
Love love love.
Don't live in regret and craft a 
little each day.

Holly and Genie
   

















 



















At the end of July, Miss Holly and 
I sat in this tiny Scion.  Joyful.

Holly: Settling into her seat, 
"Well, Daddy will just have to 
drive Jacob to school and we will go
together."

A cartoon bubble rose above my head.

It really is perfect fit for the two of us.
There is a teeny back seat, but you 
have to choose between a few bags
of groceries or people.  Mr. Lee 
wouldn't be comfortable driving nor 
the person relegated to sit behind him.
But the three of us, we wouldn't leave
Jacob, fit.  We could zip around town in 
a Mr. Bean type car.  A curly smile
rose on my lips.
 

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Posh Landing

I am sure there are those who dream
of a posh landing.
A castle, mansion or an oasis on a hill.




















Not I.  As I peruse Pinterest, where you can
find everything your heart desires, I pin 
my heart.











































A cottage heart.
Small houses.
Classic cars
Cottage gardens.
Riot of color.

Embroidery.
Crochet.
VW Buses.
Smeg appliances.
Place to travel: Holland, Azores, and Portugal.




























Simple and obtainable.
God willing.





















My mother was glad I stated
a little
girl for so long.  I still like
frilly lace and ruffles.

She also said, "Your
front garden is your
home's first living space."

I have kept these things in mind.
Along with guest towels in the
bathroom. The ones NO one else is allowed
to use.
No, Joe you are not a guest.


Pumpkin Cottage flowers


Nursery Love





































































































Words are unnecessary.

Saturday, August 3, 2013

A Reoccuring Message

We had a temp helping out in the office.


After a two week assignment, she came to
say good bye.  "It's hard to get in to see
the queen." 



You see, what your mama total you is totally
true.  It is not what is on the outside but
what glows from the inside. 
It's a work in progress, I know.


Future Queenie
 
Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a
known God. 

                                              Corrie ten Boom

WOW WOW.  In my darkness last year,
those words carried me through.
Submit and keep moving forward.
Everything will be all right.