Cottage Musing

Whenever we visit the homes of friends,
I come away with a feeling of doom.
A feeling of needing to grow up.
To live more like an adult.
My friends homes are polished.
Minimal clutter, non-existing bric-a-brac.
Grown up.

Monotone.
Monochromatic.
Midcentury.
Traditional.

Honestly, none of these words
describe how we live or our
design style.

Cottage.
Bohemian.
Eclectic.
Bright.
Tchotchkes.

Urban Barn, Escondido

This is the dialogue thread that has
defined my life.  What I am and what
I wished I could have been.

In the end, my authentic self has won.
It is clear in the books and magazines where
I spend a significant amount of cash and time.
The inspiration scrapbooks I create.
In the orange cane I carry.
In the places we visit.

Simply, I must accept the portrait of my heart
illustrated in the way we adorn our cottage. 

To answer the call from within.

Goodwill, Escondido

Word of the day: Authentic.

Grace

It must be over 20 years now.
It may have been a conversation overheard,
A particularly poignant sermon,
or words of wisdom.

Breakfast at Zov's in Tustin

The definition of grace.
Grace is want we don't
deserve and get anyway.

The day started with a lovely breakfast.

In 1998, a colleague said,
"You aren't lucky you are
Blessed."

Messing Around

Indeed. Blessed.  I am
Blessed.  Blessed from
the Holy Spirit, who gives
me courage, who fills me with
boldness, if not for myself for
the ones I love.

Colors of the Season

True, I will never be the Woman
of the Year, accomplish any heroic deed
but yet, I am Blessed.

Roger's Garden

Blessed in love, Blessed with
a sibling who understands,
Blessed with children
and
Blessed with a treasure chest of
friends. Jewels more precious
than gold or diamonds.

Yes, Grace is intimately spoken
here. 

Cooling off

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always...pray continually.....
thanks in all circumstances...
for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.



 My favorite verse for one of my favorite seasons.

All photos from TreasuresNJunk.

Gardening by the Month

October is the best month to plan and plant your
California garden.

Peltzer Farms has gardens by the month.

Here is a sample.

More of our visit to Peltzer Farms

There were things to mesmerize mom, too.

Peltzer Farms has a garden. There is a kitchen garden
planted in the bed of this American made 1939 GMC.

When my mother was alive I would seek nurseries
in every community we visited.  Just to see how
others used plantings as art.  Alzira, my mother,
humored me and would plant our treasures when
we arrived home.  There are so many treasures planted
in our garden by her hands.

My mother was a true genius in the selection of
plantings and coordination.  She could make the
most beautiful arrangement out of weeds.

Glorious Autumn

A visit to Peltzer Farms in Temecula.

It was a simply glorious day.
We live in Pumpkin Cottage surrounded by
reminders of the season all year.
Nothing compares to the real thing.

Here I am trying to convince Jacob to find a pumpkin with
a nice stem.  This year we will save the stems for crafting
everlasting pumpkins.  Stems from small pumpkins are the best.

Holly almost jumped out of her skin waiting to ride this pony.
The big surprise was Jacob wanted to participate, too.

Corn maze.

First Stop on Saturday

Escondido was blazing hot on Saturday.

On the way.

Look for Holly, Mr. Candycane, and me. 

We attend craft fairs to be with our people, be inspired
and encouraged.

To release the artist from within you must encourage
a welcoming dwelling inside and outside.

Day Trip

No homework.  None.  Nada.

Mr. Lee is sleeping.  I am planning our day.

For those of you who don't live in California. 
California is a big state. 

I am thinking of a BIG day with a  day trip down
to Escondido, up to Long Beach and inland back to Riverside.


 


 

 Are you old enough to remember Johnny Carson?
He used to say this joke: You take the 91, to the 55 to 22 wrap around
to the 405.  It's just like that in sunny Southern California.

We are going to take the 215, to the 15 and then 5 North to Long Beach.
Tomorrow we rest.


It is crazy mileage but a girl has to do what a girl has to do.

First, stop Queen Bee Market....sounds right up my alley.

Aaron Brothers summer roadtrip to visit Traci Bautista.

Home to Pumpkin Cottage.

.

YAHOO....

A whole DATE day

Feeling abundant is primarily about accepting your circumstances with gratitude.

Last Saturday, Lee and I had an all day date through the early hours of dawn.
We were up at 4:30 a.m. (the kids always know when it is Saturday)
and got back in around 1:30 a.m.

The Vintage Marketplace.

I wanted this rack..next time maybe.

The Urban Barn.

This sink stole my heart.

A stroll through Ikea.

A concert at Observatory.....X.

A perfect day with my sweetheart.