Up Close And Personal

Had a few questions about my last post.

Mostly to see closer things I had mentioned.

I bought the mannequin new ($20.00) without legs (they were damaged)

I coffee and tea stained and added laces from Grandmother Brooks.

Framed card from DD on Mothers day

 and dried flowers from DS on that same day. 

This was so funny.

DD had asked about a lullaby I used to sing to them.

The funny was - it was not a lullaby but my college sorority Tri-Sig song. 

She found the words and framed it for me last year

with the moon - I always call my sister moon.

"Born with the Moon in Cancer, you are likely to have a 

highly developed intuitive and emotional side. 

You are likely to have a strong empathy for others, 

and will feel impelled to take action in order to nurture, 

support and protect them."

My jewelry hanging on an old rack behind the door.

SO many friends saw this and searched till they found 

a similar rack. 

Fringe on burlap curtains

Thumb back chair from grandparents to dad to me

It's very short and small.

I pile the pillows from bed on it each evening.

My brother Scott and I with photos of our folks as children 

This is the hall right outside the master.

My dad sang that song to me ALL the time.

I used another stanza in my bedroom painting-

double meaning for me with the "grey" 

( see previous post )

On my nightstand

My best friend in my entire life

left this note for me over 40 years ago, 

before she left traveling the world,

(or parts of it anyway)

She introduced me to Leonard, 

cared for me, and loved me when I needed it most.

I've always kept it near.

I've always encouraged clients and friends 

 to surround themselves with meaningful items. 

I don't so much decorate - I dress my spaces with things that I love,

have hidden meanings or jokes and if it's something that often 

makes me tear up or outright weep, well it goes front and center.

I want to connect with my home, give it life,

make it breathe along with me.

Like this- get it?

I see so much on IG and decor shows and no offense, but 

most of those homes are all interchangeable. Right?

Even the lovely filtered gals are nearly interchangeable. 

The few I do follow teach me new things or are blog friends for years.

The only defining thing that distinguishes the difference 

 in all the IG houses, is a gallery wall 

but even then most are purchased, not made, not created with love. 

Yes I know they are just pushing product but

this is their HOME, for themselves and family.

I couldn't do it.

I love walking by the kid's height chart on the wall. 

Originally it was painted on, but when I repainted I marked on a 

strip of paper and then P- touched the measurements

 back on in the same spots.

This is opposite the "you are my sunshine" wall.

It's a jumble of mostly vintage silver things from family and kids baby cups,

with a few of my mom's crystal paperweights thrown in.

Also a printed booklet of photos my DD made for me,

and a letter my father got back from a family in Europe

who received a sweater 

my dad and his mom sent during the war. 

That's it for tonight

Cleaned out all the bathroom cabinets and drawers 

tonight. Amazing how much expired stuff was in there.

I have really cut back on cosmetics, lotions and potions

during the pandemic. Never needed most of it anyway,

and it sure rarely worked.

Z

 

Cozier

I have had sheers in front of the bedroom windows 

for over a decade and as I've embraced more color 

back into my world, I decided to mix my blues 

with a sienna color already in a chair in stools .

It took forever for the curtains to arrive ( after getting lost twice) 

 but I'm glad I persevered.

The lighting in the room in early evening

and this morning was wonderful.

Yep, I always mix pattern willy nilly 

when I use color, and my beds are always layers 

upon layers of different top weights and pillows

of all depths to please a mood. 

On the bed are a linen sheet set, then sienna woven blanket,

then a blue floral duvet, then a blue velvet quilt, topped with vintage quilt

and a new throw for naps. Two different patterned sham pairs and 

Walter's throw pillows finish it off. 

Lexington bedroom pieces I've had forever it seems. 

Checked stools found at thrift shop 20 years ago?

Favorite vintage quilt, in pristine condition.

Artwork is mine from years ago.

Vintage framed purses were my Grandmother's. 

The curtains into adjoining bath are burlap with a fringe bottom

I have also had for decades.

Still working on gallery wall on this side of room.

BTW the vaulted ceiling in here and adjoining bath is blue.

I have huge canopy thing I used to hang over the bed 

which may or may not return and the green wreath above

bed will be changed out soon to a simple willow, or maybe not?

The canopy was a pain to clean but looked 

romantic and fun...

Onto the next project

Z

 

New Year

 Packed the holiday up and put away.

Took a last look at some.

I'm cocooning more and more as the news is dreadful

just about everywhere.

            Walter has had some digestion issues for several days,

so I'm focused on that for now.

Today was back to pick up only for groceries.

Quick visit from Ben this weekend as he comes in to shoot/edit

a commercial for his dad. 

My chore list has grown and I'm determined to 

check most of it off as quickly as possible. It 

does seem that I check off one or two, only to add four or five more.

Maybe it's a new year syndrome of sorts?

I want the chores done as I want to get back to my studio,

and I foolishly feel guilty being in studio when chores are undone.

First an overhaul and a purge. 

Being realistic about what I can actually use

and also what I WILL actually use as I'm waving at 70.

Lucky for me I have friends who are younger/or would be more productive

with some of the supplies that I have stored far too long. 

It's only January 4th- I have goals set for end of the month.

I'll let you know if all the boxes get checked.

Happy New Year to all

Thank you for stopping by and visiting my world.

from the now very white haired

oldgreymare

Last Looks 2021

Darling daughter snapped a few photos 

on her way out.

The house is once again quiet,

both soothing and sad.

What will 2022 bring to this world?

 

Waiting

Waiting for the kids and 

his pooch cousins.

Let the merriment ( chaos) begin!

 

Christmas 2021- still working on it

Anyone/ Everyone else

discombobulated?

I am struggling to maintain-

everything

Decided to tweak the master bedroom.

I already have that brown shade in the new blanket

and throw in other parts of the room.

Brown ( that brown) checked curtains 

and new rods on the way.

That shade of brown is apparent in nearly every room.

It all stems back to my beloved pie cupboard I refinished with

my dad when I was 12.

All the pillows are pretty much for Walter's benefit,

as he loves to root and hide in them.

There is the cupboard far left back in dining area

That shade is now everywhere.

Tabletop, rug, lamps, baskets, even the gourds!

Wonderful hand made snowman gift from a wonderful blog friend

pennyrugsandmore

I picture him as the town crier 

or lamp lighter in my wee village

Still making last minute cards

Shipped these heavy corbels cross country to another blogger friend.

Aren't they wonderful?

My hope for 2022

I managed 3 trips to CA in 2021

and each one was a mess of small totes and carry ons.

My hope is 2022 will be easier travel.

I sold my large "plane appropriate" bags many years ago.

So with a great sale going on, and knowing 

they only had to survive car trips, I grabbed some new.

Countdown to kids arrival begins.

Small Christmas this year so very little wrapping.

Baking my mom's chocolate cake next week for her post-birthday 

by request from DD.

Baked my annual pepparkakor for Thanksgiving,

in shape of fall leaves,

but not baking anything else.

Kids are no longer big sweet eaters 

and I am not allowed so..

DD is now vegetarian full time

so no standing rib roast and yorkshire pudding either-

it'll be a different holiday in that way also.

Change is fine

All I want is those dear faces in my home,

with the fire burning, the glasses and stomachs full,

and the stories and love shared.

Z