The Light

I was all set to talk about the light coming into my dining room 

and then darling daughter sent me these photos.

The light in their eyes beats everything else hands down.

They are traveling thru northern CA on vacation.

They are simply mad for each other.

How can my sweet girl be this beautiful woman already.

I had just taken her to college when I began the blog. 

My dearest son and Helene have been happily married for over a year!

They went deep sea fishing to celebrate.

I am so blessed. 

Here is the dining room anyway..

Pop into my IG to see what I've been doing in the studio. 

oldgreymareprimitive

 

Reboot on HULU

It's streaming now

Reboot on HULU

Yep those are the girls!

Screen shot as their "card" rolled past

Mama so very proud of them

First three episodes are on now

The couples at last nights premier

Will, Jenny, Hannah, Nick

 

I'm Here

Quick trip to LA to see kiddos in August

Hot Hot Hot in La La Land and LA land

Fabulous food and a first meeting with

Hannah's beau Nick.

He is wonderful and she is glowing.

Hannah and I did a little thrifting, hit a few small shops in Culver,

  we always do a Target run,

and some fabulous meals out and at their homes. 

Today I'm laying out a few fall looks.

The small framed piece I found thrifting in CA

The dried flowers are from the bouquet Nick gave me

 the moment we met- very classy 

Gave this piece in my powder room a refresh

This was also in the bouquet. I just let them dry in the vase.

I love the sculptural effect they have. Those leaves!!!

The happy couple

The very happy couple 

And a sweet story.

While shopping I saw this elephant in a shop, and for

 some reason was very drawn to him.

I reminded Hannah of my Dad's toy elephant Tony,

and his subsequent gifting me with elephants,

and then I became very weepy.

We left the store and sat right outside for a happy hour drink.

Suddenly I remembered it was dad's birthday.

Aha! So that's why I carried the elephant

 with me all around the store all weepy.

Hannah took a quick run to the ladies,

or so I thought.

Not five minutes later she gave me this.

My girl is such a sweetheart.

Now - full out weeping.

You can see my new "Tony"peeking out of the top.

My small world is doing alright.

As for the rest of the world;

 man, are we in trouble. 

We all need to make better choices for the planet.

We all need to care for those less fortunate.

We all need to search out the truths,

not follow blindly leaders who care only for their wealth and power.

We all need to be prepared for disasters, as we can afford,

so as not to tax services that others need more

than we do.

We all need to donate to causes that affect change,

even if it is a mere $5.00 a month.

We can make a difference, 

and we should certainly try.

Much love

z

 

Bedroom Refresh

        

I don't know about you, but I think 100 degree temp with 40%

humidity is the perfect time to deep clean and refresh your bedroom

even if it is the hottest room in the house.

So that's what I did yesterday.

The rug is new. I'm hoping that soon it will be over 

hardwood floors but until then it hides a multitude of sins.

I need some carpet tape to help ease out the roll marks.

Saving that for the cooler evening. I'm still getting over

carrying the 50lb carpet up the stairs,

 and hauling the mattress and box spring

 out into the hall out of the way, and then 

back in again. 

I had visions of being found days later

under the impossible floppy, incredibly heavy mattress.

If you are new here, Yep, that's a very blue 1 3/4 vaulted ceiling.

Still blue 26 years later. Painted my third year here.

It's an odd conglomerate of color and style 

for many folks I suppose,

but it is my taste, and so many things are special 

to me from grandmothers, kids, and parents.

If it's repeating something already in the room,

be it color or pattern ( as in the checks) it works for me. 

Z

 

Follow On IG?

 I've been doing the Fodder Challenge on line and 

talking about it on IG.

Lots of studio time this past week.

Getting my mojo back day by day

If interested 

 Look here

Little Bits

It's that kind of weekend

For Walter aficionados:

He thoroughly enjoyed Hannah's visit

 

Days and Weeks Pass

 It's all going so fast.

Not just the spring and summer but life

Whoosh!

Walter is still a weirdo and so devoted.

DD and DS are flourishing in their careers and their lives.

SO many exciting things happening for them.

Many of you already are seeing shows they have worked on,

with many more coming in the fall and next year. 

Darling Daughter was here this week for 4 days to check on her mama.

We prepared all vegetarian meals ( I learned a lot) 

 and completed many chores.

 Hannah was a huge help doing things

 I can no longer easily do, or safely do.

She completed another painting for me which I adore.

Currently I'm overwhelmed with taking care of

  medical insurance and other paperwork drivel. 

Why does everything take so long

 and must it be so complicated? 

I believe they want us to exhaust ourselves and give up.

Now and then I do feel exactly like that.

Most of the remaining garden has now fried, which is most distressing.

I won't be doing it again, as the increased water cost and severe drought 

make it seem irresponsible. The herbs are hanging on, but they are 

in a semi protected area. 

We did a little refresh of Hannah's old room.

I'm determined to get new photos of the house one of these days.

 So much has changed over

the years of the blog and I've never updated.

With the world the way it is... 

a lot seems frivolous 

Back to my forms and copying records,

appointments this week with govt and insurance folk.

This too shall pass.

The Light The Wood and The Heat

 The heat is upon us and it is hibernation time for me.

Lucky me, I like my hibernation den.

This time of year the light hits the woods in a certain way 

and it makes me so happy.

I am saddened by so much, as so many are,

and the only way that I can absorb the sorrow and

not drown in it, is to be at home;

to love on Walter, check on friends and  

be grateful for my family and my safe space. 

The weekend

Roasted goodness on Saturday- 

broccolini, tri color peppers, zucchini, multi colored carrots

Roasted veggies added to multi kales, raw cauliflower, radicchio

and topped with dried pear, pistachios and ginger dressing.

Delicious and have enough leftover for Sunday 

When the fan blowing on his mama gets to be too much,

Walter retreats to the floor directly below her on the couch 

and promptly tucks his head under as best he can. 

The heat is upon us and I will be hibernating again soon.

Some of my garden is already struggling, and I am forced

to evaluate the logic of it all; as watering more each day during a drought

to get fresh vegetables, does not balance well against the cost nor the

conservation. Sigh

I rationalize that it is keeping me sane in an insane world.

I will try today to salvage what I can,

by relocating a few items.

The first to go were the cilantro and my sunflowers,

Oh how I tried.

These beauties soften the blow

 

Also finished up the knob exchange

Loving it

 

Don't Just Sit There

Don't just sit there

Experiment, Change, Ponder

I have been unhappy with the 

white knobs in my kitchen for a long time.

Every time I priced in stores and such, I quickly decided

now is not the time $$$

Sunday I checked Amazon and for under 30

 I got 25 knobs and 4 pulls (those are yet to be installed), 

as I have to make template and drill.

They arrived Monday and that night I changed out the 23 knobs .

I had dr appt Tuesday ( good news there) and other errands, so I'll do pulls today.

I am very pleased with the quality and the price!

In case you don't recall here is a bad photo of the before.

Bad in many ways beyond blurry.  Boy I used to clutter up the counter,

and yes, that is a lighter green on the before cabinets.

They are now a much calmer grey green. 

Every day I try to do a couple projects off of my to do list.

Each day always includes purging.

I am running in the opposite direction of many 

of my friends who continue to add and collect.

I have filled two more bins in the garage

for a "maybe" fall sale at a friends or I will get tired of 

the bins and just donate it all.

I do occasionally send out to my local e-mail list

items I am currently selling. There are a few out of state gals on there also.

The gals just buy from me that way.

If any of you are interested in seeing what I'm selling send me

your email and I'll add you onto the list.

With most of you out of state, perhaps only the small things 

will work for you, but who knows?

I am selling lots of jewelry soon - and beads and findings.

Anyhoot- don't let the size of a project stop you.

Just start some where - anywhere.

Even if you just clean out two pantry or fridge shelves.

In a couple days it'll be finished.

Sweep out 1/2 of the garage, wash off one sidewalk or porch. 

Repot one plant. 

Throw out old makeup, unworn shoes.

Life is short-do your chores and then go live a little .

Anyone else sobbing every Tuesday night to This Is Us?

I have a friend across town who watches,

and we count tissues used, and text at commercials.  

Z