Hints of Spring

Less than 1 week ago it was snowing. Yesterday, with the sun shining, I worked in the yard!

 

Spring is an exciting time for me. It means time to cleanup the garden and begin fluffing things up.

There is the hope of the coming warmth and sunshine. My heart begins beating faster when I start planning the garden.

Last year was  difficult with the deaths of people we loved. That and some financial difficulties that we and half the country are feeling, took the joy out of being in the yard. This year I plan on taking my yard back!

 Yesterday was Phase 1: The first round of clean up.

 

 I actually think this space could grow vegetables now!

 

 Things got a bit out of control!

We really do care about our yard....we just put it on the Not So Important List last year.

 

 Things are looking up and I am ready to play again.

My cottage is my happy place. I love to be in it and always changing things. I want it to not only make the family happy and comfortable, but I want it to be an inviting place for friends. It is small, but great things come in small packages.

Here's to a new beginning and the pursuit of a simple, beautiful and comfortable life!

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The Holidays

I love the holiday season. 

There is something about the feeling you have during this time of year. There is excitement and the feeling that new things are possible.

 This year we had a change. Some of our loved ones were missing. We experienced the loss of a grandma and a dear young friend gone too soon. The feelings of sadness we still have put an unhappy side to the holidays. We tried to remember and celebrate them. They will always be in our hearts and missed everyday.

The lights, the music and food. I love these things! Gathering with family and friends. The best! I wish this feeling lasted longer than the month of December! How could we carry that feeling forward? It has to be done without the Christmas tree and music! Maybe there is a way.

 

Let's remember the parts of the holidays that make us feel good and incorporate them into the months to come. Music that makes us smile, things in our home that are beautiful to us and make us feel cozy and relaxed. Then invite family and friends in. Enjoy food and their company. I think it will work! I'm in, how about you?

 

Now it's time to think about the approaching new year. How did last year go? What can be carried through to 2012 and what needs a change!

 My word for 2011 was START. Looking back, I think that word was a good one. What did I start? I started dreaming again. I started moving outside my comfort zone and I started paying better attention to my friendships. We had some obstacles to overcome and that slowed things down a little, but I do feel like I experienced change in my life because I had a word to focus on.

 

What will my word for 2012 be?  I want a word that reminds me to continue the things I started and keep the feelings from the holidays I love so much. A word that inspires change.

I am excited to begin 2012 with fresh eyes and new inspiration.

Road Trip

Today I went on a road trip with my daughter, sister and dear friend. The destination was Portland. More specifically, the Monticello. This is an antique store I consider one of my Happy Places! 

 Driving North, we found frost on the trees. It has been very chilly in the Willamette Valley.

We arrived at The Monticello and it was beautiful!

So much to see.

I love the whole store, but the atrium area takes my breath away! It is truly lovely.

 Auntie crowning the Princess!

We decided to have lunch right there at Monti's. I was so glad to spend time with my daughter.

 

 My sister Michelle on the left, me in the middle and my friend Debby on the right.

 

I so love visiting places like this. I am inspired by the creativity of others and always walk away with thoughts of how I can change my own home decor. The colors are usually neutral with a splash of color. Incorporating natural elements adds a simple beauty that is so peaceful. I could just sit an look!

 

 

As we headed home, we stopped in Bridgeport for a stroll through Crate and Barrel. Then we headed to Salem where we stopped for cake!

 

I love a good adventure and today was perfect. Thanks girls for a great day!

 

Hello Again!

It has been a long time! A lot has happened since June. Some very sad and some very exciting!

Although there is a sadness in my heart, I am looking forward to a festive holiday season. I hope to look for festive things to do and enjoy the company of the people I love. So here's to December, I hope you are a fabulous month!

A Garden Tour

Today was the Symphony Guild's "Music in the Garden" garden tour.

The day was overcast and warm.As I am posting, it is raining! I would say we had good timing!

As we walked through the gardens, classical music was being performed by musicians.It was a fabulous way to soak in the loveliness!

 The neighborhood my pal Julie and I enjoyed was the University area.This is a college town and near campus are some old beautiful homes.

I love to see vegetable gardens mingled with flower gardens.

What is beautiful to you?
I love a yard that someone puts their heart and soul into.A space turned into something that brings the owner peace and joy.Their own piece of heaven.

This tour had some nice places and some places that were a different flavor than my own, but one thing did get my heart singing. The stroll through a nice neighborhood with a friend who has the same spirit as mine! We enjoyed the beauty of the flowers and vegetable gardens while soothing music played in the background.We chatted about what we liked and wondered about the owners.

It made my mind wonder to a place I would like to be for more than a visit! I want to create my own piece of heaven. A place that allows you to rest your mind and sooth your soul.I keep going back to "How". How do I achieve this desire to live simply with just the things I love.I don't need a mansion. Just a place we can call our own and decorate with what we love. Beauty is not on a price tag. Some of my favorite things are vintage finds!

I hope that through some adventures, even small ones, I can ponder the path I need to take. I hope that along my journey God throws in a road sign. I need the ones that say "This way stupid"! I often think I know what's best...BZZZ...wrong answer! I need to enjoy the journey and I will get to where I should be!

But...... If you were to ask me, I think I should be somewhere I can enjoy my family, vintage decorations,chickens,vegetable/flower gardens, homemade goodies and entertaining!!! That's just if you ask me!

Tour de Coop

 Saturday was a warm, dry, partly sunny day! Perfect for a tour of local chicken coops! We went to a half dozen or so. We have been thinking about keeping chickens but I do have some concerns. We met many happy chicken farmers! Caring for any animal requires effort and time. This didn't seem any different

 This was the last coop we visited and it was great. Their yard was beautiful.

 Here is another of our favorite coops and one of their girls (below) My girl is in the blue sweatshirt!

 This was our first stop. They had a beautiful backyard and a great coop.

It was a busy day at a few of the coops. I hope my photo taking gets better! Maybe next time I will have more shots of the coops! It was a fun day and now I can say....."I want chickens"

What to do with myself !

It's a Friday in May and the weather is not what I would like to see and feel!

So.....what shall I do this cloudy, drizzly weekend? Cook...paint something....redecorate!

 Many changes have happened in my world and this may be a perfect time to make some changes.

Maybe do some dreaming and follow a new path. Now...where did I put my compass!

Happy Mother's Day!