My life is to make everything around me beautiful.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

And another thing...

Hubby and I recently went over to Washington to visit with our granddaughter and her family. The main reason for going was a model railroad train show and hubs can't pass one up here on the West Coast. Plus I try to accommodate him whenever possible because he loves them so. This one was in Monroe, WA.

Now, I absolutely love Washington state. It's green beyond description, especially living here in a reclaimed desert. Plus Washington is quiet for a large population area. I believe it's because of so much foliage that muffles most of the sound.

There's another area that makes it unique—the aging hippies from the 60s. Now, I lived in the San Francisco Bay area during the early 70s when the hippies were the attraction people came from all over to see so I definitely know a hippie when I see one and I saw quite a few. You know the kind: men in their 60s, long gray hair held back into a pony tail by a rubber band and sometimes a clip, earring in one ear, Birkenstocks and round wire-rimmed glasses. Oh yeah, that's the dead giveaway for hippies. I haven't a problem with them, but they seem to have not grown up at all in 40 years here on this earth. Still wandering around seeming to have no jobs. It was really humorous to see them but also a little sad that they have to live in their "glory moment" for the rest of their lives. Even my granddaughter thought they were rather pathetic, but then she and her hubby graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and got jobs and made something of their lives. They have no truck with deadbeats or that style of living.

Ooooh, and another thing. I've been reading about incidents in N.C. where 4-year old school children whose mummy packed them homemade lunches are being denied the lunches from their lunch boxes and made to eat from the school cafeteria. Chicken nuggets! Then the parent is charged a fee for it.

First of all, a 4-year old is NOT in school. It's called daycare. You do not start school until you are 5-years old. And pre-school is daycare. Do NOT argue with me about it.

Second, what right does the school or state have to tell them the lunches aren't nutritious? It's the parent's prerogative, given to them by God. BTW, when the report told what was in the lunches, it was MORE nutritious than the chicken nuggets. A turkey and cheese sandwich, apple juice, banana and chips. Sounds fine to me. What is happening to our country and our school system?! I'm so angry I could spit nails. A lot of people I know home school or have their kids in charter schools and they excel the public school kids by far. Oh, hold me back!!!Forgive my rant but I am beyond my limit here.
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I've had my say, so let's look at some more gorgeous vignettes and photos that dazzle the eye! I don't need to describe or caption each photo, do I? Naaah, just look and day dream.

I tell you, the wife who owned that original table and chairs would stare at us in amazement for putting it in our new homes today. She'd probably think we were out of our minds because she probably lusted and dreamed of having a brand new spanking clean table and chairs.

I think this is a house where cats rule!

And I'll bet a crafter lives in this room.

I'm not too sure that hanging a bough of evergreens near a fire is a good idea but it sure does look lovely.

Sweet eye candy for you.


Claudia, are you looking?




And to think I painted our old patio table pink when this is in style now.


You have my permission to have something sweet about now. Go ahead!


I would never have thought of using a square boxy cushion as a coffee table. But I love how this looks.

Americana at its best: flag, porch swing, bicycle leaning against a tree, flowers growing around the porch and a hanging birdcage with flowers in it.

A dramatic combination of colors for a kitchen.

I saw this and am going to do a chair I have like this tomorrow.

A sweet vignette for you.

Now, go and do something sweet, nice or uplifting for someone you know. Okay?!
~*~

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Surrounding Ourselves with Things We Love

I'm just like anyone else when it comes to my home. I surround myself with things that I love, give me pleasure, are beautiful to me or make me feel good. Basically, if it isn't beautiful or doesn't serve a purpose, I don't allow it in my home. I love what I have and am very happy with it. That is not to say I'll never buy another sofa; I just might. ;-) But I still appreciate looking at beautiful things. So join me in looking at these gorgeous photos and day dream just a bit. I'll let the photos speak for themselves so I don't have to write so much today!














~*~

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Sweet Things

I'm linking to Cielo's Show Off Your Cottage Monday. It's my first time so I hope you go visit her.
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I recently became curious about Tom Bodett, the man who is the voice of Motel 6 radio commercials. (Okay, it was a slow day.) I wondered if he is indeed a real person so I googled him. Yes, he's actually a real person and has quite a sense of humor. But the thing that intrigued me on his Archives heading was one called Man With a Mac. Of course, that intrigued me since I've used Macs for over 20 years. But he added a bit of humor to it so I'm going to direct you to his monologue on Macs. I think you'll enjoy it and as he says: I feel smarter on my Mac. Enjoy. As I said, it was a slow day here on the computer. ;-) So now enjoy the eye candy I've selected for you today.


Recently, I've been feeling like the proverbial chicken running around so much. Don't get me wrong; I love eating out and getting out once in a while but I also absolutely love being home. Now, what does this have to do with anything here today? Well, I'm gonna tell ya.


If you haven't seen this tiny little cottage in upstate New York, you're living in a cave somewhere. I absolutely love it. However, it's just a tiny little cottage a very creative woman has made into a way of life. I'm not sure if there is a book about it but there have been numerous articles. It's darling and as I said, I love it. Wish I could have one!

I cannot tell if these are pink cotton balls or soaps, but no matter what, they make a great statement in that canning jar, not to mention a great photo-op.

A fantastic architectural element.

I printed out a copy of these roses and am taking them to a local store to see if they'll make me some for a luncheon I'm having.





Two glasses and two cookies? I hate to admit it but hubs might get the drink but no way would I let him have both cookies.

What a sweet way to display your mail.

Elegance.

I would love to have this little dining room.


Sweet and ruffled bed.

I am thinking seriously of taking a small pink ladder I have in my family room and hanging it in my laundry room.

This is the ladder in my family room that I plan on using for my laundry room.

While I love this idea for a bed, I'm sure hubby would get his feet tangled in it and fall flat on his face the first time he tried to get up in the middle of the night. He indulges me a lot, but this might be the tipping point. ;-)

Lead us not into temptation. Just tell us where it is and we'll find it.
~*~