Coming Back to Blogging

I'm back. I tried Facebook but didn't especially like it nor the vitriol on there especially with an election going on. It's ugly, divisive, and stinks. But this blog has never been about politics and never will. I want it to be peaceful and a place to come for beautiful photos, funny stories, a bit about my life of being a wife married to the same man for 55+ years and still going strong. We're both near 3/4 of a century old and we are FUN, lively, loving, cute, personable, and have the most gorgeous three great grand girls, until yours come along of course.

This is me now. Actually a few years ago but I hate having pictures taken so this is the most recent to give you an idea of what the person writing this looks like.

I'm not quite up to par creating this. I tried my old template but it seems to have some kinks in it so my posts for a few days may be a bit "rough" looking or in other words not to my idea of a certain perfection.

As before, there will be "eye candy" in the form of beautiful rooms, homes, places and probably much talk about my great grand girls. There are 3 now and they are gorgeously darling, of course, and very smart and this is true. They get it from the other side of the family and not mine. But having great grand girls is one of the biggest blessings and thrills for us. I've always wanted to be a mom, grandmother and great grandmother. There aren't a whole lot of people in these days that get to see their great grand children. We are SO blessed to have this dream come true.

So this one will be short while I fix the problems with the template for this blog. And please enjoy the eye candy that will be with every single post. I love doing this, absolutely love it.

And I'll get the "kinks" worked out soon!
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Gorgeous "Dream" Homes #2 and Tidbits

  
Tidbits:

My home always smells good. I love coming home, walking into my house and sniffing its fragrance. Notice that the next time you come home. If it's not a nice smell, then get busy and make it happen.
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I don't doubt much about my life. To doubt is to be defeated before the enemy has thrown a first punch. Do not accept defeat before you try.
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Have you noticed that lottery winners almost always say they're going to buy a new house, new car or go on a vacation? Top 3 answers I'd bet. Haven't they heard about saving money?! That's always stymied me. I don't play the lottery or any sweepstakes offered at my local stores. I'm happy with what I have. What would I possibly do with a million or more dollars? My car runs fine. I have a house sufficient for my needs. My kids are both financially set for life. It wouldn't change my life one bit. I'm still not going to fly anywhere to visit exotic places. (Hmmm, reminds me of a story. Later I'll tell you.)
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I've heard Yellowstone doesn't allow tent camping now. Because. Of. The. Bears! I'd say that pretty much does it for me. We have a pop-up tent camper. It's going nowhere near Yellowstone! I don't even care if this is true or not. If there is even a possibility of a bear, I ain't goin'!
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A lot of blogger change their headers frequently; I'm not one of them. I've had the same header logo just about from the beginning. I like instant recognition. I don't change with the seasons even. When some bloggers change and I first go there, I'm not sure I'm in the right place until I check it out. I'm a creature of habit, I suppose.
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 When I view a news clip or video on the internet (which is not often at all, just on occasion) I've noticed the women always brushing their hair back behind their ears with their fingers trying to get it out of their eyes—a LOT. Most distracting. Why don't they secure it in such a way that they're not always fiddling with it. Sheeesh, now even some guys do it. (Rolling my eyes!) My hair is short but let me tell ya, it wouldn't move in a hurricane with the hairspray I use! ;-)

Okay, enough tidbits. On to the eye candy!
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I love symmetry in my home and, actually, my life. This house is a gorgeous example of symmetry in a home.

Underground houses. While I’m sure they’re cozy and energy efficient, I don’t think I could live underground like that. I’d want windows in every room. It is a delightful setting however.

I thought I’d show you some more lamps and these are so cute for a bedroom.

I love the base of this lamp, but I’d put on a different shade.

Oooooh, sigh… I love this chair, pillow and feathers in a jar (giving me an idea).

My blogging buddy, Claudia, would love this vignette. She adores blue.

Interrupting with a bit of real “eye candy” here! ;-)

A beautiful way to wrap a gift or just old books to display around your home.

Another beautiful home.

And yet another one in the woods. This looks huge—too much to clean for me—and symmetrical.

A stunner up in the mountains somewhere. Could be near us here, perhaps Sun Valley.

Another beautiful lamp in coral. I wouldn’t even change the shade on this one. Gorgeous.

Hanging acorn lamps. They are adorable, unique and I can see them in a Craftsman-style home.

Four different beautiful lace lamps.

Just some more eye candy in the way of a darling office to leave you with today.

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Joining Mary at Mosaic Monday

Friend's Home Tour #2

This is a better shot of that antique sewing machine and the lovely entry to my friend's home.

Turning right at the dining room takes us into their living room. Those windows are facing south. The little cottage is just visible through the right window. White painted tables and luxurious deep-cushioned sofas and chairs and PINK lamp shades! I just adore how she has taken a sort of Idaho log home and made it so romantic. I would have done exactly the same as she has done. Then she's tied back sheer curtains on the wood trimmed windows. Oooh, did I mention her hubby built this house for them? Well, he did. It is very pretty and large also. Just wait till you see it all.

River rock fireplace. Phyllis has flowers and plants all over this home. Plus she gardens in the spring and summer and usually has a vase of flowers for the pulpit at church. She can really grow beautiful flowers.

The lady of the house also plays piano and I think teaches some of her kids to play also. Luxurious white shag carpet and a vintage rocking chair. Hubby made that clock on the wall also. He cut the wood and then someone in the family painted it. Talent abounds in this family.

Close up of the clock.

Her kitchen. Squeeeeeeeal!! I love the boldness of red. She is not a wimp when it comes to colors, I tell you. She's a woman who knows what she wants and does it regardless. Astounding and fantastic she is. Red microwave, plates, skillet, stools at the countertop, pantry door, hanging pot holder.

Red and white checked curtains at her front window looking out into her entry garden. Red transferware plates on her wall above the sink window.

Yep, hubby made this clock also! I have to tell you this man is the kindest, sweetest, gentlest man I've ever met. He is such a humble man he is most like Christ in any person I've ever met. I guess you have to have patience when you have 11 children!

They've done a faux finish on this wall. Notice another chandelier in this family dining area. A woman after my own heart!! I only have one but she has MANY! But I'm thinking of getting more for my home. *Wink*

They just this past week got their first computer. It is kept in this area and you'll see it on the left side just a wee bit. You'll also notice she has a battenburg lace tablecloth on her table. She's a true stay-at-home wife and mother.

Okay, hold me back here!! Look at this stunning shabby chic white feminine bedroom! Blue and white toile curtains inset into those log windows. And another chandelier. Plus a pink lamp shade with roses on it. Squeeeeeeealing with delight! I know she loves pillows also.

Okay, that's a teaser of the bedroom to come in the next post of their home.

Being Home #4

First of all, I have to mention this sweet little chick who is having a fantastic giveaway: Jenny! Just visit with her and you'll be entered! I'm so thrilled I could kiss a pig.......on with the show now. ;-) Thank YOU, Jenny!!!

I recently received an email from a sweet lady who wanted me to blog about my old job–telling about it and posting pictures. I don't have any pictures. Remember, this was 17 years ago that I left that job and we did not have digital cameras then and I certainly didn't take pictures at work. But I'll tell you a little bit about it.

It's a very large Fortune 500 company and when I quit to move to Idaho it was among the top 6o of Fortune 500 companies. I was the highest paid woman and I absolutely loved working for them. We were the west coast office and when I went to work for them in the late 70s we'd just started working with computers. I was very good at what I did. That's where I learned to love computers. I retired from there and moved to Idaho and decided to stay home. I know things in life have a reason for being and we've found ours. We joined a church but that's a whole different story. Just suffice to say I loved the career I had there and the company was very good about standing by its women.

We were not a "picture taking" family ever. I know, I know, that's terrible but if you knew the trouble I had with cameras when you had to load it with film, you'd understand. It wasn't pretty, I tell ya. Yessss, digital cameras were not even on the horizon then I think. See what you younger generations have that we didn't!! I do have some from our early days of marriage though and I might post about our travels and places we've lived. But that will be for another day. Actually, I loved her suggestion; it's just that I didn't have any pictures to share from the job. Plus I don't want to name the company publicly as it might just embarrass them knowing I blogged about them. Those close to me heard what happened when I put on the posting about the very ill man in California but I digress and that is a situation I definitely want to forget. *Sigh*..............

Freedom to do as I please is the greatest reason and reward for me staying home. I have more freedom than at any other time in my life. I've never been BUSIER but it's my time to do with as I please and I absolutely love it.

I'm fanatic about my home being clean. I joke about how dirty it is but that's not the norm in this household. Most things sparkle. I don't like waking up to a dirty kitchen. After the computer/office/painting room, the kitchen gets the most usage. If it's not clean I don't function well at all. Yep, OCD in its finest form! Hubs says I'm way too fanatical but that has kept me off the "condemned house" list for 48 years so I've got to go with what I do best, chicks, and keeping my home from being declared a disaster area is high on my priority list.

Just look at that sink. Have you seen anything sparkle that much everrrRRRRRR?? Hmmmm. USMC standards! Spit shine!

Now, dust is an entirely different animal; dust does NOT bother me in any way, shape or form. Dust is my friend. It helps me to realize that some things in this world just are what they are. And dust is dust! It's part of the elements of the earth. Earthy?!?! I'm just helping Al Gore to save the planet by not disturbing it. Doing my part, chicks!! ;-)

Showers??? Hubs' domain. I don't do showers!

Yes, I do sinks. Love Bunny wipes his side of the sink faucets off every single morning without fail. He's proud of his home and wants it to look nice.

Every morning I look in this mirror and see an aging face. I truly feel sorry for women and men who think they need plastic surgery to feel beautiful or keep a partner or hubby. Love Bunny and I have grown up and grown old together. Some mornings I ask him how he could love someone who is getting old and wrinkled and getting brown spots on the hands and back and he has always told me he just remembers me coming down the stairs in my wedding dress 47+ years ago. That's all it takes for me..........ok, well, a little Oil of Olay facial treatments, wrinkle cream, and eye puffer upper! But this is the first thing I see in the mornings–my mirror.

Since our kids have left home over 25 years I thought we'd have less laundry. Nuuuuu, we have more laundry for some reason. I do more laundry than most women because I'm a clean freak. But I'm not too keen on washing more than once a week or so and I told hubs that we're buying more underwear so I don't have to wash so much. He agreed but said he couldn't get any more underwear in his drawers so I stopped and just wash now about every 9 days.

I may a 12 year old Maytag washer and dryer and love it. I have been known to leave the clothes in the washer so long they've dried in there. I try to watch it now but sometimes I just get busy with the computers or crafting or sewing and forget about housework altogether.

The first thing I do after leaving the bedroom is open my family room blinds, then the patio blinds and then the living room blinds. I like light in my home but it's a dark house because of the north facing front and a huge covered porch.

My headboard is supposed to get a coat of white paint soon but it's getting too cold to paint outside so I may have to wait till it's warmer. I want my pine bedroom set white. It has little appliques already on it and will look adorable when I'm through.

My bed has to be made every single day and if for some reason it's neglected in the morning, we'll make it before we get in it at night. This frustrates hubs but I CANNOT get into a bed that isn't made properly. Taut and tight corners are a must!!!

This garden tub came with the house. I would not have put it in but Love Bunny likes a soak every once in a while so it's there for him. I use the shower unless I'm going to shave my legs and then I sit on the little seat on this tub and do that job.

Our array of shampoos, conditioners, soaps, facial cleaners, washcloths, Olay body shampoo, razors and net scrubber and pumice stone for the feet. Really does help, chickees.

Now wasn't that just tooooo excitin' for ya?! Just goes to show ya tha ya never know what I'll put up on here. Hah........ More coming up in the coming weeks.

My Favorite Lifestyle Book and More

My favorite lifestyle and decorating author is Alexandra Stoddard. I bought her book, Living a Beautiful Life, many years ago when we lived in California. It is the epitome on how to live graciously in a frantic world. Of course, there are lots of decorating tips in the book, but for the most part it is just about living life. Or as the cover describes it: "500 Ways to Add Elegance, Order, Beauty and Joy to Every Day of Your Life." And it keeps that promise! I absolutely adore it and have even found some old copies since it was published in 1986 and given them as gifts. I believe the women who have received a copy from me have love the pleasures it offers inside the covers.

Another of her books called, Creating a Beautiful Life, which I also enjoy immensely, is described as "From starting fresh to freshening up - inspiring ideas to help you turn your house into a warm and welcoming home. I suggest you try finding them to read as you'll not be disappointed. I try and live my life graciously and it shows in my home.

Here are the 2 books. It looks like 3 but the Living a Beautiful Life has 2 different covers as I discovered when looking for more of these books.

The illustrations aren't in color but I've colored mine. I relax when I color and this seemed the perfect thing to do to this particular book.

I am also a "marker" of books. I use different colored pencils or markers to highlight thing I want to remember or go back to. She encourages this in her books. She also leaves room at the end of each chapter for "Grace Notes." Plenty of space to add your own grace notes.

Another page I colored and marked on the other side.

Ah, but this little book is something special. It's a grandmother's remembrance book. "A Book of Special Memories for the Family to Share." It all bright pink with beautiful green leaves on the cover and all the way through it also. I did one of these for my son and my daughter, but this one I've had for a very long long time waiting to see what I'd do with it. Well, the time has arrived that a woman I know is expecting her very first grandchild soon and it's to be a girl. So this will be her special prize. She's going to have to read this post to know it though. I can't wait till she finds out. But she is a painter of roses so I know she'll love it.