Daydreaming Day

One of those days. Just can't seem to get motivated after spending the last several days in bed with hubby. Both sick. Today I think we both feel almost human again. I know I do.

My fabric sits there awaiting to be made into a pillow. I found some beautiful pale lavender chenille also. Isn't it neat?!

I've tried getting motivated; I truly have. Sunday I even painted a little picture. I'm here in this office/computer/craft room looking at my little space across from my desk and reeeeeeallly trying to get motivated into doing something. I even had hubby take me to Michael's today and spent some money! Now if that doesn't motivate me what else will?! The packages still sit in the living room unopened.

My little craft space - one of about 3 around this house. I've even got some cones painted or wrapped with wallpaper or wrapped with fabric but haven't finished any of it yet.

I paint on my kitchen table because the light is so good in there with the patio door and facing south. But it's still as it was sunday night. Sigh.............

I even have that glorious crystal chandelier for inspiration with Rhea's little teapots hanging adorably there for inspiration.

Okay, better go open the packages I got today. Ooooooh, will spring ever get here? I'm so looking forward to some green grass out here in the desert.

Some Lessons I've Learned in My 6th Decade

I handpainted this little bird's nest yesterday. It's my first attempt at painting something other than practicing shabby roses!
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I've been in my 6th decade of life for several years now and life is funny because we keep on learning. I'm going to list a few that come to mind recently. I'm sure I'll be adding more to the list as I "age"!

* I'm learning to paint and am getting adequate at it. The above one is my first birdnest with eggs and roses.

* Sometimes I just wanna be a slob. I've earned it. I wore those binding tight pantihose for 35 years so it's time to let it all hang out.

* Bras are also optional. See last 5 words in above sentence!

* When shaving your legs and you cut yourself never ever use a "sheer strip" bandaid. It blends in too well and you'll forget it's there (especially when it's on the back of your leg) until the next time you shave your legs or for about 6 months, whichever comes first.

* When driving with "daughter" - who is 40 something - be sure you remind her constantly of the potholes in the road, make sure her tired are in excellent shape, be sure your cell phone is fully charged, make absolutely sure she has AAA, carry a raincoat and be absolutely sure you've gone to the potty before getting in her car.

* When you catch a cough be sure you've gone to the potty before you cough and make frequent trips. This is a must. Also making sure your undies are all laundered and stacked in your dresser helps a lot.......personal experience this past week.

* If hubby has a cough with you.....sigh....isn't that s-p-e-c-i-a-l.......make sure he knows which bathroom he goes to when you both have to go......his should be the farthest point from where you are sitting or laying down. And if he forgets it's his problem he gets his feet stomped on. He was warned I promise you!

* When you're having a new storm door put on by a handy man always make sure you've cleaned the main bathroom toilet. DO NOT put it off because it isn't regular toilet cleaning day! This will assure you of not being totally embarrassed, trust me.

* Do not torture yourself. There is always someone you know who will be more than happy to do it for you thereby saving you the stress! Hubby, daughter, son come to mind here.

* If your hubby gives you Dr. Laura's book on the Proper Care and Feeding of Husbands you'd better read it. Hubby has and he knows all the secrets so save yourself a lot of anguish and read it. You won't win this one unless you read it.

French Decorating

After shabby chic and romantic I love french decorating the best. I also like italian antiques, but french wins out as the next favorite.

I've done vignettes like this for years. Maybe from seeing this decorator and others doing it, but my true inspiration comes from a friend in a small Idaho town who did this. I go to the thrift stores and get the books with the most interesting covers. I'll usually stack them together and tie them with a beautiful ribbon and put flowers on top. Over the years I've given most of them away but it does set a romantic mood. I've also used books stacked to put our bedside clock radio on. And even small vases of flowers. It works and is so cheap to do and makes a stunning statement. You might even wish to break up the rows and rows of books with some of these ideas to create little vignettes.

This room is one of my favorite colors - RED! This is a den for a man who is a francophile. How many men would like this room?! I think quite a lot. It is very masculine even though it is red. He also subscribes to the "more is less" decorating philosophy I love. Yep, More is Less for me! He also balances it with different colors of wood in this room and lots of antiques.

I have a friend, Lorena, who has a blue dining room. It's gorgeous but a darker blue than this. I love this room because he's mixed red and blue together. Toile on the wall is red; blue is interspersed around the room on the back of the chairs, plates on the wall and dinnerware and goblets. And the whimsical part is the blue leopard print on the chairs front.

While his living is considered neutral, there really isn't anything "neutral" about it. Blue willow plates grace the wall and there are chairs in other colors thrown around the room but not visible in this photo. He also places red books around this living room to add even more color.

Secret Gardens

By now I think we're all tired of winter and snow! So I thought I'd raise everyone's spirits by posting some secret green gardens! Think "spring", chickadees!!!

A secret garden with clematis and an old stone bench and tuffs of moss growing up between the old stonework pathway, ferns and lush greenery secreting you away from all the troubles of your world to quietly caress you. Shhhhhhhhhh, quietly meditate, my bunnies and chicks.

A vintage rustic chair and table among the geraniums and lush greenery.

Look at the lace work of this old patio table and chairs. Have you ever seen anything so exquisite?! Just a perfect secluded shaded secret garden. And roses on the table! Does this lady know her priorities or what, chicks????

I love clematis! It is just so beautiful when it climbs a fence or pergola. I like this fence also.

I just thought you'd all enjoy viewing this little patio and tiny yellow cottage. Yellow with the red statuary just stands out here. Adorable, especially with the rhododendrons surrounding the space.

Through the years I've looked at this picture and thought about how I'd love to have an allèe like this one bordered by luscious droopy trees to walk though. This would be the ultimate garden for me.

Just a summer time garden!

Another part of my allèe garden would be this little "echo" of it in another part which I would keep sunny for some roses. ;-)

Water would always figure in somewhere in my perfect garden. What better way than to have a pond with a lazy chair beside it for meditating?!

Cupcakes and Roses

These are my 24 cupcakes finished!! Now, I have to tell you something. I bought those silicone molded cupcake holders yesterday to bake these so it was my first time using them. I like them! However, on my second batch I didn't spray the liners before putting in the batter and they stuck a tad. But the first batch released quite well from the cupcake holders and looked absolutely adorable. I've put on the icing and the fondant roses. Don't they look shabby yummy?!?!?!