Woodsy Retreats

A common dream of some people is to have a summer place at the beach or a cabin in the woods or the mountains. I think I'd prefer a cabin in the woods. I love being alone with my Love Bunny all snuggled in a cabin surrounded by a river or lake. But here we are in the suburban housing development on the outskirts of Idaho. I like it because there are neighbors around and that seems safer for us retired people. Quiet. Just the right size house for us. But woods bring an atmosphere that we love. I'd want my house in a clearing with woods/trees on the "outskirts" so I could have sunlight but I'd want to see the woods in the distance. Maybe a few trees around but nothing that would block the sunlight, just a few trees for a bit of shade. This is a dream; it will never happen at our stage of life. LOL

This is a rustic look and I think it's cute. Kinda has a woodsy look. It's a style I adore.

I remember going to a home about 15 years ago now and walking into their house. They used their family room as their "living room" because they had 5 boys. The actual living room was used as an office because the father was into sports big time and needed a big "office." I walked in and came eye-to-eye with the biggest dead animal head I'd ever seen in my life. A moose or an elk, not really sure. Not that I've seen too many dead animals on walls. Just didn't get that much in California and the crowd we ran with! LOL But I just about passed out it was so stunning/frightening to me. Nuuuuuuuu, I have no problem with people hunting but the dang thing was so big it took up the space of a very large sofa or even dining table jutting out into the room! Plus it was staring directly into my face! Shock, I tell ya. And not one feminine touch in that house! At least the house below has a feminine touch and is quite cute.

Now, this little cottage is screaming to me to take it home! I would love to have this in my back yard but Love Bunny keeps telling me he'd have to change the sprinkler system........as IF I cared!!! LOL This is adorable!

This is the inside of the little cottage above. Can't you just see it as an artist's retreat painting in that wonderful sunlight??

This is close proximity to the above little cottage. I could live with this too! Love it.

This house is in the woods but not actually woodsy but it is very pretty with all its open windows to the woods so I'd call it kinda "woodsy" and could live here very easily. ;-)

Nan's Roses Mosaic Table

This vintage antique table is one I had at my house, took to my daughter in California and she did a mosaic with shabby roses tiles. It is now for sale on her website and a great price because it is gorgeous!

I Had Lunch with an Artist Today.......

I went out to lunch with a small group of older women from my church today. We went to a deli that specialized in gourmet sandwiches. I had the chicken salad sandwich and brought half of it home for another meal. It was a sweet day and I enjoyed myself socializing with these women.

One of the women brought her sister-in-law, who is an artist. (She lost her husband about 6 weeks ago and one of her sons several years ago. She seems very lonely.) We talked about painting. She is supposedly a talented artist. I don't know as I've not seen her paintings yet, but I'd love to visit her home and view her art.

I told her my passion for wanting to learn how to paint - especially a rose. She understood. We chatted mostly about color, light and mediums of paint. I asked her how it was to paint with certain paints and she answered with a few hints to help me.

Towards the end of the luncheon I knew that she knew what I was talking about when she said she loved beauty. My heart leapt with joy as she uttered those words. I realized we were kindred spirits. She looked at me and I knew in that instant that she understood: I live my life beautifully. I live it beautifully in every single way I can. From making my home beautiful to making everyday chores beautiful to making myself beautiful to helping others to see the beauty of life not spent in luxury or wealth or exotic places but in the commonness of everyday life and a life well spent and the beauty of spiritualness. Oooooh, not in the world's view of beauty; I'll never achieve that kind of beauty, although, hubs tells me that I'm the most beautiful woman he's ever seen and I've seen him peaking at those "other" beauties. ;-) He'll sometimes remind me of the day when I walked down those stairs 47+ years ago into his waiting hand to marry me that day. I was no beauty then and am no beauty now but to have him think so is beyond "beauty" to me. Feeling beautiful can MAKE you beautiful. I want my countenance to "radiate" beauty. I would like to think it does.

But back to that lady. It gave me great joy to find someone who understood what I meant about my passion for living beautifully. This is my passion. It will not be taken from me by any mortal person. This is my life and we only get one chance at it here on earth. This isn't the dress rehearsal; this it IT. I shall live it as beautifully as I can. No one has the power to do that but me. Only I have the power to do otherwise.

And I'll have Love Bunny's eyes checked for new glasses soon also!
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I couldn't sleep the other night and got up about 4 am deciding that I was wasting time. I finished putting up the roses wallies and then made 2 cord covers for the paper lanterns. Can you see my "C" initial above the school desk? I'm very pleased with the room. Just need to get some shelves up now and I'm through with my office. It's now a place I love to spend a lot of time in.


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Practicing in my "new" painting room. Today seemed like this is the type of rose I'm doomed to paint for a while. ;-) I'm satisfied.....until I can get a class somewhere. I have a new book with patterns in it. I'll try that and see where it leads me. *Sigh*........

Gifts of Roses!

I made a decision earlier this week and I'm only going to be posting every 2 days now. I love blogging but other things are becoming more important. :-)
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I recently received a surprise in the mail!! Just take a look at these gorgeous faux desserts created by my sweet friend, Miss Rhea. Go visit her Giveaway for fabulous pastries. You really don't wanna miss it, chicks!!!

And my own initial "C" is now hanging over my antique school desk - painting desk - now!!

A satin and velvet hanger. Woooooeeeeee!!

Yes, I've named her Rhea and she sits in my living room on a sofa table - proudly!

Vintaaaaaaaaage wallpaperrrrrRRRrrr!!!! Yesssssss, isn't that so kind of her. I just love it and will do something special with the wallpaper soon.
:-) <-------me with a huge grin on my face!

These I ordered from the internet and they came. I'm putting them all around the room. When I say "girly-girl room" I mean a girly room!!! I ain't wimpy 'bout it, chicks; I go all the way. I have 50 and the leftovers will go into other rooms after they are painted. This can take a couple of months though. I don't have the energy to do the whole house at once. I'm an ol' chick, ya know!! ;-)

I was truly blessed this day. I live a "charmed" life, my sweet cherubs!!

Where I Create!

Desk is painted and done. Well, I need to touch it up in some spots underneath where I will be sitting. But I've hung the paper lanterns where they will stay. I need to get some shelves back up but I'm not putting them all back in this room because I'll be redoing the craft/sewing room next and some will go in there. Then my roses wallies should be coming in a day or so and those will go up. "Next" does not mean in a few days! That might take a bit longer in there.
;-)<--------me winking at ya!

I'm tired from crawling around on my knees and painting. Gonna go read a mystery....