My Corner

 

So this is my little corner now.  When we started redoing the kitchen we move my Hoosier across the room to where our refrigerator was.  This gives me a little nook which I love and a view out the window into the garden.  My computer is behind those sliding doors.




My ever present cup of tea is being sipped while I type this.  I'm drinking The Republic of Tea's Rose Petal Tea today.  It's lovely.

 

Can I tell you how much I enjoy my island?  We started with an old, enamel table at first so I had some space to work.  When we got the new to us cabinets we set a cabinet of big drawers in the middle and used the enamel top on it.  It worked and gave me some much needed storage space, though it had its own issues.

We added a second bank of cabinets back to back and flipped the whole thing around.  Sweetheart and his friend added the countertop to it last week.  We've got an overhang on one side and some stools for the kiddos to sit at and chat with me while I work. Having such a large work space is such a blessing. 

It's nice that some many of our things like the Hoosier match this gorgeous built in.  It passes into the Dining Room with doors on both sides.  I used to keep all my dishes in it, but since I have the storage in the island I am keeping all the bowls and plates in there.  It's right across from the dishwasher and it allows the kids to be able to reach whatever they need and to help put things away.
 
They were excited that they could help.  I know, they are weird, but we encourage it.  ;)  Actually, Cupcake is the only one after the initial excitement that still wants to help.  She's surprisingly helpful.  Well, except this morning when she got distracted and put the clean cups in the garbage can instead of the drawer where they belong.  She laughed and seemed to wonder why she did it when I pointed it out to her.  She didn't complain when she had to take them out and put them back in the dishwasher so that's something.  In fact, I think she knows better where things go than Sweetheart does.  Ahem.

There is still a lot to be done:  floors, trim work, the new antique :) lights to install, and the upper cabinets and microwave need to be hung.  I'll post final pictures as well as some before picks when it is completed.  Someday.

Until then, I'll just be excited for all that's done and enjoy the breeze I have now that the windows open.  And I'll look forward to having a microwave handy after three years without.  Plus, there is the thrill of being able to wash dishes in a built in dishwasher.  Who knew?

Question for you all:  with Google Reader disappearing in a few days, how are you planning to keep track of what blogs you like to read?  I have the option on the sidebar to follow by email which you are of course welcome to use, but I am curious as to what your plans are.  I'd hate to lose you.

Thinking Back, Looking Forward

As we venture forth to a new home and a new life, I am excited. It's been a longer journey than I expected when we started this last March. I really thought buying a home would be easier than selling one these days. Not for us! We had a contract the first week and closed the next month.

We looked and looked and looked. Changed what we were looking for, adjusted ideals and prices, whittled down what it was we needed versus wanted. At least two acres with water rights became our only non-negotiables. Cute was desired, of course. This was going to be my home after all.

We wandered through property after property last spring. Nothing. Several places that would have simply been improved by tearing them down. An offer was made on a property. Luckily, it went nowhere at that time. Meanwhile, our home was sold and we had to move. The week of that closing we learned that the company Sweetheart worked for was being bought out. Spring turned to summer.

We widened the search to all over Colorado. A few places appeared and were visited. Still nothing. We camped out at Mom's while still searching.

The idea that we'd buy something before the baby arrived ended. I decided I had to withdraw from the search and just focus on getting ready for the baby to be born. We moved into a rental nearer to Sweetheart's work still not knowing what would happen with the acquisition.

Autumn came and with it the joyous arrival of Cupcake. The search resumed. Now, we widened the search again. Idaho had several things in its favor. It wasn't Colorado, but it was a lot more affordable. The company was sold and everyone was told nothing would change.

That lasted about a month. Then the layoffs began. Sweetheart's job was eliminated. And the house in Idaho was found. We wanted to buy something out right and made an offer. Autumn ended without a contract.

Winter arrived and with it a quick trip for Sweetheart to see the home we had put an offer on. He fell in love with it. Negotiations stalled.

On a whim, we decided to see if we could finance after all. We had our own side business since Pumpkin was born. Miraculously, we were approved based on the income from that.

Counteroffers went back and forth and an agreement was made. It was now mid-December and Christmas on the way. After a flurry of inspections, everything came back as perfect! We were even able to close early, last Tuesday in fact.

Now we are busily packing and trying to figure out the best way to get everyone and everything there. We have a lot of stuff. I hear some of you that have been to our old home laughing. Knock it off. So I have the gift of understatement.

Everyone keeps asking when we're moving. I still don't know. We have to be out of here by the end of the month, but hope to go sooner. I just wrapped up most of the things I wanted to do before leaving the other day.

We are just itching to get there. It will come down to weather and trucks and packing.

I am just taking a bit of a breather at the local coffee shop. I dropped off a load at the thrift store and returned all the library books. Sweetheart and the kiddos are at home. Not sure when was the last time I was just out by myself to do something relaxing alone. Cupcake and I have been a team since birth. I unpacked a bottle and left it on the counter is case it's needed.

There is so much to do, that I can't stay too long, I know. But the gift of an hour without being needed is wonderful. There is a giant speaker next to me playing country music which is somewhat drowning out the chatter around me.

Hmm...Think I'll be hearing country music a lot in the new town. That's ok. It'll be an interesting break from all my instrumental music I have playing all day. My "pretty music" as the boys call it is just a part of the background of our days.

I cannot deal with additional voices added in on purpose as my family seems to talk nonstop. Yes, more laughing from those of you in the know. I hear it. Here's the funny thing: Cupcake is a chatterer, too. She's started in the last few weeks and is hilarious. She is so expressive. She must get that from her father. ;)

When I was more than a little on edge this summer, I talked with Joanne one afternoon. I commented on not having a home for the boys and wondering what all the upheaval would do. She said something I can't get out of my mind that she said she had learned with all of her different moves. As far as the kids are concerned, wherever I am is home. An excellent reminder and one I have thought of some many times as we've lived in transition for too long.

I have tried to make this rental a home for us all. It hasn't been easy and I will not miss this house at all. Looking back, I can see that she is right and that it will all be okay. Doesn't mean I'm not looking forward to cooking dinner in my own kitchen and eating it off of something other than a folding table and chairs like we have for the last six months.

I keep trying to think about other things, but find my thoughts constantly going back to Joanne. Wishing so much we could have had lunch together yesterday as planned. Thinking about all our tea times, including the one that Pumpkin decided to, for some unknown reason, stick his hand in her teacup full of tea. Luckily, it was just warm and she was gracious about it.
Wake up, sweet friend. I miss you.

*** For those of you looking for updates, Joanne's family said they were going to keep the day quiet with just family so I am not expecting any updates today. The doctors determined yesterday that her movements were seizures and have now placed her into a medically induced coma for a few days. Please continue to pray for all of them. They are so needing some rest and peace.

Home Sweet Home????

We're hoping!

Score!

I just raided the bargain bins at Target and think we are set with preschool/homeschool supplies! From books and clocks to tubs and counting blocks~ we are ready to roll. I even bought two giant calculators for the boys' "computers". Pumpkin loves to type his numbers on the computer and goes up to 65. He also enjoys typing out the words he can spell which obviously doesn't work on a calculator, but he's pretty happy.

They had a ton of things we can use for their ages and so I thought I would pass it on to others out there who might be interested. I usually avoid the bargain bins area, but I am glad we saw them today.

Also, can I just say how much I enjoy driving around here? So many beautiful farms and fields with golden wheat, barley, lots of corn and sugar beets. My favorite though is the acres and acres of sunflowers. Tomorrow I am planning on taking my camera with me to the midwife's and hopefully will be able to take some shots.

I am waiting for another load of laundry to finish rinsing. I just poured some vinegar in to help soften everything. It works as well as Downy, but without the smell which bothers me. And, no, it doesn't smell like vinegar either once the load is down.

I picked up some more clothespins at Target as well to use on my new clothesline that Sweetheart hung up this morning before work. I have one load up and drying already, but I needed more pins to hang the rest. I have my grandma's old clothespin bag I am using. It is rather plain, old and faded, but the one I made a few years ago is still in storage. This one will be fine for now. (I have no idea how my everyday one came to be packed and my grandma's wasn't since I rarely used it! Such are the mysteries of this move.)

We were able to pick up some really nice furniture from Craig's List this weekend for REALLY cheap. I am almost giddy to have comfortable places to sit! Come over everyone and we can visit now and have some tea. Though since it is quite warm out today, I need to brew up some iced tea. You'd love it here. The trees are truly amazing to me.

Well, off to discover what we are having for lunch. Hope you are enjoying a wonderful day as well.

Home Sweet Home

It has been a busy week here around the new place. I've unpacked some things we'll be needing while we are here and nesting a bit. I sewed up a new tea cozy out of scraps as I seemed to have all mine still packed in storage. My kitchen is in order which is always nice for me.

The kitchen has churned out breads, cinnamon rolls, apple pie, scones, as well as breakfasts, lunches and dinners. All this has made for a lot of dishes which are now washed by hand. I enjoy it overall and am amazed at how much better all my dishes and silverware look when not machine washed!

I am hoping Sweetheart will hang my clothesline up this weekend as well. We do have a dryer, but I would like to use the line as able. Our old neighborhood prohibited clothesline.

I did plant some flowers the third day here to brighten up the front. There are the most wonderful, enormous trees all over the front and back including two apple trees and a peach tree. The late snow means no peaches and the squirrels are working hard to make sure I don't get apples, but we'll see. All my canning stuff is packed up anyway.

I've been visiting our little farmers' market on Thursdays which is nice. The offerings should pick up soon. Still trying to work out regular grocery shopping. Organic food is not real popular in these parts. ;)

I was so spoiled last summer with all the garden goodies of fresh flowers and food.

We finally have internet service here at home which is so wonderful. Sweetheart is sitting next to me on his computer as I type. The boys have drifted off to sleep as well. They have been sharing a room since we sold the house. It has its good days and its bad days.

I finished reading Little Dorrit. I highly recommend it! I really do want to see the movie now. I am debating between Dombey & Son and The Mystery of Edwin Drood for my next reading. I started D&S, but it is so sad so far.

Alas, my Highly Domestic Book Posts are delayed as I had to return all my library books. It wasn't worth renewing them as the drive back to that library is lengthy and not all the books were available for renewal. I will see if I can find any of them at the library here when we go next week.

Well, I think that is all my news for now. It is so nice just to be able to sit and type. Hopefully, I will figure out how to do the pictures again on here and have some new pictures up soon. I'll even post a few of the house, Carey. :)

Thanks to everyone for sticking around through it all and all your sweet comments. They mean so much!

Good Morning

Oatmeal Breakfast with Pumpkin Spice Honey Toast & Caramel Coffee

Today the weather changed. Whereas, yesterday was one of those perfect Autumn days that found me out in the garden before everyone else was up, today I just wanted to stay huddled in bed snuggled down deep. Alas, I had to get up anyway.

It was so gloomy and dark I thought our breakfast needed a bit of brightening up. Breakfast by candlelight not being an everyday thing here. Of course, it was so pleasant I may have to reconsider. In fact, the candle is still burning bright scenting our home with a delicious pumpkin spice fragrance. I cooked and baked up a storm yesterday and so am just enjoying what I made and not really cooking today, my usual preferred method for making our home smell yummy. Not much beats the smell of fresh baking bread, does it?

The good news is that Sweetheart did some work this weekend on my computer so I hope I'll be posting a bit more. The setup I've been using since July has been so uncomfortable that I have not written as much as I would have otherwise. I was in fact thinking of just quitting blogging altogether.

But, for the three of you still reading this, I've decided to keep going. Besides, where else would I be able to write and dream and share?

The boys are sleeping now, some dishes are soaking in the sink and the laundry is spinning away. Gentle music is keeping me company in the background and I am enjoying the simply beauty of a quiet afternoon. I've enjoyed a little reading (Mitford) and a lot of tea.

Around the house I've been tucking bits of Autumn color with flowers from the garden and some of my leaf garlands and ribbons. Of course, one can always tell what season it is around here based on the tea set that's in use. Since Saturday I've been enjoying my Lusterware set. It's a funny process. I needed to wash the tablecloth so I pulled out a burgundy one to replace it. Then the rose centerpiece no longer matched so I got out my candles and fruit and leaf plates. That meant that the rose Tree Chintz tea set clashed and so I pulled out the Lusterware. This then meant I needed to change the curtain tiebacks in the dining room. Those ribbons didn't match the one on the Victorian crystal candy dish and so I changed that out. Sweetheart just laughed.

While I was at it I did up a new wreath for the porch and changed out the porch flag. This necessitated the need to wash down the entire porch, walls and windows. I stopped there. Of course, I still have more leaves and ribbons and will probably putter around tucking bits and pieces here and there throughout the week.

I just heard a little boy wake up, so I'll go for now. So much more to write & share!!! Maybe later.

What are you doing to welcome Autumn to your home?

Some Pictures to Share

Even though we got a late start, things are really growing!

This picture was the beginning of July just after we laid the sod:
Here's what it looks like today:
Here are my zucchini plants. I picked a few today and made oven "fried" zucchini. Yum!

The sunflowers were only a few feet tall then, but my how they grown!
We've been enjoying beautiful salad filled with colorful greens and edible flowers.
I've been busy canning I was just blessed with over thirty boxes of canning jars. My friend's mother no longer cans and wanted them to go to a good home. Looks like I'll be busy!

I've got herbs growing everywhere and we add them to everything. I love all the flavors they add. Along the back are some of my tomato plants and my scarlet runner beans. We enjoyed our first tomato last night for dinner.


Nasturtiums are beautiful and delicious in salads and sandwiches. They have a nice peppery flavor. I ate a whole one once. Now I just scatter the petals. Too hot!


The pickling cucumbers I planted are really taking off! Looks like I'll be making more pickles in a few weeks! Good thing I've got plenty of jars now.

From the baby's garden~

Cosmos

Forget-Me-Nots

Beauty in the quiet places. It's a wonderful corner of life and color.

I just barely fit however between the abundance of sunflowers taking over. I'm enjoying their smiling faces, but I'll not plant so many there next year. I'm planning on making a scarecrow this weekend as the birds are threatening to take over. I made one years ago for someone else and loved it.

We're off to the farm this morning. It's a cloudy and cooler day. I'm hoping we'll have a good rain this afternoon. I've got some (!) weeds to pull and they're the type that need soft ground to remove. It feels more like a day in September than August. I'm longing for the cinnamon and spices and molasses days ahead.

**
I love the comments from yesterday's post on Elizabeth. It's one of those things you either just get, or don't! I finished reading Wives and Daughters yesterday and am working on North and South. Of course, I'm also reading Les Miserables so I've got a lot of amazing reading ahead! What are you reading?

March

I love March. I do. It's a special month to me, a bit of brightness as winter heads to spring. That it contains my birthday, I'm sure had nothing to do with it!

I love to change the decor around with the changing months and seasons. Am I the only one? Maybe it's the former schoolteacher in me. How I loved to change the classroom bulletin boards, decor and calendars! It always freshens things up to me. Now that I'm at home, I am able to do these little things with all sorts of treasures we have.

After the Christmas decorations are packed away, bits and pieces of pink and red add bright spots to our home for Valentines. With the passing of that, I find little bits of green adding touches of spring here and there. A bit of ivy, a shamrock coffeepot, vintage postcards all find their ways to new places to shine. It cheers up cleaning as well as I take an extra moment to find the perfect home for a little treasure.

Side Note: An early Birthday gift from Sweetheart. A 1915 edition of Little Women illustrated by Jessie Wilcox Smith, on of my favorite artists.

This makes my heart sing!

I just finished reading a copy from the library last week and this arrived yesterday.

Here's a peek inside at some of the illustrations.

I rarely buy things for specific holidays, preferring to just use what we have. Though I do find an occasionally new spool of ribbon can really add a lot in a simple way. Bits of fluff and fancy move all around the house all year long. I love finding natural treasures, too. Squash from the gardens, flowers, seed pods, nests, pine cones, and what-all are used in abundance.

Things move around even within a season as squash are used for dinner, seed pods are played with to the point of destruction, and sometimes just because I decide I don't like how I put something out the first time. I took a few picture a couple of days ago, and have since switched teapots around and added some bits of ribbon other places. This to me is one of the joys of homemaking.

Of course, so is finding gorgeous plates for five dollars while out with my Sweetheart! So lovely.

Here's closeup of the copy I bought of Pilgrim's Progress for Sweetheart a few years ago. As it was such a huge part of Little Women, I decided I should be reading it a bit each morning as the girls did throughout the story. I'd better get back to reading it!

What do you like to do to brighten your home?

Home Sweet Home

He did notice. He knew I was going to make some changes, but I don't think he quite expected me to do all that I did. He likes it. I still do need to fill in a few bare spots on the walls, but now I've got a sick little Pumpkin, so maybe next week.

The quilt is the one "new to us" item in the room. My Mom worked on quilting the top for years while I was growing up. She'd bought just the top and then added the back and quilted some of the flowers.

I have always loved this quilt. It was so nice to finally be given it after all these years. I remember thinking it was the neatest thing. My Mom has been storing it for years, but brought it over the other night. It's a full or queen size, so I just turned it on its side and placed it on the bottom of our king-sized bed. The duvet was what we had on our bed when we first married almost ten years ago.

I love how all the colors of the quilt allow me to add in any color I want. It's a nice break from all the purple, Sweetheart's favorite color. My Mom said the woman she bought the top from had said it was pieced from old aprons. Perfect.

I didn't paint. The walls in our home are all a lovely ivory color. It does look different because I used the flash in the "Before" pictures and not the "After" ones.

I'll take some better close-up pictures of the window lights as I love how those turned out, but not today. Today we've spent in the "new" room watching "Cars", Pumpkin's favorite movie. He, Dumpling, and I have snuggled down with our toys and books and have just been cozy all day.

Now, it's time to check the crockpot and finish up the dinner details. Hope you all are having a lovely day!

Think He'll Notice???

Sweet Dreams.

Below is what our room looked like last night:

Here's what it looks like tonight.



There's still a few things to do, but I think this was enough for one day, don't you?


Cost: $0.00

Homemaking

From the Preface of
Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House
by Cheryl Mendelson~

When you keep house, you use your head, your heart, and your hands together to create a home-the place where you live the most important parts of your private life.

Housekeeping is an art: it combines intuition and physical skill to create comfort, health, beauty, order, and safety.

It is also a science, a body of knowledge that helps is seek those goals and values wisely, efficiently, humanely. Such knowledge is drawn from practical experience, family traditions, the natural and social sciences, and many other stores of understanding and information.

Painting by Sandy Lynam Clough. Visit her wonderful website at www.sandysteasociety.com and sign up today for the forum.

Home

"Stay, stay at home, my heart and rest;

Home-keeping hearts are happiest..."

~Henry Longfellow

Home

"Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful,
or believe to be beautiful."

~William Morris

This quotation has helped to define how I decorate and make our house a home. My favorite things are those that are both beautiful and useful.
As you look around your home, do you see things that are neither lovely, nor have a purpose? Those may be the things you no longer need. Of course, remember that some things are useful or beautiful to other members of your family, even if you do not find them particularly attractive. In other words, we should be respectful of others' tastes as well!
This idea has really helped me in getting rid of things that are just "stuff". It's very freeing. I've been thinking of ways to apply this idea to other areas of life as well, including how I spend my time. Am I spending time on something lovely or useful, or am I just wasting it on "stuff" that seems to accumulate?