Taddie Tales

It's That Time ...

2009-01-10T15:36:00.008-07:00

***********

Well folks, it's time for me to take a

I just don't seem to have it in me right now to post semi intelligible things. I'm going to take a break. Take a little personal journey. We all have to do these things at one time or another in life.

I'm gonna check out one of these - no, maybe 2 or 3 of these and see where I end up. Hopefully inspired.

It has been a year since I've been out of work (not a bad thing) and things just aren't where I feel comfortable with them. So, I am going on a quest.

I'll be back. Bigger, better, and more informed. You can bet on that!

In Dire Need of a Makeover.

2009-01-06T13:42:00.006-07:00

OK GANG!!! My blog birthday is coming up real fast and I need to put some bling on it.

Mama needs some new clothes.

I need something to inspire me to post more often.

If anyone out there is reading this and knows someone to help me get a makeover give 'em a shout out.

I can not switch platforms (ie. typepad, etc) because of cost of usage. I most definitely will pay someone to redesign this glad rag.

I love you guys!

Fabulous Photos

2009-01-05T08:17:00.002-07:00

I wanted to share with you all some precious photos from my sweet sister-in-law. She is a budding photographer here in Colorado.
This photo she used in her Christmas card - the frost crystals are amazing.

Can you see the Katydid?

The little garden spider on this phlox is wonderful.

My favorite - a swallowtail on the budlia.

She does fantastic photos of little ones as well.

She really knows how to capture their personalities.

I'm trying to encourage her to start her own blog and participate in Wordless Wednesday. She needs to get her talent out there and share it with everyone. Anyone in Colorado wanting someone to take fabulous photos of them and their families? Or maybe their surroundings?

Resolution Bingo

2009-01-01T16:17:00.002-07:00

click on photo to enlarge

Anyone up for a game?

Happy New Year !!!

Recycled Christmas

2008-12-22T10:13:00.004-07:00

image from google images

Now here's a tree I could be happy with on the Green front. Just save all those beer bottles and stack 'em high to make a festive account of the past year. I bet this would be gorgeous at night with lights coming from inside the bottles. And when the holiday season is over just pull 'em all down and throw them in the recycle bin. How great is that?

Wishing all my blog family the best of the holiday season. May you be happy, healthy, and know that you are loved.

Advent - the Punk Rock way.

2008-12-18T19:33:00.013-07:00

(click on image for redirect to site)

Now this is my kind of advent calendar. Too bad I only discovered it now and not Dec 1st. There's always next year for the first 17 days.

Today's song.

Merry Christmas to all those that long for the good 'ol days of our wasted youth. Oi!

Happy Birthday to Me!

2008-12-16T10:16:00.003-07:00

Yes, it is that one day a year that I will participate in shameless self promotion. It is ALL ABOUT ME today.

39 and holding for the next 10 years.

Too Excited To Be A Perfectionist !!!

2008-12-10T11:30:00.008-07:00

Sorry for the sloppiness of this post - all photos are from Home Companion. I could not figure out how to get them singled out.
The Dec/Jan issue of Home Companion has an article about the interior of Amy Butlers home in Grainville, Ohio. And guess who did the styling on it - MONIQUE KEEGAN !!! When I saw the shot of the bike with the industrial table against the wall I knew it had to be her. Silly me didn't read the header on the magazine article that stated that Monique was the stylist. The only reason I knew it was her was because I went back and reread the comments on the post that I previously did on her own home. Whoa was I shocked - Monique commented on my little blog about the upcoming article.

You can tell that this is a fabulous collaboration between Monique and Amy Butler - good friends are they. Sorry the photos are so small, you will need to go to the Home Companion site to see them in their full glory.

But better than the Home Companion article is the fact that Monique has her website for Enjoy Co. up and it is CHOCKED FULL OF PHOTOS !!! Go now - quickly!!!! You will be amazed.

ENJOY CO

I'm tellin' ya' - this girls got it going on. I wonder if she would take me on as a virtual intern. Hey - I'm a hard worker and a fast learner.

Must See!

2008-12-07T20:13:00.003-07:00

You absolutely must go see Australia - in a large screen theater.

I am by no means a sappy, love story kinda gal and this flick has only 3 scenes that had gratuitous Harlequin novel yuck in it. The aerial shots will take your breath away and it's got plenty of shoot 'em up scenes in it for the boys. So it's not a chick flick in my opinion. It is the cinematography and set design that is so incredibly fabulous.

I'm Pissed Off!!!

2008-11-25T19:41:00.007-07:00

Why is it that all the good magazines go under?????

It's in black and white.

Dream Designer

2008-11-20T20:06:00.005-07:00

I do not subscribe to Country Living but after finding this slide show on their website I may have to add them to my monthly list. These are shots of the interior of a 1924 Tudor home in Granville, Ohio that was reno'ed by Monique Keegan and her husband. It took them three years to make the changes - no

small feat when dealing with 4400 square feet.

I am in L O V E with the "vintage-industrial, modern country approach to decorating" Monique took throughout the home. It seems that guests to the home have enjoyed her designs so much that she has started her own design firm - Enjoy Co. THIS is a girl after my own heart - vintage French mail bins for storage. What a workspace. I love all of the laboratory glassware and industrial metal that she uses in most of the rooms. This is true vintage - no reproductions here folks. If I lived in her neighborhood I'd have to stalk her and make her my new best friend. Storage. Storage. Storage.

Now why can't I find things like this???

Is it just me or does anyone else feel the need for the next Antiques Week to happen NOW ?????

Craigslist Score !!!

2008-11-09T19:44:00.009-07:00

So I was doin' my frequent Craigslist crawl to see the junk people are trying to sell these days. Look what I found ... keep in mind the lighting on these pictures pretty much stinks.It's a bakers prep table - galvanized stainless and maple wood top - listed for $100.00!

Hey, I could use this in the garage for a work table/potting table. Emailed the guy for the dimensions to see if it would fit in the nook that I was thinking of putting it in. When he emailed me back he asked what I was wanting to use it for. He had another table he was going to put up for sale and wanted to know if I would prefer it.
It was this beauty for $125.00. Again, galvanized stainless and maple! Check this out - flour bins!!!! Soon to be used for potting soil of course.
Prefer it ??? - forget that - I want them both!

These pieces are now sitting in my garage waiting for me to clean out the area that will be their new home. A good scrub, sanding the top and putting a few coats of linseed oil and they will be like new.

$225.00 for both tables ..... IKEA couldn't even beat that!

REUSE - RECYCLE - RE PURPOSE

I Got This!

2008-11-06T08:58:00.004-07:00

Halleuiah!

YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BITCH

2008-11-04T15:19:00.005-07:00

... or whine unless you VOTE !!!!

Vote to make a change for your children's world if not your own.

It's your obligation as a citizen of the United States of America.

Strange But True

2008-11-01T18:32:00.018-06:00

So how's this for spooky? This beautiful creature showed up on my back patio early yesterday morning. She stayed all day and was the absolute most friendliest cat I have ever met. She allowed the 3 year old hug her to death and pull on her hair. She hopped up in my lap when I went outside to enjoy a cup of coffee and plan my day. She was very healthy and very vocal. She took a midday nap in the chair that was in the sun. She was extremely comfortable with us.

The furry children of the house weren't too sure about her. They stood guard but no hisses were exchanged and she looked at them with nothing but love. As the sun set I decide that I would have to ask around to see if she belonged to anyone and if not I would take her to the vet to see if she was chipped. When the girls and I got home from Trick or Treating I went out back to check on her. She greeted me with quite a mouthful of meows, I petted and played with her, and than she walked off the patio into the darkness of the night. She was not on the patio this morning.

A Black Cat appears on Halloween, stays all day, and is gone the next day.

Things that make you go Hmmm...

This is Mable, the house spider. She is fixing her web for All Hallows Eve.

This is the front of Mable's house.

These are the two little girls that live in Mable's house with their huge pumpkins.

This is one of the pumpkins after their mommy carved it.

This is the front of Mable's house as it's getting dark. The photo's are not hazy - it's the {fake} fog rolling in.
Mable's front door - waiting for the first Trick or Treater.

Ah, what do we have here? A garden fairy and a witch it seems. Oh wait, that's the daddy that lives in Mable's house.

Ah yes, the handsome daddy and the two little adorable girls that live in Mable's house.
How cute are these two?

Hope you all had a happy and safe Halloween!

BOO! to You

2008-10-31T09:07:00.002-06:00

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

Road Trip Travels: Mustang Island & Fulton

2008-10-27T12:03:00.007-06:00

It's been SO LONG since I've been to the beach, and my babies have never experienced the ocean. I could NOT wait to share this wonderful part of Mother Nature with them. We arrived at the hotel on Mustang Island at 1:30am the day after we left Warrenton so no one got to see the ocean that night. We knew she'd be there the next morning though.

Those of you that live next to the ocean don't get how lucky you are. There is no power in the world like the ocean - it is Mother Nature at her finest. Something you can be around and have absolutely no control over and love every minute of it.

When I woke up the next am and heard the sound of the waves I could not get downstairs fast enough to put my toes in the sand and taste the salt in my mouth. I had to force myself and my babies to actually put some clothes on and not go frolic in the sand in our PJ's. God - I love the ocean!

The next day we drove up to Fulton to see the Fulton House - fabulous!

This is the front yard of the Fulton House - standing since the 19th century - can you imagine? It has survived many hurricanes.

Wonderful balustrades on the stairs in the front hall. Makes me rethink my own staircase issues.

The Library or Men's Study - fabulous furniture.

Beautiful plaster work in the dining room.

Onion Skin toilet paper in the bathroom - bet that wasn't Charmin Soft.

Master Bedroom - a gorgeous bed that makes you want to sink in.

Guest bedroom - LOVE the linen sheets and bed cover - lot's of inspiration here.

Road Trip Travels: Warrenton

2008-10-23T09:11:00.006-06:00

It's so cool how blogs bring people together. I would have never met some of the nicest people ever or known about Antiques Week in Round Top, Texas if it wasn't for Blogland.

Warrenton was the hit of the show in my book. Best deals and best junk.

I finally got to meet the famous Ms. Theresa Cano of Garden Antqs Vintage!!!

She has the most amazing stuff and knows how to merchandise it. Such talent!
I loved the way she set up this bed - made me want to grab a good read and fall in.

LOVE the old trim and the wasp nest.

You have to stop and look at every thing or you'll miss something.

Theresa was so incredibly sweet and engaging. I got too busy chatting and looking that I forgot to take a picture of her. She let the girls pick out some fancy 'ol buttons. What a treat!

We thought that this vendors name was too funny.

Dead People's Stuff. Of course all of it is dead people's stuff.

Couldn't come all this way with out checking out the Junk Gypsy girls.

Just add a tank top, lots of jewelry, a cowboy hat and boots and you'll be set for the Prom.

Can't wait to go back next year!

Road Trip Travels: Round Top & Brenham

2008-10-21T21:06:00.008-06:00

So that table bought from Susan Wheeler of Pink Lemonade was not going to fit in the back of the Jeep so we had to trek up to Brenham to pick up a trailer. After spending an hour and a half chatting with the U-Haul gal about her cat we finally got hitched and drove to the town's center.

Warning to those with short wheel based vehicles - they are great for 4-wheeling on those tight switchback roads up the mountain side but they SUCK for trying to park a trailer!!!!!!!

45 minutes later (so much for trying to shop today) we hit up the best little soda shop ever - Must Be Heaven! The girls are sitting with the shops scarecrows. Not sure the small one even notices them - she's too busy eyeing the ice cream sundae (candle). Brenham was having their Scarecrow Festival so they were all over town, even hangin' out on the corners.

Back to the purpose at hand - shopping! This vendor had a double booth of nothing but handmade birdhouses and signage.

How amazing are these colors?

Long day of getting not much accomplished and the small one is running out of steam. Off to the square at Round Top for some Texas chow.

Town's volunteer Fire Department - had to take this one for the hubby.

Been around since 1904.

Lizzie Lou's wicked ride - right next to the famous ...

Royer's Cafe.

This is Bud the owner - he was taking roll call. If you aren't on time you don't eat. Be early is my suggestion - the atmosphere is worth it.
View above my head - couldn't have asked for better company. I had the Pork Loin with peaches and pepper. OMG!!!!!! Melt in your mouth.
Mom and I were trying to figure out the plan of exit if, God forbid, there was a fire. Good thing this place is right behind the Fire Department.

Eye glasses are at every table - we fought over them. Mom and I were enjoying the wine a little too much and the girls were tired so back to the spider shack for us for the night.

Road Trip Travels: Marburger Farms

2008-10-19T18:58:00.016-06:00

Alrighty folks, here we go!!!! This was definitely the Road Trip of a Lifetime. I must be frank though, I did not take a lot of pictures. I was busy corralling a 3 and 4 year old and enjoying myself too much.
This is the road in to Trails West Retreat where we stayed during our time in Round Top. It's about 6 miles outside of the center of town. The girls called this the Sleepy Hallow road .... scary at night, right down to the Spanish Moss hanging from the Live Oaks. Beautiful!

This is our cabin - Rebecca's Cabin. One bedroom with kitchen and futon - great for families. And they don't charge any extra for all the spiders and roaches. Never in my life have I seen daddy long legged spiders the size of a saucer. I AM NOT EXAGGERATING. I made my mom sleep with the lights on and jumped out of bed twice because the little suckers wanted to snuggle. Last night we were there I hit the wine bottle(s) so I could sleep.The playground on the hill was a big hit and distracter for the girls. First morning out - shopping carts ready and loaded.

We got out early with intentions of eating breakfast at the Marburger cafe that opens at 8:00 - what they fail to tell you is that only the vendors can get in at 8:00am. Everyone else gets to wait until 9:00. Well good thing we were early - because we got there a little after 8:00am and we were 4th in line. By the time the gate opened at 9:00 the highway was a parking lot!!!!

WOO HOO - I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT WE ARE HERE!
Gee, Mom, neither can we. When can we eat already?
The girls looking at the menu. Hurry up MOM!!!! All that stuff will be there after we eat. No! Put that candle stick down and don't even think about stopping to look at those bergeres.
Chandeliers and Sea Shells - what more could a girl want?
USS Texas battleship made by hand by a gentleman that served on her.
French Vanilla

Peg and John at French Vanilla are multi talented.

John told me that this piece was the top part of a fireplace mantle. So the shelve that the objects are sitting on would have been the top of the fireplace - about shoulder height. Columns were on either side of the firebox. The cream frame in the front and the gold one in the rear with the round top came home with me!

A sink full of ironstone and a wall full of beautiful brushes. What talent! And what hospitality! They were so wonderful to talk to. Peg and John brought their puppy, Hannah, with them and she was the center of attention with the girls.

This is Beau Reicherts booth - he does this with his mom. How cool is that? This - my friends - is an 18th century autopsy table. And, yes, I was very serious about a potential purchase. Place a nice slab of glass on it and call it a dining table (and a major conversation piece).

Gears on the bottom of the table. Up, down, slide it at an angle. What a FABULOUS piece. Beau previously had a booth at Uncommon Objects in Austin and was one of the top sellers. I can see why. This guy told me about every piece he had and took the time to talk at length with me. A genuine sweetheart - a nice catch ladies - too bad I'm already taken. Too bad I didn't take more pictures.

Beau has an actual coffin table with a human skeleton in it. He showed me a picture on his iPhone. He couldn't bring it to the show due to some law about human remains?!?!?!?!

This is Susan Wheeler of Pink Lemonade out of Olympia, WA. Her booth was AMAZING!!!! I wanted everything in it!!!!! She was so incredibly nice and engaging. She kept the kids busy with her measuring tape. They had to make measurements of all of the furniture in her booth.
She had everyone taste is covered. Modern. Traditional. Italian. Jewelry. Liturgical.
I almost bought this beauty - just didn't have a place to put it. It is the face of a locker made in to a table with rebar legs. The patina on this piece was so warm and screamed "touch me!".
I wanted this statue SO bad - I may email her and ask if it's still available. Santa Clause is coming to town soon.
This table caught my eye immediately - it's very industrial and the most beautiful matted silver. Can't you just see it loaded with magazines laid on the horizontal? This baby came home with me and is the reason I ended up with a U-Haul trailer. Hey - it gave me reason to find more awesome stuff. Just wait until the next post!

It's only Marburger folks - we still have Round Top and Warrenton.

Home is Where the Good Bed Is

2008-10-17T09:46:00.015-06:00

WE'RE BACK !!!!

The girls and I left exactly 3 weeks ago on a major road trip and saw and experienced many wonderful things.

Lizzie Lou's Ride - Round Top, Texas

Warrenton Dealer

I have lots of pictures and will share them next week.

But for now I need to do laundry, unpack all of my Round Top finds, and get reacquainted with my husband. I can't even tell you how many beds I've slept in over the last 3 weeks. None as good as my own.

I missed you all !!!!

Road Trip Time

2008-09-29T13:06:00.018-06:00

Man do I dislike doing road trips with out the husband! SUCKS to drive all by your lonesome - the 3 and 4 year old in the back arguing the whole way. GEEZE - what parent skill am I lacking?

.
We made it to Fort Worth via Kansas and Oklahoma - whoo hooo! As I was driving through Kansas I thought of Meg over at Whatever and her fabulous photos .... her blog is a must see. Didn't know Kansas was so beautiful, did ya'?

photo by Michael Kanemoto

Oklahoma was a blur - thank goodness for the iPod!!!

Saw many of these little critters - rumor has it they can be pretty evil.

We're off to pick up grandma at DFW tomorrow am and than on to Round Top and Warrenton! Junk City here we come!!! I hope that I can find wi-fi so that I can post a few times while we are there.

Hopefully I will get to meet lots of gals there that are bloggers - I know of one that I will be lookin' for. Theresa of Garden Antqs Vintage is at the top of the list.

I have been in communication with her and she is just as sweet as possible. Check out her blog - what a fantastic eye she has for good junk!

Theresa's booth at the Spring show in Warrenton.

Theresa's great finds.

More of her finds.

... and even more.

CAN NOT WAIT!!!! PANICKING THAT I WON'T HAVE ENOUGH ROOM TO BRING IT ALL BACK .....

Parents - please comment!!!!!

2008-09-20T23:51:00.008-06:00

.
Go here ...

http://megduerksen.typepad.com/whatever/2008/09/why-i-hate-myspace.html

Act here ...

http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20080911_tows_predators

Comment here.

PLEASE!!!!!!!

PS .... I LOVE Megs WHATEVER blog - it is one of my daily reads. She has amazing photo talent and if I lived closer to her I would be knockin' on her door asking to to please take photos of my babies. She is a very talented, artistic, involved lady - someone I would be proud to call a friend if ever I had the opportunity to meet her. Not to mention her kids are pretty darn cute and she has a bathroom that I HAVE to have!

Snow Leopard Babies

2008-09-19T23:59:00.002-06:00

Took my babies to the Denver Zoo this am to see these babies.......

They were much cuter in person. I wish I could have gotten photos but they were behind glass and extremely active. Just like domestic kittens.

Absolutely amazing.

Vacation - All I Ever Wanted

2008-09-18T12:32:00.008-06:00

Vacation - Had to get away!

If you hadn't noticed I have not been posting lately. The brain and body are on the fritz. I have exactly 7 - count 'em 7 - days to get my shit together for this 3 week road trip and I'm not even close to being there.

Crazy Harry !!!

I know that y'all will want photos of Round Top and all of the goodies and awesome people we will meet. Of course Padre Island as well. And I'll throw a few photos of the corn fields and pump jacks between here and there in. But first I need to take care of gettin' us there so I'm fixen to go bonkers. And when did planning for Halloween for the kids become something that you had to do in September???? Sheeeze.

I called the hotel that we are staying at on Mustang Island and they were not phased at all by Ike. Let's pray that there won't be any more hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico this season. I can't even imagine the loss that many people are feeling right now. I admit I am feeling very guilty for getting ready to go on vacation to the untouched beaches of Texas when just a couple of hundred miles up the coast there is so much devastation.

Feeling Extremely guilty - how do you tell a 3 and 4 year old (that have talked nonstop about the beach for the past 6 months) that we can no longer go because others are suffering? I hope that in some way us not cancelling our plans and putting a little money into the Texas economy we will help - albeit so small.

Ok - 'nuff said. Comments? Suggestions? Going to go write a check to the Red Cross - even tho it won't even begin to help. What was that about the economy????

The Little Town of Wasilla, Alaska

2008-09-11T08:34:00.006-06:00

When McCain announced that his running mate was Sarah Palin, the Governor from Alaska, it caught my attention. Not because I care about McCain or the "pit bull with lipstick" but because I am interested in the little town of Wasilla that she calls her hometown.

In my life in Blog Land I have made some very special friends. One of those friends is the very talented Bill Hess over at No Cats Allowed, aka Grahamn Kracker (previous post). Bill lives in Wasilla. Bill has a new blog all about his life in Wasilla. Bill takes AMAZING photographs. One day Bill will be all healed and fly again.

. . . and further more

2008-09-10T21:14:00.002-06:00

Oh, please. Get over yourself!

I just happen to put it in black and white.

If the boy was lost .....

2008-09-08T23:10:00.004-06:00

I am so not lost .......

I'm just saying if the boy WAS lost ................

No, I'm am not a cheesy SAHM . . . just marveling at the beauty of the human body.

But word on the steet is that this boy is a little on the geeky side. Hear, hear for the geeks of the world!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tarjay Rocks

2008-09-06T22:02:00.010-06:00

I know that I am not the only blogger in Blog Land posting on this little ditty .....

Target will begin carrying a line of stationary and home goods created by John Derian - the famous decoupage artist that wears many hats from New York.

Ledges made from dried mushrooms.

For those of you, like me, that can not afford the one of a kind items from his studio this is a great opportunity to add a little modern twist to your home accessory stash.Blue Butterfly Coasters

Posts through out Blog Land and the web media state the items will begin showing up Sep 7th or Sep 14th. I will be stalking my local Targets for the next week until I get my mits on this text plate .........

Texas Bound

2008-09-03T09:45:00.010-06:00

Whoo Hooo .... the countdown begins! It's only 23 days until I pack up my 2 little angels and hit the open road for the great state of Texas. We will be hitting up Fort Worth, Round Top, North Padre Island, and of course points in between.

Bass Hall, Fort Worth (Flickr - starrise)

Marburger Farms - Round Top

North Padre Island

Let's hope that the girls have fun and behave while my mother and I drag them around Round Top looking at beautiful junk AND there are no hurricanes that hit Padre - or anywhere else for that matter.

It always amazes me how many things have to be in order in our daily lives to be able to go on vacation. My list of To Do is so large I don't even know where to start.

It's Still Summer Folks

2008-09-02T12:02:00.006-06:00

For the life of me I can never figure out why people try to push the coming of Fall. Some of the neighborhood decorating fairies have already been busy dusting a few porches and yards in autumnal festivities this past week.

Don't get me wrong, I love Fall. But if those fairies come this way I might have to have me a smack-down.

Autumn does not begin until the 22nd of September. Until then all of the fake leaves in the color of reds and orange and the cute scarecrows should remain in their respective storage boxes in the garage and attic, please.

I don't know about you but we squeak out every last day of Summer that there is. I don't have too many pet peeves but this one for some reason really irritates me. I know, choose your battles..........

Weather permitting we will still be wearing Summer clothes and flip flops for the next three weeks. Chasing bubbles. Climbing trees. And getting every second we can out of that cheap, plastic, kiddy pool.

I hope that everyone had a fabulous Labor Day weekend. We sure did. Every last minute of it........

Katy, the Houseguest

2008-08-25T09:59:00.010-06:00

Last week I was tending to my roses - my very first rose garden to be exact. Taking off all of the dead leaves and deadheading the spent flowers, and giving them their last meal of the growing season. As I was pulling off a yellow leaf on the inside of the plant something next to my hand moved - not a little something but a rather large something.

Can you see what made me jump?

This is Katy ...... short for Katydid. She was picked off of that rosebush and placed inside one of the girls insect houses that hadn't ben used since last years mantis raid.

Katy stayed with us for 4 days - sleeping and eating in her pink, plastic monstrosity. I chose to hold on to her because in all of my life living in the Denver Metro Area I had never seen a katydid - or at least a True Katydid. I had to do some investigation on her and make sure that she wasn't the culprit that had been munching on my roses.

Lucky for her she is not known to be a "pest" as she is a predatory insect related to the cricket, is active only at night, will only eat leaves if other "food" is not found. And they tend to remain on the same bush or tree their entire life. I shouldn't say she was lucky, only because I can not kill anything. I would have had to drive her out to one of the agro fields and let her go.

So after 4 days of her visit to the humanoids world - oh yea, she was show and tell at our last class at the Botanical Gardens - we set her back out on the same rose that I found her on. She was nice enough to stick around for a bit to have her photo taken. The girls were really attached to this big, green bug.

I couldn't be prouder!

Last Hurrah at the Gardens

2008-08-20T10:16:00.011-06:00

Yesterday was our last Seedlings class at the Denver Botanical Gardens for the Summer.

We learned all about giant grasses and got to walk through many areas in the gardens that were full of these beauties.

I did not know that bamboo and corn are members of the grass family.

After exploring all the wonderful grasses that the gardens had to offer we went back in to the classroom and planted our own pots with 3 types of grass. Prairie grass, wheat, and corn.

After class the girls wanted to do a little water coloring of the grasses that they learned about. This Summer they have been obsessed with painting.

Of course we had to have our weekly slurpee drinks. I think more time was spent seeing who could make the loudest slurp than painting.

Isn't this display of Mexican Feather Grass incredible? Makes me want to go home and rip out the darn lawn that just eats up water and takes energy to mow. Wonder if the HOA would go for that.....

I'm pretty sure that I got a lot more out of this class than the girls did. But the important part was that we spent the day together and got to be outside. Before we know it the snow will return and we will be doing inside things.

August Bloom Day

2008-08-16T17:45:00.004-06:00

This big, fat bee had a TON of pollen on his legs.

Soaking wet rains the last 2 days - a bit of sunshine gave me the chance to grab the digital and shoot what I could.

The Story of Stuff

2008-08-13T14:56:00.005-06:00

If you have not come across this in your wanderings on the internet or You Tube I would be amazed. If not, it is a must watch. Grab a cup 'o joe, tho.

In this world of hyper consumerism it is time to stop and really think about if you always need the latest and greatest - anything.

Reduce! Reuse! Recycle! Repurpose!

Guess that's why I love junkin' so much. It's already been made and resources have been used. Why put it in the dump??? Recycling has been 2nd nature to me since I can remember and has been ingrained in my children's minds. Don't get me wrong, we're not extremists but also not shy about bringing home recyclable materials (ie juice cans, pop cans, newspaper) that we purchase when out and about. Just because an establishment doesn't provide recycling doesn't mean it needs to go in to the trash. That, and planing errands for one day a week to reduce gas, before it was even fashionable to do so when gas prices went up to $4.00 a gallon.

In the words of Bill Cosby, "Come on people!"

EVERY single thing helps!

A Twist on Children's Tales

2008-08-09T11:57:00.022-06:00

Searching for Alice and Wonderland information I came upon these beauties created out of said story books.

Alice: Through the Looking Glass

Alice: A Mad Tea Party

When I dug a little further I found that Peter Pan was part of this imaginative collection as well. The Story of Peter Pan: The Pirate Ship

And one of my favorite stories from my pre adolescent imagination, too.

The Secret Garden

All of these were crafted by Su Blackwell, an incredibly talented gal from the UK. She has done some pretty fantastic print ads and TV spots as well as her installations. You must check out her website for larger photos and videos. Such talent.

Wild Flowers

Birds of the Open Forest

Someone Please Explain ...

2008-08-08T12:10:00.003-06:00

I'm just sayin'.

MAJOR COMPUTER SNAFU

2008-08-04T11:06:00.001-06:00

OVERHAULING THE LAPTOP

CAUGHT A MAJOR VIRUS

BACK SOON

I HOPE

Mountain Road Trip: Part 2

2008-07-23T17:56:00.006-06:00

Once we hit Estes Park and filled our tummies with a little lunch we went wandering around at the local Rock Shop. Fun Fun Fun for mom! I love finding a good rock.
A bale of fused glass .... colors galore.

You have to get the rocks wet to see a whole different beauty in them.

Than on to one of the many parks along the St. Vrain river in Estes.Climbing around the many granite boulders - hey what's that tent over there? Whoa - time to get out the rain coats. 70 degrees and rain - we hit the jackpot! It was 101 degrees back down in the Denver area.Let's go waddle over to the tent.

Yea! It's a tent full of musicians - singing and dancing for all!!!!!

So, ya' think that water was cold? Let me tell you - it was worth every purple toe cold!

Singin' and dancin' at the rivers edge once the rain let up.

Sister, "Let's dig for worms!" Little sister, "No, let's dig for frogs!"

Ah, Summertime in the Rockies! We hit the jackpot by just livin' here.

Mountain Road Trip

2008-07-22T08:00:00.003-06:00

Mount Meeker

Summertime in the Rockies !!! We decided it was time to beat the heat and get out of town so we took a mini road trip to Estes Park. We traveled via Allenspark so that we could make a stop at St. Malo - a Catholic Retreat and Conference center.

The retreat is built around this little Chapel on the Rocks built in the early 1900's. Pope John Paul II visited and blessed this little chapel in 1993 when he came to Colorado for World Youth Day.

The surrounding fields were full of wildflowers and songbirds. And of course that beautiful blue Colorado sky above.

Just dying to jump in the stream below that has that freezing cold snow melt runoff. That or chase the ducklings that were looking for lunch.

Beautiful! So glad I live in Colorado.

Handmade - The Only Way To Go!!!

2008-07-17T17:19:00.010-06:00

If you don't know about Etsy than you must be living under a rock. And now that you will be coming out from under that rock let me tell you about my little secret love affair.

Lorelei makes jewelry. Very pretty jewelry. Handmade jewelry.

This was the first piece that I bought from her - an incredible necklace made from brass, Czech glass, green jade and abalone shell. I get compliments on it every time I wear it. It's one of those feel good things that make me feel special. I just love this piece.

Than I bought this beauty.

And she made these for me to go with it.

I had to have these - I wish that you could feel them. Ahhh.....

She has quite a few pretties listed right now. The best thing about her jewelry is that she uses quite a lot of natural materials and supports other artists by incorporating their art into her own art.

She also has a fabulous blog, Inside the Studio, that showcases her art as well as others. She has a wicked sense of humor - I just know we'd be fast friends if we lived closer. I'd be at her house all the time playin' in her beads!

July Bloom Day

2008-07-15T21:30:00.007-06:00

Carol over at the award wining May Dreams Gardens has this awesome little thing goin' called Garden Bloggers Bloom Day on the 15th of every month. You make a post on what is growing in your garden and leave a comment on her blog with a link back to your post.

Now this is not a garden blog but I am definitely a gardener (still not sure what kind of blog it 'tis). It is one of the top 3 passions in my life outside of the passion I have for my family. This is just a few of what I've currently got out in the back 10. Ha - I wish!!! Try 20 feet.

Gloriosa Daisy

Calibrachoa Superbells

.Lilium American West

Yes this was taken inside - only because it's grown so tall it's bending over. My first ornipet so I am still learning how to make this beauty strong. It is my favorite plant in the garden right now. It smells like HEAVEN!

.Colorful Buckets 'O Water

.Pinwheels Extraordinaire

Gosh I love Summer!!!!!

Design Inspiration

2008-07-11T14:41:00.008-06:00

Sitting out on the patio having a cold one, reading today's mail ... I KNOW all you design freaks out there read this mag. As do I.

There was an article featuring a beautiful, modern designed dining room for under $2000.00. My kind of budget!!! Love the credenza and chairs. Wait, what's that beauty on the wall?

OMG - that is a stencil! Actually some of the Chinoiserie Panels from The Stencil Library no less. HA! And you thought that stencils were those tacky things that you bought at a hobby shop and looked like this ....

(sorry - still got a little of that punk rocker in me)

Boy were you wrong!!!! Stencils have a come a LONG way baby!

Anywho - I got so excited because this design is the same one that was used in this post that Helen over at design inspiration created with Swarovski Crystals.

Helen is co-owner of The Stencil Library and her blog is one of my daily reads. She has the most incredible talent - check out her beautiful house that she has so graciously covered in - you guessed it - stencils. Helen is so very sweet and talented. I have had a few blog words with her and just know that if I lived a little closer to her I would beg her to have tea with me and teach me her secrets!

Summertime

2008-07-10T19:43:00.010-06:00

. . . . . is a hard time to blog ......

Youngest one gazing at a "rave light" on the 4th of July.

Glimpse of the Summer space in our back yard.

We literally live back here in the Spring and Summer.

One of my many groupings of pots ... one of the few ways to get continuous color in Colorado in the 95 degree heat.

This is one of my favorites that I did this year - hopefully carries into the Fall.

These beauties were planted by the two beauties below in one of their Seedlings class at the Denver Botanical Gardens a few weeks ago. This is a BIG deal - I've never even planted tomatoes.

Ah, Summertime ........ feels like we've waited forever for you. Least we forget this ....

My Furry Children

2008-07-02T12:04:00.011-06:00

Cats have always been in my life - my mother had them all her life - and so did her mother, my grandmother. When it came time to adopt new furry angels a few years ago I turned to the Boulder Humane Society. Here are my "kids" mug shots while they were in their holding cells.

I fell in love with this little calico girl , Isabella.

And had to have her apricot brother, Nicholas.

This was taken in my bathroom about a month after they came to live with us. They like to get on the counter and beg for you to turn the water on so that they can have a drink. Ditto on the bathtub. Have yet to turn them on to the shower. Hmmmm...

Here is Isabella's latest photos. I just LOVE the "bunny" fur that her and her brother both have on their chest - is it so incredibly soft and they take such good care of themselves. Isabella is quite the princess - she is definitely a mama's girl. She has taught me a lot - most importantly about asthma. She was diagnosed with asthma a few Summers ago and spent some time in the hospital. When my youngest daughter came along we discovered she has pretty severe asthma as well. I was prepared and knowledgeable to deal with it. Amazing how things happen.

Nicholas is quite the clown. He is a big, slow, lover cat. Not the sharpest tack in the box if you know what I mean. But he will great you and beg for attention the minute you walk in the door.
He's my talker. When he wants to eat the whole house knows it. Whether or not anyone pays attention is an altogether different story. Poor guy.
This post is to share a little bit more about me and my family but mostly to share with Grahamn Kracker.

I found his blog about a month ago and fell in love. This is a guys that takes really great photos of our little feline friends from all over. His stories about a magazine store in Bangladesh that has house cats got me hooked. He has been out of commission on the cats because of a small little mishap. But until then his story skills will have my attention. If you are a cat lover you MUST check out his blog - allow some time and read it all. Make sure and leave him a note and tell him not to push himself on the road recovery. We'll all be here.

2008-06-30T12:27:00.003-06:00

This bed is one of the most beautiful beds I've ever seen. Can you imagine curling up on this beauty? You would most definitely have to have a large bedroom to put it in. If this found its way to my front door I certainly would be squealing like a little girl and FIND A WAY to make it fit. Blow the roof off the master bedroom .....

Then of course I'd have to replace the railing on the stairs with this beauty.

And while I'm at it - the firescreen in the family room.

Best of all I'd have to bulldoze the neighbor's houses to create a garden to showcase this baby. Don't get me wrong - I love my neighbors. This is for art's sake after all!!!!

All of these incredible pieces of art were created by Shawn Lovell from Oakland, CA. Check out her gallery - this girl knows her metal!

LOVE IT !!!

2008-06-27T09:44:00.000-06:00

Monet's Garden

2008-06-24T16:37:00.011-06:00

Today the girls and I spent the day at the Denver Botanical Gardens. They are taking Summer classes with the Seedlings Group - how cute of a name is that?

Today's class was all about Monet, Giverney, and the style in which he painted. We met at the gazebo and listened to a story about a little girl that visited with Monet and asked him all about his garden.

Of course this is my small one standing.

Than we walked about the Monet Garden and found settings that were created to replicate some of the Masters' paintings.

And last, but certainly not least, we did watercolors of what we thought Monet had seen in his time ....

What they saw.

What was painted.

Oh what fun we had ... Mom didn't want to leave. But the girls had others plans for the 95 degree heat. They couldn't wait to get home and get in the nice cold pool.

HAPPY SUMMER!!!

To Sleep Under The Stars

2008-06-23T18:20:00.020-06:00

I miss sleeping under the stars in the summertime.
When I was a little girl my cousin and I would sleep outside in the tree house that my uncle built for her. We would drag every pillow and blanket that my aunt would let us get our mitts on. We would listen to the crickets and foxes as they did their thing. Back then the stars were so incredibly bright and seemed to twinkle all night.
Well I have no trees in my yard that would hold a tree house so I'll need to come up with some alternatives. Something to hold myself and hubby with the occasional small fry.
walla2chicks Flickr
Wouldn't it be awesome to have one of these swings on your porch? I'd have to put a TON of pillows on this baby. LOVE the bolsters.
.
Curl up with a good book and a nice cold glass of wine on this beauty. Would definitely need to add a nice cuddly throw.
.

Penobscot Bay
This lovely one is a cross between a hammock and a swing made out of canvas. As pretty as it is I'm not sure the back of it will stand up to a 3 and 4 year old. I can see the back flips and somersaults over it now.

Cottage Living
Bedtime stories for all could be told on this colorful little thing. The bebes would have a blast on it. Not sure much sleeping would happen on this without rolling off one side or another.
.
Found this little ditty on the Lowes website. Hmmmm, this may be possible yet. A little tweak here. A little twist there. We'll see........

Craigslist Contemplation

2008-06-16T22:32:00.004-06:00

I will be taking a look at these tomorrow........

Craigslist post states: "Hi, we are selling these 3 beautiful Vintage Italian Nesting tables.. the smallest is a music box they are all immaculate and beautiful inlaid with flowers..must see to believe!! "

Man, I hope that I hate them.

UPDATE: Hated them so much I couldn't live with out them. I will never tell what I paid for them.

Happy Fathers Day

2008-06-15T10:55:00.006-06:00

Happy Fathers Day to all of the wonderful men in my life. Those that are near me and far away. I am so lucky to have you all. You are such a blessing to me.
Fathers, grandfathers, and husbands. Our families would be nothing with out you all.
I married into a family of boys - firefighter boys to be exact. My husband is a lieutenant, my bother-in-law a captain, and my father-in-law a chief. It's a family thing. I have learned a lot about boys from them. They are strong, loyal, family oriented, and just like us girls - they gossip. They sound like a bunch of old hens. I kid you not. But they are incredible fathers to their children and assets to our communities. These guys amaze me.

Pish Posh

2008-06-13T09:56:00.000-06:00

Family Rose

2008-06-07T11:22:00.018-06:00

I think that this rose in my backyard is the most beautiful rose in the world .
You see, it came from a little house on this street in Fort Worth, Texas. This address has belonged to the same man for over 50 years.
Four little boys were brought up in this house. They grew up and left home for college, jobs, and experiences that life had to offer.
As the boys scattered their lives across the U.S. grandbabies were had. But many, many Summers found this little house full of love and laughter when they all returned to visit. The man that built this house and tended the double lot loved spending his time "puttering". His yard was the envy of the neighborhood. I spent many hours in this yard by his side.
This is the house today - sitting empty for over a year. It will be sold with in the next 45 days. My Grandfather would have a fit if he had the eyesight to see it today. His yard was his pride and joy. It is now a barren shell of it's former glory.
This is the man today - a little like his house. The same man to me that he has always been. Probably a little too high on that pedestal that I placed him on. None the less, he means the world to me and my heart hurts to see him like this.
This is the rosebush on it's way to it's new home in Colorado. It had the entire back of the Jeep to itself. A Thule cargo coffin for the roof had to be bought to bring home the luggage. So when it bloomed this week - it's first Summer in it's new home - I cried. Not just a little, but a lot.
Pardon me while I go grab a tissue to wipe off the laptop.

On the Hunt For Chairs

2008-06-06T10:22:00.011-06:00

Well now that we know that the new (to me) couch for the Living Room is much different than what was originally there, we need to focus on finding chairs that reflect the new feel.

Donald Kirby

I say "feel" because I really want to move away from theme rooms. Those rooms that look like you just stepped in to a model home in suburbia. But alas, I do digress because I am wanting something along the lines of County French - but extreme laid back Country French. Lots of linen, worn silk, beige, tan, green, a little red.

I am on the Craiglist - thrift store look out for a pair of over sized bergeres to redo. No luck so far. I really do not want wing backs as they are too large - but if I somehow came across something like this that I could afford .... I certainly wouldn't rule it out.
Remember this is all an experiment to see what I can do with next to no money, time to hunt, and a little taste. Of course taste is subjective.

Craigslist and Manners

2008-06-03T21:40:00.009-06:00

Craigslist is the next best thing to sliced bread in my opinion. Good way to buy decent used furniture without having to drive all over the place - even tho I do love the thrill of the hunt. Pictures are posted, contact is made, and a sell is done.

Best way to look at furniture on Craigslist is using the Bye Bye List. You get to browse quickly by looking at a table of pictures. That's how I bought my fabulous French reproduction settee . . .

Which by the way is BEAUTIFUL - getting reupholstered in a beige silk velvet.

Since I am changing my decor I need to get rid of a few pieces of furniture myself. I have a beautiful couch and love seat listed . . .

And some GORGEOUS metal and glass tables . . .

I have gotten quite a few emails and phone calls on said pieces. Even had appointments for individuals to come and look at them. Set times - rearranged lives. All to help each other out.

My Mother taught me that if you tell someone - especially in doing business - that you will do something or meet them at a certain time you do so. If for some reason you have a change of plans you call and let them know so that they are not sitting around waiting for you to show.

Is it just me or do manners even exist anymore???????????

PS. Anyone interested?

First Concert Ever

2008-05-30T22:33:00.011-06:00

One of the best music concerts of my life was the B52's - way back in the day. 1981 to be exact. It was at the top of a parking facility at UNLV with my BFF Michelle . . . . Rock Lobster and Mosh Pits.

I still LOVE the B52's .... and my daughters get the biggest kick out of them, too! What more could a mother from the 80's ask for????
Saturn! Mercury! Jupiter! Venus! This is the Space Age! You'd better move on over - here comes a Super Nova! THIS IS THE SPACE AGE!!!!

The B52's are planning a stop in Colorado - they will be awesome at RedRocks. Me and my little, blond princesses are up for their first concert - EVER!!!!

Forget the Damn List

2008-05-29T15:58:00.005-06:00

It was too nice to work on that list today so we went to the Zoo instead . . .

The boys were out in their full regalia . . .

Posing for his wide screen close up . . .

Ah, what do we have here? A nice little gal coming to visit. Let me show her my backside. Ruffle - fluff - shake - work it .......

Oh, she wants to take a look at the frontage color. Let me shake it for you girl! . . .

WAIT !!! Where ya' goin' baby?????

Ah, man! That was one of my better shows, too.

Ladies, wouldn't it be nice if the human world was a bit more like the bird world? I would love to see how our boys would primp and we could flutter around checking out to see who had the best nest keeping skills.

Caffeine Buzz

2008-05-28T11:32:00.004-06:00

OnePlusYou Quizzes and Widgets

Ok, so if I'm "Chipper and Perky" I should be able to make a major dent in all the projects I've got my hands in - right?!?!?!?

Finish planting all the new plants sitting on the back porch
Finish staining the playhouse
Clean the carpet where the oldest dumped my coffee
Find an upholstery shop for that Craigslist couch
Power spray the $50.00 8x10 sisal wool rug I found this weekend
Gather and price items for this weekends garage sale - UGH!
Fix the gas fireplace that I tore apart on a whim

We'll see where I get with all this today and tomorrow.... Oh yeah, and spend some major play time with the 3 and 4 year old. That's going to the top of the list!

Texas French Inspiration

2008-05-22T12:45:00.010-06:00

My biggest blog crush is on Cote de Texas for many reasons. Joni is classy and I LOVE her style. Her posts are so beautiful and informative. Reading her blog has inspired a HUGE change in my own decorating tastes (more on that later).

Not to mention inspired a upcoming road trip to Round Top this Fall with my mother and babies (yes, I am nuts).

Photos courteous Marburger Farms, Round Top, Texsas

I am now on a quest to redo my home as nicely and inexpensively as I possibly can. I am so grateful for all of the fabulous individuals that share their talents out in Blog Land so that I may barrow from them and attempt to make our home more aesthetically pleasing. One step at a time.

I really want this couch from Michael Smith that she posted on - Never in a million years would our household income be able to afford such a luxury so I will use it for inspiration.

Look what I found on Craigslist for $200.00!!! Seller said that he bought it new 6 years ago for $4500.00 and it's in perfect condition. Was in the formal Living Room (who sits in there????) He's getting a new wife and she wants the old wife's furniture gone.

We will be picking it up on Saturday - let's hope it's as pretty in person as it is in the picture. Might need to be whitewashed and/or reupholstery. No, it's not a real antique but it will serve it's purpose well.

Peaceful Giant

2008-05-16T12:35:00.002-06:00

A beautiful, sleeping Giant - somewhere in the U.K. No, it's not Photoshoped. Leave to the Brits to do something fantastic with Mother Nature.

Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend. Supposed to be in the low 80's here so I will be out diggin' in the dirt. And working on that playhouse.

May Bloom Day

2008-05-14T23:20:00.004-06:00

Women In Art

2008-05-13T09:43:00.005-06:00

Saw this and got teary eyed - I really want to go back to school and finish my degree in Art History. Ahhhh, maybe when the bebe's are in school full-time.

This is a little long but so worth viewing. The music was well chosen and very calming. Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy. Nice way to start your day and get those creative juices flowing. See how many of these you know who the artist is.

Use What You Have

2008-05-12T13:04:00.008-06:00

Why, when we already have nice things, do we want new things? I have a basement full of nice things that just never made it in to the current decor of my home. It makes me ill to know that these things are gathering dust and cobwebs as we speak. They deserved to be lived in.

I bought this chair and table from Pottery Barn back in the early 90's when they first started carrying furniture - before they were such big shots.

Bummer thing is that these pieces are the EXACT same color as the maple floors that I have through out the first floor - the only place I could possible put them. They both have been in the basement since we moved in to this house. They weren't cheap by my standards at the time. If I recall the chair was over 250.00 and the table was about the same. I still love them but am clueless how to use them.

These are from Speigel Home .... back when they were big shots. These are really pretty but rather large. Remember the catalog? I would spend hours salivating over everything in it.

Had this beauty forever as well. Heavy English oak.

Tooled leather seat. Gorgeous!

I'd show you the rest of my basement but I'd be embarrassed. It's a bunch of furniture, boxes of books, and kids clothes. And yes, it is unfinished so of course it's the dumping ground for all things unwanted but not ready to be given away or sold. Sick, I tell you.

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-09T23:34:00.005-06:00

Adoption Day 2005

Mother's Day is the Sweetest Day in the world for me. I have the two most incredible baby girls that make my life so incredible joyful. They are so much a part of my life and so much like me and my husband it's almost scary. You see, my two darling daughters are adopted. They are of my heart, not of my womb. My heart aches for them and I am so entwined in their being it seems like a fantasy at times. I would die and kill for these two babies.

My Beautiful Mother

Of course none of my life would be true if it weren't for my incredible Mother. She is the Rock in my life. The One True Thing. She is a Saint and everyone that knows her will tell you that. I can only aspire to be some semblance of her - she embodies love, patience, hope, faith, and selflessness.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

It's All In The Context

2008-05-07T09:06:00.003-06:00

Warning - potential offense ahead..............

HAD to put this out there and see what others thought.

Found this song on my one of my biggest blog crushes, Beach Bungalow 8 when she had all this cool music playing on her blog (major bummer - she has since taken all her music off!!!)

I had heard it on one of my favorite shows, Weeds on Showtime. I was ECSTATIC that I finally knew who the artist was - I could not download it from iTunes fast enough. It since has become my theme song.

And it gets played around the 3 and 4 year old. The first time I heard the little one sing the chorus we were in Target ..... My Mommy reaction was to freak out and punish. My adult reaction was it's just a song. No one was around us to hear it so I let it fly. God forbid someone think I'm an inefficient mother.

Personally I love the F word - think it's one of the best, emotional words out there. Can describe anger, frustration, elation, joy, etc. Now this does not mean I walk around saying it all the time.

So, last night at the dinner table the little one breaks out in chorus and the older one follows. Daddy FLIPS - I mean FUCKING FLIPS. Oldest was in tears other one was in melt down. I had to calmly explain to hubby that we listened to it in the jeep today on the way to get ice cream. Typical event in Toddler Land.

Now that daddy has reacted the way he did they think it is a bad word (as adults we know that it can be used in a bad context) and you can bet they will use it to get a reaction. Up to this point I have not played in to the emotional aspects of the expletives with the little ones. They are too young to "get it" and the people that they are around do not expose them to these words (except their liberal, vine swinging mom). It' was just a word to the little ones up to this point in their understanding.

Please know that doesn't mean I let them run around shouting expletives - that's is NOT ok with me. Any thoughts?

Am I Supposed To Listen All The Time?

2008-05-06T11:55:00.013-06:00

I am so happy that I never listen to my husband. When we moved into this house 8 years ago it was brand spanking new - dirt in the front and back. All of the landscaping our responsibility. I never wanted to live in suburbia but hubby did. So the deal was that if we bought in "Beige Land" the landscaping would be 100% my decisions. One of the first things we needed to do was the hardscaping and put in trees - the flowers would come later (note to self - still need more flowers).

Our House - 1999

When we were at the Tree Farm picking out our trees I found some real beauties - Angicourt Beauty Lilac. I had never seen a more dark, deep purple lilac in my life. At least not in the Denver Metro area. I had to convince my husband to buy 7 of these - he thought I was out of my mind.

Our House - 2002 lilacs lower right

He said that we didn't need that many. He of course had no idea what he was talking about. I planted the 7 of them running down the South side of my home - by the kitchen and dinning room windows.

Our House Today - lilacs over 10 feet tall

Now when they bloom I open all the windows on that side of the house and the breeze blows the heavenly scent inside. You can't bottle that smell - only a sickly, overly sweet rendition of it.

Today I cut a few handfuls and put them in my favorite frosted/satin arts and crafts vase.

My Aunt Brenda bought it at an antiques fair for me for my birthday many, many years ago. I am often curious as to the history on this piece. I've never seen another one or any frosted glass like it.

Of course my husband has complained about every single project that I have come up with for the outside space because nothing can be "simple". I know for a fact though that he is very proud of his home - inside and out ... and even though it is in "Beige Land" I have no desire to ever move. For the record I do listen to him - more often than not. But I'll never tell him that.

Daydream While You Work ....

2008-04-29T09:57:00.010-06:00

While I'm busy sanding, staining, and oiling the parts of this crazy idea that we need a unique, whimsical playhouse in our otherwise boring, beige, standard suburbia my mind wanders into all kinds of redecorating dreams.

...

Found this dining room by Dallas designer Cathy Kincaid...

Very neutral and casual furnishings. The table is a round table which I am very much coveting - I believe a round table is much more conducive to conversation than a rectangle.

What makes it outstanding is the amazing murals that cover each and every wall in the room. The glass like ceiling makes the room seem even higher than I am sure it is. The saturated colors of the sky, animals, and trees provide all the color necessary.

Therefore you would only want the lovely, textural linen and sisal that the chairs and the rug provide. Otherwise they would be too much of a distraction.

Guess I'd better add attending fine arts school to my list of potential continuing education since I am gainfully unemployed and looking for that second career.

WHAT???? Anything is possible (at least that's what my mom has always told me - or wait was that just smoke - I have kids now and I use that line).

Little House on the Cul de Saq

2008-04-21T14:17:00.029-06:00

Ever see one of these ...

Or one of these ...

Or how 'bout this little ditty? Last Spring I found the website of Barbara Butler and was inspired. This woman is incredibly talented and her structures are BEYOND AMAZING.

I asked my dearest husband and PaPa (Grandpa) to build a playhouse for the girls which they agreed to. Granted, I wasn't expecting a Barbara Butler because there is no way in this lifetime we could ever afford one (see website).

So I started perusing Craigslist for small sheds thinking if husband and PaPa would at least pick it up for me I could get creative and turn it in to something whimsical. Couldn't find anything decent that wasn't deteriorated or half eaten by the family dog or goat (another posting maybe?).

Luck had it that a neighbor of PaPa's was selling their house and needed to unload this ...

Photo missing the slide, rock wall, ladder, monkey bars, and swings.

For $300.00 - yes, only 300 smackaroos. It's only 2 years old and it's original purchase price was aprox. $1800.00. Whooo- hooo - score!

Photos of finished product promised.

It now sits in my backyard, dismantled in a million pieces in the process of being sanded, stained some funky colors, and sealed with tung oil. I'll be busy for a while. Me and my ideas?!?!?!!?!?!

Out of Messes Comes Beauty

2008-04-14T11:52:00.009-06:00

...

Since I'm tired of waiting for things to start budding and flowering outside I decided to create a little new life inside. Made quite a mess while doing so.

...

One of these days I'm going to have to just flat out insist that the husband install the cabinets in my laundry room that will house the slop sink that's been sitting in the basement for 6 years. That way I won't have to destroy the kitchen with my "projects".

...

Finally decided on what to do with a few of the many apothecary jars hanging around the house. I LOVE these things. I started collecting the original ones from antique stores and flea markets over 15 years ago before they started to be made in China and mass marketed.

...

Gorgeous! I must say that I am proud of myself for the collection of little ferns and plants that I found to put in these. This little red guy is so bright - picture doesn't do him justice.

...

Final resting spot by the front door. At least for now.

BRING IT ON ..........

2008-04-11T16:44:00.009-06:00

SPRING THAT IS ............

Out the front window ................

Back porch ....

Yes - I love the snow and the shapes that Mother Nature makes with it. I live in Colorado for a reason and learned to ski before I learned to run .....

But give me a f 'ing break - I am ready for some green grass and cherry blossom's ...........

Did you know?

2008-04-09T20:47:00.009-06:00

Got the itch to go see and smell some green seeing as it's snowed here every day for the past week. So we went to the uppity garden center. This is were I get my ideas from but rarely buy from . BRING ON SPRING!!!!!

This little ditty looks a little misplaced from the Alice and Wonderland story. Gonna have to try something like this on the front porch this year.

The youngest one thought that it was going to tip over at any minute - so of course she had to pick all the plants out to save them. Bad baby girl!

The girls wanted flowers SOOOOO BAAAAD (major whining here) and wanted them now! Well I was not about to pay the prices that this specific center charged - 7.95 for a 4" pot of perennials. NO WAY! So I bought seeds and fiber filled biodegradable pots. No peat was used in the production of these pots.

Did you know?
1. It takes about 220 years to replace the peat stripped from land in one year.
2. Harvesting peat releases carbon dioxide - a known greenhouse gas.
3. Peat Bogs have the amazing ability to remove harmful impurities from water.
4. Peat Bogs hold 10% of the worlds fresh water.
5. Areas of Europe have mandated not to use peat by 2010

WHO KNEW?????

Guess we'll just have to wait about 4 weeks to see how the seed these 2 little sprouts planted survive. They will be smothered with LOVE....

Pearly King & Queen

2008-04-03T11:31:00.030-06:00

While I was perusing the latest Room Service catalog I found this chest painted indigo blue and embellished with shell buttons. Beautiful !!!

photo courteous of Room Service

The very first thing I thought of was the of Pearly Kings and Queens from London. I was fortunate to see a group of these colorful characters in Covent Garden on my first of many trips to England many years ago. They left quite an impression on me.

A Pearly is a person dressed in a traditional cockney costume covered in mother-of-pearl buttons. These costumes were treasured heirlooms, hand made and sometime representing much of a family's material worth.

They were originally elected by costermongers, street traders, to safeguard their rights from rivals. Costermongers have been an important part of London life for more than 1000 years. The "costers" would sew lines of pearl buttons down the sides of hand-me-down trousers, waistcoats, and caps to show their pride of place.

The history of the Pearly Society is quite an interesting one beginning with one small boy in 1875, Henry Croft. History here ... Pearly Society.

The Societies & Organisations that The Pearlies have helped reads like a role call of many famous Charitable institutions – with sums raised running into millions.

The PEARLY KING OF CAMBERWELL states " ... it is not just the direct fundraising that Pearlies are famous for – their unique and honourable traditions which have been built up over many centuries have enabled them to act as ambassadors at home and abroad – adding to both tourism and trade – visitors to our shores still expect to see something of our heritage, pageantry, and costume".

jessitaylor.etsy.com

A "Pearly" ring from etsy ....

OldWaysforTheseDays.etsy.com

Vintage Mother of Pearl Pin Shank Buttons from etsy seller.

All photos of Pearly Kings & Queens via Flickr pool

Promises Made In Haste

2008-03-25T12:32:00.024-06:00

Ah, the sweetness of Spring! Daffodils blooming, lilacs budding, bird songs increasing, and the promise of fresh strawberries.

Had to go in to the local big box home improvement store last week to purchase caulk so that I could once again fill the ever expanding spaces of the crown molding in the oldest daughters bedroom. Front and center of the entrance were the bulb displays, 1/2 of them filled with strawberry pips.

$3.98

My youngest -LOVES- strawberries. Cries for them. Has fits for them. Wants them in cereal every day. Will gladly get a tummy ache from eating too many of them. Warning Mommy moment coming ..........Said she will poop in the potty for them. Light bulb moment!!!!!

No big deal right? Yeah, well the small challenge of living in zone 5 could pose a problem. Nothing that tender is going in the ground right now unless you want to kiss it goodbye. March is our largest snowfall month.
...
Answer! We'll get a strawberry jar, plant it and set it inside in the loft which faces West. Put it outside when the threat of freeze has past. Strawberries by May! Maybe by then the 3 year old will be out of pull-ups.

You would think that if the big box home improvement stores are putting out strawberry pips that they would also have the pots to plant them in, right? So very wrong you are. Went everywhere looking for them - Lowe's, Home Depot, etc. Even those places that we never go because I don't believe in their business practises - ie K-Mart, Wal-Mart, etc. NO FRICKEN STRAWBERRY JARS TO BE FOUND.

$127.00 - soil, plants, jar

So off to the high end garden shop we go. A place I LOVE but is expensive. Yep, they have strawberry jars. Nice ones at that. Cheapest one there is a terracotta one for 69.00. For another 20.00 I can get a glazed one. What the heck - what's 20.00 when your looking at 70.00 already? . . . . . . See above for purchase.

$9.95 a bag

On the way out the door, after I already paid, I see a display for Strawberries In A Bag .... 10 plants, bag, and soil ...$9.95

Them better be some damn good strawberries !!!

Follow up forthcoming.....

Never Intended To Be ...

2008-03-24T11:16:00.008-06:00

I so want this for my entry way by the front door. What a statement piece. The colors in this buffett are amazing - so warm and lovely. It screams "Touch Me"!!!

Daniel Pohl never intended to be a furniture artist. He'd studied drawing and painting at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago and collected folk and outsider art for nearly 30 years. He began making furniture ten years ago to display his collection, and became intrigued by the way the furniture could become almost sculptural and canvas-like.

Pohl works from his home studio in central Wisconsin, using traditional cabinetry techniques, mortise and tenon joints, and dove-tailed drawers. Most of the pine and poplar he uses comes from the woods outside his back door.

The painting of the piece is where Pohl's experience as an oil painter takes center stage. He applies layers of traditional paints, made of powdered pigments, corn syrup, and vinegar, over a primed and detailed base layer, increasing the complexity of the designs until a kaleidoscope of colors emerges to greet the waiting eye

Pohl likes to think of his finished pieces as "functional art" rather than "furniture," as his work doesn't seem to sit in a room so much as breathe and, he hopes, inspire.

All photos and verbage from The Artful Home

MIA

2008-03-21T11:04:00.012-06:00

Yo Ho, Yo Ho - been MIA for the past 3 weeks due to that dreaded crud that went around the entire familia unit.

Then my BFF and her two little sweeties from Chicago were here for 2 weeks - Good Times!

I've got some great ideas for posts - hopefully back up and running at least a few times a week.

Happy Spring

.....

Through the Looking Glass

2008-02-25T10:29:00.009-07:00

Loving these plates and mugs from Urban Outfitters - Good 'ole Alice in Wonderland, my favorite childhood story.

These are the original illustrations of John Tenniel from 1865. Pretty amazing to think that this story of Lewis Carroll's has never been out of print and has been translated to over 125 languages.

I have passed on the love of Alice to my girls and they love acting out different parts of the story. Hopefully when they get older and find out all the back story to Alice they won't want to "experiment".
My oldest was Alice for Halloween this past year. She really loves to be anything over the top girly. I'm in trouble - I never was a girly girl.

Etsy Love

2008-02-17T20:39:00.014-07:00

Melissa Moss is one of my Etsy faves. The color! The movement! Her paintings elicite quite an emotional responce. A little organic. A little natural. A little ... hmmmm. They speak to you as if there is a whole entire hidden world that they want to tell you stories about.

"moon"

This is my favorite one - very romantic and errie. A little (Tim) Burtonesque - waiting for Johnny Depp to peek out from behind the tree trunk.

"lura"

"oase"

"ehno"

She also has a website. Would LOVE to see her stuff in person.

February Bloom Day

2008-02-15T09:24:00.009-07:00

Mother Nature blessed us with snow for Valentines Day - so forget about anything bloomin' in the garden. Lot's of lovelies in the house tho ...

Finally making a show 2 months late - wanted these for the table at Christmas time. Not sure what I did wrong that made these beauties wait so long to bloom this year.

Left over pails of Gerberas - used for the center pieces at the surprise party - have their pretty faces turned toward the sun.

These beauties are one of my favorite flowers. For some reason I can never keep them alive - inside or out. Too wet, too dry, too fried .... ugh!

I am SO excited! The Colorado Garden & Home Show starts this weekend. It's my favorite escape from the Winter blues. This year the main garden is supposed to be a forest with animals, mystical creatures, trolls, fairies and a giant tree that comes to life. Come on folks - I have 2 baby girls so of course this is going to be a huge hit for a family outing.

Note to self ...

2008-02-05T21:57:00.000-07:00

NEVER EVER TALK ABOUT A PARTY FOR NANA AND PAPA IN FRONT OF THE 3 AND 4 YEAR OLD WHEN IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE A SURPRISE PARTY!!!

Is this a midlife crisis? ....

2008-01-31T23:03:00.006-07:00

OMG OMG OMG .....where do I take this damn blog. I have so many passions in life ....I REALLY need to get focused!

...

ART?

I could only dream of being as talented as Hieronymus Bosch when he painted his hybred creatures in the tryptich The Garden of Earthly Delights...

...
Gardening?

Still can't figure out what to plant where...

Fine Gardening photo

My Backyard last Spring

Children?

This is an entire entity unto itself...

My babies - National Western Stock Show 2008

Decorating?

I have an entire house that needs to be decorated on a shoestring budget with champagne taste - by me, myself, and I (nothings been touched since we moved in 7 years ago because I was on the career path until the babies came).

SIKE!!! I wish this dining room was mine.

Geeze, do you think that order is a Freudian slip? Yikes! I hope not.

On a more colorful note .....

2008-01-26T16:35:00.000-07:00

"Burst" by Jen Stark

Anyone that has a love of paper, texture, and color really needs to check this artists work out. This chick knows how to tweak a 12x12 piece of card stock. I was surfing and rolled on to her website - Jen Stark - and was blown away by her paper sculptures.

Now shame on me for even thinking the word scrapbook with in the same thought of her work but I couldn't help myself thinking that it would be really cool to figure out a way to incorporate something on a small (minuscule) scale into the kids pages of my latest and greatest creation.

" Piece of an Infinite Whole"

But alas, I am so far from this girls creative genius it will never be. I just love to look at her work and salivate at the color and movement in each and every piece.

"Square"

Not only is she fabu with the card stock and an exacto knife but the girl can draw!!!!

"Microscopic Tangle"

Free handed felt tip pen on paper no less. Some really incredible graphics. I can just imagine a south facing loft style apartment that has been painted white with a collection of her sculpture and drawings hanging on the walls. What a dream come true that would be!

All images from http://www.jenstark.com/.

CRAZY TRAIN

2008-01-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

Monday night I watched American Experience, The Lobotomist , on PBS and became completely engrossed in finding out more about the history of mental health in the US. What I found was absolutely amazing and I have become obsessed with the history of when mental health care was a government concern before it was privatized. I admit I was naive about this subject having only knowledge of these things from the Hollywood fright movies seen as a teenager.

Two things got to me the most. First, the stories of a large amount of sane individuals that were committed because their behavior was not of the expected social norm. Many of them came to know these places as "home" and ended up staying for life even though there was no clinical reason for them to stay. There is a traveling exhibition created from over 400 unopened suitcases that were found in the attic at the Willard Psychiatric Center in New York. It's looks very touching and poses many, many questions about how these individuals lost control of their lives. Why weren't these individuals allowed to have any of their personal belongings? Photos of loved ones? Clothes? Because they had to be a number .... spend some time on the site. It is truly mesmerising.

image from www.suitcaseexhibit.org

Second, the architecturally stunning state buildings that were built in the mid to late 1800's to care for these individuals were so incredibly beautiful.

Images from http://nysasylum.com/

Binghamton State Asylum for the Chronic Insane - New York

What they look like now and how they are/are not being used in modern times. Many of them have been abandoned and left for the pigeons and unrested souls.

The most magnificent were based on a treatise by Thomas Story Kirkbride , a 19th century doctor who believed in a "moral treatment" approach to care for patients, which centered upon humane and kindly behavior. They are known as the Kirkbride buildings.

Short pictorial history on the Danvers State Insane Asylum outside of Boston. This is only one of hundreds of asylums that something (albeit major deconstruction) has been done to so that it might be brought in to the modern world.

Danvers State Insane Asylum built in 1878

Image courtasy of http://www.kirkbridebuildings.com/

Dannvers State - abandoned 1992

Image from http://www.danversstateinsaneasylum.com/

Shell of Kirkbride bldg at Danvers State 2007 after demolition of compound

Image from http://www.danversstateinsaneasylum.com

Danvers State (shell of) 2008

Image from http://www.danversstateinsaneasylum.com/

Hawthorn Hill AvalonDancer Residences

I believe that I am much better educated in the history of how our democratic system took care of the unfortunate souls that did not have their wits about them. And I thank God that in modern times we have the option of pharmaceuticals. I am very sad that more has not been done to to save these beauties. There is so much info on this that I could easily turn this in to an Asylum blog but I won't since I am by no means an expert - just someone who saw something and wanted to become better versed about it.

I'll let you surf for yourself. Major kudos to the web sites that educated me regarding the loss of these lavish buildings - The Kirkbride Buildings , Danvers State Insane Asylum, and Forgotten Photography.

Hearts on Fire

2008-01-16T13:05:00.000-07:00

Next to Halloween my favorite Hallmark Holiday is Valentines Day. All the romance, flowers, and sparklies. What more could a girl want? Especially if she has a DH that after 14 years of being together still makes her hart go pitter-pat! And 2 little darling angel baby girls that are as girly as it gets.

I know that I am a month ahead of the sappiest holiday of them all,

But I just had to share my Find of the Week!!!

Target dollar section - no kidding. The fiery red glitter on these is amazing. The pictures don't do these justice on the prettiness. Made in China, of course. I wouldn't be able to make this for a dollar tho - the damn glitter alone would be over the $5.00 I spent on the 5 items. I bought 4 of the hearts and 1 of the LOVE banners. The hearts are about 7 1/2" tall by 8 1/2" wide. Good size for a dollar item.

January Bloom Day

2008-01-15T21:23:00.000-07:00

Around here in Zone 5a the only thing in bloom on January 15th is the lonely Christmas cactus. My mother gave me this plant about 5 years ago when it was only 3 little "arms'. It was destined for the trash because it was given to her as an obligatory Christmas gift from a coworker and she really didn't know what to do with it. Trust me it would never has survived in her dimly lit town house. But here at my house it is the only indoor plant life that has ever lived past 2 years. It gets completely ignored but yet every November, like clock work, it starts to put out a TON of buds and continues to bloom until the end of January. The pretty, large, fairy like blooms are almost gone now - so sad!

Go figure. Guess it must have gotten dropped in the right location. Let's hope that now that I'm home all the time and can give it more attention I don't kill it.

And on a more technical note . . .

MAJOR KUDOS to All Things Bright and Beautiful with the tutorials for us New Bloggers. She has so generously offered to assist us getting set up with all the bells, whistles and short cuts that come along with getting up and running in fabulous Blog Land.

And this is how it goes ...

2008-01-14T11:37:00.000-07:00

Walking the dog (ballon)

LOVING the foam pieces

Mom was feeling a little crabby this am

This is how my mornings have been the past 2 months while I try and wrap my head around this not working thing. Not really having any rhyme or reason to it all as far as a schedule goes other than the 2 days a week the girls go to preschool. We get up do some sort of craft after breakfast and Mommy has a big cup 'o coffee.

I have had a job of some sorts since I was 17 and not working has never been an option for me. Even when the little ones came in to my life I only took 6 weeks off. Getting up at 5:30 or 6:00am was something that was just done to get through it all. Now that I don't have that screaching alarm in my ear and can get up when my body is ready or the girls want me to I am in big trouble. Most morning the girls will go in the playroom and play(fight/scream) and not come and wake me up - for some reason the body thinks that sleeping until 9:00am should be the norm.

Ok so I am NOT complaining that I am now a stay-at-home mom, it's just that I had all these visions of all the projects (decorating, sewing, scrapbooking, organizing photos) that I was going to get done when I took the lay-off option. Maybe my brain is just taking a rest from living at warp speed for what seems like an eternity. I seriously don't know where to start it all...

GOING LIVE

2008-01-12T23:55:00.000-07:00

Ok - wow! I'm finally going to do this. After being a lurker at other blogs for so long I'm actually going public with my musings on life. I have to say I've been on the Daily Blog cruise of some of the best blogs out there and have NO aspirations to be in the upper eschelons of some (most) of the ones I peruse for my addiction. Some of you guys out there blow me away with the talent that you posess and I hope to grow with what I have learned and give back maybe just a little.

Who knew this would be so flipping addicting?????

Feel free to guide, banter, educate, and sway me how you see fit. Just please don't correct, berate, or demean me as it is not productive or positive in any shape or form. I am on a midlife journey to redesign the road I am taveling and do not need or require any toxic assistance. Trust me - been there, seen that, battled with the best and at this age it's just not f***ing worth it.

Check out the links on the blog and you'll see what I'm all about and my life's passions. No promises on daily postings as the 3 and 4 year old surely have other plans for me ......