Where I Want to Be

My 4 kids start school next week.

That means I have only a few days left to transport my thoughts elsewhere before our busy schedule takes control of our lives. Here are some places where I want to be!

Relaxing in Cape Cod, Massachusetts

(Better Homes and Gardens Magazine, August 2008)

Tea Time Bliss Under a Cherry Tree
(Victoria Magazine, May 2003)


Washington Lakeside Picnic
(Martha Stewart Living Magazine, August 2008)


British Columbia Gatekeeper's Cottage
(Victoria Magazine, August 1995)


Atlanta Dinner by Candle Light
(Victoria Magazine, July 1995)


California Lemonade Under Climbing Crimson Tea Roses
(Home Companion Magazine, April/May 2008)


Dinner Party Under the Glow of Paper Lanterns
(Outdoor Decor Magazine, Summer 2007)


Alfresco dining in an Herb Garden
(Victoria Magazine, March/April 2008)


Brunch on an Indiana Sun Porch
(Romantic Homes Magazine, February 2006)


Sitting Pretty in Sunny California
(Romantic Homes Magazine, September 2008)


Crafting Surrounded by 1950's Florals
(Victoria Magazine, May 2003)


Easy, Breezy Nap in Florida
(House Beautiful Magazine, August 2008)


Reading in California Vintage Style
(Romantic Homes Magazine, September 2008)


Doing Nothing in Wisconsin Bliss
(Victoria Magazine, 2003)


Relaxing in a Place We Call Home!

Where ever I may want to be, I know there's no place like home.
Thanks for joining me!

If I Were a Cat. . . .

If I were a cat, this is what I would look like TODAY. My sister's visit ended on Wednesday. She flew home and left me feeling fat, lethargic and depressed!

Last week, my sister and I spent 3 glorious days at a beautiful 5-Star hotel and spa. This is me relaxing at the spa. Naps, room service and facials can be exhausting!

This is my sister taking care of me (the spa weekend was her early birthday gift to me!)

My sister treats me like a QUEEN!

This is my sister and me napping.

This is me waiting for room service.

This is me after room service.

This is me when I arrived home from the spa. (My husband and kids didn't recognize me!)

This is me next week working out in a PINK head band, of course!

(Photos from Cute Overload.)

I'm Hooked!

I'm hooked on vintage rhinestone jewelry! It has consumed my thoughts and my pocket book! It has quickly replaced my past obsession with real diamonds, Longaberger baskets, scrapbook supplies, beanie babies, tea cups, silverware and crystal chandeliers! I may need professional help or perhaps another obsession.

What is the attraction to these man made gems crafted from highly refined glass? Is it the sparkle of each piece or the thrill of the find? Is it the fantasy that they're real or the story they tell? When does a collection become an obsession? As my practical husband asks, "When will enough be enough?" (My husband can live on $20 per month for incidentals!)

To justify my collection/obsession I've added them to my website.For now, I'm enjoying their sparkle, the thrill of the find, the fantasy that they're real and the story they tell! Their beauty is "timeless!" (You will be the first to know when this obsession is replaced by another!)

Farm Table Fantasy

This is my tea setting on our new farm table! Where is the farm table, you ask? Well, I'm getting ahead of myself! Here it is! Lovely, is it not? Shabby, but not chic (yet.)

Here it is again showing finer detail (See the Home Depot price tag on one of the planks?) Here's a close up of my husband's work bench including the top of a kitchen stool that was last month's repair project, my toddler's red toy truck, a can of deodorant used to ignite a home spun potato gun, 2 gallons of deck paint, a box of 2 year old ceramic tiles for our laundry room, ant spray, a bisquit cutter purchased specifically for our farm table and other GUY STUFF! This would be a great post: "What's on your husband's work bench?" Doug is working hard on my dream table in his hot garage. Doug was even getting sympathy from our neighbors who brought him a cold beer! Drawer openings carved out of the table skirt. Look at the sweat outline on Doug's hat! Now we have an injury. Doug dropped the table on his leg. Blood, sweat. . . no tears, yet! The skirt is on! She's got legs! Future drawer (8 of them) for silverware, napkins, napkin rings, place cards, tea lights, linens, place mats. . . here come the tears. . . of joy! I'm getting ahead of myself, again. The table is IN (requiring a neighbor to help), PAINTED (I applied the first coat in the morning and the second coat at midnight) and READY TO USE (minus the 8 drawers.) Doug was called out on a business trip, so the drawers were put on hold. In the meantime, I bought 8 white wicker chairs on clearance at Pier One Imports and white chair pads at Ikea. Two of the wicker chairs I use at my desk . They are easily accessible for more guest seating.The other 4 white chairs and the 2 blue upholstered chairs were part of our former dining set. SOMEDAY, I hope to find PINK upholstered chairs! Shhh. . . Doug doesn't know, yet! Okay, Doug is back from his business trip. He's been working on the drawers for the past 2 weekends. Here they are! Five of the eight drawers are filled with silverware.My Lenox Village Collection Silverware that my sister bought me years ago.A double set of extra silverware for company. My Christmas silverware.The "good stuff!" Rose and Leaf Pattern by the National Silver Company. I bought the little spoons with ceramic handles on Ebay a few years ago.Silverware purchased before our wedding. The finish is called Rose Gold. It matches the rose gold trim on our wedding china. I think we've used this set only 4 times.Now I have drawer space for items that are readily accessible. You know, items that were hidden in other clutter and rarely used because it took too much effort to find them. Now I have no excuse! Ahhh. . . , now I can sip coffee and nibble on little cookies by candlelight. . . pondering about table linens, place settings, the centerpiece, guest favors. . . when is a girl to rest? What's that I hear? Four kids calling for their mommy? Oh that's me! Time to go!