My Busy Week

I am writing this from the comfort of my bed.  I've been 'up' for hours, but doing my reading and computer time in my cozy bed.  I am wide awake and the kids are up and have had breakfast and are dressed and ready to begin their schoolwork.  I'll be doing history and science with them soon.  

This week was a busy one for me, and by busy I mean a lot of trips out of the home.  On Monday, Lindsay and I went for haircuts.  I just needed a trim, but I had Julie, our stylist, blow it out.  I never wear my hair straight!  I am a naturally curly girl, and I use a curling iron too, so this was a very different look for me!

 I posted it on FB and my mom didn't recognize me!  ha!  I'm not a very good selfie taker either!


Lindsay hadn't had a hair cut in a few years.  Being an animal handler and having to wear wigs and costumes on stage, she needs her hair to be easily pulled into a pony tail.  

 Julie took a bit of length off and gave her some great layers, then curled Lindsay's normally straight hair!  It looked great!

 Tuesday we went on a double date with my parents to Longhorn!  I'm so glad steak is on plan for me! 

Here I have curled my hair from the day before and it looks a little funky.  Oh, well, that is the way my hair is!

Wednesday I was home all day, then yesterday I met a friend for lunch and we went to visit a gal who used to go to our church.  She is in a local rehab hospital as she needs some therapy on her legs.  We had a really good visit.  Then in the evening Tim and I went out again.  We were treated to dinner at a local historic tavern.  It was a fun night with great food and lovely company.

Today is a home day, then we are going to my parents house for dinner.  Tim is helping my niece with the brakes on her car, and she is cooking dinner!

Do you ever have these kinds of weeks?  It seems like I am mostly home except for grocery shopping, but then I'll have a week were I am out a lot!  

This weekend is a home kind of weekend.  Good thing, too.  I have a lot of tidying to do, and I rearranged a bit in my bedroom so I have some stuff to put away.

What are you up to this weekend?

Gardening: Dreaming In Winter

Today, I am dreaming of my garden, and wanted to share some photos with you.  I don't like to rush the seasons but I do like to think ahead about my gardens, and what I'd like to do with them this year.  

There is a lot going on here behind the scenes.  I'm not able to talk about it yet, but soon I will.

I am meeting a friend for lunch today, and then we are going to the rehab hospital to visit another friend who is dealing with an autoimmune issue due to diabetes.

I hope you have a really good day.  Thinking of all of you New England gals, and hoping you are all well.

Heirlooms

I've mentioned before about not having very many family heirlooms.

We are watching older seasons of Downton Abbey and in one episode in Season 2, Lady Mary and Sir Richard Carlisle are looking at an estate near Downton, and she asks him, "How will we furnish it?"  Sir Richard says, "We'll buy whatever we want."  Lady Mary says to him, "Your lot buys furniture, our lot inherit it."

Wouldn't it be wonderful to inherit beautiful furniture, silver, dishes and the like?

Since most of us never will, I decided to buy some silver things that I like, and use for teas, that I can leave to my children.  It will be not an expensive inheritance but one of beauty and of good memories of using these lovely things.

Sarah got a gift certificate, to one of our favorite vintage stores, for Christmas.  We went shopping there last week, and I pointed out a beautiful tea/coffee pot in silver plate.  I told her that she could start collecting beautiful heirloom items as well.

 She loved it and when I offered to cover the extra above her gift certificate, she snapped it up.  She put it in the living room on the bookcase where we can all enjoy looking at it.

 It needs a bit of cleaning, but aren't the details lovely?

I'm happy she chose this over something consumable.  (she's a huge writer and artist and goes through notebooks and sketch pads like water)

This is a usable heirloom that she can pass down in her own family one day.

The line from John Keats is true: A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

Home Keeping: January Shelf

This enormous shelf over the stairs to the basement is a challenging one to decorate. 

 First, it is the only thing on this big empty wall.  Second, the stairs are literally right below the stairs with just a little ledge, so this makes putting things on the shelf difficult.

I wanted something different for January, so I polished up the silver pieces I have and used them for some sparkle.  

 The mantle clock is an old anniversary gift we gave ourselves.  It doesn't work anymore but we may get it fixed.  I am seriously thinking of painting the wood black.  I think it would look so much better in the house.

 Tim got me the creamer and the sugar bowl and tray for Christmas!   They were badly tarnished but a little elbow grease and Cape Code Polishing Cloths and they look great!

This little silver cup was my Dad's baby cup.  It's really cute, and neat to have not only my new to me family "heirlooms," but a piece that truly is a family heirloom!

Are you doing any rearranging in your house during these cold winter months?  I find it the perfect time to work indoors, de-cluttering, moving furniture, reading a book, knitting, baking. What are you up to these days? 

Home Keeping: Unusual Art For The Home

Last year sometime my Dad brought an official map of all the clan tartans of Scotland over for me to look at.  Its pretty neat, if you like this kind of thing which I do, and it has been in my organizer on my desk ever since.

Its quite large and the other day while sorting and organizing I realized that it would look really good on the wall above my desk.

Doesn't it look neat?

My desk is now cleared off and organized inside the drawers and on top.  I also organized the CDs and movies in the hutch that holds the TV (for watching movies), and I did a catch all drawer in the kitchen.  It's amazing what you can accomplish in just 15-20 minutes.

So what do you think about my new 'art' poster?

Books: When Fiction Meets Real Life

Source

I just started a book by Kathleen Morgan called, "A Fire Within."  It takes place in one of the Clan Campbell castles called Kilchurn.

Imagine my surprise today when looking on "The Queen's English" Facebook page and finding this gorgeous photo of Kilchurn Castle.  It's considered a ruin now but it is open to the public.

I am a huge history lover, and so I love historical fiction.  Real people and events along with fictional characters make history come alive.

I've read several other books by Kathleen Morgan, all set in Scotland.  This current read starts in May 1568.

Do you like to read historical fiction?  Who are some of your favorite authors?  Favorite books?

Home Keeping: My Own Schedule

I was thinking today of how blessed I am to be in charge of my own schedule.

When we owned our store a few years ago, I was not in control of the schedule.  The store had to have someone it in during the hours we were opened and if a girl couldn't be in there, I was, as well as on my regular day.  I liked the store and loved meeting customers but I missed being in my home.

At home I can order my days to suit my family, and our schedule.  I can let the kids sleep in if we had a late night, I can hang out in my pajamas for a few hours while I check email and read blogs, and Facebook in the mornings.  

I decide whether I'll read in an afternoon or do some sewing or knitting.  I like deciding how to rearrange the furniture and what I am going to put on my big shelf.  

I like listening to my children practice their instruments - cello, piano and now a new recorder player.  I like having my Mom visit us on Tuesdays, and I like it when she and my Dad stay for dinner and games, like they did last night.

One day I'd like to have a business again, but I've learned that I would like to work from my home base, not do retail again.

What about you?  Do you like being at home?  Do you love working outside the home?  Do you work from home?  

I see all work as a blessing. After all God put Adam and Eve in a perfect Garden and put them to work.  Work is not a result of the curse!