These are a few of my favorite things...

We girls love to surround ourselves with family memories and treasures . Here are a few of the treasures I keep on the white bookshelves opposite the desk in my studio.

a few favorite design books

My mom's Sogetsu flower arranging items

Lunchbag..... very 60's

darling daughter's artwork

and my dear Daddy's pipes

I love having my favorite things all together in my creative space. What are a few of your favorite things you have kept ?

Ooops!

The other day I was reading a fellow bloggers post in which she congratulated herself for finally getting all of her Christmas decorations taken down and put away. As I read her post.. I smiled to myself thinking.... oh girl I had those down the day after Christmas!


After I finished my round of blogs, I went into the kitchen and saw this:

(those would be my Christmas dishes)

Then I went out to check the mail and saw this in my entry

(that would be my Christmas wreath)

And we wont EVEN go into the Christmas Closet

oops.... guess I better wipe that smile off my face !

RDQ

"Mom, did they have the SAT test when you were in School? "

"Well yes they did my darling... SON."

" Did you have to take an SAT prep course ?"

"No I didnt have that opportunity ....SWEETIE ."

"What did you do to get ready for the test ?"

"Well.... I got a good nights rest, ate breakfast and my mom drove me to the test. Just before I got out of the car, my Mom reminded me to RDQ."

"RDQ... what's that ?"

"Read the Damn Question".

"Oh"

Why did life seem so simple back in the dark ages when I was in High School ?

*EXTREMELY RIGHT*

(photo bysluggo)

Last month the TV*Crew*EXTREME*MAKEOVER*HOME*EDITION* came to the hillcountry for a makeover. The home chosen by *TY*and*company* belonged to a family I knew... in fact I taught 2 of their children.

This sweet family has 6 children,5 of whom are diagnosed with autism. The parents are good,dedicated, HARDWORKING parents, but they were in jeopardy of losing their house. *TY*and*company*came to town and paid off their old house, leveled it, then built a new paid for furnished house, and arranged for the new home's taxes to be paid.

Last night as I watched the TV show, I was so moved at how the *HOME*MAKEOVER* staff researched autism and used the advice of experts to design five unique bedrooms for children with austism. Tears filled my eyes as I watched the reveal of the house...

and in the end.... I say Hooray for *TY*and*company. They got it right ..*extremely* right.

Daily Walk

Outside my front door
Fresh air feeds my mind,my spirit
Return full,renewed.

For the Love of McCoy

The Nelson McCoy company began manufacuring clay pottery in the Roseville area of Ohio around 1910. Mccoy pottery covered a realm of uses from functional jars to sophisticated vases and jardinieres. There is something about old McCoy pottery that makes me swoon, especially pieces in the old creamy white matte finish. Through the years I have collected a few uh I mean several.. NO... way too many pieces. You probably caught a glimpse of my McCoy in my creative space shot.

I also have a few pieces under the sideboard on the sun porch


On my desk

On my dressing table

And a token seaglass green piece in the kitchen


What do you think ?? Do I have too many ??? Can a girl really have too many things she loves ???

Hearts To All

20 years ago today I found out I was expecting my first child. My husband was in college and we did not know how we would be able to handle college AND a baby......but,.actually it turned out to be a blessing and the best thing that ever happened to us.

Happy Valentines Day to all my cyber sisters xoxo.

Therapy Needed

I was STRESSED when I made the call yesterday.

"George, I need to make a therapy appointment asap ". I said.

" I am free any evening this week except for Thursday" she said.

We quickly set up a date and time.

I hope this will help I thought.

I have to tell you... office buildings in the hillcountry are not your run of the mill clinics. To illustrate this, here is a picture of my favorite therapy clinic.


(photo Ken Wang)

What do you think ?
I think sipping on a mango margarita is the perfect medicine for my stress .
You know what I'm talkin about ?

TAG

Sweet Cindy from Romantic Home tagged me and here are my answers.

1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be? New England coast
2.What's your favorite article of clothing? I love shoes
3.Favorite physical feature of the opposite sex? Eyes and teeth
4.What's the last CD that you bought? Norah Jones
5.Where's your favorite place to be? any place with my family
6. Where is your least favorite place to be? gym (hah!)
7.What's your favorite place to be massaged? dont like massages (should have that on weird list)
8.Strong in mind or strong in body? Mind
9.What time do you wake up in the morning ? 6- 7 a.m.
10. What is your favorite kitchen appliance? my new fancy stove
11.What makes you really angry? unkind people
12.If you could play any instrument, what would it be? I play Piano
13. Favorite color? Blue and white
14.Which do you prefer...sports car or SUV? Sports car, I drive a little red convertible 15. Do you believe in an afterlife? yes
16.Favorite children's book? I loved them all but guess Goodnight Moon is my favorite
17. What is your favorite season? Fall
18. Your least favorite household chore? bathroom cleaning
19.If you could have one super power, what would it be? read minds
20.If you have a tattoo, what is it? not gonna happen
21.Can you juggle? No, I lack co-ordination
22. The 1 person from your past that you wish you could go back and talk to? my Daddy
23. What's your favorite day? Friday
24. What's in the trunk of your car? Christmas decorations i forgot about, a return I need to make, shoes, blanket, tennis rackets, tennis balls
25. Which do you prefer, sushi or hamburger? I have never tried sushi

I am not good at tagging, but from me to you : please feel free to tag yourself !

Conversations...

with my family while I was gone last week.


"Mom, I thinkwe get along better when you arent here ."(brother and sister)

"Mom, Dad is going to bed everynight at 8 ."( great. hope the party is fun)

"Mom, we have had pizza for 3 meals now."

But when I got off the plane the first thing they asked me... "Mom, what's for dinner ?".
I think that means they missed me !

The hydrangeas in the vase are the last summer hydrangeas from my garden last year.
I am drying them in a vase in my bedroom.