My Mother's House

Dear Friends,
My Mom passed away on Sunday, November 24th, 2013
after a long battle with dementia.

I am re-posting this
because I think it's a nice way to remember her
and how beautiful she truly was.
And to help explain where I've been for the past month...

So here goes.



(Originally posted in July, 2012)

I am going home soon, to New Jersey, to visit my Mom.

I hope she still remembers me.

She has dementia now
and

her world has been made very small by her disease.  

But once upon a time,

it was full of style and color and whimsy.

It's what I try to remember about her.

Let me show you.

Mom's house, on an early fall day. 

Kind of understated and elegant on the outside.

 Come inside, though, and see what she was really into...

Mom's house was always a riot of color and fabric and collections.

 The turquoise floral print was her inspiration for the entire first floor.

 

She used Cranberry glass used as an accent everywhere.

She collected Edna Hibbel prints.

 I think she really liked the breezy, free and colorful style of her work.

And she displayed things with a whimsical touch.

She collected crystal and silver and anything else she liked.

The dining room was her showcase.

She painted it red way before it was trendy.

And yes, the hallway is pink...

I loved that crystal chandelier, but she loved the one in the dining room more. 

It was a family heirloom and she treasured it.

Interesting silver pieces - chocolate pots, teapots, serving pieces galore.

She liked a little drama.

 and a lot of stuff...

 Maybe a little too much stuff...

but always interesting and beautiful.

And in the kitchen, she felt even freer to display things she thought were "Kind of Fun"...

Ice cream cones and Scotties and clowns and lobsters and more.

We spent a lot of time at this table, plotting our adventures together.

I really miss going home to visit her here.

 This is my favorite picture of her.  

She was still well and stylish and I wanted that necklace sooo much.  

She took me to the shop where she got it, but alas, they had no more.  

Never mind.  I have it now.  

I wear it often, especially when I am going someplace I know she would have enjoyed.  

It's kind of like bringing her with me. 

I wish.

Rest in Peace, Mom.

I love you.

Little Wooden Gift Tags

Quick and Easy Gift Tags Project

I like to make tags.

(See here.  And here.)

 

Small projects appeal to me.  

Maybe it's because I can squeeze them in 

while I dream about actually getting other things done. 

Anyway, today I would like to share these little wooden gift tags. 

Quick and Easy. 

Could not be quicker or easier.

These were a fun project for a hot summer afternoon. 

And we've had plenty of those!

 One of my New Year's Resolutions this year was to use what I have.

This little project qualifies, sort of.  You know how projects go... 

First, I picked up these little wooden gift tags.  

Actually, I ordered them on Amazon.  It was too hot to go out shopping.

I bought 50 of them. 

And then I remembered my resolution.

 So I dug out these stickers that I have had for a long time, saving them for the perfect project. 

 Maybe this will qualify...

They turned out to be the perfect size, anyway...

Here comes the hard part.  

I peeled each sticker off and stuck it onto a wooden tag.

Then I added some satin ribbon and/or some jute twine for ties.

Done.

I also tried using one of my artsy-fartsy photographs and pasting it on. 

I would use this on a present wrapped in simple kraft paper.

Cute and you could really personalize your tags that way.

I colored these with my marking pens.  

They're even cute just plain, 

and you could use a decorative ribbon or twine.

 For our beloved music teacher...

I had the sheet music scrapbook paper in my stash.

  And just wait until Christmas!

I swear, this is going to be the year 

where I have my gift wrap chosen and organized ahead of time 

and I will NOT resort to using the cheesy tags 

we always end up running out to Walgreens for at the last minute. 

 Finally, a use for some of those Christmas stickers I've been hoarding!

 I will make some of these ahead of time. 

In fact, I should make 50 of them so I don't have any leftover tags...

 I already have one done -  I'm way ahead of last year....

Thanks for visiting!

Linking to:

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Nifty Thrifty Sundays at Thrifty Things
CraftOManiac 
DIY Project Parade at DIY SHowoff
Tuesday's Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
More the Merrier at DIY Home Sweet Home
Get Your Craft On Tuesday at Today's Creative Blog
Cowgirl Up! Link Party at Farmhouse Porch
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at Coastal Charm
Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style
Primp Your Stuff Wednesdays at {Primp}
All Star Block Party at In The Old Road
Will Craft For Fun at Tales of a Trophy Wife`
Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage
Thursdays Are Your Days at 52 Mantels
Open House Party at No Minimalist Here
Smart Solutions at The Prudent Pantry
Fabulously Creative Friday at Jennifer Rizzo

Outdoor Shower Season!

Happy Summer!

Just got back from a long weekend at the beach with family and friends.

I know.  I'm lucky.  Really, really lucky.  Truly blessed.  

The weather was great, the water was perfect and the company was the best.

At the beach, Summer means outdoor showers, in the wonderful shower that Mr. Grand built.

We relish our showers under the eaves and the pine trees, 

delighting in the breezy fresh air and sunshine.

Here is how it works.

First, you go to the beach.  

Have a great day at the beach.  Swim, sun, snack, splash.

Get sweaty and sandy.

 At day's end, pack up and start the climb up Buzz Kill Hill.
Think about the deliciously cool shower that waits for you up at the top...

 Proceed across the lawn

Around the cottage 

Down the path

And back to the Shower!

 Open the door

and step inside....

 There's a mirror so you can check for sunburn....

And plenty of room so things stay dry.

 There is a seat in the corner and narrow shelves to hold sundries...

 And awesome hooks to hang all your things.

Lots of awesome hooks....

The shower head isn't very fancy but the water pressure is amazing 

and you can take it down and spray the sand off your feet, too!

We opted for this kind of shower head 

because the whole thing is easy to detach and bring in for the Michigan winters.

When you look up, you see blue sky and pine trees.  

The fragrance is heavenly.

 And in the late afternoon, you can see what we like to call "Jesus Streaks"

 the shafts of light coming down from on high.

It's come a long way from what was there when we first bought the cottage...

Construction of the shower floor and walls.
We had a french drain installed under the floor boards
to keep things dry and draining properly.

Progress!!!

The walls are up and the girls get busy painting...

The tops of the shower walls are capped with 1' x 4" boards made of Azek, 

a composite material that will not rot or warp or ever need paint.

Hopefully a fresh coat of glossy white paint every couple of years 

will ward off the elements and keep the shower fresh and inviting.

The finished project, complete with all new concrete and landscaping...

Just a little bit of heaven.....

Thanks for joining me on this tour.

Linking to:
Sundays Best Par.tay at My 1929 Charmer

Metamorphosis Monday at between Naps on the Porch

Tuesdays Treasures at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Cowgirl Up at Farmhouse Porch
Tutorials and Tips Link Party at Home Stories A to Z

Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage

Time to Shine Party at A Diamond in the Stuff
White Wednesday at Faded Charm

Uncommonly Yours Link Party at Uncommon

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Sizzle Into Summer at DIY by Design

Primp Your Stuff Wednesday at {Primp}

All Star Blog Party at In The Old Road

What's It Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Home and Garden Thursday at A Delightsome Life

Thursdays Are Your Days at 52 Mantels

Time Travel Thursday at Brambleberry Cottage

Blog Hop at Adorned From Above

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Inspiration Friday at The Picket Fence

Home Sweet Home Party at The Charm of Home

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Best DIY Project Contest of 2012 at Not Just a Housewife