Simple Joys

Would you mind some reminiscing?

Way back when, our family of three traveled to Oregon and I fell deeply in love.  Columbia River Gorge, International Rose Test Garden, Mt. Hood, Powell's City of Books, Portland Japanese Gardens, Saturday Market. Those are the well known attractions, each of them so very special in their own way.    What stands out most prominently in my mind though, is our one-night stay at the Kennedy School.  It had recently opened, a salvaged elementary school repurposed so whimsically into a place of lodging.

I've always loved chalkboards and have fond memories of dusty erasers and the tool that made lines for handwriting.  Do you remember those? What struck me most about the Kennedy School was the chalkboard, still in tact, in our guest room.  It just felt so right, so warm, and so happy.

We recreated the full-wall-width chalkboard in our previous home's guest room.  It was a conversation piece; well loved and well used.  When our house was on the market, one family left us a message the old fashioned way.  Turns out, that family now lives in our home.

Today we have a small board that hangs just above the sink in the mudroom.  It's strategically placed so it's the first thing you see when you enter from the garage.  When hubby's been away on travel he'll always find a message upon return.  When the kids come to visit, loving words of welcome are waiting.    And sometimes, in the wee hours of the morning, hubby writes a little something on the chalkboard right before leaving for work.  That's what happened this morning.  It's a simple joy we share. ❤

Happiness on a Wall

It was Thanksgiving Day, twenty-five or so years ago that my dad photographed Matthew in front of the antique chest.  He had been crying.  Perhaps it had something to do with the bow tie, suspenders, and knee socks.  Yes, I seem to recall that it did.  Anyway, it was on this same chest that my mom first taught me the miracle of Old English polish.  

I'm a sucker for vintage floral prints.  They needn't be expensive and I'm happiest when they're found hidden in a heap at our local thrift shop. What a thrill it is to pull the velvet Elvis print forward and find a little beauty just waiting to be loved.  I don't believe the nicks and scratches are always there at donation time.  Most likely, it has to do with the rummaging that goes along with thrifting.  

Very slowly, our library is being transformed.  The walls were painted a soothing shade of gray, and we recently assembled a storage unit so there's ample room for books and things.  I'm letting the space evolve, rather than trying to pull it all together at once.  It needs to feel good because I spend a lot of time there.  The vintage floral print came home with me last week.  The moment I saw it I knew exactly where it belonged.  It needed a bit of spiffing up with my trusty bottle of Old English polish, but now it's good as new.  I'm swooning over this one.

Crackers and Sunshine

Oh happy day!  The sun's shining.  Hello kitty fur all over the hardwood floor....how long have you been there?

Just like last year, this mild winter's been kind to our two rosemary plants.  I'm wondering if they'll survive until spring.  How wonderful that would be.  I slipped outside to get a few clippings.  It's pretty chilly and the wind's whipping around but it felt so good to be standing in the sunshine.  The kitties liked it too, for a short time on the deck.

These crackers were the highlight of my day.  They're made with almond flour and are bursting with the flavor of fresh rosemary.  I haven't eaten bread or crackers for a very long time so it's going to take a little willpower to pace myself with this plateful of gorgeousness.  Mindful eating, Laura.  Mindful eating.

I Knew It When I Saw It

A long-term goal was reached this week, one that's been a year in the making.  My heart steered me down this path and for that I am very grateful.  

I found myself with a bit of cabin fever :: studying for a final can sometimes make that happen.  And then I found myself in a nearby thrift shop.  This professionally-framed piece of art came home with me and I'm giddy with excitement.  I've been looking for something special for that shelf and I knew I'd know it when I saw it.  It just feels so right.

Tomorrow's the second of our twenty CSA pickups.  My favorite vegetable in last week's bag was butter lettuce.  Freshly-picked local produce rocks!  

Line Dried

It's becoming routine now.  One load per day, hung before the sun rises above the mountain.  The air is crisp and the birds are singing.  It feels so good in a way I never imagined.

This handmade vintage clothespin bag's been tucked away for several years.  It was a yard sale treasure I couldn't resist, even though we didn't own a clothesline.

It took a bit of research to determine which model would best suit our needs.  This  is an umbrella style with a retractable cover.  So far so good.  Wonderful really.

My childhood memories of a clothesline are few.  I remember helping, at my mom's urging, when the threat of rain was near.  We talked over the phone this morning, chuckling about an email that's been circulating.  It seems that neighbors can learn a lot about each other, just by noticing what's on the line.  And rules...there are rules that must be followed if you're going to do this right :: hang socks by the toes and pants by the bottom, unmentionables in the center so they're hidden from view (hmm....I seem to have known this instinctively), wash the line before hanging clean clothes and NEVER leave those pins out when you're done!  

Company's Coming

Our niece is visiting for the night.

It's always fun to have another girl in the house. In fact, the boys are doing their thing (a steak dinner out) and the girls are having a pedicure. She deserves it :: she just finished her third year of nursing school.

We might need a little snack before our appointment, so I made these no-bake cookies.  Peanut is my nut butter of choice and I like to sprinkle sea salt on top for some extra pizazz.  This quick and easy recipe has been a staple of mine for quite some time. It's perfect for those moments when you need something now.

Knock-Out roses and peonies are prettying up the place.  Their scent is more beautiful this year than ever before.

She stays in the upstairs guest room when she's here, in an old twin bed that used to belong to her great grandmother.  And, of course, there's always a little something special waiting for her on the nightstand.

The Fundamental Fifty Wardrobe :: Part One

My wardrobe has undergone a major overhaul and I'm feeling like a new woman.  

It's never been a strength of mine :: making thoughtful clothing purchases and putting together outfits that are functional and comfortable.  Like many women, I've had a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear for the majority of my 48 years.  The concept of a capsule wardrobe was foreign to me and most of my pieces were unworn, collecting dust and taking up valuable space.  

My closet didn't feel good either.  It was cluttered and unorganized.  Hubby and I share :: we each use one side of our moderately-sized walk in.  I'd been thinking about reconfiguring the space to better accomodate my stuff and then it hit me.  I didn't need more storage.  I needed to simplify. 

I began searching the internet for guidance.  What exactly is a capsule wardrobe?  How could I adapt the classic capsule wardrobe to my lifestyle?  I didn't need a suit with pieces that coordinate.  In fact, I rarely have the need for anything dressy. My days command comfortable clothing.  How do I build a casual wardrobe using pieces that can be dressed up a tad on occasion?

Project 333 kept coming up during my research and the idea was very appealing to me.  I decided to use this method for inspiration and adapt it to better suit my life.  I sorted through my clothing, creating a pile for donation, one that held possibilities, and then the "keepers".  I adopted the Project 333 concept of focusing on four seasonal wardrobes and took off running.  

This wasn't a one-day project.  In fact, I've been working on it for several months, a little at a time, and it's still a work in progress. My springtime wardrobe is complete and I'm calling my effort The Fundamental Fifty.  Each of my seasonal wardrobes will contain fifty items to include tops, bottoms, outerwear, shoes, and accessories like belts and scarves.  It does not include sleepwear, workout clothing or jewelry. Ideally, many of the pieces will be multi-seasonal.

It's not about saving money but I do believe that will happen in the long term.  It's about shopping smarter and living more simply and deliberately.  It's about creating spaces in the home that feel serene instead of overwhelming.  And it's about enjoying getting dressed every day.

I'm using a tool to create and track the options that are possible with my fifty wardrobe components.  It's called Stylebook and it's been loads of fun.  This app allows you to import photos of your own clothing, create different looks, and track how often each piece is worn.  No more holding onto pieces that aren't living up to their potential!

My closet is much more organized these days and although it looks fairly sparse, I have more choices than I've ever had before.  Oh, and this project has inspired me to do a little decorating too.  I'm beautifying my closet in a few simple ways. Photos soon. 

Paint and Flowers

Once the first pot gets planted there's no turning back.  I wasn't feeling quite ready to wear my gardening hat...until I spotted these big beautiful pansies.  They'll be perfect for welcoming spring.

A bit of painting today.  Agreeable Gray is making me very happy.  It's warm and quiet :: a perfect color for the library.

As always, the Star Magnolia is the first to bloom.  And blue skies make me smile.

Handy Men

girls with lots of ideas + boys with endless energy = successfully completed home decorating projects.

In 2009, over winter break, our son made shelves for either side of the fireplace in our kitchen eating area.  He was looking for something to do and I was dreaming of accessorizing.  

I barely finished my question, "Would you be interested in building some shelves?", and we were drawing designs and heading out for lumber. 

He immediately got to work cutting, measuring, and checking with me to make sure these shelves were being made to specification.  And they were.  Perfectly.

College resumed, time passed, and I dragged my feet on the finishing touches.  A few coats of paint and some special knobs were all that was standing in the way of completion. 

I've since painted the shelves and found some pretty little knobs. They're hung now, thanks to my two handy men, and I've been having fun accessorizing.  Nothing was purchased new for the accessorizing part of this project :: just a little re-staging of some well-loved things that were hanging around the house.  

one girl's idea + the work of two very energetic boys = a finished product that this girl dearly loves.  

Reorganizing :: It Feels Good

It seemed like a good day to reorganize.  So that's what I did.  

This is our medicine cabinet.  It has a full length mirror on the outside and lots of glass shelves on the inside.  Since we have pedestal sinks, all of our daily necessities call this medicine cabinet home.

Things had gotten a little out of control in here.  A growing number of products we weren't I wasn't using anymore were taking up space, and it just felt unpleasant.  I weeded out, and then gathered up an assortment of pretty thrifted trays and dishes.  

Hubby has two shelves and I have...more than two.  We don't agree on toothpaste (tea tree oil's not his thing) so he got his own dental hygiene tray.  The big plastic bottle of mouthwash wasn't doing it for me, so into the mason jar it went.  I'm not sure he'll like this arrangement.  Do you think he'll forgive me when he sees the lipstick love note?

Reorganizing :: It sure feels good.