Beloved

I came across the following passage this morning and it spoke to my heart.

image by Lisa Cogdon

Fridays Letter

Dear Mr. Veen:  thanks to you I am now hooked on the show Parks and Rec.  Bonus points to anyone who can guess which characters on the show are my favorites.  Dear Rachael Austin:  it was a special treat receiving your print in the mail this week - love it!  Dear Church Street:  you MUST be one of the most beautiful streets in our humble little city this time of year.  I feel lucky to live here.  Dear Biebs:  thank you for bringing me good tidings of great joy with your new cd.  Dear Video:  anyone who doubts the mystery of creation needs to watch you.  That's all.  And last to Mr. Veen:  I have 3 words for you:  THREE DAY WEEKEND!


Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

Holy Crap!

Last week I was fortunate enough to be in one of my favorite places - Gearheart Oregon.  One of the many things I love about Gearheart is it's cute little main street which includes a grocery store, ice cream shop, bakery, restaurant, and a couple boutiques.  By far my favorite boutique in Gearheart is Pacific Crest Cottage which sells my favorite square candles among many other fabulous items.  On this recent trip I was thrilled to discover a new artist and card line which I instantly fell in love with.  Behold the awesomeness of Erin Smith. I dare you not to fall in deep like with her brilliant brand of snarky.  Enjoy!

Here's to "thinking evil thoughts and trying NOT to say them out loud" today!



Perspective

via sfgirlbybay

After less than one week of being a dog owner it is safe to say that Henry has already made me a better person.  After all, it's hard to be grouchy when a fluffy dog with big eyes greets you with wagging tail and expectation every time you walk into the room.  I have no doubt that in Henry's eyes I am a superstar!  While my cats can take or leave me - he wants to be around me always.  As someone who has never had a dog or necessarily thought of myself as a "dog person" I am shocked at how smitten I am with this furry fellow.  And very soon I plan on getting the above print to remind myself to be the person Henry sees in me.

June 2011: Favorite things

Here's a list of some of my current favorites in no particular order...

1.  This print from Lisa Cogdon.  It's currently hanging in my kitchen above my coffee pot where it makes me quite happy.

2.  Peonies.  They are pretty much done blooming but they have become my official favorite flower of June - so beautiful!

3.  These is my Words.  Reading it, loving it, completely addicted.  That's all.

4.  Platform Wedges.  For a girl who doesn't do well in heels I love these and actually look forward to wearing them.  I don't feel like I'm going to fall over and break my neck and they are truly comfortable.  Now I just need to find some time to paint my toes....

5.  This blog is so beautiful!  Check it out if you want to see some pretty photos...

6.  All things 1980's  have made a resurgence around my house these days.  We are rocking out to Michael Jackson and watching The Cosby show.  It's weird in a really good way!

7.  Strawberry Lemonade Martini.  It is my drink of the summer thanks to Carol  - go over here to get the recipe!

8.  My friend Kevin came over with the classic movie All that Heaven Allows last night.  I was unprepared for just how much I would love this film.  Not only is it visually breathtaking but it actually has a really great message too.  Of course it doesn't hurt that Rock Hudson is a total hunk either....

9.  Jake and Ella.  I love having these guys home for the summer.  Yes, it's crazy and chaotic at times but I also know it won't last forever and before I know it they'll have flown this little nest.  Sometimes I want to just freeze time and keep them 8 and 10 forever.  They are such wonderful little people!



10.  The Avett Brothers.  My friend Lance recently burned me ALL of their albums!  Thank you Lance - I am loving them:)











10 favorite things ~ April

1.  Columbine.  No, not the grotesque school shooting people - the FLOWER!  What do you take me for - some kind of weirdo?  Columbine are sort of weedy looking sometimes but if you look closely they are the coolest looking little flowers.  And the best part is they come in lot's of different varieties and colors.  I have several coming up around my yard right now and they make me quite happy.

2.  Diane Keaton.  I think she's funny, smart and cool.  I want to be like her when I grow up.

3.  Friendship Bracelets.  I remember making these in grade school and wouldn't you know it  - they've made a resurgence!  These from Etsy are pretty cute!

4.  Tunic's.  Part dress, part shirt  = it's all good!  I find myself gravitating to these this time of year when I am SICK AND TIRED of wearing jeans but it's still too FREAKING COLD to go without something covering my white legs.  Solution - I can wear these over skinny jeans or leggings now and as a sundress later.  Brilliant no?  This is from a great little shop ellainaboutique.  I have one of her dresses and it's a favorite!

5.  Nurse Jackie.  This show was recommended to me from several people based on my love of United States of Tara.  I'm officially hooked!  If you like dark comedy you'll love Jackie.

6.  Strawberries.  We're getting fairly close to our local Oregon strawberries being in season.  Can't wait!

7.  Vintage milk glass.  Right now I have a little display on my mantle.  Milk glass coffee mugs are my #1 search @ the thrift lately.  Love them!  I also would be quite pleased to stumble upon a plate like this one.

8.  The Royal Wedding.  Let me just say that I maybe might be setting my alarm for the wee hours Friday morning so I can be swept up in this epic event.  After all I watched both Di and Fergie when they got hitched.  And those marriages were stellar.

9.  Stories.  So today myself and three other neighborhood mothers were flipped off by a middle aged man in a large black truck while trying to cross the street.  One of the mothers had a small child in a stroller.  We were in a CROSSWALK.  FOUR of us (not including small child) and this IDIOT decided he didn't need to stop for us  - and when we threw our arms in the air gesturing our disbelief at his ASININE behavior he FLIPPED US OFF!  

*at least one of us may have flipped him off in return.  specific identities will remain anonymous.

10.  Inspirational Prints.  Like this one from Kelly Rae. 

Couldn't have said it better myself!





















You're getting very sleepy....

Confession:  the last few weeks I've been fantasizing about sleep.  I think I officially got messed up when the time changed and ever since then when my alarm goes off at 6:15a.m. instead of jumping out of bed I have been forcing myself by sheer grit, will and determination to get up.  Also, I've been getting so sleepy in the afternoons that I've made coffee on more than one occasion in order to have the ability to drag my tired self to the school to pick my kids up!

So in keeping with my theme of rest this week I've decided rather than fight what my body's trying to tell me I might as well just listen and  -- well sleep more!  I've been stealing little 10 to 15 minute naps in the afternoon which can be glorious given a door to door salesman doesn't ring your doorbell.  I also have "slept in" until (gasp!) 7a.m. a few times!  I know, I know it's terrible.  You've got major dirt on me now.

The following images are an inspiration when it comes to getting that all important but elusive thing:  sleep.

via ellemoss

via sycamorestreetpress

via CatNPhotography

via Nan Lawson

via shirae

Sweet dreams!

Story

"Sometimes another woman's story becomes a mirror that shows me a self I haven't seen before. When I listen to her tell it, her experience quickens and clarifies my own. Her questions rouse mine. Her conflicts illumine my conflicts. Her resolutions call forth my hope. Her strengths summon my strengths. All of this can happen even when our stories and our lives are very different."

Sue Monk Kidd

by Myrna Yoder

As my Grandma spends her last days here on earth, I've been thinking much about story.  Hers of course is forefront in my mind, but it's prompted me to consider again that everyone has a story, history and context.  I love looking at the old photo albums of my ancestors, particularly the women.  The clothes, houses, and everyday objects they lived with are endlessly fascinating to me.  But behind all of that, as I look at the different faces of these women who are my tribe, I wish I could sit down and know their stories.  Surely there is much to learn behind the smiling eyes posed so happily in pictures.  What secrets, loves, hates, hang-ups and passions are represented in these old black and white photos?  One thing I know is true:  I come from a long line of strong women. 

The above artwork is displayed at Mcmenamins Hotel Oregon in Mcminville.  This piece catches my eye every time I see it and has remained in my memory over the years.  I love the posture of these two old gals, their flowered dresses and black shoes.  They seem to have a reserve of confidence and strength coming no doubt from a life filled with story. 

 And so as I read stories about the past I am inspired to continue to share my story.  It is I believe the very essence of life.  Our stories.  And sharing them.

  "I wondered which was harder, in the end.  The act of telling, or who you told it to.  Or maybe if, when you finally got it out, the story was really all that mattered."

~Sarah Dessen

Things I'm loving right now - top 10!

Yesterday my Thing 1 got two teeth pulled out.  He did so great and felt pretty good most of the day, but it gave us the opportunity to have a lazy movie day - translation:  while Jake watched his movies I browsed around the Internet. 

Here's some of what I found and LOVED ~

In the words of Carrie Bradshaw "Hello Lover"!  I spied these on someones blog and instantly fell in love.  Word on the street is they were originally purchased here.  I searched and alas can not find them!  However there are many other cute shoes on this site.

Last week while at my local World Market I came upon these cute little bistro chairs.  They come in a rainbow of colors including yellow and I think they also have a matching table.  They are all the inspiration I need to begin dreaming of sprucing up my patio!

Vanilla Latte's preferably from Peet's.  That's all.

Bow ties in springy floral patterns?  Yes please!  I think these would look dreamy on Mr. Veen.  He may not agree....



Because I've always had a weak spot for skater boys.  Amazing!

There are so many adorable spring dresses at Anthropologie right now that it's hard to pick just one!  This one makes me extra happy though:)

The fact that this is a true story makes me embrace the syrupy, delicious, gushy romantic scenes all the more.  Pure girly fun!

I'm going through major Mad Men withdrawals just looking at spunky little Peggy!  Check out this print shop for more fabulousness by artist Stanley Chow.

Word.

I'll take the chair in the sunshine with a chilled glass of wine please!  Beautiful photo by Pam Garrison.



Happy Thursday  - hope your day goes swell:)



It's kind of a funny story

Last Sunday for my birthday Tom and I got to go on a date up to Portland.  Our plan was to have lunch and stroll around the fun artsy area of Mississippi avenue.  And that's where the story begins....

The night before our date we had watched the latest episode of Portlandia which featured this hilarious skit.  Throughout the day we'd heard people joking about "bird's on things" as we looked through the various shops.  Near the end of our afternoon we ducked into a little store selling mostly local artists work.  We were happily browsing around when another couple entered and asked the gal working there if she had anything "with a bird on it".  They were snickering and joking about the whole thing and frankly the girl didn't seem that amused.  She sort of gave them a blank look as if to say "yeah, you're not funny....I get that a lot".   The couple proceeded to confirm that this was indeed THE store the Portlandia skit had been filmed in , to which the very weary and now annoyed cashier affirmed "yes, this is the one, ha, ha...(get the hell out of here), ha!". 

By this point although the whole thing was highly entertaining , I was starting to feel bad for the poor store keeper.  I had a feeling she'd had this very same conversation MANY times and she seemed to be gritting her teeth and trying to hold onto some form of politeness, although I knew she was going to loose it at any moment.  Finally there was somewhat of an awkward pause for the couple had finally stopped joking around and it was at this point that the woman asked her final question:  "No, really - can you please show me something with a bird on it?  We have some friends visiting us from out of town and we really want to find them something from THIS store with a bird on it". 

And that my friends is why I never want to work in retail again!

All joking aside, part of the reason this spoof is so funny to me is that I happen to love things with birds on them!  In fact in my house right now there are several items with birds and that doesn't even count the things I'd still love to buy.  Here's a few of them.....

via Rachel Austin



via Creative Thursday



via the suspect shoppe



via Matte Stephens

See how cute things are when you put a bird on them?

Estate sale finds and inspiration!

Last Saturday in between Jake and Ella's basketball games I stumbled upon an estate sale!  I am somewhat of a newbie when it comes to estate saleing although I have learned that once in awhile a person can find some lovely things.  Generally, it seems to be feast or famine and this particular sale had several things I could have snatched up, so I had to muster every ounce of self-discipline!  It helped to have Ella with me who reminded me as I was in a state of near panic while pawing through the linens "Mom, don't you already have a bunch of these?"  Ahhh yes, the wisdom of a child.  Thank God she was with me!

my treasures!



I spied the cute little mugs first and instantly knew I had to have them!  I'm a sucker for vintage mugs and the quirkier the better!  These got triple bonus points for being glass bake, red and white checked and monogrammed!!  Now Tom and I can pretend to be "Harry" and "F" (who I imagine to be Flo)....

And that got me thinking (dangerous!) - wouldn't this print be cute in the kitchen?

via Skinny Laminx

I didn't see the lantern until I was almost leaving - maybe someone ditched it at the last minute!  Well I've been wanting a lantern just like this for awhile now and bonus points again for being RED!  This will look good so many places in mi casa. 

It would look especially good next to this poster.....

via Etsy

I'm looking forward to a lovely Thursday full of fun! 

psst - Tomorrow's Friday ALREADY!!