Exquisite... for Noni's Babies...

Thursday morning in the midst of thunderstorms, I pulled on my trusty zebra galoshes and headed off to an estate sale. I have pretty much banned myself from venturing to any sales... because I just don't need anymore "stuff" at this point in my life. But, the mail out mentioned a cradle. An Eastlake Victorian cradle. So, I had to go take a look. I fell in love. I did not fall in love with the price tag. Instead, I came home with a lamp I did not need either!



I was going to go back Friday... just to see if it was still there. Talked myself out of it. Baby could only use it for four or five months. Won't be here. Off in Virgina. Do NOT need it... Blah... blah... blah...




Now, it is Saturday. I had to get out to run some errands... I think to myself... It is gone. Well, okay, just run by and check. Okay, if it is still there, it must be meant to be yours. Okay, I'll just go check... probably not there anyway...



Cars are parked everywhere... it's probably not even worth the trouble of parking and walking to the house... I'm sure it is gone anyway... but, I do park. And, I do walk down to the house. As soon as I stick my head in the door, I ask the ladies, "Is the cradle still here?" Their eyes light up, "We've been wondering when you were coming back!" "It's mine," I say. =)

So, now I have decided that I must go ahead and take it to Virginia for my baby grandson to spend his first few months in... I would much prefer that they were near and he could sleep in this beautiful old cradle at Noni's house. Truth is, he may not see Noni's house before he would be too big for this beauty... Intricate carving... burled wood... rocks so smoothly... a special place for a special child...

A nest for Noni and Pop Pop's babies... (yes, you will note that is plural! This is just too nice for only one!!) =) Now, to figure out a matress and bedding!

Bathroom Design

These photos are not really all that great, but Layla Palmer of The Lettered Cottage did a post about bathroom design inspiration. My bathroom had a toilet (facing you directly as you walked into the bath), a sink (still in the bath) and a claw-foot tub that had been made into a "sunken" tub by cutting a giant hole in the floor of my wonderful old Arts and Crafts bungalow. The toilet was black. The floors were black... glossy black wall tile. No storage... at all. One wall was solid mirrors. The lighting was four black theater lights directed at the tub. Now, can you just imagine struggling to get out of that deep old tub while seeing yourself under spotlights in the wall of mirrors??? Not a pretty sight. Ergonomically a nightmare! The tub only had one leg. I am a shower person. So, the design process began.



I mulled it over. Drew and re-drew on graph paper. Then two carpenters and I spent weeks in this small space. They would try to create what I described. I would have them tear it out and start over. Finally, I was happy. I have a spacious shower and lots of storage.




The chandelier was originally in my kitchen. It was part of the inspiration.



The toilet is now facing away from the entry and modestly surrounded by a little half wall, which gives me a surface to put curling irons, etc. Lots of storage in the over-sized medicine cabinet and cabinet over the toilet. The sink was the one in the bath outfitted with new/old fixtures.

The crown molding we created around the shower gazebo and all cabinets matches the trim throughout the house. I chose cypress hardwood for the floors. I love my sea-colored bath!

Chuckle for the day...

This story is just too cute. Liz, of Mabel's House, is one of the bright spots in my day. She is a wonderful writer and her stories always make me smile, if not just outright chortle! Enjoy.

FINISHED!

So, last week I finished the sock-monkey-baby-blanket. I finished knitting while we were at Blackberry Farm and crocheted a border in cream on the way home. Wasn't happy with the border. Ripped it out. Consulted with Amanda and left the edges softly rolling. I have been given grief over its size. Some have commented, unkindly perhaps, that Baby Correa cannot be placed under it... at least not until he has grown considerably. They indicate that he might be smothered by the weight of the blanket-made-with-love. I do admit that, for a baby blanket, it is of behemoth proportions.

Let me just say that his Noni's blanket can follow him to his dorm bed if he wants!! He will be swaddled in love for a long, long, long time.... =)

And, if not, it makes a fine throw.

SURPRISE!

We just got home from a surprise birthday party for our friend, Gary. See the drum and sticks??? Remember them for later!

Ready to go...

Little H is going to the party!!

That's the birthday boy in orange! Little guy is Landon! He was great entertainment!

Speaking of entertainment... there was Neil McCoy and his band!!!! AND, Gary has been taking drum lessons and surprised us all by playing with the band! He did a great job!

It was a fun night for dancing! Good food. Good folks. Good fun.

Happy Birthday, Gary! Thanks for letting us share in your celebration! Nice job, Lisa!

Perfect Saturday...

I snipped hydrangeas. Mopped the porch. Washed the sheets. Fluffed the feather bed.

I enjoyed the music as I worked...

And, appreciated the beauty that surrounded me...

Watched the fish dart about...

All looking forward to the time to enjoy being with these two (three)... =) It would only have been more perfect if Zack had come, too...

On The Road Again...

I'm about to hit the road again. This time just to Dallas, to see my daughter... for the last time before she delivers. She's on her last business trip... grounded in Virginia after this one. I am thinking that she may be happy to stay in one spot for awhile, too. I long for lazy, simple days. But, I am grateful for all that has come our way lately.

Yeah... that's the kind of day... napping... reading... sipping tea... on our own porch... with family near... what a pleasant dream...

Following Dreams... Blackberry Farm...

Amanda had been dreaming of going to Blackberry Farm. Lucky for us, she let us share her dream. This was the view out our bedroom window... beautiful meadows wrapped in pristine white fences, hugged by the "Smoky" of the mountains...



Rockers invited us to sit back and soak in the beauty... slow down... be still... and know... I think this was the most restful few days I have ever spent in my life. We were steeped in beauty, comfort and gracious service... We enjoyed gourmet food throughout the day... All to pile into soft feather bed at the end of the day... and look forward to the next...




Old Walden Pond...




Amanda (Little H) and Jerry on our first morning's hike...

Gorgeous bridges...

Sheep and the llama... These little guys serenaded us with baas... distinct and individual little voices...

Dad and Mom in Waiting...

Barbara and Tony...

The inclines came shortly after this!

But, what a view off the trail...

Another beautiful bridge...

Meadows and fences...

The wonderful resting spot...

Then for dinner at night... The Barn. Reconstructed from a barn in Pennsylvania, this incredible structure houses a gorgeous and very elegant restaurant.

This was our last night... what a wonderful, restful weekend. For all the beauty and elegance of this place... it was the company that made it the wonderful memory that it is... I am so happy we were there for the dream... =)