Sweet Somethings

Those of us who enjoy decorating know the impact and satisfaction in creating vignettes, or switching up pictures  or chairs or lamps...you know what I mean...
                                                                               

or cushions...

Lately I have enjoyed adding a bit more greenery around my home..
               

The landscape outdoors can feel bleak and lack lustre so plants indoors help to add a garden feel...
                                                           

A few weeks ago I picked up this magazine called English Homes. Every page is filled with dreamy and idyllic photographs...I can almost pretend I too am planning a trip to England like Brenda...                                                                  

my painted hutch lends a wee English ambiance :)

Speaking of dreaming a little, I've been watching the last (sniffle) season of Downton...I ordered the DVD so we could watch at our leisure. It's such a different world and also such a similar world is it not? People are people no matter when or where they live..  Humans all have idiosyncrasies it seems..
                                                                 

I have also been making granola a lot this winter. It's such a yummy snack or breakfast...
                                                     

I don't know about you but I certainly love a clean window...they get dirty quickly out here in the country,  making me appreciate when they are clean!
                                                                 

Well I wrap up my week remembering how blessed I am. Yesterday I watched a young girl walking home from school. She had two crippled feet and walking was an awkward hobble. 
I knew I was supposed to see her...
Sometimes I get wrapped up in my own worries or concerns about my children or family when suddenly I am jolted into the realization of my gifts of health, strength and all sorts of providential blessings...
With this as my focus I wish you a blessed weekend.
                                                                

                                                      Thanks for stopping by. ~ Lucy~

sharing with..http://www.whitespraypaintblog.com/ and
http://www.poofingthepillows.com/

In Between and Starting

 Some rooms stories come round full circle...a little like this one...

                                                     
I haven't really been by my blog much lately. There always seems to be something else just a bit more urgent. 
We have tackled a few little 'spruce me ups' around here....

                                  

                                               a spot to write..
                         

It always starts somewhere, and this one began with freshly painted walls...

                      waiting for its first visit from daughter..
I have been wanting to try an all white room for some time. There is so many lovely ones here in blogland...

  the before; originally it had four colours when my youngest two shared it.   While it was cute for a while, they were happy to leave it and head to a bedroom in our basement..It waited like this for a while before it's walls were transformed into a more elegant mood..                                          

                                                   
 another lifetime's...

story..
                                                     

                                                           
    Simplicity and solitude..                                                       

                                         a quiet corner..

Then we decided we would also rip up the old carpet in the bedrooms here on the main floor, and put in laminate. It is a refreshing change, and I am quite pleased with hubby's hard work.

                     (had fun painting this desk for in here...)


Sometimes it's a scary thought that I have a spare bedroom. When all five children lived here, space was a premium, but time passes all too quickly with one daughter married, and suddenly there is a room to redo for second  daughter when she comes 'home -home' as she calls it. 
                                            

                                                            sweet dreams...


 I have also started working part time at a restaurant. I've enjoyed the change that it brings to my life without compromising too much of my valued time at home.
                                          

                         found the art work at a thrift store, I thought it was perfect..

So there in between life's coming and going. The having and holding, the silence and songs, I stumble than soar and start over again.

                                                                 

                                      
                             coming together with a few final touches..

            
                       Thank you for visiting my new white room!

My Feathered Nest In Fine Form

It's time for Feather My Nest Friday,so today I'd like to share my study/ piano/sitting by the laptop room.

yes, I have a white couch with five children. It isn't spotless ,
                                                         but I'm okay with that.

                 
                 this trunk I treasure, it belonged to my husband's grandmother.
                   I have it filled with photo albums.
                                        
                                                                           
                                                                   




     my kids play piano here.... five kids have had lessons on this piano. I love to hear them play .(most days) Lately Christmas carols have filled this room.

                                                                                                   

                                                       

                                   this light was salvaged from a dump...

             This is where I read and write....

              I fell in love with these drapes when I saw them.
                     They add just that touch of glam which I like.

 This room has a story; like many rooms do, the floor we changed shortly after we lived here. I sold flowers from my garden and then a wood stove to be able to afford it at that time.  The piano was also purchased by saving money in a tin for a few summers of selling birdbaths.
The couch has a bit of a story as I saw it advertised in the newspaper and liked it. I thought it fit perfectly into my then Victorian themed, wallpapered ,living room. After I tired of that; I planned to get rid of it and purchase more contemporary furniture.
 Somehow it took on a new look (or was it me) when I  painted the room a brown colour a few years ago. Now my strong feelings of either like or dislike for the couch have dissolved into a sort of passive oblivion.
 Time will tell how long it remains a stoic member of this family.



Thank-you for visiting, I hope you had a cup of tea in your hand,
and warm, happy thoughts in your heart and home.

First Impressions

             A front porch is so much fun to decorate....

        It can be a great clue to the owners taste and style....
         mine is a lot like me: not too formal. perhaps relaxed and a bit whimsical  that is SO much better a word than odd.( which apparently is a synonym.)
           
                                         The Front Door                                
                                       

                   I haven't had something on my door for a while...
                  but I had fun making this wreath. It's actually only fallen off once so far!

                               





Sometimes a spark can light a fire... that's what happened when I spied a trio of red lanterns a while ago.The hunt for a red lantern began....I couldn't find one in my price range so after investing in a can of spray paint my old one was transformed.also the skates which were near by...


             

       

     




















Thank you so much for visiting my version of Feather My Nest Friday.
It was fun to share this with you......
 http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.ca/




203,time to lay low a bit;colds and flue in the house, 204,health!! I take it for granted way too much!!205,slow cooker meals,206,a new tea to try called hot yoga,207,hubby who faithfully goes to work for us,208,a nice warm bath for girl who is home,209,invitations,210,the first Christmas card.

Embracing The Old

The Imperfect Perfect

There is something comforting about things that are rather well worn and a bit tattered per say.

One of my children's favourite books was Old Hat, New Hat by Stan& Jan Bernstein.  
Mr. Bear is shopping for a new hat and after trying many hats on,he puts his old one back on his head and declares it "JUST RIGHT!"
What makes certain, old things so alluring?
Is it the story behind it, or the lack of expectation we may have for it?
After all, it's old!










In decorating it's called( shabby chic.)

 

 

Lovely way to describe a easy and simplistic style that is comfortable because it is lived in and the old is embraced.

 





Hosting guests can at times be reason to stress, especially if I feel somehow things need  to be perfect.
Over the years, I have learned some of the best times were had when company showed up without a lot of notice. This way everyone can relax, and I don't have time to stress about the details!

                 


        







          So next time you're feeling like things are less perfect than you've envisioned,
     Take heart ;and remember ,this could be a big step
     in the direction of ultimate perfection.

                          I love old gardens best- tired,old gardens
                               that rest in the sun.
                                        (H. Bellaman)





more gratitude here...29.waking in time to see sunrise,30. five  children around table eating warm cookies and milk after school,31.seeing girls share happiness,32.a father in the dentist office holding child while looking at a bible story book, 33. no cavities, 34.the words" I'm sorry."35.sunshine,36.a new day,37.prayer,38.encouraging friends,39.hydro,40.time spent outdoors,