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Friday, December 30, 2016

Walking in Circles

My life and my blogging have been random lately - odd bits of things I could write about, but not enough for a full post.


As I was walking around the house late last night (walking off a leg cramp), random thoughts danced around my fuzzy brain and I jotted things down on my phone.


I love our white walls


and am so happy that 2016 was the year the whole house went white.


Everything looks crisp and clean against the white backdrop.


I need someone living with us who will eat the mistakes when I'm baking for a party - I've eaten way too many smushed cookies this holiday season.


I would love to see 8 year old Sunny Pawar win the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Saroo Brierley in Lion -I cried from beginning to end of the movie.


Carmel is magical


any time of year


and especially at Christmas-


even in the rain.


The 17 Mile Drive is spectacular,


but I am content with my own home.


I would have been happy without any gifts for Christmas


 - being with our daughter and her boyfriend along with our son and his wife for a family vacation in Carmel was enough.


But, I really do love my new jadeite dishes,


 Fishes Eddy star plates


and colorful Moda towels my family gave me.


Holga arrived too late for Christmas, but I gave her a plant and a heart so I think she can hang out in the guest room through Valentines Day.


Not hosting a party on New Year's Eve made this week very relaxing-


just a little bit of decorating - the clocks are paper plates.


You're probably thinking, "she's really rambling now - we already saw that pic!", but I'm sure you didn't notice the ring on her left hand - KC is engaged!


With that, I'm done walking in circles and I wish you


a Happy New Year!

55 comments:

  1. Rambling makes me smile! Your posts are beautiful no matter what you write about Carol. You make me want to paint everything white. You make me want to get a Holga. Where do I get those?

    Congratulations to your son and your family!!

    Happy New Year! ♥

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  2. Much love and many hugs and all best wishes for 2017!

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  3. What a great ending post for 2016. Loved it all. Congrats on the engagement and being all together for Christmas. Love Holga and I think she need to hang out for Valentines day too. Sooo sweet. Wishing you good health, lots of happiness, more unexpected joys and lots and lots of new creative adventures in your cottage by the sea. Happy Happy New Year my friend.
    xxoo
    Kris

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  4. Thank you for sharing pictures of Carmel - especially my beloved Tuck Box! I'm glad you had a good time there and your daughter's engagement ring is gorgeous! I love emeralds. Looks like 2017 will be a fun one for your family! Happy New Year.
    xo Jonni xo

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  5. Fun this and that post, Carol...I love to see all the lovely photos of your happenings...and an engagement, too! Exciting times ahead! Wishing you a happy 2017!

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  6. Happy New Year Carol! What a fabulous post!!!

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  7. Beautiful post! Rambling was just what you needed to do.

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  8. Omgoodness. I love your white walls, didn't see the movie, Carmel is magical like your cottage and photos and congrats to your daughter. Happy New Year to you and your family.

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  9. Carol,
    Thank you for taking me along your ramble. So much to love and to enjoy... Congratulations to your daughter on her engagement. As much as I love the blue walls in my house, I am thinking of painting some rooms white.

    Happy new year,
    Judith

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  10. I so enjoyed your post, thank you for sharing your thoughts and your photographs with us. Congratulations to your daughter and Happy New Year to you all.

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  11. Your posts are always a delight! Hope to continue to see you blogging in 2017.

    Congrats to your daughter on her engagement!

    Have a wonderful 2017 ~ FlowerLady

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  12. I love random posts! I get to see more of your beautiful part of the world. What a gorgeous engagement ring....congratulations to KC!

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  13. Favorite post ever (don't I always say that?!). Love the Moda towels, searched on Etsy and came across another great idea. Since my dishwasher is broken I'm hand washing. Bought an ugly black drying mat at Walmart which was ruined in the washer with something that shed. Check out these gorgeous drying mats we could easily make for ourselves and for awesome gifts: https://www.etsy.com/listing/400415261/dish-drying-mat-kitchen-dish-mat-dish?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=moda%20kitchen%20towel&ref=sr_gallery_1 Hope that link works, if not search "dish drying mat" on Etsy.
    Mary

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  14. Love your post! Maybe I need to walk around in
    circles to get motivated to blog.
    Love Holga, still on the lookout for one of my own.
    Congrats to your daughter, what a gorgeous ring. My birthstone.
    Happy New Year and all the best in 2017!

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  15. P.S. :) I love your white walls, perfect backdrop to all your lovely colors. And your new Jadeite! And most of all: your daughter's engagement!
    Mary

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  16. OHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, that emerald engagement ring is OUTRAGEOUSLY PERFECT! I love emeralds. And diamonds. And engagements. And white. Dear friend, you have been a great source to me for many things. Your expertise in middle school education, your sharing of ideas for the classroom, your encouragement to make the most of my Instagram, your zest for decorating the cottage, your seaside living, everything. Thank you. May you and yours enjoy a 2017 that will sparkle. Much love to you all!

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  17. I felt like I was walking with you, reflecting and enjoying the sight and smell of my home. My Holga has shipped and will stay out through Valentine's also I think (I too have hearts I can add). So happy for your family and adding a new son in law soon. My best gifts this year was time with my family. Hugs to you and a Very Happy New Year!

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  18. What a beautiful ramble. Love the new years touches. Congrats to your daughter. Beautiful ring!

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  19. Carol, I love your "rambling thoughts" and your photos. Hope 2017 is your best year ever!!

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  20. I would listen to you ramble any time...especially when I get to admire your beautiful photographs. You are always a delight to visit. Hope you have a wonderful New Year's!

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  21. Rambling is OK... Happy New Year to everyone! Gorgeous ring -- much happiness to the newly engaged.

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  22. Loved the tour through your home and life. Congrats to the soon to be newlyweds! YAY.

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  23. Congratulations on your daughter's engagement! I love your header....your blog looks so pretty, just like the white interior of your cottage! Happy New Year, and I like rambling or random posts.

    (((((hugs))))),
    Ricki Jill

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  24. I enjoyed your rambles Carol. Beautiful photos of your holiday at home and in Carmel. Congratulations on the engagement of your son and his girlfriend. Happy New Year to you!
    Blessings, Pam

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  25. Love the new look. You whitewashed your house and your blog. KC's ring is beautiful and unique. You must be excited to have another wedding. Happy 2017!

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  26. Rambling is one of my favorite ways of exploring the world. So grateful to have rambled through yours - Happy New Year!

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  27. Hi Carol, A lovely post as always. Looks like 2017 might have another wedding to plan . . . I'm sure that you will have some great ideas for helping the bride. I purchased those Moda dish towels for a girlfriend's birthday and when they arrived I fell in love with them . . . just haven't gotten around to ordering some for myself :)
    Happy New Year!
    Connie :)

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  28. Congrats to KC on the engagement and the ring is a beauty, love the bright green:) Alo loving your new dishes and your blog design changes. Happy New Year!

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  29. Many congratulations to the Mother of the bride-to-be! How very exciting!!! Your house is fresh looking, always, no matter the color or setting. Love all the variety you show us!

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  30. Hi Carol missed this post, congrats on the engagement announcement of your daughter. So sweet it was shared with family. I want to compliment you for taking your blog format and making its background white. I have been white since I started 4 years ago blogging and find it a cleaner canvas, more artistic and visually stimulating. I adore your sweet New Years paper clock tree. Cheers to a New Year filled with kindness and love. 🎉🎊🍾

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  31. Congratulations to your daughter on her engagement. Your happy family holiday in Carmel looks wonderful. The New Year clocks are so simple and effective, a great idea! Wishing you a Happy New Year, I know you will giving us lots of inspiration in 2017 too. Sarah x

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  32. Going to Carmel for Christmas...how awesome! Only in my dreams. Love the gifts you got, too. And how wonderful to hear your daughter got engaged! Her ring is absolutely stunning - one of the most beautiful I've ever seen.

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  33. Always enjoy your posts - rambling and otherwise! Looks like a good start to 2017 for you and your family. Happy New Year!

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  34. A lovely post here of myriad slices of your life lately. One of my favorites is those Jadeite dishes and congratulations on the engagement! How exciting ! Wishing you a Happy New Year :)

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  35. Hi Carol, Love your ramblings and beautiful photos!! Congrats to your daughter on her engagement. The ring is stunning. Wishing you and yours a very Happy New Year!

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  36. Congrats on your daughter's engagement! Happy New Year to you and yours. May it be filled with love and happiness!

    Poppy

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  37. Congratulations to KC! What a beautiful ring.

    Love the contrast of the new white walls with your black and white and jadeite pieces. Very beautiful and striking.

    Hope you have a wonderful year in 2017! xoxox Canadian Chickadee

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  38. Each and every photo in this post was pure eye candy for me, Carol! I love your clean white walls that showcase your collections and your hubby's art. Carmel truly does look like a magical place to visit, and I share your sentiment that spending the holiday with loved ones is the best gift of all. Congratulations to your daughter and her fiance! Her ring is absolutely gorgeous!!!

    Happy New Year!

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  39. Gorgeous pictures, Carol. I'm really loving your new white walls, they allow all your pretty pops of color to stand out. Wow, such a beautiful ring and happy times to come with all the wedding planning.

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  40. Oh, I loved walking in circles with you around your home and in Carmel. What a lovely visit. And so happy to know you will have a new family member soon.

    Happy New Year to you.

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  41. Wonderful post...love all your pictures and congratulations to your daughter and her fiancée on their engagement. Love your big pixie picture....btw, thanks for your comment about the pixies....I have hung my pixie girl quite low as the family were disturbed by it originally, though they like where she is now!!
    Happy New year Carol! Wishing you a wonderful 2017 and looking forward to visiting you here.
    Helen xox

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  42. Your random thoughts and beautiful accompanying photos are delightful. Thank you for sharing and best wishes for a Happy 2017!

    Love,
    Susan and Bentley

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  43. I'm in love with your jadeite dishes... I'm wondering if you chose them to be colour coordinated with your daughter's gorgeous ring...

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  44. What a beautiful engagement ring and now you can plan the wedding!

    Happy New Year and don't mention Valentines Day all the blog will have Hearts everywhere now, I need a break from decorations LOL

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  45. I love ramblings, its truly what's in our hearts. I thought I would never paint my house white but now the whole upstairs is, and I love it. Makes our upstairs more light and bright and cohesive. The jadeite is so pretty....

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  46. Carol, I love your color scheme. Your family is growing and moving on - engagement! Excellent. Thanks for sharing your pics. Wishing you a Happy New Year in 2017! Sylvia D.

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  47. What a lovely post and the ring is just beautiful!
    Always so nice visiting your blog...have a HAPPY 2017!
    Warm hug from Titti

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  48. congratulations to KC! Wonderful when kids come home. Your place is quite exciting in white. we miss our coastal drives in your neighborhood. Happy New Year!

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  49. Carol - Wishing you and your family a very Happy 2017!

    Judy

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  50. This is a great post, Carol. Ramble all you want, it's all good! As I always say, you live in a heavenly place. The light filled rooms in your home, the popping colors against white, and your signature decor makes it a treat to visit.

    Congrats to your K.C.! It all seems to happen at once, doesn't it? I'm very happy. or all of you. Will there be a 2017 wedding?

    Happy NewYear!

    Jane x

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  51. Well, I enjoy your ramblings; even if you are walking in circles! :) I love your white walls too. Would love to do that to my home, but oh what a job that would be. Don't even dare go there. lol! Congrats to your sweet daughter! I am leaving my Maileg elf out for a while too. That is the girl I about bought. I resisted because her skirt would not stay on. Wondered if it was suppose to be like that? Seemed a bit odd to me. I hope you are enjoying the new year!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  52. Oh Carol How very wonderful that K.C. is now engaged. I bet you are all ready planning designs and favors for the parties and event itself. 2017 will be a great year.

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  53. Congratulations. Great post full of wonderful tidbits.

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  54. Wonderful post, full of interesting tidbits! I have one of those Fishes Eddy plates - a very small oval one. Lion is at the top of my movie list. Can't wait to see it. Most importantly, congratulations on the engagement of your daughter - a happy way to start the new year!

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