Making the Most of My Time

Due to my age and severe asthma, I'm "Sheltering In Place" for the long haul, but I'm making the most of my time at home.

I feel badly for all the small shop owners I have gotten to know, so I've been trying to buy from those who do curbside pickup.  

I was excited to find out that Karen of @whimsyantiques still had the blue buffet available and we picked it curbside- boy would I have liked to stroll through the shop.

Another friend with a shop, Donna of Lily Fields Vintage, posted an old newel post in her stories and I have wanted a chunky column for a long time.

I spotted the large urn at @abeautifulday.ventura a week before the SIP order and was so happy to see on Instagram that Jocelyn was doing curbside pickup - I didn't know she had 2 sizes.

I just love the big urn - this is the view I see from my window seat perch when the door is open.

The smaller urn is perfect for flowers from the garden.

I miss going to Trader Joe's for fresh flowers, but this greenery I purchased from Purple Rose Home paired with dried roses is keeping me happy for now.

I also bought this Lamb's Ear garland from Purple Rose Home to dress up the headboard in the guest room.

Within days of staying home, I decided it was time to replace our Rugs USA jute rug - the Boss agreed.

We went with navy jute this time and of course furniture got moved around.

As you can see, the Boss likes the new arrangement.

My set of bistro chairs got bumped to the hallway when I was rearranging furniture in the living room.

The newel post from Lily Fields Vintage is standing by the chairs for now.

Yes, I'm aware that birds don't have 4 legs, but in my attempt to do 3 things at once I broke one of the rockers off the bird - I guess even a rocking bird is strange.

I have spent most of my time the last 9 weeks working in the garden and we were excited to buy a dwarf Meyer Lemon tree.

We moved the tree around the garden to find the right spot and yesterday we finally got it into a pot where it gets sun about 10 hours a day.

Today I plan to play with these seed packets and our old wheelbarrow.

The blooms in the wheelbarrow are looking pretty scruffy.

But with this view from my chaise, it's possible I will just sit in the garden and read.

A Tale of Two Sisters

Two sisters. . . two years apart . . . living different lives in different worlds.

Marcia works in London, has a high powered job and dresses in the latest styles.

I do arty things dressed in flip flops and tees.

We spent a quick 24 hours together while she is home on vacation and I snapped some pics of her beautiful home.

A welcoming bench in the entry is decked out in lovely reds and yellows.

When we downsized to our cottage, several family pieces, such as this antique sewing cabinet in the entry, went from our home to Marcia's.

The colorful Chinaman and carved paint brush were gifts from me.

 It is difficult to buy for the woman who literally has everything so I am always pleased to see my gifts on display.

The first sight when you enter the house is the dining room table which is ALWAYS decked out in seasonal finery.

Fourth of July and Bastille Day are united on the table in my favorite color palette.

I love the little blue containers which tonight will sport colorful cloth stars Marcia purchased on our little shopping spree today.

The ceramic cups are from the yogurt she eats in London and she has promised to bring me back a set the next time she comes home.

Marcia dotes on detail and is always looking for the perfect pieces for her table.

The white pillow sat at the head of the table, but it was missing a counterpart.

On our shopping spree she found it's opposite - the blue with white stars.

 The "youth" chair in the corner is slightly taller than the dining room chairs and has been passed down through the family.  

My father sat in the chair as a child as did both Marcia and me.

The tradition continued with Marcia's children and when little Sophia is big enough, my niece will be the fourth generation to use the chair.

 I have not been to Marcia's house in several years (we tend to meet halfway for lunch or dinner) and had not seen her living room since she has redecorated.

Oh, the childhood memories the room evokes-

the oak buffet from our dining room

the tea cart which held my mother's precious tea set 

the china cabinet filled with "special occasion" dishes

the fireplace bench handmade by my grandfather.

The Queen Anne chair belonged to my grandmother and is another of the pieces that we gave to Marcia when we downsized.

Marcia tucks special pieces into corners and onto every surface throughout the house.

The library table my mother paid $.50 for at a school sale 50 years ago sits in the breakfast nook.

One of the few items I envy Marcia for getting is the Arab statue - although I hated dusting it when it was my turn to clean the living room.

Attention to detail is the focus outdoors as well with birds, lions and one of many westies guarding the front entry.

Marcia did not really want me to photograph the house and garden.

She says her house is missing "a woman's love" while she is away and the only occupants are her husband and step-son who don't notice little details.

It was lovely to sit with her in the garden last night and again this morning as we caught up, remembered and laughed together.

We followed yesterday's eating and shopping with more shopping - at a favorite shop in town and the garage of our childhood home.

I drove back home, after a long overdue visit, with a carload of goodies from favorite stores

AND

some great finds from the garage.

I only found one thing I was looking for, but I found so much more and can't wait to find ways to use them.

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I am partying at

Savvy Southern Style - Wow Us Wednesdays

Common Ground - Be Inspired

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson - Share Your Cup Thursday 

My Romantic Home - Show and Tell Friday

No Minimalist Here -  Open House Party

Tradition and Serendipity

My daughter loves living in San Francisco.

But, she hates that we don't live close enough for  "drop-in" visits.

Four years ago, we started a tradition.

I fly to San Francisco on the Saturday morning before Mother's Day and enjoy breakfast with KC and fly home for dinner with Steve.

This year, KC had a celebration at Santa Clara University for a mentoring program in which she volunteers.

She was busy until noon, so this year, I flew up for lunch and spent the night.

Yesterday, we did some fun and serious shopping for her apartment.

Today we slept in ( I NEVER sleep in) and had a late al fresco brunch at Rose's cafe.

We sat looking at KC's apartment building - her's is the third story bay window.

After brunch, we headed to Corte Madera to shop - Anthropologie, JCrew and a brick and mortar Sundance store.

We really didn't buy much and actually spent more time enjoying the gardens and pathways in the outdoor mall.

I have very bad allergies and for the past 10 years, my sense of smell has been non-existent.

In the past month, for some reason, my sense of smell has returned.

I spent the day taking in the aroma of fresh flowers,

enjoying the sun in my face and visiting with my daughter.

It doesn't get much better than that!

Or so I thought.

As KC and I were walking to the car, I received a text from my cousin saying "Happy Mother's Day - it is a beautiful day in the bay area."

I texted back with "I know, we're in Corte Madera."

With a few more texts back and forth, we realized our flights home were 20 minutes apart and 5 gates away from one another.

After a great 26 hours with my daughter, I got to spend an hour visiting with one of my favorite people.

A little tradition and a little serendipity made for a great weekend.

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Find me at

Lavender Garden Cottage - Cottage Style Party

My Romantic Home  - Show and Tell Friday 

Mother + Daughter = Shopping

It is a windy Saturday, perfect for being lazy after a long week of late nights.

We got lucky this weekend.

KC drove down to visit us for a short weekend.

A dear friend from school just became a father and she wanted to see the baby.

She arrived late last night, but we waited up and fit in a little catching up time.

This morning, after a leisurely breakfast we walked on the beach.

It felt like a winter day which was unexpected after a high of 79 on Thursday.

Next KC and I hit the stores which is what we do when we are together.

When she was heading off to college I wrote her a book based on different photos I had 

gathered to show her life.

I looked and looked and could not find a single photo of just the two of us.

It finally hit me that the only thing we did as mom and daughter, without anyone else, 

was shop.

And we never took a camera shopping.

We continue that tradition as adults.

This morning I forced her to accompany me to TJ Maxx.

She hates to shop there because it is always in disarray.

I love the "hunt" and love it when I find a unique basket or picture frame.

Today all I  found were some little craft supplies for my students to make cards as a Valentine

activity.

Next, we headed to Patagonia to find a gift for Steve.

He told Kendra before we left that he had sent away for something for me and she should
tell me to buy him something.

I already had that in the plans.

I found a plaid shirt for him and a "Live Simply" shirt for JP.

Next, it was downtown to B on Main

I bought red candles and some silly cowgirl coasters for KC.

While I was waiting for them to wrap my purchase I spotted these.

I couldn't resist.

I will set the table like this on Valentine's Day.

Tonight it is dinner at a lovely restaurant everyone says is a must.

The menu looks wonderful and the company will be great.

We don't get to see KC often, but it is such a pleasure to have her with us - even if it is just 36 hours.

And I will start saving for a real shopping spree when I fly to San Francisco for the day on
Mother's Day.

In our family,

Mother + Daughter = Shopping