What Kind of Chair Are You?

Some people know exactly what they want. They are decisive and poised when faced with choices. When it comes to "dressing their nests" their houses feel serene because everything goes together and has a nice flow. How I wish that I could be like that. I am like a magpie -- everything turns my head, especially if it is shiny! I know it isn't the most crucial thing in the world, but I am continually striving to find out what my style is and then decorate my house that way. Actually, I do think it is important because Home should be a peaceful haven where you can escape the world and where your family and friends can find solace. At least that is what I tell myself when I feel like I am being too materialistic and obsessive. Last week I finally went to frame the picture that my nephew took of the Salt Lake Temple.  I walked right in and actually didn't take too long choosing a frame. I picked something that was almost black and kind of like bamboo because I thought it would look nice with our Japanese tansu chest and the other oriental things in that room. I used my coupon, picked a plain mat for it and walked away. Then the torment starts. "Did I pick the right thing? Sure we have an asian thing going on in that room, but the temple isn't asian, I should have picked something that was more straight lines like the temple. But wait, I really love a softer look. Who am I kidding? I love flowers! I should have picked the dark wood frame with delicate flowers carved into the edge. I need to just be true to myself! But Matthew wouldn't like that and it is his house, too. I know, I should have gone with that ornate silver frame. The temple is gray and that would look fabulous! But nothing else in that room is really that color and besides with the tint..." Blah, blah, blah and on it goes until it is too late and I pick it up and I hate it and I feel sick because I spent money on it and should love it. But then I bring it home and put it up over the piano and it looks fine.  I do not have this problem with things from Goodwill or garage sales. "I like that. I don't like that. That is not worth a dollar, but love it for a quarter."   There are no options -- just one size, one color.  It either will or will not do.  There is no pressure there, no agonizing.  But actually having to spend real money on something? Well, you might as well just kill me now and save the debilitating ulcer some trouble.  I think I am done buying new things and I will have to tell you about the Amazing Estate Sale later.

As an example of my widely varying tastes, I have gathered some images of chairs that I like.  Asian, modern, cottage, retro, biedermeier, you name it!  I might not like them next week and they definitely don't go together!

Clearance and Catch Up

Well, it has been a long time...  We have been so busy!  We had the most humongous yard sale ever last weekend and it went surprisingly well.  My friend and I spent so much time getting ready for it, but then as the morning progressed and we weren't getting much business, I began to think that my goal of $30 was a bit lofty.  Fortunately, more people came along who were loony enough to want my rubbish and it all turned out okay.  We laughed about how some people wanted stuff that we were a little hesitant to put out because it was so junky, but then other items that we thought were amazing and were loathe to relinquish were still sitting there dejectedly at the end and we had to decide yet again if we still wanted them or not.  Unfortunately, some of it did find its way back into my house and I also am now the proud owner of some of my friends garbage.  One of those things is a curvy little oval coffee table that I love!  I am officially addicted to yard sales and already have a pile of clothes germinating in the corner which I am sure will blossom into a full blown garage full by next Spring.

We also did a birthday party for oldest boy and his friends last weekend.  As I have mentioned before, he is getting so big.  He has always been my little bugaboo and he is a wonderful son and big brother.

And Lucy had a music concert so a pic of her.

Easter

My Favorite Monday

My friend Amy dedicated an entire post to being hooked on blue which made me think, "Hey, I LOVE blue, couldn't live without it."  So I decided to also take some pictures of some, but not all, of my favorite blue things.  Here is my Ode to Blue.

1. glass cherry tree
2. Ella's bedroom
3. Japanese woodblock print
4. little girls room complete with cat -- everything looks better with a little black cat
5. new basement room
6. collection of tins -- post about how Martha ruined that later
7. my bedroom
8. my favorite earrings ever
9. diaper bag
10. living room chair that needs help, but still love the color
11. big cushions and baby blue boy
12. ocean and sky -- gorgeous!
13. my purses
14. clearance t.v. stand
15. thrift store pitchers -- I seem to be drawn to the same color over and over

Good Friday

Happy Good Friday!  My kids are home from school today which I always love.  We have had a relaxing morning and look forward to having essentially two Saturdays!  I made asparagus omelets for breakfast and later we will dye Easter eggs and get ready for the holiday.  I found this recipe for Resurrection Rolls.  We made them for Activity Days last week and I am going to make them again with my kids.  They are a finger-licking, lip-smacking way to teach a lesson so what more could you want?  I really love Easter, maybe because I love Spring so much, but also because the Easter story itself is so full of hope and promise.  Last weekend during our church's General Conference so many of the talks were about Christ and how we can have hope and happiness even in troubled times.  Pres. Monson wins the prize for telling the all-time saddest story I have ever heard(!) in his talk entitled Be of Good Cheer.  So after we picked ourselves up out of the puddle of tears (war, grrrr), we could see that even in the most trying circumstances we can find peace.  It is hard to remember that sometimes and very good to be reminded.  Happy Easter!

First and Last

Oldest girl just turned 15  -- I have such tender feelings for my first baby!  I feel like our time with her at home is "far spent" so I want to enjoy the next few years as much as possible.  She wanted a "pastry" instead of a cake, so I found the easiest one possible and it was really good, if not quite as pretty as an actual birthday cake.

And youngest boy turned 1 last week.  Whoa!  That year couldn't have rushed along more pell-mell and I don't see things slowing down anytime soon.  For some reason I always feel like in two weeks I will have more time.  What on earth am I thinking?

And he finally got a much needed haircut.  What a handsome boy  -- oh, who just woke up.  Ciao!

Baby Come Back!

Hey Spring, come back!  We really liked you.  I hope that we didn't give you the wrong idea by complaining about the wind and the rain (and the sleet and the hail).  We were glad that we didn't have to shovel the driveway anymore and were looking forward to the blossoms and the flowers.

Last week I  began my annual tradition of making daily rounds along the flower beds.  As I balance on the bricks I notice the whorls of ferns and hostas, the nubs of the peonies breaking through the ground, and oh look, the surprise lilies grew three inches overnight!  The leaves of the irises, daylilies, daisies, and tulips have all shot up; the forsythia and hyacinth have braved their blossoms, the hydrangea has begun to replenish its leaves, and even the rosebush is covered with red sprouts.  I pause by each plant,  turn and view the yard from different vantage points, and then I begin to dream.  I could put some kind of wall over there for the wisteria to climb; a picket fence around the vegetable garden to keep the bunnies out; a Japanese garden in that corner complete with bamboo, a koi pond, and a torii gate; in the front yard a parterre with a peach tree at each front corner and a fountain in the middle...  Who am I kidding?  We can barely keep the grass mowed!  So I try to tone down my dreams a little bit.  I drive around town looking for inspiration for what grows well here --  grass, grass, grass, shrub, house; grass, grass, grass, gravel, shrub, house;  grass, grass, grass, gravel, phlox, shrub, house.  It is pretty exciting.  So I called a local nursery and paid a guy $40 to come to my house and tell me that my yard is full of roots and shade and nothing would grow well in it.  Thank you so much!  I had no idea that I had so much shade and had not noticed all of my big trees.  I really appreciate your guidance!  Those same trees also hamper my grand plans of planting one zillion bulbs in the fall because every spare hour is spent raking the generous amount of leaves they produce.  I always pine over the the frilly, multi-hued tulips, the double-headed daffodils, and the fluffly allium I failed to plant.  Sigh.

photo taken on this, the sixth day of April, 2009 -- look at the hyacinth, isn't it sad?  It can't blossom.  It can't even stand up.  (Veggie Tales allusion)

So Spring, come back, any kind of fool could see there was something in everything about you.  Spring, you can blame it all on me.  I was wrong, and I just can't live without you...