Lost in Transition

The weather doesn't quite match the season. We've had the longest, warmest, and driest Summer for as long as I can remember. Still, there are signs; signs that things are changing, that the shift is coming. I mean other than the obvious, other than school starting and the whole world turning upside down, waking up at 6:30 am every morning, making both breakfast and lunch 15 minutes after you wake up and please just let me make coffee before anybody talks to me.

I have to admit, I feel a little lost in transition. I keep waiting to feel like I've gotten past the hard part and can dig into work again. Yet, when I do have time to make, to sew, to create; I have too many ideas and can't settle. So instead, I do laundry, I mop the floor, I wander the garden looking for signs.

The signs are there. Things are changing. I am just adjusting, getting my feet back on land after a long Summer of sea legs. 

I am covertly, quietly, hesitantly, happily going forward... lost in transition for a brief moment. It all comes back around, we slip into the new routine, we get ourselves together and brave the change... we find our way.

Today

Today there is a big wind sweeping the sky, liberating the leaves from the branches and tossing up a change. The Indian Summer is giving up it's foothold and passing the days over to Fall. There is suddenly an abundance of squirrels in the garden frantically scurrying, burying and scolding. I am wearing a sweater indoors for the first time in a long time, wishing I had a sweater with pockets, for I do love a handy pocket.

Today there is a menagerie underfoot, wee animals in groups of twos and threes and fours scattered from one end of the cottage to the other. It is very important to my girl that her four legged friends form families, so that no one is all alone. The polar bears were discovered in the fridge this morning when I reached for the milk.

Today I am studying maps, organizing collections, and wondering aloud. Today I promised my girl we would bake something sweet together after school, something with berries and cream. We will talk about the day and have two spoons to lick clean.

Today I have decided it is high time I got something going on the hook again, and the dust settling on my sewing machine creates a deep longing to spend time with my old friend. The wind has stirred up my creative sap and today I am dreaming up what I will make with my hands.

That is my today.

Tomorrow I sew!

What is your Today?

P.S. Thank you everyone who left me such wonderful comments on my last post and fantastic recommendations for my travels, what a wealth of information! especially to Patti who went above and beyond, I had no way to reply to your comment, I so appreciate it!

A change in the air

The house is quiet. My girl has gone off to her first day of 2nd grade, a little nervous and a little excited... me too.

The mornings have begun to chill, a sign that Fall is on its way.

I am thinking back on this Summer spent with my family, all the special moments and adventures; such a gift.

I am looking through photos, smiling and laughing out loud.

I am amazed at what has taken place this last year, it has been such an incredible journey.

I am making lists of all the things I need/want/hope to accomplish now that I have days and time.

I am sipping my coffee slowly out on the patio to soak up the sunshine while it lasts.

I am holding on.

I am letting go.

How about you?
Are you noticing the shift in seasons?
Do you feel a change in the air?


P.S. Be sure to stop by on Friday as I feel a Give Away coming on!

Lounge Lizard

Well, my little lounge 're-do' is moving along ever so slowly. I was working in the evenings spiffing it up in wee doses until our wild pony decided her bedtime did not fit in with the needs of her busy schedule. She currently has added a couple of extra hours to her night time routine and by the time she's safely sound asleep, I am a faded flower. Right now I know that my mother will read this, she will smile a satisfied smile and perhaps even chuckle whilst thinking to herself, "Ha! Payback!" for all the nights I kept her up and away from her own quiet time. Little night owls run in the family it seems.

Pony Girl is now in the process of working on a very exciting extravaganza. It is a sort of pop opera which combines elaborate set design (giant castle towers made from wooden blocks), costume drama (scarves, blankets and layers of dresses), operatic ballads (sung with all the power and emotion of Maria Callas), punk rock and interpretive dance. Her Casio keyboard can be heard at top volume into the wee hours and she is out to gather her parents every 5 minutes to show us the latest bit she has been fine tuning.

Oh yes, we were talking about the lounge...

One day I was out and about with the smallish one and came home to find that The Engineer and his cousin had put up the new curtain rods as a surprise for me. Then, to better show off his handy work, he rummaged amongst my shelf of vintage lovelies, chose perhaps one of my favorite tablecloths, and hung it up as temporary curtain. Which just goes to show you, even when you think that you live with a 'doubter' who does not give a care, or is not paying attention...the Mr. has been learning a thing or two and does something so dear that it renews all faith.

Nothing is quite in it's place yet, no real decorating has been accomplished but, when the rare moment of sun break happens (there's been heaps of rain these days) the sun floods through the windows and the light is just lovely! Those moments erase any doubts I had about going with the white walls. Actually, the color I chose is called, "Twinkle Twinkle" and it does shine!

We have purchased new eco paint and curtain rods which do fall out with the challenge but, I am feeling little guilt over it. We did purchase two very nice vintage mid-century modern Dutch record cabinets for a song!

Look at that light! We still have temporary "curtains" up, I haven't had much time for stitching and I am just waiting for a good long spell of handmade home making. Fortunately, I do have a good collection of vintage tablecloths and pretty retro sheets to fill in for a bit.

The biggest quandary is the sofa, known as "the couch that mocks me". It seems to defy spiffy attempts of all kind. For now it mocks me and sneers in challenge, daring me to make it shine. It waits for pretty cushions, pretty covers, and snickers smugly at me. Oh just you wait and see you mocking couch, you snickering sofa, you daring divan, you challenging chesterfield...I will have my way with you someday. Oh yes I will.

So, that's how it's coming along, with many miles to go. Still, I do think it is an improvement. I have also realized that me being me and all my stuff being what it is; thinking I could stick to a two color scheme was simply a dream in the straw. There are just so many lovely colors out there, oh my!

7 year itch

Yesterday was the 7 year anniversary of moving into our little green cottage. Of course it wasn't green then, in fact many things have changed since we came to live here. One thing that hasn't changed in those 7 years, is the lounge, or living room if you prefer.
I may have mentioned recently that I've been hankering for a change. It's actually been a long time coming but, in the past there has been resistance when I have mentioned a do over. The need for a change was growing to a fever pitch, my wheels spinning, cogs were turning and I decided one evening that I must declare my intentions to The Engineer like it or lump it!

I began by stating firmly that I was going to paint the walls, so there. Imagine my surprise at meeting no resistance, in fact he was enthusiastically for the idea! At his receptivity to the plan, I felt emboldened to mention a couple of other changes I'd like to make. We then spent the evening discussing options and making drawings. Oh yes, this was going swimmingly.

Now let me be quite clear, this is not one of those magazine makeovers from the pages of House and Garden or Country Living. No, we haven't quite the resources for that sort of magic, instead we will be adhering to the challenge as much as we can...I'm thinking paint will have to be bought new.

This entertainment cabinet will have to go, though made by The Engineer (and a lovely piece), it's much too imposing for our small space. It will be sold and the proceeds donated to the cause.

The couch that mocks me must stay but, will be getting a fresh look some how (I see pillow and coverlet sewing in my future). We are currently in heated negotiations over the coffee table issue, no resolution has been reached as yet.

Curtain rods need replacing and hung at the proper height, curtains will be sewn, and did I mention fresh lovely paint? The floors need sanding as well, though that may come a bit later. I have no real time line for all this transformation but, I thought it prudent to present our obligatory "Before" photos now because you never know when the opportunity might strike to begin the 12 coats of paint surely required to remove evidence of that dark reddish wall.

I have to confess, I feel a little exposed inviting you into my home like this and showing you the less than fab bits. Of course you all are the best sort and understand that sometimes a shot of real life is just the order of the day. I will keep you updated on our thrifty, handcrafted re-do as we go along.

Enjoy your Monday, or whatever day it is where you are. I'll be back again with more harebrained ideas I'm sure.