~SUMMERTIME BLESSINGS....

First, I want to tell you, before I move on to another "header"..that Lilly, my dear blogger friend in Canada, sent me those adorable little items in my header..the tiny tools, butterfly net and aren't those itty bitty gardening gloves just adorable?  Thank you, Lilly!   

I LOVE Summer, even if it is miserably hot!

Two Sundays ago, we were invited to my daughter's home for a seafood dinner and that same day we were hit by the mother of all California storms!  Bad!  Thunder, lightening, branches flying and nearly hitting our car as we headed up the hill to daughter  Erin's home.  We had slowed to nearly a stop and came to a complete stop a couple of times.  

I called to let them know we were on our way, but slowly..and needless to say, my family became anxious.  I mean we are rather older folks, to put it mildly. :)

Homemade ice cream and cake for dessert!  Even listening to the ice cream maker hum was a Summertime sound!

When we arrived we found my son in law all wet, waiting out front with two umbrella's for us.

Inside were two wet women who had been waiting for us until son in law discovered them and sent them back to their cooking and took up the wait.  

Ever had your heart swell with love and gratefulness for the blessings that we are fortunate enough to have?  That's how I felt seeing Jimmy waiting for us with the wind and rain soaking him.  Hugging those wet people....was almost too much for me and it was hard not to cry!

I am one lucky woman!  

Love,

Mona

~I SAW WHAT YOU DID....

I thought I would share a short story with you.  I am still shaking my head over this one.

Some neighbors across the street and down one house have moved, and they have been coming back daily, painting, new floors, landscaping etc.  readying the home for sale.  It's been so hot and it has not been pleasant for them.

In the evening we sit out on the porch when it isn't too hot and enjoy just chatting.  Often the woman across the street and her ten year old little girl, join me.  

The man who owns the home in question and his son, had worked another full day and gone home.  

Suddenly the neighbor woman on the far side of the empty home came waddling over and appeared to be curious as what was happening to the house, which is what happens when a long time neighbor moves away.

As we watched (it's dark on our porch, very shady and we are not visible from the sidewalk, let alone from across the street) she crossed her yard into theirs and dug around in  a cardboard box sitting on the porch, pulling out plastic sheeting which she started to take to her yard but instead glanced around, stepped up onto their porch again and  walked off with a large shovel.  One of those scoop shovels which was leaning against the wall.  She examined it a moment, looked up and down the street again and proceeded to take it to her house and through the gate into her back yard!

We decided that perhaps I should call the people who own the home to let them know, just in case it was something that was important to them, and tell them where it was.  I felt funny doing it, like a nosy neighbor...but they had given me their number just in case.   I thought it might not be anything important OR they had given it to her OR she took it to save for them..or whatever.

When I called they said they had not given her their shovel..so today they asked her if she had it.  I rather thought she would tell them she was afraid someone would steal it, but no.  When asked about the shovel, she denied ever having seen it.  THREE of us saw her take it into her back yard.  She plain lied to the man's face.  He didn't argue with her or tell her who told him.  He just said he had perhaps been given false information.  

This woman that took the shovel and her family are not the most desirable neighbors...but they have not bothered me.  .

I guess the thing is, I just cannot believe a neighbor would take ..no, STEAL, from their next door neighbors they had known for  years...long before I ever came to live here.

I wanted to march  right up to her door

 and tell her we SAW her take the darned shovel!!!   

I wanted to go right then tell her that three of us saw her take that shovel..but the man said   "I just want to finish and leave.  Let her have it and I don't want to leave knowing you may have problems later because of it.  

I suppose he was right.  But still.  

If one will steal, one will do anything.

Perhaps he is right to let it go.  She must be very sad indeed to do such a thing.

What makes people do things like that!  I know it goes on..but to watch it happen right in your neighborhood is upsetting.  

Would you have confronted the woman?  I wanted to.  I still want to, but he may be right.
What would you do?

****************

This was longer than I wanted it to be..sorry. :)

Love,

Mona 

~SOMETIMES WE JUST HAVE TO FACE IT...

...and give it the old college try.

 I know it's been awhile and a dear friend suggested I "say something" so my blogger friends will know I'm alive. :)

The thing is that sometimes in life, the well runs dry and I suppose that's what happened to me.

I have so much catching up to do that it's overwhelming! 

I've loved blogging, I really have, but somehow I seem to have lost my enthusiasm for it.

And...I can't find it.

Believe me, I've looked!

I still enjoy reading .and visiting..but I think my everyday life has come into focus and I am realizing how quickly the time is racing by.  I have friends, family and slowing down has had an effect on doing the things I once did.  

Blogging is just one of them.

With my family

it's .."Can Mom walk that far?"  or "Won't she get tired of standing in line?"  that sort of thing...and they are totally right.  It's hard on me anymore.

It saddens me that I can do so little in the yard before I give in and head for the lawn swing and collapse into a little pool of worn out human.  Relief sweeps over me.  Before long I'm dozing while my clippers and gloves lay there on the table, one glove on the stone floor signaling how fast I yanked them off!

I keep thinking it will pass, and the days go by.  I used to shop the mall and it was so exciting, drifting in and out of the stores, seeing all the pretties I would love to buy.

Now?

I don't care.  

My soft old sweat pants and cozy T's and comfortable old slippers are just fine.

Hair gets wadded up and clipped to the back of my head.

Sometimes I MAKE myself put on a bit of blush and then walk away in disgust.

No, it's not self pity.  It's just plain acceptance.  It would not matter if I lost a bunch of weight, dyed my hair and fiddled around trying to make this aging face look...a little better.  It's what it is.

I've arrived in the elderly department...and it's really not so bad.  Not at all.

I just told the BIGGEST LIE!  Some day's it really DOES matter.

I still like to decorate.

Go to garage sales..sometimes.

Have company over...sometimes.

It's just that sitting in my comfy desk chair and suddenly realizing that a couple of hours have zoomed by while I visit, comment and get lost in what I really enjoy doing.  Blogging.  It's been so much fun.  I've really  enjoyed every minute. 

Until now.

I'm trying to get my motor started again..but it keeps stalling.

This is a stuttering try..

I know I'm not the only one that goes through being relieved to walk away from the computer.

Like right now..

Bedtime.

I think sometimes we just plain get tired.

Have a wonderful rest of the week.

Love,

Mona

Thank you for gently encouraging me...and for your understanding

You know who you are.  :)

~UNITED WE STAND..HAPPY JULY 4TH~

Every July 4th is meaningful, but this year seems especially important.  I hope we remember how important it is that we stand united and not always so divided.  So many have died in the name of freedom.

I love this country and would rather live here than any place in the world.  I hope I live to see us  really live in peace and tranquility and not have to live in fear.

"Fear not...."  

Remember those words.  

Have a happy and safe July 4th.

Love,

Mona

~COFFEE WITH NEIGHBOR'S IN THE 1950'S~

I wish I could say that my down time from blogging has helped me come up with something amazing, or at least interesting, but it has not.

I guess the heat and being cooped up inside for days at a time has had something to do with it..but it probably hasn't.  

What have I been doing?  Well, I've been reading, watching a TV show on my Kindle, that I'm ashamed to tell you, has me hooked 

One thing I did think about telling you, is something that began when I was first married.

I used to hide it.  I did!  Back in the 50's and 60's young wives in new neighborhoods used to gather in the morning at someone's home for coffee.  

Looking back it was probably not such a great idea as they often turned into gossip sessions.  I think I was the subject of much of the gossip as soon as I walked out the door..especially later as the babies came.   It was fun for awhile..but I found myself pretending certain things. 

One of the things I pretended, or at least went along with, was that I hated housework. 

 I didn't.  Unlike the other wives, I loved it so I kept it secret.

Even today, a recent comment was made by someone about being glad they didn't have to dust my stuff and called my home cluttered. and they were right on the mark.  To that person it probably is.

It was just like back the the 1950's. All these many years later and there  is the same remark.

So there it is.  I love to clean.

I love the way clean, cool floors felt under my feet, how pretty things looked when I walked from room to room.

I surround myself with people I love.   I also surround myself with  things I love.  I don't consider it clutter.  :) It probably is though. 

We used to wax our floors, sometimes with paste wax but then the liquid waxes came out and commercials sang their praises..and showed neat little housewives in "house dresses" and heels looking neat as a pin, waxing away, all smiles.  Peddle pushers and jeans were my outfits even back in the 50's.

So..I guess I am a "closet cleaner" and I still love cleaning.  The years have taught me all sorts of shortcuts, and now I have things so much easier.  The floors no longer need to gleam and your clothes don't have to be the whitest on the clothesline. 

  No, really, they were, and there was a reason for that.   No automatic washers and dryers back then

and clothes went out on the clothesline for all to see. I have to smile remembering the lines full of baby diapers. 

Here's the reason my clothes were so white.  Certainly nothing I did.

Purely accidental. 

We bought a little white wringer washer..with rollers..and on the side was a "shift" with a little red cherry like knob on top.  I LOVED that little washing machine.  The reason my clothes were so white is that it ran and ran until I went in and stopped it which sometimes ran into a couple of hours.  ..so my clothes got a real good scrubbing.  It's no darned wonder they were so white. I'm probably lucky there was anything left of them.  

Nice to be out of the closet.  Now, back to work!

Love,

Mona

P.S.  I just wanted to add, I'm going to hire a housekeeper soon.  You know, just for the heavy stuff?

 :):)

~COUNTIN' FLOWERS ON THE WALL...

..that don't bother me at all...

smokin' cigarette's and watchin' Captain Kangaroo,

now don't tell me...

I've nothin' to do...

Now..don't tell me...

I've nothin' to do...

:)

That song keeps popping into my head lately and I've NO idea why!!

BIG HUGS!

Mona

P. S.   Does that song date me or what?  The 1970'  or was it the 60's?  Oh, and I've never smoked in my life.  :)

~WALLPAPERING OF ACCENT WALLS COMPLETE~

Done, done, done and I'm so happy.  I'm NOT going to do any more projects for awhile.

I always love the results but having rooms torn up starts out to seem so simple and then you realize how much "stuff" you have  when you start trying to put it all back...which... (puff puff) never, ever goes back the same way. 

Also...I am GOING to catch up in my visits to you, I promise!  I am so very far behind.
I guess I could "peddle" faster, couldn't I.

Accent wall before~

 Of course Ray arrived  exactly at 8 am.  Me, thinking I was being funny, met him at the door smiling and said "I've got great news!  You don't have to work today after all!"  

NOT FUNNY, FOLKS!  

Ray didn't laugh!!  He looked at and the smile faded from his face and he said "THAT does NOT make me happy!"  

I quickly said..."I'm kidding!  I'm kidding, Ray!  It's a joke!"   

Well folks..:( Ray never completely gained his humor back the rest of the day!)  Lesson:  Don't try and be funny with folks you don't know all that well.   It can backfire on you.

" He spoke not a word but went straight to his work"...really fits the start of  the wall papering day.

As the day progressed..things got lighter..but..since I wanted my wallpapering done..

I kept MY BIG MOUTH SHUT!!

 Here are the after pictures...  :)  The roses in the wallpaper look much lighter in the light from the window.

This is one of the pictures that the colors of the roses in the wallpaper was the most true.
In most of the photo's they looked sort of washed out a bit.

Both the living room and guest room accent walls are done..The bedroom still has to be put back together..tomorrow for sure!

The wall colors are the same as the couch..but I had a difficult time getting the lighting right.
Anyway..you get the idea...
Aren't you pleased it's all behind me?   I promise  (oops, the bedroom)  well, I'll show that later when it's all presentable.  Okay?
Red, white and blue isn't exactly going to look great in here, is it?  :)

Big hugs..
Mona

~1950'S KITCHEN IN RED TOILE FRENCH COUNTRYSIDE WALLPAPER~

Finally!  It's done!

My wonderful paper hanger arrived as always, exactly on time.  

 This is Ray working on the stove area.  I suddenly remembered to take a couple of "before pic's"...

 So I caught the entry into the dining room and family room before the paper. 

After.  I hung the valances to off set the red..and now I'm wondering...do I really need these anymore.  Probably not.  I'm rethinking those.  

 ..looking into my office.

 Turning to the left..looking into the family room.

 Ray insisted that we only remove the breakables..everything else he would move.

He took that heavy little bead board shelf off the wall and put it back!  

 Looking to the right from where I was standing.. into the living room.  The door into the garage in on the right.

 Looking into the family room that will eventually have RED SCOTCH PLAID wall paper.  LOL  

Get off the floor!!  I'm teasing you!  

(maybe)  

 It's okay,  You can say what my kids will say..  "well, if YOU like it....."   :)

 I do.  I really do like it.

The kitchen witch was a gift from a very dear friend many, many years ago.  She has to stay.  Being Irish and Spanish makes for a bit of superstition on my part.  

 Bless Ray's heart.  He even covered my switch plates!  

Okay, NOW, at the last moment there was a roll of left over wall paper and Ray said it was enough to paper one accent wall in my office..and that's what you see on the left of my little 1950's Tappan oven.   I was SO delighted with the whole thing!  It really looks sweet in the office.

Now, listen.  It's perfectly okay if you hate it.  And even if you can tolerate it in  MY home, but never, never in your home...I mean, that's fine too!  I don't mind a bit.  

In a few years I may change it..but remember..I'm old and VERY sensitive ...so be kind.

LOL  I'm kidding you!  All of you are always so kind...I'm not worried ...at all.

 Maybe just a bit!

:)

Love,

Mona

~RED, RED, MY WORLD IS RED...

Not just any red..but ROSE red.

So much has kept me preoccupied this week.  First, was reading my blogging friend, Diane's new novel!

I know many of you are probably doing the same thing.  I cannot get over that she actually didn't just talk about it, she DID IT!

Congratulations Diane!  

Nana Diana Takes a Break is her blog...she'll make you smile..

(I can't get the link to work..but will work on it.)

If I wasn't making a bed or doing dishes or other household chores, I was reading Diane's new book.

It grabbed me and kept me interested from beginning to end.

I finally finished it night before last and refused to go to bed until I found out what happened in the end.

I even answered the book club questions.  :)

A couple of days of feeling ill...then I got busy and baked my PH some chocolate chip cookies. 

My neighbor got some..the gardener got two this morning.  They go fast!

THEN MY FLORAL arrangement arrived.  

The woman who did this arrangement's name is Terri.  She is on Etsy under "Beguiled Again" which I think is just charming.  After scouring both Etsy and Ebay..she is the absolute best I've found.  The small white arrangements in the silver spooner and sugar bowl..were done by her.  

It's in an old compote with tiny baby roses and green leaves trailing on it with ornate handles on each end.  Perfect for my flowery living room.  You can tell this lady loves what she does!  It shows.

See the wall behind the couch? It will be covered with my roses wallpaper by tomorrow evening.  

AND

My pretty red toile wallpaper went up in the kitchen today.  

It came yesterday and my paper hanger, Ray, agreed to come at 8 this morning.  It is just..
BEAUTIFUL!  Just wait until you see!

Just remember..what goes up..must come down...spinning wheel...  LOL  (sorry).

The family room?  How about red plaid?  I'm kidding! I'm kidding! :)

(maybe!:)

Big hugs,

Mona

~WANTS NOT NEEDS..~

The biscuit keeper in my header is one I found on Etsy.
I looked at it for about two months before decided to buy it.
Inside is a satin padding made for the bottom in blue by the seller.  Separately there is another divided satin pad that can hold earrings, or rings.
I finally gave in and  bought it.
There is information on the bottom but I didn't think it necessary to print all that.

This is made in Prussia.  Inside the seller gave me a piece of paper with all sorts of information on it.
Never going to sell it..so..  :)    One of my daughters might like to know about it one day though.

This is an old sugar bowl.  The woman that sells these flower arrangements does an exquisite job.
I must have looked at hundreds and hundreds of arrangements from all over the web and her's were the very best.  I kept coming back..and her prices though not low..were very respectable.
(to me respectable is VERY inexpensive!)  :)

This one is a spooner and I DO love spooners.  The floral arrangement is removable just in case I wanted to use it as a spooner..but I have enough of those.
The lillies engraved on this little piece are actually raised and the centers of the flowers indented.
Just beautiful.
Everything you see is second hand.

You see, here's the thing.  I once read "Some people have children and other people have things."
I had children.
They needed things..and fortunately or unfortunately my children were...very visible.  In the middle of things at school..involved...and NO I did NOT encourage it.  It was just who the little sweethearts were.
So..clothes were important to them..and so on.  Not exactly sure how we did it, looking back, but you do what you have to do for your babes.
By age 15, all of mine were working at the mall.  The boys at wood shops around town or mowing lawns etc.
They started painting numbers on curbs at 10 and running errands for neighbors to the store at about seven.  No one thought of danger back then.  Thankfully.
A different world or I thought it was.

This was of their own accord.  I remember how proud they were.
Looking back now...I don't know ..how I feel about it.

Interestingly, mine didn't ask for anything.  It was none of  "I've GOT TO HAVE ..." etc.
It was "It's okay, Mom, I don't need it!!" and so by hook or by crook..they were going to have it.
I was not a "joiner" in high school.  Never.  They were different.

Okay..so what I'm trying to say is that...it's my turn?   A lot of what I buy goes out the door..but it's fun giving my girls things.
The floral arrangements???  Nope.  NOT going out the door!  Sometimes I've said.."can I keep it a week at least?"
LOL

Love,
Mona

~SWEET DREAMS BEDROOM~

Well, here it is..all done.   Nothing to scream about..I know..but it's comfy..

White flannel sheets and a down comforter.  

The boxes hold my scarves and small accessories that I don't use often.

The tray is hand painted by Bea.  A wonderful ebay artist that I have known for years.

Our home is full of her hand painted things..along with my own.

I like her's better! :)

 See those pictures on the wall...nothing unusual...but there is a recent story about them.

I've mulled over whether I should share or not..and so far the answer has been "probably not!" :)

Really an odd story.  

See my new silk Laura Ashley chalk pink lampshades?  Yeah!  I'm happy with them.  

Mirrored closet doors...I don't like them.  I would rather have louvered folding doors so you can see everything in your closet at once.  But..they are nice.  Not complaining.

I love the way the paper makes everything ...prettier. 

But, that's just me.  I know, I'm on a major paper kick..and one day (if I live long enough) and want it down, I will kick myself?  NOT!   I do not think I will ever tire of it and besides..paper hangers also take it all down.  Yep...they sure do!  ( in a slight, very slight panic, I asked!)  :)

The other end of the room.  I love the way the paper makes everything look better.  The furniture is by Bob Timberlake.  I loved it because it reminded me of a mountain cabin.  Some drawers are lined with cedar..for sweaters. 

So...tell me you like it...I mean even if you don't.  Please say you do.

I'm SO insecure!1

Love,

Mona

~A BIT OF WALL PAPER MANIA...

  Sometime I read my comments and just cry.  How did I ever get SO lucky as to meet all of you.

Really.  You are just so sweet and kind to me.  I sometimes just shake my head in wonder.

**********

I picked these Waverly place mats up at an Estate sale a few weeks ago.  We stopped in on the "half price day" as I wouldn't have been  able to negotiate the crowd with my knee and hip problem which is a thing of the past.  At least so far.  Nearly three months of pain..and it's now a thing of the past...for now.

 The place mats had the perfect apple green trim colors that went perfectly with the patio set.

The umbrella used to have a brown wood pole.  I painted it with the apple green to go with the pretty apple green umbrella cover.  

I get such a kick out of finding things that look like they belong.  Especially when it costs next to nothing.

YORK wallpaper by Waverly.    Or is it the other way around.  Source is American Blinds.

 This is the wall paper that is going up in the kitchen.  It arrived about a week ago...however...

I was one roll short on the paper for the accent wall in the living room..

below..

This will go on the wall behind the couch.  They only sent me one roll so I had to order another.

???

I mean..why would I order just one roll???  but they insisted I did..  At this point I sort of trust them more than myself...but still...  ???

So..I'm waiting for my extra rolls.  My paper hanger is busy with another job that will be finished on the first of June..so..it will work out perfectly.  :)

My kitchen is now  "kitchen aid red."  I cannot wait to see how the new paper looks.  

The living room wall is right around the corner from the kitchen.    I know, I know....it's going to be GORGEOUS!   (almost)

 I know.  It's much for some of you..but I'm loving the coziness of my paper.

About the bedroom.  I have not posted pictures of it yet as I was waiting for my Laura Ashley Chalk pink lamp shades to arrive,  which they have..and so tomorrow I will snap a couple of pictures of the finished  room.  No..still no new bedspread.   Not a sophisticated room ..but it's me.  Um...us!!!

  Did ...I ...say..."me"...   but of course I meant "us"   You DO believe me, don't you?

:)

Love,

Mona

*Nothing like wall paper and chocolate to take your mind off the world's problems, at least until you watch the news again!