A Day of Love Letters

I received goodies in the mail today which I affectionately call "love letters." Anything other than a bill or junk mail is considered a love letter. So fun!! I had signed up for a magazine swap--the magazine junky that I am. I get magazines that I don't even read just to have just in case I do want to ever read them! That's pretty bad, I admit. I've learned to tear out what I like and throw the rest away. I've been kinda bad at that lately though. Step back from the magazine--toss it in the trash! DO IT! And me with my allergies, I should know better than stacking them up bedside! (Do I hear an Oh NO out there?) Hush now, I keep my (hospital grade) hepa filtered air cleaner going full speed 24/7, thank you very much. You don't think I was born yesterday, do you? Geesh.

Anyway, I signed up for the swap at swap-bot. Check it out. There's something there for everyone! (Probably a little dangerous, actually--like Ebay dangerous!) I received my magazines from Sarah over at Good Things. Ooooh, she's from England and sent me some English crafting magazines! Wooohooo! She also made these envelopes out of magazine pages! Great idea. That's a great way to recycle. I'll share any ideas I get from them with you.

Then I get this kinda padded envelope from no other than our Peggy over at Hidden Haven Homestead. I tell you, she has more energy than that energizer bunny! I'm exhausted after reading her daily routine. She has this goat, appropriately named Miss Diva, who thinks she's Peggy's child. She cries for her, follows her and wants to be near her all day. I absolutely love it! It is so cute to hear the stories from that place. (Oh and she has many more animals on the Homestead!) After adopting Miss Diva, she has been in the goat's milk soap biz. Check out her array at her etsy store. (I'm sure I will be addicted to it and visiting the store regularly now!) The other day, everyone who left a comment on her blog were sent some of her and Miss Diva's lovely soap. Mine came in today! Wheeeeeee! She sent me apple/avocado and rose. Both smell absolutely divine. I can't wait to get in the bath with these lovelies! Thank you Peggy! How very sweet, literally! Oh, I wish we had a button we could push for scents so I could share these with you.

I've been busy cleaning for our houseguests arriving tomorrow. Raphael and his brother Regis are coming in from France. As I've mentioned, Regis is attending a friend's wedding, and I coaxed Raphi to tag along! We haven't seen him in a couple of years, and it's past due for a Raphi fix. We've been cleaning out the rec room (appropriately named The Pit)for him. Ew. This is the men's domain, and I don't dare step foot in there very often. Again, ew. I tried a couple of years ago to fix it up a little, but then I gave up. They don't care. As long as there's a TV screen in there, no worries.

I won't even go into any details--only to say that it is as clean as it's ever been. The kid even said today "wow, it's like when we first moved in!" Yep. Not bad. The sleep sofa is opened and I'll make it up tomorrow. I only wish it had a window that opened. Who builds a room with no windows, I ask you? It has four skylights, which make all the difference, but no fresh air. It is connected to the office here which has three; but gee whiz guys, how hard could it have been to put in one stinkin' window? That is on my wish list to do one day. The guest room is usually in pretty good order; so that was easy to get ready for Regis. (I think they may be fighting over who gets that room!) If I could only get this office cleared out, we'd be in bidness!

And so, another lovely day in the life of Rosa. I sent my Vintage Tea Swap (love letter) off today from ms*robyn's little parcels tied deliciously up in ribbons and my magazine swap (love letter) to Marylyn over in Derbyshire, England. What an interesting "international mailing 101" it was at the post office! It is actually cheaper to send two separate packages via US Postal Service Global Priority than to send one box airmail. When I brought that up to the clerk, she was like "Wow, you're right." Duh. We're talking $15 cheaper! So, sorry Marylyn, two envelopes coming--hope they arrive at the same time!!

With that, my friends, I'll bid adieu--to you and you, and you and you and you.

Don't Think Ill of Me, Please

I don't know what the etiquette is for replying to comments left for my posts. I haven't been replying under my own comments because I just find it kind of, well, hard. I'm always afraid that I will miss someone's and I certainly don't want to do that. Also, do you come back to read any comments I have left in my comments? I know if I leave a comment for someone, I do not go back to see if they responded to my response. Does that even make sense? If I am being blog rude, please advise me! I wouldn't want Emily Post rolling over in her grave!

Just know that I appreciate each and every time you all write something to me. I read each one and I treasure each kind word. Everyone has been so kind to me since I began this journaling. It has been refreshing to see such kindness in the world today.

So, thank you, all of you--always. With love and appreciation,

Liberty of London Fabric

Withdrawals, yes, I admit it. I hit Ebay with a search for Liberty of London after returning home. Low and behold, I found a good price on a piece of vintage LL that goes with my front-of-the-house decor--deco/chinoiserie mix-match. I've been looking for some fabric for use in a couple of valances. I need them in my study and my dining room.

I've been holding on to these old vintage crewel work curtains (left) that were my mom's many moons ago that I had planned on using in my study because of the robin-egg blue walls. Now that I have this new fabric, I may switch the whole thing around and put the chinois LL fabric there and the crewel in the dining room. Geesh, decisions, decisions. (I'm fortunate to have such mundane decisions to make--I know; and I count my blessings!) Any of you artsy souls have a suggestion? Bag all the fabrics and find something better, eh? hehe.

If you look at the chinois with my oriental-- similar motif, both quite busy--it may be just a tad too much. (This is why I don't put anything on my windows--it drives me crazy.) P.S. Don't tell me if you see a hairball I missed! And just WHAT is the ORB in some of my shots?!!!


You may be able to see my little test swatch of sage green (a tad darker than the walls) on my shadowboxing in the dining room. I have yet to start that project (obviously). Personally, I like the crewel work in both room, but there's not enough fabric for both-of course! (Yes, I would definitely take the scroll out with the red if I use the crewel!) Maybe the LL will have to go to another project. It is gorgeous and soft and will go just about anywhere. Hmmmmmmm. Hey, maybe the family room! giggle.

(Welcome to my madness!)

Breeding Like Bunnies

I tell you, those purple finches are prolific! They have made yet another nest in one of our ferns on the top deck. I've had to keep Miss Bev inside (again) because she found the nest first and was right on it. I don't spend a lot of time out there, so I hadn't paid much attention to this nest at all. I'm just glad I got the wreath down when I did so I didn't have to leave it up another few months! And what a mess they left there--EW. I have to get this house cleaned!! (My famous last words!!)

Today, I've flung as many doors and windows open as possible. It is gorgeous outside. As my mom would say "I wish I could bottle it up and save it for later!" No humidity, probably around 70, light breeze. So, when I opened the top deck door, I thought I would take the camera out and take a look/see and find out what's in that nest. Looks like the babies have just hatched! I wish I would have seen how many eggs were there before they did. Oh well. I can see three beaks, how about you? It looks awfully full in there though. Could be more!

Rootie was a bad doggie yesterday. Can you tell she's shame face? I should never trust that dog. I left her in the front yard while I went in for a little bit--even told her to "stay." (Yea right!) When I came out, of course she was gone. We looked for her for over an hour with no luck. Went to dinner and came home to two phone calls from the neighbors. I let her sleep out back all night. She knows she's in the dog house because she wants to stay downstairs with my mom. And, she's limping. She has arthritis in her hind leg so the running didn't help matters. She finally decided to join me upstairs and now she's gassing me out of the place. Lord knows what she ate on her little adventure! Oy vey.

I think we'll take Frankie out for a nice walk in the park today. It is too lovely to stay indoors. Especially with Roo Dog polluting the fresh air I'm trying to achieve in here.

Oooh, oooh, ooooh, and look at what my friend Dianne (Sammy, the African Grey) sent me from Minnesota! Now, I thought my new heels were comfy. These are like walking on air. Love them! Don't you just love the bead work?? Thank you Dianne! I shall wear them and think of you--sniffle sniffle. P.S. What's happening with Sammy? I miss her!!! Did she finally succeed in eating all your wires to the computer? Is that why it's so quiet on her blog?? That is one crazy bird!

Porch with a View

The last week, I have been going outside as soon as I wake up. The boys keep it so darn cold in here (AC set at 67 this morning!!) that I need to get out and thaw! This is not normally a problem for me, I like it cold too. But, I have a feeling my thyroid has a little to do with it. I've been hypothyroid since I became pregnant with the teenager. Whenever my thyroid levels get low, I get cold, my hair begins to fall out and I get tired. Check all those off--with thanks to my doctor. Before I left for London, my Synthroid had run out. She insisted that I come in before she would refill it for me. I tried, didn't succeed and she refused to refill, even a few to hold me over until I actually came in. Ticked me off. So, I was off my meds for several weeks until I could get in. Crazy. Anyway, I'm paying for it now. Oh well. Better than the opposite. Yep, I also had hyperthyroidism when I was about 18. Now, that's the worse--other than losing weight! It speeds everything up--feels like you're going crazy! Can't remember stuff, sweaty all the time, can't write because you're so jittery, heart rate sped up to dangerous rates! No fun. Glad that is over now. Would rather have the hypo any day. Except, of course, all the weight you gain (that tied in with a hysterectomy a couple of years ago, oh boy!).

So, I got up this morning and went out on the porch to warm up. A storm was brewing just over the mountain across the street. I love to watch them roll through. Tried to get the kid out with me, but he was busy eating breakfast. The thunder reverberates through the mountain and rumbles down to our house. I have never experienced anything like it, only here. I love to hear the thunder. I find it almost peaceful--guess because it's part of nature. There are so many man-made noises in our lives these days. To hear only nature is a blessing and so soothing to me. I just sat there and enjoyed the sounds and the view. It never rained. A sprinkle or two, but that was all. The wind started whipping and it must have cooled off at least 15 degrees in matter of minutes.

The kid finally did come out, along with the hub. We pointed out figures in the clouds. (I found a Scotty dog without a head which then turned into the continent of Africa--not in these pictures though.) The storm moved through rather quickly, done within a half an hour. I just love to watch the cloud formations.

Here are some new photos of the front blooms. I'm enjoying petunias a lot this year--even planted a few over in Bud County. The kid found this sweet little statuette of a cat with angel wings. How appropriate, eh? I don't remember putting petunias out in years' past. The colors are so vibrant. My azaleas are just about spent.

I always have the worst time with my hydrangea. I prune them too late or too early. I hardly ever get any blooms--so sad. They are one of my favorite flowers, too. I finally got rid of the scraggly pansies from winter and replanted double impatients in their place in my pots on the porch. They will become so full of blooms in the summer months (as long as I keep them watered regularly!) They remind me of little roses. So sweet.

My window boxes are doing well. (Can you tell which way the sun moves?) The ivy is thriving in this one, a little behind in the other. Nature--go figure!
Oh, and before I forget, a big thank you to Weird Bunny for such a sweet compliment on her blog. She said visiting my blog was like talking to a neighbor by the fence--you never know what you might find (out) with each visit! I love that. Thank you Weird Bunny. I feel the same about yours. We are quite wide in our range of writings, aren't we? Go take a look and see what she's up to today in Wales!!

Another Trio of Boxes

I love doing trios, more so than single boxes. Now that Mary Jane, my sister-in-law, has received her boxes, I can post them! She called today to let me know they arrived. Yea!! I'm so happy. I had so much fun making these for her. These were the largest ones I've made so far, starting with a hat box.

Her and my brother divorced a long time ago, but we have stayed closer to her than with my brother, go figure. She is more like a sister to me than an in-law. I'm very fortunate that way with sisters-in-law. I count my blessings. She has two lovely children, Shaun and Kelly. Kelly is my niece who just had her third child, another boy (now two boys and a girl). Shaun is yet to have any. We're still waiting!!

I started with MJ's box. I found her high school photo that she had given to my brother and copied it and worked around that. Some of the papers and ornaments are from London. The pretty clay butterfly is from the Victoria & Albert Museum as is the flowered background to her photo. I found a pretty poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes:

For all the blessings life has brought,
For all its sorrowing hours have taught,
For all we mourn, for all we keep,
The hands we clasp, the loved that sleep,
We thank Thee, Father: let Thy grace
Our loving circle still embrace,
Thy mercy shed its heavenly store,
Thy peace be with us evermore.

I know she has been through a lot in her life and I know every mother can relate to it, especially single moms. My hat is tipped to her. She is an avid ladybug lover, and so I had to add the wooden ladybug at the end! The inside lid has the two children as butterflies. Yep, these were found in London, but it was a catalog for a music venue. I took several from a restaurant we were eating in (shhhh)--knew I would use them up quickly! And then, tucked away in an envelope, a picture of her and my brother a year after they were married. I tucked it there just in case she wanted to burn it or something, hehe. Covering the picture, I tucked two flower playing cards (yep, London, again) that I had "aged"--the Queen of Hearts (MJ) and the Jack of Spades (my bro). This way, if she does get rid of the picture, she will still know what the envelope represents. (Aren't I an evil little sister?!) The bottom inside, of the box, I put a picture of a child with a cat. MJ adores cats as much as I do--hard to believe, but she does!. Note the antique buttons I used from my little shopping expedition online, remember these? Again, I just knew I would be able to use them on a very special project. They are so pretty. And, they just happened to match the box. Funny! It definitely wasn't planned!! (As usual!)

When I did Kelly's, I tried to convey family and motherhood. Can you tell? I put the kids as butterflies--a paper butterfly book from London and lots of other papers on hers from London. Her saying was:

These are the years, the gentle years,
the soft and sentimental years
when wee little fingers
reach and touch
and little eyes gaze
with wonder and trust,
when you love so tenderly
and so so much,
these are the gentle years.
These are the years, the rainbow years,
the quiet, walk-on-tiptoes years,
the years of laughter and smiles and sighs
when both of you watch with misty eyes
the tiny beds where the cherubs lie,
these are the rainbow years.
These are the years, the tender years,
the blissful, sweet-surrender years,
when your little treasures
from above are the souls and purpose
and center of
your plans and dreams
and dearest love,
these are the tender years.

I wasn't too pleased with the inside top of the box, but it is of Kelly and her husband as angels. I'm sure her hub will love his head floating on blue angel wings! The inside bottom is of a mother with her children. I love this illustration.

When it came to Shaun and his wife's box, they have only been married for a couple 5 years or so--youngins. I worked around the young blissful couple. (hehe). Their colors seemed to come out the nicest. You never know with these things, do you? I used the paper dolls I bought at Pollock's and went from there. I was going to use "Fly Me to the Moon;" but as I started putting the dolls on, it just didn't fit any longer. I went with:

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs,
and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints,
I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!
and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
--Elizabeth Barrett Browning

I'm so happy MJ likes them! Like I said, it was a joy doing them for her. She is a fundamental part of our family; and we all love her very, very much!! I hope she knows that. (She does now!)

Friday's Favorite Corner (Spot)

This is my living room, again. So many spots in here. The fireplace is a gas one, so we hardly ever use it. I despise it, actually. If you can't put a real, wood-burning fireplace in, forget it. Funny thing is, the builder built a beautiful chimney but no flue. Crazy. I guess they figure being in the South, you don't need a real wood-burning one. Phewy on that! I keep it covered all year. I get mad just thinking about the waste. Grrrrrr.

I've been sitting on my big comfy sofa facing this area doing my new needlework that I got at Liberty's of London. It's just a simple little bumblebee pattern for a sweet pin cushion. I hope to finish it up by the weekend. Seems one thing or another has kept me from getting to that comfy spot so far today. Perhaps when I finish this post, I'll brew some tea and pick it up again. I got quite far last night! So exciting, so rewarding.

I have here some of my stained glass pieces that I've done for various houses we've lived in and a lot of my religious icons that I've collected over the years. The silver ones are from Russia and Mexico. I don't have much information on the antique pieces. I just liked them and they ended up here.













Also on display are the boys' christening cups and spoons that were given as gifts when they were baptized. The cup in the middle, though, is one I picked up on Ebay rather cheaply. It is engraved with "Franklin." Too sweet to pass up. The antique watch worker's box was given to me as a birthday present a long time ago. I put the boys' silver spoons and my grandmother's (Rosie) darning scissors there for safe keeping. (I wondered where these were and just bought a new pair!! Isn't that always the way!)

Girl Shoes

I never go out and buy shoes. I'm the one you see wearing either Birkenstocks (until there's no sole left) or Clark's shoes--you know, the ugly clunky shoes--just because of the comfort. I have always had wide feet, even as a child. How embarrassing it was to have to buy "boy" shoes because girls' shoes didn't come in wide in the 60s. Poor me.

Today, I made a pit stop into one of my favorite little boutiques that sells mostly shabby chic items for the home. They do have a fabulous selection of one-of-a-kind jewelry (at reasonable prices) and handbags (at not-so-reasonable prices). I hadn't noticed her shoes before; but as I was looking at them, the owner begins to tell the story on them. You purchase the shoe (four different styles of bases) and you get three "tops" that go with them. The tops snap on and off in a jiffy. You are able to purchase different tops as needed (I think about $10). But, the most remarkable thing about these shoes is that they are actually comfortable! Go figure. I never, ever wear heals, but these I can bear. Amazing. Even with my fat foot!

I just had to share this find with all of you ladies. The name of the shoe is One Sole (many mates)--cute huh! Oh, and hub, all of this is pure fiction. I really don't have any new shoes. Wink wink.

A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall

We had this amazing downpour yesterday afternoon. It was literally (well, almost) raining cats and dogs--all while the sun was shining. This is across the street from our house looking up the mountain (hill) behind Dianne's house. It all came rushing down, flooding the street and continuing down to the ponds behind our house. The pond overflowed quite quickly. Guess this is what is known as Flash Flooding! It happened very fast!












When we first moved here, we were amazed to get "rain days" out of school--I suppose these make up for the "snow days" we never get. Since we live in a valley of sorts with lots of creeks and such running from the mountains surrounding us, we quite often get street flooding in areas. It is rare, though, that right here in our neighborhood we get enough straight rain to make this type of impact. It's incredible to watch.

Needless to say, everything is quite green here as we've had rain in the afternoons for the past four days. Hey, I'm not complaining--keeps me from getting out in almost 100 degree weather to water!

All photos were taken by the kid.