Weekend Update/Spring Edition

Our first weekend of Spring and it did not disappoint.  We started out on Friday for a ride into the country.
My dearest one had a root canal scheduled for Saturday morning, so we though we'd take off on Friday, not knowing how he'd feel after the procedure. These photos were taken over the whole weekend. Fortunately, all went well with my husband,  he just needed to decompress from the anxiety that seems to be involved in any dental procedure. It is a mental health thing for us to hop in the car and drive, listening to great music, or in silence with our thoughts.  It is rejuvenating to be out together, with no destination just the joy of the journey.  An old barn holds such charm, even in it's waning days.

 A old courthouse, set against a clear blue sky frosted with wispy clouds.

 Up in Wisconsin at Lake Geneva, fishermen were still on the ice.

 The gray skies made it look more like winter than spring.

Sunday after visiting with our baby grand, (she can do somersaults!) we took the scenic way home, up Lake Shore Drive to Sheridan Road along Lake Michigan.

Dear old girl never ever lets us down.  Beautiful in every season, in all kinds of weather.  Our all time favorite drive.  Now we head for home.

 On the campus of Northwestern University.  I don't know what this building is, but it looks like something out of Downton Abbey.

 If you can peek behind the buildings you'll see the Grosse Point Lighthouse.

 The sky on fire at sunset,

almost home.

 " Nature never did betray the heart that loved her." William Wordsworth

Thanks so much for your kind comments and for stopping by.  Enjoy this beautiful day.

Peaceful

 Cause, it's oh so peaceful here

 No one bending over my shoulder

 nobody breathing in my ear

 Oh so peaceful here... I just found this song again on iTunes.  I saw Kenny Rankin the writer of this song as an opening act for of all people Cheech and Chong back in the day.(I think it was)  I was listening to the song as I started this post and it just fit.  Then I looked it up to find that Helen Reddy also had a hit with this song, gosh remember her, I am woman, hear me roar!  I grew up in an  interesting time for women.

 My guy, feeling good, looking great...glad to have my walking buddy back.

 The snow is melting and we've had a couple of beautiful days.  I got out to sweep the deck and putter a little.

 I cleaned this banner, it's huge, well over 6 foot tall.  A neighbor used to hang this every spring and I loved it so much, and told them so once at a garage sale at their house.  Fast forward a few years later and I found this banner at my front door  with a note from these dear folks, saying they were moving and remembered how much I liked the banner.  I think it was a store display, anyway as soon as honey has the time, it's going up this year.  After the winter we've had, Spring needs a big welcome..

I even potted a plant that I got for my birthday that had a tragic fall and lost all of it's soil.

Catching the sun as it was setting, love the longer days.  The light, oh yes...peaceful.

I finished this shawl.  Granny shawl made by a granny. That's it, all I have today...

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy this beautiful day.

Just Down the Road

 We visited a new shop, or a couple of new shops since they seem combined, The Pink Geranium and Artifactural Furniture & Design, Inc. They are right down the Road in Barrington IL on Northwest Highway.

 We've passed this way many times, and recently saw the sign for the Pink Geranium so we decided to take a look.  The door is just a taste of the cool things inside.

 I loved the windows...

an old warehouse or factory feel to it.

 I didn't take many photos, just out of practice I suppose.  This is the first time we've been out in weeks, since I wouldn't call Doctor visits and grocery shopping out.  I did get Kristen's camera, THANK YOU KRIS, so there was really no reason for not taking photos except for the fact that I didn't ask and I usually do.

 I was not shy in the entrance where all the goodness starts.

 Loved the leaded windows,

the iron and so many beautiful reclaimed wood pieces.  This is a look into the workshop. After getting hooked on all the shows  like Salvage Dawgs, and the Barnwood Builders, I so admire the talent and skill involved in building with wood and reclaimed items.

The Pink Geranium part of the store had vintage goods, the things I noticed most were some vintage linens.. My dearest found cookies, as only he can find a cookie in a busy establishment. It was an interesting place and I would like to go back and spend more than the few minutes we looked around. The parking lot was underwater with some our our first warm temperatures in months melting the snow.  It is close by and worth another visit.  Next time I will ask for permission to photograph some of the beautiful wooden treasures.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy this beautiful day.

Weekend Update, Monday Afternoon Edition

I hosted my Guild Sisters last week so I was cleaning and puttering around the house.  I had to hang the Pottery Barn platter that I found at the thrift.  I am really digging it the most, said the old woman who grew up in the 60's and 70's!

 The bird is the perfect blue and the plate hanger is stretched to within an inch of it's life.  I actually moved my beautiful large cloche out from under it in case of a spring failure!

Speaking of Spring, (I've got a million of em ;-) I hung a little bit of color, hoping to invite a little springtime to our neck of the woods.  I think it worked, the snow is melting and a few minutes on my deck this afternoon really felt springlike.

 Here's where the cloche ended up.

 Some faux greens and my prized piece of coral from the little bird.

 Everything got some TLC and a few of my birthday gifts got displayed.

 Oh the sky...

 how I love the sky and all it's colors and moods.

These were the fields covered in snow.  Might be our last weekend of snowblindness.  It feels as if we were moles just coming back out into the sunshine.

 I loved our winter but I am ready for spring.  Our sweet p. is so ready too.  She so wants to play in Grandma's garden, but I've been loving our cozy snuggles and tea parties and inside fun.

I am trying to finish this long WIP.  I have actually been quite the busy crafter with a few projects in the works.

We will be celebrating the engagement of Jon and Charlotte soon.  I will show you what I'm up to, helping to decorate the tables and some fun favors.

Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy this beautiful day.

P.S. ... dear Kathy at Charm Bracelet Diva at Home...you made me laugh so hard at your comment on my last post.  Your blog isn't allowing me to comment, so I hope you read this and know that I heard you saying this in my head..." yeah,  cats..."  You are so funny!  Miss you my friend!

Catching Up

This week I celebrate my five year blog anniversary. When I started, it seems long ago, I had mentors, supporters, cheer leaders that said I could do it. I have done it, with 990 posts, taken an astounding 23,000 photos!  I have been writing for the last five years and I love the process. Have I become a better writer? Technically, no.  My grammar and punctuation is terrible...only because I write as I would speak, from my heart. (and as my kids would tell you, I talk funny)  I love having a journal of the things I do, the places I go, the life I share with my dearest, family and friends. I would not be here but for the kindness of women, other bloggers who inspired me. Thank you for your support and love!

 The skies are still gray, but occasionally the sun shines and makes the snow glisten.  We've had our grand daughter stay with us for sleep overs.  The fun we've had, oh my, she is amazing.

Still the days are cold and the snow hasn't melted at all.

 I keep watching for signs of spring...that was the title of my very first post...

We celebrated dear son Jon's birthday.  Here's a guy getting better every year.  Now with his future wife Charlotte by his side, the happiness just shines from them both.  They enjoy each other's company and the company of dear old Mom and Dad.  We love having them and our little family close.

Mike though in Ohio, keeps close with phone calls, texts and face times.  As soon as this weather breaks, this Mom need a hug.

 Our yard is covered in tracks.  At first I thought it was probably feral cats that roam our neighborhood and especially our yard since we have no canine deterrent.  Last night as Jon was putting things in his car, he came back in to tell me he heard coyotes howling.  Now I'm not so sure about the tracks.  Yikes!

I am working on several projects, one for the hospital and several just because the need to create that usually happens in January was two months late this year!  I haven't been to the fabric store in months, until yesterday when a post I read mentioned a new product.  Well, as they say... the rest...will be in another post.;-)

One more thing...I found this platter at the thrift.  From Pottery Barn.  It must be older since I can't find much about it online.  I loved the blue bird and the crackle finish.

Thanks so much for stopping by, for your never ending kindness to me and for your friendship.  Enjoy this beautiful day.