Monday, February 19, 2007

Hello to Spring!



Maybe it was the melting snows or the sunny weather today, but my thoughts have turned into the March rhythms. I made a large, bubbly pot of Irish stew today, and I have been working on my house. That process is my passion. Stay tuned for some pictures I'll be posting of my leprechauns, my Irish linens, and my spring bunnies. Good-bye to the valentines and the Christmas ivy...


What kinds of things say Ireland to you? I am empassioned about Ireland because I have relatives, ancient ancestors, who arrived on a huge immigrant boat from Ireland in 1704. The legends, the amazing Celtic music, and the simple cottages are in my soul.


All I know is that there is a time to clean, and this Irish woman is also working on her dream house. I think she might be getting ready for her Irish husband to come in from the sea.


I won't be doing that. It's sometimes very difficult to keep up the spring in my step, the hope in my spirit, and the fire in my soul when the two wonderful men in my home are not really into that kind of thing. I know that being married isn't any guarantee that you'll be greeted with enthusiasm over a new arrangement on the coffee table. So, I continue to work and putter and dream about my house... just for me and for the house fairies that inspire and chide me into something new. Yesterday was Pantry Clean-out day... Now what to do with the things that just don't belong in there? There's always something...


My beautiful friend Alison at BrocanteHome will be launching her spring clean very soon. As young and vivacious as she is, and as old and stiff as I am.... I'd better get a little jump on the seaonsal scrub here at my home, affectionately known as The Three-Corner Patch.


Shady Peanut Lane Views






I'm Missing My Shop


You know, this ice and snow has taken its toll in many ways, but one thing for sure. I sure

have missed my days in my gift shop in Bevier. This is a shot of Shady Peanut Lane, my little corner of the commercial world. usually I spend Thursday, Friday, and Saturday afternoons there, just puttering around and getting all settled in. Right now, the shop is cold, dark, and empty because I haven't been able to open up due to the ice and snow. We specialize in candles, and in little pieces of ephemera, gift items, seasonal things, coffees, teas, and jellies. Actually, the shop doesn't make any profit because of the location and the price constraints on my budget. However, I am always happy there. Many of my friends come by to see me, visit, and enjoy the conversation. Kind of a country store for women... All we need is the checker board on the pickle barrel.

See You Soon, Shady Peanut!

Sunday, February 18, 2007

My life, or something like That...


This photo looks so much like my view from my back window... I have a tree row of ancient oaks, locusts, and elm that flank the back of my house and harbor a little creek, many weeds, and a little glimpse of a tractor trailer that my ex husband has stashed there forever, I believe. It is full of his kind of manly treasures, old junk, iron pieces, old tools and car parts. For the most part, it is hidden, and it certainly doesn't show up or bother me in the least. I thought I would explain just a bit about my usual day. I live with my son, who is 25, and a friend of his who works in the same factory. They are welders, computer enthusiasts, and generally nice young men who always take the time to enjoy my cooking and help me or my parents when we need a strong arm. It is a great setup for me because I get to cook for men, who are so much fun to cook for, and I get some wonderful time alone to dream, nooze, watch the Food Channel, or putter. I can't forget to mention my stripey little cat named Sally. She runs the roost, and as you can see from the post earlier, she is furry, big-eyed, and absolutely in charge of everything. This is the beginning of an attempt to excavate my authentic self, to eliminate the clutter and baggage of a lifetime of compliance, settling, and simply zoning out the unpleasant. With this blog, I hope to share my projects and record a bit of my life as it unfolds. At my age it is time to decide not to house things that don't reflect the person I am or hope to be. That means goodbye to a pair of Victorian Velvet chairs my mother has always secretly coveted. She will be receiving them via my son and Kenny ---- maybe tomorrow? At least soon. Ten things a week would be lovely... or more. We'll see.

Saturday, February 17, 2007

Another Hooky Day


Today was another day I spent at home, playing hooky from the real world. Maybe that is why I adore winter, snowfalls, and wintry mixes. A new day and another new start at blogging. The wind chill outside has been extreme, but today was sunny, windy, and a blowing around of the snow we've been getting. I declined to visit my little shop, Shady Peanut Lane, today. A couple of reasons: Too cold for any real customers to try to come. No desire to shovel the snow from the uneven bricks outside the shop; the beginning temperature in there is probably about 25, so it would take all day on high blast to reach about 50; and I felt like snuggling in with Sallycat in my big wing chair and watching television. I made a delicious couple batches of warm batches of brownies. Batch number two I drizzled with warm white chocolate... Yum.