A special place for me

I have a completely insane desire.

I'm not sure why my mind ruminates on it like it does but it's almost like a mini vacation for me just to play with the mere idea of it. 

Here we go...are you ready to hear it...? I want a travel trailer.  

Now I don't want just any ol' travel trailer. I'm not interested in guidance systems...or dish washers...or pop outs. I want a vintage trailer...a piece of history. I'm thinking an airstream...a "silver bullet"...a Cadillac of travel trailers. I want it well built, simple and classic...and then...I want to make it mine.

When I was little my grandfather had an Airstream...King of the Road, if I remember correctly. I loved to play in that trailer. To me it was a huge wonderful playhouse. What more could a little girl ask for? I was in heaven when I had my dolls and hours to play in that trailer. I'm dreaming of something similar...but oh so different too. The design artist in me longs to change it...paint it...drape it...upholster it...jewel it...

...are you following me? Maybe it's that child of the 70's in me....or a bohemian gypsy spirit longing to be nurtured. I see curling ephemera...cabbage roses...texture galore...a space that embraces the soul of a woman.

I want a magical cocoon to dream in.

A womb like space to create and write down the thoughts as they flicker through my mind.

Feather mattresses to sink into...velvet throws to warm...stained glass windows to play with the light as it comes streaming into the space...crystal chandeliers that tinkle in the slightest breeze like delicate wind chimes...embroidered pillows piled high and deep to prop up with...silk oriental carpets on the floor to delight bare feet.

Vintage tin ceilings...old woodwork...lace curtains...delicate china for morning coffee... 

I'm not dreaming of a masculine space, but I would love to share it with Blue Eyes...

 at the beach...or on a mountain top...or even at the edge of a lake...

No wonder I ruminate on it quite often...

Doesn't it sound heavenly?

Photos by: Jonny Valiant 

For more info: 

magnoliapearl.com or romantichomes.com

The Blog Guidebook

If you are a blogger, check out "The Blog Guidepost". They have all kinds of helpful beginner information to help get you started. Blog how to's...classes...resources...giveaways...and linky parties.

Check them out at : http://www.blogguidebook.com/

Calling all Carpenters and Do-It-Yourself-ers

Any one heard of Ana White? Love, love, love her...and you will too! Interested yet?

Well...how do you feel about these major retailers...Pottery Barn? Land of Nod? Crate and Barrel? Magic Moon? We could go on and on. Sounding better right?

Ana White breaks these companies popular home designs down in to do-able home projects. You can own what you love for a fraction of what it would cost you retail. The best part is that all of the designs, pics, plans, and tutorials are free...yep, you read that right...FREE. Now are you interested?

Need a place for eveyone in the family to drop their coats, bags, school work, etc? GOT IT!

How about a one of a kind bed for that special little guy in your life? GOT IT!

...and don't forget that special little girl! Yep...that's right...GOT IT! Did I say free? Yep, free.

Needing a new headboard/footboard for one of your bedrooms? GOT IT again!

Laundry Room Clutter making you nuts? She has a solution for you...GOT IT...and it's free too.

Are you getting excited yet? Are your fingers twitching to get out the power tools? Do you have the DIY bug? Keep looking....

Still want more? She's got it. Keep going...

Can you believe how wonderful she is...with hundreds of designs just waiting for you?

Go check her out for yourself at http://www.ana-white.com/. You won't be disappointed.

We've gone to the dogs

Blue eyes and I have two dogs. One is a Chihuahua and one is Shih Tzu. Both are male.

We also have four granddogs. They are all family too.

I thought I'd share them and some of my favorite pics of them.

Please allow me to introduce you to them.

This is Jaden on the day we got him. Adorable.

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.  ~Ben Williams

 

All grown up...and still adorable. 

Snore. He's getting older now and sleeps more.

Shhhhh, don't wake him.

This is Riley. He's sweet but he warms up slowly to new people.

He hates hats so take yours off before he sees it.

This is our granddog, Banky. She is older than dirt, and sweeter than the angels...

...and her brother, our granddog, Tucker.

Grammy adores Tuck. He is a wild man and is always thrilled to see you.

Tuck again. Isn't he cute?

This is our granddog, Cooper. He's a daddy's boy and he is Riley's son.

He does not like to spend the night away from home...ever.

Lastly, but never least, this is Trinity. She's a bit shy and she's her mommy's girl.

This is not Tucker but I could not resist. Tucker would look so cute in it for Halloween.

He loves too dress up with Mom & Dad.

He's all about bundling up to go deer hunting.

If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater... suggest that he wear a tail.  ~Fran Lebowitz

Tuck LOVES the water but can't swim a lick...drops like a stone to the bottom. 

The most affectionate creature in the world is a wet dog.  ~Ambrose Bierce

This is Bailey. He's Riley's son too. He lives with Blue Eyes parental units.

This is a paper mache Haley that my middle daughter, Chelle, made for me years ago.

Haley was a Chiweinie that I loved for 18 years.

Both Haleys were dear to me but both were tattered and tired,

All I have left of them both now are photos.

Kisses for you both.

Kisses for each of you. I love you.

  

Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.  ~Roger Caras


The Heart of Valentine's Day

Beyond the roses, chocolates and historical ties to a pagan fertility festival, you'll find the real meaning of Valentine's Day. It's the true love that compelled a young Christian to give up his life rather than stop sharing his faith.


When we think of Valentine's Day, we often think of red roses, candy in heart- shaped boxes, mushy valentines, and winged cherubs flying about shooting starry-eyed lovers with arrows.


But did you know that the origin of Valentine's Day, or Saint Valentine's Day, comes from the life and death of a Christian martyr? According to author Martha Zimmerman, the date traditionally celebrated as St. Valentine's Day finds it origin in the Roman festival of romance called Lupercalia, when the gods Juno and Pan were honored. It was a fertility festival or a lover's holiday looking forward to the return of Spring. In the fifth century, in an attempt to abolish the pagan festival, Pope Gelasius changed Lupercalia and its February 15 date to February 14 and called it Saint Valentine's Day. Even though the names and the date were changed, the emphasis continued to be on love.


Who was the real Valentine, and why did he have a day named after him?


Some authorities credit Geoffrey Chaucer with originating the custom of linking Valentine's Day with lovers. No link between the day and lovers exists before the time of Chaucer, thus leading some to conclude that it was this famous English author who connected the day with lovers. The fullest and earliest description of the tradition occurs in Chaucer's "Parliament of Fouls" composed around 1380. Since that time it has been traditional to connect St. Valentine's Day with love.

But who was the real Saint Valentine? St. Valentine was a Roman Christian who, according to tradition, was martyred during the persecution of Christians in the third century by Emperor Claudius II. The only thing certain about the day we remember as St. Valentine's Day is that it commemorates a martyrdom. Claudius II declared all Christians illegal citizens. By his definition, they were guilty of treason because Roman citizens were required by law to worship the Emperor by declaring publicly, "Caesar is Lord!" Of course, this no Christian could do.

The real Valentine was a Roman Christian martyred during the third century A.D. by the Emperor Claudius II. Prior to his death, Valentine continued to minister in prison by witnessing to his prison guards. One of the guards was a good man who had adopted a blind girl. He asked Valentine if his God could help his daughter. Valentine prayed and the girl was given her sight. The guard and his whole family, 46 people, believed in Jesus and were baptized. When the Emperor heard about this he was furious that Valentine was still making converts even in prison, so he sentenced Valentine to death.


Just before being led out to his execution, the young Christian wrote a note to the jailer's daughter, signing it, "From your Valentine." The first valentine was really a Christian witness. Growing out of this story we participate in a custom of sending cards to people we love.


Given that the tradition of sending love notes grows out of a letter written by St. Valentine to his jailer's daughter on the eve of Valentine's execution, it's ironic that the card we send has received the emphasis, instead of remembering the content of the original Valentine's card: a message of unconditional devotion to Christ, even upon pain of death.


Over time the word "Saint" has been dropped from St. Valentine's Day, further obscuring the origins of this holiday.

written by Kim Hart

Thanks for sharing Kim!

For the Love of All Things Red

Red is a bright, warm color that brings out strong feelings in us.

Red can create excitement and intensity of emotion.

It says love, warmth, and comfort.

                                     

These words are synonymous with red or represent various shades of the color red: 

blood red, blush, brick, burgundy, carmine, China red, cinnabar , crimson, fire engine red, flame, Indian red, madder, maroon, rose, rouge, ruby, russet, rust, scarlet, tomato, Venetian red, and vermillion. Wow! We have lots of choices in this color.

                                                   

Consider the ways we use the word red in language...redneck...red hot passion...painting the town red...seeing red...red carpet treatment...taking the red eye...in the red...or red flag. 

cookies by Julia Usher

Red is hot.

It's a strong color that conjures up a range of seemingly conflicting emotions

from passionate love to violence and warfare.

Red is Cupid and the Devil.

via Gumps

The use of red in decorating increases hunger and encourages conversation. 

It asks you to come in and stay awhile.

Red has guts .... deep, strong, dramatic. A geranium red.

A Goya red ... to be used like gold for furnishing a house ...

for clothes, it is strong, like black or white.

- Valentino

Use the color red to grab attention and to get people to take action

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Use red when you don't want to sink into the background.

Pottery Barn

Use red to suggest speed combined with confidence and perhaps even a dash of danger.

Use red to say  "I love you...with all my heart."

Happy Valentine Day to all of you!

I wish you love.

Thank you to The Graphics Fairy for the vintage valentine images.