Kitchen Help

What should we make?

I was in the kitchen the other day, trying to decide what to cook for dinner, when a little Spud came over to help. She had lots of suggestions on what to do make with the bowls.... none of them really edible.

How about a bowler instead?

 

What about a chapeau?

got a mop?

When none of her cooking ideas were accepted by the chefs panel, Spud decided instead to clean the floors.  They were awfully dirty-- this happens when you have a dog.  Seriously, look how guilty Stirling looks: she knows she makes my kitchen floors a mess. 

"What? I am just helping out," they both seemed to say

Happy Birthday, Mom!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! GRANDMOTHER! MOMBO!

I love you and hope that you have a marvelous day!

XXOO

The Office Reveal

Remember this? Well, my office looks like that no longer!  It is very exciting.   I finally finished hanging up (most) of the photos this week and have set up my desk again.  It is nice to have two rooms upstairs completed now.  Both have been transformed, but I have to say that my office is my favorite (so far). It could be that the ceiling is now smooth as opposed to cracked; or the walls aren't beige but a lovely celery green; or that all is fresh and clean!  I am going for the green walls as the main reason. 

with curtains that my sister made for my other condo, moved here

Wanna Come Stay?

The guest room is finally ready!  Now that the photos and pictures are hung and everything is dusted, wiped, mopped, and vacuumed, I can reveal the final outcome! It looks amazing: so fresh and clean!  We are thrilled with the way that it turned out, especially considering how much replastering we had to do.

We also rearranged some of the photos so that the room actually looked decorated vs the "empty nail-throw up photo" look.  I had to wash the Indian tapestry from the hallway since it was covered in plaster dust on top of years of regular dust.  Once I took it down, it was decided that it would look fantastic in the bedroom. (Stay tuned to what I did in the hallway!)  It is such beautiful fabric that seemed to be hiding in the darkness of the hall. No longer!  It is the centerpiece of the bedroom now!

 

I have even managed to find a place for one of Will's mini trees that he has growing for years now.  Tucked away in the corner, getting plenty of light from the new windows, and still not blocking the door into the bathroom.  Perfect! 

Now that all is back in place, the room is ready for guests!  Just don't ask about the en suite... that will be an entirely different project to tackle.

Unexpected Overnight Guest

I am a very light sleeper.  Always have been, always will be.  When I was little and my parents were out for the evening, I would wake up when I heard their footsteps on the stairs as they were coming up to check on us before taking the babysitter home.  It is to the point that I have to go to bed before Will if I am to get any sort of sleep. 

So, when I hear barking outside, coming in waves every 20 minutes, there is no way I will be able to sleep.  The other night, this is just what happened: I am going to bed, Will has followed me up, and as we I am about to turn off the light for the night, I hear our neighbors dog, Angus, barking.  And barking.  And barking. I have been hearing him since 10 pm, and at midnight, I realize that he has been left outside.  Stirling is going crazy since she can hear the barking and knows its Angus. 

I went outside to the neighbors' gate and called Angus' name.  He came running and leapt into my arms.  I brought him inside, gave him a bit of water and some food, and up to bed we went.  He immediately dove under the bed and made himself comfortable.  The next morning, I returned him to the neighbors, who were mortified that they had left him outside.  They have three kids and bedtime for them is a bit crazy.  They have apologized repeatedly and thanked us for taking care of the dog since they hadn't heard him barking.  No worries, we don't mind.  We think it's funny. Angus isn't any trouble either.

And then, last night, as I am going up to bed, I hear the barking outside....  guess who spent the night with us again?

Happy Birthday, Jeremy!

My brother is 40 today.  I can't believe.  Nor can my mom.  Nor Jeremy, really.   I wish him the very best today and for rest of the year.  Not everyone can have a brother as lovely as I have-- one that didn't mind constantly winding up my swyngomatic so I would stay quiet. 

Happy Birthday, Jeremy!  I hope that it is the best!!

My Red Giraffe

I have a thing for giraffes, ever since I worked with them at the Louisville Zoo (now nearly 20 years ago... ack!).  I have stuffed animals, statues, stationary, magnets, pens, pencils, handbags, books, photos, paperweights, jewelry, teapots, coffee mugs, stamps, stickers, socks, t-shirts, ... I think you get the idea.   I love their grace, quietness, demeanor.  They are just amazing creatures. 

I recently moved on from my job after working with the same folks in two different organizations for 12 years.  That is a long tenure in administrative work this day and age.  As a present from a dear friend-- the same lovely lady who drove Stirling to us-- she found me a red giraffe with green hooves and ears.  I am not sure anything could have been better.   He is displayed on the window ledge in the front hall and makes me smile every time I see him. 

Because he is beautiful.  Because I love giraffes.  Because of the memories of time spent with a high school boyfriend who worked at Red Giraffe video.  Because he has green hooves for no good reason.  Because Marian gave him to me.  Thank you, deary.  You are marvelous-- as is your giraffe.