Happy Thanksgiving!

For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food,
For love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.

--Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882)

Happy Thanksgiving!

The painting is by Anna Mary Robertson Moses, "Over the River to Grandma's house", 1947

Thanksgiving a Week Early

Next Thursday I'll have the joy of sharing the Thanksgiving table with family I love and who love me back. The day after starts the holiday season. Crazy as it may be, the whole month is full of kind gestures and gifts - a constant reminder of being loved and cherished.

A recent email from Meg of Pigtown Design reminded me that this experience is not shared by everyone. Blogger and treasure finder extraordinaire in her free time, by day Meg is the Director of Development for Woodbourne, a private non-profit dedicated to the treatment and education of children who are in great need. While the staff at Woodbourne provide so many things for the children in their care, they do not have the budget to purchase any birthday or holiday presents. They depend on us for that.

Here's an excerpt from Meg's email:

"The boys really want hoodie jackets, especially in sizes XL and XXL – the bigger the better – and anything with a sports team logo, especially Ravens gear! The kids while away the hours between school and activities with hand-held electronic games. They spend time watching videos and DVDs, but they should be suitable for kids, like box sets of TV shows. Wrist-watches are a big thing with the kids here, since they can’t have cell phones to tell the time. Also, basketballs, footballs and Nerf-type balls are always popular.

Think back to your childhood and remember how you anticipated the holidays. Unfortunately, most of the children in our care have not had this experience. They come from families in desperate poverty and from abusive homes. Please open your heart and help Woodbourne make this a happy holiday for our children."

Donations can be sent to or dropped off at: 1301 Woodbourne Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21239

Cash donations can be made at the Woodbourne site HERE.

Please consider joining me in donating to Woodbourne and Giving Thanks a week early. I know that Meg, one of best value shoppers out there, will make the most out of any and all donations.

Halloween - circa 1981

As I write this post, my 16 yr old son is having a Halloween party in the other room. Coincidentally I came across this photo while cleaning out the basement today. Here I am w/my fellow senior friends at our high school Halloween party. I'm the one in the "punk-rock-camouflage" costume. Not sure what to say about my get up...although I remember this was a really fun party.

Living the Dream - Only to Have it Crushed

He was up in cental NY just to have my car serviced at the place where we buy all our Saabs. The phone rang.
"Claude's got this great convertible..."

We already have 3 Saabs (albeit one is quite old) and we don't need another one.
I looked at the picture they emailed me. He looked so happy. He promised he'd wear sunblock every time he drove with the top down.
To my own surprise, I said, "GET IT - Life is short!"

Then the phone rang at Tired Iron Saab. The guy who had first dibs on it called with minutes to spare to say he decided he wanted it.

The phone rang here. "The other guy got it."
age 47 - living the dream, if only for 15 minutes.

Do You Have a Fly Swatter?

Am I crazy to ask this question? Will I lose readers just at the thought of a squished fly on a swatter? (expecially since my friend Lisa reminded me a rolled up newspaper works great and can be thrown out.)

Well, I do have a fly swatter courtesy of attending a really fun wedding at a farm in central New York. As you can see, the handle notes the wedding date.

It came with a cute and creative poem -

Mike and Adrienne wanted to get married on a farm because of the memories and all the country charm. They were worried the flies would annoy their guests so use this fly swatter to put a few to rest!

(p.s. the marks on the poem sticker are not from flies!)

In the D.C. area, flies really aren't a problem and we rarely have them. My fly swatter is tucked away in a hidden area - typically used only when a wasp or bee somehow finds its way in.

As a kid we had a fly swatter hanging up in discrete area off our kitchen. We had no air conditioning and alot of flies that were quite crafty at flying in when we were going in or out the door. Although instead of the swatter we much preferred the entertainment of watching my Dad catch flies in mid-air with his hands!

Here's a Daisy fly swatter from etsy - here.
This etsy Flip-flop fly swatter is fun. The fly is fake. ( here)

So, was this question too crazy or is there a fly swatter somewhere in your house, on your porch or cabin in the woods? Note: no actual flies were harmed in the making of this post.

Marija Stephens: Luminous

I have just returned from a business trip and don't have the spirit yet to write about design. My mind is on Marija of Holding Court. I am heartbroken for her husband, her children and all her family and friends. There have been beautiful tributes to Maria in the blog world and I want this post of rememberance to always be a part of this blog.

We only met last month. Within the first half-hour I had invited her to my home in September and she had accepted. We laughed, shared stories and agreed on so much. How can only 7 hours of time together and a month of emailing create such a deep impression?

I am left with one conclusion: some people, by their very nature, are more. They are greater in joy, brighter in intellect, bigger in spirit, and filled more with love. Marija was one of those people.

I have also found that these most gifted of people are the most humble; the least aware of their excellence; the most generous with their wit and humor; the most capable of making you feel good and valued just by being around them. They live optimistically and with abundance, freely sharing their goodness. Marija was very gifted in all these ways.

Luminous.


(Marija's husband has written a beautiful piece about his wife here. Donations in Marija's name can be made to Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago.)

A Virginia Gentleman's Study & A Sale

A few weeks ago I wrote about the extraordinary home of a very creative woman (here and here) Now I'd like to share the photos from her husband's study- an equally fascinating and intriguing space. Entering the room you immediately sense that this is someone who is passionate about history and completely at home surrounded by collections and personal mementos. I don't think it would be possible not to be entertained and informed after spending a day in this room.
Organized abundance - for me it's a very pleasing look.

Cannons standing guard. Notice the stately landscaping at the entry of this home.
Love the red and white shades on these sconces. Hope you enjoyed the peek into this amazing study.

On another note - A Sale:

I was recently contacted by Annie Groer, former Washington Post Home section writer about an upcoming "Get It Gone" parking lot sale at 4912 Del Ray Avenue, Bethesda, MD this Saturday, April 17, from 7 am until noon. (*Rain Date is April 24. For updates go to Capital Consignment)

Extraordinary Home: Part 2

There is so much to share from this home and the gardens that I plan to do it in installments. I think of this house like a wonderful confection - to be savored a bit at a time. At this welcoming back entry you are greeted by a pink heart enscribed with the word Love. The door is wonderfully framed by the shutters and the arch.
Umbrellas and hats to your right...
and croquet mallets and jump ropes to your left!

A kitchen counterscape of lovely things.
The gorgeous porcelain box holds tea.
A microwave and wall oven marries with the art on this wall.
I really fell for these beautiful seascapes by artist Radford Wine.
Collected treasures on a gorgeous wood desk.
The faux bois piece was the owned by the late Bill Blass.
More whimsy; a little modern blue chair sized just right for a grandchild.

The view from the upstairs to the main entry. Light and fresh even on what was a very overcast day. Notice the two croquet mallets here too.
A bookscape of pink and orange, arranged almost as a present. More to follow in the coming weeks from this original home.

Sneak Peek into an Extraordinary Home!

What happens when an extraordinary person whose creativity and tremendous joy for living is expressed in her home? Well, yesterday I had the pleasure of finding out when I of visited one of the most beautiful and unique homes I have ever seen! Here's just a sneak peak to start with.
Above, lions from Beacon Hill standing guard at this writing desk filled with mementos and treasures.
A pink glass ball, just so, setting off this gorgeous blue and cream striped sofa. I didn't notice it the first time I entered the room so it was unexpected fun to come across it the second time.

Hats on chairs remind the cats where to sit and where not to. Philippe Starck - yes, Queen Anne chair - no. Come back tomorrow for more of this whimsical and joyful home - there is so much more beauty to share. And, thank you to Wanda Crossley of Matthews House & Garden and to the wonderful homeowner for sharing it all with me! It was a privilege.

Changes in 2010

I have been caught in a time warp as 2009 ended and 2010 began. As my husband reminded me today, I haven't been out of the house in 4 days. All good things - reading, hot chocolate, watching movies with the kids but still...I've felt suspended in time.

This picture of my dining room was taken last year, January 2009. 12 months later and the only thing that is the same is the yellow wall color (bright, I know). My grandmother's dining room table is in the basement, the shutters from my husband's family home are in the next room, the Pottery Barn chandelier replaced, and new baseboards have been installed.

However, it still needs help and I'm not quite sure what I'll do. Next post I'll show the current state, maybe you can give me some insights?

Sensing my angst, my husband wrote me a poem. Check out the last line - he really knows me!

Spaces by Dan Carroll

We live in spaces
Soft Warm Bold
Something makes us long
For spaces we know.
The things we remember
The tray on the table
The knob on the door
These things that we use
And love and adore.
If I could live in the perfect of places
With all of my friends I remember their faces
It would be a place where I’d love to stay
As long as I could change it 3 times a day.

County Plow - Not Needed When You've Got 15 Neighbors with Shovels

On our no-outlet loop street, we understand why we're always dead last on the list to get plowed. Even when they do come, County plows often get stuck on our steep road. So, as we did in 2003, we all got together and dug ourselves out! Here's the view from my house first thing this morning.
One hour later we've cleared this down hill section and rounded the corner...
another hour later to meet up with our neighbors who came down the other side...

to join up in the third hour to clear the final 100 yards to the "main" street.
Here's the view looking up to our new, snow-banked Y intersection. Hats off to all the neighbors on our street - we did a great job!

Now, time to sit in the newly made igloo and sip a cup of hot buttered rum.

Over the River...& Congrats to Turkey Trot Winners!

Over the river, and through the wood, to Grandfather's house we go;

The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh through the white and drifted snow.
Over the river, and through the wood -Oh, how the wind does blow!

It stings the toes and bites the nose as over the ground we go.
Over the river, and through the wood,To have a first-rate play.

Hear the bells ring, "Ting-a-ling-ding",Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!

Over the river, and through the wood Trot fast, my dapple-gray!

Spring over the ground like a hunting-hound,For this is Thanksgiving Day.
Over the river, and through the wood -And straight through the barnyard gate,We seem to go extremely slow,It is so hard to wait!
Over the river, and through the wood -Now Grandmother's cap I spy!
Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done? Hurrah for the pumpkin pie

and Congratulations to my son and daughter who each placed 2nd in their age category in the Christ Church Arlington Turkey Trot! Great job R & J!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

(This Thanksgiving song originally appeared as a poem written by Lydia Maria Child in Flowers for Children, volume 2, in 1844. The painting is by Anna Mary Robertson Moses, "Over the River to Grandma's house", 1947)

A Grocery Store Moment...

After going to the bank, I dropped by the grocery store. There I was at the self-checkout lane, taken aback a bit when I noticed the issue of Southern Accents I was buying was costing more than expected. All of a sudden I felt a chaotic but happy presence approaching. You know the feeling - when you sense someone is coming up behind you.

From the corner of my eye I saw arms outstretched and flailing as groceries were spilling out onto the self-checkout lane next to mine. A package of frozen-something landed in my lane. The person, with the happy-chaotic energy, started to say something charming...

"How cute" I thought to myself...

I looked over towards him. It was my husband! "Danny it's me" I said. A huge smile flashed across his face. We started to laugh and reached out and held hands. Love at first sight, all over again, at the Harris Teeter checkout lane.

These images via Canadian House and Home, Designer Holly Dyment, photography by Michael Graydon. The colors in these rooms look like how I feel. For more of Holly Dyment's work to to her site, Holly Dyment.

Over the River and Through the Wood...

Over the river, and through the wood, to Grandfather's house we go;

The horse knows the way to carry the sleigh through the white and drifted snow.
Over the river, and through the wood -Oh, how the wind does blow!

It stings the toes and bites the nose as over the ground we go.
Over the river, and through the wood,To have a first-rate play.

Hear the bells ring, "Ting-a-ling-ding",Hurrah for Thanksgiving Day!

Over the river, and through the wood Trot fast, my dapple-gray!

Spring over the ground like a hunting-hound,For this is Thanksgiving Day.
Over the river, and through the wood -And straight through the barnyard gate,We seem to go extremely slow,It is so hard to wait!
Over the river, and through the wood -Now Grandmother's cap I spy!
Hurrah for the fun! Is the pudding done? Hurrah for the pumpkin pie

Thank you to all my teachers from Owasco Elementary School in Auburn, NY who faithfully every year had our whole class sing this song right before Thanksgiving break! Thank you Mrs. Northrup, Mrs. Chapin, Mrs. Burgette, and Mrs. VanArsdale for all the wonderful memories. You were the best! Michele, your grateful student from the 1970's.

Happy Thanksgiving!

(This Thanksgiving song originally appeared as a poem written by Lydia Maria Child in Flowers for Children, volume 2, in 1844. The painting is by Anna Mary Robertson Moses, "Over the River to Grandma's house", 1947)

This Morning I Was Here...

This morning I was in the idyllic village of Skaneateles, NY.

Now I'm home but wishing, just a bit (o.k, a lot) that I was back there. This happens everytime we return to Central New York.

But I have discovered the cure and it involves repeating the following phrase over and over again, "Remember the winter weather, remember the winter weather..."

However, in summer it's the best! Hope you enjoy these photos.


The Thayer House

High up on the 3rd floor, this sailboat caught my eye.

The Sherwood Inn - this is where we had dinner before the Senior Prom. I grew up in the next town over, Auburn, NY (the subject of a previous post)

Love to peek down driveways to see the carriage houses.

Usually houses with Mansard roofs scare me - but not this one. These homes look out onto the lake.

One of the town's many bakery shops - love this entry.

LOVE the gothic architecture in the house below - do NOT LOVE the color selection or the bricka-bracka add-on white wrought iron...

Slate sidewalks - very typical of Central New York towns

Even the library is cute!!

It seems that Parishioners leave out the bounty of their gardens for those passing by. This was all that was left by 8 p.m.