Fancy House Stuff

Hi Everyone! First of all, I found this cute dress, worn by a happy elephant. It's a Richard Scary drawing. Isn't it a sweet print? As I told you before, dresses are a rarity around here. The closest I can get to this pretty color combo is the yellow print pants I wore yesterday. Really, I must work on the dress thing and I WILL, as soon as I finish my curtain work for baby Aria.

Speaking of yesterday, Kelli and I went to lunch (so fun!) and then to Ethan Allen because Kelli is working on her living room. Wow! This is fancy house stuff. I took along my little camera and nobody scolded me so I figured it was okay to take a few photos. You'll like these images.

First favorite thing: fine black chair

Kelli said, "Mom, that is NOT cute. It's OLD looking." She actually said this a lot and the decorator that was helping her (also, a granny) looked at me and smiled every time Kelli said it, but this velvet chair was COZY! The decorator said, "Oh, I don't like the way the skirt hangs." I guess I really liked it because it rocks and I like to rock.

I always like plaid and I always like blue.

Here's the fabric Kelli settled on, but the chair was a little hard.

She wasn't sure about the button tufts on this one, but then she sat in it and said, "Oh yeah, this is comfortable." So the fabric above on this chair will arrive in 6-8 weeks. FANCY!

I have always wondered about beds that look this good. I'm still sort of like the kid who says, "Why should I make my bed when I am going to get in it in such a short time?" I make the bed (most days) but I do like the way a slept in bed looks. So inviting. I remember when the kids were little and I was short on sleep. I'd make the bed and fight the urge to hop back into our cozy (and a tiny bit ratty) bed.

Isn't the one above pretty? Don't you love the pencil bed below? I do.

Another fancy bed here.

Even though Ethan Allen does a beautiful job creating fancy interiors, I do like the stone fireplace and the busyness of the photograph above. It's still just a tad fancy though.

I think I'd be happy in this little bakery created by our friend Beatrix, wouldn't you?

Living in the woods holds great appeal.

Or, even a beat-up old cottage. I've been watching Lark Rise and their little hamlet homes are so pretty. I especially like Queenie's house. She offers tea and hospitality beside her warm fire. She's my favorite.

Don't you wonder who lived in this house? Why did they leave it to fall into disrepair? I still like it.


But fancy homes aside (they ARE pretty) the best spot of all is YOUR home, right? I love this Garth Williams illustration of Ma tucking Laura and Mary into their bed in their little house in the Big Woods, don't you?

This Susan Branch illustration says it all. May your tea kettle sing today as you love your happy home.

Home and Happy

There really is no place like home.
My childhood home fueled my heart. Casting my eyes upon the Skagit Valley farmlands, the Guemus Island beaches, and the Cascade mountains gave me a sense of recognition and ownership. I brought home sticks of driftwood from the Guemus beach and I picked up some sticks off the ground up in the mountains, too. I'm going to make crosses out of them and hang them on our wall. I also brought home a handful of rocks from the beach and tomorrow I am going to put them in a special bowl. This time, I was more astonished than ever before that I grew up in such a beautiful place and I loved every moment of my visit. I especially love my family. My parents are my friends. My brothers are kind men. My sisters-in-law are accepting and helpful. My sisters are kindred spirits and my nieces and nephews are super humans. They all live in Washington and I can go and find them waiting, welcoming me and loving me, like only family does. But, now I am reunited with my beloved partner (I missed him SO much) and our kids and the grand babies and I still have a lot of summer left. Yahooo! I am going to parcel out my beautiful photos so I don't bore you, but I do look forward to showing you some regional glimpses of beautiful Washington.
I'm reminded again and again of the grace of our Creator, the personal invitation of the Savior, and the breath of the Holy Spirit as I bask in thankfulness for the people in my life. I find great encouragement as I read your blogs and your comments because I connect to them, feel affirmed by the common life themes, and reassured that there are true souls within easy reach, souls that last forever. May you sense the presence of our holy God in many moments of your day and may you experience mind-boggling assurance that you are deeply loved, deeply known. xoPP

A Swim for Pom Pom

Granny's invited to join the fun! It's Saturday morning swim! Up and at 'em early, I drive up to Brad and April's . . .

Brad and April live in an adorable little storybook village!

Beautiful! Here is Brad and April's pretty house!

The faithful guard dog, Pugsley!

The flowery welcome!

Brad and April's garden

Not many dads crochet for their kids, I know! Brad is a creative dad and husband and whipped up the above softies for CB and Finn!

These are the love notes Brad wrote for April. He put them all over their house to remind her of how precious she is to him.

Isn't this wall mural enchanting? Our friend Beth painted the lovely fairyland scene!

This is where Finn sleeps for naps, but his busy sister makes THIS crib too noisy at bedtime, so he sleeps in another crib in his parents' room! Note the Pug pillow!

CB's cozy bed! She is like her daddy (doesn't really LIKE sleeping!) and can't wait to hop out of her downy nest!

We arrive at the pool.

Look at sleepy Finn!

Swimming pools are FUN! I love the pool where CB and Finn swim! I feel energized by the water and so do April, CB and Finn! The kids are going to be swimmers like their mommy!

Finally, dressed and DONE. Finn usually naps in the morning, so swim lessons (as fun as they are!) interfere with his schedule! Note the tired eyes! It's time to go to Granny and Grandpa's for lunch!

And the fairy ate her lunch!

After taking a delicious nap in the upstairs crib, Finn joined us and crawled around like a champ! Go Finn! We had such a fun morning and afternoon! Next on the schedule for Finn and CB was a trip up to see their other grandpa and grandma. CB looked forward to feeding the horse. Grandma has volunteered to horse sit for a neighbor! Fun!

NEWSFLASH!
Yahoo! Yahoo! Beautiful Rosebud and Scott found out yesterday that they are having a . . . GIRL! So, at the end of November or the beginning of December, we'll have a precious little girlie to hold and cuddle! I can't WAIT! Finn will be one in August and by the time the new granddaughter comes, Miz Bug will be ten months! We are so blessed! Thank you, Jesus!

And today, HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to Bill! He's a VERY committed father, an engaged grandpa and he prays for us with passion. He partners with me and helps me grow. He loves me like crazy and I am overwhelmed with thankfulness.

Today, Birdie and Miz Bug (and their parents!) will join Bill, Jeff and I for a Father's Day dinner! Rose and Scott will come, too! So, I'm off to prepare for all the fun! I'm thinking of my own sweet father today! He will probably enjoy a delicious fish dinner to celebrate! Next week at this time, I'll be with him! I can't wait to plant a kiss on his balding head! He is lovable!

Happy day to all of you!