Shopping my Closet

 

The wonderful thing about living with seasons is that we get to switch out our wardrobe every 6 months or so. Or am I the only one who can hardly wait for the change?

One morning I decided this is it. I have to see what my options are. I was not planning on a post. This is just an exercise that helps me not to stand in my closet and say I have nothing to wear. If I take pictures, it helps me realize, that I have options. 

So, when I looked at these, I realized that I could share another "9 pieces / 9ways"... for old times sake. Please don't roll your eyes. The only thing to make this combo 9 pieces, is that I would have to switch out the goldish t-shirt for the pink and not wear the blue hoody under the jean jacket. But, all in all, this is a little taste of variety that, as you can see, could be mixed up even more. This includes an outfit for travel, casual cream colored jeans, no wrinkle palazzo pants,  and a skirt that is handwashable/no iron. Packing to go to a warm place, I could add a sundress and a pair of jean shorts. 

When the Designer Showed Up

Earlier this year I posted a tour of this little house,

but I thought it might be fun to do an update on that.

I want you to note what's on the porch.

Natalie texted me one day and asked me what my budget would

be to decorate the playhouse. 

I was a bit at a loss, no idea what would be needed,

but I figured $100 should be reasonable, 

happy to give her a project.

A little while later, she sent me a video, showing me what

she had bought for $98!

I couldn't believe what she had pulled together!

On the day she came over, Evy was with her, wanting to help.

I gave her a pail with soapy water and she was happy to scrub the steps.

I didn't stick around to watch the process

because I looked forward to the reveal.

So, coming in through the front door ...

I was asked to take off my shoes ...=)

There was a super soft carpet with a bean bag in one corner.

(that door goes right through to the back porch)

On the right side where the steps go up,

she had a catch all basket for blankets, etc.

(which came later)

and notice the framed pictures of cousins.

When you look up from that first floor,

you see the rope ladder going to the front loft.

With no electricity in there, she made use of

battery operated string lights.

The landing coming up the stairs.

And the loft, where she was just finishing up.

It's amazing how much fun a Dollar Store 

and some creativity can provide for a teen ager!

I'm not really sure who enjoyed this more, she or I, 

because I sure loved seeing how she took her job seriously.

She had a blank slate and made it a cozy, welcoming place.

We've enjoyed giving other grandmas and grandpas tours

and have come to see that there's a child that loves to dream -

still living inside all of us!

❤❤❤

 

Mom Jeans

When I named this blog, I didn't realize how much of life 

is truly defined by seasons.

Take for example ... jeans.

My favorite jeans in my teens were tight, flared, high waisted Seafarers.

Since then, between low rise, boot cut, boyfriend jeans, 

embellished, cropped, and stretchy fitted or legging style jeans ...

I continually find myself looking for that illusive perfect pair

that never stays perfect forever.

We see today's relaxed trend going high waisted, with a looser fit ...

a style that looks cute on young girls,

but maybe, if we try,  us older ones can work with it as well.

What I want to know is why they call them MOM jeans.

Which mom are they talking about? 

Certainly not the moms of today's teens

maybe not even their grandmas.

So I tried on these Mom jeans from H&M

 and they have a different feel,

a flashback to how I envision my mom in pants.

Simply put, they feel, "mom-like" ...

much like the plain old jeans of the past,

not fitted, stretchy - showing every curve. 

The only part they hug is the waist,

especially when cinched with a belt

which is why tuck in or cropped tops work well.

I went for the casual, comfy look

and then tried dressing them up just a bit.

A jacket, a frilly top, a scarf, different shoes ...

you can never underestimate the finishing effect of shoes.

Seeing options, gives one confidence 

and confidence goes a long way to feeling comfortable.

A new pair of jeans is good in every season.

I'll keep them.

PS ... This really is a good exercise. Put on a pair of jeans, pants or a skirt and shop your closet for as many combinations as you can find. Take pictures for future referrence. You may be surprised what you'll come up with when there is no pressure to go anywhere. 

First Christmas in this House

Although our first Christmas in this house is not at all what I had imagined,

I have been surprised by how I've still enjoyed preparing our home,

even if just for ourselves.

However, if I share some here, I guess it's not just for ourselves anymore.

And if this looks confusing,  we did put up two trees!

When we put up this tall artificial one in November 

I did not expect that the dining room would not be used this Christmas.

Something that has given me cause for some sadness,

while at the same time, having to remind myself that

we had Thanksgiving,

and to be extra thankful for that! 

I have loved working in my kitchen,

and have had many opportunities to touch base with loved ones

through drop off treats ...

whether is was games, puzzles, cookies,

cookie dough or crafts to make. 

And, since last Thursday,

Tehya has moved in to spend her Christmas break with us! 

This girl, who has brought so much joy into our lives,

is a constant reminder to me of how quickly time passes

and not to take the moments for granted.

Eighteen years ago I was so happy and content to hold her in my arms

and, in what seems like almost no time,

Papa's teaching her to drive,

I'm teaching her how to glaze cookies

and she's teaching us how to make use of our smart house

and Siri functions. 

I'm realizing that things are different in many ways,

but not in the ways that really matter.

We are learning that Christmas is not just about getting together,

it is not just about traditions -

it is about entrusting our lives to the One who 

knew we needed a Savior to save us from certain death,

One who showed us grace, mercy, and love ...

which is what Christmas is about. 

How much more than at this time

do we realize we need help,

we need good news,

and we have it in a long ago story -

still relevant for today.

Wishing you that joy and peace.

♥️♥️♥️

Welcome May

With the changes in how we do life, 

I've had some time to follow up on a few wall decor ideas I've seen -
for the house that we may finally move into this month! 

When I could not find a suitable window type picture frame online,

Kristal gave me a name of someone who 

ended up showing me around her barn full of old windows and furniture.

It actually felt like part of an HGTV set and

would have been a lot of fun to poke around in with a friend.

However, I knew what I was looking for and didn't linger too long.

I took the window home and scrubbed and scraped.

 It cleaned up nice. 

When we got married in 1975 

we would not have dreamed that one day we'd be able to scan our photos.

And since the photographer owned the negatives,

we thought we'd never get another chance to reproduce them.

In fact, we chose four copies of one of our photos,

so that we could pass them on to our kids one day.

(in case we'd have four kids!) 

It wasn't this one because I didn't like it at the time. 

This is a small glimpse of how time and perspective have changed things.

We have limitless possibilities with photos,

such as printing a regular poster of any photo. 

And, for the record, for some reason

the carefree and joyful moment caught in this scene

has become one of my favorite captures of that day.

Choices and Decisions

I've said it over and over these days,

any day we make a decision is a successful day.

Who knew there were so many choices?

Most can be quite fun. Some more tedious ...

and I remind myself that in the end it really will not matter.

I had a deja vu moment this past week as we laid things out on the floor,

a reminder of how we built this family home thirty three years ago ...

planning pretty girls' rooms and a little boy's room.

It leaves me in awe and wonder of the seasons of life. 

The colors are more subdued this time around,

but just as fun, if not more.

Thirty three years ago we wallpapered the whole house ...

which was a pain to get rid of over the years.

Believe it or not, we are looking at papering a few walls again.

Tile samples are taking up office space ...

Actually everything that goes on floors ... 

has had its turn on the floor here.

Coordinating old and new.

I keep many pictures (such as above) for inspiration ...

reminders of what I saw, where and when ...

plumbing fixtures, lighting, knobs, rugs and finishes.

I think we're on the home stretch and

so looking forward to seeing how it all comes together!

The inside, the outside, the yard ...

oh ... still more decisions!

I'll be back. 

Accents that Make me Happy

This is my view from my kitchen eating area into the family room ...

and I want to share some small tweaks that came about over the past few weeks.

Maybe I should have taken some before pictures, but

I was just too eager to replace the old(er).

The family photo we had over the mantle was outdated, with three kids missing,

so I'd been thinking of getting a wall verse.

My only fear was that putting this light colored art on the dark painted wall

would look too stark,
but once I added the wreath with the dark berries

and scattered an assortment of light colored cushions 

on the dark couches ... it felt good.

This may sound easier than it is, but it took me several tries.
(It's a good thing stores are good with returns)
Marrying the colors and styles of an old home with updated accents
is harder than starting with a clean slate,
but it is still a fun challenge. 

A couple of plants made their way into my grocery cart 

and they were just what was needed for color.

For perspective ... the black cabinet is right behind the couch.

The huge clock in our eating area was added last year,

via a Hobby Lobby gift card for my birthday. 

This was the beginning of a switch in wall decor. 

And the plaque ...

well if it gets you singing it has fulfilled it's purpose. 

♡♡♡

Ready to Go

I know I'm getting a little old for this,

but don't we all wish we could peek into our friend's suitcases?

Women, no matter how we feel about our age in numbers, 

the young inside does not leave.

I saw this in my mother-in-law who, at 93,

asked me to stand up so she could look at my outfit. 

Our trip begins with a 2:00 am flight that takes us through 13 hours of night.

It's dark the whole time because we cross the international date line and skip a day. 

I am wearing jeans with some stretch, a T-shirt
and a soft sweater that feels like a cozy blanket around me.

Comfy shoes and a big bag that can fit a book, a magazine, socks, glasses, some make up,
a brush, wallet, phone and travel documents, 

In many parts of Indonesia it is disrespectful to wear a sleeveless top in public.

So I have packed sleeveless tops for indoors and in the right places
but have added several options to wear over top.

These include items that do not need laundering after one wear,

 a thin cotton lace jacket, a trendy kimono type top with crocheted edges,

and a large, lightweight, floral print scarf that can be worn different ways
 and looks like a kimono when thrown over the shoulders.

For fun there is a jean vest that can jazz up a dress
or change up the overall look of a boring long skirt.

An elegant, loose layered silk top is a modest and pretty addition that is easy to

hand wash, wring well and air dry.

I usually plan ahead on what jewelry to take and
noticed, when I dressed for these photos, that

I could get away with the same necklace for all of these combinations.
I can add something yet, but that makes it easy.

Now I'm just looking forward to the adventure!
Hopefully I can check back in from there.

Tis the Season

The doorbell rang as I was making dinner.

When I opened the door the delivery person was back in his truck

and the first brown boxed parcel was laying on the mat.

I felt a mix of wonder and excitement . . .

even if I did order it . . . whose gift arrived?

The lights on the timer go on outside . . .

While inside I'm enjoying the greenery.

I love wreaths hung on picture frames, knobs and doors.

The nativity scene on the mantle is another favorite  . . .

as are all of my sheep

and angels.

This year, in Indiana, we purchased this battery operated canvas picture.

The candles light up and flicker. 

While this centerpiece, with some sprucing up,  has been part of most of our married life.

This year, I set it inside a black metal tray that I brought  up from the basement 

and left it as it was.

Candles, berries, pine cones 

And birds perched on the window sill garland . . .

are just some of the simple joys of the season!