Bloom where you’re planted

10 Friday Sep 2010

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Making the most of where you live is something I’ve never had trouble doing—maybe it’s the Nester in me (or the optimist). I have enjoyed each and every place I’ve lived, but this became especially true once I was able to do what I wanted in the way of decorating. My first apartment was a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom place on Alamitos Bay in Long Beach. I shared the apartment with 3 other girlfriends who happen to work at Disneyland with me. This only whetted my appetite for decorating my living space.

I soon moved into a 1 bedroom place on my own—it’s an only child thing. One of my best friends, Linda, shared my love of creating a comfortable living space and we used to shop weekly for decorative accessories and items that might make a future first kitchen as a married lady (trousseau).

This was one of the first pans I bought and it has lasted me 37 years.

I must have been a child bride!

This is one of the items we used to shop for when my girlfriend and I were anticipating owning our own kitchens one day.

Having lived in my current house these past 28 years (which have flown by) I marvel that I can still think of things I’d like to do to the house but most importantly, I still love where we live.

Part of the reason I’m happy here is the neighborhood itself. For a tract of houses the surrounding area has lots of rural charm. There are plenty of sidewalks to exercise on (walk or jog) and bike trails but there are also some walking trails—Madison, our terrier mix, loves this route best.

Madison is telling me it's time for our weekend walk with Debbie and Jane.

Does she look impatient? Yep!

We have this little stream that runs through a community park---I've been told it's runoff from a neighborhood reservoir

I wonder who carved this chair from a tree stump.

We have fun getting our exercise in this community and I’m thankful I can make time stop to smell the great outdoors once in awhile.

I hope your life allows you time to get out and walk around the neighborhood, smell the roses or sage brush, as the case may be. What do you like about where you live?

Moving the fountain

08 Wednesday Sep 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Gardening, Maintenance, Outdoor living

≈ 4 Comments

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Gardening, maintenance

The other day I needed to do some cleanup work in the atrium (the fig ivy starts growing like it’s attempting an escape during the summer months). After fertilizing and hosing off everything I sat down for a rest and the little gray cells started working on an idea—this only happens every so often so I need to capitalize on it when it hits me.

This vine was perfectly happy in the atrium but I felt it could branch out and grow even larger (be happier) on the patio where our fountain sits.

We have a fountain on our patio that I had purchased many years ago. It’s been a bit of a disappointment due to the sound it makes when the stream hits the water bowl—it sounds like a little boy peeing in the pool. How do I know this sound? I raised sons. If any of you out there in blog land can tell me how to fix this and make the stream sound more like water drops gently landing on a pool I’d be eternally grateful.

The fountain was something I thought would add to our dining enjoyment when we ate on the patio---unfortunately it really took up more space than we had and the sound was not as relaxing as I'd hoped. I believe it will be much prettier in the atrium.

Anyway—the fountain and the 2 large pots I had on either side seemed to crowd the patio a bit and it dawned on me (the day I was working on the atrium) that the fountain might look better in the atrium. It would also stay cleaner since my gardener doesn’t work in the atrium so his blowing of dust and leaves wouldn’t be a factor.

One of the bower vines got a new home on the patio post with this angel doorknocker.

The birds in our yard actually use this birdbath (when it has water in it). I think one of the local sparrows has a crush on the iron bird that rests here.

I’ve moved the bower vines that book-ended the fountain—one is in the atrium and one is on the patio. The calliandra (‘red powder puff’) vine that had been in the atrium is probably going to be a lot happier on the patio—that’s the goal, keep those plants happy.

See, doesn't this vine look happier on the patio?

Now we can listen to the splash of water all through the house.

Have you rearranged any planted items or changed the look of your garden lately?

A trip down memory lane…House Beautiful

06 Monday Sep 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Uncategorized

≈ 21 Comments

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House Beautiful magazine, JoAnn Barwick, simple design

One of the first “shelter” magazines I subscribed to as newly-married homeowner was House Beautiful. About the same time we purchased our first home JoAnn Barwick was brought on board as Editor of House Beautiful.

Isn't this a welcoming entrance?

Wikipedia says: House Beautiful is an interior decorating magazine that focuses on decorating and the domestic arts. First published in 1896, it is currently published by the Hearst Corporation, who purchased it in 1934. It is the oldest still-published magazine in what is known by publishers as the “shelter magazine” genre.

It was launched in the UK in 1989, targeting Middle England. Is that anything like “middle earth”? 🙂

I was very sad when JoAnn Barwick left the magazine in 1991…I felt like a good friend had moved away and I would miss her musings and insights into hearth and home and all that accompanies that. Those of us who share this passion for home I believe we get attached to those who share our love!

The other favorite I enjoyed during those Barwick years with House Beautiful was a feature that was always on the very back page of the magazine called “From Thornhill Farm” written by Dee Hardie. Dee’s images and words about life on a farm were wonderful. She and her husband, Tom, had 4 adult children (although I believe during her time with HB she lost one of her sons) but she shared the joy of children (and eventually grand children), gardening, cooking and family life with such enthusiasm it was like a breath of fresh air each month.

It was a happy surprise when I opened the July/August 2010 issue of Traditional Home to see a wonderful cottage owned by my “friend” JoAnn Barwick and her husband Fred. Her style preference has always been Swedish (she has published a couple of books featuring this style of décor) although she is of Norwegian descent. As you can see in the images, she keeps her rooms simple, understated even, but always warm and welcoming.

All images from July/August Traditional Home magazine.

It’s Back-to-School time!

03 Friday Sep 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Uncategorized

≈ 2 Comments

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Back-to-school, fall, supplies

It seems that no matter where you live there is something in the air around the first part of September—it’s that back-to-school, fall rush of energy that affects so many of us. Like spring’s “new beginnings” I believe it’s safe to say that for many, fall is just as bracing.

School days have been gone from my radar, aside from the traffic jam near University High on my way to work, for 5 years (when Son #2 graduated from college). Still, my internal clock reminds me that it’s that time of year when the excitement surrounding buying school clothes and supplies hits me, as if I were headed to the classroom.

They had me at "Preppy" --- disclosure: I've been a preppy since they came up with the term.

Russel+Hazel has some unique school/office supplies.

I’m clearly not the only blogger that has been bitten by the bug. paper{whites} had a great post on school supplies, as did Content in a Cottage.

Knock-Knock has some fun stamps—maybe more for adults than back-to-school kids 🙂

Knock-Knock is worth a visit.

Reading fellow bloggers musings prompted me to do a Google search of unique office supplies. In addition to the outstanding See Jane Work site I found a couple of others (listed above) that could be dangerous to the stationary/organizing/office geek.

3-ring binders have come a long way!

Have fun and I hope you are ready for class (code for gearing up for fall) to begin.

Rushing towards fall

01 Wednesday Sep 2010

Posted by Karen B. in Fall Entertaining and Decorations

≈ 4 Comments

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fall, seasonal decorating

I have always been more of a fall/winter person than a spring/summer enthusiast. I’m certain there is as much debate (trivial as it may be) about this topic as there is about being a morning person {raising hand} vs. a nighttime person!

Pumpkins at the entry announce the season. Image via Victoria

Don’t get me wrong, I love spring. What’s not to love, right? But I gain a burst of energy at the very thought of fall’s approach.

Persimmons and bittersweet make fall tablescapes a no brainer. Image via Country Living

So it was with much excitement that a fellow blogger, Melissa Michaels at The Inspired Room announced she was hosting her annual Fall Nesting Party.

I love the unexpected use of pumpkins in are non-conforming colors! Image via Victoria

Ornamental cabbage and orange flowers are beautiful in contrast and the centerpiece is low enough for great conversation during the meal. Image via Country Living

Melissa is also a fan of fall so she hosts this annual event where you can link to her site with your fall ideas for decorating. The event isn’t until September 8^th but I’ve started thinking of what I want to do, things I’ll layer on.