Notes from A Cottage Industry

Everything old is new again....

That seems to be true in the case of my friend's choice in appliances for her kitchen anyway.

Mmmm hmmm. Isn't this range stunning?! It's not a vintage piece.

Nope.

It's new. She did in fact buy a vintage range, but when the inspector took a gander at it, he informed her that it would not pass some sort of code. Disapointed, she gave the vintage range to a relative to put in his cabin, where the code wasn't an issue. She then found these amazing new-to-look-fabulously-retro appliances and the rest, as they say, is kitchen heaven history. (She also got a wall oven, and a coordinating fridge, shown here in a not-so-fabulous photo I took, but I wanted to share anyway...at least you cna get the idea of how great they look in her kitchen...oh, and I was lovin' the fact that she had the foresight to think to add a modern day touch- a flatscreen TV in a cupboard that was hard to reach anyway...so perfect for keeping an eye on the football game while cooking the bird and prepping the feast on Thanksgiving.)
Pretty cool, huh?

**On another note entirely, I am thrilled to share thta I have been featured today on Jenny Doh's wonderful Crescendoh site! Check the site out here!**

Turkey Day, Twenty- Ten.

Hope your day is filled with people you love, (regardless the size of the crowd) and all of your favorite foods!

Making a list and checking it twice.

Another pictureless post today.

So... I've been seriously single for the a bit more than four years now. (Wow. Time flies whether you're having fun or not.) It's been a period of growth for me, with lots of changes, both spiritually, (learning to to trust who is really in control of my life...) financially (a job lay off, a career change, and a chance at following my bliss) and physically (moving, and moving, and moving again.) Through all of these changes, I have been flying solo for the most part, only this past year venturing out to attempt (rather feebly at times) entering the boy-girl-dating world. So far, I'm having a whole lotta fun, but still....

My daughter did a blog post that got me thinking. Really thinking. She made a thoughtful and honest list of qualities she wanted in a man, and the idea was that you've got to put it out there before you can find it.

Anyway.

That made sense to me. (You know, I listened and watched the Secret about four years ago, and I feel like it's a way of putting your faith out there.) The truth is, one of my own friends had given me the exact same advice my daughter was given quite a few months ago, but I never really sat down and tried to think about what qualities would be on such a list. The fact is, I wasn't sure really how to make such a list. After all, it's been a million years since I thought about picking a match, and now that I am out there, swimming in the deep end of the dating pool....I'm not even sure my picker still works. (Will I ever meet him? Could he be someone I already know?)

That being said, my daughter's blog post peaked my interest, and got me wondering (hoping?) about the chances of me ever finding my to-the-finish-line special someone. Her blog post was good food for thought. Surprisingly, when I read my daughter's list I realized I was looking for very nearly the same qualities in a man that she was. (Although obviously I am looking at men twenty to thirty years older!) Here was her list, in no particular order, with a few edits and tweaks to make it my own:

Loving and kind hearted

Likes to laugh and have a lot of fun, even if we're only watching TV

Considerate and thoughtful

Smart but not arrogant or too nerdy (aka boring)

Communicative (I'm not a mind reader and I'd like to know what he's thinking)

A family man- if he has kids,even if they are grown kids, he cares about them and takes an active roll in their lives

Must love dogs, (Okay, at least Big Yellow Dogs)

Financially stable, preferably with a job he likes and enjoys

Supportive of whatever I want to do even if he doesn't always "get" it. (and this also covers not being intimidated by the strong independent woman I can be at times, and tolerating the messes I can make while doing a project)

Someone I can completely be myself with.

A man that appreciates the good qualities I have and let's me know it.

Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. Okay, I'm putting it out there. Now, I just need to keep the faith that my picker's not broken.

Cozy-New-Home-Tour first stop...Laundry closet.

Mmm hmm. I am going to be officially all the way moved out of my last place tonight when I slide into bed, and I am ready to begin nesting at my cozy-sized new lil home. I've managed to already get three rooms settled- the half bath, the main bath and the laundry room...er...closet.

Interesting, I went from this Laundry Room to this one and now, to this one in my newest place. When you do laundry for only one person (plus a big yellow dog) you don't need the hooba-booba of laundry rooms like I had back in the day. (Wow. That seems like a million and two years ago, now that I look back.)
I love that the laundry closet is upstairs near my bedroom, and I love that it has such a nice bright light when I need it as I spot clean things.(Still, I may add a sweet lil' lamp for pure ambiance for myself like I did in my cottage on Norman Drive.) Okay, that's about all that I love about it so far. The walls are glaringly white, and I so wish I could warm them up with some paint, but I can't, so I will just have to figure something else out. (And I will.) In the meantime, it looks like me (although I am pretty sure I will be doing something more colorful and creative with my W A S H Letters at some point...) and it is ready to do it's job, and that is a very good start.

Small town love.

If you ask some of my closest friends, they'd say I pretty much live in a fantasy world for the most part.

And, they are right.

Or maybe it's that I am a hopeless romantic. (or maybe I am simply hopeless....?)

Last Saturday night I got to take (yet another) break from moving (did I mention it's my third move in just 11 months? I thought so) to go watch my best buddy's band play. They had a gig out in the teeny tiny town of Mist, Oregon..er....actually in Birkenfeld, Oregon, at the Birkenfeld Country Store (sorry, their website seems to be down right now) to be exact.

We drove nearly an hour and forty five minutes to find this little piece of rural America. From the outside it looked like a Country Store, all right.

This place was a combination liquor-store-mini-market-diner-dance hall, all in one big room. To be perfectly honest, I was a bit leary that there would be any sort of crowd at this place when we arrived. It was pretty much out in the boonies you know, and the decor let you know that this place is very much a hunter's hang out, so trying to picture the place filled with folks wanting to rock out was a stretch.

The band was to play early; from 7:00-10:00, and that was a little unusual as well.

I needn't have been concerned in the least, because by 7:15 there were already about ten people in the place, and by 8:00 the place was jumpin'. Seriously, some of the nicest (And funnest) folks in America clearly live in Vernonia, or Mist, or Berkinfeld, or one of the other teeny tiny spots off the Nehalem Highway near the Berkinfeld Country Store. It was clear that everyone knew where they needed to be on Saturday nights, and this was it. And everyone danced. (My new friend Lu even danced with my best buddy as he played guitar, on her way out the door for some fresh air.)

According to Mike (the owner of the Birkenfeld Country Store) Birkenfeld itself boasts a population of 12. I told him I wanted to move there. Really.

What was so fabulous about this place? Well, it was kinda like a cross between walking into a John Mellenkamp song and that big dance scene in Footloose, if that makes any sense at all. Rural America. The real deal. (okay, the real deal in my fantasy world anyway.) Each time someone came through the door, you'd see everyone in the room give them a smile and wave hello, 'coz they all knew each other. Ages ranged from early 30's to late 80's and that's no joke.

And the couples.

Oh, the couples. There were Lu and Bob, who could literally out dance anyone that has ever been on Dancing with the Stars. (Married 48 years and counting, Bob originally was Amish, or a Mennonite, I can't remember which, and Lu taught him how to dance....little did they know he was a dancing natural!) and Carol and Dick, another couple that were smooth as glass on the dance floor as well. So much fun to watch!

Each time a slow song came up, I'd absolutely swoon as I watched Lu and Bob, and Carol and Dick, along with all of the other rural sweethearts, like little perfect salt and pepper shakers, paired up on the dance floor. Aaaah, be still my heart. I am a sap for anything remotely looking like romance.

Another incredibly romantic slow-dance couple were the Country Store owners. Mike would find his way out from behind the counter, and onto the dance floor, and his adorable wife Windy (Wendy?) would come out of the kitchen or where ever she might be and they'd fall into each others arms for three minutes of swaying and canoodling to the music. Mmmm hmmm. Sweetest thing I've ever seen.

As the evening wound down, the couples began to say their good byes and head home, two by two, ending another perfect Saturday night in this quaint lil' part of rural America, and I couldn't stop myself from feeling oh-so-terribly envious of them. Of their slower pace of life. Of the pure blessing of getting to live in small-town America. (And, in the gorgeous Pacific Northwest, no less!) Of the fact that they had each other to slow dance with, to go home and climb into a cozy bed with, and wake up on Sunday morning with. Absolutely Pea green with envy, and a longing so big it almost made my chest ache, that they have a to-the-finish-line sweetheart to moon over in this seemingly perfect small town life, and all that comes with it.

I get by with a lil' help from my friend..er...BEST buddy.

Yes, I am still in the process of getting all of my stuff moved. If it seems like I keep yapping and chattering about this move and it has been going on for weeks, it's probably because I simply haven't had it within me this time to really rally and get all yippee-skippy-let's-make-this-move-happen. I still have things from my last two moves that I haven't unpacked, or found.

Moving three times in eleven months is more than anyone should ever plan on moving, you know? I mean, it's just plain stressful, even if you're a born-organised person (which I am not) or if you know very far in advance. (which I did not, as I found my cozy new place rather suddenly and had to jump on it, all lickity-spit like.)

Anyway.

Today I was thinking that I was not sure what my least favorite part of moving might really be.

It might be the packing part.

Or maybe it's the unpacking part.

Oh, wait. I am pretty sure my most least favorite part of the entire moving experience would have to be hooking up any and all media things, like the TV and the DVD player to cable, and connecting my new wireless internet up so I could get back online. Yup, that would be it.

Seriously, it's overwhelming in a way I cannot describe to you here. I cross cords. I manage to misplace cables. Remote controls disappear into thin air. I cry. Life is not good.

Lucky for me, my bestest buddy took some pity on me, and came to my rescue, installing my wireless internet (which included a call to the local carrier at nearly midnight) so I can get back to blogging from my own home-sweet-home, and connecting my TV gear up so I will now able to watch Modern Family tomorrow night.

I am seeing a little light at the end of the moving-a-third-time tunnel, and it has wireless internet and cable television, thanks to my best buddy.

Camas Antiques latest window display....

Still in the moving process, but I wanted to pop in and share a quick peek at the latest (and greatest!) window display at Camas Antiques! (If you notice a glare, it is because I took the pictures through the glass...)

Stunning, isn't it? Makes me want to add a spash of red to my all white bedroom for the holidays.....

A lil' peek at my booth space...

Well, it's as good as it's gonna get, in the middle of attempting to move and spruce up my booth space for the holidays, so here are just a few shots of my space at Camas Antiques....

I'll be restocking my booth in a few days, once the dust settles from unpacking a bit.

My movers are coming this morning and tonight Moose and I will be sleeping in our new place, so I'll be sharing pictures soon. The bathrooms, laundryroom and diningroom are already set up, and I am anxious to share my latest little home sweet home with you all!

Veterans Day Twenty Ten.

As a proud American, and even prouder mama of a US Air Force Serviceman, I can't let today get by without remembering our Veterans, serving all across the globe, and here in our nation, protecting our freedom. I've shared the words of my favorite patriotic song before, but here it is again as a reminder:

From the lakes of Minnesota
to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas
from sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston
and New York to L.A.,
well There's pride in every American heart
and it's time we stand and say:

that I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.

 

Camas Antiques gears up for its holiday sale.

Oh yeah, this Friday and Saturday Camas Antiques will be hosting it's Annual Holiday Sale, and it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Just take a peek...

 

Even in the middle of moving, after browsing through the store I got the bug to get busy decorating for the holidays! Also, if you're not looking for season items, there are still many, many items to just add that special touch to any room in your home.... Truth be told, I am dying to have this incredible repurposed coffee carafe turned lamp in my new dining room.... so many delightful treasures...

Oooh yes. I feel a decorating project coming on in my new cozy home.....and I am feeling a lil' touch of the holiday bug myself.

I saw the sea. (And lots of other really cool stuff.)

I got to see the coast of the great Pacific Northwest this past weekend!

Yes, I am well aware that I am in the midst of moving, but I am also acutely aware that life is just too short, and can change in a blink of an eye. When you live alone with a big yellow dog who is not in any sort of rush for you to pack or unpack for him, you learn to go with the flow and enjoy life's little presents, like a mini vacation trip to the coast, even if it does fall on your days off from the bank when you had planned to be packing and schlepping boxes to your cozy new home. You learn that life is about good friends, and fun,laughter, and the sharing first banana split you have had in over 25 years. (Oh. My. Gawd.)
You learn that the boxes will still be there when you get home. (And Moose won't mind at all.)

It was a blustery day, (which I love!) with bits of misty rain on and off, but,in between sprinkles, the weather was magnificent, and perfect for gazing out over the ocean. So beautiful.
We also did a little meandering up and down the street in the lil' town of Lincoln City, (A great place to try new things, as their welcome sign explains...) and once again, Oregon did not disappoint in the category of unusual things to find whilst out and about....windsocks or whirly-gigs anyone?
Floating fish?
Uncle Sam on a tractor?
You name it, and apparently they have it here.

Oh yes, the more I see of the Pacific Northwest, the more I love it. And I love my bestest buddy for showing more of it to me, especially in the middle of my move.

Social butterfly.

Just popped in to share a picture of Moose and his newest Big furry friend....not sure if I've shared it before, but Moose is quite a social guy and loves hanging with the big dogs...and the little dogs...

Monkeying around with my favorite gift box, but with a different twist....er...bow.

Ya, ya... I am in the midst of moving...but last night I took just a few minutes to whip up another aodrable gift box (Remember the last one I did? Made from a generic photo box?) to hold a lil' prezzie for my bestie friend here in Stars Hollow Camas. Amongs other things, we watch quite a bit of TV together, and when I found a card that had a couple of monkeys watching television (The boy monkey with popcorn, and the girl with a magazine, no less...tell me that wasn't meant to be!) I had to buy it. I cut the picture from the card, matted it with a background paper...(As always, click on the photos here to see them enlarged for better viewing of details)
and glued it on top of a ribbon going across the top of the box (I used my glue gun to secure the wired ribbon). I then glued a second ribbon to the botom of the box and tied tow bows this time, one on each side..... I added a little personalized statement to complete the box top's look....and of course I put something in the file pull.
These boxes are just my latest most favorite thing (and I can't get over how classic the black always looks!) for doin' up presents, 'coz the possibilities are endless for the themes you can create, and they are so nice and sturdy. An added plus is that your recipient can then use the box for something else later...and think of you each time they look at it.

Okay, back to what I am supposed to be doing now...

Deja' vu...

Is it just me, or did I just do all of this a very short time ago?

I kinda feel like Bill Murray in Groundhog's Day.

Wanna have's vs. Gotta Have's.

There is a difference, you know.

I used to think I had to have a lot of stuff...favorite dishes, (I had more than seven sets at one point in time, you know...) a dozen coats, winter bed sheets, summer bedding, more pairs of high heels than I care to admit here....I could go on and love on. Now, with my move underway to a more...um...shall we say...compact...or...cozy home size, I have had to face the realiity that there simply isn't room for an over abundance of certain items.

Yesterday was the day that I had that rather harsh "aha moment" about my reality.

And...it wasn't pretty.

At first I thought I'd just find a way to organize it all...in the garage, or under the bed..someplace. But, if the garage was full of my over-flow of treasures there would be no room to paint furniture..and my livelyhood partially depends on that, so...that was that. I needed to pare it all down.

I had myself a wee-little-pity-party-melt-down right there in the empty diningroom of my new place, and I hope my new neighbors didn't hear me sniffling and sobbing and asking God what I was supposed to be learning here. It didn't help matters any that my day was off to a not-so-great-start by having a really bad hair day and wearing my jeans that make me feel like like the Goodyear Blimp...(Hey, when I have a pity party I can really get on a roll, in case you didn't know that.)

Once that was out of the way, I knew what had to be done. It's a new adventure, after all. A challenge. An opportunity to bloom where I am planted. Again.

Storage space is at a premium in the new place, and that is especially true in the kitchen. There is simply no place to store things like a chocolate fountain, a fondue pot, an extra ten or so pots and pans, seventeen old dictionaries, or 24 champagne flutes. I've had to scrutinize what items I really need to have verses the stuff I want to have.

One thing I am learning very quickly is that, if I'm creative and clever, (And I am.....) I can do more with less. I can do with the essentials in my kitchen for everyday, and store my champagne glasses in a moving box in the garage, on a shelf for easy access when needed for that only once in a year Easter Brunch I will want them for, if I cannot bear to donate them. I can cook up just about anything with my three favorite pots and pans and my electric griddle...(I just sold the extra pots and pans on Craigslist yesterday) I just need to think outside of the box, and remember that it's only stuff.

I am realizing that there are actually far less gotta have's than I once would have thought, in order for me to feel like a place is...home. Still, it is hard to decide what treasures get to stay and which little gems will need to find their way into my booth space at Camas Antiques, or go to one of my daughters homes. Little by little I am figuring it all out.

It's funny, I never really knew that all I really needed was a big yellow dog, some scented candles, family pictures, and one set of really crisp white bedsheets to make my place look, smell, and feel like home....but...then again, maybe I did know this all along. It just took moving to a smaller space to remind me.