Becolorful

Seasons of Change

 

Fall is absolutely my favorite time of year and I can't believe it is already time to say farewell to it. My dad's birthday was on October 15th and I have always associated the peaking color of the leaves with him and his birthday. This year the colors came later and seemed to last much longer.  I like to think my dad had something to do with that. I seemed to feel him close every time I saw an especially brilliantly colored tree. Now, though, it is time to look forward and enjoy the holiday season. 

I really like Thanksgiving, the least stressful of the big days. Typically,we have had the kids, both of our families, and our traditional 

"Thanksgiving in a box".

Thanksgiving with our parents 2005

This year was different in that our family was sitting around several different tables. Liz and Page were in Missouri, James and Han stayed in Des Moines, Dave and Harriet were in Florida,  Mom was at Elmcrest and Nan was in Ottumwa. So Mike, Adam and I debated about staying here, going to a friend's house or heading to Galena. In the end we decided to celebrate at home. We kicked  off our holiday season with a quiet dinner for three but I think I will always remember this peaceful year fondly. For one thing, after thirty one years of marriage I "cooked" the dinner all by myself. Mike is the cook in the family but he took a back seat this year and Archer Farms and I took over. I've never really gotten into the whole cooking for pleasure thing but I have always loved setting the table. I take a lot of grief for my copious collection of dishes, In fact, I am considered a "dish whore". My Thanksgiving plates are actually among my very favorites.

 

Years ago I saw a picture in a magazine of a Thanksgiving table set with brown Spode and various toile dishes. There was a lot of mixing and matching of odd pieces and I loved that. I decided to try and find something similar and I was lucky enough to find these at TJ Maxx. I have been adding to them for several years, a few here, a few there. Liz found a couple more salad plates for me this year and they were only $2.99 a piece. It just makes me love them even more. 

 

Kicking Back Texas Style

ya down in texas we got our own style
we say "we're fixin' to" in country mile
10 cowboys hats and cowboy boots
we say "howdy yall" well ah, howdy doo
we're laid back crazy 'cause it's understood
when you live down in Texas life is good

~Allman Brothers

After flying down to Texas last week for a business meeting we were able to extend our trip and spend a little extra time with some special friends. Good food, amazing margaritas, Stars hockey,What-a_Burgers, laughing and the heart to hearts with good friends made for a great getaway. Just chillin' Texas style where life is certainly good. 

A Becolorful Bedroom

When we bought our home in Galena, Illinois in 2002 most of the walls were covered in pastel floral wallpapers. One of our first priorities was to remove the paper and I am happy to report that we accomplished most of that in the first year. I wasn't sure, though, how I should proceed. This house was so different from what I had worked with before. I have always had painted woodwork and here I was working with stained trim. I was also intimidated by the vaulted ceilings and open floor plan. Where to make transitions? How much color would be too much color? I freaked and opted for beige! Me? Beige? It was a huge mistake. Last year I followed my heart and took the color plunge and I couldn't be happier. This past weekend I finally got to one of the guest bedrooms. This room had initially been covered with tiny blue and white flowers. Then it went dormant beige for the next six years and now it is Golden Georgia Clay. I tried gold about eight years ago in our Linden house and immediately painted over it. I think it was still too close to the 70's. Now I like this color so much I may try it again back on Linden too.

 

Now I just need to get the window treatments and some larger art work.

 One project always always leads to another.

Only in America

I always hear the SNL just isn't as good as it used to be, but I think it has risen to new heights this year. No matter what your affiliation you have to think this is funny.