Thursday Text: Little Women

I finally finished reading Little Women! It was so wonderful - a true gem of a book. Here is another of Marmee's wise quotes:

Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful, old age will bring few regrets, and life become a beautiful success, in spite of poverty.

Baby James

I can post this now that I have met my new nephew! James arrived on May 3. This is the card that I made for him (and my sister).

Christopher Wren

I'm sure you know that Christopher Wren was an architect who designed many of the churches in London after the great fire, including St. Paul's. What you may not know is that there is a Christopher Wren church in Fulton, Missouri, that houses the Winston Churchill Memorial. We visited it last week, and I was again struck by the beautiful simplicity. I love that the interior is so light and white, and the chandelier is really gorgeous.

Friday Featured Art: Billy Jacobs

The primitive folk art by Billy Jacobs is somewhat trendy these days, but I can't help but be drawn to some of his paintings. We saw this one, called Olde Homeplace, in a little shop in Arrow Rock and almost bought it because it looks a lot like our house did before it was painted. It's looking a little better now...

Thursday Text: sisters

My sister is arriving for a visit today!

A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost. -Marion C. Garretty

Williamsburg Table Linens

OK, this isn't the greatest picture, but it's all that I could find. I posted previously about a little shop in my town called White Horse Antiques. One of the things that they carry that I really like is Williamsburg table linens. The napkins and quilted placemats are reversible. I usually just buy one napkin and then use it in the center of my table. This picture's from another store, but this is one of the patterns that I bought - and how cute is that round placemat?

Decorative Chairs

Did you see this project in the April issue of Martha Stewart Living? These chairs are so fun - they took apart IKEA chairs and plastered decorative paper on the back. I like that it adds interest without being overwhelming.

Yellow Fields

It was a busy weekend - Tony graduated on Friday night, so we had family here to help us celebrate. It is a lovely time of year in mid-Missouri. This is one of the fields out behind our house. In May it blooms a carpet of buttercups. Can you believe the color?

Friday Featured Art: Steve Songer

Steve Songer is a Utah artist who has pieces at one of the galleries where Joe has work. Steve was also our high school art teacher! He mostly works in oil and usually depicts western places. This one is called Wind River Spring Thaw. My dad backpacks in the Wind Rivers every year, so I especially liked this one. Beautiful mountain scenes get me every time.

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day - Geranium

The other night we were at the local natural foods store, and I was reminded of some soap that we used to have. Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day in geranium scent. I really loved the scent. The line of environmentally-friendly products also includes dish soap, all-purpose cleaner, laundry detergent, a lovely candle, etc. (And it's much cheaper than Caldrea.) I may have to look into this again...