The Gypsy Wagon

Coffee Cup

This is my LIFE  - day three.

There's a Lyle Lovett song, called "I've been to Memphis" that starts with the words

The sun comes up

in a coffee cup

Waitress please, I've had enough. . .

Years ago (like 9  years ago), I couldn't get that phrase out of my head.  It demanded to be made into a quilt, and so I did just that.  I pulled out bits and pieces of scraps of browns, blues, yellows and oranges - and then went to my local fabric store and found the border print that seemed made for this. That's where I found the swirly brown print that looks just like my coffee as the cream is stirred in. 

I drew a funny little sketch and then set to work - figuring it out as I went along.  I won't say I was obsessed with this project, but I will say that I got little else done during its construction.  Oh sure, my children ate and were reminded to brush their teeth and all, but I don't remember worrying about the laundry or any other silly incidentals during that time.  Cullen was a baby then, and when my big two went off to preschool, he'd watch me sew like a madwoman until it was time to pick them up.  I didn't have my Bernina then, and my sewing machine was barely up to the task of the freemotion quilting surrounding the coffee cup.  I broke more threads, more needles and had more knots on the back of this quilt than I had before or since. And although I can't remember precisely - I bet there was some swearing under my breath as well. I just couldn't get my machine to cooperate with my vision of those lyrics. 

In the end, it was all good.  The tension is sporadic, the colors uneven and there are things I probably should have done differently in terms of composition.  But I don't care.  I love that song, and I love this quilt.  I love the sculpy coffee bean buttons that Lara made that surround the saucer.  I love that it's uneven and quirky and primitive.  But mostly I love it because it was one of those things that demanded to be made.  Lotta power in that song, wouldn't you say?!

Afterschool special

This is my life - day two.

And this is about as representative of my life as it gets! Here I wait in my car while 5 middle schoolers buy slurpees - an afterschool treat for one last hurrah of a warm day.   

This was actually a really nice moment - seconds after I took this shot, all 5 middle schoolers came out of the 7-11, laughing and talking in the sunlight on this warm October day.  I'm glad I was still enough to appreciate it.

October, October - I love you so

Oh I do love October!  It's the most magical of months - the leaves are changing hue, the light is golden, the nights are cool, and change is in the air.

Morning glories aren't typically an October image, but I needed to show mine before they gasp their last breath and are pulled down until next year.  When we moved in, this sweet little garage had nothing around it , except the peony that you see to the right of the door.  It had been mowed over, and looked like a bunch of dried stalks.  This spring, we added the coleus, the hydrangea, the window boxes, the hanging geranium (now defunct, but providing a support for the morning glory).  I hung an old twiggy wreath above the door, and hoped for a bird looking for the perfect spot for a nest.  I never did entice a bird to build her home there, but the two packets of morning glory seeds found it perfect for them.  Initially I had small trellis' on either side of the door.  When glories covered them, and showed no signs of stopping John attached a few eye screws under the eaves and attached monofiliment.  In no time, the wreath was covered and the door might as well be. 

Don't look too closely at the garden.  It's time to prepare it for winter, and truth be told, it hasn't had much attention lately.  It peaked a month or so ago, and then has suffered some serious neglect.  It's probably only coincidence that the neglect occurred when football season started. . .

On another note, I was reading Melody Ross' blog and discovered her "This is my life" project.  It's a great way to capture the bits and pieces that make up your life - one photograph at a time.  I'm so captivated by the idea, that I'm going to endeavor to participate every day in October.  Join in if you like - take it one day at a time and see where it goes.

Because what is a Texan without her boots?  These are my new Lucchese boots - Thank you EBay - and I love them!  Can't believe toes this pointed can be this comfortable.

You know the Dr. Seuss book "Oh, The Places You'll Go"?  Well this is all the places we've been (lived) - so far.

This is actually outdated as I haven't added our current home.  Guess I'll need to get a new canvas and start over!

Aah - it was a lovely day for football.  And in case the resolution isn't high enough, or if your eyes are anything like mine, let me reiterate the score for you:

Navy: 31

Air Force: 20

It was a lovely, lovely day for football.

Rebooting

Sometimes when things get too busy, and too hurried, and I've spent too much time making small talk, and not enough time talking real talk - and when I've been working hard to be on my best behavior, and to be attentive and engaged and interested - I get depleted.  When that happens, I feel like an empty glove.  It makes me irritable, short-tempered and ineffective.  And, although I'm not asking my family - I'm sure I'm not just irritable, but irritating as well.

One of the best ways for me to get over this is to get away - by myself.  I don't mean a long weekend getaway, I just mean a short time to do something I want to do.  Tuesday was one of those days.  After getting all of the kids off to school, I debated playing in my studio in the basement or going on an adventure to a new place.

I ended up going to The Pink Cabbage in Ellicott City for some eye candy, inspiration and a little retail therapy.  I'd never heard of The Pink Cabbage until Doojie mentioned that she was moving into the shop.  When she put pictures on her blog of all of the funky cuteness contained in one space, I put it on my destination list.  It didn't disappoint, and although I practiced a lot of restraint I did come home with a very cool wall pocket that I'll show you as soon as I find the perfect spot for it.  As I was leaving, I caught a glimpse of Doojie in my rearview, and almost collided with two or three cars in my efforts to swing around to say hi.  Have I ever mentioned how much I love the fact that this blog fostered friendships with some really creative, interesting and fun people?

I left The Pink Cabbage with a smile on my face and a cute pink shopping bag on the seat beside me, and headed for downtown Ellicott City.  If you're in the local area, it's a fun place to poke around.  The one thing I didn't know before I went was that many of the shops are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.  I actually ran out of time before I ran out of shops, but there were several that I'll need to return to on a day when they'll be open.

The barn stars photographed above were outside one of the downtown shops.  I've wanted a large faded aqua one like the one in the photo for a long time, but now that they're everywhere I'm rethinking that wish.  I don't want to be one of every third house that has one, so perhaps I'll have to reconsider that.

When I arrived home, there was a package waiting on my front porch.  For me!    From Doojie!  I do love it when some unexpected goodness comes my way.  The wrapping, was of course, adorable, and the present inside was thoughtful and fun.  Oh - you want to see?  All right, here you go:

I've been collecting state and place plates to put in my b.o.r.i.n.g. guest room, and Doojie remembered and sent one for my collection.  I haven't added it to the wall yet, I have to buy more plate hangers first.  Before I show you the photo of the plates above the mantle, I need to warn you that I don't measure.  I eyeball.  So, if you're upset by crooked, uneven spacing - you may want to bypass the next bit of blog: Don't say I didn't warn you . . .  Do keep in mind that this is a work in progress, and will continue to evolve as I find more tacky kitschy plates to add to the collection. 

Also in the guest room is a little alcove area above the area just left of the fireplace.  When we moved in, I bought a wire  curtain hanger from IKEA, and then hung baby clothes from the different members of our family on it.  There are pieces from both John's and my babyhood, as well as the dress that my girl was baptized in, and the family christening gown as well.  None of my children were able to use the family christening gown - they were, ahem, a little too plump hearty to use it by the time we had their baptisms.  I love seeing them lined up together, and but I'm taken aback by their tiny size each time I catch a glimpse of them.

Under this little clothesline, I have an old rickety glass door cabinet, and it's full of children's china.  One is a set of Beatrix Potter china that I brought back from London when I was a freshman in college with no immediate intent for children.  It surprises me to this day, that I was even interested in this sweet little set, much less that I managed to cart it all over London, then Paris, then back to Texas where it was hauled around for another 9 years before Conner came along.  There are pieces that were given to my children as baby gifts, and others that I found in thrift stores or garage sales.  In early spring each year, I bring them downstairs and use them for early Spring/Easter decor. 

  There are other treasures in here too:  the rag doll made by my great-grandmother, the around-the-world quilt that she made for my grandmother, and the small pink and blue crib quilt that my grandmother embroidered with alphabet blocks for my mother.  Baby tennis shoes that my boys wore share a place of pride with some of their clay artwork, and some of my favorite small books.

I feel better since I rebooted, and recalibrated.  And it's just in time, too.  The new weekend starts tomorrow!

Lucky Girl

Today when Riley and I went out for our morning walk, I took the camera so I could capture some of the images I'm lucky enough to see every day.  Because we're likely to only be here another two years at most, I'm trying to take advantage of all that's around me and I'm trying not to take any of it for granted.  We are revelling in mid-September early fall weather, and the crispness of the morning made everything feel new, exciting and appealing.  I started out on my walk, and crossed this footbridge.  We continued on around the Yard, and came to the sailing center.  The sailboats were all lined up in their berths, and someone took the time to coil their line for my photograph.

We walked around toward the City Dock side of the yard, and came upon this sailboat in the harbor.  I love that the flag is so large when compared to the size of the sailboat.

As we rounded the bend, the Pride of Baltimore was waiting.

It looked as though the crew was preparing to leave Annapolis for another port.

The deck was being swabbed, as the flags snapped in the breeze. Unlike this weekend, there were no throngs of spectactors waiting for a tour.  Instead this grand lady was having a quiet morning at rest.

As we headed toward home, we noticed the edges of the leaves on the sycamore tree beginning to turn yellow and brown sure signs that fall is on its way in!

Finally on the home stretch, we stopped behind the chapel - mesmerized by this view of the dome.  I love the contrast of the shiny magnolia leaves against the stone blocks that make up the chapel, and the way that the blue sky provides such a perfect backdrop for it.

Beautiful day, amazing walk.  Lucky, lucky girl indeed!

Birthday, Game Day - Everything but a Win Day!

You already know that I love, love, love Navy football.  Remember this? Well yesterday was our first home game, and to top off that excitement it was also John's birthday!  The weather was picture perfect for football - and because it was an evening game, we were even chilly before the night was over.  Tailgating is always a highlight - mainly because we have the chance to catch up with friends whom we haven't seen since last season.  And the food and beverages are pretty good, too.  We brought a cake for the man - which both surprised and embarrassed him.  But we didn't sing and dance around him - something I would have loved, and he would have hated.  Since it was his birthday and not mine, I managed to squelch the urge to instigate that.  I think the cake was good - somehow I missed it. Really I've probably had my sweets allotment for the year, so that's not necessarily a bad thing.

John had to work during the game,  but the kids and I only had to watch, cheer, groan when things went badly and then we had to drown our sorrows in boardwalk fries and cotton candy.  The game went into overtime, and we were so hopeful for a birthday win, but it was not to be.  An overtime fumble ended the game for us, but fortunately the tailgaters and the fun continued in spite of the score.  And best of all, next week we get to do it all over again!

And - despite the looks of it, I have finished a few projects in the last few days.  I'll spend some time getting photographs, and will get them on the blog in the next couple of days. 

Another Night, Another Dinner

Fall is a busy season for us, as we often end up hosting dinners for students and staff alike.  Tonight was another one of those events - this time for about 35 people.  Because we did the "never fail menu ", and because we've done it so many times, it was actually pretty easy.   I won't say it was effortless, because that would be a lie, but I will say that if you have to feed 35 people, this is a pretty easy way to do it.  This time, I cheated and bought potato salad to go with the brisket, sausage, and baked beans.  Who wants to peel and cook enough potatoes for two gallons of potato salad?  Not me!   

Because I farmed out the potato salad, I had more time to do things that I like to do - like go to Sam's and get these gladiolas.  $3.74 for these!  Isn't that great - high impact, low cost and no effort at all.

In the back ground you can see the wreath hanging on the mirror in the dining room.  I found this wreath last year at Tuesday Morning and I love it - it's got pheasant feathers, faux pomegranates and magnolia leaves and the colors are so pretty.  It will eventually go on the front door - but today it made a pit stop in the dining room.  I'm just starting to pull out fall decor - and I'm a little stymied by the 90 degree temperatures.  It almost seems presumptuous to put out fall things when summer so clearly wants to linger. 

Our kids have gotten to be very good at participating and helping when we have these shindigs.  They know, almost without our prodding, what needs to be done ahead of time.  They know that backpacks, shoes and skateboards have to relinquish their spots in the foyer and on the front porch - if only temporarily.  And they know to follow their noses and to slide in the front door just as the food hits the serving table.    Carey is particularly good at set-up and keeps me on track when I get distracted by the "Project Runway" marathon.   And she knows that we have to use all of the plates when we have a group this size - and that matching plates becomes a low priority item.                                                                      

When we have a group this size, we spill over onto the screened in porch. 

White twinkling lights line the top of the screened panels and we add candles, and tablecloths to the assorted dining spaces.  Galvanized tubs full of ice and soda and beer are available - and sometimes there are pitchers of lemonade too.

And finally, I've been meaning to show a picture of the daybed on the porch.

This was Carey's wrought iron daybed, and when we moved into this house we couldn't really use it in her room.

The porch became the ideal solution.  The mattress is a very inexpensive IKEA purchase, enclosed in a zippered plastic mattress cover to protect it from the rain.  And because we set this up immediately preceding a party, the red check fabric on the mattress is duct-taped on the bottom.  I did this last August, and it still works, so I guess it was an effective solution.  The mattress-ticking dust ruffle was cut from an old queen size bed skirt, and then hot-glued to the daybed frame.  The bolster pillows were cheap IKEA pillows that I covered with that black check because I didn't have anymore of the red check.  I eyeballed the pillows and threw the covers together with an envelope closure that never stays closed because the pillows are so long.  I just put the envelope side down, and nobody ever cares - or even notices.  The red/white pillows were another IKEA purchase.  This is a great place for an afternoon nap - or to read the paper on a Sunday morning.  Cheap and easy - and repurposed.  That's decorating the way I like it!

You don't want the photograph that goes with this

Here's how things go:

On the day that you're running late to get to a meeting, you will see an indescribable, unidentifiable, unmentionable something or part of what used to be something, left by your cat in the middle of your front walk.  And because you are dressed rather nicely, and you're running late, you don't stop to clean up this something.  When you come home three hours later, that something will still be on your front walk - only now, because it's a hot day, it will have attracted a boatload of flies.  You'll mutter under your breath as you walk up to your front door, thinking to yourself that cleaning this mess will be particularly gross.  And that's when you'll see it.  The business card stuck in your front door - telling you that a friend of your family has stopped by.  Then you'll realize that he had to step over the something on the way to your door, and then again on his way back to his car.  You'll kick yourself for running late, for not taking care of it first thing, for even having a cat in the first place.   But you'll go inside and blog about it first, because that's how things go. 

If you're me, that is.

Aaaaaah, Quiet

Despite the melancholy I was feeling watching the summer come to a close here , I have come around and now really appreciate the long quiet of  morning at home.  Two of my children had school holidays both Friday and Monday, and my youngest had yesterday off - so it felt like another mini-summer and I have the mountains of laundry in my hall to prove it.

So today is catch-up day.  Lots to do while the kids are in school.   Without further ado, here's the winner of my first-ever giveaway: 

Here's the package coming your way as soon as you send me your address! It includes a pillow, some Mango Tea, a neat cigar box and a Lefton bud vase. This was fun, so thanks for playing along. 

Thanks  to all of you who stop by to check in at The Gypsy Wagon.

September Sunday - And Still Time for the Giveaway

Yesterday was the most beautiful Sunday we've had in a while.  Low humidity, lovely moderate temps and a whole day for forced  family fun. 

We headed south to Chesapeake Beach, MD where there are amazing cliffs that lean out over the bay.   Here, careful observers can find fossilized sharks teeth.   They are tiny - most are smaller than a pencil eraser, but the hunt becomes addictive.

We found several hundred of these tiny treasures, and despite the picture we weren't alone.  Lots of families were out enjoying the mild weather and the thrill of the hunt.  One of the nicest things about this area is that the bay is so shallow.   Our kids went way out, and still the water came only to their knees.

  John was standing way out in the bay for this one, and still the water was only mid-calf deep.  Granted, he's pretty tall, but still.

We hadn't spent much time near the beach this summer (with the exception of some boat misadventures that hardly bear noting), so it was nice to be able to end summer with an easy day on the water.

On a separate note,  I'm still celebrating my bloggiversary and will draw a winner tonight.  So if you haven't left a comment, please do and I'll throw your name into the virtual hat!

Happy Labor Day!