This is the room we call our computer room, although it serves other purposes as well. It is a smallish room that was once our son's bedroom and the color scheme has remained the same since he occupied it more than twenty years ago. Time for a complete change, I decided, and painted the white walls over with a light gray. Painting isn't exactly fun, but I don't mind if I have the necessary supplies, like a tall Bloody Mary and some furry company. Another plus is getting nostalgic over little things like the grandson's signature on the closet door - initially I didn't want to paint over the little Picasso's work but figured a photograph would preserve it better.
Also the newly painted doors are much prettier (and you can see here another purpose the room serves - golf bag storage - not my idea but half the time they are in hubby's truck anyway.)
The opposite wall contributes to the storage of another accoutrement of hubby's hobbies - his electric guitar, which I don't mind because it is attractive and the black accent harmonizes (!) quite well with the rest of the room. (Note the pet portraits on each wall. We picked favorite photos of our past and present beloved pets, enlarged and framed them. The mismatched frames were bought at various estate or garage sales, then painted with a bright white enamel and I think they coordinate nicely.)
The curtains are custom made by moi because I searched high and low and far and wide for ready-made, and could find nothing that appealed. Then began a similarly fruitless quest to find fabric - all I wanted was a large gray and white buffalo check - and finally found a website that had something that looked promising and was reasonably priced. The results were not only satisfactory but beyond my expectations; I love them and so does Dunc!
Carpeting was the last step and the old brown plush was replaced with a lighter-colored, tweedy Berber that is low looped and durable. Again, I think Dunc approves; we all love spending time in this room that grandson dubbed, "very restful".
Memories of one's mother are usually of an adult - a loving, authoritarian figure who provided and guided through our early years and even into our own adulthood - so a peek into their childhood can be fun and revelatory. These photos are of my own mother, taken in the very late 1920's. Western Michigan boasts so many beautiful lakes that I have no clue where they were taken, but it's obvious little Joan was a happy beachcomber!
A coworker's birthday is a good opportunity to have fun in the kitchen and take creative license. Cake or cupcakes are always welcome but Jan leans towards healthier eating so for her special day, which occurs in the steamy interim that is early August, I chose to make a multi-layered "fruit cake". Watermelon sliced thickly formed the three-layer base which was then adorned with whole blackberries, half slices of kiwi and cantaloupe stars. Toothpicks were used as necessary for stabilization. For serving, the watermelon was cut into wedges, removed to a plate and then a few of the other fruits spooned over. Jan was glad she didn't have to blow out candles!
It's often said that living was simpler "back then". Perhaps it was or maybe it was just different, just as everyone's childhood holds memories that are poignant but individual. Having only vague recollections of my life in Michigan, I treasure these photos that depict happy times in the backyard of our home on Chamberlain Street. At the time, I had four siblings and plenty of neighbors for playmates but could easily and happily amuse myself, hanging freshly washed doll clothes out to dry or lounging in a tub of water. Little did I know then that it was to be our last summer here - in the autumn we would move to Missouri.
On weekend mornings, I go exploring in the gardens with my camera. Why? Because there is no time during the work week to pay any attention to the growing elements, so with the passage of seven days many changes occur - some subtle and some striking - but all intriguing. Today I found one of my favorites, an artemisia at its peak, lush and feathery and fully living up to its name, Silver Mound. The purple petunias behind and the white alyssum to the front contrast nicely.
Yellow banana peppers are bright but glow even more when highlighted by the rising sun. I hate to pick them because the plants have such a delightful appearance, tall verdant greenery hung with myriads of peppers, almost like a summer Christmas tree!
The previous post showed the improvements made in our computer room earlier in the summer. This week the rocking chair that sits by the front window in that room got a new look as well. I had tossed around the idea of covering the cushions but wasn't sure if I wanted a solid or a patterned fabric. A trip to Walmart with the hubby for golf balls and cat litter took me by a bin of sale-priced bolts and of course, I had to stop and browse. Lo and behold, on the very top was a length of duck cloth, in a dark gray and white grapevine print that was similar to toile. I was immediately sold, especially at three dollars per yard!
It was easy to duplicate the cushion dimensions, tucks and tabs. Sewing was simple as well and instead of zippers, I just slip-stitched the openings closed (easily removed and resewn if the covers ever need washing.) Now to sit or just admire?!
This is the room we call our computer room, although it serves other purposes as well. It is a smallish room that was once our son's bedroom and the color scheme has remained the same since he occupied it more than twenty years ago. Time for a complete change, I decided, and painted the white walls over with a light gray. Painting isn't exactly fun, but I don't mind if I have the necessary supplies, like a tall Bloody Mary and some furry company. Another plus is getting nostalgic over little things like the grandson's signature on the closet door - initially I didn't want to paint over the little Picasso's work but figured a photograph would preserve it better.
