Oh what a perfect Memorial Day weekend! We had Beautiful weather, we watched our town’s little parade and we went to the pool. I was feeling patriotic, appropriately, on Memorial Day and I wanted to do some painting. I remember seeing Barn quilts all around Tillamook, Oregon a couple summers ago. I love that they are…

I’ve finally finished our bedroom painting project. No more nightmares from this strange lady peering at us you from all around the room. I did want to preserve the interesting wallpaper so I had a bit of it framed. I researched the wallpaper company and found it was a popular company in the 50s and 60s and it was…

I love the May Apples that come up between our house and the neighbor’s house. You have to get under them to see the flowers.  In other news – I am getting close to being done with my bedroom painting project. Can’t wait to get the room put back together and make my bed and…

Over the weekend we went to The Grove. It’s a nature and history center in the city of Glenview – not too far from our house. We intended to mostly go for a picnic and a walk in the woods, but then we discovered their cool log interpretive center (log building, not interpreting logs). Somehow we missed…

It’s the time of year that smells so good. I’ve been breathing deeply every time I pass these lily of the valley flowers on my window sill. It’s also the time of year to start eating outside and going for after dinner walks. For me, this year, it’s a dusty time of year. I’m still working…

The previous owners of our house just passed along these photos.  They were taken in 1940 – I love seeing them. A couple interior shots – this is the room that we use as our TV room now. And here’s a little look at our living room through the ages. Interesting to see that the blue…

I made some rhubarb vanilla jam the other day. The recipe reminds me of this town: It’s town called Altdorf in Switzerland. When we took a little trip there a few years ago the hotel had rhubarb vanilla jam for breakfast. After the trip I searched for recipes and found one that tasted just like…

Not to be a downer, but when I think of motherhood I think of the pure delight and happiness juxtaposed with the ache of it all. And I think of this quote. “Through the blur, I wondered if I was alone or if other parents felt the same way I did – that everything involving our…

Brian and the girls took me for a nice spring walk for Mother’s Day. Bea made a crown of dandelions for me. The frogs were singing. Everywhere – the green was taking over the brown. Happy Mother’s Day.

Claire turned six this week. The milestones make me pause and gaze at her. She is growing, growing, growing. She has loved every day of kindergarten. Her hair is pretty multicolor blonde and I love to brush it once all the snarls are out. She makes friends easily. I smile to myself when the things she says seem so…