Come with me on a Tour....

Even though we live in a log home, I'm not all 'western' and country....there's some German, some English....Victorian in me.  I love some antiques, but it is the eclectic combination of things that makes it all home for me.  So, I just went around the house and started taking some pictures of things here and there that are quite 'me.'  So.....come on along and I'll tell you the story:

This is the lamp on the nightstand in the guest bedroom.  I call it 'the bed and breakfast room' because I change it up for the seasons and holidays and unless someone is staying in there, it's almost almost 'perfect.'  It's the one place in the house that is always pretty and I just love walking by the room and peeking in!

On the nightstand is a guest log.....like a bed and breakfast, with a 'log' pen, of course! The photograph is of my beloved pet Moose and my step-daughter, who is now 20 and in college.  She is the youngest in this family of 5 children.....On the switch of the light hangs a tassle--I love these, too...whimsical little things that give a bit of character and well, 'whimsy' to just about anything!

a bit of lace is here there and everywhere, too!  This little piece is heart-shaped and the lamp is a real log made into a lamp....I don't LOVE the lamp, however.  Maybe 2011 will bring a new one to this spot!

Next up is a photograph with a big story behind it...to make it quick, I had scheduled an appointment with a photographer for my 3 daughters to be photographed in vintage wear to make the picture appear of another era.  I was driving my middle and youngest daughter and my oldest daughter was meeting us there.  We ran a bit late and my oldest daughter said, when we arrived, that because we were late, she refused to be in the photograph.  How sad is that?  She's the one with a bit of a temper....so we made the best of it, but I do wish I had all three of them in this photo....it was really quite fun!

Two of my 3 daughters in 'olden-time' outfits....

Next is also in the 'bed and breakfast room.'  There is a little shelf in there, and on that shelf are a number of things.  My mother gave me this antique banjo.  It is no longer 'playable,' but I have it up there, along with this coffee pot from Germany and a Susan Branch votive holder in her famous Lenox tea pattern.  If anyone bumps that shelf, however, I may get cross.  So far...so good!

a bit of a collection....things I cherish

 One of the things I LOVE to do is create floral arrangements from dried flowers, artificial flowers, and willow branches and such.  I made this arched wreath over the hall doorway that leads down to the two bedrooms that are on the main level.  It's been hanging in this spot for 8 years now....I'm still not tired of it, so I guess it will stay for awhile longer!  :)

I love the way the logs are cut in this spot of the house

Next up: BEARS!  I love Moose and Bears....and these two are 'dating' right now as Valentine's Day approaches.  The one with the red heart has been tucked away in a box of Valentine's things...the heart says, "You Stole my Heart."  These are also on the little shelf in the guest room, atop some of my favorite books:

I read Celestine Prophecy long ago...but have never forgotten its message:  There are NO chance encounters!

The next photograph is taken in my 'craft' room...this is where my computer is and all my fabric, yarn, flowers, etc.  This little spot on the dresser in there has a willow basket, a large pitcher (from Susan Branch) that is filled with eucalyptus, lavendar and dried roses....all from my garden.  The little angel fairy is just there for the winter....she'll get tucked away somewhere as the days grow longer.

Behind the angel is one of my MANY copies of the book: Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breadnach; I have a copy of her book in nearly every room of my house....for me, it's inspiration!

Next is a lamp that is next to that little scene above.  I don't usually have many lamps with little things dangling from the shade, but it fits in this creative space that I'm still working on.  Again, a tassle hangs from the light switch.....just call me Miss Whimsy!

silly little things I find that go here and there

Well, that's it for today's tour.  I hope you enjoyed it---I can't dwell on the 'tearing down' of things upstairs.  I know it's all for a reason....and it could have been so much worse.  When I think of the devastation in Brazil and in Australia, a little water in my kitchen is nothing!  

The German White Glove Test

My mother is coming to visit in a couple of days and all of us want to have our homes looking their best but my mom is German.  'nuf said, right?  Yes, I've ironed my pillowcases, cleaned out the tracks in my windows, emptied my refrigerator....even washed the little curtains on the window in the garage! 


Many of you know that I want to own a bed and breakfast; this has been a dream/goal/passion for many years.  I have a room in the house I call 'The Bed and Breakfast" room--it's the guest room, but I just love walking past it---I fuss in it.  I guess that's what you'd call it---it's a mixture of log lodge, victorian farmhouse, and plush amenities.... (there's a bottle of Lollia's WISH on the antique dresser).  Let's just say that WISH is pretty special...

                                                                      


Well, with that said....I 'fuss' in that room in extra special ways when company's coming, but my German mom's coming and she doesn't come very often.  She's coming for the wedding and she's staying more than two days.  Not only did the sheets get ironed, but I sprayed them with lavender linen spray....I'm telling you, it smells good in there!


Mom likes lace..... 

I pulled back the coverlet to show the lacy pillowcase....I know, I know...

I've put out a fresh stock of unread magazines, the bathtub is sparkling clean, and the windows are getting washed tomorrow---couldn't do that TOO early---the wind might blow dust on them again! I washed the coverlet, the mattress pad....I mean EVERYTHING's been cleaned.  I've got to pass the white glove test.  No, she doesn't really come with white gloves, but she sees everything and she doesn't mind moving things to look for dust....

There's a fresh stock of neatly folded hand towels by the sink and Jurlique rose hand lotion will just beg for her to try it....she'll love it, by the way. 

I mean....doesn't everyone put doilies under their hand towel stand?

The 'bed and breakfast room' is called 'Moose Lodge'.....you might say that I like Moose, but we won't go into that too much right now....we're going to stick with the guest room, but the house has a significant amount of 'moose' items, you might say....

this is the 'rustic' part of the room...

The big log bed is cozy and I've tucked extra pillows nearby in case one is not enough.  I've emptied the closet so there's room for her clothes...it will be interesting to see what she decides to wear to the wedding.  I asked her a few days ago...in a German accent she said, "I'm vearing a black skirt; is long."  Is that it mom?  What are you wearing on top?  "I don really know...maybe a lil lace jacket".... that part scares me.  My mom is known to wear white stretch pants with a halter top; I'm seriously not joking...and she's like 82.  I may have to get a bigger corsage...just in case!

This is the Victorian meets rustic lodge part

An incredible seamstress friend made the little hearts for me...

I even have a little birdhouse named Moose Lodge in there!

                                                                                

                                                                  

Well, you're getting the message that I've tried to make it special for my mom; I want all my guests to feel special.  I called my mom today and told her how happy I was that she was coming...I got kind of teary as I explained how much it meant to me; I really did.  She couldn't hear me though and just said that she made a lot of cookies that she's bringing and that she's bringing me her old sewing machine because she doesn't really use it.  She's also bringing me her old bedspread because she got a new one and doesn't like this one anymore....and some dishes and glassware.  I'll take a picture of my china cabinet some day; I don't need any more dishes.  I have her Franciscan desert rose dishes in there now because she doesn't like them anymore...I've actually grown rather fond of them.  I recently used them for a tea party I put on for a child's 8th birthday party....all the girls brought their American Girls dolls...it was very special, actually.  Thank you Mom....I'll find a spot for the dishes that are coming...