May 24, 2013 Posted on May 24, 2013 | 1 comment

weird and wonderful

There’s no surprise that there’s weird stuff on the internet. And I’m not the sort of person to seek it out at all.

But I stumbled on a couple of fun oddities and beauties when I was wandering around (where else? ) Pinterest.

How can you not love the conspicuous and outright pragmatic booby tent.

Then there was the page entirely devoted to head vases.

These are pretty cool when you have plants shooting out of their heads.

Remember the post where I fell in love with the page devoted to paper dresses ?

I also know a certain famous blogger who has a page devoted to roller skating

Then I just really liked this ad for Meyers radish scented soap?

Why in the world would anyone…?

And then there was this beautiful photo of succulents which I, as well as zillions of other people, am stricken by now.

You have a hard time killing them and they’re plump and pretty. Just like a little baby I know.

Oh I could go on but I have sufficiently amused myself now.

Have a lovely Memorial Day weekend Everyone!

Love,

Shalagh

 

May 22, 2013 Posted on May 22, 2013 | 4 comments

This Provincial Life

I absolutely love the opening scene from the animated Beauty and the Beast movie.  Belle is walking obliviously through her village with a book and they’re singing the song about her and she’s annoyed by “This provincial life”. The song is entitled Belle and was nominated for an Academy award for best original song. I adore the movie but that song is my favorite. When I moved to this small town in rural America, I didn’t realize I too would be living a ‘Provincial life’. Provincial is defined as  “one living in or coming from a province”, as in the one I live, Caroline County (small). And “A person of local or restricted interests or outlook” and ” a person lacking urban polish or refinement”.

But unlike Belle’s town, there are book readers here. Forward thinkers and artists and retirees. Sometimes living here has aggravated me and sometimes I find it charming. But it is none the less, extremely provincial in a cozy sort of way. A nice place to raise kids.

 But what I feel most here is the traditions and the history and the future all tied together. The givens I’ve never experienced before. Like Little League parades and a sense that everyone knows everyone’s business in a matter of fact way. And in maybe a take care of you way and not stab you in the back kinda way. Denton, Maryland is reliable and a great place to raise kids. Or hate raising kids if you can’t drop your city ways.So we shop at the same grocery store, Food Dog we like to call it. And say hey to everyone there. And make friendships with the people who work there. And we stroll over to the drive through at the bank. My son was anxious to receive the pneumatic tube’s gift.And what better way to spend a couple of hours than getting my nails and done at Defining Moments with a gift certificate I received for Mother’s Day. Some day Fiona’s toes will be big enough to paint too.

May 20, 2013 Posted on May 20, 2013 | 2 comments

The Yard Sale Post Mortem

 

 

 

The deed is done. And yet it’s not. Because there’s a ton of stuff still laying about in my way like a diplomat’s bored daughter. And it’s taking on a radioactive half-life in the bright light of reality.

A weeks worth of sorting, pulling, weeding, and pricing stuff for a mere $200 . More money than I had. And now I’m surrounded by stuff I was done with before the sale and now I’m double done with.

The good news was that I had the next destination for the stuff preplanned. The infamous church yard sale. Bad news is that I have to touch it two more times. Once to get it in the truck and once to get it out. which equates to a total of five times handled. Thinking I was tired of my stuff before? At least it was hidden from my sight right?

Sadly, I had to take money from people who obviously had stuff addictions. But all of my patrons and lookers and stuff fondlers were really happy and pleasant. The weather held and was even pleasant mid day. The traffic wasn’t great but my kid creatively began to wave people in from the road. They said they stopped because the cute kid flagged them in.

And the happiest note, after the stuff actually leaves my possession, is that I got to see some of  my customers from the shop. Misses Julie and Nancy and Karen were all die-hard shoppers at Bally Eden. I guess I’ll be owing you some pictures soon.

May 10, 2013 Posted on May 10, 2013 | 0 comments

Fiona’s Coming Out Party

We celebrated Fiona’s arrival last weekend with a few close friends.
An opportunity to share her and entertain. I’d forgotten how much we enjoy throwing a party. And I wanted to prove that I still have it. Even with the wee Fi hanging off me, I managed to make most of the food ahead of time. And decorate enough to make myself happy.

  Terry, Fiona, and Me

Mark and his Aunt Barbara

Aunt Annette and Uncle Paul

Eamon got some presents too while Fiona was a hot potato

Fiona was the Belle of this Party

Eamon read to little Carolina from Super Diaper Baby

Pegeen and Caitlin

Shelly with her daughter Ginny and Gayle. Red headed babies!!

Lamb chop puppet from Lisa. Eamon grabbed her up and eventually made her annoying.

Daisies, Stock, Solidago, and Waxflowers were the base for my arrangements.I made the ceiling treatment from the darling paper lantern I got at Bella Luna in Rehoboth and the vintage lanterns which hung in a tree for our wedding.

So Many beautiful pink cards to add to the decorating. They are everywhere.

And Miss Pegeen got THE outfit. So now I have to stage the photo shoot.

And the perfect Christmas ornament from Miss Amanda.

Stolen idea from Decor8, ribbons on the light fixture.

And a last swag of this thrifted fabric that screams girl

We are so grateful to the powers that be to have given us both a beautiful daughter and a charming handsome son. And that we have so many to count us as dear friends and we them. And happy to have our house looking so dapper. Because there’s no surer way to get to all those tasks done than have a party. And to get some leftovers. And your kid clothed. And a fence built. And… Mark’s 50th is in October! Party Girl is back and she’s got a protegé.

May 3, 2013 Posted on May 3, 2013 | 7 comments

You’re Right, She Does Look Like Him

Everybody keeps saying Fiona looks just like Eamon. And I supposed it was true. The picture below is one I’ve had pinned to my art cabinet of my son as a newborn. I took a picture of the picture (it has a scratch on it) and one of my daughter in the carrier sleeping on my chest.

And the results are in. You all are right. She looks eerily like him at that age. Except she’s got a girl nose.

Many of you ask how’s Eamon doing with the addition of a sister? Well, he never outright said for us to take her back. But he did ask me whether I liked the cat or the baby better. Because he liked the cat better. He is really great at bouncing her in the bouncy chair. And he likes to hold her when she’s not crying. Other than that, he never looks at her.

Unless we tell him to kiss her.

Baby Eamon

Baby Fiona

Daddy sleeping with baby Eamon

Daddy sleeping with baby Fiona

Mommy holding baby Eamon at the shop

Mommy holding baby Fiona at home

Baby Eamon aka Baby Lou at 8 weeks

And baby Fiona not quite 8 weeks but that would be now so good enough.

You tell me, do they look alike?