Some of you have mentioned you enjoy the lighter, springtime decorating I’ve been featuring on the blog the past couple of weeks. I’m always open to suggestions on what you’d like to see or learn more about when it comes to decorating, gardening, and home exteriors. Those are three of my favorite topics and my…
I’m guessing by now that most of you are seeing signs of spring where you live. Blooming magnolia trees, robins in the yard, spring bulbs peaking up out of the ground, and the wondrous smell of the earth warming up. Even the koi in my pond have started swimming around a bit. I love watching…
Today’s collection of Friday Finds really has no common thread to them – other than I think they’re all beautiful and inspiring. This leads me to ask, what type of treasures would you like to see here each Friday? I can certainly accommodate your interests! How many times have you found a single item for…
Welcome to the month of March! It always feels good to get January and February behind us and look forward to the earth coming alive again. Would you believe me if I told you we had 70 degree weather on Tuesday and 30 degree temps on Wednesday this week? The drastic change also brought hail,…
On Tuesday this week, I saw my first robin of 2024. That’s kind of a big deal in the Chicago area. We always say spring has officially sprung once the robins return, and normally that doesn’t happen until March. So I’m hopeful that this year’s milder winter will continue and give way to an early…
Inspiration and beauty is everywhere you look, and my goal is to provide a bit of that for you here on the blog. For me, my mood is enhanced when I’m surrounded by pretty things, whether it’s a blooming cherry tree, a gentle river, a living room with favorite artwork, or a kitchen stocked with…
Are you ready for Cupid’s holiday next Wednesday? I normally don’t pay too much attention to Valentine’s Day anymore, but this year is going to be an exception. You’ll see what I’m talking about when you see the first of this week’s Friday Finds. Photo courtesy of L.A. Burdick Chocolates Valentine’s Day is next week,…
Today’s collection of Friday Finds is all about my daughter’s favorite color. Pink also happened to be my mother’s favorite color, too. Even if you’re not a fan of this rosy hue, I think you’ll enjoy seeing today’s finds that give a nod to Cupid’s upcoming holiday. Let’s start with something fun – a renovated…
Are you glad it’s Friday? Our snow is melting and the temps are about 30 degrees warmer than last weekend. The ice on the pond is gone and I can see the fish all huddled at the bottom, which is their typical winter behavior. This week was a little stressful because the bathroom floor was…
Next week is going to be a bit of a nail-biter for me. The bathroom floor gets installed and the toilet and vanity get replaced! I’m nervous even though I’m not doing the work. What if I don’t like my floor choice? What if I think the vanity doesn’t look right with the wallpaper? Should…
Are you living in a part of the country that’s currently experiencing a snowstorm? We’re supposed to get blizzard conditions today so I might be holed up at home this weekend baking and painting. Sounds like a fun combination, doesn’t it? Or maybe I’ll take a day and binge on English movies. That sounds like…
It’s the first weekend of the New Year! Did you make any resolutions? I typically don’t because I always end up breaking them. This year, I’ve set intentions instead, such as exercising more, not getting involved in unnecessary drama, and spending more time with family. I think those are all doable and manageable so I…
Have you recovered from Christmas yet? Hopefully you can take a moment to yourself right now and enjoy some of today’s treasured finds, including two gorgeous home tours and more. This weekend I plan to get some of the holiday decorations put away and get the rooms back to normal. Are yours put away already…
Are you ready for the holidays? Although I love the anticipation and preparation for Christmas, I enjoy the peace that follows all the hurry and scurry of the season. Also, I’m ready to start painting and papering the downstairs bathroom. I find myself leaning toward an English style aesthetic and as luck would have it,…
Today I’m in Galena with the entire family. I’m surprised all four of our families fit in one house. I love the time together and truly appreciate we’re all able to get away just before Christmas to celebrate the holidays in a peaceful way. Although with eight grandchildren, it sometimes gets chaotic. I love it…
Just 18 days until Christmas! Are you ready? For me, it’s actually one week until the holiday when we head to Galena with the entire family to celebrate. This is our fifth year going to Galena the week before Christmas. We rent a cozy cabin-style home with a big fireplace, a huge dining room to…
