May happenings...

I've been sort of a slacker with this whole blogging thing this year.  It is totally a joy of mine and I click on my reader nearly every night while attempting to detox before bed.  Alas, it's nearly summer and I'm trying to come up with a post here and there to bridge a vast gap in my previous frequency of blog posts.

This academic year I've had so many papers to write that I couldn't tolerate the thought of writing another thing, even if it were for fun.  There are times, believe it of not, when I run out of words. (People who have known me for more than 5 minutes, are you laughing over there?) Yes, it does happen, I hit a word limit and, poof.  I'm done.  Today, I just so happen to have approximately 500 words left for the day, of which I will devote to my blog. Not all 500, but you know...enough to bridge the gap. Plus photos...naturally.

I often wonder about this whole blogging "thing".  Is it a fad? Will this post be around forever? Will I read it when I'm older and thing, WOW you weren't funny at all? And what in the world were you thinking buying those throw pillows.  I assume it to be so, since I think that now of things I purchased and put in my home a short 3-4 years ago. Good grief am I in for a sizable laugh over time.

Well...so about those pictures.  I know is all anybody wants to see on a blog anyway...pictures.

I'm currently trying a 2 tone panel sort of thing. 

I'm not sure if anybody thinks it's  good idea...

well, except I like it. Handsome has not responded. 

Both windows in the front room are currently of the two panel persuasion. 

I love jdouglas. They rep high end companies. 

I am currently in love with this sofa as pictured on their instagram page. 

I called them.  It's 100" long and 32" deep....YUM

Now the question, where could I put it? 

My hubs and his boss.  

Well actually it's his bosses boss...

The two of them love a photo opp. 

How often is it that they can find somebody to look in the eye? 

Tall + Tall = Tall. 

The Memphis Boychoir recently traveled to Sewanee. 

That's The University of the South. 

A lovely photo was in The Commercial Appeal today. 

Gooo team.

This photograph was taken by Mahaffey White. 

Mahaffey's husband, Richard was the Organist/Choirmaster at 

St. John's Episcopal Church for decades. She passed away on Friday 

evening after 101 wonderful years of life. She has left her print on the

 world and will not soon be forgotten. 

 Last but never least....

Handsome. 

Me oh-my...it's nearly June. 

This is our last week of school at T-H-E Santa Maria
(St. Mary's Episcopal School Memphis, TN). 

Summer travels will soon be near!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

 Philadephia in 1985.

About the time my brother was diagnosed with Autism. 

 Mom and Dad after their wedding in May of 1968

Mom, Thanksgiving weekend 2011

I think we all have classic stories about how wonderful our mothers are.
They've raised us, picked us up, pulled us along, propped us up, and sometimes even had to sit us down. (And for some mothers more than others!) But, none the less a Mother's work is never done.  My mother is still my Mom even from a long distance away, I know she hates it but we make it work. She's had to learn how to text if she wants to hear from me, even though I'm sure that's not her favorite mode of communication. We have made the US Postal Service and FedEx part of our relationship to carry things back and forth. The emails fly, and while it's tough living away from Mom, sometimes I feel as though she's just blocks away.
Thank heavens we live apart in 2012 and not 1912.
If you live away from your Mom today, call her! And don't forget to say,
Happy Mother's Day!
For my Mother...

Happy Mother's Day, Dr. Mirah Dow
...or as I call her Mom. 

Spring "cleaning"

Well...I'm not into cleaning.  But I am very interested in moving furniture around. So instead of cleaning...I'm participating in "spring moving 2012" (within my house).

When I buy furniture, if I can't put it in at least 2 spaces...I don't buy it.  What this means is a lot of my furniture matches, is within the same color palate and is also within the same size range.

Case in point...this buffet.  As of today, this 3 piece has been in 3 different parts in my house.
This spot (pictured below) is the 2nd place. Prior it was in our dining room.  The truth is, it's actually a little bit on the large side to sit in the hallway.  It works, but the center piece sticks out just a little further than is easy for a passer by.

What did do?  Here is the new set up. 

The moral of this story is that I figured out that I like having

 something in the hallway to set my purse and keys on.  

And the hallway is just long enough that I think it breaks up the long space.

Question: Where did the 3 piece buffet go? 

Answer: The Sun room

In order to move the buffet in...

I had to move some other things around to clear the way. 

The blue velvet sofa just moved to the other side of the room. 

The white chairs on the left are now on the right.

Pause for a break. Or as Handsome says...

"PAWS" for a break. 

I got the two side pieces in easily. 

The had a rest.

The center piece was a little bit more cumbersome.

Insert one of my hide rugs and away we go. 

There.  They're all in place.

Now it's time to play with my toys. 

As of today, things are in a bit of a standstill...

I was tired....and stopped for the evening.

I'm still playing. 

More on the "spring move 2012" later.

move ... the ... furniture

I'm in the process of moving some furniture. Well, moving a few vignettes of furniture around the house. Here is one of the space you can expect to see different...sometime soon.

Stay tuned.

Quote.

Via: Pinterest

The wire hare and dining table arrive.

Well, Hello. 

Do you like my collection of wildlife that currently resides on the fireplace? I had a random "hare" a couple of weeks ago and bought a giant painting in a big gold frame. A little crazy town? Yep, it has come to live at my house. Currently there is a giant wire rabbit sitting next to it to keep my cat from attacking it. The horse may get to stay. 

In other news, a new piece of furniture has come to live at our house.  When we moved into our home we had enough furniture to cover the guest bedroom and our TV room.  In the past 4.5 years we have collected, discarded, and absorbed a few other pieces. Our dining room table was purchased at Bojo's (may the blessed store rest in peace) with a set of dining chairs.  They were worth the coin, but I knew we wouldn't have them forever.  We got new dining chairs approximately a year after. 

Here is our dining room as of last Saturday morning.  

Our old table, new chairs.

 

Here is our dining room as of Saturday evening.

Our new table, new chairs. 

What's the difference you ask? 

The old table was 8' long the new table is 10' long.

The new table accommodates 3-4 chairs per side. 

The old table accommodates 2-3 per side. 

The new table is a very, very dark brown. 

The old table was a light wood color (that was about 40 years old). 

This is Rachel Zoe's new dining room. 

What a great room. 

It goes without saying this is an inspiration photo.

What are we going to do with the old table you say? 

It's currently sitting in the middle of the living room...

about 6 inches from the front door. 

My Dad suggested I should start taking depositions.

hehe-harhar.

unexpected FREE find

Today I was making a trip to Sonic for a tasty happy hour slush when I saw the greatest curb find ever!
I thought it must be some kind of mistake and surely these chairs had been put towards the curb waiting for pick up. Sure enough they were practically in the street! I drove past thinking it was to good to be true, then about 15 minutes later drove back by and they were still there.  So I pulled a "U", and rolled up to the curb and stopped.  I looked around to see if anybody was going to appear and tell me they weren't free for the taking.  I even saw a neighbor outside and yelped, "ARE THESE FREE"....they replied "Yes". So, in the car they went and away I drove.

What am I going to do with them you ask? Answer: I have no idea. They will probably get some paint and a new seat cover. I may even put them on Craigslist. Right now, I'm so excited to have found them, I'm unsure of their future. Great day, huh?

Service/Bar Cart

Are you on the hunt for a bar cart? 

I'm not...but on the off chance that any of you are...I found some!

So, the day is saved. 

Now, my finds aren't from the regular bar cart types of sources.  Rather, Harbor Freight Tools. Yes, I know I've gone mad.  First I switch Tory Burch for Aerosoles, and now I'm shopping at the tool store. You must think I've lost it. Alas, this is a totally suitable option that is high on style and low on cost.

Option 1 - rings in at $69.99

AND also comes in a 2 shelf version. 

Option 2 - rings in at a smashing $37.99

This dandy comes in a couple of other color
options but who doesn't like this sassy red?


I could see these carts being used for a variety of other things.
Such as an extra storage space for towels, etc in your bathroom
(depending on your style) or in your kitchen to hold small appliances.
Possibly as a cart near your washer and dryer to
wheel things back to their respected places once folded.
You see, this cart really is for "service"...

Since both of these are built for utility and the elements, they could function both inside and out. Should I be on the hunt for a (bar) cart...I would head over to Harbor Freight Tools to snatch up one of these cute things. Perhaps, I'll even see you there! 

Happy Spring!

Boot Scooting

This evening is my last at home before the spring 4th quarter begins at school (where I go, not teach at). I'm doing a little on line browsing.  This evening I was on the hunt for some ankle boots.  My friend Elizabeth does not like ankle boots...And so we do not talk about them but I thought "talking" about them via blog post might suffice.

There was a pair of Tory Burch leopard boots I just loved.  In fact I ordered them, then they sat in my closet and I didn't wear them and finally...I decided to return them. Now, 4 months later I'm having a major sad face because I let them go.  What in the world was I thinking?  Just because I didn't wear them that week didn't mean I wouldn't wear them ever.  Sheesh.  Have I not learned anything about myself in my time...buying my own shoes?

None the less my void for ankle boots has not been filled.  Tonight, however, my hunt for ankle boots resulted in a completely different style find.  Rather than animal print calf hair, and stilletto...I found flat and with a splash of country. I've gone to the polar opposite.  Not only do I currently (this week at least) desire a different style, I've gone from Tory Burch to Aerosoles. Yes go on, laugh it out because I surely am.

 Via: Aerosoles

Mystique

 

Via: Tory Burch 

Patricia Leopard  High Heel Bootie

Fortunately for me, my shoe desires are short lived and pass with the season.
Besides, it's sandal weather, why am I shopping for boots anyway!

Spring Break in New Orleans

Well after spending a few days in the "New York City of the South"...
I can totally say I (heart) N.O. 

Last week we spent 5 lovely days in the
beautiful city of New Orleans, Louisiana. 

The Canadian and I jumped in the car with the enthusiasm of children 

on Christmas morning for the somewhat short drive (6 hours). 

We were in New Orleans for 8 days about 2 years
ago but for a different purpose.

We were working with a group of high school
youth through the Episcopal Disaster Relief Organization.

We spent the bulk of our time in the St. Bernard Parish working
on a house that had been nearly destroyed in Hurricane Katrina.
The youth really grew up that week as they dry walled
and "mudded" the entire house. It was some of the
hardest yet most rewarding work I have ever done. 

As we entered the city this time,
we reflected upon our previous visit.  

How much fun we had with the kids,
the good food we consumed, the many laughs we had. 

The purpose of this trip was to EAT. 

This is why you go to New Orleans.
In fact, don't go there, unless you plan on eating!

The Central Grocery: Muffuletta 

Cochon: ANYTHING! 

This place has been in the NY Times! 

You need a reservation. 

We were fortunate to walk in after the lunch 

reservation crowd and got a table. 

This was a complete fluke, MAKE A RESERVATION!

Frankie and Johnny's: Po Boy Sandwich

This place looks like something you'd drive past and

 never get out of the car. But trust me, you want 

to pull your wagon over at this dive! 

A little dose of St. Patrick's Day.

Cafe Du Monde: YUM

Wait in the line, trust me. 

It's a great American pastime. 

The city has a heavy French influence...

Praise the Lord because it sure is good!

The most delicious oysters from the 

Acme Oyster House in the French Quarter.

The Carousal Bar in The Hotel Monteleone is fabulous!

A must see in New Orleans.  

For the folks in Memphis, it is a lot like the Peabody.

Full of history, great crowd to be amongst. 

The sights are great from one end of 

Magazine Street to the other.  

This was in the garden at a restaurant. 

On St. Patrick's day these taps flowed green. 

Happy Hour in New Orleans: They're everywhere. 

We were frequenters of the happy hour 

at Rum House on Magazine Street. 

The Architecture in New Orleans is glorious! 

So many pretty things to see. 

An antique store on Magazine Street...

...are monumental!

While strolling down Magazine Street...

I found a piece of Worlds Away furniture 

in one of the VERY lovely interior design stores.

After working with this company, 

it sure is neat to see these pieces out in the world. 

The Canadian can't go on a voyage 

without visiting a church. 

So we did.  Quite a few actually. 

Joan of Arc looks out over the French Quarter.

St. George's Episcopal School:Classic Building 

This house is so beautiful.  

There are rows upon rows of houses that look like this. 

And speaking of looking at houses....

We gave up on driving the car and trying to find 

parking and rented these two sassy things.

I have never had so much fun. 

Quite seriously, these scooters are on the top of my "fun" list!

Yes, we wore helmets. 

Here I am getting a tutorial from the store on Magazine Street

on the first day.  We rented them for two days. 

What a great trip. 

Riding the scooters and playing in the sun was amazing. 

We left with a little tan (me with a little burn) and full tummies.

I highly recommend a trip to New Orleans!