Umbrella

On a grey and rainy day here in the Pacific Northwest, our collection of antique umbrellas await their most anticipated season. But their wait will be a long one because one, we never remember to bring an umbrella, and two, even if we do remember, we choose to use the most common Pacific North West strategy for a rainy day - run for it. 

My Grandmother, who was born and raised in Los Angeles, was the kind of person who would never forget her umbrella. Of course rain was not as abundant so in the rare event that rain washed their sun warmed landscape, it was a festive celebration to don ones umbrella. 

Do you use an umbrella? 

Our household is in the throes of our first autumn sniffles. After several days of foggy heads and runny noses, raspy voices and restless nights, we are hopefully on the mend soon. 

On a side note, in my influenza lethargy I was only mildly excited when I saw that my new camera arrived yesterday - a sure sign that I was feeling under the weather. 

Look forward to taking some pictures soon...

The Photo Shoot

Here is a small glimpse into our guest house/barn renovation. The Country Living feature focuses on the interior renovation so I thought I'd post a little peek on the exterior (more photos inside and out after the feature is published). The window that's shown here is in fact an original window, and is the only window that we did not replace.

 The photo shoot took place on Halloween. Unfortunately I don't have any behind the scenes glimpses as my Canon Rebel has expired, and I inadvertently misplaced my point and shoot. But it went really well, and I had the extreme pleasure of meeting someone I have admired for quite some time - Heather Bullard. 

Heather was the stylist for the shoot - she did such an amazing job! Everything turned out so beautiful. I am so excited to see the feature when it comes out in the February issue. 

The photographer for the shoot was the reknowned James Baigrie. He was also such a wonderful pleasure to meet. Heather came Tuesday to prep everything, and then James arrived early Wednesday morning. Shooting began soon afterward. 

Mike took those two days off to watch the babies so that I could be up at the guest house helping as much as possible (ironing linens, fetching props, etc.). Just as the previous photo shoot, it was insanely fascinating to watch the process of creating photo-ready spaces. 

Heather took this photo of Mike on her iPhone. I was with the babies while he ran up to deliver some morning necessities... like fresh brewed coffee. 

After the shoot, Heather and I had a chance to relax and socialize a bit more. She gave me some tips, using my iPhone, on styling this pumpkin bread that Mike made. I think that she may have even taken this photo. 

It was wonderful to stand in the kitchen and talk about everything design. 

Due to the business of the shoot being on Halloween, and also due to the abundance of rain we had that week, we didn't dress the babies up in their Halloween costumes until this past weekend. They thought it was a hoot to look like some of their favorite critters. Graham only tolerated the lion's mane for about 60 seconds (he's never been a hat boy). 

I hope that all had a wonderful weekend, over the last days of October. I also hope that for those of you who were affected by Sandy are with power, and safe and sound. Our thoughts have been with you from afar. 

Autumn Scenes and Some News!

We were on a little autumn getaway! 

Wellies had to be purchased for puddle splashing and leaf kicking. The store was sold out of every color but yellow, but it was a good thing as they looked so cute in their matching boots. 

There was farm equipment to play on. 

Our little Graham was especially thrilled about that. 

Margaret was enthusiastic about taking the wheel too. 

Are they the happiest boys you've ever seen or what?

Graham let out a lot of enthusiastic, "Baaaaahs." 

The sheep thought that it was darn cute. 

I had to grab the camera when Margaret decided to get comfortable and catch up on some important reading! 

In other news, Country Living magazine is featuring our guest house renovation, which will come out in their February issue! The shoot is scheduled for October 31st so we're super busy getting things ready. More details on that to follow!

Also, my Canon Rebel has expired. It had a good life, served me well for over four years. I don't have time to shop for a new camera right now so my little point and shoot is all I have for the time being.  

Happy October days to you! 

Mommy Blogger

I'm not actually sure what defines a Mommy Blogger but I guess I identify with the term these days. Although I try to post on the house as much as possible, it's not always easy to highlight new things as we haven't really updated much around here since my last trimester of pregnancy (when I spent a great deal of time reclined).

What I have done is to eat, sleep and breathe our babies. They are my life, my loves, my everything. They are my favorite topic, and the focus of our existence. Our days are busy as you can imagine and most of the time, the only moment I have to hop on the computer is at night, when the house is asleep. 

Being limited on time has also unfortunately affected my ability to always respond to comments, for which I've wanted to apologize for some time. I read each one and often think about them throughout the day. But no matter the dialogue I have with everyone in my head, I often don't get a chance to write it down.

Mike took some pictures of me with the babies recently, which was a treat. Usually, I am the one holding the camera. I included a couple of the photos at the top of the post.

Though I think if my Mom saw these, she'd wonder aloud if I combed my hair before taking the photos... It is funny because I haven't had an official hair-cut in a long time (could it be a year?). My mom has been cutting it during her frequent visits from California, despite the fact that she hasn't cut anyone's hair since she herself was the mother of two little ones.

This is me back in those days. My mom recently told me that my dad and she used to sneak into our bedrooms at night to cut our bangs. Hearing that was an ah-ha moment for me, as it explains why our bangs were always so sloped and/or crooked in all of our pictures. 

Hmmm...I see a pattern here. This is my brother and I, and although we are not twins, my mom used to call us Irish twins as we are only a year apart. We grew up with a lot of matching outfits that my mom would sew herself. 

Matching jumpers. 

Here it is in the wee hours again, so I must end and go to bed! Because no matter how late I stay up, the babies always awake nice and early!

A New Look...and a strawberry bathing suit

Welcome to my refreshed format! For some time, my 'to do' list has included a few changes to the blog. But between being low on time (at night, when babies are sound asleep) and the know-how to make the updates, it has taken quite a while to cross this one off.

Thankfully, the 'know-how' part is something I don't have to worry much about as Shari from Little Blue Deer helps me. This is the second time she's helped me with format and design updates. I can't say enough great things about her. She is wonderful to work with -  so accommodating, patient and of course, very knowledgeable about all the technical aspects that elude me.

A few things left to do...an updated photo of Hubby and I being the primary one. Unfortunately, photos of us are few and far between.

Thank you Shari!

The photo is of limelight hydrangeas and strawberries...a strawberry bathing suit that is!

August Blueberries

Graham is a gardener at heart. He runs around the vegetable garden picking and then sampling right off the vines! Shown here, the blueberries bushes were no exception. He even sampled a blackberry that wasn't ripe. After he removed it from his mouth and threw it onto the grass, I could just hear him thinking...hmmm, another week and they'll be delicious.  xo

Our berry pickings from last year, here and here. 

Running Through the Garden

Every morning, Mike takes the babies out in the stroller so that they can watch him tend the garden. He pulls weeds, picks basil, beans, tomatoes...they love watching him work. 

While running around in the yard, the babies made their way out to the garden last night. The basil is waist high on them. 

Graham is a bare-chested little boy here as his new favorite thing to do is to take his shirt off. 

HAPPY WEEKEND! 

Chirping Orchids

Some of our feathered friends decided to use our fireplace chimney to nest this year. The eggs have hatched and the nestlings are chirp, chirp, chirping. The babies walk over to the fireplace and look up at the orchids...Is it you that is chirping? 

Our living play room. 

Play, play, play...it's our favorite thing to do. 

xo 

Mr. Handy...Junior

Mr. Handy Jr. is making sure the door is in good working order. 

He was very thorough in his inspection and even gave the boots a once over...
Your boots must always be at the ready. 

Blackberries and Blueberries

Our blackberry bush is bursting with berries this year. 

So far (knock on wood), the deer have restrained from nibbling. 

Last year we had a nice crop that gave us a good week or so worth of pickings. This year will be even better and I'm so excited as there's nothing quite sweeter than fresh picked berries. 

The blueberry bushes are full of green berries as well. When we were out in the yard the other evening, I showed them to the babies as blueberries are one of their favorite foods. Margaret gave a few a little squeeze and determined that we'll have to wait a few more weeks before pickin'. 

Last season they weren't quite ready to eat blueberries, so it will be a special treat when we pick them this year. 

Wicker furniture...

...for wee ones. 

I saw this little wicker love seat a while ago in one of my favorite antique stores. In a quiet moment several days later, I thought the babies would have so much fun with that.  

Recently, we were back in that neck of the woods and I decided that if the little wicker love seat still happened to be there, we should get it for the babies. And when I say 'we' I mean myself and my other self who supports such ideas. 

The love seat was indeed still there but as I looked more closely, I saw that there was also a matching rocking chair and table to go with it. 

So the little love seat ended up becoming a set.  

After setting up the tiny wicker furniture on our porch, we showed it to the babies. Margaret immediately began re-arranging everything, which made me laugh. And Graham, well he glanced at it for a half second, and then he was off and running (with Mike at his heels). 

xo

Out and About in Aurora

There's a historic little town just south of Portland that I love to visit. When we first moved to Oregon seven years ago, we inadvertently drove through on our way to a music festival. The town was having a big outdoor flea market sale and being the kind and patient husband that Mike is, he suggested that I stop and look around. 

Between the classic architecture and the abundance of antique stores, it's a favorite place of mine. I've probably ventured there (it's about an hour and a half away) a couple times a year. 

Daddy and son are waiting patiently on the bench while Margaret and I were poking around one of my favorite stores, the Main Street Mercantile. It's an antique store whose three stories you can happily get lost in. 

Another favorite in town is Aurora Mills Architectural Salvage. It's a salvage store but unlike most salvage antique stores, things are organized with museum-like precision. 

Here we are poking around...

I love this old painted mantel. Behind it are rows upon rows of various profiles and sizes of trim, wonderfully organized.  

They also had a wonderful pair of wood mantels in pristine condition. 

Here are the boys...aren't they cutie pies?

After looking at hundreds of beautiful items that included antique furniture, art, frames, and lamps...I came away with one small purchase. A little painting for $11.

Hubby was happy/relieved about that. ; )

An Attache

There are those things that you buy from time to time that you never thought you needed, or even wanted for that matter.  The other day, it was a wicker attache case with leather handle and brass hardware.

The three of us saw her in an antique store (the babies and me) and by majority vote we decided to buy her for $32. 

For something that I didn't know I needed, or didn't even want, and for something I'll probably never use, I thought that it was a bargain! 

What do you think? 

Shall I schedule a business meeting? 

Probably not, but maybe I should use it to bring my laptop somewhere...like a cafe. Or more practically, from upstairs to downstairs (for very important breakfast negotiations).  

Photos by Hubby.

Peony Tulips

I brought home a bouquet of peony tulips, a variety I've never seen before. It's a proper marriage I think because tulips and peonies are such close companions in a blossoming spring garden.  

I panned out so that you could meet my other photography assistant - my dining room mirror! She stands in when Mike isn't home to assist but let me tell you that she's not nearly as fun to 'work with.' I have to keep her clean, she only works during certain day time hours and her conversation is always quite bland. 

Hubby is much more perky and requires much less maintenance.