Many many moons ago...

I acquired one of these, minus the lid. I used it to store umbrellas. I don't know what became of it, but I would like to acquire another.

Did I say I adore enamelware

I am always looking for ways to utilize, space, in my very tiny, only bathroom. I just came across this, in one of the many catalogs, that has been arriving in the mail.

The novice baker in me

Around a year ago, I bought this. I thought that I could add a personal touch, to the cakes, I do occasionally bake. Though I have yet to dabble in cake decorating, this set has led to bigger inspirations.
A cake decorating class, so that maybe one day, I can create, exquisite cakes, like these.

The yet to come

The thought of finally, reclaiming my home, is exhilarating. The possibilities endless.

Learn how to use the digital camera.
Dust off the sewing machine.
Prepare meals with my daughter.
Plan my container garden.

Ah, a light at the end of the tunnel

I decided yesterday, since I had a long night at work, awaiting me; that sleep should be my priority. So the tub didn't get done. That was a wise decision, as sometimes, taking care of ones self, is more important.

Plans have slightly changed. I have tomorrow off so it will get done then. It looks like my other day off might be Monday instead of Wednesday. So that looks like the day to drop off, the remaining car load to the thrift shop.

The list of what needs to be done is now smaller. I will be quite content if all is done before the holidays.

cull and clean the patio
windows
mini blinds
carpet cleaning

Culling the path to simple living

When you work 50 hours a week, the journey to culling clutter; moves like a turtle. We emptied the bathroom cabinets and cleaned everything except the tub and medicine cabinet, which I hope to get done today. Wednesday will be the long awaited second and last trip, to the thrift shop.

It seems like the journey, to culling the clutter is coming to a end. One of life's journeys, that I never want to revisit.

Creative simplicity

I have this chair, only in solid pine color, no white. Awhile ago the back broke. I have been using the chair to put my feet up on, while on the computer.

I was going to trash it, as it is not visually appealing; as you can see the holes where the spindles went. I just had a light bulb moment, on how I could recycle and reuse it; in a way that will make it visually appealing. I have four chair pads, that although rather nice, I never used. They were in one of the closets; so when we culled, they got placed in a bag for the thrift shop. I did keep one for my daughters desk chairs.

I have to go back in the car and take something back into the house, meant to be given away. I am okay with that, as it is being given a useful second life. Useful is the key word. What I plan to do is get thick Velcro and glue it to the chair itself, and to the back of the chair pad. That way when the chair pad gets dirty, I simply wash it. The chair pad, covers the spindle holes, so that takes care of the ugliness factor. The chair pad also has a skirt, which will add a cuteness factor. All for the price of just Velcro, I have a lovely foot rest.

Abundance of gratitude...

for Monday

To keep me grounded, is to remind myself, of what is truly important; gratitude for the simple things.

Today I am grateful for extraordinary blessings and the everyday ones
...a biopsy does not show any cancer
...waking up and having a home that was not affected by the devastating fire
...the smell and feel of freshly washed sheets and towels
...that my journey to simple living, is turning my home into, the sanctuary I always envisioned

My journey to simple living

I am so pleased with, the progress my daughter and I made these past couple of days. The culling is almost finished. We finished the linen closet, most of her room, my room and a vast collection, of neglected laundry was washed and dried. Life without clutter, most definitely brings contentment.

A legacy for her...a blessing for me

When I decided to write this blog, the sole purpose was; to journal, my thoughts. I wanted something, to leave my daughter in case I ever got sick again. It has served that purpose; but even more, turned out to be one of life's biggest blessings, for me.

I discovered when I took a few college classes, that I had a gift for written expression. I never had anything to nurture that, until this. I have reaffirmed that all lost brain cells, are just that; only lost... not permanently gone.

It only takes some gentle creative stimulation to bring them back.

My journey to simple living

Its day three of my six days off. I decided to start cleaning, in a different direction; the bedrooms first. Totally overwhelming at first. We took everything out of the closet and cleaned the walls, in there. You would think, that when they paint closets and shelves they would use gloss paint instead of flat. Then everything would just wipe off.

Two bags of trash and two more bags, to send to the thrift shop. As much as I would love for my daughter have a garage sale; it just isn't going to happen. Too much stuff, that I don't want, to sit around anymore than it needs to. I am thinking tomorrow, a quick run to drop off all that is ready.

I did find two books, that I will not be giving away. One is a prayer book, which my father received, as a gift on his Bar Mitzvah day. Its a mere 65 years old. The other is The Five Books Of Moses, which from its condition, must be that old or even older. Bindings on both are sorely in need of repair. I had forgotten that I had them.

Teeny tiny treasures

These treasures, were in a Smithsonian Catalog, I received. Tiny vintage dollhouse furniture, that would make even a non collector, want to start collecting.

I was like...huh

I was searching online for vintage, like I always do. Vintage looking memo boards to be exact; and there listed was my blog. I have a vintage mind, so modern technology, sometimes stops me dead in my tracks.

And then there were two

When my parents gave these to me, there were three of the four original plates left. These are the two that have survived the years. They were issued in 1975. Are they my most treasured pieces, no. I keep them as they will be passed on to the next generation.

What grows out of the ground

I have this large patio, with a 6 foot fence. On the top of the fence I have plants. Some time ago, one of my ivy plants, migrated and started growing out of the ground. Instead of cutting it away, I shall place this trellis, and intertwine the ivy to grow around it.

A Gentle Reminder

I came across these inspirational rocks and I was inspired. They are for the garden, but I have more meaningful plans for them. To keep myself reminded to stop and smell the roses; I will place them, where they will be a constant reminder. Such as Harmony at the kitchen table; as that should be a place, where my daughter and I connect. Always Dream, at the base of my computer screen; as that is where I seem to be most inspired. Relax, in the shower; as that is where I unwind. Hope, on my kitchen window; as that is the window I look out, each new day. Faith, in my bedroom; as that is where I lay my head at night.

Vintage memories

When I was growing up, I had a grandmother, who loved to cook; sadly I was a child who rarely ate, what she cooked. What a loss for me, as she died in 1969. Her matzo ball soup and desserts are only distant memories, as her recipes have vanished. Hopefully someday, I will be able to find close replicas, that will evoke deja vu memories.

Matzo Ball Soup

Mandle Bread

Sponge Cake

I got to know you all over again

The impact he made on my life, words can not do justice to. We rarely talked about his life before he came to the U.S. He was a Holocaust survivor. I knew him as Grandpa Morton.

What I remember about him, was his stubbornness and his gruffness. Other than that the only trace on the outside, of his life inside the concentration camp, in Poland; was the tattooed identification numbers on the inside of his forearm. His heart died when he lost, what was so precious to him; his wife and sons. This unmeasurable pain, he carried in his heart, though it seeped out through his rough exterior.

I knew growing up, that he was a tailor. What I didn't know until his funeral, was that was what kept him alive, when million of others perished. He was kept alive to sew uniforms for the Nazis.

After he died I came across the book, Polyn. I was hoping it would give me a glimpse into the life of a man I adored, but never really got to know. One thing that I do know, is that as a little girl, I reclaimed his heart.

Wish I were there

This is my most treasured cookbook. What captivated me more than the recipes, was the stories and the photographs; behind the recipes. This book exudes heritage and family. What a blessing it must have been to sit at a "Welcome Table".

Life as you know it can change in a heartbeat

In a minuscule second, a strangers life can intertwine with yours; and both your lives can be drastically altered. There are times in ones life, that all seems surreal, today was one of them. They are finishing the biopsy. The Dr. asks me when I had the surgery for cancer, did they do a transfusion. The first thought is, they cant stop the bleeding, due to the incision. Then I hear him say, when he pulled the needle out, he cut himself. For a minute, all understanding of the english language; abruptly stopped, for me. No more lost dignity, of having my breast down a hole, while being pulled, pinched, squished and yanked in every direction; as for a moment in time, I lost any memory of even having the biopsy.

As I walked out of the ER, after having my blood drawn; the Dr. was waiting to have his drawn. We glanced at each other as I left. I knowing full well, that our lives may never be the same.

Tic toc...tic toc

Today is the second biopsy and then the waiting game. As I won't find out the results for another week. I've heard, that good things come to those who wait. I wonder if that will apply for this.

No more solid sheets

I have sheets similar to these, only on mine the flowers are smaller. My quilt is a patchwork, wedding ring quilt. It has blue, pale yellow and the same color green in it. I like mismatched items.

A simple touch

It is such a hard decision, as to which switch, this shall call home. Its hard to tell , but this beauty is made of porcelain.

Something for both of us

I am going to replace my daughters furniture soon, as she has outgrown her childhood furniture. I want to buy her pieces, that she can take with her, when she moves out. She likes the pink one.

I adore the green one. I can envision this with a pine dresser and a vintage wrought iron head and foot board.

I want it all

Along my journey, I had a epiphany. Things, no longer hold importance, living for tomorrow, is all that is important; and I want it all.

I want to walk barefoot in the rain
I want to drink wine in Tuscany, sit outside a cafe in Paris, whale watch in Alaska and eat lobster in Maine
I want to drink expensive champagne
I want to go to the mountains when it is snowing and forget to come back
I want to dance at my daughters wedding
I want to smell that sweet baby smell, as I cradle my grandchildren
I want to fall in love again, when I am 80, with the same man I fell in love with when I was 30

I want it all

Forgotten cherished memories

bettysattic.com

Ah take me back

Some I have fond memories of, some vague, two dolls were my sisters, the first two toys are my favorite memories.