Rock Paper Scissors

Let's Make A Deal!

Once open a time long, long ago I entered into a deal.  Now it wasn't with any scary storybook character however it was with the person who is the closest and dearest to me, my husband!  We live a long distance from his work and for the sake of our son he agreed to raise him in the town we live presently.  I promised on the day of high school graduation, it would be time to sell.  Destiny has a way of taking control of situations at times as it did this time.  Yes, our son did graduate and yes, our almost always home is for sale.  Yet while vacationing in our favorite summer spot with family, I found the house of my dreams with the help of two wonderful daughters. So many times before my BIG over sized Spanish modern with 13 rooms had been called a dream home and yes it is so beautiful!  However for me it has always felt like a dress that didn't quite fit me. At this time we travel to Miss Mary's Cottage once a month and as time nears for our next visit I can hardly wait to go back.  No one has made any offers on what I like to call the big brown dress of ours however I know by spring when all is in bloom someone who loves to garden will be inspired to watch my garden for me.
Jennie do you agree with me?
The Big Brown!
Miss Mary's Cottage back garden view

Cottage Home Kitchen Nook

This is a photo of the kitchen nook in Miss Mary's cottage.  I really like this table for this spot.  It was advertised as a space safer in the Pottery Barn catalog.  It has sides that fold down.  Next I need to pick a fabric for the seat cushions.  Flowers, stripes, solid, and the color all have me confused at the moment.  As you can see the walls are a pale yellow and the floors pine with yellow overtones.
This kitchen photo was taken from the nook area.  Lots of cottage color going on in the rest of this space.  Kathleen thinks blue would do the trick.  I'm wondering what Miss Jennie Love would say.
The dinning chairs are an off white and the same goes for the couch in the living room.

Oops forgot about those pink and green floral slip covered overstuffed side chairs.

Once again Miss Jennie Love, you are watching over this mess of color.  I'll keep you all posted as for now I plan on looking through some old Country Home magazines for some cottage home inspiration!

A day of Rest

So Miss Jennie Love,

What did you do today? Looks like after you watched the sun rise this morning that you needed a nap. So now it's time to make dinner. Do you think this looks good enough to eat? Hugs to you Jennie.  Sleep well tonight!

Laundry Day

Dear Miss Jennie Love,

So Jennie dear you know all about what we did today.  First of all you watched me do laundry.  I'm happy to say that the pile has gotten smaller.  Vacation laundry is never fun.  You made the neighbors laugh again today as you rolled onto your back on our afternoon walk.  You stopped traffic as the cars rolled by someone shouted, "Why don't you carry your dog."  I was embarrassed for you.  I think you need to be who you are and if rolling on the grass gives you pleasure do it!  I had the time.  Today was not sunny here however the temps were once again in the low 70's.  Nice weather to watch the clouds roll by while on your back in the grass.  Sometimes I do believe Jennie that you know more than a college graduate or a rich snob driving his caddy around the block!  As the day began so much was rolling around in my head, should I go to Target for cleaning supplies, Michael's to order a frame at 60% off, Trader Joe's for food?  In the end, I decided to stay home and do the laundry and hang out with you at home.  You are just what I needed today!  Thank you Jennie Love.

Best Wishes,

Miss Mary

Jennie's Name

Dear Jennie Love,

Yes, you deserve a last name!  So as your human godmother, I have decided it should be "Love" because you love us all so much.

The holidays are over and I'm feeling horrible today.  The whole way back from Cambria I'd been fighting off a cold.  I lost the fight!  Today, I chose to give myself permission to be sick and hang out at home however I can't miss hanging out with Daniel and John this evening.  We need to bring Daniel back to school.  This evening the front door will not be opening and closing in the wee hours once again as Daniel's friends enter and exit our home.  The weather has turned warm again and it feels weird in January to open windows.  This happens every year however and will turn back to seasonal temps anytime soon.  Many southern CA natives think that this happens so as to persuade folks from colder climates to throw away their snow shovels and head west.
Here you are enjoying a little rest in our family room.  Since this photo was taken half of all our furniture now lives in Cambria and I've rearranged the furniture in this room.
So what do you think Jennie Love?

A Walk for Jennie

Hi Jennie,

We will be leaving Cambria today and heading home to southern Ca.  You and I will be hanging out in the back of the van enjoying the ocean views until we pass Ventura on Highway 1.  We've been hanging out with John (husband), John Michael (son), and grandpa R in Miss Mary's Storybook Cottage.  Yes!  This house now has a name.  Since at times, I can be quite contrary just like the Mary in the children's rhyme. "Mary, Mary quite contrary how does your garden grow"....  I love the name Rose Cottage however we don't have any roses in our garden.  If we did, the deer would eat them.  Our garden looks dismal at the moment.  I'm anxious for spring to see what will pop up here that the deer will leave alone.  The white Pottery Barn table in our nook not only looks great but is functional as well.  Thanks Kathleen for the suggestion!  It is the table advertised as a space saver and is worth every penny.  John's back from his run this morning and wants to take us out for our morning walk better say goodbye for now.

Love,

Miss Mary
 John (husband) and you (Jennie)

An Aspen Fall

Dear Jennie,

Early this morning you watched as I worked on this painting.  It reminds me of the aspen trees that John and I saw in Yellowstone this past fall.

I took this photo from a moving bus.
This is Jennie's reaction to my morning efforts at the easel.  Once again bon soir mes amies.

Jennie After a Swim

Dear Jennie,

I'm still working on my promise to you.  Today's french lesson was about jobs.  I learned that being a housewife can sound much more important in french.  Je suis une menagere!  I just love the word.  I never did like being married to a house.  These lessons are breaking my brain.  I hope it gets easier. 
Why did you have to eat this towel?  It's getting closer to Christmas.  Are you having any fun?  From the looks of you, Jennie girl, I think yes!

Becoming a For Sale Home

Today at 1 PM, our family had the most hysterical moment.  Everything and almost anything was in the air to happen.  Daniel asleep in his bed from a long evening of fun was in his bed.  Husband, John, with beer in hand was happily working at his computer.  Myself, about to pour a nice glass of white wine, heard the doorbell ring.  Dog, Jennie, our forever best greeter runs to front door.  Now any family putting their home up for sale would expect this kind of inconvenience.  However not mine.  I'm told from husband," They won't come."  From son, "Wake me if you get a call". As for myself, I'm in a frenzy with dust rag in hand with thoughts of, ' Yes, they will come." John, husband, hides beer.  Myself hides wine.  Next I run to open front door to find realtor lady and homebuyers.  Small talk of so sorry and off we go with sleepy son and dog.  Everybody expounding about how awful this moment is to their lives. I, myself wondering and yes knowing that these buyers were and never will be into cottage style.  Maybe something only covered in gold glitter.  So this is our Sunday.  Maybe next time someone who can love this home will come. This is a photo of the back of our home.  Our homes mayor, Jennie, hates to not greet all visitors.