Me, In Miniature

Do you like my new header? Do not be confused, that glorious parlor is not my living room. But it could fit into my living room. As a matter of fact, it could fit into my closet. The photo I superimposed myself onto is from the Thorne Miniature Rooms at the Art Institute of Chicago. The entire room is done in a scale of one inch to one foot. But doesn't it just fit with my gown?

One of the Thorne Miniature Rooms

I am happy with the new header even though the font didn't come out very smooth. I may try making the picture smaller before I add the font and see if that helps, but for today this is enough. I've spent more time on here than I meant to and my dog needs a bath, fun.
I've had a cold (AGAIN- or is it a relapse of the same one?) and the exterior of our house is being painted so all our doors and windows are taped up. That means when little Missy has to do her business we have to get out the leash and go with her through the garage. It's one of those days when everything is wearing me out. I feel like I've done nothing, but when I look at it there is a lot going on. Do you ever have days like that?

Persuasions No. 30

This year’s issue of Persuasions arrived in the mail recently. For those of you that may not know, Persuasions- The Jane Austen Journal, is the yearly compilation of articles and essays published by the Jane Austen Society of North America, based on the speeches and presentations from the previous year’s Annual General Meeting. Last year’s theme was “ Austen’s Legacy: Life, Love, & Laughter”, rather than a specific book, so there are a wide variety of essays. I really have been enjoying them. There are additional essays on line at the official Jane Austen Society of North America website.

My yearly issue of Persuasions is one of the greatest perks of being a lifetime member of the Jane Austen Society- a great Christmas gift from my husband a few years ago. I enjoy reading it cover to cover…perfect for a sunny garden bench or a rainy day bubble bath!

Just Add Water

I dream of having a swimming pool. I can't help it, it's a part of my heritage. That's my new line anyway. All these years I thought I just loved swimming.

This is my dad, floating peacefully in Grandma’s pool, before I was born.

Me (on left) with two of my sisters, at my 9 year old birthday party by Grandma’s pool.

Maybe it was my summer birthday parties at Grandma's pool, or the way Grandpa Brink would toss coins in the pool when all the cousins were together.

Imagine sitting on the hot cement beside the pool, hearing the water sizzle, shading your eyes from the sun as Grandpa Brink pours a fist full of coins from a large pill bottle and swings his arm back... For a brief moment the sky is filled with glittering, twirling coins, then with a plip-plip they all slip into the blue, and so do I, so do my brothers and sisters, reaching around in the silence of the underwater for the treasure....

One thing I've learned from my grandma is that as a girl swimming was THE favorite family activity. She lived in Salt Lake City, and it seems that back in the 20’s there were pools everywhere. It was common to go to one of the local pools with the cousins.

On special days they would go the Lagoon amusement park . There were rides there, but also a huge pool, and once you left the pool area you couldn’t go back in, so they would swim and swim until they were exhausted and starving, and then get out, eat, and head for the rollercoaster.

On Independence Day they would head south to either Saratoga, in Lehi, or the Geneva pool. Grandma remembers her dad driving them down to the point of the mountain, where he would flip a coin to decide if they went to Saratoga or Geneva. They would also go to Saratoga Hot Springs with the Swedish community for a Midsummer party.

Swedes at Saratoga Pool in Lehi, Utah, in the 1920’s

So how could I not love a shimmering, turquoise, outdoor pool? And this week after mowing the back yard my husband said “well, maybe it’s worth $30,000. to have less lawn to mow.

It seems like he’s caving in…quick, can anyone lend me $30,000?

Shabby Chic Mirror

I had a great find the other day, this old mirror. It's beat up but sturdy. It's a nice regency style, though its a reproduction from the 60's or 70's I think. I am priming and painting it to a shabby chic or cottage style...but not quite, because I'm using taupe with white designs instead of all white. I'm not sure if it will go in the breakfast nook or over my piano. I might have to decide when I'm done. But I'm very excited about the project.

UPDATE 3-9-10. The completed mirror can be seen in this post

I Heart Spring!

Look at the gorgeous view from my porch when I sent my daughter out to the bus stop Friday Morning.

Jane and The City of Brotherly Love

Though I've said nothing, and we've had no plan, all year I've been secretly hoping that somehow I could make some money and go to the Jane Austen Society AGM this fall in Philidelphia.

I don't know where I thought I'd get the money, and I guess I didn't want it bad enough to figure it out, but I truly need to admit to myself that I'm not going, and look forward to 2010, when I do plan on going to Portland, which is driving distance.

This year...first of all, Philidelphia, what a wonderful location!!....And then the whole thing is about brothers and sisters. I love Jane Austen's brothers and sisters, created and real. And I come from a family of 12 kids. Having eight sisters of my own is seriously DOUBLE the Bennet house. I identified with that right away.

Ever since my first AGM in Vancouver BC I've wanted to go to another. The preparations for that event prompted me to start blogging. Maybe I should just plan another little Jane Austen party, like the Tea Party I had in Feburary.

Perhaps an Anne Elliot birthday Party in August? Hmmmm.

Made Me "Smile"

Today my brother sent me a link to the "blog" of unnecessary quotation marks. I don't know if I'm just silly, but I find these photos hilarious. So cruise on over and check "them" out.

http://www.unnecessaryquotes.com/

Mothers Day

I’m sorry I haven’t posted for a while. I’ve had a bit of a cold and today I really feel awful.

Yesterday was Mothers Day, and it was a shame not feeling up to par, but on the other hand it was nice to have meals and housework all done for me. My hubby has made a couple great dinners in a row. He’s a much better cook than I am, so it was nice to enjoy that. Saturday’s tortellini dinner looked like something from a magazine photo shoot. Thank you dear!

My breakfast (and presents) in bed was not documented with photos. This is after I got out of bed, and cleaned up a few chocolate wrappers.

It’s nice to awake to breakfast and presents of flowers, design books and GOOD chocolate. My youngest daughter even read an essay, “My Hero” dedicated to me. One real treat was from my doggy. Hubby and I had printed out a ‘handprint’ poem to use in our nursery class, to paint the children’s hands and press them on the cards for their mommies. Well, at some point this morning Hubby had printed an extra, changing the word ‘handprint’ to ‘paw print’, and dipped the dog’s paws in paint to make the print. He said originally he wanted to do all four paws but she threw such a fuss they decided two was enough. Then they had to get paint off her fur! So that was pretty fun.

Later I called my mom, and then just relaxed most of the night. My sweetie also made us dessert with angel food cake, strawberries, and whipped cream. What a yummy day.

The Brass Hussy GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

The Brass Hussy GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Photo Joy!

On my recent trip Jon and I visited my Grandmother and through the blessing of modern technology (and a patient husband) scanned over a hundred photographs of her, her parents, even her grandparents. We sat for four hours sorting through pictures, numbering and scanning.

It was fun to match some pictures with the stories Grandma tells me every Tuesday when I call.

When Grandma was a girl they spoke only Swedish. They lived in Salt Lake City and her father had a gas station. She remembers playing at his rolltop desk.

Her mother was a seamstress and worked every day. Here she has brought a sewing machine outside.This is grandma on 'Crazy Day' in High School.Me: Grandma, you were quite the hottie!
Grandma: I don't like how you said 'WERE'...

Sunrise, Sunset....

I know you've all noticed my absence and couldn't wait for my return. My hubby and I took a quick trip out of state to pick up our daughter from BYU.

If you recognize my title then you know the sentimentality I'm indulging in right now. No, I'm not saying that she's getting married..don't read that much into it. I'm just saying, when did my first little girl go from this:













to this:














Well, it's great to be back. Have a great weekend, everyone!