What a wonderful few days I had up visiting my mom. It was a short visit but very relaxed and enjoyable. She is doing remarkably well and getting around much better than she was a few weeks ago when I was there. That is a wonderful thing!
On this trip the hubby came along and we brought the dogs. We booked in at the Historic Condon Hotel. It is an old hotel from when Condon was just a young village and has been completely renovated. It is beautiful and so full of charm! Add pet friendly and you have a winner. They have even added a dog run out back! Honestly I could just move right in and stay!
While there I did a great deal of organizing and cleaning out of cupboards and closets for mom. When going through stuff we found lots of old photos. These are of my mom with her best friend and a few of her beaus from her early years before meeting my dad. Of course I believe my dad to have been the handsomest of all of them!
In sorting out, I came across these darling kits she had bought from Mary Maxim. Now I am a serious yarn snob I admit, but the cuteness of these was too much to resist. I knit up the little candy corn baby and started the penguin. I had to bring the penguin home to compete as I did not have time to finish it. I think these are really just the cutest things ever and of course then went a bit mad and ordered a few more kits and a book of holiday clothing for these wee little ones. My goal is to make my mom an outfit for every season for her wee baby. She got such joy out of the candy corn one.
Although my career has been in long term care and I am aware of the aging process; it is entirely different when it is your own parent. It has been so difficult to watch this progression with my mom. In the past year we have seen an increase in her declining health and ability to care for herself. We are blessed as she does have little to no symptoms of memory loss, just what would be expected at her age in a natural aging process. The two things that I mourn the most for her and for myself are the loss of her ability to do the things she loves. She can hardly knit anymore as she cannot read patterns or see well enough. She also can no longer sew. Growing up she was never without her knitting or sitting at the sewing machine making garments for all of us; of course that was when she wasn’t keeping 8 hungry mouths filled. It’s just damn hard and a journey we must all face.
I woke the other morning to a gorgeous overcast day. There was a nice nip in the air and I opened the doors and windows to let all that lovely Autumn air into the house. I added some lovely scent to the diffuser my mom sent home with me and made a delicious salted caramel latte with my Nespresso machine. Now this is the life! 
I just really wasn’t up to heading out the door to sales Saturday morning, but I eventually did just that. It was a pretty sad day for pickins. Found some clothing that will be great additions to my wardrobe and a few odds and ends of this and that. I did find a lovely watercolor to add to my others.
On the back it states that it is the old Piscalini barn east of Cambria and is signed by the artist. I think it is lovely! I may eventually upgrade the frame, but I rather like the character that these old frames add.
Remember the discussion from a few weeks ago about the ability to keep an Orchid reblooming? I had stated that I was going to attempt a repotting of mine. Well I did a week ago and so far so good. I didn’t even wait for it to stop blooming but just took the plunge and plopped it into a large pot gently putting all the growing roots, that were wildly escaping the too small pot, back down inside the pot and into the soil. I think I may have just had success with this repotting project. During the summer I did a mass repotting of most all my plants. I had not bothered until my dear friend Mia brought over her plants for me to housesit while she moved and they were all in large roomy pots. Put me to shame entirely! They have loved the extra room and are all growing heartily.
I think that I have had too much time on my hands as for the past month, I have been shopping the IG destash again and with a vengeance. I love getting so much squishy and lovely mail, but I seriously do not need any more fabric….yarn yes…but fabric no…lol. But nonetheless when I arrived back from my mom’s all these lovelies were in my mailbox. But one of the benefits of having daughters who are also crafty is that they are always happy to take things off my hands.
But best of all was a package from my dear friend Roni (the author of the several amazing books with one being The Longest Trail….you all much check it out!!). She had asked me if I would have any desire for these sweet little ones and I said “oh my stars would I?” Aren’t they just the sweetest. I do not recognize the make of the two larger ones and will do some investigating, but the little chicken girl is a Hummel. I am totally smitten by all three!
I have been so thoroughly enjoying my Autumn decor this year after not having it out for the past several years. I am a homebody through and through and enjoy every bit of creating a cozy and homey abode. I enjoy having my collections out on display so that I can see them and enjoy each and every one. Each item brings me joy and many evoke such sweet memories of my own childhood, while others memories of being a young mother and time with my own babies. My home is indeed my sanctuary. I know many crave a minimalistic home to thrive, but my nest must be full of treasures; sweet bits and bobs that fill me with joy and make my spirit and soul soar.
On the subject of nesting and what makes us thrive, I find that I am in a minority when it comes to preferring silence when at home. I am not referring to talking with the spouse, but to having any type of background noise; be it TV or music. There are times when I prefer some piano or classical music that is not overpowering, but instead soothing and non intrusive. I cannot bear a loud tv blasting away all hours of the day and night. In fact most of my adult life I have not had TV; well in childhood we didn’t really have TV to speak of either as we were far to busy to be spending time sitting in the house in front of a TV set. I have always preferred the solitude of silence. But when it come to scent, I am all on board. I utilize essential oils, scentsy burners, and candles. However, even with scent I like something that is not overpowering. Currently I am diffusing fennel or sweet birch essential oils, lighting pumpkin spice candles, and have maple in my scentsy burners. The house smells delightful! I also avoid perfume but am never without my essential oil bracelets and lava necklace. Again my favorite scents currently are fennel and sweet birch. I love how essential oils are not overpowering.
All this running around this past month has been hard on my babies. I have made a habit of walking them daily when I am home and they love that. I had gotten so lazy and out of the habit of the daily walk with the summer heat. I honestly cannot imagine a life without a boxer…or two. They have such personalities and bring such joy into my life.
I was up early this morning as usual and busy doing the last little things I want to accomplish before heading back to work. Having this month off was amazing!! I am so happy I scheduled a break between going from the last job to this one. I am excited to start and have a stack of decor that will go into my office. That is always my first order of business; creating my own space. I must be in an organized environment and surrounded by bits and bobs that I love. And oh how lovely this office is! I will share pics of course when it is set up. I have one day at work then off to training for 2 days at their corporate headquarters.
But now I must away and complete some homework and run a few last minute errands.
Choose Joy,
Patricia
Unraveling a Life 