Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Happy Birthday To Me

Today I turn 35.  I'm looking forward to 35.  I think it will be a good year.  I know so many people dread getting older, but I really look forward to it!  I am certainly a self-confessed late bloomer and I think I only improve with age!  I'm off on a birthday adventure with Donnie and the boys, but I will be back later to share photos and stories of what is sure to be a great day.

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

The Oller House

Last Friday, after talking about it for ages, Heidi and I decided to finally visit our town's historical society.  It's housed in one of the loveliest old homes in town, the Oller House, named for the family who built and lived in the home.  We were given a tour by one of the society's members and she even briefly looked for some information on either of our homes, but was unsuccessful.  I was a bit disappointed, because I've been doing my own research on the original owners of my home and I think there must be more to their stories.  I'm really hoping to go back another time and see if I can do some of my own research or even eventually volunteer.  My job limits the amount of time I can actually help out, but I would love to spend some spare Saturdays assisting with whatever needs done.
Isn't she a beauty?!  I've actually been inside this home previously.  When I was in middle school, they used to hold a haunted house in the house.  I may be mistaken, but I think a group of high school students used to put it on or at least help out.  I only remember bits and pieces, but I do clearly remember running out the exit frantically, probably screaming!  I wished I would have taken more photos of the inside, but I didn't think to ask if it was okay to take photos until we were all the way up on the third floor, at the end of the tour.  The furnishings aren't original, save for two pieces, but it is filled with donated pieces that would have been typical to the period when the house was built.  There are portraits of the family members, though, and the wall coverings are reproductions of those that were originally in the home.

Of course the only photos I would take would be of old dolls and toys!  Way up on the third level of the house was where the servants lived, but there was this one small round room with a tall vaulted ceiling that was used as a playroom for the children.  It was so sweet and sunny.  I could imagine little Victorian children playing in the room!  Oh how I wish I would have snapped a photo of the shower in the upstairs bathroom.  I think luxurious would be the best word to describe it.  I promise to take lots more photos after my next visit!

Monday, May 25, 2015

Happy Memorial Day

While you're busy enjoying your day off and munching on barbecue food, take some time to remember the real reason behind this holiday.  So many brave lives have been lost while serving our country and I think we tend to take their sacrifices for granted.  We have plans to watch the Memorial Day parade that comes down our little street every year.  I think it's been coming down our street for probably the last hundred or so years, but I couldn't find any information online with the actual dates. And I couldn't post on Monday without sharing some music, so here you go!

It doesn't really have anything to do with the holiday, but it sure is lovely!

Thursday, May 14, 2015

Books To Beat Boredom!


This is the second book in The Paper Magician Series.  You can read my review of the first book in this post.  I really enjoyed the first book in this series, so this sequel had a lot to live up to!  I think it did a great job of picking right back up where the first book left off and, for me, the story was just as strong.  The third book in this series comes out next month and I am so looking forward to it.  I love all the elements of magic this series has to offer and the attention the author has paid to really describing the different manipulations and spells that go into each type of magic!


I think I can best sum up my feelings for this book by saying that I stayed up until 2am on a weeknight to finish this book, after starting it earlier in the evening.  I am truly a sucker for a good fairytale and just tend to really enjoy fantasy and magic.  This book has it all!  There are so many great quotable lines from this book and I particularly like this one- "Sometimes the plainest of things conceal the most unimaginable wonders..."  This quote really applies to the main character, Clara, who instead of being overshadowed by so many of the fantastic people and creatures of the book, really shines as a strong heroine.


I haven't actually finished this one yet, but I'm really enjoying the stories so far.  Each story is self contained, so it's been easy to pick this one up whenever I have a spare moment.  I have to say, I really didn't think much of nuns before starting this book.  I didn't think their work extended outside of the church, so I was quite surprised and these ladies have definitely been serving as great inspiration.  If you're one of those people who want to change the world (me), you will love this book!

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Hello, Doll Faces!

 I apologize for the repeat photos, if you follow me on Instagram, but I thought I would share some of the things I've been working on lately.  After my large sale right before Easter, I was left feeling a little burnt out.  I realized that I did too much in too little time and I really didn't enjoy it.  I don't want to do that again.  This is a fun side business, a hobby that just happened to turn into a way for me to make a bit of extra money, so I am easing my way back in and am enjoying creating again.  I picked up some great supplies at a recent fabric and craft supply sale and I always have a million ideas in my head, so I'm excited to get back to making!

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Mother's Day

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day!  I got to sleep in late, until Oscar woke me to let me know my special breakfast was ready.  Donnie had made french toast with fresh strawberries.  Yum!  I had a lazy morning and then we headed to Wegman's to stock up on sushi and other goodies for a picnic. The weather was perfect and was especially lovely under the shade of a big maple tree.  The boys spent the picnic playing in the grass and bringing me lots of daisylions (dandelions) and fallen whirlybirds from the tree above.  We took a long scenic drive afterwards and then I got to do absolutely nothing productive for the rest of the day. What a spoiled mama!
These silly boys made for a really special Mother's Day!

Monday, May 11, 2015

The Party Line

Since my iPod died, we've been mostly listening to mix CDs and NPR in the car, but sometimes the boys request dance songs.  I haven't really figured out what exactly constitutes a dance song to the little dudes, but this seems like a pretty good dance song to me!
On a side note, has anyone ever actually been to a party where people broke into dance solos?  I see things like that in movies and in this video, so I feel like maybe I am missing out.  I don't actually even remember being at a party where there was any dancing, let alone random solos and routines!