Under a Red Roof ·

Welcome

April 20, 2009 in Decorating, Making by Colleen | 1 comment

I believe it is the Shakers that have the saying, “Own nothing that is neither beautiful nor useful.” I would like to make an addendum to that: Or doesn’t have a wonderful story behind it. I love how nearly every object in my home has a story. Walk around each room and I will tell you about when we took a photograph, or the fun day we had when I bought a particular trinket, painting, or piece of furniture.

Take this glass. Isn’t it pretty? Many of you have already seen it as it adorns our front door, and for those of you who haven’t, welcome! As you can see, the opening is rather large, and I never liked the idea of total strangers, or even people I do know being able to look right into the house when I have the door closed.

So, for many years, I had some maple leaves I collected ironed between two sheets of wax paper and scotch taped to the glass. Oh yes, very classy! Finally, after knowing there had to be a better way, my friend Sarah took me to Kurumi’s, a local glass artist, and I made this, as well as some sun catchers and necklaces, in her studio. Then the hubster installed it to perfection.

I love it! The flowers are like poppies, one of my favorites! As well, it lets in light rather gorgeously and has the little cutout for a peep hole, so I can eye you before deciding whether or not to open the door. I usually do; stop by and see for yourself…

Outdoor Living Room

April 20, 2009 in Decorating by Colleen | 2 comments

This past fall, I watched our neighbor’s dog Reggie while his humans, Pat and Kelly, were in Hawaii. We had a grand time together. Each morning and afternoon when I would arrive, he’d be sleeping in his dog bed, and I’d sit quietly on the floor next to him until he started to stir. Then he’d run around the house like a puppy before I either fed him or took him for a walk around the neighborhood.

After this was done, I would sit on the back patio and read a book or magazine with Reggie either sleeping at my feet or with his head resting on my lap. It was simply lovely. In particular, I enjoyed how cozy it was outside, like I was in a living room, but able to feel the breeze on my cheek and smell the sweet scents of all the wonderful plants growing in the garden.

It was so pleasant that I decided then and there that I had to have a space like this at my house. These photographs are the end result. I am really pleased with it. It was really a matter of furniture, as the potted plants (soon to be sweet smelling jasmine and bamboo) have been growing for ages. We had one of the benches already, along with a round table and chairs, but the configuration just wasn’t right – no comfort, only awkwardness. So, we gave said table and chairs to Reggie’s humans (we hardly used them) and bought another bench, two chairs, a side table, and coffee table (arriving in June) from a nice local furniture place. We found the rug at Target along with the neat hurricane candle holder. Which reminds me – has anyone seen citronella candles yet this season? We’re going to need them!

Oh my goodness, it’s amazing how much more inviting it is. Though the summery weather we’re enjoying certainly played a part in it, we’ve been outside every day and evening, sipping cool drinks, snacking, chatting, napping (the Hubster), reading magazines (me), and cuddling with the kitties. The icing on the cake will be the cheery red cushions scheduled to arrive next week. I love it!

p.s. How handsome is my partner in crime?!

Plugged In

April 17, 2009 in Listening, Spotlighting by Colleen | Permalink

Is it Friday already? How did that happen?

Yesterday was a really nice day, weather wise, and the weekend (save today), if the forecasters have it on the money, is supposed to be exceptional. I plan on being out in the sunshine as much as possible. I am envisioning some major weed pulling, a long walk (wearing a skirt!), a bicycle ride, and clothes hanging dreamily from the line.

In contrast to last week’s music for drifting along, I’ve got a little something meant to get me plugged in, dialed up, moving, singing, shaking, and smiling. Here goes:

“Pimpf” – Depeche Mode

“Roadhouse Blues” – The Doors

“No One Knows” – Queens of the Stone Age

“O Valencia!” – The Decemberists

“Over the Hills and Far Away” – Led Zeppelin

“Wynona’s Big Brown Beaver” – Primus (Les Claypool rocks)

“No Love Lost” – Joy Division

“White Tooth Man” – Iron & Wine

“Everything” – Stereo MC’s

“I Got You (I feel good)” – James Brown

“Don’t Sweat the Technique” – Eric B. & Rakim

“Giant Steps” – John Coltrane

“A Little Less Conversation” – Elvis

“Ain’t No Other Man” – Christina Aguilera (the girl can SING!)

“Again & Again” – the bird and the bee

“Let Me Go” – CAKE

“Prayer For You” – Texas

“Here’s Where the Story Ends” – The Sundays (the story but not the playlist)

“I Don’t Know What It Is” – Rufus Wainwright

“Back” – Alpha

Here’s hoping we all have a wonderful weekend!

Nothing Fancy

April 15, 2009 in Admiring, Being, Eating, Loving by Colleen | 1 comment

Something that I love about the life I share with Greg is the fact that we are just happy to be together. Maybe it is the fact that we’ve been a couple for eighteen years, but we realize that there is so little we truly need from each other. We are each our own source of happiness and joy, modified by the fact there is someone truly wonderful to cuddle with each night in bed.

We have no grand expectations or idealized versions of what our life should look like. What we have is what we want and relish, every last bit: being in the same room, listening to music, watching a movie, sharing a smile, a laugh, or, in this case, a meal.

This was our Sunday dinner. Neither of us has ever outgrown the fish fillets of our youth. So we baked some up, and I made tartar sauce and rosemary (fresh from the garden!) home fries to accompany them. It certainly wasn’t anything gourmet, but, with his company, it sure felt like it. Every bite was delicious. A real treat!

Hail to the Garden!

April 13, 2009 in Gardening + Nature, Learning by Colleen | 2 comments

Meet Wilbur, another one of my gnome friends. He was hoping I would keep him company today as he trundled various twigs and bits of debris around the garden. We had no such luck, however. Every time I went to put my boots on, the rain would start, and sometimes, as in this case, the hail, too!

I tried three different times to no avail. I guess Mother Nature thought I’d be better off indoors today. It so happens she was right. I am happily typing away after a big basement clean-up. I put away the stray tools, cleaned up cat messes, filled three boxes with various bits and bobs for the Goodwill, and gathered a rather tall pile of all the remaining boxes that need to be cut and bound for the recycling bin. Then I swept, vacuumed, and smiled contentedly at a job well done.

I love a productive day…