Shabby Chic Farm Items

My mom grew up on a dairy farm in southwestern Wisconsin near LaCrosse in a beautiful valley.  Even though I was born in a small town in Minnesota and have lived in large cities most of my life, my heart and soul belong to the countryside.  It is there that I feel at peace and can listen to the sounds of nature without the constant background noises of the cities.  Only outside of a city, that is always full of its constant bright lights, can you look up into the sky at night and see the stars and constellations and listen to the insects chirping. And in the mornings, go outside and walk in the grass damp with dew and feel the freshness of a new day.

As dairy farmers, my grandfather's farm had tons of these milk cans.  He would take them to the local creamery where the contents would be turned into delicious butter and the top cream would be skimmed off.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/80938673/old-vintage-creamery-cans-a-fine
-art

My grandmother, and later my mother, spent countless hours every summer raising the vegetables and picking the fruit that they would then can in the mason jars - ensuring that the family had homegrown vegetables and fruit all winter long.  I'm so happy to see a revival in canning!  Here the mason jars are put to another good use.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/95427757/eco-friendly-mason-jar-soap-dispenser

And finally, a barn of their own for all the birds that brighten our days.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/102442272/barn-birdhouse-painted-grey-and-white

Have a happy weekend!

Treasury Books

We are remodeling our home and one of my "must haves" is a large bookcase in the living room.  Now, my preference is to have my own library with a cozy fireplace, wing back vintage chairs, a large desk and a huge window looking out to the garden, but alas my husband is not going along with my vision.  So in the meantime I will be content with our new living room with its bookcase (that is yet to be built) and its large windows.  As Horace Mann said, "A house without books is like a room without windows."

Which brings me to treasury lists on Etsy.  Creative people tend to have many outlets and don't focus on just one art or craft form.  This holds true for many, if not most, of those who have stores on Etsy.com.  Here are some examples of  treasury lists that focus on books and all things literary that were created by Etsians.  Enjoy!  (Having technical difficulties in posting the treasury lists so have to use the links).

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NjAwMjE2NnwyNzIwNDE0NDgz/shhhhh-im-reading?index=2

http://www.etsy.com/treasury/NzI1OTM5MHwzMDEwNjIyMDQ/go-away-im-reading?index=0

(Anyone who can tell me how to copy and past a treasury list?)

Colorado Wildfires

I was shocked by the news this morning - 32,000 people near Colorado Springs have had to evacuate because of the raging fires!  I can't imagine how awful that must be for those people - having to leave almost all their possessions behind and wondering if when they return there will be anything left.  http://www.cnn.com/2012/06/27/us/western-wildfires/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

My daughter lives in Denver and while visiting her, I have enjoyed the beauty of that state.  While I understand that fires can be cleansing, but this one is too out of control and is the worst in the history of that Colorado.

I think that to show our support, we should all pick Etsy shops that are located in Colorado and favorite them and promote them!

Vintage Children's Books

When I was growing up in the 1970's I looked forward each month to my shipment of the next two books in the Happy Hollister's Mystery series.  I loved losing myself in their adventures and their family life involving five siblings - especially since I was an only child.  I've been looking through my mom's things trying to find those books as I had the whole series but so far no luck.  I did find these on etsy.com if any of you are looking:


http://www.etsy.com/listing/99803622/happy-hollisters-books-set-of-8.  Magi Gifts and Treasures has many other vintage books to select from, including more children's books.

I started reading to my three girls basically from the time they were born.  We went through hundreds of books from the Little Golden Books to the Berenstein Bears to the American Girls series and many many others in between.  Those are some of my fondest memories of time well spent with my daughters.  We almost never missed a night time reading session.  We would all cuddle up on one of their beds and read for nearly half an hour.  Once in awhile my husband would read to them but his "reading" consisted of reading the first couple of pages and then he would invent the rest of the story off the top of his head.  The girls loved it!

Here are some more of my finds from etsy.com:


http://www.etsy.com/listing/100158771/a-little-golden-book-four-puppies-by  My girls loved this book and they will always love dogs and animals.  Owl Creations 1 has a nice selection of children's vintage books.

We always enjoyed anything that Richard Scarry wrote including this one from ismoyo:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/98580236/vintage-childrens-book-mr-fixit-an.



Which children's books are your favorites?

Milk Glass

If you are looking for romantic, yet elegant, accents for your home look no further than items made from beautiful milk glass.  You can find dishes, candle holders, perfume bottles, vases, cups and a host of other pieces for any room in your home.  The above picture can be found here:  http://www.etsy.com/listing/100754365/antique-pedestal-cake-stand-milk-glass

Milk glass originated in Venice in the 16th century but it wasn't called "milk glass" and it came in different "milky" colors.  Only recently, during the last century or so, has it been known as milk glass.  During the 19th century it was a luxury item and a popular collectible.  During the American Gilded Age, circa early 20th century, milk glass went hand in hand with the wealthy Americans.  Milk glass made during that era is some of the best ever made and was known for its delicacy and elegance.  By contrast, the milk glass made during the Depression years was considered less elegant and delicate and more a production of the harsh time.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/102673581/vintage-milk-glass-candle-oil-lamp-set

Today it is still a popular collectible.  Though it is not as expensive as porcelain, it will add beauty and elegance to your home.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/93997839/milk-glass-pitcher

My Old Life as a Litigator

For over 21 years I worked in a fast paced, high stress career as a litigator.  Before entering management, I tried many cases in federal court in the areas of employment discrimination, and later in police defense litigation for the City of Chicago.  I was always busy racing from one court imposed deadline to another, often working long hours and missing out on time with my growing family.  I really resented the time I was not with my daughters even though I had what could be called a successful career.  Admittedly, there were aspects that I enjoyed:  working closely with my colleagues, building a theory for each case, reviewing interesting documents and taking the depositions of countless fascinating people, including experts in many fields from economists to police shooting experts.  The last couple of years that I litigated, I handled and supervised many cases involving police related shooting deaths, tasering and other injuries so I learned a lot about bullet trajectories, tasers, deaths in custody, blood spatter patterns, etc.  It may sound gruesome but it was often fascinating and there was a thrill in the chase of taking a case to trial before a jury.

But I longed to have more time for my family and all the interests I have, particularly my dream of writing.  So the end of September 2011 I bid farewell to the City and a few months later moved with Arturo to Mexico.  Unfortunately, it was too late to spend more time in the formative years of my daughters, but I love watching how they are now living their lives.  Even if I do watch from afar.

Then yesterday I saw a movie about the attorney who helped expose the scandal involving the priests in Boston.  Some of the scenes, involving brainstorming, preparing for huge depositions, and being in court, brought me right back to what I used to do.  And I started missing it.  But then I thought deeper and started remembering everything that I disliked so much about litigating.  I can honestly say that the brief feeling of missing litigation quickly passed!

I am fortunate to have the life I now have.  I'm no longer exhausted or in a bad mood, and I feel like I'm starting to remember who I am.  I can't waste the opportunities I now have to do what I spent so many years dreaming of.

Hey Jude

It's hard to believe that Paul McCartney turned 70 today.  He still lives life as if he were 50 years younger.  I absolutely hate it when people who are perfectly healthy say "I'm old, I have to rest and I can't do that" instead of getting out there to play, travel, work, love.  I've always admired this quote from Bernard Shaw:

 "I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work the more I live.  I rejoice in life for its own sake."

Seems like that is the way to go.

I actually didn't know about McCartney's birthday until last night when we went to the concert "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" at the Theater of Mexico City.  It started with a short documentary of how they recorded that album and then a Mexican band sang all the songs from Sgt. Pepper.  The lead singer was great - he imitated each of the voices of the Beatles and you never would have known that English wasn't his first language.  It was a really enjoyable evening.  Funny how music from your childhood brings back so many memories and feelings - like the anticipation of where your life will go. As we get older we get so caught up in daily living, taking care of the kids and house, working, groceries,problems, etc. that we seem to miss out on the magic that life offers.  Music, however briefly, can bring back that magic and make you forget all of life's problems.

Thank you to all the musicians who make life brighter!  And happy birthday Paul!  Keep the music coming!