Well, hello friends!
It’s been quite a while hasn’t it?
I wish I could tell you that I was off sailing the seven seas.
Or I'd moved to a tropical island where I've been enjoying sun, sand and spectacular views….but the truth is I’ve just been home.
 |
| Spring outside my kitchen window. |
It’s actually pretty funny. When I started blogging, 12 years ago, I was in the thick of raising children and taking care of my mother.
It was a very busy season of life.
Oh, I managed to squeeze crafting and decorating in, even if it was in short spurts. With my coat on.
However, the majority of my blogging and DIY was done in the wee hours of the morning, when the house was quiet, and everyone else was tucked in.
So when the nest emptied out, I thought for sure I’d finally have tons of time to post.
 |
| We opened the pool...the best day of the year! |
And during daylight hours to boot.
Boy, was I wrong.
You see, what I hadn't counted on was the fact that for the first time in over 25 years my time would, more or less, be my own...and there might be other things to catch my attention outside these sweet cottage walls.
 |
| I've been bird watching at the beach. |
Plus, as it turns out, I’m one of those get more things done under pressure, kind of gals.
Without the deadlines and packed schedules, I've been doing a lot of puttering.
Celebrating my birthday.
 |
| I did not make the shirt...but how cute is that? |
Looking at boats, playing Rummikub, visiting with family.
And instead of dragging furniture around in the middle of the night, I've been...well...sleeping.
Don't get me wrong, there's still a laundry list of projects to complete around here and share with you.
My creative fires are still burning strong.
 |
| I did make a new valance for the den. This room will never stop evolving. |
I've just been redecorating with measure and intention.
 |
| I did a little updating in my bedroom, it's definitely the most romantic room in the house. |
Taking my time with my DIYs .
And taking a whole bunch of time away from my makeshift craft closet to enjoy the things I couldn't do when the apron strings were tied tight.
 |
| I'm making new pillow covers...as soon as I find the nerve to install zippers with trim. |
It's taken a little time to adjust, but when the mister says, Hey do you want to...I say yes before he even finishes that sentence.
It hasn't been a bad way to spend spring, but I think I'm ready to dust off the laptop.
Share my DIYs, catch up with my online friends...and end this round of playing hooky.
I mean puttering's a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.
Not yet anyway.
😉
What's up in your nest?
Happy Spring, Friends!
Those views are so pretty! We are just finally seeing lots of things blooming this week.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanne! Yup, the world is finally waking up around here again. 🌸
DeleteSo happy to see you back! Beautiful view outside your kitchen window.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! It's good to be back. Isn't that tree pretty? I thank my neighbors for it every year.
DeleteOkay, so let me get this straight...you have a pool, a beach, and it snows in the winter. That's like jackpot to me!! Your pool is so pretty and inviting! And I love the new valance in the living room; making those tiny but significant changes are what makes all this fun! I think it's perfectly fine to enjoy your life, especially now that you have the freedom! So please, send us posts when you have them, and know that we are fully in favor of you just living your life!!
ReplyDeleteHi Kristine! You are too sweet, thank you for all the kind words. We do live in a lovely part of the world and I never take it for granted. Well, when it's 15 degrees and icy for months on end, I might not be too keen, but other seasons make up for it in spades!!
DeleteI'm ok with you taking a break and rediscovering what's important to you. Time at the beach is never a waste of time! I'm sure you have all kinds of plans in your head. (:
ReplyDeleteThanks Gina! I guess things change and we change, too. Silly that I didn’t expect that…and yes, a visit to the beach is always time well spent. I hope you have a lovely weekend.
DeleteSounds like you've been having a wonderful time. The new valance is so pretty. Now I'd like to see the whole room!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! My daughter picked that fabric to coordinate with the lace valances on the other side of the room and I think she was spot on. Now to make the pillows to match!
DeleteI've made pillow covers with trim and pillow covers with zipper, but never with both. I hope you'll share your process when you make them. I've always been too chicken to try!!
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who is totally intimidated by this process. If I don't completely mess it up, I promise to share. Wish me luck!!
DeleteLove the valance! I’m in my puttering era, too!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much and yay! The more the merrier!
DeleteWe're in a different season of life now and our priorities definitely change! Enjoy experiences and slowing down a bit. We've earned it! :-) Happy Mother's Day.
ReplyDeleteThanks Melanie, you are so right! After so many years of being on the go, this feels a little unnatural to me, but I'm learning to let go of the guilt and enjoy some time for myself. I hope you had a lovely Mother's Day!
DeleteHappy Spring Kim. I too find that as I get older I want to take some time to smell the roses. You go ahead and enjoy your down time. You so deserve it.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mary. It's a bit of an odd feeling, I'm so used to being on the go, but I'm trying to adjust. Maybe I just need more practice. 😉
DeleteGlad to hear from you. I don't have kids and live alone now, but I'm retired now, for 3 years. I thought I'd have so much time to do things now but I'm not sure that's true. I have done a lot of reorganizing, decluttering and such over the last 3 years although I don't know that I'll ever be done with that. I pictured my days doing all the things I didn't have time to do when I worked, sewing, making cards, reading etc. At first I watched a lot of tv, but I'm past that stage now and watch very little, but I still don't seem to have the time to do everything I want to. I think it's partially that work ethic I'm cursed with and have to get all the chores done before I can play. Take all the time you want to enjoy your life and go where the spirit takes you! I'm working on it!
ReplyDeleteOh Pat, I get it, I really do!! 💕 I was raised by two very hard working, Depression Era babies. We were always taught to work first, then play. I still live by that rule and when I don't the guilt kicks in and I find the "shoulds" pop in when I'm out and about. I am working on quelling those voices...and letting my husband drag me away from my {neverending} to do list more and more!!
DeleteHappy Birthday. Enjoy your special day. Also Happy Mother's Day. To one of the best mom's I know. Enjoy your day tomorrow. I hope you are getting the nice weather we are here in Illinois. Have a great weekend. Hugs. Kris
ReplyDeleteThanks Kris! You are the sweetest…and I say it takes one to know one!! 💕 I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day, celebrating with your beautiful family.
DeleteI go in spurts! Somedays I get a lot done and other days not so much. I putter, read, sit outside. All good things. I have my grands several days a week, too.
ReplyDeleteDeanna Rabe
I'm sure those grands brighten every day, Deanna!!
DeleteHi, I read Pat's post, I am with her. I have to get all my jobs done before I can play and they seem to keep coming, especially this time of year. Ha!
ReplyDeleteI am trying to do better at sitting and enjoying the garden, instead of only working in it.
Happy Days to you my friend.
I'm working on that same thing, Carla! It's not easy for me to walk away from chores to go play. I'm trying to get better about that...after all, the dishes aren't going anywhere!!
DeleteKim, happy belated birthday and I hope you had a wonderful mother's day and were spoiled! Spring is such a beautiful time of year to to enjoy and especially those walks on the beach. How nice to have your pooled opened already. I know you are going to enjoy this summer at the pool and beach. I love the pretty valance you made and happy crafting Kim.
ReplyDeleteSpring really is lovely, Julie! We’ve been trying to get outside whenever the weather permits. At the moment, I just happy to look at the pool!! I hope you have a great week!!
DeleteKim, Happy Birthday! 🥳🎉💐
ReplyDeleteYour view outside your window is stunning. I think it’s a very wise to go do fun things when your hubby asks. There’s always time for projects when the mood hits. Enjoy your beautiful pool, too. Hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day too. ❤️
Thanks Kitty! It's been a change for us, readjusting to an empty nest. I hope you had a wonderful Mother's Day, too!! 💕
DeleteHappy birthday! I hope it was a good one. It looks to me like you have such a lovely home, what with your fabulous decorating skills, the pool, the beach, that you pretty much have everything right at your doorstep. I used to run around a lot when my husband was still alive, (We would have celebrated our 30th anniversary on the 13th of this month.), and I loved it. Now, however, I am so content at home that I can hardly believe it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pattie! It was a good one, filled with a delicious chocolate mousse cake and family. I'm so sorry to hear about your husband, my friend. I know life changes a lot in the wake of such a huge loss. I saw it firsthand with my mom. I'm glad to hear you've found contentment at home, though. I've been such a homebody for so long, this is a big change for me...❤️
Delete