Busy Beavers (otherwise entitled, "Hop to it!")

(Does anyone else drool over fabric? Patterns and colors just make my heart go skippity skip! Anyway ...)

My theory is that we're all so busy in the months leading up to Christmas that by the time it's all over, we're a little disoriented about what we're up to. A lot of us find that January is a lumbering start to the new year and that we're all rather dreamy about what we want to do next. Well, now that January is over and February is here, I'm feeling that I'd better hop to it - whatever IT is! Trouble is, I have a load of super fun and highly absorbing projects that I want to jump into (as well as continuing to blog - I'm having SO much fun!)

Well, here are a few schemes that I've been cooking up this past month:

Before the holidays hit, I had been sewing up a storm. Necessity demanded eventually, however, that I clear off the dining room table. I just wasn't quite done and things are kind of hanging on the last few bits getting sewn up before I can put it all together. Our family room is going to have an amazingly rapid and magical do-over when I finally finish. The best part is that it will all be done with a "few" snips of fabric.

By the way, do you notice the green pot behind the pillows on the window sill? I have three that are waiting for me to get cuttings from my sister's very pretty pink geraniums.

I adore this fabric. I just thought that it was missing little chinamen in silk jammies until I found out that the name of the pattern is "Geisha". Er, oops, maybe not! That doesn't change my feelings for it though.

This is some fabric that I found on sale and from which I intend to make very simple valances for my bedroom windows.

The possibilities ... ! I think that this old tool box needs to be filled with herbs! I need to order seeds. Our growing season is so short that it pays to get moving early. (More on my "garden" at a later date.)

I have new music - oh joy! Bach, Brahms and Poulenc! This may not mean much to you but, believe you me, it's music to make your heart soar.

I'm going to finish unpacking and organizing my books. It will be like meeting dear old friends, n'est ce pas? Let's see ... gardening, interior decorating, classics, sea faring, children's books, Christmas, poetry ... I'll need a cup of tea and lots of time to fuddle.

I'm going to paint my kitchen - samovar silver (silver/gray/blue). The kitchen was a bad '70s makeover and needs some serious TLC. Tom, however, has been dreaming of a new roof; so, as I wait, I think that a coat of paint will add some pleasant character and spark to this drab room. The color is just a couple of steps up on the paint card from what's in my bathroom (below)

I also have some chalkboard paint and magnetic primer and a can of seashell white for the family room. Oh, I think that I'll throw in an afternoon tea for the ladies of our church, say in March and don't forget Valentine's and St Patrick's day!

The very best project I'm saving as a surprise. You will be so impressed, I know it!

The living room is almost done. (It's one of those move-the-furniture-and-vacuum-under deals.) This candle was so pretty lit up by the sun, I thought I'd share it with you.

Well, That's what is on my mind. Even if I get one of these things done, I'll be happy indeed, but I suspect that I am going to be one busy beaver!

Love,

Katy Noelle

P.S. Tom protests that he's not dreaming of a new roof, he's losing sleep over the old one.

Hens In Hell

     We moved to the beautiful spot that we live in one and a half years ago. Last Spring, finally having the barn space, we invested in 12 Rhode Island Red chicks. They've had a beautiful life so far. Well, at least every thing was sunny and rosy for them until our first snow struck. Our sweet little dinosaurs have been letting Farmer Tom know just how discontented they are to be cooped up like this. It isn't entirely his fault that they're stuck inside though! They are completely freaked out by the snow. (You should have heard the ruckus they made the first time the snow fell off the roof! The sky is falling!!!) Tom's tried to lure them out with scratch (yum!) but they just look at him from the door or stare wistfully out of the window. Finally, I think they've had enough and, today, being tempted with some apples and toast, ventured forth.

Here they come!

FOOD, Squawk!

Our very shabby chic barn

"I told you, Henrietta, to wear your long johns ..."

     

     Well! The most curious thing has been happening the past few nights. Strange cars have been pulling all the way up into our driveway at all hours of the night. After about the fourth invasion, we realized that all of our neighbors are concerned about the red glow that has suddenly started emanating from our barn. Is it a

fire?????

 What are those hens doing? Wild disco party????

Of all the silly things, Tom just changed the heat lamp bulb to a low light red so that the girls can sleep at night. Mystery solved! (but, I don't think that we'll be wandering around in our PJs for a while!)

Love, 

Katy Noelle

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

In the Nest

When my husband and I were looking at my pictures the other day, we both noticed how polished and together I seem. Well, we both got a good guffaw out of that thought! (Case in point, have you noticed how many of my pictures are vignettes?) Quite happily, the house isn't too much of a bear pit - it's just a little helter skelter. (In case you haven't heard yet, I do have three boys on the move here!) I just can't wait to get to some of my house projects. I love to nest!

aside: The fact that I like to nest was confirmed when I couldn't sleep the night before I gave birth to my eldest son. "Why sleep when I could be getting the house just so," I reasoned? As we pulled out of the driveway, I quickly rolled down the car window and called to the wind, "... and someone vacuum!"

Well, the living room, here, is clean and tidy but the furniture is strewn about because, when we took out the Christmas tree, I decided that there was no harm in reconfiguring the layout of the room. "What a lovely, fresh idea," I say. Tomorrow! Tomorrow, I am going to do it. Then, I am going to sit down in my favorite spot, where the light is just right, to read the new Pottery Barn catalog. Their styles are right up my alley at the moment.

All of this bliss in my life is not silly, "Pollyanaish" thinking though. Today, is the nineteenth anniversary of the day that I came down with Chronic Fatique Syndrome (a.k.a. CFS, CFIDS and even M.E.. Let's just say, that it means that I get slowed down quite a bit.) For eleven years, I had no idea what was wrong with me. For several years, I pushed through it but then became fearful that I was going crazy.Why couldn't I move? 

Now, you often hear people say that, "you grow through your trials," but, for a long time, it only felt like dying. After Toby was born (eight years ago), I was diagnosed and, finally, yielded to my body's screams for rest. I spent a lot of time on my couch watching my house fall apart around me and I learned to focus on the beautiful things (vignettes) that I could see through the rubble.

It was like I was on a very steep path up a vertical mountain but, four years ago, I burst out onto a vista. I really have learned and grown. I've learned, among other things: what my true priorities are, to not be such a perfectionist, to not be afraid of being human (and to even laugh at it!) and it's taught me true thankfulness for what I have. Mostly, It's taught me the importance of resting in sunny spots!

I just share all this because, when you paint a room pink, it's more elegant if you, say, accent with black toile and/or dark and lovely wood - it gives it depth.

Wishing you the lightness I've found,

Katy x

P.S. I've changed my URL address to www.inthesunnyspot.net/  because, even I couldn't remember to put the "1" on the end of the title.

Morning Moon

I've had to draw the drapes at night because the moon has been so bright. Truly, "the moon on the breast of the new fallen snow gave the luster of midday to objects below".  (just think about it for a moment, right now - "luster".) I've read that the moon was in perigee a few nights ago, meaning that during this orbit, it was at it's closest to the earth. This made it the largest and brightest of the year. In the deep blue mornings, when it's beginning to get light but we're still waiting in hopeful expectancy for the sun to come, the moon has been lingering for just a moment or two longer (as well as the planet Mars a bit off to it's right). It's been bringing all five of us some quiet and awe filled moments at the start of our day.

    

     I have been able to keep up with all sorts of weather in places other than Vermont through Facebook and other blogs that I follow. In California, it has been raining a lot but I know that this means beautiful green hills and flowers for them. It's been a tough winter for the British - they've had glorious snow and some very cold weather indeedy. They, however, are talking about snowdrops and taking pictures of trees beginning to bud into flower. Even my friend in Maryland is reporting daffodils! We here in VT still have a long way to go. Right now, the average of two more months until we start to thaw doesn't seem impossible but, in March, we won't know if we'll be able to survive. I think, though, that we've built up much more endurance than the people in warmer, far off places. I'm still marvelling in the beauty of frosty winter and hoping that we'll get some fresh snow. 

     I've attempted with my simple camera to get some pictures of how beautiful the icy and glittery windows are in the morning. My tries have fallen short, but, in celebration of winter, I'll include them. At least, those of you who have never seen it before might be impressed. ( Howdy to Texas! I've seen that a couple of you have been following my ramblings a bit ... do you ever get a sparkling frost, I wonder?) The rest of you who are in the know will agree with me - it's a bit of magic alright!

I had a fun and refocusing weekend and I'm ready to go. I'm off to clean and do laundry and to enjoy the very bright sun that is fully up and shining now. Soak it up!

Katy Noelle