Remembering our Moms....

I have felt a pull to write this blog for some time now, but was afraid I couldn't convey the message I wanted to send.  What I should have done was prayed about it.  Like the famous Beatles song, "When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom, let it be".  All you have to do is ask and He will "speak His words of wisdom".  I will remember this the next time the words aren't flowing as freely as I would like them.  Until then, enjoy my words of wisdom about Moms.


This is for anyone whose Mom is still with them.  I had mentioned in an earlier blog that I would tell you more about my mom (Great Gamma) and with Mother's Day right around the corner, I thought this would be the perfect time.  I really believe you have these genes in  your body called "decorator and style genes" that only get passed down by a certain few.  I think for sure I received them from my Mom.  I in turn passed them down to my daughter.  Not only did she receive our "decorator gene" but she certainly added her own.  I look back and think to myself, why didn't I take the time to find out more from my Mom.  Why didn't I ask her more questions?  Most importantly why didn't  I take her advise and try some of her suggestions.  You know she was always right.  "Chrissy", she would say......."Why don't you hang ruffled curtains in here, it would really warm up the room".  Or, "That color is too dark try a lighter color".   Again I thought my way was better, and refused to try.


So, you say, what is the point of this blog? Ultimately, it is to advise you to not say "No," don't be stubborn, don't believe it's your way or the highway....Listen to your Mom's, they have marvelous ideas.  You can learn so much from them and teach others, like your Daughters and Daughter-in-laws and Grandchildren.  Your Mom's are creating legacies, be proud of their knowledge and accomplishments.  Please don't be closed minded as I was at times.  I missed out on a wealth of information.  Mom, I know you are smiling down on us and saying, "I knew you would see it someday Lizzytish (that's what she always called me),  if I waited long enough,  you would see what I am talking about".  I know now Mom, and I can say with pride...I just shared it and I will never stop.


Here is a 4 Generation picture taken over 16 years ago.........

Here we are today with Great Gamma smiling down on us...

I think I will go and Google...Lizzytish

Birth Verse

One thing that Mom and I do have in common is our love of the Lord.  He is the center of our lives.  We are who we are because of Him.  His plan for us has brought us exactly to where we are today.  Be thankful for it everyday.

I have a little story to tell.  A couple of years ago it was time to start thinking about what to get Mom for her birthday.  I always want to try and find something that she would absolutely love and that is totally unexpected (meaning, she hasn't asked for it).  So, this particular year I was browsing through a catalog that had just come in the mail (I average about 3-4 a day).  I came across this sterling silver beaded bracelet that you could order with your "birth verse" on it.  You  had to trust that they would choose a verse that would be an inspirational one.  Her birthday is December 19th.  The verse they chose for her was: "Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written:  It is mine to avenge; I will repay"......Romans 12:19.   So I started wondering what could be my birth verse?  My birthday is January 9th.  After hours of reading the bible (which was really great by the way, I highly recommend it), I proclaim my birth verse to be:  Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go......Joshua 1:9.  I chose this verse for a few reasons. First, Joshua is the name of my oldest child and secondly, it just spoke to me.  Who wouldn't want the Lord to be with them always? 

The story gets even better.  The other night Banker Man and I rented a DVD for the two of us to watch.  We rented "Courageous".  What a great movie!  It definitely brought tears to my eyes.  I think Banker Man cried through the whole movie.  Anyway, at the very end they flashed a bible verse on the screen.....Joshua 24:15.  It is very popular, one I'm sure you've heard of: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord".  At the exact same time we both had an epiphany.  Not only is it in the book of Joshua again but it's chapter 24, verse 15.  You see,  our children were born on those days.....Joshua on the 15th and Chloe on the 24th.  We cried even more.  I believe that there are no coincidences.  Everything is of God.  You just have to choose to look around, be aware of your surroundings, let the Lord be apart of every aspect of your life.  That night the Lord opened our eyes to that bible verse, one we have heard so many times but never realized what the chapter or verse was.  What is your "birth verse"?  Look it up.  I'm sure you'll be inspired.

This is my favorite bible verse.  Here it is in it's entirety:  "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus"...1Thessalonians 5:16-18.

I'm going to leave you today with this thought:  "Do you know that nothing you do in this life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God and loving the people he has made." Francis Chan

Cloche...French for glass domes

Cloche.......The French developed the cloche, or bell jar, formed of a solid piece of glass shaped like a dome.  The purpose was to protect an early garden plant from bleak cold and frost.
My memory of a cloche was from my Mom....she wore cloches....not glass domes but hats.  A cloche hat was a snug fillting hat, shaped like a dome. They were mostly made of felt, like the one below.

These are the sweet memories I have of my Mom.  Hats, sweet smelling cologne, chintze and toile fabrics.  She was always decorating and moving  her furniture around every week.  I'll talk about Great Gamma in another entry....quite a woman, I sure do miss her.

What I want to talk about is the glass cloches. I Love them.  I Love to decorate with them, display them, fill them, and mosly just look at them and smile.

                                       
                                                     Display seashells...........

                                                    Photographs.........
                                                 

                                                 Scales and tinware.............

                                               

                                               Plants and figurines...............

                                                even bulbs............

                               
                                                 Antique pieces and collectibles.........


I could go on and on.  There are a lot of reproductions of cloches you could find at Marshalls, Home Goods, T J Maxx and Michaels.  The original cloches are very thin glass and quite hard to come by, and very expensive. You can display them as a centerpiece on your table, in your living room, in your bedroom  on your dresser, or in your garden room.  If you want you can put them in the garden for decoration, or use them for their original intention and put them over plants, when there is a threat of frost.  Have fun with your cloches and we would gladly welcome some of your ideas with your  bell jars........                                                                              

Quick Change Artist

Truth be told, having my picture taken is something that ranks quite low on my list of things I enjoy doing.  What I do take pleasure in is perusing the many blogs out in "blogland" that does talk about style/fashion.  There are some incredible blogs out there that are so fun and filled with information on the latest trends or what's here to stay.  I have learned so much from these wonderful women that it has renewed my love of fashion and style.  When Mom and I decided to start this blog, we discussed what some of our topics would be.  I mentioned that maybe I could make a style post like so many of the style blogs I read everyday.  You gals make it look so easy.  I tip my hats to you over and over again.  Here are only some of my favorites:

Atlantic-Pacific

Wendy's Lookbook

Pink Peonies

Merrick's Art

At some point, once we figure out how to run this blog, we would like to have a listing of many more of our favorite blogs and the ones we frequent the most.

Before I get to my pictures and the story behind them, let me tell you a little about myself.  I'm 40-something (OK, 46 if you really have to know).  I am originally from Buffalo, NY but now reside in Syracuse.  We have lived here for almost 14 years.  I have a degree in Business Management from SUNY College at Buffalo but have probably not put it to good use yet.  I've spent the last 19 years raising my two children, 19 and 17 years old.  What I have been doing is working as a teaching assistant since they started school.  The pay isn't great but everything else about it is......the days and hours especially.  When they came home each day from school, so did I.  When they had a snow day, so did I.  When they were off all summer, so was I.  It is the best situation.  Anyway, my days are spent with kids, whether I'm at school or at home.  I will admit, I love every minute of it.

I'm only 5'1" (on a good day) and over the past 5-10 years basically ate whatever I wanted and wasn't really physically active.  Need I tell what happened?  I woke up one day and said enough is enough.  Eight months later I am 33 pounds lighter and am exercising at least 5 days a week.  People have asked me how I did it.  It's actually quite simple: "East less, move more and most importantly, pray!"  I have not done this alone by any means.  Banker Man and I have been doing this together.  He has lost about 38 pounds to date.  With the help of each other and the Lord above we have accomplished quite a bit.  We give Him all the glory.

That brings me to the fashion point.  I always enjoyed fashion but thought it all looked terrible on me.  Now, things actually fit me and don't look half bad.  Hence, my renewed interested in style/fashion.

These first set of pictures are what a typical outfit looks like for me when I'm not at school.  It's just really comfortable with all the running around I do and pretty presentable.

sweater: Forever21, top: Anthropologie, cropped jeans: Target, sandals: Forever21, watch: Isaac Mizrahi

Now, what happens if you get a phone call from your husband that something has come up and you need to accompany him to some event or function later that day.  Basically, how do you do a "quick change" when something unexpected comes up?  You change some things, you add some things, or maybe even take away some things.

blazer: Marshalls, top: Anthropologie, trousers: Talbots, sandals: Marshalls, bag: gift,  necklace: thrifted, watch: Isaac Mizrahi, bracelets: Banana Republic, vintage, QVC

My comfort level is through the roof right now.  This is quite awkward for me.  Imagine how I feel.  I will eventually stop hyperventilating. Until then, hope you enjoy the "fashion show".  I'll be hiding in the bathroom the rest of the day.

Springtime in Virginia

Well, the Woodworker Man and I arrived in Virginia to visit with Son and Family, and were welcomed to a beautiful springtime season.  The trees are almost in full bloom and the flowers are flourishing.  The smell of lilacs is certainly in the air.  That is one tree I truly miss in the south....too hot in Hilton Head for those trees to survive so I'll enjoy them while we are visiting.  I always remember back in New York, I would pick a bunch and put them in our bedroom, so when I would wake up in the middle of the night, the lilacs would soothe me back to sleep.  (Of course I would occassionanly find an ant in my bed).

We are staying here for an undetermined amount of time.  We want to spend quality time with everyone while we are here.  Woodworker has some work to do here and we certainly want to be here for Gavin's 7th birthday.  He is the oldest son of our son and his beautiful wife.  They are planning a camping night party for him, complete with homemade tents and a movie being projected on the back of the house.  I won't giveaway all the secrets, but let me tell you our dear daughter-in-law throws one incredible party.  She is a wedding planner and is so inspired for every event.  Can't wait to share the pics in a few weeks.

Meanwhile here are a few pics near our son's house in Virginia while taking a little hike.

Living Room Makeover

One of my most favorite past times is decorating my home.  It brings me such joy. It lets me be creative in many different ways. It is so much fun.  I must mention that my husband (we'll call him banker man from now on) lets me do whatever I would like.  He is very supportive as well.  Hanging curtains, shelves and pictures is a common weekly occurrence he gladly helps out with.


One of our most recent decorating adventures has been re-doing our living room.  I've certainly been taking my time on this one that's for sure.  It all started when my best friend came for a visit well over a year ago.  As we were catching up one late night, I mentioned that I would love to sell my existing furniture and start all over.  A couple months later we were chatting on the phone and she asked if I was serious about getting rid of my furniture.  I told her "yes" and the rest is history.  We drove it out to Buffalo that particular January.  That August, my brother-in-law and sister-in-law came to help us install new hardwoods.  The following March we had our new special order couch delivered.  See what I mean.....it has taken forever to get where I am today.  And guess what?  I'm still not done.  

Here are a few inspirations I had for my couch.

I do not have room for two couches but the color and shape are what intrigued me.

Here is a couch with a slipcover.  I'm not sure I'm a fan of slipcovers, but I like the idea of it.
image: pinterest

It's all the colors in this photo that got me going.  I was also toying with idea of a beige/taupe color instead of cream/white.
image: staceywiley.com

Although this couch is not the color I was looking for, the colors and the rug had me thinking.
image: littlegreennotebook.blogspot.com

Although my living room is not yet finished, I am so thrilled with the results so far.  It is my favorite room in the house.  Here are a few sneak peak pictures of how it looks so far.  I will do and entire post later down the road when it is completely finished.  At my pace though, it may be a long time from now.

What do you think so far?

The prints are from Marshalls and so are most of the pillows.  The coffee table is a garage sale find from Mom.  The far end table is from Hobby Lobby.  The couch is by Bassett.

All the lamps are from Marshalls.  The round table cover is from Ballard Designs.  The drapes are from Pier One.

The ghost chairs were ordered on-line from Interior Express.  The side table is from World Market.  The area rug is from Pottery Barn.

 

The desk is from World Market.  The lamp is old that I spray painted black and bought the shade at Marshalls along with the ledge and pin board.

Hope you have all enjoyed the little romp around my living room.  It certainly is fun for me to decorate.  I just wish my passion wasn't so expensive.  It really teaches me patience that's for sure.  With a little research and shopping around it can be done on a budget and that is what my ultimate goal is: doing what I love on a budget.

Well this is the 2nd day of the blog, and daughter and I will be parting ways.  Our little sojourn is over and back to our lives in separate states.  Wood worker man (husband) and I will be stopping in Virginia and visiting Son and family for a bit, then on to South Carolina.

What a fab visit this was.  Spending time with the Grands and eating, shopping, walking, laughing, game playing, cooking and talking about the blog.  We have decided we would each post an entry once a week and entertain you with two entries.  Please be patient with us as we are trying to educate ourselves as we move forward.  I promise we will get more interesting and hopefully hold your attention as we go.  You will soon find out that I am a true lover of words, quotes, humorous sayings, and inspirational quips.

This following quote is one of my favorites, and is something Daughter and I are trying to convey on our blog.

Image: Pinterest

This is it......here we go!!

Welcome to our Mother/Daughter blog's very first post. Phew!!!! What a time it has been.  We are very fortunate to be together during this Easter season so we thought it would be a good time to try and get this up and running.  Mom & Dad are visiting us in Syracuse for a few days and in between church, shopping,  movies, EATING, walking the dogs, cooking, EATING and talking about our new blog.  Oh, and did I mention EATING, we decided to finally stop talking about it and finally get this blog up and running.


My sister-in-law has had a blog with a few of her friends for awhile now and has been our inspiration for starting our own.  Please visit her blog, 11 Magnolia Lane here if you get a chance.  You will not be disappointed. 


We are not quite sure what you will find on this blog as it changes and evolves every time Mom and I talk about it.  What I do know is it will be interesting, funny, light-hearted and I would imagine, sometimes serious.  It is our attempt at trying to stay connected and hopefully inspire many readers.


You will see that we are so very much alike but at the same time so very different.  For example we both love the Lord, our families and life.  We both have a small dog that runs our lives and that we love very much.  Decorating our homes is a passion that we both share and perusing the magazines that go along with that.  Fortunately or unfortunately (if you're talking to our husbands) we love to go shopping.  I think we've made it a national past time for us.  Sharing blogs through email and texting and following each other on Pinterest has brought us to this point.  Check out Chrissy's pinterest boards here and Holly's here.


Mom loves garage sales, thrift stores and consignment shops.  I would rather watch grass grow than to accompany her to any the aforementioned.  I love to do yoga and boot camp classes.  Mom is happy to just walk, walk and walk some more.  Mom can't sit still for more than 5 minutes unless her favorite shows like American Idol, The Good Wife or Blue Bloods is on.  I, on the other would be more than happy to sit around all day watching golf or the New York Yankees.  You see, I have been dubbed "the sports chick" by my lovely family.  My favorite golfer is either Phil Mickelson or Bubba Watson (even before he won The Masters).  My Yankee favorites are Derek Jeter and Nick Swisher.  Coffee with sugar free hazelnut creamer and a packet of Truvia is a staple every morning for Mom, I will say I love the smell, but haven't acquired a taste for it at all.  Give me orange juice and oatmeal each morning and I am a happy camper.


Before we close our first post I would like to say a very Happy Birthday to my one and only brother (and sibling).  He is my Mom's second child.  He is a cartographer in the DC area. (See, we are spread out all over the East Coast).  He has a wonderful family that we try to visit whenever our schedules permit.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRO!!!! (Don't you think he looks like Tom Cruise, or Keanu Reeves?)




Here are just a few pictures from our time together over Easter. Enjoy!

Meet Daisy (a Westie) and Flip Flop (a Lhasa).

This is my daughter Chloe, who will be guest posting once a month on the life of a 17 year old.  She is an inspiring photographer, an avid horseback rider and would like to explore a career in Physical Therapy.