Book Review

Hi, everyone,

I am immersed in a fascinating book you might enjoy hearing about. The title is "Two Wheels North" by Evelyn McDaniel Gibb. It is the story of two young men, Victor and Ray who badly wanted to attend the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition in Seattle, Washington. Right after they graduated from high school they decided they had to get there, so they did. Alone, on bicycles they traveled a thousand miles from Santa Rosa, California to Washington state. In 1909, leaving with a total of $5.00 and change to last till their arrival. If the trip was complete by October 1, they would receive a check for $25.00 from their hometown newspaper. While en route they kept in touch by sending penny postcards home. Illness, snakebite, mountains, pickpockets, con men and bad roads were a few of the dangers encountered along the way. Written by the author's daughter from talks with her father and material from the letters printed in the Santa Rosa Democrat, this is a fascinating account of an amazing adventure 100+years ago.

I highly recommend this engaging memoir. 

Have a good one!

Michele

Not so quick fix.

Hello, everyone,

A couple of weeks ago I got a wire rack at Sand Dollar. Today seemed like as good a time as any to put it to work. Here's a picture of the upper section of  our freestanding pantry before:

Not an efficient use of space at all. After taking everything out and wiping the shelves, throwing out old stuff and consolidating duplicates, the new mini shelf was put into action. 

The lazy Susan was moved to the higher level with the only cans left on it the small ones, like evaporated or condensed milk. 

The second shelf. The wire rack contents could be juggled around a bit, but I was just trying to get it D.O.N.E. 

Here's the whole upper section in its newly tidy state. The bottom part will have to wait for another day. That's what happened on Wednesday at our house. If not a great leap forward, it's at least a turtle creep towards organization. 

Later,

Michele

Quick Fix

Hello, friends,

Unlike Monday, so far today has been calm with little rain. It was busy, since the weather didn't permit any errands run then, which left little time for any creative efforts to speak of. However, in cleaning out the closet yesterday, an item turned up that hadn't been used, so why not give it a turn in the spotlight?

Before:

This is the door from the living room to the backyard. Note the ultra cheap mini blind.

Living room door now, with the mini blinds pulled up and a cheery panel as covering instead. The mini blinds were not taken down because Mr. B is afraid that someone will break in and steal all our possessions. Since 90% of those are used books and cats it seems doubtful, but there's no use arguing. How do you hang something when you don't have the right sized tension rod or even any Command Hooks, you ask? You get imaginative and poke holes in the cloth and thread zip ties to string them up, of course. Me having used zip ties may go a long way to reconcile Mr. B to this project, come to think of it. I'll report back later. 

Take it easy,

Michele

Hello, all,

We began getting torrential rain and thunderstorms last night that have only recently let up around here. All schools, bus, and rail lines were closed, as well as both airports. Fire personnel were rescuing people in city dump trucks that were the only vehicles big enough to navigate water as high as it was in some areas. Which is a long-winded way of saying since Manna didn't open, my Monday was free for a change. 

One of the things I worked on was the coffee table in the living room. It's not great, but here's what it looks like for now:

A wicker circle place mat inside a tole tray with a silver bowl full of spheres in it. 

It's always nice to have favorite decorating books handy for perusal. 

The one on top of the right hand stack is new, found recently at Goodwill. It's called Vintage Vavoom from the editors of Romantic Homes Magazine. 

That's all the views that are fit to print, because nothing else done today was anything but grubby and mundane to the nth degree. 

Have a good one!

Michele

Simple but satisfying

Hello, all,

I hope your Thursday is going well so far. 

As you may know, some people, especially men, think duct tape is the answer to most of life's persistent problems. Mr. B, though, isn't so limited. He extends his list of preferred solutions to include bungee cords and zip ties. Thus, when this problem occurred today:

This is a rolling milk crate utilized to bring in my reusable bags from the grocery store trip each week. Today's load might have been a little too full. 

Channeling my mate, though, came up with this:

Much better. 

It's a good thing this worked, because who knows where Mr. B left the duct tape the last time he used it? Not me! So that's the news today. Nothing pretty or creative, but definitely useful. 

Have a good one.

Michele

Good news/bad news

The good news is that middle daughter Mary came to visit yesterday without much warning, which was the cause of the bad news, that after getting back from Manna there wasn't time to write a blog post before she arrived. 

Today after she and Mr. B both left for work, a rare fit of extended cleaning energy appeared, so much of my morning was spent in the cats' room, sanitizing that space. During the process I came across a favorite thrifting find from a few years back and decided it needs to be out and appreciated. 

It is the vintage wicker cat carrier basket discovered at the Bering Methodist sale for the fantastic price of $6.00. 

Now it's in the library on the little drop-leaf table from Sand Dollar, holding--what else?--cat books!

In case you're interested, the titles in it are:

Dora Bell's Village Cats by Nina Epton

A Snowflake in Her Hand by Samantha Mooney

The Gray-Nosed Kitten by Miriam E. Mason

Pinky Pye by Eleanor Estes

Julia's Cats by Patricia Barey & Therese Burson

The Church Mice Spread Their Wings by Graham Oakley

The Church Mice in Action by Graham Oakley

The Church Mice at Christmas by Graham Oakley

Raining Cats and Donkeys by Doreen Tovey

Cats in the Belfry by Doreen Tovey

Double Trouble by Doreen Tovey 

What the verdict? Cute enough to be out and visible or not? 

Have a terrific Tuesday. 

Michele

Little Pitchers . . .

may or may not have big ears, but they sure are cute! If three similar items equals a collection, here is a new one of mine:

I like all three of these little beauties, and the most expensive was only .90 cents.

Close ups:

 

They're great for small vignettes or a tiny sprig of flowers. My vote is two thumbs up for three new additions.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Michele

Mo' BoHo

Hello, all

Although most of my Easter decorations are still up and will be until the season is over, the top of the bookcase in the living room was crying out for a change, so I went into the closet and came out with the carton put away with the BoHo decor. Here is the result:

It's nice to see the bright colors again. I'll string the lights up later.

 

If nature splashes out her bright colors this time of the year, why shouldn't we do it inside our homes, too? Look for excursions in other rooms coming up soon. 

Take it easy,

Michele

Cloche Call

Hello, all,

While cleaning my closet last week a hatbox proved to not be empty, as expected, but contained a cloche apparently lost since 2014 when we moved. Since there's been nothing much on the little cart in the dining room for a while, using it there seemed like a good idea. For some reason, spring makes me think of tea parties--I've no idea why, since that's not a form of entertaining that I've ever done much of--and this is the result. 

I added a tiny spoon and embroidered napkin. 

A little bit of seasonal whimsy. What do you think? 

I hope your afternoon and evening is wonderful. Take a few minutes off and have a cup of tea. You've earned it.

Later, 

Michele

You're invited . . .

Hello, friends, and how are you this beautiful spring day? Our weather has been amazing, such a blessing. 

It occurred to me that a big part of my everyday life is selling on ebay, so it seems way past time to invite you to come check it out at  http://tinyurl.com/zpx4s5d

Or, you can search by seller and enter bea4books. 

Now you know what I do besides clean up breakage and other cat-astrophes!

Have a great evening,

Michele

It's that time of the year again,

when spring makes it impossible to ignore dirt and mess one minute more. Like this, for example:

or this:

Some of this is from cats knocking things down, but mostly it stems from me trying to find an outfit to wear to church on Easter. So today I stayed home and worked away at this mess. Now, there is:

Looking straight in. 

Left side, upper.

Left side, lower.

Right side, upper.

Right side lower.

After all the sorting, culling and rearranging the space was vacuumed. I even hung some things on the walls. 

A cheery tulip picture by the window, and:

the metal plaque with a crown on it above the door. And that's how Friday went at our house. Now I'm tired but still left with things to do, drat it. Better get busy. 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Michele