Variation on Halloween

So, here we are again.....Halloween already, although without the attendant chaos now that the kids are older and less inclined to dress up, let alone go trick or treating. We have assorted family members stopping by for a BBQ...yes, on halloween, in New Jersey, where it's damp, breezy but warm for the time of year. Of course, it should be noted that the forecast mentioned wet stuff later in the day, regardless of the fact it was already raining when we woke up...and yes, I checked online, and I guess they hadn't looked out the window...no mention of even the possibility of anything falling from the sky until 4pm soonest (I want their job - where else do you get paid for being completely wrong so much of the time?).

Anyhow, to dress up or not? The first answer was yes, but now, our gathering has dwindled to just a few guests but I suppose I still will. The idea is a variation on the outfit I wore for Victorian Day this year in Belvidere only with the addition of a rather snazzy witches hat and hoop underneath the skirt, just for the hell of it...........

Found Treasures

Proudly sharing one corner of my home that I especially like. It's a vignette composed mostly of things either gathered for free or ridiculously cheap prices and happily reflects my taste for now.

Pride of place is given to the 1920's wardrobe trunk snagged for $10 which displays various knick knacks including a collection of old Winnie the Pooh and Beatrix Potter books (bottom left) bought in pristine condition for less than $1 each from the used book store run by a local hospital (i love that place so, even though it's in an old draughty barn with no heat through the winter). Hanging on the rail is some delicate vintage lingerie which can best be described as a 'chemisette', opposite shelves holding smaller things like earrings, embroidered napkins (from days long gone when paper serviettes weren't invented), various gloves and my favorite....a pair of shoes with uppers that look like tapestry (which sadly are a touch too tight, even for my small feet). On the wall above is a rather large (and heavy) mirror with a delicious gilded frame that I bought for my now defunct retail store and one of the many bouquets of dried roses that I have hanging around the place.

The other focal point is the children's rocker, rescued from the curb before the garbage truck claimed it, refinished and now home to a favorite teddy bear who holds a vintage book entitled 'Gallery of Women'. I have every intention of taking the book, altering it and repurposing it as a photo album but for now it stays nestled in teddy's lap!

Secret Garden

This is the little nook created when we demolished a crumbling garden shed and fence and replaced it with a functional yet not too pretty white fence around the pool (in it's favor, no maintenance and a life time guarantee - as a homeowner that's key!). In a prior life, this area was a repository for all manner of building debris which we dug out and disposed of before I created the rock garden I had always wanted.

See the climbing greenery we lovingly christened 'the monster'? By the end of the growing season it's tendrils had weaved their way fully 30 feet and long ago obliterated any sight of the wooden trellis supporting it's base. I loved going out every summer morning to find new growth and the time spent training the vines across a rather makeshift growing frame hastily constructed from suspended florist wire.

Then there's the gorgeous wall fountain that my partner (then boyfriend, now husband) mounted for me, providing the perfect backdrop, and in pride of place, the Wizard Stick fashioned out of wrought iron by a local metalsmith with it's warm orange glass gazing ball. I did add a whimsical garden gnome on a swing, suspended from the vines, but he has been lovingly relocated to the front yard for the winter and the windchime fashioned out of a vintage silver sugar bowl and cutlery for the chimes has been hung inside to escape the effects of harsh weather.

I will miss my outdoor retreat as the seasons change but hopefully my indoor nursery will suffice as the days grow shorter and the nip in the air changes to a decided chill.

Bringing the outside in

*Insert excited exclamation here*

While liking the way my home is coming together I've felt for a while that 'something' is missing.....and now I think I've discovered what....thanks to that blog which is now my most favorite to peruse for thoughtful inspiration.

Even better, the idea soothes the grieving at the passing of another year of flowers and the slow demise of the sanctuary I created (with some help) in the newly created 'secret spot' beside the pool.

The picture was respectfully taken from chintz-of-darkness.com, showing an indoor garden nestled on a wonderfully ornate chair and inspired me to conjure up my own living vignettes. Even better, my local grocery store had a small selection of indoor plants right there among the fruits and vegetables, on sale no less! It's fate, kismet, serendipity...call it what you will....I now have a nice selection to at least get started with. Of course, whether I can manage to tend to them successfully and watch them thrive is quite another matter.

Of course now I have to search out suitable pots and containers for my 'garden'. The only thing I have right now is a dark green teapot which is perfect to take one of the spider plants so I'm thinking the hunt is on!

'Off the grid'

I found a delightful blog today - full of whimsy and glorious photos - about the nomadic life of a travelling artist and her partner who live' off the grid' , self sufficient and living off the land as best they can. It is beautifully written and accompanied by her artwork, which, while not to my taste, is eyecatching and her talent is obvious. This couple travels the countryside of England in the equivalent of an old moving truck converted into a home on wheels, complete with windows and providing both home and studio as she paints to make enough money to provide their most basic needs. Stops are made at country fairs and encampments where they sell their wares out of the back of their home which does double duty as a gallery.

The flowery prose and romantic imagery make it sound such an idyllic life (not my idea of living by any stretch of the imagination) but then I stop to think a while, and my natural cynacism sets in. Are they really 'off the grid'? judging by the mere existance of the blog and her online web store, I would say not. Somehow they have regular access to power for a computer, not to mention the internet connection. So, do they join the grid when it suits their purpose? And where? the local library paid for by the residents of any given town they find themselves in?

And what about parking and settling for an extended period of time? Either availing themselves of parking lots, publically available campsites or the generosity of landowners, they are taking advantage of what others have worked hard or in our consumer driven society. There is some writing of an unpleasant confrontation with some 'locals' when they were given permission by a farmer to park their home in his field. Perhaps an unpopular opinion but I admittedly side with the locals; they have paid their dues, earned their homes and attendant privacy only to have their peace upset by the sudden appearance of a rather unsightly truck on the landscape.

Then there's stories of encounters with local law enforcement whenever they attempt to sell their art in the street, claiming they are not bothering anyone and are careful to set up 'shop' outside empty retail space so as not to interfere with mainstream commerce. That's as maybe but why should they be given free reign not to play by the rules because they eschew the idea of being part of society, putting down roots and going to the expense of running a real storefront business? Most of us have to jump through hoops to get all the right licences, permissions, sales tax ID etc in order to conduct business so just because this couple chooses a unconventional lifestyle why should they be given a free pass when it comes to business.

image found in google search and not the home on wheels talked of here

Behind the front door

I love the look of this door and wish I had a house whose style would fit it but I don't think a ranch in suburbia lends itself to the architecture. Still, there's no reason why I couldn't rip apart the inside, except for the fact that I'm surrounded by men (more importantly three teenagers) who wouldn't appreciate my aesthetic in the slightest. My hope is to downsize to a smaller house (in a cheaper state!) once the nest is empty and indulge my eclectic taste in decorating. There is no reason why I can't start collecting for the project now and I do keep a weather eye out (just where did that expression come from anyway?) for materials that will take pride of place.

Biggest problem is the painful lack of flea markets, tag sales and thrift stores in this area. Living in one of most expensive neighborhoods in the nation doesn't lend itself well to such things, and no, to be clear, I do not keep up with the Jones's. A corporate transfer landed us here and given the choice I would move yesterday but I'll tolerate it until the children are paroled from the asylum (aka High School).

I am curious though, just what are all the houses around here like behind the closed door? tastefully decorated with clean modern lines and polished daily by the help (not to my liking), country with homespun gingham and plaid charm, sedate and proper victoriana or something like mine - a jumbled mix paying no mind to any given theme, just knowing what I like and to hell with convention. Martha Stewart would no doubt be rendered speechless by the chaos!

Fitting In

For 25 years and with four children I managed to evade the evil label 'soccer mom' and what happens? In walks a stepson who in an instant ruins my perfect track record! Yes, I am a soccer mom by marriage. I did the PTA 'thing', even serving as President but somehow that seemed a worthy cause dedicated to all kids, not just the favored few.

From what little I have seen so far (and the season is all but over) I was justified in my personal abhorance of the cliquey (is that even a word?) goings-on. And I'm sure it's nowhere near as bad at High School as it would be in a town wide program.

For the record, my children are strong willed individuals who wouldn't thrive in a team atmosphere (very much like their late father) - better suited for activities centered around personal performance and self reliance.

BTW - no insult intended to soccer moms everywhere but it's just not 'me' and I hope no-one is offended....each to their own, and my own is being an individual, running with scissors to the beat of my own drum (mixed metaphors anyone?).

Clutter

This delightful picture just about captures the state of my house and my mind. I have a treasure trove of knick knacks cluttering the place - all placed 'just so' however, nothing is accidental! - and my mind is just as jumbled with a maze of ideas.

What caught my eye especially is the vintage wardrobe trunk being used a repository for 'stuff'. I bought one just like it a few weeks back for a paltry $10 at a garage sale; it was the end of the day as I passed and they just wanted it out of their yard. Little did these people realise I would have paid substantially more and I scored a real bargain. Mine is missing the drawers but that leaves empty holes which make perfect shelves.

It's impossible to define my personal style - I just know what I like and labels be damned. You'll find an eclectic mix of victoriana, aged books, gorgeously aged ephemera along side some darker pieces with a gothic slant, as well as chintz, brocade and even the occasional accent best described as shabby chic. The same can be said of my wardrobe although I have a lot of pieces I rarely wear, and I really should. To hell with what the well dressed suburban 'soccer mom' is wearing, I should throw open my closet and defy convention.



photo reproduced with permission from www.chintz-of-darkness.blogspot.com

Tarnished Tiara

One of the reasons I find it necessary to tighten the reins on frivalous spending is the discovery (long overdue) that many people seem to find the concept of settling their debts foreign.

Not to sound arrogant but in recent years I have helped a number of people keep their heads above water which has resulted in starting to drown myself. Just how many times do I need to be screwed over (for lack of a better expression) before I realise that many are losers and users who will take, and keep on taking, until they have drained you of every ounce of compassion and sympathy, not to mention cost you financially. Wanting to believe the best of people has proved detrimental and left me sadly cynical with the inclination to stop worrying about anyone but myself.

Not to mention wondering just what is so great about playing by the rules. Even in my sheltered little corner of the world I see people ignoring convention and decency, blatantly stretching the boundaries to suit themselves with absolutely no consideration for anyone else or what is even acceptable or legal. Time passes and they get caught up to finally, and then moan about the repercussions without taking an ounce of personal responsibility. If they're really lucky they'll manage to persuade others that they deserve sympathy for a situation of their own making and get a whole new set of suckers to bail them out.

My tiara is tarnished because I will no longer be silent and gracefully bow out, choosing instead to rail against those I feel deserve to be confronted.

image found through a google search from a wonderful blog chintz-of-darkness.blogspot.com which has the most glorious images and has to be one of my most favorite blogs since I discovered it.