Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Time.....

Is it me?
Is it me that only feels like the hours in the day
shorten as we get older? Do I need a new watch?
A bottle of Lucy's Veggameatavitamin?
Well, I am still working on my dining room.
Too bad I am obsessive about cleaning up the house
and making sure things are just so. But, I will confess --

....... i am a turtle......
yup...
a slooooooow moving menopausal one who has great inspirations as soon as my head is lifted off of my pillow...
and after two cups of a good and stiff French Roast I feel all motivated....vrrrmmm..vrrrmmm..start my engine!!

.....but I loose steam......like the little tug boat, I say to myself..."I think I can, I think I can..."
.....but, after three loads of laundry, dusting, mopping, doing dishes, making beds, tidying up my little house...
my little steam engine just peeters out.....I would not have it any other way - unless I could ask for more time in the day...oh, and to feel 25 again!!!
The dining room is simple with tone on tone colors that I find very soothing, crisp and clean.
There are little touches of green here...

....and there. I am in love with these dainty little creamers with the intricate
floral swags that grace the sides.....
....and they all seem...
....to live happily...
...amongst the pure whites of the old ironstone.
I have had many questions about what I am using to make my slipcovers for the chairs.
You can see one of the finished chairs in the reflection in the mirror on the first photo. I have used painter drop cloths that are a linen-like fabric. The trick that my good friend John taught me is to wash the fabric several times and use a quarter of a bottle of fabric softner each time. This will make the fabric very soft and pliable. Besides being soft, it just plain smells wonderful!!

53 comments:

The Tattered Cottage said...

Hi Becky -
Thank you for posting about my giveaway, you are such a sweetie. I was giggling about Lucy's Vitameataveggimin elixir, that was my all time favorite episode!!! Great post, I could see myself, roaring with energy before getting out of bed, couple cups of Chai Tea, laundry, beds, dusting.....pooped! Not one of my projects done. :)
Toni

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

Oh My friend thank you for showing me all your ironstone...You know how much I wanted to see it...oh its beautiful...and what a great idea to use painters tarps for slipcovers...May you have a great day and thanks again...Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Anonymous said...

my grandma has a cute collection of creamers which inspired me to start my own too. i love them!

Ginger~~Enchanting Cottage said...

Well being menopausal myself, I lose steam after working. I use to be able to come home from work after eight hours, work in the yard for 3 hours then cook dinner. I use to be at work at 3 am and never took nabs. I live for naps and french roast coffee these days.
Your chair is beautiful, what a great idea with the paint drop cloths.
Ginger

Victoria Hayden said...

I am with you on time and energy! I have been working with some canvas for pillows I have desinged and I agree...lots of washing with lots of softner!! I can't wait to see your slipcovers, I am sure they will be beautiful!!

Hugs friend,
~Victoria~

BellaRosa said...

What a lovely post, I always enjoy visiting your blog :) Thank you for making it such a warm and inviting place.Your livingroom shot in the first picture is lovely and I love all your dishes..Be well..be happy..be loved..Rose

Patina said...

Some days I feel like I need some of that "vitametavegimin"(sp?). When you find it be sure to send it my way.
I love all your warm cream and white tones. I always enjoy coming to your blog Becky and see what you're up too! I hope you are doing real good!
Debbie

Moore Minutes said...

Wonderful post with beautifully done photos! You gave your dishes such personality with your words. :)

Diane Mars said...

I sure know what you mean, I have been watching Little Miss Amelie this past couple of days, and whew sure have felt my age darn why oh why can I not be 37 this Sunday it's my Birthday Oh My! Hang in there.
Hugs, Diane

Sue said...

I can totally relate to being tired! I do think that minutes last as long as they used to-I have timed them to be sure:) But I do think there are fewer minutes in an hour and that causes all the problems:) Love, love the dishes! I have a little collection of creamers as well and do love them!

Cal said...

I know what you mean about losing steam. I get up raring to go but by lunchtime I seem to slow down considerably. Great to see your pics and I look forward to seeing the chairs. Such a good idea about the painters cloth. Hope you have a good day. Cal x

Molly the Airedale said...

Your ironstone is just beautiful! Mom loves coming to your blog because it always brings a smile to her face! You have such lovely things!

Love ya lots
Maggie and Mitch

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Becky, I know just how you feel...If I could get so much done with a little more energy. At 55 there is a real difference than when I was 35. The idea of using drop cloths is very interesting. I can't wait to see how they look. Oh, and I am also a French roast gal...can't get out of bed without my first cup...and then followed by a second.
♥, Susan

Sentimentally Me said...

PAINTERS DROP CLOTHS??? awesome tip Beckers! Ohhhh, and those little restaurant-ware creamers are just too cute! Can't wait to see the finished product! xo P

Kathleen Grace said...

It's not just you, time is whizzing by, but I think this time of year, as the daylight hours grow shorter, makes it seem even more like there aren't enough hours in the day. I have decided that if I have to let the house go a bit to get things done it's ok. That's just me though, I've never been obsessive about dusting, ok, I almost never dust, lol but it works for me:>) Your dining room is beautiful, I clicked on the first picture and noticed the little dots in your curtains, so pretty. I am about to switch out my summer things for ironstone and silver for the fall and winter. I have come to love the look of the creamy dishes and I found some beautiful deals this summer on a couple tureens at yard sales. I can't wait to see the finished dining room so have another cup of coffee my friend and keep plugging away:>)
Hugs
Kathy

Thimbleanna said...

Oh, it's all so beautiful Becky! I LOVE your dishes too. And what a great tip about the painters cloth -- thanks for sharing!

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

Hi Becky,

I have some of the same creamers - I just packed them up this week - we are packing up as much as we can so we can move it out of our house and tear it down - but that's another story.

I love the idea about the painter's drop cloth. I was just looking at them at Costco last week and wondering what I could do with one other than make a painted floor cloth!! I have 4 chairs that need the seats recovered and know I know what to use - I might even paint a design on them.

Have a wonderful day and thanks so much for sharing - I, too, am one of those menopausal ladies who has a mind on overload and a body that can't keep up with it!!

xo
Lynn

The Green Pea said...

Hi Becky,
Thank you for sharing your wonderful ironstone collection! Great photos again! sandi

Jocelyn said...

I love the old restaurant dishes. The creamers are so lovely in your setting. I'd really love to collect enough dishes for everyday use. It's slow finding them around here ;-)

Janet said...

Not only do the hours fly by but what about the weeks and months and where oh where have the years gone? How did I get to be this old?

Janet@ Housepeepers

Valerie said...

Hi Becky.

I have commented in a long time, but I do read your blog regularly. What a great idea for slipcovers!

I continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Blessings to you from Kansas,

Valerie

Julie said...

I know just what your talking about, but I even hear young people say that the time is going by so fast!
I love all the white dishes, can't wait to see more!

Sandy aka Doris the Great said...

Ohhhhh yes, I'm that turtle too! Lovely post today!

Anonymous said...

Hi Becky,

I cannot wait to see your finished dining room. It will be magnificent, I just know it. I wish I lived next door cuz I'd be over there and we would "get er done". Did you stop by lately and see my bedroom redo?

Big Hugs,
LeAnn:)

Michelle said...

Hi Becky,

Your dining room looks so pretty in your peek pictures ~ I love the white and green touches.

Michelle

Anonymous said...

Oh gosh... I'm with you. To have the energy again that I had at age 25. Cleaned my house spotless EVERY Saturday morning and still had tons of energy left for goofing around in the bedroom Saturday night! HA!!

Di
(My get up and go got up and went)

Rochelle said...

Hello Becky!
From the glimpses of your photos your dining room looks like it is all coming together....even if it is at turtle speed!
I love those creamers - they remind me of the ones old diners used to use.
Let us see when you have finished your work!!
:)
Rochelle

the wild raspberry said...

your ironstone and creamers are so lovely...
and your chair covers...how resourceful~what a great tip! hope i can store that one somewhere in my brain and retrieve it when needed!!
maybe you could hire the merry maids one day a week to clean while you frolic in craft~land.
have a great day~~~
chas

ScrapsofMe said...

Oh my, I got tired just reading about all the cleaning. Had to go take a pre-coffee break nappy!

Bonnie n Puffers support staff

bv said...

a friend once said to me 'a women's creativey is sucked out of her with everyday house keeping chores'. that could be true or we can make homekeeping a creative activity. The energy?? it only get worse! when i look around and see what i got done 10 years ago when we moved out here i am amazed. who was that person? and where did she go?!
as always, loved your words and pixs.
bv

Unknown said...

Oh my gosh! You are such a tease! You dinning room is going to be so cute! I just know it. :)

Great idea about the drop clothes. I never would have thought about that.

~Liz

Amy said...

Oh Becky....I feel the same way you do. I have every intention of getting new things started but the day to day things get me petered out. I love your fabric tip. Painter fabric and fabric softener who would of thought?

Miss Jean said...

Becky: Welcome to my world. Wait till you get to my age! I have grand plans but I have to have the house clean first, and I have to have a clean sewing room before I sew, and I have to go water the garden, and take care of Sweety and take Mom to the doctor's and babysit my boys. Then there is Maggie. Excuse me, I have to go take a nap...ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

I guess what we need to do is let go and allow ourselves to have fun!

Diva Kreszl said...

Tell me when you find a store that carries those vitamins...I so need some too!

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

I do the same thing as soon as I wake up I have so many plans, I do get alot accomplished but it seems that things never get done, we do need more time, I was just thinking that the other day while trying to get all the clothes and sheets and comforters washed along with trying to rearrange my furniture, oh well I enjoy doing it anyway (; Your dining room looks like it's going to be beautiful, take your time and enjoy!
Hugs~Kelly

Anonymous said...

I am just sure somehow without us figuring out how, that hours are mysteriously disappearing from my day. I think I need to hire a private eye to help me find out who is doing this tragic thing!!!

Love your pictures!

Sorry I haven't been around lately- More hours have disappeared leaving me no time for blogging!

blessings
mary

Dawn said...

Hi Becky. Are there ever enough minutes in a day? It seems I'm always wishing for more.

He,he,he I think I've seen some of those little ironstone pitchers with the little designs up in the attic. Hubby's grandfather owned a bar in downtown Merced in the late 30's to the 50's or 60's. I'd love to get some of that stuff displayed!

If only life was like the commercial where the boy is selling his "leftover minutes" at the yard sale! We'd all be on thrifty Thursday showing our cheap minutes we found!

Giggles,
Dawn

Judy said...

Your pictures have that quality that make me want to cry.

SO simply beautiful!

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Ditto, Ditto, Ditto on the fatigue factor. I used to be able to go from dawn until about 11 at night. Oh yes, that little fairy tale ended a LONG time ago. Send me some Vitameatvegamin too!!! Maybe all the bloggie gals could go together and order it in bulk....whew, we'd be one tipsy bunch, wouldn't we?

I just posted about using drop cloths for slipcovers too!


I loved seeing a peek.......can't wait to see the rest.


Blessings,
Spencer

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Just browsing your comments, and it seems you've hit the nail on the head with this post! I am beginning to wonder of somebody is stealing hours out of our days somehow. I never seem to have enough of them. Your china is so pretty. I love the simplicity of it with just a touch of color. You are being such a tease! I'm dying to see those chair covers made out of drop cloth fabric. What a great idea! laurie

Imagery by Kimberly said...

Waving you on Becky... go go go go go! Can't wait till you get to the finished line (are we ever truly finished? hope not!) and we can see all of your fabulous creations! I love the ironstone and your shell wreath! But seriously, everything that you do is always ALWAYS so lovely.

Like you.


Love,
Kim

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Like you...I VAROOM too after my first cup of coffee!
I think of you often..
It was nice to chat with someone that had actually gone and met you in person. Ok..so I was a tiny bit jealous...:) Just a tiny bit!
Hugs,
Mona

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

Well..now..shoot! I forgot to say I loved the ironstone dishes! I used to have some. I am looking for..I think it is called Buffalo Pottery?? I have a few mugs..so far...nothing. :)

Elyse said...

hi becky,

i hear you! sometimes i think i'm neither a morning nor an evening person -- so when am i alert? LOL

love the slipcover idea. very very cool!

happy weekend!
xo

June said...

Yep...I know just what you mean. I need more hours or a lot more energy. Beautiful, beautiful images of your lovelies.
Hugs,
June

Mimi Sue said...

I so can relate with this. I feel like a wind up toy that needs to be rewound! Menopause is not for wimps. If you find something that helps let us know...Mimi

Pondside said...

Beautiful photos - they all have a dreamy quality - maybe because of all the creamy ironstone.
Time and energy - I never seem to have enough of either these days. Lots of dreams and plans though, for after work and weekends.

cathleen said...

Your home is so soothing to the eyes and the heart. You can tell love is written all over the place.

Donna said...

Oh, the slipcovers look beautiful! I enlarged the photo to see better... Love the material you used, and the secret to making it soft and sweet smelling!! Donna (who is also a turtle, especially compared to so many other women who blog!!!)

Dena said...

I think I need a bottle of vitameatavegimin too! There are never enough hours in the day for all the things I want to accomplish now that I'm a student again! I love your ironstone :)

Hugs,
Dena

Rosangela said...

Querida sua casa e maravilhosa, e o carinho que você cuida dela é especial beijinhos...

Lallee said...

My whole calendar goes too fast. I seem to accomplish a third or less of what I would really like to get done in a day.

I have said before but I love the gentle and tranquil colors you have chosen for your dining room. Just love it. I hope you make some wonderful occasions in there in the future.

Hus,
Lallee

Anonymous said...

I love your vision of cottage chic. I have a slight differnt color palate but its not often you find someone who gets it. I went to this horribly wonderful antique store and bought three pieces i rooted for. You could see other customers looking at my purshases and thinking... I know how you see things and i appreciate your slowness i call mine O.C.D (lol)
Thank you for knowing the beauty of an old chair with a piece of vintage ribbon against the backdrop of an old porch with the perfect color of pink lemonade in a old clear mason jar. Thankyou for "Getting it". Your things and sight were beautiful. Jennmarie