Where is Front Door, Again?

Yeah, yeah. We haven't been able to use a front door in almost a year now! Yes, almost a year!!! Planning takes time, you know. Wanna get it right the first time.

But, it's official! I FINALLY ordered the stone treads for the stairs to my front porch leading to the front door. Whew! That was a mouthful! Can you say "this is the house that Jack built?" Remember that Mother Goose rhyme?

"This is the house that Jack built..."
by Mother Goose

This is the house that Jack built.

This is the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.

This is the rat,
That ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.

This is the cat,
That killed the rat,
That ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.

This is the dog,
That worried the cat,
That killed the rat,
That ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.

This is the cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog,
That worried the cat,
That killed the rat,
That ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.

This is the maiden all forlorn,
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog,
That worried the cat,
That killed the rat,
That ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.

This is the man all tattered and torn,
That kissed the maiden all forlorn,
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog,
That worried the cat,
That killed the rat,
That ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.

This is the priest all shaven and shorn,
That married the man all tattered and torn,
That kissed the maiden all forlorn,
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog,
That worried the cat,
That killed the rat,
That ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.

This is the cock that crowed in the morn,
That waked the priest all shaven and shorn,
That married the man all tattered and torn,
That kissed the maiden all forlorn,
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog,
That worried the cat,
That killed the rat,
That ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.

This is the farmer sowing his corn,
That kept the cock that crowed in the morn,
That waked the priest all shaven and shorn,
That married the man all tattered and torn,
That kissed the maiden all forlorn,
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn,
That tossed the dog,
That worried the cat,
That killed the rat,
That ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.

Sometimes that's what I feel like with this whole house and landscape remodel.

I'm sure I could work out my own Mother Goose song, but I'm too tired today for that.

In the meantime, I'm just happy that progress is being made on getting the stair treads, stair wall capstones, and retaining wall capstones ordered. Now, I'll be planning the walkway that will lead to the stairs that will lead up to the porch that will lead to the front door that will lead into the entry way that will lead into the living room....to see the dog that chases the cat that stalks the birds...enough!

On another note, my apologies for not posting about the next B&B. I downloaded the photos onto my laptop at home - and I'm blogging today from work. If I get a chance, I'll post tonight!


In the meantime, these photos were taken on one of our buggy rides a couple of weeks ago. Just look at that patina! Ooooooh......

Ditchin' Work & Buggy'n on Friday.

Last weekend was the annual Medford Cruise for Father's Day. It is held every year over in Medford at the Hawthorne Park. It starts on Friday with a Poker Run, Friday night movie in the park, Saturday car show, another movie in the park, and a Sunday car show.

We have been going since we moved to Grants Pass. We've even had our car in the show a couple of times. AND we ALWAYS have lunch at Red Robin. The Whiskey River BBQ burger with endless fries! Except, truthfully, this year I had a Whiskey River Chicken Roll-Up 'cause it comes with two slices of cantaloupe - and I like that at the end of a spicy meal!

Anyway, this year, Phillip and I ditched work and went on the Poker Run - in the buggy!

Sure, the buggy is older and not a fully restored hot rod, like most of the cars and trucks on the cruise, but I bet we had way MORE FUN!!! Zippin' around in the open air. Not worrying about the bugs hitting the windshield or worse - rocks! Or door dings. Or getting the ride dirty before the show.

Trust me, it's always a pain right before a show. Detailing every little crevice, then driving it on the road and having to do touch-ups before showing. Next time you go to a car show, just look for the crevices full of wax. That's not because the owner is lazy, it's because he or she's tired because he or she JUST detailed it a half hour ago!

Back to the Poker Run. We left the house while it was still a bit chilly out. I was wearing my Lucy dress (black sleeveless house-dress with white polka dots) and open toe sandals - the forecast said it would be sunny and warm - and it did become a beautiful day - sunburned shoulders/face and all. Phillip came prepared. He loaded up the little cooler, bungee corded it in the back, brought sunscreen and a jacket!

So on the way, on the back roads through Rogue River, on our way to Medford we swore the sky was going to open up and rain on us - but it never did. I did, however, put on his jacket for a while. I took this picture as we were leaving our house. The sky was so bright and the clouds were so striking. I didn't alter this photo at all, but I think it almost looks fake!

We get to Home Town Buffet just in the nick of time. Buy two $5 cards. Get the directions sheet. And then go to Carl's Jr. aka: on the East Coast as Hardees, have a quick bite to eat and then re-trace our drive back to Grants Pass to go to the first stop - The We-Ask-U-Inn. There were a total of five Bed and Breakfast stops on the Run. Kuddos to the organizers for this brain child! Usually the Poker Runs are around town stopping at the hamburger joints or pop-up tents in a parking lot.

As I was signing us up, Phillip parked the buggy next to another couple in their coupe. The woman commented to Phillip how she loved buggies and how much fun they are. We toured most of the B & B's with them - and only them 'cause everyone else raced through the places in a huge mob. We took our time and enjoyed the scenery and the tours.

From the road, this inn is pretty non-descript. There is the sign, of course. AND the legends that Walt Disney escaped So. California via the train to stay here on the Rogue River.























There are pictures of Clark Gable and Carol Lombard around the property, but none of Walt. When Phillip asked them about it, they said the previous owners pretty much took all the "good stuff" with them.
















This is
a model in the lobby.


















This place is a ton nicer than you'd expect from the road. Here are some shots from the lobby.















The sign above the check in counter.
















The lobby fireplace.
















Solid staircase leading to the rooms upstairs - where Walt stayed.















Some books to read. Check out some of the titles. Fitting, I'd say.














A coat rack, umm, skate rack.























Indoor dining.


















The outdoor patio.





















The lobby library.






















The views around the property.


























Cabin #42. Nice and cozy. It sits on a canal with a walking path. The Rogue River is beyond the trees in the background.

So there it is. The first stop.

And here is their link. Come on up. Stay a while! http://www.weaskuinn.com/ And be sure to ask them for an upgrade to a bigger, better room - if one's vacant, they'll upgrade for the same price!!!

See you tomorrow for the next stop.......You won't be disappointed!

...and then there were none!

This morning, as I was preparing to leave the house, I heard quite a commotion outside the kitchen windows. A whole lot of cheeping and chirping! I went out on the upper deck, off the kitchen, and saw a bunch of little birds putting on quite a show. Dive bombing each other. Doing spins in the air. Playing like little siblings do.

It would appear that they were fighting, but after watching them a while, I realized that these little meanies were in fact the five, sweet, little birds that have been in the barn birdhouse the last couple of months, that have been entertaining us from within.

They, finally, left the nest! There they were, for the first time ever, flitting about. Testing their wings. And showing each other who was boss. All in my presence.

After taking a peek into the bird house, it was confirmed. These little ones were done with being crammed into the cozy quarters their mom and dad chose for them only a couple of months back.

Every year, we watch as the couples come and check out the run-down "barn". We have other abodes out there, but this is the only one that has been occupied since we moved in back in 2004. It came with the house.

I'm glad we didn't take it down, cause it has provided us with years of entertainment. Mom and dad coming and going. Little ones singing to us every time food was delivered, but this is the first year I got to witness the "move-out".

Too Cool! I only wish, now in hind-sight, that I had grabbed the camera. But, I guess, there's always next year!

Simple. Country. Weeds.

When the weather is nice, Phillip and I like to buggy around in our 1969 VW Manx Dune Buggy. It's street legal and just an absolute blast to drive and ride in. It's shorter than a standard 'ol VW bug. Turns on a dime. Has only a roll-cage roof. And the seats are about as low to the road as you can get - legally!

It truly feels like you are driving a go-cart. It puts you in the environment - the cold pockets of air - even when it's hot out; the different smells - good and the not-too-good ie: rose bushes, freshly cut grass, AND the pig farm! Every man, woman and child gives you "the look" - a huge grin and a thumbs-high.

On a recent jaunt, Phillip and I buggy'd around for a couple of hours, stopping here and there taking pictures of random things we thought looked interesting.

I love the simplicity of this one.

It just screams "Simply Country" to me. The corrugated metal wall. The weeds. The shadows cast by the weeds.

Sometimes calm beauty can be found in the simplest places - you just need to stop and smell the weeds!

I highly recommend getting out in the environment and enjoying the beauty of the simple things you'd normally walk and drive past! It's good for the soul!

An Affinity for Furniture...

Especially for chairs. Tables. And even a desk or two.

There was a time, when I just couldn't stop bringing home chairs and tables. It's amazing just how many sizes, shapes, styles & colors there are out in the world.

It got to the point where I just had to whittle it down to a few of my faves. I had to donate, abandon or give away, just so new ones could call my home - home.

Yes, they still call to me. Yes, I still drag home a stray or two. Yes, there are some I will NEVER let go of.

These three are an example of ones that just HAD to come home with me and I will never get rid of. They remind me of my three boys.

On a Saturday trip to the local hardware store, across the road, was an individual having a little "parking lot" sale.

"Honey, you go ahead and go to the hardware store. Drop me off here and I'll meet back up with you!" I could hardly contain my excitement when I spied these little guys from the car. I couldn't run across the three lanes of traffic fast enough! Surely, they were already sold. It was late in the day, afterall. BUT, there was always HOPE!

Much to my relief they were still for sale. And - this is the best part! $9.00 for the lot!!!! Go ahead. Do the math. That's $3.00 EACH! OMG. I got change from my $10 bill.

I schlepped them back across the road, full of pride! Boy, did I score big!!!

They have since taken up residence in various parts of the house. Right now they live in the family room next to the $30.00 Ebay camel back trunk! Another great score back in 2002! It's amazing what you can find from time to time. This huge trunk was listed as a "pirate chest". Not steamer trunk. Not camel back trunk. But due to the "obscure" category listing, there were NO other bidders AND the seller was local so I could pick it up. Lesson learned: ALWAYS use a variety of key words when searching on Ebay. You never know what you might find!!!

This next grouping includes a desk I found at a second hand store. It was ugly as sin, but the maker's plate said it is a Leopold desk. All the drawers are dove-tailed, solid wood. It has a working typewriter shelf and a pull-out writing board. The locking drawer mechanism still works great too. After a good sanding, staining, and clear coat, it just came to life. The wood grain is gorgeous in person. I took a new map, stained it using instant cofee grounds, scrunched it up, tore it up and then covered it with a piece of glass cut to fit.

Next, I searched for the "just-right" chair. I found many at antique stores, but they were always too pricey for my budget. Patience is truly a virtue. I found this really cool one for less than $20! It still works like a charm. All the casters work. The swivel works. The bouncy-recliner mechanism works. The price WORKS! I left it "as-is". I like the way the lighter, patina'd wood looks with the dark and light wood of the desk.

Lastly, is this buffet. When I found it in 1987- in a back room of my mom's 5 or 6 houses ago, it was painted a very ugly avocado green. I liked the lines of the piece, I could tell it had dove-tailed drawers. Not knowing what was underneath, I took it home and stripped it down. First, the green paint. Then, the next layer of barn red paint. Man, how many ugly, thick layers of paint can one piece have?

But soon, the lines of the piece became much more defined. The hardware was so detailed and intact. After one last coat of paint stripped, the insets of the doors revealed themselves. What a surprise! The most beautiful patterned wood - ever! I meticulously picked and scraped every little curve and detail. Scrubbed it with stripper and steel wool. Washed it up good and Phillip clear coated it with a matte finish top coat. I didn't even have to restain it. What a diamond in the rough!!!

I'll take treasure hunting over shopping at the mall or a big box store any 'ol time!

Happy Hunting....

A Lust for Rust.

I don't know what it is about rust, but I like it!

I like the color, the texture, and the flavor - no, silly, not that kind of flavor. Flavor - as in "style of".

Here is a little bit of rust flavor. Just look at that texture and color. You can't even replicate that!

Rust! I love collecting little rusty things. There will certainly be a bit of rust in my "upside down" offerings - which are coming along, at a slow, but sure pace.

I have secured MORE, MORE, MORE the last few days and will be off on a QUEST FOR MORE this weekend. PLUS, I have an appointment on Monday to pickup a few funky, rust-laden items ready to be re-thunk. I can't wait to show you, but I don't want to share pre-maturely!!! That would just be teasing.

Well, okay, maybe one little thing....

O.K. So, this old, oil can was SO oily and dirty that RUST didn't even stand a chance, but it has good bones. It'll get a good de-greasing scrub and blasting. I'll be starting with a clean slate of raw steel. Now, I just need to decide whether this will look better sporting a bright, primary color - like red or left to rust! Can't you just see it full of flowers?

Whatcha think?

Here are a few of my previous finds.

A rusty lamp base.

Enormous, rusty chain.

A not-so-bright-and-shiny sports car!

What do you lust for?

A Bra - Less Tour.....

For those who were there, you saw this story "reveal" itself. For you others...

Here goes....

A couple of years ago, 2007 to be exact, the girls and I were planning our next scrapbook retreat via emails, texts and phone conversations.

Phillip and I were on the road home from California and I was reading the latest email list of things NOT to forget - sewing machine, collapsible trash cans, Ott Lite, a bra for Janice, Cricut, extra laundry soap, cooking oil, etc....

A bra for Janice? What?....Oh, yeah. Janice NEVER wears a bra at retreat. It's just more comfy to scrapbook in Jammies without a bra! Sure, she wears a scarf to cover the "girls", but this whole "list" got me a thinkin'.

A BRA for Janice!!! I had a couple weeks to pull it off - figuratively, not literally OR is it the other way around? At any rate, I had time to put the wheels in motion.

Now, I just want to add, that what I thought
was a completely UNIQUE crafting moment has since turned into a national phenomenon of fund-raising events around the country that I never knew about. It's kind of like when you buy a new car and then notice every other car like yours!

Anyway, I hadn't really thought about it, until I was at Janice's and suddenly remembered the bra. I asked if I could take some pictures of it, since I never did,

and she proudly moved it from her "old" room to her new room. See it over there? Hanging on the door? I like your style, JANICE!!!


So, people, here is a tour of my surprise 2007 Scrapbook Retreat creation for Janice....



























Hope you enjoy the bra tour.....

ps. I used embroidery floss, misc beads, buttons, Sizzix die cut felt letters, misc jewelry baubles, iron-on transfers onto twill tape, eyelets, lace, floral, brads, safety pins, shrinky-dink plastic, Staz-On, letter beads, mini rick rack, ribbon, etc. AND the BIGGEST, DARNED BOOBY-CATCHER I could find to embellish!