DINING AREA

I am trying hard today to do what my doctor told me to do in order to get well.

I decided that maybe his idea of resting and my idea of resting aren't the same. My idea has been more along the lines of running around town at break neck speed, while I possibly he was thinking I should stay home with my feet up. So for the next few days I am trying it his way.

That doesn't mean I can't write my blog though. I'm in my chair with my feet up and I am enjoying my cozy apartment. 

I realized that I haven't shown much of my apartment, and although it is small, I do have things that I can share. 

I love my dining area, and today I am going to share one side of it.

This side of the room is anchored by an antique drop leaf table and chairs I bought almost 40 years ago. Originally there were six chairs, but as I have crisscrossed the country so have these pieces. 

Four of the chairs were destroyed over the years and the remaining chairs and the table are not in great shape. The chairs are not very sturdy and so to be honest, I never sit here to eat. I will have to decide what I want to do with them at some point.

This wicker piece was a freebie. I wasn't sure I was going to have a place for it, and it may eventually go in my bathroom, but for now I am using it to display some of my antique ironstone china and cloth napkins. 

I would like to have a low bookcase under the pictures on that wall, as I really don't have a place for my books and I could also use it to display the china.

 I love my blue and white transferware plates. They make a great focal point on that wall. 

Since my apartment has an English country cottage vibe I have lots of pictures on the walls. I am definitely not a minimalist. That trend just doesn't see to work for me. 

Horse prints seem to be a staple in English country cottage decor and I happen to have some. I bought these two prints when I was first married. Fortunately they have survived all of the moves. 

I have very little light in this room so it is really hard to get good photos.

I recently bought this cute print from a friend. I love it.

When I first come out in the morning I love seeing my dining space, and hopefully I can repair those chairs soon so I can actually use it.

Next week I will try to get some photos of the other side of the space. Maybe the sun will put in an appearance before then.

There is more of my small space here.

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GRAY SKIES AND GO AWAY VIRUS

Each day when I wake up I look for the light, but I am having a hard time finding it. 

Our skies seem to be continually gray this year. Yesterday it rained and today is very cloudy and gloomy. The forecast shows clouds until Saturday. 

I know I really shouldn't complain as the weather has been so mild for January, but as someone who suffers from SAD (seasonal affective disorder) I need the light. For me, SAD starts in the fall and continues through the winter months. 

The first of March is always a relief because I know spring is on the way. In the meantime I have to find ways to trick myself into believing that the sun is actually out there. 

Looking at photos of these two always helps.

They never seem to have any problems staying happy.

I have not been able to throw off the respiratory illness that I have had since the end of December so I finally went to the doctor on Friday. He said it had been going on too long and gave me an antibiotic, which so far has done nothing to help.

I think I need some warm sunshine and some color in the landscape.

I miss all of those beautiful California winters I enjoyed for so long. 

Maybe I am California Dreaming. 

Have a great day.

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CRAZY WEATHER , A FLAT TIRE, AND WHERE IS THAT LAMP?

Is your weather as crazy as ours?

This is January, RIGHT???

It definitely feels much more like March. Showers and warm temperatures are prevailing and with temperatures not dropping below freezing at night I am afraid that things will start to bloom. 

My other worry is that when March does roll around winter will decide to rear its ugly head. I am not a fan of winter and love these mild days, but if we have to have cold weather I like for it to be in January. 

Now, about that flat tire. GRRRRRR!!!

I noticed on the way to clean up my booth yesterday that I heard a strange noise. Just as I pulled into the mall, boom my tire went flat. 
SIGH! 

Thank goodness for AAA, but tomorrow I will be heading off to the tire store to get, I'm sure, two new front tires. 

I hate the fact that I keep having to put money into my old car, but every time I start saving money for a new one something goes wrong with the old one. I think I am going to have to have a serious conversation with it about its behavior. 

I also noticed yesterday that a lamp was missing from my booth. It isn't on my sales report so I will have to talk to the manager to see where it has disappeared to. I don't think anyone could walk out the front door with a large table lamp, but nothing really surprises me. 

Things there do have a way of going missing. 

Today I am having a day at home. I like those days.

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WINTER HOUSEPLANT CARE

I love my houseplants, and because I don't have a pet at the moment they are like my babies.
I want them to remain healthy, and that is not always easy in the winter.

So I have made a pretty tray that holds things I need and is easy to carry around. Scissors for trimming. A new watering can and mister that were Christmas gifts from my sweet granddaughter Sidney. A hand towel for drying my hands as needed. 

One problem for houseplants in the winter is adequate light. There are just too many gray gloomy days, and sometimes I feel like the color is just being leached out of my plants. 
I do have a grow light that I can use if I feel like I am losing one of my precious plants, but I of course always prefer natural light, which is why I move my plants around to see where they do best.

Lack of water is also a problem along with dry air in the winter. My apartment is really dry. I feel like my skin is turning into sandpaper, so I know that my plants need more moisture. I am very diligent about watering my plants (make sure not to over water) and I love the new mister Sidney  gave me. I also have a humidifier to help add moisture to the air.

I also love cut flowers, so I do add them to my decor. Freesias work great for me because they don't seem to aggravate my allergies, and they are very inexpensive at Trader Joe's. 

I don't know about you, but when I look around at all my beautiful plants winter just seems to recede into the background.

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ME AND THE QUEEN

I know you are probable reading this right now and saying WOW is that where Laura has been for the last three weeks?

Has she been meeting the queen? Sipping tea? Eating cucumber sandwiches? Touring Buckingham Palace? Playing with the queen's Pembroke Welsh Corgis?

Well, in a word, NO. 

(Not the queen, but love those muddy feet)

Maybe it is that they both wear crowns, or are guarded by men in funny uniforms who never smile, or spend their time lounging about. (Well that last one might be true for me)

(No stopping these two)

So what is it about me and the queen. Apparently we both have "heavy colds". To be honest with you I was calling it the creeping crud, but I guess that is not refined enough for what we have. 

I came down with whatever this is on the way back from visiting my family in Atlanta. (BTW other than the night I had a stomach virus, I had a wonderful time.)

I don't know how the queen is doing, but my guess is she has a lot more personal care than me. I have had to slog through it on my own with lots of tea and Hulu binge watching. 

Other than a lingering cough I seem to finally be throwing it off. In fact, I am heading out the door to a tai chi class and to walk on the treadmill. It's part of my plan to burn the past and have a bright future. 

I am also starting a pottery class, and yes, I 'll be happy to show you whatever lump of clay I end up with. 

A belated Happy New Year to one and all (including the queen).

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