A Blondie Day

Gratitude

A few weeks ago I read a quote…

 

"I think gratitude is the most spiritual and most important emotion of them all. It's the antidote to the two things that stop us which are fear and anger. Fear is why we don't take action and anger is why we get stuck. You can't be grateful and angry simultaneously, so it's really the reset button. It's the cleaner of the soul. What it does when you are grateful -'It's no longer about me, right?'- It's really about giving thanks and when you are giving thanks, you disappear and when you disappear, I believe you reconnect to the divine." - wonderful words by Tony Robbins from Mastering the Art of Gratitude.

 

It sounded lovely, but perhaps a bit simplistic?  I wasn't sure.

 

 

But I decided to give it a try.

 

I closed my eyes and started to think about the things I am grateful for, starting with the obvious, but very often taken for granted..

 

JW, My Girl, my family and all their love, my health…

 

 

And then I started to think of less obvious but very powerful gratitude…

 

My parents, even though I lost both of them in the past few years, I was so very thankful that God had chosen to make me their daughter, and I was blessed with their love which will be with me the rest of my life.  My heart began to swell.

 

I thought of things that were not necessarily good things at first, but grew to be blessings.  My Girl, born so premature, and spending 4 months in the NICU at the beginning of her life.  And then the glorious day when I finally was able to bring her home!  That experience changed not only my life, but who I have become.

 

 

And then I thought of the little things… my silly chicken-girls, the happiness and excitement of finding a “treasure” at a yard sale, my beautiful knock-out roses in my garden, the sound of the bull frogs’ song that floats into my window each night as I fall asleep.

 

 

My goodness, it was working!  It was overwhelming.  My heart began to swell until I thought it would burst.

 

 

I walked around the rest of the day floating on a soft, lovely cloud of gratitude.  And you know what?  When your heart is full of gratitude, there is little room for anything negative.  It just simply won’t fit.  I never realized just how powerful and amazing this feeling was.

 

 

 

I hope this doesn't sound too "sunshiny" and it is most definitely NOT meant to be preachy.  I know of course, there are times we all have pain, sadness and fear in our lives, and those emotions can overwhelm us.  But perhaps if we can just find room for some small bit of gratitude, it will be the strength we need to keep going – the ray of sunlight to get us through to the next day.  It is certainly worth a try.

 

 

 

By the way, every single picture of loveliness above in this post comes from an amazing

Box of Joy sent to me by Rachel, a friend I met on the internet some time ago.

This box appeared on my doorstep and was sent to me from her 

for no particular reason at all except out of the goodness and generosity of her heart.

 

Opening it up was like an amazing, very special Vintage Christmas Day.

 

I am speechless and so very, very grateful.

 

 

 

Much Love,

Helena

A Week in Review

This past week held for me...

 

...new goods in the shop...

 

 

 

 

 

...some old pretty drapes from the Thrift Shop...

 

 

 

...a sunny, warm Mother's Day over the weekend which included flowers and a handmade card from My Girl...

 

 

 

 

...some fabulous Craft Books from a very thoughtful JW...

 

 

...and a trip to the aquarium to pet the stingrays...

 

 

...and visit with a Caiman that needed dental work...

 

 

 

...a lovely Day of Sewing with Ollie as my sewing buddy...

 

 

 

 

...and a trip today to the Thrift Shop, where it was apparent that vintage sheets and pillowcases were in the cards for me.

 

 

Hope your week was filled with goodness

with more to come this week.

 

Much Love,

Helena

 

 

Big and Bright

I'm so happy to be back!

I missed you, my friends, and I missed my little blog.

I have two tales to tell.  One regarding one of my little chickies, Lily.  But that tale will wait.  It is a little bit of an emotional, scary tale, and it deserves its very own post.

So first I will tell the tale of our vacation... and then my NEWS!

We set off on vacation the day after Easter, but things started a little shaky. The night before we left, My Girl had a 100 degree fever.  But the fever was gone the next day and she showed no other symptoms, so off we went.  I was a bit suspicious.  I know about those lurking fevers that come and then go into hiding for a few hours, or a day or 2, only to rear its ugly little fevered self again.

And sure enough, My Girl got sick while we were away on vacation.  We had to take it very easy on her, so we mostly drove around, taking turns getting out of the car to do a little bit here or there, leaving her back in the car with one of us so she could rest.  The most she could do was to take a little 20 minute swim here and there in the indoor heated pool (swimming is one of her favorite things to do, and she had so very much looked forwared to the hotel pool).  But other than that, My Girl was TOAST.

I did a little bit of shopping and thrifting...

 

 

But I was limited as to what I could possibly take home with me on the airplane..

 

So things like this vintage mirror were out of the question.  And I had to leave lots of prettiness behind...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This has me convinced that a pink adult tricycle is a Must Have.

 

 

And that bicycles in the garden, in general, are a great idea.

 

 

 

By the time we headed home, we had a very sick Girl.  She slept in the plane all the way home... and now has bronchitis and a double ear infection.  My poor sweet kidlet.

 

 

So now...

 

CAN YOU GUESS WHERE WE WENT ON VACATION?

 

I'll give you a hint.

 

"The stars at night shine big and bright..."

 

OK, a few more hints in case you don't know that song...

 

 

Still don't know? 

OK, maybe this...

 

 

And in case you STILL don't know...

 

 

 

 

And before you think I am crazy, my Friends, this is so important because...

 

WE ARE MOVING TO TEXAS!

 

Yes, this New York Born and Raised Girl is moving to Texas.

 

I am scared, excited, exhilarated, emotional, happy, sad, giddy all while having butterflies in my stomach.

 

You see, I've never lived anywhere but New York.  I love New York.

But JW got a job offer there that is just too good to pass up.

So off we go.

 

We have about a year to relocate, which gives us plenty of time to do what we have to, and let me settle my mind a bit and adjust.

 

So, since I had never been to Texas, off we went on vacation for a week.

 

We did a little house looking, even though we won't be ready to buy for about a year.  We wanted to start getting an idea of what we are looking for and what is available.

 

I know one thing.  I wouldn't mind this being my porch...

 

 

Or looking out my back window and gazing upon this...

 

 

Or adding one of these creatures to my family...

 

 

 

... and maybe a horse, some alpacas, ducks, rabbits and of course, DOGS!  Oh, yes.  I will have a regular little farm.

 

So for the next year, I hope you will bear with me from time to time as I share the preparations, trials and tribulations of the move of my little group... family, chickens and cats... to Texas.

 

I AM NERVOUS!!  In a good way.

 

Oh, and by the way, I did make it home on the airplane with some goodies, of course...

 

 

 

Good to be back!

 

Much love,

Helena

 

 

 

The Red Bowl

It's not truly anything special as far as collecting goes.

 

It is vintage and it is Pyrex.

It's a bit worn.

Obviously greatly used.

 

 

It once had several smaller bowls that were part of the set.

 

Now, only one remains.

 

 

But you cannot imagine how much love was served in it.

Countless casseroles... baked ziti, macaroni and cheese...

 

...franks and beans requested for birthday dinners.

 

Breakfast cereal and soup served in the smaller bowls.

 

Years and years of laughter and love around the table.

 

 

 

Because it was my Mother's bowl.

 

And now it is mine.

And it is my turn to serve the love.

 

 

XO

Helena

 

Color My World

Right now, I have a big pot simmering on the stove, where I am making a homemade chicken stock.  I don't know what it is, but I can't seem to get enough soup these days.  I crave it! (No, NOT for the reason one might think.)

Maybe it is the association with comfort, warmth and security. Maybe it is my body asking for more veggies.  Maybe it's just because it's winter.  But whatever the reason, I am lovin' it in a big way.

And while I was sitting here with that scrumptious aroma filling the air, I started thinking about the colors of Singapore during JW's last trip, and noticing the colors all around me, right here in my own little home, in my own little world.

There are many.

So I started snapping pictures.

And I would love to share some colors with you...

 

 

This sweet Jesus picture tugs at my heart.  It is obviously very old, and I picture that it must have been given to a newlywed couple many years ago, which they then hung lovingly in their new home.  Did they go on to have a happy life?  Were they blessed with many years of love?  I hope so.

There is a nice story of how I got this picture.  

Last summer I, JW and My Girl went to an outdoor flea market in Pennsylvania.  We were walking around admiring all the many treasures when this, and another picture of roses, caught my eye.

I first asked the price of the the other picture, and a very nice man quoted a sum that was just a bit too much for me that day.  Then I asked him the price of this picture.  He looked at me and My Girl and he said, "It's yours.  All I ask is that you say a prayer for me."

I was touched, and this dear picture came home with us.  Needless to say, we both said a prayer for that very nice man with the kind heart that night.

 

More colors?

 

My ever growing kokeshi girlies.

 

 

 

Brightly colored enamel bowls I can't get enough of.

 

 

 

Illustrations from a vintage children's book I picked up at the Salvation Army.

 

 

More you say?

Sure!

 

 

Another enamel bowl and a vintage textured painting of roses I was also given for free last summer at a tag sale. (I was on a roll.)

 

 

A wreath made from little paper parasols.

 

Now I thought I was brilliant when I came up with this idea, only to discover it had been done - many times - before. But, oh well!

Notice the dangly buttons in the center.  Yes - me and my buttons - we love each other.

 

 

 

 

A vintage quilt, so lovingly made.

 

 

 

Bright and beautiful vintage afghans warming themselves in the sun.

 

 

 

Vintage slips, softly lady-like.

 

 

And just a little bit more?

 

 

Vintage jewelry on an old adjustable dress form, which I got for $1.00 at a garage sale.  Yes - ONE DOLLAR!  You bet I skipped happily out of there that day.

 

 

I had picked up these 2 old wooden shoes several months ago at the thrift shop.  They were just plain wood, which I eventually decided to dress up a bit. So on went a bit of paint and pretty vintage decals.

 

 

 

Some thrifted silk flowers...

 

and lastly, the soup I am making...

 

 

Some very pretty colors, indeed, in this soup!

I call it Hodge Podge Soup.

You basically add whatever veggies you have hanging around in your fridge or freezer to your homemade chicken stock, season it, and you have your tasty soup.

This particular batch includes sweet corn kernels, carrots, red, green and yellow peppers, spinach, onions, peas, orzo pasta, chicken meat and lots of freshly ground pepper!

 

Thank you for sharing all of today's colors with me.

 

Much Love,

 

All the Senses

I have never been to Singapore, but JW has.

And he recently traveled there for business, and brought back pure delightfulness for me to absorb.

To me, Singapore looks like a treat for all of the senses... sight, sound, taste, scent and soul.

The colors alone!

May I share some with you?

 

Just glorious, right?

 

There's more...

 

 

 

 

 

They were celebrating the Chinese New Year - Year of the Dragon.

 

 

 

Everywhere you look, there is color!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To me, it would be intoxicating.

 

 

 

 

Even the very unpleasant smelling (so I am told) durian looks pretty...

 

 

 

 

He came home bearing gifts...

 

 

Some of the prettiest little shoes my feet have ever seen.

 

 

 

 

And a very much wanted porcelain Maneki Neko, the beckoning cat...

 

 

which I believe is sure to bring me good luck in the coming year.

 

 

Hope you enjoyed traveling with me

and that the lovely colors brightened your day.

 

XOXOXO

 

 

A Token

My Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for all of your kind words, prayers and thoughts.  

You truly lifted my spirit, and I am so appreciative.

 

 

 

XOXOXO

 

 

A Window of Promises

I'm not too much into resolutions.  I don't like to set myself up to fail, and there's nothing like a big, 'ole, giant resolution to accomplish that.  

Instead, I like to make little promises to myself.  Small ones, that, if accomplished, can really add up to something big. 

This year I decided to give myself something visual that I can look at everyday and remind myself that I need to take the time to do these small things for myself.

I had an old window I picked up over the summer at a yard sale for $3. What could be more perfect for looking into the New Year and reminding myself of these simple promises...

 

 

 

...don't take myself too seriously... (no one else does)

 

and

 

if you can't get rid of the skeleton in your closet

you'd best take it out and teach it to dance...

(love that!)

 

 

 

...more flowers (lots more!)...

 

 

 

 

...more music and laughter...

(some times I just forget to listen to music and I forget the wondrous and amazing magic of it, and how it can lift your spirits and transport you in time)

 

 

 

...more walking, sewing and orange juice...

and less computer...

 

(less computer = more sewing)

 

 

 

 

Little things that can make a big difference.

 

 

 

 

I hope you keep all the promises you make to yourself.

 

 

We sometimes forget to be good to ourselves

and if we don't do that

we don't have much to give to the ones we love.

 

Thank you so much for your kind words and thoughts for my Dad.  He is hanging in there and is beginning to show some small improvements.  I am exhausted, worried, sleepless and restless, but I am optimistic.

 

Lots of love,

Dear Dad

I'm afraid my New Year is starting off with a bang... but not a good one.

My sweet old Dad is in the hospital and is very, very sick.  Some of you may remember that I lost my precious Mom 2 years ago on Christmas Eve, so my Dad is all I have left.  

Here he was when he was in the Navy...

 

Wasn't he so handsome?

I was blessed with the best parents in the world.

 

Your good thoughts and prayers would mean so much to me.

 

Thanks so much Dear Friends.

 

XOXOXO

A Little Random Christmas

I thought I would just take a few pictures here and there of some random Christmas in my little blue house. 

Cookie baking still needs to be done. Wrapping is also patiently waiting. But since JW is once again roaming the world, working hard for us, I think I will, after My Girl goes to bed, make myself a nice hot cup of chai tea (my latest favorite) and wrap myself into oblivion.  Well, not myself - the presents.  You know what I mean.  And then hide the presents in the attic before she rises in the morning.

So off we go...

 

This tree is filled with handmade ornaments made by My Girl over the years in school and proudly brought home.  I love them.  There are also ornaments she has picked out herself.... hence, Spongebob.  Sprinkled here and there are vintage ornaments I've picked up at estate sales.  A real hodgepodge!

 

 

 

This vintage ceramic tree was made by my Auntie in the 60's, and then given to me when she moved to a smaller apartment a few years go.

 

 

 

 

 

Pretty felted and knitted ornaments.

 

 

 

Thrifted goods... vintage rose tin, a huge jar of mixed vinage buttons (a treasure!), a little wood house with a friendly Cardinal, and a pretty red and white doily.

 

 

 

Some favorite vintage toys.

 

 

 

 

A cozy corner.

 

 

 

And the true reason for the season. 

 

 

Will be back tomorrow with a fun and easy How To

that has a little bit of Christmas magic!

 

XOXOXOX