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Sometimes it is so difficult for us to remember to take time for ourselves - to even find time for ourselves - without feeling guilty for doing so. But it's so important. You need it to remind yourself of who you are and who you want to be.
Fill the well up again, and in doing so, you will have so much more to give.
Helena XO
All the gardens in my yard are broken up into categories. There's the Herb Garden, which has...you guessed it - herbs! This year I have rosemary, flat leaf parsley, thyme, cilantro, dill, fennel, basil and cinnamon basil. Then there's the Pond Garden, which is located by the pond. Ah yes, that is a brilliant name for it, is it not? That is where the Spot for Fairies resides. Next would be the Butterfly Garden, which is, of course, a garden for not only attracting butterflies, but for feeding and breeding them. This is a new project - more on that to come!
And then there is this little garden...The Tire Garden.
Oh, I had such fun with this.
Once upon a time, in the 1970's, my Mom was into tire planters. She gave my father the task of finding old tires for her, which she then promptly spray painted and then proceeded to cut hundreds of triangle snips around the rim, which were then bent back like petals. I remember her blistered hands, which she did not let hinder her from completing her appointed task.
I wish I had pictures of my Mom's planters, but they looked something like these...
Recently, tire planters have once again become all the rage, so I decided a few little ones in my garden would be sweet.
I did not snip them.
No I did not.
I am not as brave as my mother was, and I can do without blisters.
But I think they are pretty just the same.
And I think my Mom would approve.
This past week, I was on another mission as well.
I fell completely in love with the colorful and happy array of cloggy sandals that Swedish Hasbeens has out for spring and summer. Oh, they are like candy.
But when I went searching for the perfect pair in the perfect color in the perfect size - ah, not so easy to find.
But in my search, I came upon these...
Oh, you pretty silvery things you! In my size and on sale.
I love them - perfect for the summer and for showing off just a peek of color from a pedi. And even perfect in the fall and winter with tights. And the silver goes with just about everything.
I am a happy girl.
XO
Helena
About a month ago, I made myself a Go To Work Bag... a Messenger Bag, actually - nice large one.
I have been using this bag faithfully whenever I go to my Blondie Blu Office, and I am loving it, so I thought I would make one to share.
So, here it is, in the shop...
Nice and big, just like mine, it will fit file folders and magazines, sketch pads and other Important Things.
So stop by the shop and take a look!
I also have 2 new wall pockets in the shop as well...
If you are organizationally challenged - like me - these can help.
Happy Day to you My Friends.
XO Helena
A few years ago, I came upon an old colander at the thrift shop. She was a little beat up, missing her handles and had some dents and bruises, but I saw the beauty in her nonetheless.
She came home with me and promptly became a pretty pot for a lovely lantana for the rest of the season.
The following year, however, overwhelmed with the sad task of cleaning out and selling my parents' home, Miss Colander stayed in the shed - empty and sad.
So, to make up for it this year, she has been given a very special duty.
She has become a Spot for Fairies.
My Girl and I lined her lovingly with a shredded coconut liner, filled her with potting soil and planted a few tiny succulents, including aloe which can be quite useful in the summer.
We added little chairs, a wee birdbath and some other little friends, together with pretty colored beach glass we thought the fairies would like.
And lo and behold, we think we created the perfect spot that any Fairy would gladly come to rest and ponder and think Fairy-thoughts.
May you find a restful, happy spot in which to ponder and dream as well.
XO Helena
We are moving along here in Blondie Blu Land.
My new office is taking shape, and it is becoming a nice little haven for me to escape to when I need to focus and do computer-ing for my shoppe, blog and website.
My office is in this lovely old colonial home, which has been converted to an office building - but the beauty of it has been kept. I will share more pictures of the house itself soon, but for now here are little peeks at my office...
Needless to say, I need to bring my grown up camera with me to take real pictures, and I must share some of this home with you. I know you will love it. The house also has an interesting history, which I will share as well.
I have a new website!!
I have put it together myself, which is no small feat as I have exactly zero, zilch, nicht, nada HTML experience or knowledge, for that matter. But it is not a bad start, and it will work well for me for now. Come and visit if you have a moment.
I will be doing my very first ever Craft Show on July 27th, 2013.
I know, I must be crazy for my very first attempt to be in the middle of the hot Long Island summer, but I will pray for a cooler day and bring lots of cold drinks and perhaps do a cool, sunny weather dance the night before - you never know, it might work.
I will post more info on that right before the show, and if you are in the area, I would LOVE to see your friendly, smiling, supportive face there, as I will be nervous and slightly insecure.
On the homefront, my yard is shaping up.
I am finally ready to plant lots of yummy herbs and pretty flowers for the butterfly gardens, and perhaps some veggies too, although haven't decided that yet. My tomatoes last year were a sad, sorry, pitiful lot, and I don't know if I want to put tomatoes through that again. We shall see.
It is a warm, happy Thursday here, and we are enjoying it immensely.
A quick little thought for the day, and I am off...
Much love to you...
XO Helena
Friends, when I had posted Pretty Find No. 4, several of you had asked if I would mind sharing bits of these letters, and I am happy to do so.
This is only a small part of them - without the magic of holding these papers in your hands with their beautiful penmanship and postmarks from so long ago, but I hope you can imagine those things and enjoy them still as much as I did.
August 24, 1942
"I got a letter from Aunt Margaret yesterday - 6 full pages - and a very nice letter too. she said that if I'd promise to tell her what to send she'd frequently send magazines, candy, games, etc. I don't want the presents so much as I want to hear from her."
October 1, 1942
"I'll certainly be anxious to hear from Henry, as I miss him a lot. It doesn't seem right without you and Buzzy and now Henry. About the only one left is Nimmy and he only comes in to Tommy's about once a week. I suppose one of these days he'll be reclassified and then goodbye to him too."
August 31, 1944
"You see Fay with me it's "I love my wife"...
April 9, 1943
"I got a 24 hr. pass and Lillian and Neil asked me to stay all night and so I did and boy was it a treat to sleep in a real bed and eat some real cooked meals for a change."
July 22, 1942
" We're still having lots of fun doing nothing but sitting on Tommy's porch. Did you know Glenn is leaving sometime this week? Boy! I'll sure miss him as much as I miss you and Buzzy."
"I had a letter from Buzzy yesterday. What do you think. He's now Corporal Palmer with a salary of $79 per month. Isn't that something? Good old Buzz."
"You asked who goes on July 31. Well, Mike, Paul Miller Jr. Carmichael, Blackie Palmer, there are eleven more, but I don't know who they are. Mike and Flossie are making the most of their time together. I don't know about Red. I don't suppose he'll be around long though."
"Well I must close as I want to go over to the movies. Bing is having Bob Hope and Paulette Goddard in "Nothing But the Truth". It sounds sort of good for I got a kick out of Bob Hope. Do they have movies for you down there? Gene Krupa is coming to the states in person next week and I do want to hear him."
August 10, 1942
"I brought about 5 of your records down to play this week, hope you don't mind. Glenn Grey's "Moonlight Cocktail" is about worn out."
"I do believe that at last it has stopped raining. If you have had this much rain down there are are probably swimming around camp for it rained here the last three days, all day. I really don't mind much except that it has made me feel kind of lonely."
"I enjoyed our train ride home as much as anything. A bunch of soldiers had some fun at our expense when a couple of furs perchec on the rack over our heads fell down on us and we almost jumped out of our seats. We thought they were dead animals or something, well they were but you know what I mean. Be good and try to have a little fun along with the old grind..."
April 12, 1943
"Sure is too bad that Richard must go to the army now. Your family sure is doing its share in more ways than one. I sure pray that you may all see the ending of this awful war. Because you will all have reason to be very proud."
This last one is most special..
because this one was written to my Mom, from a neighborhood friend, a boy she grew up with -
You are awesome.
XO Helena
New pretties are in the shop! Tea totes are here...
Pretty, vintage-y, repurposed and useful...all my favorite things.
And lots of styles, from cute to funky to pretty...
If you have a moment, stop by and see them all.
Much love
and Light,
Helena
A stack of letters, prettily tied in a bow, from World War II...to soldiers and from soldiers.
These touch my heart...
XO Helena
...sitting upon Pretty Find No. 3...
A lovely vintage tin and a beautiful woven vintage Mexican serape. The colors and patterns have me doing a happy dance!
I have plans for that serape IF I can possibly bring myself to cut it. OOh, I just don't know if I am that brave.
Also, coming soon to the shop...
And they are SO very cute and handy too, I must say.
Happy Day!
XO Helena
