Home Repair Minimalist: October 2009

You are cordially invited..............

I am doing it, really..........opening my home for a special event.

Throwing caution to the wind.
I have been asked to do this for years, but I am really not ready,
my home is not ready.............but is it ever?
Still have one more chair to re-upholster.
I am tired of our bedroom "set",
windows should be cleaned......................

Unlike the castle, this is more like it.
In Wayne, Illinois we live in a cottage from the 1850's. Little by little every room, the gardens and the exterior have been restored..............I only have two bathrooms left and big plans are in the future, the artist Patrick and I are brainstorming. But wait until you see his work in the entry, the faux bois walls, I love them!

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED

Wednesday November 11th from 1-5pm. I would be honored if you could join us for a special afternoon.

"Fall into Christmas"

My home will be pure "Fall", decorated in the splendor of the season, filled with ideas inside and out.

The shop will be all Christmas, brimming with inspiration.

The afternoon begins at the shop in Geneva, Illinois. Transportation will be provided to my home where sister and I will be waiting to welcome you. Transportation brings you back to the shop for refreshments and a special discount for all attendees. Fee $12.00. Contact Sarah, our shop manager, to reserve your space.

630-232-1303 or sarah@scentimentalgardens.com Kindly reserve in advance, space is limited.

hope you can join us!

Debra

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IM IN PENNSYLVANIA

Hi everyone...well, I'm in Valley Forge, PA right now - and no camera!
It has been such a busy week heading into Milwaukee to see Darren and then leaving yesterday for out here.

Doug and I got all packed up in the morning and then stopped at Kohl's to pick up some Henley shirts for Darren to fit over his neck brace and then were going to head on up to see him before heading out...well we got a call from MaryAnn that he was going to be released in an hour!
It takes an hour just to get there and we needed to check out yet so I will say it was a quick run through the line and on the road.

Amazing that he was released so soon...dr. said he looked good and that his attitude is so positive and it was okay to leave.

His only real problem right now is the lack of use of his right arm...lots of nerves and muscles were pushed aside to get to the vertebra so there is bound to be some slowness - it's not uncommon anyway...but he can't lift it up but about 6-7 inches and can't grasp utensils well. Therapy will improve it. But that's all the side affects he got out of it thank goodness. Oh, the blood clot between the lungs and esophagus will dissolve so that pressure is lessening for him.

So after hugs and kisses Doug and I were on our way around 2:30. We decided to break up the 15 hour trip in two days instead of the one day like normal. And we're glad we did...IT RAINED FROM THE TIME WE LEFT OUR HOUSE AND IS STILL RAINING.
When we were trying to find our hotel it was raining so hard you couldn't see and the streets were flooding...haven't seen this much rain in a long time.

Tomorrow morning we're going to the Cash & Carry Buyers show and then we head on into Lancaster for 2-3 days.

Guess I won't have pictures with no camera...I forgot several items this time. Guess I had a few things on my mind! lol

So here I have posted a few in a row with no pretties!
When I get home I promise I will try and find something of interest and fun.

Have a great week everyone and I'll try and get on your blogs soon.
Karen

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BEEN GONE/WILL BE GONE

Evening everyone....I haven't been on much again lately because of orders but most of all because our oldest son, Darren - daddy to Aidan, had some very serious surgery today.

I don't know what the procedure was called but he had the top three vertebra fused together.
For a very long time now his arm has been almost numb and he has constant headaches...final word was he needed surgery.

After getting in there today they did more scraping than they thought they would do and also there was a huge bone spur (Calcium deposit) in the way as well.

They went in from the left front and moved EVERYTHING to the right side to work on the vertebra - the nerves were being severely pinched and a couple years down the line or sooner it could have caused paralysis.

They took him up at 10:30 - he went into surgery at a little after 11 and came down to his room in the Neuro ICU unit at 3:15.

He's a hurting fella but morphine is helping him. He thought he would be able to come home tomorrow (yeah, right!) but they said at least 4-5 days. Tomorrow he may get out of ICU if there's no bleeding to be found.

So that's where we spent our entire day. We just got home and are pooped. I pray he gets a good nights rest although the solid neck brace that he is wearing and has to wear for the next 5 weeks may cause more distress than he wants.

Then depending on his progress Doug and I are supposed to be heading for Pennsylvania either Friday or Saturday for the Wholesale Show on Sunday...so I won't be around much this coming weekend and part of the week.

I know I haven't been too exciting lately....I'm even disappointing myself! lol

I just might get a picture of my snowman pillow on tomorrow if I get a chance to take a picture.

Hugs to all!
Karen

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A FALL PARTY

Autumn is my favorite time of year. The rich colors, scents, the crunch of leaves and the foods of the season. Having not had a party in eons, we were overdue in returning the favor to our friends.

I forgot how much time goes into the details. Join me in the preparations..............

The landscape designer in me had to begin outdoors

A hard frost ended the impatiens in our front door containers.

What a mess! No amount of scrubbing would have removed the remnants of impatiens goo. What the containers really needed was painting.........no time!

Burlap to the rescue, inexpensive, seasonal and hiding a multitude of sins. This combination includes; yellow mums, red cabbage, purple aster, pansies and cut stems of bittersweet providing a great drape. The potted plants were just set into the burlap. I love to insert faux elements, in this case faux bittersweet clusters. Entwined with the bittersweet foliage they look vibrant and real and are re-used for years to come.

Next was the sad and neglected hanging basket highlighting the lamp post. Out with the dead petunia's and other miscellaneous summer annuals. Keeping the moss lining intact I quickly inserted golden mini mums, pansies, pumpkins and faux lady apples.

Often using faux elements adds interest, texture and the use of materials that might not normally last.

Our 1940's era upper patio with fireplace looks forlorn.

The bronzey metal wall containers flanking the firebox were filled with roadside clippings. Add pumpkins, mums and battery pillar candles. See my Cardigan Corgi, Cooper peeking out from the wool throw?

These battery candles are my best friends during a party, in particular. Sixty, yes sixty candles were used everywhere! Framing a pathway from the parking at the barn to the house. Unlike lumanaries, they are flicked on and that is it..............no wondering if any have burned out, no worries if it rains..........nothing. Indoors I like to tuck them in unexpected places, never concerned if they are "smoking", knocked over or dripping onto an antique piece.

The entrance to the upper patio was enhanced with.........more battery candles. In this instance using "wedding columns" from 1910, previously filled with flowers and flanking an aisle for a long ago bride.

In outdoor containers they are illuminated at night.

Emptied and waiting...............

Wanting to try something unconventional, faux birch stems were inserted upright and adorned with faux bittersweet, real bittersweet branches, a hand full of fallen leaves and all along the back of the birch, a line of battery candles which up light the birch at nightfall.

The night before many hands came to help. Don't you love to see women gathering together to help? I sure do and could not have finished without these women. From the left Susan Olson ( see post on inspiring women ), sister Diane and Betty Chittenden, Susan's mother visiting from Nebraska.

By the end of that night the wine flowed, the pumpkin martini's experimented with, music turned up and the laughs constant...........wish we had a picture of all of us doing line dances thru the house led by Betty!

The day of..........sister in her Halloween "teeth" making an artichoke dip. (I could be taking this too far..........sister may kill me for adding this photo) Don't you think she looks 25 years old?! Don't be mad sister.........love you to pieces :-)

Getting closer to panic mode I needed an arrangement for the kitchen table and wanted to use the Benjamin Carroll terra cotta pots given to me by my friend and artist Patrick Roullier.
note: remember the hallway Patrick was going to faux bois for me? Well he finished, it is beyond my expectations and will be in a future post.

In my garage I had these metal "trees"

Wanting height at the table these were perfect. Supported by tuna cans (how elegant) so they would not wobble,I speared fallen leaves onto the trees spikes.

Rolls of kraft paper is handy to have around. "Nests" were formed to hold......what else......votive battery candles, providing a glow at eye level

.

Naturally needing to hide the tuna cans, voila!..........bunched kraft paper at the base

Inspired by Eddie Ross and his October 13th post on decorating the show kitchen for Grange, just had to add wooden spoons and a gift from Susan a hand carved "salt well". Doesn't it look like the sheep are moving towards a trough?!

A brass and copper scale from Argentina is filled with fresh pumpkins and faux fruit. Labels were peeled off fresh fruit and affixed to the faux to look real. You may be asking yourself "why faux fruit?!" Well..........I get really busy and it just stays put until they need to be dusted.

Almost time! Tables were set with finger foods through out the house so as to not crowd one area. One of my favorite pieces is a turn of the century Crane from France. Looks like he is about to pluck the cookies.

The finished kitchen table, quick, get in the shower.......I'm late!

And finally the hit of the night.........pumpkin pie martini's. Whew, these were fun to create! Reading thru multiple recipes and combining bits and pieces that sounded good I came up with the following inexact recipe.

Pumpkin Pie Martini's

In a large pitcher fill 2/3 of the way with heavy whipping cream (calories do not count when partying!)
To taste add;
-vodka
-butterscotch schnapps
-pumpkin liquer
-pumpkin pie spice
Taste repeatedly until yummy
Dip the martini glass in a plate of whipped cream then dip in a plate of crushed cinnamon graham crackers

Even though I did not want anyone to leave...........this is how I felt the next day, and the day after that, and....................

Happy Autumn!
Debra

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SMALL FIND AND JUST SAYING HI

This has been a very busy week sewing and getting orders out and now I’m sewing items for my HOME SHOW.
I have 6 round Penny Mats cut out and almost finished along with some adorable Snowman Pillows (which I have to take a picture of and then I’ll post it).

Doug headed on a delivery to PA yesterday so it’s just me, the needle and two kitties.

Saturday we went to a craft show at our two grandchildren’s grade school and it really was a nice one - NOTHING PRIMITIVE OR COUNTRY but the crafters still had some very nice items. I did find one booth that had VERY LITTLE FOR PRIMITIVES and so I picked up one of the items. They are tart melts but different than ones I’ve seen before so I just had to get them…you know how that is, right???
They were $10.00 for 12. Oh, the scent is Creme Brule – yummmmy.

Boy, when I don’t get out of the house and just sew not much happens for me to post! lol

So with that I will say HI TO EVERYONE and I will visit everyone eventually!

Karen

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CityofOceanShores.com Newsletter ~ 09.2009

Beach Updates
This town is still construction nuts! Do yourself a favor and stay off Point Brown Avenue until at least November now. For the most part, downtown is still ripped up as the city is having all the roads repaved and the roundabout construction is also underway. It's still really crazy. Other than that things are still pretty hoping at the beach even though the tourist season is over. The weekends lately have been particular busy with folks visiting and looking at getaway/retirement. This coming weekend should be very busy as the Razor Clam season gets underway. If you've never dug or ate a razor clam, you're missing out. Trust me. It took me a few years to give it a shot and now I just can't get enough... But don't tell any game wardens that I said that....

Ocean Shores Real Estate Update
It's been really busy. Buyers are buying! August showed three straight months of improving home sales at the beach. September has flattening out as residential sales remained the same as August. What we are seeing is that people with money, who held back when the economy was on the brink, are starting to buy. Smart money is buying real estate again at what many see at the bottom and capitalizing on the best mortgage rates in decades.

September Home Sales
Sales continue to climb out of the gutter at the beach for the third straight month in a row. 16 houses sold in September. Average sales price nudged up to $166,100 (up from $150,688 in August). 21 homes went pending during September. There are currently 39 homes pending in Ocean Shores right now.

There's only 215 homes on the market right now versus 253 in July. Home inventory is still shrinking and sales are still happening. Average price is $231,012.

September Vacant Lot Sales11 Lot sold in September (down from 13 in August for an average selling price of $32,527. The cheapest one was $8,500 and the most expensive was $80,000. Average time on the market was only 209 days. There are currently 12 lots that are pending around town... There's 551 lots on the market right now.

September Condo SalesThree condos closed during September at the beach. Average price was $88,833. The big news in condo sales is that there are currently 6 of them pending (including two at the Dreamscape Condos). That's a huge jump! There are 107 condos on the market in Ocean Shores right now.

Image from:http://oceanshoresrealestate....
Dreamscape Condos are now very serious about selling off their remaining inventory. Only twelve units are left and are now being offered as Short Sales ~ meaning that the owners are now offering them for less than what is owed to the bank. This is a great opportunity that will not last. "Here's More Info."

BrandNewBeachHomes.com is a real estate blog about new homes and new construction out at the beach. Take a look!

If you have any questions regarding Ocean Shores/North Coast Real Estate, call Jeff Daniel of Coldwell Banker Ocean Beach Properties at 360.581.9020 or visit my website at www.cityofoceanshores.com. Thanks! All real estate numbers and stats apply to the Ocean Shores real estate market. All statistics are supplied from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service.

Upcoming Events
Paddle the Shores
Cat Fancier's Association Cat Show
October 24-25, 2009A Cat Fanciers Association All Breed Cat Show . See an incredible variety of cats from the ordinary to the very unusual! Saturday - 10AM to 5PM & Sunday - 9AM to 4PM. Don't bring your dog.

Jazz at the Beach - Jazz Festival
November 6-8, 2009Jazz bands from around the United States and Canada join together to offer over 65 hours of live jazz at several venues throughout Ocean Shores. http://users.techline.com/diggindixie/

Winter Fanta-Sea
November 27-29, 2009
Over 70 arts and crafts booths feature thousands of unique handmade items just in time for the holidays! Bring the kids, Santa will be there to listen to all of your Christmas wishes.

click the logo and be a fan of Ocean Shores Real Estate

Razor Clam Season Tentatively set to Open at 5 Beaches in Mid-October (this weekend!)Image from:http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MR...View image on Bing The first razor-clam dig of the fall season will get under way Oct. 16 if marine toxin tests show the clams are safe to eat, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today. Additional digging opportunities are scheduled through Jan. 3. Evening digs are tentatively planned at Twin Harbors (Oct. 16-19); Long Beach and Copalis (Oct. 16, 17 and 18); and Mocrocks and Kalaloch Beach (Oct. 17 and18). Digging at all beaches will be restricted to the hours between noon and midnight. “The results of our 2009 summer stock assessment show that Long Beach, Twin Harbors and Kalaloch Beach have had an increase in their total allowable catch, while Copalis and Mocrocks are about the same,” said Dan Ayres, WDFW coastal shellfish manager. “This is great news for Kalaloch, which will have harvest opportunities for the first time since spring 2007.” Image from:http://rodnreal.com/clamtides...View image on Bing The best time to start digging is an hour or two before low tide, said Ayres, who also recommends that diggers check weather and surf conditions before heading out. Harvesters are allowed to take no more than 15 razor clams and must keep the first 15 they dig, regardless of size or condition. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container. Image from:http://wdfw.wa.gov/science/in...View image on Bing A license is required for anyone age 15 or older. Any 2009 annual shellfish/seaweed license or combination fishing license is still valid. Another option is a razor-clam only license available in annual or three-day only versions. Descriptions of the various licensing options are available on the WDFW website at http://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov. Tentative opening dates and evening low tides in October are:
Friday, Oct. 16 ( 5:50 p.m. -0.5 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis
Saturday, Oct. 17 (6:38 p.m. -0.8 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Kalaloch
Sunday, Oct. 18 (7:23 p.m. -1.1ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Kalaloch
In addition, WDFW has tentatively scheduled the following digs:
Saturday, Nov. 14 (4:34 p.m. -0.3 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
Sunday, Nov. 15 (5:21 p.m. -0.7 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
Monday, Nov. 16 (6:05 p.m. -0.9 ft.) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks, Kalaloch
The Pacific razor clam (Siliqua patula) is an exceptionally meaty shellfish which ranges from California to Alaska. It is abundant on surf-pounded ocean beaches, but also occurs in sheltered areas along the coast. Limited diving observations have indicated some adult razor clams (S.patula) offshore for up to one-half mile. Razor clams dredged in water deeper than 30 feet, although similar to the beach clam, are a different species (Siliqua sloati).

In Washington waters, the razor clam grows to a maximum length of six inches, although they are seldom found. Clams seven inches long have been recorded, but are very rare. The life expectancy for Washington clams is five years. Again, there are exceptions, but razor clams suffer from a high degree of mortality due to predation by Dungeness crabs, shore birds, numerous species of fish and of course thousands of clam diggers. A disease was also discovered in the early 1980's that caused mass mortalities of large numbers of clams. It is unknown how long this disease has affected clam populations. In contrast, razor clams found in Alaska may grow to eleven inches in length and live to be 15 years old, due to colder water temperatures and slower growth rates.

Razor clams are found primarily on the intertidal coastal beaches (those that are exposed at low tide) from a +3 foot level to a -2 foot tide level. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) divides the harvest areas into five major management zones (see map): Beaches scheduled to open are:
Long Beach, which extends from the Columbia River to Leadbetter Point.
Twin Harbors Beach, which extends from the mouth of Willapa Bay north to the south jetty at the mouth of Grays Harbor.
Copalis Beach, which extends from the Grays Harbor north jetty to the Copalis River, and includes the Copalis, Ocean Shores, Oyhut, Ocean City and Copalis areas.
Mocrocks Beach, which extends from the Copalis River to the southern boundary of the Quinault Reservation near the Moclips River, including Iron Springs, Roosevelt Beach, Pacific Beach and Moclips.
Kalaloch Beach, which extends from the South Beach Campground to Brown’s Point (just south of Beach Trail 3) in the Olympic National Park.

Beach News
This is where I've been getting mine lately:

Jeff Daniel Associate Broker
Coldwell Banker Ocean Beach Properties
Cell Phone: 360.581.9020749 Point Brown Ave NW
PMB 1568, Ocean Shores, WA 98569
360.289.3111 (fax)

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BLOGGER TROUBLES AGAIN???

Just a quick note to say that I have tried to post comments on some of your blogs but when I click the comment link the box just sits there all white...nothing will come up.

It's so frustrating after several tried that I just give up.

Not sure why it does it but it does. Do any of you get this now and then?

So I'm not ignoring you, it's just that it won't let me do it! I will keep trying though that's for sure.

Bless you all!
Karen

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CHECKS APPEAL

This still "white hot" trend has always been a favorite. I love the current direction the design world has embraced........."all things tartan", with a sense of fun.

Tartan shouts warm, cozy, fireplaces, autumn...........

A current whim wants to embrace tartan in a huge way, as in re-decorating, completely. That will not happen but elements of the look can infiltrate one's life. The room above belongs to Scott Meacham Woods, a celebrated designer in San Francisco. Enter his world via his blog; Tartan Scot or his design studio Thane Studio.

The trend setter of all things British Isles, for an American audience is Ralph Lauren. I love the warmth this room exudes and the brilliant mix of patterns.

The addition of soft goods in tartan adds instant flavor.

Brilliant choice for re-upholstering, tartan is best suited to an accent piece of furniture

hmmmmm, do any of you share this obsession?

Really need to go to Scotland.........

Of course all manner of fashion is classic with tartan. What is the difference between tartan and plaid? Tartan has been approved by the Scottish Tartan Authority representing a particular clan. Plaid is simply checks and stripes without the pedigree.

No comment

There will come a day when I attend the annual Manhattan event 'Dressed to Kilt'. Will I? Or does one have to be invited? Does anyone know? For a glimpse go here. And may I suggest you scroll down a bit and view the men in kilts dancing down the runway ;-)

With tartan origins dating to the Roman's occupation of the British Isles, tartan's history is fascinating. Each region and then each family of importance, had their own weaver. Clan's, aka families, developed their own patterns. Easily identifiable, you knew immediately if each encounter was friend or foe.

Our paternal grandfather was named Denny and his family originated from Scotland. Above is the Denny plaid. This pattern will be used in my soon to be remodeled guest bath. Artist Patrick Roullier and I are brain storming. The current thought is to have him paint the walls to resemble "aged leather", add real nail heads and faux stitching. What do you think? Check your family name here.