The 31-day blog series: You either love it . . . or you don't. Me? It depends on the year! I've done a few—sporadically—but, once committed, I've always enjoyed the process. They're virtually timeless, so enjoy! In case you're not familiar with it, Write 31 Days was a writing challenge for bloggers that took place every October (all 31 days!) for a decade. Officially, the challenged ended last year. But unofficially, there are some of us who still enjoy the challenge and plan to give it a go again this year. So what theme am I working on for next month? YOU! Have you ever contacted a blogger? You know . . . Have you ever clicked on that ... Keep Reading...
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FIVE MINUTE FRIDAY: Back
This week the call came. Paperwork signed by both parties. It was time for a new beginning. I was numb. Was this really happening? Could it really be another "win" for the weary? It was. Yesterday I walked into the old Melody Theater in our historic downtown. The trash and overgrowth of vegetation was surreal. But the light . . . Oh, the light was amazing! I didn't expect the old walls to feel so peaceful, but that's what happens when I start to get "in the zone" with a vision. This building is now back in the hands of someone who will do something positive with it. Someone who won't let it continue to be demolished by ... Keep Reading...
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TABLESCAPING: Defined and Resurrected
I've never seen a good definition—so here's mine. Tablescaping verb Artfully combining elements such as color, texture, height, and size to set a visually appealing and emotionally evocative table. The very first time I hit "publish" on this blog, I shared a tablescape. That was July 22, 2010, and we were celebrating 100 weeks of tablescaping at Between Naps on the Porch. I then proceeded to share tablescapes—and tablescape events—virtually every week for a very long time. Until one day I stopped. Oh, I've shared some table-related posts with you over the last while, but it's been far too long since I've spent time playing in the dishes! I've missed it. I got a ... Keep Reading...
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Five Minute Friday: PACE
This is a story about pace (speed) and pacing (anxiety). It's about digging deep for patience when everything inside says MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN! It's a story of a community loving its neighbors even when things are unlovely. About creativity and focus. Walking away and deep breaths. Not giving up. And finally, more creativity and focus. It's a story of success—happening now! ... Keep Reading...
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ADVENTURE AWAITS: A family wedding
No one ever wants Plan B on their wedding day. Sometimes they get it. And it's okay. In fact, it's better than just okay. I told you a couple of weeks ago in my old house renovation update that 2019 has been a hard year at My Place. I've often been reminded of that movie Three Weddings and Funeral. In our case, it's been five funerals and (thank God for the relief!) a wedding. My niece got married in May. I offered to go a week early so I could help my sister with all of the last-minute details. So.much.fun! But there was one big unknown: Texas weather—and rain was in the forecast. But you've gotta belieeeeeeeve, right? ... Keep Reading...
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Five Minute Friday: HOSPITALITY
I used to think hospitality was all about inviting people in to a clean house to sit at a beautiful table and partake of a carefully-planned and prepared meal. No more. I now see "hospital" so very clearly when I look at the word hospitality. Hospital. If I extend hospitality, true hospitality, I must offer a healing hand, word, smile. I must look at those around me—friends, acquaintances, strangers—closely enough to see them. Closely enough to notice pain, fear, worry. I must extend my hand, open my door, invite them to my table regardless of whether the house is clean, the good dishes set in place, or cloth napkins at the ready. Regardless of whether a full ... Keep Reading...
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SURPRISE IN THE SUNROOM: Karpen & Bros. antique furniture
In my last post, I promised “the rest of the story,” so let’s pick up where we left off . . . If you missed “the first of the story,” go ahead and read it now so you’ll be caught up. I’ll wait for you. :-) When I first saw this room, it looked like this. I wasn’t impressed either. Other than the low-ceiling, dirty carpet, un-air conditioned, currently-used-for-storage addition on the other side of that door, the sunroom was probably my least favorite room in the house when we moved in. It’s an addition on the back of the original farmhouse, and there are so many things I would have done differently. Perhaps someday I will. If I could have closed the door on it, I would have. But the door ... Keep Reading...
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Re-entry into Blogland: OLD HOUSE RENOVATION UPDATE
It’s been a lot... 2019. In January, we received the first call telling of a longtime friend’s “out of the blue” death. Since then, there have been four more unexpected calls—and three more lonnng trips to Texas. We saw a beautiful sunrise this morning as Trip #5 got underway. Renaissance Man will do yet another funeral this weekend, and we’ll count it a privilege to grieve alongside friends and family. Honestly, we just want to stay home. To work on our house. To rest. Instead, today is an opportunity to reconnect with you here! How have you been, friends? I want to keep my promise to take you along on this old house renovation we took on late last year. I want to show you a few ... Keep Reading...
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The French antique that (almost) got away …
We were just completing our first DIY bathroom remodel, and I was searching for the perfect piece of furniture to complete the space. It had to meet very specific guidelines concerning size and function—and, of course, it had to have "the look." I finally lost my heart to a beautiful French hutch at my favorite auction house in Alexandria, Louisiana. Made of walnut with carved fruit and flower swags, reed-and-ribbon detailing, bell-shaped flowers, and beautiful brass hardware, the old piece was a perfect complement to the antique dresser-turned-vanity we had already installed. After measuring and re-measuring both the furniture and the space (and looking closely at our budget!), Renaissance ... Keep Reading...
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FALLING IN LOVE WITH MY OLD HOUSE: Feeling Like a Mail-order Bride
The idea of mail-order brides has long intrigued me. What kind of woman chooses that path for herself? What circumstances cause her to walk willingly toward the unknown? How unloved—or unlovely—must she feel to make such choice? How much loneliness does it take to make commitment to a stranger look appealing? Whatever the details, the fact remains that some women have willingly responded to something akin to a blind date—with the expectation that their dating days would be over; perhaps before they even began. Other times, it was the women who initiated the transaction, looking for companionship, stability, perhaps even status. I’ve often wondered if their hope of romance had ... Keep Reading...
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Children’s Books: Passing a love of reading to the next generation
Who knew renovating another old house would lead to meeting someone who loves children’s books and theme parties as much as me? When I created @smalltownvictorian on Instagram, I started following other people renovating their old houses. Like mine, the vast majority of their posts feature current projects as they DIY their way from old house to Home. But a few days ago, a post by @thebrickandmaple caught my eye. Emily and her family are restoring their 1887 Queen Anne Victorian in Illinois, and her Instagram feed usually shows amazing photos of old house love. So you can imagine my surprise when I saw a post that was “out of place.” Perfectly out of place. Emily spoke of hosting “the cutest little ... Keep Reading...
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PICKING UP A NEW DREAM: Renovating another old house
Seven years ago today, we purchased our beloved Wild Rose Farm. As the years went by, we began to dream . . . and made plans to build our Finally Farmhouse. If you've visited My Place in the last few months, you know: The dream died. We bought another old house in town. I'll admit. It's been a hard adjustment for me. I needed time to put down one dream and try to pick up another. I don't pour my heart into things halfway . . . For the first month we owned our "new" 1908 Victorian, I renovated during the day and returned home to the fifth wheel at the farm at night. But three weeks ago, I went to bed knowing that the next morning I'd wake up and be ready to start moving ... Keep Reading...
