7/31/10

"Who cares how late it is mom, this lady can REALLY draw!"

It was pretty late & way past my bedtime. My son wandered down to see what I was up to...and to grab a pb&j.  I was visiting with one of my Canadian friends, Michelle Morelan when he peeked over my shoulder.  He quickly pulled up a wing-back, sat criss-cross-applesauce, pulled his sandwich into halves, and proceeded to watch.  He was mesmerized by what he saw.
Ok Collier, let's go camping.
at Camp Tobi that is...
In case you are curious, Tobi Fairley is one of the most incredibly down-to-earth designers around which gave her the title of "Head Counselor" at her first-ever-fabulously-fun Design Summer Camp and Michelle Morelan is a multi-talented artist in Vancouver,  known for her stunning interior designs and incredible renderings. In honor of Tobi's Design Summer Camp, Michelle has created a video tutorial of her wonderful vision for the ultimate camping experience.
So grab a pb&j and your favorite wing-back and enjoy some schematic camping via this fun tutorial by the talented Michelle Morelan at
#3 Camping with Tobi from Schematic Life on Vimeo.
Visit the designers here 
and here.
calling all campers...sign up now because

Good Morning

flickr
It's my quiet time. Once my feet hit the floor I love to wander outdoors.  Bare feet on grass cooled by the morning dew or rain is a great way to wake up the senses.
A sweatshirt pulled over pajamas, a steaming hot cup of coffee, a thick slice of toast with honey...
It's a great way to greet the day.
I hope you have the kind of morning that you love.
 

7/26/10

Childhood Is Calling

Gobs & gobs & smears of unrestrained, extravagant color!  
extra fancy Fionna
 Summer gives us that; so do children's hands.

green caterpillar
 Even though ours have grown, we often have little ones around & it's good to be prepared. 
painter by the window



Brushes,
jelly glass dippers,
rolls of paper,
stacks of paper plates,
and all kinds of cardboard.

Dylan paints
blue swirls
Watercolors,
 poster paints,

"Mom I was just playing with color." Fionna
squishy tubes of acrylics,

fingers, buttons, glue





popsicle sticks,
buttons, tape
 & lots of glue.
 








Chalks, crayons, colored pencils, magic markers & playdough for sure!

truck road
  Scissors, strips of ribbon & balls of yarn,

two trees wrapped
  for wrapping things up.

checking on the progress
Sticks and grass, we always have plenty of that!

airplane
Always allowing the imagination to flow & making room for masterpieces!
thought

These beautiful children are the masterpieces of Dawn who I had the pleasure of meeting over the weekend via blog land.

 Two years ago she and her husband transplanted from California to Nova Scotia, Canada and she began writing her blog,
To The Outskirts! 
 She is an inspiring wife, mother, homeschool teacher and adventurer who is also wonderful behind the camera.

Dawn, you are a daily dose of inspiration!
Thank you so much for allowing me the privilege of including your sweet children & their imaginations at TLPC.
All photos courtesy of Dawn, To the Outskirts

7/24/10

Repeat Bloomer

How often does a gift improve and grow more beautiful as the years go by?
As a birthday present years ago, an adoring husband planned and laid out a flower garden for his lovely wife in their backyard.
This summer, gardenias perfume the patio & hydrangeas prevail alongside the porch of their home in Tennessee.
The birdbath is one of her favorites.

This luscious Abraham Darby was one of the first planted in her garden. She says the old rose fragrance is amazing!
The sprightly little fountain captures the imagination and reflects her good spirit.
She is a wife, a mother, a grandmother, a gardener, a designer, a business partner, a good friend and again, a survivor.

This lovely woman is Jeanne Hyatt and this is her garden.
She is also one of the warm & friendly women known to many as...
Sophie Dahy Designs grew out of the personal style and professional know-how of long-time friends Jeanne Hyatt, buyer for a high-end shop, and Linda Raulston, interior designer. Crowd-pleasing centerpieces they created for tablescapes in their shop grew into Sophie Dahy Designs.
Sophie Dahy Designs uses only the finest silk flowers, realistic in color and shape. Your arrangement is, like any one-of-a-kind work of art, made carefully by hand. For this reason, no two are exactly alike. They make the perfect gift or centerpiece for any occasion and allow you to appreciate the longevity without the fuss.

As I mentioned, the beauty of Jeanne's garden comes as much from its maturity as it does from the gift of her husband. But what is truly noted, is her finesse. We celebrate with you Jeanne and thank you for adding so much beauty to our everyday lives. You are indeed a repeat bloomer.

xo Lisa

Photos courtesy of Jeanne Hyatt & Sophie Dahy Designs

7/16/10

Mother Nature


Catherine,
Study the cycles of Mother Nature.
Listen to the garden whispers.
They correspond with the cycles of life.
Quiet your mind.
Rope in the restlessness.
Be here.
Learn to labor.
Learn to wait.
Learn to wait expectantly.

Wishing You, Hubby, Lucy & the babies all the best.
One of my favorite places to visit is with Catherine at
A beautiful home where she shares her story about a renovation journey, country life, healthy living, and their growing family! You'll want to stay for the weekend.

7/14/10

In It To End It.

This is for Lee Anne, her sister Kathy, and her nieces Megan and Kelly who just finished the San Francisco Avon 2 day Breast Cancer Walk in honor of their mom Dottie and Didi.


Congratulations to you all. I know she was with you every step of the way. Your courageous walk brings back poignant memories from 1999 when I did the Avon 3 Day Walk. I have re-opened my walking journal and would love to share these memories with all of you in honor of Dottie Reilly.
Walking 55 miles for 3 days from Santa Barbara to Malibu and personally raising over $2,500 for breast cancer prevention was only the beginning.

October 1999
Day One.
Santa Barbara, California.
Opening ceremonies.

I found myself standing in the quiet early morning fog with 4 close friends, 3000 new friends, survivors, and supporters. It felt somewhat like a dream. Before we walked we were asked to join hands with the person next to us. A prayer was said to remind us of why we were there and to keep us safe and strong on our journey.

The gentleman standing next to me, holding my hand had lost his wife. He was quietly crying and looking up to the sky. After the prayer, we smiled and wished each other luck as we turned to walk away. He had a picture of his wife silk-screened on the back of his t-shirt with the words. "I’d walk a million miles for just one more of your smiles." This was definitely not a dream, this was real life happening all around me. It was time to walk…...pure adrenaline and joy to finally be on our way. Figuring out maps, timing, and terrain. This was great fun being out of my box! I was with good friends and the anxiety had passed. I remembered those who had supported me both financially and emotionally and thinking...wow, this is really something big and for such an important cause. As the sun set, we had completed 18 miles and were finally walking into our first nights camp. It was like a huge slumber party on a local high school football field, with great food, entertainment, hot showers, and inspiration. I was so glad to be with our small team of four in a sea of 3000 heroes.

 Day Two.
A short but very rewarding 15-mile day.

The entire 3rd grade of Ventura Elementary School came out of their classes to the very front lawn of their school to high five the walkers. It made all of us smile and cheer and miss our own kids. One more reminder of why we were walking. Later that day and what to our wondering eyes did appear...Starbucks!

Ok, so I’m thinking, this is our short day so why not stop for a tall double vanilla latte right? I woke up in a very chilly, damp, two-man tent just hours ago and anyone who knows me, knows, I don’t do tents. Thank goodness for my walking partner extraordinaire Jamee, she did tents very well. 45 minutes later, (there were many of us), we had our lattes, we were back on the trail, and we were very happy campers. Oh my God, I've never been so thirsty in all of my life! I do not recommend a latte when you are on a 15-mile walk. Oxnard and camp were 10 miles away.

A little way up the road we were crossing and an elderly gentleman caught my eye. He was sitting behind the wheel of a 1959 Cadillac. He rolled down the window to motion me over, “Where are all of you people going?” I told him. The tears came and he told me he had lost his wife of 40 years to this horrible disease. He asked if it was too late to make a pledge. I told him it was never too late. He handed me $9. I promised him that his pledge would be counted in honor of his wife.

Day Three

I was really starting to feel the physical effects of the whole experience. New blisters on top of yesterday’s blisters,
sore muscles I didn't know that I had, and a whole lot of worry. What on earth had I signed myself up for? At 40 had I already lost my mind? Could I really finish this?

The third day was the true test of emotions and endurance. It was the most miles, 22, with the toughest hills. This was where all the hours of training had to kick in. I was really ready to see Malibu and my family. This was also the most beautiful part of the whole walk. Massive cliffs to my left and the big blue Pacific on my right. It was a quiet day. Everyone was quiet. There was a whole lot of thinking going on, and a whole lot of listening too. Listening to my body and to my heart. I remember thinking how incredibly lucky I was to have my good health and the good health of my family and friends. The last 10 miles. It was really, really hot and I was feeling a whole new level of tired. I had a strong Pacific breeze in my face and I was trying my best to ignore bleeding blisters and the fact that my body was screaming at me to just stop. My heart and soul said no.

Suddenly the breeze changed directions and came from behind, almost as if to push me along. Just then a walker came up slowly behind me. She patted me on the shoulder and thanked me for walking. As she walked on, she took off her hat and waved so long, proudly showing her baldness. I didn’t catch her name, or where she was from, but I will never forget her face. Her courage and her smile gave me the strength to finish.

Malibu.
Closing ceremony on the beach.

With Waves crashing, hearts pounding, and incredible music blasting, close to 3000 walkers marched proudly onto the beach to a glorious roar. I had never been filled with such a feeling of power and accomplishment before. Friends and families cheering, adrenaline on high. So happy to be home. So sad that it was over.

This challenge was an overwhelming demonstration of humanity. I am extremely proud to have been a part of it. I could not have done it without the support of my family and friends. Barkley, Taylor, and Collier, they were behind me the whole way and will always be my true inspiration.

Remember, when you walk, let your heart lead the way…

7/9/10

Who Inspired Who?

It's been nice & quiet around here this morning, one of the many joys of summertime. So I've been reading and catching up with many of you. I was just visiting the charming Decor8  where Holly's guest posted a question to readers asking
"Who Inspired You To Blog?"
 My inspiration came one evening while I was online researching something in Santa Barbara, California.
One click and everything changed.
I found Brooke Giannetti at Velvet & Linen!


I thought, who is this delightful woman and what is a blog?
 I read on and soon became enveloped by her warm & friendly welcome to a corner of her world.

I came to realize that her "blog" is a place where she shares her love of design & the meaningful aesthetics she brings to everyday life. When she teams up with her husband, architect Steve Giannetti, the results are stunning. Always in a refreshingly humble manner, Brooke shares her retail & design expertise and a bit of family life too.
She gets up early to tell us something interesting & new, answer all our questions about drywall, show us what she and daughter, Leila have planted in the front garden and even has time to visit with the ladies at The Skirted Round Table!
She supports and inspire us to no end.
So to continue with a wonderful idea, I urge you all to share with us your thoughts about who inspired you to start your blog!
Thank you, Brooke, for inspiring me to write my blog and to share a corner of my world.

Have you ordered your copy of the Giannetti's new book, Patina Style?
I have!


Click the book to order your copy!

Photos courtesy Brooke Giannetti, Velvet & Linen

7/7/10

I'll take the stairs.

Boxed, spiral, curved, circular, vertical, open,
sweeping & grand.
 In early New England homes, space was tight and the boxed staircase, literally boxed in between a closet & bookcase below, was the solution.
American Farmhouses 
The houses and farms of older New England demonstrate that Yankee thrift.
American Farmhouses 
 Today, stairs aren't simply used for getting from one level to the next.  Some are grand, spiraling works of art!
Eric Roth
They're often the center of attention right as you walk through the door. The inlaid wood, carpeting & oriental runner above is interesting...wonder why so many surfaces?
I much prefer the simple sisal runner below.
Lucyina Moodie 
One thing in modern homes that is very different than a few decades ago is that long stair runs are now separated by landings. This looks like a lovely spot to sit & try to remember what I came upstairs for...
Barnes Vanz Architects
 Older homes were small and so long stair runs were necessary, but not anymore. This sunny stairwell reminds me of a conch shell. Just look at that banister!
Eric Roth
How beachy is this staircase column with its nautical-inspired cap! This epitomizes the fun-loving spirit of Diamond & Baratta.
Diamond Baratta Design
I also adore how the unfinished curvaceous spiral below, tells the history of this American farmhouse.
American Farmhouses
I say eliminate the wall covering and appreciate the craftsmanship!
House and Garden Book of Style
More dizzying heights in black & white! Good grief, what is up there?
Eric Roth
Was it me who said I prefer a simple sisal runner?
 I take that back!
House and Garden Book of Style
 Race you to the top!