nursery tour

:: little overalls and a darling little vintage hanger will greet you...

:: our denim rocker. i know many hours will be spent in this space...rocking, nursing, cuddling and reading...

:: our sweet little white crib...with a mattress on the way! and a too cute over sized diaper pin holding a treasured quilt...

:: a wicker toy chest and coat rack illuminated by brilliant afternoon light. i simply love the light in this room...

:: baby's antique dresser...a furniture gem. and above it - a rack that we found sitting lonely in our garage. perfecto!

:: a bookshelf that still needs a little decorating tweaking... (i.e. my mama's special touch)

:: and some of my favorite details and special baby pieces...

:: this room brings me such peace and such excitement at the same time... i find myself in this space several times a day...daydreaming, smelling, touching and admiring. in some way, through hand-me-downs, loaners and gifts, all the people we love have helped make these four walls a nursery. the very nursery i imagined and hoped for. so other than our mattress, now all we need is a BABY!

:: and lastly, the bassinet. not just any bassinet, but the very bassinet that me, my sisters and cousins all slept in as wee babes. carefully restored and painted by my parents and all bedding lovingly sewed by my grandma and mom. and with our little babe it will become a family heirloom...the mere thought kinda chokes me up. such a treasure.

It's beginning to look a lot like...

OCTOBER around here!

A fall wreath and a spooky skeleton will greet you on our stoop...

...you will see that bats and spiders have invaded our art work...




...and orange twinkle lights, and jack-o-lanterns create an eerie glow in the kitchen...

...while Freddy, the vintage skeleton, looks after the glassware, an ominous crow hangs out on the curtain rod.

If you sneak into the kitchen for a cookie, you may find a spider keeping watch...

and be careful...these images of murderous monsters may just give you a fright!

Bring on the scary movies, bite-sized candy, and face paint. This girl is excited.

P.S. Would you believe that my husband was quite the artist in 1994 and drew these scary figures...? It's true! I can't wait to frame them in some old, black gaudy frames and hang them in the halls to scare small, innocent children every Halloween...

Clothespin

One of the perks of our new old house, is a built in clothesline. And I am loving it. Partially, because our old dryer doesn't work at this new place-something about gas vs. electric. Who knows.



But I love it for other reasons as well.



Although it is a chore, I am loving the simple act of hanging the wash.

Now I should explain, I haven't always been a fan of the clothesline. As a child, my mama used the clothesline often and I detested the feeling of stiff jeans and crunchy sheets.

But as I have learned in my old age, Mother does indeed know best. For instance, I love that we are saving energy. I love how bright the whites come out. I LOVE how the clothes smell. I love hiding the unmentionables on the inside, carefully hidden behind big men's shirts and towels. I love that I think now think twice about throwing that sweater or those shorts into the dirty clothes basket.

And mostly, I love feeling connected to all the wives and mothers and women before me who hung their wash in the morning, leaving it to dry in the warm afternoon sun...

drive in

Last Thursday, we both got home from work. Tired. Tired bones and tired of dishes. Last night's dinner dishes lay still in the sink, smelling of fish. Not cute. So....date night and dinner out, Mr. Kelly declared!



So we walked the six short blocks to the Village Drive-In to see what we could find. I had been dying to check this place out ever since we joined the 'hood.



Just around the corner...

According to legend, this place has been around for decades. Can't you just see a 57' Chevy in the background with a naughty teenage couple making out in the backseat? Or maybe you see saddle shoes and poodle skirts. Whatever floats your boat.

Burgers, crushed ice and curly fries. This place speaks my language.

And Mr. Kelly's.

And a chocolate shake. Because what's a trip to the drive-in without a shake to accompany our walk home?

P.S. Sadly, the shake was the best part of the meal-the burger certainly left something to be desired. Next time, I will stick with the grilled cheese, which is one of my favorites.

tahoe park {squared}

A neighborhood tour to the park, for my few but, faithful and adored readers...

Behold...Tahoe Park Park.


That sounds funny.

There is so much here! Basketball, trees, a swimming pool, murals, a playground, horseshoes, soccer fields and my favorite... a baseball diamond.

And bleachers, dirt and chain linked fencing. But oh, how I love bleachers.

I sat and thought about the hours that my parents sat on bleachers just like these watching me play. And then I thought about, one day, watching our own little ones play. If they want to, that is. Maybe they will hate baseball. But I hope they like it. Or at least, give it a whirl. Whether it be for one game, or five hundred, I will be there. On the bleachers.

Last night, I jogged around the park, smiling at all my neighbors and then when Ryan got home, we went back and strolled the track, hand in hand. We chatted, well I chatted a lot - Ryan is a very good listener. We talked about weekend plans and menus. We talked about our crazy cat. We talked about the park. All with a perfect view of the crescent moon.

Yes, indeed...I have met this place. And I love this place...

...good playmates, we will be.

moving weekend.

We survived moving weekend! Much to my surprise. It was actually like a big open house, with lots of fun party-goers, in and out. For me at least. Ryan did A LOT of heavy lifting (with some kind help from Jimmy!) and I got to work on the fun stuff, including organizing closets and decorating our new space. I like to think we make a good team...



Nothin' like a big man in a big truck. My busy, busy bee, Ryan was. I spent HOURS rifling through boxes while waiting for the man that magically brings Internet to our casa Comcast. Who never showed up. And no, I am clearly not over it.



We were so thrilled that the Kelly parentals and my mama and sister came by to see the pad and wish us well. They also brought thoughtful treats for us, including: our new Adirondack chairs that were lovingly build by my grandpa, recycled magazines, beer, brownies and a badminton set!! - sounds like a recipe for a backyard bash to me. THANK YOU! Later, my mama took us to dinner where we experienced the oddest salad known to man. We agreed that apples and blue cheese make a nice combo, but not with BBQ sauce. Make a note. After we talked about blue cheese, we talked about couch placement and curtains for the new residence. F.U.N.



Christy and Tracey dropped by with snacks and champagne to help welcome us to the neighborhood and toast to our new adventure...what a lucky girl I am-friends for neighbors. Love it.

The Wedick's brought pizza and beer, which tasted sooooo amazing after a long, hard day. So sweet.

Connor, the K-9 thought so too. He just helped himself!

The next morning we woke up slowly and cooked our first meal in our new house. We are big fans of the breakfast food. And it was so dreamy to cook with a gas stove. I am officially in looooooove.

After the nightmarish task of cleaning the refrigerator and venturing to the old house to grab our sweet, nutty feline, we decided to treat ourselves to ice cream. Because sometimes we all need a pick me up. Ben and Jerry's did the job. Some serious video game action soon followed. While Ryan likes to play Grand Theft Auto, I am a big fan of Disney's The Incredibles-Rise of the Underminer! Its geared for young children and its awesome. While we play, I pretend that I am Mrs. Incredible and Ryan is Mr. Incredible. It works for us.

Although moving proved to be waaaay more stressful than planning a wedding, we did it and our new house finally feels like home, even if we are still without the 'Net and still adjusting to life without cable. But its nice. Really nice.

We have spent the last week busy with bbq's and house guests...sucking what remains from this glorious summer and trying to get all that we can out of our new backyard before the cold moves in...

P.S. Last night, Chloe executed one of her elaborate escape plans and proceeded to introduce herself to the furry neighborhood riff raff. The noises of that little "meeting" indicated that it didn't go so well and that maybe the Tahoe Park Feline Chapter was not interested in a new member. I, meanwhile, must have looked like a crazy lady, crying and crawling under cars with a flashlight, trying to persuade her to come home. Finally, she did. Thanks to a can of Tuna and NO thanks to my tearful, desperate pleas. Here's to hoping that all the neighbors, both human and feline, will forgive us for our dramatic midnight escapades...

heavenly chaos

This is what our life looks like right now.

Lots of boxes. Lots of Sharpie pens. Lots of FRAGILE.

The smell of cardboard has been wafting in our noses for days. I can't help but love this smell. It reminds me of moving. It reminds me of Christmas morning.

As Mr. Kelly and I loaded boxes into the trunk last night, he said simply, "I love this." And I asked, "you love what?"

He said, "this".

I know, Sugar. Me too.

Welcome, friends. To the new Casa de Kelly. I also like to call it the Kelly Love Shack.




The beauty of our new backyard! I was supposed to be lining our kitchen cabinets...but this golden light beckoned me outside to bask.

Had you been there...I think you would have done the same.




First things first. After basking in the sunlight, of course.

1) Get the music flowing.


2) Move some boxes from car to house.


3) Mark this house as ours with our "Kelly" sign.





It's all about the details. Old door knobs. Old windows. Old floors. Old doors. And the view from my kitchen window.


Be still my beating heart.




Getting all my baking gear in place.


I think Esther likes her new home. She was smiling all night.




And then a dance party in the hall way.


Partly, because I needed a break.


Partly, because I am just one big happy girl who finds it hard to contain herself at times.


Partly, because we all need to just get it out occasionally.


But mostly, because the The Rolling Stones were on the play list, all night. And the Stones really do something to me.




Game day, a.k.a rent U-Haul and move all the big stuff, happens tomorrow.

And our last night at our sweet Lindenwood house happens tonight.

Today, Rosemont dwellers. Tomorrow, Tahoe Park residents.

Amazing how such a big change can happen overnight and although our legs and arms are weary, our hearts are full.

Full of love. Full of optimism. Full of gratitude for the yesterdays and hope for all the tomorrows.

Keepin' it real

Before you start thinking that my life is full of prancing unicorns, double rainbows and fluffy chocolate covered macaroons at every turn...


behold...


my dirty, little secret.



In the last few days, I have learned that somewhere in the span of the last three years, while living in a spacious home that is loaded with closet space and a two-car garage, I decided to become a hoarder pack rat of treasures and trash. Not my finest moment. Apparently, I have turned into one of those persons. You know. The one that believes in "out of sight, out of mind", i.e. stuff it in a closet and forget about it. The one that saves my school work from second grade, stashes extra BBQ's and gas cans, and hides loads of glassware and old jeans, "just in case" or "for a rainy day". Good theory for pennies, not so much for stuff.


THIS is what we now have just fourteen days to pack, organize, sort, and determine the answer to that pesky little question that constantly rattles around in my brain...."can't live without it, or, donate it?"



That's right....we are moving.



We are beyond excited to be moving to a quaint little neighborhood with a big back yard, friends for neighbors and... wait for it.....hardwood floors! But you see, I am nervous. Very nervous.



I always start a move ambitiously, thinking about life's big changes and the excitement that fresh paint and empty rooms bring. As I begin packing, I try to dress the part and trick my mind into thinking we (meaning my brain and I) are having fun by wearing Keds and a red handkerchief in my hair, dreaming of the day that overalls will be fashionable again while picturing us eating Chinese take-out on our new floor among piles of boxes. But this rosy outlook never lasts long. You see, I have been scarred.



My last move was from a itty bitty 600 square foot apartment and didn't even require a moving truck. But in the midst of packing, I had a complete meltdown and didn't subside until my dear (and far less dramatic) sisters drove to the rescue after recognizing from the sound of my voice the psychological crisis fragile state I was in. They walked through the door and looked around the place with eyebrows raised. After they got over the horror and made fun of me for about five minutes, they rolled up their sleeves and just began kindly giving me orders direction. When I say that I could not have done it without them, I am not kidding. So they saved the day, and I was left scarred. Swearing that I would never move again.



And yet, here we are.



Last night, we headed out to tackle the garage. I stood in the doorway for a moment with that same frozen look on my face, the one that my sisters witnessed three years ago. I thought about how I can not let "stuff" cloud my landscape, and I began filling the garbage can and garage sale pile. Soon, Ryan followed suit. It was a frenzy of paper, old socks, dust and clutter. We packed, we organized and when we were done, we laughed because it looked like nothing had changed. Ryan assured me that we will survive this move, and all the others to follow, marriage and sanity intact. I believe him and we toasted to "hope and optimism" with a big glass of wine and lots of guacamole.


So despite my seeping pessimism and nervous twitch, I am hopeful that I have matured in these last three years, that I gained some insight and that my excitement for hardwood floors will ease the burden that weighs on me. After all, moving is exciting, right?



And did I mention how much I love hard wood floors?

Our house.

I walked around our house a few nights ago and realized that I want to always remember this house as it is right now. Our first home together. As you all know, there is usually no better place than home. It isn't fancy or new, but it is so well-loved and feels like "us". Actually, it is also the first home Ryan ever knew as a wee little newborn! Did you know that what is now our guest room (want to have a slumber party?) was once his darling Disney decorated nursery??

So while it is tidy and somewhat organized (thanks to sudden desire, and a burst of energy over the weekend and maybe a few cups of joe), I decided to snap a few photos of our little dwelling place on Lindenwood Way.

Come on in!

Can I get you a cold one before you start the tour?

I also wanted to remember the little corners of our casa. The bursts of color and the litttle traysures that we have been given and that have now found their own special nooks or crannies.

Thank you little house, for having us.

This old house.

Remember this place? Good ole' 1637 "H" Street. Otherwise, known as Casa de Awesome, the first.

A humble, and lovely little house. The house where I grew up.

Oh, how I love this house and what I wouldn't do just to steal a quick peak of that big tree in the backyard, or the kitchen where so many birthday candles were extinguished, or even just a quick glance of the beautiful hardwood floors that our sweet Emily learned to walk on.

If I close my eyes, I can still recall the sound of the that screen door slapping against the door jam, or the dried, crunchy Sycamore leaves rolling along the patio. And if I am very still and try real hard, I can see a fort under the kitchen table, and I can still hear our little voices, my Dad's boots coming up the porch steps and our subsequent squeals, a basketball bouncing along the driveway, that enticing ice cream truck tune, my mom patiently chopping basil, and maybe just a little Raffi or Bruce Springsteen in the background.


That house saw Easter morning egg hunts, and homework. Graduation parties and sore throats. Popsicle evenings and laundry piles. Jeep rides and flat bicycle tires. But as for me? I only remember the sunny mornings and lemonade...


If I could wrap up my childhood and place it in a pretty box, this would be the place. The place where rainbows and unicorns were so real you could touch them, where "goodness" was the only thing we knew, and where another dose of happiness and magic was just a good night's sleep away...


*************************************************************************************

Everyone has moved and according to my field research 1637 H Street now accomodates a Mercedes driver. My sisters and I have our own little dwellings and Casa de Awesome, II looks very different and yet very same. It is a new kind of magic place. A place for grown-up children and grown-up games. Although different, the adventures of Casa de Awesome, II do not disapoint. So much beauty and so much to see and do...

...including take a hike up the hill with a boy named Ryan and a dog named Jill.

Surely, this place has taught me that home is where the heart is, and this new home is heaven, I declare.

But don't forget...

...you may be able to take the girl out of "H" Street, but you can't take the "H" Street out of the girl.

Casa de Kool

Last night we headed over to Casa de Kelly for a dinner celebration. But on our westward drive, my Mr. Kelly and I decided that Casa de Kelly needed a nickname that reflected it's "good times" attitude. So....Casa de Kool it is. Note it.

The reason for celebration was this fine, lovely lady's birthday...

I will never forget the first time I met dear Grandma Phyllis. Six things struck me all at once: 1) her amazing skin, 2) her wit, 3) her poise, 4) that spit-fire personality, 5) her style, and 6) her smile. Her smile is unabashed and open-mouthed, much like my own. Beautiful and I love it.



I warn you, don't be fooled by that pretty head of white hair...this woman has a social calendar that will rival Paris Hilton's. Honestly, it makes me tired just hearing about it. She belongs to clubs, chapters, groups, you name it - she is in it. In fact, we learned last night that she earned quite an honor last week: Lion of the Year. She also received a birthday card from Mr. Obama. Fancy!

One word: socialite.

Luckily, Grandma Phyllis was available last night so we could shower her in birthday wishes, Kelly style...

But the party truly starts when this party animal arrives. You can always count on Uncle Richard for laughs, jokes, and wild stories about the seventies...love him.

Shooting the breeze, while manning the "Q". It's "man territory" over there.


My first time experiencing bratwursts was with the Kelly's. My life hasn't been the same since. Look at those beauties!




Aside from the folks, the coolest part of Casa de Kool is the patio. It sits lakeside and sports comfy chairs, a swing for two (complete with cup holders), a state-of-the-art BBQ, a couch, and even a beautiful fireplace. This patio just begs one to "come on in and stay awhile". Every time, I am there I pretend that I am vacationing in Florida - it always works until Mr. Kelly says it's time to go home. Then the dream is shattered, but that's ok, home is pretty awesome too....but it ain't Florida :)


Let me introduce to you to this sweet couple, Irene and Myron, and yes, they are as sweet and as fun as they appear.

Dinnertime! Nice salads Mama Marsha!

Like any good hosts, the Kelly's always end the night with dessert and coffee. Tasty! When Ryan saw me with this coffee mug, he informed me that it was a classic of Casa de Kool, one that had survived the nineties and even part of the eighties-wow! I held my grip a little tighter after hearing that because I love unmatched, quirky coffee cup collections, especially when each mug seems to tell a story about it's owner.

Can't beat a house with a view. Yes, Casa de Kool has it all...