Saturday, October 1, 2011

Letting Go....Taking Flight

The HMS & Queen Mum's home has turned a major corner in the past two weeks.  We have married off our only son and gained a new daughter!  We have travelled to separate events that sanctioned, legalized and celebrated this blessed occassion. 




There are professional pics that are in the editing stage.  Looking to share those with you later. I thought you might enjoy a few of our very candid shots of what turned out to be one of the sweetest days in our family's history.  I've included a brief snapshot of the day.

The happy couple married on family, deer camp land that has been part of the bride's life for as long as she has been on this planet, plus another 10 - 15 years give or take.  One week before the actual wedding day, temperatures in our state were in triple digits and had been for a solid 60+ days.  Dangerously hot! And, might I say, not very festive for an outdoor wedding.  We were anticipating serious heat to greet us on the big day.  Fortunately the weather took an abrupt turn and we went from summer to fall within a 24 hour period.  Yippee!  While in caravan to the celebration spot it began to rain.  Not only has our part of the country been hot, we have been in the midst of a severe drought.  This rain really did feel like a blessing to us!  We were so grateful to have the rain we didn't even think to complain about what the rest of our day would involve as a result.

Bright green signs signalled that we were getting closer to our destination.  There were lots of giggles and chattering going on in the car as we made our way. 



Once we arrived there was the anticipated flurry of last minute activities.  Cars had to be parked.  Last minute decorations were hung.  Benches were wiped down once more after the rain had given them a final rinse. Groomsmen were prepped. Bridesmaids were fluffed.  Fathers changed from working clothes to something more suitable.  Mothers kicked out of their sneakers and slipped on highly impractical shoes.  Guests were greeted and pointed to the newly constructed outhouses.  Small children were excited to see all the dirt and spent rifle shells that littered the ground.  Small children were also disappointed that these distractions were not really part of the day's happenings.

And then all too soon, he took his place on the platform........

The last 22 years of our lives together flashed before me in a brief clip.  That weird little rewind of the past that races through your mind.  I was so proud of myself!  I did not shed one tear.  I simply couldn't.  He was radiant in his joy for this very moment.  His face presented nothing but calm confidence as he stood ready to receive his bride. There was not one trace of doubt or nervousness.  He was hers and she was his.

Then I turned to look at her.  Everything that a bride should be........beautiful...oh, so beautiful, excited, pulsing with expectation, gleaming with joy and eyes locked on the groom of her choosing.  That's when I saw the future crowd out my past.  Here was my new daughter.  That's when the tears arrived.  What did not come when I saw my son came far to easily when I looked at this lovely girl.  The future stood before me in a white bridal gown and cowboy boots.  We would laugh together and cry together.  We would celebrate large and small days and more often than not we would be eating too much together.  Our arms would sooth babies together.  We would share cooking chores, home management tips, husband management strategies. And prayer.  We would share many prayers.  She was part of our future. 

We watched the whole ceremony with trembling smiles and sparkling eyes.  Chuckling at the funny little things that happened that weren't scripted.  Crying at the tremendous love that was poured out onto these two grown children. So much love. So much joy. One exultant, definitive kiss to seal the vows and claim the bride. Done.

Then it was all over.  Tables were readied.  Instructions were given.  A prayer was offered.






  The bride and groom took their special reserved spots marked by personalized artwork.




We celebrated with a decadent shrimp boil generously scattered down the center of the paper wrapped tables.  Paper towels and fingers were our only serving pieces. We ended the day with root beer floats.

It was a down home, full-on country wedding celebration.  The reports have been that it was so much fun and so fitting for the day.  So fitting for the couple.



We couldn't agree more!  Here's to the future.


Wednesday, September 28, 2011

WELCOME Home : Studio Journal

On a past weekend I went out of town for a very quick leadership retreat.  We travelled to the northeastern part of our hot, parched state to a beautiful lodge.  Weather aside - the lodge, cabins and surrounding grounds were top shelf stuff.  Impressive!   Throw in the random sightings of wild deer with all this as a backdrop and you feel like you're living in a movie.

Each cabin was spotless.  The beds were uber-comfy with fluffy duvets. Crisp white, downy soft towels hung from the stainless steel racks in the spotless bathroom.  The AC was working endlessly to make even the blankets look inviting.  Nice! 

The food prepared for us was presented beautifully with the finest ingredients and certainly the creativity of a chef who loved the artful craft of food service and hospitality.  I just love it when someone else cuts up my fruit for me!  

Like most great little get-aways, this retreat had to end.  We headed back to our fair city on Monday evening - a two hour trip - around the end of drive time traffic - triple digit heat - in a van that had a wonky AC system.  YUCK!

Hello! Home.  The HMS had purchased this beautiful African Violet for me and hand decorated a sign that said "Welcome Home".  Don't you just love that?!?




Retreats are great!  Sign me up every time.  But nothing beats the place where you are received with love.  Genuinely welcomed.  By those who know you the best. Who love EVEN though they know you the best. Unconditionally.

That's better than fruit cubed just for you.  That's better than wild deer roaming across the lawn.

That's simply the best!

Friday, August 26, 2011

Corner of Our Home 2 :: Studio Journal

I was working on a different project last week when I ran across more pictures of the Corner that I featured in my last Studio Journal.  They were so pretty I wanted to share them with you.  Take a peek!

This shelf is one of my favorite places to decorate!
No one else pays much attention to it
so it stays just like I want it.
The devilled egg serving dish is just the most incredible shade of blue! I don't use it much as a serving piece but I decorate with it often.  The blue shade just makes me happy and I love that it is vintage.

The "hand washers" view. 
Isn't it sweet?!?
 The large aluminum serving tray and the blue ceramic tray that are paired together in the plate easel are both thrift store finds.  I pick up aluminum serving pieces if I like the decorations they contain.  They are plentiful in our area and very reasonably priced (< $2).  The yellow cream pitcher was also a thrift store treasure.  Beautifully glazed with floral embossing and marked "Italy" it can hold anything needed.  Today it is holding a deep blue fabric hydrangea bloom.
Who could resist a laughing frog?
Silver pieces make me smile, too.

This window sill gets a fair amount of decorating attention, as well.  My little laughing frog normally stays in this corner of my world - sometimes on the shelf, sometimes by the sink and sometimes in the window area.
When I see him, he reminds me to laugh and not take life so seriously.  I've had it so long I don't even remember how he came to be mine.

The silver tea pot can from, you guessed it, the thrift store.  It's really a fantastic piece!  It was created with an organic vibe.  The handle looks like a twisted branch and leaf.  The spout looks like rolled cabbage leaves.  A lid was not with it when I purchased it. Sad, I know.  The silver is the real deal, though, and according to my research cost a tidy sum when it was originally purchased.  One man's junk, another man's treasure....................

Mason Jar filled with vintage cream buttons.

The idea to wrap the mason jar with vintage paper and twine came from a blog that I regularly follow, creshendoh.com.  Jenny Doh is the very talented creator of this inspiring place on the net.  She has helped me gain a new appreciation for mason jars and all that they can be/do.  The vintage paper was torn from an old french language textbook.  Add some twine, old sewing notions, a coffee stained tag topped with typed label ......... there you have it.

Unique cuteness that you won't find anywhere else but my little Corner of the Home.  Cheers!

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Corner of the Home :: Studio Journal

 Humble Hearted Corner
                                                                                                                                                               
There is one place in our home that constantly needs attention.  It is forever being used, neglected.  Certainly, overlooked and taken for granted.  This spot is passed by, over and through many times in a typical day.  The abuse it has seen is relentless.  Complaint has never been poured back to the abuser.  Silent service is all this spot has offered for over twenty-three years. 




Each season I dress this corner accordingly.  This bright, sunny morning it held a vintage teapot that was a gift to me by a Secret Sister.  A beautiful little pot that brings a smile with it's cheery blue.  The blue devilled egg plate is also a vintage family piece that belonged to my mother and was passed to me.  The small cream plate is part of a thrift store find of seven pieces of Wedgwood decorated cream ware.  Who doesn't appreciate beauty at a bargain price?!?



I can never resist embroidered vintage linens when I am lucky enough to stubble onto them at the thrift store.  Small dresser scarfs can work anywhere in my home.  I always admire the time and heart that can be found in these pieces.  The original owner also took the time to crochet a simple but lovely border to her piece.  I wonder where she placed it in her home?  I hope it brought her as much pleasure as it brings to me.

July mornings, when this picture was taken, burn hot and bright in central Oklahoma.  My kitchen sink, literally positioned in the corner of the work triangle, is a place of refreshment on those unending hot days. 

 This sink has been the place where impromptu arias have been performed.
Giggling siblings have whispered here.
  Dancing has been known to break out in front of it's suds-filled tubs. 
 Tears have been cried here.
  Prayers have been prayed. 
 Hearts have broken and been healed here.
  Wisdom has been sought out and dispensed. 
   Troubles have been quietly contemplated.
  Blessings have been recounted and tenderly acknowledged. 
 Plans have been made.
  Triumphs have been celebrated. 
 Babies have been swayed in front of this corner place. 
 Fevers have been tended.
  Cuts have been rinsed and bandaged.  
Arguments have erupted and quelled before this humble spot. 
Partner to countless meals, holiday feasts, birthday celebrations and totally bombed meals *ahem*. 

Fiery bouts of passionate kissing are reported to have happened here.  I don't call him the HMS (His Manly Self) for nothing!  He has a reputation to uphold............



This humble corner.  Heart of our home.

What does your corner look like?  I'd love to read your list of corner happenings in your comment.


Monday, August 15, 2011

Monday's Muse from Etsy

Another offering of Etsy-style goodness.

This is the first Treasury that I've ever attempted to put together.  An Etsy Treasury is just a member- curated gallery album loosely organized on a theme - color, style, season, similar medium, etc. 

Olde School Crossing Treasury

I think the bows on these shoes are simply darling!  This is a great way to spiff up a pair of ballet flats one day and then move the bows to a plain pair of pumps to rev them up a bit on another day.

Old School Grey, Brown & Red Stripe Ticking Ribbon Shoe Bow Clips. Heavy Twill Strapping. Uniform Preppy Student
$8.00 USD


Old typewriter keys can be so versatile.  These have gained a new life as push pins.  Upgrades the look of your bulletin board to something that is practical and cool.  Love it!

Vintage Style Typewriter Key Push Pins Magnets - Qty 5 - Old School Retro Industrial Office College


  • Vintage Style Typewriter K...PinwheelFair   $12.00 USD




  • Altered books are just like blank canvases.  They can become whatever you can imagine.  This artist from the Dallas area had many, many pieces to choose from.  I loved her imagination and creativity.


    A House with a Reading Chair  New Stories and Old Original Wire Mixed Media Altered Book
    $50.00 USD
    This book was altered from it's previous use as an elementary reader to an art journal.  The original interior pages removed and then art paper signatures set inside waiting your pen's pleasure.  FUN!


    elson reader handbound artists journal
    $40.00 USD





    The last piece for today's blog was something that made me smile.  Owls seems to be coming back into the decorating scene.  They certainly take me back to my junior high years.  Back then it was owls, mushrooms, snails, etc.  These mounted buttons are a tribute to that time. 

    Check back in to the blog next week for another Monday Muse from Etsy.







    Thursday, August 11, 2011

    Las Vegas, ElectroMagnet Girl :: ViewMaster Memories

    VINTAGE FINDS at Queen Mums Lace on Etsy.com

    Here's a blast from your past.  Well, ONLY if you are over the age of 40.  This children's toy is so much fun!  My girls played with it a little just to get a feel for the "olden days".  haha

    There are some things even technology like a Nintendo DS can't replace.  Vintage, old-school fun!  Take a peek.






    Stay tuned for more Vintage Finds.  Thrift stores call to me.  And there is no end to the incredible things that people routinely donate to the charity thrifts in our area.  Simply AMAZING!  Honestly, TOO much fun. 

    Monday, August 8, 2011

    Monday's Muse from Etsy

    Here are a few shops that I visited on a recent morning.  Maybe I was shopping to avoid starting the laundry but that is beside the point.  You get the benefit of my procrastination!  Now, that's a great way to start the week.

    Enjoy!

    etsy.com/shop/unikcreations got my attention with all the unique uses for buttons.  Creative!  I love her way of putting an ordinary object into a different setting and turning it into something lovely to wear or carry.  The sidenote is that she's a one woman show and she's still in high school.  Gotta love that!



    $18.60 USD


    $15.60 USD


    etsy.com/shop/lilchickenbigchicken  earned a spot because 1) they are two sisters who create together and 2) because I loved their use of materials.  Their love of sewing and creating together comes thru in their artwork.  I love it when syblings work art together!  Makes this Queen Mum proud.

    Summery sunshine clutch  
    $25.00 USD

    $25.00 USD

    The last spot for the day was earned by etsy.com/shop/PaintingsAsJewelry.  This mom and daughter duo has won my heart with their inspired bits of artwork that can be worn.  Their jewelry is fabulous and, therefore, YOU will also look fabulous when you slip one of these beauties on before you dart out the door.  Yummy!






  • Mountain painting in metal frame necklace
    $45.00 USD













  • Mini Painting Pendant and Earrings Sunset on Bare Tree
    $45.00 USD










  • There are so many terrific shops on Etsy for every conceivable taste and budget.  The next time you need a gift, spend a little time shopping for handmade instead of running to the nearest big box for something uninspired and boring.  Etsy rocks! 

    Monday's Muse from Etsy will appear again next Monday.  So drop back by.  You never know what I'll find.................................