This afternoon and Thursday afternoon, I am scheduled to work at the front desk of a chiropractic practice about thirty minutes away. It should be an adventure since I’ve never done anything like that.
Gage is thoroughly enjoying his position at Trader Joe’s, a store that encourages its employees to be extra fun-loving and cheery in their customer interactions. Since Gage and his co-workers were told they could dress up for Christmas, Gage jumped in with both feet. He said he got about 50 compliments on this ensemble.
Last week I visited this very cool antique mall in Mooresville.
I could have wandered these aisles for hours.
Is this not the greatest place?
In the past year, Steve and I have come to the agreement that, as much as possible, we want our decor to be antique, vintage, used, etc.
We just love the history and uniqueness of older pieces. I guess since we are getting near antique status ourselves, the appeal is even greater.
Here’s a used piece I bought that I just love.
I was driving to an appointment two weeks ago and unexpectedly passed a spot that looked familiar. It was the apartment buildings we had lived in when we first got married! I don’t have a lot of memories there except that the building came complete with its own collection of waterbugs and that I was a terrible cook.
Nice to see something from almost 41 years ago.
For those of you who have following the Pink Bathroom Sage, last week, it looked like this. Behind the big mirror, we found wallpaper older than the paper Vernie put up 46 years ago.
The workmen had to go in and re-plaster the walls since decades-old wallpaper does not come off without a fight.
Here it is after the workmen were done–ready for paint!
The soap dish and toothbrush holder (too small for modern toothbrushes) cannot be removed since we’re not removing the pink tile. Any creative ideas for disguising them?
Steve has been very diligently painting the endless array of need-to-be-painted walls in this house. From time to time, I sit with him and chat and say cheery, encouraging things so he’s not laboring all alone.
Well, Saturday I figured maybe I should just go beyond verbal encouragement so I told him I was going to help. The only problem with that plan was that historically speaking, painting has not been something I have been renowned for. Usually, when I paint, my loving family takes me by the hand and gently leads me away saying, “Um. Why don’t you try this other job instead?”
But I thought that maybe in the passing years since my last painting foray, stunning painting skills would have magically birthed themselves inside my fingers and brains and I would have become a second Rembrandt.
Not so much.
I presented myself to Steve wearing an old paint shirt of his and said, “Put me to work!” He greeted me with a loving smile and said, “Thank you, honey, for volunteering to help. I have just the spot for you!”
I was pleased that he was so willing to put behind him my dismal record in the annals of Smith Family Painting and looked eagerly at my appointed task.
Doesn’t that look like such an important spot? Am I not doing such an amazing job?
Did I mention?
The important spot was behind the fridge. Yep. Behind it. And I wasn’t even using paint. I was using primer.
And that meant that my artistry would never be seen by the human eye. Which, I am guessing, is exactly what Steve had in mind.
I am happy to report that Steve (with my inestimable help), has gotten the whole kitchen/living room/dining room area painted. (The countertops will be replaced down the road, as well as the cabinet knobs.)
I happened to glance up at one point to see this sweet message.
Here’s a before picture.
And after.
In closing, let me wish a Merry Christmas to all my dear Smithellaneous friends. You have made my year bright.
What about you? What are you doing for Christmas? Staying home or going away?
What is a must-have dish on your Christmas table?
Are any of you in the areas where there is supposed to be super-freezing temps?
Do you love antiques and vintage items or is your style more modern?
Merry Christmas Becky to all of you! The last few months have been very difficult for Sarah so I’m just catching up now on my reading. She has temporarily perked up just in time for Christmas. Your house looks great. I have the same problem with the toothbrush and soap holder in the bathroom. I’m scanning your comments for ideas 🙂
The bitter cold is moving into the DC area tonight, which is Friday. My dear dear granddaughter is arriving on Christmas Eve day from Miami, so hopefully we will all be together for Christmas this year, which makes me especially happy for Sarah, as she is aware enough, right now, to enjoy everybody.
I just looked out the window as I am writing this, and it is snowing! Wow! It wasn’t expected but here we are. The wind has picked up, and the temperature is rapidly dropping. Here we go!
Lesley,
So nice to see your name pop up here; I’ve been missing you!
Glad to hear some perking up has taken place to sweet Sarah; I hope she has a wonderful holiday with all the people who love her.
Enjoy your snow and stay warm. Many hugs.
I’m more of a “vintage” fan than “antique” fan and that antique mall does look interesting. We’re not traveling for Christmas and we’re finishing day one of our 3-day deep freeze. At 8:00 this morning we were in the mid 40’s, down to 27 by noon and 14 by late afternoon. At 9:38 it’s currently 11 with a feels like of -6. We’re supposed to get above freezing sometime Christmas day. I got to see a couple of snow flurries this morning while helping my husband bring in some firewood. How neat to “find” your apartment from so long ago; and it looks to me like you’re doing a wonderful job painting!! Wishing you and yours a Very Merry Christmas!
Sue Ellen,
Yes, vintage stuff is fascinating, too. It gives a glimpse into a whole nother world and lifestyle. What gets me with vintage stuff is that if you are 60 or over, it’s really not that old. Sobering to look at something vintage and think, “I was a teenager when that was popular!”
Glad you got to see some snowflakes. Hope that wood keeps you nice and cozy during this cold snap. Happy Christmas!
Dear Becky, this Things edition was outstanding, and I loved the photos, as usual. Can you guess my favorite photo? It is Steve’s “I Love Becky” photo, with Steve looking around the china cabinet. Wonderful! Please tell Steve that I am going to save that photo and make it my wallpaper on my laptop! You COULD frame it and make it a permanent addition to your new home! (wink) Happy Christmas to all!
Fred and Lucy,
How fun to think that Steve and his paint message will be on your desktop. That makes me smile!
I hope your time at the chiropractor’s office went well. My brother worked as a receptionist in one after retiring from teaching for about 4 years. This year he went back to teaching part-time.
My Christmas plans – my niece and her husband are due to arrive in KC late Christmas Eve after playing in their Christmas Eve services. I’ll go to my Christmas Eve services at 11 that night. It is always a beautiful service with choir and orchestra members from both of our campuses combined. Sunday my younger brother and his family and older brother are all supposed to be at my house for lunch at 1:00. From 3:00 to 4:00 we have a conference room at the nursing home reserved for us all to be with my parents. I considered bringing them to my house but decided against it. They’re both in wheelchairs plus the weather is supposed to be cold. I wasn’t sure how leaving the nursing home would impact my mother whose dementia is getting worse.
A must have dish for my Christmas table is probably deviled eggs and some kind of potatoes – this year it’s mashed, other years it’s a cheesy potato casserole.
They are predicting snow to move in here in eastern Kansas around midnight tonight. The low tomorrow morning is predicted to be 2. Friday morning low is forecast to be -5 with Saturday’s low at -1. We are under a wind chill warning from noon tomorrow to noon on Saturday. Snow accumulations of 2-4 inches which wouldn’t be bad but winds could gust to 45 mph. Wind chills could be as low as 30 below. Fortunately, I have no reason to leave my house until 4:00 Friday to pick up pies, rolls and ham for Christmas dinner. The grocery store is less than 2 miles from my house.
My bedroom furniture was my grandparents so is over 40 years old. It is cedar. Other than that, most of my furniture is relatively newer. I do have some older dishes, including a bowl my grandmother got as a wedding gift in 1919.
Merry Christmas to the Smith family.
Phyllis,
Sounds like you’ve done a great job getting Christmas organized with food and family. Glad you can stay in for most of the cold weather; it sounds like it’s going to get pretty nasty there!
Antique, cedar bedroom furniture sounds wonderful; I know you enjoy having it.
Merry, merry Christmas!
The antique store looked wonderful… I’m with you… I love old things too. They just don’t make things like they used to and I am really sentimental.
This year we are celebrating Christmas with all of our Italian family traditions, but the Rum cake we have on our desert table is a must from our past days living in Panama. Rounding out that table will be Italian cookies from New York. We look forward to making great memories together again this year with our family.
I hope your Christmas is wonderful and blessed surrounded by those you love.
Donna,
I had a rum pound cake many years ago and have never forgotten it. It was absolutely delicious. Save me a piece! 🙂
Oh those pink tile! We used to have a whole bathroom of pink when we bought our house. Pink tub, sink, toilet and tile all the way around, about 2/3 of the way up the wall. We tolerated it for years but then did away with it all. I have no ideas at all about the toothbrush holder…..unless maybe you get some sort of tile cutter and cut it
off and file the rough edges?
I LOVE your new floors!! They are gorgeous and your living/dining area is just beautiful! It looks so cozy and inviting!
We will be at home for Christmas with both kids and their families. Fingers crossed that everyone stays healthy and that the weather cooperates. Starting tomorrow, we are in a wind chill warning for a few days for wind chills in the minus 40 to 50 range, along with snow and blizzard like conditions due to winds over 45 mph. Wonderful timing. Ugh.
I used to really love antiques but now lean more to the clean, crisp contemporary/modern look. I still have a few antiques though that are family heirlooms. (Mostly big pieces in the dining room) They are beautiful and I would never willingly part with them. Hopefully when we’re gone someday, our kids will want them. If not, I guess I’ll not know the difference. 😉
Merry Christmas to the Smith and Longs!!
LeeAnne,
Brrrr. I had a shiver just reading your weather report! I do hope it doesn’t impact your family gathering.
Thanks for the compliment on our new floors and living room. It’s very rewarding to redo a space and make it our own. A lot of work but a good feeling to have it done.
I love your line, “If not, I guess I”ll not know the difference.” So true. We enjoy our stuff while we have it and know that our kids will do a good job sorting through it all. We’re just trying to continually pare down so that they don’t have to do too much!
Your home renovations are looking fantastic, Lots of work though, I know.
It must be kind of fun going into different businesses to work for a day or two, as well as nerve wracking!
Love Gage’s outfit. I can see why he received many compliments on it.
My 3 children and their spouses and my 6 grandchildren will all be here Christmas. Well, if they can make it, there is a HUGE storm brewing that will affect 2 of them, so I hope its passed by the time they need to head off to here. Merry Christmas. Wendy
Wendy,
I’ve had several commenters mention that there is a storm pending right at Christmas. At least you don’t have to travel for Christmas but I know you are hoping that all of your loved ones can make it in. Sounds like you have a joyful time planned.
I love seeing all of your renovations! We did so many in our previous old house over 21 years, but haven’t had to do much in our newer house we moved into about 7 months ago. It’s really fun to see the results of the labor. Maybe you could build some wooden facade little shelves to cover the toothbrush and soap holders?
We are staying home for Christmas and both kids and families will be with us. A couple days after Christmas my daughter and I are taking my grandson(13 next month!) to my brother’s house in Bend, OR to play in some real snow! My grandson doesn’t know about this trip. It’s a Christmas surprise for him. I hope i don’t freeze! It’s supposed to be SOOO cold in south Alabama this weekend! Guess it’s preparing us for the even cooler weather in OR. I hope you all have a wonderful, relaxing Christmas!
Gayle,
What a great Christmas gift to take your grandson on a surprise trip to play in the snow. It’s lovely when a gift is an experience in contrast to something that is wrapped. Enjoy making some fabulous memories.
I love your redo’s in the new house!! We did all that about 3 years ago and I am still tired. I put down vinyl flooring in our entire house all by myself..my back still hurts. I want to wish you and your wonderful family a Very Merry Christmas and A Blessed and Happy New Year!!
Judy,
My hat is off to you if you laid flooring in your whole house by yourself. I can’t even imagine!
I’m looking forward to when we can look BACK on this renovation, like you. Merry Christmas!
Yes, Gage really did do a great job in doing his part for Trader Joe’s and with his personality I believe folks enjoy being around him. Hmmm, well, every time folks walk past the refrigerator, they will know that a masterpiece could have been seen but was quietly put where folks can ponder the greatness of what is behind there (how’s that!!!) The place is looking great and the toothbrush holder – well, in the different seasons, small flowers can be used and then another toothbrush holder can go in the hole where the cup should go. That Steve, what a guy – to be so bold and put his feelings for you in paint on the wall!!! That store, oh, I could just be there for at least a couple hours. What a treasure! It will be just my hubby and myself on Christmas Day. Will go to church in the morning and just crash the rest of the day – oh and open up our vast pile of gifts – NOT! Our daughter and her family like to do their own traditions. A blessed Christmas to all the Smith family. May the Lord bless and keep each one of you and remember we continue to pray for you.
Sharyn,
I love your description of the location of my painting assignment. I think every person that passes that part of the house will just sense the greatness! 🙂
Sounds like you have a lovely quiet Christmas planned–church and rest! Love it.
Thank you for your continued prayers. Merry Christmas to you both.
I would use the tooth brush holders to hold incense. Who would of thought.
Tim,
You missed your calling. Interior Design is definitely your gift. 🙂
We are staying home for Christmas and it will be a quiet affair. I can’t think of any one food that must be on a Christmas table. Have always varied Christmas meals so nothing stands out like Thanksgiving. We will be cold but no super freeze predicted. I love antiques and rescued items. Trouble is we are ready to downsize and kids won’t want the old stuff so trying to not buy anything, but I love looking thru antique malls, and thrift stores. For the old toothbrush holder-maybe some antique hat pins?
Patti,
I like the term “rescued items.” You’re right about needing to buy less as we get older. I have to really love something now to be willing to purchase it.
Antique hat pins. Aren’t you a creative thinker! 🙂
Your painting story reminds me of helping my dad paint for my baby brother (who is now 40 and became a dad right before Thanksgiving and I can’t wait to meet my new niece nest week) I was so bad he put me in the closet to paint, and I proptly reached up and grabbed the bar that I had just painted!
Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
Colleen,
Congrats on being an aunt and also to your brother on becoming a dad at forty. He has so much joy ahead of him.
I think the closet would be a PERFECT place for me to show off my skills. 🙂 I can definitely see myself reaching up and grabbing the painted bar.
Love the results of all that hard work! Seeing the pics sparked a memory. 40 years ago we stopped for a visit while on our honeymoon. We sat in the kitchen while Vernie made me my first grits and then Ken taught me the best way to fix and eat them! Think of that visit every time I have grits. P.S. I would love to spend time in that antique mall except I have no place to put things living in the RV but I could help you shop! Merry Christmas!
Ginny,
How nice to have a Ken and Vernie memory; thank you for sharing that. Ken always did love to instruct people on things; he was a natural teacher, just like Steve.
I remember our RV years and buying very few things; at least it takes any temptation away to pile up stuff!
My favorite thing is the stuffing with dried fruit. I will be staying home for Christmas, as we will have freezing weather and most likely snow. I am getting used to not leaving the house, due to snow and extreme cold. I do need to grocery shop and my friend will drive me. He is also the person who cleans up the snow for me. I am a huge fan of antiques, I have been very lucky to have inherited most of the furniture in my house. I have gone with friends and found some interesting knickknacks. I hope your Christmas is bright and snow free!
Cindy,
I hope you stay tucked in and cozy over the Christmas week. My sisters have been texting about coming storms to Wisconsin; they’re making all sorts of prep because there’s a good chance they will lose electricity.
We are still enjoying the gift of those wonderful vintage hats you sent Sarah. What a treasure!
My Aunt was an amazing woman before her time! She made so many times in my youth so wonderful! This is the reason I decided to gift them to Sarah. I wanted her to enjoy them as my Aunt did. I like to think of Sarah as a younger version of my Aunt.
Not so nice weather going on here right now! I adopted a new cat after it was obvious it was homeless. Milo does not seem to mind. Time will tell I guess. Sending love to all of you.
Cindy,
Bless you for adopting a homeless cat. Glad Milo has a friend!
I like the mirror–they are always winners in any room, never go out of style and are elegant.. love them!
Painting does go better with some temperments I think… patient and particular ones… not me!
It is so nice to see the house updated and fresh!! Really a wonderful change all over!
If Steve could fashion a piece of mirror cut to cover the soap and brush holder and make it stay put?? (not sure how–he may know how!) — you could put a tiny vase of flowers in crystal or a unique trinket on each little mirrored shelf. would cover the holes in brush holder and look like a matched shelf….maybe… whatever.
Ruth,
I think you and I once discussed we were “clock and mirror” people. Especially love the way mirrors brighten and magnify a room.
Great idea on creating matched shelves–PLUS it uses our favorite mirrors!
I am so impressed by all the hard work you two are putting in to truly make this home your own. Kudos to you and Steve! For the bathroom, perhaps some cute little plants will make everyone who sees it wish that they too had built in plant-shelves in their bathroom.
Robin,
Thanks for your encouragement about our work on the house. Quite a process!
Build-in plant stands is a great idea; just put some little succulents in there and be done.
For the pink bathroom, maybe you could mount small shelves over the soap dish and toothbrush holder and put small plants or cute knickknacks on them???
Anne,
I think we’re getting a lot of agreement on plants and shelves. Definitely very doable–and cute!
Just a suggestion for the pink bathroom. Since you plan to paint, why not remove the toothbrush holder and soap dispenser and replace that with plain tile and then paint?
Jan,
We would LOVE to remove those two items but they are actually part of the wall and can’t be taken off without removing the whole wall. So we’re going to have to get creative with them. 🙂