Where we come from

When my family and I went to Seattle & Spokane....we went to a wedding and to visit family. We stayed with Family in Spokane and my husband's aunt & uncle had photos of their son's wedding on the wall that were captivating. I love the time-honored traditions of every culture, but these photos because they relate to my children and their heritage spoke to my heart....they were taken on behalf of the bride's parents who are from Japan and wanted their daughter to marry in traditional attire. The groom is my husband's cousin.

Don't they look like they are from another place and time?

Eventhough my children are also Scotch-Irish & German, their name is Japanese and that is the Heritage they most embrace. It is a proud and very honorable lineage to come from and I am blessed to be surrounded by these people and their strong sense of family and generous hospitality.

Coming of Middle Age

Marilyn.....pumping iron. Okay, it looks like 5lbs, but if it worked for her.... I just joined Weight Watchers. Granted, I am not Heavy or Obese. I almost feel a little guilty at the meetings because people say..."you look so good, so thin." ( I technically qualify to be there by the fact that I am almost 20 lbs. over my ideal weight.) I'm thinking of telling them I used to weigh 400 lbs and don't I look great now? I am in menopause with clothes that don't fit. I never thought I would be going to weight watchers, but I am so glad I am. I have never had a scale in my home. I am fairly active....but I am morphing into a middle aged woman and I want to be strong, healthy and still look good in my clothes....I've given up on looking good without them. So Wed. is my first official week one weigh in.
It just takes a pound a year and...... does that mean it will take me 20 years to lose this? 20 pounds doesn't sound like much....until I lift my dog who weighs 10, and think yikes!!! I will float on air when I lose this weight. Marilyn was right......it takes work!!

Happy 4th Everyone from my town to yours!

Copyright original design by: Karen Eileen Designs. Please do not copy in any form.

Taking a few days off to catch up on work that has piled up during my vacation. Wanted to share with all of you one of my favorite designs that I created about six years ago when my journey in design first began.
Wishing all of you the joy of family, friends, delicious food, fireworks and memories of how we came to be the great country that we are.

Home Sweet Home

The journey.... Home from a wonderful 12-day road trip. From Calif to Spokane.....long trip. One of my favorite places to visit in the northwest: Farmer's/outdoor markets. There is something very warm and old fashioned about them. You just know that everything you see has been loved and cared for... This bread from Bend, Oregon

These beautiful Peonies from Seattle

Sweet Peas by the bucketfull......heavenly!

Okay...maybe not these....but I am still in awe of it all.

I probably took more photos of produce and vegetable stands than I can list...so I am sharing a few with you.

I love taking road trips with my family. So much time together. (my boys' version: "Soooooooo much TIME TOGETHER!") But we are always happy to come home. A few miles from home I start to wonder if my tomatoes are ripened....if my rasberries are ready, how my birds are; if my tortoise has torn through any of my plants....my sweet little doggie's faces.....and somehow even all of the laundry that I know I will be doing seems pleasant....home sweet home -- and a brand new welcome home: all of my messages on my blog from you! It's like running to the mail box and finding the nicest mail....and reading it in my pajamas. Thank you all so much. You were on my mind so much.......each time I saw something beautiful I thought of sharing it with you!!

More to come

A little Break

On the road for a little while. Going to Seattle for a family visit. Wanted to share with you some photos of my favorite berry. Ollaliberry.

This is the second season for growing. Last year I had a small bowl full.

This year I can actually make a pie.....my house sitter will get to enjoy this bounty.

Show you some photos of my wonderful trip when I return.

Some things just speak to your heart.....this lovely lady spoke to mine....Isn't she beautiful? I love her expression. You know she is delighted about something, but she is keeping it entirely to herself.

I picture her at a lovely tea party admiring the affection being passed between a young couple in love....remembering the days of her youth.

I was recently at a wonderful flea market and I kept thinking...."I remember that, or those." I must have said it outloud, for a little lady selling her wares said, " that's what fleamarkets are all about, we are buying our childhoods back." How true is that? You never know what fond memories we will attach to things as children.... our mothers' apron, vintage garden tools to remind us of the time we spent in the garden with grandma; potatoe mashers bringing back memories and smells of the warm kitchen watching dinner being prepared after sunday school......it is worth every penny.

Maybe she reminds you of someone or something. I just thought she was charmingly beautiful....she will be in my Etsy store later today.

Inspiration for Motivation

Right this very minute I am supposed to be working on : A: my website; B: getting orders ready; C: my laundry; D: the list is waaaaay too long to list. Found these wonderfully inspiring and heart-warming goodies on ETSY. I will do anything to keep from working some times. I need these posted in BIG letters above my desk. Maybe I could get a pair of those blinders that horses wear so that this is the only thing I see... Love the sentiment of this. Being a mother makes us better people, doesn't it?

This is why you have to drop the laundry basket when inspired.....

THIS....just because it makes me smile.

Love this. Although I think Brittany Spears and Maddona tried the accent...don't know if it worked for them.

Stop by Three lambs Graphics to see all of her lovely~funny art.

Wordless Wednesday

*My first designs that began my journey. Soon to be on tees, paperweights and cards in my new shop.

More....

Aren't these beautiful? I wanted so badly to bring flowers home for my garden.... Ginny's Fun little greenhouse.

Fun little farm. I want to go there! (30 Roc inside joke)

Clever girl...VIntage Jack in the box table.....I remember those tables and swivel chairs. Ginny added a vintage door for the table.

Of Course....Teacups on a windmill!..

Her charming and polite way to say "KEEP OUT".

Bliss By the River

Where Daydreams begin

Ginny's little boudoir on the river. You can see the water trailing by...I wish I had sound so you could hear how peaceful and wonderful it is. A respite from the sun and the worries of life.

With all the comforts of home.

Ginny told us that SUNSET magazine has done a piece on this little spot of heaven. I think Romantic Homes should definitely come out for a visit...don't you?

She and her Hubby can stroll down to the river and choose their place to read, nap or just enjoy the every-day beauty that surrounds them.

Believe it or not....there is still more to come. I am spacing it out for pure pleasure's sake....I don't think we could handle it all at once.

Thank you again Ginny. AND... how lucky are we...we are going back in a few weeks for a visit!
Keep checking back for more of Ginny's Bliss.