Labor Day Weekend

 Typically Labor Day involves visiting family, specifically my sister usually comes up from the Bay Area for the holiday weekend, but this year it was quiet. My sister and I spent a lot of time together this Summer, so we each spent the holiday weekend at our respective  homes. 

Saturday Beth and I headed out for a Vintage road trip to Loomis to visit the shops in the  High Hand Fruit Sheds.   

Oh my goodness, there was the most beautiful nursery there, it was like walking around an amazing park-like garden. Beth picked up a few plants for her garden. 

Inside the Fruit Sheds was just as charming. 

We grabbed lunch to-go at the Conservatory Deli, 

yummy chicken salad sandwiches with homemade potato chips 

I picked up this picture at The Vintage Bricoleur  

It is called 'Golden Hours'.

 ♥ I love it ♥

I hung it above my entertainment center in my living room. 

I rarely purchased pictures/art for the walls of my home. I have lots of 'homemade' art hanging, cross stitch pictures, shelves to hold trinkets, painted signs, and such like things. 

We were a little limited on time for this trip, but intend to make another one in the near future. We made it home just in time to meet up with Tonya and Kristina, and head up to Chico for some fun fabric hunting. I came home empty handed of fabric, but we also stopped in at the Plant Barn , yes Beth needed MORE garden plants, and I picked up this vintage medicine cabinet front that I will be using as a mirror in the guest bathroom. I've been collecting several items for the 'bathroom re-do', ya the one I haven't even started yet! 

By the way I never realized how hard it would be to take a picture of a mirror. I had to sit way to the side, to avoid seeing myself in the mirror. The reflection is of my couch and foot stool- (another item that needs to be worked on).

Sunday was spent at home canning up more pickles and another blackberry pie. 

What is it about blackberry pie that is so reminiscent of Summer? 

The heat, the sweetness, the soft reminder of the days of my childhood. 

The childhood ranch, where I grew up, had blackberry vines down at the creeks, and we would go out with Mom and pick the berries, careful of the thorns, bees and the occasional water snake, wearing long sleeves for protection, and eating them faster than we could pick them. I would watch as she baked the pie, admiring its beauty and just waiting for that first mouthwatering taste when dessert finally arrived.  In the years to follow into my adulthood, picking the prized berries out by the river in the Rock Piles, here in my now home-town. 

Pie always wins, 

over cakes, cookies, ice cream or candy.

The Girasole Lady

Lessons of 2011- Part Two

July-Started with Peach Jam

It ended with Babies

and heartache

Mia Lyann Edwards

July 31, 2011

August-

Brought emotions never before experienced by our family. Mia was so very, very, sick. Thoughts of hope and despair lived in every single minute of our lives, especially those of Tonya and Ryan.

I prayed, I cried, I hurt more than I have ever known. Never in my life had I felt so helpless.

Laci stayed with us while her mommy and daddy were at the hospital with Mia.

I tried my hardest to keep the world she knew as stable as possible.

A healthy Mia came home on the 25th of August.

September-

We started getting back to normal things, like canning tomatoes.

October-

Fall arrived

Mia was getting more beautiful and stronger every day

(3 months)

and every time I look at her I am reminded that life is precious and never to be taken for granted.

November & December-

The days were filled with family, baking, crafting, sewing, shopping and Holiday fun.

At Thanksgiving we shared stories of the past and dreams of the future.

At Christmas we shared the joy of watching our children, all grown, who have created their own little lives. On Christmas morning I looked around and saw the past, the present and the future, right here in my little home.

The Grand Babies- December 2011

The Girasole Lady

Lessons of 2011 - Part One

January-was COLD

February-

I struggled with a battle between my heart and my head. I'd work for almost 10 years for an amazing person. Someone who was at first my health care provider, but whom in time became a very dear friend.

I struggled with the decision to move away from my Office Manager responsibilities in her office. It took me a long time to construct a letter of resignation. It is one of the hardest things I have ever done. I knew in the end though, it was the right choice for me. I knew in my heart that I was no longer the "right" person for the job and my heart belonged at home. I left my duties in April, but will always have a friendship to share with her.

March-
There are always daffodils

April-

I adopted a new agenda. My heart won the battle over my head.

May-

Was filled with a wedding for Kristina and Myles

May also came with a great sadness. My Aunt Penny (Willa) passed away from cancer. She was such an important part of my life growing up. I spent endless vacations and Summers with her and my Uncle. She guided me through my "teen" years. She was always there for me, both in good times and the not so good. 

 She passed away on her birth day, May 21st, early in the morning. Kristina was married on the same day.

June -

Came with sunshine, gardening and a PUPPY

TO BE CONTINUED................................

The Girasole Lady