Comfortably numb...

the mantel...all ready for spring.

our cat Jack...the definition of comfortably numb...and the inspiration for my title

I can't get out of my own way... yet, I also have been tearing around the house trying to get a head start on spring cleaning and trying to finally finish our now almost two-year old home. By finish, I mean paint a few closet doors that got "missed"; fill in some nail holes in the trim and do touch-ups; and paint more trim so that I can finally see the end to the paintbrush, except when it is called on for a "fun" project. Now that my son's birthday is over and done with, I can move on to other projects that need doing...but for some reason I am faced with dread at the thought of tackling them.

The framed pictures were painted/drawn by my two youngest children. The one in front is of a chick...

I got both of these from Winners...

The kids are off on March Break this week and we basically have a whole lot of nothing planned. I plan to work only if absolutely necessary. The Easter decorations are up, I have washed some curtains, cleaned on top of my fridge (why is it sticky up there?), and yet in between chores and meals, I am walking around in a bit of a daze. I want to be ready to burst through the door when spring finally arrives for real. I want to be ready for the opening of the garden centers instead of feeling the draw to be inside cleaning out cupboards and closets...yet I'm not sure I'm ready. Back to back rotten colds have me a bit down and out, yearning to plop onto the sofa and pretend I've nowhere to be, and no items on my to-do list. Comfortably numb...that's what I am, yet life isn't allowing it. Is it strange to almost wish it was still winter...not the weather, but the slower pace??

...my collection of bunnies

Some days, I want to be a child...relaxing on the couch on a rainy day, sniffing the air for the smells of dinner cooking...taking guesses as to what will be served that night. Or perhaps outside trying out my bicycle after the winter's break...seeing if my legs will be always be as wobbly as they feel on that inaugural ride. Then, thoughts of school and homework snap me back to reality and I put on my big girl shoes and am happy to be an adult again. Because that is what I am...a grown-up with a family, a home, a job, and responsibilities...and I give my head a good shake and get on with it. Seasons change...and I'm good with that. Next week, spring can come...

I picked up this beautiful box of soaps in Halifax...along with the great, wooden tray that says, Postage Stamp

I made this shadow box picture using a beautiful Easter greeting card I found last year. I am pretty sure it is a Hallmark card...

Neither the chocolate bunny nor the candies (sooo pretty) are real. If they were, the dish would be empty...

The gift of flowers...from Matthew Mead

peonies...purchased by me...for me!

Matthew Mead finishes up his guest stint this week with me, and being the thoughtful guest he is, leaves us with some flowers...all dressed up as floral inspiration from him to us!! As I visit with so many of you, I see that most bloggers are feeling weighted down by winter...tired of snow, ice, frigid temperatures, and days that grow dark far too soon. To help lift your spirits and get you in the mode of thinking of the cheerful, bright days of spring, Matthew Mead makes us heady with the scent of flowery goodness.

He said: Inspiring Thoughts of Spring...

"Spring flowers in shades of yellow, lavender, pink, red, apricot, (and many, many more) equals multitudes of color combinations and fresh possibilities for spring inspiration... " (Matthew Mead)

We have touched upon a great many things during these last few weeks in an attempt to re-inspire ourselves in the New Year. I must say, it worked well for me and today I finished a two-step process of painting the floors of my studio. I choose a chocolate-brown for my kitchen floor and I am so happy... I've still got some touch-ups to do, but the cleaning out of spaces and the resurfacing of floors and walls really breathes new life into a room and vanquishes all the cobwebs and trapped negative chi... just as placing a fresh bouquet of flowers on your desk or dining table can do for your mood... which brings me to the final topic and frontier in this series- FLOWERS.

I entered the design realm in my childhood... with flowers. My grandmother had a large garden and grew so many beautiful varieties of blossoms. Cut flowers were part of my life from my earliest memory; and I enjoyed watching my grandmother create lovely arrangements while encouraging me and my sister to place single blossoms in bottles or vases. You really discover, as you grow, not only how enjoyable it is to have flowers around... but the pure joy that is derived from the simple act of cutting stems and arranging them to best please the eye. As children, we would also pick flowers and leaves and force branches as soon as possible in early spring, all under the watchful eye and guiding hand of our knowledgeable grandmother. In the fall, we'd gather large bouquets of wild flowers for drying and weaving into wreaths and garlands.

Flowers and their beauty is of primal enjoyment... it is in our human nature and I would surmise that even cave people gathered them to bring a spot of beauty back to their abodes...

It has been difficult lately to summon up that "Spring fever" as where I live is so reminiscent of a frozen tundra at present! However, I persist - with trips to florists, garden centers, price clubs and grocery stores in search of daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, primrose and whatever else I can pluck from my community sources. We are fortunate to have an anemone grower nearby with miles of green-house, and I am always moved to see their blossoms appear in the market-place. I must say, that incorporating flowers into your life means you will have the task of preparing and arranging them... and that very activity is obviously an actionable and involved endeavour.

Incorporating fresh flowers into your decor is an unfailing way to inject new life, colour and fragrance into your home...all the while, chasing the "cobwebs of winter" away. So, bring out your favourite vases and vessels, and hit the grocers or your local flower shop, and try some of these colorful ideas:

Potted, forced bulbs and primrose, arranged in a vintage basket and dressed with moss, makes a stunning spring centerpiece or gift for a friend with the winter blues...

Recycled glass jars or tins can be filled with water, tied with ribbon and outfitted with your favorite forced bulbs... Float primrose flowers amongst candles for a simple dinnertime centerpiece... Jenny, my wife, was inspired to create this daffodil applique using hand-dyed linens...

(all photos: Matthew Mead)

She said: "Let the flowers extend from beyond the vases...let them pull up a chair and be front and center in your decor scheme..."

photo source: www.cathkidston.com

I, too, love fresh flowers...the more natural and old-fashioned the better. I love peonies, daisies, cosmos, sweet william, stock, black-eyed susans...basically anything you'd see growing in your grandmother's garden. Unlike Matthew, my experience with flowers as a young girl was limited to buttercups, dandelions, and plucking daisies from the side of the road. I loved playing "mama had a baby and its head popped off" , but arranging them in anything but my grubby fist after a day's play outside was beyond the scope of my imagination. I remember watching my mum picking weeds from her flower beds, but after a few attempts to help, I'd end up doing more harm than good and I'd be "encouraged" to be on my way. So, off I'd go to investigate whether there were any more peas on the pea plant, and I'd hurry to pop them in my mouth before my little brother could find them first!

Flowers in decorating have had a long and variable history. Floral brocade for the more formal, versus the lovely calico prints of the more unassuming prairie-country style...right up to the decidedly "bad" eighties trend of plastering ivy and sunflowers all over one's kitchen (from wallpaper borders to oven mitts...place mats to curtains...), the use of flowery patterns in decorating can either make one swoon or shudder.

(photo source: unknown)

I am a definite blend of the two opinions. I love floral prints when they are used in a fresh, subtle palette; or when they are bold, modern, and surprising. I personally use them in only smaller doses, but when done right, they can be fantastic in a more predominant scheme. In contrast to Matthew, I think we are either flower people or not. Whether we bother to bend over and pick a stray daisy or add a flower-embroidered throw pillow to a chair... or we banish anything flowery from our homes save for stiff, perfect roses (methodically placed in the perfect square and unbending vase for only those moments when flowers are expected)...we dig them, or we don't!!

photo source: www.countrycream.com

Personally, I love flowers in their natural state, the wilder the better...and used in my decor in rather unassuming ways: not too carefully planned, and definitely not overgrown!!!

I am so thankful to Matthew Mead for collaborating with me on this series and for sharing his inspiration and advice to those of us who admire his work and his many talents. Please leave a comment here for Matthew, sending him some "blog love". Maybe, just maybe...he'll come back and share with us further...!

Think like a stylist...think like Matthew Mead!! (week two of our collaboration)

With the continuing trend toward plunging temperatures, those of us in colder climes are forced indoors to escape the freezing cold. This of course leads to thoughts of decorating, for those of us who share this passion. As we attempt to warm ourselves by the fire, we start noticing the predictability of our rooms, the tired arrangements, and the pillows and blankets that have seen better days. Suddenly, a lightbulb goes off: what if we were to actually add a little spark to our decor...add to our collections (or start new ones), and repurpose that which we already have?

Who better to look to for style inspiration than our good friend (and style guru) Matthew Mead? As promised, Matthew is back with another good kick in our decorating pants (although he's too nice to actually deliver a real kick) to spring us into action and vamp up our spaces.

Here is Matthew's tip of the week and for those of us who like to shop...well, we just have to follow his advice. After all, if Matthew Mead tells you to do it, that should be reason enough!!

He said: Collect something new

"There is no better way for me to rebound from a style slump than to get out and look for something beyond my comfort zone. I am a huge fan of British and Australian magazines and often try to emulate their exceptional sensibility for mixing old with modern. In that effort, I go on a hunt for items with a colorful and shapely pedigree from the 60's. Jenny (my wife) has a penchant for Eva Zeisle pottery and dishes... I always pick up Russell Wright dining sets in great colors (chartreuse is one of my favorites). I like art, Eames inspired chairs and tables and all types of modern hanging light fixtures and graphic objects (my new web site debuting in February will be a real glimpse inside how my style is influenced by this design period.) These scavenger hunts become an inspirational game for me as I search for these objects amongst the myriad of collectibles out there. Its fun to see how many of one thing you can find in a day to create an instant collection and to see how similar items can be priced so differently. So try it for yourself... purchase a few new surprise antiques that bring a breath of fresh air to what you already have and makes your vignettes a bit more unexpected."

Here are some fine examples of how adding to our collections can perk up our home. This is Matthew's weekend bounty...(all photos courtesy Matthew Mead, unless otherwise noted):

"I discovered these new modern elements on my antiquing foray this weekend. The colors and shapes are just the "kick" that my traditional collections need."


"This mini chartreuse vase is perfect for flowers or greens on my desk... look at how the shape and color mix well with an early yellow ware bowl, old porcelain knobs strung on string and a classic gold leaf picture frame... all the items in the mix get a breath of new life."


"The blue translucent bowl provides "pop" and relief for country transferware... I feel like I have a whole new set of dishes!"


"An Eva Zeisle creamer is at home with ironstone mugs made decades and decades earlier."


"I just love bringing in "new" old things to my collections... a great and easy tip for blending... think about coordinating colors for a seamless mix of generational items."...Matthew Mead


She said: Speaking of vignettes...

Enter the stylist...and in this case, I mean you! I have always thought that the stylists have the best jobs in the magazine world. Dreaming up themes for the photo shoot, hunting down the appropriate props and treasures, tweaking and adjusting, guiding the photographer...really who wouldn't want that job? Well, maybe it's not as glamorous as it seems, but there is nothing stopping us from being the creative director of our own home.

As Matthew suggested, have another look at what adorns your walls. Have you had the same tired artwork on your walls? Even if you love what's there, why not try something else for a short time? Artfully arranged plates, collectibles, even your child's framed artwork...you may be surprised at just how easy it is to change style directions even if it is just for a season or two.

Finally, never ignore the style impact of the vignette. Examine all your landing places: do your shelves, tables, dressers, sideboards and countertops simply serve as a holding spot for clutter, half-hearted attempts at accessorizing, or accidental displays? If so, think like a stylist: pretend you are actually thinking of photographing the vignette. Do the items displayed complement each other, are they to scale, or could they be rearranged to have more impact? Peruse your own home for items to try. Simply moving items to another spot can enhance their appeal. Think like a stylist when decorating your seasonal home! Seasonal decorating is not a permanent fix; rather a way to rediscover your treasures, the features of your home, and incorporate elements particular to that season. Embrace the season...and all it has to offer!

Here are some examples of great styling:

photo sources: (above ): Matthew Mead Style; (top right): source unknown

photo source: Pottery Barn

Snow Porch...

Everyone knows how much I love having a porch. Sure I love swinging on my porch swing, being sheltered while I unlock my door, but if I am to be perfectly honest...I really love it because it is one more place to decorate!! Because I am an avid seasonal decorator, having a nice long porch to add to and beautify is so much fun! I always marvel when I see other homes with front porches that are unadorned...bare...boring!! Why not use this prime real estate to show off who you are and what your style is? A bare porch looks, well, naked...and some things (and, gulp, I can think of a few) just don't look good naked!!
So, after bringing in my handmade Father Christmas and some of the other more blatant Christmas items, I reworked a few things, added a couple of my recent purchases and voila: my new wintry "snow porch"! I left up the icicles and snowflakes, the red lanterns from Homesense, and propped up my new sign that proclaims our home to be the spot for sleigh rides...Tonight...and apparently every night of the winter. Quite laughable really, because with our puny backyard, you couldn't even get a crazy carpet to go more than five feet!! Aah well, it's all about using one's imagination, isn't it? Oh, and the sign also promises hot cocoa...that I can deliver!! Pretty much every time one of my critters pokes a toe outside, they deem it worthy of a cup of hot chocolate!!
I made these snowball stacks myself (pretty impressive, huh?). I had made one a few years back, but the wind took it I think, so these are my latest attempts. I used styrofoam balls and then added that fake snow that comes in a bag and shook it on after spraying the balls with adhesive. I think my fingers are still stuck together, but they're pretty, so it's worth it!!


Here is my bench that is in dire need of a paint job, but will have to wait till Spring. I took an old tartan throw and draped it over the back, threaded lights through a grapevine ball, and placed a cedar swag (very dead by now) over the back. It's the perfect spot for you to wait for the horse-drawn sleigh that's coming tonight...and the next..and so on...
What is your porch doing right now? Is it naked...or all dolled up??!!
As the sign on the door says, Let It Snow...for now!!

Christmas at River House...holiday tour Part Two

Remember the lovely tour of River House (the home of Seasons of Cannon Falls) that I took you on this fall? Well, as promised, here is River House all decked out in its Christmas finery for you to ooh and aah over as I do every time I lay eyes on these pictures. River House has been featured many times over the holidays in decor magazines such as Country Living and this

year, on the pages of Mary Englebreit's Home Companion magazine (below).

The following photos are from the website of the architectural firm that was responsible for restoring River House to the glorious state it is in today. Enjoy, and feast on the inspiring holiday decorating ideas and wonderful architecture of this magnificent home. The folks at Seasons of Cannon Falls are sooo good at what they do...

Baby, It's Cold....Out...Side!!!!

Well, it's officially fall, speaking from a weather perspective! When I went to bed Monday night, my room was positively freezing. You see, hubby and I like to keep the window over our bed cracked every night, as neither of us are fans of a stuffy, warm room. Well, there was no fear of that last night. I leapt into bed, hoping to plant my cold toes on him and steal some of his warmth, when thud, up hops our favourite kitty with precisely the same idea. He sandwiched himself in between us, and foiled my plans of cozying up to my built in furnace/husband. Luckily for him (the cat), he is too cute to fire off the bed!! So I snaked myself as close to the little furball as I could, so close that his incessant purring kept me awake!!

The next morning was still nippy, despite the rain, so after I bundled the kids off to school, I boiled the kettle for a cup of tea and lit my fireplace for the first time this season. I never thought I'd get as much enjoyment out of a fireplace, but the heat it gives off is heavenly...

It was one of those damp, cold days so I figured I'd make my famous (I'm kidding) chili which I make mostly because it's easy and I'm trying to cut back on my grocery budget by following a meal plan. Hubby's on a kick that we're at the grocery store too much (which we are), so he's all gung-ho about the idea of planning ahead. Me...not so much. Sure the money saved is nice, but what he doesn't realize is that the real money saved will come from my not getting to buy so many magazines!!! Oh well, I have quite a number I can look at here. I did manage to sneak a couple in the other night when we popped in for our well-planned grocery shopping trip. I slipped the new House and Home holiday edition and the Country Home November issue in under a large box of cereal. I'm a sneaky wife I know....but really, who's gonna pass those ones up??!!

As promised, below are a few more Fall decorating shots from my home. I took them while I was waiting for everyone to get home for my chili supper. My ego ended up taking a bruising, though. My eldest son "doesn't like all the stuff I put in it" (like kidney beans and green peppers), and my little girl informed me she HATES chili!! On the bright side, my other son... my favourite child for the moment... loved it and hubby said it was good, too. They all had no problem scarfing down the chocolate cake hubby brought home. He gets to be the supper hero. Oh well, I stuck him with the dishes, while I worked on a decorating plan for an upcoming job! All in all, it was a great, cold day, and after the kids went to bed, I enjoyed flipping through the pages of my new magazines in front of the fire. No more cold toes for me...!!!!

** the cute little bucket holds Sophie's sidewalk chalk. I change it with the seasons...The orange tin jack o'lantern thing-a-ma-jig is one of my favourite Halloween pieces. I like putting my popcorn in it on Grey's Anatomy night!!