Mid-Century Color Palette Inspiration (yes, we still haven't decided on paint colors)

While I've been away, I haven't been entirely lazy.

I've been thinking a lot while I lay on the couch in a nausea induced stupor.

One of the things I've been thinking about is color.

More specifically, what colors we should paint our house.

Yeah, that's right, we still haven't picked colors.

And, truth be told, the house isn't entirely ready to be painted.  But choosing colors is waaaay more fun than scraping, so that's where we are right now.

Who am I kidding?  I am going to be sitting on the sidelines while Aaron scrapes and primes and paints. The least I can do is put a little thought into paint colors.

Looking at these flowers in my bathroom got me thinking about yellow.

I am becoming very fond of yellow.

And it is a very mid century choice, as seen in this fab house in Palm Springs.
The white, dark brown trim and saturated yellow door just has mid century written all over it.
And you know how we feel about mid century.

But, I like a little more color.  The dark brown isn't cutting it for me.
The reason I love these yellow flowers so much is that they are paired with the turquoise.
They make each other pop.
I am fond of yellow, but I love turquoise.

Turquoise looks good with almost any color.
For example, notice the pine with the orange heart and turquoise leaves.
Isn't it beautiful? (why did I not buy that pin?)

Here is orange and a pale, not quite turquoise but trying, combination.
I like it, but again, I am looking for more pop.

Pop like this.
Orange doors and those beautiful turquoise bikes.
Now that is what I'm talking about.

I am also a fan of this appley green, as seen on that awesome basket chair.

It looks good with orange.

And turquoise.

You don't believe me?
Well, feast your eyes on this place.
It has one of the most perfect color combinations I have ever seen.
I lust after the paint colors on this house.

The key I think is moderation.
Mostly white, with carefully placed bright colors.
Like the green trim and a few turquoise accent walls.
(and the peacock?  swoon.)

And alongside one of the turquoise walls, an orange door and orange house numbers.

And on that big white wall, the small blocks of those 3 fabulous colors.
They look so good together.
Mid century with a pop.


Adding yellow to the mix might be too much.  Even for us.
But I have a strong feeling that those other colors might find their way onto our house.
Give us another 6 months (at least) and you'll find out.


Now back to the couch I go.
Love from,
Greta

Learning To Let Go

The past few months have not been the easiest for me.  There has been personal turmoil, and its accompanying stress, and emotional upheaval.  Then the wonderful news of another baby followed by the sickness, fatigue and emotional upheaval that accompany a new pregnancy.

To put it mildly, there have been lots of days when I have been barely hanging on.

If there is energy to be had, it will be spent on my kids.  We do our weekly field trips, baking, school work, swimming lessons or what have you, and then I am about done for the day.  I muddle through the rest of the day and hit the couch when Aaron comes home.

That really used to bother me.

I hate spending every evening lying on the couch.

There are so many things that need to get done.

So many things I want to get done.

But I am learning to let go.

I am learning what matters.  

I am learning that I feel a lot better about life if I give time to my kids instead of getting the house tidy.  

I am not saying it is easy.

Because I really like a clean house.

And I really like to write on this blog.

And I really like to cook dinner for my family and not give them cereal.

And I really like to feel good.

But those things will come again.

And so will time for making things like these leaves.

I found these a few weeks ago when I was researching decorations for fall.  
I thought I'd actually get something done for Thanksgiving.
Well, I didn't.
Just tonight James asked me, "Mommy, shouldn't we decorate or something for Thanksgiving?"
15 people are coming for dinner tomorrow and I haven't done a thing.
Not a blessed thing.
I've wanted to.
I wanted to make new napkins, and waxed leaves and paint trim and make a cranberry tart.
But I just haven't been able to do it.
But it really doesn't matter.
I got the turkeys, the boys made turkey hand print decorations today and tomorrow will be wonderful.
I am learning to let go.


But I still love these leaves.  (aren't the colors and the stitching gorgeous?)
They are felt and just about the coolest I have ever seen.
I am saving them for next fall.
Cause I will totally have time and energy for crafting then.  
You know, with my infant and my other 3 kids and sleep deprivation and home schooling.
Here is the link if you want to save it for next fall as well.
There are lots more fantastic pictures of the leaves to further inspire you.


Even without the felt leaves, I am looking forward to hosting dinner tomorrow.
I am thankful for the opportunity to cherish the things that really matter in my life.
Enjoy your time with loved ones tomorrow.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Love from,
Greta


PS.  If you need a last minute roll recipe for tomorrow, I've got you covered.  
I made them last year, and I am making them again this year. 
First thing in the morning when I feel good.
They are very, very good and easy too.
You might want to give them a try.
Here's the link for all the info.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Vintage Books: Field Guides

There is a chance that this post may cause you to think I have walked over the edge into complete geekdom.

I'm cool with that.

Because that means there will be less people looking for vintage field guides at book sales.

And that's good for me.

You know I love books.  I am a passionate about books and have been from the time I can remember.  Did I ever tell you that there was a house right next to the library in the town I grew up in and I dreamed of living in that house?  Can you imagine just walking out your door and into the library?  I dreamt of it often as a small girl.

Heaven indeed.

I also love vintage books.  I have an ever growing collection.  Far more than we have room for in our house.  Which is why I hope someday my sweet hubby will get a chance to build this shelving unit.

I collect different sorts of vintage books.  

I adore vintage text books.  We actually use a lot of them.  They are quite good.

I also love vintage Golden Books.  And I don't just mean the little ones with the golden spine.  Golden books published an incredible array of books for children.  I am always amazed by how wonderful they are.  

I have favorite illustrators.

And just recently I have discovered field guides.

We use field guides at our house, in our back yard and on our nature hikes.  It is great fun to be able to identify the birds we see often and the ones we notice for the fist time.

But these field guides aren't anything special.  They are colorful books with photographs or fold-up, laminated pamphlets that can be easily taken on a hike.

But at a used book sale, I found this.  And my newest love affair began.

Most of the illustrations are black and white and therefore not super helpful.

But there are these full color pages that I think are simply beautiful.

I am not exaggerating when I say I could look at these for hours.

I found these two at a used book shop in Palm Springs.

I want the whole series.  (there is a red and green book also)

The end pages alone were enough to sell me.

But the illustrations inside are pretty sweet too.

My mom just gave me this one she found at a garage sale.  (note it is a Golden Book)

William and I went through the whole book in one sitting picking out our favorite birds, and learning where they live at different times of the year.

Mom also gave me this field guide to trees.  (also Golden)

Oaks are one of my favorite trees.  They remind me of growing up in Fallbrook, Live Oak Park and the country roads lined with beautiful Live Oak trees.  They also make me think of quintessential California landscapes--the kinds I love along the Central coast--golden rolling hills, dotted with big oak trees.

It seems I now have a new kind of vintage field guide to look out for.

Can you blame me?

I accept my status as a geek.

And I'm darn proud of it.

Love from,

Greta

More Waxed Leaf Crafting

Well it seems waxed leaves have been a big hit.  

I have been happily surprised at how many people decided to give it a try.

And I have been happy to see their own spin on it.

Like my friend, Jen.

I was at her house on Friday and snapped a few pictures of her own take on the waxed leaves crafts.

Just look at her magic.

I just love that she used some really big leaves along with her smaller Liquid Amber leaves.  (just learned the Liquid Amber is also called Sweet Gum.  never knew that) 

The big leaves are from the California Sycamore.  

I also love that she tied them to a fallen branch she and her boys discovered on a walk.  What a beautiful, natural way to display her leaves.

Here is a picture of the all of it in its autumnal glory.

I love it.

If you want to see other ways Jen uses branches to decorate, check out her blog here.

And if you made waxed leaves, send me word so I can link you up.  I'd love to see what you create.

Despite our 90 degree heat today, my boys are fired up about decorating for Thanksgiving and the rest of fall.  So we'll be doing some leaf hunting and waxing of our own soon.

Hope you are enjoying fall days, however warm or cold they may be, where ever you are.

Love from,

Greta