Going Home

If anyone actually consistently reads my blog you know that recently I had to go home for some scary reasons. See why here. Home is Kansas City. Those who are familiar with KC know to ask whether I'm from the Kansas or Missouri side. If you're from there, that's an important question. Each region/county has it's pride. I recently found a nice article from Country Living about Kansas City. I haven't been to all their suggested locations, but personally recommend several of their suggestions and more.  The photo above is one of the famous fountains by the Country Club Plaza.  Our first date was on the Plaza 30 years ago on June 24th.  I know, it's crazy that I remember that.  My husband was not a big spender that night.  It didn't matter.  I was just taken with him.  He has since made up for that many times.

Many husbands (mine especially) would be interested in a baseball game at the beautiful Kaufman Stadium to watch the Kansas City Royals. Even if they don't usually win, it's a fun evening.  There could also be a fun day for the family at Worlds of Fun. Lawrence, KS is home to KU and is a fun college town with good restaurants, antiques and shops. Say hello to my DD1 and SIL for me.  

{Kansas City Royals Kauffman Stadium, originally uploaded by TeresaHsu.}

Country Living mentioned some wonderful shops and antique malls but failed to mention two of the best shops in the area, Curious Sofa and Mary Carol Garrity's stores, Nell Hill's, Garrity's and Nell Hill's at Briarcliff Village.

You absolutely cannot go to Kansas City without eating some BBQ.  There are many to choose from, but my favorite is Fiorella's Jack Stack.  The most interesting location is the downtown Freight House.  You can also order their yummy sauces and more online.  I recommend their cheesy corn bake and burnt ends.  Okay, this is making me hungry and it's only 9:00 a.m! 

I know there are many other fabulous places to visit in Kansas City.  These are a few to get you started.  Enjoy!

Am I A Quitter?

Last Christmas when we were at a party in Santa Monica I took the opportunity to visit Wild Fiber.  I didn't really have a plan as to what I wanted to buy until the night before.  It seems every Christmas when I attend business parties, I end up wishing for a dressy wrap for the cool evenings.  So, yet again, I think of these things when I need them instead of way before.  

I also like to challenge myself with something a little more difficult in each project, for the most part.  So, I chose this beautiful, soft lace wrap by Blue Sky Alpacas.  It's called the Rectangle Shawl.  It has a 10 row pattern and seems fairly simple.  

I bought this beautiful yarn by Twisted Sisters.  It is Petite Voodoo a silk and merino wool blend that is slightly variegated.    
I started it in March, I think.  And this is only as far as I have gotten.  I have had to start over several times.  I think I've taken out more than I've knitted.  You can see a problem here that I had to go back to.  For some reason, I just can't seem to stop making mistakes no matter how careful I think I am.  I am very frustrated.  At this rate, it won't be finished till Christmas of 2010.  
Maybe I should put it down and work on something else.  But then, it really won't get finished by Christmas.  Maybe I should go work on socks that I started and never finished.  This really isn't a habit of mine, really it isn't! Really.  Are you a quitter or do you stick with it till it's finished?  

Let it Wave

I thought I'd share some more July 4th inspiration.  These would be seriously easy to do.

{martha stewart}

{martha stewart}

{southern living, I think}

{martha stewart for sure}

More Red White and Blue

Here are more simple ideas for July 4th entertaining.  I actually have a dark blue colander that would be cute, though it's not old.  Hmmm.  The silverware organized with rubber bands is a fabulously simple idea.  Love it!  

{southern living}

I love this colander used as a flower pot.  

{southern living}

So simple and effective.  

Leave it to Pottery Barn to give us some cozy patio options.  Not sure where to come up with that cute anchor.  Do you suppose there is ever a rush on Ebay for things we spy in magazines and catalogs?  I bet there is.  The price of anchors just skyrocketed!  

Patriotic Bent

I've just gathered a few flags and strawberries.

Then I pulled out more blue china and glass.

{country living}

Country Living has instructions for these poppers and crowns here.  I should invite people over just so I can make these cute things.  

{country living}

I should be planning ahead for the festivities.  When we lived in the Midwest we'd go home where we could actually buy fireworks and use them in our own yards.  We don't have much family around now, so we need to find some friends that are alone for the Fourth.  I guess it would be good to first find out if I have to work. That would be a serious disappointment.  I'm thinking homemade ice cream is for sure.  You can see my favorite recipe here and the firecrackers that are an easy kid snack here.  My girls loved these and we made them for years.  They're SO easy.

Work

{Bailey's via Marley&Lockyer}

I've got a lot of work to do today and can't stay long.  If only work always looked so beautiful and dreamy as this lovely photo.  I hope you have a wonderful day!  

From my "bread of life box"

All things are possible with God.  

Mark 10:27

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to the two most important men in my life.  

I love you!

Doesn't Dad look pretty good after Open Heart Surgery?  Moving very slow, but doing well.  

Floral Friday oops Saturday Again

Life has been in such an upheaval lately that I've forgotten what day it is or what time zone I'm in.  Actually, it hasn't been that bad.  But, I have certainly been out of my routine.  So, here is a beautiful flower arrangement for you to enjoy.  It only has three plants, Hosta, fern and what looks like Queen Ann's lace. Which is considered a weed in the Midwest.  The arrangement is simple and beautiful, it's probably the beautiful vase.  Thanks to Martha Stewart Living.  

Curious Sofa Field Trip

A very nice man who works at Curious Sofa, I think his name was Dana, offered to take our picture.

Isn't this castle just fabulous?
Sorry this is blurry, but I loved this display.
The ceilings are reclaimed from an old building on The Plaza, I think. Don't quote me.
DD1 loved this vintage leather rocker for just $250. I thought that was a great buy. It is in perfect condition.


As you can see from my previous post that I ended up in Kansas City this past week for very scary and difficult reasons. Thankfully, my Dad is doing very well. He was a star patient and is home, taking it slow and easy. I'm headed home tomorrow.

On Monday afternoon, while we had some extra time, my daughter and I went to visit Curious Sofa. My parents bought me a gift certificate from there for my birthday in April. The catch was that I had to come home in order to use it. Of course, we didn't think I'd come home for these reasons. I took some not-so-good pictures at Curious Sofa. I didn't have my favorite camera. I must move too much with the little point and shoot. Here are some pictures of the store. I'll post photos of what I bought after I get home.

Dad

Hello everyone. I thought I was headed to Southwest Florida to share a few days with girlfriends on the beautiful beaches and in the yummy restaurants. Just a few hours after arriving I received a phone call that my usually healthy Father was going to need a quintuple by-pass the next morning (Friday) in Kansas City. So, here I am. Several hours and transfers later at my parents home. Dad had surgery this morning and did very well. Because he was reasonably healthy and a non-smoker they had lots of good tissue to use for the grafts. He is coming out of anesthesia and should be coming home on Monday or Tuesday. God has been so faithful through this entire ordeal. My parents' lives of living for the Lord and giving to others came back to them in a very real way. Mom was surrounded all day with people meeting her every need and being here for support. It just proves that what you give to others comes back in return many times over. I couldn't get here until the surgery was over and it was a comfort to know she was not alone. Thank you, Lord for your faithfulness! Please keep my Dad in your prayers for a quick recovery. After this is all over with my Mom may not be able to keep up with him! I hope so!

So Pretty!

With my discovery earlier today of Anna French's wallpapers, I ended up a Thibault.  Look at this fabulous paper!!!  I just know this would look great in my entry way.  I haven't painted my entry because I want it to be fabulous and I can't make a decision.  Both of these papers are in my color palette.  This first one might be best because it's still bright.  My entry is sort of dark. That is until I put in a new front door with a window in it.  That's on the someday list.  Of course the cheap version of myself would try to stencil my entry to look like this.  Think of the work.  Yuck.  Of course, I'd paper it myself also.  Still lots of work.  But, the fabulousness would be worth it, don't you think?

I think painting shiny dots could be kinda easy.  Although, we have the stupid West Coast "orange peel" textured walls.  Which I hate, btw!  I miss my good ole flat Midwest walls with real corners.  Oh well.  I'm still thinking these shiny dots need to go somewhere.  

Don't you just love these?

Distractions

{country home}

{country home}

{unknown}

I'm wanting to wallpaper my laundry room.  It all started with these pictures.  Which sent me on a search where I found these pictures.  Check out these gorgeous wallpapers and fabrics from Anna French.

I'm especially in love with the polka dot paper and velvet damask fabric.  Wow!  Somehow I don't think these would look good in my laundry room.  Maybe my entry, though. . . .

What have you been distracted by lately?

I've been Awarded!

Thank you so much to Daisy Pink Cupcake for sending me this Lovely Blog Award.  I'm anxious to visit the other blogs she included.  Stop by for a visit and expand your blogosphere.  Who can't use more pretty blogs to read anyway?

Floral Fridays

{martha stewart}

Have a wonderful weekend!

Favorite Paint Colors

I thought I'd attend the Paint Party at 320 Sycamore today.  I tried to put the button in, but couldn't seem to swing it.  Sorry it took me so long to show up.  I had to gather information. I should definitely be more organized. 

This is my guest room.  The color is Chopstick from Sherwin Williams.  
My daughter's room is Artesian Spring (8269) another Martha color for Sherwin Williams. You can see more of her room here.  We did some really fun things to it. 
The Master Bathroom is Silver Mist 1619 from SW.  This is the only name that I'm not 100% sure about.  I love this color.  It's a beautiful pale aqua blue.  
I've used four colors off one card (19) from Sherwin Williams for my main floor.  The living room below is Navajo White.  I wanted to keep this room light and bright.  You can see I have no window treatments yet and the crown molding/beams have yet to be installed.  That's a really long story for another post.  
The office is Blue Heather by Benjamin Moore, card 074.  The ceiling is Navajo White again. I'm working on the pictures to put on this wall.  One is being reframed.  My framed hardware will go here also.
The downstairs bathroom is actually a warmer blue.  It is Noble Blue from SW (C42).  I had planned to use a big damask stencil in here.  Then I changed my mind.  Now, I may go back to it. We'll see.  It definitely needs something.  
The red wall in the family room is a Martha Stewart color Barn (8380) for Sherwin Williams. I'm not sure they carry her colors anymore.  But, they probably have the formula on record. It's a beautiful, rich red.  It almost looks orangish around the lamps, but it's not.  Plan on a primer and several coats.  
The back wall from kitchen to family room is the color I began with, Mannered Gold by SW (19).  It's a beautiful rich gold.  You can see that I changed colors in this corner for the kitchen. I liked having a progression of different colors around the main floor rooms.  However, I am sick of gold.   
More Mannered Gold.  Ceiling is Navajo White.  
This is Blonde in the kitchen.  Not my favorite, but works well with the Granite.  I also used Restrained Gold in the hallway, but it's a subtle difference and I don't have a great picture because the lighting is terrible.  
So, this is my participation in the paint party.  Believe it or not, I still have several rooms/hallways to paint.  That's for another day.  I hope you enjoyed the tour.  Thanks for stopping by.