Monday, October 11, 2010

ANNE MARIE GROSVENOR 1951-2010

ANNE MARIE GROSVENOR
1951-2010

 How can we say this?
Where do we begin?

This will be the last entry here at 
"drawing-a-blank"

Our much loved Annie,
wife
mom
daughter
friend
and neighbor
was called home to Heaven in the early hours
of the morning
 October 9, 2010
just a few short days ago.

We started missing her immediately ... 
and will forever.
Her soul touched everyone she met ...
and that smile ... it had an affect!



We do know, though, that she is with the Lord ...
Isn't that such a comfort?
She's probably already got a styling job in her new home ... making heaven look a little better.

Annie,
you will
forever live 
in our hearts.

we will meet again!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

A glimpse---

A bit of woven wonder peeking out
A spot of leather
A tiny heart skip
A full blown swoon

Love at first sight

A leather corner

Bottom strap holders

A lined interior

All of which belonged to Miss Bertha Hillger

I caught my breath---

I clutched it to my chest
I ran to pay
I floated out the door 
knowing that this love is forever



Saturday, August 21, 2010

Summer always brings memories of water and sand.
I spent many happy days by the river or lakeside, playing and building
houses and castles and "someday" plans...
Little old sand shovels always make me smile.
Enjoy the sweetness of your weekend!

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Piles of stuff

The cleaning up continues...
Potting space has been taken up
with more "stuff"---mostly necessary---
but eye candy ALWAYS makes working
more fun!
Antique French starter pots---some sold, some used, some just to make me happy...
 An antique tote holding bases, markers, screening and all those little necessities...
O.K. the antique seed sorter screens in the back are not necessary, but they sure are faves of mine and the lead dishes in the front as well.  Some things are too appealing to part with...for a while...

Now I need a cleaning partner who doesn't mind getting VERY dirty, sweaty and wet while using some muscle to cleanup the rest...actually, in my dreams, I have a crew...
and the money to pay them...ahhhhhh
Hope your day is great!

annie

Friday, June 25, 2010

Greenhouse Dirt

The cleanup has begun.
Shelves have been cleaned.
Frogs are in place.
There's so much to do
and so little time...
At least it's been started.
Tidying up is good for the soul.
Even the frogs like it!

annie

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Frogs, frogs everywhere!!!

They are tossed and piled and in total disarray...
 along with every thing else in this greenhouse.


This week's project---CLEAN OUT!!

 HELP!!!

Sunday, June 6, 2010

Signs of Summer

Veggie signs are
always welcome.
Worn and wooden, 
this hangs in the porch , as well.
Enjoy your glorious Sunday!
annie

Friday, June 4, 2010

Old  signs, 
wooden or metal
always have appeal to me.
Because our home has always
been a hub of activity, 
I brought this home 
years ago for my sweet spouse.
A handy someone cut and
painted a Shell Oil sign
for a home grown business.
This now graces our back porch
and brings a smile.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Catnap

Today was one of those days...
After a full morning of travel
and truck loading, 
the back porch beckoned------
Who could resist a comfy cool nap
on a summer day?
Not me!

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Stone Meadow Spring Market
at Stone Meadow Farm
scheduled for May 14 - 15 
has been cancelled

For those of you in northern Illinois
please be sure to attend

Na-Da Farm
Fri. May 21   5 -7 pm
Sat. May 22  9 - 5    

2423 Woodlawn Rd.
Esmond, IL 60129
15 min. w/ DeKalb   45 min w/Geneva

info@nadafarm.org

This is sure to be a great event 
with some wonderful dealers!!  

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Number 5

The good stuff keeps piling on!
Number 5:
Aesthetic pride.  For me, it's that subtle (sometimes not)  little thought process
that deems me the "taste" queen.
My "eye", sense of style, symmetry, color...
whatever...is better than someone elses.
Oh, I'm feeling lighter already!
Although, I have a sneaking suspicion that this one will be back...
annie

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Momma's gotta brand new bag!

I have a new bag for my bicycle!
I am so very excited...
What gal doesn't love a new bag, tote, carry all?
I am thrilled with it's rugged tire tread bottom.
I am delighted by it's vibrant, happy color.
I am over the moon with its chicness and ruggedness.
I want to carry it with me everywhere.
I want to fill it with Perrier and water crackers and cheese and my Coco book.
I want to slip it's ingenious little clips on my rack and head for the hills!
I am in love, frivolously, merrily, in love!
annie

Thanks!

THANK YOU!!!
 Your outpouring of love and support amazes me!
Joy, you have embarrassed me BIG time...

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

I'm feeling a bit bold today:

I'm not really crazy about overt
in your face "christian speak."
I think it too often turns people off and away.

So, I'm hoping you will bear with me on this.
I am feeling the need to share what God
(yep, it's Him, I'm sure) has been doing with me lately.

I've had my own personally planned life's journey
briskly and abruptly interrupted.
My busy, filled life that I have been
enjoying without a second thought, that I have been 
whizzing through on a daily basis with a strong co-operative body has taken a sharp turn.
I have cancer.
I'm not going into detail here------it's boring, even to me-----

Now here's the good part, the part that I get excited about, the part that I sort of can't wait to see what comes next part.
I am changing.
I am changing every day-----in a lot of ways.
The physical stuff hasn't been so hot, but that wonderful,
internal, head/heart stuff----it's good----very good.

I've never thought of myself as a prideful person----nope, not me. No boasting, gloating, flaunting,etc. 
Nope, nope, nope.
Humble? Not really, but Prideful? Never!
Hmmmmm........
Funny how much we know about ourselves and how little.

First thing to go-----that little thing called control.
Seriously, I know I'm not in control of the universe, but my own body seemed reasonable...
Mine has served me very well for many years.  It has been healthy and hard working with hardly a glitch.  I have been able to bulldoze my way through a lot.
Nope, not this time.

I am human, fragile, and susceptible to "stuff."
This realization came as a shocker to me.  I am human. I cannot overcome everything with sheer will power.
And now, I have delightful hospital experiences to prove it--
This was the second area  that's been exposed.

Now this third area is absolutely silly, and I can't believe I'm even putting this into words.
My height had to be measured this last week, along with my weight and I am suddenly TWO inches shorter than I've always thought myself to be.  Three of us checked it----I am sure---TWO WHOLE INCHES.
I am no longer taller than average. I am completely, wholly, AVERAGE.  How can that be?! 
Pride...it sneaks up in funny little ways...

Fourth??? Really, does there need to be a fourth? Sure.
I will be losing my hair in approximately three weeks.
I will be bald.
I will be bald, average height, and probably still not lose weight.  I will look like Uncle Fester's Broadway understudy.

And then it came to me, how does one's body know what hair to lose?  If the hair on my head goes,.....(o.k. I've not been myself lately, I'm a little slow)
Oh my gosh------I could lose my eyebrows and EYELASHES!!
So, the brow thing can be funky, but my eyelashes------they are long, thick, and frame my brown eyes very nicely, thank you.
Surely I won't lose my lashes...
Pride....there it is again.

So, God has graciously been exposing some things to me.
I am so appreciative of this opportunity.  I have come to realize some junk about myself that I would've just glossed right over.  And, odd as it sounds, it's been fun as well.
I have laughed out loud and shaken my head and said, "AH."
My list keeps growing.
  It may not be earth shattering,
but it's been heart shattering for me.  
I have come to see myself in a different way.
That underbelly is more and more exposed.
I have NOTHING to be prideful about.
(although I'm sure He'll be pointing out more)
EVERYTHING is a gift from our great God.
It is His to give and His to take. 
I am so very grateful that I am on this journey with Him.
It continues to be quite an adventure.

annie





Saturday, April 17, 2010

It's time to clean the greenhouse!
The sun is beckoning, 
the fresh spring air is enticing 
and all that dirt and mess
is making me crazy!
 There's feeding and repotting,
cleaning and trashing, 
and general sprucing to do.
I will happily spend the day 
with my babies.
Life is good.


Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Nothing says 
HAPPY SPRING
like tulips and ranunculus
 Enjoy!

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Home Sweet Home

Arriving home after a little R & R is always a bit like "culture shock".
Yesterday was no exception.
After 12 simply gloriously "empty" days----it all came to a screeching halt.
The groceries, the unpacking, the laundry, the mail, the dishes, the laundry, and the laundry...
After a solid 18 hours or more of travel, all that entails, and the slight 'picking up' at home, I gave in and went to bed.
I didn't realize until this morning, just how much "little organizing" I do every day before I head out the door.
Our home was not empty while I was away. 
Oh, no---there were several males here on a regular basis and let's not forget the 4 legged critters too.
It seems as though between work and play, there is NO time for actual PICKING UP  or CLEANING after oneself. 
I find this concept fascinating--- and appalling.
I'll cut Mr. SMF some slack  because he put in some mighty long days at the office, but the rest of the crew??? 
HELLO!!! WE DON"T HAVE MAID SERVICE!

So, today it's off to the grocery again, laundry again, and some REAL cleaning again.
I mean really, what was I thinking---
that I would come home to a place that looked as good as when I left or BETTER??
Of course, being the good Pollyanna that I am, I have BIG plans for all that I'm going to accomplish today.
I'm going to float through it all like Mr. Pelican.
Thank goodness I got some sleep at the beach.


Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Beach Life

Beach Living
 This is life in full sunny glory
Grin with glee
Jump for joy
Stroll in the surf
Delight in every day
and don't forget the ice cream!

Saturday, March 20, 2010

I love the mix of formal with crusty and earthy.
My favorite clock, a gift from a dear friend
A nice old rusty wall cabinet with shelves, hooks, and  hanging bar
Antique linen towels with varying weaves and color

It's all about mixing texture, shape, and color (or lack of).

What floats your boat?
(I'm at the beach)

Monday, March 15, 2010

By the Sea

It's a beautiful 
sunny, breezy day 
on Sanibel Island
in Florida
The kind of day that's perfect
for walking the shoreline
viewing millions of shells...
watching dolphins along the way
and settling in with a good book.

Hope you're enjoying your day as well!
annie

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Coop Continued

Do you remember the "chicken coop" powder room?
Here's a little refresher...
The coop has served well through the years, but everything comes to an end...
This is more to my liking these days.
Vintage mirror and vintage light fixtures.
(still in need of some shades, I think)
The same little 13" sink---this room is SO small---
now has a selvage edge skirt.
(I didn't fluff and stage for this quick pic)
A bonze baby leg kicks in for holding a towel.
Framed antique maps of London and Paris
where a rooster once perched.
There's more to do, but clients and
the sand and surf
are calling...
I'll be finishing this project in a few  weeks.
Any thoughts on the changes so far?
annie

Thursday, March 11, 2010

The Beast

We are women (most of us reading this).
We are relational by nature.
We care for each other and share our lives together.
So, when does our sharing cross the line?
You know the line.
It's the one that has GOSSIP written on it.

Recently, there's been an event in my life that I have carefully chosen to share. I have shared this news with only a choice few people.
My life and the events of it are not open for
public view,
which would be a greatly boring read anyway. 
I discovered in a rather serpentine manner
last week that my "news" and my life had become 
public fodder.

My heart cracked open upon the discovery.
I am a very open and straightforward person.
I don't have hidden agendas, I try to speak the truth and I try to be gracious to others.

My life, my little news was no longer MINE.

I had become a snack for the beast---that big,
hairy, smelly, ugly GOSSIP BEAST.
I learned that my life, with my name attached, had been thrown about in an inappropriate manner, in an inappropriate place, by someone I hadn't even
spoken with. 
I felt as though my worth as a person was no longer valued. I was reduced to nothing more that a tasty, tender little SNACK.
We have ALL talked. It's what we do, but we must
be aware of this beast who lurks and pounces whenever he's able. He gets his claws in deep and swiflty.  Once he has his tail wrapped around you, he's pretty difficult to remove. 
It takes awareness, tenacity, patience, self-control and good caring friends to help you get him off your back and out of your life.

If you have true concern for someone, GO to her.
If you feel you can help, GO to her.
If you want to pray, PRAY for her.
If you want to celebrate, celebrate WITH her.
You don't NEED details. 
God knows what's going on.
YOU don't need to always know as well.
Let's all stop feeding that beast.

He's one species I'd enjoy seeing extinct.




Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Sunny White

I'm heading to the beach 
at long last
 
a cottage at Rosemary Beach
filed a long time ago without source---sorry
does any one know?
I think I could live with 
all white at the beach
All clean and cool looking
Just waiting for sandy feet
and perhaps a late afternoon nap
I can hear the surf already...

Monday, March 8, 2010

SPRING!!!

source????? Sorry- I've forgotten

I so enjoy the surprise of
  the "twist"
using the ordinary in
an unexpected way
It's  always spring in this kitchen!

What do you think?

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Queen for a Day

Happy birthday 
delightful daughter!! 
 
Our sweet baby girl has 
become a beautiful young woman.
You are generous of heart, kind, gentle,
sincere, faithful, fun and loving.
I was so excited to meet you the day you were born.
Every year, watching you grow has been a wonderful adventure.
My your year be blessed and filled with wonder.
xxoo
mom