Key West

We just returned from a visit to Key West. It was so hot all I could think was...we are surely melting!

Despite all the HOT, Key West is a unique and beautiful place.

This quote, right on the sidewalk, perfectly describes the colors of Key West. I've added my own pics to share the lovely colors of this tropical island...our country's southern most point. The photos have not been enhanced...the colors you see are the true colors of the photos as taken. Enjoy a little taste of the Conch Republic!

This sunset was so beautiful! Took this sitting on our balcony...sipping green tea.

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Remember the antique bricks I mentioned months back? My Christmas present from Mr. MW has been a slow but steady project.  A friend came by to check it out and was nice enough to let me take his picture. At this stage we are letting the sand settle before adding the cement. More pics coming. I love it!

Hope all is well with everybody.

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

Thank you!

Washington's Headquarters at Valley Forge

This photo was taken years ago in Washington, D.C.. This statue is part of the Vietnam War Memorial. The soldier on the left, with the hat and holding the rifle, was a classmate of mine from high school. He modeled for the artist years after his safe return from duty in Vietnam. 

To my friend, who has since passed away, and all those who served and did not return home...thank you.

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

My Favorite Day

Happy Mother's Day!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

I'm going in....

Morning, friends and fellow hookers. I have had this rug on my list to hook for a long time. I mustered a bit of nerve and yesterday pulled some loops.

This is Karen Kahle's "Flowerbox"...the large one.

It's a big one!

Very big! 52x40 big!

I plan on doing a little bit every day. Wish me luck! I'll post my progress.

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If you have been here before, you know I come from a long line of "never throw anything outers".

This is Annie in one of her favorite tees. I bought this shirt on a trip to Boston...in 1993. It was more like a nightgown on her when I brought it home, but became a favorite right then and there. She grew into it...it's still a big favorite.

Gotta go pull some loops!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

Shooner...my favorite

Good morning, friends! Hope all is well with you. Yesterday, I tackled a job I have been avoiding...tidying up the bookcases in our living room. We have a lot of books even though I have been pulling and donating with vigor. 

Most of you know that I am an avid collector of Shooner Redware. I love the rich colors and many forms this talented husband and wife team create with simple clay. 

My collection is spread throughout our home...with most of it on the bookcase. I decided the pieces  needed to be gathered together, rather than be sprinkled here and there on the shelves. It also gave me the incentive I needed to dust!

I like the result...although I am still tweaking books. Brought all together in the center of the bookcase, I think it looks more like a true collection. There are still pieces scattered around, but the bulk of it is here.

Here are a few pieces on my piecrust table. 

I know that if you remember the years I featured my changing "Kitchen Window", you have seen many of these pieces before. I'm liking this new look. My sweet husband kindly suggested that this collection is complete...silly boy! Are collections ever complete? Have to admit he has a point. 

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I have not been doing a lot of hooking lately, but I am reading a wonderful book...The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman. It is the true story of a couple who ran the Warsaw Zoo before WWII.  I'm late to the party with this one...it was published in 2007. They have made a movie out of it so I immediately bought the book to read before seeing the movie. 

It is a wonderful read...full of history. I have learned a great deal, always a plus for this old educator. It is a story of hope and kindness and survival.

It is also full of sadness...full of man's inhumanity to man...full of greed and corruption...pain and suffering. 

I've been shaking my head and remembering the words of George Santayana, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Pray for peace...it's a big mess out there.

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

Bunnies and Eggs

A few bunnies and eggs are popping up at our house. Last night, after the sun went down, we were entertained by a real mother rabbit as she dined in our front yard. These German bunnies are happy inside. 

(The pillow in the background was made by Pam Gill.)

These wonderful eggs are from Treasured Primitives on Etsy. I bought a total of four sets before I made myself stop! These are red and brown and pink eggs, and they are so perfect for my Colonial living room.

They are covered in reproduction Civil War fabric and then aged. My antique white leather bunny sits amid the lovely blues.

Hope this finds you all well...enjoying a slight case of Spring Fever! 

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

...seeing spots

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I'm seeing spots today...and painting them, too. 

This is an old Pennsylvania German style of folk art painting. It might not appeal to everyone, but I really, really like it. It's so folky!

Although I have seen these spots on furniture, as well as walls, it was this book by Nancy Braithwaite that really pushed me to paint. This talented designer used spots on the walls of her Atlanta home.

Her spots are larger than mine as she was painting a wall, while I painted a smaller mantle. It was a fun project...it did not take long...and the size and spacing is random. You really can't mess it up, so it was just plain fun. 

Of course Mr. MW has yet to see it...and Annie started singing Cruella DeVille when she saw it. But me? I like it...but then, I adore polka dots!

 Still have to figure out what to put in the interior space. It's very much a work in progress, but I thought I'd share as I go. Sometimes you just need to change things up!

Anyone else seeing spots today?

Enjoy the day,

Robyn