Back to my roots...

I have always been fickle when it comes to decorating our home. I like a lot of different "looks"...and  have had several. The furniture we picked for our home in the 80's and 90's limits the decorating bug in me. Most of our furniture is cherry or mahogany...good old Ethan Allen, Lexington and Council. When I wanted a more primitive look I knew I'd be working with what I had...no painted prims even if I could find them down here.

Lately, especially after our trip north, I've been wanting to go more colonial again...more traditional...what might be called high country. I knew it would happen, I just didn't think it would happen today. 

I told my husband last night I had a bee in my decorating bonnet. When he left for the office today the mantle in our bedroom that serves as a headboard looks like this...

now...it looks like this...

I went shopping in my house. Specifically, in here...

What a mess! This lovely piece has crown glass and a dimmer for the light, and can look very warm when it is arranged and dusted. It's been something I've been needing to do for a long time. It has become a catch all.

Too much stuff and you can't see any of it. Time to thin things out!

Back to the bedroom. I've tired of the dark swags and will replace them with Williamsburg fabric I purchased before leaving Virginia. 

It was on sale for 25% off with free shipping for a limited time so I bought it while on the road. It arrived yesterday. I must be insane. I swore the last time I would not make swags again. Never say never. 

I grew up in a brick colonial..it was only a matter of time before I went back to my roots.

 I'm wondering if Mr. MW will notice the changes. 

I'm making myself tackle a cleaning/gleaning project every day. I've opened a wicked can of worms with this redo. Luckily, I'm in a get rid of it mood.

More of our trip coming soon. 

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

Day 1...Alexandria, Virginia

When we travel, we travel by car. I've mentioned before I don't fly anymore...depressurized at 32,000 feet and made nose dive to 10,000 feet wearing oxygen mask with everything inside the cabin flying around, including flight attendants and drink carts. Never liked it anyway. I digress.   

Usually, we overnight on the road. It works for us.

Annie's "owl bag" is her constant companion. It is packed with her writing books and pencils and whatever else she throws in. Here she is looking for a pencil.

To keep things new and fun, I always pack a treat bag to help keep our girl entertained. Paper goods and stickers are Annie's life, so I fill a bag with a few of those and she is good to go. She is a seasoned traveler and loves being in her backseat "nest".

We always look for a Marriott Residence Inn and the one in Old Town Alexandria is a favorite. We stayed here on a previous trip to D.C. It is within a mile walking distance of the historic district and a block from Whole Foods. Perfect!

We drove in from Fayetteville, N.C. Sunday morning and had plenty of time to explore Old Town. I was born in the old brick hospital that was built in the 1800's here in the historic district. It has since been razed.

The colonial architecture and daffodils make for great pics. While taking these one of my favorite Washington Post reporters walked right by me...Robert Costa. Always fun to see the locals!

This great shop is full of everything Alexandria... it is actually called The Old Town Shop. The southern legend of the pineapple is explained on this plaque by the door. Before our trip I bought Annie and I coral colored sweaters with pineapples on them. We had to get a pic of Annie in her sweater by the sign...sunshine on her shoulders...and in her eyes.

We enjoy just walking around on the brick and cobblestone streets looking at the old houses. This is the place I miss the most since moving to Florida. 

Swinging by the river...the Potomac...early one morning. When asked what her favorite thing was from our trip, Annie says, "the swing". Everyday ordinary is her thing.

This is Queen Street. These homes were built in the 1830's and 1840's.

I did not enhance these photos. These are the true colors.

This is my favorite street. I remember seeing these old houses when I was a young child and thinking they were absolutely wonderful. I still do.

This is the Spite Skinny House. It was built in 1830 to block a noisy alley. It is seven feet wide. Would love to see inside this diminutive home.

If you are ever in the Washington D.C. area, it's worth a trip across the river to see this lovely old town.

Next up...I'll take you to church.

Enjoy the day...and your trip to Old Town.

Robyn

Old Town

Last week, I spent the Sunday of my birthday week soaking in spring in the beautiful town where I was born...Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. It was a beautiful day...the streets were full of people...the sun was shining...the daffodils were in bloom...and I was with my two favorite people.

We are home from our trip to Washington D.C.. A week packed full of museums and breathtaking art, a cathedral that is, too often, left off the list of things to see in D.C. but where America goes to eulogize it's patriots, and said hello to George and Martha at their plantation on the Potomac..a.k.a. Mount Vernon.

It was a week full of walking and cherry blossoms, four hotels and lots of shops, and nine full days of family togetherness. We had a ball!

I'll be back soon to share the highlights after I regain my strength! Have a great week...and welcome April!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

World Down Syndrome Day

Today 3/21 is World Down Syndrome Day. Why today? Because people with Down Syndrome have an extra chromosome on the twenty first gene...3/21.

This photo of our Annie was taken early one morning on one of our trips. After enjoying a yummy room service breakfast, our girl likes to keep the flowers that always accompany our order. She collects them and "decorates" the room with them. The simple joys...the magic in everyday ordinary...that is what makes life special. And this kiddo helps, too.

Enjoy the day,

Robyn 

Stitching...

It is an absolutely gorgeous day here today! Mr. MW and Annie are at a Phillies game (their spring training camp is here in Clearwater). I  am stitching on His Eye is on the Sparrow by Beth Twist. I put it down last summer and just yesterday picked it back up. 

Got to get back to work!

Hope you are having a great weekend! 

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

SPRING!

Hello, friends. Spring is popping up all over down here. Our trees have shed their leaves and that lovely spring green is providing a lush canopy overhead for our spring visitors.

And we've had lots of visitors. The past four days have found our yard, and the yards of our neighbors, covered with robins. I love robins! It was pouring rain the other day, and dozens of these sweet birds were pulling up worms with vigor. It was amazing to watch!

Yesterday, I spied three of them in the birdbath...spa day for the girls.

They scattered when they heard me at the window, but I did get a snap of the one remaining brave birdie. I shared it with Annie while she soaked in the tub and we both grinned ear to ear. 

These pics are of years past, but I think I have solved my new camera dilemma. I found the cord I need to transfer photos from camera to Mac. That card reader thingie was ridiculous! This new camera has caused me a lot of angst. At upwards of seven hundred dollars, I would like to be able to use it for blogging! Fingers crossed. 

I know lots of folks count fall as their favorite season, but for me...it's spring. It puts me in a good mood. I love the colors. I love robins, and bunnies and green.

I love the flowers!

Annie is excited about spring, too. Yes, that's her foot in the orange. This is not the funniest sleeping position I've caught her in...but, it's up there in the top ten. Believe me, she is happy about spring...when she's awake.

Angela Hillstrom robin

I hope to get back to regular blogging when I get my camera up and running. In going through pics for this post, I realized how this blog has documented Annie's life for many years. All the lovely friends, the encouraging comments from so many of you, the sharing of interests...it has made me smile more often than you will ever know.

It's not something I want to stop doing. Again, fingers crossed. 

Hope spring will be arriving at your homes soon.

Enjoy the day,

Robyn

Update

Amazon Prime just delivered my new cord...it works!!!

 Taken yesterday, 2/28 through the sunroom window.

George and Martha's Place...and a few favorite things

Hello, friends. Still struggling with camera and loading pics. Did get a card reader but it's a bit more complicated to work with so I've avoided it. Also having trouble getting into PicMonkey... It's all fun and games till you mess with a senior citizen's tech knowledge...or lack there of!

Today I'm posting about a trip to Washington, D.C. we took a few years ago. We're headed back there soon. One of our favorites sites...Mount Vernon...is on our to do list. If you have never been, put it on your bucket list...and yes, it's open, it runs purely on donations. 

The above pic shows Annie beginning to melt down. It was toward the end of the day and she was spent. Since Annie had her hamstring injury, and we purchased her "buggy", she has enjoyed our trips more and gotten much more out of them. It was a struggle for all of us before she had her wheels. I'm hoping she will enjoy our upcoming visit to D.C. more than the last.

George and Martha welcoming us to their home.

The beginning of the day and Annie has already had it with all the walking. But, walk she did...all over the estate.

We will be there again during early spring.

The grounds are wonderful.

The new museum is the absolute best! So many of the artifacts now at Mt. Vernon I remember seeing as a child at the Smithsonian. Glad they have come home. 

Springtime in Virginia.

She will enjoy it so much more with her wheels.

I can't wait!

********************************

Christmas came and went and I never got any pics posted. Hope you all had a wonderful holiday. Ours was quiet and cozy.

We visited one of our favorite hotels and admired their huge gingerbread house.

Annie and mom had tea in the lobby while listening to a wonderful pianist play Christmas carols.

We said goodbye to our Bar family and headed home to welcome Christmas.

Our Agnes was softly lit by the candlelight from our "Thomas Jefferson Lamps" a special edition from Waterford from years ago. She's never looked more radiant. Candlelight is always flattering to mature ladies.

We went small with the tree because mom is getting old and tired.

We decorated with favorite things. Our "Martha Washington Bowl", again the American 1776 Collection from Waterford, was filled with holly. The white slipcovers stayed on and not one single Christmas box was brought down from the attic this year. Did I mention mom is getting...well, you know.

Annie added some familiar faces to keep her company.

And of course, a few more of our favorite things.

We welcomed a few new friends. It was a wonderful Christmas...Annie said so..."The best Christmas ever"!

Hope 2019 finds you all well, healthy and happy!

Enjoy the day,

Robyn