Chandys...

One of the coolest things I saw design wise while in Australia was this chandy that was hung outside the breakfast/lunch restaurant in our hotel.

Since seeing it I have been plotting ways to construct one of my own.  No idea where it would go, just know that I would love the challenge of making one!

I've seen people make their own twig chandys...

shades of light

As well as the antler chandy...

Source

What chandy trends are you a fan of, and have you ever attempted to make your own chandy?

Home...

After 29 hours of traveling, it was lovely to walk through this door and be "home".  

Does anyone else notice that their house has a distinctive smell after being away from it?  As I walked through the door and took that big first breath it just felt like I'd inhaled everything I love about our cottage.  It smelled faintly of clorox (thanks to hubby cleaning before I got home),  lavender, cotton, puppies, and just love.  I have been inhaling deeply since last night!

After an eleven hour sleep I awoke to the faint humming of our newest addition to the family.  A Roomba.   When it comes to gift giving my hubby knows me well!

I've wanted one of these for a very long time, and I have to say after watching it take a few passes around the hardwood floors I am pretty impressed!  It's even able to get over our low pile rugs and slows down to clean the edges of the floors next to the baseboards.  It was an expensive purchase, but my time is valuable too ;)

I have so many stories of Australia to share,  both touching and funny, so I will share those over the next few days as I get readjusted to Texas time.  I also had an interesting conversation with my dad about where my business is going.  I may be using this sign sooner than I thought!

So much to share, but I am exhausted and neck deep in laundry!

Wanderlust...

wan·der·lust  

/ˈwändərˌləst/

Noun A strong desire to travel: "a man consumed by wanderlust".

My dad and I used to travel a lot when I was a kid.  My mom didn't like to fly, and my dad owned his own business, so often I would tag along on those long plane rides to faraway places.  It was the one place where dad and I got to know each other through books, music, ideas and politics- all subjects that were covered as we went around the globe.

No one can weave a story like my dad can.  He has experienced so much and learned so many things along the way.  He is a self made man, having never finished high school, but went on to own a large corporation as well as sister companies.  Smart doesn't even begin to describe him- an avid reader of medical books, physics, science, and literature.  One of the most well read people I know.  The conversations on those planes were richer than any college lecture I ever received.   I didn't realize the education my dad was giving me at the time, but now that I'm in my 40's I appreciate every bit of it.

So now it's my kids turn- they get to sit on the plane with my dad and hear the stories, learn the lessons and laugh at the jokes.  The opportunity to see Australia is a generous one, but the gift of what they will learn from sitting with my dad is priceless.

Be sure to follow me on Instagram for snapshots of our trip!

Burning the midnight oil...

I've been working/juggling like a crazy woman to get pieces done for customers before I leave on our trip.  My posts have been short and quick pictures seem to capture my life right now.


Pieces I've painted this week:

Sara back in the workshop helping me out...

And this girl, she is SO ready for Australia!

Have a great weekend, y'all!

Down Under...

So we are going to Australia.

Just like that.

I know.  Me too.  It's a bit surreal....but in August we will be in Perth for nine days.

 This trip required passports and a visa...which if anyone has applied for these lately, they ain't cheap!

My dad, my childhood traveling partner, offered to take us.  It is beyond generous and I keep stressing to my kids how lucky they are for this opportunity, and how if my dad talks to them on the plane they better unplug and listen, because they are about to learn so much!

This kid could NOT be more excited about the trip!!  She will get to meet an on-line friend of two years when we get there.  

In other news....this boy of ours.  So. Proud. Of. Him.  He bought  his first car yesterday....on his own....big down payment...at 18 years old.

I'm not sure if I shared this or not on my blog, but David dropped out of high school his senior year (last year).  He was in the early college program, and by IQ standards the kid is literally a genius, but standardized school, not for him.  He is a learner- reads physics for fun and loves anything about medicine, but seven periods a day of other people's interests, not so much.  So I gave him my blessing and he quit.  Just like that.  Two weeks later he got his GED.  One month later his little part time job offered him a general manager's position.  He makes more money than I did as a public school teacher, and in less than a year his salary will be the same as my husband's base salary- not bad for an 18 year old kid :)  To say we are proud of what he has done in less than a year of being out of school is an understatement.  He is doing what he loves and thriving.  Well done.


Also, if you follow my cousin on Sweet Tea and Linen- she made the most amazing bench. Creativity runs amuck in our family!

Oh, and if you haven't heard of Snapstagram....it is so fun!  It is a site where you can upload your instagram pics and get 12 copies for $6.99.  I keep mine in an ironstone bowl on the table and the kids as well as guests like thumbing through them.

I know this post was a bit all over the place, but so much going on here at the cottage!  Tonight I hope to sweet talk my hubby into installing that new front door lock set ;)

Have a great day!!