the simplicity of one

Reposting this because I'm still doing this and it works!

Before I get started writing about the simplicity of one, can I just say how much I love the above arrangement?  Seriously, since we moved here that area, situation, whatever you want to call it has made me crazy.  For the record, that spot isn't crazy, I am 😁.  Anyway, there is just something about the unfussiness of it that soothes me everytime I walk in the house.

Ok, soooo, the simplicity of one is nothing new.  Like why do we keep 2 potato peelers, or 25 pairs of black shoes or 52 tubes of red lipstick?  I understand the less stuff lying around makes life a lot easier and peaceful.

But since Larry passed away I'm now on a fixed income.  Can't believe I even typed that but it's true.  Ugh, not the fixed income, I just miss him so much😞.  Being on a fixed income means I now have limits on my money.  I quit my job to take care of L and really don't want to go back and re-build my clientele and all that goes with that.  So I've decided to learn to live within the limits of this income and the limits of my home and garden. 

When I wrote out my budget I thought of several different ways I could go about it and settled on the idea of one.  What if I just filled my gas tank once a month?  Could I live within that limit? Turns out I can.  Can I do one load of wash per week?  Why yes I can.  Can I go to the market once a week, that's easy.  What else can I cut down to one?  The list is endless and it has simplified so much for me.  I used to run errands and toss clothes in the wash and ran to the grocery whenever I needed anything.  Now a lot more thought goes into my daily routine and it works for me.  I realize this won't work for everyone but maybe it could be the simplicity of 2 or 3 or what works for you.  The idea is to live purposefully and think before just mindlessly going about your day.  The best part is, with a little thought, I'm making it on my one paycheck a month.

Also, before I go, I want to thank you all again for your love and support.  Would you like more posts about money?  It's one of my favorite subjects but talking about it is generally frowned upon by society.  So let me know what you'd like to see more of here on the blog.  I make a v small amount of money writing it and will even tell you exactly how I make money here if that interests you.  Take care and have a great Sunday.  x

142

winterizing

 

It's hard to believe that in Southern California you have to winterize but we do!  I've been filling sandbags for the last 3 days for an impending atmospheric river.  Because this house is 135 years old there is no insulation and most of the windows are the original ones.  I love the old wavy glass but it isn't v climate friendly.  So I get out lots of thick blankets, put the insulated drapes up and make do.  If you look closely in the top photo you can see where I keep my 2lb weights.  I'll lift those while watching tv to help keep me warm and strong. 

I adore how the glow from the lamp lights these walls.

It has been ages since I've done a wardrobe post.  I used to do so many I made myself and many of you sick to death of them.  But lately, probably bc I'm now 66 I need to see what looks good on me and photos work best for that.

All these clothes are so old and I still love them.

And one last note, aren't you thrilled to be on a website without ads?!  We are all deluged with them now.  It's karma for all the ads I used to do!  I'm taking a break from instagram bc every other post is an ad or 3.  So enjoy!  xo

71

the new man in my life

 

This is as close as I'll get to having another man in my life.  I'm so not kidding. He's perfect in every way.  He just sits there and looks gorgeous all day.  Asks nothing of me and he is always looking at me with dreamy eyes and a wry smile.

Seriously though, how would I ever date a man?  It's been 4 years and I've never even seen someone I'd be interested in let alone them in me.  The whole thing seems impossible.  So I'll just stick with this guy.  What should his name be.  He's 19th c French.  Help me out.  x

47

summer prep

 

Good morning ladies and gents.  Today I'd like to talk a little about summer and how I prepare for it in this little old cottage that until recently had zero insulation.

Last summer I had the house painted Benjamin Moore Simply White, insulation installed in the attic, a new roof put on and a couple of awnings installed.  This was a huge undertaking for me.  The home repair industry is rife with unscrupulous people but I was patient and found amazing people to help me.

I could not be happier with the results.  The interior of the house is so much cooler.  Just changing the exterior from dark to light made a huge difference.  The attic being insulated helped so much in the winter too.  

 

I'm so glad all the work is over and done with and the house is prepared for another hot summer heading our way.  I'd also like to take a moment to thank dear reader Rachel and her husband Carl who helped me get this blog up and going again.  The blog is now 100% ad-free which thrills me.  So watch this space because I do intend to write here more often.  Thank you for the love and patience you've shown me over the last 4 years.  I'm crossing my fingers that I'm back. x

78

dear reader

 

In July, the magazine Cottages and Bungalows came to visit my home.  They took a bunch of photos and they will be published sometime next year.  I wanted to share the photos I took that very day.  I have to say this is the loveliest my home has ever looked.  I've come to learn that the greatest luxury of my home is its small size.  Dear reader, I do hope you enjoy.  xo

62

still

Hello sweet friends.  I'm writing because a few of you have reached out expressing concern for me.  I'm still here.  The word still seems to be my word these days.  This month will be 3 years since Larry died.  Just typing that gives me chills...still.

For forty years it was we.  Getting used to that stillness takes some getting used to.  Anderson Cooper's voice reporting the evening news is comforting. It's really not what he says it's just the voice.   Little rituals seem very important to me now.  I like being in before it gets dark.  Opening and closing the drapes at just the right time each day.  Certain lights on at certain times.  Small patterns keep me grounded.  I can't explain it but that's how I am now.  As a child I always liked being alone so I think that is in my blood and my saving grace.  I have several widow friends and they are unbearably lonely.  I don't feel lonely but I am aware that I am alone so there is that.  Maybe that'll pass one day?  

There are heartbreaking times for sure.  Watching my young grandchildren play and knowing they will never know him can be gut-wrenching.  I'm glad my older grandaughter has lots of memories of him.  

I hope this did not sound morose because I am surrounded by a loving family and many friends.  I feel very loved.  Thank you as always because without you this blog would never have been anything.  Do you know that over 10M people have read this blog?  23K just last month. 

So the world does goes on.  xo

52

how i'm trying to save money in july

 

Hi dear friends.  I thought I'd talk a little about saving money in July.  As our summer temps go up so do the utility bills.  The garden demands more water and I demand more interior coolness.  

In my last post I told you about the thick triple lined Ethan Allen drapes I purchased and they have helped so much.  I pretty much keep them closed once the sun moves around to that part of the house.  But luckily my entry and living room get early morning sun so I can keep the drapes opened here for most of the day which I love bc I like bright interiors.  They make me happy.

I was able to get these gorgeous pink hydrangeas from a friends garden.  Gosh they are beautiful.

I've been trying many different methods of saving water in the garden,watering in the morning vs the evening.  I've been hand washing my dishes and saving the rinse water and can use that in all my pots outside.  I have no idea if this will make much of a dent in the water bill but I feel good trying.  I also have cut way back on cooking anything.  I don't know what is happening to me but I dread cooking these days.  So overnight oats and various salads are what I've been eating.  Also lots of cold water with lemon and orange slices.  I notice overall I'm driving less and just doing less.  I think it's leftover covid isolation.  I'm not hating it.  I'd love to hear how you are saving this month.  Any tips in the comments would be wonderful! x

ps - and what are you guys eating?

36

summer of love

 

Let's have a summer of love, shall we?

Let's love what we have right now...not when this or that is just right.  Right now.

I'm including everything in my summer of love.  Even if things are falling apart or nothing is going the way I thought it'd go...I'm gonna love it exactly as is.  Life is always easier when I accept it exactly how it is in this v. moment.  x

28

August notes

Well now hello my loves.  Here I am so far behind with this blog and all the generous comments.  I've tried a zillion times to write and or answer emails and comments and even letters.  When I try I feel overwhelmed and exhausted.  Exhausted from my situation and from Covid.  Maybe you can relate?  There were several v touching comments that blogger won't let me respond too.  I think when your blog falls into a state of inactivity things happen to it.  I get the worst spam comments you can imagine.  Horrible x-rated ones that I have to delete and then wonderful ones that I can't comment on.  My fonts get changed and overall it's a pain and so I tend to give up and walk away.  So today I'll just talk about what I've been up to.

I am well.  I was exposed to the virus and had symptoms myself for about 10 days but my test came back negative.  I isolated for 2 weeks and am fine now.  So there is that.  Also, do you remember awhile back I told you a friend of mine had purchased a big beautiful historical home just down the road from me?  Well I'm decorating it!  It has not been easy with shutdowns and slow shipping but it's coming along and I hope one day to be able to share it here.  In the meantime you can see a few changes I've made around here.  I painted the armoire because of these chinoserie panels I found.  I still cannot believe I found them and they are mine!  I adore them.

Because of that decorating job I've wound up making changes here.  For instance she has a small office and my antique wicker desk was perfect for her.  I sold it to her and that started the ball rolling.  I came across this lovely french table that is perfect for the space.  The truth is I've been looking for a table like this since the day we moved in.  The chairs are reproductions but I love them too.

The garden is getting scorched as usual this time of year but it still is my refuge and don't know what I'd do without it.  It has kept me on a routine that I need right now.  As you know I don't have sprinklers so it's a big job just keeping it alive in the heat.

Is anyone doing Zoom?  I am and it has been a lifesaver for me.  I resisted at first but glad I gave in.  I feel like I'm rambling and not making much sense so I'll end and I will really really try to get back into the routing of writing. Thank you so so much for your continuing support and love you send me.  I don't deserve it. x

77

hello july

Hello dear friends.  It's been so long since I've written I've forgotten how blogger works.  I just wanted to pop in to let you know I'm ok.  Thank you so much for all your emails and private messages.  I'm overwhelmed by your love, concern and support.  I'm sorry if I have not responded but I haven't been online much at all.  I hope you are all ok too.  Times are so unsettling right?  Not much is happening here except my inability to write here.  I guess I just need time.  In fact I don't quite know what to do with the blog but for now I'll let it be.  As you see in the photo I've hung the old Pottery Barn Nob Hill drapes and actually purchased a few new things for the house.  Again stay safe and thank you so much for all your kindnesses.  x

55

little things

It's always the little things that make the biggest difference in our lives.  At least that's how it works for me.  Especially in these days of worry.  I remind myself daily that I'm ok, I'm ok.  Because the truth is I am. 

Beauty is good for the soul.  I read that somewhere this week and I believe it with all my heart.  I've started re-growing romaine lettuce in a sunny window.  How sweet is this?  I read you can re-grow up to 3 times but after that the leaves will become bitter.  I'll report back.

I also read that if you separate your bananas they will last longer.  They seem to, maybe by 3 or 4 days which is nice.

I've been taking stock of all my food and other essential items as I'm sure most of you have.  I have enough.

This old house has kept me on my toes.  This is my basement that has flooded so many times this year I've lost track.  A neighbor let me borrow his industrial water vac which has been a lifesaver.  This was a task that Larry took care of and I'm finding I'm capable too.  It's a pain in the royal ass though.  I also fixed a broken toilet last month.  It was quite a job but I did it.

And last week I was on top of the roof cleaning rain gutters when I spied this spot on the house.  It's the original shingles with their very first coat of paint which is a soft white.  I was so thrilled to find this that I forgot for a minute that I really probably most likely should not be on the roof.  I've always wanted to paint this house white.  Maybe one day it will be...

So what little things have you guys been up to.  Anyone out there living alone?  It is a new experience for me to be this alone.  I'm not hating it.  x

59

Bloomist Antique Roses

Roses generously gifted from Bloomist

Hello Loves.  Today I interrupt the Covid-19 crises with a sigh of Spring.  How are you all holding up?  It's all so surreal.  The world has been forced to slow down and and just BE.  That of course is the good part of all this.  The rest is heartbreaking.

If you're looking for a tiny distraction this post may be just that.  Bloomist (don't you love that name?) contacted me and sent me a big bunch of their Eco-faux Roses to style.  How lucky am I?!

As most of you know I suffer from horrible seasonal allergies.  They get worse every year.  It kills me that I have a genuine antique rose garden right here just steps from my front door and yet I cannot bring them in the house because of my allergies.  I'm ok tending to them but as soon as they begin to bloom, which will be in a week or so, I am a mess.  

So these beautiful Eco-faux branches are just what a girl like me needs this time of year.  They would be stunning on a round entry table if you have that sort of thing.  They are what I would call a show-stopper.  Just beautiful and no allergy symptoms.

So even though I wish I could bring the real ones in, these are a wonderful substitute and I highly recommend if allergies are an issue.  Even one branch in a vase is gorgeous.  I remember years ago when Oprah said NO fake flowers in the house!  Do you remember that? Lol, well guess what?  I have fake flowers and I'm 100 with that.  xo

27

Bloomist

The other day I was minding my own business wasting time on the internet when an ad caught my eye.  Ads catch my eyes all the time but rarely do I click on.  This time I did.

It is a company called Bloomist and they make ecofaux botanicals. 

You may be thinking why would I want faux botanicals in my house when I have a real antique rose garden outside my door?

The answer is allergies.  For the last several years I can cut my roses, arrange them, photograph them and then promptly put them on the porch or give them away.

The photos look so beautiful that I decided to spend $34 and try a tall branch.  So glad I did because it is lovely.  I put a couple of dead branches in with the faux one and it looks even more real.

I reached out to Bloomist and they sent me a code you can use if you want to shower yourself this Valentines Day.  I probably will do that too.

JANET15 will get you 15% off your first order
JANET25 will get you 25% off $100 or more purchase

One time use only - expires 2/29

23

my decorating budget

Let's face it, at my age I never have to buy another piece of clothing or home decor for the rest of my life and I'd be ok.  But I'm a sucker for beautiful things!

These days things seem to come to me.  I don't even go looking!  My daughter in law recently went to an estate sale and bought me this statue thinking it was a Virgin Mary.  It's quite old, the estate dealer thought from the 1940's but I think it may be older.  It isn't a Virgin Mary but a St. Theresa (which is my oldest sisters name) who is the Patron Saint of Gardeners and she is a Carmelite Nun (which is the order of Nun's that helped raise me).  So to say this is a special piece is an understatment. 

I would have to say my decor budget is like zero unless I come upon something rare and so special.  This was $10.  There are several on Etsy that run over $300.  That's just how things go when it comes to 2nd hand estate sale shopping.

What is your decor budget like?  I'm so curious to know! x

43