Pickin' in Maryland and Virginia!

We scored one piece the first day :(

 Looks like we might not have needed the U Haul!

Pay dirt on day two... only about two feet left in the trailer! Back of the Suburban filled as well!

Trailer partially unloaded...how many days away is it until the Spring Sale???????

Lots of early mornings and late nights will be spent in here for the next couple of weeks!

The challenge is half the fun!

Check back here often as we show our progress or come visit in person now that you have seen the "Before" or the "underbelly" of the sale as I like to call it!

April 26-28th

Meg

Easter Tablescapes "hopping" with ideas

Problem is...the ideas kept hopping off my intended post due to technical difficulties. So....

better late than never! Here are some of my ideas for our Easter table. You can use some of the ideas and be wonderfully prepared...

for next year!

Here are four different interpretations of a table you could set at home for your Easter celebration. All of them incorporate dishes I have collected over the years, various objects found around the house, and fresh flowers...my favorite!

SPRING TIME IN PARIS

Using my favorite color blue!

China teacups make great vases!

My sister gave me these adorable salt and pepper servers. Aren't they cute?

PASTELS

I love pastels in the Spring! 

Pink, blue, pale green and yellow with a touch of purple...love it!

Found these vintage boxes and they are a favorite.

Everything looks special under a glass cloche.

KID'S TABLE

This table was assembled with some of the goodies the kids have been given over the years.

Remember these sets from the 60's?

Found these cute colorful boxes in the Dollar Section at Target. They made great packaging containers for our M and M Pretzel treats!

These sugar Easter eggs I picked up after Easter one year, a couple of years back at a huge discount and they are still beautiful. (I would not eat them...that might be a bad thing.)

BUNNIES IN THE GARDEN

I have amassed quit a collection of Easter decorations over my 26 years of marriage and raising our family. This exercise actually helped me to purge and keep only the special ones, the ones who stir the memories of past Easters.

Now that Easter has passed, it looks like Spring is finally showing a little bit of herself to us. As it unfurls in all its glory, may we take some time to stop and admire its beauty. Go ahead...use the good china and the silver that you got from your wedding and have only used a handful of times. Set a beautiful table when there is no one over for company.

Celebrate! Warmer days are a coming!

Meg

If Walls Could Talk

This is a shot of the oldest part of the house. There are 4 windows hiding behind the large holly tree in the center. Later in the post, you will see the changes that we have made, all with the intent to uncover what was before.

Old houses are constantly being reinvented, features and rooms altered and changed, walls moved

or knocked down. It is a constant evolution as each new family inhabits it and makes it their own often changing it to fit in with the times. I love uncovering the story of an old house! We have been uncovering bits and pieces of Willowbrook Farm since we moved in 7 years ago. Our oldest son's Senior project was in fact entitled, "The History of Willowbrook Farm."It was a year long project where we spent numerous hours at the Chester County Historical Society, tracing back deeds, wills, tax bills (including the glass tax which history buffs would know was where the inhabitants were taxed on the number of glass panes they had in their windows) etc to find that the original part of the house was built in 1710! We traced all of the owners from present day back until then. Have you ever studied documents from the 1800's on microfilm? It is a good thing I was on the other side of 45 since my eye sight has gone down hill since then. 

I was very sad to get rid of the big old holly but look how it opened up the front of the house. Now you could see the damaged plaster from the dampness and lack of sun that the holly created. It made a statement back in the 1700's and 1800's to whitewash or plaster the stone for it was a common material. Only the wealthy could afford to cover it up. What beauty was hidden behind we wondered? We either had to re -stucco to keep out the moisture or re- point.

We re- pointed and...Whoa! You can now see the actual delineation between the original part of the house (4 windows) and the 1789 addition which bears the 1789 date stone. In the 1920's there was a major remodeling carried out where we found blueprints at the Philadelphia Athenaeum. At that time, they tried to make the whole house blend much more seamlessly together. (After they bricked up a door and put a french window in. Much of the house was made to look like it had been pulled from the French countryside instead of sitting in the Chester County farmland like it did.)

Now we have to decide if we have the bricks jack hammered out and stone put back in to hide the fact that the surface we have uncovered is not "perfect"...but I kind of like "not perfect" for it is character and shows how the house has evolved. Isn't that the story that wants to be told?  There is so much more to discovering the history of a house than uncovering the inhabitants names. 

We know that this date stone was carved by Adam Rickbaugh, the owner in 1789 who added on that addition and whose name was on the Glass tax of 1789. We also know that when he died his daughter Margaret (strange...for that is my real name) inherited his feather mattress. Lucky her!( Seriously, it was a major boon to have a feather mattress in the 1800's.)  His two oldest sons inherited  his house, barn, outbuildings and 300 acres...hmmm. Where did Margaret end up? We know that Adam Rickbaugh Jr. moved into this house and lived here until his death in the 1840's. What kind of life did he have? his children? What about the lives of the others after the Rickbaugh family? 

Where one part of the house ends...another begins. Where past inhabitants stories end, there are others to take their place.

What is under this white stucco at the end of the house??? Stay tuned.

If the walls could only talk!

Meg

"With age comes character, charm and grace. " 

Christine Adams Beckett

Just Breathe

There's a light at each end of this tunnel

You shout 'cause you're just as far in 

as you'll ever be out.

But you can't jump the track, 

we're like cars on a cable

And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table

No one can find the rewind button boys (girls)

so cradle your head in your hands 

And

Breathe...just Breathe.

Love the lyrics to this song by Anna Nalick, especially the two little words...just breathe. I did a lot of breathing on my recent sojourn with my college age daughter this past week and what I have written as a result of taking a step back to breathe is raw, deep and revealing. There is meaning for this, which I will reveal gradually so I apologize in advance for my wordiness. 

Kelsey, upon realizing that  she needed to "just breathe", had decided that she did not want to follow in her mom's footsteps and sleep in a luggage rack on an Amtrack train bound for Fort Lauderdale for her Spring Break. She called me and asked if she and I could go away for a bit during her break. I was both ecstatic over those words and a bit freaked out for I was chin deep into my busy spring season, both personally and professionally. I went with the ecstatic feeling because Kelsey and I have never gotten away just mother and daughter. We actually in fact, have had very little "just us" time over the almost twenty years of her life. With one brother ahead of her and three behind, almost everything has been done with the masses, so to speak. That did not include many shopping excursions, manis, pedis, or just "girl stuff". 

Now the freak out part kicks in. How could I possibly escape "the masses" in the middle of everything that life life has going on for me? (As one friend likes to put it, "You have a very full life.")

That was just it! "

Everything life has going on for me! (Hold that thought...)

Yes, life is full, life is busy, life can be difficult. As I mom, it often feels like how would everybody's life go on with out me?( I mean really, they don't even know where to find the mayo when they open the fridge door.) All kidding aside, we really do feel like we are the glue that holds things together. Add to that any trials or tribulations that life throws at us and we are often overwhelmed. Actually, how many of us feel like we are in a constant state of overwhelm-ment? (I know that is not a real word but it fits what I am trying to say, so go with it.)

To be perfectly honest with you, I have been overwhelmed lately and wound as tight as a top. I had followed my passion and started Life's Patina. Loving every minute of it, I had come to the realization that with following my #1 passion, my family...  my #2 passion, Life's Patina, took second fiddle to the trials and tribulations that my family was experiencing. Shane's illness, going on three years now, has culminated in taking me to the point of tears almost daily. As I see each opportunity slip past him in these formative teenage years and I mourn all that he is unable to do as a 17 almost 18 year old man, the frustration has become overwhelming. As a mother, when we see our kids hurt, we hurt.

My oldest son is a very talented, wears his emotions on his sleeve, interest laden, tough as nails yet huge hearted, struggles daily with his learning differences and ADHD, 21 year old man trying to find his path in this world. He is hurting, I am hurting...we all feel the pain and frustration. Families are inextricably bound together. Some like that fact, some don't...but we are.  I tell my kids all the time, "There are enough people in this world who will want to knock you down, you need to build each other up." So we try to build each other up. 

This is not meant to be a pity party...far from it. I am writing this because it is real life. Everything in our blogs is supposed to be visual to catch interest...pretty stuff. It is meant to uplift the senses and I believe in that. Beauty elevates us, makes us feel good, sometimes we want to wallow in it but all too often there are parts of our lives that are not beautiful. There are struggles that we wrestle with, each and every one of us. The ones with the air for creativity that makes everything they touch look beautiful, the ones who cook unbelievable meals of sustenance for their families on a daily basis, the ones who take staggering photos of this world, the ones with beautiful houses, beautiful families.  You know where I am going with this.  The world is not perfect, we are not perfect. If I can air some of my struggles and give word to them, it not only helps me but I am hoping others as well. Our struggles may be different but they are all the same in many respects. They humanize us.

So...I am human and along with my struggles there are blessings as well...in the form of a loving husband and in-laws who would hold down the fort in my absence. Off to Mexico I went with my daughter for a 3 night blissful rejuvenation. (Yes, it is a long way to go for 3 nights but you can get some great deals in Mexico and anything warm stateside was already booked with tan seeking young spring breakers).

Here, there was nothing else to do but relax and ...just breathe! All would not fall apart at home with my absence. There were loving members of the family there to pitch in and partake in the two plus hours that it takes to wake Shane and try to get him into school daily. They would help Christopher look at his life differently and maybe shed some light on a path? The younger ones would be motivated by new blood and a changing of the guard to get their work done? Wishful thinking...but I was removed from all so let me believe what I want to believe!  I could just breath and have meaningful conversations with my daughter and write. I have to divulge something else to you and that is that I am not a good sitter, beach or no beach. While breathing and sitting, I had to do something else. It is who I am. It is who I long to be for years to come. I am thankful to be able to DO! I am thankful to be here, rain and all. (Of course being that I am a Murphy, it was overcast the first day and rained the second) 

Life gives you moments...seize them, reinvent them, make them a cause for celebration. I have a few suggestions below on how to reinvent moments that might not go exactly as you planned:

1. When it rains while in Mexico you can eat...

and eat...

and eat some more (we were at an all inclusive for goodness sake! Blessing)

2. You can sit on the beach under an umbrella in the rain and read.

I thought it so fitting that as I looked down at my beach chair, where I had just set my magazine down  I noticed the beautiful cover and said, "I am going to take a picture of that." 

Notice any phrases as you look at this picture?  The title, Living and

then the caption Short and Sweet popped out at me as I was focusing in on the cover.

Loved the How to Get Big Impact as Well!  Talk about a sign!!!

It is short and it is sweet. We all know that, yet we often loose sight of it. I have a friend who is battling Stage 4 Lung Cancer right now, another friend who just buried her mother and numerous other friends and acquaintances who are looking that sentiment in the face. It might not be us, right at this moment but it will be at times in our short and sweet lives. How are we going to make a big impact?

What this trip really did for me was to "remove me from the moment", it let me look at things from afar, where once removed, I could find my blessings a little more easily. I am not saying that you have to go to Mexico...go to lunch, get away for one night with whoever will enable you to do that, leave your kids with a neighbor, stop making excuses why you cannot be "off duty" and remove yourself from those struggles. They will not seem so big. Yes, they will still be there when you get back but you might be better able to look at them for what they are.

3. When all else fails and it rains in Mexico you can get in a wet suite and go geiger counting. 

(Sorry, had to show this for we continuously saw this man in a wet suite doing what he obviously loved!)

I will circle back to what I said in the beginning of my meanderings that helped me decide to go on this trip, everything that life has going on for me. My great friend and business partner in Life's Patina just had a tattoo of the word Breathe emblazoned on her wrist (actually it is under her watch band but that sounded better).  Here she can look at it when she needs a reminder to breathe...not the actual physical act but the slowing down of ones thoughts and actions, the slowing down of our busy lives. We need to take the time to step back and look at our lives in ALL their glory. Life has SO much going on for us!

One word of caution, take a look at YOUR life, not everybody else's life that we are constantly bombarded with via modern technology. Find the blessings...they might be hidden at times...but they are there. 

I am pledging to step back and put a different slant on my life. I cannot change what is...I can just move forward, try to smile more and to stop internalizing everything that happens beyond my control. You can pledge to do the same. We are all trying our hardest at this game of life. We will succeed at some things and not at others.

After all, the sun will come back out again...

 as it did in Mexico!

Just Breathe...

Meg

Giving a Shout Out

I was introduced to Saint Mary's Shelter in Phoenixville, PA five years ago when I was asked to help with the decor for their 20th Anniversary Benefit. I had the honor of meeting Sr. Chris then, the spunky, dynamic, unbelievably dedicated woman who is the backbone of the shelter. When asked to participate this year, in the same capacity, I didn't even give it a second thought! 

Saint Mary's Franciscan Shelter for Homeless Families opened in 1987 by two Sisters of Saint Francis who desired to help the homeless in the community.  The shelters mission is to create a community environment which fosters the dignity of each person, where we perpetually seek innovative ways to help families move toward independence.  They are the only shelter in Chester County which allows fathers to stay with their families in a structured environment, free from drugs and alcohol. This allows the family to confront and work through the issues which brought them to homelessness. The shelter is unique in that it helps accomplish this by providing meals, temporary housing, and related program services at no charge,  which include job seeking skills and financial management services.  An on site case manager works with each family to find permanent housing and employment, which is the goal.

                                                             

   If you do not have any plans this Saturday night and live in the area, come join a passionate group of people who have spearheaded and created a Special 25th Anniversary Celebration!

 Cocktails, light fare and live music begin at 7:00 pm. Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jason Avant will serve as the Master of Ceremonies and guests will have the opportunity to directly support the shelter by participating in a live auction filled with unique items.

When? This Saturday, March 9, 2013

Where?  The Phoenixville Foundry, 2 North Main Street

Phoenixville, Pennsylvania 

 Since 1987, Saint Mary's Shelter has provided temporary housing for over 550 families, more than 60,000 nights of shelter, and has served over 180,000 meals to families in need. With your attendance we can help the shelter continue its mission! If you cannot attend, give some thought to making a donation to one heck of an organization that makes a difference in the lives of others.

To purchase tickets or receive more information on Saint Mary's Shelter, contact Executive Director, Sr. Christine Kranichfeld, ( Sister Chris) at 610-933-3097 or stmarys25@lcltribe.com.

www.stmarysfs.org

Thanks for taking the time to read about Saint Mary's Shelter!

Meg

The Year of the Snake...ugh!

The picture that I posted on Facebook yesterday coincided with the last day of the celebration of the Chinese New Year. We have often had our own little celebration during the Chinese New Year to expose the kids to other cultures and to break up the winter dull drums that often happen in February. The black and red on the doors went along harmoniously with the color scheme that was going on inside our Family room since red is the color of the New Year.

2013 is the Year of the Snake. "How do you know that?" you ask. Our youngest son who turns 12 this year and has been participating in these little celebrations for all of his years now is a snake. Not literally, but in the Chinese Zodiac and this is HIS year! He has seen each one of us have "our year" since the last time it was the year of the snake was the year he was born. It is really fun to figure out what animal you are due to your birth year and then comment on wether or not you truly exhibit the personality of those animals that have been ascertained eons ago in the zodiac. So it is finally his year and we are celebrating! (even though I cannot stand snakes...probably goes back to the day when I was 14 and we were cleaning out a huge pile of straw that had been left in the vacant barn for 3 years prior to us moving in. Have you ever dug into a pile of straw with a pitchfork before to uncover nests upon nests of black snakes???
Could have been a horror movie. So I am scarred for life and my youngest child is a snake.)

Sorry to digress. I have collected over the years, decorations from a variety of sources for an abundance of holidays. (I think that I have already revealed that I am a self confirmed holiday freak!)

The party stores, after the holiday's have passed, are a great place to collect these goodies. Online ordering sites like Oriental Trading has a wealth of supplies and novelties at inexpensive prices that you can use from year to year. It truly takes no more than a half an hour to assemble your goodies, hang the kids past art work (if they have any) and call for take out! I usually have red plates on hand from Valentine's Day or gold from Christmas as well as cups so they go on the table to complete the look. Ask for Chop Sticks if your local chinese restaurant does not give any with their orders as well as the paper place mats that they usually have. Often times these place mats depict the Chinese Zodiac and the banter that these bring forth is entertaining in its own right. Most Asian restaurants give you Fortune Cookies with your order, so those are really fun to open up and read after dinner!

Hit your local Dollar Store or Five Below to grab some Asian goodies such as the rice paper candies...

and the Japanese sodas. 

Not traditional, but a fun touch never the less and one that I would normally not indulge in so the kids look forward to it.

In that box of goodies labeled "Chinese New Years" that I keep with all of my other holiday boxes, I find the least inexpensive decor of all for the festivities....the kid's past art work and projects that coincide with the holiday. I try and hang them up where they will be seen and they always elicit the most amusing comments!

Happy Snow Moon to you all! It is the last of the 12 full moons tonight and they call it the snow moon. Not sure who "they" are ...but it is another little factoid that might be a cause for celebration??

Another little factoid: Ancient Chinese wisdom says that a snake in your house is a good omen because it meant that your family would not starve. Okay, if I find a snake in the house it is bad because I will scream really loud.

Night! Night!

Meg

Valentine's Day Treat

I got a little text last week that read like this, "Mommy, you are going to send me a Valentine's Day package right?" You can probably guess who that was from. 

My 21 year old oldest son?

NO...

My 17 year old next in line son?

NO...

My 14 year old son from his bedroom?

NO...

11 year old son from the next room?

My 19 year old daughter...love the way she called me mommy...have not heard that in awhile!

You know how girls get once in college?? They usually eat Dominos pizza late at night or swear off Dominos pizza late at night. My daughter is the latter of the 2...well sometimes. Lets just say that she loves her healthy food. So with that in mind, I racked my brain for what homemade goodie I could send her that fit the bill of a healthy food. 

Hmmmm...she loves oatmeal. How about homemade oatmeal in a Ball canning jar? I had heard somewhere that you could just add boiling water to the mixture, shake and there you have it. I have plenty of canning jars so I looked up the idea online and found tons of recipes. I went with a very simple one from the website www.amybites.com (loved the site!) and added my own mix ins. 

Instant Oatmeal in a Canning Jar

For each 8 oz. canning jar fill with:

1/2 cup old fashioned oats that have been pulsed into little pieces in a food processor

Flavor Add Ins:

CRANBERRY ORANGE

2 T dried sweetened cranberries

1 T slivered almonds

2 tsp. sugar

1/4 tsp. grated orange zest pinch of salt

APPLE PIE

1/4 cup freeze dried apples

1 T chopped toasted pecans or walnuts

2 T brown sugar packed

3/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. allspice

pinch of salt

CHOCOLATE LOVERS

1 T unsweetened cocoa powder

1 T almonds

1/2 T chocolate chips

3 tsp. sugar

pinch of salt

DATE COCONUT

1 T chopped dates

1 T chopped walnuts

2 tsp. coconut butter

2 tsp. brown sugar

pinch of salt

I used the above recipes but did not have all the ingredients so I fudged and made up my own as well. I used freeze dried blueberries and raspberries and added brown sugar and pecans. I also added chia seeds to that one. You can basically make up any combination of flavors that you like!

You can pretty up the package and make sure to put the preparation directions on the jar. The preparations are the following:

Microwave Prep

Add 3/4 c up to 1 cup water. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Stir let cool a little and adjust sugar if needed.

Traditional Prep

Add 3/4 c to 1 cup boiling water. Stir and let sit until desired consistency is reached. Adjust sugar to taste.

I topped the lid with a white heart doily and wrapped a piece of bakers twine around the jar. I also used the removable labels so that the jars could easily be used again. (It took me way too much time to scrub off some of the labels from past recipes)

I did throw in some chocolate covered pretzels for the chocolate binging that definitely is a part of a girl's college existence!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Meg