It's All in the Details

I love details. I swoon over all of the little things that make something special. I just love it when someone takes the extra step to do just a little bit more.  It is the little bits that make me the happiest. 

I think my love for details comes from my mom. The way she wraps our Christmas gifts, the way she set a table with special place holder for everyone, even the way she tells her stories.  Her details are what make it stick. Her details make us want to hear the same story over and over.

This past weekend we went to my cousin's wedding. It was glorious.  In fact, it was a whole weekend of specialness.  The touches that someone might zoom past were not lost on me.  From the beautiful candles with everyone's name on it to tell their seat, the hand-designed tote bags with the special town places, to the Americana rehearsal dinner with traditional New England Faire - each touch showed how much they care for all of us and their relationship. That is the thing about the details, the littlest things really do mean so much.

Speaking of details, I have made some changes to my TV room furniture.  Please Pottery Barn - do not be jealous! I read other blogs all the time.  Crazy pastime. But I love hearing other people's stories.  One of my favorites, The Nester, features great home design ideas.  Her perfect mantra "It does not have to be perfect to be beautiful" is sitting perfect with me right now.  I think I would give her a hug if I met her.  She has freed me up.  After seeing her great Pottery-Barnesque slipcovers I made my own.  I downloaded a great e-book on another great blog and started to move.

Well ok, I of course, could not make these on my own. My mom made mostly them. I ordered the fabric, prewashed it, helped cut, helped pin, and ordered pizza. It was a blast.  And the results are pretty darn amazing if I do say so myself.  We did the couch and the ottoman - and we ordered some more fabric to do my over sized chair. 

Author's note: when viewing the photo do not get derailed by the unsightly air conditioner. When you live through renovations, you do not get everything at once. (Heat, yes. Central Air, almost yes. Until then AC)

Now onto my next project.  I have two bookcases that I am going to paint and distress to put in the playroom.  I'll keep you posted....

Don't Blink

This week, our gal hit a milestone when she started riding her bike without training wheels.  Michael and the kids took off to the slice o' life corner to take a bike ride in the church parking lot. It was an exciting day for her. 

Michael had removed her training wheels in the morning - knowing that she was ready.  I do not know if she knew she was ready.  There were not many conversations about being ready. In fact, I do not think there were conversations at all. 

It makes me think this is what happened years and years ago. You just did things.  You did not have a whole bunch of conversations about readiness.  No conversations about how you are feeling.  About making sure you are ok with the decision.  Just go.  Sometimes it just feels right not to over think your every last move and just go.

She took off.  Michael sent me an email at work.

"Well, Maddie has taken off the training wheels and if off riding her bike - next stop village after that - look out world. Taking them to beach for a little while. L, M"

Later that night we all went to see Maddie ride her bike.  Michael on his big kid bike and Michael and I in tow.  Her big brother was so supportive and even showed her some of his moves. Of course, we took a bunch of pictures.

Today, I was cleaning our family room.  I have a spot where a keep some of the mini scrapbooks I have made.  The kids love to "take a peek" over and over.  I must admit, so do I.

I stumbled on one I made when we first moved to town.  Michael was about 6 months younger than Maddie is now. I was struck by the bike shots.  How he has changed.  How he has grown from a little boy to a growing boy. How Maddie was not even on a bike.  How in front of your eyes life moves very fast. How I, of course, already know this, but sometimes need to be reminded.  Don't blink.