It's been rainy here this weekend, perfect for snuggling up in front of the fire and knitting. I thought I'd show you my knitting bag, which I bought in Ireland last year. The cheerful colors and dancing stars always brighten my day, an important quality in a knitting bag. I'm concentrating on small inspirations at the moment and studying my environment to make sure I love the objects in my home and that I have lots of things that I call "smilers" (things that make me smile.) If I'm not careful, I find that occasionally I house something that is pretty mediocre and is taking up space. Boo to mediocrity! Fortunately, I find that most things I have really are smilers or they have a good story attached to them.
See? My thrifted Pyrex bowl: Definite smiler.
Coffee, the paper and a ginger scone last weekend...all make me feel inspired. I also love my plates - yes, something that isn't pink makes me smile!
An Alexander Girard pillow that I have, ready to be put on our couch when Junior stops using Sharpies to draw pirate patches on his eye. A real smiler that is held hostage in my closet for the moment.
Life's too short to have ugly stuff, and while not everyone likes my taste (yes blogreaders, it's true), I feel lucky to know what I love and to do so unapologetically. It's also important not to become immune to the objects in your home; if something has ceased giving you pleasure when you see it, tuck it away and try again in a month...it's like free shopping! Sometimes my need for fun things causes conflict with Husband, though, like when our super boring maroon can opener broke and I created this. Oh man, the whining - you'd think I had purchased my our dream coffee table:
via Flickr
Here's what I think about Husband: Secretly he's psyched to have a wife who wants to reupholster our couch in lavender and silver velvet, he just can't admit it. It's a street cred thing: The more he begs for dark wood paneling and matching furniture sets flanked by Queen Ann end tables, the more fantastic our surroundings become, wink wink.
And finally, speaking of smilers, I'm passionately in love with Juniorette's coat. I wonder if I could squeeze into the girl's size 16 - who cares if the sleeves are halfway up my arms and I can't button it, right? I also love how she wore her polka dotted skirt so it would "match" her coat. The kid clearly knows right from wrong and the value of a smiler, and I'm awfully proud of her for it.
You're right: my house is full of things that I keep just because I'm used to keeping them. I'll have to really look at them. And Juniorette's coat (and indeed herself) is a showpiece.
Posted by: pretty far west | November 16, 2009 at 01:00 AM
Love the colorful knitting bag! Adorable post.
Posted by: Cococozy | November 16, 2009 at 02:56 AM
OOOOOH gosh, I have a lot of not beautiful happy making stuff in my home. okay. i can remove one thing today.
Thank you for all of the inspiration!!!!!!!
Posted by: margaret | November 16, 2009 at 06:46 AM
These all made me smile, too.
Posted by: Mrs. Blandings | November 16, 2009 at 07:59 AM
I love all your smilers- thanks for making me smile, too!
Posted by: Melynda | November 16, 2009 at 07:03 PM
Smilers... May I borrow that wonderful word? It's amazing where "smilers" pop up when you really need them! :)
Just a quick side note... i have not read your blog in a few months even though it is at the top of my favorites. So I just came across your posts about the "Lyme". I thought I would share something with you. A few years ago I was diagnosed with MS at 33. Its been a tough up and down go, but it has changed my life creatively in the most wonderful way. Take the Lyme disease diagnosis and run with it! My motto is I have multiple sclerosis but it does not have me! Having dealt with this period in your life will no doubtedly make you stronger. If your anything like me, it will make you embrace everything around you with a bit more gusto...your fabulous kids, your art, your cupcakes, the color pink... I could go on and on! :) Take care of yourself and live every day to the fullest! (Oh my, I sound like a motivational speaker... sorry. I'm just a chick who has been there!)
Posted by: Heather | November 17, 2009 at 07:22 AM
Ummm can I please have that pink ottoman??? AMAZING! And I agree, your thrifted pyrex = major smiler...
Posted by: Erin @ SYL: Slipcover Your Life | November 18, 2009 at 07:36 AM
I love when kids match things by their own criteria and it really works. So hard to do that as an adult and it really is a smiler!
Posted by: Jane | November 19, 2009 at 06:41 AM
Thanks so much all of you. Heather, that is a wonderful attitude - you're very inspiring!
Posted by: casapinka | November 20, 2009 at 04:12 AM