The most beautiful letter I've ever read

This is a repost from Spring in the Air.
This is not a picture of me or my mother, but a heartfelt letter I thought was worth sharing to remind us all about the circle of life.

Letter from a Mother to a Daughter: "My dear girl, the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don’t interrupt to say: “You said the same thing a minute ago”... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep. When I don’t want to take a bath, don’t be mad and don’t embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl? When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don’t look at me that way... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life’s issues every day... the day you see I’m getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I’m going through. If I ocasionally lose track of what we’re talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can’t, don’t be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you. And when my old, tired legs don’t let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don’t feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I’ll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I’ve always had for you, I just want to say, I love you... my darling daughter."

More photos from Jenn Hunter

From shabby to chic~ My $18 makeover on our garden shed

Our Seattle summer house is busting at the seams! We are enjoying every minute of the cooler weather, great outdoors, catching up with old friends (many of whom have new babies!), and working on our little house.

I painted our front porch a bright and welcoming RED~ as in fire engine red!

And in the backyard, I did a major transformation on a minor little forgotten space.  Our garden shed has been home to spiders and dust, old pots and unused junk for the last six years.  It's the catch all space for stuff that needs a quick home.  But last week I got the sudden urge to gut it and turn it into a sweet little cottage for my three girls.

I should mention that when I was growing up, in a small Napa Valley town in California, we had a shed in our backyard. It was a perfect space for play~ making mud pies, playing office or house, pretending to be the "vet" for my sweet and forgiving black lab.  I would have LOVED if my dad would have made it into an actual playhouse or cottage.  But it was just a dirty little shed where I was free to play and imagine.  And that's what I wanted to create for our girls~ but with some beauty and fun!

Here's the before.....

my husband thought I was crazy for taking on this project.

I vowed to use only items that we had stashed in storage, closets or our garage 

(that worked until the very end, when I spent $18 on two items).

I worked for four days and nights, during the twins' naps and after everyone went to bed. 

Here's the result.....

A little girl's dream! 

Come on in!

The yellow armoire was formerly white, and stashed on its side in our extra garage. 

I offered it to Salvation Army to haul away, but they refused it. It was dirty but in 

perfect shape otherwise.  I am so glad they didn't take it!  After a coat of fresh yellow paint, it is just like new. But better because it's old and shabby too.

Our Betsy (age 4) did the artwork.  

It says,

Our Cottage

Est. 2012

and has a drawing of Betsy, Emily and Margo

The frame came from a penny sale at Aaron Brothers and was still wrapped, brand new, sitting in our hall closet.  I think I purchased it a few years back (because when there's a penny sale, we always get the BIGGEST second item we can find for a penny!).  I didn't have anything to put in it at the time, so I stashed it away.  We used a piece of poster board for her artwork that we had in her arts and crafts closet.

Here's the reading nook.

I used Betsy's old toddler bed to create a cozy little area just for the girls to chill out and read books.  

Welcome to the kitchen and dining room! 

I found the curtains in another closet and had the rods in the garage. 

The black and white fabric was found at Ikea (as remnants) a few weeks back. I paid three dollars for it, knowing it would come in handy one day.

I painted the shoe about 10 years ago.  

The armoire is stuffed with old blankets and throw pillows. 

And here's where I spent my $18.  The black and white rug was on sale for $7 and the 

blue hanging balls were on sale for $11 after I used a coupon. 

The bistro chairs are a favorite of mine.  I found them at a yard sale (?) a few years back.

I painted them the same yellow as the armoire.

I stocked the kitchen full of groceries (all empty boxes of course).

The Paris drawing (pencil) was found at a flea market 15 years ago. 

another view of the finished product.  The cottage opens up onto our patio,

so we can spend evenings together outdoors.  There are vintage string lights hanging above the cottage doors.

relax and stay awhile!

photos, books, pillows. 

We can't kill this little birdie. He's just right for our family!

Betsy serving up dinner to Emily

She patiently waits.

All three girls enjoying story time

Thanks for stopping by!  

A birthday trip to Cannon Beach

I don't like getting older, but I absolutely *love* birthdays!  I start planning and celebrating a month or so in advance and continue until my husband reminds me that the day has passed..... like, two month ago.  I'll celebrate anyone's birthday in this fashion! In fact, we're having a birthday party for our beagle who turns 10 (we think) on July 4th (we think).

So, ahem.  My birthday.  We went to Cannon Beach on the Oregon Coast and stayed at a charming little place called Schooner's Cove.  It's RIGHT on the beach, with gorgeous views of Haystack Rock.

But the best part of this trip was visiting my favorite store~ Sesame and Lilies.  I discovered this little gem two years ago and was smitten.  So this year, when my husband asked what I wanted for my birthday, I said that I would gladly pick out a treat or two at my favorite store!

Done.

I'm going to give you a little tour~ excuse the photos which may appear dark, as I was snapping madly with my iphone while the twins sat outside with Dad, and my four-year old was sweetly reminding me that it was time for ice cream!

What do you think?? Time to hop in your car and head right on over to Cannon Beach, eh??  Oh, and let me show you what I chose for my birthday treats!  

Vintage flag which I draped over our sofa for the 4th of July, 

but will be framed at some point down the road

and this super great table runner for our farmhouse table in Texas!
I can't wait to use it!!

Hope you all have a happy and *sparkly* fourth of July!

One last view from Cannon Beach....

Sweet adventures of twins turning One

We made it to ONE! Our baby girls had a small but very sweet birthday celebration at a local cupcake shop.  It was a day filled with pink.... and sweets.... and lots of laughs!