like a lamb?

Today we finally greet March!

Hard to figure out how this month arrived...today feels quiet.

But, in looking outside at glacier banks of snow, whiplashed 

trees from too long a winter, and animals that venture out only

moments away from their barn...think we have already had too much "lion".

I am longing, as we all are, for dog days of anything, but winter.

So, as always, I entertain this month with sweet vintage finds - 

this month with a St. Patty's Day theme.

Green, brown & gold fill the house as we await spring.

Friday was a day off for me as I had filled my 40 hour work week at

Thursday's end.  Dave & I headed east to 4 antique shops in the 

Stevens Point area.  Such fun....until the snow arrived.  Fairly 

treacherous drive home.  Today our back room is filled with the

goodies from our travels, waiting to be unpacked...pieces of 

spring - flower frogs, wire plant stands, Audubon bird prints & more.

No matter if it arrives with a baa, bark or growl....spring will be cause for celebration!

Rosie

Cold day.....stir crazy.....get a kitty!

My August Rose looks for any ball to play with!

This one is more her size!

Every day Rosie makes me smile.....

thank goodness for this little sweetie on cold winter days!

coming home

I am a home body....nothing replenishes me more than time at our farm.

When I travel off to my office, or on an antique adventure, or to run errands.....upon return, when I put my blinker on to turn into our long driveway - my heart is always most happy.  I used to commute a 6 hour round trip to my office in Madison once a week, staying for three full days of power work.  And each week I had this homecoming, this moment when, with anticipation, I would turn down our county road and see our farm lights waiting for me.  Last night I got home before the snow storm, but Dave was not so lucky.  His typical 35 minute commute from Eau Claire became a several hour journey.  I imagine he heaved a welcome sigh when he saw our farm.

I guess home is my special place, my haven when the world gets crazy....my cathedral, my slice of heaven.  For the rest of my life, I suspect that my blinker will always be on, and home is always where I will want to be the most.

How about you....is your home where your heart is?

when I was little

Every season was truly fun...

Snow forts dug in the snow piles at the driveway end.

Swinging for what seemed like hours.

Traveling by bike thru Monona, knowing each street.

Bare feet for the first time each spring.

Swimming like little fish at Devil's Lake.

Being with my two sisters.

Every day was delightful.

Today is my big sister's birthday.

Happy Birthday my Randi...

Sending so much love.

I have this bowl of vintage children's books

on our table.  A sweet reminder of sweet days...

with my sisters.

Kari

xxoo

checkerboard

Valentine's Day would not be complete at our home

without checkerboard.

Adore this French coffee pot!

Checkerboard, Borden's milk & little heart princess.

Checkerboard tablecloth & kitchen floor.

Vintage checkerboard quilt in the dining room.

Happy Valentine's Day!  

May your day be checkered with love!

sweet littles for heart day

red & white, blue & black.....

charming little vignettes say,

Happy Valentine's Day!

Do you decorate for this sweet little day?

never quite the same

I made a pact with myself to let this blog be a 

Cancer-free zone this year.  After 2013, I wanted 

to just move on to normal. I don't need sympathy,

don't want folks uncomfortable, just want normal.

Wanted to close that year, be done with it.

But the fact is, as much as my life will never again be kitty-free

or antique-free or farm-life-free, it also will not be cancer-free...

because that is just my new normal.

  

There are things I hide each day--- 

I am rocking the Martha Stewart button shirt with long 

scarves look that hides my missing body parts.

I try to not work less or give less, hiding the tired that 

awaits at 8 p.m. each night.  Attempting to itch my back

with arm muscles that are still healing even makes me

chuckle... 

It was just recently that I realized that I should embrace this new normal.

I pulled out the pin my big sis sent me...a pink ribbon encrusted in sparkle.

Way more bling than I am used to, but that was the old Kari. This new gal

can rock that look too!

Today is World Cancer Day.

Today with a world wide voice we ask for a cure.

tears of gratitude

At the end of a long day, kindness is a gift.

Such was today --- worked hard, came home to play with the animals...

6:30 p.m. -- time to finally rest, bone tired.

Walked out to the road -- 

hadn't unloaded the mailbox since Saturday....and it was full.

And there in the midst of an electric bill that is far too high,
the new insurance rates on our cars,
and other stuff that will just have to wait on my desk....
was a white package.

Inside were three felted hearts and a note from my Jani....

the bright red heart has lace, buttons & pearls from

her wedding dress.  Tears of gratitude!  Special indeed!

Let us never take for granted how much a kind word or gracious gift can mean.

Today such kindness brought me tears, tears of gratitude.  

Nestled in a white package was kindness.  

And for that I am ever so grateful.

kitty kitchen

Please allow me one more kitty picture.

As I just reminded my Dave to not go "all kitty" on FB...

should heed my own advice.  But I love this picture!

In a little corner between the original skirted farmhouse sink

and the original summer kitchen cupboard is cat central.

I just adore the checkerboard, floral fabric & woven rug.

Add my Rosie......and this epitomizes our 1857 farmhouse.

I like to call it Fresh Vintage or Farmhouse Style!

Now cross my heart, next post will be kitty free...I think!

I have succumbed...

O.K. - it is official......I am indeed a "Crazy Cat Lady"!

When I reach for a book on a snowy winter day, 

hands down a kitty is always the best choice.

L O N G winter

S T O P seems to be the appropriate 

thing we would all like to say to this winter!

Have seen a similar picture on Pinterest...

This one was a real stop on my way home!

on a winter morning

lace at the windows, kittens to snuggle with...

on a cold winter morning, I feel content.

Queen of Hearts

All around, every where....hearts galore.

Valentine's Day is coming!

I do adore touches of red, here & there.

With a pop of white and anchored in brown...

Valentine's Day becomes a transition to March.

Then my beloved green will take center stage, 

calling out to spring to hurry on up!

Here's my Heart Sale

Offering a 25% off sale in my booth at

the Hixton Schoolhouse Antique Mall

through Valentine's Day!

All the details about Hixton to the right!

Oh Nan!

 

I love it that so many of my friends are artistic & creative!

Nan is no exception! 
This week I received this hand lettered postcard from her!
Yes -- you read that right -- H A N D  Lettered!

This is part of Nan's quest to create and mail out a postcard or two each month.
I feel ever so lucky to be a recipient this month!
I love it!  I wish I could see all of the wonderful cards she ends up mailing.

Oh Nan!  You are too cool!