The House Is On Fire

Your house is on fire….and you have 5 minutes to gather a few items. What do you bring with you? This was a test essay question at some point in high school. Could have been the NY regents…always a favorite, thanks a lot State of NY.

After careful consideration, I would gather the following:

Blankie – My baby blanket of course but this actually is a funny story. I remember at the time of the test I still had this blanket in my possession. Then my baby brother was born and for some reason, out of all the other blankets he had…mine was the one that he loved the most. I left it with him thinking I would get it back one day and of course that never happened. So fast forward a few years, my heart still yearned for my magic soothing blankie and as I went to visit my brother, my blanket to my shocking dismay was a knotted shred of fabric! What once was pink and soft was now a white cluster of strings and knots! However, my step mom did a great thing that healed my soul. Before it got worse, she cut a square from it preserving it of some color and softness. She gave me this and I keep it in a safe place now but for some reason I’ve attached myself to this blanket beyond what is normal for an adult. So if the house was to burn down…this would be safe in my pocket. Assuming I was able to get some pants on!

Harley – Need I say more?! Obviously he would be going with me! Leave no man behind!

Rolling pin – This wooden rolling pin was my great grandmothers I believe and I don’t have many sentimental trinkets from my family yet but this is one that I’ve learned everything with. I found my love for cooking and baking and I’m pretty sure it has to do with the magic of family attached to it.

Grandma’s wedding purse – My sweet Grammy gave us her wedding purse to play dress up with and after going through me, my sister, cousin, and probably all our friends we had over its lost its lace! However, I fully plan to have it fixed up and use it in my wedding in 2014, therefore need to make sure this is with me!

Picture books/Photos – Not just any photos but the ones that were taken before digital cameras and computers were used. The ones you don’t have the negatives for anymore or saved on snapfish. (Bet the youngins don’t know what negatives are used for!) I have a few from the high school days that would be sad to leave behind. The wedding album of my parents, some baby pictures, some of my life in England. Memories forever gone. Way too tragic!

To me, these things can never ever be replaced. I would be heart broken with out them and a giant void would always be in my heart unable to be filled. After writing this post, I actually need to do two things:
1. Put more fire alarms up
2. Place all these items together in an easy access/pick-up spot just in case!

If given the option, what would you bring with you? Something sentimental or something practical? I would love to hear what you find is important – let me know in the comments below!

Until next time, Readers!!!! Xoxoxoxoxo

Things I’ve Acquired In Germany

I’ve been looking around my sweet little house lately and looking at what to renovate next, paint, etc. I’m keeping busy, folks! Then of course my ADD kicks in and I’m off doing whatever else comes to mind. Anything but renovating!!! 🙂

So, I was thinking I should share with you my favorite things I’ve purchased/received here in  Germany. There’s quite a few but let’s start with these:

Typical German Beer Mugs:

They all have a story, that’s my favorite part about them! Some have graphic pictures and others subtle stories.

 

 

2. Electric Mixer

I’ve always wanted one with a bowl that turns. I know this seems ridiculous but this was SO exciting for me. Since I’ve moved here I was “mixing” by hand which was a serious pain. One year later, I get this as a gift from the in-laws and I couldn’t be more excited!!!

3. Wardrobe

This is actually pretty cool. I love this wardrobe! It holds our jackets (and my purses) in the left side and the shoes in the drawers. (see below.) Keeps everything neat and tidy! Just how I like it.

4. Wine Rack

We bought this wine rack ages ago at Ikea and I thought for sure we would never fill it up. Boy was I wrong. If there is anything I’ve learned – the Germans love their wine however paying over 3 euro for a bottle is considered expensive. This allows them to buy in bulk. When we go to the winery, we come with with cases upon cases of wine. It’s insane. Speaking of…it’s time to take a new trip! We have spaces that are empty!

 

More to come later!!!!

Whats your favorite thing in your house?!

Until next time, Readers!!!! xoxoxoxo

A Writer’s Heaven

Finally….a place for me to sit and do what I LOVE to do most! 🙂 AN OFFICE!!!

I know I’ve been talking about this for months and how excited I am to show you guys. It’s still not 100% yet but I’m working with the small space. Got the furniture bits in there and now it’s time for all the decorations/plants/etc. So…Here it goes!

After much discussion I decided to go with dark gray walls and white furniture. Seems to be “in” for the moment so I went with it! Funniest bit was I worked forever on painting this room. First coat didn’t really dry as dark as I wanted but I was ok with it. Went back to the store to get more paint, started painting and found they were two totally different colors. The girl who mixed the paint the first time around completely gave me the wrong shade of gray. THANK YOU, MORON! So, I decided to leave the largest wall as the lighter gray and the rest as the dark gray….and this is what we have!

Walking into the office you see (right side wall is lighter gray)

Then we have the cubed bookshelf. It’s my stock of English books! 🙂 And a few of Toblerone’s. I told myself I would go back and read all of these again. Doesn’t hurt! I definitely need to add to it though, no empty spaces!!!

This picture is amazing. Everything old is what I want in this room and this is a scene of NYC in 1932. Not sure you can see it so good because of the glare (SORRY!) but the harbor is missing quite a few buildings and this is long before World Trade Center was built. Back before all the terror and Prohibition was just ending. Just a great piece if you ask me!:

And of course this is my favorite part so far. Right now there are pictures of my grandparents and family – all B&W pics of course. It was these pictures that gave me the idea for the room so I went with it. I felt I needed a special place for them to be displayed. Soon this will be overflowing with them and from Toblerone’s grandparents too. Just have to make the copies but it will be all different sized frames all overlapping one another…chaotic…because that’s what family is. A whole lot of love and chaos and in this case – a mix of cultures and memories:

So, that’s what I have so far. I’ll be adding more vegetation to the room to add some color to it but for now it’s my little hole in the house. It’s my sanctuary to write and have peace of mind. It may not be anyone else’s Heaven but for me…it does the trick as far as inspiration goes.

Let me know what you think and what ideas you have for other decorations to liven it up a bit!

Until next time, Readers!!!! xoxoxoxoxo