Why the silly tweets? Giggling is good medicine. We could use more of it to heal. Does a pervading sense of low grade anxiety qualify as mental imbalance any longer as a sane response to reality? Am I the only one scanning for mature models of ‘sturdy and steady?’ (The books from healers and poets arriving in Amazon boxes these days is legendary.) Noticing invitations for joy and deeper connection seems different somehow just now since there are so many invitations to grieve. We’ll peek at late summer around here and perhaps giggle for a few moments in spite of everything else the day may bring.
Late Summer at Home & Giggle Tweets
French Courtyard & Gardens
(Below) Here’s how it began before we began trimming back the hedges to see the space available with which to work. We decided to cover a broken up cement former basketball court with pea gravel to create zen.
One of the theme songs for the renovation of our property here has been to avoid demo when possible. We needed new walls in the entry, but existing columns remain inside them. (Imagine if you could avoid the permanence of painting over original stained woodwork to suit your needs/tastes without stripping away what a future owner might cherish.) Here’s the sweet space now (a sort of outdoor stage for deer, squirrels, neighborhood cats, bunnies, and the occasional artist to find pause):
While the space remains spare, it never stays the same since the surrounding trees and shrubs shed and change. We are in the wild and subject to the whims of foliage and woodland creatures. No chance of it not changing with the seasons or feeling anything less than lush with walls of flowering dogwoods! Buzzing with butterflies and bees, it is sanctuary.
This is one end of the walled garden, and the other half holds an old bench and chairs from a former courtyard.
A fresh coat of paint on a vintage iron dining set and stenciled seats (see more ideas for stenciling in THIS) made it mine. Here’s a view of the hedged garden at the edge of our forest from my bathroom window:
There’s a lot of square footage in that courtyard (the tiny house we bought where our son lives would fit inside it!). So special and one of the features that set this property apart when we toured it.
Garden Highlights
Oh my late summer hydrangea!
They are a dusty rose color now. Here’s a view from our bedroom sitting area. The willow is nothing short of spectacular in every season.
In past years, my husband and I shared responsibilities for the outdoors. He mows and trims, and I tackle weeding beds. My illness has made it tough to keep up, but the surrounding plants are still thriving! What a blessing.
Here’s the creek running along walking paths adjacent to our forest preserve:
Just the best peaceful soundtrack ever!
Beautiful Fresh Late Summer Finds
Amish-Made Broom (Millstream Home) from Aware House
I have always wanted a handmade broom, and the opportunity to test drive this one made by Amish makers in Pennsylvania did not disappoint.
Created with natural corn bristles and offered by Millstream Home at Aware House, this is a new to me source for goods with thoughtful-minded production. The carefully curated items are manufactured with integrity and ethical business practices.
You certainly won’t mind leaving this beautifully crafted broom outside the closet!
Why Invest in a Well-Crafted Workhorse?
But what is the experience of using this broom? Top notch. Old world corn bristles mean business! Plus, I live for unplugged wondrous spiritual practices such as sweeping in silence. LOVE THIS FIND FROM AWARE HOUSE SO MUCH!
Muslin Robe from Aware House
Also from AWARE HOUSE? This amazing white muslin bath robe from Loom.ist:
Do you know this brand? Loom.ist is dedicated to creating change and beauty, ethically. Their robes and textiles are created by hand in Turkey.
All Loom.ist pieces are: crafted from natural fibers, hand-loomed in different regions of Turkey and transformed into fresh, timeless looks to reflect a casual lifestyle.
I loved this Turkish robe the minute I unboxed it, and the quality is divine. (Thank you, Aware House for curating the BEST!). Just seeing it on my robe hook shifts me into a more relaxed mood since I’m forever a fan of casual, understated, cozy opulence!
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
French-y Stripe Washable Rug from My Magic Carpet
This image looks slightly Ai, but this is just how things look in our entry – electric outside and a bit moody and dramatic inside. The rug is my first washable rug – a 5×7 grey stripe (feels modern French to me) sent over by My Magic Carpet.
Do you live with washable rugs? Have they been a gamechanger for you? I think you’ll like the friendly price tag from My Magic Carpet, and I already have my eye on a couple other patterns.
These rugs are non-allergenic and made of stain-resistant 100% microfiber polyester. The underside has a waterproof inner liner and nonslip webbed back.
If you have pets or messy family members, what a lovely find. Simply throw them in any standard sized washer and dryer.
One-Off Funny Tweets
Did someone say sheets?
I’m always on the hunt for quality made sheets and a cloud-like duvet…does the thought of autumn coming shift you into nesting mode too?
I have a small collection of 18th century French letters and documents, and you can start collecting too right here:
Never met a taco salad I didn’t like…you?
So true!
Well that’s slightly depressing!
Ridiculous Tweets & Quotes to Pin
Can’t stop thinking about how this gorgeous blue and white vessel sink shared in this story could inspire a whole bath design scheme!
Especially true for content creators and bloggers now that Ai replaced us!
Goodness, ‘caller ID’ sounds like a lifetime ago!
Late Summer Finds & Humor to PIN
And how is it possible 2020 was 5 years back? I’m thinking it held so much trauma, it could take more wellness work to heal the damage!
Hahahahahaha.
I liked these budget friendly blonde blinds I used in this dressing room enough to add them to other rooms. Now I’m thinking about more for our bedroom and bath…what do you think?
Time to Giggle & Savor Last Bits of Summer
I will never not giggle when I see that tweet…so true!
Please normalize everyone closing their eyes when I am driving in reverse too!
These Honeydew sheets are sooooooo good and my husband’s favorite (he sleeps hot).
Oh those family chat threads! Something always goes sideways!
I’m still trying to acclimate to all of the new acceptable modes of communication. There was a time I wasn’t crazy about talking on the phone…now what I wouldn’t give to have that opportunity back!
Can’t say enough about how this brand delivers!
And Cozy Earth! If you need a classic, high quality bath mat or linens or cozy things, you will love them.
I have reached an age where I also talk to inanimate objects and tell Alexa to zip it. I’m not proud of this. We all seem one weak moment away from an embarrassing viral TikTok moment whether we have the app or not. I feel as though my high tech husband has cameras everywhere so I went from pediatric paparazzi when my kids were young to George Orwell’s 1984.
Burritos are unsung heroes. Here’s a recipe to try:
I just love the sweetness in the tweet above.
Oh yes!
Good gracious, I hope you found a giggle or two and pin as many of these as possible!
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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