If I were a blackbird....

I heard my Grandma sang this Irish folksong today for a large group of people and there wasn't a dry eye in the house.

I am a young maiden, my story is sad
For once I was carefree and in love with a lad
He courted me sweetly by night and by day
But now he has left me and gone far away

Chorus:
Oh if I was a blackbird, could whistle and sing
I'd follow the vessel my true love sails in
And in the top rigging I would there build my nest
And I'd flutter my wings o'er his broad golden chest

He sailed o'er the ocean, his fortune to seek
I missed his caresses and his kiss on my cheek
He returned and I told him my love was still warm
He turned away lightly and great was his scorn

He offered to take me to Donnybrook Fair
To buy me fine ribbons, tie them up in my hair
He offered to marry and to stay by my side
But then in the morning he sailed with the tide

My parents they chide me, and will not agree
Saying that me and my true love married should never be
Ah but let them deprive me, or let them do what they will
While there's breath in my body, he's the one that I love still

Male perspective...

I am a young sailor, my story is sad
For once I was carefree and a bold sailor lad
I courted a lassie by night and by day
But now she has left me and gone far away

Chorus:
Oh if I was a blackbird, could whistle and sing
I'd follow the vessel my true love sails in
And in the top rigging I would there build my nest
And I'd flutter my wings o'er her lily-white breast

Or if I was a scholar and could handle a pen
One secret love letter to my true love I'd send
And I'd tell of my sorrow, my grief and my pain
Since she's gone and left me in yon flowery glen

I sailed o'er the ocean, my fortune to seek
Though I missed her caress and her kiss on my cheek
I returned and I told her my love was still warm
But she turned away lightly and great was her scorn

I offered to take her to Donnybrook Fair
And to buy her fine ribbons to tie up her hair
I offered to marry and to stay by her side
But she said in the morning she sailed with the tide

My parents they chide me, and will not agree
Saying that me and my false love married should never be
Ah but let them deprive me, or let them do what they will
While there's breath in my body, she's the one that I love still

Party Planning!

I am so excited & blessed the majority of my friends/family have set aside some time to come visit... It just so happens that it's all pretty much in July (who could ask for a better month!). Here's the plan (so far):

July 1 -4... Ben & SJ Petro along with Ken & JoAnne Kite, Chris & I. Beaches & fireworks. Can't wait.

July 9-10... Niki & kids, Jay are up for the Krasl Art Fair. Nationally ranked, pretty excited. I'm sure we'll get to the beach as long as Niki can handle it. She will be 8 months pregnant!

July 16-17... Family Weekend! Venetian Festival. Revolving door kind of weekend...Parents, Siblings, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Significant Others, babies, dogs. People are pitching tents in the back yard because I've run out of sleeping places. Gotta love my family.

July 23-24... Jason & Beth Thomas come to visit! Chris & I will have to show them a good time, but after the 3 previous weeks we might just be beach bums!

Now to hope & pray for good weather.

It's That Time of Year (FINALLY!)

Hooray for Summer. Thank God for it, in fact. After a long, sleepy winter my town St. Joseph has come alive. Friends, family, parties, ice cream, beaches, and amazing sunsets are what fill my daydreams these days. The time I get to spend in St. Joe is a blessing. While I know it's not a permanent move, I know even now that I will look back and cherish my time here.


Here's some stuff that's been going on since my last post:

1 - Master Bedroom Progress - Almost complete. The walls were painted (Thanks, Chris!), new bed & dresser arrived. Pillows have made their way onto the bed. Mom & I picked up a $5 side table at a garage sale and spruced here up. Some great little lamps from TJ Max... the room is almost there. Add some personal touches/chochkees and we're all set.















2 - Gardening - I've been an avid waterer! My plants are thriving & some of them are in full bloom. The peonies are gorgeous. And I'm dying to see what that vine turns into! No blooms yet....





3 - Farmers Market / Antiques on the Bluff - St. Joe has a great little farmers market on Wednesday Evenings & Saturday Mornings. Local product, flowers, fishes/meats. The first Sunday of every month, hoards of antiquers walk the bluff looking for finds...furniture, dishes, art, transformers. You can find it all... All on the bluff overlooking the lake. Glorious.




4 - Book Club - I NEVER read the books. But, how I cherish my friends. So blessed to have met some wonderful ladies. Stephanie, Hillary, & Emily - so glad you girls are around.

5 - Cookout / Bonfire - Hillary had us over for a cookout & bonfire with the Church's. Wonderful food, wonderful friends. Chris got sick (I think sun poisoning!) and we called it an early night, but at least everybody gets to make fun of him for a while... and we stocked up on sun screen & aloe.

A few more months of warm weather ahead... I plan to cherish every second.

Master Gardener In Training

I spent all winter sprucing up the inside of the house. Spring/Summer has arrived in SW Michigan, and it was time to head outdoors!! The flower beds were in major disrepair and I new this was a project for my Mother. She is arguably the best gardener in the family (Auntie - if you're reading this, I apologize.). So one freezing cold, rainy weekend my mom & brother came up to help me in the yard.

Oh yea... I also have a mole in the yard. Molly the mole & I have a love/hate relationship.

Master Bedroom Progress

Hello! Here's what I'm thinking for the master bedroom! Feel free to share your opinions!

INSPIRATION: First we have the inspiration room. (Posted this before)

Here are the bed options... Either of these in the 'merlot' finish. The headboard is going to have a khaki/raffia fabric insert so you see just the wood trim.

Mansion Bed

Poster Bed

Pillows... see above photo for JoAnne fabric selections.

Options for bedside tables...

Southern Latitude Bedside

Coastal Living

Options for dressers...

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3

Option 4

Other People's Love Letters

Stumbled upon a book the other day. Here's a beautiful excerpt:

"So, you wanna know what I want? I want it all. I want to be in love so much it hurts. The frissons. The pin pricks. The mind-blowing sex. The connection. And I want to be married with kids I adore and a husband who makes me feel safe, sexy, smart, secure, silly, serious, salacious, sinful, serene, satisfied. I want someone who makes me laugh until milk comes out of my nose. I want to finish someones sentences. I want to believe in someone, in something, in a future that's not just about laundry and soccer practice and subdivisions and minivans and guilt-tripping grandparents. I want to make someone a better person. I want to be a good example. I want to love some kids into the world. I want someone who stimulates my brain as much as my body. I want to taste everything and go everywhere. I want to give and I want to get. I want too much and I want it all in one person."

Couldn't have said it better myself.

Taking Reservations

The Guest bedroom is complete! Casa de Cull is taking reservations.
I need to give thanks to the following people:

• First, the movers for getting the main furniture up those stairs
• My mom for giving me the duvet cover and pillow cases (not to mention great taste)
• Chris for shopping with me, making returns with me, and having a smile on his face most of the time
• The woman at Lowe's who let me take the floor model mirror because I didn't like any of the ones that were packaged
• Stephanie for her bringing her drill, patience and humor while installing the roman shades and fixing the side table which broke in the process.