Thursday, August 15, 2013

Sweet surprises

Good morning Folks ~ I have been working in our bedroom/storage rm., going through things that were filling two huge 6 ft. high by 3 ft. wide by 18 inches deep metal shelf units. Before we took the wall down between two tiny bedrooms to make a larger room, the smallest room was used as storage. So, the bedroom as it is now, still has items in there that don’t really belong in the bedroom. Some things we took down from the attic when my DH reinsulated and laid down a new floor in the attic. Some of this will go back up there, some out to the workshop and some into storage barn elsewhere on the property.

I started one unit on Monday, got it out, (what a job that was by myself, as the thing is very unwieldy), then I worked  in storage building barn to get it ready to put this unit in there. It’s there now with some of the items it had held now on the shelves.  Still more to go. Yesterday I started going through things on the second shelf unit.  Lots of art, some of ours and some we bought at flea markets and yard sales back when we had a retail antique shop, many, many years ago. Some I will keep, some I’ll sell, and some stuff has landed in trash bags. Some had water damages from when we had a leak in that room.

Doing this has made me love my DH even more. He was so artistic, could do so many different things, and he encouraged me too, to create in my own ways.  We’ve been pack rats forever, and going through this stuff takes me back years and years ago.

We’ve lived in this tiny cottage since the summer of 1973, which is 40 years ago now. Even though DH is no longer here, I see and feel him everywhere and I miss him so much.

Below are some of the surprises I found on the shelves yesterday.

Pencil drawings from 1972. We were still living in Spain. We were so young.

08-14-me-1972     08-14-dh-1972

DH painted several small paintings on velvet, using Spanish wine bottles.  He made and distressed the picture frame.  Other ones he painted were of daisies and different flowers, I was thrilled to find this one with roses. This is most definitely a keeper. The reflection in the bottle is of our balcony doors in Spain.

08-14-oil-on-velvet2      08-14-oil-on-velvet

This is a pen and ink of our little cottage soon after we moved in. The house was white with mustard yellow shutters and trim.

08-14-our-cottage

Here’s another pen and ink drawing. The pitcher is made of oak and has copper bands and handle. We bought it I think for $7 in an antique shop in Spain. This is one of our favorite pieces from our time of living there.

08-14-oak-pitcher

This little painting is a gem to me, I was so happy when I came across this. DH dug this pond by hand. It is no longer there, as we had the pond filled in and built the ‘barn’, storage building in it’s place.  The pond was nice while it lasted, but we had a drought and it dried up and then it was not so nice.  I still have that iron railing and it is not going to be taken to the scrap yard. I’m saving all artistic iron to use around here in various ways.

08-14-our-pond

I ‘used’ to doodle a LOT as a kid and as a newlywed. We had a picture framing shop 1974-1976 and DH talked me into turning my doodles into artwork and he would frame them and we could hopefully sell them in the shop.  I did, he did, and we did.  I found these next two pieces in an old watercolor tablet of mine. This one never was colored as you can see, done in 1976. A happy frog.

08-14-frog

This one was painted and I had put some sort of glaze over it. I really like this one. I’m still into flowers.

08-14-pansies-76

In time, I’ll show you the before and after pics of the bedroom.   It’s too embarrassing to show now that’s for dang sure. Right now there is stuff piled everywhere as I go through it all, in the living room, bedroom and kitchen, the place is a wreck, but I am making forward progress.  When I get done I hope to have a loving and comfy creative and sleeping area.

Here are 4 - 3 drawer storage units that I turned into 3 - 4 drawer units to bring the height up to where I wanted it for working at. I had an old porcelain table top that I put on top and am happy with the results. I set it up in the kitchen to see how it would look and work first. Each unit has wheels so this thing can be wheeled around if I want. I already moved it into place where the first metal unit had been.

08-13-bedroom3

I’ve shed some tears the past few days going through all of this but my love for my dear husband and for God has grown. I am thankful for the 43 years of marriage DH and I had, for the up times and the down times as well, as they are what have made me into the woman that I am and have made me appreciate the love we had so much more. I pray to age gracefully with my heart full of loving memories, and surrounded with the love of my DH and with God’s love and healing strength and presence flowing through and surrounding me as I continue on in this journey. God isn’t finished with me yet.

Thank you all for your love and support. Thank you for following along since I started this blog 5 years ago next month. 

Happy living, loving, gardening, creating, cooking, etc. ~ FlowerLady

******

This mess is a place!

Author Unknown

Dust is just a country accent. 

Author Unknown

God made rainy days (or too hot and humid days) so gardeners could get the housework done. 

Author Unknown

 

24 comments:

Betty said...

I loved this post, but I have to say I cried too. The artwork is so pretty all of them. I do like the house picture and the ones you made the best. You and Your Hubby are truly beautiful artists.

Karen said...

Rainey, you are amazing! Since my bedroom is at this very moment piled high with junk and clothes I'm trying to sort out (do I really need my clothes from high school??) I'm slightly, ok, a lot overwhelmed with the chore right now, but this gives me inspiration to keep going. It feels like we're working together.

The only thing is, I won't find such beautiful artwork in my bedroom mess. Every one of the drawings are simply wonderful. Mark's talent for capturing what he saw on paper was stunning, and so is yours. Forty years sounds like a long time, but when you're with the one you love it is a mere blink of the eye. I know how much you miss him.

I will tackle my bedroom mess this afternoon and think of you the whole time. We can do this!

Love and hugs,
Karen

Balisha said...

I loved seeing the artwork as well, but that last picture of the table top with all those drawers below is my idea of a wonderful work space with storage. It looks so big....big enough to spread things out and get creative. Great idea!
Balisha

Unknown said...

With all this heat(is it worse this year?Or is just me?),I,too,have been purging closets,etc.What a great feeling!

Rebecca said...

I can't imagine all the emotions that go with this "trip" down memory lane for you..... I really need to tackle some of my storage & stuff and do some sorting before I "have to" - for whatever reason. We've only lived here 10 years, but already I've accumulated enough to keep me busy for at least 3 months, I'm sure!

I can't imagine parting with any of that art work! Better than photography in my opinion.

crafty cat corner said...

I can see that it is heart wrenching for you to go through this stuff but thanks for sharing it with us all.
I shed a tear reading this post as I know how I would feel if it were me.
The old pencil drawing of yourself and DH were just beautiful.
God Bless
Briony
x

Dawn said...

I just love the picture your DH painted with the pond! Your doodle of the hibiscus (?) with the little bee is so darn cute. You both shared extraordinary creative talents, that's for sure.

Terra said...

You are accomplishing a huge amount of decluttering and organizing and beautifying. I like the art by you and your dear hubby, this is both tough and yet joyful for you, finding these treasures.
I have a book give away on my blog today.

Sandy said...

Well, everything is so special and sweet. I'd never be able to part with any of it. I have been sketching portraits for probably twenty years,using charcoal, pastels, and colored pencils. Yours are wonderful. The flower drawings are my favorites because I love flowers. Maybe you should consider doing more artwork, like the flowers, and putting it in your Etsy shop. I think you'd have buyers. :o)
Love & blessings~

Anonymous said...

FlowerLady - what absolute treasures. Your cottage is the type of place I could come to and just get lost in . . . treasures in every nook and cranny, I'm sure.

Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

Kit said...

Way to go! I love purging and can't wait for cooler temps to continue in my attic. Love your doodles. Very nice. You have talent that is for sure! Love, Kit

Nancy J said...

The pond, the frog, the painted coloured flowers, all so lovely,( they all are but these are my favs) Never mind the mess, when it is done you will be so happy, your words seem to radiate happiness in your heart, despite the sadness still there, maybe diminishing slowly each day. Lessons for each one of us as we read your daily endeavours. Greetings from Jean.

gld said...

I admire you for tackling this job alone. I know what you mean about moving huge, unwieldy pieces. I have had large arm chairs on their sides, drug through rooms, angled through doorways and into new rooms....but don't you feel good when you get it done!

I am looking forward to seeing that new space when you finish.

lil red hen said...

It's so interesting to see how others organize and purge their possessions. I did a little of that this week with toys which gave two generations of children a lot of enjoyment. Now I have two extra shelves in the closet and a big tub of toys to be passed down to great-grandkids ~ (should I have any!)

I love reading about the way you and your husband worked together.

Ruth Hiebert said...

I can understand how these finds would trigger lots of memories.Memories are wonderful.

Susan said...

Hi Lorraine. I'm so impresses and a bit envious too, of your beautiful art work. I didn't know you are so talented. You are quite ambitious these days. Summer is a great time for indoor activities. Can't wait to see the finished project

Antique ART Garden said...

Wow, the pansy painting you did is even better than your lovely embroidery work . Drop the needles awhile and pick that paintbrush up. Love the two portraits, frame those! Hugs,Gina

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Sifting through stored items always takes time and brings many memories. It must be difficult but also rewarding to be unearthing these mixed treasures.

Sandra said...

This was such a bittersweet post. You are soooo talented, goodness.

Hope you are having a good week so far, my friend.
Love and hugs,
Sandra

Anonymous said...

Making a mess can be a good thing because sometimes we find forgotten treasures that bring back happy memories:)

Enjoy your weekend Lorraine.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Great post... I love it that you are keeping your husband ALIVE. He was a very talented man --and the love you two had for each other was rare and super!!!! I can only imagine how much you miss him.. BUT--you have so many great memories...

Thanks for your nice words on my blog today.
Hugs,
Betsy

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Oh my
you are so talented
Love seeing your past years.
A wonderful love story
and life
that continues on for you.
Lorraine
you are such a special person..

jerilanders said...

You know, I love your watercolor flower painting and your little froggy the most! Such a treasure trove of memories you had stashed in your closet. I am happy that you have found some peace and wisdom, as well as growth, throughout your sad ordeal. You are really quite a role model and inspiration for others.

Morning's Minion said...

Sorting and cleaning are rather strenuous jobs at the best of times. Going through older belongings always unleashes a flood of memories, some seemingly disconnected. I'm glad you are having some outings and the support group as you continue finding your way through the widowhood phase of life. Experiencing the emotions that go with loss and change takes a lot of energy and courage.