Tumbleweed & Dandelion

I came across lovely pictures of a home in NYC

That has been done by Lizabeth McGraw

Who owns a store called Tumbleweed & Dandelion near our home

I love how she decorated the home without using typical holiday color

Isn't it peaceful and calming?

This year, I am giving gift of a note book

To each of my girls

On Thanksgiving day

So that they will have time to think each day

And count their blessings

And write or draw their blessings

Until Christmas

Will this work?

I am REALLY hoping so....

Wish you a warm night!

(Images from country living magazine)

Missing Home

I grew up in a small and ancient town of Kamakura

Surrounded by old temples

On a hill over looking Pacific Ocean

Where a lot of poets, authors, artists and professors live

And when we go shopping

We went to a nearby town called Yokohama
Where you get surrounded by influence of Europe
Because it was one of the first town to open up to rest of the world

When they gave up the life style of samurai and swords and all that

So this is Yokohama

With lots of small cafes

And subways

And cruise ships from overseas in its port

And I miss it

I miss hopping onto subway or ride a bicycle

And look around

And enjoy the walk

Because the thought of going to a gym is very depressing

Very. very. very.

Depressing

....Because I'm not good at running just for the sake of running

When I run, there need to be a place that I am running to

But it doesn't happen

When you are running on a treadmill

And see?

My other reason for missing home

Tokyo Tower in the dark

It is so....

Beautiful....

Christmas Gifts And Cath Kidston

There is a down fall in having a big family

My lovely husband comes from a family that loves our girls dearly

And he has a big extended family with wonderful people with big hearts

And I have a huge conflict every Christmas

Because our girls get so much love

And presents during the holiday

Our house turns into a toy store after Christmas

And because they get so much

Each presents get less time and attention

And appreciation

I remember each toys I got for Christmas

Because I only got one present every year

Not because we were poor :)

But I grew up in Japan

Where Christmas was not a major holiday

But like many other countries, they cerebrated for children

By giving one toy from Santa

That special gift from him

Last year, I decided to make Christmas presents for our girls

Just because I want them to remember

And appreciate the effort and love someday

When they find out Mr. Claus is too big to fly around the world

So my lovely husband and I spent one weekend without kids

Making toys for them

Instead of going to a crowded shopping mall

So that there will be a part of us and our love

Among the gigantic mountain of presents

Well

I forgot to mention a designer from UK when I wrote last post

Who can make your day cheerful

Her name is Cath Kidston

Lots of items that are perfect when it is gloomy outside

Or when you encounter a lot of gloomy people :)

And lucky Chloe has a bag from Cath Kidston

To cheer her up to go band practice at school

Because she is kind of lazy....

And needs a lot of cheering....

My lovely husband taught me a new phrase recently

"Squeaky wheel gets the grease"

What a lovely new phrase

To describe my children :)

Really...

It is almost as good as

"Mommy is always right" :)

Cabbages and Roses

My current favorite is Cabbages and Roses from UK

There is something about those design houses from UK

That magical touch

Of classic beauty

That is not stuffy at all

I am hoping Cabbages and Roses opens its store in the US

Because I cannot fly to London

Due to a bad experience when I took three girls to Japan

Which I will not go into

...Well

I will just mention a baby on my lap

And spaghetti on both of her hands

And the spaghetti that was thrown

Into the air

If you get a chance

Take a look at cabbages and roses site

And you'll see that magic, too :)

http://www.cabbagesandroses.com/

Wishing you a great Halloween week...

With many warm hugs...

(All images from cabbagesandroses.com)

Sharing Secret

Do you remember when you were a child

That excitement of sharing a big secret with your friend?

Well,

My lovely middle child told me the secret she shared with her friends

So that I won't need coffee to wake up this morning

It was Drug Free Week at school

You know, how they teach those kids not to do drugs, etc...

After she heard all those things

She couldn't help it

To share a secret with her friends on playground

"My grandma does a lot of drugs"

"Everyday"

With that little voice

Because it is a must when sharing a secret

So I had to have a little kind talk to my lovely child this morning

..........

Well, my lovely child

That is for her arthritis

And vitamins

And they are all legal!!!!
But hey,

Maybe I don't have to worry about her being bullied at school

Because you know

She has a grandmother who does a lot of drugs

Everyday

And I can just imagine

How powerful that is for little kids :)

Painting Away

Just a peek....

This is one of the old pieces that will go into our dining room that I have been working on

This one had a sad fate

Of being tossed by my new next door neighbor 4 months ago

And you know me

I introduced myself to our new next door neighbor

I have been spending my time late at night

To remove those old everything

And sanding

And painting

This is how it used to looked like before

Uuuuugly, isn't it?

Anyway, I got to know another neighbor yesterday

And I bought 2 wooden doors from her for $20

Without telling that lovely someone

Because I know if I did

Those doors wouldn't be coming to our home

So those tall wooden doors are sitting in the corner of our living room

And it seems like those gigantic wooden doors are invisible

Because I haven't heard a word from that lovely someone

He must be thinking

And thinking hard

Why there are 2 gigantic doors sitting in our house :)

Those tall wooden doors will be beautiful trumeau mirrors

And be a part of our home

Reflecting lights, candles, and good times :)

....Can't wait to show you all

Wish you a wonderful night!

Many warm hugs :)