Thursday, October 18, 2012

FALL RANDOMNESS


For myself, I blog almost every morning while I have my coffee.  An entire pot.  I really love my morning coffee and I can easily spread it out over 2 hours or so.  Then I might come back to it later in the day while dinner is cooking or I have some free time.  Evenings are strictly saved for family and reading time.  But The Husband does see me at my computer a lot on weekends if we have nothing to do, like this rainy one we just had.  I don't "work" on weekends, I clean up the house a bit, wear sweat pants and just chill.  I suppose this is how he envisions me day after day.  Some men just don't notice the clean clothes in their drawers, a fresh stocked refrigerator and a hot meal on the table...well, they notice the meal but they think it happens magically!

Anywhoo..I added a few things to the island and this completes my tweaking of fall decorating!

71 comments:

April said...

I love your beautiful hibiscus, Jane! I've never tried to grow one myself, but I may have to give it a try. As much as I love mums, I kill them every single time, so I've given up on them. I would love to have one of those cupcakes...they look DE-LISH! I'm sure they have zero calories and fat grams, right? Just checking! ;)

Olive said...

Hi Jane, the cupcakes look divine and I would eat way too many. Joe thinks I do too much right now. Maybe because I had surgery? I do tend to overdo and then do nothing at all. Housework is work as you well stated. Vacuuming and mopping all my floors is a huge job. I would dearly love to pay someone to clean my base boards but sadly it is going to be me. Because we have two houses too I cannot possibly keep both clean so the old house stays neglected. Joe stays there for work but weekends at the clean yellow house. Right this minute squirrels are running between the walls of the old house-that is creepy. Another reason not to stay here. I always enjoy your rambles. Please forgive me mine. xo, olive

Desire Empire said...

Jane this is such an honest post and you touch on many of the issues I have with Mr Beach House. We have to take something for ourselves otherwise all we would be is a chief cook and bottle washer. Keep doing what you do. Love that cake plate by the way. I've never seen one and I love it.
Carolyn

Teresa@1800 Farmhouse Rd said...

I worked as a nurse for 20 years before staying home at my husband's request. I do remind him of that when he pops off and says, "what have you done today, anything?" Anything????? Lol, my husband could never, and would never keep this house clean, the linen fresh, his laundry done, the grass cut.....need I go on, lol. He had a maid to do all of this before I came along! Love the colors of the mums.

Lynne said...

This brings to mind that famous Seinfeld episode...
NO CUPCAKE FOR YOU! LOL...
What we do comes in waves...Right now, with work and Mom's recovery, I'm surfin" the high ones.

You have a wedding on the horizon and two lovely homes that you keep...not to mention "peri-empty nest" and maybe "other" changes in life.

Blog world friends in similar circumstances are so helpful. You have been so encouraging to me, Jane.

You make a beautiful life for your family. I can see it and feel it from the Pacific Northwest!
~Lynne
w/L.

Julie Marie said...

Hi Janie... I so enjoy your down to earth posts and how you just lay it on the line... I know you work hard at everything you do... I'm sure your hubby knows that too... (or he will now since no cuppy cake for him!)... I am really lucky that Jack always thanks me for everything... I worked full time over 40 years and Jack worked his entire career so now that we are both retired it is our time to do as we please... he has lots of friends and hobbies, and goes to coffee and such... most of my friends are bloggers, like you!... so, I need to catch up with a cup of coffee like you do each day... Jack is very supportive of whatever makes me happy... gee... maybe I should bake him a cupcake or two?... sending you an email, would LOVE the recipe!... your mums look fabulous!... xoxo Julie Marie

Sweet Posy Dreams said...

A good post. It's true, sometimes things women do go overlooked. I sometimes think it's only the stuff I don't do that gets noticed. (No dinner? No clean t-shirts?) But that isn't exactly true. My husband does appreciate home-cooked meals -- maybe because he doesn't get them as often now that the kids are gone!

Kelly said...

Ah yes! I can relate to your story about your husbands attitude from time to time. I stay very busy at home and get a lot done. But every now and then, I too deserve a break. I often spend that time on the computer. I hate when I'm gone during the day and come home to a messy house. I feel the heavy load on my shoulders then. I really prefer to stay on top of things. Glad that your husband is thinking about taking you on a fun trip somewhere. It's things like that, that will help you reconnect with each other. We spend so much time "doing our own thing" that it's nice to finally do things together again!

It's me said...

Love your post...like the cupcakes ...and yes i sit too long after the pc.....because i like blogging and. Pinterest....and i work also ...and than i do the webshop.....so too Much time.....love happy weekend Ria...xxx

Stacey said...

I'm laughing because you sound so much like me. :)

Beth said...

The hibiscus are beautiful! Your daughter was right, you have a perfect color combo on the mums.

June said...

My gosh girl your fall mums and those hibiscus are TO-DIE-FOR!

I love getting these peeks into your beautiful home too.

well, you know I'm a stay at homer, and luckily Dale knows hard I work, but my grown kids don't : ) Sometimes they will call and say things like hey mom, I know you are just at home so could you do this and this for me.
I just smile to myself and sometimes even say 'no' : )
I am definitely on the computer more than I should be, but thankfully I think I'm finally over my pinterest obsession. LOL!
sending hugs from here...

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Ha ~ it's true! And before we moved here, Jane, I did work a 9-5 job, 5 days a week. Plus did my interior decorating business in my "free" time. It was still my "job" to do the laundry, cook, food shop, make sure the kids had what they needed {even in college there is something}, got the garbage out, went to the bank, paid the bills . . .

Since we've moved I haven't been working, but the days go faster than they ever did when I was working! It is very easy for me to take all day to work on something and then see the clock says its almost dinner time.

Debby said...

I can relate to this post for sure. Just last week my hubby said something similar. It just added to the guilt I feel when I don't get anything accomplished. I set my goals to do something t hat he will notice and that he will think I spent alot of time on..ha ha......but he doesn't know how much time I spend blogging either. I do have a part time job, don'tcha know. I watch a kindergarten in the mornings til 1. I wish we could take off on some little trips. It's always a problem about the dogs. But I am headed to Colorado in a couple of days and Hubby will be still here.
Maybe when he retires we can do more trips other than Colorado. Have a great week-end.

Robin@DecoratingTennisGirl said...

Janie,
We do lots of things that know ever knows about. Keeping a home running is a full time job in itself, then throw in the kids (and blogging) and the day is full!
xoxo
Me

Sonny G said...

umm I need to be careful what I say to hubs snarky remark-but then- when am I ever careful lol..
so, I know exactly what I would have said and it would have been along the lines of-- "it might be nice if you opened your eyes and looked around at WHAT I KEEP done in this home before you open your Mouth"

Your mums look great and I like your simple fall decor..

just remember- no one can make you feel bad unless you allow them to. so dont:)

Pamela said...

I'm totally taken by your cupcake stand. I think those of us that have older children do find free time easier than before. My mother had a neighbor that joined her for a coffee hour each morning. Blogging takes the place of that in our generation.

I hope you have a delightful get-away.

Valerie@chateaualamode.typepad.com said...

You are cracking me up! I am relating to this whole post. I get the whole "Is that all you have to do today?" How many times has my hubby said or at least looked like he was thinking it in is head? Or when he comes home and asked what I've done all day...while looking around at the messy counters, HA! I love my guy too, but I do think they forget how the food gets in the pantry and the toilet paper makes it's way to the bathrooms. I do have to limit myself with my blogging or I could literally do it all day long. Have a great weekend!

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

LOVED this post Jane!! I have a cousin who likes to through me digs every now and then about not working, lets just say i don't take it lightly LOL! Those cupcakes look real YUMMY!
Enjoy your weekend!

Barbara F. said...

That weekend getaway sounds wonderful, Jane. I think you were quite productive the day you made the cupcakes. They sound really good. xo

Tricia said...

Oh, those cupcakes look so good! I could eat more than a few of those...lol. I hear what you're saying about the house and the Mister...it's the same over here. I do every single thing in our house and for our kids. They just don't realize how involved it is. xo

Mary said...

Sweet A really knows how hard you work.......these guys just don't want us to know they know!!!!!!
Like you, I am on the computer with the coffee cup at hand early AM........but B is at his too until he starts his real job around 9 AM on the business computer.........then we go our own way doing what needs to be done. I no longer stress over the housework.......perhaps because I'm never here to do much anymore, how naughty! Next year I'll try to stay around more.

We complete the packing etc. tomorrow, and the garden is neat and tidy. Leave Sat. and must say I'm excited - I'm ready for Europe after all these crazy trips to wild and woolly places! Love them all but ready to dress up in my new Fall clothes and be a bit more elegant! Can you believe I posted me in a swimsuit - I must be mad in my old age, but just had to show how beautiful the swimming was in that wild place!

Love you much, hoping all is well - you sound good and the house, plants etc. look awesome. Hope you guys get your Autumn trip to a romantic place, you deserve it, go for it Jane!

Love from us both - will be in touch later.
Mary OXOXOXO

Gina said...

Your mums looks beautiful! Great color combination. I also think your cupcakes look delicious!

GLENDA CHILDERS said...

Loved your post about ... real life.

Primitive Stars said...

Good Evening Jane....beautiful flowers...nice colors...Your kitchen looks cosy...me loves coffee to and blogging, so many great friends, enjoy visiting...Yummy cupcakes...Hope you get to getaway...would be funtastic!!! Blessings Francine.

Unknown said...

Hello Jane, I've chanced upon on the sidebar of a favorite blog. The beautiful flower photo caught my attention. What a wonderful blog you have. Your sentiments in this post could be my own. A place for thoughts. Wonderful! Elizabeth

wendy said...

The cupcakes sound divine. Cream chees frosting is the best.
You are right, women do work hard as what THEY do...the work may not be the same, but the NEED is as important, and the hours spent to do "it well" is a lot by us moms.

Being Retired...since my hubby is retired and I gained that status by marring him 3 years ago...
Anyway,....sometime my days can be very lazy.
But, he can't accuse me of not doing anything..when HE is not doing anything (tee,hee)

Always Nesting said...

I can't help but laugh at you being frustrated with your husband. There must be a club :)

In the early morning when I'm fixing Steve's BREAKFAST and LUNCH I also make my to do list for the day and casually chat about what needs done, what can I do for him, yada yada. Not only does he take nutritious meals so that he doesn't fast food binge, but he engages in what's going on at home so that he doesn't think the house is cleaned, laundry done, errands ran, groceries stocked, etc. by the housewife fairy. :)

Deserae said...

Your blooms are gorgeous!!! Men have absolutely no idea the amount of work running a household takes. Well except my dad....after my mom died he told me he had no idea how much she did every single day and until he had to do it all himself ;o)
Have a great weekend!
~Des

Shirley said...

Hi Jane, I can relate to your post, but you know what. We all have to have the ME time to keep our sanity and health. Mine is glad to see me in the evenings and doesn't complain about my only staying a hour. I miss him, but I have enjoyed my ME time too. Thank you for stopping by it means a lot to me. Take care. Hugs and Prayers from Your Missouri Friend.

Ann-Marie ~ Brambly said...

Great post. It sounds like your days are very busy and you are a very productive person. Those cupcakes look very tasty- I think I may go make myself something sweet now.

Ann-Marie

Paula@SweetPea said...

Your cupcakes look delicious and the stand you displayed them on is so pretty.

My husband definitely notices a difference in the way our house runs in the summer when I'm home to do everything. When I'm working during the school year there is a definite difference.

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

Jane, my husband and I have had MANY conversations over this topic... honestly he just doesn't realize that his clothes and our kids wardrobe aren't done by house elves, nor are the cooking, the cleaning, the grocery shopping, the errand running, the driving kids to and from when they were younger, the yard and barn work, etc. etc. etc. etc. Ugh.. I could go on and on. So when he complains that I'm on the computer... AGAIN.. I tell him it's my down time, instead of sitting in front of the TV with football, as he does.

Love those cupcakes! My diet says.. don't ask for the recipe..lol...

Balisha said...

What an honest post...I say "Amen" to your comments about what your husband thinks you do all day.
Wait till you are both retired...then he'll see what you do. It takes a team of two...to keep a home running efficiently.
I wish that other blogs would tell it like it is...and not always show the perfect.
Balisha

Theresa said...

Beautiful flowers! Yum to the cupcakes! I sure hope you saved me one:) I am quite guilty of snapping pics for my blog! YES, people say that to me too... don't put that on your blog! I ignore them and put it there anyway! It is MY journal:)

Hope you enjoy your day, your weekend and a lovely FALL getaway! HUGS!

Sue said...

Your rant sounds very similar to the one I recently had! LOL The "mad" stays for a while- until he decides to do something nice for me- then I start talking to him again. Ha Ha... Is that a good thing?! I wish I had more time to read my blog list and even post more. Life gets in the way and priorities need to be set. Hope you get your fall tweaking done and get to enjoy a little time away in a beach house. hugs, Sue

Laurel@ChippingwithCharm said...

Those cupcakes look tastey...I bet hubby will think twice about giving you "that look" the next time. Been there :) Laurel

Tammy @ A Walk in the Countryside said...

I love hibiscus! Mine are still blooming here in Louisiana. Thanks for visiting me and becoming a follower! I am now following you as well! Blessings, Tammy

Lori said...

I would love a fall getaway week-end ~ it sounds perfect Jane. Men can be maddening some times ~ but we gotta love them anyway ~ don't we?! Your hibiscus is gorgeous and love the mums.

Brenda Pruitt said...

You're so right. No one seems to appreciate "the homemaker." Do we have to apologize because we love our home and we enjoy taking care of it and others? Oftentimes it seems we do. You enjoy that pot of coffee and read and blog away.
Brenda

Diane said...

Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving those sweet comments about my cloches. You have a lovely blog as well. Hope you'll stop by again!I'm now following you!

Susan Freeman said...

Hi Jane! I always love visiting you. You are so genuine and open. A real true midwestern girl. Have a wonderful weekend dear friend.

Big Hugs from Idaho,
Susan and Bentley

Anonymous said...

Hi Jane! Those cupcakes looks so good and tasty! You know what? My hubby pulled that on me a couple of times but when he retired he realized I am always doing stuff and he helps around the house all the time! Miracles never cease! :)
Thanks for popping in and hope you're having a great weekend.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Vee said...

Groan...oh must we talk of broad bottoms as the result of too much computer time? Ha!

I've heard of husbands who make these sorts of comments. I'm very blessed not to have one of those. He, amazingly enough, realizes how much my life (and thereby HIS) has been enriched by blogging. A lovely little weekend away would be terrific. Hope that you take your hubby up on it!

Melanie said...

Your mums look great - perfect for your front porch. Great to see the hibiscus blooming, too. Just think how cheerful that will look during the long, cold, gray winter.

I don't think that husbands (or children) have any idea how much work a homemaker does day in and day out. I know that there are times where I feel unappreciated, so you are not alone in this.

Hugs,
Melanie

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Jane,
Just remind Al of the nice friends he has met through your blogging...hint, hint, Dan and I. hehe.
I love your chatty posts, I feel like I am sitting at the table with you.
The plants all look wonderful, love your mums!!!
Heading to Phoenix on Tuesday, seeing the gals for a blogger lunch on Friday. I will tell them hi from you.
Miss ya,
Big Hugs,
jCindy

RURAL said...

In the end it all boils down to we know little about what the other does, as much as we think we know everything they do.

It's funny how blogging is thought to be this fun simplistic past time that we use to wile away our free time.

The scorn, [lol] doesn't come from my husband, but from those who don't read blogs. They have no idea what it involves, who it involves, and how much work it can be.

I have grown as a writer, and a photographer simply because of the audience of my blog, I will never regret that decision to start one. And if some of those around me don't understand, or wish to learn about it, then well, that's their loss isn't it? More shame on them.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

chateau chic said...

Being a mother and/or taking care of the home front is a full time job, and a very important one. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise! If you weren't there, your husband would definitely know what you did all day because of everything that didn't get done. One of the perks of our job is managing our time so we can enjoy time blogging.
Mary Alice

Privet and Holly said...

Love your fall getaway
idea ~ sounds perfect.
I also love the stand you
have the cupcakes on ~
so pretty!

Blogging is a fun hobby
for me, not a job, and it
always takes a back seat
to my chores. That said,
I look forward to doing our
laundry, 'cuz that is when
I visit blogs or write.

Happy Sunday, Jane!

xo Suzanne

Designing Domesticity said...

I really love your island. What a great piece. Does it have a story? Thanks for sharing, liz

Evi said...

boy, you sound like most of the women I know. Men don't have a clue! I clued mine in many years ago, when I did not do a thing having to do with all the chores in housekeeping....no laundry, no cooking, and no cleaning for 2 weeks, basically, I went on strike. Have never heard another word about what an easy life mine is, ha ha. There is a time to teach hubbies a lesson, like, there is no magic wand we are waving.....
Hope you have a great week being appreciated!!!!!
Hugs, Evi
By the way, the plants look lovely.
Add watering to another chore......

Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia said...

Love the plants, so pretty! You work so hard, I hope you know it. I'm lucky to have a hubby that knows how hard it is to keep up the house, I think he would be scared of me if he dare say something :) Hang in there my friend.
XO
Kristin

koralee said...

So many Fall Joys my friend...your hibiscus are so lovely. xo

myletterstoemily said...

that's crazy how much your hibiscus are
blooming inside. i have three huge ones
who are about to make that transition.

when i first started blogging, i spent hours,
but now it's probably only one hour a day.
and it's SO fun!

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Beautiful flowers! Love the bread board on the island, too. Linda

bj said...

Hope you get to rent a cute little beach cottage somewhere...I'd love to do that, too.

Your flowers are beautiful...I have none left but a few little roses...I need to get a pot of mums....
xoxo

An Oasis in the Desert said...

Your sentiments are so true about husbands, Jane! I adore The Man, but he just doesn't get the "blogging" and the friend connections I've made through this venue. I truly think he appreciates that I keep a nice home, but I don't think he really gets it. I often wonder if he ever thinks what it would be like if: he ever didn't have clean underwear, there was no TP in the house, nothing in the fridge or pantry, or if he had to wade through the piles of newspapers he just spreads out on the sofa and then falls on the floor. I guess if he ever gets testy about my blogging, I have some ammunition & I'm not afraid to use it....lol!

Your hibiscus and mums are so beautiful, Jane. It has cooled off here quite a bit, but I'm still waiting on being able to plant some things for color through the winter. It should happen soon!

The Charm of Home said...

Your flowers are beautiful and your cupcakes look delicious! Have a great week.
Sherry

Karen said...

Your mums are really pretty and the color combo is great. Hibiscus are really beautiful but there's no room in my house to bring them in. I think every man should have to do a stint being a homemaker, maybe they would get it then LOL.

Wendy Annabeth said...

Cute blog! I'm a new GFC follower :)
xo
www.domesticsweetheart.com

Lara said...

Hi!!! :) I love how you have your mums trailing down the steps! You asked about how I do camera settings with a dark house lighting... I just bump up the ISO to at least 400, up the exposure compensation a notch or two. Oh and shooting with a wide aperture (low f/stop) helps - I like around 2.0 - 2.8. ;) Hope that helps and have a great day!!!
Lara from Air Kissed

Lara said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Something Nice and Pretty said...

Hi Jane! Well, this is what I say whenever someone hubby/kids, remarks about the time I spend on the computer..."I think I've earned it after raising four successful kids,watching grandchildren and working pt...I've earned it!" Which I say very nicely and you know what? No one disagrees with me.lol
I do have a setting on my camera called candle, I have an Olympua and it does a great job on it. Sorry it took so long to answer that:)

Andrea said...

I am jealous of your mums: we had a big dump of snow here over the past few days (was so not ready for that!) and it killed mine off. I agree with your observations for the negatives of blogging. I blog when my baby is nursing since I'm stuck in the chair anyhow. My Mom made a comment once that I 'spend an awful lot of time looking at blogs'. My hubby is completely understanding as he sees how much I enjoy it, but non-bloggers have a hard time understanding hehe. The plus's FAR outweight the negatives, though-It certainly motivates me to get a lot of projects done!

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

HI jane! Joe and I have been married for almost 45 years and now that he is retired he GETS what I have done for all these years. That being said it is, at times, a PIA that he is HERE all....the....time!!!!!!!!!!!! That took alot of getting used to! Be glad your hubby is still working:) The hibiscus are beautiful. This is the 3rd winter we have brought ours in. Last year it dropped EVERY leaf but survived!!! This hous is MUCH brighter so it is doing better. The mums look awesome too. XO, Pinky

Jane B. said...

Wow, love all the pretty Fall pics! I actually didn't plant mums this year because mine always die. So I'm hoping our cabbage kale will survive the elements. Love your wood bowl...I have one similar, from my Grandmother. Old pieces like that are priceless.

Jane
FF

Jen Beaudet said...

Housework is never done so you don't get that sense of accomplishment. To top it off you don't get a salary. It's hard not to feel bad sometimes, but you know how much you do. It is nice to be appreciated, though. Hopefully he'll earn his cupcake with that nice fall trip!:)

xinex said...

Your hibiscus flowers are gorgeous, Janie. I love the yellow one. I like the red one too but I already have that and it is still outside. The cupcakes look great. Good luck picking where you want to go for a getaway. I know what you mean about housework and that hubbies sometimes do not realize the amount....Christine

Anonymous said...

Hi Janie! I love your hibiscus and we have some blooming and probably will keep on blooming through the winter months! Cupcakes! I see cupcakes. That would make an excellent breakfast.
be a sweetie,
shelia ;)

Lori E said...

Funny how it is the husband part of this post that I need to comment on. Lol.
My guy first realized what big job the food/shopping/cooking part of life is when we got our cabin and it fell on him to get his own food and how much prep it took to get a meal ready for him and his friends. He was annoyed with them a bit because they (men) didn't help out much.
Then when I went back to work after being at home for 28 years he needed to pack for a business trip that first week and low and behold the laundry fairy had not come and he had to do a load of his own clothes to be able to pack.
Now he often does the grocery shopping and cooks. He does most of the the laundry too. Still haven't got him to clean a bathroom but he is no longer blind as to how much gets done in a day (or not done in our case)

Sunflowers With Smiles said...

Hi Jane:

Love those mums, I never have luck with them....Sounds like a wonderful idea to rent a beach home along Lake Michigan......

Have a great weekend!