Lots of thoughts, mostly good stuff
here is some cute stuff i found in a decor inspiration folder on my computer -

I am deep in thought right now about a great many things... about my life and what I want for it... about my lovelife.. my worklife... my geographic location and the people in my life. I am not so sure i will be continuing this blog I have started another blog with a focus on having a good life on a budget which is something that I feel is very important - so many people have lost the ability to amuse themselves without spending money. So I encourage you to take a look at the other blog it is focused on home, fashion, food and fun things to do - Cheep and Chic

Homebrew Fest!

Isn't it beautiful!

This is the hops harvest from the Rogue Farm courtesy of realbeer.com!

On that same note the Septembeer Fest is coming up this weekend in Corvallis at the Fairgrounds on Saturday. It is put on by the Heart of the Valley Homebrewers and I am getting excited! As soon as I get off work at Camellia I'll be there!

I have been a busy busy bee! I am really getting into the busy swing of things here at work and trying to finish up my apartment - i need a sofa table or something for one last spot in my front room. This weekend is Mary's wedding (Mary Tedders from High school) and Marianna will be leaving (sniffle) and I am going to try to photograph some old cars!

Great Long Weekend

I just had a wonderful long weekend, a little trip to a lake a cute cafe and my Mom's birthday was a perfect recipe for a relaxing fun filled weekend!

Apron Book

Hey guess what I did?

I won a book on aprons from Lulu's Vintage Blog!

I posted a memory of aprons and got the book in the mail a few weeks ago. I read it in a week and it is worth a read for apron lovers!

Thank you!

Art Breaths Life

Yesterday I finally moved in the furniture I painted last month. It is looking alot nicer. Now I just have to pick out what to put on my walls. The "Soup Shop" here in Corvallis has some beautiful art and I am thinking about getting one of those pieces. It will be spendy but it might be worth it :)

Not too much new here, I am just trying to get use to my new job, apartment, life... its alot! + The apartment is looking a little better.
More soon

I went to a really pretty wedding yesterday and I forgot to take pictures. Hopefully I will have some to show you soon!

Today I painted my newest piece to match the table from a few weeks ago.
Things are looking up, now if only I could find something for the walls!

My have found more furniture

Winsty finally gets to come live with me today! I hope he likes my new apartment!

What a great long weekend. I painted my new table and it looks great. Ill show you soon. Meme and Charlie are getting back from Hawaii today too!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

This was the end of a great and fulfilling first work week. I am still excited about my job!

I panted some hen and chicks a few days ago! I could not find much out about how to plant them but I did find that the soil should be soaked in water thoroughly before the hen and chicks are planted.

The dirt is from a research facility and is supposedly better then potting soil and the pot I got from a local thrift store. I soaked the soil for a few hours and then nestled their roots in. It was very odd the chicks roots were much longer then the hens so I hope that I did not kill the hen when I pulled my start.

Here it is!

Just kidding, Ill put pictures up soon for a whole slew of past posts.

What a great vacation.

Ralph Wells

Ralph Wells
1959 - 2008

Last week this world lost an amazing person. I cannot express my feelings on Ralph's life or my sadness over this loss. He was a great man who spoke the truth and had an amazing talent. Ralph is one of few people who I have always respected and admired.

His obituary, from his mother, Kathryn Wells -

A program of music and memories to honor the life and artistic
achievements of Ralph Wells will be held on Saturday, June 28th at 5
p.m. in the Scottish Rite Auditorium at 1512 SW Morrison Street in
Portland. The noted artist and operatic baritone died June 18th at his
home in Corvallis after a long struggle with a brain tumor and stroke.

Ralph was born on Oct. 1, 1959, in Portland to Arlen and Kathryn
Wells. Seeds planted in childhood often take a lifetime to blossom. In
Ralph's case, he was born to create theatre, art and music. His
parents, both of whom loved classical music, took him to the symphonies
and operas, and at the age of five, he was already watching old films
on TV. Ralph was to later teach Film History while still a student at
Portland State University, from whence he graduated, Valedictorian,
with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Ralph soon began to sing professionally and was in San Francisco's
Merola Opera program, followed by the Petrie Award from Oregon State
University. The award placed him in Germany, where he pursued his
parallel interests in art and music. His pen-and-ink work, whose
subjects spanned Oregon mountain scenes, as well as movie and artistic
legends, enjoyed widespread fame, both here and abroad.

Wells appeared in numerous operas throughout the country, singing over
40 roles. He debuted with the Los Angeles Opera in 2002, as Sonora in
Puccini's "Fanciulla del West," starring Placido Domingo. That same
year, he made his Lincoln Center debut in Gordon Getty's "Joan and the
Bells" at Juilliard. Wells returned to LA Opera for "Die Frau Ohne
Schatten" under the baton of Kent Nagano.

In 2006, Wells realized his dream of staging "Farewell, Vienna!" the
musical show he created about the life of legendary Austrian composer,
Erich Wolfgang Korngold, who fled the Nazis and found success in
writing film scores for the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Wells was a member of the Music Faculty at Oregon State University in
Corvallis, where his wife Elizabeth and he formed the Willamette
Concert Opera, which performed for four seasons there, as well as in
Portland and Eugene. He was to have sung in "Susannah" at the Scottish
Rite this coming weekend, where the memorial will be held.

Ralph Wells Studio was active for 10 years in Portland, with students
of all ages. His students, many of whom are in the chorus of Portland
Opera, brought him great joy and lasting friendships. He will be
greatly missed by all.

Wells is survived by his wife Mary Elizabeth in Corvallis, mother
Kathryn, and brother Robert in Portland. Contributions may be given to the Oregon Humane Society.

It is official - I have the decorating bug!
I bought a table and chairs today. It is a really great drop leaf pedestal table I don't dig the chairs but they came as a set so Ill deal with that later. For now I have different chairs picked out and these new chairs and the table are all in for a new coat of paint - a heavy cream I think.
I will start looking at paint tomorrow so I will have almost two weeks before I paint.
I got the fabric to cover the chairs last week. Oh this is going to be good!

I got it!

Today I purchased a mint condition 1970's couch and matching chair. The chair is an astrid chair a bit like the ones they are selling at Anthropologie right now (pictured right). Anyway I am excited to get a coffee table and keep decorating!

Graduation

I have graduated today, I am wholly and entirely free.
Bliss is what I feel, bliss.