PROGRESS

When we first purchased 822 this is what you could see

or rather 

not see

I love trees, but this was "outahand"

The tiny entry that now is my tiny chapel

The dining room picture window becomes the new front entry with a bit of a bump out and new double doors.  The old entry sidewalk is relocated and that door becomes a stain glass window

This 90 year old rock house deserves an entry like this

we also added the diamond beveled windows on each side to even things up

We purchased in October 2010

Moved in January 2011

Finally got a yard April 2012

It's hard to see how pretty it finally looks. The trees have all been trimmed up and will soon be full again in a healthy way.

So much more to do...

but progress indeed!

LUCKY LADY BUGS

Last week B and I were in Amarillo picking up some trees and his garden gate

At the nursery check-out counter were live lady bugs...just like beef jerky at Alco, I could not stand in line and resist them.

So I didn't.

Ladybugs are the favorite insects of children because of their distinctive spots and vibrant colors and they were a sure winner for Miss Betty and her lovely garden

I was so surprised when we opened them up and they just spilled out on to her

2000 of them!

She never even flinched...she said

"they tickle Poppy"

and in about 3 seconds there were all over her, in her hair and dropping into the chives and bee balm below

I think there might have been some rules to letting these sweet little beetles release in the garden

...but we are not rule kind of gals

 Farmers love them because of their voracious appetite for plant-eating pests such as aphids, scale insects and mealybugs which destroy crops and they are perfect for small backyards.  Ladybugs are not poisonous to humans and will not destroy property.  They secrete a bad-tasting fluid when attacked by predators and their brightly colored bodies make them undesirable preys. Ladybugs are also believed to bring good luck. So, what is there not to like about ladybugs?

NOTHING!  WE LIKE!

WELCOME TO 822

In a prior post I wrote that we changed the small existing entry

This gable was originally a dining room window.  We bumped it out, replaced the window with doors, added the wedding cake porch and moved the sidewalk...oh yes...and the stairs.

At first I was not up for this huge task, but hubby finally talked me into it and I must say

I am glad

I realized the existing entry was too small, but I just could hardly stand the demolition it would involve

ahh....that seems like a very very long time ago

The difference was really worth it all

Come in please

We moved the stairs and opened up the ceiling to expose a huge space

put in heavy mold, added marble floors cut on the diagonal embedded with smaller diamond trim in a contrasting color

The chandeliers were purchased on ebay and I added the Chinese planters a few weeks ago

Another thing we don't agree on...

I really really want an Ikat stair carpet...

but I am willing to wait to purchase it from some far off land

...yeah, that'll be a while!

The walls are curved so there was no ending spot for wallpaper or fabric

so I just painted the walls myself

I am loving the blue and white porcelain and there is just no place around here to purchase it

so...I painted a vase.  I wasn't crazy about how it just "stuck out" so I put these two lanterns in front of it

Prayer candles are my all time favorite

They are inexpensive, long-lasting and safe

Mirrors are always a good answer

I knew I had hit the mark when my bff told me she thought this little tree was a shadow of the palm on the wall...subtle...just what I was going for

Subtle is hard for me

here's my trick...if I don't have time to "freehand" stuff I will use a stencil and then soften the edges freehand and "wash it out"...it is free hand, but about 400 x faster...I slipped in a few little blue birds here and there--

birds are hard, bird's beaks are hard...so I use this trick often with birds and dragon flies..not everything comes in stencil...but when it does...use a stencil and then "freehand" around it

I added some fabric shades to the matching sconces

Chad just finished this re-do last night.  We moved the posts about 5 inches and added the iron railing to match the door.  We took off the acorn finials...living with that for a while.  I don't really like the color of the stairs, but again...I'm hoping for a  carpet runner.  We still have to trim the bottom step, it's in the process of being made

The mural is very soft...I used mostly water

A live green plant makes everything look good

Looking down...it's hard to believe this was a dining room

it did need to be changed for sure!

The chandy is my favorite thing besides 

the doors

the floors

the mirrors

and all the folks that walk in and out

I wish it could be you

CHAPEL AT 822

Before we purchased 822 we had been on a trip to Peru

We loved the colors, the spirituality and the countryside filled with unforgettable images

I was so persuaded by it all

I had no idea this tiny chapel would be recreated at 822

The original entry to 822 was only a tiny vestibule and we knew right away that we wanted a grand entry.

So we closed up the door with a stain glass window and created a tiny reading nook perfect for one person to sit within it and 

think

This is what it looks like when you enter from the music room

As you can see from the first photo, that tiny chapel in a small village became my inspiration for both aged color and vivid expression

The people of Peru spare nothing when it comes to glory

I am not a Catholic and I am not an idolater 

but I do love the things that fill this little space

Saints, Mary, crosses, candles, books and such

It is full of very special gifts and things I have collected in our travels

Always an animal print

B made me this red cross out of things we bought on a trip to Taos

The candle vessel was a gift from him and that tiny beaded purse we found behind a counter when we bought the building we made into Zulu Art Gallery

I always have a prayer candle lit

I think Mary is the most beautiful woman I  know

This French bombe' chest came from my sister's store many years ago

I have painted it several times.  It has a harlequin pattern on top. And there is that poinsettia that has lingered for nearly two years now.  Perfect light for it. The chandelier was rescued from a house in Idaho.  Chad knew I would like it so he saved it for me.  It just has candles in it now.

I keep my books just in front of my chair for easy reach. 

 I am reading Average Joe, a study book on Hebrews and of course my Bible

B carved this monk for me.  When he gave it to me he put a flower in the tray.  Today it is holding a crystal I found under a bush at 822

This little window is so much fun to look out.  I especially love to see the heavily snow covered trees

I painted the walls and then washed them in white paint

I love Saints..there is one for every matter in life, my favorite is the Bee Saint

Just outside I see my old cracked pot.  My bff brought me this rosary from Mexico

I love her

Day of the Dead is very alive in New Mexico

That beaded purse just blows me away

My sister gave me this angel made from an old wood fence

One of my art students made a collage with this necklace that she left at Zulu.  She was 19 when she was diagnosed with cancer.  When I learned of it, I removed the cross and hid it away.

She died a year later and I love to think her precious soul visits my chapel

Her grandmother is a dear friend to me

Mary in the garden

This little chandy is from Lowes and the medallion too

I painted the medallion and brushed it with gold.   I painted the ceiling with clouds.

I have these photos on a silver tray..they are our sweet children

The flame burns bright and while I realize some might find it strange to have a chapel in one's home

I don't find it strange at all

I have been a religious person but in my old age I think I've just become spiritual

religion is on the outside

spirituality is on the inside

The depths of one's self is very personal but in my opinion not private

God does not want us to be private about the gifts He has given us

We all have them, they are all different and we are meant to use them to bless others

My chapel is for anyone who visits 822

I love to think that someday my grandchildren and beyond will remember the peace they felt while there