Friday, July 20, 2012

One Thing Leads to Another

Sometimes cleaning becomes a necessity.
The other day I spent 5 hours in the living room alone.
Cleaning leads to rearranging.
It freaks some people out that I have so much stuff.
Collections that need to be dusted one by one.
But I can't imagine living in a stark environment just so I don't have to clean.
Everything has either been collected on our travels or was given to us by friends.
 My crocheted stones have been gathered together and displayed in a basket.
 Those I made with rocks collected while in Sri Lanka are sitting on a plate made from the bark of the cinnamon tree that was bought on our recent trip.
 This framed door was made by my friend, Maria, who lives in Lebanon now.
She knows I have a thing for old doors.
The plants got a shower so they are nice and clean, too.
From all the photos above, I think you can see
why I chose the colors I did for my granny square pillow.
After all that cleaning, a treat was definitely in order.
Deep dish brownies:  3/4 cup flour; 1/2-3/4 cup sugar; 3/4 cup butter (melted); 3 eggs; 1/2 cup cocoa powder; 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1-1/2 tsps vanilla.  Blend and pour into a greased baking dish.  Bake at 350 til done.

Have a wonderful weekend.

38 comments:

Marilyn said...

I'd love to come and look at all your treasures...and the last thing on my mind would be to ask how you keep it all so clean...because, I also have a million things out...I did put them all away once...don't ask!!..but the house felt dead...so out they came...I have so much stuff I can change with the seasons if I want!!! that's what comes from living in the same place for EVER!!!!Have a great weekend Tammy...now I want some cake!!:)X

glor said...

Your room is beautiful and how wonderful to be surrounded by such treasures from your travels, friends and those you have made. Its just perfect. I love having those special things around me. The rocks look amazing in the basket. Your granny pillow is perfect which it sits and the crochet throw across the back of the chair. You do have a flare for beauty and comfort. Have a wonderful, blessed weekend.

Maya Kuzman said...

Oh my Gosh! The first thing I thought before reading a single line was: "How does she clean all these?!" Though I admit it would be pity to hide all these little treasures in a box or something. You have so many beautiful things I am sure your soul is full just by the memories they radiate.

Tanna said...

Ahhhh, looks so beautiful and serene and welcoming!! I'm going to do one of these cleans to my LR next week. Just gotta be done every once in awhile. LOVE those crochet covered rocks in the basket and dish!!! You deserved to enjoy your treat. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. hugs and blessings ~ tanna

Mariette VandenMunckhof-Vedder said...

Dearest Tammy,

An interior should reflect your history, revealing your walk of life... You do just that in a very warm way; just being TAMMY!
Enjoy it, this is unique and you don't need an artificial environment, copied from a magazine and with 'low maintenance' on dusting.
Love to you,
Mariette

Mereknits said...

I have been on a cleaning spree this week, too. I have let things go this year and now I really have to get them back in order. I have cleaned all year but I really have to deep clean and that way all will be easier to take care of. I have a lot of things in my house, too. But I think that is what makes your home warm and inviting.
Hugs,
Meredith

grace said...

I love treasures and bits and bobs too - send some cleaning vibes my way...feeling too lazy! x

Anonymous said...

You do have alot of stuff, but I would too from so many travels. I am sure each one holds a special memory. Lately my cleaning has been after Aiden. Spills, toys, etc. Not much else gets done when he is here.
ta for now.
love,
Gwen

O meu pensamento viaja said...

Your marvelous living room deserves each minute of your effort to keep it clean. It's absolutely amazing, dear.
Congratulations
xoxo
Nina

Astri said...

I am so proud of you. 5 hours!!! I bet it feels so good and everything looks so good. Once again I love those crocheted rocks. :-)

Createology said...

Tammy your living room is so inviting and comfortable. I agree it is important to surround ourselves with our treasures. It tells our story of who we are, where we have traveled and how comfortable we are with ourselves. Your pillow looks perfect in this chair. Spending time cleaning can really reacquaint us with all we enjoy. Well deserved yummy reward dear...

Susan said...

Everything looks great, Tammy. Great job. Even the brownie and ice cream! ha! Susan

Pradeepa said...

I could imagine the amount of cleaning this room would need, but it looks absolutely fantastic. I love this room. The crocheted stones are very pretty and I adore the cute little granny square pillow.

Mrs. Micawber said...

That cinnamon bark plate is gorgeous - and your rug is stunning. A beautiful room. It's so satisfying to do a deep clean and rearrange things.

Diane said...

Everything is beautiful and just goes totether so beautifully. To have the things mean something makes it even more special. You deserve a brownie girl! Diane

Unknown said...

dusting is my least favorite thing to do .... but I am a collector too .... so dusting is a necessary part of life. Your collections are beautiful - and I could spend hours in that room!

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

I love your place! It looks so pretty. I am with you, I'll clean before I live in a place void of color and things I love. :)

Did you do the large doily on the back of the chair?

Blessings always

vintage grey said...

Look at all your treasures!! Would love to spend a day looking at it all!! Have a beautiful weekend! xo Heather

Angela Richardson said...

I don't like cleaning but LOVE the feeling when it's done. You must feel so good. you deserved the brownie!!
Hugs, Angela.x

Lori ann said...

i saw a giraffe! i love that you live with all the things that you love. your room is warm and lovely and inviting and your pillow is beautiful. i want to make a granny pillow now too.

Anonymous said...

You do have a lot of wonderful treasures & lovely treat at the end.

crafty cat corner said...

Tammy, I love cluttered rooms in other peoples homes but can't live like that myself.

And with 5 cats, less clutter means I can keep it much fur free...

Briony
x

Happy@Home said...

I think our homes should reflect who we are, where we've been and what we like. Your room does that beautifully. How nice to be surrounded with reminders of the trips you have taken and the kindness of friends.
True, it may be a lot of work, but all worth it when it's done and you can survey the finished product while eating a well-deserved brownie :).

Sam I Am...... said...

Your living room is beautiful and all those special momentos you've collected in your travels. My stuff is just junk but it's MY junk and I love it! LOL! I'm not really materialistic in the usual way but just surround myself with interesting objects and books that inspire me and give me pleasure and/or have special meaning.
I adore your crocheted stones and they look so nice in the basket. The cinnamon wood plate is the one with the little squiggles on it with the striped edge? It's gorgeous! Absolutely phenomenal that it is wood. It looks like painted ceramic. I want one! That is absolutely fascinating that there is wood like that. Where have I been? So much yet to discover. It is simply beautiful.
And, yes, you certainly deserved a treat after all that work. I too have to rearrange and sort of redecorate when I clean....it's the only way I can get myself to do it! LOL! Great job girlfriend!
Thanks for the recipe too!

~Damita's Pretty Wrap~ said...

What lovely pictures!! And I love your granny pillow!! Yummy treat! Have a great weekend! xo Holly

oldthings said...

Α warm and comfortable sitting room . It's great to see every day the things that remind you your friends and travel. Sure, they want more clean but never mind. The stones with the crochet are beautiful.
Olympia

GrannyTaughtMeToCrochet said...

I have just posted about a blog award. You are one of my nominations ... go see xxxx

koralee said...

Your home is lovely...it is good to have your treasures close at hand and within eyesight..memories then can fill your days. Thanks for sharing the joys. xoxo

Kit said...

I love the look and feel of your home. I too have walls filled will collections and I love my home to feel cozy and warm. Must be why I love visiting your blog. :) Kit

My Grama's Soul said...

Oh Tammy ....... I LOVE all your stuff......it gives us a little glimpse into your world and we learn more about you as a person. I, too, WOULD NOT live in a stark environment....dust bunnies...or not! LOL

xo

Jo

Dagmar said...

Love that you have surrounded yourself to treasures from your travels..that way the house becomes a home..you have great taste and it looks very comfortable and stylish! i love your cricheted rocks..one of my fav's....the brownies look yummy!

Melanie said...

I love all your collections! I think they make a house interesting. Why have a boring home, right?

Your dessert looks so yummy, too. :-)

Anne said...

Tammy I think you have a beautiful home. I'm like you. I like to surround myself with stuff that I love. Even if that means extra time with dusting and cleaning. And I just love your crocheted rocks. Those look so cool. It's nice how you display them.

Vicki Boster said...

Tammy-- I hardly know where to start! Your home is SO lovely-- your collections are amazing. I love your crochet rocks-- and your beautiful pillows-- everything is just beautiful. I think I'd love to spend an afternoon talking to you about your travels and all the amazing treasures you have displayed!
Vicki

Beverly @ My Sew Sweet Studio said...

You have such a pretty livingroom. I agree. I love my stuff and would never not collect because I didn't want to collect. You have a great way with display to show off your treasures.
Yum those brownies look so good and easy, I wrote down the recipe.
I always use boxed mix, but have all the ingredients to whip these up before it gets too warm this morning.

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Hi Tammy!
I would love to be able to have a brownie with you and peek at all your treasures and hearing each one's story!
Have a wonderful day!

Melissa said...

I can definately say that I do not get bored when I come to your place and enjoy looking at everything even though I've probally seen in many times. I can also definately say that I am not jealous by that fact that you have all that to dust and clean....HA! You always have everything so tidy and organized. I would love to let Lillian in there one day to see what she would do. (Lillian is my almost 2 year old). I'm sure she would appreciate it:P

Alexa Lett said...

Love the collections...and more importantly, what I call, Maximalism!

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