Monday, October 14, 2013

what weekends were made for


Monday morning again, my friends! Hope you all had a restorative weekend
so that you're ready to tackle whatever this week brings to you.
Brian had a rare weekend off work. We spent Saturday cleaning out the
garage and working in the yard. I dug up some rosemary and parsley and
planted them in pots and brought them into my kitchen. The parsley is already
looking sad and droopy. I also brought in my potted geraniums and a couple
of hanging plants. Between all those plus my usual 15 or so houseplants,
my house looks like a jungle.

We could've continued on with the home projects on Sunday ~ after all,
they never end, right? But we decided getting out of town would be more
fun, especially on a gorgeous autumn day. We decided on the town of
Geneva, which I've written about before. They have a quaint little downtown
area with some really neat shops and restaurants, and gorgeous houses.
While we were walking around, I saw this house and my heart stopped.
I just had to get a photo. Those columns. And dormers. And huge porch
off a second-story bedroom. Swoon.


Look at that roof with the x-beams underneath it. Gorgeous architectural details.
And while we were standing there gazing at this house, a little doggy ran out
of the open door on the second story and out onto the porch. I told Brian this
type of set-up would be perfect for our cats! They could be outdoors without any
risk of getting hurt. Dreaming...


Another beautiful building I found on our walk was this church - St. Marks.
I love the stone and the red door.

 
 I was looking forward to stopping into two of my favorite stores in Geneva:
Cocoon and Deja Vu Thrift Shop. I was disappointed to find that the thrift
store was closed on Sundays, so no bargain treasure hunting in store for
me yesterday, but I did find a pretty beaded bracelet at Cocoon. Oh man, I
love that store. It's one of those stores a woman could go crazy in - IF you
had a lot of money. 




I loved this side table: I am finding myself drawn to these metal barrel side tables
 lately. But not for $300! This one had a granite top.


While walking around, we stopped at an independent coffee/tea shop
for iced tea. I love the character and "artsyness" of most independent
coffee shops.  Check out this stairway. I love the bright yellow walls, the
stained glass window, and the huge, colorful paintings. I would love to
do something like this in my own, boring stairwell.


Ummm...yeah.


These potted coleus plants sat outside the coffee shop. I love how
the vibrant colors last long into the colder weather. I must remember
to get some of these next year. When I was 12 years old, I remember
wanting a coleus plant. I have no idea how I knew about them - I must've
seen one somewhere and asked my mom if I could have one. At that
age, I didn't even know that I liked plants - until I saw the coleus. So I 
ended up with one large coleus plant in my bedroom for quite awhile.


Thank you for the sweet comments about my grandpa. His funeral
is tomorrow in Kentucky. I never did get around to blogging about my
thrifted finds from last week's Goodwill jaunt with Penny. Hopefully, in 
the next post! For today, I must go tackle the housework and laundry,
plan the weekly dinner menu and make a shopping list, work on
a couple of decluttering projects, and then I have yoga class. 
Happy Monday!

18 comments:

  1. Love that house too, how gorgeous. Looks like a fun getaway. I would love for you to link up to Inspire Me this afternoon. Party goes live at 2:30 PT. www.astrollthrulife.net Hope to see you there. Hugs, Marty

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    1. I won't be linking up this post since the subject doesn't fit your link party, but I'll link up tomorrow! Thanks, Marty.

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  2. Happy Monday Melanie!! Love that house and you're right. Your staircase would be perfect done like that one you saw. Looks like lots of fun shopping.

    Judy

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  3. Replies
    1. I found the architect for that house...well, he found me through a neighbor-friend who read my blog!

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  4. Love spending time in quaint and charming towns like Geneva!
    Mary Alice

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    Replies
    1. I'm glad we have our choice of charming towns like this in my area, that's for sure!

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  5. Looks like a really fun outing. I like those colored walls and that big owl cookie jar is too cute

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    Replies
    1. It's funny how I'm drawn to color, but yet so timid with it in my own home!

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  6. Sometimes you have to just walk away from work and drive to a fun spot. Geneva is on my list of summer vacation spots that we haven't visited in the Midwest. Gorgeous home and wonderful shop!

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    1. You will love Geneva and the town next to it, St. Charles. Even better is the town of Galena, if you haven't been there yet. :-)

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  7. My friend and neighbor, Steve Vasilion from Batavia, was the architect for that house that you love!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jenny - he sent me a very nice email!

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  8. My Buscia always grew coleus as a houseplant. I plant some almost every year in her memory. They root very easily in water, I will make some cuttings for you before the frost gets them. Love, Penny

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    Replies
    1. Really?! Thank you so much, Penny. You are such a sweetheart!

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  9. After all those years in retail, I feel Brian's pain. It's tough always working on weekends. That shop really is full of goodies. I think I need that little yellow owl! Coleus is one of my favorite annuals. If you do get any of them next year, make sure to take cuttings into the house over winter. They are so easy to grow as houseplants, and then you'll have them to plant for the next year.

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  10. Sounds like a great way to spend a weekend, Melanie! The house in Geneva was amazing! I'm so sorry to hear about your grandfather...I know he will be very missed...XO

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