Grumbles House

Grumbles House is found in the small town of Dunellon, Fl. The two-story Victorian home was constructed in 1908 by John Allen Grumbles for his family. It is now an historic site housing an antique, gift and plant shop....and so much more!

They have fountains, and statuary...

Pottery in all sizes, shapes and colors....

Fantastical garden sculptures....

and landscape plants.

But wait,

there's more! 

Inside the house, in every room and hallway, nook and cranny,

upstairs and downstairs you can find all manner of stuff.....

books and stationery.... 

lamps, jewelry and antiques....

candles,  glassware and china....

bird houses, metal decor, new and old stuff....

and even the kitchen sink! 

(or perhaps it is a bath sink!)

This amazing shop, one that is also featured as a place to see on

Trip Advisor (with a 4.7 rating), 

has such an eclectic mix of wares, much of which is provided by local artists. 

But wait....

there's more!

As I was leaving Grumbles House, with a half dozen plants to refresh my garden, I noticed a sign just behind Grumbles House. 

The sign reads: 

 

Grumbles House 

Cedar Street 

Boutique & Antiques 

Here's another amazing shop! No pictures, this time, I had to meet a friend and needed to skedaddle, but this shop has room after room with darling ladies' clothes, shoes, jewelry and antiques.  As I passed through I fingered a few blouses and dresses that looked like I just might need them - but knowing my time crunch I reluctantly turned the other way, told the shop keeper that I'd be back, and headed to my car.

But wait...

there's even more!

As I passed the drive between the boutique and Grumbles House I noticed yet another sign...

Apparently I had simply seen the tip of the iceberg at Grumbles House, and they had even more inventory of plants, pots and outdoor furniture tucked behind this tiny house. 

Amazing place!

Sew Busy

Eight days.

That's all the time I had.

I had deadlines.

So, I got busy!

Looking back, I can't believe I accomplished all that I did. 

I returned from the quilting retreat at the Missouri Star Quilt Company on Tuesday, June 7. I had plane tickets to leave for San Francisco on Thursday, June 16. The days in between were filled with hours of sewing. I had a number of projects I wanted to take to San Francisco.

I made two reversible sunsuits for the granddaughter.

The wrap style top has an embroidered critter on each side.

I love the iguana on the top picture - 

just like in the wild, he blends in with the flowers!

The granddaughter celebrated her first birthday while we were in San Francisco.

She is a little monkey, 

so the sunsuit is perfect!

Some place I read about a simple table runner made from 2 1/2" strips of fabric,

sewn together, cut apart at different points, and then sewn back together.

This was a gift for my son and daughter-in-law.

This table runner in bright spring colors was a gift for my step-mother. 

The top of it was completed, I just had 

to piece the backing, quilt it, and finish the binding so I could take it over to her house.

Done.

Delivered!

While I was at the Missouri Star Quilt Company I picked up some 

"Charm" packs - bundles of 5" square fabric.

The colors were perfect for making a throw

as a 94th Birthday present for my mother-in-law.

I had the piecing completed before I left for California,

and in the two days between that trip and Mr. Dreamy's trip

to Florida, I put the border on, quilted the throw and bound it. 

Another gift finished!

Whew! 

It's been a busy time.

Stalled

So, here I sit...with nothing to do! 

What an incredibly foreign feeling!

The last few weeks have been so very busy. 

I made gifts for all:

I painted gourds,

both big and small,

(Thank you, dear DIL, for sending pictures!)

I dusted off the sewing machine

and made wool hats for all:

I tried my hand at quilting,

here's jacket one of two.

As you can see, 

I didn't lack for something to do!

Then we found out we're gonna be Grandparents in May,

(Oh, what a great feeling... what a great day!)

So I made this soft pillow creature for the babe on its way!

Every baby needs cowboy booties for their feet

Thanks to Holly (mother of the mother of the babe to be)

I have a picture of the ones I crocheted.. how sweet!

I had to clean the house and get guest rooms ready. As you may recall, one of my November projects was to get the basement habitable and pleasant. Son #2 declared it to be cozy and inviting! He was quite pleased with his own man cave!

My vacuum decided it wouldn't suck. Well, that sucked! So off we Dreamers went to get the replacement, so at least some dog hair could be removed before guests arrived.

The Christmas tree decided it didn't want to stand...so off the guys went to find a better Christmas tree stand. We got it upright and decorated just in time!

Then, there was the food.... We enjoyed our family's traditional Swedish smorgasbord on Christmas Eve, with lots of interesting dishes. I will have to say how lovely it was to have my DIL's mom as an assistant chef in the kitchen! Son #1 prepared breakfast for all one day, treating us to his purple cornmeal pancakes. And, we created a portable Christmas meal to take to my Dad's. 

What a whirlwind of activity! 

Family came in on the 20th and 21st. Then it was over, with another burst of activity as folks packed, decorations were pulled down and hastily put away, laundry (was it 5 loads, or 6?) was washed, dried and folded, and rooms were put back to rights. 

We put one person on a plane late on Christmas. My brother and his wife left the next day...in the snow. We made a trek to the airport with two others yesterday. And, sadly, son #2 just left. 

All is quiet. Too quiet!

We were supposed to leave this morning. Bright and early. Our motor home is in Florida, awaiting our arrival. However, Mr. Dreamy received an email late yesterday that the service center still needs a part. Trust me...there was a lot of blue air swirling around upon reading that pronouncement. It didn't seem prudent to make a 1600 mile drive with dogs and stuff...only too find out we couldn't begin our winter wanderings. So...here we sit until Mr. Dreamy can touch base with them tomorrow. 

Frankly, after the rush of the past weeks, it feels good! Very good, indeed!

I hope you had a wonderful holiday, as well, and that perhaps you are also enjoying a bit of a break from the insane rush of Christmas!

My Report Card

At the beginning of November I posted a list of projects I wanted to accomplish during the month. So, now it's time for show and tell…

1. Prepare gardens for winter.     Incomplete. But, it isn't 'cause I didn't do something!! The only thing that remains unfinished is turning the vegetable garden, and putting a fence around the tulips. I decided wracking my elbow wasn't worth it.  Grade: C

2. Create!     In progress. I have completed gifts for one son and the MIL. I prepared the gourds for painting.  (Oh, how I wish I could put pictures up of the gifts I made… but I know at least one recipient checks out my blog now and then!)    Grade: C+

3. Complete the sweater I began knitting for my grand niece.    Still knitting! I did make some progress, but I still have a sleeve and a half and trim. Grade D

4. Enjoy Dad.   I get an A+ in this. Well, maybe a B. I hauled out some items and visited almost every day. I made a cushion holder for the gel cushion he uses in his wheel chair, to keep it from slipping forward, and I made a side-support for the wheel chair, since he tends to list to the left, his weaker side. I found some 'tools' at several different 2nd hand shops (did you know that the word 'toy' came from the word 'tool'?). Dad constructs with MegaBlocks and tinkers with an Italian gear toy. I also found a nifty architect toy tool, where he can design houses. It's a bit beyond him, but he does use it now and then. I also found a knobby ball that, with prompting, helps him exercise his left hand. My favorite thing, however, is the "console" I made for him. Perhaps this should raise my grade for creating! What do you think?

It keeps him busy!

5. Make basement habitable.  I painted. I vacuumed. I sorted and moved stuff. I put together the missing can lights and put new bulbs in. I put up pictures. I 'scored', finding two bed spreads at the Salvation Army on 1/2 price day… $5 each! I converted an extra cabinet door into a hat/coat hanger.  I remade the dresser into the vanity for the bath… AND, I cleaned the toilet! Ta-daaa! I haven't bothered to clean it since we moved in, and who knows when it was last cleaned before we purchased the house! Then, I messed it all up again in doing my sewing projects. I still need to move the exercise equipment between the two day beds. I couldn't manage that on my own, but now that Mr. Dreamy is home….   Final Grade: B-

(Mr. Dreamy helped me get the counter/sink on the dresser

when he got back this afternoon!)

6. Finish making quilled Christmas cards.

Well, I made a few. My quilling supplies were with Mr. Dreamy in Florida, so at this point all I could do is put together the cards, and use the few quilled prototypes I made before we left on our trip this fall to finish a few. Actually, after all this effort, I'm not sure I care for them. Oh well, it's better than sending nothing!  Grade: C

So, I didn't fail. I did put a lot of effort into everything. I simply had a problem finishing what I started. Uh, oh. I've heard comments about that throughout my life! 

As much as I groused about creating a list, I did like the idea of having specific things to focus on as the month progressed. Would I have accomplished as much without having created and posted the list? Probably, as there are a number of things I did accomplish that weren't even on the list.  

So, what about December?  

I think I'll forego an actual "to-do" list as almost all of it revolves around preparing the house for the holidays and for guests, and everything that goes along with that (cleaning, organizing, planning menus and getting food, gifts, etc) All I know is that Christmas will be here before I know it… and I have a lot of things to accomplish!

How about you? What are your "must do's" for the coming month?

Christmas.... It's All About the Gift

We landed in Florida, home of Mr. Dreamy's family, and began the last minute scramble to acquire appropriate gifts for all. It's the way of the family. It just makes me stressed and unhappy and squashes any Christmas spirit that remains after driving across the country listening to every version of every Christmas carol ever produced.

Christmas - 1988

 I hope that you, and your families,  enjoy the gift of the season.

"It came without ribbons. It came without tags.

It came without packages, boxes or bags.

And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hand't before.

'What if Christmas,' he thought, 'doesn't come from a store?'

What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more?"

- Dr. Seuss

I hope you discover and enjoy that little bit more!

With love from Dreaming,

who is feeling just a wee bit 'Grinchy'!

Christmas Eve 1955

When We Were Very Young....

We enjoyed a Swedish smorgasbord on Christmas Eve 

and opened family gifts.

Santa brought some little things to us

the next morning, in the traditional stocking, 

hung by the chimney with care!

Here I am with my new doll and stroller.

The truck in the background was probably my brother's gift. 

I think that's probably my uncle in the background,
sitting on the edge of a chest, since my dad was probably the photographer.

My sister received a case (on her right) for her "Ginny" dolls

and a small wardrobe for their clothes.

My cousin, in the blue skirt and white blouse,

 also seemed to have gotten a doll.

My maternal grandmother is looking on. 

Isn't the wallpaper wild? 

I don't remember it at all!

I think we were in the playroom in our house near Buffalo, NY.

We moved from this house about two years after this photo was taken.

This is a picture of my living room, today.

No wild wall paper!

Did you notice the rocking chair in the first picture?

Like me, it's still around today,

With a few more dings and creaky joints!

 It was my father's chair when he was young.

And, how about this?

It seems that Mr. Dreamy may have received a similar truck,

one Christmas, long ago,

when we were very young!