a place for friends

This is the location of where the exterior of the
"Central Perk" coffee house was filmed for the television series, Friends.

Almost a decade has passed when the popular show, "Friends" was on air.  It was a show that was centred around the personalities and relationships of those who frequented a coffee house...where friends would meet at a place that was almost like home to them.  It was refreshing to hear the teenaged daughter of our friends "hang out" at Starbucks...I know when I was her age, coffee shops were destinations after a night out...not a destination place in itself.

Coffee houses and cafes have evolved to become cozy, amazingly beautiful and sophisticated spaces. The design of these spaces may not be the focal point for it's patrons, but more of a supporting role in creating a comfortable space where friends can meet and spend time together.  I like to look at the designs of public spaces to give me inspiration for the private ones.  Places that evoke a sense of warmth and friendliness that remind you of home, but designed to serve large groups of people efficiently and effortlessly.  

Below are samples of how you can incorporate elements from these public spaces and use them in your own home or cottage...a comfortable place for friends to hang out.

Retro Style

When my husband and I were in New York last autumn, we enjoyed our cafe breakfast at The Standard Grill, which was just below the hotel we were staying at.  I loved the checkerboard floors, slick black schoolhouse chairs and wood tables and countertops.  

The above pics were from our trip to New York

{above pic: source}

You can see the same mix of black, white and wood in this home, giving it a cool, retro feel.

{source}

Sophisticated Lodge Style

Here is the Wildwood Restaurant, in Portland, Oregon.  Elements of wood and grey provide a rustic, warm feeling. A cozy nook could be created in a kitchen or breakfast area.  

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Or taking the colour scheme from the above restaurant, you can incorporate the grey and wood into a kitchen like here...

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Casual/Beach Cafe Style

Here's the Sweetwater Cafe, in Melbourne Australia.  I love how the white subway tiles and marble counters work with the natural rattan chairs.  It's fresh looking but still comfortable.

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You can see the same mix of marble and rattan in this cottage home...how bright and inviting is this?

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I love all these styles, and hopefully I can incorporate elements of all of them into my home, to create an inviting environment for friends.

what in the world is there to eat?

There is a global crisis about food. There is lack of it in some countries.  Sustainability in others.  And horrible food practices in supposed G8 countries (poor ethical treatment or harmful pesticides and chemicals that are mislabelled in our food).  


I often find that it takes increasingly longer to  grocery shop.  Mostly because I read labels carefully to ensure I know what I'm getting.  I also re-read labels with products that I frequently purchase, especially when the packaging has changed....sometimes the ingredients change too.

This is a beautiful "formal" garden, designed with vegetables instead of flowers.  Brilliant! {source}

Sometimes I want to just live on a farm, or have better access to one, so I can ensure that the food is safe.  I don't have large backyard, so growing many fruit trees is out of the question.  However, I've started to consider container gardening as something that can be relatively easy to do, and doesn't take a world of space to grow.

These are fruit trees in containers! {source}

I've grown herbs, but I might consider growing more in my own garden.  There are  eight great edibles for just about any climate: lettuce, peppers, blueberries, strawberries, zucchini, collard greens, cucumbers, and Mediterranean herbs (oregano, sage, and thyme).  {source} 

Rosemary and other herbs from my garden last year

With all these beautiful examples of container gardens, I just might be inspired to do it this year!

A garden in wine crates! {source}

And I wouldn't have to travel the world to get my food.

put your hands together

One of the things we try to instill in our children is the understanding that more hands make less work, and if we all contribute, even just a little, the next generation (or even a whole society) can do wonders and make great monumental changes.

My husband is one of the board of directors at our children's school.  They are trying to raise money to build a new building, to provide a facility that will meet the educational demands of our children today, and many generations to come.

It is hard work.  Long hours, conflicting personalities, administrative frustrations...all things that naturally derive from a passion for something much bigger than all of us.

And I'll admit it.  Sometimes I wish he could pull back a little, as it can be at times, overwhelming for him to balance a high stress career, home, school and just life!  However, he pushes forward because fundamentally he always wants to lend a hand.  And I appreciate and love him not just because he is doing good for the community, but our children have a first hand look at an amazing role model.  

Someone with kindness, generosity, and community spirit, that will help and inspire others to do the same.  A legacy of not just being a contributor to building a monument for the future, but an inspiration to those around him...to inspire others to lend a hand. 

Our son's class had created sand prints for Mother's Day last year.  To represent both kids,
we created a clay print of our daughter's hand, placed both hand prints in individual shadow boxes,
and showcased them as art with "plaques" underneath (printed date and ages of our kids, on business cards).

Forever Hand Print

(recipe from Kaboose.com)

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup salt
• 1 cup of water (if you'd like colour to your clay hand, add food colouring to the water)

Preparation

• Mix flour and salt. 
• Slowly add water to get a firm clay-like mixture.
• Create a ball with the dough and press it into a circular shape (or use a rolling pin) on wax paper (the dough should be approx. 1/2 inch thick and large enough to fit a child's hand or foot.
• Push child's hand or foot firmly into dough.
• Let dough dry for several weeks or put in oven at 225 degrees for 2 to 4 hours, depending on the thickness of the dough.

Paint or keep it as it is, as a keepsake of a moment in time.

{Editor's note: Happy Birthday Dude...we love you lots!!!}

crossing the finish line

It's amazing how life can be so bright and then in an instant, can be darkened so quickly.  How at one moment someone could be running in a marathon, and the next moment, fighting for their life.

Last summer, after running in a triathlon, a parent and friend from our children's school was diagnosed with myelodysplasia (MDS), a form of cancer that affects the bone marrow's ability to produce proper white blood cells and platelets. The only cure was a stem cell transplant. 

His unwavering determination and faith helped him and his family work towards finding a donor, and a cure.  A father of three and a veteran triathlete, he had the drive, determination and strong faith that he would find a donor and would be cured.  His prayers were answered, a life saving marrow donor was located, and the transplant took place.

Unfortunately, just a few months later, his body rejected the transplant, and his health deteriorated quickly.  He passed away Saturday night, surrounded by his loving family.

His passing is another reminder to live life to the fullest while you're here on this earth.  To hug and kiss your loved ones everyday, and at every chance, let them know you love them.  Sometimes it's the little victories that help you move forward. Sometimes it's what you and your loved ones need to make it through to the end.  Although our friend lost his battle to cancer, with the hearts of family and friends, he was a winner when he crossed the finish line.

onematch.ca

left behind

I have to be honest...I haven't been able to catch up on my endless DIY projects, nor have I really experimented too much with new recipes (and I can't even begin to think about the piles of laundry, dishes and cleaning to be done).  Although I have been busy with the usual family activities, I've also been a little distracted because of one particular book I've been reading.

One day at the grocery store (of all places), I saw on the discount table, a few books that were on clearance.  I usually go to the library for my book reads, but one book in particular caught my eye...when I read the back cover, I knew I just had to buy this book.

{Source:  Notes Left Behind website}

Notes left Behind, is a national bestselling book that chronicles the journey of the family of Elena, a six year old girl with cancer.  A story of incredible courage of this little girl, and how she, wise beyond her years, left love notes to her family, hidden around the house as treasures to discover, after she is gone.  It's been a book that at all at once, has been difficult to put down, but at the same time, I find myself needing to put it down, to wipe my tears.

I now find myself thinking of this book when I feel myself getting getting mad or frustrated about petty things, especially around my children. Although we are very blessed to have very healthy and happy kids, I think the authors of Notes Left Behind would want everyone to treasure the miracles of everyday living....because you never know what the future holds.

This excerpt has particularly struck me...

"Time was plentiful before-or at least so we thought-and our priorities were different.  Cleaning, errands, and repairs were more important than time with our children.  These were our guilty pleasures and now there is no time left to waste....When will it end?  Will it ever end?  Who knows, but I hope I have to keep making these decisions for the rest of my life.  That's the curse of medicine.  You can diagnose the disease, but God keeps the time frame a secret.  I guess it's best this way to keep living and to see the importance in every action.  I see it now but only hope that the lesson will soon be over, and she will be cured.  Until then, every weekend, afternoon and morning will be different."


The notes that Elena left behind is an inspiration for all of us.  I often wonder what legacy I will leave behind someday when I am gone.

One lesson that is now ingrained in me is to accept that it's okay to now and then, leave behind the laundry, the dishes and the vacuuming just so I can spend a little more quality time with my family.  So that someday when I'm gone, what I really leave behind are things that matter.  Those special, magical moments.

{Shared this at these beautiful  parties...Centsational Girl }

Now...that's a closet!!!

Need I say more ladies???

  {source: 50 Beverly Park} 

I wonder if I could DIY this closet into my house somehow….

Now...for a little break.

With the upcoming long weekend signalling that summer is just around the corner, the list of household to-do's have started to pile up and I've been feverishly trying to get organized.  I've been looking for inspiration to keep the laughter going...and discovered this cartoon.

Courtesy of Denise Dorrance

Maybe I'll try this method of organizing...have a great weekend!