What-cha been up to?

Its been a long while since I have updated this blog. After looking back at my previous posts I can see that this is something that is becoming a trend for me ;-). What can I say, life is busy and lately, I am enjoying the ride. Since we last visited together, I graduated with an Associates in Human Resources, we got a new kitten, I got a new job, we moved and I started working on my Bachelors in HR. A lot of major life changes. They are all good things though, because by achieving these goals I am a few steps closer to realizing the ultimate goal of owning a bed and breakfast with my sister Sandi. This dream is a few years off still, but we are working towards planting the seeds to make this dream grow into a reality. I will elaborate on this plan more in the future, but rest assured the business plan for this dream is beginning to come together and we are anticipating the start of our new adventure.




I snapped a few photos of our new place. Would you like a little tour? I am liking it so much better than apartment living that is for sure! I  certainly do not miss the family of elephants that lived next door and I must say, that even though we only moved 15 minutes away from where we were, I am digging the fact its a little closer to work. It means that I spend 2 hours less in the car each week, and that makes me a happy camper!


The fireplace is one of my favorite features of the new place. I cant wait to have our first fire in it. I missed having a fireplace. We had one when we lived in Belleville and I just loved it. Now I have a proper place to hang the Christmas stockings again.

Tied with the fireplace for a close second, is the master bathtub. It feels so good  to come home after a long hard day of work & school and soak in a nice hot tubby. Helps keep a busy girl balanced that's for sure. 

There is a skylight above the tub. I love the natural light it lets in and I love to see the stars in the night sky when I am in the tubby. Sigh......its the little things :-)  

There are two more skylights in the kitchen. The abundance of natural light in this room is awesome! The kitchen window has ample space for a mini window herb garden too. 
  

Leopold made the move just fine. He is happy to have 
a new home on the baking counter. Mr. managed to make it into the shot too. Good man taking out the garbage :-)  I <3 him! 

I got flowers from my boss at work. Everyone in the HR department  received them in recognition for all of our hard-work during the back to school season. I really have to say I am loving my job. I am learning so much, and the ladies I work with are great. I am so blessed to have a job I enjoy going to. I really feel like all of the hard-work and effort I put into getting my degree is finally starting to pay off. It makes me feel better when I get my student loan statement in the mail. Man is that scary mail, I have never owed so much money in my life! This is one of the main  reasons behind our recent move. The new place allows us to save some money so I can pay down my student loans. Deciding to go back for the bachelors is the right decision but its costly. I don't want to graduate owing enough money to buy a small country. It is not particularly conducive to the bed and breakfast plan. 

The cats have survived the move as well. Tutie likes the new place. The patio door offers a nice view and a cool breeze. His favorite, outside of food of course. 

This is our little Nemo. We got him in July when he was 2 months old. He makes a perfect companion for Tyler. Nemo is deaf so he can not hear when Tyler is being loud and obnoxious.  He loves to cuddle with Tyler and Tyler loves his little Nem-a-roo! 

Since we can not be all work and no play, we have managed to squeeze in some quality family time at the local cider mill. Tyler is enjoying some cider and doughnuts. We picked pumpkins and had a nice afternoon. 











My boys are always cheesing for the camera! Well that's all I got for now. Hopefully you are all out enjoying fall as well. 

As always,

And It's Almost Summer

Wow, I cant  believe my last post was in December! I got busy with a little of  this and a little of that and then BAM before I knew it, 6 months flew on by. I put together a little video of what we have been up to this spring.Click here to check it out. As I was putting it together, I couldn't believe how fast the time just slid on by. One minute I am putting Christmas away and the next its warm and sunny and there is a certain place that is calling my name like a siren. Since it's rolling up on summer, that means it's time for Blocks!

Blocks Stand and Greenhouse

Today I am going to take you on a virtual trip to my most favorite farm market/greenhouse. Blocks stand and greenhouse is located at 29160 Eureka Road in Romulus MI. They have been there for as long as I can remember. I have been going there since I was a kid. It is hands down the best place around for flowers and plants in the spring, fresh, locally grown produce in the summer and pumpkins later in the fall. 

When planning a trip to blocks,  I have two suggestions for you. First pack your patience. This place is great and everyone knows it, hence the reason it's always packed. I just want to point out though,you know your on to something good when you see a concentration of little Italian Bubbes, excitedly chattering in their native language, scooping up scores of tomato plants, veggies and fresh herbs to put into their gardens.  These matriarchs know good food when they see it. 

Secondly, make sure to get their early for the best pick. There is a caveat to go along with this, if you see it and you want it you better buy it because it will be gone if you don't. Just ask the Mr., I have spent many a night debating if I should go back to get something, only to drive out there to find it gone the next day.Everything is delivered fresh in the morning at Blocks, and if you get there late in the day, there is not much left to pick from. From flowers to fruit,the selection changes on a daily basis. 

One of the things I like best about Blocks is the open market atmosphere. You never quite know what your going to get on any given day. Since our move last year, Blocks is not right around the corner anymore. I still make the 30 minute drive out there though. The sales change daily and I really mean it when I say they have the best prices in town.I pass up four other flower markets on the way to Blocks, but even with gas prices high, Blocks is worth the trip. The price, quality ,selection, and staff give them a competitive advantage in the marketplace, but you would never know it. They are just a humble stand selling the best goods at a fair price, and you cant get any more American than that!

Rows of hanging baskets and perennials. This year I bought two baskets of wave petunias in red white and blue. I decided to take a break from the pink and do something different. I'm living on the edge now! <---I really need to invent a sarcasm font for statements like that ;-) 

I love the impatiens, they are my favorite flower to have in hanging baskets and patio pots. I get too much sunshine for them though, these babies prefer lots and lots of shade. One of these days I am going to have to create a shade garden full of them! I will call it my Midnight Garden and it will be filled with plants that bloom in the night instead of the day and a replica of my Bird Girl  will grace the center of the vignette. 

Along with the hanging baskets, I purchased this ready made pot for $6.00. I also brought home two pots of patio tomatoes and some herbs for a patio herb garden. I hope you all enjoyed our little "trip" today. If your ever in the area stop on Blocks. Don't buy all the good stuff though, save some for me :-) 

Merry Christmas to All!

 

Merry Christmas to all of my Capricious Whimsy readers! I hope you are all having a splendid time enjoying the holidays with you families and friends :-) 

We're Off To See The Wizard!

 After a particularly stressful week, we decided to relax with an indoor activity to release some little ones pent up "cabin fever" energy and to take our minds off the hustle and bustle of the busy holiday season. We went to The Henry Ford Museum. They are certainly ready for the holidays! We stopped to admire this splendid tree.

Here we have a closer peek at the ornaments that adorn it.  In these photos we have a blue gingham ribbon, a hot air balloon, a beautiful Garland, a pointy witches hat and a ruby slipper. Can you see a theme going here?


During our wanderings the wind began to switch, the house to pitch and suddenly the hinges started to unhitch. Just then a witch- to satisfy an itch, went flying on her broomstick thumbing for a hitch!

And oh, what happened then was rich. The house began to pitch. The kitchen took a slitch. It landed on the Wicked Witch in the middle of a ditch!

We were scooped up by a tornado and blown to very different place. Toto, I don't think we are in Kansas, er Michigan anymore!

 Look at the size of these shoes and that hat! What kind of place have we landed in?!

 

We are in the land of Oz of course! 

 The only way home is to follow the yellow brick road. 

 

First we met Scarecrow. He is looking for a brain. We suggested he follow us to see the wizard. Surely he will know what to do!  Then we met a Tin Man looking for a heart. He was to busy to get a picture. Many little ones were helping to oil his squeaky joints.

 

Next we found a Cowardly Lion! He is searching for courage. He decides to ask the wizard for some, so he tags along too.

 

We took some flack from some witch and her flying monkeys along the way. But then we found what we had come for in the first place!

 

At Last the Ruby Slippers! These are a replica on loan from MGM.  No one knows how many pairs of slippers were actually made for the movie. After the last scene was complete the props were sent to the incinerator.

A quick thinking man named Kurt Warner, who worked for MGM's costume department, rescued them. There are only five known pairs in existence and are the most recognized piece of movie memorabilia on the planet.

We have finally reached the wizard! The Scarecrow found his brain, the Tin Man his heart and The Cowardly Lion his courage. With a few clicks of our heels we are on our way home!

 Thank you for sharing our journey through the land of Oz and back. I hope you are all enjoying time with your families this holiday season! 

Bacon Memorial Library

"I am the Library. I am the wisdom of the universe captured and arranged for you.

I am an open door...........

Enter"

The Bacon Memorial District Library in Wyandotte is one of my favorite places to visit. It is located inside a 3 story Queen Anne Victorian that was built in 1897 by the Detroit firm Malcomson & Higginbotham for Mr. Ed Ford (no relation to Henry) and his wife Carrie. Mr. Ford was the son of plate glass pioneer John Baptiste Ford. The senior Fords only lived in the house until 1900. It was then occupied by Mr. Ford's son John B Ford from 1900-1902. Mr. Ford's daughter Mary Ford Bacon and her family lived on the property from 1902 until 1927 when the family moved to California. In 1942  Mary bestowed it to the Wyandotte Public School system to be used as a library after the death of her husband, Mr. Bacon.  There is a lovely portrait hung in the former dining room, of Mary Ford Bacon reading to her grandchildren. 

 The home, which sits on four city lots, boasts 27 rooms,11 fireplaces and a three story bell tower in the rear. I have photographed  just for you, a few of the fireplaces that are available for view on the guided/self tours. Guided tours are offered the first Saturday of the month at 10am, self guided tours are available during regular library hours.  

The craftsmanship and the tile just blow me away. They are absolutely stunning. True works of art, I tell you.  This was the epitome of luxury in the 1900's. One of the things I adore about historic homes the most, is the character and charm that they represent. The opulent fireplaces in this home offer a glimpse of the life of wealthy society in the late 1800's . 

Here we have a green glass subway-style tile.

Just gorgeous, even after all of these years! 

The white fireplace in the front room to the right of the main parlor is still pristine. 

For me its all about the details. These columns are from the fireplace opposite the parlor room.  

 I swear this tile looks like mother of pearl. I also love the mirror above. Several of the fireplaces in the home have them. The more details the better :-) 

A closer look. Beautiful blend of color.

 In addition to the lovely fireplaces, this home also has an impressive collection of stained glass sprinkled throughout the space. 

 This little alcove would be a perfect spot to cozy up with a book and read away the afternoon. 

Here is a better shot of the glass. 

These beauties hold an antique book collection in the Billie Simmons room. In 1996 President Clinton visited the library, on his way to the National Democratic Convention in Chicago, to discuss the importance of children's literacy. He was photographed for the Heritage Newspaper at the desk to the right of these bookcases. 

The stained glass in the old billiard room. 

This set of glass resides at the top of the main staircase off the parlor. I tried to get the best shot I could. Even though it is a cloudy day the sun still streams through. 

At the top of the staircase. 

 A better close up of the glass. The photos do not do justice to the color that is present in this glass. You can tell it is quality and hand made. There is a milky white color that runs through the pale green glass and it just has a lovely vintage look to it. 

I love the staircase! Especially the rounded banister at the bottom. The wood work is time worn and feels so silky under the palm of your hand. 

 The parlor off the main entrance. 

 Another shot of the parlor and the staircase. Going up are various photos of the home dating from the late 1890s to present. It's amazing how the house is still ripe with original character, despite a few additions and "remodels". I am so very happy that this library is still open for us all to enjoy!

This is a photo of  how the parlor looked when the Ford-Bacon family lived in the home. 

 This is the Billie Simmons Room. Here is a photo of President Bill Clinton seated at the desk on the left during his visit in 1996.

 As if this home needed anymore charm, there are various built in units all over the house. This one is located in what used to be the dining room. I wonder if it was used it for a buffet or sideboard? It kind of looks like it could even be used as a desk. The various photos are of the Ford Bacon family. 

I hope you enjoyed our little visit to the Bacon Memorial Library today. If you are interested in finding more information about the library click here. If you are ever in the area stop on by, it is a unique and wonderful place to spend just a few minutes or the entire afternoon.